Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 14th June 2022

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

Lilydale

Bike lanes to arrive in Lilydale

Events held in memory of storm event

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Mail Tourism industry gathers for summit

Mt Ev resident moves overseas for charity

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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Quilting success

By Mikayla van Loon Receiving an Order of Australia Medal is one of the highest recognitions in the country and Montrose resident Jillian Smith has just been added to the list of recipients.

Completely overcome with surprise for the honour, Mrs Smith said “I’m only doing what I love to do.”

Taking her two passions of working with children and sewing, Mrs Smith has been giving back to her local and national community for decades.

Attempting to retire from a career as a primary school teacher in 2011, Mrs Smith was looking for opportunities to put her skills in sewing and quilting to good use.

“I had taken up quilting earlier on and fell in love with it…I discovered this group called Aussie Hero Quilts and I did a lot of quilts for them initially,” she said.

With an entire book of photographs and letters from the men and women who received a quilt from Mrs Smith at the time of Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan in 2014 and 2015, she said she sometimes goes back to reflect on the impact she hopes she had on those soldiers’ lives during a really difficult time.

From there her quilting for a cause snowballed.

“I also got involved with a few incidental things like there was a really big bushfire in the Blue Mountains and people had just lost everything. One of the quilt shops that I knew of up there was collecting quilts, so I made quilts and I sent them to the quilt shop,” Mrs Smith said.

Knowing the care she takes in each design, Mrs Smith has been asked a few times to use the clothing of someone’s deceased child to make a quilt as a keepsake.

“It’s so emotional but at the same time, it’s an absolute privilege to be asked to do that,” she said.

Each quilt has a purpose and Mrs Smith said she never gets attached to the quilt itself because she knows it is going to someone who

Jillian Smith has received an Order of Australia Medal for her services to the community and to education. 285000 needs it at that moment in time, whether it be for an orphanage in Romania or a preemie baby that has reached its 100th day in hospital.

Most recently Mrs Smith has joined the Ringwood based BJ Quilters, where a group of women sew quilts, drainage bags and cushions for women undergoing breast cancer treatment at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

That has also branched into helping women who are escaping family violence and have retreated to a refuge.

“They often come with nothing but the clothes on their back but every bed in that

place has a quilt on it. When they leave, they can take their quilt with them.

“A lot of the time you don’t know anything but it doesn’t matter because in yourself, you know that wherever it goes and whatever they use it for it’s going to be what they need at that particular time in their life.

“And it was what I needed in that particular time in my life when I was making it because it either took me out of myself or I was coping with Covid lockdowns.”

Supporting children in some of the most challenging times of their lives has also been

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a focus for Mrs Smith, where she sews capes to help young kids be brave while they undergo chemotherapy treatment in hospital.

“In April, they sent out over 800 capes. They had just over 850 come in from across the country but you can’t get your head around the fact that there’s 800 little chickens in one month across the country that need a little bit of help being brave.

“When I work with kids, I just think that can’t be right but it is and so once again, it’s an absolute joy.”

Continued page 7

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Bike lanes to come

By Mikayla van Loon

Businesses along Anderson Street in Lilydale, like the Coles, have been notified of night works Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS about to take place to install bike lanes. 234335 vised that the road needs to be clear of all obstructions and suggest minimising the use of Anderson Street, park cars away from the road reserve and observe the instructions of traffic controllers.

Noise will be kept to a minimum after 10pm, with the noisiest parts of the works done prior to that time.

The bike lanes will be highlighted on the road by a green surface treatment made from Australian recycled-glass combined with a resin-binder to be durable and skid-resistant.

Line marking will identify the dedicated spaces for road users.

Mr Varmalis said the Council’s recent Inte-

grated Transport Strategy identified that many of the trips people make within their day are only short, sometimes less than two kilometres.

“If we can help construct and improve infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling, we can help reduce congestion and encourage community members to enjoy their towns in new ways,” he said.

“We hope to add to the bicycle lane network in coming years, as we plan more infrastructure improvements around Lilydale.”

The project has been funded by a Sustainability Victoria grant in Yarra Ranges Council’s 2021-22 capital expenditure program.

Households may soon feel the pinch

By Parker McKenzie

where it’s needed most Please donate now 1 3 S A LV O S S A LV O S . O R G . A U 12544221-AI14-22

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The Australian economy grew by 0.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2022 and 3.3 per cent over the last year.

Employment has also grown significantly, with an unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent representing the lowest in almost 50 years.

Head of Consumer Research at Finder Graham Cooke said the cash rate hike could

244 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville, 3777 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

Detectives from Maroondah CIU at Ringwood Police Station are appealing for any information regarding the theft of a rare 1974 Holden GTS Monaro.

The prized possession was stolen from a deceased estate in the Ringwood area sometime between the 04/05/2022 and 03/06/2022.

The Monaro is orange in colour and at the time of its theft it had Victorian registration plates of THS417.

If anyone has any information contact Detective Leading Senior Constable Paul COSGROVE on 9871-3000.

Council recognised for engineering Yarra Ranges Council has been recognised by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia for the construction and design of Warburton Water World, receiving the Engineering Excellence Award.

The park opened in September 2020, following years of community engagement about the former Warburton Pool site, which closed over the summer of 2009-10.

Mayor of Yarra Ranges Council Jim Child said the award recognises the strong journey the project has been.

“It’s been a long journey since the pool was closed, which was very precious to the community. It had to be closed because the infrastructure was failing it,” he said.

“It was a large 50m metre pool installed after the success Australia had in the pools in the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, but it was past its use-by date and had serious maintenance issues.”

As well as being a water park, the facility has exercise equipment, a playground, barbecues and access to the Yarra River to help it be a year-round attraction despite Warburton’s cold weather.

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In times of crisis, you can give

Homeowners in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley may feel the pinch from an increase in interest rates.

Picture: ON FILE

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Yarra Valley home owners may soon feel the pinch with the Reserve Bank of Australia announcing an increase in interest rates.

At a meeting on 7 June, the RBA board decided to increase the cash rate target by 50 basis points.

RBA Governor Philip Lowe said in an online statement inflation in Australia has increased significantly.

“Today’s increase in interest rates by the Board is a further step in the withdrawal of the extraordinary monetary support that was put in place to help the Australian economy during the pandemic,” he said.

“The resilience of the economy and the higher inflation mean that this extraordinary support is no longer needed.

“Given the current inflation pressures in the economy, and the still very low level of interest rates, the Board decided to move by 50 basis points today.”

The cash rate is the interest rate on unsecured overnight loans between banks. It serves as the benchmark rate for mortgages, savings accounts and exchange rates.

cost homeowners almost $2,000 over a year.

“The average homeowner will see their monthly repayments jump by $159, equivalent to $1,907 per year from this increase alone, with more to come,” he said.

“The past few years have seen a huge number of buyers flood into the market, with rock-bottom interest rates. Those days are certainly over.”

The cash rate is expected to be raised further throughout the year and 2023.

Mr Lowe said the board would be paying close attention to the global and domestic outlook when making a decision on raising or lowering the rate.

“While inflation is lower than in most other advanced economies, it is higher than earlier expected. Global factors, including Covid-related disruptions to supply chains and the war in Ukraine, account for much of this increase in inflation,” he said.

“But domestic factors are playing a role too, with capacity constraints in some sectors and the tight labour market contributing to the upward pressure on prices. The floods earlier this year have also affected some prices.”

The long weekend Victoria Police traffic patrol Operation Regal got off to a busy start in the Yarra Ranges beginning Friday night.

A 37-year-old male from Gladysdale, was detected driving at 133km per hour on Maroondah Highway, Chirnside Park.

He lost his license immediately for 12 months but his car was not impounded as it was on loan from a crash repairer.

A 45-year-old Rowville female was detected in Chirnside Park with an illicit substance in her oral fluid, she faces losing her license for six months.

After reports of two vehicles hooning around Paynes Road in Chirnside Park, Highway Patrol observed one of the vehicles at the intersection of Lyons Road and Exeter Road performing a burnout.

The driver, a 26-year-old P plater from Healesville, was swiftly intercepted and keys seized. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1280 and will face numerous hoon related offences and drive a P plate prohibited vehicle.

A 30-year-old Monbulk male was also intercepted in Mount Evelyn for exceeding the speed limit, detected driving at 88km/h in a 60 zone - he also provided a breath sample of 0.103 and immediately lost his licence for 10 months.

A 47-year-old male from Mitcham was detected driving along Canterbury Road, Kilsyth, and failed an Oral fluid test and will lose his licence for 6 Months.

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Residents and business owners have been notified by Yarra Ranges Council of potential disruptions along Anderson Street in Lilydale as bike lanes are added to the road.

The section between Maroondah Highway and Gardiner Street will see bike lanes provided on both sides of the road.

The Council’s environment and infrastructure director Mark Varmalis said a dedicated bike lane will be included on the western side of the road, while a shared bike and parking lane will be installed on the eastern side of the road.

“This will be the first area to have formal bike lanes in Lilydale. Bicycle users can ride on any road, regardless of lanes, but we believe the marked lanes will help improve rider safety around the shopping centre and school in Lilydale,” he said.

A letter received by nearby businesses on 2 June said the “layout of the traffic lane along Anderson Street will continue to allow safe merging of the two northbound traffic lanes from Maroondah Highway.”

The two southbound lanes that currently allow drivers to queue at the traffic lights will be unchanged.

Works are expected to begin on Sunday 19 June and have been scheduled to be undertaken overnight from 8pm to 6am for up to four nights.

“As the surface materials cannot be installed in wet weather, works may be delayed if heavy rains are forecasted overnight,” the letter read.

Residents and businesses have been ad-

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NEWS

High demand for carers

By Mikayla van Loon

Anchor CEO Heidi Tucker and communications coordinator Ashleigh Paterson attended the Play a Part launch on Monday 30 May to show support for the three year push to more foster carers.

Picture: SUPPLIED often children are much older when they need care.

“The failure of that can be quite catastrophic for children, they can be a bit older, coming into the system more damaged, seeing more of life and more harm.

“So they’re coming in with this huge complexity of needs because they are very traumatised, and they need carers and people to look after them but really they need to be quite skilled.”

While skilled carers are in the system, Ms Tucker said there is nowhere near enough to cater to the demand of these more complex cases.

Now the push from Fostering Connections, supported by the CEOs of many foster care agencies including Ms Tucker, is to change messaging around what foster caring looks like.

“What we wanted to do with the campaign was get across to people, if they’re not everything, they don’t have to do it on their own,” Ms Tucker said.

“Putting your hand up to be a foster carer doesn’t mean that you’re doing it on your own but what it means is, you’re playing a part and a very important part in the lives of these children.”

Having been a foster carer herself, Ms

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Foster care organisations have been battling a declining list of foster carers for many years but the pandemic has exacerbated that trend leaving high demand and short supply.

Anchor CEO Heidi Tucker said this is something she has seen over the last five years but Covid had a huge impact on the uptake of new foster parents.

As a partnering organisation of Fostering Connections, Anchor was at the launch of its new campaign ‘Play a Part’, encouraging families and individuals to play a small role in the life of a young person needing care.

Ms Tucker said understandably, families during the pandemic lockdowns had potentially already taken a hit financially and were perhaps worried about the health risks of Covid-19.

“Foster carers we’re dealing with their own health issues and those of their own children, many foster carers dropped out of the system, because they felt they couldn’t do what they needed to do with their own families in their own situation, as well as taking in other children,” she said.

This compounded the existing reasons why families may not be able to take on foster children because of the cost of living, lack of time, both parents work full time and there is less space for another child.

“Not only that, the children that are now coming into care, there’s a lot of families in a lot of distress out there for various reasons, and children are being exposed to and being the victims of a lot of child abuse and neglect,” Ms Tucker said.

“The product of all of that is children are coming into our system in a much more traumatised and damaged fashion.”

Keeping families together, Ms Tucker said is the ethos of the system but should that fail,

Tucker said she knows the challenges linked with foster caring but she also knows the rewards of having a lifelong connection with that person.

While there can be a stigma around what it means to either be in foster care or be a foster parent, Ms Tucker said this campaign may help break down some of those misconceptions and preconceived ideas.

“Children do pick up that the system and society doesn’t like their parents, there’s something wrong with their parents, there’s something wrong with the situation they’ve come from. It’s bad.

“I have been working very hard for many years on how we can make what really happened with birth parents and situations, much of which is often out of people’s control, how can we get those messages across to the general community that people don’t set out for their lives to go off track like this.”

Anchor focuses on the outer east as a whole as well as having a particular interest in the Yarra Ranges.

Ms Tucker said although the trends in this region have followed statewide declines in foster carers, the age bracket has changed and “as those older generations have left [foster care], we’ve not been able to replace them with the younger generation.”

Contributing to this in the Yarra Ranges specifically, Ms Tucker said is the fact that “it is such a community of haves and have nots” with no real in between or ‘middle class’.

“The thing with foster care is it does attract more people in that middle kind of class…so it attracts people who are relatively stable, who want to do something for others, and who are doing ok. You’re not going to be doing it if you yourself are in dire straits.

“For children who grow up in care, it only takes one stable adult that they think loves them and cares for them to make a difference.”

We’re removing level crossings on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 85 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 64 already gone.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Road disruptions: Closed roads

Belgrave and Lilydale lines

Camberwell to Ringwood

Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert

8 to 25 Jul

Level crossing closed

6am 10 Jul to 24 Jul

Camberwell to Box Hill

Union Road, Surrey Hills

1 Jul to 15 Aug

Level crossing closed

MTIA7172

8.30pm 8 Jul to 6am 10 Jul

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

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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STORM ANNIVERSARY

Marathon, not a sprint

By Tyler Wright

Dandenong Ranges locals gathered at a storytelling event on Friday 10 June to hear from lived experience community development practitioner Michelle Dunscombe.

Pictures: TYLER WRIGHT to us, and that was through local connections and resources, and the government and agencies didn’t have that, but [we did],” he said.

David, arborist and member of grassroots group ‘Treasuring Our Trees,’ said he found community groups have come together “organically” over the past 12 months.

“We’ve been salvaging materials since the storm to build primary school projects,” David said.

“There’s another group called Rescue Logs in the Hills... we’re now looking at sourcing materials as we’re building strong relationships with arborists and sculptors.”

Michelle Dunscombe talked through the ‘ABCD’ principles of community recovery; focusing on the ‘gifts of the community,’ tapping into existing resources and facilities, dismantling the idea of one local ‘hero,’ and acknowledging the efforts of a collective.

“What we found in recovery is we were encouraged to work against each other. And what

I mean by that is there was so much competition for grants, there was a lot of ‘who was affected, who wasn’t affected’, there were systems bought in place that identified whether you lost your home, whether you didn’t lose your home, [if] you lost family, and labeling people [like that] was really quite damaging,” Ms Dunscombe said.

An Emerald resident said there are often professional skills to be found within community volunteers which can be utilised without solely having to rely on designated bodies.

“They have an investment in making [recovery] successful for the community because they’re part of [it],” she said at the meeting.

Another piece of advice from Ms Dunscombe was for all existing community groups to combine resources and plans to combine strength, rather than forging an individualized approach.

“Kinglake is aflush with sewing machines, because different groups went and applied for

Councillors look back

By Parker McKenzie One year ago on Thursday, 177 properties in the Yarra Ranges were damaged and 76 were made uninhabitable when thousands of trees fell across the region.

The damage bill for Yarra Ranges Council, more than $16 million, continues to grow as recovery continues throughout the area.

Mayor Jim Child said one year on was an appropriate time to reflect on the work of emergency responders and the community’s recovery.

“It was a crisis that tested us beyond belief but people in this region are resilient, and we know how to look after each other,” he said.

“Not only were we dealing with the storm and subsequent damage, but we were impacted by Covid lockdowns and restrictions, and then the added loss of power, telecommunications and no water.

“An absolute stand out for me looking back was how the community came together to support each other in their times of need and how they continue to work hard going forward, making sure that there are opportunities to connect and spend time together supporting each other.”

Yarra Ranges Council cleared more than 300 kilometres of roads and 645 drains and fixed two bridges and 175 defects on roads or footpaths in the aftermath of the storm.

Streeton Ward Councillor Andrew Fullagar said one year on from the storm represented a melancholy day of reflection for him personally.

“I still think it’s a wonderful privilege to live in the hills, for many of us it’s the best place in the world,” he said.

“But with that privilege comes consequences and risks. What happened last year, one of those risks came home to roost.”

Chandler Ward Councillor David Eastham said Yarra Ranges Council learns from and evolves its practices with each significant disaster. mailcommunity.com.au

“We put new things in place and what I would say this time is, I genuinely feel that it’s a very community-led recovery,” he said.

“I just think that’s brilliant. Do I think that the recovery has been perfect? No, but that’s not through a lack of trying by council.”

Yarra Ranges Council also introduced Community Recovery teams and held support sessions and counselling for those affected by the storms.

Mr Fulligar said the community is still in the recovery process, which will be a long term challenge.

“Hopefully we’ve learned a lot and we’re keen to establish emergency plans for townships and communities,” he said.

“What do we do better next time to help each other and be in a better place? Things like communications and possibly a new SES unit in Olinda.”

State Government departments have allocated funds for recovery projects to Yarra Ranges Council and to prepare for future disasters.

Bushfire Recovery Victoria provided the council with $3.5 million to cover 12 of the staffing costs for the department that coordinates the recovery. Emergency Management Victoria has provided $7.7 million towards the initial emergency response and tree removal, and the Department of Justice and Community Safety provided $2 million for a curbside branch collection program.

Mayor Child said Yarra Ranges Council now has ten facilities with internet satellites and eight with generators for use during emergencies.

“We have received $10 million from the Federal Government from the Preparing Australian Communities fund and we have a wide variety of programs being planned and undertaken as part of this. More information on those programs can be found on our website,” he said.

Food and refreshments were enjoyed while sharing in a seated circle at Olinda Community House. funding... all along the neighbourhood house had a cupboard full of sewing machines,” the community development practitioner said.

“My community looks back now. and thinks ‘gosh, I wish we had collected and celebrated all of the great things that we did do, because we forget when we get bogged down in the negative, particularly when we’re battling with insurance companies or changing regulations.”

She also reminded attendees healing from trauma is not a linear process - and it is okay to feel as if you are behind others in the emotional and mental recovery process.

Yarra Ranges Council’s one-year anniversary grants have helped community hubs hold information sessions and recovery talks such as this.

To find more information on anniversary events, visit https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov. au/recovery/Community-and-wellbeing/ Storm-Anniversary-Events

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Community driven storm recovery was at the forefront of discussion at Olinda Community House on Friday 10 June as Dandenong Ranges residents shared stories one year on from the life-changing storm event which also ravaged the wider Yarra Valley.

Hills Creative Alliance Secretary Liz Millman, alongside Olinda Community House Community Development Lead Krystal Bassett, organised the ‘Community Resilience and Recovery Talk’ with lived experience community development practitioner Michelle Dunscombe.

Locals shared tea, coffee and cake in a seated circle while Ms Dunscombe drew on her experience in the Kinglake community after the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.

“There’s no time more important than when we’re in recovery in the community to be able to come together, work together and collaborate,” Ms Dunscombe said.

“You will have all experienced that spike of absolute community connectedness [within] the first fortnight after the storms; and it’s about how we capture that and keep that momentum going.”

Vicar at Kalorama’s St Michael and All Angels’ Anglican Church Rev. Andrew Smith joined the event, alongside a local arborist, councillors, Emerald and Olinda residents.

“The biggest lessons that I have learned have been from people that have been involved, told their stories and said, ‘actually, I can do this’ or ‘I know this person,’ or ‘did you know I had this,’ Rev. Smith said.

“I think the biggest example to me of that was just the number of generators that started appearing... there were people that were getting up [the mountain] and getting that stuff

www.lilydalemitsubishi.com.au Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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MAIL 5

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

OAM recipient Dr Mackieson loves Lilydale and the Yarra Ranges more than anything.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Dr William ‘Bill’ Mackieson has been the friendly local podiatrist for over 20 years.

Doc honoured with OAM

By Callum Ludwig A number of outstanding Yarra Ranges residents have been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, and Dr William Mackieson OAM, who simply prefers to be known as Bill, is immensely deserving.

The Wandin North resident served with the St John Ambulance Victoria for 50 years from 1959 to 2009, as well as being the friendly face behind Morecroft’s Podiatry in Lilydale.

Dr Mackieson said he really didn’t expect awards for anything he’s done in the community and was humbled to receive the honour.

“I feel like I’ve probably done nothing compared to a lot of other people and they deserve it a lot more than me, but I guess it comes as a bit of a bonus and I am very grateful,” he said.

“There’s no doubt Yarra Valley is a really good community, and people ask if I would ever move to retire in Queensland or something like that, but I would never.”

At the age of 76, Dr Mackieson is still working long hours at his podiatry clinic and has no intention of retiring yet.

Dr Mackieson said there’s nothing better than community work, and it is so important for a lot of people to give it a go.

“It’s quite rewarding, you don’t look for rewards, but it is rewarding in itself to do something to help another person, even if it’s just helping an old person to cross the road,” he said.

“Just helping people, that’s what we need to do, and that’s why I keep trying to do it. We have a really good community that respects each other, looks after each other and helps each other.”

Dr Mackieson is no stranger to awards and

He also rose all the way to a Commander of the Order of St John Ambulance and received a Meritious Service Award for his efforts in the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires. recognition, despite his insistence he does not need them, having progressed from a Member of the Order of St John Ambulance in 1974 to Officer of the Order of St John in 1981 and finally a Commander of the Order of St John in 1989.

From receiving a Long Service Medal for St John ambulance in 1972, and the 1st Bar to the Long Service Medal in 1977, he went on to be on his 4th bar by 1992.

He also received a Meritorious Service

Award, following the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.

Dr Mackieson said that was one of the most confronting experiences he’s had.

“You don’t realise when you are given a vehicle until you get out and feel the heat blast radiating from the bush fires close up. I had done a lot of Bushfire training before that, but when you are confronted with it, oh my god it’s real,” he said.

“I was the officer in charge of organising first aid services, trying to make sure that everybody is looked after. So not only was it treating first aid but particularly looking after my crews and we didn’t have the best communications in those days, but we got through and I was lucky enough to receive the Meritorious Service Award.”

Dr Mackieson started as a Youth Member of St John Ambulance Victoria when he was 12 and progressed all the way to the ranks of Corps Officer in Eastern Region from 1973 to 1979, Region Manager from 1979 to 1986 and District Staff from 1986 to 1992 before staying on as a volunteer for a further 17 years.

Dr Mackieson wasn’t always a podiatrist, starting out in footwear retail and co-owning Morecroft’s Shoes from 1972 to 2010 but went back to study after a dip in the retail industry and has been Director and Principal Podiatrist of Morecroft’s Podiatry since 1999.

Dr Mackieson said he specialises in ingrown toenail surgeries.

“As gross as it might seem, I do surgical procedures pretty much every day and I’ve done well over 3000 from as young as seven years old to as old as 96 years old and everything in between,” he said.

“I was talking to a man I did surgery on al-

most 20 years ago and he said it was the best thing he ever did.”

Dr Mackieson has previously been a Clinical Supervisor of podiatry students at La Trobe University and was formerly on the Board of Directors of the Australian Podiatry Association as well as an Affiliate Member of the Australian College of Podiatric Surgeons since 2019.

Between his busy life of podiatry and first aid, Dr Mackieson somehow also found the time to help celebrate and progress the Yarra Ranges.

He is a current Affiliate Member of the Lilydale Business Group and of the Lilydale SubBranch of the Returned and Services League (RSL) of Australia. Previously, he has been the President and held other roles in the Lilydale Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was a Civil Marriage Celebrant for 20 years, a Bail Justice for Victoria for 10 years and a Justice of the Peace since 1982 despite doing less in recent years.

Dr Mackieson said beyond all of his community efforts, he likes archery and visiting the high country and the Outback.

“I’m a member of the Yering District Archery Club, I’m on the committee there and I’m a coaching coordinator. I am a qualified level one coach through Archery Australia, which I did a couple of years ago and thought to myself ‘Why am I mid-70s and doing a course at The Australian Institute of Sport?’ but I did it and enjoyed it,” he said.

“I also enjoy a bit of four-wheel driving in the high country, that’s probably my favourite, or the Outback or anywhere like that. I enjoy the outdoor life as well as helping people out with their feet!”

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

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QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS

Great mind behind air con

By Renee Wood Air conditioning is used daily by millions of people across the world, with 40 per cent of a building’s energy consumption going towards heating ventilation and air conditioning.

The systems are in houses, high-rises, health services, fridges, cars and more – controlling temperatures to allow life to continue when it’s scorching hot or freezing cold outside.

It’s a luxury that you might not give much thought to, however, Yarra Glen resident Ron Conry certainly has, dedicating much of his life to improving the system we’ve all come to lean on.

Mr Conry has now been honoured for his significant service to the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration industry, being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.

Mr Conry said he was surprised to receive the accolade.

“We’ve received awards from the EPA in the USA and from Natural Reserves Canada and Institute of Refrigeration in London and all over, but getting one home grown, it’s special,” Mr Conry said.

The AM recipient has been in the industry for 56 years, starting out with an apprenticeship as a refrigeration mechanic.

Mr Conry said he’s never worked on a refrigerator and he ‘wasn’t a clairvoyant’ to picture the future of air conditioning and cooling being such a staple of modern day life.

“My idea of refrigeration mechanic was a mechanic that fixes refrigerators, it wasn’t until I got into it that I realised what it was all about and I do like high speed machinery so part of what I did was working on high speed machinery,” he said.

It’s also something he thinks is undervalued and overlooked.

“People see the air conditioners registered as the thing on the wall with thermostat – they don’t understand behind it is huge capital costs in the building.”

His career spans decades, but it hasn’t just been a career – Mr Conry’s played a revolutionary role in evolving the systems.

Mr Conry has been part of several companies within Australia and overseas and has several patents for parts and improvements to air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.

He invented the modular chiller and the Turbocor Compresser – something he says has been biggest invention and achievement to date.

The Turbocor Compressor has been installed in high-rise buildings more than 100,000 times across the world and has saved a billion tons of Co2.

Mr Conry created this by getting rid of friction and the dependency on oil by inventing magnetic bearings to take it out of the equation.

This formed a compressor that was faster and more efficient in delivery of the air-conditioning, reducing energy consumption and cutting emissions.

It helped to see California out of rolling brown outs in the early 2000s following the power companies providing blanket rebates to

Newly appointed a Member of the Order of Australia Ron Conry standing with the Turbocor compressor. 285422 anyone putting this compressor in a building.

“You would struggle to walk into a building in any capital city in Australia that’s not cooled

by Turbocor,” he said.

During its development, Mr Conry was told it was ‘impossible’.

“I was told by many experts when we’re in development, the compressor what I was doing was impossible, you can’t do it. By their way of looking at it, it was impossible but we found a solution,” he said.

“Until I’m comfortable in my gut I don’t believe it.”

Now Mr Conry said he’s comfortable about his next ambitious invention with Conry Tech, creating a system that will be ‘re-inventing airconditioning and heating’.

Over the several patents created, the Chief Technology Officer will be taking all that knowledge and applying it to a new approach.

“I am very comfortable but I still get people that will say it can’t be done and we’re still saying - prove it,” he said.

“This new one is totally different - the last one we just invented the compressor and before that I invented modular chiller, so they’re just parts, now we’re redeveloping the complete system.”

Sam Ringwaldt, CEO of Conry Tech, nominated Ron for the prestigious honour, working with Mr Conry for decades both indirectly and directly.

Mr Ringwaldt said he admires the way that he can highlight an issue and work tirelessly to find a solution.

“He has the ability to essentially take a blank piece of paper and say, what are the problems and right now let’s just fix them,” Mr Ringwaldt said.

“Rather than just saying how do we improve

this a little bit, it’s ‘we might need to make something entirely new to fix these problems’ - maybe we can’t do it the way it’s always been done.”

Mr Conry and Mr Ringwaldt, now both working together, said the industry is eager to see what Conry Tech is working on.

“I’m fairly credible in the industry so it’s not easy to get people’s interest in what we’re doing,” Mr Conry said.

“There’s a little bit of anticipation in the market of what is Ron working on now,” Mr Ringwaldt said.

Mr Conry has lived overseas for 20 years following the development of the Turbocor Compresser which first started here in Australia in 1994.

To raise capital for the invention, which cost 146 million to make, he moved the whole operation to Canada in 2000 following the country’s government providing millions in funding.

Now back in Australia since 2020, Conry Tech has formed in the hopes the next revolutionary machine will be produced on home soil.

Mr Conry has spent the past four years building prototypes and it’s something that will dramatically use less energy, with energy conservation the most sustainable outcome.

“I think the only way they can become carbon neutral and ever hit this 2050 goal is by doing something radically,” he said.

“You can put all the solar they like but the sun doesn’t shine very much at eight o’clock at night and batteries are just as pollutant as what they’re trying to replace. They’re expensive and to dispose of it is a major problem.

“Batteries are a help, but they’re not the solution and the best solution would be for nobody to use electricity at all.”

Picture: RENEE WOOD

The next machine aims to reduce power consumption by 70 per cent and is also tackling heating to transition away from gas.

“There’s this push for electrification of heating, but the solutions on the market today are really that work inadequate and so we believe we can do something that’s three times better than the best solution on the on the market for heating now,” Mr Ringwaldt said.

The creation of high tech jobs and building a factory that is fully automated by robots will be needed to manufacture the new invention on mass.

Both Mr Conry and Mr Ringwaldt agreed it’s hard to manufacture something like this locally with the associated industries dissipating offshore – but they’re willing to try to see the benefits come back to the country.

Mr Ringwaldt said by having production in Australia it would generate billions for the economy. Following Turbocor for example that is believed to have given Canada $10 billion to its ecosystem and it cost the government 26 million dollars.

“There’s a very heavy focus on renewables obviously in the industry, but it takes a long time to build up your power grid to transition to renewables, but for faster and better long term is just not use the power,” he said.

The latest development for the invention was partnering with University of New South Wales for a research grant of $3 million.

The prototypes will be installed on campus buildings in the next 9 to 12 months – this potentially being the start of what’s to come for the heating and cooling industry.

“People say it can only be done a certain way just because you can’t do it or no one else has done – [but that] doesn’t mean it can’t be done. I mean, if it couldn’t be done people wouldn’t be flying,” Mr Conry said.

Volunteer, quilter and educator makes a difference From page 1 Quilting gives Mrs Smith an outlet, one where she can be creative but also impact someone else’s life to bring them comfort, love and care all woven together in brightly coloured shapes and patterns.

“The ability to just look at something and think I can make that and then use your own colour sense because I like bright jewelled colours. I love them. I think they’re amazing.

And to be able to do that is incredible.”

Mrs Smith’s first passion however, has always been educating children, something she tried to retire from but said “I came back mailcommunity.com.au

to the fact that I missed the kids dreadfully.”

“The joy of teaching those little ones how to read and write is just, there’s nothing that beats it.”

She has now returned to four and a half days of teaching as a learning aid at Mooroolbark East Primary School, where she previously spent 15 years in the Prep classroom, to work one-on-one with the students needing that little bit of extra support.

“I started teacher’s college in 1970 and it’s now 2022 and I’m still in education. There’s not a day that I don’t think how lucky I am to be able to do it. It’s just an absolute privilege to help these little chickens and watch

the light go on.”

Although living a busy life between work, quilting and a new grandchild she adores, Mrs Smith said “it keeps me going. These things are what make life worthwhile.”

Mrs Smith said her passion for quilting and teaching are fairly equal “but they come from a different place.”

“Quilting comes from a personal space, where I just love working with the fabric and it’s that journey of seeing a design or making up your own design and then working it out and putting it together.

“With teaching, it’s more because I have a real belief that teachers aren’t trained, teach-

ers are born and you’re either a good teacher or you’re not a good teacher.

“So it’s that wanting to make it better for a kid and that you can make a difference in these children’s lives by giving of yourself.”

Receiving the OAM, Mrs Smith said it is lovely to think one of her peers feels as though her contribution is worth this acknowledgement.

“I want it to be an acknowledgement of all of the other people that are doing the same thing that I’m doing. I find it incongruous that I’m the one who got the recognition and I feel there are so many others who deserve it so much more.”

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Yarra Valley Lodge was mostly full, with 130 representatives from across the region attending the summit.

From accommodation owners, to hospitality businesses to pet hotel services, the room was made up of a variety of people.

Networking and product showcasing was high on the agenda to help businesses engage with each other.

Evolving tourism industry

By Mikayla van Loon Yarra Ranges Tourism held its first industry summit since 2019 this week, bringing together some of the key tourism bodies in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley.

The event held on Tuesday 7 June marked Yarra Ranges Tourism’s seventh annual summit and saw the attendance of over 130 delegates from within the region and outside of it.

Yarra Ranges Tourism CEO Simon O’Callaghan said the forum was a great way to present the latest trends, strategies and outcomes for local tourism providers, while also connecting with the industry again after two years of division and shutdown.

“There’s an appetite from people to continue to evolve their business so they can remain relevant as we come into a post-pandemic customer and change in people’s expectations,” he said.

“That’s what most people say to me. They’re interested in changing and just staying relevant and keeping contemporary.”

One of the main takeaways from the day, Mr O’Callaghan said, was the ability to learn from each other, share ideas and inspire new ways of thinking by working together for the region.

A trend that has had a negative impact on the entire industry, however, is the lack of employable staff and a reduced workforce.

Guest speakers Georgina Banks and Sam Crock, directors of Changeable Management, said while a change in immigration has impacted the number of skilled workers coming into the country, a global trend called the great resignation has had overwhelming effects on various industries.

“It was actually happening before the pandemic and the pandemic has sped it up, but essentially those who have privilege and have a choice in asking themselves, not just about how they want to work but asking why they want to work,” Ms Banks said.

“There’s this movement towards wanting more purpose and fulfillment in careers.”

Ms Banks said a recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that “meaning is now

Yarra Ranges Tourism CEO Simon O’Callaghan and Visit Victoria’s Charles Dechrass commented on the success of the summit and the eagerness to improve the individually and as a whole industry.

Pictures: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

Mr O’Callaghan introduced the Tourism Enterprise Scholarship Program to the room, some that interested a lot of employers.

as important as money,” something especially important to young people.

With a workforce shortage, employers at the summit were interested in understanding what options are available to young people and how to engage them in the industry.

Warburton Valley CEDA president Cleo Silva said finding out about the employment opportunities and training courses that are helping businesses get and retain staff was so valuable.

One of those opportunities was the State government supported Tourism Enterprise Scholarship Program set up by Yarra Ranges Tourism and how that has given high school leavers an overview of the industry while getting hands-on experience, as well as a qualification.

“Hearing about the scholarship was really interesting and how successful that’s been and as that younger demographic, hearing what

‘travel’ as the drawcard.

“Most parents don’t want their kids to go into [hospitality as a] career because they think you’ll be sitting in the one job setting tables for the next decade,” he said.

“We wanted to demonstrate you’ll be actually getting a taste of career options and we actually never used the word hospitality once.”

Seeing the positive interaction from business owners in the scholarship program and hearing the need to keep things fresh and evolving for young people, Mr O’Callaghan said it was a sign that the pilot program could create a legacy and be highly valuable in the future.

“There’s no reason why we couldn’t find a way to deliver that ourselves with the appetite of people wanting to find skilled workers and if breeding up tomorrow’s workforce is priority for everyone, as they say it is, then we should be able to find a way.”

they need and how they’re engaged in work,” Ms Silva said.

The program places young mentees in a tourism environment for them to learn all elements of that business, while giving them a mentor to help them become the best they can be.

“I’ve just learned a whole new range of skills that I wouldn’t have learned had I not gone into the program,” mentee Taylor Johnson said.

“I’ve learned how to distinguish myself… and the professionalism in a working environment, especially at such a fine establishment like Coombe Yarra Valley and working with people from a huge, different demographic that I wouldn’t have normally had been exposed to hadn’t I had this amazing opportunity.”

Mr O’Callaghan said there has been a real stigma around the word ‘hospitality’ and that attracting young people requires a new vocabulary starting with using ‘tourism’ and

Peta Rolls honoured for 30 year service to industry

By Mikayla van Loon Peta Rolls has been an instrumental part of the tourism industry in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley for 30 years.

Her achievement was recently recognised when she was presented with a 30 years of service award at the Yarra Ranges Tourism Industry Summit on Tuesday 7 June.

Beginning her career at the Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda, now known as the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, Ms Rolls then moved into the accommodation space.

“We went on to buy our first property in 1991. It was a rotten, old guest house that was falling down,” she said.

Although needing lots of repairs, Ms Rolls said “I loved it” for all its faults and idiosyncrasies.

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it was about eight years ago when Ms Rolls helped develop a group of accommodation options, truly turning into a management business.

“We managed 35 properties and I did that for six years until I got quite ill. I just didn’t like working at that pace anymore, so I stepped away but my staff took over,” Ms Rolls said.

Until February, Ms Rolls was still managing two properties of her own in Olinda but made the decision to retire.

“I’m kind of lost without doing it. I love to help people. So I’m hoping that I’ll be able to continue mentoring people who want to get into the industry.”

Continuing to attend industry events like the summit, Ms Rolls said she likes to keep up-to-date on what is happening even though she is slowly pulling away from the industry.

Not only has Ms Rolls run many successful accommodation properties, she has also been a key figure on advisory boards and tourism boards.

“I’ve always been in tourism and I’ve worked on various tourism boards. I produced maps and guides with a friend years and years ago, way before Yarra Ranges Tourism and Dandenong Ranges Tourism.”

Ms Rolls said the 30 year award came as a “huge surprise” and it was something she never expected to receive but it “was very lovely.”

“Accommodation really suited my personality. I love meeting people, I like making sure they’re comfortable and cared for.

I’ve made some wonderful friends and it has been lovely over the years to watch the industry grow.”

Peta Rolls helped establish some of the key tourism boards in the region and left an impression on many in the accommodation sector.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Volunteer scarcity grows

By Mikayla van Loon Volunteering numbers have been dropping steadily over the last 20 years but the effects are being felt more so now than ever before, something that is being seen at places like Anglicare’s Treasure Chest Op Shop in Lilydale.

Op shop coordinator of 18 years, Lesley Conway said she has never known a period where there have been so few volunteer enquiries and Covid-19 saw many of the existing volunteers drop off.

Usually having a pool of at least 30 volunteers, Ms Conway said after the pandemic that number has reduced to about 20 both in the shop and the warehouse.

“At the moment, we often have to put the sign out saying we can’t take any donations because we’ve barely got enough people to look after the customers in the shop, so we can’t sort as well,” she said.

Knowing how much Covid-19 changed everyone’s lives, Ms Conway said she can understand that for many volunteers the health risks might have altered their ability to volunteer or it became a natural progression to retire from volunteering.

“I think there’s a bit of reticence from shoppers as well that people are still not comfortable about in person shopping to a degree so that probably translates to volunteering and people not knowing what the commitment might be and what it actually means.”

Volunteering Victoria CEO Scott Miller said the decline seen in that 20 year period has really been accelerated by the pandemic to the point where “it’s almost in freefall.”

“There’s a dramatic shortage of volunteers returning to their organisations and that’s because they’ve changed habits, changed their social schedule,” he said.

“In fact, a study that came out last week found that about 62 per cent of those volunteers that were furloughed or suspended, still have not come back to volunteering.”

Not only has the pandemic changed people’s values perhaps around spending more time with family and friends but Mr Miller said societal challenges have meant volunteering falls to the wayside.

“We’re also more individualistic, we’re increasingly working longer hours, we’ve got more transport concerns getting to and from work, family commitments, we’re trying to compress more into our lives, so it’s quite easy to let that volunteering connection dwindle.”

Mr Miller said however, people are “just changing the way they’re giving” by doing informal volunteering, a trend that peaked during the pandemic and created “a renaissance of that community interest and neighbourhood level of care and concern.”

But this lack of organisational volunteering is putting pressure on those who are picking

Lesley Conway has been operating the Treasure Chest Op Shop in Lilydale for 18 years and has never known a time when there’s been such a lack Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS of volunteers. 284976 up the slack.

“Our existing volunteers are feeling the pressure, they want the shop to remain open so a lot of them are doing extra days,” Ms Conway said.

Lead volunteer Heather said she remembers only once closing the store in her 24 years of being with the op shop because of the heat, so a lesser number of volunteers won’t be a reason to close.

Ms Conway said for the safety of the volunteers and for the benefit of the customer, the shop requires at least two volunteers a day but that is the bare minimum.

Ideally Ms Conway would like to see another five or six volunteers come onboard even one day a week to help relieve current staff.

“We always recognise that volunteers have their own life and all we ask is that people turn up when they say they’re going to turn up and do what we need them to do in the time they’re here and hopefully develop relationships in that time,” she said.

The friendships and camaraderie with both the other volunteers and the customers is something Ms Conway said she believes has been the main reason so many of the current volunteers have been with the op shop for many years.

Mr Miller said research has shown that those who don’t volunteer or have stopped volunteering experience a lesser quality of life.

Waltraut has been serving customers since 1997 and loves the friendships she’s been able to make. 284976 “Volunteering not only is important for community wellbeing but it’s also important for one’s own individual wellbeing,” he said.

“So being able to find that time to be able to commit to a generosity and receiving the ‘helpers high’ that comes with supporting in a voluntary capacity is transformational for people’s health and their sense of agency and purpose in one’s life.”

People interested in volunteering at the Treasure Chest Op-Shop can contact Lesley Conway on 0400 179 786 or email Lesley.Conway@anglicarevic.org.au, or leave a message with the Anglicare office in Lilydale.

The Anglicare Victoria Treasure Chest OpShop is located at 24B John Street Lilydale and is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Yarra Ranges Council transfers in-home care services Following a decision made by Yarra Ranges Council in August 2021, domestic assistance, personal and respite care, individual social support, home modifications and property maintenance (lawn mowing and gutter cleaning) will be in the hands of Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH), MiCare and Uniting AgeWell as of 1 July 2022.

Aged and Disability Services clients were notified of this change in September 2021, made to reflect changes to the aged care sector.

In the coming days, all clients will be receiving a letter informing them of their new provider and will be contacted directly by their new provider to discuss their ongoing arrangements for services.

If affected individuals would like more information on the transition, please contact Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333 and ask to speak to an Aged and Disability Services Information and Navigation Support Officer.

As of 1 July 2022, in-home aged care services will be out of the jurisdiction of Yarra Ranges Council.

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Victorian healthcare workers will be able to access a $3,000 payment as part of a government program to retain and attract critical staff.

Picture: ON FILE

Attracting health staff

By Tyler Wright The Victorian Government has announced a $353 million package to support the state’s healthcare workers and attract critically important staff, as the industry struggles to staff night shifts.

The Healthcare Worker Winter Retention and Surge Payment, announced on Thursday 9 June, will offer payment of $3,000 to all staff working in public hospitals and ambulance services - including nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health professionals, paramedics, ward clerks and patient services assistants.

Associate Professor Donna Markham, former Chief Allied Health Officer and Menzies Creek resident, said it is important to recognise and reward Victoria’s healthcare workers and the critical care they provide everyday.

“They are the backbone of our community and they have been going above and beyond to care for all of us since day one of the pandemic; COVID-19 has shone a spot light on an existing issue - the need for us to care for the health and well-being of our healthcare workers,” Assoc Prof Markham said.

“We can only give what we have, and I hope that healthcare workers use this retention and surge payment to invest in their own well-be-

ing, so they can continue to provide the care they are so good at doing.”

The package will also include free meals for workers who put their hands up to work overnight from July until the end of the year.

“We know the next few months will be tough for our hospitals and paramedics as they continue to battle COVID, the flu and increasing demand. These measures are designed to improve the day-to-day working environment for workers on the frontline,” Parliamentary Secretary for Health Steve McGhie said.

To be eligible for the full package, workers will need to be employed by a public health service by 1 July and still be employed on 30 September. The payments will be made in two rounds, one after 15 August and one after 30 September.

Those who start between 1 July and 30 September will be eligible for a pro-rata payment, providing an added incentive to help attract more staff to our public hospitals.

“Our people are our health system’s greatest asset and this is just one way for us to recognise and support their efforts and ensure nurses, doctors, paramedics, allied health and support staff are there when we need them most,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Bill to help rate payers

By Tyler Wright

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

New legislation introduced in Victorian Parliament yesterday is designed to support Victorian property owners by ensuring councils implement fairer financial hardship policies.

The Local Government Amendment (Rating Reform and Other Matters) Bill 2022, introduced by Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane, will explicitly define financial hardship and require early engagement from councils with ratepayers.

Councils will also no longer be able to use debt collectors or pursue legal action which can result in homes being sold to pay back debts to council - unless ratepayers refuse to engage and all other options have been exhausted.

“Good hardship relief schemes strike a balance where the rate burden is shared while ensuring people in hardship are not driven further into debt or out of their homes,” Minister Leane said.

Ranges First National real estate agent Mick Dolphin said while he has not witnessed ratepayers selling up due to financial hardship, he expects the proposed law would be beneficial with the rising cost of living. “[The issue] might be more prevalent in areas where a lot more first home buyers buy, so perhaps places like Pakenham or Officer,” Mr Dolphin said.

“I think it’s good timing to bring something like that in because I think everyone’s going to have a little bit less money in their pocket to spend on things.”

Legislation was introduced to Victorian Parliament yesterday to assist ratepayers.

Picture: ON FILE The Bill comes following the release of the Local Government Rating System Review and the Ombudsman’s ‘Investigation into how local councils respond to ratepayers in financial hardship’ report, which found that people who were struggling to pay their rates were often meet with debt collectors, high penalty interest and in some cases costly litigation.

Councils will also be limited in using Magistrate’s Court orders for recovering unpaid rates in situations where rates or charges have not been paid for two years or more.

For more information on the Local Government Rating System Review visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au.

To view the ‘Investigation into how local councils respond to ratepayers in financial hardship’ report visit ombudsman.vic.gov. au/our-impact/investigation-reports. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Vote for the Coldy track

By Renee Wood The designs proposed for the Coldstream Station Pump Track have been released with the community asked to vote on their favourite concept.

Following a response to the survey which saw 49 contributions, three concept designs were formed based on the feedback.

The initial feedback was provided by the users of the pump track and consultations have also been done with Coldstream Primary School.

The tracks are said to be suitable for all skill levels, having operational lines for upskilling, options for BMX, scooters and skateboards and seating and shade.

Online voting is now open for the designs which are - a flow multi loop, jump line technical loop and multi loop.

Paul Goodison from Yarra Ranges Council said a key component in the project’s delivery is to have something for beginners and more advanced riders.

“We felt that it was a good opportunity to give options so that people can drill down into the benefits and the different options and what suits them,” he said.

Mr Goodison said they all occupy the same space and provide similar berms but it’s the technicality that makes them all unique.

“Option two is probably a little bit faster, it’s longer straights and it’s got probably a sequence of four tabletop jumps,” he said.

“Some of the other options have tighter bends… so they’re different pump track experiences, the differences between them are quite technical in how people use them and what they liked doing on them.

Pump track designer Common Ground has been awarded the project tender.

“The three options are different in terms of the technical ability, how fast they are, and how separated the beginner and advanced sections are,” he said.

“So that’s where people get the choice to vote on what they believe best suits their needs.”

The designs also include a platform for gathering and resting along the Yarra Valley Trail as council looks to improve the overall experience along the trail.

“The Yarra Valley Trail is the backbone, we are looking at the use of the sites, whether it’s for this type of activity pump track or we’ve been putting in some wetlands out at Yering.”

The upgrades will also acknowledge the old railway infrastructure.

Option 1

Option 2 “We’ll be leaving some of the rail there at the sidings and the signals and putting the station name signs back on platforms, so there’s a number of things we’ve been doing to improve what the trial offers.”

Option 3 The project was supported by both state and federal governments and is part of the wider Coldstream Station Masterplan.

Following the voting closure on Tuesday 21 June, council will be working with Common

Ground to develop the detailed design before releasing it for consultation.

For more information visit: https://shaping. yarraranges.vic.gov.au/coldstream-stationmaster-plan

Discussion starts about re-evaluating the Green Wedge

By Callum Ludwig At The Nationals For Regional Victoria state conference a discussion has evolved about a possible revaluation of the Yarra Ranges’ Green Wedge Zone.

Yarra Ranges Council wants to seek parity between Farming and Green Wedge Zones in the Victorian Planning Provisions (VPP’s) to help support Yarra Ranges agribusinesses to have on-farm accommodation for seasonal workers.

Mayor Jim Child said the Council is seeking alignment with the farming zones that would allow for permit-free on-farm accommodation in the area.

“The vital thing we’re trying to achieve is to have on-farm accommodation for up to 10 people, because in the Green Wedge in the Yarra Ranges you have to apply for a permit,” he said.

“In other municipalities in regional Victoria, they all have farming zones as the Minister for Planning (Richard Wynne) introduced an amendment to allow up to 10 people accommodation without a planning permit.”

The Reforms (Farming Zone) mentioned

by Cr Child came in late 2021 for owners or rural land.

Chairman of Agribusiness Yarra Valley Clive Larkman said the Green Wedge Zone restrictions make it impossible to do a lot of things. mailcommunity.com.au

Yarra Ranges Council and Agribusiness Yarra Valley are hopeful of farming zone being introduced.

Picture: ON FILE “Everyone in the shire is a victim of it in multiple ways, as about 55 per cent of the shire is rural land,” he said.

“We have real problems attracting staff here, especially with most of the Yarra Ranges not rural zoned and meaning backpackers are less likely to work here as they can’t get an extension on their visa.”

As the Yarra Ranges is largely Green Wedge Areas the reforms do not apply, with

reasons cited to be the relative proximity to Melbourne CBD and ample accommodation.

However, Yarra Ranges Council has argued that the accommodation is not always affordable, available or convenient in travel time via car or public transport for season workers.

Mr Larkman said the restrictions are affecting the aesthetic of the Yarra Ranges.

“The property I live next to in Wandin is about 15 acres, but isn’t allowed a dam or bore, so he can’t farm on it, or then build on it, and is now essentially a weed paddock. It affects him, and then me as I have to worry about weed seeds on my farm, then the Shire because it looks yuck,” he said “Whatever you do to make the farming industry more competitive and more sustainable, the better for people who come here, who come to have a nice lunch looking over the farms.”

International visitors were only able to visit Victoria again in mid-February 2022, and the shortage of international visitors working on farms made a huge impact on the agricultural sector.

Mr Larkman said after the last two years, it’s critical to see some change to support farms in the Yarra Ranges.

“Visiting backpackers offers a great incentive that benefits everybody, and the last two years has seen the nomadic tribe of people fruit picking and pruning dropped off. We don’t want to see the berry farmers, the cherry farmers, the apple farmers or the nurseries of flower farms, whoever it may be, struggle because of this” he said.

“I’d like to basically get rid of all the Green Wedge probations or get a map out and retrace the line between residential and Green Wedge Zone as there are some really small properties in there which make it hard for farmers to exist.”

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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MAIL 13

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Large tapestries and film are just some of the elements used in the David Noonan: Only when it’s cloudless exhibit.

David Noonan: Only When it’s Cloudless installation view at TarraWarra Museum of Art. Pictures: CHRISTIAN CAPURRO COURTESY OF THE ARTIST, ANNA SCHWARTZ GALLERY, MELBOURNE AND MODERN ART, LONDON

Merging of monochrome

By Renee Wood A monochromatic display highlighting contrasting collages from artist David Noonan is on show at Tarrawarra Museum of Art, bringing mystery and intrigue to all who visit.

‘David Noonan: Only When it’s Cloudless’ is a solo exhibit from the Ballarat born collagist who now lives in London.

Noonan is well known around the world and works across several mediums including silk screen, linen and tapestry to bring his collages to life on a grand scale.

The overall greyscale palette has informed his practice since 2015 and his work has been renowned for his imaginative incorporation of images.

Noonan’s capability of merging different artistic elements into one brings focus to different dimensions, setting the terms for each foreground and background.

Within the tapestries, some distinct lines can be seen which allow the centre to pop out, while the blend of black, white and grey threads come together.

TWMA Curator Victoria Lynn said his collaged works make you believe they are all cut from the same reality.

“He unhinges found imagery and then creates a new world for us to look at,” Ms Lynn said.

Ms Lynn said Noonan always works with images found in books and magazines to merge different worlds together.

“He doesn’t take these photographs himself he actually goes around antiquarian bookstores and rummages through street markets to find photographs and images that he’s really drawn to,” she said.

Each work is left up to interpretation but Noonan’s focus can be seen on performing artists through the muses he chooses.

“The subjects that he tends to focus on are performers for the stage…he often captures them at a moment when they’re either preparing for a performance or after a performance.

“So these are the in between moments where the person is two things - there themselves, but they’re also the performer.”

Pieces have been provided to the gallery from public and private collections across Australia, while Noonan created the main piece ‘Only When it’s Cloudless’ for the solo exhibit at Tarrawarra.

The large templates were all part of the one photo from a theatre show but have been separated and placed around the room as if part of the set design – inviting the viewer through to become part of or observe the performance.

“That is a phrase from a 14th century Buddhist monk - who talks about that you

shouldn’t always look for the moon only when it’s cloudless. So you should just be willing to embrace the cloud and it’s about just being in the moment,” Ms Lynn said.

Film is another element incorporated into the show, providing the only colour of yellow hues to explode across a black and white film shot on a 16mm camera.

“It’s so effective this is the only colour in the exhibition and I have to say when the show opened Russia had just invaded Ukraine and everyone said, it’s like the war,” she said.

“That’s the thing with these works, you can bring your own story to it really - it’s not a predetermined narrative, the associations are quite loose.

“That’s the beauty of collage that it allows you in a way to bring your own to bring your own emotional connection to it.”

Only David Noonan: Only When its Cloudless is open until Sunday 10 July.

A volunteering opportunity to be surrounded by art

By Renee Wood Admiring artist’s work at the YAVA art gallery in Healesville is quite an enjoyable past time, but it’s also something highly embraced by volunteer gallery guides.

The role provides support to the hub by being the first face to face contact in the gallery as volunteers invite visitors through the space and managing retail sales among other things.

Lynn Baxter is one of the latest recruits and said a highlight has been attending the exhibit launch events.

“The artists speak about the art and what their process is and their thoughts behind why they’re doing their art, so that’s always interesting to find out,” Ms Baxter said.

Adele Begovich is another gallery guide who isn’t an artist herself but loves being surrounded by it.

“I’ve always been drawn to art - I love going to art galleries and this is even better because you get to talk to the artists and I do like it when they explain how they come up with ideas,” Ms Begovich said.

And by learning more from the artists on show, this helps to build knowledge for conversation starters with visitors who come by.

Training and workshops are also provided to each volunteer who joins the creative ‘tribe’.

Retail manager Kimberley Hughes said gallery guides are paired together but they can also be joined by the artist themselves during the shift.

“Sometimes artists who exhibit do a shift as a gallery guide as well during their exhibi14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

Adele Begovich and Lynn Baxter are volunteer gallery guides at the YAVA Gallery in Healesville.

285086 Picture: RENEE WOOD tions and so sometimes when you’ve teamed up with one of the artist it makes a very interesting half a day, three and a half hour shift

- you get to have a one on one with an artist,” Ms Hughes said.

Currently YAVA is on the lookout for more

volunteers to join their team, with the opportunity open to anyone artists – hobby creatives – or art admirers.

The experience would also benefit someone who’s looking for work experience in the gallery space, which can be used on their resume for future work in the art space.

Gallery guide coordinator Serafina Munns, who’s also a volunteer, said she always leaves the shift feeling energised and it is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people.

“You don’t have to be a member of YAVA to be to be a gallery guide with us - you can be a gallery guide without joining which certainly gives you a connection and it’s very worthwhile,” Ms Munns said.

“I started volunteering and then joined as a member and then upgraded to an artist member so it’s just one of the ways you can be involved and try it out in a way.”

YAVA Ceo Kate Baker said the member based organisation has further opportunities to volunteer which may be through social media and various other projects.

“We’re representing the community and enriching our community with art and so to make this possible, it only can work if we have people volunteering to help make it happen,” Ms Baker said.

“We want people here to be able to share that it’s a beautiful environment to be in but also you want them to be in a position where they can share about the artwork and talk about who is YAVA and how we run workshops.”

For more information contact volunteer@ yava.org.au mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Life changing relocation

By Mikayla van Loon Making the decision to pack up her life in Mount Evelyn and move to Bali, Indonesia happened in just a few short months after Heather Dryden saw the impact she could have on children’s lives.

Initially going to the popular holiday destination for a few weeks to do some charity work with tourism students who were learning English in 2018 brought on a realisation that her skills of training and developing people could be put to better use in Bali.

As a former employee at Cire Services working with women who had experienced family violence or needed rehabilitation for drugs and alcohol abuse, as well as adults with disability, Ms Dryden said it was in that short time she understood her purpose in life.

“So that’s where it gave me the idea ‘Hey, I could be doing this over there in Bali’,” she said.

In March 2019, Ms Dryden made the permanent move to the northern part of Bali where she has lived ever since.

During her first year, she spent much of her time teaching English to underprivileged school leavers who had taken up a nine month course and three to six months work experience.

As part of this she also set up a touring element that allowed the students to show Ms Dryden parts of the country to enhance their confidence in English and in their knowledge of their home.

“The first year was mainly with the THAP students and helping them with their English.

Then came Covid and of course, everything stopped,” she said.

“It became apparent that people are going to be hungry because once the south shutdown, there’s so many people from the north and the middle, the east from the west who go to the south to work and send money back.”

Deciding at that moment she wouldn’t be making it home, Ms Dryden said she used her

Heather Dryden move to Bali in March 2019 not knowing what impact she could have on people’s Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS lives. Now it has become her purpose. 283520 pension and her savings to begin putting together care packs full of food and essential items to be distributed to families in need.

That’s how Project Keluarga started, with the help of five people, Ms Dryden distributed at least 40 food packages each week and a total of close to 4000 over the year.

“It just kept on leading into more people being desperate. When you start seeing the conditions they’re living in you realise this is a bit more than what I expected.

“Because now we’re really going out to their homes and you go into their homes and they’ve got wood fires, there’s no electricity, there’s no water.”

Seeing children living in those conditions

hit Ms Dryden hard and made her want to do more. Realising that food packages got people through the worst part of the pandemic, Ms Dryden’s focus has shifted to getting young people employed in highly paid jobs in the tourism sector.

While online learning returned for some students in 2021, Ms Dryden knew many of the students she had previously been working with didn’t have electricity, let alone internet access.

“I had a THAP student from the previous THAP who wanted to be a chef and he really stood out,” Ms Dryden said.

“So I went up to his parents and said ‘I’ve got a house, I’m going to call it the Study House. I want to bring him there. I want to work with

him. I want to work on his English and go through the curriculum and try to bring him up to speed’.”

Ms Dryden and her friend from Canada then both sponsored a student each to live at the Study House and helped them gain work experience at a restaurant called the Tenth Table.

“Coso did his work experience there, interned and now he works full time. Adi, he did his work experience there but I wish I’d picked it up earlier, he’s an outside boy.

“He belonged in the garden as a landscaper and that should have been his area of pursuit, not tourism.”

Eventually Adi landed a position in a luxury villa of some of Ms Dryden’s friends, working the grounds, taking care of the garden and doing any maintenance needed.

Noticing the progression of really nurturing these students and helping them get the right jobs for their skills and personality, Ms Dryden has paired with the owner of the Tenth Table, Geert Jan de Meyer, to hopefully establish a two year training and vocational program for eight students called ‘Opening Doors’.

“I have always liked training the young to see how they can achieve their career path,” she said.

This continues to drive Ms Dryden even though she has family and grandchildren back home.

“I wanted some sort of purpose. I didn’t want to look back on life with regret. I knew there was an opportunity for myself. What direction I didn’t know at first, I knew it was just going to be the kids.

“It was very lonely at first. That first year I had family coming over but with Covid it was very hard in those first few months I felt very alone.

“If I can keep on making a difference, if I can be part of making a difference, and in the direction I want it to go, then I’ll be there, hopefully, for years to come. How long, I don’t know.”

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

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

Back to school!

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Geert Jan De Meyer teaches Coso and Adi in the kitchen at the Tenth Table.

Tuesday, 2 February, 2021

Mail

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

See page 7 for more back to school excitment.

Back to school!

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

By Jed Lanyon

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

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

$8400 to help make the lives of children better.

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

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

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

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

Continued page 2 12477022-SN06-21

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

12481673-SN07-21

A worthy brand

Scan this QR code to subscribe Ms Dryden delivered thousands of carefully crafted food packages to remote villages during Covid-19 shutdowns to support families going without. mailcommunity.com.au

Or visit mailcommunity.com.au/subscribe Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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MAIL 15

NEWS

Hearing tests unheard of

By Mikayla van Loon Decreased hearing health can be detrimental to everyday functioning but very few Lilydale residents regularly get their hearing tested.

New research by Specsavers Audiology has found that over the last two years only 38 per cent (20,453 people) of those aged 50 and over had a hearing check.

Audiology Professional Meena Venkat said as one of the five senses, a hearing impairment can cause major disruption to interaction with others and the ability to communicate properly.

“I have seen family members become frustrated if they have to repeat a few times or even the person themselves who has hearing loss, they find it isolating or they feel embarrassed to ask it again,” she said.

Ms Venkat said even the little things of being unable to hear a doorbell or a phone ring or perhaps struggling to hear when there is a lot of background noise can all be tell-tale signs that a person’s hearing may be depleting.

“You don’t have to have a significant hearing loss to come forward for a hearing test because sometimes it will be a gradual change.

“So do it sooner rather than leaving it later with regular hearing checks one every two years. It will identify it at the earliest stage so they can act accordingly.”

One in six Australians have some hearing loss but less than 40 per cent will take further action and get treatment.

Hearing health checks are just as important as any other medical test to ensure proper functioning in everyday life and conversation.

Picture: UNSPLASH A common misconception Ms Venkat said is that people often link hearing loss with age, only assuming elderly people are more likely to have a hearing problem.

“I have seen a lot of noise damage at a young age and they lose their hearing permanently. So there is a stigma that hearing loss is mainly for very elderly people.

“Everyday we are hearing the same com-

ments from the customer saying, ‘Oh, I’m not that old’.”

It is recommended that people 50 and over get their hearing checked but Ms Venkat said it is important for young people, particularly trades people, to also have their hearing tested.

“When you monitor your hearing often, it’s easier for your audiology professional to pick up on any changes in your hearing, take the

time to understand your hearing needs and lifestyle in order to find a solution that works best for you.

“At the moment, we see a gap of seven to ten years between when hearing loss is noticed by individuals to when they take action and we want to reduce that gap so that no one is hearing less.”

Some of the reasons Ms Venkat believes hearing loss is not treated as seriously as other conditions may be to do with the ability to fault someone else, as well as being embarrassed.

“In the beginning, people often say ‘Oh, you’re not speaking properly, you’re not looking at me, you’re mumbling’. It’s easy to say it’s not my hearing, it’s your fault,” she said.

Many things can cause hearing loss, with Ms Venkat saying something as simple as having music playing too loud in headphones, industrial noise or concerts can cause severe damage.

A 15 minute audiology assessment is all it takes to understand hearing health better, with a detailed report emailed to the customer to keep a record of their hearing test.

“In this time, you can ask some questions or you can clarify your doubts. The audiologist will be happy to guide or help even for family members.”

Specsavers Audiology has been providing free hearing screenings since November 2018.

Appointments can be booked online here www.specsavers.com.au/hearing.

Safer vehicles vs improved roads for reducing trauma

By Callum Ludwig The Victorian Government has pointed to new statistics from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to urge Victorians to upgrade to safer vehicles to reduce road trauma, while Eildon MP Cindy McLeish believes the quality of our roads is the main concern.

The TAC figures show around two-thirds of drivers and passengers killed on Victorian roads last year were travelling in vehicles aged more than 10 years.

“Our message to anyone buying a car is to buy the safest car you can and the How Safe is Your Car website is the best place to start your search,” said Transport Accident Commission CEO Joe Calafiore.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and Used Car Safety Ratings(UCSR) are free to access and provide the latest vehicle safety information for prospective car-buyers detailing the safety features and highlighting safer alternative vehicles.

So far in 2022, 28 out of the 54 driver and passenger deaths have occurred in a vehicle built more than a decade ago and the average vehicle on Victoria’s roads is around 10 years old.

Head of Road Safety Victoria Carl Muller said the data shows safer vehicles save lives.

“When you’re in the market for a car take a moment to do your research with safety in mind because the decision you make can be a life-changing one.”

Motorists are encouraged to look for vehicles that possess include auto-emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, electronic stability control, and front, side, and curtain airbags.

The Federal Government worked with the states, including Victoria, to ensure all newly introduced models sold in Australia from March 2023 are fitted with autonomous emergency braking.

People can see the latest ratings, look for information about vehicle safety features and check how safe their car is here howsafeisyourcar.com.au.

Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carroll said it is important when buying a car – whether it be new or used – not to overlook safety features that can step in and reduce the severity of a crash or help avoid one altogether.

“It’s a myth that you need to spend big bucks on an expensive new car,” he said.

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

The State Government is urging Victorians to buy safer vehicles, while Eildon MP is pointing to the quality of our roads as a key issue.

Picture: SUPPLIED “Whether you’re choosing a car for yourself or your family you can find a safe, affordable used car to suit your budget and needs – and it could save your life.”

However, Ms McLeish told Star Mail that road funding was cut from the budget outcome.

“Our roads are an absolute mess, plagued with dangerous potholes and hazards, risking the lives of drivers every day and can cause accidents,” she said.

“The Labor Government cut $50 million to road safety, despite the state’s road toll increasing.”

Ms McLeish is referring to the $50.3 mil-

lion discrepancy between the 2021-22 expected outcome and 2021-22 target seen on page 339 of Budget Paper 3 in the 2022-23 Victorian Budget. The document states is ‘is lower than the 2021-22 target due to changes to the work program for the Safer Road Infrastructure Program, partially offset by acceleration of work for the Federal Safety Program.’

The Federal Road Safety program is a $3 billion commitment from the Australian Government over three years beginning in 2020-21 that aims to deliver a fast rollout of life-saving road safety treatments on rural and regional roads, and greater protection for vulnerable road users, like cyclists and

pedestrians, in urban areas.

It is offered to the states and territories on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis in five or six-month tranches Ms McLeish said that at a time when Victorian roads are in the worst condition ever seen, funding to protect road users should be increased, not stripped away.

“Locals, visitors, delivery drivers, truck drivers, have all had enough. More needs to be done to repair our roads and increase safety for drivers,” she said.

“No more band-aid fixes, no more whacking up ‘hazard’ signs and no more reduced speed limits as a way to deal with the deplorable quality of our roads.” mailcommunity.com.au

EXCEPTIONAL PRESENTATION WITH exceptional presentation and exquisite treetop outlooks, this impressive property is the ultimate Hills retreat.

Positioned for practicality steps from Baynes Park, Monbulk Aquatic Centre, and Main Road amenities, you will feel tucked away from busy life without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

This spectacular residence sits atop a wide, sweeping drive with ample parking that leads to a under-house carport.

Through the beautifully bright foyer with stylish study or home office space, you are led upstairs to a series of sophisticated spaces suited to growing families.

Spotted Gum Timber flooring and floor to ceiling architecturally designed windows line each room, beginning in the dining area and lounge with a cosy wood fire with custom accent wall.

From here, the floorplan flows into the open plan family room, meals area, and kitchen with wall oven, stainless steel dishwasher, and inviting island seating.

For seamless and seasonal indooroutdoor enjoyment, this level connects to the covered balcony at the front and the

open and covered decking at the rear for entertaining year-round.

Keeping the focus firmly on comfort are the spacious bedrooms provided.

Each bedroom is adorned with built-in robes and the main bedroom boasts a walkin robe, elegant ensuite with claw foot tub, and private balcony.

Set upon a splendid 1,434sqm (approx.) allotment with mature gardens and magnificent outlooks, this move-in ready residence makes it easy to imagine living here.

Inspection will impress. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 295 Monbulk Road, MONBULK Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: $850,000 - $895,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888

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

com.au

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE

17

HOME FOCUS

IMMACULATE IN EVERY WAY THIS immaculately presented 3-bedroom home is set on a 1128 sq. metre block and is only moments from Belgrave Central.

Step inside you will discover timber floorboards throughout living areas and carpeted bedrooms, a gorgeous sunroom with a lovely treed aspect, wood fire bringing ambiance to the lounge and dining area, a galley style kitchen which overlooks the rear covered entertaining deck where you can hear the sounds of Puffing Billy winding through the hills.

The block has been extensively landscaped with multiple areas for entertaining, a terraced yard gives room for children to play and pets to enjoy, as well as fruit trees and a chicken enclosure.

Additional features include: airconditioning, GDH, split system, ample off-street parking, and is walking distance to the dog-friendly Belgrave Lake Park, bus stop, Selby Primary School and Preschool. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 72 Temple Road, SELBY Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 garage Price: $695,000 - $760,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Jan Brewster 0409 558 805, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111

Warburton

$780,000 - $840,000

Millgrove

$595,000 - $650,000

Massive views and spacious living

Solid Home in a Picturesque Location

This is certainly an opportunity not to be missed. The splitlevel home has a superb floor plan with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Bedrooms all with built in robes. The master bedroom having the best view in the home comes complete with a large walk-in robe, full ensuite and doors onto the decking which is an amazing spot to sit and take in the 10/10 views. Inside has an open plan kitchen with a huge amount of storage, ample bench space and cupboards and an adjacent dining area. Large lounge with a crackling wood fire and split system. An additional sitting room certainly gives you plenty of room for entertaining or larger families to have their own space. Outside has some lovely established gardens and a generous size yard at approx. 1655 sqm. A double carport completes this neat package.

This neat property offers great value and is situated in a picturesque location offering 3 bedrooms with a spacious lounge/living area plus a fresh modern open plan kitchen with gas cooking and plenty of bench and cupboard space. A separate meals area offers extra space for the growing family, updated bathroom and polished floorboards throughout, a covered back verandah offers extra entertaining space and a lock up garage. A well looked after low maintenance property with established gardens and mountain views positioned on a great size block with plenty of back and front yard space. All conveniently located just a short stroll to local schools, shops, transport, the walking trail and Yarra river it’s the ideal place to call home.

Contact: Rebecca Doolan 0401 832 068 Inspection: By Appointment

Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320 Inspection: By Appointment

bellrealestate.com.au 18

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

5966 2530

3407 Warburton Hwy, Warburton com.au

5967 1277

2457 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction

mailcommunity.com.au

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

295 Monbulk Road, MONBULK

$850,000 - $895,000

EXCEPTIONAL PRESENTATION AND EXQUISITE OUTLOOKS

4A 2B 1C

This spectacular residence sits atop a wide, sweeping drive with ample parking that leads to a under-house carport. Through the beautifully bright foyer with stylish study or home office space, you are led upstairs to a series of sophisticated spaces suited to growing families. Spotted Gum Timber flooring and floor to ceiling architecturally designed windows line each room, beginning in the dining area and lounge with a cosy wood fire with custom accent wall.

FOR SALE

$820,000 - $860,000

26 Hume Street, UPWEY

3A 2B 3C

CHARMING HOME WITH LIFESTYLE TO MATCH

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

Brad Conder

Daniel Steen

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

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

AUCTION

77 The Crescent, SASSAFRASS COMPLETE THIS COMPELLING 4.5 ACRE OASIS

$790,000 - $860,000 5A 2B

FOR SALE

35-37 McAllister Road, MONBULK

$970,000 - $1,050,000 6A 3B 7C

VAST AND VERSATILE FAMILY HOME

The alluring natural landscape of this 18,164sqm (approx.) property suits buyers seeking something special for their future. Entirely accessible by vehicle and boasting a beautiful build already onsite, bringing this property to completion will be worth its weight in gold (STCA). The sweeping drive culminates at this brilliant residence with a bounty of potential.

Yet to receive approved plans and permits, fortitude will bring this spacious family home across the finish line.

This vast and versatile residence that affords ample space for family living sits atop a sprawling 4,051sqm (approx.) landscape. From the covered and open decking, the interior expands in grand scale to the open plan lounge with vaulted ceilings and leadlight windows, dining area with warm wood fire, and timeless timber kitchen with gas stove, copper rangehood, and inviting peninsula seating. Comprising 4 generously proportioned bedrooms with garden views on this level, including the main bedroom with ensuite.

AUCTION SATURDAY 25TH JUNE AT 3PM Suzie Brannelly

Brad Conder

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

M 0422 639 115 | E brad@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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HOME FOCUS

PRISTINE HOME WITH HUGE SHED DON’T miss this beautiful 3 bedroom home on a 2,473sqm flat block in Cockatoo, located in the well-loved Dandenong Ranges, close to Cockatoo, Avonsleigh and Emerald Townships.

Inside is fully renovated to a high standard with wood-look tiles throughout.

Enter into the mud room/foyer where you can take off muddy shoes and hang your coats. To the right is a well-lit bedroom with its own split system.

Walk up the steps into the light-filled open plan living/dining/kitchen with gas ducted heating. Enjoy the beautiful kitchen space with stainless steel and black appliance and fittings. The kitchen has an open wood fire, new tiles, matt-black period-styled faucet, 900mm-wide stainless steel oven with a gas cooktop, and picturesque views.

Next to the dining room is another living space with a toasty wood fire adjacent to the main modern-country bathroom with a freestanding bath, step-less and frameless shower with shelf insert, and butcher block sink with a modern basin.

All of the bedrooms and lounge room have thick, plush, charcoal carpets while the master has a large modern ensuite and walk-in robe with enough space for a small dressing room. Adjacent to the master bedroom is the main lounge room where you can close the double barn doors to make it a master retreat.

Outside is a new 7.5m x 13.3mtr, highbay, 3 door shed with 2 electric remote doors, lighting, concrete floor and plenty of space for all your projects. In addition, there are electric gates, the home has a new roof and the property is fully fenced for your kids and fur babies to run free.

If you are looking for a stunning home

with all the comforts, a big flat block perfect for cars, boats, trailers, floats or trucks and a huge shed - this is the one for you!

Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the

preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 244 Woori Yallock Road, COCKATOO Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $950,000 - $1,040,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032 and Declan Palmer 0427 062 148, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD 20

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com.au

mailcommunity.com.au

244 Woori Yallock Road, Cockatoo

$950,000 - $1,040,000

27 Emerald Lake Road, Emerald

$700,000 - $770,000

Pristine Home with Huge New Shed!

Build Your Dream Home in Emerald

This beautiful 3 bedroom home is on a 2,473sqm flat block in Cockatoo. Inside is fully renovated with wood-look tiles throughout. Enter into the mud room where to the right is a well-lit bedroom with its own split system. Walk up the steps into the open plan living/dining/kitchen with gas ducted heating. Enjoy the beautiful kitchen space with wood fire, new tiles, and 900mm-wide stainless steel oven with a gas cooktop. Next to the dining room is another living space with a Coonara and the main bathroom. The bedrooms and lounge room have plush, charcoal carpets while the master has an ensuite and walk-in robe. Adjacent to the master bedroom is the main lounge room. Outside is a new 7.5m x 13.3mtr, 3-door shed with 2 electric doors, lighting, and concrete floor. There are electric gates, the home has a new roof and the property is fully fenced.

Emerald Lake Park House and Land Package (building cost - fixed price of $420k). This Hamptons-inspired home has planning approval, working drawings, and a builder (The Building Republic) ready to get you into your dream home by Christmas. There are 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living areas, and a back deck for entertaining. You’ll have a kitchen with butler’s pantry, a dining area and lounge with raked ceilings and a grand entrance with timber stairs leading to a landing where guests can be greeted. The master bedroom has an ensuite and BIRs and one bedroom and the main bathroom have been designed as wheelchair friendly. Located on a quiet cul-de-sac and within walking distance to Emerald Lake Park, and everything Emerald has to offer. Included in this package is land, planning approval. Not included: water tank, garage, and finished driveway.

Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994

6 Hillside Road, Cockatoo

$580,000 - $630,000

17 Steel Road, Emerald

Great First, or Family Home!

Stunning Architect Designed Entertainer Home in Emerald!

Get in quick to snap up this 3 bedroom brick home on a quarter acre with no neighbours at the back of the property. This house has plenty of privacy and is very close to Cockatoo township and Primary School - it is the perfect first or family home. Inside there is gas cooking, floating floorboards, gas ducted heating, and picturesque views to the back. Two of the bedrooms have built-in robes and plenty of space for kids. The living room is large and with a warm coloured floorboard. Outside there is a single garage, established gardens, and a spacious, covered entertaining area to entertain family and friends. There is mains water, power, and gas. Don’t miss this opportunity to get into the hills market - book an inspection now!

Step inside this two-story entertainer’s home, designed by award-winning architect Lindsay Holland. There are 4 bedrooms, one is perfect as a guest suite with its own ensuite and built-in robes, and the Master has an ensuite, walk-in robe and direct access to the deck overlooking the private garden and pool. There is a separate bathroom with spa bath and large storage areas. Upstairs is the kitchen, formal and informal lounges, a home office-study and powder-room. The kitchen has granite benchtops, a 900mm freestanding oven with a gas cooktop, a dishwasher and a breakfast bench. There is gas ducted heating and vacuum cleaning on both levels for convenience. Enjoy the in-ground swimming pool in a private landscaped area.

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994

5968 6222

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

$1,250,000 - $1,350,000

311-313 Main St, Emerald

com.au

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE

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HOME FOCUS

THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF! IMMEDIATELY upon arrival this property is sure to surprise and delight.

Entering through the impressive electric gates and up the sealed driveway, you will discover an entertainer’s dream.

Surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens, the home offers two expansive living areas; the first a spacious open plan living area is the heart of the home, sophisticated and stylish.

The space boasts the spacious lounge area with feature coonara and split system heating and cooling for year-round comfort, dining space and the stunning Redgum kitchen with stainless steel appliances, glass splashback, dishwasher, pendant lighting and walk in pantry. This area also features a large study with built-in desk and is the perfect space for someone looking to work from home or if required could easily be enclosed and create bedroom five .

The second large living area is equally as stylish, with beautiful vaulted ceilings, picture windows, gas log fire, split system heating and cooling, as well as a character fully fitted bar with Rockpave flooring, this space offers incredible versatility to suit your needs.

There are four bedrooms in total, the master suite is something to be admired, with modern ensuite bathroom and walk in robe, as well as picture windows that bring the outdoors in.

The secondary bedrooms are all complete with built in robes are serviced by the beautiful modern bathroom with double vanity, free standing bath, and enormous shower. The spacious laundry with extensive storage space completes the residence.

Special features include stunning Oak

floorboards, timeless neutral colour scheme, quality blinds, picture windows throughout the home, satellite NBN, 5kw solar array and return verandahs.

Outside the embellishments continue, entertain in style year-round in the incredible covered outdoor entertaining area, with aggregate flooring and decking, power, privacy screen, remote blinds and views

across the stunning gardens and lush lawn where the kids can play.

For the furry and feathered family members, there is a fully fenced dog run, quality chicken coop, plus a fenced paddock at the rear of the property complete with your very own sand arena.

Car accommodation is assured, the property boasts a 7.5m x 9m high rise 3

car garage, three car carport under roofline as well as a double garage or workshop.

Additional features include vegetable gardens, stable and water tanks.

Located only a short drive to the thriving Gembrook township, this property truly has all of the bells and whistles you could ask for. Inspection is an absolute must, call today. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 2685 Gembrook Launching Place Road, GEMBROOK Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 8 garage Price: $1,300,000 - $1,400,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brittany Barry 0412 861 094 and Justin Barrot 0438 683 781, BARRY PLANT, EMERALD, 5968 4522 22

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5962 3030

Mark Gunther

markgunther.com.au 189 Maroondah Highway, Healesville

ST JU TED LIS

ST U J TED LIS

Healesville 25 Juel Crescent FOR SALE

This perfectly positioned flat allotment with spectacular views, is set within walking distance to town & is an ideal parcel of land to build your dream home on (STCA). The vendor has done all the hard work as the block comes with plans & permits. Ready to go & set on 1,084m2 with power, water, gas & phone services available.

$649,000 Inspect

By Appointment Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

R FO LE Sa

FOR SALE Healesville 3 Mason Close Brand New 4 Bedroom Home If you desire luxury, location & quality then you must see the plans for this beautiful home, which is in the process of being built & located only a short stroll to the town centre. This architecturally designed home will showcase a spacious master bedroom with WIR & stylish ensuite, quality fittings & fixtures, Oak timber floors & large double garage.

4A 2B 2C $800,000 - $850,000 Inspect

By Appointment Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

Healesville 1 Martin Lane FOR SALE

This fantastic parcel of land is located a short drive to the township of Healesville. Offering approved plans and permits to build a 4-bedroom family home set in a semi-rural setting. A gentle slope, with existing rural fencing and clear of trees, you can get started with building your family home! (STCA) All services are available at the end of the driveway.

E In n L n O O cTI aU

$600,000 - $660,000 Inspect

By Appointment Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

R FO LE a S

Healesville 6/69 Maroondah Highway

3A 2B 2C

This modern & conveniently located townhouse is immaculate throughout & makes for a smart investment, perfect first home or ideal downsizer.

Featuring a modern kitchen & a large light & bright open plan living which leads out to a fabulous outdoor entertaining area & easy to maintain courtyard garden.

FOR SALE $600,000 - $660,000 Inspect

By Appointment or OFI Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

LD

SO

FOR SALE Healesville 20 Baden Powell Drive

Attention Mudbrick Enthusiasts This home is a post & beam mudbrick construction & comprises spacious open plan living, 2 bedrooms each with built in robes, updated bathroom, central kitchen, gorgeous brick flooring & a cosy solid fuel wood heater.

The home is set back from the road on a large 1/3 acre block (approx.) & with views across the valley.

mailcommunity.com.au

2A 1B 2C Price Guide $600,000 $660,000 Inspect

By Appointment or OFI Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

Healesville 7 Eli Bates Court

5A 2B 6C

ANOTHER PROPERTY SOLD! This 5 bedroom family home featuring multiple living areas, a modern kitchen, generous master suite, covered alfresco area & inground solar heated pool has SOLD. If you are thinking of selling & looking for a fantastic sales result like this one, call our sales agents to discuss today!

Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

com.au

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

SOLD

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47 Emerald Lake Road, Emerald

36 Ferres Road, Emerald

145 Kirk Road, Cockatoo

2219m2 IN AN INCREDIBLE LAKESIDE LOCATION

PRIVACY, VIEWS AND CENTRAL EMERALD ON 986m2

A RARE GEM ON OVER 6000M2

6 T

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

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

GUIDE CONTACT AGENT INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Jacqui Ryder 0433 095 278 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $720,000 - $790,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

13 Glenvista Avenue, Emerald

7 Station Road, Gembrook

9 Peppermint Court, Emerald

PRIVATE STORYBOOK BEAUTY ON 2295M2

FAMILY LIVING IN A PRIME LOCATION ON 1108M2

CENTRAL, PRIVATE AND OH SO VERSATILE

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

GUIDE $860,000 - $920,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $960,000 - $1,050,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

35 Lawsons Road, Emerald

Crown Allotment 4,400 Mountain Road, Gembrook

2685 Gembrook Launching Place Road, Gembrook

CONTEMPORARY STYLED HOME ON OVER 1/3 ACRE

PERFECT PASTURES WITH PHENOMENAL VIEWS

THIS IS WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!

3 T

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $780,000 - $858,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE CONTACT AGENT INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,300,000 - $1,400,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Brittany Barry 0412 861 094 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

24 HOUR SERVICE ALL AREAS

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

12410397-ACM06-19

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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MAIL 25

OPINION

Storm anniversary On 9 June, 2021, we experienced the most significant storm event in Victoria’s history. 122 properties damaged, 72 of which were destroyed. 25,000 trees fell in a few short days.

The year since then has had an incredible amount of challenges for impacted communities – particularly those in the Dandenong Ranges, where so many people lost their homes or were displaced for significant periods of time.

When we think about recovery, as a return to how things were before, it’s important to acknowledge that there will still be people who are on Day 0. People whose houses are gone and face a labyrinth of details with insurance, planning and facing a rebuild in a time when costs are sky-high.

We also know that the mental toll of this event will have on people for years to come.

Some of this will only become clear as time goes on, and will take time to address.

What has been true from the start, and what will always be true, is that we’re here to help.

I’m proud of the fact that Council staff – many of whom live locally and were, themselves, impacted by the storm – stepped up to help community members access power, Jim Child showers, firewood, temporary accommodation and assistance in those first few weeks.

They worked with community leaders and emergency services, community hubs and groups across the hills to help coordinate a response, giving people some sense of normality during a time of extreme upheaval.

During this time we saw such incredible community spirit – the willingness to help and lend a hand. A heartening reminder of how close, connected and courteous our

residents are. When the rain stops, the wind calms and the cleanup ends, our strong community remains and that’s something I’m truly proud of.

Our focus has now shifted to recovery – unpacking and illuminating the way forward, supporting community projects and helping to create stability, positivity and resilience as we move forward.

There is, of course, a way to go.

At the time when the storms hit, we said to the community that if they needed anything, but were unsure of where to go, to give us a call and ask. That’s as true today as it was on the week of 9 June, 2021.

No matter what the years ahead bring, we’ll be here to help, to lead, to guide and, most importantly, to listen as we go down the road together.

CARTOON

Finding the right tools for life’s many jobs Focal Point

I started my last article by saying that I had noted that a feature article in a previous week’s Star-Mail had caught my attention and became a driver for what I wrote.

Again, one word in a heading in the ‘Opinion’ section last week caught my eye too – TOOLKIT. ‘Anita’ was talking about a toolkit for politics. The next day one of my former counselling clients mentioned what I had taught him about young men needing a toolkit for life.

At that time I was talking about an essential psychological and or emotional metaphorical toolkit that they could keep handy under the sink so to speak.

We all need tools to deal with disputes and emotional blowouts; some for training children, some need listening devices with which to hear the other person’s point of view. An essential tool we need is the special multidirectional ones to help turn a bad display of anger around, and for that matter, bad situations per-se.

We also need tools for helping us fit in with a working team and to help us gain confidence to lead, or for learning about how to be humble at times.

In the light of the stresses we are under with Covid, the Flue, kids really not properly settled at school, horrific atrocities overseas, and at home the prices of essentials going sky high around us.

26 MAIL

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

Graeme Dawson Covid continues to be a major concern, for as at the 16th May, 1499 people have died of, not with Covid this year alone to that date fifty on the weekend before that date.

You do the sums – what sort of tools do we need to overcome these stats/deaths?

Recently I read a short story about a secret hospital built in a cave in western Slovenia and funded by their resistance movement in WW2.

It was for the wounded allied soldiers to hide in while receiving treatment. It survived many attempts by the Nazis to find it, yet they cared for both the wounded Allies and Axis armies.

In my last article I wrote about the amazing heart, both the physical and emotional hearts created in us all.

Hearts motivated by the love of God can empower people like the Salvos to help the helpless ease their load.

As I write this, ‘Samaritan’s Purse’, led by Billy Graeme’s son Franklin, has built a ‘blowup’

fully operational hospital in behind the lines in the Ukraine.

Some of the most delicate operations are performed there while surgeons, nurses and engineers are risking their lives for others, motivated by the love of God. The whole thing has been a gift to the Ukrainian people.

Coincidentally, I recently watched a UTUBE link of Billy’s grandson (‘Will’- a family man in his forties) speaking to 1000 young people in Launceston Tasmania at the Silver Dome.

His major message was to encourage them to lay hold of the love that God has for them through His Son Jesus, to help them step out of the shadows of the dark life of fear, drugs, porn, worthlessness, much of which is causing an ever growing number to suicide. He said God can quell those fears, and the darkness is dissolved in His Light.

Two weeks ago a visiting pastor to our church spoke on fear. A fear that haunts, manipulates, imprisons and mocks us.

It depresses us and given it comes from the dark master – the evil one who can render us hopeless and paralyze us so that we may see no option but to end it.

But as Will says, and I know, God responds to our most feeble cries and comes alongside.

Many Blessings, Graeme Dawson Chaplain to Community

Marking a century PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN Reader Elizabeth, from Clematis, recently informed us that this year marks the centenary of the publication of English author Richmal Crompton’s Just William.

This book of short stories was illustrated by Thomas Henry and published in May 1922. It was followed by 37 more William books, making a total of 385 short stories over nearly five decades.

They sold over 12 million copies in the U.K. alone, and have been adapted to films, stage plays and numerous radio and television series.

Elizabeth praises Crompton (18901969) as “the J.K. Rowling of her day”.

Formerly an excellent and committed schoolteacher, Crompton switched to writing full-time after contracting poliomyelitis in 1923.

The protagonist of the William books is a mischievous and unruly 11-year-old schoolboy living in a village in Southern England. As Elizabeth describes itl: “Being helpful was William’s aim in life. Not all the recipients of his help were grateful.”

William and his friends Ginger, Henry and Douglas call themselves the Outlaws. They are occasionally joined by the lisping Violet-Elizabeth (“I’ll thcream and thcream and thcream til I’m thick”).

William’s chief rival in the village is Hubert, but Arabella also manages to disrupt the group’s adventures from time to time.

Interestingly, although the William books were published between 1922 and 1970, their characters do not age, despite each book being set in the era in which it was written. This allows readers to observe, through William’s eyes, some of the 20th century’s major events, including but not limited to the two World Wars and the Space Race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

In a similar way that the Shire in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings represents a place to be remembered in times of trial, William’s village may be seen as a microcosm of the larger world, with the boy and his mates being innocent onlookers.

Elizabeth explains: “The books are a satirical take on life in a ‘quiet’ English village, with its ostensibly ‘normal’ inhabitants and ‘ordinary’ activities. Hypocrisy and self-importance in the adult world are exposed through William’s exploits.”

It’s worth mentioning that the William books were originally created for adult readers. While Crompton was pleased by their success, she felt frustrated that her other novels and short stories didn’t receive the same recognition.

In Elizabeth’s words: “The books were not written for children; the language is sophisticated and obviously for grown-ups. When it became clear that children had discovered the books, [Crompton] didn’t change her style or write down to her younger readers. I remember, as a twelve-year-old, asking my mother what ‘ejaculated’ meant.

‘Exclaimed dear, exclaimed!’ I wondered why she seemed embarrassed.”

Those interested in meeting William can check out some of Crompton’s eAudiobooks from Eastern Regional Libraries. These are narrated by Martin Jarvis, “the wizard of the talking book” and “one of Britain’s most distinguished and versatile actors” as described by The Daily Telegraph and BBC, respectively.

Once again, THANK YOU to Elizabeth who brings to our attention a brilliant author and her books. mailcommunity.com.au

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Op Shop coordinator Lesley Conway

What is something people don’t know about you?

That I am a keen diary keeper.

How long have you been working for Anglicare and why did you join the organisation?

I’ve been with Anglicare for 23 years. I worked for one of the big four banks and that had been career of almost two decades and I was a bit sick of the corporate life. I needed a change and I actually was interested in getting into hospitality but I had no qualifications so I saw this job for administration and I applied and that was with Anglicare and then I got a whole new, different career. I studied and ended up looking after volunteers. I like the ethos of the organisation.

What do you enjoy about your role?

I really love working with volunteers because they bring diversity to any organisation and they have such a different driver and passion than paid staff. They are here for their own altruistic reason, whatever that might be. They just bring a lot of different skills, observations and ideas about how to run the shop because a lot of people have worked in retail. So we like to use their experience and their ideas.

What event, past, present, or future, would you like to witness?

The building of the pyramids Which four guests, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party?

My late Mum and Dad, Sean Connery and Billy Connolly (they’re all Scottish) Who do you admire the most?

The multi talented legend that is Clare Bowditch What is your favourite film?

The Shawshank Redemption What is your favourite book?

My favorite book would have to be a recent book, Boy Swallows Universe. There’s just something about how Trent Dalton wrote that book and it being a little bit autobiographical that I loved.

THREE … tips for new volunteers

1

Passionate cause There are many different organisations always looking for people, however, it’s best to find something that suits your passions. From cooking meals, retail bargains and even volunteer positions surrounded by animals - there’s plenty of passions to follow.

2

Schedule Volunteering shifts work predominately like a roster system with many organisations hoping to fill in demand spots. It’s best to know what your schedule is in order to provide groups with the best availability.

3

Bring friends If you’re interested in volunteering, why not bring a friend with you? Ask others if they would also join with you to help strengthen friendships, while also building new ones.

Lesley Conway is Lilydale’s Anglicare Treasure Chest Op Shop coordinator, a role she has been Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS doing for 18 years. 284976

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MAIL 27

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OPINION

Anticlimax

COMMUNITY DIARY

WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Montrose’s resident historians Ray Yates and Eddie Tichelaar will be hosting a free event on Saturday 18 June about the history of Montrose Primary School.

The two gentlemen have been gathering photographs and documents about the school’s history to share with former students or budding history buffs.

It is being held at the Montrose Town Centre Community Room from 10.15am to 11.15am.

Please register if you are planning to at-

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Want to place an ad but not sure where to start?

Planning and Environment Act 1987 YARRA RANGES PLANNING SCHEME Notice of the preparation of an amendment Amendment C197yran The Yarra Ranges Council has prepared Amendment C197yran to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.

Amendment C197yran applies to various land parcels across Yarra Ranges Council.

Amendment C197 proposes to correct zoning inaccuracies and anomalies, make corrections and alterations to the schedule and mapping to the Heritage Overlay, removes the Restructure Overlay where it is no longer required, removes redundant schedules to the Development Plan Overlay and applies the relevant Design and Development Overlay and Significant Landscape Overlay at two locations.

tend at: https://events.yourlibrary.com.au/ event?id=30162

Fly fishing introduction The Yarra Valley Fly Fishers club will be hosting a free introduction session to fly fishing for women on Sunday 26 June.

With rods and reels provided on the day, it will be a basic theory and a casting lesson, with a bit of socialising over morning tea.

It will be a full morning, running from 9am to 12pm. Those interested must register their interest via the Facebook event.

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Pathways for Carers Mount Evelyn’s Pathway for Carers walk will be taking place on Thursday 7 July.

The free walk and talk offers carers of people with a disability or mental illness an opportunity to learn more about news, services and support available to carers.

The group departs from the Mount Evelyn Community House at 50 Wray Cres, Mount Evelyn at 9.45am.

Any inquiries should be forwarded to Nicky at Mount Evelyn Community House or Amanda May at Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333.

• During office hours, at the following Yarra Ranges Council Community Links:

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• The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning website www.delwp.vic.gov.au/public-inspection.

Any person who may be affected by the amendment may make a submission to the planning authority about the amendment. Submissions must be in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make.

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Name and contact details of submitters are required for Council to consider submissions and to notify submitters of the opportunity to attend Council meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions. The closing date for submissions is 18 July 2022.

To make a submission go to www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/C197 or post your submission to Strategic Planning, Yarra Ranges Council, PO Box 105, Lilydale, Victoria 3140. Please quote Amendment C197.

The planning authority must make a copy of every submission available at its office for any person to inspect free of charge for two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses.

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FIREWOOD

You may inspect the amendment in detail, any documents that support the amendment and the explanatory report about the amendment, free of charge, from 16 June 2022 at:

mailcommunity.com.au

Lilydale Heights College, Ark has found a new home. The new venue is the hall at Mount Evelyn. Further details will be posted on this column when further news is known.

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Email diary entries to: editor@mailnewsgroup.com.au by 5pm Wednesdays

Growing up in Montrose

COMMUNITY DIARY

The Basin Theatre The ‘Lady in the Van’ by Alan Bennett in association with Highway 1 Theatre Company The ‘Lady in the Van’ tells the true story of Alan Bennett’s somewhat strained friendship with Miss Mary Shepherd, a crabby, eccentric, and somewhat smelly homeless woman Bennett befriended in the 1970s.

He allowed her to park her Bedford van in the driveway of his Camden home for three months – she ended up residing there for 15 years.

As the story opens, Bennett learns Miss Shepherd’s true identity, Margaret Fairchild and about her unfortunate past.

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Despite being an earnest tribute to the original Jurassic Park, Jurassic World: Dominion is not nearly as smart, scary or suspenseful.

With cloned dinosaurs loose across the globe, classic and new characters must join forces to avert a world-ending threat.

Dominion’s poor first act has campy yet bland henchmen and a fuzzy sense of where the main characters are going. Campbell Scott seldom conveys any menace as main antagonist Lewis Dodgson, CEO of corrupt biotechnology corporation BioSyn. Crop-eradicating genetically-engineered locusts are the plot’s main driving threat, which is a bizarre plot decision for a dinosaur thriller.

The T-Rex, the star of the entire franchise, feels neglected, and Giganotosaurus, the new dinosaur antagonist, has a cool demonic de-

sign but leaves little impact. Some of the setpieces feature the raw survival horror of the original trilogy, including a very tense scene in a swamp, but the action sequences are burdened with contrived details and misplaced humour.

Dominion’s callbacks to the original trilogy are appreciated – Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum return together for the first time since the original Jurassic Park in 1993 – but the film has too much nostalgic affection for the old guard to put them in any convincing peril.

As for the scant positives, the old and new cast have fun chemistry, B.D. Wong delivers a surprisingly poignant performance as repentant geneticist Henry Wu, and the dinosaurs are brought to life with amazing animatronics and puppetry, as opposed to the other World films’ CGI creatures.

Jurassic World: Dominion is a lukewarm conclusion to the Jurassic Park franchise, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

12492429-HC18-21

Jurassic World: Dominion Starring Chris Pratt, Sam Neill and Laura Dern Rated M 3/5

Performance updates

Professional

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

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MAIL 29

SPORT

Falcons’ competitive edge

By Mikayla van Loon With a mid-season break letting the Lilydale Football Club seniors take a rest over the long weekend, coach Luke McCormick has reflected on the season so far.

“Realistically, we’re in a better position than we thought we would be. We didn’t expect to be going so well against so many of the teams, we didn’t feel that we were going to be as competitive as we have been,” he said.

With a win-loss ratio of three to six, McCormick said many of the games the side has lost have been within the last moments of the match.

“Had we won on the weekend (4 June), we would have been exactly where we would have liked. Unfortunately, we got beaten for the second time with 10 seconds to go,” he said.

“We’ve had a number of other close games with a very close margin, which is a good thing but at the same time, we were pretty disappointed because we haven’t been able to hold on and win those games.”

Drawing on the 150 year anniversary of the club, McCormick said throughout the year past players have come back to share their experiences, something that has helped players care more about the culture and history of Lilydale Football Club to bring a level of maturity.

The eagerness to improve each week and to get better as a playing group has brought a lot of positivity to the club, particularly with a

Lilydale Football Club will take a break over Queen’s Birthday weekend before heading into round 10 against Croydon.

Picture: SUPPLIED relatively young side of an average age of 21 and 22.

At some of those critical moments, McCormick said the inexperience of some of the players may have been the difference between winning and losing.

“We’ve been in every game, we’ve actually led for a lot of those games. So it’s pretty much a young group and the mental strength needed and the discipline needed to stay in the contest for a full four quarters.

“It’s teaching the group that they don’t need

to just go and try and win the ball themselves the whole time…they’re so keen and they’ve got so much energy, they all want to win the footy.

“We’ve got a team that can win games and be very competitive so that’s a good thing to know, it’s just having the discipline to stick it out for four quarters.”

That competitive edge McCormick said will allow the team to head into the second half of the season with a little bit more confidence in their abilities and belief in each other.

“We probably have more scope to improve even further and other sides will probably be wary of that.

“The few wins we did have, have given them a lot of belief to know that we can go on and win and really these close losses we’ve had, they’ve all been realistically our fault so that can be fixed.”

Being such a close season, McCormick said the back half of the season could be anyone’s and Lilydale hopes to remain amongst the fight for a top four position come finals.

In their first round back after the break against Croydon, McCormick said having played them already and knowing Lilydale could have won in round one, the boys are extremely keen to take them on at home.

“We’re now going to the second half knowing that we’re super competitive and the other sides will know that too…but they’re playing a different Lilydale now.”

Mooroolbark gets a stellar start to their season

By Mikayla van Loon Mooroolbark Football Clubs’ senior side has had a dream run in the first half of the season, winning ten from ten and sitting on top of the ladder.

Coach Bret Lavers said the stellar start has even come as a bit of a surprise to him knowing the competition standard of the other sides in division 1. “[Winning ten games] definitely wasn’t on the radar. As a coaching group, you’re always striving to win more than you lose and we had plans to improve on the previous year, that’s what we set out to achieve,” he said.

The winning streak has created an exciting energy around the club and Lavers said it has been a good driving force for the playing group to play their best footy.

Moving into the second half of the season, that began with a special Queen’s Birthday weekend match against local rivals Montrose, Lavers said replicating what the team has been able to do already will be the focus.

Being successful on the ground starts with a good club culture, something Lavers said Mooroolbark has been working towards and ensuring recruitment matches that messaging.

“We made some good additions to our squad, the recruiting was tailor made for the positions we thought we had deficiencies in.

“The boys are quite a tight knit group and I think they’re all working together. They’ve bought into what we’re selling as coaches and it’s a really happy place to be around.”

With former AFL player Aaron Mullett on board as a playing coach, his experience has been invaluable both on and off the field.

Lavers said “when he speaks the boys listen” but there are other leaders also taking on key roles in the side, like Austin Smith, Kane Noonan and Ryley Monkhorst.

“It’s a collective across the board who are all contributing on the day, which is helping us get these victories.

“Every club’s got their star players but it’s your bottom six who probably help push you to these wins and I feel that we’re probably getting more out of them than maybe some of our opposition clubs, which has helped us 30 MAIL

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

Playing coach Aaron Mullett has been invaluable to the success of the Mustangs this season. in our first half of the year.”

Lavers knows clubs like East Ringwood, Mitcham, Croydon and Montrose will bring the challenges again in the second half of the season, with tight games already played.

“Division 1, it’s an exceptionally strong competition as it always is and I think on any given day the vast majority of sides can beat anyone…you can’t take any side lightly at the moment.”

The last time Mooroolbark played Montrose Lavers said it was an exciting and attacking game from both sides.

“It’s a local derby. We’ve only played them once in recent memory, which was earlier this year and I think that excites a lot of people when you get those derbies back.

“From a playing point of view, we’re just hoping that our boys can go out and play the brand of footy that has been successful for us in the first half of the year and they put up a good account of themselves against some quality opposition.”

Mooroolbark held steady all throughout the play on Saturday 11 June, beating Montrose 121 to 43 in their tenth straight win for the season.

Senior captain Kane Noonan, vice captain Shane Kennedy and leadership group Jayden Weichard, Aussie Smith and Ryley Monkhorst has led the playing group to nine wins for the season so far.

Pictures: MOOROOLBARK FOOTBALL CLUB mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Barkers drop to 7th

By Peter Stephenson

Montrose Football Club will be taking on division 1s top side, Mooroolbark, over the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Picture: SUPPLIED

4 wins at half way

By Mikayla van Loon The senior side at Montrose Football Club rounded out the first half of the season with an impressive win over top four competitor, Croydon, making it the team’s fourth win for the year.

Rebuilding the coaching and playing roster, senior coach Gary Ayres said the focus has been on the long term and sustained success but ideally he would have liked to have seen more wins than losses at this point of the season.

“The competition is so even that I thought we might have been at a pinch another close game there, whether it was at Beaconsfield or even the Lilydale game where we lost unfortunately on the kick after the siren,” he said.

“But having said that, looking at quarters, which I always do, we’ve now played nine games, having been able to overcome Croydon on Saturday, so we’ve probably only played what I would say are two unacceptable quarters and that happened to be against Bayswater.”

Ayres said up until round nine, the team had played 37 players, ten of whom were debutantes in the senior side, the most recent being two ruckmen, 19-year-old Ben Johnson

and 16-year-old Iliro Smit.

“It’s exciting when two young boys are given that chance and they certainly had a fairly significant contribution level, which we’re all very pleased about,” Ayres said.

Nevertheless, Ayres said he thinks the team is one game behind where he would like to be sitting and while injuries and Covid have contributed to the teams variation in players week to week, as coach he now has an understanding of who will help form the best side.

While those sitting at the top of the ladder, being Mooroolbark and East Ringwood, are in the most comfortable position, the middle section of the ladder is anybody’s game.

Losing by small margins to East Ringwood, Mooroolbark, Beaconsfield and Lilydale, Ayres said they are the most important games to get learnings out of.

“I’ve always thought that the two things that change each week are the opposition and the tactics that you use to try and exploit their strengths and weaknesses to a degree.

“We understand that there is very little between the competition because outside Mooroolbark being undefeated and East Ringwood having only lost one game, obviously to Mooroolbark, between third and ninth, you can go one game either way and a bit of per-

centage. So that’s how tight the competition really is.”

Playing in a standalone match for the Queen’s Birthday weekend against Mooroolbark, Ayres said having the home advantage and hopefully a good crowd will be a boost to Montrose coming off a previous win.

“We’ve come off what I believe is our best team win against Croydon that certainly are a top four side. So that should give us confidence as well and anything we do at Montrose now is about accepting the challenge.”

Moving forward into the back half of the season, Ayres said one of his main takeaways has been when the team gets the defensive right they have been able to convert that to scoring.

“When we actually get the defensive side of our game right, then that generally means the offense will take care of itself.”

Seeing some more experienced players come into the ranks, as well as those who are less experienced make their debuts, Aryes said it’s a good moment for the football club, adding to its 100 year history.

“There’s some exciting times going forward but we’ll only make those exciting by the fact of the matter that we just keep striving to be better.”

Freeway Reserve, Mulgrave, was the venue as the Barkers men (fifth) visited Brandon Park (ninth) in round 13 of Men’s State 2 South-East. Barkers were looking for their first points on the road this season.

Barkers started quickly, with a Sam Klepac header in the first minute, and a goal from Paul McEvoy on the quarterhour putting them 2-0 up and playing strongly. However, Brandon Park’s Dakota McAllan pulled one back with a nice finish across the keeper. Half-time: Brandon Park 1-2 Mooroolbark In the second half, Brandon Park came out playing some spirited football. On the hour, they found an equaliser through centre back Archie Lindsay, who scored his first goal for the club with a header off a corner.

The home side now took control.

With 15 minutes left, Harout Kirichian put a strong tackle in, which led to some good build up play and ended with Kirichian being played in and finishing well into the bottom left corner. Barkers threw everything at Brandon Park in the final 15 minutes but could not find an equaliser, with home keeper Cristian Morales making some remarkable saves.

Full-time: Brandon Park 3-2 Mooroolbark.

Barkers remain without a point in six away games this year, in stark contrast to their form at Esther Park, where they remain unbeaten. Barkers drop to seventh in the 12-team ladder. Next Saturday they host fourth-placed Knox City at Esther Park.

The Barkers had another loss in an away game dropping them to seventh on the Picture: ROB CAREW ladder. 242569

Barkerettes escape with a close win against Fitzroy City

By Peter Stephenson A rain-soaked Esther Park saw Barkerettes (third) take on Fitzroy City (sixth) in round 8 of Women’s State 3 East. There were two changes to the side that won 4-1 at Manningham, with Aria Dhariwal and Peta Richardson replaced

by Charlotte McCullough and Zahra Goodman, who was set to make her debut. So lots of youngsters in the home side, and both sides were in good form, so a good match was in prospect.

Fitzroy began well, and an early corner from the left led to a curling shot over the bar in a warning to Barkerettes. On four minutes, good interplay between Amy D’Ortenzio and Lisa Walsh saw the former have a shot saved, but shortly afterwards, Barkers keeper Ashleigh Fraraccio was called into action to save on her line as Fitzroy ramped up the pressure. Not for long though, as in the sixth minute D’Ortenzio setup Walsh for a shot which was saved. Clearly, Fitzroy were a different side to the one we had battered twice last season.

Barkers again had their keeper to thank on mailcommunity.com.au

nine minutes, when Fitzroy crossed from the left, but Fraraccio rushed out to beat the forward to the ball. Four minutes later, she appeared to have the ball kicked out of her hands as she made a diving save, but the Barkers’ goal remained intact. Alas not for long as on 21 minutes, Jessica Marks gave Fitzroy the lead.

A recurring theme recently has been that Barkerettes go a goal down and then wake up.

So it proved again. Six minutes after conceding, Walsh hit a shot into the Esther Crescent front gardens as Barkers warmed to their task.

Just on the half hour, Barkers won a corner on the right. As usual, this was well-delivered by Kirsten Murray into the centre, then a shot was blocked, but the ball ran to Jordyn Clausen at the far post, and she scored from close range to make it 1-1 – game on.

You got the feeling that once Barkers had a goal they would take control. Three minutes later, Murray hit a long ball from the right, which Walsh had to retrieve, but she hit the ball in low for D’Ortenzio to score from close range to make it 2-1 Barkers. Last week she

became the first player in club history to score 200 goals and wasted no time embarking on her third century.

Two minutes before the interval, Barkers broke quickly when Charlotte McCullough found D’Ortenzio, who set Walsh up for a shot which the Fitzroy keeper saved with her feet.

Half-time Mooroolbark 2-1 Fitzroy City in a stirring contest.

Barkers continued in the ascendancy as the second half began. Nine minutes in, Anjali Lobo almost lobbed the keeper, who just managed to keep the ball out. Barkers then went to sleep at the back. Fitzroy forced them into errors and once more it was Fraraccio to the rescue. Just before the hour Fitzroy hit Barkers on the counterattack and shot wide from close range. Then on 61 minutes a Fitzroy corner wasn’t cleared, but the shot went high and wide.

Barkers needed another goal to feel just a bit more secure. With 16 minutes to go, they attacked right through the middle of the park, with Phoenix Vinh passing to Gracie Touliatos, who put an incisive ball through to Walsh. She

timed her run perfectly and was onside as she outpaced her opponents before slipping the ball beyond the keeper into the far corner for 3-1.

Game over? No - this is Barkers and we like to make it interesting. With only five minutes left, Barkers failed repeatedly to clear their lines, and the ball ran to Melanie Dean, who scored from point-blank range to make it 3-2.

It was kitchen sink time for Fitzroy, and they broke through again at the last minute.

The forward put the ball past Fraraccio, but it hit the post in a massive let-off for Barkers.

Maybe we were fortunate in the end to win, but swings and roundabouts – we didn’t get our just desserts at Malvern.

Well it was interesting tonight to watch some of the newer members of the side. Hannah Lee worked her socks off, and Vinh lacks neither confidence nor ability. There were others too, giving cause for optimism for the future. Barkerettes move to second, pending Clifton hill’s result. The biggest task of the season looms next week – away to runaway league leaders Banyule City.

Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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Tuesday, 14 June, 2022

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