Mount Evelyn
Tuesday, 7 June, 2022
Project tells stories of forgotten heroes
New Croydon school soon to open
Learn about William Barak at Museum
Men’s Shed welcomes grant for new tools
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A Star News Group Publication
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Trees of all sizes fell during last year’s storms blocking roads, ruining houses and damaging vehicles like this one in Mount Evelyn. 240519
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Storm reflection By Mikayla van Loon The memory of the June 2021 storms live on right across the Yarra Ranges, as individuals and families work towards rebuilding what was lost. Some have been lucky to return to their homes, others are still waiting patiently as repairs are carried out. One year on, Star Mail thought it important to share the stories of those who have been affected and of the community spirit that shone
through during a traumatic time. When the power had gone out and people had nowhere to go, St James and St Peter’s Anglican Church in Kilsyth opened its doors, first as a place to get warm and charge phones. Vicar Janice O’Gorman said in just a few days, it became so much more than that, expanding to a donation drop off and pick point, as well as a relief centre. Carting donations of food, essential toiletries and wood to Kalorama kept the volunteers busy over the next couple of weeks.
Janice said in the instance of another natural disaster, she would immediately open the church’s doors again, this time having the connections in place to ensure its smooth sailing. Those connections to the community have allowed people to process the devastation, with Montrose residents Gary and Karen Lee saying their neighbours and fellow locals have been the best thing about returning to live in their repaired home. “It’s amazing when things like this happen, how the community are out there, and
are looking out for each other or coming over checking how you’re going,” Karen said. “The area’s unbelievable. It’s like a little village and everybody’s happy to say hello or good morning. We’ve never had that before. We’ve never had that environment. This is sensational spot to live, it really is,” Gary said. Star Mail has given just a snippet into the lives of those affected by the storms in some way to show what people will be reflecting on one year later. To read more, turn to pages 8, 9, 10 and 12
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