Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 17th May 2022

Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

Mail A Star News Group Publication

RANGES TRADER FERNTREE GULLY BELGRAVE

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

EDUCATION WEEK 2022 Celebrate Education Week from 22nd May to 28th May

EDUCATION WEEK

Truly holistic education There has been a fundamental shift in recent years in the view of children and child-rearing, and this shift has transformed our schools, our neighbourhoods and our relationships to one another.

In addition to this, recent global events have further impacted children’s mental and emotional health, exacerbating what was already a rapidly deteriorating situation.

Steiner education helps to bring about a healthy development of the growing human being, through close observation and a knowledge of the nature of the therapeutic forces embedded in our educational approach.

As no one child is exactly like another, and each has their own individual physiological, intellectual, and emotional traits, the teacher must learn to closely study each child with loving care. By working with the children through a strong foundation of rhythm, lessons are permeated with living imagery and learning becomes more mobile, vital and full

of an imaginative quality.

Steiner education is unique in the extent and depth to which the curriculum is carefully structured to ensure a thorough and healthy developmental basis for learning.

This thoughtful weaving together of physical, intellectual and social elements of teaching ensures that each student has a well-rounded experience within a truly holistic education.

Steiner schools have developed the view that education is indeed an art in and of itself.

Little Yarra has a growing reputation as one of the most established and successful Steiner schools in Australia, and they are tremendously honoured to be part of an educational system designed specifically around catering to children’s physical and socio-emotional development as well as their academic needs.

The school is proud to deliver an education that is more relevant than ever for the challenges facing the world today.

A Place to Breathe

Little Yarra Steiner School & Kindergarten 205 Little Yarra Rd, Yarra Junction, 3797 ph: 5967 1953

www.lyss.vic.edu.au 12549156-SN20-22

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EDUCATION WEEK

140 year milestone OPEN WEEK In 2022, Education Week celebrates 150 Years of Public Education exploring the theme, ‘The evolution of education’. At Menzies Creek they are celebrating 140 years!

Menzies Creek Primary School will be having open mornings on Tuesday May 24 and Thursday May 26 from 9:30 – 11:30 where families will be able to visit all the classrooms, spend time with their child/ren and see what is happening in their school. At 10:30 on Tues-

day and Thursday there will be an opportunity for a school tour.

Menzies Creek will also be having an open afternoon on Wednesday May 25 from 2:40 3:30. After last year it will be a great chance to welcome everyone back to school and enjoy reconnecting with our community.

Menzies Creek Primary School is situated at 12 School Road Menzies Creek, phone 9754 3695.

St Paul’s Primary School - 59 Moores Rd Monbulk

2022 OPEN DAYS

We walk hand in hand to grow curious, caring, lifelong learners Open Mornings Tuesday May 24 and Thursday May from 9.30am - 11.30am See our school in action. At 10.30 on both dates there will also be an opportunity for a school tour.

Open Afternoon Wednesday May 25 2.40 - 3.30pm

Ours school guidelines are:

Wednesday 25 May 9:30am Thursday 9 June 9:30am School Tours are also available by appointment

Do your best Help others succeed Respect your environment At Menzies Creek Primary School and Preschool, we’re proud to offer a unique educational experience designed to enhance academic growth and promote wellbeing and engagement.

Call the office today on 9756 7201 to register for one of our Open Days

Please contact us to arrange a school or preschool tour. Take a look through our website to learn more about us.

12 School Rd, Menzies Creek 9754 3695 12537486-RC20-22

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EDUCATION WEEK

Education for the ages Places are currently available in Years Three to Six in Dandenong Ranges Steiner School’s mid-year scholarship program intake.

The school provides scholarship places to children in these year levels whose families may not otherwise be able to afford a Steiner education.

‘We want our school to be accessible to all those who are wanting a Steiner education.

We offer the scholarship program so that families in alignment with our philosophy whose financial circumstances make private school fees prohibitive can experience this education.

We also keep our fees as affordable as possible for all.’ Business Manager, Cath Lanigan said.

Dandenong Ranges Steiner School offers Class One to Six at its primary campus in Emerald, and Playgroup, Kindergarten and Prep at its early childhood campus in Menzies Creek.

Families wanting to know more about the school and the Steiner curriculum are warmly invited to attend the primary campus Open Day this coming Thursday, May 19 from 9am to 12:30pm where there will be an opportunity to see some of each class in action.

On Saturday, May 21 the school hosts its annual Taste of Steiner Curriculum workshops where parents have a unique opportunity to experience the curriculum themselves, with teachers running workshops on some of the subjects the school offers. It runs from 9.30am to 1.30pm and bookings are required for these free workshops via the school’s website at www.drss.vic.edu.au/community/events/.

Spaces are limited. If the workshop books out, please call the school on 8790 4797 and ask to be added to the cancellation waiting list.

The school also offers monthly tours of both campuses where families have the op-

portunity to journey through from Playgroup, Kindergarten to Class Six and bookings can be made through the website or by phoning the school.

Dandenong Ranges Steiner School is part of a worldwide educational movement – one of 50 Steiner schools in Australia and more than 1,000 around the world. Education Facilitator Dana Jindra said the education is academic, purposeful and artistic – stimulating the imagination of the child and strengthening each child’s thinking, feeling and ability to use their will to carry out tasks.

‘Through literacy, maths, history, geography, and science, the curriculum explores the wealth of world wisdom from ancient times to our present day resourcing children to meet the challenges of the future as well as fostering a deep love of humanity and of the world around them,’ ‘The heart of the curriculum is the Main Lesson – a three to four week long unit of work that integrates different subjects and is brought to the children each morning when they are most alert and eager to learn.

Each Main Lessonis brought in an artistic manner with many practical activities to en-

gage the children’s interest and will and cater for the various learning styles of students in the class. Academic skills introduced in Main Lesson are further practised and developed through daily practice sessions. Craft, Woodwork, German, Music and a movement program are integrated into the curriculum to engage and enliven children’s head, heart and hands,’ Dana said.

At the Open Day on Thursday, May 19 classrooms will be open so families can see Main Lessons, literacy and numeracy practice lessons, as well as Craft, Orchestra and Morning Circle (a multimodal activity that engages children through movement, singing and games to prepare them for their learning that day).

‘Our primary campus overlooks the beautiful Cardinia Reservoir Park, located in Bunurong country and provides a natural environment where children learn to think creatively, explore and participate fully. The curriculum fosters manual and mental dexterity and honours personal interaction. Children are prepared for the formal integration of digital technology in their secondary school years,’ Dana said.

The Early Childhood campus is in a bushland setting on Wurundjeri land and it’s often where families start their school journey.

Early Childhood Education Leader Karin Penny said, ‘We offer six playgroups – some indoors at the campus playgroup room and others outdoors in our forest playgroup.

Playgroup offers families an opportunity to meet weekly in a nurturing and healthy environment with a rhythm which includes free play, nature walks, story and Morning Circle with seasonal songs and poems.

‘The rhythm continues in Kindergarten where creative play is the focus – nurturing the imaginative life of the small child. Prep provides a wonderful opportunity for children to develop new social, artistic and fine motor skills and allows the class time to strengthen and mature before they continue their journey into Class One and begin their formal academic work. The focal point of the curriculum is imaginative play and the children thrive physically and emotionally in the security of a predictable daily, weekly and seasonal rhythm,’ Karin said.

FOUNDATION 2023

ENROLMENTS NOW OPEN OPEN DAY THURSDAY 26 MAY 9 - 11 am Call the school to book a tour

• Located in the beautiful surrounds of the Dandenong Ranges • Holistic, nurturing, supportive environment • Strong nature-based programs • Creative, practical, intellectual and culturally rich curriculum responsive to the developmental phases of childhood

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WEEKEND TOURS / SATURDAY 22 MAY 10:30 - 11:30am and 11:30 - 12:30pm PERSONALISED WEEKDAY TOURS Individual, personalized tours can be arranged by contacting the Principal or Transition Coordinator

belgravesouthps.vic.edu.au • 9754 2505 belgrave.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au

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ENROL NOW FOR 2023

8790 4797 www.drss.vic.edu.au Early Childhood Campus: 51 School Road, Menzies Creek

Primary Campus: 11c Duffys Road, Narre Warren East

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MONTHLY TOURS Education Week events May 14th, 19th and 21st

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EDUCATION WEEK

A home for local youth Almost 370 students now call Cire Community School (CCS) home at their Yarra Junction, Mount Evelyn and Berwick campuses and their new site in Lilydale, demonstrating our positive impact on young people who just don’t fit into mainstream education.

Before coming to Cire, many of the students had disengaged from their learning or were at risk of doing so. The pandemic further exacerbated this. Many students had not attended a school environment for more than two and a half years and have found this particular period difficult socially.

At Cire, we are all about belonging and community, with a focus on community and wellbeing. They foster a sense of belonging and connection among their students in years 5 to 12. Trauma-informed practices are paramount when supporting their young people and provide consistency, predictability and routine, which, in turn, allows them to settle quickly into student life at Cire.

“Work hard, Be Kind” is CCS’s mantra, with our values of Safety, Respect, and Learning being the driving force for our young people to achieve extraordinary things. Drawing on the Berry Street Education Model, we provide teaching, learning, and wellbeing strategies to increase students’ engagement with complex unmet learning needs and enhance student self-regulation, relationships, and growth.

In 2021, even with the craziness of a pandemic, they were proud to see 15 students graduate with a VCAL pass. Many others moved into an industry with an apprenticeship or

traineeship. While Cire has become a school of choice for many, it certainly isn’t a case of one size fits all - sometimes they have those square pegs who just don’t fit into a round hole.

However, they tailor individual learning plans to suit each student’s unique style of learning, with their teachers finding positive outcomes in almost everything their young people either complete or attempt.

CCS has students from all walks of life and circumstances, with a small percentage residing in Out of Home Care. The Wellbeing teams at each campus are driven to implement change within students, emphasising a strength-based, person-centred approach.

CCS enjoys a strong relationship with the local community and allied health services networks, facilitating referrals and access to appropriate external organisations when needed.

Further strengthening the school community and individual support, they have a morning breakfast club for students to access hot beverages, cereal and toasted sandwiches. A weekly barbecue further enhances connectedness and a sense of belonging and community spirit.

Even when students leave Cire, the door is always open. The past students often return to chat with the “newbies” about how much Cire has positively impacted their schooling journey and reconnect with staff, and seek general advice. There is an amazing amount of power from peer-led discussions, which is something that CCS will continue to embrace now and into the future.

Cire Community School

Cire Training

A school of choice creating brighter futures.

Educational services that inspire students of all ages.

VCAL | electives | project-based learning

Qualifications | short courses | pathways

Proudly educating: • Years 5 to 12, Yarra Junction • Years 7 to 12, Mt Evelyn and Lilydale

Proudly offering nationally recognised training in: • Early Childhood Education and Care • Aged Care • Education Support • Community Services • White Card • First Aid • RSA

Inclusive environment

Local campuses

Speak with one of our friendly team members for more information about Cire Community School and Cire Training’s educational opportunities.

www.cire.org.au

1300 835 235

Supportive teachers and trainers

Scan here to visit our website.

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EDUCATION WEEK

Future is in safe hands

By Zoe, Marley, Monet and Ruby Grade 6 Students At Monbulk Primary School Sustainability is important to Monbulk Primary School. Looking after our land and animals matters to us, so we created the sustainability team. Hi, I’m Zoe, one of the Sustainability Captains. Sustainability matters to me because humans aren’t the only living things on this planet. We must care for plants and animals too.

They are just as important as us and we depend on them for our survival. I want to bring sustainability to Monbulk by increasing our area’s biodiversity. We are going to rehabilitate Monbolloc (the remnant area of bush opposite Safeway). Getting the school involved is important so that everyone can learn to be sustainable.

I’m Marley, one of the sustainability captains. I’ve known being a Sustainability Captain is exactly what I’ve wanted to do since I love nature and want to keep the natural world alive. One of the ways I’m doing this is by introducing RedCycle to our school. RedCycling is a great way to reduce the amount of plastic going into landfill and I recommend other RedCycle too. Being a Sustainability Captain is a great experience!

Monet and Ruby are both part of our Sustainability Team.

Hi! I’m Monet and I’m part of the sustainability team. I’m patient about the environment and think about our future.

I wanted to be part of the team because I care about MPS’ sustainability, and by the end of the year I hope to get our 5th sustainability star!

‘My name is Ruby and I wanted to be a part of the Sustainability team because I love being out in nature, and I want to help our school be more sustainable. I want to do Target Tuesday every week so our school can have less rubbish. We are all excited to get our 5th Sustainability Star for Monbulk Primary’.

Zoe 11, Marley 12, Monet (standing) 11 and Ruby 11 - Grade 6 students at Monbulk Primary School.

Teaching kids the basics

Come and see Prep @ Work at Monbulk Primary School Thursday 26th May Thursday 16th June 9.15 - 10.15 am 2023 Enrolments Now Open

Teaching a little one to use scissors seems to inspire fear in a lot of parents, however, a good sturdy pair of scissors with safety blades means that even a toddler can handle a pair of scissors and an adult’s blood pressure can remain stable!

“There seems to be a lot of concern about when is the ‘best’ time to introduce scissor skills to a child’s crafty repertoire,” says leading craft expert, Shannon WongNizic, from OhCreativeDay. Here are Shannon’s top tips for parents looking to teach their young child how to cut safely and effectively: Open-shut them - The first skill to learn is opening and closing the scissors. This is when a spring-assisted pair of scissors is a good choice. Around the age of two, a child will often open the scissors with both hands. At this stage of development, they aren’t ready to begin cutting paper. Cutting playdough is a great way to encourage strengthening hands and growing accustomed to the open/close nature of using scissors.

Thumbs up - From the start, it’s important to remind children of the ‘thumbs up’ position while holding scissors. The thumb is placed in the smaller hole and the fingernail must face the ceiling. Draw a smiley face on a child’s thumbnail when they are first learning to hold scissors, making sure that the smile is facing the ceiling at all times when cutting.

Snip snip - Once opening and closing the scissors has been mastered, kids can move onto practising snipping paper. They are not moving the paper forward as they cut, simply snipping.

Cut and hold - Around the age of three, children can begin moving scissors forward along paper to cut. After this skill is acquired, children begin also using their nondominant hand to hold the paper and move it to allow cutting with the dominant hand.

Children at this stage can begin to cut along straight lines, with varying accuracy.

Around the bend - From straight lines, children then move to curved lines. From lines, they then move onto basic shapes. By about the age of five, children can begin to cut more complex shapes with increased accuracy.

The right tools for the job - When it comes to scissor skills, having a top-quality pair of scissors is a must. Shannon learnt the hard way with her firstborn when she attempted to introduce scissors with her, using cheap scissors that caused much toddler angst. There is nothing worse than a frustrated toddler bearing scissors!

Shannon Wong-Nizic is a teacher, mum of three and avid crafter. An enthusiastic fan of pom poms, PVA and paint, she runs popular blog and online parenting resource dedicated to all things creative, https:// ohcreativeday.com/ and has over 30,000 followers on Instagram.

Contact details: 1 Main Road, Monbulk Ph: 9756 6481 monbulk.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Mum, teacher and craft expert Shannon Wong-Nizic shares her tips for teaching kids scissor skills.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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EDUCATION WEEK

Major upgrades to come Kids in The Patch will soon be learning in brand new classrooms, as part of the State Government’s biggest school-building program since the Education Act was passed in 1872.

Monbulk MP and Education Minister James Merlino visited The Patch Primary School to announce it is among 65 Victorian government schools to receive a major capital upgrade as part of the Victorian Budget 2022/23.

The Patch Primary School will receive $6.483 million to upgrade and modernise its existing facilities, including the main classroom wing.

The Patch Primary School will attend a briefing session to begin the Asset Management Planning process within two weeks of the budget, and architects will be appointed by the end of August, with construction starting in the second half of 2023.

Through the budget, the State Government will invest $236.7 million to acquire more land in the state’s high-growth areas like Melton, Cardinia, Casey, Greater Geelong, Hume, Whittlesea and Wyndham for future new schools, as well as $92.2 million for new relocatable buildings to provide extra places in 2023 for schools with fast-growing enrolments.

In the past eight years, the government has invested $12.8 billion in building new schools and more than 1,850 school upgrades, creating around 17,400 jobs in construction and associated industries.

In a statement, Mr Merlino said he was happy to be at the school to announce the funding.

“Being here to announce $6.5 million for major capital upgrades at my local primary school is really special.

“We are investing more than $650 million in upgrades at schools like The Patch through this year’s budget – making sure all students

have a world-class education and schooling experience.

“This funding will go a long way in improv-

ing the facilities for kids at The Patch Primary School and making their educational journey a more engaging one.”

More munch time needed

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Research has shown that giving school children an extra five minutes to eat their lunch before play is likely to benefit them in a variety of ways.

Picture: ISTOCK However, the study also showed that parents were open to general suggestions and feedback about the contents of kids’ lunchboxes.

“Many parents thought teachers should eat their own lunch with the children, believing this would be a good opportunity to role model healthy eating to children,” says Dr Margerison.

This sentiment wasn’t as popular with teachers as it was with parents.

“Children spend so much of their time at school, the lines between what is the parent’s responsibility and what is the teacher’s responsibility is often blurred, and these research findings certainly highlight some of those grey areas,” Dr Margerison says.

The study clearly shows that giving children an extra five minutes to eat their lunch will be beneficial and has the potential to increase children’s ability to focus and learn.

“How we find that extra five minutes is what we want to look at next,” says Dr Margerison.

“Do we take it from play time or class time, or could we have an educational lunch and teach about nutrition at the same time?”

NOW TAKING 2023 ENROLMENTS

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Recent research conducted by Deakin University’s Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) and School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences (SENS) has revealed some interesting information about kids and their lunchtimes.

Most primary-aged kids only receive around 10 minutes to eat their lunch at school, despite the fact that many parents and teachers agree that this is not enough time.

The Deakin University study showed that most parents believed children needed at least 15 minutes to each their lunch before being permitted to go outside to play.

“Our research found that some parents also believe that limiting eating times influences the types of food their children wanted to take for lunch,” says Dr Melissa Burton from SENS. “For example, with less time to eat, children are more likely to prioritise the most appealing foods in their lunchbox, such as the treats, which are often nutrient poor,” she says.

“These findings not only have implications for children’s health but also their ability to learn, as research tells us that good nutrition is necessary to help children thrive academically.”

Dr Claire Margerison from IPAN said that though research revealed parents reporting their children would be more likely to finish the contents of their lunch box with more time, there are mixed views on whose responsibility it is to encourage healthy eating, among other things.

“About half of the parents and teachers surveyed said only parents and children should choose what food they eat at school, while one quarter of parents and one third of teachers believed that schools should have a responsibility to monitor food brought from home,” says Dr Margerison.

“Criticising individual children’s lunchboxes was generally viewed as inappropriate among both parents and teachers,” she says.

Tuesday 24th May 9am - 11am

Welcoming, approachable staff Berry Street Educational Model Focus on Literacy and Numeracy Strong established specialist programs in Art, Music, STEM Education and AUSLAN language Nature Based Learning including Wetlands Multi-award winning gardens Hands-on learning Philosophy P-6 Forest Classroom Kinder & Year 5 students 53 Kallista-Emerald Road The Patch 3792 Email: the.patch.ps@education.vic.gov.au

ly r love u o t Mee ers each t p e Pr the m in a 5 1 : an @9 y for r a r b Li on mati r o f n i on sessi

Telephone: 9756 7463 Website: www.thepatchps.vic.edu.au Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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EDUCATION WEEK

Achieving excellence I feel very privileged to be appointed to the Principal role for this wonderful school serving the broader Monbulk community. I would like to thank Margaret Uren for her outstanding leadership of this school and her contribution to the system of public education in Victoria. The legacy of Margaret’s work will be felt directly by those she taught and led.

Indirectly, it impacts generations of families that build an appreciation of the value of

public education. Her work will be felt deeply, broadly and for a significant amount of time.

I look forward to continually celebrating all great things that Monbulk achieves, a school where students are supported to explore their interests and achieve their best. I began my professional life as a teacher teaching Maths, Outdoor Education and Physical Education.

My educational leadership has extended across a number of government schools with

roles in student wellbeing, curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment and reporting, sub-schools, professional development and university pre-service teaching programs, to name a few.

I look forward to further strengthening relationships with all members of the school community and to seek further opportunities for student voice, agency and connectedness.

Arguably the greatest opportunity at Monbulk

College is to continue to keep developing the school. The prospect of continuing to work with the members of the “Monbulk” community to instil the confidence to achieve excellence in all aspects of school life is an exciting one.

Mark Quinlan, College Principal Monbulk College

OPEN DAY Saturday May 28 9am - 12pm

A View To The Future

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Gembrook Primary School is a vibrant and aspirational education community, providing a safe and supportive learning environment.

Our objective is for students to achieve the academic, social, emotional and physical growth to thrive in a global society.

For school tours - please contact Principal Brendan Fitzpatrick on 5968 1313 gembrook.ps@education.vic.gov.au 8W MAIL

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EDUCATION WEEK

Selby’s quality education

By Scott Burton, Principal Selby Primary School I would like to welcome you to Selby Primary School. As the Principal of this fantastic school, I have enjoyed the sense of community present in our school community. With an enrolment of just over 190 students, we are large enough to offer a full range of specialist subjects and programs, whilst small enough to have that personal feel where everyone is familiar with the people within our community.

Starting school brings with it many changes.

The close relationship you have enjoyed with your child will be enhanced by a partnership with teachers at school. A key factor in student success is fostering a sound partnership between home and school through clear and regular communication. At Selby Primary School we encourage and support all parents to be actively involved in their child’s education.

At Selby Primary School we provide a quality education through stimulating and childcentred learning programs. Our teachers are professional and committed educators who strive to improve the learning outcomes of all students in their care.

We aim to develop students who are confident, competent, articulate, and resilient individuals. Through their active involvement in school life, our students are inspired and motivated to achieve their best and make a meaningful and positive contribution to the school and broader community.

Our students enjoy secure and pleasant surroundings that are superbly resourced for learning, sport, and play. I look forward to meeting and working with you in the future.

If you wish to tour our school or discuss any aspect of the school or your child’s welfare, please contact us to arrange a time.

P L E A S E C O N TA C T U S F O R A SCHOOL TOUR 9754 2675

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EDUCATION WEEK

Learning through play Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool has been a part of the Belgrave South community for decades.

Many of the parents now bringing their children to kinder attended themselves when they were littlies.

Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool have a 3 year old and 4 year old program, each with its own room that can be set up to suit the different stages of learning. They share their beautiful playground that has a bush kinder feel to it. Initially, each age group has separate times outside to encourage bonds and friendships in the respective age groups and allowing the younger children time to build up their confidence in the kinder setting. Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool do however like to bring the groups together at times to take advantage of the learning involved in being around children of different ages.

Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool programs evolve around learning through play, building on the interests of the children and providing opportunities for each child to develop and grow at their own rate. They encourage calculated risk taking and doing things that might be out of their comfort zone - small steps towards big success.

Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool structured daily routine gives the children awareness of what comes next in their day providing comfort to those a little anxious .

Snack time is a communal time with the whole group sitting together and chatting while they eat their healthy food.

The kinder has a strong connection to the local community with the children visiting and learning about different aspects of their surroundings.

Len Jeffrey Memorial Preschool are lucky to have the educators that they do as they are much adored by the children and go above and

beyond to provide the best possible program for each child to reach their full potential.

Leah and Sylvie are with the 3s and Kate

and Jo are with the 4s.

If you’d like to learn more about our teachers and program, please visit our website.

3 &R-O4LD YEA KINDER

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ENROL NO

Please contact us for enquiries and tours

PHONE

12548868-DL20-22

9754 5965

102 Colby Drive Belgrave South 3160 10W MAIL

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EMAIL len.jeffrey.memorial.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au INTERNET www.lenjeffreymemorialpreschool.vic.edu.au

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EDUCATION WEEK

New principal welcomed New Macclesfield Primary School principal Andrew Bagnall is looking forward to a bright future with the school.

“We have a committed team of educators, thoughtful, engaged families, and resilient, considerate and happy children who love learning about their world,” Mr Bagnall said.

“Our families value the style of learning that leads children to develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions required to be an independent, engaged learner in our modern world. Our children feel valued at our school when opportunities to contribute to learning both inside and outside the classroom take place.

“We value student voice and agency as essential for building a community that provides student-centred learning.”

Mr Bagnall said the school offered the progressive inquiry learning approach through the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) and believed inquiry was the vehicle to drive student learning.

“The PYP provides the scope, flexibility and structure for teachers and educators to guide student learning,” he said.

“Our children and families already come to school with a whole range of experiences, knowledge and skills that demonstrate their enormous capacity and potential.

“The curriculum we create through our Units of Inquiry emerges from the questions, wonderings, knowledge and experiences our children discuss and share.

“Our teachers are skilled at facilitating learning by balancing the need for explicit instruction of curriculum, skills and approaches with the careful release of responsibility that leads to self-management and agency.”

Mr Bagnall said he was extremely proud of

the students who were kind, considerate and polite, creative and imaginative.

“I love the structures and games that can emerge from outdoor nature-based play.

Our children work together to solve problems. They are learning the responsibility we all share in taking ownership of our mistakes, and see these as opportunities to build on what we know.

“Our students ask questions to deepen their learning, and are beginning to take great responsibility for the role they play in building knowledge.”

He also praised the staff as extremely committed and understanding of the importance of their role in ensuring that students had access to the best learning environment and opportunities possible.

“Ongoing staff learning is a feature of our school and we are committed to improving our practice through targeted and specific professional development.”

A strong and supportive partnership between home and school was essential for a child’s learning to be successful and this was highly regarded at Macclesfield Primary School, he added.

“Our families are the first educators and we rely on information sharing, collaboration and trust to ensure we are meeting the learning and wellbeing needs for all of our students.

“As an IB school, we value the experiences, passions, interests and vocations from within our school community and see these as integral for building on the rich learning experiences taking place through the Primary Years Program.”

Prospective parent are invited to contact the school to learn more. School tours are conducted all year round.

Books matter says study BOOKS MATTER - UK STUDY HAS LESSONS FOR AUSTRALIA A study of 43,000 students in the United Kingdom released recently has demonstrated that it not only matters that kids read: it matters what they read.

A significant study showed that students who engaged in reading high-quality books daily scored much higher on tests than those who chose to read items such as magazines.

Professor of English Curriculum & Literacies Education at Griffith University Beryl Exley explains why it is important to encourage the reading of books - and why other reading materials are still important.

“Comics, newspapers and magazines don’t escalate children’s cognitive skills as much because they usually present everyday concepts with everyday vocabulary in a practical way,” she said.

“Storybooks and information books usually present academic concepts with a more technical vocabulary in an abstract way. This is what grows cognitive capacity.

“That’s not to say that comics, newspapers and magazines don’t ever focus on academic concepts, but it’s less likely that will happen.

“Children still should be encouraged to read comics, newspapers and magazines for pleasure, to add to their general knowledge and to be politically aware. The breadth of reading opportunities is the goal.”

Associate Professor Michael Nagel from the University of the Sunshine Coast said the study resonates with a growing corpus of literature suggesting that reading paperbased books offers a distinct advantage.

“Aside from a range of issues associated with reading on screens, and an oft held sacred cow suggesting that children should be offered anything to read just as long as they are reading, this study links with others that have identified that children prefer to read books on paper rather than screens and that academic success is linked to developing a rich understanding of complex

Macclesfield Primary School engages with students.

School in Action Tours 18 & 19 May 9:30am and 01 June 2:30pm

text through books over the school years,” he said.

“This is not to say that children should be discouraged from other types of reading but that books should be at the forefront of such endeavour. Reading, and reading comprehension, are not general skills and both are nurtured through incrementally complex text in age-appropriate books over the course of a child’s life and educational journey.”

For more information, please contact Associate Professor Michael Nagel in Child Development and Learning at the University of the Sunshine Coast at mnagel@usc. edu.au What children choose to read outside school directly influences their academic performance according to a major new study by the University of Malaga and UCL, and published in the peer-reviewed journal Oxford Review of Education.

Using longitudinal census data to look at more than 43,000 students, aged 10 to 11 and then again when they were 13 to 14, the research provides substantial evidence that pupils who enjoy reading high-quality books daily score higher on tests.

The average marks of pupils who read books rose by 0.22 points overall, which is the equivalent of 3 months’ worth of additional secondary school academic growth.

We are an authorised international Baccalaureate school, where learning is delivered through structured inquiry called the Primary Years Program.

Please call us to register your interest

5968 4734 405 Macclesfield Rd, Macclesfield 12549561-HC20-22

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Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Petition calls for Ferny Creek tree maintenance

Pre-polling off to a good start ahead of election

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

Mail Emerald Skate Park project gets $1 million

Concerns for local childcare accessibility

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

12496493-NG22-21

Restoring glory

By Parker McKenzie Within the lobby of Olinda Police Station, a newspaper clipping hangs on the wall showing the garden which decorated the old police station down the road.

When Sergeant Richard (Roy) Higgins first came to Olinda Police Station 18 months ago, he saw the difference between the current landscape and the heritage police station’s garden and knew he wanted to do something about it.

“When I came out and looked at our garden, I thought it looked just like a barren desert,” he said.

“Why can’t we make it exactly the same? It might not happen fast, but in 10 years’ time, it should be exactly what the old police station used to be.”

He decided to approach the Australian Rhodendron Society, who looked after the nearby Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens, to plant a new garden outside the station.

Prue Crome from the Society said the garden would feature different colours and varieties of the plant when they matured.

“It’ll probably start looking good in about two or three years and then at some point down the track in 10 to 15 years they will get too big,” she said.

“Roy is going to sort out a sign to promote the society. Rhododendrons are actually really tough plants.”

The brightly coloured plants usually bloom sometime between late winter and early summer.

Sergeant Higgins said it was important to recognise the hard work of the Rhododendron Society for not only the police station,

Prue Crome from the society was hard at work planting the rhododendrons.

The old police station in Olinda was known for its garden.

Olinda Police with the Australian Rhododendron Society Victoria. but Olinda as a whole.

“Without them and their efforts, we couldn’t get it done,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out.”

The Australian Rhodendron Society is one of the many volunteer groups throughout the Dandenong Ranges we have highlighted for

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Pictures: PARKER MCKENZIE

National Volunteer Week.

This year’s theme is Better Together, as volunteering brings people together, builds communities and creates a better society for everyone - which is very present in this project between the Olinda Police and the Australian Rhodendron Society.

For more, turn to pages 5 to 7

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Petition for tree survey

By Tyler Wright The Yarra Ranges Council has unanimously agreed to investigate concerns from Ferny Creek residents regarding overhanging trees and foliage along Jacka and Macnamara Street.

A petition, signed by 30 locals and submitted to Council’s meeting on Tuesday 10 May, called for the establishment of responsibility for the maintenance of trees on private property which reach onto the nature strip.

There have been four incidents involving fallen trees since March this year with Ausnet recently visiting the site stating they were responsible for clearing anything over powerlines up to 30 centimetres long, but no longer.

A dead branch was entered into a report by the staff member, but there was no guaranteed action plan.

Judy Mraz spoke as a representative of those who signed the petition and requested the heavy foliage be pruned to prevent injury and power outages.

“We would like the tree branches that are hanging over the nature strip and the road assessed to see if any are diseased or if they’re so heavily laden… that they be trimmed,” Ms Mraz said.

“Many residents were sharing their frustrations and fears about the number of incidents in such a short period of time.”.

The issue of trees on private properties producing overhanging branches onto the road and nature strip was also raised.

“I’d like to acknowledge that council has responded to both of the last two incidents by positively responding to requests to send a

mulcher in to mulch the tree debris,” Ms Mraz said.

Mayor Councillor Jim Child said the recommendation submitted was to receive and note the contents of the petition, refer that to the appropriate officer and commence an investigation.

Both Councillor Andrew Fullagar and Councillor Richard Higgins approved the motion.

“I’d like to reassure the petitioners that we take their safety seriously and I recommend that we do follow this up with our council officers,” Cr Fullagar said.

“Giving the locals a bit of confidence after an inspection is a good thing, so I’m more than happy for this to happen,” Cr Higgins said.

There were no objections to the motion.

There have been several overhanging branch incidences on Macnamara and Jacka Street in Ferny Creek.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Yarra Ranges Council releases draft budget

By Parker McKenzie

A proposed biking trail will see bikers have access through to Dandenong Ranges.

Picture: ON FILE

Olinda bike trail project seeks council’s support

By Tyler Wright Dandenong Ranges businesses and organisations are pushing for the establishment of - and funding for - an Olinda Creek Bicycle Nature Trail Feasibility Study.

The proposed trail aims to replace existing muddy trails, celebrate the local and Indigenous history of the area and boost tourism with the prospect of ‘cycling and staying’ in the hills.

It would begin at Lilydale Station and finish at Olinda Creek’s toilet block, connecting existing trails such as the Warburton Rail Trail, Ridge Walk and the Belgrave Gembrook Trail (by road).

Ron Thomas, Kalorama local and representative for the local community, spoke at the Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday 10 May and said options for bike riders were slim in the area.

“For ordinary people or people on ebikes, senior citizens, pedestrians, there really isn’t anywhere to go,” Mr Thomas said. “[This trail] is a tourism gem and manages tourism to also work for the people that live here.”

“It will protect the environment by confining bikes to one trail.”

Supported by The Villages, Dandenong Ranges Tourism, Yarra Ranges Tourism and Olinda Community House, and agreed to by nine cycling bodies including Rail Trails and Bicycle Victoria, Council has been asked to endorse the application for a $125,000 feasibility study grant from the State Government.

After funding is received, a body will be established to manage the project.

“I do concern myself with mountain bikers going off trail and making their own tracks into the parks and I think that this might assist that stopping,” Councillor Richard Higgins said.

The trail would also connect Swansea and York roads.

“It’s connecting our township’s health and wellbeing benefit and community engagement and empowerment,” Councillor Andrew Fullagar said.

Councillor Mark Varmalis, Director of Environment and Infrastructure, was asked to take the matter to the recreation and active living team with a report to return to form.

Yarra Ranges Council has signalled major spending on roads, bridges and walkways, and community buildings within the 2022/23 draft budget, while also expecting to finish with a surplus of just under $40 million.

After being announced at the 10 May 2022 Council meeting, the Draft Budget is now open for community engagement and submissions.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the budget would deliver significant progress on stages of the Yarra Valley Trail, Ridgewalk and the Warburton mountain bike destination.

“This year we’ll be taking big steps forward with our Ridges and Rivers projects across the Yarra Valley and Dandenongs,” he said.

“We’ll be hoping to finish Stage 1 of the Yarra Valley Trail, connecting the existing trail at Yering to Yarra Glen Station, while working on a Northern Loop of the trail that connects up.

“In the hills, we’ll be working on the first stage of RidgeWalk, which will be a 26km trail connecting towns and displaying the histories, cultures and artworks inspired by the Dandenong Ranges.”

The Ridgewalk, a 26km trail in the Dandenongs, has been allocated $1.9 million alongside further funding from the State and Federal Governments.

Council has also allocated 4.6 million for positive ageing services and $7 million for the maintenance and renewal of community buildings. Monbulk Reserve will receive $561,000 in funding for a stormwater harvesting system. $86.4 million has been allocated towards council services, including $6.3 million for early year development, and early childhood education and care.

Rates for residents in the Yarra Ranges will increase by 1.75 per cent, in line with the State Government’s rate cap. Council is forecasting

Yarra Ranges Council has released its draft budget for community consultation.

Picture: ON FILE a $39.7 million budget surplus.

Mr Child said recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and the June 2021 storms would be part of the council’s plans.

“As we come up to one year since the 9 June storms and winter starts up again, we know that people may be feeling nervous and tense.

We’re here to help, and please reach out to us if you need,” he said.

“Our Recovery Team will continue to help guide people through this recovery, working with our passionate community members so we can get through this together.” $3 million has been allocated to recovery projects in the next year.

Community engagement with the budget closes on 7 June, with a special meeting of Yarra Ranges Council will be held on Wednesday 15 June to hear spoken submissions from the community.

Boost your protection and book your COVID-19 booster at australia.gov.au Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

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NEWS

IN BRIEF Storm recovery continues

Pre-polling action

By Parker McKenzie Voters from three different electorates — Aston, Casey and Deakin — converge upon Boronia PPVC to cast their votes a week and a half before Election Day on May 21, as volunteers busily hand out how to vote cards to anyone who will take them.

On Wednesday 11 April, with early voting now in full swing, the Star Mail spoke to the volunteers hoping to sway people and guide preferences to the right place, in the hope of getting their chosen candidate over the line.

TNL candidate for Aston Ryan Bruce said he was handing out how to vote cards because the newly formed party is contesting its first election and he doesn’t have the volunteer base of other candidates.

“This is one of the most popular early voting centres in Aston, so I’m just down here for as long as I can, handing out the cards,” he said.

“Climate and integrity are two areas that have been greatly lacking for a long time. We’re using a net zero by 2030 target and a powerful integrity commission to put the corrupt politicians in jail.”

Mr Bruce is one of two TNL candidates running in Victoria.

A volunteer for UAP candidate for Aston Rebekah Spelman named Michael said he is supporting the party because of the “freedom policies and freedom choices.”

“I like the policies regarding finance and imposing a surcharge on iron or exports,” he said.

“I think the UAP will do pretty well, but we’ll see how it goes.”

Josephine Fay said she is supporting and volunteering for Labor candidate for Aston Mary Doyle because she believes in the values of the Labor Party.

Volunteers and candidates outside the early voting centre in Boronia on Wednesday 11 May. Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE “I want an integrity commission and action on climate change, childcare, women and gender issues, and I feel they are the best party that can offer these things,” she said.

“I’ve been living here for 40 years and I can’t remember a woman going for Aston. I think young people are disillusioned and we need a change.”

Margaret Sinclair said she is supporting Claire Ferres Miles in Casey because she believes it is important to have an independent voice.

“Someone who is going to vote for what is good for the electorate, rather than just voting along party lines,” she said.

“The values of integrity, honesty and caring for the environment are really important, and especially living up in the hills nothing is more important than climate change.”

Boronia PPVC is the closest early voting centre for many Dandenong Ranges residents, with no centres in the hills open until Election Day. Irwin, another volunteer for Claire Ferres Miles, said he was supporting her campaign at

the voting centre because she represents the same values he believes in.

“I’ve done this a few times now. I did this for the Greens previously but I find Claire an interesting person in her own right,” he said.

“There is more a chance Liberal people would vote for her than they’d ever vote for the Greens.”

A man wearing a pro-union shirt supporting Ms Doyle and Labor’s campaign said he was at the voting centre because he “believes in democracy,” but won’t give further comment.

David, who is volunteering for Liberal MP for Aston Alan Tudge, said he wanted to see the Morrison Government re-elected.

“We’ve been tough on China, we’ve developed AUKUS and we’ve improved our defences,” he said.

“We’ve cut taxes too, we’ve changed the senate voting system and we did same-sex marriage and a whole raft of things like the TPP trade agreement. Lots of things I am very proud of.”

Another volunteer for Mr Tudge refuses to comment on why he is supporting the Minister for Education’s re-election campaign.

Greens Party volunteer Deborah said she is supporting the party because of climate action.

“When I look at their policies, every policy seems to be ethically the right thing to do,” she said.

“I’m really concerned about the corruption in the major parties. People need to know the truth and not be sponsored by big business and mining companies.”

Boronia PPVC is located at 252 Dorset Road. It is open for early voting from 8am to 8pm Monday 16 May to Thursday 18 May and 8am to 6pm on Friday 20 May.

Police warn locals on online scams rise

By Renee Wood

ADVERTISEMENT

Yarra Ranges police are warning online users to be vigilant of online scams.

Picture: RUPIXEN.COM shopping centre or out the front of the police station. Sometimes you need a public space.

“If you want to meet at the food courts, there are cameras everywhere, so even if something went wrong they could be tracked.”

One of the most recent scams that affected a number of Yarra Ranges resident was a fraudulent sale of a 2017 Jayco Silverline Outback Caravan priced at $9,000.

Yarra Ranges Eyewatch reported receiving several reports on this item, where peo-

12541412-HC12-22

The public is urged to be vigilant online as the amount of scams being reported to local police continues to rise. Yarra Ranges Crime Prevention Officer Linda Hancock said over the weekend several reports were made.

“People pay a deposit whether it’s on Gumtree or Facebook believing this is real, only to be given a bogus address to go to,” Ms Hancock said.

Ms Hancock said it’s a common occurrence happening on social media sites and the public needs to be educated on how to address the criminal behaviour.

“It’s about checking those credentials of the seller - these days you’ve got smart phones and can do Paypal straight away when you pick it up.”

Cash on arrival is another option for buyers, while meeting in a public space was a suggestion Ms Hancock thought could help buyers if it’s a smaller item.

“If it’s small things why not meet at the

ple sent the funds for the van to a person claiming to be on deployment in the army.

Ms Hancock said hacking and email scams are another issue plaguing online users and believes scammers are making use of more phone use following the pandemic.

“There’s always loop holes scammers are getting through, that’s their full time job to get through loop holes… It is happening across the board.”

Scam Watch Victoria statistics show that so far this year $9, 914 418 has been lost to buying and selling scams from almost 13 500 reports across the country.

The age group with the highest amount lost is 35 to 44 year olds with almost $2.5 million taken. The next age groups to follow are 44-54 year olds and 25 – 34 year olds respectively.

The public’s encouraged to contact police if they have been scammed with online sales, while they can also go to www.scamwatch.gov.au to report any other suspected fraudulent activity.

Storm debris removal works will continue in the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Silvan Reservoir catchment and some tracks in the area will be closed to the public while the works are carried out.

This comes as the sheer volume of last year’s storms continue to pose a bushfire risk in the years ahead.

Roughly 220 hectares of land within the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Silvan Reservoir were severely damaged as a result of last year’s disasters, the Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning (DELWP) said.

And in some areas, up to 90 per cent of the forest canopy is now on the forest floor.

Significant work has been done since June 2021 to prioritise the reopening of fire access networks and clear finer fuels, DELWP said.

Police Operation results in arrests Between May 1 and 8, Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit alongside the Frontline Tasking Unit, Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol and the Public Order Response Team conducted an operation targeting thefts from vehicles, burglaries and street robberies.

Operation Reaffirms2 was conducted throughout Yarra Ranges, Knox and Maroondah Police Service Areas, with police completing 104 name checks, 243 vehicle checks, 145 license checks over the week.

Victoria Police said 10 arrests were made for possession of drugs, warrants, trafficking a drug of dependence, theft and theft of a motor vehicle.

Four vehicles were impounded and four people will be charged for driving while suspended.

Police recover stolen trailer A 42-year-old Healesville man will face the Ringwood Magistrates Court after police searched a residential address in Healesville in relation to a stolen trailer.

Police allege the man, along with a 29-yearold Croydon woman, visited a business on Mountain Highway in Boronia on 17 April and stole copper wiring.

Police said the pair then returned later the same evening with a vehicle and stole a tandem trailer.

During the execution of the search warrant on River Street in Healesville, police said they recovered methamphetamine and cannabis.

A 39-year-old man was also taken into custody by police for possessing a drug of dependence, theft of a motor vehicle and warrants.

CFA respond to Monbulk crash On 14 May, Monbulk CFA responded to a vehicle rollover near the scout hall in Monbulk just after midday.

CFA said the vehicle lost contract in the wet conditions before hitting a ditch, causing it to roll over before returning to its wheels, coming to a stop against a light pole.

Monbulk CFA said the driver was conscious and in a stable condition when they removed the door to the vehicle for Ambulance Victoria, before he was taken into their care.

WORLD TURMOIL IS FULFILLING BIBLE PROPHECY Jesus said that before his second coming - “Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences … Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” – Luke 21.

What do we have to do to be ready?

216 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC 3840 P: (03) 5134 8000 E: harriet.shing@parliament.vic.gov.au harrietshingmp @ShingvWorld Authorised by H Shing, 216 Commercial Rd, Morwell. Funded from Parliamentary budget.

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Send for free booklet “Christ is Coming” Yarra Valley Christadelphians PO Box 516 YARRA GLEN 3775 Email: yvc.vic@gmail.com

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NEWS

The corner of McMahons Road and Burwood Highway will receive a $30 million upgrade.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor and minister for Roads Ben Carroll officially announced the upgrade in Ferntree Gully.

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE

Millions for intersection

By Parker McKenzie The signalisation and upgrade of a busy intersection at Burwood Highway, McMahons Road and Clyde Street in Ferntree Gully will set the Victorian State Government back $30 million in a bid to improve road safety.

While funding was allocated in the 2022/23 State Government budget through the Metropolitan Road Upgrades Program as one of eight high priority road upgrades, it was announced on 10 April it is expected planning and design will begin in 2022.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll met with Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor at the intersection to officially announce the project.

“Credit to Jackson, he’s delivered $30 million literally in ink in the Budget papers to finally get the Burwood highway, McMahon’s

road made safer, not only for commuters to get home safer, but also to for pedestrians with pedestrian operated signals,” Mr Carroll said.

“We haven’t promised it, we haven’t just talked about it, we’ve actually got it in our budget papers as a financial commitment to get on and do it, and it’s actually starting this year.”

Over the last five years, four crashes with one serious injury at the intersection have been recorded.

Mr Taylor said the intersection has been a “promise that has kept on promising for many years.”

“To now say that we will make this intersection safer, that we will make people get home, get people home safer and sooner, fix this intersection once and for all, it is a massive win,” he said.

“One of the most important jobs I have is making sure I work with my community and

be their voice and state government to deliver better roads, better public transport, better hospitals, better schools, and that work never stops each and every single day.”

The Liberal opposition announced on March 18 2022 an upgrade to the intersection would be a priority if they were elected to government in the November Victorian State election.

Mr Carroll said their announcement didn’t influence the decision to fund the upgrade in this year’s budget.

“The opposition should have actually not made a promise, when they are in government they should have delivered it and they haven’t.” he said.

The Liberal Party was last formed government in Victoria from 2010 to 2014.

Knox City Council welcomed the announcement of new traffic lights at the in-

tersection. Mayor Susan Laukens said Traffic lights will improve access to nearby residential and industrial estates and improve pedestrian access.

“We’ve been advocating the Victorian Government to address safety concerns at this location, and I’m very pleased that the government has recognised the need to upgrade the intersection,” she said.

“All levels of government play a role in ensuring our community thrives. In the lead up to federal and state elections this year I’ve been meeting with our local state and federal Members of Parliament and candidates to ensure our community has an elevated voice.”

Knox City Council said it is advocating for better public transport options in the future, including an extension of the Route 75 tram from Vermont South to Upper Ferntree Gully station.

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 59 already gone. We’re also easing congestion by building better roads across our suburbs.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes

Lilydale Line

Monash Freeway

In May

Lanes, ramps and freeway closed at times between Warrigal Road and Eastlink

Princes Freeway

Some nights in May

Freeway closed at times between Princes Highway and Cardinia Road

MTIA7172

12549764-HC20-22

From 8.30pm 19 May to 23 May

Ringwood to Lilydale

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

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NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK This week marks National Volunteer Week, a time to reflect and thank those in the community who help others from the goodness of their own hearts. Here is a selection of the many volunteers and organisations across the Yarra Ranges.

Trades on the tools

By Parker McKenzie Annika Ernest first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in 2015 and hasn’t looked back.

“It was through my school, which is affiliated with the organization. We used to actually fight to get on the bus,” she said.

“We would all receive an email sent out by the school, and we would have to respond as quickly as possible to secure a spot.”

Despite graduating in 2017, Ms Ernest has continued to support and assist Habitat for Humanity as she left school and entered the workforce.

Ms Ernest said volunteering with the organisation is about community building for her personally.

“It’s about engaging with people from all backgrounds and supporting the development of sustainable housing solutions for those people who can’t access support,” she said.

“It’s incredible to sort of be able to join together with friends and other community members who really just want to promote that sort of adequate housing and whatnot for all people.”

Habitat for Humanity partners with people in the community to help them build affordable, safe and secure housing. Alongside their affordable housing program, they also help with house repairs and disaster recovery.

Ms Ernest said her volunteering took her out to the Dandenong Ranges to help those in need of support after bushfires and the June storms.

“Bushfire clearing, I think they would call those days as in the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.

“We just worked together to cut back some of the fallen trees which have really impacted

Rhododendrons in the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden in Olinda.

Picture: ON FILE

people’s living situation.”

Habitat for Humanity Victoria is a part of a global organisation working in 70 countries.

It was established in 1976 to provide housing and improved shelter for low-income people in need.

Ms Ernest said Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s programs are run by supportive and engaging people.

“I think that really adds to the success of the program. It’s having that fantastic leadership from above,” she said.

“It’s certainly something that you do get addicted to. You might end up clearing a schedule to make sure you can make it to one of the volunteer days.”

Aside from disaster recovery and building homes for those in need in Victoria, Habitat for Humanity also provides support to families in Cambodia through their Home for a Home initiative. Every time a house is built in Victoria, the organisation builds one for a family in need in Cambodia.

Ms Ernest said anybody who is thinking about volunteering with Habitat should give it a go.

“The opportunity to go out, make some new friends and help out is very rewarding,” she said.

“You’ll 100 per cent leave the day, with probably a bit of dirt on your knees, maybe a bit of paint on your shirt, but certainly a very big smile on your face.”

You can find out more about Habitat for Humanity Victoria at www.habitatvic.org.au

Countless hours spent

By Parker McKenzie

Volunteers from Habitat are hard at work clearing trees in the Dandenong Ranges.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Full steam ahead with volunteer power

By Tyler Wright Puffing Billy Railway is celebrating National Volunteer Week this year with the theme Better Together and recognising the work of the more than 300 volunteers who contribute to the local gem.

Marg Dumpleton, Upwey local, became a part of the Railway four years ago after her retirement and has now taken up the role of conductor.

Giving back to the community seems to run in her family’s genes.

“My brother has been there for 60 years now - he sold lollies on the station as a young boy,” Marg said.

“I decided that the time was right for me to check it out for myself.”

Now, every Friday Marg heads to the station to join the crew in keeping the relic alive and carrying on a tradition more than a century old.

“I love going because it’s such a place of happiness, smiles and joy - it’s a delight to go.

It gives purpose and meaning and you’re giving the visitors a positive experience as they enjoy our hills.”

The changing environment and autumn leaves hanging off trees in the hills makes a perfect setting for seeing people leave the “worries of the world behind,” Marg said.

“Shy children will be crouching back in their seat in the open carriage, and if you say ‘all aboard’ and get them to repeat it, they just transform.”

Every day, more than five million Australian volunteers share their time, expertise and talent supporting others and those who devote hundreds of hours every year to sustaining the Dandenong Ranges’ authentic heritage steam train experience are no exception.

“That’s one of the good things about being a volunteer at tourist and heritage railways - you can really have a go at anything you want to mailcommunity.com.au

Marg Dumpleton has formed life-long friendships as a volunteer at Puffing Billy Railway. She is pictured here with Train Driver Kevin.

Picture: SUPPLIED try your hand at,” Engineman at Puffing Billy Railway Rodney Reed said.

Being a locomotive driver and fireman is something Rodney has been immersed in since he was 16 years of age and is a strong part of the connection between he and his brother who works full time at the Railway.

“It’s something to do together that makes you feel like you’re worthwhile or achieving something that’s of value to the community,” Rodney said.

“All the effort we put in we can see more people coming down, enjoying history and an experience together [which is] a Melbourne tradition.”

“We were carrying 500,000 passengers a year before Covid. [There was] a lot of international tourists coming to Australia and experiencing one of the best things that Australia has on offer, so you feel proud to be a part of that.”

Marg said a 19th century train running under 21st century regulations could only happen because of the staff and volunteers keeping the locomotive running.

“Their knowledge is phenomenal. People are full of knowledge and full of the joy of sharing it,” she said.

“I love seeing grandparents bringing their grandchildren to make memories with them and parents bringing their children to make memories. It’s intergenerational.”

Volunteers work according to the platform’s schedule and work-life balance, and are always made to feel welcome.

“Working in with the team - that’s probably the best part - and the friends you develop over the years,” Rodney said.

Puffing Billy ran regularly through Victoria’s mountain district and was built to transport goods and passengers through the area.

The railway now travels 24 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges to Emerald Lake Park and Gembrook, and is one of two survivors of five experimental narrow-gauge lines used to develop rural areas in Victoria during the early 1900s.

To join the team of volunteers at Puffing Billy Railway and be part of living history, visit https://puffingbilly.com.au/volunteer/ No prior qualifications are required and role-specific training is provided.

The Australian Rhododendron Society Victoria has been caring for the Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden in Olinda, the premier cool-climate garden in the state, since the 1960s.

Prue Crome, from the society, said she first joined when she wanted to work in the botanic gardens.

“Over the last 12 years it’s become a full-time job, I’m totally engaged in making sure the collections are safeguarded,” she said.

“The gardens were initially established by the Australian Rhododendron Society in the 1960s and it was allocated the land as a firebreak to Olinda by the then government of the day.”

The Dandenong Ranges Botanical Garden is home to 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias and 250,000 daffodils of various species and colours. It hosts the largest collection of Australian and overseas-raised hybrids of rhododendrons, which cannot be re-bred or imported.

Ms Crome said the Rhododendron Society pushed for botanical garden status, which they successfully achieved.

“The original people who set up the garden weren’t just Rhododendron experts, they were full-on nurserymen, landscapers and they knew lots of plants,” she said.

“In those days you could bring in all sorts of exotic things that can no longer be put in. The collection is very broad.”

The society meets every Tuesday at the Botanical Garden to care for its wide array of plants and flowers.

Ms Crome said the volunteers from the society spend countless hours caring for cool climate plants in the garden.

“It really balances what is offered with the Royal Botanic Gardens with its collection, and then the Olinda Gardens has the things they can’t grow in Melbourne or Cranbourne,” she said.

“Sometimes a few of our members will go in there on another day of the week to do various jobs, particularly to do with irrigation.”

The Botanical Gardens is open daily from 10am to 5pm and is free to view.

Ms Crome said most of the infrastructure in the gardens was built by the society and has been upgraded over time with the help of Parks Victoria.

“We do a lot of maintenance of our structures and we are in the throes of refurbishing all of the shade houses,” she said.

“It’s a really friendly group who are passionate about all sorts of plants, not just rhododendrons.”

Ms Crome said the gardens were formally known as the National Rhododendron Garden.

“The collection is so important, not just to Victoria but also internationally,” she said.

“Aside from in New Zealand, we probably have the largest collection of rhododendrons in the southern hemisphere, and also some other plants, exotics like maples, magnolias and camellias.”

Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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MAIL 5

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Music the food of love

By Tyler Wright The Dandenong Ranges Music Council Inc (DRMC) brings music ensembles and choirs together throughout the Yarra Ranges and creates a space for music-lovers to hone their skills, mostly with the help of volunteers.

Located at Upwey High School, the team at DRMC helps those young and old, skilled and advanced, put their passion into action; from programs such as Ranges Young Strings and Artists with Disabilities.

Johanna Selleck has lived in the Dandenong Ranges for 30 years and works professionally as a music composer, teacher and performer. She began volunteering with the DRMC a year ago after a long history of dedicating her time to artistic and environmental issues.

“Everything stopped with Covid, all the groups stopped rehearsing… we’re now in the process of trying to wind up a lot of those projects and start up again with the orchestra and start up rehearsals and concerts with the various groups and ensembles,” Johanna said.

Johanna also said cost of living pressures and the pandemic have left community members short of free time to give back.

“A lot of community organizations have difficulty in attracting younger people…as we get more mature we are more interested in [volunteering]...”

“Through our mailing list, through Facebook, word of mouth, speaking to people at community events and through our ensembles, saying ‘could you speak to your members?’ ‘Do they have any family members who’d like to come and volunteer or help us?’”

Cedric Cabral worked as an Engineer before his retirement, and has recently decided to de-

vote his time to keeping the DRMC afloat by streamlining paperwork, despite not having a career in music.

“I picked up a pamphlet at the Montrose Library and thought ‘oh, I’ll give this a shot and see’ - that’s how I started and I enjoy what I’m doing,” Cedric said.

He said regardless of an individual’s background or career, they can find a place volunteering in their local community.

The DRMC hosts eight ensembles which average about 15 members each and include a jazz band, concert band and choirs, Johanna said.

One of their recent projects was a documentary organised by the DRMC called ‘Music with Attitude’ was recently screened at Belgrave’s Cameo Cinema, showcasing the talent and creativity of local musicians with disabilities - something Johanna thought was “lovely” to witness.

Johanna said volunteers are needed not just for daily operations, but for concerts - where stalls need to be manned, ticketing and advertising needs to be completed and equipment needs to be transported - and future projects.

“Because people have been isolated, we all appreciate that social content a bit more…that opportunity to come out and be with people and work on projects together. It’s really satisfying to see things make things happen in the community,” she said.

“Something actually I’d really like to see here is more targeting disadvantaged people and homeless people, people on really low incomes to provide opportunities for them to learn music here.”

For more information on how to volunteer for the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, head to their website https://www.drmc.org. au/

Cedric Cabral and Johanna Selleck are two volunteers who are passionate about keeping community organisations like the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, afloat.

Picture: TYLER WRIGHT

When you build it, they will come and they will stay!

Build a shire that is free from violence and abuse

Culture and environment that ensures participation

Club members, volunteers, umpires, coaches, and players.

Retailers, tradies, lawyers, manufacturers, real-estate agents, farmers, CEO’s. Tax agents, dentists, technicians, doctors, gardeners, baristas and vets, etc...

This free event is for you!

Join us and learn how you can build a culture of safety, respect and success in your organisation.

Wednesday 1 June 6pm - 9.30pm Book here: bit.ly/3yvF3VA

Dinner served at 6pm Cardinia Cultural Centre 40 Lakeside Boulevard Pakenham Bookings essential

Featuring Phil Cleary & WORKSAFE 5.45pm

Arrive at Cardinia Cultural Centre

6.00pm

Open the event & meals served

6.20pm

Unpacking the Man Box – Matt Tyler

7.00pm

Phil Cleary Keynote Address

8.00pm

Networking Break Tea / Coffee / Deserts

8.25pm

Breakout Sessions

9.10pm

Q&A

9.30pm

Event Close 12549351-AI20-22

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Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Cheers to CFA brigades Some 54,000 volunteers are part providing vital services across the state for more than 1,200 CFA brigades.

It’s a giant effort that’s seeing men and women be part of day to day resources, helping to save lives, fight fires plus so much more.

This National Volunteer Week, the CFA once again would like to say thank you to the countless hours and efforts put into this vital community support.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said their members selflessly provide assistance to the community across the state, taking time away from their families, friends and workplaces, to help others.

“Our volunteers come from all walks off life; they are tradies, lawyers, nurses, chefs and farmers – just to name a few,” he said.

“The diversity of skills and expertise our volunteers bring to their CFA roles further boosts their brigades and the organisation, for which we are very grateful.”

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is “Better Together” which holds true to CFA. Over the past three years, Australians have experienced major fires, floods and a pandemic.

CFA members have been called on to assist local, Victorian and interstate colleagues to support them in extremely challenging and trying conditions.

“Day after day, we see and hear firsthand the difference our members make, and the impact volunteering has on their communities – which is what this week is all about,” CO Heffernan said.

“CFA is about so much more than just firefighting – with volunteer roles such as community educators, health and safety specialists, or financial supporters, CFA constantly demonstrates that we are “better together”.”

CFA Chief Executive Officer Natalie MacDonald said this week and every week we thank our dedicated volunteers for the incredible contributions towards keeping Victorians safe.

“I am continuously impressed by the ongoing hard-work and professionalism of our volunteers,” CEO MacDonald said.

“They sacrifice their personal time to protect and serve Victorians and they are leaders and educators in their communities.”

Monbulk CFA performing a live-fire demonstration.

Picture: ON FILE

Creating beautiful biographies for palliative care patients

By Renee Wood Everybody has a story to tell and a volunteer program is helping to do just that for people who are receiving end of life care.

Sharing your story can be a powerful and healing journey to help people going through palliative care.

Over the past five years, Ferntree Gully resident Steve Gurr has volunteered countless hours to sharing the stories of people who are receiving care with Eastern Palitaive Care within the Yarra Ranges.

Mr Gurr previously worked as a business consultant putting together budget responses and now uses his time to piece together biographies.

Talking little is Mr Gurr’s intention as he sits, listening and learning from clients as they discuss their life as it has unfolded.

Mr Gurr said he believes it’s more of an opportunity to allow the participant to speak and look back on their life.

“Generally, I go in turn on the tape recorder and they start talking and my only job is to stop them talking at the end of an hour or an hour and a half,” Mr Gurr said.

The volunteer holds six one hour sessions with each client and then further spends hours transcribing and typing their lives to paper.

Over the years the volunteer has written up to 16 biographies which average around 50 pages - pages filled with happiness, adventures and personal history shown through words and photos. Mr Gurr reminisced on his time with one lady who wanted to create

Volunteer Steve Gurr is one of EPC’s biography writers, helping people put their life journey’s in Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS writing. 280702 something her grandchildren can read later in life as their memories fade.

“She said, I want to write something for them not now but when they’re 10 or 12 thereabouts so when they will have forgotten of me.

They’ll have some memories of me in the meantime, but they’ll dwindle - and I want something that they can use to remember me when they’re in their early teen years.

“That book ended up being mostly pictures with just little vignettes of text to identify who was in the thing and what the circumstances were... and I recon that’s one of the best biog-

raphies I’ve been involved with and all of that was driven pretty much by her.”

During Covid-19 lockdowns Mr Gurr found it was difficult to build a report through Zoom and phone calls but his intention to continue never wavered.

Mr Gurr said you get a sense of achievement upon completion when handing over the finished biography but the true reward is the process.

The journey is seen as a healing one as the writer said he notices signs of relief exuding from clients.

“Many of the clients suffer a lot of pain obviously with their illness, and you can almost see the pain lifting off their shoulders, as they start talking and reminiscing.

“A lot of them that have labored breathing and their breathing seems to miraculously become a little easier just for that period of time.

“So in my mind, there’s no doubt that you’re giving them a bit of a respite from the physical pain as well as from the mental side of going through the process of moving towards your death.”

Most clients feel as though they don’t have a story to share in the beginning but it’s a highlight when the sentiment that everyone has their own story rings true.

“A lot of people when you first talk to them, they say, oh, we haven’t got a very interesting story - but then every single one of the people that I’ve worked with, their stories have been really, really interesting. Even though they probably didn’t think it was.

“Everyone has an interesting life, it’s just a matter of getting it out getting it on paper.”

Mr Gurr encourages anyone who’s willing to put pen to paper and listen to clients to look into volunteering their time for the EPC biography program. Full training is provided to those interested.

“Just seeing that burden of pain and tiredness and all that lift from people during the session, that’s what makes it all worthwhile for me, that’s when I feel like I’m providing a really worthwhile service for that particular client,” he said.

Wear orange on Wednesday to thank SES volunteers It’s Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day on 18th May; a day to say “thank you” to our Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers.

The day falls within National Volunteer Week and is a reminder for all of the countless hours emergency service volunteers put forward when in times in need.

This past year specifically has been the busiest operational period in the organisation’s history with VICSES volunteers responding to over 46,000 requests for assistance.

Volunteers supported local communities throughout during flood, storm, landslide, road rescue, search and rescue events - all an invaluable contribution volunteers have made to our state.

Volunteers are the backbone of the SES and the organisation said there’s nothing purer than the heart of a volunteer. mailcommunity.com.au

They are the heart of every rescue, the inspiration in every training course, and the soul of all things VICSES. It doesn’t matter if they have been a part of our incredible history for 5 weeks or 50 years - these incredible people are VICSES, to the core.

Each year on WOW Day, Victorians are encouraged to get their workplaces, families, and friends involved in WOW Day celebrations, while landmarks across the state will be ‘flooded’ in orange in celebration of WOW Day. WOW Day is a national campaign and an important day of appreciation for volunteers, who selflessly dedicate their time and skills to helping their communities during their most acute time of need.

So wear a splash of orange next Wednesday, and look out for the hashtag #ThankYouSES and #WOWday.

Emerald SES member Neil Fisher, unit controller Ben Owen and member Maree Dunn.

Picture: SHELBY BROOKS Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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MAIL 7

NEWS

Park funding win

By Tyler Wright The Emerald community is celebrating their success in gaining $1 million from the State Government for a skatepark and youth recreation space in Emerald’s Worrell Reserve.

It comes after several months of campaigning from members of the Emerald Village Exercise and Recreation group.

Member Vanessa Kewish has been pushing for a safe recreational space for the children of Emerald and established a gofundme in September last year for a pop up skatepark after discovering young kids creating unsafe makeshift ramps.

She said when the community received the news, parents covered their mouths with shock and children were jumping around with excitement.

“Something that was really exciting to me was that [the money] was in the sports and recreation fund, and is available… it didn’t have to wait until budgets came down and it didn’t have to wait for elections - the money was there and ready to be allocated,” Vanessa said.

Vanessa gathered submissions from community members to submit for Cardinia Shire Council’s draft budget feedback and hopes Council will make a contribution to the project in the final budget handed down in June.

“A million dollars will actually put a really nice skate park a couple of toilets and a drinking tap, but wouldn’t it be cool if it was awesome… with a couple of toilets and a drinking tap,” Vanessa said.

“I want to make sure that that money is secured for our skateboarders.”

The announcement was made on Friday 6 May by Monbulk MP James Merlino and Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing.

The funding allocated will replace the reserve’s asphalt netball courts and creating a dedicated, safe space for local skateboarders, scooter riders and roller-bladers to practice to set up development programs and competitions.

“We’ve listened to the Emerald community – and we’re delivering the brand-new skate

By Parker McKenzie

Emerald residents pushed for a pop up skatepark in September last year, and funding has now been allocated to the project.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS park people told us they wanted to get more active and social,” Mr Merlino said.

The Worrell Recreation Reserve Masterplan, which includes ideas for a skatepark and youth recreation area, was established by Cardinia Shire Council in 2020 but still awaiting council funding.

Mayor Councillor Jeff Springfield said council has received strong feedback from the community regarding the desire for funding for the skatepark and recreation area, and imagines there will be some support in the budget handed down in June.

“I’d love to congratulate the EVER group and the Hills community for their for their

community driven support of this project, which is really what gathered the attention of the state government to deliver this funding,” Cr Springfield said.

“Community led advocacy is so important and working hand in hand is what we try to do.”

Worrell Recreation Reserve is home to groups such as the local tennis, cricket and football clubs and houses the Hills Hub. New works have recently been completed at the site, including a new pavilion funded by Cardinia Shire Council, as well as new sports oval lighting and high ball catching net jointly funded by council and the State Government.

Storm storytellers continue to be heard

By Liz Millman and Tyler Wright Olinda Community House welcomed locals for the first ’Storm Stories’ community session last week, held on Friday mornings by the Hills Creative Alliance (HCA) from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

The weekly informal meetings provide an opportunity for local people to meet up and to hear from some of the organisations who have helped communities in the Hills since last year’s June storm.

“People value the opportunity to have chats together and explaining what has happened to [locals] and where they’re at on the journey of the rebuild,” HCA Secretary Liz Millman said.

“We were also looking at how we can support the development of community contingency plans.”

Liz said President of the Belgrave Rotary Club, Gus Rozycki, spoke about the significant contribution from Rotary District 9810 that has helped a number of local groups and supported storm recovery efforts.

He also discussed other ways that Rotary International may be able to help the communities across the Hills in the forthcoming months.

Kalorama Collective Chairperson Nia Beardsley spoke at the first event, detailing how local folks came together to support others in the community when families were coping with no power and damaged homes. Members of the group found ways to provide hot food and supplies to the community quickly after the storm and now hold monthly dinners on the first Tuesday each month at Olinda Community House as part of the Dandenong Ranges’ storm recovery.

Volunteers from the ‘Cuppa and Chat’ session at St Michael’s Hall in Kalorama recalled how much the consistent efforts of the team there have been valued. The sessions at St Michael’s Hall, continue on Tuesdays now from 12.30 to 4.00 with a warm welcome and the of8 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

Lake Knox draft plan

Denise Rash, Liz Millman and Olinda Community House Community Officer Krystal Bassett show off their Boomerang Bags. fer of soup now the days are getting colder, and there was also a reminder that the cupboards of food and other essentials are still being replenished for those folks who are still finding things challenging.

The ‘Plastic Bag Free Dandenong Ranges’ group provided a range of beautiful Boomerang Bags sewn by local volunteers, who get together every Wednesday at the Environmental Education Centre at Birdsland Reserve. An invitation was extended to join in to their friendly sessions. Check Facebook: Plastic Bag Free Dandenong Ranges, for more information and updates.

Liz also said the HCA, along with other local groups, have been working on creative ways to support those who experienced the storm.

“Denise Rash, Masters student in Therapeutic Arts practices, is supporting the HCA community art exhibition ‘Reflections of the Storm’ which will be held during June and July at the Kawarra Gardens Yarra Ranges Storm Recovery Centre,” she said.

The Hills Creative Alliance have paired with The Kalorama Collective to organise the ‘Hills Regrowth and Renewal Community Festival’ The festival is supported by a Yarra Ranges Council grant to be held at Kalorama Oval as recognition of the healing ceremony led by local elder Murandindi last July.

The HCA’s ‘Storm Stories’ sessions continue on Fridays with refreshments and the chance to chat on offer.

On Friday 13 May a speaker from Anglicare will be explaining the support they can offer and the following week Parks Victoria will talk about the challenges they face making the National Park and gardens safe again.

To join, call in to Olinda Community House on a Friday morning or contact the Hills Creative Alliance for more information.

If you are interested in sharing your art work or stories of the storm at the HCA Community Exhibition: email: lizmillman@yahoo. co.uk

Development Victoria has shared a draft plan for the construction of controversial new wetlands set to replace the habitat for a vulnerable species of duck, which will be available for community feedback.

The plans detail the five-stage plan to replace the artificial dam at the “Lake Knox” site over a period of three to four years.

Development Victoria said their ecologists will monitor the works to safeguard existing wildlife and habitat and the planned staged construction will mean the current dam will exist until the new wetlands are completed.

Development Victoria’s Group head of Property Development Penny Frost said the Victorian Government’s development arm has committed to constructing the wetlands in a staged manner and providing access to the water body for wildlife currently using the existing dam as habitat.

“Ecological monitoring will take place throughout the staged construction process and once the new wetlands has been constructed.” she said.

Development Victoria said the first stage will consist of constructing and establishing a new wetland and drainage connected to Blind Creek, followed by at least 12 months of ecological monitoring to assess the progress of the establishment of the habitat.

The development of the site has proved controversial with community and conservation groups following the discovery of several hatchings of the vulnerable blue-billed ducks.

While Development Victoria argues the new wetlands being constructed will result in better environmental outcomes for the species, opposition to the plans has raised concerns over the ability to produce the promised results.

A community-funded report by Professor Paul Boon stated several issues with the plans, including that claims of guaranteed ecological success “are inconsistent with scientific literature,” “doubts over Development Victoria’s capacity to deliver high-quality replacement aquatic habitat,” and the plan containing questionable assertions about Lake Knox and its development.

On 4 March, Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling said he hoped the Victorian State Government would follow the opposition’s lead on saving Lake Knox from development.

“We’ve already announced that we work with the community to save it, form an advisory committee and work through those issues today.” he said.

Mr Wakeling detailed a three-point plan to save Lake Knox in late March, which consisted of “saving lake Knox from being bulldozed,” establishing an advisory group including local representation on the future of the site and considering designating Lake Knox as a sanctuary, as campaigned for by local residents.

Community feedback on the draft plan can be given at www.dev e l o p m e n t . v i c . g o v. a u / p r o j e c t s / knoxfield?page=overview

A render of the proposed Knoxfield wetlands.

Picture: SUPPLIED mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Candidates signal support

By Parker McKenzie Most candidates in the Casey electorate have embraced Yarra Ranges Council’s call to support their Roads for Agribusiness initiative.

The project calls for $150 million in federal funding to design and construct 150km of sealed roads throughout the shire to support agribusinesses vital to the Yarra Valley.

On Friday 6 May, Liberal candidate Aaron Violi and Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher announced $14.8 million in funding for the sealing of roads through the project.

It was the first time any candidate or party has pledged to support the project.

Liberal candidate Aaron Violi said he’d already shown his commitment to supporting Yarra Ranges Council’s initiative and there won’t be any further funding announcements for road sealing.

“I understand how important sealing roads is for Casey. The Liberal party has a great track record of this, sealing 150km for the $150 million Roads for Communities program,” he said.

“As a resident of Casey who has family in agriculture, I know how important agriculture is for our residents and businesses.”

The Federal Government announced a nine-year, $150 million funding plan to seal roads within the Dandenong Ranges and the surrounding areas in 2019.

Labor candidate Bill Brindle said he would advocate for funding Roads for Agribusiness if elected to represent Casey.

“We’ve got some good rural industry and this is about putting money into it and making sure that runs more seamlessly, and which keeps prices competitive,” he said.

ROADS FOR AGRIBUSINESS “It’s got a lot in its favour. I’m more than happy to have that fight.”

On April 11, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King told the Star Mail Mr Brindle had given her the details of the project and she would look at it throughout the election contest.

“This area is well and truly on the map. We know that it is an important agricultural region for the State of Victoria, but also for the country,” she said.

“You know we’ll be looking for investment opportunities to grow regional communities right across the country and this is certainly absolutely one of them. The council has put that project to us.”

Ms King was contacted for comment in regards to Mr Violi’s promise of funding. United Australia Party candidate Anthony Bellve said he has had conversations with Yarra Ranges Council regarding advocating for federal funding.

“Upgrading our roads and sealing them for the agribusiness is probably vital,” he said.

“If elected, I’m committed to working with the council to get the funding they need to seal all those roads.”

Independent candidate Claire Ferres Miles

Spring Lane, near Maroondah Hwy and St Huberts Road, is one of the roads in need of sealing flagged by Yarra Ranges Council.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS said she would support evidence-based funding decisions which demonstrate the highest public value.

“As an independent, I would be a fierce advocate to the community about what’s important to us,” she said.

“I’d welcome a discussion about once an election is called whether there should be a moratorium on funding announcements during that period.”

Greens candidate Jenny Game said The Greens support community grants and infrastructure commitments, but are committed to good governance and transparency instead of throwing money at marginal seats.

“In the balance of power, the Greens will push the next government to tax billionaires

and big corporations to fund a massive expansion of our public and active transport networks,” she said.

“The Greens will also end government rorts and pork-barrelling by requiring independent assessment of applications for infrastructure grants, with clear criteria and decision making transparently determined and recorded.

“We’ll also put communities at the centre of planning for public infrastructure, by requiring independent evaluation and consultation on major projects over $100 million.”

Ms Game said all of the Greens’ policies are fully costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, so while they won’t promise individual projects ahead of an election, fully funded plans are available.

Access to childcare in Casey area the worst in Victoria

By Tyler Wright Parents in the Dandenong Ranges are being faced with a shortage of childcare options as new research shows 72 per cent of the Casey electorate is a ‘childcare desert’.

The analysis from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute revealed childcare access in Casey is the worst in Victoria, with four children vying for every one spot in care.

The data showed there were 5350 families in Casey currently using childcare with 7470 children going to the service. “[The] distance between a number of towns with small communities is likely an influencing factor on childcare accessibility issues - with people living in neighbouring towns needing to travel some distance to access childcare,” Hannah Matthews, education policy fellow at Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute and co-author of the report said.

Of the 1.1 million Australians who need to drive 20 minutes or more for daycare, most are made up of families from Regional and rural towns according to the research.

“The most access to childcare is found in wealthy electorates and electorates that cover the CBD areas of major cities. These are also the electorates with the highest childcare fees indicating that providers are attracted to areas where they can charge higher fees and parents have capacity to pay,” Ms Matthews said.

A labour shortage in the sector may also be a factor with the vacancy rates for childcare workers almost doubling over the past two years, an issue Brooke Eerden, manager at Dandenong Ranges Childcare Centre said runs industry-wide.

“Most of the educators and people in the industry seem to work further towards the city and it can be quite a long commute. But there’s public transport, it’s easily accessible.

It’s just the distance - that’s the feedback I’ve had from the agency,” Ms Eerden said.

“It causes me stress when I have a parent in front of me who’s close to tears, because she needs to go back to work in two months and she can’t get in anywhere.”

Some 144 children are awaiting places at Ms Eerden’s privately-owned Upwey centre, including both new families and existing parents needing care for longer periods of time mailcommunity.com.au

Briony Glidden and her husband live in Cockatoo with their three children and are at home with the community at the Cockatoo Community Childcare Centre. They are now uncertain of the future.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS as they balance childcare with work.

Ms Eerden’s wants parents to be made aware of the lack of childcare services in the area so guardians can prepare for the struggle of finding the support of childcare centres.

“If I could tap into the midwives I’d go back that far - because I do have people on my waitlist…where they’re not pregnant with their second child yet but they know that they’re going to be trying and they’ve already put them on the waitlist, because they know how hard it’s going to be to get that second child into care.”

Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute analysis of out-of-pocket expenses data tabled in Senate Estimates suggests the average cost for the first child using centre-based day care, based on 30 hours per week average, is about $5,000 per year - more than the average fees for a non-government primary school.

“Childcare access is crucial for families where a parent is seeking to return to work.

This has particular importance at the moment with some families potentially seeking to return to work or take on more hours of work to help cover the rising cost of living,” Ms Matthews said.

Cockatoo mother of three Briony Glidden

and her husband live in the neighbouring electorate division of La Trobe, where 16 per cent of children are developmentally vulnerable. They have utilised their local not-forprofit childcare for eight years.

However, a plea for support through an online fundraiser has been issued recently for the Cockatoo Community Childcare Centre, stating on the Gofundme site it is experiencing ‘financial difficulties’, Ms Glidden is now concerned for her family’s welfare.

“My first thoughts were around my Kinder child - he’s five and he’s going to school next year, but with Covid the last three years there has just been constant interruptions; his three year old kinder year was interrupted with Covid, his first year of four-year-old kinder was interrupted with Covid..” Ms Glidden said.

“If we have no Kinder for the rest of this year, that’s the key period for his development and readiness for school just taken out from underneath us.”

Both Ms Glidden and her husband work long hours and have already had their eightyear-old son form “long lasting friendships” through their community childcare and have a 12 month old baby who will hopefully re-

ceive the “beautiful” local care many rely on.

“If we have to go to kinder elsewhere, then it’s the traveling - to Pakenham, that’s a 40 minute round trip twice a day, just to do drop offs and pickups - that’s probably a best case scenario,” she said.

Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute said the percentage of children aged 0 to 4 years attending centre-based day care has risen from about 13 per cent in 1996 to 35 per cent in 2017.

A jump that has facilitated recent government action with the Federal Government’s Child Care Subsidy, cutting family’s out of pocket childcare expenses by up to 85 per cent depending on income, the number of children in care and the hours of activity completed by parents.

Ms Eerden said the same issues pre-covid still remain in the sector, also supported by Mitchell Institute data suggesting internet job vacancies in childcare occupations are in fact at a record high, sitting at well over 5,000 advertised jobs in 2022.

“It’s not good,” the Upwey childcare manager said.

Cockatoo Community Childcare declined Star Mail’s interview request.

Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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NEWS

Cost cuts

By Parker McKenzie Households in Casey could save as much as $5,460 a year by switching to renewable-powered electrification of homes and vehicles, according to data from a renewable energy think tank.

An online portal launched by Rewiring Australia — allowing voters, candidates and researchers to gauge how much individual households would benefit from going electric, the aggregate economic benefit from moving away from oil and gas, and how many jobs would be generated in a solar-powered, electrified future — shows outer metropolitan communities would benefit the most from the switch.

Rewiring Australia chief scientist and founder Dr Saul Griffith said electrification would benefit Australian families economically.

“It just requires the same sort of commitment and investment that drove the Australian rooftop solar miracle, now enjoyed by more than three million Australian households,” he said.

“If we fully exploit our natural advantage with solar energy by electrifying everything we will create thousands of jobs for tradies and ensure more money is spent in local shops.

The air will be cleaner and people will be healthier.”

Electrification involves fitting homes with solar panels and a battery, followed by removing fossil fuel devices such as gas cookers, hot water and heating, and combustion engine vehicles and swapping them for alternatives like induction stoves, electric space heating and electric vehicles.

Modelling from Rewiring Australia in 2021 found massive scale electrification of Australian households would reduce carbon emissions by more than one-third. The modelling suggested this could be achieved through a $12 billion eight-year investment, resulting in

The Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association hosting an electric car display on Saturday 30 April.

Picture: SUPPLIED households across Australia saving more than $40 billion.

Dr Griffith said hundreds of millions of dollars are being drained from local economies right now because we are dependent on imported oil.

If we electrify and decarbonise we keep that money in the local community and make the world cleaner and safer,” he said.

“Electrifying our homes and vehicles is the fastest and cheapest path to decarbonising our domestic economy. Over a ten year period, we could electrify the nation for roughly the same amount we currently spend subsidising fossil fuels in a single year.

“Electrification attacks the three huge national problems: climate heating, cost of living and national security. We invite all candidates to embrace the initiative.”

Residents in Casey wouldn’t be the only local area to benefit greatly according to the data.

The electorate of Aston, which covers Ferntree Gully, Boronia and Bayswater, would save on average $5,220 if electrification was embraced according to Rewiring Australia’s data.

The data for each electorate can be viewed at www.rewiringaustralia.org/electorate

Community basketball court to open at Knox A $355 million upgrade to Westfield Knox will feature a full-sized community basketball court for locals to use once completed.

Scentre Group, which owns Westfield, announced the NBL specified court on Thursday 12 May. Scentre Group Regional Manager Michelle Clarkson said they would be introducing the outdoor basketball court after input from customers as a part of their investment in the centre.

“The introduction of the basketball court reinforces our commitment to delivering a world-class retail, social and lifestyle destination that caters to the interests and needs of our local community,” she said.

“The basketball court is something we know customers will get a lot of excitement and enjoyment from, whether that’s gathering to watch games or playing with friends and family.”

The court will be used by Knox Basketball — the local basketball association — for training, competitions and clinics for junior players.

Knox Basketball chief executive officer Grant Harrison said basketall ins one of the most popular sports in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and the association is one of the largest in the country.

“With over 1,000 teams competing every week, having access to this court at Westfield Knox gives our junior teams a place to come together and play in the heart of the community.” he said.

The court will be located next to Knox Library.

Stage two of the upgrades to Westfield Knox are expected to be completed by 2023, which will see the opening of the basketball court and a new 1,700 square metre community space.

A render of the community basketball court announced at Westfield Knox.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Need local staff?

Then give us the job...

Star Mail

Need local staff?

Then give us the job... we will advertise it in our employment section and attract local staff

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SHOP LOCAL EMERALD

Catch up at The Fox

Nazanin with the big bear. 280161 which are all super friendly and enjoy serving customers.

“They have also been super loyal to the business and despite better offers from other businesses have preferred to stay with us. All of them agree that this is their happy place to be.

“Our dining area is super cozy because of the well performance of our decorative acoustic panels. A gentle music also relaxes you while you enjoy your order.”

Call on 0422 668 2680 to book a table or find them on Google and book online. They also accept online orders via thelaughingfox. square.site. Bookmark it in your mobile for easy checkout each time.

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Nazanin with customers. 280161

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GOURMET PIES

12549289-DL20-22

Finding yourself in a catch-up mood? Then the Laughing Fox Cafe is your right choice in the town.

With a warm, welcoming and cozy vibe, you will feel yourself spending hours with your friends/relatives stress-free. You could treat yourself with their huge range of delicious meals, hot and cold drinks, sweets and of course, ice cream.

Quality is their priority.

The Laughing Fox Cafe crew use only high quality ingredients for their hot drinks - probably one of the best in Melbourne.

All sweets are made in house from scratch, not pre-mix. They don’t pre-cook anything so please be patient if you wait a little extra for your food in busy hours because they will never sacrifice quality by pre-cooking.

Their gourmet ice cream is super tasty and a great treat for all ages. Check out the signature big beef and mushroom pies available in winter where you can find chunks of slowcooked meat in them.

The Laughing Fox Cafe also think about your pocket as well. A regular coffee in a cup will cost you from just $3.80 which has remainded unchanged since 2015. This is a price that you can barely find in Melbourne cafes. You also can use their loyalty coffee cards which brings down your cost by another 10 per cent.

Generously portioned meals are also another feature of their meals. It is normal for staff to hear about the generosity in food portions.

Scoop prices haven’t changed since taking over the ice cream shop, despite the cost of each tub going up at least 20 per cent in just two years.

A spokesperson said quality service was their winning ticket in the business.

“We have gathered a great team of local staff

0422 668 260

Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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MAIL 11

NEWS

Game released next week The Art Attack Board Game will soon be arriving, with two special launch dates announced for the initiative created by local artist and writer Jenni Ivins.

The lift-out game board and 72 GO-TO cards will be published in all six Star Mail newspapers on Tuesday 24th May 2022 and a different set of 72 GO-TO cards will be released on Tuesday 31 May. The game will allow local families to learn more about the region, with quirky tales and imagery to set the scene on the cards.

Many wonderful subjects have been captured by some talented local photographers to help fill the pages.

The release follows months of collaboration between Ms Ivins and the local community as she’s discovered and discussed what people value most in the shire.

“We have had a fantastic response to the project, which is one of Yarra Ranges Shire Council’s Art Attack projects to support the community as we emerge from the pandemic,” Ms Ivins said.

“The cards in next week’s papers will contain photos representing as many different participants as possible,” she said.

The PDF version of the game will also be available on Yarra Ranges Council’s website and will include a list of participants.

Over 400 cards will be available from the ‘Connecting Communities - Yarra Ranges Shire’ Facebook group and www.MindDrawing.net in June.

There will be two sizes of GO-TO cards in the PDFs. The larger size will be great for those with impaired vision, as well as for those who want to enjoy the fabulous photography.

Ms Ivins has designed two board games for Star News Group — the owner of this publication — with A Part Together, Ms Ivins boardgame about Cardinia Shire which was published in the Pakenham Gazette, winning the Best Community Campaign Award at the 2021 Country Press Awards.

The lift-out game board and 72 GO-TO cards will be published in all six Star Mail newspapers on Tuesday 24th May 2022. Picture: JENNI IVINS

Over 55s in the Dandenong Ranges enjoy free pilates

By Tyler Wright Free pilates classes have taken the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre by storm as over 55s come together to get their bodies moving and get social during cooler Autumn days.

For the past two Fridays, instructor Jeanette Tatton has led the classes - 48 attending in the first week and 52 in the second; a number she hopes will continue to grow for the six weeks left of the fully-funded sessions.

“These classes are designed for care, attention and consideration - gentle breathing, reminding people how powerful the breath is, gentle stretching, a little bit of balance and strength” Jeanette said.

Pamela Lambert, Ferny Creek resident, has participated in the first two pilates sessions and said they have helped her get “up

Menzies Creek Community Market Day Menzies Creek Community Market Day at Menzies Creek Hall, 1 Menzies Road, Menzies Creek. Saturday May 28 from 9am to 1pm.

Hampers and gifts, bric-a-brac and indoor and outdoor stalls. For stalls, contact 0431 232 796

12521584-BL46-21

The Basin community harvest share

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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slowed me down and given me inspiration to be able to do these stretches and exercises at home in the chair,” Pamela said.

The classes are funded by Bendigo Bank,

Local gardeners will be sharing their harvest in Boronia on Saturday 21 May. Organised by The Basin Food is Free Project and Community Garden, the event will take place at 2 Liverpool Road, Boronia. “Bring along your surplus homegrown veggies, fruit, herbs, seedlings, food plants, saved seeds, fresh eggs, homemade preserves, honey... to share with other local gardeners. Your surplus is someone else’s treasure.”

MAIL SNIPPETS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HILLS The harvest share happens on the third Saturday of every month. Enter the Salvation Army property via Gate 1 and follow the driveway down to the car park next to the shipping container shed. Please help others by labelling the items you bring, and only bringing things that are in good condition.

The Pirates of Penzance by

Singularity Choir · Sunday 29 May at 2 pm · Upwey Baptist Community Church cnr Burwood Highway and 21 Darling Ave Upwey · $22 per person (includes Afternoon Tea) · Tickets Online: trybooking.com/BYRMF or 0424 617 081

Community Music Concert · Local bands and singer/songwriter, Rudy · Saturday 14 May 2022 at 2 pm · Tickets $10 for adults (Concession $10) at Up· · ·

wey Baptist Community Church cnr Darling Ave and Burwood Highway, Upwey Proceeds to Foothills Community Care Meal Program Tickets online from Try Booking or phone 0408 103 943 Try booking code: trybooking.com/BYWBT

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

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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

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and going,” while being able to socialise and have a coffee with friends afterwards.

“Normally, I’m a very active person, and I like to be on the go - and this has really

SNIPPETS

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General Enquiries Tel: 5957 3700 Email: enquiries@mailcommunity.com.au Distribution Enquiries Tel: 1300 654 910 Advertising Group Advertising Manager – Tracey Aitken Email: advertising@mailcommunity.com.au Editorial Editor – Renee Wood Email: editor@mailcommunity.com.au Classifieds Advertising Phone: 1300 666 808 Email: sales@networkclassifieds.com.au Deadlines: Display Advertising: 4PM Wednesday Trades: 4PM Thursday Classifieds: 4PM Friday Sports Results: 9AM Monday Managing Director: Paul Thomas

Men and women in the over 55 age bracket have taken the initiative of attending fully-funded pilates classes at the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre.

Picture: JEANETTE TATTON

with support from MADCOW and the Yarra Ranges Council. The room is filled with chairs to provide the base for the exercises, and the nearby scenery paints a picture of the lush greenery in Monbulk.

Tessa Christensen, who is nearing on 80 years of age, travelled to the most recent session from Tecoma and is finding the exercises and stretches beneficial.

“The women and the men are lovely - it’s fantastic,” Tessa said.

“It makes me feel so enlightened that I can bring this to them and that they’ve made the time,” their instructor said.

“Hopefully with the power of the voice and people talking we will hopefully get more funding to keep them ongoing.”

The classes are currently held each Friday from 10:30am to 11:15am. For more information, contact Jeanette at mountainpilatesmonbulk@gmail.com.

mailcommunity.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Crime close to home

By Parker McKenzie

A previous screening of the ‘Unheard Stories’ film festival.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Lived experiences of hearing loss

By Tyler Wright A travelling film festival showcasing the work of those in the Deaf Community will be coming to Belgrave’s Cameo Cinemas this Winter after its premiere in Elsternwick on World Hearing Day back in March.

‘Unheard Stories’ was organised by Soundfair CEO Caitlin Barr, who said the idea originated after sharing stories of those with lived experience of hearing loss - an issue which impacts more than one in six Australians.

“It became clear that there needed to be a different kind of platform to share [these stories] and that making a film was the most appropriate way to do that…

“The idea of the film festival is to create space for people to share their lived experience, but also a space for people to be an observer into others’ lives in a way you just don’t usually get,” Ms Barr.

She also said the pandemic has increased the need for more empathy toward those with deafness.

“The presence of masks created a huge barrier - it was their lifeline to connection,

being able to often lip read or use the reading of facial expressions to augment what they heard,” Ms Barr said.

“If people were saying, ‘could you take down your mask so I can hear you?’ more often than not people say ‘no, I won’t take down my mask. ‘ For someone who’s really struggling to communicate, what it says to you is ‘I’m not important’, ‘this world doesn’t value me’ or ‘I need to fix my problem’, when in fact the problem is shared across society and we’ve all got a role to play.”

The festival has already spread across the country with screenings in the Blue Mountains and Macquarie Hearing Hub in Sydney.

“People come out the other end with this real sense of motivation to care a great deal more about the reality of life with hearing loss - there’s this kind of empathy [that comes from] walking in someone’s shoes,” Ms Barr said.

Soundfair has collated films from Australia and one from the U.S and have also created their own film called ‘Amplify This’.

Marjia, one of the participants in the film, said the experience has given her “more confidence” and access to a community that she “never would never have pursued in the past.”

“And more importantly a healing and acceptance of who I am, and what I have become due to my hearing loss.”

Each of the four films seek to bring awareness to the complexities of hearing loss and show no two people have identical experiences, Ms Barr said.

“Some people lost their hearing later in life, some people haven’t been hearing since birth. Some people use technology, some people don’t. Some people speak Auslan, some people don’t.”

What we wanted to show is that it doesn’t need to be an either or - but actually, the common experiences of people are that there are barriers that society puts up around them that makes life hard - and that’s incredibly unfair.”

“The idea of highlighting and increasing people’s awareness of what those stories are is one critical step towards destroying those barriers altogether.”

New queer art group takes off in the hills

By Tyler Wright The Dandenong Ranges’ new Queer Art Collective (QAC) will hold their first official event on Thursday 26 May at Burrinja Cultural Centre, encouraging locals to express themselves and their queerness through collage.

The Queer Collage Party will allow Queer identifying people aged between 18 and 25 to join Aaron from Pink Ember Studios in making their own collages or teaming up with others to produce a creative work.

“We’re asking people to bring some images, magazine pages or book pages so I hope that might already be a bit of a talking point,” artist and facilitator at Burrinja Cultural Centre Gülsen Özer said.

“We might talk a bit about collage techniques and look at some collage art from queer artists. We’ll have some food, play some tunes and talk a bit more about the QAC and ask for feedback on some of our ideas for planning” Gülsen said.

The Queer Art Collective was recently formed as part of the Victorian Government’s ‘Big Connect’ program partnership with Burrinja Cultural Centre, with the goal of creating safe spaces and events “really explicitly welcoming of queer people,” she said. mailcommunity.com.au

“We’ve done some consultation with young queer people in the community and they’ve given us some really good feedback that they’re excited about the idea as a collective seeing queer art and talking about what it means to look at art from a queer perspective.”

“There’s lots of different things that stood out, the importance for it to be trauma informed particularly with the pandemic impact… but [also] an excitement about this place where we can come together [and] do craft and art.”

The collage workshop will take place on 26 May from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at Burrinja Cultural Centre or online.

Burrinja Cultural Centre is located at 351 Glenfern Rd, Upwey VIC 3158.

To register, access this link https://form. jotform.com/221170894614860 and to get in touch with the Burrinja Cultural Centre with questions or to inform them of your access needs, contact qac@burrinja.org.au.

The Yarra Ranges’ Queer Art Collective will begin their event program with a ‘Collage Party’.

Picture: MIDSUMMER AIR, KIM LEUTWYLER, OIL ON WOOD PANEL, 20” X 16” 2015 // SEE MORE OR KIM’S WORK ON I NSTAGRAM - @CARLOSBOB

Emily Webb has spoken and written about plenty of grisly murders in the past few years.

“My passion really is about cold cases and lesser-known cases, where people need to remember the impact of crime on people,” she said.

“It’s just about lived experience. People are interested in knowing about that and if it is a crime that’s happening in their neighbourhood, it’s a shock.” The Knox-based journalist, true-crime author and podcaster’s new book Suburban True Crime: Australian cases you’ll never forget and some you’ve never heard of will be published on May 18, featuring stories from around the country of shocking and often unsolved cases.

Ms Webb said several cases have stayed with her over the years, including one close to home.

“Nanette Ellis’s murder in Boronia is a case that I’ve followed for a number of years. In fact, I reported on it when I was a journalist at Leader newspapers,” she said. “In 1984, someone came into her house and stabbed her to death. It’s a very strange crime; it is unsolved to this day.”

Ms Webb said aside from her murder occurring during broad daylight at her own home as she prepared to go out with friends, there were other strange coincidences during the time before her murder. “She’d had her car vandalized on her driveway and a few times when she had been driving to work from Boronia up to Belgrave — she would have gone up along Burwood Highway — she had rocks thrown at her car. Was she being stalked?”

Ms Webb said.

“We listen to true crime because we want to understand why this happens.

We get asked a lot why do a lot of women listen to true crime and read true crime? I think subconsciously women want to try and work out how they can keep themselves safe.”

Ms Webb — who has co-hosted the Australian True Crime podcast since 2017 — said several other violent crime cases have occured in the eastern suburbs.

“I haven’t written about all of them for the book. The murders of Seana and Margaret Tapp, a mother and daughter in Ferntree Gully, happened that same year in 1984.” “This is really happening to people. I don’t like true crime that salacious or unnecessarily shocking, I think the facts tell the story.”

Suburban True Crime: Australian cases you’ll never forget and some you’ve never heard of contains updated stories from Ms Webb’s previous books which are now out of print and new cases of true crime throughout Australia’s quiet suburbs.

More information on the book and where you can buy it can be found at www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/ surburban-true-crime

Suburban True Crime: Australian cases you’ll never forget and some you’ve never heard of will be published on May 18.

Picture: SUPPLIED Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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MAIL 13

OPINION

Hidden treasures I noted that a feature article in a previous week’s Star-Mail paper was a proud statement about it being the anniversary of the paper’s first foray into Lilydale.

In fact the Lilydale paper goes into about five surrounding townships.

I guess I was proud to have written in that paper on that day.

My topic/title then was, ‘Our amazing heart’.

In that article I referred to one of my favorite authors, Philip Yancey who co-authored a book on a scientific study of the heart, in humans and animals.

I spoke in that article about the fact that we rarely notice our hearts until something goes wrong.

It is a timely topic as we have heard about a number of newsworthy people who have had ‘out of the blue’ heart attacks and the message is to get our hearts checked whether we feel we need to or not.

Ironically, as I am writing this my London daughter has been trying to converse on line and as we finished we departed with big red love hearts.

Since my last article, we have poured out love on our mothers, remembered those who for love of country and family put their lives on the line with thousands of whom did not return. “Lest we forget”.

A bible quote is often used of their sacrifice.

Focal Point

Graeme Dawson

“Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends”.

I was reading a story of a man who walked into a nursing facility where his father had recently passed away and was given two small boxes of his father’s possessions, and at that time he realized that you don’t have to have much to be satisfied. His dad had always been carefree, with a ready smile and an encouraging word for others.

He then put two and two together and realized his dad had followed Jesus’ urging to lay up your treasures in heaven rather than on earth.

Doing that is like paying it forward as an eternal investment, and of course no box could hold that treasure.

We might want to ask ourselves if we could be happy with fewer things, and invest in the lives of others.

There is a verse that says, ‘Where our treasures are, there our hearts will be’.

Some of my older friends have passed on and others are making preparations for that time.

For many that means downscaling; From a family home to a retirement unit - two cars down to one, taking more public transport to save fuel and dispersing, or disposing of ‘treasures’ that won’t fit in the smaller unit.

Moving into a retirement village can bring with it all sorts of emotions and hurdles that we don’t think we can jump, and going into full time care can either be for some, a blessing, as it takes away the need to take personal care, while for others it can mean a loss of independence.

However be careful to only take with you what will fit into ‘smaller boxes’, keeping in mind that your son or daughter or nearest relative will have to carry them out one day too.

Change in older years is not easy as lost familiarity can bring discomfort.

Some of these choices are not of our own choosing but can be suddenly thrust upon us due to circumstances beyond our control.

Morbid? No. Sensible preparations while we are still able.

I have heard a quote more than once recently which says ‘Growing old is not for wimps’, and I for one am hoping not to be a wimp.

Many Blessings, Graeme Dawson, Chaplain to Community

Calling the wacky and wonderful

CARTOON

Kemp’s curtain call

Firestarter without a light Firestarter Starring Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Zac Efron and Michael Greyeyes MA15+ 3/5 Based on the novel by Stephen King, Firestarter is an affecting but poorly-structured horrorthriller.

Charlie (Ryan Kiera Armstrong), a young girl who can create and control fire with her mind, and her father Andrew (Zac Efron) go on the run from a shady government agency seeking to capture her.

Armstrong is a compelling lead as Charlie, and Efron conveys a weary strength as her father. Firestarter avoids excessive backstory, succinctly establishing Charlie’s powers and concentrating on her present struggles. The film draws palpable suspense from Charlie’s literally volatile temper and the physical toll of Andrew’s psychic abilities, and Michael Greyeyes is engaging if underutilised as an intensely-dedicated yet subtly-conflicted mercenary tasked with catching Charlie. The film also has a fantastic conclusion, with a darkly-satisfying chain of carnage followed by a wonderfullyhandled wordless display of mercy and repentance.

Unfortunately, Firestarter has aimless pacing, with a vague sense of time and direction, and some very clunky dialogue. Gloria Reuben plays Captain Hollister, the main antagonist, 14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

CPPCommunity Theatre The Addams Family Information Nights: Tuesday 24 May and Thursday 26 May at 9pm at The Factory - Unit 20/63 Bayfield Road East Bayswater.

Audition: It is highly recommended that if you are interested in auditioning that you attend at least one of these nights as this is where the audition process begins.

For the auditions there will be (depending which part you are going for) one or more of the following. a set passage to read, a set song to sing – these will be from the shoe. a small dance routine to learn for the audition.

Note: the same information will be repeated on the second night as was said at the first. It is an opportunity to practise should you wish to attend both.

Auditions will be held on Sunday 29 May and Tuesday 31 May and are by appointment only.

You will be able to make a booking for an audition at the information nights.

Storyline: That creepy kooky family – The Addams Family – are back with a comical feast that embraces the wackiness of every family, as well as every father’s worst nightmare.

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides this to her father and begs him not to tell her mother.

Season: 7-15 October at the Rowville Performing Arts Centre, Rowville Secondary College Rowville.

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with a haughty, camp performance that conflicts with the naturalistic manner of the rest of the cast. The imagery for Charlie’s fire powers is uninspired, with her fireballs and bursts of energy resembling Jean Grey’s powers from XMen: Dark Phoenix at times. Horror great John Carpenter helped compose a brooding electronic score, but the film’s main theme feels derivative of his theme for the 2018 Halloween, even copying Michael Myers’ deep, booming leitmotif. The film also has a disturbing scene with a cat that highlights Charlie’s empathy and dangerous lack of control, but some viewers will find it deeply upsetting.

Tense and well-acted but severely unfocused, Firestarter is playing in most Victorian cinemas. You may also want to check out the 1984 Firestarter, which was an early film in Drew Barrymore’s career.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Full of surprises PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN A review of The Long Game

by Simon Rowell Simon Rowell’s The Long Game is a riveting read, set around the Mornington Peninsula in southeastern Metropolitan Melbourne. Frequent visitors to the beachside suburbs will find this crime thriller particularly enthralling.

The story features Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer, an instinctual investigator who is recently back from extended leave for PTSD. Her sidekick is a service dog named Harry, a very endearing golden retriever.

Rowell does a brilliant job concealing what has happened to cause the PTSD – until near the story’s end, which can be maddening to those who cannot help but quickly falling in love with the heroine. People around Zoe seem to either venerate or despise her. It makes readers eager to delve into the great secret that is her past. As the story unfurls – and as a seemingly straightforward murder case becomes increasingly complicated – we have to admire the author’s control of the narrative pace. There are no minced words nor frivolous details of emotions.

Every dialogue is dynamic, designed to accelerate the story’s progress.

Even after an arrest is made, readers are faced with a series of twists and turns that push them to the edge of their seats. We soon realise that the killer is “a fricken genius”, a “planner” who is calm, in control, and dangerously patient.

Throughout the book, there are hints of Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Thomas Harris’s Black Sunday, and even Dan Brown’s Inferno. There is also a nice combination of cutting-edge technological surveillance, forensic investigation, good old-fashioned deduction, and blood-pumping search and pursuit.

But ultimately The Long Game is unique in its own way, thanks to its meticulously plotted story full of authentic and likeable characters. In the author’s words: “Although the novel is action-driven, with a tough and clever investigator, I hope that people appreciate Zoe’s resilience against those who want to bring her down. Often, she finds herself isolated, but she maintains faith in her own instincts. She backs herself, which I particularly respect.”

It is necessary to mention here that Harry is not your ordinary police dog. A “specialist” in many ways, his presence not only sheds light on Zoe’s physical and mental strengths but is also crucial to solving the chilling murder case.

In an interview, Rowell encourages aspiring writers to find and polish their own voices. “[My writing style is like] a fingerprint, pretty much unique to me...

I write punchy, hardboiled crime novels with strong female characters [and] I lean in to my strengths.”

Rowell further highlights the importance of reading and learning the craft of writing, as well as being open to constructive criticism. Indeed, this reviewer would love to be the fly on the wall when the Victorian Police Film and Television Office provided feedback to the author on “some of the technical aspects of policing”.

Readers are invited to meet Rowell via Zoom on Wednesday 25 May, to discuss his process of writing and getting published. More details can be found on Eastern Regional Libraries website. mailcommunity.com.au

IN A CLASS OF ITS OWN A CLEVER combination of comfort and charm, this beautiful tri-level residence is spacious and offers discerning buyers a multitude of options to enhance lifestyle, family life and potential income at home.

When entering the main living room, the views through massive windows will take your breath away, forest greens as far as the eye can see.

Wander throughout the home and you will be able to discover how this property will work for your needs and situation. On paper it presents as 4 bedrooms, multiple living spaces – lounge, dining, tv room, games room with sauna, 3 bathrooms, open plan timber kitchen with stainless steel appliances, an adjoining, huge walk-in pantry and larder, several decks and balconies, a variety of outbuildings, a lap pool, playground, and garage.

You may however need a home office with separate entry, studio, multi-generational

living, or AIR B&B, the opportunities are endless, naturally all subject to council approval.

Discover all the references of a bygone era throughout this property, additions that always make our hearts connect to a space, leadlight, slate, bespoke joinery, timber floors, fretwork, stone and wood, open fireplace, beams and much more.

Outdoors you will find established gardens with citrus trees, vegie gardens, pergola, ponds and pathways, a playground and several outbuildings, a garage and carport, chicken coop and stunning lap pool.

Just under ½ an acre of tiered wonder to explore.

The fabulous township of Monbulk is mere minutes away and a short walk can take you to your favourite coffee shop, market, forest walk, swim, sporting facilities, schools, and bus connections. Your new community is waiting for you. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 189 Emerald-Monbulk Road, MONBULK Description: 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $1,050,000 - $1,150,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Emily Hudson, 0418 570 474, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111

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

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HOME FOCUS

IMMACULATE HOME WITH VIEWS THIS immaculate residence will spark immediate attraction for those seeking an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Set only 600m from Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School near postcard-perfect parkland and Upper Ferntree Gully Station, this is a fabulous family home in prime position.

Upon this sprawling 1,016sqm (approx.) allotment this home takes centre stage and will inspire you to step inside. From the covered porch entry and foyer, the floorplan expands in style to the open concept core of this home. Comprising the family room with cosy wood fire and wrap-around windows, spacious dining area, and gourmet kitchen with gas range, smeg SS oven, Asko dishwasher, and stone-topped island with seating, this is an idyllic space for

entertaining. Add to this rich timber flooring, an effortless flow out to the expansive deck, patio, and terraced rear garden, and a backdrop of breathtaking views, and it is undeniable how special this home is.

For further comfort, 4 generous bedrooms are on offer, including the elegant main bedroom with walk-in robe and luxe ensuite.

With a meticulously presented family bathroom and sizeable laundry, every inch of this home has been upgraded with care.

Additional highlights include gas ducted heating, split system heating/cooling units, and a double garage with remote entry and sizeable under house storage.

This property is a beautifully balanced lifestyle package, so don’t delay, treat yourself to a tour today. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 42 Albert Street, UPPER FERNTREE GULLY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,070,000 - $1,170,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 97546888

MANAGEABLE LIFESTYLE THIS stylish residence secures a spectacular lifestyle location only 600m from bustling Belgrave township. With options to stay home in complete comfort or stroll along Ringwood-Belgrave Trail to town, this impressive property offers an easycare lifestyle with endless amenities and entertainment venues nearby.

With a sleek, rendered façade with high privacy hedging, it is clear this home has been carefully cared for. Inside boasts a traditional layout enriched with polished timber floors and quality fittings and fixtures throughout. The open plan meals area and lounge with open wood fire flows effortlessly to the galley-style kitchen with gas range and

stainless steel appliances.

Beautiful bedrooms are also on offer, including the main bedroom with walk-in robe and modern ensuite. Highlights include large windows, plush carpet, gas ducted heating, split system air conditioning & and plenty of storage.

In addition, through the stylish laundry with matte black tapware, there is an impressive open and covered deck area ideal for entertaining and a double carport with roller door and storage shed for convenience.

A remarkable blend of liveability and location, this property will impress. Plan your viewing today. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 6 Dickinson Street, BELGRAVE Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $700,000 - $760,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Suzie Brannelly 0490 506 910, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 97546888 16 MAIL

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8 Elm Crescent, Emerald

$980,000 - $1,070,000

Character Family Home in Quiet Location!

$2,000,000 - $2,200,000

Opportunity of A Lifetime!

Why buy 1 acre for a million dollars when you can buy 20.02 hectares for this great price?!

Located on nearly half an acre, this beautifully renovated home is perfect for family living. With 4 bedrooms and 2 living rooms, this home is designed for the modern family.

The updated kitchen is bright with stainless steel appliances, modern-country cabinetry and opens to the dining and living room. The bedrooms are spacious with plush carpets, neutral colour tones, and built-in robes. The master bedroom has beautiful character detailing, carpet, an ensuite, and built-in robes. The back yard has recently been landscaped with a stunning stone retaining wall, flat usable space, and is fully fenced for kids and pets. The enormous deck is perfect for entertaining. There is a double carport on either side of the home and a single lock-up garage.

Bell Real Estate is proud to offer for sale this outstanding acreage property with spectacular views! Almost 50 acres of gentle, rolling hills with a creek running through it and dual access from both the prestigious Cardinia Crt and Ridge Rd make this property a unique find. The perfect property to create the lifestyle you have always wanted - plenty of room for the mansion of your dreams (STCA). There is still plenty of space for growing or just reap the reward from the abundant chestnut trees already on the property. With spectacular views of Cardinia Reserve and beyond, this is a once-ina-lifetime opportunity to create the most amazing lifestyle property in the Hills!

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994

29 Hazel Street, Cockatoo

15 Cardinia Court, Menzies Creek

Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032

$680,000 - $740,000

1/54 McBride Street, Cockatoo

$580,000 - $620,000

Perfect Indoor-Outdoor Lifestyle!

Opportunity Galore!

This fully renovated cedar, 3 bedroom home is in a great central location close to Cockatoo Township and primary school. The open-plan living/dining/kitchen is immaculate with beautiful floorboards, a modern kitchen with gas stovetop, and stainless steel appliances. The dining room leads out onto the large deck area, that has a spa, beautiful bush views, and a fully fenced yard where you can watch the kids and dogs play. The spacious 3 bedrooms have builtin robes modern colour scheme and are located close to the main bathroom. There is a European laundry, gas ducted heating, and evaporative cooling. Outside the home has a newly sprayed roof, under-house storage, and the rear yard is fully fenced. The modern renovated shipping container on site, currently used as a hairdressing salon, is also negotiable.

Get in quick to secure this great commercial property in the main street of Cockatoo. It is currently being used as a medical centre and occupied by a popular GP. With McBride Street frontage there is plenty of opportunities to be seen by passing foot traffic and take advantage of the popular bakery next door. This premise is ready to occupy with a walk-out/walk-in sale meaning you won’t have a costly fit-out. Inside it is fully tiled front to back, there are 3 spacious offices, a disabled toilet, kitchenette, security system, on-site parking at the rear, and a clean and spacious reception room. Whether you wish to keep this site as a medical centre or make it your dream business the opportunities are endless. This property has it all so don’t miss out.

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

5968 6222

311-313 Main St, Emerald Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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13 Glenvista Avenue, Emerald

145 Kirk Road, Cockatoo

133 Gembrook Launching Place Road, Gembrook

PRIVATE STORYBOOK BEAUTY ON 2295M2

A RARE GEM ON OVER 6000M2

‘CAMELFORD’ A CIRCA 1880’s CLASSIC ON 3.5ac

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $1,000,000-$1,100,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Brittany Barry 0412 861 094 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $770,000-$847,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,150,000-$1,250,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

66 Kilvington Drive, Emerald

7 Station Road, Gembrook

47 Emerald Lake Road, Emerald

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU! ON 5533m2

FAMILY LIVING IN A PRIME LOCATION ON 1108M2

2219m2 IN AN INCREDIBLE LAKESIDE LOCATION

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GUIDE $1,375,000 - $1,500,000 INSPECT By Appoinement CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $890,000-$970,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,150,000-$1,250,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Sue Colic 0421 772 610 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

36 Ferres Road, Emerald

9 Peppermint Court, Emerald

1 Symons Road, Avonsleigh

PRIVACY, VIEWS AND CENTRAL EMERALD ON 986m2

CENTRAL, PRIVATE AND OH SO VERSATILE

STUNNING FAMILY HOME ON OVER 1500M2

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GUIDE $840,000-$920,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Jacqui Ryder 0433 095 278 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,000,000 - $1,100,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $850,000 - $935,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

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Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

6 Dickinson Street, BELGRAVE MANAGEABLE LIFESTYLE MOMENTS FROM TOWN

FOR SALE

$700,000 - $760,000 3A 2B 2C

210 Olinda-Monbulk Road, MONBULK

$695,000 - $764,000 3A 2B

TREETOP HOME MOMENTS FROM MONBULK

This stylish residence secures a spectacular lifestyle location only 600m from bustling Belgrave township. With a sleek, rendered façade with high privacy hedging, it is clear this home has been carefully cared for. Inside boasts a traditional layout enriched with polished timber floors and quality fittings and fixtures throughout. The open plan meals area and lounge with open wood fire flows effortlessly to the galley-style kitchen.

This inviting home is a sensational opportunity to secure immense comfort, impressive views, and the convenience of Monbulk township only moments from home. The split-level interior with vaulted timber ceilings affords an enriched sense of space within the wonderful open concept design. The kitchen seamlessly connects with the dining area with skylight via polished timber floors. The lower level lounge boasts a cosy wood fire and balcony access for taking in the idyllic outlooks.

Suzie Brannelly

Brad Conder

M 0490 506 910 | E suzie@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0422 639 115 | E brad@chandlerandco.com.au

FOR SALE

52 Acacia Avenue, UPWEY TIMELESS TAPESTRY OF DESIGN

FOR SALE

$750,000 - $815,000 3A 2B

C

26 Hume Street, UPWEY CHARMING HOME WITH LIFESTYLE TO MATCH

$820,000 - $890,000 3A 2B 3C

This impressive character home secures a spectacular lifestyle location and a timeless tapestry of historic design. Boasting high ceilings, rich timber floors, lovely leafy outlooks, and a large 983sqm (approx.) allotment, this property encapsulates Hills living in exceptional style. The lovely front garden is your first peek into the wonderful way of life on offer here.

From the front deck, a warm invitation is extended to step into a spacious foyer/sitting room.

This charming weatherboard residence, backing onto Glenfern Valley Bushland Reserve, brings a whole new meaning to the concept of versatility. Offering dual living spaces on separate levels, this well-presented character home will accommodate the needs of your family throughout the years ahead.

Sam Adamson

Sam Adamson

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

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

Daniel Steen

Daniel Steen

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

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

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

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networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services

Place your ad in print and online www.networkclassifieds.com.au

AFFORDABLE CHIMNEY & FLUE CLEANING

ALL ASPECTS OF GARDEN MAINTENANCE

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Phone Cain

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(include your name, address and phone number)

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Formerly Australian Chimney Cleaning Specialists

J.L. Hutt Electrical ฀

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PETER’S FENCING and GATES All types of fencing – rural, timber or colorbond Gates and Retaining Walls Expert Work at Mates Rates No job too small

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

Alan 5968 5191 Mob 0418 176 159 FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS. 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.

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DEANS RUBBISH REMOVALS We load and take all types of rubbish, household, furniture and garden waste, sheds cleared. 6m truck/trailer.

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CALL GREG 0438 683 141 OR REGAN 0439 208 693.

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David Hastings 0418 231 965

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Motoring

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Daniel Brown Mobile: 0409 395 635

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Specialist in Gutter Cleaning / i`ÊÀ vÊÀi«> ÀÃÊEÊ i> ÃÊUÊ,i i`ÊEÊ* ÌÊ vÊ, và 25 Yrs Experience Call Matt for a free quote

• Brivis Gas Ducted Heaters • Daikin & Rinnai Splits • Installs - Service - Repairs • Duct inspections & Repairs

DANDENONG RANGES PAINTING SERVICE

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YARRA VALLEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING • Septic Tanks • Treatment Plants • Grease Traps • EPA Licence • Portable Toilets

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V Garden Services

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V Deadline

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Mobile 0419 131 958 SERVICING ALL AREAS BOB WALLACE AND SONS

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NEWS

Exhibit for storm recovery

By Tyler Wright and Liz Millman The Hills Creative Alliance (HCA) will be holding a community art exhibition on Fridays and weekend afternoons in June and July at the Kawarra Gardens Yarra Ranges Storm Recovery Centre, as they continue working on creative ways to support those who were impacted by last year’s June storm.

Liz Millman, HCA secretary said Denise Rash, Masters student in Therapeutic Arts practices, is supporting the ‘Reflections of the Storm’ showcase.

“Members of the community are invited to share the creative art work they helped them to get through the challenges of coming to terms with the devastation, as well as photographs that tell the story,” Liz said.

These submission can include paintings, photographs, poetry and stories among other creative responses.

The HCA hope to produce a book based on the memories and exploration of last year’s weather events.

The group currently hold ‘Storm Stories’ sessions on Fridays from 10:30am to 12:00pm at Olinda Community House, with refreshments (cake therapy) and the chance to chat, as well as discussions from those who supported the community during this period.

The group has already been joined by speakers from Anglicare, Rotary and the Kalorama Collective after starting in early May, and this week will be joined by Parks Victoria - talking about the challenges they face making the National Park and gardens safe again.

The HCA have also joined the Kalorama Collective in organising the ‘Hills Regrowth and Renewal Community Festival’ on Sunday 17 July.

The festival is supported by a Yarra Ranges Council grant and will be held at Kalorama Oval as recognition of the healing ceremony led by local elder Murandindi last July.

If you are interested in sharing your art work or stories of the storm at the HCA Community Exhibition, email: lizmillman@yahoo. co.uk.

To join the ‘Storm Stories’ sessions, community members can call in to Olinda Community House on a Friday morning or contact the Hills Creative Alliance for more information.

Artwork created by Denise Rash as a response to last year’s storms.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Where to vote on election day this Saturday 21 May The below locations are open from 8am to 6pm on 21 May for voting: St Thomas More Primary School, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave.

Belgrave South Primary School, 175 Colby Drive, Belgrave South.

Selby Primary School, 2 Morley Street, Selby.

Tecoma Primary School, 1536 Burwood Highway, Tecoma.

Burrinja Cultural Centre, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey.

Upwey Primary School, 15 Darling Avenue, Upwey.

Kallista Mechanics Hall, 6 Tom Roberts Road, Kallista.

Menzies Creek Primary School, 12 School

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Road, Menzies Creek.

Creek Primary School, 34 School · Ferny Road, Ferny Creek.

Patch Primary School, 53 Kallista-Em· The erald Road, The Patch.

Primary School, 399 Mount Dan· Sassafras denong Tourist Road, Sassafras.

Living and Learning Centre, 21 · Monbulk Main Road, Monbulk.

Primary School, 45 Charlemont · Olinda Lane, Olinda.

Dandenong Primary School, 13-15 · Mt Farndons Road, Mount Dandenong Secondary College, 425 Belgrave· Emerald Gembrook Road, Emerald.

Primary School, 10 White Street, Sil· Silvan van.

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Gate Primary School, Adele AvPeople affected by Covid-19 isolation rules · Mountain enue, Ferntree Gully. can vote by telephone, thanks to legislation the Baptist Primary School, 17 For- passed in early 2022. Up until Wednesday 18 · StestJohn Road, Ferntree Gully.

May, Covid-affected Australians can apply Park Primary School, 17 Greenaway for a postal vote. Telephone voting for people · Kent Drive, Ferntree Gully. with Covid-19 is an emergency measure for Gully North Primary School, 111 the final three days of voting. · Ferntree Forest Road, Ferntree Gully.

Telephone voting registration will be Primary School, Manuka Drive, available on weekdays between 8.30am and · Fairhills Ferntree Gully.

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Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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MAIL 21

SPORT

Big win for women’s side Olinda Ferny Creek Football Club hosted Pakenham for their round 3 clash in the senior men’s competition with a chance to go 2-1 up and set their season up well after a tough loss in round one. Thanks to last year’s shortened fixture, the Bloods faced the unusual predicament of having not played the Lions in over two years. A prediction of a fast ‘straight-line’ style of play from Pakenham proved accurate as the Lions certainly adopted this method in the first quarter. Assisted by numerous slipped tackles and double touches from their opposition, Pakenham leaped out of the blocks and piled on the goals in quick succession, kicking 7-3-45 in the opening term. Olinda had their chances with 7 scoring shots but only managed the one goal to quarter time.

The second quarter was a different story.

Olinda’s backs managed to steady Pakenham’s flow of scoring with some rock solid defending, led by Daniel Toma and Matt Scharenberg. The Bloods also managed 6 majors themselves, as the forwards were working their way into the game, quickly cutting the deficit to 3 points at half-time. The back & forth trend continued into the third quarter, as once again, Pakenham gained momentum and slotted 5 goals for the term (including one on the siren) to Olinda’s none. Not for the first time this year, the Bloods were forced to try and claw their way back in the last quarter, trailing by 32 points at the final change.

Just as in both their second practice match against Mooroolbark and in round one against Woori Yallock, Olinda’s fourth quarter footy was a spectacle to watch. The offensive ball movement out of the backline was sensational. Midfielders were finding space and playing on quickly. Forwards were taking contested marks and competing at ground level, and the

team was kicking goals. A lucky bounce from a long Nick Keegan bomb gave him his fourth goal and the Bloods some hope that it might be their day to pull off a remarkable comeback.

But it was all too late as the siren intervened with Olinda one point short. It was another inspiring effort but yet another chance gone begging. The final score read Pakenham 13-1290 over Olinda’s 12-17-89; two losses by a combined 8-points for the Bloods.

In a more positive result for the club, Olinda’s senior women’s side continued their hot streak of success with a well fought out win over Pakenham. This followed a mere four-day break after an Anzac Day win, leaving many players battered and bruised but still determined to add to their winning tally. The Lions made the Bloods work hard from the start, but Olinda held strong and with a 13-point quarter time lead it looked like they’d only extend the margin.

Pakenham fought back making the second quarter an even contest. Then in the final minutes the Lions kicked three on the trot from centre clearances to cut Olinda’s lead to 8-points by half-time. The message at the long break was to take the game on and be creative with the ball. Olinda did exactly that in the second half, showing poise and class in response to Pakenham’s first half challenge. Claire Hyett was leading the way with contested packs, Chelsea Wilson was providing run and dash through the middle, Casey Seymour was reliable down back as usual, and the Bloods were overall clicking throughout the second half.

Olinda did not concede a goal after half-time and ultimately came out 30-point victors at the final siren. It was an impressive display of women’s footy; the final score reading Olinda 9-6-60 over Pakenham 4-6-30.

Phoebe Dixon from Olinda Ferny Creek Football Club celebrates a goal.

Picture: TREVOR CURRIE

Monbulk comes back with winning fight against Woori Monbulk headed into Saturday’s clash opposing the undefeated 2nd placed Woori on their ground with another chance to test themselves against one of the Premier Division’s best sides. With morning showers and threatening skies, the Monbulk and Woori Yallock teams fought out a typical encounter in the Seniors - both sides showed a willingness to work hard with desperation rather than skill being the overriding feature.The day-long arm wrestle resulted in a meritorious win to Monbulk by seven points after coming from behind with a five goal to three last term and this keeps them in touch with the top five.

Woori Yallock 13.6.84 def by Monbulk 13.13.91 Best: Pat Barge, Hayden Finlay, Glenn Strachan, Lochlan Beecroft, Thomas Taylor, Ashley Beck Goals: Taylor Joyce 4, Hayden Finlay 2, Steven Oates 2, Glenn Strachan 1, Mackay Bateson 1, Josh Spencer 1, Coby Passingham 1, Ben Hughson 1 The Reserves are edging their way towards a win as they become more competitive each week. Despite struggling to fill a side with a few fill-ins completing the team, they were able to register more scoring shots but accuracy cost them.

Woori Yallock 15.3.93 def Monbulk 8.15.63 Best: Tyrone Vear, Thomas Trezise, Jayden Mauchline, Steven Shankly, Shane Van Seters, Kenny Beecroft Goals: Jayden Mauchline 4, Sage Farmer 1, Thomas Trezise 1, Nick Taylor 1, Daniel Ruffle 1 The U19s again provided a host of players to the Senior team, with Ben Hughson and Ben Smith debuting to become the seventh and eighth members to already represent the Seniors after just 4 games - probably a club record. The unbeaten second-placed Bloods were in a similar situation and each side mustered just 15 players, which left plenty of room to move on the expanses of Healesville.

After quarter-time Monbulk were impressive in their ball movement, restricting Healesville’s scoring while they were able to draw 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

Team mates help Olivia Crook celebrate her 100th game for the Monbulk Netball Club.

Picture: SUPPLIED away and establish a 50 point win.

Healesville 4.4.28 def by Monbulk 11.12.78 Best: Nick Taylor, Ziggy Hatherley, Patrick Snoxell, Tahi Kostich-Angerson, Zeke Charlton, Jai Farmer Goals: Patrick Snoxell 3, Ziggy Hatherley 2, Tahi Kostich-Angerson 2, Gary Ross 1, Nick Taylor 1, Jai Farmer 1, Riley Finlay 1 In the netball, Monbulk, Woori Yallock and Healesville are all unable to field a full complement of 4 Grades which resulted in a mixed fixture when they met at the Don Road Reserve in Healesville.

In A Grade Monbulk were missing regular goal-shooter Tarnee, and were evenly matched with the Woori girls. The Tigers established a small lead early and were then able to maintain that advantage for the remainder of the game.

Woori Yallock 53 def Monbulk 49 Best: Nicole Macdowell, Stephanie Puopolo, Sophie Stubbs Goals: Stephanie Puopolo 37, Sophie Stubbs 12 The B Grade team met a depleted Healesville side and were able to register an emphatic win to keep their place amongst the

ladder leaders. A special shout out to Olivia Crook who played her 100th game for the club.

Healesville 11 def by Monbulk 54 Best: Iris de Wit, Tess Horton-Crundall, Alice McCormick Goals: Iris de Wit 38, Olivia Crook 16 Monbulk’s C Grade team scored their second win for the season and this sees them in a group of 4 teams fighting for 5th place.

Coaches are confident wins will keep coming after the team continuously implements skills that are being focused on at training.

Woori Yallock 23 def by Monbulk 29 Best: Rhiannon O’Connor, Jessica Steele, Indy Bakker Goals: Jamie Sands 15, Chloe Schmidtke 8, Jenna Schnehage 6 Monbulk and Woori Yallock first met in competition matches in August 1904 when they were both founding members of the Evelyn Football Association, a short lived forerunner to the Mountain District Association (1911-1965).

Apart from 1937-38 when Monbulk played briefly in the Yarra Valley, it wasn’t until 1966, with the formation of the merged YVMDFL, that they were to again become regular foes on the football field. Woori have been power of the competition since then and a trip to their ground was a daunting challenge where Monbulk only emerged victorious 4 times in their first 27 encounters there between 1966 and 1995.

Despite the Tigers continued success after 1995, the Hawks had since found a way to win regularly both at home and at Woori against the Tigers. The previous 112 meetings between the Hawks and Tigers since 1904 saw Woori holding a 65-45 head to head lead (2 matches were drawn) but Monbulk had an encouraging recent record of having won 9 of their previous 11 matches against the Tigers in all games since 2013.

While this record is as good as any club has managed against the valley Tigers over the last decade, these teams also hadn’t played each other since 2018 and had both undergone numerous personnel changes. mailcommunity.com.au

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Mick Dolphin & Emily Hudson

Barry Cripps

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Healesville Toyota

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William Matthews Funerals

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Phone: 5962 4333

Phone: 9756 7652

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FIXTURES - ROUND 10 Saturday, May 21 ...................................................... Richmond vs Essendon Sunday, May 22 ....................................................Fremantle vs Collingwood Sunday, May 22 .............................................................. GWS vs West Coast Sunday, May 22 ..........................................................Hawthorn vs Brisbane 12541412-HC12-22

Friday, May 20 .................................................................. Carlton vs Sydney Saturday, May 21 ........................................................... Adelaide vs St Kilda Saturday, May 21 ................................................... Geelong vs Port Adelaide Saturday, May 21 ............................... Western Bulldogs vs Gold Coast Suns Saturday, May 21 ......................................... North Melbourne vs Melbourne

FOR ALL YOUR SERVICING NEEDS Barry Cripps Service Manager Healesville Toyota 112 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Vic 3777 T 03 5962 4333 W www.healesvilletoyota.com.au 12489461-NG14-21

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Tuesday, 17 May, 2022

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MAIL 23

PUZZLES

1 6 9 9 6 1 2 3 4 1

18 20 21

5 7 4 8

24 27 28 29 30

7 hard

4 3 7

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3 8

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

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9-LETTER WORD

3 4 easy

medium

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”.

T

S

Today’s Aim: 13 words: Good 19 words: Very good

1 2 5 7 6 4 3 9 8

3 1 4 2 5 6 7 9 8

9 5 7 8 3 1 4 2 6

26 words: Excellent

8 2 6 4 7 9 5 3 1

4 7 9 6 2 3 8 1 5

6 3 2 1 8 5 9 7 4

1 8 5 7 9 4 3 6 2

2 6 8 3 4 7 1 5 9

7 9 1 5 6 8 2 4 3

5 4 3 9 1 2 6 8 7

3 8 7 9 1 2 5 4 6

6 4 9 3 5 8 2 1 7

9 7 3 4 8 1 6 5 2

8 5 6 2 9 3 4 7 1

2 1 4 6 7 5 9 8 3

4 6 1 5 3 7 8 2 9

7 3 2 8 4 9 1 6 5

5 9 8 1 2 6 7 3 4

hard

A

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G I

5 3 1 7 9 6 8 4 2

7 6 2 4 3 8 9 1 5

9 8 4 5 2 1 7 6 3

8 1 6 2 7 3 5 9 4

2 7 9 1 5 4 3 8 6

4 5 3 6 8 9 1 2 7

3 2 8 9 4 5 6 7 1

6 4 5 8 1 7 2 3 9

1 9 7 3 6 2 4 5 8

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

P

O

L

4 LETTERS ACRE AWES CHIN EATS ECHO GAGS HERD HERS IRIS LILT LOIN NEST RAKE REST RIPE

R A N G E

SCUM SPAT USED 5 LETTERS ADORE AGAIN AGLOW AMASS APRON AROSE ASSET AUDIT CHASE CHESS CIVIL CLUNG EASES EDGED ELOPE ENDOW

agio, agist, APOLOGIST, gait, gaol, gaslit, gasp, gilt, gist, gloat, gloats, goal, goalpost, goat, igloo, lags, logo, logs, pogo, sago, slag, slog, spigot, stag, tags, toga

1

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7 5

2 4

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14

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XWC BM I Z P AN Y F J

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E T H UD S V G K L OQR

1 7

1

ERROR FLORA GLARE HENCE IDLER INDEX LINER MORON NESTS OLDER OTTER PULSE RANGE REMIT RENTS SAUNA SCENE SEEDS SEXES SLIME SNIPE

SNOTS SOFAS TACIT TASTE TEMPT UTERI WARMS

ISLAMIC OVERDUE RELIEVE RESENTS 8 LETTERS REELECTS SEPARATE SURROUND TIRELESS

6 LETTERS TWANGS VIEWER

10 LETTERS ERADICATED GLOSSARIES

7 LETTERS CLIMATE ENGAGES

O V E R D U E

4

S A U N A

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A G L O W

9 3 5 4 7 4 9 3 6 1 2

T A C I T

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3 LETTERS AIM ALE AND DIG EEL ELK GEL GET HEM HEN HIS IDS ION IRS MES NIT ONE OUR PEA PEG RED RUE SAC SAD SEE TIN

No. 081

I S L A M I C

5

WORDFIT

S P A I T R S A C R R E E L I E V E

2 7 6 2 1 3 6 1 7 3

No. 081

O L D E R

4

DECODER

L I N E R

3

Condiment (4) Incapable of being seen (9)

G L A R E

medium

DOWN 1 2

O F A S U L S E R O S E R E D E A T S C H A S E O U N D D I G R I P E A T E D K E W E R A L E P R O N E M P T A S E S

1 3

C L I M A T E

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T S I L R I E M L E E S S U S G E A D G S H G E E R T S

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R E S E N T S

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S N C I U T M I R R I E S S T S E P A R A T E

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S A M D O R O N

1 3 2

Travelling bag (8) Brought about (6) Riverside embankment (5) Pleasure (9) Climb (6) 16th US president (7) Those who believe in social change (8) Latin name of England (arch) (6) Family members (6) Practise (8) Exchanging something for money (7) Library-goer (6) State of existing in reality (9) Rough woollen cloth (5) Christian festival (6) Swedish telecommunications company (8)

1 5 10 11 12 13 14

Greek island (5) Plan (8) City in southern France (7) To deal with (3,2) Release (9) Gem (4) Painting of the countryside (9) Bulkiness (9) One who exposes another (8) Territory ruled by an Islamic monarch (7) Waterlily (5) Profit (4) Mesoamerican culture (5) Biblical garden (4)

T E I N N G A N G E E S S T H L E O R I D N A O W N E E S

easy

3 4 6 7 8 9 14

ACROSS

No. 081

I N D E X

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD

H E N C E

No. 081

C H E S S

SUDOKU

20-05-22

William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

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