Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 1st November 2022

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Funding pledges from local candidates

Labor releases its first budget

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

Mail Local mum nominated as Vic ‘local hero’

Belgrave RSL honours younger veterans

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A Star News Group Publication

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Owner of vegetarian restaurant Nevedya, Shakti Iwer (right) decided to close her business for the week while volunteers and staff, including Yanni Varigos (left) helped with the flood clean up.

Picture: TYLER WRIGHT

Locals took to social media to share flooding of Station Street and McNicol Road junction in Tecoma.

Picture: FACEBOOK

Flooding mayhem

By Tyler Wright

Main Street’s Tin Pan Alley Foodsmith owner Mark Filgate said the “torrent” of water washed through stores back door, causing around $30,000 worth of lost stock, produce and damaged appliances.

“It just got to a point where we just couldn’t stop it,” Mr Filgate said.

Take away orders were refunded and staff and customers were sent home as outdoor table settings were overturned and plants were washed away.

“We stock up on a Tuesday, so we’ve got a whole week’s worth of stock here, [and] we need to work out what will last and what won’t last,” Mr Filgate said.

While this flash flooding incident is the worst Mr Filgate has seen, it is not the only

one he has experienced in his time trading in Upwey, with another flooding event hitting his business and others’ in December 2016.

He said there needs to be a levee installed in the council-owned carpark to prevent incidents like these occurring again.

“It’s frustrating because in businesses what we’ve been through in the last couple of years - and then getting momentum back...

“The best time of year for us is November, December, and now we’re in a position where we have to wait and and see until we get the place clean again, and then [see] whether we get replacement equipment in time as well.”

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The Dandenong Ranges wasn’t spared from the flash flooding on Tuesday 25 October throughout the eastern suburbs, with the border of Upwey and Tecoma reportedly experiencing almost 94.6 millimetres of rain.

A gauge off Glenfern Road is also believed to have received 133 millimetres of rain, with locals taking to social media to share the footage of motorists driving past a flooded McNicol Road in Tecoma.

Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen said crews received 34 calls for assistance in Upwey and Tecoma, with flooring, carpets and property damaged due to the flash flooding.

“The Ferny Creek creek which runs in be-

hind Upwey, Tecoma and Belgrave rose very quickly and inundated properties and houses” Mr Owen said.

“Speaking to one homeowner, they didn’t even have time to move their cars, so they had all three cars that had water in the floor pan…

“They didn’t have time to move the cars out of a ticket to a higher spot. It was just so fast and rapid.”

Emerald SES crews also attended a landslip at Upwey High School, causing the closure of a footpath and blocking an entryway for school buses.

Upwey Businesses also lost tens of thousands of dollars in the aftermath with flooding coming into properties.

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NEWS

Busy week for pledging

By Parker McKenzie With less than four weeks to the November 26 state election, candidates in the Bayswater and Monbulk electorates were busy making funding pledges, election commitments and announcing their nominations.

In Monbulk, Liberal candidate Gareth Ward and Labor candidate Daniela De Martino each announced several funding commitments for local emergency services, sporting clubs and community groups.

Mr Ward announced $2 million for Monbulk CFA if the Liberal and Nationals parties form government, $100,000, $140,000 and $60,000 for the revitalization of the Gembrook main Street, Ferntree Gully Village and Cockatoo Main Street shops respectively and $40,000 for the Lantern Festival in Belgrave across four years.

“The station has been advocating for funding since 2018, to finally get the station upgraded,” Mr Ward said.

“A need which has become even more pressing since the arrival of their new tanker, which as you can see barely fits in the existing facilities.”

Labor Party candidate Daniela De Martino announced a $2 million upgrade for Wally Tew Reserve and $3 million in funding for St John the Baptist Primary School in Ferntree Gully if the Labor Party is re-elected.

“I was thrilled to be joined by Jackson Taylor MP to announce that a re-elected Andrews Labor Government will deliver $2 million for a pavilion upgrade at Wally Tew Reserve,” Ms De Martino said.

“This money will help Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and Ferntree Gully Eagles Football and Nbetall Club and juniors and community groups that use Wally Tew to grow and thrive.”

She also committed to $50,000 for Cockatoo Country Market, $60,000 for the Philanthropic

Liberal Candidate for Monbulk Gareth Ward with members of Monbulk CFA. Picture: FACEBOOK

Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor and Labor candidate for Monbulk Daniela De Martino outside Knox Infolink.

Picture: SUPPLIED Collective and $50,000 for the 3MDR radio station in a boost for local community groups.

Bayswater Labor MP Jackson Taylor made a host of election commitments throughout the week.

Topping the list, was a $100,000 grant for Knox Infolink, a Boronia-based not-for-profit providing community meals, information and

advocacy for disadvantaged locals. “the tireless volunteers at Knox Infolink have had the backs of everyone in Knox for more than 30 years,” Mr Taylor said.

“We’re backing them in with $100,000 to do what they do best.”

He also announced a re-elected Labor Government will invest $490,000 to deliver a new

dog park and upgrade the existing playground at Wantirna Reserve and supply $50,000 in funding to fit out the pavilion at Fairpark Reserve in Ferntree Gully and $10,000 for Templeton Tennis Club in Wantirna.

The Liberal Party announced a two-year $300 million pilot program for free lunches in schools if the coalition is elected. The program would be rolled out to selected state primary schools in the second half of 2023, with the aim of it being available in all state schools by 2026.

Shadow Minister for Education and Croydon MP David Hodgett said the educational benefits of providing healthy lunches would be a boost to students.

“The research in providing healthy lunches clearly demonstrates improved outcomes in learning, concentration, participation in class, academic performance and attendance at school,” he said.

Artist Nadia Sirninger Rankin will run for the Greens in Bayswater and Michael Ormsby will be their candidate for Monbulk. Both have been contacted for comment.

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

Cold case appeal Homicide Squad detectives from Victoria Police are continuing to appeal for information in relation to the 1984 death of teenager Mandy Lee Yodgee, whose body was found in Sassafras.

On Sunday 29 April 1984, the 17-year-old left her Windsor home and travelled by taxi to the South Yarra arms Hotel on Toorak Road, wearing her favourite pink suede boots, a pink cardigan, blue jeans and was carrying a tan handbag with a foxtail charm attached.

Mandy indicated to a family friend she would spend the night at her boyfriend’s flat.

She arrived at the South Yarra Arms Hotel at around 5.30pm, with witnesses telling police she socialized and drank with a man who was not her boyfriend before leaving the hotel with him an hour later.

The two visited the Windsor Castle Hotel at around 6.45pm and a pizza restaurant around 11pm before heading to a unit in Prahan where they ate pizza and continued drinking until the early hours of the morning.

Police said when questioned by investigators, the man said Mandy left the unit alone after 1.30am, intending to call a taxi as he was unable to drive her home because he was intoxicated.

Investigators know Mandy didn’t attend her boyfriend’s flat and there is nothing to verify Mandy ever left the unit.

On Wednesday 2 May 1984, Mandy was re-

ported missing after she didn’t attend work or home for three days, having missed her 18th birthday.

Several witnesses came forward and provided information to investigators, including two independent sightings of Mandy on both 2 and 3 May. On Tuesday 8 May 1984, her body was found discovered off the side of Mountain Highway, Sassafras in the Dandenong Ranges.

Mandy was found fully clothed and face down, however, her pink suede boots had been removed, with investigators believing they may have been removed and thrown from the highway down the embankment.

Detectives strongly believe that Mandy was murdered and there may be people in the community who know what happened to her and who was responsible.

Police are asking anybody with information or who may have witnessed Mandy’s movements between 29 April and 8 May 1984 to come forward, particularly in the South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor and Dandenong Ranges areas.

The man Mandy was last seen with on the night of 29 April 1984 remains a strong person of interest.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report via the Crime Stoppers Victoria website.

900 homes in Monbulk were believed to be impacted by wild winds overnight from Sunday 30 October to Monday 31 October, with Ausnet reporting around 13,200 homes were without power on Monday morning.

Brigades attend building fire in Sassafras CFA crews responded to reports of an electrical fire on Driffield Crescent in Sassafras at around 6.27pm on Tuesday 25 October.

Seven CFA units from Bayswater, Sassafras and Olinda fire brigades attended the scene.

The fire impacted the wall and roof of a structure.

The scene was deemed under control at around 7.20pm, with crews declaring the incident safe at around 7.37pm.

Victoria Police, SES and building surveyors were also on the scene.

Boronia man dies after alleged robbery

Detectives strongly believe that Mandy was murdered and there may be people in the community who know what happened to her and who was responsible.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Cliff rescue a reminder to explore safely

By Callum Ludwig An arduous cliff rescue in Wesburn has provided a timely reminder to remain cautious when sightseeing in the Upper Yarra and Yarra Ranges.

It took over four hours for the man who fell down the old quarry in Wesburn to be safely rescued. Fourth Lieutenant at Wandin Fire Brigade Phillip Smith was called out to the incident as a member of their steep-angle ropes team and said their understanding is that a young man was taking photographs of the sunset before he fell.

“He sustained some head and hip injuries which meant he couldn’t get himself out of there. SES went out to assist and it wasn’t suitable for what they could do, so they called us and the Monbulk CFA who have limited members trained in rope rescue but it was beyond us too,” he said.

“Fire Rescue Victoria in Dandenong is trained in high-angle rope rescue and they were paged at the same time as us and we all worked together well to get the young man back down to the road.”

A stop was put to the incident at 2.05am.

Mr Smith said the primary goal in rope rescue incidents is to prevent further injury in getting the patient to medical care.

“The way we set up our rope systems is we have to find anchors to set up from and

Power outages after winds

A Boronia man has died when the vehicle he was driving collided with another car after an alleged attempted robbery in Wonga Park on Wednesday 26 October.

Police alleged two men entered a shop on Yarra Road armed with a weapon around 3pm, before fleeing empty-handed in a blue Ford Falcon.

Police said a short time later, the vehicle allegedly collided with a white Nissan Patrol on Homestead Road.

The driver of the Nissan was taken to hospital with minor injuries, while the driver of the 22-year-old driver of the Falcon died at the scene.

His passenger, a 25-year-old South Yarra man, was taken to hospital and interviewed by detectives before being charged with attempted armed robbery, handling stolen goods, drug possession and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Cardinia art grants available

Crews on the ground kept a keen eye on the ongoing rescue. they need to be suitable so we can trust them that they’re not going to fail and, and cause not only us injury but more injury to the patient,” he said.

“That was the limiting factor for us on that job is in the old quarry there, there was basically nothing that we had to anchor off of, and that’s where FRV came in with their additional training to be able to establish complex anchors.”

Anchors are commonly established on nearby trees or vehicles, but with more complex scenarios like the quarry rescue, these may not be available and alternatives are required. Mr Smith said aspiring explorers should avoid going out on their own and if they are, make sure someone knows where they’re going and when they when can expect you back.

Picture: SUPPLIED

“We’ve got lots of places like this, the disused quarries, Mt Donna Bunag or the Britannia Creek caves. When the weather gets better people tend to go out and explore these places and sometimes they get themselves into trouble, we end up everywhere from the Cathedral Ranges to Woods Point,” he said.

“Not every CFA does this, Wandin and Monbulk are two of only half a dozen in the state who do. We really want the community to know our brigade members are willing to go above and beyond. Everyone at the incident communicated and worked really well and everyone from multiple agencies played their part really well.”

Ambulance Victoria confirmed the male in his teens was taken to Maroondah Hospital in a stable condition with an upper-body injury.

Cardinia Shire Council is encouraging artists and arts groups to apply for the Cardinia Arts Small Change Grants program for 2022.

The Cardinia Arts Small Change Grants provide financial assistance to artists and arts groups, for initiatives that utilise, expand, and promote the arts within Cardinia Shire.

Grants of up to $1,000 will be provided to local arts projects.

Applications open Monday 17 October at 9am and close on Sunday 13 November at 11.59pm.

Guidelines and application forms are available on Council’s website at www.cardinia.vic. gov.au/arts For more information, contact Council’s Arts team on 1300 787 624 or email arts@cardinia.vic.gov.au

Monbulk Road landslip Monbulk Road is closed between Belgrave and Kallista due to a landslip, with Monbulk CFA stating it may be closed until Thursday 3 November.

The Department of Transport urging motorists to consider alternative routes including Mount Dandenong Tourist Road and to allow plenty of extra time.

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Federal budget released

By Parker McKenzie The federal Labor Party has released its first budget, with deficit repair, investment in a resilient and modern economy and responsible economic management at the forefront.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Australians know there are “hard days to come and hard decisions to accompany them” as the country confronts the prospect of a third global downturn in a decade and a half.

“This time not a financial crisis or a pandemic, but a war driving high prices and higher interest rates here and around the world, and the risk of another global recession,” he said.

“This time demands a different response, one that puts a premium on what’s responsible, affordable, and sustainable. That’s why this budget pays for what’s important, strengthens our buffers against adversity, and begins to build a better future.”

The budget delivered a host of election promises from the Labor Party, including subsidized child care with $4.7 billion over four years, $531.6 million over four years for expanding paid parental leave and $787.1 million over four years to reduce co-payment for pharmaceutical scripts from $42.50 to $30 per script.

Mr Chalmers said the inflation is expected to peak at 7.75 per cent later this year before moderating over time to 3.5 per cent through 2023-24.

“Wages are growing faster now than they were before the election, but that welcome news is tempered by rising electricity prices and grocery bills eating into pay packets,” he said.

“When that inflation moderates, real wages are expected to start growing again in 2024.”

He said the federal government would make it easier for parents to earn more with

Treasurer Jim Chalmers handed down the Labor government’s first budget on October 25.

Picture: AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT HOUSE cheaper child care, train more people for higher wage work, invest in industries that create secure and well-paid jobs and fix “the broken bargaining agreement,” to combat the fact real wages are lower today than they were 10 years ago. $3 billion has been provisioned as a response to recent floods according to the treasurer, which will fund Disaster Relief Australia to deploy more than 5,000 volunteers for future natural disasters and $200 million a year in disaster prevention and resilience.

Mr Chalmers said the budget does more to “confront Australia’s housing problem.”

“Rents are through the roof, and many families are struggling to keep up. Supply hasn’t kept up with demand, which means too many struggle to live close to where they work,” he said.

“Too many are stuck on waiting lists for social housing and for too many, the great Australian dream of homeownership seems completely out of reach.”

He said the Housing Australia Future Fund would build 30,000 new social and affordable

homes in its first five years and the National Housing Facility would support an additional 5,500 new homes, the Help to By Scheme would allow up to 40,000 Australians to own their homes with a lower deposit and a smaller mortgage and the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee would support another 10,000 new homeowners each year.

Mr Chalmers said the budget will invest $6.1 billion more into hospitals, medicare, Covid-19 support and expanding access to health care and more than $2.5 billion into putting nurses back into nursing homes and to respond to recommendations of the aged care royal commission.

“We choose dignity for Australians with disability. This budget begins the task of repairing the NDIS and securing its future,” he said.

“Investing $1.2 billion in practical measures to Close the Gap for First Nations people and communities, and to begin preparations for a referendum on a Voice to Parliament.”

Other initiatives in the budget included the establishment of a $20 billion fund for energy transmission, $800 million invested in cutting taxes on electric cars, building a national electric vehicle charging network and hydrogen refuelling stations, providing solar battery storage for up to 100,000 homes and ensuring renters and apartment owners can benefit from cheaper energy.

Aside from $120 billion earmarked for transport infrastructure over the next 10 years, the budget also included funding for increased access to fibre internet connection for 1.5 million homes and businesses, more funding and staff to resolve visa application backlogs to fill labour shortages and $1.8 billion for environmental and heritage protection, including an extra $204 million to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.

Mr Chalmers predicted an improved deficit

forecast of $28.5 billion through spending reductions.

“The deficit for 2022-23 is now forecast to be $36.9 billion, an improvement of $41.1 billion,” he said.

“But while the temporary revenue boosts we’re getting from higher employment and higher commodity prices will fade and fall, the profound and permanent spending pressures on the budget are forecast to grow and grow.”

Casey MP Aaron Violi said measures by the federal government to combat the rising cost of living “doesn’t address the immediate concerns that I’m hearing from residents.”

“The reality is that residents of Casey need help now and petrol prices are about to go up again,” he said.

“We’re about to say prices continue to increase and there are no answers from this government on how they’re going to help the residents of Casey with the challenges they’re facing right now.”

A program introduced by the previous Coalition government and used by 12 wine businesses in the Yarra Valley, where businesses could be reimbursed up to $100,000 through 29 per cent rebate of the notional wholesale selling price on their domestic cellar door sales, looks set to continue.

Mr Violi said while there is more detail to still be released, it was a positive the federal grants for cellar doors program is set to continue.

“I had businesses and wineries within Casey reach out to me very concerned that it was going to be discontinued and it wasn’t available on the website,” he said.

“It will continue because we know that it delivers economic benefits to not just those direct businesses, but the wider tourism and agriculture and economy in Casey as well.”

Local and representatives dismayed at little for Knox Local and state government representatives have expressed their frustration with the lack of funding for major infrastructure projects in Knox, with the mayor of Knox City Council labelling the state of the roads “a disgrace.”

Funding for two major road upgrades — for Napoleon Road and the duplication of Wellington Road — has been axed, alongside $6 million in funding pledged by the previous Liberal government for the planning of a trackless tram route between Caulfield Station and Rowville.

Knox City Council Mayor Susan Laukens said in a statement the decision was a massive blow for Knox and surrounding communities of Melbourne’s greater southeast.

“Knox residents face heavy traffic commuting to work and study. The lack of public transport is causing congestion on freeways and major roads as locals are forced to use

their cars,” she said.

“The state of major roads in Knox is a disgrace. Daily our residents are reporting costly damage to their cars from hitting potholes.”

Knox City Council has advocated for the extension of the Rout 75 tram to connect with the rail line at Upper Ferntree Gully and Bayswater.

Ferntree Gully MP and Liberal candidate for Bayswater Nick Wakeling said the Victorian state government should be doing more to fight for the funding.

“Labor should have provided that money because the community was waiting for it to be delivered,” he said.

“They want to punish projects that have been funded by the former federal government but this doesn’t punish political parties, it punishes residents.”

In late 2020, the state government undertook consultation on behalf of the federal

government regarding the extension of Dorset Road and the upgrade to Napoleon Road.

Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor said he is proud to be a strong voice in the Andrews Labor Government for transport projects in Knox.

“Locals in Bayswater have made it clear to me that we need to continue to deliver infrastructure investments for the East: we’ve removed two level crossings in Bayswater, delivered funding to fix the Alchester Village and McMahons Road intersections, making them safer for locals, and if we’re re-elected we’ll deliver a $60 million upgrade to Boronia Station,” he said.

“Only Labor is building the North-East Link, massively overhauling the Eastern Freeway and delivering the Suburban Rail Loop and Airport Rail.”

Aston MP Alan Tudge, who was a cabinet member in the previous government, was contacted for comment.

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Funding for two major road upgrades — for Napoleon Road and the duplication of Wellington Road — has been axed, alongside $6 million in funding pledged by the previous Liberal government for the planning of a trackless tram route between Caulfield Station and Rowville.

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Budget targets housing

By Callum Ludwig Social and affordable housing has received a major boost in the new Federal Labor government’s first budget.

The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, the introduction of the new Housing Accord, the development of a National Housing and Homelessness Plan and the establishment of a National Housing Supply and Affordability Council are all set to be major investments in addressing Australia’s housing market.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the budget does more to “confront Australia’s housing problem.”

“Rents are through the roof, and many families are struggling to keep up. Supply hasn’t kept up with demand, which means too many struggle to live close to where they work,” he said.

“Too many are stuck on waiting lists for social housing and for too many, the great Australian dream of homeownership seems completely out of reach.”

The Housing Australia Future Fund will aim to provide a sustainable funding source to increase housing supply and improve service delivery, with investments from state and territory governments and private capital providers.

The fund should provide 20,000 new social housing dwellings, 4,000 of which will be allocated to women and children impacted by family and domestic violence and older women at risk of homelessness.

It will also provide 10,000 new affordable housing dwellings, including for frontline workers.

Industry superannuation fund HESTA CEO Debby Blakey said access to affordable housing near where they worked was critical for HESTA members’ long-term financial security and well-being.

“Access to housing is vitally important for our members and the health and community sector that deals with so many of the social issues that flow on from a lack of appropriate, secure housing,” she said.

“We know a lack of affordable housing is a drag on workforce productivity across the economy. A lack of secure housing also compounds the effects by negatively impacting health outcomes and reducing the ability of women and children to leave situations of family violence.”

The Government is also expanding the remit of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to more flexibly deploy up to $575 million in unallocated funding to help unlock a projected 5,500 new social and affordable dwellings.

The Housing Accord will bring together the states and territories, the Australian Local Government Association, investors and representatives from the construction sector together with an aspirational target of one million new, well-located homes over 5 years from mid-2024 as capacity constraints are expected to ease.

Community Housing Industry Associa-

Project cut

By Tyler Wright

The new Federal budget has taken steps to make social and affordable housing more available for Australians.

Picture: ON FILE tion chief executive Wendy Hayhurst said the policy was the most important social and affordable housing announcement in more than a decade.

“Australian housing is in crisis and requires a bold, robust response. This initiative is a huge stride forward,” she said.

“The Commonwealth is not only investing a substantial sum, it is also spurring the states and institutional investors to get involved while helping coordinate the effort. This gives community housing providers confidence and certainty and will enable the expansion of the sector to meet the housing needs of lower income Australians.” $350 million will be provided by the government under the Accord over 5 years, with ongoing availability payments over the longer term, to deliver an additional 10,000 affordable dwellings. States and territories will also support up to an additional 10,000 affordable homes, increasing the dwellings that can be delivered under the Accord to 20,000.

The National Housing and Homelessness Plan will involve close consultation with the states and territories that will underpin the development of the Plan and set out key reforms needed to make it easier to buy a home or rent and to put a roof over the heads of more homeless Australians.

National campaign for real housing solutions Everybody’s Home spokesperson Kate Colvin welcomed the package.

“Homelessness is increasing and Australian families with full-time breadwinners are living in tents right now. People being able to afford to live near where they want to work is crucial for the economy and society more broadly,” she said.

“This shapes as the breakthrough Australians need to break the vicious cycle of soaring rents, high inflation and unaffordable housing.” $46.2 million to the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme, the delivery Help to Buy shared equity scheme and Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee and introduction of incentives for pensioners to downsize have all also been announced to address the housing market and help Australians find homes.

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There are concerns federal Labor’s decision to scrap the duplication of Wellington Road in the 2022-23 budget delivered on Tuesday 25 October could be a potentially “deadly” decision for motorists. Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen said there “wouldn’t be a week go past” where crews would not see an incident at the arteriol’s Berwick Road intersection.

“The high density of traffic with the population that’s increasing within the Cardinia Shire area filtering through from Wellington road, It’s not equipped to deal with it now,” Mr Owen said.

Mr Owen said Emerald SES crews have also been called out to incidents on Cardinia Creek Road which joins Wellington Road, when people try and overtake slow vehicles to reach the straight stretch of road.

“That’s when incidents can happen - without the duplication and being that better traffic flow with overtaking lanes,” Mr Owen said.

“You’ve only got to go to the road from 3.30pm in the afternoon…it banks back from pretty much Stud Road all the way to [the] Belgrave-Hallam roundabout with traffic…so it’s not fit for purpose.

Without the $110 million upgrades for the duplication of Wellington Road, between Napoleon Road and Berwick Road announced by the Liberal government in 2019, Mr Owen said there could be “loss of life and injuries” without such upgrades. La Trobe MP Jason Wood, who lobbied for improvements to the road and committed $10 million in funding for the arteriole in 2007, said the major issue with having one lane between Napoleon Road and Berwick road is fire danger.

“In 2019 we had the Bunyip fires...if the wind had gone the other direction, and gone west rather than east, it would have gone right through Cockatoo, Gembrook and Emerald,” Mr Wood said.

“That was my main reason [for going] to

There are concerns that scrapping plans to duplicate Wellington Road, between Napoleon Road and Berwick Road could have potentially “deadly” consequences. Pictured is Wellington Road’s single lane heading towards Emerald.

305401

the PM at the time, Scott Morrison, and others going ‘this just has to be funded, we just cannot have one lane out on Wellington road, the major arterial up there and also be used for those living in the Dandenong Ranges; Belgrave South and [other areas].”

And despite Labor’s candidate for La Trobe at the time, Simon Curtis, in 2019 promising funding towards improving Wellington Road, this promise has been “broken” in the federal budget, Mr Wood said.

“It’s not just such a broken [promise], It’s a potentially deadly broken promise, which could see lives lost in the event of a bushfire,” he said.

In a statement to the Star Mail, a spokesperson for the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said the costs of the $110 million pledged by the previous government to fully fund the Wellington Road duplication were “vastly underdone”.

“The total cost to deliver the project is estimated to be at least $630 million,” the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government spokesperson said.

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Downpour devastation

By Tyler Wright The Dandenong Ranges wasn’t spared from the flash flooding on Tuesday 25 October throughout the eastern suburbs, including Lilydale, with the border of Upwey and Tecoma reportedly experiencing almost 94.6 millimetres of rain.

A gauge off Glenfern Road is also believed to have received 133 millimetres of rain, with locals taking to social media to share the footage of motorists driving past a flooded McNicol Road in Tecoma.

It is also understood some residents have experienced significant damage to homes and property, with those affected reaching out to their insurance providers for information.

Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen said crews received 34 calls for assistance in Upwey and Tecoma, with flooring, carpets and property damaged due to the flash flooding.

“The Ferny Creek creek which runs in behind Upwey, Tecoma and Belgrave rose very quickly and inundated properties and houses” Mr Owen said.

“Speaking to one homeowner, they didn’t even have time to move their cars, so they had all three cars that had water in the floor pan…

“They didn’t have time to move the cars out of a ticket to a higher spot. It was just so fast and rapid.”

Emerald SES crews also attended a landslip at Upwey High School, causing the closure of a footpath and blocking an entryway for school buses.

Mr Owen said there are concerns future landslips caused by saturated earth may cause traffic hazards and structure damage.

“The forecast over the long weekend (Monday, Tuesday) is not going to be great, so there’s going to be a heightened concern in that space again,” Mr Owen said.

Greater Dandenong and Nillumbik units also attended to assists Emerald SES crews for what Mr Owen called a one-in-four year flash flooding occurrence.

“Generally, we think that we’re okay being in the hills, but when this water comes down so quick, and these little creeks and streams just can’t deal with it, it can overflow into properties,” he said.

With more flash flooding over the Christmas period, Mr Owen is reminding people to avoid any moving water on roads and stay well away from hazardous materials.

In a social media post, Yarra Ranges Council said on Wednesday 26 October several landslips impacting roads and access to properties had been reported, including in Kaola Street, Belgrave Centre Road, Upwey, Marchant Avenue, Upwey, Sandells Road, Tecoma and Blackwood Street, Upwey.

“We’re working through a significant number of calls for assistance due to flash flooding, drainage issues and road closures after heavy rainfall yesterday saw 65mm of rain landing in Lilydale at a rate as high as 120mm per hour,” the post read.

“If you have to travel it’s recommended that you check the latest emergency advice at www. emergency.vic.gov.au and the latest road conditions/closures at https://traffic.vicroads.vic. gov.au/ before you leave.

“Fallen trees, overflowing drains and safety issues on roads can be reported to Council on 1300 368 333.”

Locals took to social media to share flooding of Station Street and McNicol Road junction in Tecoma.

Picture: FACEBOOK

Emerald SES crews received 34 calls for assistance after flash flooding hit Upwey and Tecoma on the evening of Tuesday 25 October.

Pictures: EMERALD SES

A home in Upwey was severely damaged.

Flooding damage bill into the thousands for Upwey

By Tyler Wright Businesses in Upwey are facing the loss of tens of thousands of dollars in the aftermath of a damaging flash flooding event on the evening of Tuesday 25 October.

Main Street’s Tin Pan Alley Foodsmith owner Mark Filgate said the “torrent” of water washed through stores back door, causing around $30,000 worth of lost stock, produce and damaged appliances.

“It just got to a point where we just couldn’t stop it,” Mr Filgate said.

Take away orders were refunded and staff and customers were sent home as outdoor table settings were overturned and plants were washed away.

“We stock up on a Tuesday, so we’ve got a whole week’s worth of stock here, [and] we need to work out what will last and what won’t last,” Mr Filgate said.

“We’ll just have to see whether we can package them up and give them away... they’re not contaminated, they’re in the cool room, but the stuff that was ready for service is not usable.”

While this flash flooding incident is the worst Mr Filgate has seen, it is not the only one he has experienced in his time trading in Upwey, with another flooding event hitting his business and others’ in December 2016.

He said there needs to be a levee installed in the council-owned carpark to prevent incidents like these occurring again.

“It’s frustrating because in businesses what we’ve been through in the last couple of years - and then getting momentum back...

“The best time of year for us is November, December, and now we’re in a position where we have to wait and and see until we get the place clean again, and then [see] whether we get replacement equipment in time as well.”

Shakti Iwer, who owns vegetarian restaurant Nevedya with her husband Daniel, said it is apparent council infrastructure is “inadequate” when hit with a flash flooding event of this magnitude.

“In the four and a half years we’ve been here we’ve had some heavy rains, but we have always been fine with that,” Ms Iver said.

“But it would appear that what they’ve done is inadequate for these storms when they happen, and that there’s 6 MAIL

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Owner of vegetarian restaurant Nevedya, Shakti Iwer (right) decided to close her business for the week while volunteers and staff, including Yanni Varigos (left) helped with the flood clean up.

Mark Filgate, owner of Tin Pan Alley Foodsmiths on Upwey’s Main Street, was waiting on a cleaning crew to assess the damage to kitchen appliances after the flash flooding event on Tuesday 25 October.

Pictures: TYLER WRIGHT

Tin Pan Alley’s outdoor dining area was upended after the flash flooding event.

an infrastructure issue.”

Nevedya’s outdoor seating and live music area was partly uprooted on Tuesday, losing a fridge, freezer and music speaker equipment worth around $7,000.

Thankfully, business protection insurance has eased the brunt of the financial strain, but the “shock” of the event has still hit Ms Iver, as her restaurant closed until the end of the week through the cleanup.

“One of our staff rallied everybody up to come and help, which is just beautiful…a huge amount of support,” she said.

Tecoma resident Mardi Taylor has also felt the support from her local community, with mostly strangers offering a helping hand after heavy rain filled her drains with mud and gravel and left her downstairs carpet soaked.

“I live with my, my son and my two dogs, and we couldn’t get out because we had the water flowing down from the court behind us and the whole other side of the house was completely underwater, so it was really scary,” Ms Taylor said.

Ms Taylor said her insurer is expected to

(IFD) standards, when you get very heavy rainfall like we have had, it can overwhelm our drainage system.

“The recent flooding events have been exacerbated by circumstances on the ground – a saturated landscape that was unable to absorb much more water after an extremely wet October, and dams across Victoria being close to full.”

According to Mr Millard, impact assessments throughout the municipality are underway and are likely to continue for the next month.

“Currently, the nature and size of this flash flood event make it difficult to understand what, if any, impacts on floodwater levels would have been influenced by maintenance works, which are generally undertaken to manage low-flow events and provide drainage relief for minor storm events, but we will be awaiting the outcome of these investigations and reports to inform future drainage maintenance programs and stormwater systems upgrades,” he said.

visit her home on Tuesday 1 November to assess the extent of the damage.

“You just don’t know where to start... you almost hope [the insurance company] will be like ‘these are the steps, this is what we can do, this is what we can’t do.’”

Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Environment and Infrastructure, Bill Millard, said as of Friday 28 October, the council’s economic development team has had over 250 callouts, inspected seven landslides, had 27 businesses impacted by flood waters and recieved seven calls for relief or support.

Mr Millard said he understands a levee might be one option for businesses on Main Street Upwey within broader drainage improvements, but the area will require a ‘more detailed engineering assessment”.

“Unfortunately, we are experiencing wetter than normal conditions and heavier rainfall than we’ve seen before, which is causing further problems for council assets and private property owners,” Mr Millard said.

“While our drainage systems are designed according to Intensity-Frequency-Duration

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NEWS

Slips affect homes, roads

By Tyler Wright With fallen trees and landslips causing damage to properties and roads in the Dandenong Ranges after the flash flooding event on Tuesday 25 October and rain in the days after, some are looking to emergency accommodation for safety.

Selby ‘Ricky’ Yu Sun Lee was “shocked” to see a whole chunk of dirt “crumble” in front of his eyes while working in his study at around 6.00pm on Thursday 27 October, resulting in a landslip about two metres from his property.

“It felt like a sinkhole because it’s so huge...I ran back in, I call my daughter and my wife that we need to evacuate now, we have to go... that sort of sinkhole or that landslide appeared in a matter of seconds,” Ricky said.

SES crews were called and cornered off the area, while also offering to call Yarra Ranges Council to organise temporary accommodation for the family.

While crews were watching the landslip, Ricky and his family rushed inside to pack clothes and essentials for the night.

“We have wife’s car, my car and my son’s car, and we drove off,” Ricky said.

“Prior to that, while we were packing, the council called us and said they will arrange temporary accommodation, so [in Thursday 27 October] we put up at a hotel in Dandenong; two rooms for four of us, and we’re still trying to figure out what’s next now.”

Before moving into the Selby home four months ago, Ricky said he was prepared with bushfire insurance, but did not expect flooding.

“It is absolutely scary,” he said.

“I’ve mananged to find websites, Victorian emergency support, [and] they said they will provide guidance, they will hold your hand through this whole traumatic experience and help you out.”

A landslip on ‘Ricky’ Yu Sun Lee’s Selby property.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the record of 40 to 50 millimetres of rain within half an hour on the evening of Tuesday 25 October at Lilydale was something the council has never experienced.

“We’ve reached complete saturation... the Olinda Creek, the Lillydale Lake, which is the retaining basin which protects Lilydale from flooding events, has been full for some time now... and it overflows into the Olinda Creek... and it ultimately goes into the Yarra, and the

Picture: SUPPLIED Yarra is in a similar situation as well,” Jim said.

“For that period of time the water couldn’t get away, and the drainage system is not designed for those types of large events.”

Jim added that Yarra Ranges Council put out more than 8000 emails to residents and businesses on Wednesday 26 October and encourages those who need help to reach out for a referral to bodies like the Insurance Council of Australia.

“We had to put some families in emergency

Take the

accommodation because of flood inundation and there was some road closures... so the team had to act fairly quickly,” Jim said.

“Most of the people that work for us that are engaged in those departments actually live in the region as well, so yes they’ve got a commitment to their employment and doing their job, but they’ve also got to think about ‘gee, what’s going on at home.?’

“We’re out there doing that assessment stage now”

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Call 03 9133 8788 or visit aveo.com.au/firststep *Prices provided are the listed property prices and are current as at 28 October 2022. The entry payment & any other amounts payable if you move in depend on any available contract option you select. You will have to pay a departure fee when you leave this village. Services and facilities are current as at 28 October 2022.

Furnishings are for illustrative purposes only and are not included in the home.

12573732-HC44-22

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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COUNCIL NEWS

Research centre aproved

By Parker McKenzie Knox City Council has approved a permit for the construction of a research and development centre for microbiological testing and associated manufacturing at 5 William Street, Ferntree Gully at a council meeting on Monday 24 October.

Cr Meagan Baker, who moved the motion, said after reading the correspondence, receiving briefings from council officers and visiting the site and surrounding streets, she supports the approval of the research and development centre.

“The proposal is consistent with the purpose of the industrial one zone by providing a specialist industrial use within an established industrial zone, which does not affect the safety and immediate local communities,” she said.

“The proposal provides an opportunity for new investment focus on advanced manufacturing, offers a diversity of employment, promotes technology within Knox and also increases local school development.”

The application received three objections before being referred to Knox City Council’s health officer, waste officer, building officer and Environment Protection Authority Victoria, who raised no concerns.

Mayor Susan Laukens spoke to the motion as it was within Friberg Ward and said she supports the motion.

“That is something that will bring obviously some economic development and some employment to our area which is what we actually are seeking,” she said.

The motion was passed unanimously before two questions regarding the development were put to the council during public question time.

A nearby resident of the development said they were “displayed by the report and outline

The proposed site of the centre in 2019. the following concerns.”

“If a permit is issued as proposed, there will be no control over what substances may be bought into produced or handled by the facility in the future,” the resident said.

“If the lessor lessee were to change their intended use, or occupancy was taken up by an alternative tenant, what would limit their use to ensure it pose no risk to the surrounding area?”

Knox City Director of City Livability Matt Kelleher said the EPA referral response showed that the proposal is consistent with the planning scheme and appropriate for the site.

Picture: GOOGLE MAPS “I understand the inference in your question that the proposal would be less offensive to you or would provide greater certainty if any permit was tied to the current perspective lease,” he said.

“I advise is such an outcome is not considered legal or appropriate and therefore has not formed part of the council decision and consideration.

“I would draw your attention to your rights to appeal any Council decision on this matter at VCAT.” A second question from the same resident asked if the council “truly cares about the wellbeing and safety of our family,” because the

referral to the EPA didn’t identify the family home directly neighbouring the proposed facility.

Director Kelleher said he would have expected the EPA’s response would have considered land uses surrounding the site when accessing the proposal.

“In addition, EPA recommendations indicate that before the use or development commences the permit holder must ensure any obligations or duties that arise under the Environment Protection Act 2017 are met,” he said.

“Given the EPA’s assessment that the use is considered to be at low risk and the EPA is satisfied that the application can be supported.”

Cardinia Calls For...

Cardinia Shire Council is calling for better outcomes for our community.

We’re calling for all levels of government to help our community thrive.

We’re passionate about projects that are wanted and needed and together we want to see them come to life.

Our priorities include: • Better public transport • Better access to jobs • Better sport and recreation • Better outdoor spaces

• Better mental health services • Better, safer roads • Better community places and services • Better protection for our environment

For more information on Council’s advocacy priorities, please visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/advocacy 12568434-JC42-22

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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NEWS

Mum nominated as hero

By Tyler Wright Sassafras resident and founder of popular local group Mums of the Hills (MoThs) Belinda Young was “completely floored” when she realised she was announced as a contender for the title of Victoria Local Hero as part of the 2023 Australian of the Year awards.

“My first reaction was to crawl under rock...

It was a huge honour,” Ms Young said.

“Then I started thinking about the opportunities that this would bring to highlight those issues we have up here, and how it could have a really positive impact on our areas.”

Mums of the Hills began in 2015, with one of its key missions to connect and empower women to help them face the common challenges that come with living in the Dandenong Ranges; including isolation and natural disasters.

Now with around 5,000 members, MoThs has helped facilitate practical support after natural disasters and lockdowns in recent years, making a directory of all the local food and retail businesses operating in the area, and where people could access psychological support and siloed information from authorities after the June 2021 storm event.

“When you didn’t have any power and you’ve got limited battery life on your phone and limited access to Wi-Fi or 4G, then it’s a bit of a luxury to be able to have a seat and search,” Ms Young said.

“Making sure that all of those are consolidated and together just to make it easier for people to find the information they need quickly informed, and they can make the right decisions for themselves...is something I’ve been involved in,” Ms Young said.

In 2020, Ms Young also organised a public event for residents to discuss disaster insurance through a Vic Health reimagning health grant, after the death of a Tecoma man due to fallen trees in a storm that swept through Belgrave.

“I searched and searched to try and find and an expert in this field to make sure that our locals could come and learn about it... we encouraged them to bring their policies with them, so they could check their insurance policies to see where they were vulnerable and what they could do, where they could go to, to make sure that they were fully covered,” Ms Young said.

Bushfire prepardness has also been a priority of Ms Young’s, having completed a master’s thesis in community response to a bushfire in 2014 and hoping to hold a bushfire preparedness session in coming months

Sassafras local Belinda Young is a contender for the title of Victoria Local Hero as part of the 2023 Australian of the Year awards. 305437 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS for families with pets.

“Often one of the inhibitors of people leaving [their home] is because of their pets... they don’t know where to take them or how it will respond to being in an area [of] high stress that possibly has a lot of other animals in it,” she said.

Ms Young said she is also working with Cire services to create a “chill out space” for residents on extreme or very high bushfire risk days, providing a cool space off the mountain for people to stay.

“Up here on the hill, if you’ve got to get off the mountain and you’ve got no family, there are very few places to go besides the supermarket or shopping centre to keep cool....so people often are reluctant to leave unless they absolutely have to,” she said.

“Encouraging people to - If they say they’ve got to get off the mountain - to actually go through with it, and not wait and see.”

Ms Young is also lobbying for the NBN to be classified as an essential service, after lockdowns and storm events highlighted the financial strain of families paying for data to work and learn form home.

“A lot of us, including myself, were without NBN for 71 days....we were paying $50 every two days, because we had my husband and my two kids all trying to work from home, and paying $200 to $250 a week on data for 71 days,” she said.

“People were foregoing their telehealth services because they couldn’t afford the data.” “[It’s] an expense that families can’t afford, so with that being an essential service, it would help our most vulnerable...that being our single mums, our elderly and those living with a disability.”

The Victoria nominees in the Victoria Australian of the Year, Victoria Senior Australian of the Year, Victoria Young Australian of the Year

and Victoria Local Hero categories are among 130 people being recognised across all states and territories.

The four award recipients from Victoria will be announced on the evening of Tuesday 8 November 2022 in a ceremony at Victoria Government House in Melbourne, which will also be available to watch via ABC iView from 6pm.

They will then join the other state and territory recipients as national finalists for the national awards announcement on 25 January 2023 in Canberra.

National Australia Day Council CEO Karlie Brand congratulated the nominees on their recognition.

“The 2023 Victorian nominees are a diverse group of achievers and community contributors,” Ms Brand said.

“Their endeavours remind us of the power we all have to make a difference.”

Belgrave South Primary opens interactive play space

By Parker McKenzie Students at Belgrave South Primary School now have access to interactive learning opportunities after the opening of a new cubby house-based play space.

The play space, built by Castle and Cubby, is designed to look like local shops and emergency service buildings after they came together to help fund the project.

Belgrave South Primary School Principal Stuart Boyle said one of the greatest assets the school has is the connection it shares with the local community.

“It wasn’t a very difficult thing to arrange that level of sponsorship at all, the other business owners basically were delighted to have been asked because of how much support they already provide to our school,” he said.

“It was just a way I think of recognising and reflecting them in the play spaces as well.”

Some of the sponsors for the play space include Belgrave South CFA, the local IGA, florists and cafes.

Castle and Cubbie founder Jonathan Stones said it was fantastic to see the kids already enjoying the cubby houses.

“We come from a background of education in my family as well,” he said.

“We know the outcomes that we’re lookmailcommunity.com.au

Students also have access to props to further the interactive learning opportunities.

Belgrave South Students, Principal Stuart Boyle and Cubby and Castle founder Jonathan Stones at the new interactive playspace.

Pictures: PARKER MCKENZIE ing to achieve, but to see the kids playing them is always a joy.”

Two more of the cubbies will be installed in 2023.

Mr Boyle said the cubbies will serve as learning tools, giving students the ability to

“engage in imaginative play, communicative play and learn cooperation.”

“They’ve had to use those skills of socialization sharing and turn-taking, so it’s actually really brought a lot of that out as well as incidental learning as well,” he said.

Local businesses helped fund the play space through sponsorship.

“It’s made friendship groups grow, morph, change and extend based on the play itself, as opposed to the friendship group driving what the paper-based activity would be.”

Belgrave South Primary School is located at 175 Colby Drive, Belgrave South.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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NEWS

RSL honours young vets

By Parker McKenzie Vaughan Atherton and Mikhail Chizhik served in the armed forces at distinctly different times, but both saw a need for greater representation of younger veterans within RSLs. There were displays, memorials and exhibits showcasing soldiers of previous generations — honouring the veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam — but there was little to be found when it came to recent conflicts like East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Michael was looking to move to Western Australia and he wanted to find a place to donate some exhibits he had put together,” Mr Atherton said.

“We talked about how museums were focusing a lot more on the older stuff and how there’s no representation for young veterans and the people who are still serving now.”

Those talks kicked off a three-year project “that never sleeps,” with four display cases featuring mannequins outfitted in authentic combat gear at Upwey Belgrave RSL ahead of Remembrance Day on 11 November.

Mr Chizhik said it hasn’t been an easy path to securing the equipment needed to bring the displays to life after they started to acquire it from private sellers.

“We came to the conclusion that it would be difficult to source all these individual bits of equipment just off the internet, especially with the rarity and scarcity of the items, with some we now house having an aspect of security and restriction,” he said.

“We put in enormous amounts of man hours writing huge emails to all these Defence affiliated companies, asking if they have the equipment they’d be willing to contribute or donate to us.”

Straight away, a company donated a helmet, followed by others donating ballistic armour, carriers and communication equipment. With the support of Defence affiliated businesses SpearPoint, Point Trading, Eylex and Hellweg, their equipment list continued to grow.

Federal and state government grants helped fund the acquisition of equipment, which helped the project’s momentum keep “growing and growing,” according to Mr Chizhik.

“We went higher up to the point where the Minister of Defense has come on board at a federal level to donate equipment we’ve been seeking for three years,” he said.

“We’ve received tremendous support and that’s why our exhibits are what they are.”

The pair has navigated not only the struggles of finding the items, but also legal and legislative challenges as well.

“We’ve got an exemption in place from an earlier piece of work from about eight years ago that gave RSL Victoria exemptions to possess some of these items,” Mr Atherton said.

“A bit of the background to our success was a legislative change that I managed to do because when we are talking about things like ballistic helmets, they’re restricted by law in Victoria.”

The displays are a realistic depiction of the equipment used by Australian soldiers in recent conflicts.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Vaughan Atherton with the display cases at Upwey-Belgrave RSL. In Victoria, control of body armour carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, however, an exemption in the Control of Weapons Act 1990 from June 2014 allows RSL branches to display body armour.

The exemption hasn’t made the search any easier, with one piece from Mr Chizhik’s own service in East Timor eluding them.

“We are definitely missing a set of body armour that was issued to me during my service that we’ve had a hard time getting because there are probably only three of them in the country,” he said.

“About 1000 sets were made and when Defence started pulling them they just buried and burnt everything. We did locate one, and

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE

we tried our hardest to get it but unfortunately, we couldn’t get it.” Another challenge is displaying the replica weapons carried by the display soldiers and ensuring they are authentic.

“There are lots of issues around it, firstly you’d have to make sure you comply with RSL Victoria’s firearms license,” Mr Atherton said.

“We can have an imitation firearm, that’s what is in the cabinets, but we can’t have gel blasters.”

Throughout the displays, Mr Atherton and Mr Chizhik believe around 5 per cent of the equipment was donated to them, while the other 95 per cent has been sourced by the pair using their own finances and money from grants.

Mr Chizhik said it is important to represent the younger veterans who served by displaying the correct tools, equipment and weaponry they used.

“For our men and women of the Australian Defence Force, there is certain equipment that they had to use to defend themselves and to protect others,” he said.

“We have to educate the public about the tools that our men and women used overseas, whether it is the ballistic helmets, the body armour or specific weapons that we used.”

The four display cases will be ready for Remembrance Day and can be viewed in the museum at Upwey-Belgrave RSL, located at 1 Mast Gully Road Upwey, in what was the “culmination of nearly three years’ worth of work together on opposite ends of the country,” according to Mr Chizhik.

“It’s been a mammoth task to bring all of this together over three years, it’ll be incredible to get it out there,” he said.

“Drawing those younger veterans into the RSL community, getting that awareness that we are here to help and allowing people that space to come in and reflect on their service.”

Mr Atherton, who is now a police officer, served from 1984 to 1993 as an engineer in both full-time service and the reserves, while Mr Chizhik joined the Royal Australian Infantry Crops in 2008, where he was injured during a deployment in East Timor. After numerous surgical procedures and time in the Ordnance Corps and as an Acting Company Quarter Master Sergeant, he was medically separated from the Army in 2018.

Mr Atherton said Australia is a patriotic country and the soldiers who have served in recent wars deserve to be honoured.

“I’ve said to Mikhail quite often that when you go to an airshow and the planes fly over, there’ll be maybe one or two kids who look up and say wow, I’m going to do that one day,” he said.

“I’m fortunate to have the keys to the cabinet and I can let the kids try on a helmet. Just maybe, we’re paving the way for the next generation of warriors.”

An important fire drill, even if the rain was pouring A misty, wet night in the hills might not seem ideal for learning about bushfire burnover drills, but that didn’t stop around 60 firefighters from the Dandenong Ranges, Knox and Forest Fire Management Victoria heading to Sassafras last Wednesday.

Every CFA firefighter must undertake at least one burnover drill annually. It’s a procedure designed to save lives should a vehicle they are in become trapped and overrun by fire.

For Upper Ferntree Gully Captain Peter Smith and his fellow firefighter Mark Goodchild, this is just what happened at the Nixons Road fire in Belgrave South in 2009. While the truck was destroyed, they walked away to tell the tale, helped by safety features on modern CFA tankers, including heatshield curtains and external sprinklers.

The pair were on hand to relate their experience and share the lessons learned this week with firefighters from the SassafrasFerny Creek, Kallista-The Patch, Kalorama10 MAIL

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA Captain Peter Smith.

Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Rowville, Upper Ferntree Gully and Boronia brigades.

With different trucks across the region and various protection systems, the session was also an opportunity to check out safety procedures across the range.

Sassafras-Ferny Creek Captain Jeff Harbourd said he was delighted by the turnout.

“We all need to revisit this drill constantly because you never know when it might be needed,” he said.

Checking out the Forest Fire Management Victoria 14.5 tonne Unimog.

Pictures: SUPPLIED mailcommunity.com.au

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Get feet ready for spring After a wet winter we’re looking forward to getting back outdoors and enjoying time on our feet however, for many of us it hasn’t been smooth sailing returning to outdoor activities.

Here’s Tanya Contis and Laura Ward, two podiatrists working in Emerald and Monbulk with more on the issue.

“Keeping your feet happy is so important.

When mine aren’t happy I’m not able to do my boot camp class or walk the dogs as far,” podiatrist Tanya Contis from PridePlus Health said.

“We’ve found that plenty of locals up here in the Hills are struggling with sore feet now they’re moving about again,” Laura Ward said.

And it’s no surprise to hear that unhappy feet mean more trips to the local podiatrists at PridePlus Health in Emerald and Monbulk.

“We’re swamped with sore feet right now, we have a waiting list for appointments that extends into December,” Tanya said.

“Sore heels, sore arches, sore corns too. All because we’ve been disrupted with our activities over the winter.”

The team at PridePlus Health have been busy helping as many people as they can get their happy feet back.

“When your feet are happy you walk more, your stress levels improve and just feel better about yourself,” Tanya said.

“We’re hoping to continue to fulfil our purpose, to improve the lives of those we touch and help people feel better”.

The podiatrists have put together a list of six things you can do to find your happy feet and be ready for more outdoor activities this spring.

The first sounds simple but can make a huge difference.

“You wouldn’t believe how much of an impact improving your foot care routine at home will help you feel better when you’re out and about in your heels or thongs,” Laura said.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Podiatrists at Pride Plus Health Laura Ward. 226408 Wash your feet: Use a soap free wash and actively wash in and around your toes.

Dry between your toes: Mum was right, get a towel in between your toes after every wash.

Moisturise: If your feet are dry you’re risking pain and infection. Use an appropriate (nonsorbolene) moisturiser on your heels and feet.

Take care of your toenails: Too short and you

risk ingrowns (ouch). Too long and you risk scratching your legs and putting holes in your socks.

Wear the right shoes for the right activities: Replace them too. If your shoes have wearing tread it’s probably past time to get a new pair.

You can usually recycle or upcycle shoes at most quality shoe shops too.

Listen to foot pain: Sore feet is your body telling you to act. Do something different. If you know what to do like change shoes, change your activities then do it. If you’re not sure, pop in to your podiatrist.

We’ll be following the advice of the podiatrists above to ensure our feet are happy over the spring.

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toenails and plantar fasciitis limping around Emerald and Monbulk right now.

So while you're waiting and we're opening up more and more podiatry sessions we wanted to help you at home.

We have 19 pages of shoe recommendations that you can read to find your new best (comfortable) pair of shoes.

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12573087-SN44-22

12573089-MS44-22

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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MAIL 11

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Young artists on show

By Parker McKenzie For many artists, seeing their work exhibited for the first time is a rewarding and exhilarating experience.

Young artists taking part in MAPart’s afterschool art program had the opportunity to show off their work at the Blacksmith in Belgrave, when the exhibition opened on Wednesday 27 October.

MapART founder Monika Poray said the artists’ program is designed to help students reach their fullest potential.

“For students that really want to learn more, we take it to their next level,” she said.

“They learn lots of skills, we look at lots of artists for inspiration and influence and we try to encourage the students to develop like selfevaluation skills as well.”

The artwork of both primary and secondary school children is being exhibited, with the youngest being five years old and the oldest 17. Ms Poray tutors the students alongside Tony Midson.

17-year-old Ben Guerrini said he has two pieces of art he created in different styles hanging on the walls of the Blacksmith.

“I’ve learned to try a bunch of new things I would never have done If I hadn’t come here,” he said.

“I’ve had a wonderful time and learned lots throughout this whole process and the exhibition is just the cherry on top.”

MAPart is a small business that runs art workshops, portfolio development for VCE students and tutoring to schools and the local community.

Artist Tamaryn Kimber said one of her pieces being exhibited was inspired by Egyptian mythology.

“I turned it into my own thing with the chaos and lightning behind it,” she said.

“MAPart is a good place to learn more, there’s always a lot to do and I’ve even made some friendships.”

The Untitled exhibition is running until 22 November, at 1700 Burwood Highway, Belgrave.

To find out more about MAPart, visit mapart.com.au

Tutors Monika Poroy and Tony Midson with a selection of the work being exhibited.

Pictures: PARKER MCKENZIE

Ben Guerrini said he has learned plenty at MAPart, but being able to exhibit his work was the cherry on top.

Tamaryn Kimber said her art was inspired by Egyptian mythology.

Raising the curtain on the history of The 1812 theatre

By Parker McKenzie It was a commonly held belief that The 1812 Theatre was founded in 1945. An important historical project has set the record straight, however, discovering the original theatre was founded seven years earlier than previously thought.

Behind the Curtain: The Story of The 1812 Theatre is a deep-dive into the history of the Upper Ferntree Gully theatre, from its origins seven years earlier than first thought, a fire that forced the company to move and the people — both on and off the stage — who have made it what it is today.

1812 Theatre committee member Chris Procter said the inspiration for the book came from his mother, who along with his father was involved in the theatre, asking if anybody had written the history of the place down.

“Obviously there’s a lot about the plays in there and we use the plays as a device for talking about what goes on behind the curtain,” he said.

“We went to the Knox Historical Society because this is a historical piece of information.”

Author of Behind the Curtain and Knox Historical Society member Ray Peace said there was a lot of information to be collected from various sources, not all of which still lived in Victoria.

“The theatre was very cooperative, Chris said to me at the start, make a list of everything you need,” Mr Peace said.

“What you want, you get and if you need to go somewhere you fly and I did. That was brilliant and it worked well.”

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

Chris Procter and Ray Peace outside the 1812 Theatre.

Most of the theatre’s records, like the list of stage plays hanging in its hallways, only date back to 1945, leading many people —includ-

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

ing Mr Procter — to believe that to be the date of the creation of the theatre.

“We rented all the premises up until we

came here, after a big fire at a theatre that was at the old shire hall. That building still exists today, but the theatre moved in the aftermath,” he said.

“A lot of history got burned down that night, not many photographs survived, only the ones John and Pauline had in their house or were in newspapers at the time.”

John and Pauline Lowe had been members of the theatre since the 1950s and proved to be invaluable sources of information for Mr Peace as he researched.

The Lowe’s were also members when on the morning of 2 June 1972, in the middle of the theatre season, the Lysterfield Progress Hall — home to the theatre at the time — caught fire.

Mr Procter said the book highlights the work of volunteers who have kept the theatre running for nearly 85 years.

“That’s really what this place is about, a whole community group of people who’ve kept this thing going,” he said.

“Today we’ve had 10 guys in here building sets, Graham’s coming through cleaning the place, all these things that you don’t think about when you come to the theatre.”

The theatre takes its name from the year of the Battle of Waterloo because its previous home was located on the corner of Wellington and Napoleon Roads, named after the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon Bonaparte, who led the English and French armies respectively during the battle.

Behind the Curtain: The Story of The 1812 Theatre is now available for purchase from The 1812 Theatre. mailcommunity.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Call out for local voices

By Tyler Wright Hills residents are being encouraged to share their stories of the history Selby Community House and surrounding areas in a new podcast being produced by Emerald-based musician Riley Jordan.

Jordan will interview residents whose lives were impacted by the community house in a three-episode podcast series called the ‘Selby Community House History Project,’ prompted by her experience producing her own gardening podcast in the late ‘00s and her own connection to Selby Community House.

Preparing to start recording in her home studio over the next month, Jordan is looking to find out how Selby Community House has helped people, how it has connected them to the community and what the community centre has taught locals since its opening in 1975.

“It’s not a big imposing studio, so people need not be afraid,” Jordan said.

“But it’s really important to me to get at least some stories in people’s own voices from the Hills who were here, and I think that would give it that flavour, that authenticity that it craves.”

While she is still in the research phase of the podcast project which is set to be available for download next year, Jordan said the first episode will discuss how Selby Community House came to be.

“The community house had a history of being involved with the LET system in the ‘90s, which was a local employment training system... so there’s room for all kinds of things there, and at the moment I’m just collecting information, I’m doing my research,” Jordan said.

The podcast will be launched alongside a documentary made up of extended inter-

Jordan is looking for community members to share their experiences with Selby Community House, interviewing locals in her home studio.

Podcaster Riley Jordan (left) with Judy Wolff, Selby Community House secretary who is conducting Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS research for a documentary on the history of the house. 304333 views with Selby Community House founding member Jocelyn Aytan among others, to be launched in a public a multimedia exhibition around February next year.

Documentary researcher Judy Wolff, who sourced three local filmmakers for the project, said the era prior to the opening of Selby Community House was a time of “enormous

national and global change,” with Vietnam War moratoriums, women’s liberation and the environmental movement.

Wolff said a group of men and women came together to build what was an “almost derelict shack” into a service used by young mothers and the elderly, with TAFE colleges using the building as a source of study.

“As as the younger adults got more established, they made strong connections with the elderly people there and they wrote up memoirs, and they had cross-age tutoring [where] the elderly people would teach their hobbies to the children...that became a great source of pride that the young and the old were mixing very well,” Wolff said.

Family daycare was introduced into Selby Community House, helping it grow into a “vibrant centre for culture, childcare, learning, environmental and social action,” Wolff said.

“Local people from a very isolated community banded together and did an amazing thing as both activi sts and community builders,” she said.

“It took on a huge loss of its own and vibrancy of so much energy in the ‘70s and ‘80s.”

If you would like to share your experiences with Selby Community House and have your voice on the ‘Selby Community House History Project’ podcast , you can fill out a contact form on the selbyhouse.org.au website.

Need local staff?

Then give us the job...

Star Mail

Need local staff?

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

12544966-DL15-22

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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MAIL 13

NEWS

Festive Kalorama

Emerald Rotary’s kid fun run

By Tyler Wright

By Parker McKenzie

Kerry, Virginia, Rachael, Christine and Paige promoting the Kalorama Communuty Fun Day. 304278 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Get striding for stroke this November Stroke Foundation’s annual physical activity fundraiser Stride4Stroke kicks off on Tuesday 1 November and Victorians are being encouraged to get moving any way they can.

It is estimated more than 7,000 Victorians will have a stroke for the first time this year despite 80 percent of strokes being preventable. Nationally, more than three million Australians are physically inactive, putting them at greater risk of stroke and other chronic disease.

The month-long campaign accommodates people of all ages and abilities and can be completed by either individuals or teams.

Participants set their own activity and fundraising goals, completing the challenge within the month of November.

The focus in 2022 is on increasing ‘moving minutes’ which is an accessible and achievable goal for everyone whether they are walking, running, cycling, doing online fitness classes or setting a movement goal.

Stroke Foundation Executive Director Marketing John De Rango applauded the Victorians who have already signed up to take part in Stride4Stroke this year.

“It is amazing to see so many people using Stride4Stroke as an opportunity to focus on their health and to get moving during the month of November,” Mr De Rango said.

“We know that globally, one million strokes a year are linked to physical inactivity, this means too many lives are being impacted by stroke unnecessarily. When a stroke strikes, it attacks up to 1.9 million brain cells per minute and can change lives in an instant.

If you suspect someone is having a stroke,

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Publish

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Tuesda

Beau, Shannon Nelson, Brooke Parsons and Dan Maitland are getting ready to Stride4Stroke.

Picture: STROKE FOUNDATION think F.A.S.T. and ask these questions:

· F stands for Face – Check their face. Has their mouth drooped? · A stands for Arms – Can they lift both arms? · S stands for Speech – Is their speech slurred?

Do they understand you? · And T stands for Time – Time is critical. If you see any of these signs, call triple 000 straight away.

Mr De Rango said every dollar raised from the national event will go towards fighting

stroke and supporting survivors and their families.

“Every dollar raised will have such a huge impact and leave a lasting legacy. It will help us prevent stroke in Victoria, fund research and support survivors and their families through their recovery journey,” he said.

“It’s not too late to sign up and take part.

You can still sign up to be involved, make a positive impact in your community and reduce your own stroke risk.”

Visit www.stride4stroke.org.au to register.

Have you ever considered if your child can beat a steam train in a race? You can find out the answer when the Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy Railway returns on Sunday 4 December.

Children aged 3 to 12 can register for the event, which raises funds for the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre and has been held annually since 2002.

President of the Rotary Club of Emerald and District Shalini Penny said even this about raising money for a good cause and assisting the community.

“It’s a very worthy cause, that’s why we get sponsors to the event who agree with that,” she said.

“We generate more funds for the event and more funds to go to the hospital.”

The Fun Run has raised over $670,000 for children’s charities like the Starlight Foundation, Monash Health, End Polio Program, the William Angliss Hospital and the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre since it was first held in 2002.

Local businesses supporting the event include Puffing Billy Railway, The Wholesome Food Company, Thats Right Bookkeeping, Emerald Mitre 10, Emerald Barry Plant, Ferntree Gully Nissan, Toot Tooty Toys and Bicycle Superstore.

Ms Penny said it takes all the club members working together to be able to host an event like the Fun Run. “We like to do every year that we like to pull the community together, it does take a lot,” she said.

“There’s a lot of organisation with other community groups.”

In 2021, the Kids Fun Run with Thomas, where Puffing Billy was given a makeover to look like Thomas the Tank Engine, won Community Event of the Year in January 2021 at the Cardinia Shire Australia Day Awards.

Ms Penny said being able to hold the Fun Run is “absolutely fantastic.”

“That’s what we do, that’s what we love doing,” she said.

“Being able to help the community and being able to pull together as a club and the community, it really makes us feel proud.”

Entry to the Fun Run is $25 per child, with train rides $5, with every entrant receiving a certificate and a show bag. The event will also have a community market, live music performances and family entertainment.

For more information or to register, visit kidsfunrunwithpuffingbilly.org.au.

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

Mail

AVONSLEIGH Avonsleigh News & General Store 445 Belgrave Gembrook Road BELGRAVE Belgrave Newsagency 1704 Burwood Highway BELGRAVE Woolworths Supermarket 1629 Burwood Highway

EMERALD Bell Real Estate 313 Main Street FERNTREE GULLY Upper Ferntree Gully Newsagents, 1202 Burwood Highway FERNTREE GULLY Glenfern Road Milk Bar , 83 Glenfern Road

MONBULK Monbulk Newsagency & Officesmart 76 Main Street OLINDA Monbulk Bowling Club, 11 Moores Road OLINDA Olinda Cellars Shop 7/540 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

BELGRAVE IGA 151 Belgrave-Hallam Road BELGRAVE Chandler & Co Real Estate 1689 Burwood Hwy

FERNTREE GULLY Coles Supermarket Mountain Gate SC Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Woolworths Supermarket Mountain Gate SC

OLINDA Ranges at Olinda 5 Old Main Road OLINDA IGA Supermarket 1526 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

BELGRAVE First National Real Estate 1 Bayview Road BELGRAVE SOUTH Belgrave South Motors 138 Belgrave-Hallam Rd BORONIA Boronia Mall Newsagent Corner Floriston Road & Chandler Road

Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Mountain Gate Newsagency & Lotto Mountain Gate SC 9b Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Ferntree Gully Authorized Newsagency Shp 2/69 Station Street

OLINDA Bell Real Estate 11 Main Road SASSAFRAS Sassafras General Store 391 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road SILVAN Shell Princi Motors, 275 - 277 Monbulk Road

COCKATOO Ranges First National Shop 2, 24 McBride Street COCKATOO IGA Cockatoo 34 McBride Street

TECOMA BP Service Station 1524 Burwood Highway TECOMA Bon Ton General Store 1537 Burwood Highway

EMERALD Kaye Charles RE 12a Kilvington Drive EMERALD Ritchies SUPA IGA 342 Belgrave-Gembrook Road EMERALD Emerald Village Newsagency 4 Kilvington Drive

FERNTREE GULLY Shell Service Station 1140 Burwood Highway FERNY CREEK Ferny Creek & Post Office 195 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road GEMBROOK Gembrook Post Office& Newsagent 72 Main Street GEMBROOK IGA Supermarket 83/85 Main Street

EMERALD Woolworths Supermarket Belgrave Gembrook Road EMERALD Auto Plus More Petrol Station 365 Main Street

KALORAMA Post Office 1209 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road MONBULK Best Repairs & Accessories Monbulk - 26 Main Road

TREMONT Caltex Service Station 100 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road UPWEY Newsagent 18 Main Street

EMERALD Shell Service Station 336 Main Street EMERALD Barry Plant Real Estate 1/ 321 Main Street

MONBULK Food Express 128 Main Road MONBULK Woolworths Supermarket Main Road & Moores Road

UPWEY IGA Supermarket 62-64 Main Street UPWEY Yarra Ranges Shire Council 40 Main Street

TECOMA O’Brien Real Estate 1567 Burwood Highway TECOMA McDonald’s Restaurant 1529 Burwood Highway THE PATCH The Patch Store and Post office 16 The Patch Road

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

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The Kalorama Collective and the Kalorama Mount Dandenong CFA fire brigade will be holding a community fun day on Sunday 6 November for residents of all ages and abilities to reconnect with their community.

You can bring your own picnic to Kalorama Oval from 12pm to 4pm and join other locals in a soccer match, hose rolling competition or even a tug of war as part of the Kalorama Community Fun Day. Some hot food will also be available.

Kalorama Collective treasurer Paige Kelsall said the Kalorama Mount Dandenong fire brigade wanted to participate in the event to spread awareness of their community fire guard group; a fire plan shared between neighbours which is activated in an emergency.

“They want to resurrect the community fire guard groups...so they can speak to people in Kalorama and Mount Dandenong about starting up these groups again, which is also good because it gets people talking to each other and knowing their neighbours,” Paige said.

Paige is hoping at least 200 people get involved in the Kalorama Community Fun Day. Kalorama Oval is located at 1196 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Kalorama.

mailcommunity.com.au

‘GWINAERFEL’ ON ONE ACRE HIDDEN from view and nestled amongst colourful established gardens, this beautifully presented character home offers the very best in stylish country living.

Displaying exceptional quality, the home features hardwood timber floors, open plan living, new carpets and huge windows that provide garden views from every window.

The living area allows for relaxed entertaining, family time in front of the fire and enjoying the ‘goings on’ as you whip up a culinary masterpiece in the kitchen.

Granite benches, loads of cupboards, Smeg 900mm cooker, dishwasher and butler’s pantry all ensure that time spent here is pleasurable, easy and organised.

The covered outdoor entertainment area leads out from this section of the home and will be a popular place for alfresco dining, a barbeque with friends and family and special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, Grand Final day etc.

Set up with speakers, fan and Ziptrack blinds, whatever the weather, every moment here will be a delight.

There are 4 bedrooms and a study. All have built in robes, the master with full ensuite and box bay window with storage.

The designer family bathroom has a huge shower, hip bath and marble vanity. Ducted gas heating and split system heating and cooling ensures year round comfort and USB points in the kitchen and Ethernet connection to the house make life that much easier.

Outdoors there are established veggie patches, a variety of citrus fruits, berry patches, glass house, double carport and a 3 bay American barn with power, concrete floor and mezzanine level.

Situated just a short walk to our gorgeous Emerald Lake Park and a variety of walking trails, you can achieve the healthy lifestyle you crave and make the most of the Discovery Centre, water sports and cafes while taking in the beauty that surrounds.

A short drive will have you in the centre of town. This is a property that will delight you.

– Best access via Majestic Drive. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 23 Bellbird Crescent, EMERALD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 5 garage Price: $1,100,000 - $1,200,000 Contact: Gayle Barrot, 0408 195 767, BARRY PLANT, EMERALD

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

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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MAIL 15

HOME FOCUS

SOPHISTICATION, STYLE AND VIEWS THIS architecturally designed home is positioned to enjoy the beautiful and uninterrupted mountain views just a few minutes stroll to the heart of Healesville.

The modern design is welcoming, spacious and will excite with the impressive features that this home has to offer. Polished floorboards, travertine tiles in all wet areas and marble benchtops in kitchen, bathroom, ensuite and powder room.

On the upper level you will find 3 of the 4 bedrooms, the ensuite, main bathroom, a well-appointed kitchen, dining room and the main living area which leads to the outdoor entertainment space with a mains gas connection for the BBQ. Here is where you can sit back and be mesmerised by the stunning outlook while watching the changing weather float by over the hills yet at the same time experience the privacy that it offers.

Make your way downstairs via the internal stairway to the 4th bedroom, a spacious laundry and powder room along with access to the double remote-controlled garage below.

Double glazing, central heating throughout, air conditioning in the living areas and master bedroom ensures a comfortable lifestyle all year round. The northerly aspect would lend itself perfectly to the addition of solar panels for those looking for a eco friendly home while the under house storage has been well thought out and opens up the possibility of developing a work space if needed (STCA).

This property, on a fully landscaped and low maintenance block of approx.

486sqms, is currently a very popular B&B and the buyer may wish to continue with this however, in the past, it has also been a well-loved home that caters for the needs of a family with ease ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 1/13 View Street, HEALESVILLE Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,250,000 - $1,375,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Jane Nunn, 0432 375 940, INTEGRITY, YARRA VALLEY AND KINGLAKE RANGES

With interest rates on the rise, there’s never been a better time to review your home loan.

We’ll look at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs.

Enquire online at bendigobank.com.au/healthcheck or call your nearest branch on 03 9754 1200.

12575225-ACM44-22

Community Bank • Upwey 9754 1200 • Belgrave 9752 6606 • Cockatoo-Gembrook 5968 8831

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mailcommunity.com.au

P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald

4 Lisheen Road, Cockatoo

$900,000 - $990,000

15 Upper Grieve Road, Avonsleigh

$880,000-$960,000

Spacious and stunning centrally located family home!

Escape to the country! Outstanding views from this picturesque home await!

This is an amazing true family home. With 6 bedrooms & 3 bathrooms, giving you the possibility of sharing a multi-generational home or dual occupancy. All bedrooms have BIRs and carpet. Master bedroom features an ensuite. The further two bathrooms contain both a toilet & shower each, with the larger bathroom offering a corner spa bath. The kitchen has a 900mm electric oven & gas stove, and overlooks the lounge area & rumpus room. This home features high ceilings, ducted heating, ducted vacuum, wood fire, air conditioners and a rear deck that is 9m by 12 m and fully covered to facilitate all year around entertaining. The garden has fruit trees, a dedicated dog area, chicken yard, & a paved area. There is under house storage and a brand new massive 8m * 11m, 4 car shed with concreted floor and 4m high walls.

Stunning Federation style home with 9ft ceilings, decorative cornices, ceiling roses, feature lead light windows, plantation shutters, polished floorboards, wide verandahs and spa. Country style kitchen overlooks the family room. There’s also a formal dining room, (which would make a great 4th bedroom), a formal lounge, Master with WIR and ensuite effect bathroom, and 2nd bedroom with BIRs. The home has an array of heating and cooling options, including gas log fire, gas ducted heating, split system, evaporative cooling and double-glazed windows to assist with insulation.

Downstairs is a DLUG and internal access to the home, a sitting room, a huge rumpus/studio complete with kitchen sink and private access. Located on a quiet no through road, also offering off street parking.

Bethany Day M 0438 844 968

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032

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23 Maisey Road, Gembrook

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$1,050,000 - $1,150,000

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35-53 Ferres Road, Emerald

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$2,150,000 - $2,300,000

Brilliant views across the Gembrook landscape!

A Rare Opportunity for 17 Acres in Central Emerald

This generous 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, family home, has a sealed driveway, front verandah, and is on an acre with great views. The master bedroom has a ceiling fan, WIR, & ensuite. This character filled home has a generous study nook, a sunken lounge room with wood fire heater, split system air-conditioning, & a stunning cathedral ceiling in the dining room. The kitchen has a gas stove top, electric oven & dishwasher. The further bedrooms have ceiling fans & BIRs, utilising the family bathroom with shower & corner spa. The rumpus room provides a teenagers retreat/working from home potential. There is a chicken run, vegetable gardens, & several sheds, including a wood shed, a 6m*3m and a 3m*3m shed, and a 10m by 9m DLUG with electric doors, concrete floor & workshop area. The backyard is fully fenced. This home also offers a 6.6kW solar power system.

Set on 17 acres this property has a 5-bedroom family home and a 1-bedroom studio. The open plan dining/kitchen has Caesar Stone bench tops, stainless steel appliances, white cabinetry, and a large island with a reconstituted stone bench top. There is a rumpus room being used as a master suite, a separate master bedroom with modern ensuite, 3 spacious bedrooms with BIRs, polished floorboards & a study. Features include a wood fire, gas ducted heating, evaporate cooling, & elegant main bathroom. Outside is a salt-chlorinated pool, a 3-car lock-up garage with 3-phase power and 2 decks. Set away from the main house, the studio cottage has its own circular driveway, architectural cathedral ceilings, a spa, and hardwood floors. Inside has 1 bedroom, a modern ensuite with highend fixtures and fittings, kitchenette, and open living/dining.

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

Bethany Day M 0438 844 968

Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032

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Bethany Day M 0438 844 968

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bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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MAIL 17

HOME FOCUS

IDYLIC LIFESTYLE PROPERTY SOME opportunities should not be missed, and this home has it all. This is a gorgeous lifestyle property in sought-after Emerald in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, just a short walk to everything.

Set on 17 acres this property has a beautiful 5-bedroom family home and a stunning 1-bedroom studio, both with the most amazing valley views!

Enter the main home into a spacious foyer with French doors and ample storage for coats and shoes and head into a living area perfect as a lounge or dining space. The open plan dining/kitchen has Caesarstone bench tops, stainless steel appliances, white modern cabinetry, and a large island with a reconstituted stone bench top, where the family can eat breakfast and enjoy the views.

With multiple living spaces, there is plenty of room for a large or growing family.

The rumpus room is currently being used as a grand master suite however there is a separate master bedroom with modern ensuite and wall-to-wall robes, as well as another 3 spacious bedrooms with built-in robes, and polished floorboards. Another good-sized room can be used as a study or parent’s retreat space. The current master has white-washed floorboards, open beams, 180-degree views, and access to a massive deck.

Outside you can sit pool-side in the salt-chlorinated pool with a beverage and a view to die for while you entertain family and friends. Or take a walk to the bottom of the property where there is a creek and beautiful bushland to enjoy. Features include all services, fencing, solar panels, a 3-car lock-up garage with 3-phase power to the main home that would make a great extra living or party space if required and 2 decks for entertaining.

Make it your full time or part time lifestyle choice as it offers well over $100K annual return, giving you over 5% return on your investment & you still get to use the Cottage for your own pleasure as well. Not to mention the capital growth potential from purely land banking large acreage in the heart of Emerald & only an hour to the CBD. This one of a kind property really needs to be seen to be truly appreciated. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 35-53 Ferres Road, EMERALD Description: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $2,150,000 - $2,300,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott, 0438 680 032 and Bethany Day, 0438 844 968, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD 18 MAIL

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

23 Hazel Street, Cockatoo

56 Lakeside Drive, Emerald

31a Wright Road, Avonsleigh

ARCHITECTURALLY STUNNING ON OVER ½ AN ACRE!

PICTURE PERFECT PARKLIKE SETTING ON 1,642M2

SWEET PERFECTION ON 1,019m2

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $800,000 - $880,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Lana Maher 0408 535 075 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $780,000 - $830,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $695,000 - $764,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

35-37 Rankins Road, Monbulk

23 Gembrook Launching Place Road, Gembrook

12 Berrys Road, Emerald

A SERENE SANCTUARY OF OVER ONE ACRE

STUNNING FAMILY HOME WITH VIEWS ON 2143M2

FAMILY FAVOURITE IN CENTRAL EMERALD

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FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $1,020,000 - $1,120,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 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 $900,000 - $950,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

50 Westlands Road, Emerald

20 Margaret Road, Avonsleigh

7 Lucia Court, Gembrook

‘GENESIS’ LUXURY, SPACE AND VIEWS ON 3609m2

‘HIDDENVIEW’ A COUNTRY ESCAPE ON 1 ACRE

STYLISH RESORT STYLE LIVING!

5 T

A

2 T

B

3 T

C

3 T

A

2 T

B

9 T

C

4 T

A

3 T

B

2 T

C

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

FOR SALE.

GUIDE $1,500,000 - $1,600,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $930,000 - $990,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,200,000 - $1,300,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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MAIL 19

HOME FOCUS

LUXURY LIVING WITH VISTA VIEWS WITH spectacular views of the surrounding hillsides and superior updates throughout, this compelling property is family oasis. Set upon a 1,031sqm (approx.) landscape with double carport, paved outdoor entertaining area, basketball zone, and cubby house for the kids, every member of the family will find their space for sanctuary here.

The entry level of this home is immaculately presented and offers exceptional indoor-outdoor living. The central living, dining area, and snug is enhanced with polished timber floors, a stackstone wood fire, ornate ceiling panel, and access to the expansive deck with glorious parklike outlooks. Ideal for everyday life and effortless entertaining is the quality kitchen with shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances including gas cooker, granite benchtops, and island seating for family and friends.

In addition, there are 4 luxurious bedrooms on offer, highlighted by the main bedroom with enticing ensuite and walk-in robe. High-end finishes including quality carpet, ducted heating and cooling, and ceiling fans ensure premier comfort throughout. The family bathroom has been elevated by a spa tub and separate powder room for guests.

Guaranteed to meet the requirements of growing families, the lower level offers immense versatility that will adapt through the years. Currently used as a rumpus room and home office with polished concrete floors, custom cabinetry, workshop, and storeroom, it will be easy to envisage how this bonus space will further compliment your family’s lifestyle.

This exceptional property within walking distance of beautiful Birdsland Reserve and coveted Belgrave Heights Christian College offers unparalleled comfort and convenience set to a backdrop of breathtaking views.

Certain to impress, prompt inspection is advised.

Immaculately presented weatherboard home with glorious views Open plan living area with ornate ceiling panel and cosy wood fire Quality kitchen with timeless shaker cabinets and stainless steel appliances Versatile lower level rumpus room and home office with custom cabinetry Double carport, workshop, storerooms, basketball zone, and cubby house for the kids ●

· · · · ·

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 34 The Crescent, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,000,000 - $1,100,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder, 0422 639 115, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888 20 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

mailcommunity.com.au

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p AUCTION

48 Mt Pleasant Road, MONBULK

Reserve Set $640,000

BRILLIANT INVESTMENT BURSTING WITH POTENTIAL

2A 1B 2C

FOR SALE

9 Durang Road, UPWEY

$850,000 - $895,000

MAXIMUM COMFORT IN MAGNIFICENT LIFESTYLE LOCALE

4A 1B 3C

Auction 19th November @ 11am This outstanding property only 850m from Main Road amenities is an immense opportunity for astute investors. Ready for renovation or redevelopment (STCA) in prime position steps from St Paul’s Primary School, this is the perfect place to put property plans into action. Set well back on its block is this generously proportioned weatherboard residence with single carport and single garage/workshop.

Offers Close 1pm Thurs Nov 10th (Unless Sold Prior) This inviting family home is wonderfully presented and well positioned for a premier lifestyle.

Easily accessing Upwey and Tecoma townships, including public transport (bus stop on the corner), restaurants, shopping, and schools, this home makes the most of all the Dandenong Ranges has on offer.

Suzie Brannelly

Sam Adamson

M 0490 506 910 | E suzie@chandlerandco.com

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

FOR SALE

$1,600,000 - $1,760,000

27 The Crescent, SASSAFRAS

HISTORIC HILLS HOME IN EXCLUSIVE LIFESTYLE POCKET

5A 2B 3C

Steeped in history and surrounded by lush gardens, “Kalamunda” remains as magnificent as ever. Constructed in 1924 and carefully updated for modern living, this home encapsulates elegant Hills living. This luxurious residence evokes a sophisticated and serene feel due in part to its enclosed verandah with rich Jarrah flooring. At one with its surrounds, gorgeous garden and valley views frame this home so you will feel tucked away from busy life the moment you arrive home.

Glenn Chandler

Suzie Brannelly

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

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

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

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

|

MAIL 21

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 105

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

easy

3 8 6 5 9 1

1 3 9 6

6 4 5 2

5 9

4 3 5 9 6 7

ACROSS

DOWN

Atlas contents (4) Accepting events as inevitable (10) Australian musician and former politician (7) Braid of hair (7) Relating to monks (8) Stocking (5) Titled woman (4) Involving an affair (10) Buying (10) Close (4) Finnish phone maker (5) Abandoned (8) Irregular (7) States as true (7) Interpreted (10) Absent (4)

1 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 23 26 27 28 29

No. 105

1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 24 25

Extremely big in size, importance, etc. (4) Actor (9) Heights (9) Savoury jelly (5) Artless young girl (7) Path (5) Settler (9) Self-referential (4) Contingent (9) Painting of the countryside (9) Removed from power (9) Furnace parts (7) Divided country (5) Russian country cottage (5) Luxuriant (4) Catch sight of (4)

1 7 8 9 3 5

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adder, adore, adored, adorer, armed, dame, dare, dared, dead, dear, derma, doer, dome, domed, dormer, dory, dram, dray, dread, dream, dreamy, dreary, DROMEDARY, dryad, dryer, dyad, dyed, eddy, madder, made, marred, mead, mode, oared, odder, order, ramrod, rayed, read, ready, redo, road, roamed, roared, rode, yard

9 5 3 6 2 7 1 4 8

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8 5 4 1 9 7 3 2 6

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9 8 3 5 2 1 6 7 4

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Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

2

Today’s Aim: 23 words: Good 46 words: Excellent

hard

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5 LETTERS ALIEN ALONE

6 LETTERS ALTARS ELDEST SERENE STRINE

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medium

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

7 LETTERS DAMAGED HEATING MANDATE MESSAGE TEACHER WEARIES

USERS VENUE WEEST WHOLE

( ( 5 , (

17

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9-LETTER WORD

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QUICK CROSSWORD

04-11-22

William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22

22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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OPINION

Celebrate the ordinary

By Christine Yunn-Yu Sun A review of Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession Leonard and Hungry Paul tells the charming story of two friends who are kind, generous and content with their tranquil lives. It reminds this reviewer of those hobbits not included in Bilbo’s and Frodo’s adventures.

Not that they would begrudge an uneventful life. Rather, they are simply not enticed, enthralled and even enslaved by the idea of dreaming big, of pursuing fame and glory, of being excellent and extraordinary. Because they don’t feel the need to subscribe to any defined range of expectations, the notion of success – or the lack of it – never enters their mind.

Leonard ghostwrites children’s encyclopaedias and is happy to “play a minor part in someone else’s story rather than being his own star”. Working and living alone, he enjoys spending the evenings at his friend’s house, playing board games and having humours conversations about life’s fascinating facts.

Hungry Paul, who is also in his thirties, lives with his parents. He works a casual shift on those Mondays when the post office needs staff, and volunteers at the local hospital keeping the patients company. To him, every day is fresh in its own way, so there is no need to seek or create change to add to life’s innate variety.

While any “outside busybody” would think the two friends have no “go” in them, the truth is that they are free – and appreciate such freedom – to pursue whatever in life that cap-

tivates their attention. In this way they maintain “a lively interest in the wider world, while staying above and apart from what is generally described as current affairs”.

That does not mean they are selfish or indifferent towards those around them. Indeed, the book is more about how they are accepted as who they are, instead of trying to “better” themselves for the sake of being loved. It is about how they experience life’s inevitable changes in their own honest and humble ways.

Perhaps two years of living with a global pandemic have changed our views about life, but Leonard and Hungry Paul was selected as the 2021 One Dublin One Book – and went on to become the most borrowed book in print, digital and audio formats across Ireland in that year – for a reason. In the words of Anne-Marie Kelly, director of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature: “There is no reference at all to Dublin in the book. In fact the book is ‘signless’ – there are no place names or surnames. All of this was deliberate as the author wanted to draw our attention to the qualities of the characters, and to emphasise kindness, friendship and to celebrate the quiet things in life.”

The book’s universal appeal is its pleasantness. With no dramatic conflicts or crises, no shocking discoveries of dreadful, dark secrets, its leisurely pace and engaging style easily comforts even the most agitated readers.

Three cheers to author Rónán Hession (known as blues musician Mumblin’ Deaf Ro) for this rare salutation to ordinary, average people.

CARTOON

Last shows for the year Eltham Little Theatre Get Smart When Mr. Big and the rest of KAOS arrive in town to steal Professor Dante’s invention.

Smart, 99, Chief and the other agents of CONTROL must protect it at all costs.

Featuring all of the characters and calamity we know and love, Get Smart is the perfect end of the year outing.

With ELT’S traditional final season table seating grab some friends, bring along some food and join in the fun.

Season: November 11 – 26.

Gemco Players 1st Saturday of the Month If you are a budding actor, fire-breather, belly-dancer, singer, comedian, poet, or of you just want to test your latest guitar piece in front of an audience – then this is the event for you. If you’re not a performer yourself, why not come along and be part of the audience? Bring some friends and make an evening of it.

Set up 7.30pm all help welcome.

Time 8 – 11pm. November 5 Venue: The Gem Hall 19 Kilvington Dr. Emerald.

Ajax Theatre Mt Evelyn About us: Ark theatre is a Not-For-Profit Community Theatre, currently based in Mt Evelyn> the Company began in June 2013 with a group

· · ·

Kemp’s curtain call of thespians looking for the right balance of both theatre and social activity. Ark Theatre is dedicated to providing a friendly, highquality experience for both the members and audiences.

The membership starts at 14 years of age to include a forum for students and young adults up to the age of 24 and an open age group above 18 years of age. It is expected that all members are committed to the traditional community theatre spirit.

Contact: Mail PO Box 277 Mooroolbark 3138 Email: ark@arktheatremelb.com A REMINDER: The Athenaeum Theatre Lilydale Moving On November 10 – 26.

The 1812 Theatre The Woman in Black November 17 – December 19.

The Basin Theatre Art December 1 - 11

· · · · · · · ·

Stepford Wives plus Matrix Don’t Worry Darling Starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles and Chris Pine Rated M 4/5 Directed by Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling is an enthralling psychological thriller.

In a 1950s corporate town run by the Victory Project, Alice (Florence Pugh), a young married woman, begins to suspect a dark system of control.

Don’t Worry Darling bears some resemblance to Jordan Peele’s Get Out, but with a wider scope, lurid fifties style and themes of patriarchy rather than racism.

The first act vividly portrays the alcoholic hedonism beneath the squeaky-clean glamour of fifties American suburbia, and establishes the forbidden headquarters and a cycle of domestic routine and partying for Alice and her neighbours.

Strange occurrences and environmental clues cast doubt upon the town’s flashy benevolence, and the atonal score by John Powell complements the film’s macabre bursts. Archaic notions of wives staying home and serving their husbands come to feel like a trap, and as Alice speaks out about Victory, her husband Jack (Harry Styles) shifts from sweet to sinister as he discourages her.

Chris Pine plays Victory Project leader Jack,

in a performance reportedly based on Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson; Jack is a self-assured, charismatic man who dazzles his followers with hollow platitudes. Gaslighting and social pressure tighten around Alice in an unsettling escalation, and the film constantly challenges your assumptions about its world and characters.

The big twist may divide viewers, given its stark genre change and shades of The Matrix, but those aforementioned clues plant the twist effectively for eagle-eyed viewers. The relatively open-ended ending may also frustrate some viewers.

A surreal, intriguing thriller and a great second feature for Wilde as director, Don’t Worry Darling is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

WIN FAMILY PASSES - MELBOURNE'S CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND The magic of Christmas is bought to life though a breathtaking experience like no other celebrating the festive season.

Set under the enormous, air-cooled big-top adorned with thousands of sparkling LED stars, this wonderland is filled with adventure, entertainment, activities, interactive experiences, thrills, skating, games, food and more - bringing together everything that you love about this most wonderous time of year. Runs from 25 Nov - 24 Dec 2022.

Your ticket will include two hours of fun, excitement and priceless family memories as you explore and experience Melbourne’s Christmas Wonderlands' themed zones, each filled with their own unique experiences.

The Event Touring Company, leaders in premium family entertainment and creators of the award-winning Sesame Street Circus Spectacular and Jurassic Creatures is excited to bring Australia’s most beautiful Christmas event to Melbourne.

Presented by KIIS FM. Find out more at melbourneschristmaswonderland.com.au

ENTER NOW 10 family passes to the 7pm, 25 November session up for grabs!

SCAN QR CODE TO ENTER ENTRIES CLOSE NOON 18 November Or visit: mailcommunity.com.au/competitions

12575376-AV44-22

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Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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MAIL 23

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SNIPPETS

MAIL SNIPPETS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE HILLS

Community Supported Agriculture forum

Presented by Leicashow Sun 13 November, 4pm at Burrinja Theatre Tex Perkins has featured in musical acts including The Beasts, The Cruel Sea, The Dark Horses, The Man In Black and T’n’T, and teamed up with long-established singer-songwriter Matt Walker to write and produce The Fat Rubber Band album, released in November 2021.

The duo are currently working on a followup album due for release before the end of the

·

Picture: ON FILE

year and will be playing at Burrinja Theatre in November.

This show is recommended for 18+ Event not suitable for babies due to content and /or noise levels.

Tickets - $59.50 - $64.50 inc BF*

· Red Cross thank you

The Ferntree Gully Friends of Red Cross would like to thank all the local people who supported us at our stall held at Ferntree Gully Plaza on the 22nd October we raised a grand total of $1,392.20.

Most of all, a very special thank you to the lovely gentleman who came past and donated

$500 what a selfless act and a wonderful surprise!

Junior BMX track opening Knox City Council will host an opening event for the Junior BMX Track at Peregrine Reserve, Rowville after construction was finalised.

It will be held on Friday 11 November from 4pm to 5.30pm, with a free demonstration and coaching by Knox BMX.

Small business mentoring Yarra Ranges Council and the Victorian government’s small business bus will host a mentoring session in Tecoma on Wednesday 9 November from 10am to 4pm.

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Acknowledgements

KEOGH To Greg's many friends who generously reached out to us with comfort and support at the time of his death; please accept our earnest and heartfelt thanks.

Sincerely, Keogh family and Maureen Johns

Rest in Peace

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

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

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Menzies Creek Community Hall Committee will hold its AGM on Thursday 24 November 2022 at 7:30pm in the Menzies Creek Hall. Please email your intention to stand for the committee to: info @MenziesCreekHall.org.au by 17th November. New members welcome.

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The confidential sessions will see business advisors from Monarch Institute give one-onone tailored advice to help start, build or transform a small business.

The sessions are 45 minutes long, free of charge and can be booked at business.vic. gov.au/learning-and-advice/workshops-andsmall-business-bus.

Bookings are essential, while walk-ins are welcome for the Bus Concierge service, which provides general information about Business Victoria as well as the planning and starting your business pack.

The small business bus will be located Near Harcourts Real Estate, 1567 Burwood Hwy Tecoma 3160.

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A public ‘know your food, know your grower’ forum will be held at Selby Community House at 7pm on Wednesday November 9.

Farmer Ryan DeCoite will talk about Community Supported Agriculture and his work at his Belgrave South Farm before a QandA session.

Forum Organiser Karl Williams said many people are becoming aware of the importance of having a connection between them and the source of their food.

Community Supported Agriculture aims to establish that bond by having a local organic farmer dealing directly with the local community,” he said.

“With Ryan’s scheme, he takes online orders each week and arranges pickup of what was only picked a few hours earlier.”

There is no need to book and everyone is welcome to join.

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SPORT

Cricket postponed

Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club selection committee member Terry Button said the club is “devastated” after flash flooding on Tuesday 25 October left the club’s front lawn completely damaged.

Picture: TYLER WRIGHT

Clean up on the greens after flood

By Tyler Wright Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club has been dealt a heavy blow after a flash flooding event on Tuesday 25 October, with its front green demolished by the torrent of deluge rushing down the hill.

Selection committee member Terry Button said it’s a “devastating” time for club members and volunteers, with the green a “complete write off” as local clubs kick off their pennant season.

While the club’s back green is salvageable after copping damage to around 40 per cent of the lawn from clean rainwater, only five rinks are able to operate, leaving one competition team without a lawn on the fortnightly occasion there are two teams playing at the venue.

Bookings are also now essential for the weekly barefoot bowls and Jack Attack match events played on the lesser-damaged back green, with limited space available for community members to participate.

“It’s going to restrict us down to the bare

minimum now…how much we’re going to lose I’ve got no idea,” Button said.

The club is also assessing damage to machinery after the shed was filled with deluge.

“Only using half of the other green that’s usable has restricted us considerably because we often have to both greens full at the same time...we have social games and competitions,” Button said.

“It’s going to make life very difficult for the next few months.”

Boronia Bowls Club has invited teams from Upwey-Tecoma have been invited to play at Boronia Bowls Club until Christmas, with Cockatoo Bowls Club taking the baton and hosting Upwey-Tecoma’s teams post-December.

In the mean time, Button hopes local groups like the U3A will still be able to make most out of learning at the club, despite its limited capacity.

The cost of the damaged green, which was newly-laid in 2020, is expected to sit at around $200,000.

Luckily, the flood waters did not reach the club rooms.

Picture: UPWEY-TECOMA BOWLS CLUB, FACEBOOK

Senior and junior cricket teams playing in the Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association will have their matches postponed until Saturday 12 November and Friday 11 November respectively after a series of cancelled weekend competitions due to heavy rains and water logged ovals.

In a Facebook post on Friday 28 October, the Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association said the decision to postpone the matches came after a senior and junior match committee meeting on Wednesday 26 October and a president’s meeting on Thursday 27 October.

In the meeting it was decided division one and division two results from round two will stand and teams will play a 14 game season, with another 13 games left.

The Under 16 teams will play a 13 round season, with Under 14 and Under 12 results from Friday 21 October still stand standing.

The Under 14 and Under 12 teams will play a 14 game season, with 13 games left.

The Super 7 and Fast 9 teams will be pushed back one week.

Two reserve days of 27 November and 5 February have been retained for the top four grades should the Ferntree Gully & District Association lose any further games.

“We will now star the process of updating the draws in My Cricket and will advise when they have been published,” the Facebook post on the the Ferntree Gully & District Association Facebook page read.

“We are obviously hoping that over the next 2 weeks the weather will be kinder to us and the 30 grounds we need each week to play cricket will come up to scratch.”

Teams in the Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association include Belgrave Cricket Club, Upwey-Tecoma Cricket Club, Monbulk Cricket Club, Olinda Cricket Club, Ferntree Gully Cricket Club and Emerald Cricket Club.

Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association has announced a redraw of all senior and junior grade matches, with the next match back for juniors being 11 November and seniors being 12 November.

Picture: FILE

Yarra Ranges Athletes show skills at All Schools comp

By Jamie Strudley Weekend one of the Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships was held at Lakeside Stadium over the weekend. Yarra Ranges Athletics athletes were excited to test themselves against the rest of Victoria on the blue Albert Park track with five gold and one bronze medal earned over the weekend. Standout performances came from Kiara Flavel, Bradley McMeeken, Maddie Laven, Rori Jones and Mia Strudley.

Results are: Bradley McMeeken MPara 15 1500 1st 7.11.45, 400 1st 1.30.67 Rori Jones W20 400 1st 65.19, 1500 4th 5.34.60 Mia Strudley W20 1500 3rd 5.12.58 Kiara Flavel W18 1500 1st 4.38.09 Maddie Laven W18 2000m Steeple 1st 7.23.73 Ashleigh Rooke W18 Discus 4th 30.33m Ciara Willey W16 400 6th Heat 69.35 Kristina Nackovski W15 400 6th Heat 67.35

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Athletes descended on Albert Park’s Lakeside Stadium for the first weekend of the Victorian All Schools Track and Field Championships.

Picture: SUPPLIED

· Zoe Clarke W14 1500 Heat 5.15.80, Final 9th · Beau McKinnon M14 3000m Walk 4th 18.02.26 5.12.36 Good luck to all club athletes competing · Kayla Paton W14 100 Heat 13.54, 7th Semi on the next two weekends and to our primary 13.93 school athletes competing at the SSV Primary State Championships on Monday. · Ky Harris W18 1500 11th Heat 4.40.86

Little Athletics was scheduled for last Friday night, however mother nature wasn’t so keen and rained the event out. Competition returns this Saturday, information and warm up starts at 8.45am ready for the start of competition at 9.00am. If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun registration is at www.lavic. com.au.

New members and any 13yo+ athletes wanting to test their track and field skills can join at www.athsvic.org.au. Send enquiries to join@yarrarangesathletics.org.au Training is available to all club members on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5.30pm and on Thursday afternoons from 4.00pm for our Under 12 athletes.

Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy! mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Mixed midweeker result

By Jack Rollings Monbulk 1 played away at Boronia. It was on grass, very damp, with very little roll-on from the bowls. One side of the rink was almost as straight as rolling the jack.

Jim Bras’ team trailed in the front half. Then after lunch, they had a couple of good pickups and just edged in front. Then Boronia won four ends in a row to reclaim the lead. But Monbulk nailed the final two ends with a 6 and a 3. It stunned Boronia as well as Jim’s team. Monbulk won the rink 22 shots to 16.

Eric Markham’s team had a day to forget.

They couldn’t get hold of the mat, winning just six ends for the day. The Boronia opponents were all over it, making conversions and taking lots of multiples from Monbulk who lost the rink 7 shots to 34.

Brian Smith’s team was out to a 7-shot lead at halfway. Then Boronia won a few mats, and the lead was reduced. Then Monbulk won four ends in a row to take the margin out to 10 shots. Then the final four ends slipped away from Monbulk, dropping 9 shots to just hang onto the win 17 shots to 16.

Overall Monbulk lost 46 shots to 66 with 2 rinks up. Monbulk is now fourth on the ladder and more than a whole round’s margin away from the top spot. Next week they play at home against Healesville who have one win and two losses, the same as Monbulk. A must-win game to stay in touch with the top four.

Monbulk 2 played at home against Pakenham 2.

Graeme Goller’s team was strong all day.

They dropped just seven ends with only one clanger and the wins included lots of doubles, a 4 and a 6. Monbulk won the rink 28 shots to 12.

Don Barnetson’s team had a disastrous front half. When it was time for the lunch break they were down 2 shots to 15. In the back half, they fired up and stacked on the shots. With two ends to go, they were just 3 shots down

and had the momentum, but unfortunately, that’s when they dropped a 4 shot clanger and couldn’t make it up. Monbulk lost the rink 15 shots to 21.

Peter Koomen’s team had a strong start and by halfway had a 14-shot-to-3 lead. After the break, they continued picking up good scores and only dropping a few singles until the fourteenth end, when they dropped their guard and gave away 4 shots. From there Pakenham won more ends but the Monbulk wins towards the finish had more multiples. Monbulk won the rink 24 shots to 12.

Overall Monbulk won 67 shots to 45 with two rinks up. They are now fourth on the ladder, but only two ladder points behind the top spot. Cranbourne is just above and they are the ones Monbulk face up to next week.

Monbulk 3 played at home against Yarra Glen 2.

Mike Harris’ team had a great front half. By lunch, they were leading by 10 shots, including several good multiples. It looked like continuing in the back half until, in sight of the finish line, they dropped a 2, a 1 and a 6. But they came good again on the last end to collect a double and win the rink 25 shots to 17.

Bruce Cockerill’s team also had a strong start. They were up 12 shots to 6 at the break.

They extended the lead after lunch and led by 10 shots with four ends to go. That’s when they dropped a 4 and a 2 to give Yarra Glen a bit of hope. But they were able to steady on the last two ends and take the win 23 shots to 16.

Alan Hamilton’s team trailed in the front half but was still well in touch. After the break, they came good, hit the front, and ran away with the second half. They won thirteen ends.

Yes, they did drop one 3-shot clanger but also picked up a 3, a 4 and a 5. Monbulk won the rink 25 shots to 12.

Overall Monbulk won 73 shots to 45 with all three rinks up. Monbulk is now third on the ladder, just 4 ladder points below the top spot.

Jim Bras lines up his shot.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Bowlers dished up all types of weather conditions

By Jack Rollings There was rain. There was sun. There was cold cloud cover. There was warm bright blue sky. Typical Melbourne spring day really.

Monbulk 1 played at home against Boronia 1. Many of their opponents had played against Monbulk in the midweek game this week at Boronia. It was a chance to reverse the outcome on Monbulk’s home turf. And Monbulk was able to do just that.

Karen Rice’s team started slowly, giving away three singles on the first three ends.

Then they started winning more of the mat and the luck went Monbulk’s way. When they picked up a 7 shotter on the seventh end, their confidence grew. That was followed by a 5 on the ninth and they went into the break 13 shots up. In the back half, it was fairly even but Monbulk managed to retain the winning margin to the end 25 shots to 12.

Eric Markham’s team trailed for most of the front half. Even though they did pick up a 5, they only won the mat twice. After the break, they won five ends in a row to take the lead. Then Boronia won three ends in a row so that going into the last end Monbulk trailed by a single shot. It was a pressure end, with the other rinks finished and looking on.

Monbulk was able to pick up a 3 and win the rink 22 shots to 20.

Jim Bras’ team led strongly all day. They gave away only six ends, with one 3-shot clanger, but they also picked up two 3s and a 4. The back half was even stronger, and they won the rink 28 shots to 9.

Brian Smith’s team had a good lead by the break and when they came out again, they picked up a 4-shotter to lead by 9 shots. After that Boronia came back with determination and Monbulk won only three more ends. The lead was whittled away, and Monbulk just managed to hang onto the win 20 shots to 17.

Overall Monbulk won 95 shots to 58 with four rinks up. They are on top of the ladder with 15 points ahead of second place. Bayswater 1 are sitting third and Monbulk plays mailcommunity.com.au

Greg Meyers takes his shot. them at home next week.

Monbulk 2 played away against Pakenham 3 under their roof.

Don Barnetson’s team picked up a 4 and a 1 on the first two ends and the game looked easy. Then they gave away 16 shots over the next six ends and the game was suddenly very difficult. In the back half, they won equal

Picture: SUPPLIED ends, with both sides picking up two 3s, but Monbulk also dropped a 7-shot clanger and couldn’t recover. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 32.

Alan Hamilton’s team led for most of the day. Whenever they were challenged, they managed to have a good pickup and regain the lead. Along the way they won five 3s and

two 4s. Monbulk won the rink 29 shots to 21.

Graeme Goller’s team also managed to keep Pakenham under pressure in a close game. With three ends to go, they were locked at 15 shots all. And that’s when they pulled off the best end for the day, picking up a big 5 shotter. Monbulk won the rink 22 shots to 16.

Peter Lee’s team struggled all day. At halfway they were 8 shots down. Then in the back half, they lost some big numbers and lost the rink 11 shots to 29.

Overall Monbulk lost 80 shots to 98 with two rinks up. They are now fifth on the ladder. Next week they play away to Ferntree Gully 4 who are unbeaten and on top. This matchup will not be easy.

Cockatoo/Monbulk played away against Yarra Junction 1. That is Yarra Junction’s top side, so it contains some of their best bowlers and they certainly took the game up to the Monbulk side.

Anthony Young’s team led all day. Yarra Junction threatened on the thirteenth end and got within a single shot. But after that, the Cockatoo/Monbulk team dropped only one end and grew the lead with some good multiples. They won the rink 29 shots to 12.

Mark Coulter’s team had settled into the new green by the fourth end and was never headed after that. They picked up a couple of 3s and a 4 and won the rink 21 shots to 15.

Graeme Godkin’s team had a tight contest in the front half. Then they played up a storm in the back half and dropped only two ends.

The margin grew with some good multiples, and they won the rink 22 shots to 11.

Alan Brooke’s team was the unlucky mob who struck the rink with the Yarra Junction coach. They struggled all day and dropped a stack of clangers. It was a game best forgotten. They lost 4 shots to 48.

Overall, Cockatoo/Monbulk lost 76 shots to 86 with three rinks up. They are sixth on the ladder. Next week they play away against Mooroolbark 7 who is just above on the ladder.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2022

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