Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 21st February 2023

Mountain Views

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

Mail

Fire destroys Healesville home

Calls to change hard rubbish pick ups

Service to reflect on Ash Wednesday

Public defib to help save lives

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A Star News Group Publication

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Floral tributes at the intersection of Queens Road and Beenak Road, Seville.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

The intersection of Wellington Road and Clegg Road, Wandin North.

Road deaths rise Just two months into the new year and tragically three people have already died from crashes on Yarra Valley roads.

A second fatality at the Queens Road, Beenak Road Seville crash in January was confirmed last week when Mooroolbark’s Leroy Collins died in hospital due to his injuries, following Cherry Hill Orchards worker Kira Hennessy confirmed dead at the scene of the crash.

An 89-year-old man was also killed in a

crash at the intersection of Wellington Road and Clegg Road, Wandin North on Sunday 12 February in eerily similar circumstances at an intersection.

In each case, police and fire brigades at the scene believe a driver has allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign for the intersection.

Retired proprietor of the family-owned Cherry Hill Orchards Cliff Riseborough is calling for change, compiling a discussion paper for Yarra Ranges Council.

Mr Riseborough has seen the traffic condi-

tions change during his 82 years living on Queens Road and said he was in Hastings when he got the call from his son on the day of the Seville incident.

“Some 26 people from our business went to her funeral in Corowa, and it was a hard day, but it would be nice to think that in this unfortunate situation that it at least may be a catalyst for the powers to be from Federal and State Governments to local Council to look at this and other intersections,” he said.

Wandin Fire Brigade crews attended both

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incidents and told Star Mail last week they feel there may be contributing factors from GPS devices where drivers are prompted to proceed through the intersection and not being aware of the stop signs that are in front of them.

Some road safety upgrades are to be installed in coming weeks following the Seville crash, however there’s calls for further road safety upgrades to be in place at these dangerous intersections.

Turn to page 7 for more 12547336-AI18-22

By Callum Ludwig

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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NEWS

IN BRIEF

House destroyed

By Callum Ludwig A Healesville house has been destroyed after a fire broke out around 7.30pm on Friday 17 February.

1st Lieutenant of Healesville Fire Brigade and incident officer-in-charge Kenneth Glenn said the response included the Yarra Glen, Coldstream and Badger Creek brigades as well as Bayswater CFA’s breathing apparatus and Yellingbo CFA’s rehab unit.

“We arrived to find about 80 per cent of the house involved and burning quite well, so we ran a couple of lines out to stop the fire getting to the other 20 per cent,” he said.

“We did what we call an aggressive fire attack on it and knocked it down and contained it so it couldn’t spread or reignite. It is a bed and breakfast and the people had gone out so no one was inside.”

Crews returned to fire stations at about 12.30am, with the clean-up not finished until 2am. A fire investigation unit attended the scene on Saturday morning, with the cause of the fire still undetermined.

1st Lt. Glenn said a pretty major rebuild will be required for the property.

“They estimated replacement cost is about $1.7 million, so it was a pretty significant housefire. The owners are fully aware and a relative came up to check it out on Saturday morning,” he said.

“Victoria Police were at the fire during their job and we also had Ambulance Victoria on the scene for most of the job to look after the firefighters because it was stinking hot.”

Chirnside Park Fire Brigade was called out to the Healesville station to help ensure there were crews available to respond in case of any other incidents.

1st Lt. Glenn said from a firefighter’s perspective, the conditions posed a significant risk.

“The gear we wear and the weather and fire makes it fairly hot and we dehydrate fairly

Flames leapt from the windows.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Police are investigating an incident which saw a legal hunter being hunted in Chum Creek.

On Wednesday 15 February around 10.15pm a legal hunter was on a property in the Chum Creek area hunting rabbits and foxes between Cunninghams and Arthurs Road when their life was threatened by a group of people who arrived in a vehicle.

Police say ‘the occupants got out and threatened to kill the victim’.

The ordeal continued as police state that the victim hid in the bushes while the group searched for them using a spotlight.

The occupants then continued the search for the hunter driving along HealesvilleKinglake Road.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time who may have information or dash cam footage to come forward.

Please contact Yarra Ranges Crime Investigations at Lilydale on 97392300.

New driving laws

The rehab unit in action.

The remains of the house.

quickly, by the time we’ve done 20 minutes or 25 minutes in a breathing apparatus, you’ve got to go down sit down in the ice chairs, get your body temperature down and rehydrate with fluids,” he said.

“The other compounding factor is that given the age of the house, we have to assume that there are asbestos products in there. All the gear that we wear for that job has to be taken off, hosed down and put in decontamination bags to be specially cleaned.”

Yellingbo CFA’s rehab unit attends major fires locally and provides cooled chairs, water and electrolytes to firefighters at regular intervals to prevent the risk of dehydration.

Yellingbo CFA Captain Jeremy Hardy said fighting fires places a lot of heat and strain on firefighters’ bodies.

“CFA now go through a great effort to try and ensure that their members do actually recover under those sorts of conditions so they can go home safely to their loved ones and back to work the following day without having suffered any health problems,” he said.

“We also do health monitoring of the firefighters with Ambulance Victoria as they come through and cool down, we’re looking for carbon monoxide from breathing in any smoke or fumes from the fires and their heart rate, as well as their fluid intake.”

Lightning strike sparks fire in Yelllingbo

By Callum Ludwig Yellingbo CFA assisted the Macclesfield Fire Brigade with a bushfire that started from a dry lightning strike on the afternoon of Friday 17 February.

There was a brief storm on Friday afternoon amidst the nearly 40-degree heat.

Yellingbo CFA Captain Jeremy Hardy said the fire was quickly reported by members of the public.

“It had gone up three trees along the roadside fairly quickly, and both brigades responded quickly and were able to get on scene and under control fairly quickly,” he said.

“Obviously when we get those conditions where a change comes through and there are storms or when the grass or trees have been

Hunter hunted

Crews remained on scene to monitor the fire site.

Pictures: SUPPLIED very dry from the heat prior, they can ignite easily.”

The fire occurred on Macclesfield Road near the turn for Ewen Road. Crews remained on scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to check for any hotspots after.

Crews work to dampen the fire.

With 49 deaths already recorded on Victorian roads as of 14 February 2023, the Victorian Government is cracking down on distracted drivers with new rules in place from March 2023.

Research has shown the risk of drivers crashing increases when texting, browsing or emailing, with one-third of drivers admitting to using their phone illegally while driving.

Distraction is also involved in at least 11 per cent of fatalities – equal to 20 people each year whose death is avoidable.

The new rules will extend existing mobile phone rules to cover modern technology such as in-built vehicle systems, mounted devices, wearable/portable devices such as smartwatches and tablets and bring Victoria in line with the Australian Road Rules.

Stronger conditions will apply to learner and probationary drivers, including not touching any portable device, taking phone calls or using voice control unless parked.

New mobile phone and seatbelt detection camera technology will also be implemented to help catch people using their mobile phones and not wearing their seatbelts while driving. They use AI-enabled camera systems that can capture high-resolution images of passing vehicles in all conditions, including poor weather and low light levels, amd are estimated to prevent 95 crashes that result in injury or death per year. A three-month warning period will apply from the technology’s activation before drivers face infringement and demerit penalties.

Motorists caught driving distracted will receive penalties of four demerit points and a $555 fine. Community awareness campaigns will run over the coming months to educate drivers on the devastating risks of distraction.

A two-second glance at a device means you are travelling blind for 28 metres while driving in a 50km/h zone – and the distance jumps to 55 metres when travelling at 100km/h.

For more information on the new road rules visit vicroads.vic.gov.au/drivingdistractions and on the mobile phone and seat belt detection cameras visit camerassavelives.vic. gov.au

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Calls to change pick ups

By Mikayla van Loon A petition to change the way hard rubbish is collected throughout the Yarra Ranges has attracted over 130 signatures after being started early last week.

Organiser of the petition Travis Citrine said seeing the disgraceful placing of hard rubbish on nature strips weeks before collection ignited the need for a petition.

“It just looks horrible, that’s the biggest thing. If you look around the streets of Mooroolbark at the moment, it’s like a rubbish tip,” he said.

“For a lot of others, there are people just driving around at night, disturbing people’s peace. That hasn’t really happened to me, I have had people rummage through if I’ve had boxes…and then leave rubbish all over the place.”

Yarra Ranges Council currently uses an annual scheduled system, where hard rubbish is collected from January to March across all 55 towns and roughly 61,500 properties in the shire.

Mr Citrine is calling for the system to be changed to a twice yearly booked collection decided on at the resident’s discretion.

“I lived in Maroondah prior to moving to Yarra Ranges Council and Maroondah has a booked system, they’ve had it like that for a long time and it works very well,” he said.

“You can book your hard rubbish online, they mail you out a sticker and the weekend before your collection, you just put it all out on the lawn and then you might have a pile every once in a while but for the main part of the suburb looks pretty clean.”

While Mr Citrine said you may still get people rummaging through the rubbish “the difference is it’s not known to everybody that it’s hard rubbish time” reducing the disturbances and mess.

A petition has been started to change the way hard rubbish is collected throughout the Yarra Ranges. 319962 Many people have experienced nighttime drivebys, with Mooroolbark residents taking to the community noticeboard to call people out.

“Thank you so much to the person who drove up our court at 11pm at night with their trucks high beams on, stopping at each house

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On sections of the lines

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and then searching on our property with torches through hard rubbish,” one person said.

“Thanks for your lights shining right into our bedroom, waking me up and scaring me!

It’s a bit disconcerting to see torches and movement out [the] front of your house at 11pm.”

Another resident also commented on the inconsiderate behaviour of some people placing their rubbish on other people’s piles, making a mess leaving the resident responsible for cleaning it up.

“I love living in Mooroolbark and I don’t mind the dozens of cars who stop to have a look at our hard rubbish.

“However, I’m a bit disgusted at people who rummage through our hard rubbish and leave it strewn across the nature strip.”

Despite these concerns, Yarra Ranges Council planning and sustainable futures director Kath McClusky said the scheduled collections are the most cost effective and reliable for residents.

“Because our municipality is spread over 2500 square kilometres, it is extremely cost effective to run a scheduled collection, where an entire street has their waste collected at the same time,” she said.

“Having on-call collections would result in a much higher cost for the service, which would be passed on to residents through their annual waste charge.

Ms McClusky said for the residents who live in the more regional parts of the shire, booked collections potentially during winter are not feasible.

“The collection also runs through the driest part of the year – this is because we have

many unsealed roads, some with steep terrain, and the collection trucks for hard waste are significantly heavier than regular kerbside bin trucks.

“In wet weather, many items would pose a risk to the contractors to manage, and there would be added difficulties accessing our remote properties.”

With the changes to Victoria’s kerbside bin collections, Ms McClusky said throughout 2022 the community was asked about on-call hard rubbish collections.

“From more than 7000 responses, 75 per cent of people said they’d prefer collections to continue at a set time. 72 per cent of respondents said they wanted the current timing of January-March to continue.

“We’re now finalising our Community Waste and Resource Recovery Plan, for release later this year – largely focusing on wheelie bin collections and recycling changes - but the current arrangement of our hard waste system is unlikely to change for the reasons above.”

Mr Citrine said he would let the petition run for a little while longer before contacting each respondent for the appropriate details needed to submit it to the council.

“I’ll just let it run for a little bit until the next meeting. I’ll have to extract the people who have signed the petition and I’ll email them privately with an actual form to put those details down for me,” he said.

“Then I can submit that to the council properly in the format they need it. I’ll probably go to the next council meeting and see how it goes.”

The petition can be found here www. change.org/p/change-hard-rubbish-collections-to-a-booked-system

Over 130 people want to see hard rubbish moved to booked collections to prevent people rummaging through piles like this one on Hawthory Rd, Kilsyth. 319962

Hard rubbish piles have been strewn across lawns on Greenslopes Drive in Mooroolbark.

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At the level crossing

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At the level crossing

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NEWS

Bandaid bus for overflow

By Tanya Steele

An additional bus has been added to the Mckenzie Z24 service to cater for overflow and crowding issues for students accessing schools in the Lilydale area.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

The Z24 service has been overcrowded for some time.

Department of Planning and Transport. It runs from Healesville to Lilydale via Yarra Glen.

The service has an uncertain future despite regular services being unable to meet the requirements of the local community.

“Young year seven students on their first day of secondary school, kids with special needs and VCE students were all understandably upset and distressed at being left. They didn’t know what to do,” Ms McLeish said.

Secondary students from Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen and Coldstream commute to attend school and teachers at the schools have

vices in the area and added the extra bus whilst a longer term answer is looked into.

“An extra bus was put on to deal with the current capacity issue on the route and the Department is looking into the best longer term solution to prevent a similar situation arising in the future,” DPT spokesperson said.

“We addressed this as a matter of priority and apologise to the parents and children of those affected,” said the DTP spokesperson.

The temporary service has taken some of the pressure off for now and the DTP is organising an internal review.

15 years since apology

By Tanya Steele As Monday 13 February marked the 15 year anniversary since the National Apology by Kevin Rudd to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, Yarra Ranges Council reflected on the shire being one of the first local governments to offer an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child expressed pride on behalf of the shire about the early milestone and also acknowledged the work ahead for reconciliation.

“Sorry Day is an important day in the national calendar – an incredibly significant marker, of the Federal Government apologising for the injustices inflicted on Aboriginal people during Australia’s colonial history,” he said.

“I’m proud that we at Yarra Ranges were one of the first government bodies to offer an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997.

“We worked with our community at the time to word the official apology, with the understanding that past injustices need to be acknowledged if we are going to work towards Reconciliation.”

The original apology provided by the council was worded as follows: Yarra Ranges Council recognises the past injustices and treatment of Aboriginal Peoples.

If we are to proceed in an openhearted and responsible way to address the issues which will come before us in the future we first need to acknowledge the past. Council recognises the need to confront the policies and practices which caused the forced removal and separation of Aboriginal children from their parents and families, the effects of which continue today.

Accordingly, we wish to express our deep sorrow and sincerely apologise for the pain, the grief and the suffering experienced by Aboriginal peoples as a result of past laws, government policy and actions.

The national apology from Mr Rudd mailcommunity.com.au

dealt with the issue for a number of years.

Mount Lilydale Mercy College Deputy Principal John Rodgers said it’s a recurring issue.

“It’s been an issue for a number of years, but especially at the start of the school term,” he said.

The overflow bus is often crowded or unable to meet requirements, especially at the beginning of the year when year seven students are beginning high school.

After being alerted to the issue the DTP has begun reviewing the current school-hour ser-

ALL - NEW

OUTLANDER

Yarra Ranges Council was one of the first local governments to offer an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997. Picture: ON FILE came a decade after National Sorry Day began on 26 May 1998 during Reconciliation Week.

Andrew Peters, son of late Healesville elder Aunty Dot Peters said Sorry Day is about acknowledgement and development.

“Recognition of Sorry Day for me isn’t about finding someone to blame for the many past injustices, but about honestly acknowledging that they happened, developing an understanding of why they happened, and making changes to our national identity and education to ensure they don’t happen again,” he said.

“It’s the oldest living culture in the world, and it should be celebrated as a source of immense national pride.”

Dr Peters said reconciliation is a healing process and awareness on these anniversaries is an opportunity for discussion and education amongst the community.

“The work of local Aboriginal people over the years has created a great opportunity for us to really educate about reconciliation and find the enormous value of Aboriginal culture and history to us all – we’re very lucky to have such a strong connection in the Yarra Ranges through the work of so many wonderful Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and have a unique opportunity to be a leader in the reconciliation space,” he said.

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A new temporary school bus service has been established following several students being left stranded due to an overflow of passengers.

On Wednesday February 1, a group of around 15 students were left at the Yarra Glen bus shelter due to too many passengers on the Z24 service.

Dixon’s Creek parent Megan’s two children were not able to get on the bus, one of whom was starting year seven that day.

“My daughter had been excited to catch the bus to school for years and then it rocked up and the driver said ‘No, you can’t get on’,” she said.

The students left at the bus stop had to call parents to make other arrangements to get to school as the service was unable to cater for them.

Megan attempted to call both her school and the bus company but they were unable to offer assistance. She then notified her State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish, and started an online petition.

Ms McLeish took the matter to the State Government and by February 3 the temporary overflow service was provided.

“This is a small win for the Yarra Ranges community however, we are still in need of a permanent solution to ensure students can get to school safely, without any issues,” she said.

When the issue arose, the bus company notified the Department of Planning and Transport (DTP) and a spokesperson said they were concerned to hear of the incident.

“We were extremely concerned to hear reports from the bus company on route Z24 that some children were unable to be picked up due to a lack of space on one of the school bus services,” the spokesperson said.

The McKenzie’s Z24 is a backup service that has been in place since 2012 and funded by the

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Remembering the ashes

By Callum Ludwig The Wesburn/Millgrove CFA took a moment to reflect on Ash Wednesday with a service on the night of Thursday 16 February, exactly 40 years on.

Brigade Chair and former River Valley Chruch pastor Andrew Bennett delivered a short service by the flagpoles at the front of the station.

Mr Bennett said it was the first memorial to take place to honour those who fought the fires.

“It was our first Ash Wednesday memorial, and we were very aware of the big memorial in Cockatoo but our main aim was just not to forget what happened that day,” he said.

“When we pause and remember, it’s a reminder about complacency, a reminder of all the key messages we know about fires now and of course a reminder of the people who died fighting those fires.”

A small crowd of brigade members from Wesburn/Millgrove and Warburton, members of the Millgrove Residents Action Group and other community members gathered for the 8.30pm service.

Mr Bennett said we need reminders all the time, particularly in a modern world that is more connected than ever before.

“In rural communities or any community that was affected by fire, I think it’s really important that we remember so complacency doesn’t seep in and stopping and remembering the traumatic stuff that happened helps make us better people,” he said.

“My colleagues and I at the fire brigade are continually dumbfounded by the number of people who have no plan for a big event or who say it’s never as bad as we make it out to be but one day it’s going to happen because it’s happened before and it will happen again.”

Paul and Maxine Burke were Wesburn/Mill-

Attendees reflect at the dusk service.

Pictures: SASCHA GRANT

grove brigade members at the time and shared their experience of fighting the fire.

Wesburn/Millgrove Captain Sascha Grant said everybody was really touched by the service.

“People were getting a perspective of Ash Wednesday that they perhaps hadn’t seen themselves, because everybody who lived through Ash Wednesday had an individual and unique perspective of it,” he said.

“Andrew Bennett did an amazing job as he reflected on the loss of life, loss of property and the loss of land that we experienced, and Paul told us about how he essentially spent 10 days on the back of the fire truck looking after the community while Maxine ran the radios and looked after the station.”

A wreath was laid.

Andrew Bennett leads the service.

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Dashcam footage from Cliff Riseborough as he approaches the Queens Road and Wandin East Road intersection. Picture: CLIFF RISEBOROUGH

The point where a driver who failed to stop is first visible.

Picture: CLIFF RISEBOROUGH

The driver shoots across the intersection barely in front of the slowly approaching Cliff Riseborough.

Picture: CLIFF RISEBOROUGH

Crash claims second life

By Callum Ludwig Kira Hennessy was making her way to work at Cherry Hill Orchard’s Wandin East site on Tuesday 17 February when tragedy struck.

At the intersection of Queens Road and Beenak Road Seville, she and Mooroolbark resident Leroy Collins collided. Ms Hennessy was unable to be revived at the scene by emergency services and Mr Collins died from his injuries on Sunday 12 February in hospital.

Calls have come thick and fast to bring serious changes to make the intersection safer, with the retired proprietor of the family-owned Cherry Hill Orchards Cliff Riseborough compiling a discussion paper for Yarra Ranges Council.

Mr Riseborough has seen the traffic conditions change during his 82 years living on Queens Road and said he was in Hastings when he got the call from his son on the day of the incident.

“He said it was not a good day, and of course told me the news which is never good to receive. I didn’t have a lot of direct contact with her but everyone in the organisation of nearly 40 people was shaken up,” he said.

“Some 26 people from our business went to her funeral in Corowa, and it was a hard day, but it would be nice to think that in this unfortunate situation that it at least may be a catalyst for the powers to be from Federal and State Governments to local Council to look at this and other intersections.”

In a tribute post for Ms Hennessy, the Cherry Hill team described her as a rising star and the ‘friendly face and bubbly voice of our phone calls, emails and social messages for Cherry Hill’.

Mr Collins’ death has also left behind devastated family and friends, including his mother Sandy who was financially dependent on her son. A GoFundMe has been started to assist her: www.gofund.me/66135ac4 As part of his report, Mr Riseborough wanted to showcase the number of dangerous in-

Tributes left at the intersection of Queens Road and Beenak Road, Seville. 320070 Beenak Road, travelling North: One stop · sign, no rumble strips and poor visibility

The intersection of Queens Road and Beenak Road, Seville. 320070 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS tersections in the area and compiled dashcam footage of himself slowly approaching the intersection of Queens Road and Wandin East Road. Mr Riseborough is turning right from Queens Road onto Wandin East Road and has almost slowed to a stop, despite being on the through road, when a car shoots out just ahead of him without stopping at the stop sign.

Mr Riseborough had every right to be travelling at 80km per hour with the expectation the other car would stop and said if he wasn’t going steady into that intersection, he would have been t-boned, by someone that had no idea about stopping at the intersection.

“I don’t believe those intersections are fit for purpose, because they’re giving drivers a false sense of security as they can legally go 80km/h on Queens Road as the through road when people on the intersecting roads are not adhering or seeing the current signage,” he said.

“I really hoped to see some temporary mea-

sures put up such as some temporary signs just to tell people to watch out or be more careful.

The full solution won’t and shouldn’t take five minutes, but as of now, the recipe for disaster has not changed.”

As per Mr Riseborough’s paper, the signage at the intersection consists of: Queens Road, travelling East: Has a clearly visible crossroad sign, but no stop signage.

Visibility to the left is good, but to the right is almost entirely obscured by a tree.

Queens Road, travelling West: Crossroad sign is partially obscured by a tree, 80km/h signposts shortly prior to the intersection.

Visibility to both the left and right is obscured by fences and trees, this is the direction Ms Henessy was travelling.

Beenak Road, travelling South: Bend in the road shortly prior to the intersection, with one crossroad sign. There are no rumble strips, and only one stop sign.

· ·

·

both left and right.

Acting Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure at Yarra Ranges Council Kim O’Connor said following the tragic January crash, they have completed a safety assessment at the high-risk cross-intersection.

“We have identified additional safety improvements which include installation of advanced warning signs, rumble strips and line marking treatments to prompt drivers to slow down and make them aware of the prevailing road conditions,” he said.

“The works are anticipated to be completed within the next six to eight weeks. We’re also making similar improvements at other cross intersections along Beenak Road, which will help community members and visitors to make their way through the area safely.”

Yarra Ranges Council will also be applying for blackspot funding for intersection treatment projects at both intersections, and other high risk areas across Yarra Ranges.

“Wherever you are, in Yarra Ranges or beyond, we urge all drivers to be mindful of conditions and other road users, which will help everyone get home safely,” said Mr O’Connor.

Mr Riseborough’s footage can be viewed in full here: https://youtu.be/gCfOR75IIzs

Coordinated response required to reduce road trauma

By Callum Ludwig After a man died in a Wandin North crash on Sunday 12 February, adding to further fatalities on local roads, concerns continue to be raised regarding road safety.

Wandin Fire Brigade members alone have attended two incidents that have caused fatalities this year and were dismayed at the lack of action, with 25 incidents in their records at the notorious Wellington Road and Clegg Road intersection since 2020 alone.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence said we keep asking what will it take to fix these known dangerous roads and intersections.

“Tragically, in the past month, three people have lost their lives on Yarra Valley roads.

How many more deaths before the government takes seriously the need to upgrade the many known dangerous roads through the Yarra Valley?” she said.

Ms Vallence previously called on the government to upgrade the Wellington and Clegg Roads intersection back in 2021 and further raises multiple road issues in Parliament or through official communications with the Roads Minister.

“I have repeatedly called on the government to upgrade Maroondah Highway Coldstream and Warburton Highway Seville mailcommunity.com.au

A serious collision at the same Wellington Road and Clegg Road intersection in 2021.

Picture: ON FILE

The intersection of Wellington Road and Clegg Road, Wandin North. 320070 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

East, where there has been a fatality, but still there is no action. Last week I called on the government to help fix Queens Road, Wandin East where a few weeks ago a Hawthorn woman and a Mooroolbark man tragically lost their lives,” she said.

The Department of Transport and Planning (DOTP) holds the jurisdiction for the Warburton Highway and Clegg Road.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by the recent crash at the intersection of Wellington and Clegg roads. We work closely with Victoria Police to understand the cir-

cumstances around each incident,” a DOTP spokesperson said.

While, Beenak Road, Queens Road and Wellington Road are the responsibility of Yarra Ranges Council.

“We’ve previously installed rumble strips and advanced warning signs at the intersection of Clegg Road and Wellington Road, and we will work with the Department of Transport on further treatments for this intersection,” the Acting Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure at Yarra Ranges Council Kim O’Connor said. There are multiple signs on Wellington and Clegg Road warning motorists

of the upcoming intersection.

“Local emergency services workers from CFA and Police have suggested a sensible short-term measure would be to install flashing lights to help alert drivers ahead of these poor visibility intersections or make upgrades such as roundabouts,” said Ms Vallence.

“Ultimately, the local emergency services first responders as well as residents and local farming businesses should be consulted without delay by Council and the State Government so that their insights and experience driving these roads can be included in any upgrades.”

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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NEWS

Step forward for green

By Renee Wood The community will again have their say on whether Yarra Ranges Council should purchase the Healesville Green following the recent formal offer being provided to buy the much loved site.

Council approved the motion to initiative engagement at the Tuesday 14 February council meeting for the purchase from Victrack at half the market value of $675,000 plus GST. The site was leased by council from the State Government from 1980 until it was advised that the 1695m2 area at 13 Green Street was to be sold in 2017, with the lease ending in 2018.

There was concern that the open space would be sold commercially, losing the valued area which is used for local markets and as a picnic spot.

Councillor Fiona McAllister said this has been a long journey but is still annoyed that ratepayers have to buy back the land.

“I feel happy that we’re at this point but still profoundly disappointed that we have to spend nearly $700,000 of community money to buy back something that never wasn’t theirs in the first place,” Cr McAllister said.

The community has been fighting to hold on to the land since 2017 with the Healesville Action Group (HAG) being part of the battle since then.

HAG Secretary John Anwin said they would have hoped there was no price tag, but glad the site could soon be a permanent community asset.

“There is enough money to pay, even though we think it’s not correct but long ago we gave up on hoping that they’d give it to us for $1, so we get the best deal as we can,” Mr Anwin said.

HAG Convenor John Rosser said they spent every Sunday going to the community market

The Healesville Green is a much loved open space by the community. held at the green gaining signatures and support to hold on to it.

“It’s the best we can we can hope for, the whole thing is to get it back for the for the community,” Mr Rosser said.

“The market provides money to the scouts, the tennis club things like that and that little bit of green holds another 20 sites and it all helps for Healesville.”

There were community survey’s last conducted in 2017 for support of the purchase which saw 89.7 per cent of respondents support council purchasing the land at $400k, while 67.2 per cent supported its purchase of market value which was over $1 million.

Picture: ON FILE

Mr Anwin hopes that there would be support again for the survey with the figure as it stands now and said it’s important for the town and for visitors.

“It’s a good toilet stop, we’ve got the bus opposite we can we can get out quickly…it is convenient…but it’s generally a good open space,” he said.

Cr McAllister believes support is still high.

“Certainly everyone I speak to, the answer is yes and really these what seem like inconsequential small bits of green beautiful open space that are loved by community are absolutely worth protecting,” she said.

The purchase of the land would come from

Public Open Space Funding available to Ryrie Ward and during the process the land would be re-zoned to public open space.

“We would be able to make commitment back to Healesville community that it would be there’s and ours in perpetuity.”

There have been previous ideas in the past of possibly installing a rotunda for music events, with ideas such as this to be potentially re-looked at if the sale goes through.

“Concentration was to get it and when we got it, we can then talk about what’s going to happen and I think that would be the process that assuming it’s all successful,” Mr Anwin said.

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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NEWS

Well attended meeting

By Parker McKenzie Yarra Ranges Council meeting on Tuesday 14 February once again had a strong turnout of local residents, with all 140 seats used, and they were joined by a cohort of security guards hired by the council after last week’s adjournment.

Mayor Jim Child opened the meeting by acknowledging the lives lost during Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday.

“The 40th anniversary of Ash Wednesday is coming soon, a horrific bushfire event which claimed some 47 lives in Victoria,” he said.

“I’d like to acknowledge the anniversary of Black Saturday, which was recently as well.”

The previous meeting saw interjections from the gallery, resulting in Mayor Child adjourning the meeting and the police being called to the Civic Centre in Lilydale after those in attendance refused to leave.

There was anticipation from some — based on the presence of a photographer from The Age and an ABC reporter in the gallery — that it may occur again, however, the meeting was completed without issue.

During the public question time, the council was asked about the use of Chinese-made security cameras throughout the shire.

Yarra Ranges Council’s Manager for Infrastructure Services Kim O’Connor responded to the question and said the council did have cameras manufactured by Hikvision.

“These cameras are standalone and not connected to our network systems,” he said.

“At this stage council will monitor the current concerns with respect to the use of Hikvision and Dahua cameras.”

The question mirrored current scrutiny in Canberra surrounding the two companies’ links to the Chinese government and their technologies used in sensitive departments and organisations.

Councillors opposing the planning permit

The council meeting saw another strong turnout, with all 140 seats put out in use (aside from those reserved for registered speakers in the front row).

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE for a petrol station in Yarra Junction received applause from the gallery, despite the motion passing.

A comment about “robust debate” being at the heart of council matters from the mayor received a mix of laughs and grumbling from

the gallery, but otherwise, it was back to regularly scheduled programming for Yarra Ranges Council.

Yarra Junction unmanned petrol station gets approval

By Callum Ludwig At the meeting on Tuesday 14 February, Yarra Ranges Council controversially approved an unattended petrol station, car wash and dog wash at Yarratech Automotive and Tyre Services, 2420 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction.

The proposed petrol station would have six operating bowsers, new 90,000L underground fuel tanks, a two-bay car wash, vacuum bays available between 5am and 10pm and a dog wash will be available between 7am and 10pm.

A planning report prepared by Yarra Ranges Council officers resolved to refuse the application on the grounds that: It does not provide a net community benefit or need, Residential amenity and character would not be negatively affected, The site is not suitable for a 24/7 service station and car wash, The commercial needs should not replace the limited supply of housing and accommodation opportunities afforded to the local community, It is located in a sensitive residential context that will create ongoing conflicts with residents, It will generate unreasonable noise (day and night) and light pollution (night), It fails to consider the retention of highly valued significant trees, And two injections were received from the public, concerned about amenity, traffic, health, safety and no community land use need.

Director of AP Planning Annabel Paul objected on behalf of the applicant Warburton Highway Developments Proprietary Ltd at the meeting and said the site has a long history of non-residential use, with the current operator on the site for approximately 21 years.

· · · · · · · ·

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The current site slated to be transformed into an unmanned petrol station, car wash and dog Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS wash. 319836 “Prior to this business, the site was used and developed for the purposes of a service station and workshops that we understand operated for approximately 20 to 30 years.

Understandably, this current and former use provide my client with some comfort that the site would be suitable for his proposal,” she said.

“Yarra Junction is one of the largest townships in the municipality and does not have a service station. It will also serve a broader community in the smaller townships that don’t have a fuel service and people who would like to travel through the area.”

Gallery member Shona Smith spoke in support of the officer’s recommendation of a refusal and said she believes the negatives

outweigh the benefits.

“It will be removing high-value trees from the property, is unmanned and projected to run 24/7 with some alterations to that being car washes stopping at 10pm,” she said.

“But I believe the noise and the air pollution far outweigh the benefits that it will bring, there are petrol stations located variously along the Warburton Highway, including in Launching Place and Wesburn.”

Yarra Ranges Council’s Director of Planning, Design and Development Kath McClusky then answered questions from Councillors regarding clarification on whether the proposal counts as a petrochemical facility (and if it was, whether it was subject to restrictions in proximity to the nearby Smart

Reader Kids childcare centre), what the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) permit stated, whether the proposal fit the criteria of permitted use under its status as a Residential Zone One site and what measures would be put in place to reduce noise at night.

Despite the recommendation of refusal, an alternative motion in favour of approving the development was moved by Yarra Ranges Council Mayor and O’Shanassy Ward Councillor Jim Child and was seconded by Cr Fiona McAllister.

Cr Child said that it is needed as Yarra Junction is a large Activity Centre in the municipality.

“The broader outlying communities, Powelltown, Gilderoy, Three Bridges, Gladysdale, Don Valley and Launch [Launching Place], these are the places that come to Yarra Junction to do their shopping, and other service activities,” he said.

“The only thing you can’t do there is buy a drop of fuel.

“Well, that doesn’t achieve what an Activity Centre is about.”

Every councillor contributed to the discussion either by speaking to the alternative recommendation or by asking questions of the executive.

Further points of discussion included the potential for loitering at an unattended facility at night, the potential for fumes to drift towards the childcare or the Cunningham Hotel, the need for fuel late at night and without having to travel several kilometres, passive surveillance from the police station across the road, the extent of its importance in an emergency and whether it was a case of overdevelopment all points raised.

The alternative recommendation was passed with a vote of six to three, with Chandler Ward Councillor David Eastham, Lyster Ward Councillor Johanna Skelton and Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox opposing it.

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 9

NEWS

L-R: Hillcrest CFA’s Colin Dickson and Rochelle Poulton, WYD Bendigo Bank Chairman Peter Cownley, WYD Bendigo Bank Branch Manager Justin Hall and Yarra Junction Ambulance Station Team Manager Lars Reisinger. Pictures: CALLUM LUDWIG

Lars Reisinger and Justin Hall are pleased to have a publically available AED for the Woori Yallock community.

Life saving defib access

By Callum Ludwig

“There’s an app we urge people to download called GoodSAM, which allows the general public to be involved in emergency cases, where they’ll get a notification that there’s a cardiac arrest in their local area,” he said.

“It will provide an overlay from where their phone is at that point in time and direct them to a local AED accessible 24 hours a day.”

An AED’s computer analyses a heart’s rhythm, determining whether defibrillation is needed when someone is suffering a cardiac arrest. A recorded voice cue then prompts the user to deliver a shock, which stuns the heart and stops all activity, giving it a chance to return to its normal rhythm. Even if unsuccessful, the AED will download information that can be provided to give to treating clinicians at a hospital to provide details about the patient’s condition at the time of the event.

Branch Manager at Woori Yallock and Dis-

trict Bendigo Bank and CFA volunteer of over 20 years Justin Hall said he hopes to see a continued rollout of this program in the local area.

“The Woori Yallock and District Bendigo Bank is proud to be getting this out to the community and it’s going to make a quite massive contribution to improving the survival rate, particularly of our more rural townships that aren’t always close by,” he said.

“Being able to support people in the worst moments of their life makes a huge difference, whether that is our local firies responding or just good Samaritans in the community.”

AEDs are intended for use by any person, but formal training can also help you to feel more confident and comfortable if you need to use an AED.

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Paramedics do everything in their power to race to the scene of a medical emergency, but any bit of help from the public can make a crucial difference, especially in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.

In a bid to help save local lives, a new publicly accessible AED (automated external defibrillator) has been installed by the Woori Yallock and District (WYD) Bendigo Bank.

Team Manager at the Yarra Junction Ambulance Station Lars Reisinger said it’s really nice to see the Bendigo Bank giving back to the community in a way that could be life-saving.

“With cardiac arrest, it’s a matter of minutes that make the difference. Even though Ambulance Victoria will still be attending all these cases, having it available to shortcut that period of time is benefiting all members of the lo-

cal community,” he said.

“If someone can get the defib and an electric shock to that patient in conjunction with compressions, there is much more likely to be a good outcome for that patient than doing nothing at all.”

Reacting under pressure in an emergency scenario can be difficult and stressful, but encouraging publically available AEDs and opportunities for residents to learn how to use them are vital initiatives of Ambulance Victoria.

Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is no longer an expectation for residents responding, with applying a defibrillator and chest compressions the best way to respond immediately.

Mr Reisinger said Ambulance Victoria wants to bridge the gap to try and increase the amount of people that are confident in applying an AED and doing CPR.

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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NEWS

Kinder’s promising start

By Tanya Steele Three year old kinder is off to a promising start for the year with the introduction of the free services provided by the government coming into effect for Yarra Ranges facilities.

Families can now access up to 15 hours of free childcare in both sessional and long day length services at participating centres.

Not for profit chain, Kinderlink, in Healesville, runs three services in Badger Creek, Haig Avenue and Queens Park.

The long running organisation has always recognised the need for quality services for three year old children, with bachelor qualified teachers running their three year old sessions.

Kinderlink officer manager Emma Newsome said it’s beneficial to parents and children.

“It’s great for children that need to be out of the home and for those parents who are wanting to go back to work and wanting their children to be taken care of full time,” Ms Newsome said.

The introduced funding has allowed more options for parents to enrol their children in social kindergarten sessions and still also access daycare.

“We’ve got more enrollments this year than we have been looking at previous years in terms of the fact that it made it viable,” she said.

The announcement for the funding came last year but the staff at Kinderlink had to hold off until details were finalised, despite a lot of enquiries.

“There was a lot of interest around as well, with parents asking is this actually going to be free? Specifically, some of our vulnerable families in the community who sometimes probably may not have access to three year old programs just for the cost factor.”

Children attending quality services of a three and four year old kindergarten have been shown to have an overall advantage when it comes to starting school.

This is in areas such as thinking and social skills, which can help with language and skill development and in turn assist with academic outcomes later in life.

Kinderlink had been asking the community for interest in more days and sessions and newly qualified kindergarten teacher Nicole

Facilities in Badger Creek would need expansion in the future to accommodate more enrolments and government initiatives.

Arnup said a whole new class could be a possibility.

“We have looked for expressions of interest to start a whole new class and the difference with this one would be seven and a half hours.

Our sessions are either normally three, five or six hours.”

Ms Arnup said overall the funding has been positive for the Kinderlink childcare centres.

“Four year old care is actually free this year. There’s families that are accessing four

year old Kinder that would probably not usually, they would normally just send their children to school because it’s expensive,” she said.

“So previously they just waited and kept them at home until school came along. We’re full with waitlists this year.”

The future of childcare in Victoria will be a complex landscape in years to come, with the recent announcement of the Best Life, Best Start Program by the government.

This release documented a pre-prep kin-

Picture: TANYA STEELE

dergarten program which would fund further care for children in the early development years.

“There is actually a demand from our sessional kinder families for those longer days. A lot of them do work and have to pick up their children early or family members and it is quite a struggle,” Ms Arnup said.

Further planning is required due to the need for space and infrastructure to accommodate the new government funding and waitlists for services.

NAPLAN changes means testing to start mid March

By Mikayla van Loon Changes to NAPLAN come into effect this March, as students prepare to sit the national proficiency test two months earlier than normal in an attempt to bring the availability of results forward.

Victoria Road Primary School principal Lisa Branch said while the lead up to this year’s NAPLAN seems rushed given the earlier date, it will become normal after this year.

“The hope is that we will get the results of NAPLAN earlier than we normally do. So that way there might be some benefit in the assessment for schools because usually it’s not particularly beneficial for schools,” she said.

“We get those results so late it doesn’t help us to really determine anything much about our students.”

The way testing is completed will also change, with much of the assessment now to be done online, something Ms Branch said may create challenges for students.

“Almost all of it’s online, the year three writing one will still be a paper test,” she said.

“Where it’s tricky, for example, with numeracy, we have really high results for numeracy in our school but the way that we teach children numeracy and the way we work through numeracy doesn’t line up with the way NAPLAN functions at all.”

Ms Branch said when teaching numeracy, teachers provide students many different strategies to work through a problem to apply the best one.

“They would have to make an assessment on which types of strategies they will use, mailcommunity.com.au

Victoria Road Primary School is prepping for the earlier start date of NAPLAN in March. 286865 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS they will be applying critical thinking, problem solving, they’re working collaboratively with teams to solve problems.

“When you then put them in front of a test and say, ‘this is time limited and it’s just going to keep pushing through the test’ they don’t test particularly well in that sense, because that’s not how we teach numeracy.

“So it’s always a bit disappointing to see

that the test doesn’t really reflect best practice in terms of teaching and with it being online, possibly even more so.”

Not only does the new online format potentially bring with it technical and mechanical challenges, Ms Branch said the age-old concerns about the benefits of NAPLAN for schools and students is still an issue.

“You want an assessment to assess what it

is children know, and the fact we teach it very differently to how NAPLAN is tested means we don’t really see what our children know in NAPLAN. “We have very robust and detailed assessment schedules and methods and tools and the way that we analyse data from those is very specific. We get a lot of information from those things that we don’t really get much information at all from NAPLAN.” Another concern Ms Branch has with the way NAPLAN is reported publicly is that it is rather confusing and “basically allows them to stack school against school”.

“It’s actually a very broad brushstroke of some small snapshot of information and so people shopping around for schools and basing their choices on the small bit of information they’ve got out of NAPLAN is really unhelpful.

“What we’d want would be for families to be choosing a school that’s a good fit for their family and their values and how that lines up with the school’s values.”

Logistically preparing for NAPLAN to start on 15 March, Ms Branch said it’s always a lot of work in setting up rooms and computers ready for the assessments.

Not teaching to the test means students will go about their normal curriculum, with teachers only guiding them through how the test will be formatted and how to ensure they complete it properly.

NAPLAN will run from 15 to 27 March, giving schools a nine day window to complete the assessments across writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy.

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 11

NEWS

Concerns for wood chop

By Tanya Steele There’s concerns the heritage sport of woodchopping in Victoria is at risk due to the shortage of logs available in the coming year.

Central Victorian Axemen’s Association member (CVAA) and Upper Yarra resident Brett Robin said many events in March were almost cancelled due to a lack of supply.

“It’s not just the woodchop that has been affected, it’s all our country shows - every weekend we have a country show in Victoria,” Mr Robin said.

The heritage sport traditionally uses native forest logs for its events and afterwards the chopped logs are used for firewood.

“They’ll give it to the local football clubs or the rotary clubs,” Mr Robin said.

The sporting events can not run without logs and supply is so low that the issue has been brought to State Members by the Victorian Axemen’s Council.

State Liberal Member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish said, “With the constant issue and litigation around timber harvesting, access to the essential part of the sport has been closed to axemen, with the surety of log supply no longer provided. I have been contacted by the Victoria Axemen’s Council who are concerned

Wood Chopping. 94080

The Crank Up at Yarra Musem last year.

Picture: YARRA MUSEUM

that if logs are not sourced soon, it will be the end of the much-loved Australian sport.”

Many wood-chop events are held in Victoria every year and without supply, it’s feared the events will disappear from the

show programmes.

“With the lack of wood available, the Alexandra Truck Show in June and popular Lilydale and Yarra Valley Show is at jeopardy with many more to follow, including the Royal Melbourne

Show,” said Ms McLeish.

The drawcard events have been a part of Agricultural shows for many years and there’s a push for a solution to keep the sport in Australian culture.

“If woodchopping is lost, so is a part of Australian heritage. The government must ensure there is a sustainable solution to this problem,”said Ms McLeish.

Treasuring our Trees branches out with railway timber Treasuring Our Trees has received a donation of redgum logs from the Cranbourne Line Upgrade set to be repurposed.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, The Level Crossing Road Project (LXRP) looked for a way to repurpose trees that could not be retained.

LXRP has partnered with Treasuring Our Trees, a community organisation founded in 2021 with the aim of rescuing timber for re-use in Victorian schools and community projects and helping children learn how to value and recycle resources.

The timber will be transformed into indoor and outdoor furniture for 20 Melbourne primary schools and kindergartens, as well as community projects taking part in the Treasuring Our Trees program.

Founder David Ferrier said he was determined to salvage timber for use by schools and artists.

His first mission for Treasuring Our Trees was to collect fallen trees in communities afflicted by the severe storms of June 2021, which struck the Dandenong and Yarra ranges.

The redgum load marks his first venture with LXRP, which is committed to re-using materials as it works to remove 110 of Victoria’s most dangerous and congested level crossings by 2030.

“The Level Crossing Removal Project is focusing on sustainability, and that’s why we decided to partner with the project,”

Construction timber will be transformed into indoor and outdoor furniture. 312843 Picture: SHELBY BROOKS Mr Ferrier said.

“We’re impressed by the LXRP team’s foresight to salvage these logs for a greater purpose.

“This wood can be used for cabinets, tables, outdoor furniture, yarning circles and kitchen gardens.”

Mr Ferrier said Treasuring Our Trees has agreements with 20 primary schools and kindergartens in outer-east Melbourne and

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has recently begun presenting to secondary schools to raise awareness about sustainability.

“We also have more than 20 community projects, and we are absolutely determined to showcase the amazing work of local artists by providing them with natural resources to work with,” he said.

Mr Ferrier said that Treasuring Our Trees has created a database to record donations

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including species, length, diameter, location of the donated materials and intended project.

Every log will eventually be tracked on the Treasuring Our Trees website so that donors could find out how and where the timber was used.

“Even if it’s 5000 logs at once, they are recorded,” he said.

“As they are pulled off the stack they are measured by length and width.

We want to be able to share the story of what happens to them next, so you might have 40 or 50 small pieces that are allocated a millimetre measurement and eventually made into art display cabinets or tables.

“It is important that we can suggest what we can do for schools.”

Treasuring Our Trees recently opened a showroom and educational hub in Lilydale.

The inaugural exhibition, inspired by LXRP’s donation and trees rescued from the storms, features work by Melbourne artists including Anton McMurray and Emma Jennings, whose portrait of Kalorama CFA captain Bill Robinson is painted on fallen blackwood.

Treasuring Our Trees has another exhibition planned for early March 2023.

Across the level crossing removal project, more than 2.54 million trees, plants and shrubs have been planted.

To find out more about the Cranbourne Line Upgrade, visit levelcrossings.vic.gov.au

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

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Cook up for kids lunches

By Callum Ludwig Prepping school lunches can be arduous and stressful, sometimes even requiring multiple weekly trips to the supermarket to keep up the supply of school snacks.

The ADRA Redwood Centre in Warburton is helping to prepare parents for each school week a little better with a free cooking class from Community Cooking Connection.

Local chef Nina Hallicar will be hosting the class and said the Healthy Lunchbox and After School Snack is designed to create awareness about the potential dangers of eating too many pre-made processed foods.

“It offers participants the opportunity to learn how to make easy, healthier alternatives at home. During the two-hour workshop, participants will learn how to prepare and make three healthy lunchbox items - Rice paper Rolls, Honey Popcorn and Green Smoothies,” she said.

“Participants will also learn some handy kitchen time saving techniques and prepare and cook foods using seasonal, healthy and affordable ingredients. “ At the end of the session, everyone will be able to sit, while sharing their thoughts about the food and their cooking experience.

Administrative Assistant at ADRA Redwood, former teacher and mother Keren Wakefield

A cooking class at ADRA Redwood hopes to help pack healthy lunches. said what kids are eating at school and before dinner is incredibly important.

“As a former teacher, I could see the differ-

Picture: ON FILE

ence in children once they have eaten something unhealthy, and they came back inside from lunchtime with a sugar rush, and by late

afternoon they can struggle to concentrate,” she said.

“Everybody’s time-poor these days, if you can learn how to make simple, fast, easy, but healthy snacks, then you can feel confident you’re sending your kid off to school with something nutritious that doesn’t have to take too long to prepare.”

The class at the ADRA Redwood Centre will take place on Tuesday 28 February from 4pm to 6pm.

Ms Wakefield said she thinks there’s a misconception that grabbing the packaged stuff off of the shelf is cheaper.

“It might be more convenient, but if you’re smart about things, purchase all the right ingredients, use portion control and make it ahead of time, you can actually do it on a much cheaper budget,” she said.

“My tip would be to have it all organised by the start of the week, so you have it all at the ready and aren’t tempted to grab something from a packet because it’s easy.”

To book your place for the Redwood session or organise your own class for your home, at your local community group, school or social gathering, contact Ms Hallicar at communitycookingconnection@proton.me or 0493 662 644.

Arts Centre exhibit shows impressionist view of Warby

By Callum Ludwig Warburton art enthusiasts might notice some particularly familiar sights in the art gallery at the Warburton Arts Centre next month.

Painter Sara Perry’s Hinterland exhibition will open on Saturday 18 March and run through into the middle of May. Ms Perry said the pieces of the exhibition are inspired by the scenery of Warburton.

“Lots of the works in the show are inspired by aerial or panoramic views of Warburton and the surrounding area. I use these as a guide for planning the composition, though I edit them as I paint using and abusing my creative license,” she said.

“I do not name the landscapes by location.

I like a certain amount of uncertainty in the landscape so that the viewer can put their ownership on where they believe it to be or where it reminds them of.”

Ms Perry describes her art style as impressionist, an art movement originating from 19th century France known for its small, unblended colour and accurate depictions of natural light.

Ms Perry said Hinterland is about escapism.

“I aim to create landscapes that pull you in and away from your fast-paced life. Through classic techniques of atmospheric and linear perspective, the viewer is pulled down paths, across the terrain, and towards a stable but u

A running river.

Rocky and mountainous. explored horizon,” she said.

“As an artist, I like to explore how the landscape can be unified by light at certain times of the day. I paint with oils, using a restricted pallet. I like to contrast gradual hues and tones with short sharp brush strokes and to create ambiguous forms.”

Pictures: SARA PERRY The Hinterland exhibition captures some of Warburton’s alpine areas, down to its trails and the river.

Coming from a small town on the Western side of Victoria, Ms Perry said small towns like her home and Warburton have such great communities and support for the arts.

“Warburton’s location just suits my love of landscape and escape perfectly - it’s been a pleasure to experience the place and transfer that onto canvas,” she said.

“The opportunity to showcase work is something an artist is always happy to do. The late nights and the endless whirring of the brain all become worth it when you see your work in such a great context. The Warburton Arts Centre is so beautiful and is run with such professionalism. The team have been great to work with.”

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MAIL 13

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Set in the heart of Healesville, St Brigid’s is a warm and welcoming community.

Enriched education Set in the heart of Healesville, St Brigid’s Primary School is a warm and welcoming community, enriched by the values of the Catholic faith.

Their school provides a contemporary and comprehensive curriculum which immerses students in learning about themselves, others and the world around them.

Learning at St Brigid’s is student-centred and personalised, embracing the diversity of each individual student.

Student wellbeing is seen as a core component to their curriculum with developing students’ personal and interpersonal skills, a primary focus. Literacy and numeracy are central to our curriculum and equip students with lifelong skills, as well as fostering a love of learning.

At St Brigid’s, its Catholic faith permeates

all that they do as they celebrate faith through daily prayer and inclusive learning activities.

St Brigid’s students are immersed in a rich specialised program of The Arts (Music, Performing Arts and Music), Physical Education, STEM and Indonesian. The Leading Languages Program encourages the Indonesian vocabulary throughout all facets of school life, not just in the Indonesian classroom.

St Brigid’s prides itself on its values and encourages students, staff and families to support each other as members of the school community.

Enrolments are open for 2024 and are processed according to submission date. Limited places are also available in Prep - Year 4 for 2023, please call the school office on (03) 5962 4200 to book a tour

St Joseph’s School Milner’s Rd, Yarra Junction

Students enjoy a contemporary and comprehensive curriculum at St Brigid’s Primary School.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

in the

St. Brigid’s Catholic Primary School HEALESVILLE

Quality education enriched by the values and traditions of the Catholic faith.

We are a Christ centred community: Learning from the past, Challenging the present, Creating the future.

Student-centred personalised curriculums with a focus on wellbeing.

Strong literacy and numeracy focus.

Call for a guided tour anytime

Specialist classes in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Physical Education, STEM and Indonesian.

For more information or to arrange a personal School Tour please contact our Principal Tess Dwyer on:

12582443-JW08-23

• Excellent visual and performing arts programs • Japanese language program • Promoting Christian values

12547470-JW20-22

• Welcoming community • Situated on 17 acres of bush • Targeted literacy and numeracy • Science Discovery Centre

(03) 5962 4200 St. Brigid’s Primary School

For more information and enrolment details or to arrange a tour, contact St Joseph’s School, Milner’s Road, Yarra Junction Phone: 5967 1183 or visit our website: www.sjyarrajunction.catholic.edu.au 14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

1 - 3 High Street, Healesville, VIC, 3777 E: office@sbhealesville.catholic.edu.au

www.sbhealesville.catholic.edu.au mailcommunity.com.au

OPEN DAYS

Pandemic’s ripple effects The ripple effects of the pandemic continue to be felt by parents, carers and educators as children struggle with basic social skills like sharing and getting along with others.

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is now giving parents the support they need to bridge the gap left by Covid-19 and help their children thrive.

Triple P International Country Director, Carol Markie-Dadds, said the disruptions to children’s learning in the past few years continue to impact children’s social and emotional development, with parents needing practical support and strategies to help their child build self-regulation and social skills, including how to cope with emotions and show kindness and empathy.

“Research shows that when children develop the capacity to regulate their feelings and actions – stay calm under pressure - they are better able to cooperate with directions and get along with others,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

“Our capacity to self-regulate is associated with lifelong outcomes including our physical and mental health, academic achievements, the quality of relationships we have with others, and our future employment and wealth,” she said.

“Children aren’t born with self-regulation and social skills, and not all children develop them at the same rate or age, or with the same level of success. The great news is that parents and carers can help children by modelling and teaching these skills, and giving their child opportunities to practise them at home, school and in the community.”

“Lead by example and show your child how to cope with emotions, as well as how to be kind and empathetic to others. If you praise your child when you see them replaying your

respectfully, or sharing a treat with a friend.

empathy by talking with your · Encourage child about how our behaviour impacts how others feel; and what they can do to make others feel good. For example, praise them when invite another child to play.

Tune in to your child’s emotional state and notice the early signs of ‘big emotions’ before they escalate; help your child to use their words to express how they’re feeling and the issue at hand, by listening closely and naming the emotion they might be feeling. For example, “that looks really hard, you may be feeling frustrated.”

Play turn-taking games together to help your child learn about sharing, winning, and losing graciously, being patient, and getting along with others.

Narrate your own emotions honestly; to show your children how you cope with life’s ups and downs (I’m going for a walk after my hard day; I’m feeling frustrated so I’m going to take some deep breaths). - Modelling how we regulate our emotions helps children understand how to appropriately express and cope with their own feelings.

“As your child gets older and puts these skills into practise, they’ll experience what we call an intrinsic reward – that warm inner glow, if you like – that comes from having shown things like kindness, empathy and generosity to others,” Ms Markie-Dadds said.

Delivery of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program to parents and carers of children in Australia is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Parenting Education and Support Program.

Parents and carers can access free, easy-touse, online parenting support 24/7 at www. triplep-parenting.net.au

·

· ·

Program to assist in unlocking Covid generation’s missing social skills. behaviours – you’re bound to see more of it.”

“Parents and carers may find it helpful to talk with a professional or access the free, online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program for more tools to support their child’s social and emotional development,” she said.

Picture: UNSPLASH

Triple P’s top tips for building children’s social skills Model and talk about the positive behaviours you’d like your child to use. You’ll help children learn by example by greeting others warmly, thanking others for their help, talking

·

MONDAY 27 MARCH 4.30PM - 7.00PM

Come and experience the opportunities available at Mount Lilydale Mercy College 12590822-FC08-23

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 15

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Going viral with Irish jig

By Tanya Steele Irish dancing teacher and Healesville resident Kate Bilton recently went viral on social media in an Iranian and Irish dance mash up at a wedding in South Morang, Victoria.

Ms Biltons’s dance academy is often hired out for weddings but this was a new experience to perform alongside an Iranian drum solo.

“The bride asked us, ‘Would you think you’d be able to perform to some Middle Eastern drummers?’ I said straight away, absolutely,” she said.

“I don’t mind what it is, as long as it’s a drum and they can keep a good beat we will be able to dance to it.”

The viral TikTok video of Ms Bilton and her dance students went global overnight on 29 January, amassing over two million views after 48 hours on the platform.

The Irish Times shared the video along with several other viral online news sites.

Ms Bilton was shocked and delighted when her mobile phone began flooding in with notifications and messages from friends and family in the Irish dancing community.

“It’s fantastic - I had a lot of my friends in Ireland contacting me saying, Oh, we’ve seen you dancing on social media. It’s pretty cute,” she said.

Viral trends are never predictable and Ms Bilton has looked through some of the online comments to find out what people found so fascinating about the performance.

“People were really just blown away by the blend of the two cultures and especially two cultures that you wouldn’t see together very often.”

The Victorian Irish Dancing Academy group at the 2022 Highland and Celtic Games.

Kate Bilton has been bring the joys of Irish dancing to her community for many years.

Pictures: SUPPLIED Ms Bilton has been Irish dancing since she was three years old and became a teacher at eighteen.

Her Aunt also runs an Irish dance school in Mt Evelyn and both were introduced to the dance form through Kate’s Irish grandmother.

In recent years the dance teacher has had to deal with many cancelled events due to the pandemic as she continued teaching dance lessons via Zoom during Covid, teaching from her back porch.

COMMUNITY DIARY

COMMUNITY DIARY WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

Official opening of community radio studios Something very special is happening in the Healesville community at 3.03pm on the 3rd day of the 3rd month of the 3rd year of the 3rd decade of the 3rd millennium. That’s Friday, 3 March.

The official opening of the new YVFM 99.1

She recently won the 2021 Global Irish Dancing Teacher Award and the international award recognises excellence in teaching by honouring extraordinary dance teachers.

Ms Bilton began teaching in the Mornington Peninsula and had travelled overseas before returning to live in Healesville in 2007.

Her original dance school was based in Kinglake however, the hall she taught in there was affected during the Black Saturday fires.

“We had to take a short break after the Black Saturday fires because the hall that we were teaching out of actually sustained damage and that was a really tough time.

“As soon as I was allowed to go back up into Kinglake, we went back. I continued the classes for a number of years afterwards.

“It was valuable at that time to take something back to the community so that the kids could get back to their dancing lessons.”

This cross culture performance is not the first time Kate has mashed dance styles together, her school the Victorian Irish Dance Acad-

emy has been performing a cross culture number with the Glenbrae Celtic dance school from Glen Waverley dance school for over a year.

“We were very lucky to be invited to be part of a Scottish Irish cross culture dance show.

That was a new show that had a mix of Irish dancing and Scottish dancing.

“We performed that show at a number of Celtic festivals and different events around Victoria.The crowd just really seemed to love the mix of the culture.”

Her Victorian Irish Dancing Academy school has since been in operation in other parts of the hills; it was in Emerald for sometime but more recently it has been operating out of Tecoma.

Irish dancing can be seen as a very traditional form of dancing but Ms Bilton encourages anyone to have a go. Her students range from three years old up to sixty five years old.

“I love Irish dancing. It brings a lot of joy to my life, but I love the joy that it brings to other people’s lives as well.

“A lot of people will start Irish dancing and it just has such a positive impact on their health and well being. It becomes a special part of their life.

“I’ve been really honoured to be able to bring that joy into other people’s lives through dance.

When asked if she will ever give it up - the reply was quick.

“I’m gonna dance forever. I will never stop.

I love it. It’s my passion. I’m so lucky to have a job that I love so much and you’ll never want to give it up.”

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

Community Radio studios and relocated Lions Den Opportunity Shop is a community event and will feature special guests, a book launch, free barbecue and musical entertainment as well as an opportunity for locals to see two exciting new community hubs see the new premises. ‘A Strange Business’ and at least three good reasons to come along!

After 35 years, the Lions Den are moving their Op Shop from the main street and after 28 years in Woori Yallock YVFM99.1 is moving to new studios - both co-located with Healesville Lions at 9 Lilydale Road.

The new YVFM99.1 home will feature two purpose-built studios and associated production studio and the station will be ‘on air’ locally from this date.

This is an opportunity to hear about the plans for the site and to mingle with volunteer radio presenters, Lions volunteers and others from across the Healesville community as we celebrate this huge milestone and set a path forward. It will be a celebration of lots of hard work to get to this stage and an acknowledgement of the importance of these

Coldstream Post Office Cnr Killara Road and Maroondah Highway Coldstream Supermarket Cnr Killara Road and Maroondah Highway Coldstream Roadrunners Roadhouse Cafe 629 Maroondah Highway Healesville Real Estate Yarra Valley 299 Maroondah Highway Healesville BP Ultimate 66 Maroondah Highway Healesville McKenzie's Tourist Services 13 Old Lilydale Road Healesville Newsagent 195 Maroondah Highway Healesville IGA Supermarket 199 Maroondah Highway Healesville SW Hollis Butcher 209 Maroondah Highway Healesville Sanctuary House Resort Motel 326 Badger Creek Road Healesville Shell Service Station Cnr Harker Street and Maroondah Highway Healesville Coles Supermarket 251 Maroondah Highway Healesville Caltex 370 Maroondah Highway Healesville First National/Mark Gunther 189 Maroondah Highway Healesville Beechworth Bakery 316 Maroondah Highway Launching Place Charlie's Milk Bar 2 Centella Place Launching Place General Store 2200 Warburton Highway Launching Place Caltex Log Cabin Service Station 2000 Warburton Highway Lilydale Shell Service Station 469 Maroondah Highway Lilydale United Petrol Service Station 473 Maroondah Highway

groups to our community.

Special guests will include Declan Kelly from the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Sheah Sutton from the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF), Graham Bryant District Governor of Lions, Cr Fiona McAllister and many others. The CBF are the major sponsor of the new studios and Healesville Community Bank is sponsoring the opening event.

This is an opportunity to be a part of history - to be able to say you were there at the ‘3 fold’ event on the 3rd of the 3rd.

We would love to have you join us - please let us know that you are coming for catering purposes by sending an rsvp to info@yarravalleyfm.org.au

Yarra Junction Weight Support Group A supportive and non-judgmental weight support group in Yarra Junction is still welcoming new members.

Come to track your weight loss progress or to stay motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle.The group meets at the Yarra Junction Bowling Club on Wednesday nights from 6pm to 7.30pm for a weigh-in and optional meeting.

There is a $10 joining fee and $5 each week.

Women’s Cricket Practice and Information Session Healesville Cricket Club will be holding a practice session with the Launching Place Cricket Club Women’s team on Thursday 23rd February 6pm to 7pm at the Queens Park Oval Cricket Nets.

All equipment will be provided.

After training, an informal information session will be held in the clubrooms on what it’s like to play women’s cricket and to learn some tips on how to take up this great sport.

We’re keen to hear your thoughts on joining an inaugural HCC Women’s Team. BBQ dinner and a drink will be provided free of charge for all participants.

Warburton Shell Service Station 3458 Warburton Highway Lilydale 7-Eleven Lilydale Cnr Maroondah Highway 7 Cave Hill Road Warburton Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 3371 Warburton Highway Lilydale Lilydale Village News Agents Lilydale Village Warburton Bell Real Estate 3407 Warburton Highway Lilydale Coles Supermarket Lilydale Village Wesburn Local Fuel 2835 Warburton Highway Lilydale Lilydale Village Lilydale Village Woori Yallock Foodworks Woori Yellock 1/1585 Warburton Highway Lilydale Lilydale Aged Care 475 Swansea Road Woori Yallock Newsagency & Tattslotto Shop 4/ 1585 Warburton Highway Lilydale BP Service Station 87 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Hillcrest Little Store Great Food 1745 Warburton Highway Lilydale Eastern Laundries 2/4 Williams Street East Woori Yallock Shell Service Station Foodies 1700 Warburton Highway Millgrove Newsagency Shop 5/ 3043 Warburton Highway Woori Yallock Australia Post LPO Shop 11 / 1585 Warburton Highway, The Centre Millgrove Millgrove Licensed Grocers 3039 Warburton Highway Yarra Glen Ritchies IGA Shop 1/38 Bell Street Millgrove Millgrove Village Bakery 4/3039 Warburton Highway Yarra Glen Caltex Petrol Station 66 Bell Street Seville Woolworths Seville 568 Warburton Highway Yarra Glen Newsagent 32 Bell Street Seville Woolworths Caltex Service Station 568 Warburton Highway Yarra Glen United Garage 6 Bell Street Seville Post Office 634-638 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Woolworths Supermarket 82-84 Warburton Highway Wandin North Fast Fuel Wandin 389-391 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Bottle O 2440 Warburton Highway Wandin North IGA X-Press Wandin North Plus Liquor 388 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Bell Real Estate 2457 Warburton Highway Wandin North Landmark Harcourts Wandin Real Estate 1/362 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Newsagency 2454 Warburton Highway Wandin North Wandin Newsagency Shop 18/2 Union Road Yarra Junction Professionals Andrew McMath Real Estate 2460 Warburton Highway Warburton IGA Supermarket 3465 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Yarra Junction Community Link 2442-2444 Warburton Highway Warburton K G Thomas Ply Ltd Insurance 1/3395 Warburton Highway Yarra Junction Gladysdale Bakehouse 2568 Warburton Hwy Warburton The Valley Bakery Warburton 3415 Warburton Highway Yellingbo Central Store 1942 Healesville-Kooweerup Road

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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OPINION

Road safety needs High praise How many more deaths before governments take seriously the need to upgrade the many known dangerous roads through the Yarra Valley?

It’s been a horror few weeks on Yarra Valley roads with three people tragically losing their lives at known dangerous intersections: Queens and Beenak Roads in Wandin East, and Clegg and Wellington Roads in Wandin North.

My heart and deepest sympathies go out to their families and friends.

It’s made me more determined, not only as a local mum who drives these roads daily, but as your local MP to amplify the campaign to get governments to listen and to act. Enough is enough.

These roads and intersections are notoriously bad. Our dedicated emergency services first responders from CFA and Police – to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude – reiterate their pleas for safety upgrades after every accident. Just like the need to fix Warburton Highway Seville East and Maroondah Highway at Killara Road, Coldstream, why are we being ignored?

From my

desk Bridget Vallence Evelyn MP At the end of the day my community expects all levels of government to work together so we can avoid road trauma and deaths. Governments must stop sidelining the vital need for road safety upgrades that we, as Victorians, need and deserve. Lives are depending on it.

The fact is, the Andrews Labor Government has failed to maintain and upgrade roads that, statistically, they know are dangerous.

Labor cut the road maintenance budget by 10 per cent when it came to government, and road conditions are worse than ever.

In 2017 the Auditor-General warned of the poor state of Victorian roads and the lack of ac-

countability for funding – but Labor cut a further $125 million over the past two Budgets. In 2021 the Labor government backed a recommendation to reduce speed limits on low quality rural roads instead of actually fixing them.

And, Budget after Budget, Labor repeatedly refuses to allocate funds for upgrades to Yarra Valley roads even where accidents have resulted in deaths.

Our community is left to endure a road network that is deteriorated, riddled with potholes, and roads and intersections with poor visibility, inadequate warnings, and poorly placed signage.

In Parliament, I’ll keep calling for urgent action to allocate funds to properly fix known dangerous Yarra Valley roads. Not just painting zig-zag lines or inadequately updating rumble strips, but properly investing in major safety upgrades including warning lights, turning lanes, or roundabouts.

Our community is demanding leadership, not ignorance. Our lives matter. It is time for the government to act and fix these deadly roads.

Hills action Ant-Man 3 scant quality Kemp’s curtain call The Basin Theatre Two and Two Together Season: February 22 - March 5 Rachel’s husband Victor never suspects that she is keeping an assignation with a young man in the house of her good friend Georgina.

Why should he? He has other things on his mind - in the shape of the said Georgina, who he has met secretly while her husband Henry, an actor, is safely occupied in the theatre.

But Henry returns home unexpectedly, and the two couples are forced into a riotous whirlwind of lies and misunderstandings.

Ross Wilson celebrates “50 years of Eagle Rock” Season: Friday March 3 at 9pm From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock and as a solo artist with no less than 26 ARIA Top 40 hits to his credit as a singer, songwriter and producer, Ross Wilson is one of Australia’s most awarded, respected and well-known artists! From the legendary band Daddy Cool whose 19971 number one anthem Eagle Rock smashed all previous sales records in Australia, to the 1977 formation of Mondo Rock, delivering 80’s hits, Cool World, State of heart, Chemistry, No Time and Come Said the Boy into the 21st century as a solo performer, producer and songwriter, Wilson has never been out of the limelight.

A Gemco in the Park Production Season: Friday March 3 at 6.30p Sunday March 18 at 6.30pm.

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare. Directed by Sharon Maine.

At Gus Ryberg Amphitheatre, Emerald Lake Park. Emerald Lake Road, Emerald.

The themes of love, mistaken identity, sexual jealousy, honour, betrayal and friendship all play out against the background of the Sicilian countryside.

The war is over. Everyone is out for fun, drinking, dancing, flirting and singing are the order of the day.

As Don Pedro and his entourage come to the estate of Leonato, Governor of Messina. mailcommunity.com.au

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Jonathan Majors Rated M 3/5

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is fun but frustratingly insubstantial, with several elements that don’t quite succeed, and features many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s bad habits.

After an experiment by his daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton), superheroes Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and their family are pulled into the quantum realm, a hostile universe beneath our own.

The cast has great chemistry as ever, but the dialogue is serviceable when not annoyingly quippy, and Scott/Ant-Man and Hope/ Wasp are oddly sidelined in their own movie.

Beyond the dramatic goals of escaping the quantum realm and preventing the stranded conqueror Kang (Jonathan Majors) from leaving, the plot is driven by yet another tired Macguffin. Quantumania has wonderfully creative visual and creature design, offset by the MCU’s muted colour palette. The action sequences are framed too close, cut poorly and rarely carry any genuine peril, and the first act has some terribly abrupt pacing.

Fittingly, ants exemplify Quantumania’s

CARTOON

strengths and weaknesses. A triumphant moment in the second act makes brilliant use of swarming imagery, but the ant-based resolution in the third act is a barely-developed Deus Ex Machina.

On the unambiguously good side, Kang is a phenomenal antagonist: a near-unstoppable force of remarkable gravitas. Kang and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) anchor the film with a complicated relationship of shared hardship and betrayal. Corey Stoll is endearingly pathetic as the secondary antagonist Modok.

Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania has an outstanding villain surrounded by middling plot and presentation, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN

A review of Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Nobel Prize-winning British author Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel Klara and the Sun returned to this reviewer’s attention after Ai-Da, “the world’s first ultra-realistic robot artist”, gave evidence at the House of Lords in October 2022.

Ai-Da’s appearance was part of an inquiry into the future of the creative industries in the UK. The much publicised event was indeed informative and inspiring, as not just Ishiguro’s book but also the works of Margaret Boden and Yuval Noah Harari were discussed.

While Ai-Da’s answers to various questions were obviously pre-prepared by her creator Aiden Meller – and therefore mirroring his views and visions about the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of humanity – the presence of a humanoid robot helped making all the imaginable possibilities and pitfalls almost tangible.

Indeed, Ai-Da’s crossed eyes, typos and “pulling interesting faces” helped leading her human audience’s imagination away from The Terminator (1984) and closer to Short Circuit (1988). Seeing her shut down and being rebooted halfway through the evidence session was definitely more interesting than watching politicians falling asleep in parliament.

Like Ai-Da, the first-person narrator in Klara and the Sun is immediately likeable. Klara is an Artificial Friend (AF), designed and developed to keep children company as they are home schooled by “screen professors” in the novel’s much polluted future America.

Klara is exceptionally intelligent and observant, and her knowledge of the world is built upon her constant monitoring and analysis of everything in her immediate surroundings. Through her eyes, we see a society where genetic perfection means “high-rank” class while those not “lifted” are denied education.

It is also through Klara’s observation that we see two mothers and how their love impacts on their children in dramatically different ways. When the Mother acquires the android as a companion for her sickly daughter Josie, it is with a hidden agenda, which slowly but surely leads readers to reflect on the meaning of being human.

More importantly, we are invited to ask: “What does it mean to love?” As Klara is solar powered, she “naturally” recognises the Sun as a great, benevolent living entity capable of offering nourishment to all that he shines upon. Is it possible that his special nourishment can help Josie recover from her illness?

Such mixture of intelligence and naivety is what makes Klara’s narration fascinating. Her language is simple yet sincere, her attention to details amazing, her perceptions of the world occasionally glitching out so that everything turns into cubes and cylinders, and her loyalty to Josie is deeply moving.

Indeed, Klara reminds this reviewer more of WALL-E (2008) than I, Robot (2004), where the robot Sonny’s question “You have to do what someone asks you, don’t you, if you love them?” seems full of pretence. In sharp contrast, Klara never talks about love – she simply does.

Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun subtly alarms us about the danger of unchecked technological advances while alerting us of the remarkable beauty and fragility of humanity in a refreshing way.

Highly recommended.

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 17

NEWS

Yesteryear

By Callum Ludwig Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead’s Draught Horse and YesterYear festival is coming up on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February.

Organised by the Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society, the day is set to feature draught horses at work on the homestead, as well as stationary engines, chainsaw carving, blacksmiths, wood turners, vintage cars and motorcycles and food and market stalls.

Event Coordinator Lewis Carlton said there will be a variety of different exhibits to enjoy.

“There’ll be a cooper working, who makes old-style wooden barrels, the Hand Tool Preservation Society with various styles of old tools, a big display of miniature sewing machines and a ma with a display of vintage kerosene lanterns,” he said.

“We’ve got to keep this stuff in existence for the future generations to see, otherwise it will be harder to understand how it was built, how it was used rather than just looking at it on YouTube which is not the same.”

Sheep shearing also normally would have been involved in the event but won’t be incorporated this year to prevent any spread of foot and mouth disease.

Mr Carlton said people will likely see how much easier parts of life are these days.

“It might also encourage people to look more deeply into it and hopefully encourage more to partake in collecting and restoring this stuff and keeping it in existence further and further,” he said.

“We have numerous members who’ve seen this old stuff and become enthused about it, then join the engine club and been around the club for years and years.”

A large amount of the machinery that will be on display will be from the Wandin area as well, including the very first Massey Ferguson tractor to land on Australian soil.

Ecotopia returns in 2023 with Permaculture week

By Callum Ludwig

Get a close look at machinery from a bygone era.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Large draught horses will be at work at Mont De Lancey.

Picture: ON FILE The event is open from 10am to 4.30pm, tickets are $15 for adults and free for kids under 15.

Tickets can be bought at the gate with cash or EFTPOS available or they can be pre-booked at www.montdelancey.org.au.

Yarra Valley ECOSS’ annual Ecotopia event is coming up next month, set to mark the launch of Permaculture Week in the Yarra Ranges and with a distance African theme this year.

A whole week of events from YV ECOSS, Permaculture Yarra Valley and Peace Farm will follow from Ecotopia on Friday 17 March.

Executive Officer at YV ECOSS Chelsea McNab said we have such a huge opportunity to promote permaculture in the Yarra Ranges.

“We all realised during Covid and now how quickly supply chains can stop and food can disappear from the shelves and we really need to be growing more of our own, but we need to do it in a way that nurtures the land,” she said.

“We need to have regenerative permaculture techniques in our farming so that we’re not depleting the soils, we want to enhance everything not deplete it.”

Ecoptopia will be filled with plenty of entertainment for all who attend, with live performances from Yarra Valley Drummers, Tilda and Stella from Little Yarra Steiner School, Warburton artist Jayda Jean, master drummer and multi-instrumentalist Kofi Kunkpe, funk jazz and afrobeat band Mount Kujo and the Toora Teskeys, the parents of the famous Teskey Brothers.

The Dreaming Space Circus Dome will host story time from Eastern Regional Libraries and a Kids Permaculture Show, while the ECOSS Valley Market will be running alongside inc with stalls including PEACE Farm Heritage Tomato tastings,

Expect stalls and crowds at Ecotopia 2023.

Picture: ON FILE Yarra Valley Bee Groups Honey Tastings, African food tastings and cooking demo, UpCycles and a kids bike activity by JigSaw Jumps (for ages 3-10, helmet required).

Ms McNab said it’s really important that we localise our economy, support our local growers and grow our own going forward.

“The Yarra Ranges has shown to be quite an unhealthy region across the board with only about 4 per cent of locals eating the amount of fruit and vegetables they are supposed to be [according to statistics from Yarra Ranges Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025.],” she said.

“When you grow food, you tend to eat fresher food and we can pass on those skills to future generations. There’s a lot of land out here and most people can contribute to their own food source, whether you just grow a couple of herbs in a pot or can fully farm your own land.”

Tickets are $15 Adult, $10 Concession, $25 Family and Kids under 18 free.

For any Stallholder Applications email: ecotopiastalls@ecoss.org.au

Need local staff?

Then give us the job...

Star Mail

Need local staff?

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

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

PEACEFUL HIDEAWAY IF you’re looking for something special and unique, then you must not look past this amazing property.

Nestled on almost half an acre, plus river reserve in a serene forest setting, which is home to an abundance of wildlife including lyrebirds, wallabies, wombats and many more. Strolling along the pathways that meander throughout the gardens, you will also discover the crystal-clear Badger Creek on your back doorstep.

This much-loved family home offers something for everyone from the spacious living room complete with wood heater and split system, to the modern well-equipped kitchen with a vibrant glass splashback.

Offering 2 generous sized bedrooms on the ground floor and an updated family bathroom, while upstairs you will discover a stunning parent’s retreat with an ensuite full of natural light and treetop views. Stepping out onto your own private balcony is where you can relax and listen to all the sounds of nature. You can also entertain family and friends on the larger entertaining deck which overlooks the beautiful, maintained gardens.

Other additions include lock-up garage plus workshop, large carport and veggie gardens.

This rare property is located on the doorstep of Badger Weir reserve, and Yarra Ranges National Park, yet still only a short drive to the bustling food and wine precinct

of Healesville. If this is the lifestyle you have been searching for, you must inspect to fully appreciate this private property.

For sale by Openn Negotiation, an online flexible terms Auction system and is open to all qualified buyers allowing for flexible terms (pending Vendor approval). The property can sell at anytime. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 113 Badger Weir Road, BADGER CREEK Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $870,000 - $950,000 Inspect: Private appointment and scheduled open for inspection Auction: Online auction Contact: Gary Lucas 0407 595 113, MARK GUNTHER FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE

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

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 19

HOME FOCUS

TICKS ALL THE EXTRA BOXES SPACE for the family, pets, cars, and everything else you need to bring.

This home offers space for everyone and everything, multiple living spaces, including a kitchen meals area, a separate study area off the second living space, family room with a wood fire whilst ducted heating keeps you warm on those cold nights.

The home consists of 4 bedrooms (or 3 and a study) including the master with walk through robe to ensuite. The small loft space is also a great place to hide out or use for storage.

Easily entertain with access to the paved area outside from the kitchen/meals area.

Outside is amazing with a home office/ studio or maybe an extra room for the kids/ teenagers, the shedding is fantastic with a 9m x 9m barn with an extra mezzanine level, 6m x 9.8m garage and a large carport that could potentially house six cars.

Enjoy the low-maintenance gardens and extra garden sheds.

There is so much to love about this house and Cockatoo in general, with its beautiful parks and gardens, fabulous local shops, schools, eateries, sporting clubs and with Emerald only a 7-minute drive away and Melbourne under an hour, you really will want this to be your new home. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 2 Nangana Street, COCKATOO Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 5 garage Price: $860,000 - $940,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111

WIRE INDUSTRIES

1173081-FA08-15

Where Quality Counts Heritage Woven Wire & Gates are Powdercoated in 8 standard colours.

Gates come in 7 different pedestrian and driveway styles.

Available heights: 1250mm, 1100mm & 950mm HEAVY DUTY 4MM GALVANISED WIRE 20 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

For your local distributor please contact

1300 360 082

Fax: 9308 5822 Email: sales@emuwire.com.au | www.emuwire.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

HOME FOCUS

TREETOP LIVING, SOUNDS OF THE CREEK FOLLOW the meandering garden path through the lush gardens and allow yourself to be immersed in the tranquil feeling that this home provides, with the creek flowing all year round this makes for a beautiful calming effect that will be loved by the lucky new owner.

The home sits privately at the top of the block, once you step inside you truly do feel like you are sitting amongst the trees perched in your very own treehouse.

Offering comfortable and cosy wood heating and split system, good sized lounge room with floorboards for a modern feel and

lovely views of the garden.

The kitchen has a modern timber look with a good usable space and adjacent to the dining area. All bedrooms have built-in robes, with the master bedroom positioned perfectly to take in the divine surrounds and fall asleep listening to the creek.

Under house storage is a bonus, private courtyard and single carport wrap up this one of a kind home.

Short stroll to schools, bus stops and Warburton trail and the beautiful Yarra river. l

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 14 Vera Court, MILLGROVE Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 garage Price: $495,000 - $540,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Rebecca Doolan 0401 832 068, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277

Mountainview Retirement Village

Brand New Retirement Living 2 BEDROOM Unit for sale in Warburton • Lounge, Kitchen movable bench configure the room to suit your needs split system for heating and cooling • Large Bathroom walk in shower vanity exhaust fan heat lamp • Large ensuite with walk in shower vanity exhaust fan heat lamp • Large master bedroom full wardrobe, split system heater and cooling,

Large second bedroom with double door wardrobe split system heating and cooling • Single car garage attached • Solar installed • All white goods included, fridge washing machine dryer micro oven

$449,000.00

2

1

• Large balcony with views of the mountains and surrounding country side • Units all on one level Beautiful location in Warburton

For further information and to arrange inspection contact: Keith King (03) 9259 2106 I keith.king@adventcare.org.au 12589938-JC07-23

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 21

HOME FOCUS

PEACE AND PRIVACY IN GREAT LOCATION TIME for a change of scenery, this could be the spot, surrounded by lush bush and a picturesque location it’s the ideal place to relax and unwind.

The home is fresh, light and bright and offering great space inside and out with 3 good size bedrooms all with built in robes.

Luxurious main bathroom plus an open plan lounge/living area and kitchen with

modern appliances throughout.

Outside there is plenty of room for the whole family to enjoy, with a great size back yard plus a carport and lock up garage and with ample space for cars and trailers.

A fantastic property superbly presented and with nothing to do but sit back relax and enjoy the tranquil and peaceful surrounds. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 13 Rainbow Trout Avenue, EAST WARBURTON Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 garage Price: $580,000 - $610,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

P 5966 2530

P 5967 1277

3407 Warburton Highway, Warburton

17 Whitegum Drive, East Warburton

$630,000 - $690,000

2457 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction

53 Old Warburton Highway, Seville East

$820,000 - $870,000

Near New Miners Cottage with Stunning Mountain Views!

Character & Charm, 5 bedrooms on a super size block

Set on a beautiful near flat allotment of approx. 1700m2 is this 2 year old Miners Cottage with glorious mountain views! The home has 3 huge bedrooms with robes and gorgeous carpet, a big light and bright bathroom with ensuite effect and a spacious open plan kitchen, living and meals area that looks out to the mountain vista. Modern miner’s cottage features such as high ceilings, entrance hall, wide cornices and high skirts all enhance the charm of this near new build. Other features include NBN connection, wood heating, split system heating and cooling, ceiling fan, timber kitchen, single carport and loads of storage including pull down steps to access the roof cavity. The fabulous block is a blank canvas for you to create your own style, has excellent fencing and plenty of room to play!

Built to last and save on the power bills, this home will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.

This charming 1920’s character home is a fabulous opportunity for those seeking large family living in an great location with a huge block of over 3300sqm approx. Spacious living for everyone to enjoy, cosy separate lounge with large picturesque windows, open plan kitchen, flowing on from the dining is a 2nd living space, certainly a big bonus for the kids to have their own retreat. There are 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, glorious features throughout the home include ornate ceilings, cornices, and hard wood floors add to the charm and character.Undercover parking for up to 5 cars with a single garage, double carport, and parking space under the decking sweeping asphalt driveway, lots of useful space, great for tradies. This is an opportunity for those seeking a character home on a great sized block in a high demand area.

Tony Fanfulla M 0419 870 513 Inspection: Sat 2-2.30pm

170 Eacotts Rd, Hoddles Creek

Samantha Price M 0438 795 190

3

A

1

B 1 C

$1,250,000 - $1,360,000

Rebecca Doolan M 0401 832 068 Inspection: Sat 3 -3.30pm

5

614 Woods Point Rd, East Warburton

A

2

B 5 C

$680,000 - $740,000

Paradise Found

Mt View Park - Idyllic setting on over 1 acre

Approximately 80 peaceful, picturesque acres. Offering acres and acres of quality undulating pasture with some scattered trees and bush area, numerous paddocks offer great space for the horse enthusiast, cattle grazing or just the ultimate lifestyle change. Plenty of water with a natural spring and dam, several ideal building sites (STCA) to capture great views to be enjoyed from all aspects, a fantastic location with sealed road access and surrounded by large acreage properties.

This property is the ultimate lifestyle escape offering an abundance of space, peace and privacy so come and enjoy what the relaxed country life has to offer.

A home for the heart, this property will soothe the soul and fill your body with beautiful fresh air and all the good feels. A lovely home that features cathedral ceilings, 3 spacious bedrooms and a study or large store room, a renovated bathroom with feature clawfoot bath, functional kitchen and meals area, and beautiful front and rear verandahs which provide under cover entertaining areas, and a great place to sit and watch the kids splash around in the inground pool. The added bonuses to this property are the large garage/workshop with enough space to park multiple vehicles, two gorgeous little single roomed cottages that would be ideal for meditation rooms, super cubby houses or work from home spaces, a wood shed, chook run and abundant room to run, play and explore! A perfect place to call home, or enjoy weekend after weekend getting away from Melbourne.

David Carroll M 0419 539 320 Inspection:

By Appointment

Tony Fanfulla M 0419 870 513 Inspection:

By Appointment

Samantha Price M 0438 795 190

3

A

1

B 2 C

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 23

HOME FOCUS

INSPIRING ARCHITECTURE WITH CITY VIEWS ORIGINALLY designed by architects Max May and George Hatzisavas, and inspired by a mix of Japanese aesthetics and Frank Lloyd Wrights “Fallingwater“ this inspiring steel, glass and brick home set on just over one acre has been recently redesigned and renovated to a superb standard, resulting in one of the most intriguing and sophisticated residences in the area.

Spanning three levels of luxury living, there is much to love about this home. The large expanse of Viridian glass windows effortlessly combines indoor and outdoor living while warm wood grain finishes throughout are a reminder of the natural beauty that timber brings. Three spacious bedrooms have been well positioned for privacy and convenience. The main bedroom in the East wing of the home boasts a large and luxurious en-suite and all bedrooms have built in robes and their own private balconies. The main level incorporates a free flowing family room and spacious dining area centered around a bespoke gas log fireplace. The tastefully designed kitchen comes complete with stone bench tops, dual stainless steel sinks, German designed NEFF appliances including integrated dishwasher, induction cooktop and electric oven and an abundance of quality cabinetry. Just perfect for entertaining.

From the main level an oversized glass sliding door leads onto a substantial timber deck. Ideal for picture perfect sunset views across nearby Birdsland and as far as the city lights or simply just to relax and watch the kids playing in the lagoon style pool or splashing in the hot tub. Extra lighting around the pool and house give a magical feel when enjoying a warm summers night or an evening swim.

Second living area can be found on the lower level and is ideal for watching a quiet movie while the home office nook is a convenient and cozy space for those who need a working from home or study space. Soft new carpet and modern tiles throughout compliment the finish of this outstanding home, abundant built in cupboards provide ample storage and zoned integrated heating and cooling maintain an ideal climate no matter what the seasons bring.

A 5.5kw solar system and 2 x 10,000 litre water tanks provide excellent environmental benefits as does the solid brick exterior walls and fully insulated roof and sub floor.

Additional storage and a large workshop are situated under the house and with a double garage and a fully fenced yard, this unique, family friendly Hills property is sure to impress on every level. l

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 106 Mt Morton Road, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,600,000 - $1,750,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Glenn Chandler 0418 410 689, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 24 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

HOME FOCUS

SERENITY, VIEWS, PRIVACY AND LUXURY THIS home is an absolute delight.

Situated on 14.95 hectares of natural bush, meander along the tree lined driveway, past the beautiful perch filled dam to find an expansive and elegant family home situated in a clearing offering fantastic views.

There is a wide wrap around verandah to enjoy the incredible views across Western Port Bay to French Island, or to soak in the wildlife and serenity. This property is complete with its own waterfall and an abundance of wildlife that visit such as deer, kangaroos, echidnas and a resident goanna.

Entry to this home is breath taking with the exposed rafters in the lounge room, complete with wood fire. The high ceilings continue throughout the home, as do the floor to ceiling windows bringing in the light, and allowing you to enjoy the views are you meander through the home feeling submersed in nature.

There are three expansive bedrooms at the front of the home, each containing

split system air-conditioners. Two of the 3 bedrooms offer external access and all bedrooms are light and bright with serene views. These bedrooms are serviced by an enormous bathroom/laundry area, with claw foot bath, shower, toilet, and vanity.

There is a centrally located lounge room between the three bedrooms, and then the home flows through another loungeroom/ play area, to the kitchen. The kitchen is a chefs delight, with plentiful bench space, a gas stove top, electric oven, butlers pantry complete with sink and Natura Stone bench top. The kitchen overlooks the third lounge area which has a further wood fire to keep you cosy as you enjoy the vista.

There is also 46,000L of water, spread across four water tanks. A home office/ gym area, and a double lock up garage (8m * 8m) with attached lean too for all your storage requirements. There is also a fully integrated alarm system, and high speed mobile internet. l

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 205 Morrison Road, PAKENHAM UPPER Description: 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 3 garage Price: $1,350,000 - $1,450,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994 and Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD

5962 3030

Mark Gunther ST JU TED LIS

markgunther.com.au 189 Maroondah Highway, Healesville W NE ICE PR

Healesville 2/15 Stephens Road

2A 2B 1C

Healesville 1/14 Elamo Road

3A 2B 2C

This spacious open-plan townhouse is neatly tucked away in a complex of only four. The light & bright home features ensuite & WIR to the master, kitchen with stainless steel appliances, generous meals area, north-facing lounge & GDH plus a private, fully fenced courtyard & single garage with internal access. Currently tenanted until Feb 23.

FOR SALE

Proudly positioned only moments from Queens Park & the food & wine precinct in the east end, is this fantastic home. Comprising a large, light-filled open planned living zone with the modern kitchen, dining & living area looking out to the private courtyard.

Also includes master suite with WIR & ensuite, GDH & split system, established gardens & double garage.

FOR SALE

$580,000 - $630,000 Inspect

By Appointment or OFI Agent Mark Gunther 0448 623 030

Inspect

By Appointment or OFI Agent Mark Gunther 0448 623 030

R FO LE SA

R FO LE SA

Narbethong 556 Marysville Road

6A 3B 4C

Healesville 4 Baden Powell Drive

This architecturally designed home on 1 acre (approx), features a large open plan living & dining area, modern kitchen & generous master with ensuite. The 5 bedrooms have views across the gardens upstairs, plus a 3rd stylish family bathroom & guest bedroom downstairs. Outside there is a covered entertaining area, plus a double carport.

FOR SALE

If you’re looking for a usable block to build your home, (STCA) then look no further than this near level parcel of land. Set in a semi-rural area, the outlook is great with filtered views across to the nearby hills.

On this fully fenced block of approx. 660m2, there is water, a storage shed & almost no trees & is located only a short drive to Healesville’s town centre.

mailcommunity.com.au

$595,000

$795,000 - $870,000 Inspect

By Appointment or OFI Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

FOR SALE $349,000 Inspect

By Appointment Agent Gary Lucas 0407 595 113

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 25

HOME FOCUS

A MUDBRICK WITH STYLE AND CLASS ATTENTION all nature lovers and weekend warriors.

Your search for the ultimate getaway ends here at 20 Baden Powell Drive, Healesville.

This magnificent mud brick abode is a true gem, offering the perfect blend of character, charm, and modern comfort. Step inside and be swept away by the beautifully and stylishly renovated open plan interior.

With two spacious bedrooms complete with built-in robes, you’ll have plenty of space to relax and unwind. The brand-new kitchen is the heart of the home, offering a sleek and functional space to cook up a storm while enjoying the ambience that only a mudbrick can create.

Soak up the beautiful atmosphere in the stunning modern bathroom which exudes a

feeling of sophistication.

With a wood heater and reverse cycle split system, you’ll stay warm and comfortable all year round.

Set on a sprawling land size of approximately 1330 sqm enjoying views across the valley to distant mountains, this quirky cottage is perfect for those seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.

Whether you’re a weekender looking for a peaceful escape or someone searching for a unique and cosy home, this is the place for you.

Currently the property is popular as an Air B&B so this may be the avenue that you want to pursue.

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity book your inspection today. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 20 Baden Powell Drive, HEALESVILLE Description: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Price: $780,000 - $840,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Jane Nunn 0432 375 940, email: jane@integrityrealestate.com.au, INTEGRITY REAL ESTATE 26 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

12590724-HC08-23

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 27

HOME FOCUS

CHARM, CHARACTER AND CONVENIENCE LOVINGLY restored to highlight the quality and true character of this circa 1950’s weatherboard home, you will be delighted with the finishing touches and detail that this property provides.

Within a stone’s throw of Belgrave’s eclectic main street, train station and local schools, location is only one of the many features you will love about this property.

Inside, the high ceilings look down on a floorplan that consists of three spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (ensuite to main bedroom), a sun filled lounge and a large kitchen /diner that comes with not only a great amount of bench space but also plenty of personality.

Gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling runs throughout making temperature

control quick and convenient while original features such as sash windows and original picture rails have really stood the test of time and are as sought after today as they were when the home was originally built.

As an extended living area option, the rear under cover decking with full retractable blinds is a great space to enjoy in all weather conditions.

With dual frontage from both BelgraveGembrook Road and also Heathermont Avenue, access is never an issue, however you can leave your car at home and take the easy walk to all that beautiful Belgrave provides.

Picture perfect and built to impress, this cute cottage has charm, character and convenience like no other. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 7 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, BELGRAVE Description: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 garage Price: $730,000 - $790,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 28 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

7 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, BELGRAVE

$730,000 - $790,000

CHARM, CHARACTER & CONVENIENCE!

3A2B1C

Lovingly restored to highlight the quality and true character of this circa 1950’s weatherboard home, you will be delighted with the finishing touches and detail that this property provides. Within a stone’s throw of Belgrave’s eclectic main street, train station and local schools, location is only one of the many features you will love about this property. Plan your viewing today!

FOR SALE

$450,000 - $495,000

4/6 Pleasant Road, FERNTREE GULLY

2A1B1C

PRIME POSITION WITH SWEEPING CITY VIEWS

With options to start out, scale down, or supplement your property portfolio, this neatly presented unit promises to make any new homeowners proud. With sweeping views straight through to the sparkling city lights, this unit is truly something special.

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

Sharyn Chandler

Daniel Steen

M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

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

FOR SALE

227 Mt Morton Road, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS

$1,200,000 - $1,320,000

IDYLLIC ACREAGE WITH IMPRESSIVE FAMILY HOME

4A2B2C

FOR SALE

88 Martin Street, BELGRAVE

$480,000 - $520,000 2A1B

DECEASED ESTATE

With over 1 acre of wildlife-welcoming landscaped gardens highlighted by meandering pathways and bridges over beautiful ponds, this property is truly something special. Fully fenced and featuring a sealed drive, triple garage, workshop, wood shed, veggie beds, and more, inspection promises to impress at this exceptional Hills home.

Opportunity is knocking loud and clear at this sensational investment steps from Borthwick Park, bus transport, and Belgrave Outdoor Pool. Partially renovated and perched upon a 1,060sqm (approx.) allotment with elevated outlooks, this central property is the ideal investment in this sought-after locale.

Brad Conder

Suzie Brannelly

M 0422 639 115 | E brad@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, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 29

PUZZLES No. 121

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

7

3 6

3 8

5 2 7 6

4

3 9 6 6 1 4 7 8 3 8 6 9 2 7 4 8 6 2 5 9 4 medium

4 1 3 8 6 4

5

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS German city (6) Asseveration (6) Master (Indian) (5) Exaggerate (9) Finishes (9) Popular aquarium fish (5) Presentations (6) Cicatrice (4) Sulk (4) Rub out (6) Beautiful woman in Muslim paradise (5) Case holding explosive charge (9) Heights (9) Japanese graphic novels (5) Make certain (6) Hurry (Spanish) (6)

1 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30

3 5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26

No. 121

Roughly assembled (7) Caller (7) Phantasm (6) Latitude (6) Harbour (4) Ill from ocean movement (7) Candied citrus peel (7) Large Italian island (8) Love-song (8) Hint (7) Supervisors (7) Group of words (6) Fancy hotel rooms (6) Corrosion (4)

DOWN Band member (8) Book of the Hebrew Bible (8)

1 2

DECODER

No. 121

7 9 9 4 3 1 2

2 7 6 8 4

9 5

4 3 2

3 3 9

7

hard

7 5

6

7

8

9

10 11 12 13

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

G C 17

18

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26

1

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7

8

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13

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

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

E

Today’s Aim: 23 words: Good 35 words: Very good 47 words: Excellent

L

H

D

U

E D

C

S

cede, ceded, cedes, clue, clued, clues, cuddle, cuddles, cues, deduce, deduces, deed, delude, deludes, deuce, deuced, duel, duels, educe, educed, educes, else, elude, eluded, eludes, heed, heeds, heel, heels, held, huddle, huddles, hued, leech, schedule, SCHEDULED, seclude, secluded, seduce, seduced, seed, shed, slue, slued, sued, suede, used

7 1 8 9 6 2 3 4 5 9 5 6 4 1 3 8 2 7 2 3 4 7 8 5 1 6 9 8 4 5 3 2 9 6 7 1 6 9 2 1 4 7 5 3 8 1 7 3 8 5 6 4 9 2 3 2 1 5 7 4 9 8 6 4 8 7 6 9 1 2 5 3 5 6 9 2 3 8 7 1 4

7 9 4 1 2 6 5 3 8 1 2 3 8 5 4 6 7 9 5 8 6 3 7 9 4 1 2 8 7 5 9 3 1 2 6 4 6 1 9 2 4 8 7 5 3 4 3 2 7 6 5 8 9 1 3 6 8 4 9 7 1 2 5 9 5 1 6 8 2 3 4 7 2 4 7 5 1 3 9 8 6

8 6 2 3 4 1 5 7 9 1 4 3 7 5 9 6 2 8 5 7 9 8 2 6 3 1 4 9 2 4 6 1 8 7 5 3 7 5 6 2 3 4 9 8 1 3 8 1 5 9 7 2 4 6 2 1 8 9 7 3 4 6 5 4 9 5 1 6 2 8 3 7 6 3 7 4 8 5 1 9 2 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

4

16

hard

3

15

medium

2

14

easy

1

3 LETTERS ALE APT ASH AVO BEE BRA BUT DEN ERA FBI HAT HEW IRE NOR NOT OAR ODE OVA REV RYE SHE SUE TWO URN

WU O N I K J S M Y R P Q

1 6 5 8 6 3 9 4 6 7 7 5 8 1 1 7 2 6 8 9 3 5 5 7 3 8

E V Z L D B A X H F T GC

4

WORDFIT

4 LETTERS ACNE CASE CEDE CORN COST NEST ORAL PAID PATS PUCK SARI SEES SINK USER 5 LETTERS ALOUD

No. 121

7 ( 1 ( 7

AMASS APRON ARENA ARGUE ATLAS AVAIL AWARD CACAO CADET CAVES CEASE CHASM CLEAT DRESS DWELT EASEL EDGES EERIE GOUGE HONES HOUSE

LARVA LATHE LATHS METRE OASES OLIVE OPALS OPERA OVALS PETTY RANGE REELS RESIN ROLLS SALTS SANDS SILOS SLEET SNEER SOLES STAGS

START SWEET TENET TEPEE THERE TRIBE WEAVE

7 LETTERS DISCARD ERASURE LANTERN MOISTER PULSATE ROUTINE

6 LETTERS DEAFER EITHER SENDER WINGED

8 LETTERS EIGHTEEN EVILLEST NOBLEMAN TOMORROW

$: $ 5 ' 6 2 / ( 6 & + $ 6 0 7 ( 3 ( ( $ 9 $ , / ( ( 5 , ( 5 $ 1 * ( ' : ( / 7 / $ 5 9 $ ) % , 7 + ( 5 ( 1 2 5 $ 9 2 3 ( 7 7 < & $ 6 ( 6 ( 1 ' ( 5 ( 5 $ 6 8 5 ( ( 5 $ & 2 5 1 $ & 1 ( 2 9 $ / 6 6 , 1 .

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SUDOKU

24-02-23

This week’s crossword proudly sponsored by

The Heritage Family

HERITAGE & HERITAGE FUNERALS Lilydale 9739 7799 Healesville 5962 1600 HERITAGE PIONEERS CHAPEL 1414 Healesville/Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock 5964 6500 Head Office: 733 Boronia Road, Wantirna 9800 3000 info@ heritagefunerals.com.au www.heritagefunerals.com.au 1157336-CB40-14

30 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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Phone: 1300 666 808

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c 1FSHPMBT t %FDLT t "MM $BSQFOUSZ 8PSL t t 0WFS :FBST &YQFSJFODF t

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Highway, STEVENS GLASS 375 Maroondah North Croydon Showroom open Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm (8 - 12 Saturdays)

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Trades & Services

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 31

General Notices

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ESCORTS R US

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

Ladies Welcome.

Jake Harris 0402 913 197 Email: info@harrisandcopainting.com.au www.harrisandcopainting.com.au V Roofing

Member vacancies - Victorian Class B cemetery trusts The following Class B cemetery trusts are seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the community who are interested in becoming honorary trust members. Women and those from a diverse background are actively encouraged to seek appointment:

C1047556-KG35-12

THE BEENAK CEMETERY TRUST Over 20 years experience in all aspects of Roof Tiling.

• Roofing Repairs • Leak Detection • Re-Bed and Point • Roof Restoration • Re-Roofs • Extensions Call Ross now for a no Obligation free quote.

Personalised and Professional Service Guaranteed

Being appointed to a cemetery trust provides successful applicants with a unique opportunity to develop their competencies as a board member.

The Department of Health provides free governance training to all trust members.

Solar Skylights Skylight resealing Pensioner discount

Current members whose terms of office are due to expire may apply for reappointment as part of a competitive selection process.

More information about the role of cemetery trust members is available at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/class-bcemetery-trust-appointments

Find your Local Specialist in our

To register your interest please refer to the trust contact details below and provide your expression of interest to the applicable trust within two weeks of the date of this advertisement:

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YARRA VALLEY SEPTIC TANK CLEANING • Septic Tanks • Treatment Plants • Grease Traps • EPA Licence • Portable Toilets

5962 4841

9735 3700

Mobile 0419 131 958 SERVICING ALL AREAS BOB WALLACE AND SONS

Victorian Class B cemetery trust

Contact details

The Beenak Cemetery Trust

0403 239 888

The Upper Yarra Cemetery Trust

0408 310 179

Passed away peacefully, aged 96 years.

Cherished Mum of Heather Murphy, John and Karyn Purdie, Julie and John (dec) Breheny.

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CALL US ON 0458 735 250 12543759-AI14-22

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Motoring section of Network Classifieds.

The Funeral Service to Celebrate the life of Betty Moloney will be held at The Pioneers Chapel, Heritage Funeral Home 1416 Healesville - Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock on Monday 27th February 2023 commencing at 2:00pm.

Following the service, the Cortege will proceed to Upper Yarra Public Cemetery where Betty will be laid to rest.

Full time / Part time Required for small Yarra Valley Waste Collection company.

Must have Medium Rigid licence.

Early morning starts.

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Phone to arrange interview 0438 596 660

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Heritage And Heritage Funerals Woori Yallock 5964 6500

Place your 12591124-MS08-23

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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.

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For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

9775 3210

Mon – Fri

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people. The trust will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

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www.escortsrus.com.au

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Call Chris 0412 099 142 24 years in roofing leaks

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Leak detection & repair Rebeding & Pointing High Pressure cleaning

Cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years on the recommendation of the Minister for Health.

Cemetery trusts are responsible for the proper and efficient management of the public cemeteries under their control, including planning for future cemeteries services and the preservation of local history.

F30916

12570815-AV40-22

Ph: 0400 627 644

THE UPPER YARRA CEMETERY TRUST

WORLD CUP FEVER LIVES ON! Yarra Valley Soccer club would love to hear from any prospective soccer players. No prior experience necessary. Juniors, Seniors, all sexes. Come on down and be part of the YVSC experience, in our brand new clubrooms. Start of as a Ronald/Rhonda and end up as a Ronaldo!

Phone Shredder on 0402 429 986 da_shredda@hotmail.c om https://www.facebo ok.com/YarraValleySocc erClub

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Old Cars Removed WE PAY YOU

$$$ For Any Old Car TODAY

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BUS FOR SALE Higer Munro 2012, 29 seat, 110,000km, one owner /driver. Cummins 3.8L 4cyl turbo engine, diesel.

Allison 6 speed auto.

Telma brake retarder fitted. New white paint, no markings. Currently in service. Located in Marysville.

Reg 9030AO. $53,900. Phone Richard 0417 633 753.

$

29 .00

Mountain Views Star Mail • All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication.

Ranges Trader Star Mail

• After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear.

• The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item.

• Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

Lilydale Star Mail

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

Run my advert in: 2 papers - $7 extra 3 papers - $14 extra

ADD A PHOTO FOR AN ADDITIONAL $8.00.

12588135-JC06-23

32 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

New hall of famer

By Callum Ludwig A stalwart of cricket in the Yarra Valley has been inducted into the Victorian Country Cricket League’s Hall of Fame.

Former Yarra Valley Cricket Association (YVCA, before the merger with RDCA), Seville cricketer and current VCCL Secretary Keith Thompson received automatic Hall of Fame status as a life member for his contributions to local cricket, Mr Thompson said he was very pleased and honoured to be given Hall of Fame status.

“I started playing in the YVCA when I was about 10 years of age, and got involved in the committee at the Seville Cricket Club when I was 17 or 18. I became Secretary-Treasurer at YVCA in 1980, which I held until the merge with the RDCA in 2020 and joined the VCCL board in 1985,” he said.

“People involved who have been awarded life membership of the VCCL will be eventually inducted as a member of the Hall of Fame and I was fortunate enough to be part of the initial induction.”

Mr Thompson was secretary for the South East Country region of the VCCL since 1985 when he joined the board.

Mr Thompson said he’s never done what he has in cricket for reward.

“For me, the reward is being involved. But

to be recognised by other people for what I do for the game is fairly pleasing I suppose, I was just trying to do my best to make it all work” he said.

“I enjoyed honouring other people, when I was involved at the YVCA and we were able to change the names of our grades from A, B, C, D, E to the Strachan Shield and things like that, that was a good feeling to honour those people who contributed to our game.”

Mr Thompson’s contribution to cricket in the Yarra Valley was also recognised in 2011 when he received a Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement award from Yarra Ranges Council.

In regards to his playing career, Mr Thompson said when it comes to cricket you are only as good as those around you.

“I was very fortunate in the Seville firsts that there were a lot of good cricketers around me and that made me a bit better than I probably was. I was definitely more of a bowler and I suppose I wasn’t too bad at bowling straight spinners and being a pain in the ass as a batsman because I could hang around for a while and not go out,” he said.

“We had some fantastic cricketers inducted into the VCCL Hall of Fame and I’m nowhere near as good a cricketer as them but maybe I have achieved something as an administrator and hopefully I’ve got a bit more to give.”

Become a referee at UYBA. Picture: UNSPLASH

Keith Thompson (left) receiving his Hall of Fame status from the VCCL. Picture: SUPPLIED

Greater urgency for Tormey-Taylor victory

By Callum Ludwig

By Ian Callen After last weeks narrow loss to Laurie Tormey’s ‘Team Nicholson’; opposing Captains, Malcolm Moore (Riddell) and Steve Oates (Rael) had sleepless nights. They knew if they were to suffer another defeat… they could say goodbye to the “Tormey-Taylor” for 2023.

So it wasn’t so strange to see greater urgency amongst the playing groups. This was evidenced by the number of pitch marks on greens as teams were about the fairways practicing late into the evenings with only the “Roos” for company.

Then somewhere about the course, Riddell’s Malcolm Moore had an idea and immediately called on his close friend and golfing companion Rob Johnston. The two were seen in deep discussion at the conclusion of play last Tuesday resulting in a decision to rest some of the their top golfers for day 1 of Round 3. The thought behind the move; high temperatures were predicted Thursday and more favourable conditions forecasted thereafter.

It wasn’t surprising that many of the ‘Tournament’s’ keen followers saw this as a shrewd move, if not a master stroke. Riddell’s playing list would certainly benefit from the decision and in particularly a number of the teams out of form “Top Guns”.

Then as results poured in Thursday, it was Riddell who looked set to capitalise; Max McIntosh out unusually early, had mastered the course with a superb round earning 40 points and he was well supported by playing partner Geoff Cooper with 34.

With players in reserve, Riddell were now the favourites with so many of their ‘Top Men’ available for play Saturday into day 3 Tuesday.

But ‘Captain Moore’ was banking on the added bonus of their well handicapped point scorers coming good: And They didn’t let him down, John Stewart, Alex Ward and Shane O’Brien had booked in for day two Saturday.

However, by the time all cards had been returned to the shed, Thursday, the Round 3 leader board showed Team Rael ahead with last years Club Champion, Glen Newbery, Josh Handasyde and the big hitting Mark Jackson also lining up Saturday.

As for the Tormey-Taylor leaders “Team Nicholson”; the question was, could their talented Saturday group overcome a 19 point deficit and carry a winning score.

As the ground crew moved about the course it wasn’t long before the early mornings sun hit the Lebanon and Nicholson’s top three; Chris Handasyde, Simon Caldicott, and Neil Ackermann were at the tee preparing for the dog leg mailcommunity.com.au

Referees wanted for Upper Yarra

Team Riddell Captain Malcolm Moore launches into his drive on the 14th with John Stewart and Roger Jones looking on.

Picture: SUPPLIED par 4, first with Rael’s Glen Newbery.

Behind them, team mates Josh Handasyde and Mark Jackson were also readying themselves as Riddell’s Alex Ward John Stewart and Shane O’Brien where on the practice green.

The golf from that point was outstanding and when Caldicott eagled the ‘Par 5’ 8th, he was 5 under the card and headed for the Tournament’s best ever round. His only blemish on the front nine came at the 9th, where he sent his ball toward the cup only to see it fall short, needing only a half rotation for it to drop for a point saving par.

His playing partners Handasyde and Ackerman had also scored well and by rounds end the Nicholson trio had wiped the deficit to give their team what looked like being a well earned lead heading into the final days play.

But this was where ‘Shane O’Brien’ came to Riddell’s rescue lighting up the back nine to secure them a one point lead heading into the final day on Tuesday.

O’Brien had grown in confidence as he stroked his way around the front for 16 points and then at the turn… it was as if all his golfing

shackles had been released, bring him home for a 39 point round.

With one days play remaining the interest in Team Golf remains exciting and all credit to our golfers… well played.

Team Golf Round 3 (day 2) Team Riddell: Max McIntosh 40, Shane O’Brien 39, Alex Ward 35, Geoff Cooper 34, Mark Jackson 33, Billy Gordon 30 = 211 Team Nicholson: Simon Caldicott 43, Chris Handasyde 38, Howard Vaughn 33, Neil Ackermann 33, Manfred Hennig 32, Lyn Phillips 31 = 210 Team Rael: Sydney Sheldon 36, Tony Purdie 35, Tim Howden 33, Glen Newbery 34, Greg Urquhart 33, Josh Handasyde 33 = 204 Tournament Golf Table (After Round 1) Team P W D Points Nicholson 2 2 12 Riddell Rael -

The Upper Yarra Basketball Association (UYBA) is looking to recruit referees, with an opportunity to improve your understanding of the game and earn some money at the same time.

Expressions of interest are open for the next referee course to be held beginning on 22 April for the small competition based at the Yarra Centre.

Referee Advisor Paul Traynor said refereeing is great for the resume of a young person.

“You learn quick decision-making and conflict resolution skills and you’ve got to be quite confident to be a ref because basically every time you make a call, about 50 per cent of the people that are there disagree with you,” he said.

“I also coach and I always tell my players to ref as well because you learn all the little tricks that the players do to get into the key or to get a shot off quickly as well as being able to see all the good defensive and offensive positions.”

The UYBA’s referees were recognised in 2022, receiving Basketball Victoria’s Referee Branch ‘Local TOC of the Year (Metropolitan Small)’ award. It was the first time in the competition’s history they had won an award.

Mr Traynor said new referees will be taken through a four-week referee school.

“For the first week, we just teach them positioning and where they need to get to see a foul or violation before we go through the violations in the second week, such as the out of courts, and the fouls the following week,” he said.

“They are always on games with a mentor and by the fourth week, we let them make the calls with a more senior referee in games. They become a ‘green shirt’ or a trainee ref. After a while, they get to go solo as a green shirt before they sit their exam and become a fully qualified striped-shirt referee.”

Refereeing and umpiring sports can be a great little earner, with the profession regarded as a hobby and not being taxed. Trainee referees can earn $13 for a 45-minute junior game and more senior referees in higher grades and senior games can earn as much as $20 a game.

Anyone who wants to become a referee can fill out an expression of interest form at: www.uyba.squarespace.com/ roles-uyba.

Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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MAIL 33

SPORT

Wandin win three

Golf results

By Ron Hottes

By Bryce Edwards Lilydale 3rd 6-152 defeated by Wandin 1st 6-153 Wandin 1st would take on Lilydale 3rd at the Gateway Reserve for round 13.

Wandin’s captain David Thorne would lose the toss and Lilydale would choose to bat.

Wandin bowlers had the pressure on after last week’s loss, but this week they would rise the occasion with Hamish Lamont opening the bowling and even though he didn’t take a wicket, he would only get 12 runs hit off his 7 overs.

All Wandin bowlers would bowl very tight and Lilydale would struggle to get any big shots away especially Tim Thorne towards the end, picking up 4 wickets.

After 35 overs Lilydale would be 6/152.

Hamish Lamont 0/12 off 7 overs Daniel Trembath 1/40 off 7 overs Leigh Curwood (tickets) 0/31 off 7 overs David Marshall 0/22 off 7 overs Jamie Oakley 1/22 off 3 overs Tim Thorne 4/19 off 4 overs With a good bowling performance, it would be up to the Wandin batters to chase down Lilydale’s total.

Rod Aitken and Jamie Elliott would continue their good batting form and get Wandin off to a great start once again.

Jamie Elliott would fall for 15 but that would bring David Thorne to the crease and he would make 31 but the star batsman was Rod Aitken, making 59.

Lilydale did get a few quick wickets towards the end but Wandin would chase down Lilydale’s score in the 29th over with 6 wickets down.

Wandin 2nd 11 v bayswater park 3rd 11 Perfect cricket conditions greeted both teams for this top of the table clash.

Wandin won the toss and elected to bat, the innings started with L Faulkingham being dismissed first ball and wIth Bayswater Park bowlers applying pressure in the early stages, and the Wandin batsmen digging in, Wandin would be 4/80 at drinks.

With quick runs on their mind, wickets would fall, but with 7 batsmen getting double figures but only D Alderman (30) reaching more than 20, Wandin would finish its innings on 9/140. A Eustace was the pick of the bowlers with 3/13.

· · · · · · ·

Wandin Players gather in the rooms.

Bayswater Park would also lose a couple of early wickets to M Kogelman 2/19 and find scoring tough, but with the batsmen digging in they would be 4/64 at the drinks break.

With Wandin squeezing the game with a couple more wickets and upping the run rate, something had to give and for Bayswater Park, it came from A Eustace 22* and M Nellen 33* in a 60-run unbeaten partnership that sealed the game for the visitors who would finish on 6/144 in the 34th over.

Wandin 3rd XI vs Chirnside Park With the toss won by Chirnside and electing to bowl first, Wandin got off to a rough start, losing their first wicket in the second over to be 1/14.

A couple of decent partnerships were formed so by drinks the score was 2/69. With some excellent bowling partnerships by Chirnside and an uptick in the run rate required to have a decent score to defend, Wandin was able to push as the next wicket only fell in the 27th over to be 3/137. The next over R Vallence retired for 50 for his second game in a row. When the 30th over went by the score was 4/144, and with 8 overs to go Wandin was able to score at 10 runs an over to finish with 6/204, the second week in a row of a score over 200.

R Vallence 52 retired J Polido 42 C Robinson 28 no Wandin’s turn to bowl and they got off to a perfect start getting a wicket in the first over. It was another perfect opening bowling stand to have Chirnside 5/19 after 10 overs in the field.

All catches were spectacularly taken by junior wicketkeeper J Dowthwaite. Wandin would have Chirnside bowled out for 55 by the end

· · ·

Picture: SUPPLIED of the 22nd over. Hopefully with a victory next week and other results going Wandin’s way, they can finish in the top two.

M Polido 2/6 L Brown 2/7 C Kneebone 2/15 T Seeger 2/11 Wandin Women def Yarra Junction by 14 runs Following a bye, Wandin took on Yarra Junction at Wandin North Reserve. Wandin won the toss and elected to bat first putting in S Wilson and Ewart to take on the attack from Yarra Junction. Both openers were dismissed early to be followed by C Edwards and G Seeger, as well as B Cuddon. However, a strong partnership between O Edwards and K Edwards kept Wandin in it, with O Edwards staying in for many overs, and dismissed on 39 after 41 balls.

The lower section of the batting order also kept Wandin pushing hard and finishing on 109 after 30 overs.

With Yarra Junction coming into bat, Wandin took on the challenge to defend their total.

Wickets lit up from the 6th over, with Curwood getting the ball rolling for Wandin. Wilson and C Edwards had two wickets between them before 12 overs, with O Edwards taking a double wicket maiden in the 13th. Lowrie also one, alongside the further 4 between both Edwards.

C Edwards finished on 4/8 off 5.5, and O Edwards took 3/15 off 6. It came down to the wire, yet with 8 overs to go Junction fell short by 14 runs, as Wandins amazing team effort allowed them to bowl all out.

An amazing game was played by all on a hot Sunday, but good job girls and let’s keep finals alive!

· · · ·

Wednesday 15 February, Stableford: Ralph Logan day remembers a popular, passed member who was active in both golf and the Tuesday Garden Club, so a healthy 40+ field contested this event.

And, it was appropriate close friend of both Ralph and his wife, De, won the top voucher. Jacqui Hall blew everyone out of the water with a sensational 44 points. Rod Kempton took out runnerup with 37 points. There were plenty of mid-30s scores, and De was more than happy to gift golf balls to each and every playing member’s lovely gesture on De’s part. NTP mugs went to Peter Fox (3rd), Peter Whitehead (5th), Neil Leckenby (9th, and knocking-off Your Loyal Scribe again), Deb Hamment (12th) and Kevin Bargar (15th).

Twilight: With only six more Thursday Twilights to go before the big shootout, top 10 spots are worth their weight in gold. This is just one reason why very high 9-hole scores are happening every week now. The highest of those scores for this week was posted by Danny Fox, a regular Twilight player. Danny’s 21 points did his top 10 chances no harm.

Henk DeGraaf posted his best score in some time, with 20 impressive points, being rewarded with the runner-up voucher. Balls crept down to 19 only, showing the depth of good scoring at the moment, with plenty of 16, 17 and 18 scores posted. NTP winners were Paul Osbourne (with a near-eagle on the 1st,) Junior Spenceley (3rd) and P.K. (9th).

Saturday 18 February, Stableford: With much kinder weather to play in, players took full advantage to record some impressive results. The clearly, most impressive of many good results was a 39-pointer, posted by Junior Spenceley.

This was Seth’s best result for some time, but the young tyro appears to be back.

Watch out Dad. The A-Grade runner-up was David Hatt, with 37 solid points. The B-Grade top voucher was snapped up

by Josh Hin, also with 39 points. Both 39-point efforts were the equal best on the day. Balls overall reached 33. NTPs were claimed by Geoff Sharp (3rd), President Nursey and Bagel (5th), Peter Fox (9th), Craig Staggard (12th) and to Steuart Hawke (15th).

Healesville Cricket Club teams heading for the finals Friday night games cancelled due to heat policy Under 14 Healesville 216 defeated Hoddles Creek 175 (Day 2 of 2 day split innings game) Under 16 Healesville 9/146 defeated by Yarra Glen 171 (Day 2 of 2 day split innings game) Seniors 1st XI – Healesville 150 & 154 defeated outright by Wonga Park 7/262 & 1/43 (Day 2 of a 2 day game) – by Josh Handasyde This week Healesville travelled to Wonga Park for the second week of the two-day match against Wonga Park with a dire situation facing them with the Bloods only having 150 on the board and Wonga Park already 2/128. Wonga Park came out to bat with the intent of trying to force a potential outright win, Wonga Park was able to punish the Bloods bowlers early quickly surpassing the Blood’s total and piling on the runs thanks to Dan Schlueters 43 off 18 balls and gaining a 112 run lead before declaring, leaving the Bloods 67 overs to bat.

The Bloods looked solid early with Damrow and Dillon Kerr opening up before Kerr was bowled for 9. Liam English joined Damrow at the crease and was able to see off the openers before being bowled by Leg Spinner Will Hartley on the stroke of tea for 13. With the Bloods 2/30 with 44 overs left in the day. There was some optimism for the Bloods to avoid the outright loss. But when Damrow was also bowled and Ben Wallace, LBW, both by Will Hartley, the Bloods were in some trouble at 4/40 with still 42 overs to bat. So Josh Handasyde joined skipper Kris Andersen at the crease and Handasyde was able to negate the spin of Hartley and put a few balls to the boundary putting the pressure back on the bowlers until Andersen spooned on to mid-wicket to be walking back 34 MAIL

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

to the pavilion for 17, and Max Wallace followed him back 2 balls later after being bowled for a duck. leaving the Bloods 6/69 with 36 over remaining. Luke Chandler joined Handasyde at the crease and was able to defend well while putting the bad ball away before he went for one too many and was caught for 26, leaving the Bloods 7/116 and in dire straight with only a 4-run lead and 28 overs to bat.

Debutante Scott Fawdry joined Handasyde at the crease and was quickly dismissed for a duck off leg spinner Hartley after one turned past his outside edge and was stumped leaving the Bloods 8/122. Michael Jackson was the only recognised batsman left and striding out to the wicket to join Josh Handasyde who had built his way to 39. The pair still had 29 overs to bat and were able to safely get into drinks with no further casualties and a lead of 23 runs with a further 25 overs to bat. The pair got back to work after drinks and got through the first 5 overs unscathed and growing with confidence with Jackson 24* and Handasyde 48*.

But when Josh Handasyde hit one cut shot too many he was caught in the gully and was walking back to the pavilion disappointed as there were still 19 overs left in the day and the Bloods were only 42 runs ahead. Brodie Grace was dismissed the next over and the Bloods were again dismissed for 154, in only 48.3 overs showing the lack of defensive batting shown which is really disappointing to see. Wonga Park came out and hit 28 off the first over and the game was effectively over with Josh Handasyde nabbing a consolation wicket in the 3rd over but the game was done with the Bloods losing outright to Wonga Park, which leaves a sour taste in the mouths of players and supporters and shows the Bloods have a lot of improvement to

do on both fronts if they are going to be challenging for that elusive A grade premiership next season. The Bloods are unable to make finals with only one game remaining, which is at Queens park against Lilydale.

Seniors 2nd XI – Healesville 5/124 defeated Woori Yallock/Launching Place 9/120 – by Ethan Nikcevich On a sunny day at Queens Park, Healesville won the toss and elected to bowl first. Woori Yallock/Launching place’s openers got off to a strong start with an opening partnership of 60 before Moss Fawdry broke through. Zach Fawdry removed the other opener with a brilliant direct hit runout as Worri Yallock/Launching Place started to collapse. Riley Cameron and Darcy English took 1 wicket each with Tom Handasyde, Ethan Nikcevich and Moss Fawdry took 2 each to restrict Worri Yallock/ Launching Place to 9/120. Healesville charged things up by opening the batting with Harry Baxter(8) and Curtis Adamson(6) but both fell early. Miss Fawdry(56) put on a masterclass bringing up his first 50 of the year before being caught in the deep. Wickets continued to fall before Darcy English(10*) settled in and played a defensive game to steady the innings and Blake Rallis(11*) came in at the end and won the game for Healesville blasting 11 off 7 deliveries. Healesville won their 9th game with 1 to go before finals Seniors 3rd XI – Healesville 7/130 defeated South Croydon 6/127 – by Sam Drummond Healesville 3rd XI won the toss and elected to bat. Jack Plunkett and Sam Dennett opened the batting for Healesville each making 3 and 8 respectfully. Jack Plunkett was dismissed first, being caught. Matthew Cooper was then sent in at first drop. Sam Dennett was run out

with a total of 8. Gabriel Houlihan and Matthew Cooper made a handy partnership with both Matthew Cooper making 42 before being caught out and Gabriel Houlihan making 4 before being bowled by A. Yogesh Kumar. Next to the crease were Vinny and David Plunkett, both making 10 and 11 respectfully before both being caught out. Denzel Parsons then came to the crease with Peter Nolan. Peter Nolan was dismissed for 0. Robert Nolan and Denzel Parsons made a lovely last partnership with both making 29 and 3 not out. Final score, 9/130. South Croydon sent in Y. Kumar and A. Kumar to open their batting tally.

Healesville got 2 quick wickets with A. Kumar being dismissed on 2 by Sam Drummond after Peter Nolan took an absolutely incredible catch. Y. Kumar was then dismissed on 2 with a magnificent run out by Denzel Parsons. K. Daas was also dismissed with a small total of 2, being caught behind off the bowling of Sam Drummond. E. Gregor was then sent to the crease and remained there for nearly the entire innings, making 51 before retiring not out.

J. Jensen made a lovely total of 24 before being dismissed by Denzel Parsons. D. Grogor and F. Edgar came to the crease making a combined total of 21 with D. Gregor making 17 and F. Edgar making 4. D. Tull then came out to bat with Damien Edgar making 9 and 4, being just shy of Healesville’s total. The game came down to the last ball where South Croydon needed 4 to win and 3 to draw. Denzel Parsons bowled the last over. It was a fabulous display of bowling with only 1 run scored, giving Healesville the victory by 3 runs. Congratulations to Healesville and commiserations to South Croydon.

Good luck next week everyone for the final matches of the home and away season! mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Off to the big final

By Ian Milgate Healesville’s Team 2 are in the bowls grand final next week after beating Blackburn North by 9 shots, 56 - 47. It was a neck and neck game all day with good bowls being put down by both sides and with only a few ends left it was down to four shots, but in the end the pressure seemed to get to Blackburn North and we came home with the win. Blackburn North now have to play tomorrow against Heathmont and the winner will meet Healesville next Saturday in the Grand Final. The venue has not been announced yet.

Russell Smith, Effie Laban, Ian Milgate, Gerda Otto 18 -13 Mike Adams, Rob Broadhurst, Glenda Graham, Ted Upton 12 - 19 Barry Parker, Gerry Gomers, Leonie Fitzpatrick, Judy Veermann 26 -15 Tuesday’s Team 1 played at home against Boronia and although it was a very tight match Healesville won, with all rinks up, by 6 shots 55 - 49. They finished the year in the middle of the pack, which keeps them in Division 2 again for next season.

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Results vary

By Peter Brennan

Tuesday’s Team 2 played away against Heatherdale who were second on the ladder and unfortunately they were too strong for us going down by 20 shots, 49 - 69, which puts us in third place at the end of the season, which means Healesville will play in finals this Tuesday against Croydon, so we wish them all the best and hope they can also get into a grand final.

Mike Adams, Steve Bulled, Damian Key, Jodie Ward 18 - 20 Len Cosson, Gerry Gomers, Colin Jarvis, Judy Veermann 17 - 23 John Fitzpatrick, Anne Holland, Leonie Fitzpatrick, Barry Parker 14 - 26 Some 12 members from Healesville travelled down to Inverloch on Sunday to play in their open fours event. We wish them good luck and hope they have a great day. Finally our Corporate Bowls starts again on Wednesday night for the Charles Hort Memorial Trophy, so if you are not doing anything come on down, enjoy a snag and drink and watch this hotly contended event, played by our local business people.

It was a week of contrasts for Yarra Junction Bowling Club. The midweek team finished the home and away season with a match against top of the table Lilydale, at Yarra Junction. The conditions were good, a Cinderella type of day, and Junction managed to win two rinks and lose one, winning overall. This cements third place, and since the finals system was changed this year this gives them a home final. To explain, in the past first has played fourth and second has played third, with the winners playing off in the grand final. Now a double chance has been introduced, familiar to football supporters of a certain vintage, whereby first plays second, the winner going through to the grand final, and third plays fourth with the loser eliminated and the winner playing the loser of the other game for the right to play in the grand final. This better rewards the top two teams. The two semi-finals are hosted by the higher-placed team, the preliminary and grand finals are played on neutral venues. So Yarra Junction will host Eastwood Golf in a sudden death final, and the club wish them luck.

The weekend team had a mountain to climb in their first final, having finished fourth. They had to travel to Yarra Glen, a prospect that filled no one with joy. The green at Yarra Glen is narrow and slow, and very difficult for anyone not a local to play well. And so it turned out to be, with Yarra Junction enduring possibly their worst defeat of the season, a slaughter of epic proportions on all four rinks, and elimination from the finals. It was not a good day, and the club congratulates Yarra Glen on a masterly performance. Chastened and humiliated, the club draws the curtain on the weekend season, with thanks extended to all those who participated. All hopes now focus on the midweek team.

But life goes on, and Barefoot Bowls goes on every Friday evening, and another season will come and maybe new members will wander into the club and make all the difference. Yarra Junction Bowling Club is nothing if not resilient, and welcomes everyone with an interest in bowling. In the meantime, it is still there in the midweek competition, and the chance of a pennant is still alive.

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Healesville’s Team 2 are off to the grand final after defeating Blackburn North in the semi.

Picture: SUPPLIED

· John Clark, Robyn Turville, Glenda Graham, Karl Tok 18 - 17 · Steve Graham, Effie Laban,Russell Smith, Gerda Otto 19 - 15 · Bob Brown, Rob Ayres, Hilda Gurney, Len Stewart 18 - 17

Finals success and club singles champs Weekend pennant The first week of weekend pennant finals yielded some mixed results for the Yarra Glen Bowls Club. On Saturday all three pennant sides had wins.

The Division 1 side needed to win away at MCC to keep their finals chances alive, and they came home with a solid three rink win 87/72. S. Manifold 22/19; M. O’Brien 26/20; G. Senior 17/22; Ben Simmons 22/11.

In Division 4, they played a home second semi-final against a strong Mitcham outfit. After 1 win apiece during the home and away season, a tough game was expected.

Yarra Glen managed to keep their heads in front all day, eventually coming out winners 78/71. R. Bates 15/22; M. Ramage 18/20; S. Smith 18/17; R. Thurkle 27/12.

The win meant going straight through to the Section Final, next Saturday. Once again they will play Mitcham, who bounced back to win the preliminary final on Sunday 89/69 against Croydon.

Regardless of the result, the Yarra Glen side has won promotion to Division 3 for next season.

In the Club Championship Singles ladies final, Marg Grund played Irene Leonard, marked by local club stalwart Tony Anderson.

Picture: SUPPLIED Division 7 were not sure what to expect against Yarra Junction, who have been hard to beat on their home green.

Saturday was an elimination final at Yarra Glen’s green, and the home ground advantage proved decisive with a comprehensive 128/32 win. D. Batten 32/6; S. Elliot 31/8; G. Rowe 24/9; J. Senior 41/9.

On Sunday at Mooroolbark the team came up against the Cockatoo-Monbulk combination. After they unexpectedly lost their second semi final, they bounced back to defeat Yarra Glen 60/102. D. Batten 23/14; S. Elliot

15/21; G. Rowe 21/24; J. Senior 24/12.

In midweek pennant, the last round of home and away games were played out.

Side 1 went to Mitcham, going down 52/69.

G. Baker 11/33; R. Bates 26/11; P. Leonard 15/25. Side 2 played Boronia, and had an overall win 61/57. D. Milner 16/21; G. Rowe 19/16; J. Senior 17/19.

Club Championship Singles On Thursday night a large crowd gathered for the Club Singles Championship Finals.

In the ladies final, Marg Grund played Irene Leonard, marked by local club stalwart Tony Anderson, and two of the Side 1 skips locked horns with Shane (Warnie) Manifold against Matthew (Twisties) O’Brien, with Gordy Baker as marker. For the ladies, Irene jumped to an early lead, which she maintained and won 25-10.

An enthralling game ensued in the Men’s final. At 24 all, including a tied end, Twisties had two drives to try and claim the title.

They just missed and Shane Manifold was crowned the winner. Good luck to Irene and Shane as the Champion of Champion Singles events unfolds in March.

One Warburton side to fight for glory

By Garry Lewis The Weekend Warburton 2 side reached the Grand Final of their section with two nail biting victories over the weekend. Also, the Midweek Side plays in the First Semi Final this Tuesday.

On Saturday the Weekend Warburton 1 side played at home against the third side, Croydon 1. The Burras started well before Croydon took control in the second half to record a solid victory, 92 shots to 68.

Rink scores were as follows: C. Neale 17/ 23; T. Appleton 10/ 34; A. Donohue 16/ 20 and C. Lord 25/ 15. After a very challenging season, the Burras play Burwood Districts 1 away in their final game of the season this week.

Warburton 2 commenced their finals journey by holding off a valiant Chirnside Park 2 at home in the sudden death First Semi-Final. After creating a good lead by the break, the Burras had to withstand a strong fightback from the opposition before winning 77 shots to 70.

Rink Scores were P. Summers 20/ 26; G. Lewis 15/ 18; G. Wynd 19/ 14 and S. Darwall 23/ 12.

The next day, they played Ferntree Gully 3 at Ringwood in the Preliminary Final. The opposition quickly gained the initiative and had a good lead at the break. The Burras never gave up and fought back valiantly to hit the lead with only a few ends to go. They held on for an inspiring 8-shot victory, 79 to 71, to earn the right to play Mooroolbark 4 in the Sectional Grand Final this Saturday. Venue to be confirmed. mailcommunity.com.au

Madisyn Nicolandos with her uncle, Adam Donohue, during her first game in the Weekend Warburton 1 Pennant side on Saturday against Croydon.

Picture: SUPPLIED Rink scores were: S. Darwall 13/ 24; P. Summers 18/ 11; G. Lewis 22/ 19 and G. Wynd 26/ 17.

The Midweek team played Monbulk 1 at home and in a disappointing game before the finals series, they went down 49 shots to 67.

It was a tense finish as the Burras needed to win at least one rink to finish third, which they managed to do with basically the final bowl of the game. With his rink leading by one shot

overall but one down at the head, Rod McKail, bowled a beauty to enable his rink to be one shot up and win by two shots overall. Rink scores were G. Walsh 16/ 28; S. Lord 11/ 19 and R. McKail 22/ 20. They will now play Monbulk 1 again in the knockout First Semi Final at home this week. They are determined to turn the tables.

The Intra Club Singles Championships were decided on Friday evening with two high standard games. Rayna Zunneberg had to use all her experience to defeat the young and upand-coming Madisyn Nicolandos in the Women’s Singles. Rayna has now won 14 Club Singles titles in an amazing effort. Chris Lord won his second successive Men’s Singles by holding off Chris Neale in a tight contest. Rayna and Chris will now represent the Club in the Eastern Region Champion of Champions event.

The Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Triples Competition continued last week in superb conditions with a full round of games of 16 ends each.

Lachie Pitman from the Sheep Assist team started the evening well by winning the prize for being the first person to touch the jack.

Results were: Wessie Wonders 17 d Thomos 13; Bolters 16 d Bowls to the Walls 10; Pensioners d April and Co; Giddy Gout d Bellevue Bowls; Moonshiners d Burra Boys; Three Stooges d Sheep Assist and Can’t Remember 17 d Bee Gees 13.

The final round this week before the Finals Night will be a double header.

This week’s Horse Talk.

Picture: ON FILE

Horse Talk

By Anita Prowse Coming up are have another busy few months locally with UYARC hosting their Dressage and Combined Training day at Wesburn Park on 5 March and the following weekend Pheonix RC has their dressage day also at Wesburn Park.

UYPC are hosting their Dressage Jackpot - this year over a full weekend - May 27and 28, the program is out and entries are open, with all levels on the sand arena at Wesburn Park.

Also happening is this very informative session for all horse owners, bookings are essential through the Shire - Stuart Myers of Equiculture will deliver a two-part workshop that covers horse health, behaviour and welfare along with information on how to manage the land they graze on to ensure it remains healthy for them and viable as habitat.

This a free event for Yarra Ranges residents on the following dates Thursday, 16 March 2023 6pm to 8.30pm Thursday, 23 March 2023 | 6pm to 8.30pm, both at Yarra Glen Memorial Hall, 45 Bell Street, Yarra Glen.

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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Tuesday, 21 February, 2023

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