Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 28th February 2023

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Liberal Party fast tracks candidate for Aston

Local School for sale after closing last year

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Mail Upwey local a world champion tree climber

Mount Burnett observatory live at air show

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A Star News Group Publication

Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808

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Home is now a haven for butterflies

Yvonne Duke in a butterfly flight shed. 321054

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Monbulk local Yvonne Duke began breeding butterflies in Australia after moving from New Zealand in the 2000s. She now breeds Monarch, Blue Moon and Orchard Swallowtail varieties; donating some pupa to the Melbourne Zoo. Yvonne has visited schools including Belgrave Preschool and Sherbrooke Community School to teach children about the butterfly life cycle from pupa to chrysalis and eventually butterfly form.

Read more about Yvonne’s butterfly haven on page 16

Cheers to Soupees For the long-running Upwey charity Soupees’ 14th birthday, founder Gavin Smith would like to see more done to address the housing crisis and homelessness.

On Friday 24 February, Soupees celebrated with a street party outside the Marquee on Upwey Main Street from 3pm to 7pm, where it has been a fixture in the local community.

Started in 2009 by Mr Smith, the Soupees provides meals, blankets and other assistance to those doing it tough in the hills.

Mr Smith said out in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, there was a severe lack of emergency accommodation for those struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic violence and escalating rents.

“I’ve been asked I don’t know how many times, where can we go? The only thing that you can do is go to a rooming house, and they are notoriously bad places for women and families, but that is the only alternative,” he said.

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the Friday free breakfast at Upwey Primary School,” she said.

“Once I was in high school, I started coming to Soupees to help out.”

Alongside her little sister, who does at least an hour of volunteering each week, Ms Morton helps set up the marquee when she can.

“Gavin has always been really good, what he does for everyone is amazing,” she said.

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“Politicians like to talk a lot about building social housing but in reality, we need well in excess of 100,000 and it doesn’t look like they’re coming anytime soon. There needs to be much greater urgency.”

While Mr Smith is at Soupees week in and week out, there are others who come down to help assist him in serving the local community.

Volunteer Rhiannon Morton said she “just started turning up and being annoying.”

“I originally met Gavin through doing

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NEWS

It is not just child’s play New research has revealed most Australian parents recognise the importance of child play, while there are some who believe it’s a ‘waste of time’.

The Latest Royal Children’s Hospital National Child Health Poll, Australian families: How we play, has provided key insights into parents thoughts on play time.

The poll surveyed 2,036 parents between September and October 2022, providing data on 3,351 children aged between one month and 17 years.

According to the data, most parents enjoy playing with their child however, two thirds of parents say they often find playing with their child hard or boring and one in eight believe play is mostly a waste of time.

Key findings: Most parents (94 per cent) recognise play is important for a child’s health including physical wellbeing and brain development.

Less than half (45 per cent) of Australian children play outdoors most days, and 80 per cent of parents would like their children to spend more time outdoors.

Time, safety concerns and weather are among the leading barriers to Australian children spending more time playing outdoors.

A third of parents believe play should always be supervised by an adult (38 per cent) and say it is not good for play to involve risk (32 per cent).

Dr Anthea Rhodes, Paediatrician and Poll Director, said the findings show that while parents recognise the importance of play, there are still some knowledge gaps for parents of children of all ages.

“Play is a crucial part of children’s learning and development, with so many benefits for physical, mental and social health. However, our recent study shows that some parents believe play is fun but not essential and one

· · · ·

New research has revealed most Australian parents recognise the importance of child play.

Picture: ON FILE in eight parents believe that play is mostly a waste of time,” Dr Rhodes said.

“Most parents do enjoy playing with their child but we found many parents admit that they don’t always know how to play with their child and one half of parents are not confident that they could help their child to play. We also found that two in three parents sometimes find it hard or boring to play with their child, with dads more likely to find it boring or hard than mums.”

The survey explored differences in types of

play, as parents reported on outdoor play, digital play and play away from the home.

The most common type of play was play with digital devices, with more than half of children playing inside on a digital device or screen most days of the week.

“Parents feel that play has changed over the years, with two-thirds saying play was better when they were growing up than it is for children today, and three-quarters believing it is good for children to be bored sometimes.

“Many parents find their kids are ‘stuck to

their screens’ but may not realise that using digital devices can also be a form of play. It’s really about how the technology is being used.

Children can express their imagination, curiosity and creativity through screen-based play.

Play with digital devices was most common among teenagers with 70 per cent playing on devices most days. This was followed by primary school-aged children, then toddlers and preschoolers.

“Four in five parents want their child to spend more time outdoors, and many reported that their kids would prefer to play outdoors if they had a choice. The barriers to more time outdoors were mainly a perceived need for supervision, concerns about safety and the weather.”

There is also some hesitancy around risky play, with a third of parents saying that it is not good for play to involve risk.

“Trying to navigate risk is an important part of play and can be beneficial for children’s learning. It can sometimes be challenging to identify the difference between a healthy level of risk and a situation that is hazardous, when it comes to children’s play. It’s about allowing children and young people to have experiences that challenge and test them, without putting them in danger. That line will be different for every child.

“One of the most encouraging findings of this report is that nearly all parents understand that play is important for a child’s physical wellbeing, brain development, social and emotional learning and mental health. And even though there are some hesitancies, most parents are keen to learn more about how to play with their child. And of course, play is not just for kids, play is also important for adults to keep us physically and mentally healthy too!”

The RCH Poll was conducted in September 2022 and data were collected from a nationally representative sample of Australian parents.

We’re removing level crossings on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines Local Councils are encouraged to apply for grants to create recycling projects.

Picture: UNSPLASH

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 67 already gone.

Grants support councils in less waste to landfill

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Belgrave and Lilydale lines

Until late May

On sections of the lines

Road disruptions: Closed roads Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert

Until early May

At the level crossing

Union Road, Surrey Hills

Until early May

At the level crossing

MTIA8825

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au

The third round of the Circular Economy Councils Fund has been opened by the Victorian Government to support councils to increase recycling capacity and divert tonnes of waste from landfill.

Projects eligible for funding include initiatives that seek to increase the reuse, repurposing and recycling of materials at local or regional scale, helping to meet the Government’s target to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt said their ambitious plans and record investment are helping make Victoria cleaner and more sustainable while creating jobs and supporting the economy at the same time.

“We’re supporting councils to develop local projects that help people think of waste differently, developing creative local

solutions that reuse precious resources,“ she said.

“These projects will mean more materials are being reused, repurposed and recycled, which brings us closer to reaching our target of diverting 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030.”

A circular economy keeps materials, products and services in circulation for as long as possible and keeps them out of landfill. So far, more than 50 projects across the state have been supported and are estimated to have prevented more than 55,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill.

All Victorian councils and Alpine Resorts can apply for grants to develop projects.

For more information, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/circular-economy-councilsfund-round-3. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

IN BRIEF Stolen dog returned A cavoodle who took a joyride in a stolen vehicle has been reunited with his family.

Two men were arrested after a car with Moe the dog inside it was stolen in Brighton early on Wednesday 22 February.

A 20-year-old man from The Basin and a 25-year-old from Ashwood are believed to be involved in the theft of a 2017 C250 black Mercedes station wagon with roof racks. The car’s number plate is VBG946.

Police said the men were driving a white MBW which is believed to be linked to the stolen vehicle and were involved in a collision on Dorothea Mackellar Avenue in Oakleigh East around 11.45am.

The two ran from the scene and were arrested nearby.

The stolen vehicle has yet to be located.

Monbulk Road works completed

The fire, which started Tuesday 21 February, covered an area of nine square kilometres as of 9am on Thursday 23 February.

Picture: CFA

Brigades pitch in CFA members throughout the Dandenong Ranges are helping respond to a huge grassfire in Flowerdale, which continued to burn into a third day.

The fire, which started Tuesday 21 February, covered an area of nine square kilometres as of 9am on Thursday 23 February.

Upper Ferntree Gully CFA Captain Peter Smith said seven members of his brigade had just been relieved after fighting the fire, with two more on their way to assist.

“A lot of the area is in inaccessible country that they are navigating around the edge of the fire,” he said.

“They have a lot of aerial appliances and smaller trucks because of the terrain, it’s a lot of hard physical work.”

More than 50 CFA units have responded to the incident since it was first reported at 2.40pm on Tuesday, and Forest Fire Management Victoria crews have been assisting the CFA. The CFA said in an online statement the focus of firefighters is to secure the southern flank of the fire to contain it to the impacted area and prepare for increased fire risk.

“Good work was done yesterday and overnight on containment of the fire on the western and northern parts of the fire,” CFA said.

“There has also been a significant response

from our aerial firefighting appliances to support ground crews. We have undertaken aerial water bombing overnight.”

There has been no confirmed loss of homes “in part due to early asset protection by firefighters,” according to the CFA. Mr Smith said the area has been become dired out in recent times, contributing to the severity of the flames.

“February is the hottest month, it’s when all the major fires burn,” he said.

Bayswater and Monbulk CFA also had members supporting other brigades in fighting the fire. As of Saturday 25 February, the fire was under control.

Campbell named Libs’ Aston candidate

By Parker McKenzie Roshena Campbell has been announced as the Liberal Party candidate for Aston for the Saturday 1 April by-election, after the decision was taken out of local party members’ hands and instead made by an administrative committee.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton was in Wantirna South on Wednesday 22 February to announce the decision by the committee to name Ms Campbell the candidate for the by-election triggered by Alan Tudge’s retirement.

Mr Dutton said Ms Campbell has committed to moving to the electorate “straight away.”

“Coupled with the fact that Roshena is an established advocate for people within this electorate, small businesses and others she’s represented over her years in law, I think stand her in good stead in terms of somebody who has the capacity to take the fight up on behalf of locals,” he said.

Ms Campbell is a barrister and Melbourne City councillor.

She said as a barrister she has acted for small businesses in Aston when the stakes were high and “they wanted me to be their champion.”

“It’s my job to be a champion for every voter in Aston, every family, every small business and I’m going to take the time to listen to them because they deserve a strong voice for the communities in Aston,” she said.

“I’m going to earn their trust and I want them to know that I will be a champion for them in Canberra.”

Local Liberal members are “up in arms” and “ropeable” about the decision not to have a general plebiscite to decide a candidate, as originally planned.

The date of the pre-selection contest was originally set for Saturday 4 March, however, on Monday 20 February candidates and party members were made aware that the decision would be made by an admin committee after an email by Victorian Liberal Party mailcommunity.com.au

Coles recall Coles Liquor Group is recalling Smithy’s Dry Lager 330ml bottle, Smithy’s Dry Lager 6 x 330ml pack and Smithy’s Dry Lager 24 x 330ml carton sold at Liquorland, Liquorland Online, First Choice Liquor Market, First Choice Liquor Market Online and Coles Online in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania with Best Before 25 January 2024 due to underdeclared alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage.

Customers should not consume this product as the ABV percentage is inaccurate. This is a full-strength product at 4.3% ABV and 1.1 standard drinks per bottle. Any customers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Only Smithy’s Dry Lager products with a Best Before date of 25 January 2024 are being recalled. Customers can return these items to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Justin Carthy wanted Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Justin Carthy.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the 35-year-old for failing to appear in court for firearm, drug and theft offences.

Carthy is known to frequent Melton South, Pakenham and Bayswater areas.

Investigators have released an image of Carthy in the hope someone may have information on his current whereabouts.

He is described as having a solid build, 170cm tall with facial tattoos on his left cheek, left eye and right eye.

Anyone who sights Carthy is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com. au

PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN OWNED & INDEPENDENT

244 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville, 3777

Opposition leader Peter Dutton and Liberal Party candidate for Aston Rasheda Campbell in Wantirna South.

Picture: PETER DUTTON FACEBOOK President Greg Mirabella.

At 6 pm on Tuesday 21 February, the four nominated candidates — Cathrine BurnettWake, Ranjana Srivastava, Emanuele Cicchiello and Ms Campbell —were asked to front an administrative committee of Liberal Party power players. Mr Cicchiello did not appear despite being invited.

Cathrine Burnett-Wake and Ranjana Srivastava each received three votes from the 15-person panel, with Ms Campbell receiving nine votes.

When contacted by the Star Mail, Mr Cicchiello said he was disappointed local mem-

bers didn’t have the opportunity to vote on a candidate.

“But I’m a lifelong Liberal Party member and we need to hold this seat.” he said.

Local party members believe the date of the pre-selection contest could have been pushed forward to Saturday 25 February to avoid a lengthy delay in naming the candidate.

The Aston electorate covers Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin, Wantirna and Wantirna South, and parts of Lysterfield, Sassafras and Upper Ferntree Gully.

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

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By Parker McKenzie

The Department of Transport and Planning has completed landslip repair works on Monbulk Road in Belgrave.

It comes after “significant rainfall and severe weather in October last year” a Department of Transport and Planning spokesperson said.

“We thank the community for their patience while the road was repaired and subject to changed traffic conditions.”

The total rainfall for October 2022 was 317mm at the nearby Ferny Creek station (ID 86266) compared to the October average of 112mm.

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.

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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NEWS

Improvements include classrooms of various sizes.

The gymnasium.

The school library.

Closed school up for sale

By Tyler Wright A local school has hit the market after closing its doors to the Monbulk community in December 2022.

Sutherland Farrelly Real Estate Director Paul Farrelly said the target market for Mountain District Christian School is larger schools looking for a second campus, or a school camp which could be created with modifications.

The 7.073 hectare property is located at 325 Macclesfield Road.

“The property has been established since the late 1970s and over the years has grown to a substantial facility that has been providing quality education to all ages,” Mr Farrelly said.

Improvements include classrooms suitable for a range of ages and class sizes, specific buildings for music, woodworking, arts and technology, performance spaces, food technology and canteen.

There are also sporting facilities including a sports oval, multi purpose hall/gymnasium, outdoor courts and a nature walking trail.

“The location’s fantastic... there’s a lot of buildings that anyone could repurpose or continue to use, and they were functional up until four or five weeks ago,” Mr Farrelly said.

“Someone could come in and start running a school there straight away.”

Mr Farrelly expects the school to sell for more than $3.5 million.

“I’ve had a lot of inspections... but there’s a lot of due diligence that needs to be undertaken before people actually go to that next step,” he said.

The Mountain District School board an-

Mountain District Christian School, which was part of the Monbulk community for 43 years, is now on the market after closing its doors in December.

Picture: SUPPLIED nounced the Prep to Year 12 school’s closure in October 2022, citing financial difficulties predicted over the coming year as the reason for the shutdown.

The school operated for 43 years, with around 155 students enrolled in 2022.

“We’ve had a gradual decline of enrolments over the last number of years, and it’s meant we’re unable to sustain the operations as we would like to be able to,” former principal Jason Riding told the Star Mail in October.

“We didn’t want it to become an issue for us

into the future, when we had a sudden closure because of financial issues, so we had to make a very sad decision to finish up at the end of [the] year.”

Expressions of interest for the sale close on 22 March 2023 at 3:00 pm.

Inspiro joins community health fight but wants funds

By Mikayla van Loon Community Health First was officially launched last week in Victoria’s parliament to better support community health organisations into the future as the health crisis grows.

It brought together 24 registered independent community health services, including Lilydale based Inspiro, to the launch on Thursday 23 February. While there are around 80 community health services across the state, these 24 independent services are not integrated within the hospital system to provide support.

Inspiro CEO Sue Sestan said during the pandemic community health services were essential in managing the Covid response from both a medical and welfare perspective.

“We assumed that after Covid, we would benefit from some of the post Covid budget, and it became pretty apparent that we missed out,” she said.

“Even though we were acknowledged, we were thanked, we cannot live on thanks alone, we actually need to be considered as part of the funding arrangements and increases that hospitals are seeing.”

While community health is currently funded by the State and Federal governments, Ms Sestan said “this initiative is about 4 MAIL

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increasing our profile, making sure the community knows what we do, and why we’re so integral to the bigger picture”.

Asking for an increase in funding to cover the rise in the cost of service delivery and wage increases, Ms Sestan said it “will decrease further risks of access to health care for the community”.

“We don’t have funds that just sit in reserves and most of the 24 independent community health services are in that situation.

“We’re constantly having to seek funding because the nature of our funding is short term. We’re not guaranteed anything. It’s all contractual.”

Representing Inspiro and speaking at the launch on Thursday, Community Advisory Group Chair Hamish Russell said while a health organisation, Inspiro is mostly about community.

“Our service is very closely identified with our community and that is an extraordinarily important thing, it’s a thing that doesn’t happen in tertiary health, they can’t, it’s not possible for them to have individual connection with a particular community,” he said.

“Because its sole focus is local, it has the capacity to quickly respond to disasters… and that’s where many people have their first contact with a community health service.”

Whether it be after floods, fires, storms or a pandemic, Mr Russell said community health can provide immediate support to members of the community.

Because of the limited knowledge of community health organisations, Mr Russell said it can be assumed that people don’t “realise how fragile those community health services are”.

Another driving force behind the initiative is the conversation around hospital wait times and the pressure being put on emergency departments.

“The reason why the system finds itself in the current situation is because it actually doesn’t focus on early intervention and early access to services,” Ms Sestan said.“That’s really where we come in, we can prevent people needing hospital support and in many instances even admission.”

Ms Sestan said the situation is not one that can be fixed quickly, with a lack of GPs and the broader primary care system suffering, but there is an option to take advantage of the community health sector that is capable, ready and willing to help.

Cost wise, Ms Sestan said, it’s also more beneficial to reduce presentations to emergency departments because currently it costs around $400 to present and $650 for an admission per patient.

The initiative has received the backing of esteemed physician and journalist Dr Norman Swan, as well as parliamentary secretary for health infrastructure Tim Richardson who both spoke at the launch on Thursday.

Hopeful that from this community health organisations can become more of a complementary service to the hospital system rather than a standalone, it can also have a domino effect down the line.

“We’ve got a strong connection with our community, and we are well placed to respond to the current crisis of our healthcare system.

“The Yarra Ranges doesn’t have much infrastructure, so it’s important Inspiro, Eastern Health and others work together to make sure we capitalise on what already exists and work towards improving what we’ve got.”

For Mr Russell who has been part of the community health system for decades, ensuring its longevity is of high importance.

“As a consumer and as a member of the community, I’m enormously proud of our service, it fills an incredibly important role and my hope is that our service can continue to play this vital role in addressing emerging health issues,” he said.

“What community health may be in the next decade may be different to what it was but let’s hope it’s still there.” mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Community’s call for cash

By Shelby Brooks After being devastated by a $200m funding cut for a road sealing project in the hills, Cockatoo residents are taking their call to action to Federal Parliament.

Cockatoo 21st Century Roads Action Group (Crag21) members have teamed up with Cardinia Shire Council Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield to create a petition to the Parliament of Australia, pleading with the Commonwealth to reverse the decision to cut the funding for the Sealing the Hills and Roads for the Community projects.

Five-hundred people have signed the petition, but the action group is hoping many more people will support the cause.

Crag21 chairperson Janice Crittenden said she was devastated to learn about the funding cut last year.

“I was ready to hop in a car to drive to Canberra and find Mr Albanese,” Ms Crittenden said.

“You can’t do that to people, it’s put the community at breaking point because they thought it was going to increase the livability in this beautiful place.”

Ms Crittenden and the committee say the roads in the town have hardly been improved since Cockatoo was first built in the early 1900s.

“It was a holiday town, now there are 4500 people who live here,” Ms Crittenden said.

As part of the Sealing the Hills Road Project and Roads for Community Initiative, 110km of unsealed roads in Cardinia Shire and 187km in the Yarra Ranges would have been sealed between 2020 and 2029.

The funding of $300 million was the result of an advocacy partnership between Cardinia Shire Council and Yarra Ranges Council to improve unsealed roads.

The project was to be co-funded by property owners via a special charge scheme.

Cardinia Shire Council revealed $109 million of committed funding for the Sealing the Hills roads program had been discontinued and withdrawn by the Federal Government.

Due to the funding cuts, only 38 roads will be sealed in Cardinia Shire, four of which are based in Cockatoo.

Yarra Ranges Council confirmed more than $100 million would be cut from the Roads for the Community program.

Questions were first raised in November last year about the funding for the project after La Trobe MP Jason Wood slammed the Federal Government for “scrapping” the $300m road sealing project for the hills in the 2022-23 budget.

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts told the Gazette the same month that some existing infrastructure projects had been reviewed, and in some cases, reduced or discontinued in the October budget.

“This includes the Sealing Roads projects in the Dandenong Ranges for the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia Shire councils, where future proj-

Russell Elbers, Cr Jeff Springfield, Tove Melgaard and Janice Crittenden on an unsealed road in Cockatoo. 320150

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

ects have been discontinued,” they said at the time.

Councillor Springfield said when the project had bi-partisan support when the project was first announced in 2019.

“In the lead up to the election in 2022 there was every indication this would be going ahead, we asked several times and both sides assured us,” Cr Springfield said.

“That is why it is such a surprise for our residents to learn that the Federal Government has now chosen to cancel this program.

“I believe that neither the Prime Minister or the Minister for Infrastructure understood the importance of this project for our local communities when the decision was made to cut the future funding.

“I am hopeful that with enough signatures this petition will attract the attention it deserves from the Federal Government.

“It is my sincere hope that this petition will help the government to realise the vital importance of this program and continue to fund its implementation.”

To sign the petition, head to aph.gov.au/epetitions/petition/EN4785

Last roads to be sealed Four dirt roads in Cockatoo will be some of the last to be asphalted as part of the Sealing the Hills project within Cardinia Shire.

Federal funding for the Sealing the Hills project was unexpectedly reduced from $150 million to $41 million in last year’s budget.

Station Rd, Glen Rd, Garden St and Baker St in Cockatoo will be sealed under the confirmed $41 million.

Cardinia Shire Council awarded a $3m contract to R&C Asphalt to complete the works. The scope of the works includes pavement widening and reconstruction, concrete works (kerb and channel), drainage works and asphalt wearing surfacing.

Ranges Ward councillor Jeff Springfield said the four roads had terrible underlying infrastructure so needed to be upgraded. mailcommunity.com.au

“This is another really important section of roads in Cockatoo,” he said.

“This is going to be really welcomed by the community.”

But Cr Springfield was quick to raise his concerns at the funding cut which will leave many other roads unsealed despite years of planning.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I speak to this today because it is likely to be one of the last tenders at this point in time because, as many residents are aware, the Federal funding for this program has been dropped,” he said.

“The council and community is heavily advocating for the continuation of this program and we hope the government in Canberra listens to our concerns and understands the vital importance of this program and continue to fund it in the future.”

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By Shelby Brooks

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Calls for Billy park revamp

By Tyler Wright There are calls for the park at Puffing Billy Railway Station in Emerald to be revamped, with a meeting at the Hills Hub organised by the Emerald Village Exercise & Recreation (EVER) group drawing Puffing Billy Railway CEO Peter Abbott to the consultation with around 30 community members.

EVER founder and Emerald resident Vanessa Kewish said a survey distributed through survey monkey in 2020 saw 270 people share that they wanted the park to be revamped.

“It’s a bigger project, and it wasn’t something that I thought I could sink my teeth into alone,” Ms Kewish said.

“I don’t think it’s something that just the EVER group and just the EVA (Emerald Village Association) can do alone. I think that we’re going to have to have rotary on board, the lions club, the real estate agents. I think it’s a full community project or else it’s not going to get the uptick that it needs.”

Ms Kewish said concerns raised by the community at the meeting was the old equipment, lack of drinking fountains or taps, and the maintenance of the bathrooms.

“This is a playground where when you have a kid’s birthday and during Covid you couldn’t be inside, that’s where everybody went to have their kids birthdays,” Ms Kewish said.

“There are two picnic tables, so that would be really cool to have some more facilities and some more interesting playground equipment.

“The park at this stage needs to be multigenerational; we’ve got to have every age group satisfied.”

Puffing Billy Railway CEO Peter Abbott said one of the clear messages from the meeting

Community members gathered at Emerald’s Hills Hub on Wednesday 22 February to discuss future plans for the park and playground space next to Puffing Billy Railway in the town. Picture: SUPPLIED was that passing the Puffing Billy train is a true highlight for park users.

“We want to work with the community to see how the heritage listed Emerald Station can link more directly to the area,” Mr Abbott said.

“We are doing some initial planning around how we can store additional rolling stock securely to help us manage vandalism that we continue to experience at Emerald Station, as well as general maintenance and vegetation maintenance to improve the appearance and

security of the area.

“Working collaboratively with Cardinia Shire, who operate the park, will support the Emerald community’s efforts to redevelop the park into a well-equipped, communitycentred open space that encourages people to enjoy nature. We just want to ensure that any future plans for the park also incorporate how it can link to Emerald Station.”

Ms Kewish said the next stage of the revamp is community consultation.

“This park is the “front garden” of Emerald and is a very important place for locals and tourists alike and we have an opportunity to help steer the creation of a true community space,” she said.

“If we simply replace the play equipment we’re doing the community a disservice in the long run.”

A Cardinia Shire Council spokesperson told the Star Mail Puffing Billy Park Reserve is crown land, with Puffing Billy Railway the assigned land manager.

“Cardinia Shire Council has an agreement with Puffing Billy Railway for council to maintain the reserve, including the playground and toilets,” the spokesperson said.

“Reserve grounds are maintained on a regular schedule, and any community requests related to maintenance can be made to council.

“The council is currently preparing its draft 23/24 budget, which will outline any funding for parks and open spaces. The draft budget will be available for community consultation prior to council considering it for adoption (expected to be in June).”

To have your say on the park via the EVER group, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/ d/e/1FAIpQLSfIoBvjGhLIT4fxsRORHvhDwUq ZCIq1D4opGfkx5wYTXVcu8A/viewform

Local petitions council for a new reserve walking track

By Parker Mckenzie A local has started a petition to make Birdsland Reserve more accessible from Upwey by building a walking path from Hazelvale Road across Yarra Ranges Council-owned land.

Andrew Weiler said he regularly spends time at Birdsland Reserve but drives there because “it’s really a long walk.”

“Since putting the petition up, I’ve been investigating the area and discovered when they designed the area they put in walking paths between the streets,” he said.

“Over time, these walking paths have been taken over by the people on both sides and been turned into driveways and things

The proposed location for the walking trail onto the Birdsland Reserve trail network.

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE like that. If those paths were opened up, I could from my house walk to Birdsland in five minutes.”

The petition, signed 304 times at the time of writing, proposes putting a walking back through a council-owned paddock that is part of Birdsland Reserve.

Mr Weiler said when the council bought Birdsland Reserve from the Bird family, the paddock was included in what they bought.

“For whatever reason, they didn’t integrate it into the Birdsland Reserve and kept it separate, made it into a paddock and for 50 years agisted it out,” he said.

“I don’t know how long it hasn’t been used, but it must be a few years based on the fallen trees on the fences.”

Some of the feedback on the petition include that it “just makes sense,” is a “bril-

liant idea,” and it would be “a great benefit to the area.”

Mr Weiler said the path would create improved amenities for people living in the shire.

“This would definitely be a big improvement, Upwey is a small area but it would make a substantial difference to the walking habits of people around here,” he said.

“I have been surprised by the number of signatures, there’s a lot of interest and a lot of positive feedback.”

Visit change.org/p/shire-of-yarra-ranges-connect-hazelvale-rd-to-birdslandwith-a-walking-trail for more information or to sign the petition.

Communities warned to prepare for fire emergencies

By Renee Wood A cool change over the weekend helped hundreds of firefighters battling the out of control grassfire in Flowerdale bring it under control.

The temperature reduction was pleasant relief to residents and firefighters having been preparing for a heatwave at the end of last week.

Much of the state was at risk with the heat expected to sting and hot temperatures set to persist on Thursday and Friday.

BoM Senior Meteorologist Kevin Parkin said temperatures were meant to get to high 30s, with high overnight temps not bring much relief.

“People were wondering where summer was, well summer has a sting in the tail and it’s here now,” Mr Parkin said.

The cool change was predicted for midday Saturday and was expected to bring with it a southerly wind change.

On Wednesday 22 February, Forest Fire Management Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman urged the community to know their proximity to fires.

“We’ve got winds tending northerly over the next few days, that means our fires are being pushed in southerly directions and an impor6 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Emergency services are warning communities to be prepared for the heatwave and have bushfire plans ready to enact. tant thing for people to understand is when that wind change comes through normally from the south west…. that can have a devastating effect to any fires that are existing in the landscape,” Mr Hardman said.

Luckily, CFA crews were able to contain the fire and work with the wind to protect property and surrounding areas.

Despite the shift to cooler weather in the week ahead, CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said fuel loads are high due to a wet winter through to the start of summer last year.

“Recently we’ve had a lot of floods in the community…and that rain did cause a lot of fuel and growth right across the state - that fuel is now dry,” Mr Heffernan said.

“It’s important that our communities are aware of the fire dangers, whether you be in metropolitan or non metropolitan areas.”

A bushfire survival plan is highly advised to ensure families are aware of what they will do in the event of a fire.

“Having that discussion with your family, can be the difference between a life or death sit-

uation. The conversation you have today could save the life of you and your family tomorrow.”

Total fire bans are expected and there’s been a warning against leaving camp fires unattended - only leaving them if they are cool to touch, after extinguishing them with water.

Those heading to waterways to cool down have also been warned to know the conditions and expect flooding has had some effect on changing the risks.

But the risk of grassfires is the most eminent threat which will only continue despite the traditional fire danger period ending.

The typography of the Flowerdale area was likened to the foothills forested areas, with the risk of grass and scrub fires dramatically increasing in those areas.

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the Flowerdale fire is one of the most significant fires they’ve seen this season and crews are prepared for more to come next month.

“People generally think about the summer period but when it comes to the way that we manage risk it comes from advice from the BoM,” Mr Crisp said.

“None of us switch off even through March, it’s based on risk not necessarily on dates.” mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

The Rotary Club of Lilydale held it first meeting in Mount Dandenong to begin establishing a satellite club.

Pictures: ROTARY CLUB OF LILYDALE

Residents across the Lilydale and Mount Dandenong area are encouraged to become members of Rotary to support their communities.

Rotary growing in the hills

By Mikayla van Loon The Rotary Club of Lilydale (RCL) is looking to expand its reach by establishing a satellite club in Mount Dandenong in an aim to support the Hills communities better.

Rotarian and passionate Hills resident Liz Millman has been working with the Lilydale club for about a year on this project after transferring her Welsh membership to RCL. “If we could get a Rotary club going, then it’s about service for the community,” she said.

“Our communities along the tourist road and even in Kalista and Sherbrooke, there are about 3000 families, so it’s quite a considerable community but there aren’t any community service groups like Rotary or CWA.” RCL president Jenny Selway said there are Rotary clubs right around the edges of the Dandenong Ranges in Ferntree Gully, Belgrave, Monbulk and Lilydale but none directly supporting those communities in the middle.

With the 2021 storms, Ms Selway said it really identified a need in the Hills and the lack of community groups of this kind to offer on ground support.

“You need that group because you’re a spe-

cial cohort of people that really need to be all living together,” she said.

“Whereas the Rotary Club of Lilydale we can have members from Croydon, Montrose, Lilydale and Mount Dandenong, we’re a big area but I think the Mount Dandenong group really needs to provide a local focus.”

As someone who was affected by the storms herself, Ms Millman said this was one of the motivations for looking to establish a satellite club.

“The communities on the hill really lost out after the storm not only from the storm damage but lost out because there weren’t any organisations applying for funding to be able to do things,” Ms Millman said.

While Ms Millman acknowledged there are many newly established groups doing wonderful things, she said the infrastructure of Rotary and the support it can garner from other clubs as an international organisation is invaluable.

“Rotary [as a whole] was incredibly supportive financially after the storm and raised over $100,000 for organisations that were working on storm relief.

“If one Rotary club identifies a need then they’ve got the support of other Rotary clubs, and one of the really important things for communities living along the tourist road is if there are problems, then they need to be able to get support from the surrounding area.”

As a project based group, Ms Selway said it is the role of RCL to support members in their ideas and endeavours to provide a backing board.

To build a satellite group, Ms Selway said it is a requirement for people to join as members of an existing club, in this case Lilydale, but the Mount Dandenong club would almost run independently.

“If people want to become part of the club, they join as Lilydale Rotarians and then they can get access to all the Rotary information and support,” she said.

“Once there’s eight members, they officially become a satellite club but really once there’s three or four or a little group, they could have a project on the hill together but once there’s eight, that’s the minimum number to call it a satellite club.”

Although long term the vision would be to have a fully functioning, standalone Rotary

club, Ms Millman said her focus at the moment is on what can be done in the immediate future with a small group of volunteers.

“We need to see what the need is now and help organisations locally to be aware of what funding there is so we can bring that funding in to be able to help make a difference to people’s lives,” Ms Millman said.

“It would be great to do a survey of need because come June we’ll be looking at two years [since the storms] and yet 200 families are still badly affected by storm damage either trying to get repairs done or fighting battles with insurance companies.”

At this stage, Ms Selway and Ms Millman are trying to engage members of Mount Dandenong and surrounding communities to join the satellite club.

Ms Millman will be hosting community engagement sessions each Wednesday evening at the Mount Dandenong Hotel from 6pm to 7pm, with guest speakers also noted for future events.

To register interest, contact Ms Millman on 0412 970 050 or via email at or email lizmillman@yahoo.co.uk. For membership enquiries email contact@rotarylilydale.org.au

Montrose War Memorial vandalised in ‘mindless’ act

By Mikayla van Loon In what was described as a “mindless” act by war veterans, the Montrose War Memorial was vandalised last week, coming to the attention of the Mount Evelyn RSL on Monday 20 February.

An image, appearing to be in the shape of a love heart, was scratched into the marble base of the historic marker which will result in expensive repairs for the RSL. RSL vice president and piper Iain Townsley said this was not the first time a war memorial was defaced in the local community but it was still disheartening.

“They’re sacred places. Their purpose is to serve as a constant reminder of the local people who have died in conflict since the Great War of 1914-18 far from their families and Australia,” he said.

“These memorials are not intended to, and nor do they, glamorise war but serve as a focal point for both individual and group reflection, especially at times like Anzac Day and Remembrance Day. But there need be no special time for a quiet moment of respect and contemplation.”

Mr Townsley said while it might be more common these days to call them a memorial, traditionally they were referred to as a cenotaph, meaning empty tomb in ancient Greek.

“A lot of Australians don’t realise no one came back from the Great War so they’re all buried in foreign lands and those names are the only things we’ve got,” he said.

“Those people’s parents couldn’t afford to go to Europe to visit their grave so the only mailcommunity.com.au

National service veteran Lindsay Robbins, Mount Evelyn RSL vice president Iain Townsley, Montrose War Memorial founder Max Lamb and Methven Professionals managing director Geoff Earney met at the memorial to see the damage.

Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON

The etched drawing appears on the Great War side of the memorial, facing the park.

another generation in the near future being called to go to war”.

“We forget in Australia they’ve got another war in Europe, which if that escalates, that’s going worldwide and it is a close.”

With an estimate of $500 to repair the damage, Mr Townsley said Mount Evelyn RSL received a generous offer from Methven Professionals Real Estate in Mooroolbark to pay for the repairs.

Although Mr Townsley said the RSL could have found the funds within the club to pay

for it themselves if needed, it would have meant money would be redirected from welfare.

“We will stay on top of [the vandalism], it’s just sad we have to redirect funds which could be going to the welfare of people in the community who aren’t travelling so well.

“It is the RSL along with local authorities that are responsible for the upkeep of these memorials and those that vandalise them demonstrate a total disregard and disrespect for their community.”

thing they’ve got to look at is the memorial… [and] if someone was to sit and think about that, it is quite sad.”

Possibly putting it down to a lack of education regarding the significance of the cenotaph and its purpose in “[linking] the past to the present [as] a reminder of the service, sacrifice and courage of the names engraved”.

With the turbulent and hostile environment happening overseas, Mr Townsley said it was not too far out of the question to “see

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 7

NEWS

Celebrations for 14th year

By Parker Mckenzie For the long-running Upwey charity Soupees’ 14th birthday, founder Gavin Smith would like to see more done to address the housing crisis and homelessness.

On Friday 24 February, Soupees celebrated with a street party outside the Marquee on Upwey Main Street from 3pm to 7pm, where it has been a fixture in the local community.

Mr Smith said out in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, there was a severe lack of emergency accommodation for those struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic, domestic violence and escalating rents.

“I’ve been asked I don’t know how many times, where can we go? The only thing that you can do is go to a rooming house, and they are notoriously bad places for women and families, but that is the only alternative,” he said.

“Politicians like to talk a lot about building social housing but in reality, we need well in excess of 100,000 and it doesn’t look like they’re coming anytime soon. There needs to be much greater urgency.”

Started in 2009 by Mr Smith, the Soupees provides meals, blankets and other assistance to those doing it tough in the hills.

Mr Smith said when he moved to Australia from New Zealand, he saw a need for the service in the local area around Emerald and Monbulk.

“At the time there was a soup kitchen running out of a caravan in Cockatoo, one of the local churches down there, and I approached them and asked if I could borrow their caravan because I’d like to do a similar thing on a Friday afternoon and evening,” he said.

“After going back to New Zealand and coming back over we decided to start something in Monbulk. Noel Cliff was the mayor of the shire at the time and we asked if they have any funds to put towards the purchase of marquee, and within a week we had a cheque for the entire amount.”

Set up around Black Saturday in 2009, the charity has been providing hot meals weekly for the last 14 years.

Mr Smith said he has seen more families and children needing assistance since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Things got quite tough as you would know and it was a good time for us to be around when people couldn’t do much, but they could go out and access a charity,” he said.

“In some respects, it has changed dramatically since we started. We ask people for donations like blankets, bags and that sort of thing, and after getting a van through a GoFundMe campaign I started taking things to the homeless community both locally and in the city.”

He said the more he and his volunteers did that, the more he discovered there was a greater need for it in the community.

“Especially last winter, I spent so much time just running around delivering things

Gavin Smith is celebrating 14 years of Soupees. where people needed them, so that was one way it changed,” he said.

“We started a school breakfast program at Upwey Primary and that’s been going for a few years now, it’s regularly accessed during school time by probably around 30 students in a very small school.”

Sometimes there are performances and en-

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE tertainment to lift spirits, and Soupees also provide necessary items like toiletries to boarding houses and other charities.

Mr Smith said there is a much greater need for bedding, blankets and sleeping bags now than ever.

“More and more people are being forced out onto the streets, unfortunately,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to try and get our priorities right and at the moment it just doesn’t seem to be happening. I’m going to try to work towards that by getting in touch with politicians just to see if we can affect some changes.”

Soupees can be found on Friday afternoons at its marquee next to Bendigo Bank, Main Street, Upwey.

For volunteers, Soupees is more than a soup kitchen While Gavin Smith is at Soupees week in and week out, there are others who come down to help assist him in serving the local community.

Volunteer Rhiannon Morton said she “just started turning up and being annoying.”

“I originally met Gavin through doing the Friday free breakfast at Upwey Primary School,” she said.

“Once I was in high school, I started coming to Soupees to help out.”

Alongside her little sister, who does at least an hour of volunteering each week, Ms Morton helps set up the marquee when she can.

“Gavin has always been really good, what he does for everyone is amazing,” she said.

“I love helping out, and I get a second cup of soup if I’m good.”

Mr Smith doesn’t just provide food to those who stop by, he also gives them the opportunity to have a chat and a personal connection with others in the community.

8 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Mr Smith’s wife Jenny Hill said while some people call it a soup kitchen, it is more than that.

“It’s a community. He has such a big heart and remembers people’s names from years ago, sometimes from when he first started in 2008,” she said.

“I’d much rather he does this than sit in front of a TV.” Mr Smith and Ms Hill recently celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary, and he has been running Soupees the entire time they’ve been married.

She said when Mr Smith is at Soupees on a Friday, he also collects donations for others in the community in need of assistance.

“People bring things like blankets and sleeping bags down and drop them off here, he puts them in the van and off he goes to the city and the various charities down there,” Ms Hill said.

“Particularly for mothers and babies, some people bring in their baby stuff and old prams.”

Jenny Hill, Gavin Smith, Rhiannon Morton and her sister at Soupees. Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE mailcommunity.com.au

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MAIL 9

NEWS

Helping to connect

By Parker McKenzie Elderly people are often at risk of becoming isolated and lonely, and one organisation is trying to connect those needing social interaction with people happy to help.

In Great Company’s free volunteer program connects seniors who are lonely or at risk of being socially isolated with a volunteer visitor, where the pair will meet regularly.

Volunteer Coordinator Timmity Murray said the issue has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“A lot of people don’t don’t realise how lonely people can actually be,” she said.

“There’s a growing need for this social service in the regional Victoria for older people, so there is additional funding going into social programmes like our programme.

Recently, the program connected a volunteer with an elderly man living in The Patch, after a social worker referred the man to the In Great Company.

Ms Murray said the “lovely gentleman” was referred to the organisation because he doesn’t have family or friends to visit him.

“I’ve spoken to him a few times and he’s excited to have a friendly visit, he felt like the isolation and loneliness left him without any company,” she said.

“I actually have had a really successful applicant, so I am going to be connected connecting him with a friendly visitor very soon.”

In Great Company is funded and administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care under the community visitors scheme. It is a complimentary service available to Home Care package recipients and people residing in government-subsidized residential aged care facilities who are experiencing social isolation.

Ms Murray said anyone over the age of 18 can apply to be a volunteer, which is a rewarding role.

“It gives a great self-worth and builds confidence, someone who may have become a volunteer by isn’t as confident or feels socially uncomfortable, we see it grow confidence in

Mentorship to our youth

By Parker McKenzie

In Great Company’s free volunteer program connects seniors who are lonely or at risk of being socially isolated with a volunteer visitor, where the pair will meet regularly.

Picture: SAVA BOBOV UNSPLASH those people,” she said.

“The volunteer and the other person build a connection and they both look forward to each visit.”

Volunteers are asked to commit to six months of weekly or fortnightly visits to the elderly person.

Ms Murray said people who can’t volunteer could help by spreading the word about the services In Great Company offers.

“If you identify someone who’s lonely in the community, you can jump on our website or call us to refer someone,” she said.

“If you know someone who is on a home care package or waitlisted for a home care package but lives at home and is feeling isolated, reach out to us.”

For more information, visit ingreatcompany.com.au

Belgrave RSL founder’s grave rediscovered A Gembrook resident has discovered the burial site of a significant figure in the Dandenong Ranges community more than 70 years after his death.

Norm Smith discovered one of the founders of what is now the Upwey-Belgrave RSL, Thomas Francis (Frank) Lee, was buried at the Gembrook Cemetery. This was after Mr Smith had discovering the unfortunate death of Mount Burnett school head teacher Gerald Russell, who died after injuries sustained in a bicycle accident on 27 September 1941.

Frank Lee, who was Mount Burnett’s original head teacher at its opening in 1937, was transferred to Macclesfield State School in 1941 before Mr Russell would come out of retirement to fill the role for a brief time.

Gerald Russell was also head teacher at Gembrook State School, Mr Smith said.

“When I read about Gerald Russell.. I thought: ’Oh, I’ll go through the story, and I rung up the Monbulk [Primary] State School ,“ Mr Smith said.

“They got onto the historical society...it snowballed from there and I got bits of information as you go along.“ Mr Lee was born in Monbulk on 8 September 1898 to Janet Stewart (Jessie) nee Cook and Thomas Lee. On 11 September 1916, Mr Lee embarked to France on board the HMAT A14 Euripides to serve in the fifth battalion during the First World War, after being enlisted in 1915.

He was left in a serious condition after a gun shot to the chest on 20 September 1917, and returned to Australia on 21 April 1918.

As one of the founders of the Belgrave RSL branch, he also took on the role of president from around 1920 to 1921.

“Upwey didn’t start their RSL until after World War II in 1945, and they had Upwey and Belgrave ... Belgrave’s Club rooms were just four doors down from the Cameo Theatre,” Mr Smith said.

“The story was that Upwey sold saw one 10 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Gembrook resident Norm Smith and Anthony Stewart (Upwey Belgrave RSL president), with an image of former Belgrave RSL president Frank Lee at his headstone at Gembrook Cemetery.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Gerald Russell took over Mr Lee’s role as head teacher at the Mount Burnett School before a bicycle accident caused his death. 320962

Frank Lee was president of Belgrave RSL from around 1920 to 1921, after returning from the First World War in 1918. 320962

more glass of beer a week than Belgrave, so they had an amalgamation,“ he said.

After the second world war, Mr Lee retired in Gembrook, passing away on 10 June 1949 after prolonged ill health as a result of war injury in Ferntree Gully Hospital.

Mr Smith said Mr Russell would have been

placed on the guard’s van at Puffing Billy before his death at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, by being offloaded at Upper Ferntree Gully and from there taken on the guard’s van to Melbourne.

“What transport did they have? They didn’t have any transport,“ he said.

A recently launched program in the Dandenong Ranges is crowdfunding to promote “community buy-in” and future sustainability for one-on-one mentorship for young people.

In 2021, Jeanette Pritchard floated the idea of a mentorship program for young people in the hills and after receiving seeding money from Yarra Ranges Council, formed a steering committee in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia.

Ms Pritchard said the program gained traction with the local community after a launch event in 2022 and she is hoping people will buy into the program and help with the crowdfunding.

“What I know to be true is that if someone puts money into something, they are engaged with it,” she said.

“What happens all too often with these types of programmes is they receive good funding, but the they aren’t sustainable because the community doesn’t own it and buy into it.”

The aim of the crowdfunding is to raise $60,000 over the next six months, enough to establish and set up 20 mentoring matches in the next year.

Ms Pritchard said she is trying to replicate a program she launched in Hamilton called Standing Tall, which is still running two decades later.

“That’s very unusual for a mentoring program. The reason it is still going and is flourishing — going from one school to 15 schools — is because the community has embraced it,” she said.

“I’m working closely with schools, probably because of my background in teaching, but I have a strong belief that keeping kids engaged with school is their greatest life chance.”

The program partners young people aged seven to 17 with an adult for oneon-one, 12-month intensive mentorships designed to respond to the individual needs of young people.

Ms Pritchard said the fundraising campaign was stage two of the launch of the program, and she hopes to raise enough money to employ a full-time mentorship coordinator.

“It’s a community development approach, rather than just bringing a programme to a community,” she said.

“I’ve seen the different trajectories of mentoring programmes and I’ve seen the ones that have flourished and I’ve seen the ones that have fallen over, and I’ve come to realise it’s that it’s a major factor that will keep it up and running.“ Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia is a part of the world’s largest volunteer-supported mentoring network, operating out of 14 countries.

For more information on the Dandenong Ranges mentorship program or to donate, visit readyfundgo.com/project/ youth-mentoring-in-the-dandenongranges-yes-we-can mailcommunity.com.au

YOUR COUNCIL UPDATE

Our local heroes -----Congratulations to our 2023 Australia Day award winners and nominees.

The winners are: • Citizen of the year: Shelley Beardshaw • Senior citizen of the year: Audrey Dodson • Young citizen of the year: Ace Simpson-Braden • Community event of the year: Cardinia Men’s Shed ‘Senior-tivity Day’ Read about their amazing contributions to our community on our website. www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/australiaday

Sealing the Hills: update We’re continuing to advocate for the previously committed federal funding for our vital roads project, Sealing the Hills, to be reinstated.

Originally announced in 2019, this project would have supported council to seal hundreds of kilometres of unsealed and unsafe roads across our shire.

2022 Stan Henwood Award winner Tim Ahern.

Recognise a community legend by nominating them for our 2023 Stan Henwood Award.

The award recognises people who have made outstanding, long-term contributions to our local community.

Nominations close midnight 3 March, and the winner will be announced at our Volunteer Reception in May.

These sealing works were crucial in helping to improve safety and access, while reducing dust, pollution, and wear and tear on vehicles.

The federal government has now withdrawn over $100 million from the overall program. Without federal funding support, it isn’t possible to seal these local roads.

Ahead of its budget this May, we’re calling on the federal government to reinstate the previously committed funding for the Sealing the Hills project.

Consider it granted Applications are now open for a range of grants to support community projects, events, and initiatives that boost the wellbeing of our communities.

Community capital works grants Grants of up to $35,000.

Community wellbeing and support grants Grants of up to $5,000.

Festival and events grants Grants of up to $10,000.

Weed control grants Grants of up to $750.

To support our advocacy efforts:

www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/StanHenwoodaward

www.creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/cardinia-calls/sealing-hills

www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/grants

Connect magazine goes digital

Have your say

Sign up to get the Connect e-newsletter. www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/connectsubscribe

Jump online to provide feedback on current projects. www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay

Pencil in these waste events

Follow us

Council’s waste drop-offs are kicking off soon. www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/dropoff

Keep up with our latest news via social media. www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/follow

12562981-AP09-23

Nominate a local volunteer

The information on this page was correct at the time of print, but for the most up-to-date information:

Cardinia Shire Council Phone: 1300 787 624

Web: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au

Email: mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au

For translating and interpreting services, visit: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/translate

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 11

NEWS

Arborist Barton Allen-Hall is the world champion in tree climbing, having won the 2022 International Tree Climbing Championship in Copenhagen late last year.

Picture: PARKER MCKENZIE

Barton Allen-Hall is the first Australian to win in the competition’s 46year history.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Tree man’s a world beater

By Parker McKenzie Not many people can say they’ve climbed to the top of their field and no other Australian can say they’ve been a world-champion tree climber.

Arborist Barton Allen-Hall is the first Australian world champion in tree climbing, having won the 2022 International Tree Climbing Championship in Copenhagen late last year.

The 37-year-old Upwey local said he has been competing competitively since 2011 after working in the tree industry for the last 18 years.

“I didn’t really discover it until I moved to Melbourne because I started in Canberra, and there wasn’t a state competition there,” he said.

“I knew through magazines that there were competitions being run, but I didn’t really understand it. When I moved down here there was a big competitive community that holds competitions every year and if you do well, you can qualify for Asia Pacific and the international ones.”

Mr Allen-Hall has previously competed in the United States — where the ITCC is usually held — and finished second on two occasions.

He said he attended ITCC in Sydney in 2011, the first time the event had been held outside North America.

“Knowing the International was going to be in Sydney, I thought I’d fly up and have a look at that, see the best in the world do it and it got me hooked,” he said.

“I don’t know any other sport where people are supportive, to be honest, in terms of peo-

When he’s not competitively climbing trees, Barton Allen-Hall works as an arborist. ple who are competing directly against each other.”

The preliminary rounds see competitors tested in five different areas of climbing: The work climb, aerial rescue, throwline, belayed speed climb and the ascent event, each test-

ing competitors in abilities and skills used by arborists in the field. Each area takes between four and six minutes to complete and competitors are marked by judges out of 300 based on their results in each event.

Mr Allen-Hall said the only work skill that isn’t tested is cutting branches.

“You have to be well prepared and well and understanding the rules is crucial, I’m usually I’m usually pretty good at that,” he said.

“By the time you get to the international level, most people are because they’ve won competitions.”

The preliminary rounds has competitors competing in five different tests of climbing: The work climb, aerial rescue, throwline, belayed speed climb and the ascent event, each testing competitors in abilities and skills used by arborists in the field.

Mr Allen-Hall said in Copenhagen, he performed well during the preliminary rounds and finished first on the scorecard.

“I’m always surprised when I do well at that level because you see all the other good competitors and think you aren’t going to beat them,” he said.

“If you win the preliminaries, you get the first choice of the order in the masters.”

Following the preliminary rounds, a handful of competitors progress to the masters climb, the final round and test of their tree climbing ability.

Mr Allen-Hall said there were three other competitors who progressed alongside him, and he chose to be the third to attempt the master climb, which takes between 25 and 35

minutes to complete.

“I used to like to go first or second, but last time I finished second I went first,” he said.

“Since 2021, I’ve given a large part of my life to it, finished second a couple of times so it was pretty emotional.”

After being one of two people to finish within the target time for the masters climb, Mr Allen-Hall said he was “fairly confident” he was going to win.

“It was a bit of an anti-climax. One of my friends from America was in the masters too and he was disqualified for breaking a branch, so he knew he was out and he was pretty sure I’d won it,” he said.

“Not many people can say they are the world champion and the amount of effort I’ve put in over the years, it was really special.”

Despite winning, Mr Allen-Hall is already looking forward to the 2023 International Tree Climbing Championship, which he automatically qualified for as the reigning champion.

He said he would encourage any kids that like tree climbing to look into a career as an arborist and he “couldn’t ask for a better job.”

“You’ve got this competitive side to it if that’s your thing, but if it’s not that fine too because there’s plenty of us who don’t do it,” he said.

“It’s super rewarding. After a few days off, I’m usually hanging out to get back to work which is pretty lucky. With trees, there are all sorts of complexities and challenges when working with a living thing.

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to get into a physical and active job to do it.”

Keeping Montrose beautiful with Clean Up invitation

By Mikayla van Loon The Montrose annual Clean Up Australia Day event is returning to the town later this week, encouraging people of all ages to look after their natural surroundings.

Montrose Township Group member and organiser Joanna Carland has led the clean up for many years now and will be hosting the 2023 event on Sunday 5 March, lining up with the nationwide day.

Living in such a beautiful part of the Yarra Ranges for 12 years now, surrounded by dense forest, creek systems and native wildlife, Joanna said organising the clean up came from a place of frustration initially.

“Rubbish is a constant thing every community is trying to deal with but it really annoys me to see rubbish lying around,” she said.

“So my own frustration sparked a passion to look after the environment.”

Usually drawing quite the crowd of volunteers, Joanna said it is a fun, family friendly event for the community to take part in and do their bit for the environment.

“Around 30 people come along with their families and they have a bit of an adventure 12 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

exploring the parks, streets and creeks in Montrose,” she said.

“They might walk down streets they’ve never seen before, so they get to know their neighbourhood too.”

For the most part though, taking part in Clean Up Australia Day is about caring for and keeping Montrose pristine.

“It’s about creating awareness in our town and keeping Montrose clean and green.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to come together and feel connected. People see what we’re doing and want to help keep Montrose beautiful.”

Joanna said once the day is over, there is always a great sense of accomplishment felt by the people who have taken part and hopefully that carries over to encourage them to continue removing rubbish from their home.

There will also be a hidden golden ticket to be found for any children who attend, leading to a prize at the end.

This year’s event will get underway at 9.30am, running until 11.30am. Attendees can meet at the Montrose Town Centre to collect gloves, rubbish bags and a map of the clean up areas.

Montrose residents are invited to take part in this year’s Clean Up Australia Day event on 5 March.

Picture: SUPPLIED mailcommunity.com.au

SHOP LOCAL EMERALD

Look after your wellbeing

By Renee Wood Mindful AF in Emerald was created to provide a place where people can go to look after their wellbeing and mental health through restorative therapies and hand-picked products.

Mindful AF Studio opened July 2021, while the retail space partnering with Rustic Blooms followed a year later, with the studio and retail business providing a range of wellness and mindfulness products and programs.

The retail space has wellness and homeopathic options for your whole body, while the studio timetable is dedicated to wonderful multi-modality alternative therapies.

These include Reiki, Knesiology, Mind Body Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Sound Healing and Card Readers. Private group yoga, sound healing and other mindfulness sessions can also be tailored to individual groups sessions.

Creative Director and founder Amy Star said she is driven to make mental health and alternative therapies as affordable and accessible as possible to all.

“The main purpose behind opening Mindful AF was to ensure that everyone felt comfortable to reach out for their mental health,” Amy said.

The business aims to engage both men and women with prioritising their mental health and to strike out any stigmas that people don’t ‘fit in’ anywhere.

“I witnessed in my own family and others growing up that men, teenagers and some women end up suffering with their mental health because they don’t feel like they ‘fit in’ anywhere,” she said.

“I wanted to see absolutely everyone feel like they have a completely nonjudgmental space to step into their mindfulness practice.”

The studio is always growing with new of-

New ‘Foundation Memberships’ are launching at Mindful AF, which are $36 a week for unlimited access to classes. ferings such as the upcoming first ‘Foundations and Refresher Course’ kickstarting 18 March.

This course is for newbies and people who perhaps haven’t practiced yoga since before the pandemic, who may have been held back from returning to a studio environment.

It will run for six sessions over seven weeks and will also give you unlimited access to all other classes free of charge.

New ‘Foundation Memberships’ are also launching, which are $36 a week for unlimited access to classes, providing a great savings over single class casual passes which are $26 each.

Amy said one of her biggest achievements is when hearing from clients how they feel after a class.

“Hearing the words, ‘I was meant to be here today.’ or ‘This is exactly what i needed today’ are the businesses biggest achievements to date.”

For more information, visit www.mindfulaf.com.au or connect via the social handles @ mindfulafemerald.

Mindful AF is a place dedicated to supporting your wellbeing and mental health through restorative therapies and hand-picked products.

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MAIL 13

NEWS

Forum on ‘green’ burials

By Parker McKenzie A public forum on green burials will be held at the Selby Community House on Wednesday 8 March from 7pm, with two sisters passionate about sustainable deaths speaking to the local community about the alternative end-of-life practice.

Green burial, sometimes known as ecoburial, is an alternative to traditional caskets or cremation, with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Tamsin Ramone, along with her sister Alyssa Wormald, will talk about green burial as an alternative to traditional practices.

Ms Ramone said the pair have a business selling green burial products and recently gave a talk at Belgrave Library about the practice, where they connected with the forum organiser.

“We’re trying to offer products that are Australian-made and have a really small environmental impact, everything we make is entirely biodegradable,” she said.

“We do a lot of free community education at libraries, community homes and markets to encourage people to look at what their rights are, what they can and can’t do and how their choices affect the environment.

We were doing a speech at the library that Karl was at, and he asked if we’d like to come to the forum and do a similar thing.”

During a green burial, the body is buried in a way to allow it to be naturally decomposed and recycled within the environment, often using biodegradable coffins, caskets or a shroud.

Karl Williams, the organiser of the forum, said many people are unaware of the environmental impact of traditional burials and most want to leave a light footprint.

“If you’re unaware of conventional funeral practices then your bag of bones is going to

Green burial, sometimes known as eco-burial, is an alternative to traditional caskets or cremation, with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Sisters Tamsin Ramone and Alyssa Wormald will talk about green burial as an alternative to traditional practices.

cause a minor environmental disaster,” he said.

“I’m definitely going to have earth burial, but not as soon as many would like.”

The forum will cover the environmental impacts of conventional burials and cremations, what rights the next of kin has regarding burial and know local funeral directors and burial grounds.

Ms Ramone said the pair’s community

if the funeral home isn’t happy to provide it, they are legally within their rights to go elsewhere. We really want to empower people to have more autonomy with their end-of-life choices.”

The public forum is free, with a gold coin donation requested to cover a light meal provided on the day. There is no need to book ahead of time.

education often has a lengthy question-andanswer session at the end because of the many questions the public have about green burial.

“Right now, funeral homes and people in the death industry are all very comfortable with what they’re doing, knowing that’s the way they are going to provide a good service,” she said.

“People are able to request a green burial and they’re perfectly entitled to have one and

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NEWS

Permaculture learnings

By Callum Ludwig Permaculture Week is coming up next month and there is set to be a jam-packed schedule of events in the Yarra Ranges.

Following Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Ectotopia Festival on Friday 17 March, there will be something every day suitable for everyone from those who are new to the practice to season permaculture pros.

President of Permaculture Yarra Valley (PYV) Peter Veeken said hopefully the week will spread awareness of what is out there and what is possible with permaculture.

“I’d like to think that everybody who visits the Ecotopia Festival, which is got so many different things happening, would drop by our stall so we can talk to people and hopefully inspire people to see there is an eco-friendly way of living,” he said.

“Hopefully, people may change the way they’re thinking about where they get their food from and things like that.”

Following ecotopia, Saturday will be a Family Wild Bush Foods workshop with adventure and wildlife instructor Leafy O’Keefe before

Peter Veeken with an eight-month-old banana tree grown by a Permaculture Yarra Valley member.

Picture: ON FILE Liam from Eartcore Landscapes discusses the benefits of natural pools on Sunday.

Mr Veeken said a big focus of permaculture is mimicking nature and taking a cue from nature with food.

“What better way to do that than to look at what actually naturally grows in the area as a starting point? Leafy will take us around an area and show us what is edible,” he said.

“A natural swimming pool is built into the design of the landscape and has rocks , aquatic plants and even fish circulating. Liam will do a Q and A and we will visit a property in Croydon with one of these set up.”

Monday and Tuesday focus on sustainable food practices, with a display of Suburban SelfSufficiency presented by a member of PYV in a small suburban property on Monday, and a visit to an Urban Food Forest from another member the following day.

Mr Veeken said there is a focus on perennial plants for food that will grow again.

“The first member is using every nook and cranny to grow edible foods and she grows enough food to last a year, with a lot of preserving, pickling, dehydrating and freezing so she’s got a continuous supply of home produce,” he said.

“The food forest is a mixture of trees, shrubs, bushes, grasses, all of edible food and in its own little ecosystem, She’s also got quite

an extensive vegetable patch with wicking beds and fruit trees, as well as chickens.”

On Wednesday, Mr Veeken himself will be running a workshop on how to treat grey water from septic tanks and the like with a reed bed.

Thursday is a session focused on the benefits of home solar, including off-grid power, batteries and electric vehicles.

PYV Vice President Maya will take everyone on a river walk of the Yarra River on Friday, teling the story from her book about the connection to the river, while she will also be hosting a Downshifting Revolution Seminar and Equinox Community Dinner discussing the drive to reduce consumerism.

Prior to that on Saturday morning, another edible forest will be explored in Dixons Creek which supplies produce to Yarra Valley Estate before the events are rounded off with a Keeping Goats workshop on Sunday.

To book tickets to any of these events or to find out more, visit the Permaculture Yarra Valley Facebook page at: facebook.com/permacultureyv/

SHOP LOCAL OLINDA

Birthday celebration coming up for Wilde adventurer After a discovery trip to Egypt in the late ‘80s, Ingrid Wilde returned to Olinda only to begin her own unique shopping experience inspired by travel.

What evolved was her business Where The Wilde Things Are, offering an array of treasures, gifts, jewellery pieces and textiles.

“I returned from an archaeology trip to Egypt in 1989 fuelled with a passion to start my own jewellery design business which eventually grew into the shop and online store you see today,” Ingrid said.

“Where The Wilde Things Are is a store like no other where you will find the most beautiful and unique handmade treasures and accessories from near and far.”

Now everyone is welcome to come celebrate the shop’s second birthday at its current location in Olinda, with a celebration to be held on the long weekend of 11 - 13 March with birthday cake and bubbles.

Over the years, Ingrid has been bringing other cultures to the local doorstep through the shop as she continues to travel and meet with artisans and tailors globally.

Most recently she travelled to Bali and a trip to the islands around Fiji has also assisted in sourcing new makers to represent their talents in store.

“Lately we have introduced Fair Trade soft toys knitted by women in regional parts of Kenya and Peru. Many of the products we sell

Where The Wilde Things Are can be found at 4/540 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda.

Ingrid and Finn look forward to seeing you in store. 321002 make a very real difference to the lives and families of their makers, as well as allowing us to run a store that we just love.”

Among popular collections include unique Frida Khalo inspired creations with lamps by Melbourne artisans, earrings from Colombia, recycled jeans bags to a range of Ingrid’s own handmade Swarovski crystal jewellery inspired by Frida’s art.

Having been designing and making jewellery for over 30 years, Ingrid’s array stretches from heirloom bridal accessories to special occasion and costume jewellery.

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

“My jewellery designs largely feature Swarovski Crystal and freshwater pearls and I love bringing my clients’ jewellery dreams to life.”

Ingrid was able to bring her own beach wedding jewellery dream to life when she and her partner married at Wategos Beach in Byron Bay. Soon workshops creating floral headbands will launch, which is a craft Ingrid’s happy to be promoting after 30 plus years of designing and creating bridal headpieces. Dates and details will be listed on social media and the website.

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While travelling the world to locate ethical and sustainable items is a highlight for Ingrid, there is one thing in her career that stands out above them all.

“Though curating handmade treasures from around Australia and across the globe, I enjoy delighting my customers, whilst supporting so many artisans, one of my career highlights was designing jewellery worn by Toni Collette in the iconic Australian movie, Muriel’s Wedding.”

Where The Wilde Things Are can be found at 4/540 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda or contacted on (03) 8203 8262.

Retro & Vintage | Unusual Gifts | Antiques Collectables | Vintage Clothes | Records & More 47 -53 OLINDA-MONBULK ROAD, OLINDA

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MAIL 15

NEWS

A female varied Eggflyn or Blue Moon and a female Orchard Swallowtail. 321054

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Haven that’s a breed apart

By Tyler Wright When Monbulk local Yvonne Duke moved to Australia in the 2000s, she realised education about the prolific Monarch butterfly was not nearly as extensive as it was in schools in her home country of New Zealand.

“Everybody’s got monarchs floating around their gardens in New Zealand because everybody grows the food plant for them in their gardens. Well most people do, so they’re very common,” Yvonne said.

“They put them in the classrooms to teach the children about metamorphosis because they’re so colourful at every stage, they’re very appealing to children.

“But when we came to live in Australia, I found that they didn’t do that... and in fact, my Australian friends hadn’t been taught anything about it, so I thought ‘well, that’s a pity.’”

In an attempt to get students learning about the butterfly life cycle, Yvonne managed to get a hold of some eggs from the Melbourne Zoo and began growing a host plant to produce monarch butterflies with the sole purpose of getting them into class rooms.

Her 1800 square metre became home to a shade house and a hot house; breeding multiple varieties including Blue Moon, Orchard Swallowtail and Monarch butterflies with the help of plants including buddleja.

“For native butterflies I grow native grasses; they like weeping native grasses and poa grasses, [or] kangaroo grass,” Yvonne said.

“I’ve got a plant in my garden that’s a host plant for the Painted Lady, and it’s planted right next to a new buddleja bush, and they lay their eggs there.”

When the caterpillars get more mature, Yvonne will cut some of the foliage off the host plant and bring the caterpillar inside to feed it protected from predators.

“In the garden, of course, if you’ve got a good ecosystem, you’ve got predatory insects and birds and frogs and geckos and all of those things which will find butterflies and caterpillars quite tasty, so I bring the caterpillars inside and raise them by hand.

“Then they get into the pupa stage... and I look after that indoors until it emerges as a butterfly, and when the butterfly emerges, I release it into the garden.”

Yvonne has visited local schools and kindergartens throughout her 15 years breeding butterflies, including Belgrave Preschool and Sherbrooke Community School, with children gathering together to see the butterfly emerge out of its chrysalis.

“It’s usually a couple of weeks as a caterpil16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Yvonne holding a Monarch or Wanderer butterfly 321054

Yvonne with chrysalis /pupa of Orchard Swallowtail 321054 lar and a couple of weeks as a chrysalis, and then it’s out, so you’ll fit it into a school term,” Yvonne said.

“The caterpillars are very hungry, as we all know, so they sometimes need quite a lot of guidance about what to do, how to handle them when they’re ready to pupate and change from a caterpillar into a chrysalis.

“Children get the idea that these are not to be kept as a pet; they’re wild creatures that you’ve got to let go, so it’s very good for them for that as well.”

Yvonne is now breeding the green Macleay’s Swallowtail to be donated to the Melbourne Zoo, preparing to make the delivery while the butterflies are in their pupa stage.

A Monarch butterfly on a red Dahlia 321054

“Another butterfly breeder told them about me and where I lived, and they got in touch and asked me if I would breed,” Yvonne said.

“It’s a beautiful green butterfly with a brown border to its wings. It has a little tail on its wings and it flutters constantly when it’s feeding.

“They lay their eggs on Sassafras trees which grow in the damp gullies around the Dandenong ranges and creek beds, so they lay their eggs usually on the new foliage which is often right at the top of the tree.”

With the help of a friend in Ferny Creek who has buddleja bushes on her property, Yvonne has collected around 20 eggs.

Yvonne is asking those with Sassafras grow-

ing on their property and willing to share some foliage for the Macleay’s Swallowtail to contact her via email at y.duke@bigpond.com.

Schools and aged care home staff wanting to contact Yvonne about a butterfly showcase can also contact her via email.

“I feel very privileged to be able to help out,” she said.

“It would be great if more people were doing it because the insect world is in strife right across the board, and there are some butterflies getting more scarce, climate change is disrupting migration patterns because quite a few native butterflies migrate.

“It’s good to be able to do something positive and happy.” mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Film highlights bird plight

By Tyler Wright A documentary about the crisis facing West Australia’s Black Cockatoo species was screened at Belgrave’s Cameo Cinemas on Thursday 16 February in an attempt by filmmaker Jane Hammond to reach local communities across the country.

From October 2021, Hammond trecked along the south coast with scientists, monitoring the patterns of the White-tailed Black Cockatoo, the Baudin’s Cockatoo and the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo.

“I went to spent time with volunteers from the Kaarakin Cockatoo Rehabilitation Centre in Perth and then the various components of the story and where the threats were speaking to people working on the ground, trying to protect the birds or trying to protect habitat,“ Hammond said.

“We start the film with some Indigenous custodians in the southwest of WA and their story about the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo as a totem of one First Nations elder in the forest area.“ Hammond said the population of the Baudin’s Black Cockatoo is down to 4000 “at best“.

“They are very much on the edge of going extinct because they’re still being shot by orchardists and nut farmers; people trying to defend their crops from these hungry birds

There are 40,000 of the endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo in West Australia. who have worked out that apples and pears and nuts are great things to crack into and get a good seed.

“Our Carbaby’s there’s 40,000 of those and they’re also endangered; they’re a very very social bird, so we don’t know how many we need to support a viable population, but they rely on one another for information on food and water in the landscape.“ Hammond said the Black Cockatoo’s food source was stripped away when Banksia was replaced with pine trees at the Carnaby’s black

cockatoo ’mega roost’ in Pinjar.

“The birds have learnt to feed off those pines, rely on them for roosting and feeding before they go out to the wheat belt to breed,“ Hammond said.

“And those pines are all likely to be gone unless we can stop the government knocking every single pine tree out of that area.“ The film also looks at the spilling of grain on roads leading to the death of birds looking for food.

“There’s so little food left, they’re on the

roads picking tiny grains of canola from between the cracks in the bitumen and then they’re getting wiped out by cars,“ Hammond said.

“On one stretch of road east of Albany... in the month of May...128 Carnaby’s were killed on that stretch of road just in one month that they were being counted ... with an endangered species, that’s quite a dramatic loss.

“The film was really saying we need legislation to seal our grain trucks for that issue; not only is it impacting our Carnaby’s, but endangered birds and threatened birds and other birds all across the nation.“ Hammond said community groups are able to organise a follow up community screening at a local venue.

“It’s all over the place. I do a national tour or regional tour and then the rest of the time people just use the film for their event,“ she said.

“We’re really at a peak point where if we do nothing, we will lose all three species of black cockatoos in West Australia within two decades, but probably more likely about 14 years.

“But we can turn it around ... the film [is] trying to get people to take action, to turn it around to protect habitats, to prioritise native species, endangered species ... we want legislative change.“ ’Black Cockatoo Crisis’ was released in November 2022.

Mount Burnett Observatory set to exhibit at air show

By Tyler Wright Mount Burnett Observatory (MBO) volunteers will be presenting at this year’s Avalon 2023 Australian International Air Show for the second time in its 50-year history.

Open to the public from Friday 3 March to Sunday 5 March at the Avalon Airport, the show draws 600 plus industry and defence representatives and tourists alike to Geelong with companies showcasing their products, services and technologies to an international audience.

The airshow also involves a three day spectacular of public flying displays and static aircraft to view up close.

MBO volunteers will be on hand at the Victorian Government Pavilion Stand 2G19 with a telescope and slide presentation ready to answer questions from those interested in a career in spac and science, or those learning about astronomy for fun.

“It’s very exciting to be part of something that is so big and that has such a huge presence in Melbourne,” MBO events coordinator Kim Steere said.

“It will be great to spread the word about Mount Burnett Observatory.“ With around 500 members from across the state, interstate and across the globe, Ms Steere said some MBO members have gone on to find jobs in space engineering, science journalism as well as research.

“We’d like to introduce more people to as-

Mount Burnett Observatory volunteers will be hosting a stall at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport in Geelong from Friday 3 March to Sunday 5 March. Pictures: SUPPLIED tronomy and show them that you don’t have to be an expert to join somewhere like Mount Burnett,“ she said.

“When I joined I didn’t know anything about astronomy and they were really happy to share their knowledge and develop the skills of everyone that’s there.

“I learned so much without realising it because it’s so much fun.“ In July last year, MBO was the only Dandenong Ranges venue that took part in Melbourne’s Open House in 2022; a weekend where visitors explore the city’s historic and significant buildings.

“That was huge. Tickets sold out really quickly and got people from all across Melbourne visiting the hills because they wanted to see the observatory,“ Ms Steere said.

Members nights are held every second Saturday at MBO. Ms Steere was “thrilled“ to learn how to use a telescope after joining in 2019.

“I can find the jewel box in the Southern Cross,“ she said.

“It’s a social thing as well, because one of the hazards of astronomy is that it’s cloudy and it rains and you can’t see anything.

“We have the log cabin up there, and we just hang around drinking coffee, eating cake, and chatting while we’re waiting for the clouds to clear.“ MBO is located at 420 Paternoster Road in Mount Burnett.

For more information, visit https://mbo. org.au/

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

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Anya Hynninen is through to the Top 12 in this year’s season of Australian Idol.

Picture: SEVEN NETWORK

The 19-year-old received a touch down from Amy Shark on Australian Idol last week for her performance of Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’.

Picture: CHANNEL SEVEN

Selby singer’s ‘touchdown’

By Tyler Wright Selby local Anya Hynninen received a touchdown by musician Amy Shark on Australian Idol last week, before the announcement she had progressed into the Top 12 contestants on this year’s season of the singing competition.

Performing Tina Turner’s Simply The Best, the 19-year-old said she was not expecting to go through to the next stage.

“I thought I’d probably be going home... it was completely unexpected and I started bawling my eyes out,“ Hynninen said.

“I was very very grateful to get it.“

A version of Turner’s song on the show Schitt’s Creek inspired Hynninen to make a version of a mix of the original and the cover dedicated to her mum.

“She couldn’t be there, she was in hospital,“ Hynninen said.

“It was a good testament to what a woman she is.”

Hynninen said the pressure has increased in the competition over the past couple of weeks.

“It’s been stressful,“ she said.

“I’m a little bit reserved, but I feel like I’ve

made friends that I’m going to have forever.

“We’re still talking and chatting... but it’s definitely a lot more pressure than it was before.“ Two people will be going home each week until the top six are decided.

Three contestants will then be eliminated, leaving the three finalists standing.

“It’s very full on, but voting really matters,“ Hynninen said.

“Community support from the area where I’m from really matters....a lot of them are behind me.“

As a self-proclaimed over thinker, she said she has practised songs over and over “every single say for ages“.

“I film myself moving to it on camera so I don’t look like an idiot when I go out on stage... all the little things like how I’m going to move my hip at this part.

“I feel like if I overthink it to the extent that I’ve thought about everything that can be thought about, there’s nothing that will give me anxiety because I’ve over prepared.“ Australian Idol is airing on the Seven Network at 7.30pm from Monday to Wednesday and can also be streamed on 7plus.

Spirit of the Dandenongs captured in Navy performance

By Tyler Wright The Melbourne Royal Australian Navy wind band will performing a composition inspired by the Dandenong Ranges on 25 March at The Memo in Healesville.

The three-part suite titled ’Spirit of the Dandenongs’ was composed by leading seaman, musician Cam McAllister, who grew up in Upper Ferntree Gully.

“I still consider the Dandenong Ranges my happy place that I still go to very regularly, and I consider it a place of solace when things get a bit crazy,“ McAllister said.

“I’m 46 and I’ve been writing for wind orchestra and big bands and other large ensembles for a fairly long time.

“The inspiration purely is that I’ve spent a lot of time there and I always wanted to write a piece dedicated to that area“ McAllister’s piece, which premiered in late 2021 at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren is broken into three movements; The Mountains, Ducks Dancing on Lake Emerald, and The Ghosts of Olinda, Puffing Billy.

The composer describes his music as “sound pictures“.

“For instance, the Puffing Billy Theme, I’ve tried to convey a train moving along in the music,“ he said.

“There’s a snare drum that’s repeatedly going which is to convey the movement of a train.

“I’m hoping there’s a really clear picture of the Dandenongs in music.“ ’Spirit of the Dandenongs’ took McAllister one year to write as a project during Covid lockdown, before being posted back to the Royal Navy Band in Melbourne around 18 months ago after an eleven-year stint in the Sydney band.

Mr McAllister will join a roughly 38-piece 18 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Melbourne’s Royal Australian Navy wind band will be performing leading seaman Cam McAllister’s ‘Spirit of the Dandenongs’ at The Memo in Healesville on Saturday 25 March.

Picture: SUPPLIED ensemble, including woodwind, brass and percussion players at The Memo as a trumpet player.

It will also be his first time hearing the piece being performed.

“It’s going to be super exciting to not only hear it, but I’ll be playing in it as well,“ he said.

The work is performed for a duration of about 12 minutes, and will begin at 4pm on Sunday 25 March.

To book tickets to the ’Spirit of the Dandenongs’ performance, visit https://www. yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/ The-Spirit-of-the-Dandenongs The Memo is located at 235 Maroondah Highway in Healesville. mailcommunity.com.au

OPINION

The legacy of Hardy Fab reads John Hardy - An Early Victorian Surveyor Surveyor John Hardy had a fascinating if difficult life and provides us with a link between early Lilydale and the notorious Ned Kelly.

Our librarian Kristyn Jackson was adding a copy of The Victorian Historical Magazine Vol XX June 1943 No.1. to our 500 plus library and started reading an article written by John Hardy’s son, also John, about the on-going controversy on the naming of Lilydale and Hardy’s links to the Kelly Gang.

The Naming of Lillydale Because of the controversy which still exists concerning the circumstances in which Lillydale was named, John Hardy related to his family the story of the naming of Lilydale.

Initially the township was named “Running Creek” and there being many rivers and creeks with the same name they renamed the creek Olinda Creek.

John Hardy and Mrs Hodgkinson, who was visiting ‘Yering’ homestead, the home of Mr. Paul de Castella at the time, discussed options to name that part of the valley near ‘Olinda Creek’.

John Hardy’s ‘chainman’ W. Hutchinson had been singing some popular songs of which one was called ‘Lilly Dale’.

Looking

back Sue Thompson

Lilydale and District Historical Society president As the song suggested there were lilies growing in the pools of the creek and they thought Lilly Dale was an appropriate name and so the name was adopted.

There has been controversy regarding the naming of the township which arose.

According to local author Rolf Boldrewood, Paul Castella was holding a fete champetre in honour of his bride Lily and announced Lillydale had been named as a compliment to her.

The official name of the township was proclaimed in the Government Gazette (1861 page 405) based on John Hardy’s original plan of survey dated 1860 and numbered L-60 in the Lands Department.

Kelly Gang Days (1878-1880) In 1878 John Hardy was appointed Land Of-

ficer for the Alexandra and Mansfield district, a position he retained until he retired. Hardy’s duties were to hold monthly Land Board meetings at both Alexandra and Mansfield to hear evidence from those wanting to be land owners.

The Kelly Gang had many sympathisers in the district, and it was the government’s policy to prevent them becoming a greater source of trouble than they already were.

The Police Department required Hardy to submit the list of applicants wanting land and if the list was returned with an asterisk beside a name that applicant was to be disqualified from receiving land.

These disqualifications became known and the Land Officer was warned through anonymous letters that his policy would lead to trouble.

Hardy did not seek police protection, but instead of travelling the usual route via The Gap, he used another track across the Puzzle Ranges to avoid the Kelly Gang.

‘I well remember my father’s setting out on his journeys.

On such occasions his homecoming was awaited with anxiety, until years after the Gang had been disposed of – in 1880,’ John Hardy wrote.

Beary funny ‘Hilarious evening of theatre’

Cocaine Bear Starring Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich and O’Shea Jackson Jr Rated MA15+ 4.25/5 Based (very loosely) on true events, Cocaine Bear is about an American black bear that terrorises the local community after eating a dumped shipment of cocaine.

Cocaine Bear has fun with its absurd premise but still delivers a tense, brutal and well-paced horror comedy.

Director Elizabeth Banks skilfully juggles several interweaving plot-threads and a large cast of quirky but relatable characters. The bear is a terrifying creature brought to life with very convincing CGI, and its rampages are great sequences of cleverly-staged, bloodsoaked physical comedy.

Much of the plot is focused around a coveted duffel-bag of cocaine, which several characters pursue for different reasons, but this bag is a fresher Macguffin than most because its contents can (and do) turn the bear into an even greater threat. The film has a solid threeact structure of rising stakes and carnage, and the many plot-threads converge for a suspenseful but fun and even moving climax (with my only gripe being the murky night-time cinematography).

Cocaine Bear is set in 1985, and the setting feels authentic without bombarding you with references. Needless to say, Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode is a perfect soundtrack choice.

Some humour works by pushing the limits of taste. A scene of two children finding a batch of drugs in the woods could be reprehensible if handled poorly, but in this movie it’s one of the most subversively hilarious moments in years.

A funny, nasty film with a clever, wellstructured plot, Cocaine Bear is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes mailcommunity.com.au

The Basin Theatre presents Two and Two Together The Basin Theatre’s 2023 opening production was Derek Benfield’s Two and Two Together.

A hilarious evening of theatre with Rachel’s husband never suspecting that she is keeping an assignation with a young man in the house of her good friend Georgina. Why should he, he is meeting Georgina secretly while her husband is acting in a play at the theatre.

Does this lead to some complications when Henry comes home earlier than usual.

Bob Bramble and his team of actors certainly brought this show to life leaving the audience in stitches.

Opening we see the young man, Frank, played by James Banger. Somewhat confused by his perspective and doesn’t know quite how to handle the matter, Banger gave a good interpretation of the character.

His prospective, Rachel, played by Adrienne George was excellently performed by George giving the audience somewhat more to think about particularly in the matter of costuming.

Her husband, Victor, played by Andrew McIver, an actor who raised laughs even on entering the stage. Victor seemed confused about what was going on, particularly about the handbag. A good interpretation of such a role and presented well to the audience.

CARTOON

Kemp’s curtain call Georgina, played by Leanne Jackson, captured the essence of such a role, not quite susceptible to the wiles of Victor but worried about Henry.

Henry, the actor, played by Brett Hyland also added to the standard of the evening with his puzzled look and feelings about what was going on.

Then we had Proctor, the Neighbourhood Watch man who took his job rather too seriously plus his ferocious sounding dog. Phil Homes was Proctor giving a good feel to the role.then there was Mrs Capstick, played by Fiona Carter.

Mrs Capstick was the cleaning lady to both households and could not work out what was going on. Carter caught the character as envisaged giving a good all-round performance.

A great opening to 2023 by The Basin Theatre and a production well enjoyed by the audience.

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN In Ljubljana UNESCO City of Literature, capital of Slovenia with the proud motto “We live literature here”, the prestigious “Fabula – Literature of the World” festival is now in full swing Fabula is the largest and most important literary festival in Slovenia and the wider region. Founded in 2003 and sponsored by Beletrina Academic Press, it has hosted many worldrenowned authors, including Australia’s own Richard Flanagan, whose 1997 novel The Sound of One Hand Clapping features a Slovenian immigrant family in Tasmania.

According to festival website, each year Fabula invites five authors who have shaped world literature in recent years. The guests are accompanied by fresh translations of their books into Slovene, which are often the first-ever translations of the authors into Slovene.

In the past four years, Fabula has had 20 prominent international authors and their books introduced to Slovenian readers via translation. Also to be applauded is Beletrina Academic Press’s considerable and continued efforts in bringing outstanding Slovenian authors to English readers.

The vision and success of Fabula is a fair reflection of Ljubljana’s reputation as the “World Book Capital”. Designated as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2015, Ljubljana is committed to fostering “a politics of openness and accessibility of culture, especially in regards to books”.

According to its website, Ljubljana pledges to “maintain its cultural diversity, create inclusive job opportunities in the cultural sector, promote cultural tourism, establish international connections, and provide spiritual and material conditions which would encourage creative activities”.

For example, Ljubljana’s landmark Vodnik Homestead has hosted the Children’s Book Festival since 2015, with the venue’s indoor spaces and garden “bursting at the seams with colourful literary activities” for enthusiastic young schoolchildren ready to read through the long summer vacation.

The homestead, just outside the city centre, is also home to Etc, an important festival of socially engaged writing that is organised by and for young people.

Throughout the years, the event has forged many forms of intergenerational collaboration between authors and high-school students.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that, since 2011, Ljubljana has been a member of the International Cities of Refugees Network that gives shelter to persecuted writers and artists from around the world. Since 2019, the city has hosted journalists and human rights defenders from Morocco, Ethiopia, Iraq and Iran, just to name a few.

On a lighter note, Library under the Treetops is a “recognised and well-attended parade of free reading, browsing and enjoyment on different public spaces” not just in the capital but across the whole country. In 2019, the event’s 12 locations in Ljubljana and an additional 16 locations around Slovenia attracted more than 40,000 local and foreign visitors.

In the words of Damjan Zorc, Coordinator of Ljubljana UNESCO City of Literature, the city gives “utmost consideration” to “the accessibility of books as the foundation of knowledge, creativity, and the transmission of information”.

We look forward to seeing more opportunities for Melbourne and Ljubljana to work with and learn from each other through cultural exchange and literary collaboration.

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 19

PUZZLES No. 122

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

9

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

3 2 7 9 8 9

QUICK CROSSWORD 4

ACROSS Travelling bag (8) Cloth (6) Adhesive (5) From Oslo, eg (9) Sleeveless jacket (6) Neptune’s fork (7) Self-government (8) Chinese ethnicity (6) Uncommon event or item (6) Waterfall (8) Perfume (7) Man’s name (6) Pathological self-admirer (9) Herd (5) Long, angry speech (6) Fierce storms (8)

1 5 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 24 27 28 29 30

6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 25 26

No. 122

Words of the same meaning (8) Common name for the US (7) Lift (5) Compile (9) Colloquial shortening of Protestant (4) Consensus (9) Making loud and confused noise (10) Song of praise (8) Drinking vessel (7) Animal track (5) Revise and correct (4) Finish (3,2) Headland (4)

DOWN Ninth month (abb) (4) Examiner (9) Small inlet (5)

1 2 3

DECODER

No. 122

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

6 9

3

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10 11 12 13

S W 15

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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: 16 words: Good 24 words: Very good

V

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T

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

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

I

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4 LETTERS ACHE DINE DIPS EVIL GEMS HISS IDOL POSE REST SALE SEES TACO WADE WIDE

No. 122

5 $ 0 3 6

5 LETTERS ABLER ADAGE ADORE ATONE AVAIL AVERT BABES BEIGE BESET CACAO CACTI CANED COOEE CYCLE DELTA DENIM DONOR DOSES EAVES EDGES

cede, cite, cited, civet, deceit, deceive, defect, DEFECTIVE, deft, device, dice, diet, dive, edict, edit, evict, evicted, fecit, feed, feet, fete, feted, fetid, five, iced, idee, teed, tide, tied, vice, vide, vied

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

9

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

32 words: Excellent

hard

7

14

medium

2

3 LETTERS ARE ART ASH ATE BOO EGO EKE ERA EVE EYE GEE GYM HEN HOE ICY IVY KEN OPT ORE OVA RAN SIT TOW VIE

QM R L I X Y Z K P O U J

easy

1

N T D F HGC A B V E SW

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

WORDFIT

EERIE ERODE HEART HOURS KILOS LOUSE MATTS OBESE OLIVE OPERA OVERT POLAR RACES RADAR RAMPS REACT REARS RESTS SARIS SASSY SLEET

7 LETTERS LEOTARD RENTING REPLICA RESTIVE VERSING VOLCANO

SLEWS STORM TEPEE TESTS TICKS TILDE TRILL WANTS WAVER 6 LETTERS COMBAT CONDOM REDONE SERENE

8 LETTERS ARRESTED DERAILED ENTANGLE ETHEREAL

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

SUDOKU

03-03-23

William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS

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

20 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

mailcommunity.com.au

EXQUISITELY BUILT HOME

SITUATED on just under an acre, this home has been exquisitely built by the award winning HB Custom Homes, is less than 2 years old and features a 6.1 star energy rating. Move in and enjoy the luxury of a new home and the peace of mind of another 4+ years building warranty.

As you enter the home from the covered front landing you will find a convenient place for you and the kids to drop hats, coats and bags. To your left you will find a spacious second living area, perfect as the kid’s TV room or formal lounge. Down the hall all bedrooms are generous in size and have built in robes and ceiling fans, with the Master Bedroom having a generous walk in wardrobe, split system for added comfort and stylish ensuite with walk in shower and double vanity. There is also a large office with barn door that flows into a 4th bedroom, perfect for guests.

The kitchen is ready for the chef of the family, with a 900mm free standing Falcon gas stove with double electric ovens, stone benchtops and lovely open play layout to entertain as you’re cooking. The butler’s pantry is a dream and houses the fridge, as well as having plenty of shelves, storage and workspace. From this light and bright open plan living space you can head out onto the spacious undercover entertaining area with distant views of the hills where you can enjoy the company of fmaily and friends comfortably all year round. Add to this double glazed windows throughout which minimise your energy bills , family friendly, quality floor coverings, a toasty wood heater and split system in the open plan kitchen, dining,

family room, a stylish main bathroom with a nice big bath for the kids and a practical laundry with an abundance of storage.

Outside there is plenty of fenced, grassed area for your children and fur babies to enjoy including a fun play area for the active ones.

There is also a double lock up garage with remote door and additional workshop space

to the rear and large under house storage, sealed drive and mains gas and mains water is connected.

Not often can you find such a new, comfortable family home on such a big block in a lovely private area - so avoid the hassles and the time it takes to build and jump on this lovely property while you can.

Call to arrange a private inspection today.

Call Samantha Scott on 0438 680 032.

Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 165 Rainy Hill Road, COCKATOO Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,150,000-$1,250,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD

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

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 21

HOME FOCUS

PRIVATE, YET CONVENIENT - WALK TO TOWN THIS fabulous family home is that perfect blend of character and contemporary, in a private setting which affords lovely garden vistas from most windows.

It is beautifully presented in the latest colour palette with some stunning original features, picture rails, hardwood floors, decorative ceilings and cornices, yet it aligns itself with all we expect in modern comforts, ducted heating and split systems and remote-controlled blinds.

The residence comprises of 4 bedrooms, the main with walk in robe and full contemporary ensuite, a family bathroom and large light filled living spaces. Avid chefs will be impressed with the ‘Farmers’ customdesigned kitchen featuring Caesarstone benches, a timber topped island, double sink and SS appliances. One living area is currently utilized as a ‘work from home’ space and is perfect for clients coming to the home, if need be, as you have access from Heathermont Avenue, at the rear.

You will enjoy outdoors here, the fulllength front verandah is an idyllic place to interact with visiting King Parrots and Kookaburras, it is sunny and has a relaxing vibe, nice views, perfect for Sunday brunch and a good book. There is an outdoor ‘lounge’ in the back yard, another great spot to chill and the rear flat lawned area is excellent for family fun.

Access to this property(enter via BelgraveGembrook Road) is easy via a sealed circular driveway, there is a single garage, plenty of room for parking, two sheds and is fenced within an allotment of 1416 m2.

You are merely minutes to Belgrave Township, restaurants, cafes, a variety of speciality shops, CBD rail connections, buses, nearby swimming pool and sporting clubs, National Parks and so much more. You can even hear Puffing Billy’s toot nearby. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 3 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, BELGRAVE Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: $895,000 - $970,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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Ranges

We put you first

SENSATIONAL HOME, FLAT BLOCK & VIEWS

PRIVACY IN A PARKLIKE SETTING

EMERALD 50 KILVINGTON dRIVE PRIVATE & CENTRALLY LOCATED!

SELBY 27 BOLTON ROAd ONLY A SHORT DRIVE TO BELGRAVE CENTRAL

$840,000 - $924,000 3A 2B 1C

Walking distance to Emerald Township, the lifestyle on offer here is one of comfort & convenience in a quality double brick home set in lovely surroundings. Featuring garden vistas & BIRs to all bedrooms, fabulous sized timber kitchen with excellent benching & storage space, spacious lounge with wood heating, dining area, large laundry, quality wool carpets, GdH, flat 1500sqm landscaped allotment includes a pergola, old storage shed and oversized single garage and the home is accessed via a sealed driveway.

Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522

Janet Hawkins 0409 117 432

BUY OFF THE PLAN & SAVE!

GEMBROOK UNITS 3 & 4 STATION ROAd ‘GEMBROOK VIEWS’ - NEW RELEASE - UNITS 3 & 4 Now Building. Brand New Units. Fabulous Lifestyle. Walk to Town.

NEW RELEASE UNITS 3 ANd 4

9754 6111 rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

4A 2B 4C

As you enter this 1 ½ acre property you will fall in love with the stunning garden setting, the rural aspect and privacy. This brick-rendered home offers a flexible floorplan, generous lounge with an OFP, dining area opening onto the large deck, a bright kitchen with a bay window and the main bathroom includes a corner spa. Outside has a sense of being in private parkland and also features a large garage with storage & workshop, a second double garage and a second driveway entrance providing room for caravans etc.

Jan Brewster 0409 558 805

A WORLd OF TIMBER, STONE ANd…BUBBLES?

$630,000 - $735,000 2&3A 2B 1C

Unit 3 - 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 garage NOW AVAILABLE $695,000 -$735,000 Unit 4 - 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 garage NOW AVAILABLE $630,000 -$670,000 Benefit now if you buy off the plan to save on stamp duty costs.

Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522

$990,000 - $1,085,000

BELGRAVE HEIGHTS 8 HEATH ROAd SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT!

$795,000 - $874,000 3A 2B 3C

On a big hills block, in a quiet leafy lane sits this classic Log Cabin which includes two distinct living rooms with vaulted timber ceilings and a majestic stone fireplace, a modern kitchen, a second living room with a wood fire & split system, work from home station, a HUGE main bedroom with WIR & full ensuite. Step outside onto the large deck and enjoy the deluxe-featured pizza oven & spa pool overlooking a backdrop of Mother Nature. For the handyman/tradie there is a workshop, shedding and a massive 8 sqm carport.

Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102

“We Put You First”

1 Bayview Rd, Belgrave Shop 2, 24 McBride Street, Cockatoo Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 23

HOME FOCUS

STUNNING 10 ACRES WITH HOME AND VIEWS

THIS much loved property is bursting with possibilities and features, with a comfortable 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 living area home with stunning views, three double carports, a large shed/workshop, an extra high caravan parking area, a further extra high shed/workshop, a sealed drive, over 6 acres of grazing paddocks perfect for horses, sheep or whatever you choose and three gorgeous lily filled dams, (all of which are fenced seperately to the hosue paddock).

The home is move in ready - enter into the foyer which flows into the open plan

kitchen, dining and lounge room with split system, reverse cycle heating and cooling and woodfire for year round comfort.

The views over the park like gardens and lily filled, spring fed dam are the first thing you notice as you walk through the door, as you’re drawn out onto the expansive entertaining deck perfect for the largest of gatherings.

Then enjoy the gorgeous, entertainer’s kitchen with huge stone island bench, an abundance of storage, 1200mm Smeg double oven (with grill and warming drawer), an externally mounted, silent range hood

and an expansive walk in butler’s pantry with room for a few fridges.

There are hardwood floor boards throughout the home, with two large, robed bedrooms in the middle of the home along with a sizeable study/home office and the family bathroom and the Master with ensuite, walk-in robe and it’s own living room with wood fire and split system is located at the end of the home - perfect as a parent’s retreat.

Only 10 minutes from either Emerald or Monbulk townships, this property has a beautiful mix of pasture, natural bushland

abundant with wildlife, plenty of room for all the family cars, trucks, floats and boats and offers a comfortable family lifestyle - what more could you want?

Call Samantha Scott on 0438 680 032 to arrange a private inspection today!

Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 132 Kirkpatricks Road, MACCLESFIELD Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $1,450,000 - $1,550,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD 24 MAIL

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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald

43 Village Lane, Gembrook

$380,000 - $420,000

165 Rainy Hill Road, Cockatoo

$1,150,000-$1,250,000

Absolute Gembrook Gem! Also known as 2A Redwood Road, Gembrook

Stunning 2 Year Young, 4 Bedroom + Study Family Home!

Ideal for first home buyer, fantastic rental prospect, or downsizers wanting to walk to town! This 1 bedroom, 2 bathroom property has been lovingly renovated and is move in ready, & perfectly located around the corner from the Gembrook main street. Enjoy the Gembrook amenities, local parks, children’s playgrounds and off street parking. The freshly painted home complete with new flooring just waiting to be enjoyed. Relax in the open plan kitchen/lounge/dining room and enjoy the private views out to your yard. There is a split system air conditioner for your comfort, and contemporary kitchen awaiting your culinary creations. This home also offers an opportunity to work from home (STCA) or a perfect teenagers retreat or guest house. With the converted shed having a laundry and bathroom area with natural light.

Situated on just under an acre, built by HB Custom Homes less than 2 years ago & has a 6.1 star energy rating. All bedrooms are generous in size with BIRs & ceiling fans. The Master Bedroom has a WIR, split system AC, ensuite with walk in shower & double vanity. There is a large office with barn door that flows into a 4th bedroom. The kitchen features a 900mm free standing Falcon gas stove with double electric ovens, stone benchtops & lovely open play layout & a butler’s pantry. Add to this, double glazed windows throughout, quality floor coverings, wood heater & split system in the open plan kitchen, dining, family room, a stylish main bathroom with a nice big bath, & a practical laundry with an abundance of storage. There is a DLUG with remote door & additional workshop space to the rear & large under house storage, sealed drive & mains gas & water is connected.

Aaron Day M 0407365994

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032

1

3 Luke Place, Guys Hill, Beaconsfield

A

2

B

C

$730,000 - $770,000

4

8 Redwood Road, Gembrook

A

2

B 2 C

$700,000 - $760,000

Private & well positioned with a lovely view! 5 Mins to Berwick!

Brilliantly located 3 bedroom home in the heart of Gembrook!

Beautifully and lovingly renovated 2 bedroom, 1 Bathroom home. Nestled opposite the golf course, with a gorgeous park like view, you will notice the welcoming entertaining deck and landscaped front garden. With slate floors and character filled exposed beams, a wood heater, two split system air conditioners, and bi-fold front window that opens up onto the front entertaining deck. There is a modern and stylish kitchen, and also barn-door features leading to each of the two generous bedrooms. This home contains a European laundry, is rendered, and has a landscaped and low maintenance secure rear yard. With a great flat area for children or pets to enjoy, there is also a handy garden shed, as well as having a separate rear access to the property.

This 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom family home in a prime position on a leafy street, is close to the vibrant Gembrook main street, playground, shopping amenities, skate park & primary school. The kitchen is complete with stainless steel appliances, gas stovetop, electric oven, rangehood and dishwasher.

The kitchen, dining and lounge room are open plan, with carpet in the lounge & neutral toned tiles in the kitchen & dining, with both a split system and gas ducted heating keeping the home cosy.

All three bedrooms are a generous size with built in robes, and utilise the family bathroom which contains both a bath, shower and toilet. There is an additional toilet located near the laundry, with the laundry offering direct access to the backyard. The backyard has a lovely covered entertaining deck and a single car garage/workshop. The backyard is private and fully fenced.

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

Aaron Day M 0407365994

2

A

1

B

C

Brennan Mileto M 0422996451

3

A

B

1

C

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 25

HOME FOCUS

HISTORIC HILLS HOME IN EXCLUSIVE AREA STEEPED in history and surrounded by lush gardens, “Kalamunda” remains as magnificent as ever. Constructed in 1924 and carefully updated for modern living, this home encapsulates elegant Hills living.

This luxurious residence evokes a sophisticated and serene feel due in part to its enclosed verandah with rich Jarrah flooring. At one with its surrounds, gorgeous garden and valley views frame this home so you will feel tucked away from busy life the moment you arrive home.

The interior is a masterful blend of period and new features. The generous lounge is adorned with the original timber wainscotting and open fire that elevates the elegance. Etched glass French doors flow through to the formal dining area overlooked by the modern gourmet kitchen with marble benchtops, glass splashback, wall oven, and gas range. The second living area is situated at the rear of the residence with 2 bright bedrooms and a beautifully updated bathroom with slipper tub, making the floorplan ideal for growing families.

The main bedroom with walk-in robe and luxe ensuite with rain shower is privately situated for peace and quiet.

With additional highlights including a sizeable home office/guest bedroom, a brilliant bonus bungalow, and a double carport and single garage, this property requires no compromise. Situated in a dream lifestyle location on over half an acre,

this period home offers new custodians the keys to a compelling lifestyle. Inspection will impress.

Features: Exquisite period residence with bonus freestanding bungalow

·

· Glorious 2,842sqm (approx.) of lush ·

gardens with double carport and single garage Enclosed verandah with Jarrah flooring that provides this home with a warm and welcoming ambiance

· Gourmet kitchen with marble benchtops, gas cooktop, and high-end appliances · Lounge with original open wood fire and a generous family room · Beautiful bedrooms and modern bathrooms, including enviable ensuite l

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 27 The Crescent, SASSAFRAS Description: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $1,600,000 - $1,760,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Glenn Chandler 0418 410 689 and Suzie Brannelly 0490 506 910, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 97546888 26 MAIL

|

Tuesday, 28 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

34 One Tree Hill Road, FERNY CREEK

$880,000 - $960,000

1960’S FAMILY FAVOURITE IN PERFECT HILLS ADDRESS

3A1B3C

FOR SALE

$750,000 - $820,000

98 Martin Street, BELGRAVE

4A2B1C

CHARACTER HILLS HOME IN CENTRAL LOCATION

Like a rare gem that is hard to find, this precious 1960’s brick veneer home sits in a sought after location and offers a large, sun filled 1822m2 block where children can play and families can grow. With three bedrooms and options for a fourth with little effort, plus a beautifully updated main bathroom, the versatile layout of this floorplan will impress.

Perfectly positioned within an easy walk to Belgrave main street, local swimming pool, schools and transport, this delightful, character filled, Hills home is ready and waiting for its new owners to love and enjoy With a perfect blend of original architecture and unique features, this fabulous property boasts valley views in a family friendly neighbourhood.

Sharyn Chandler

Sharyn Chandler

M 0439882442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandcom.au

FOR SALE

59 Alexander Avenue, UPWEY

$950,000 - $1,020,000

STYLISH INDOOR-OUTDOOR LIVING STEPS FROM AMENITIES

5A2B

Families and tree-changers seeking a lifestyle of comfort and convenience are certain to find it at this sensational 1,606sqm (approx.) property. Perfectly positioned close to Upwey’s schools, public transport, shopping, and cafes, there is an instant and appealing ease to living here.

FOR SALE

36 Mcallister Road, MONBULK

$820,000 - $895,000

SOLID, CENTRAL FAMILY HOME TO PUT YOUR STAMP ON

4A2B3C

If you seek the ease of a central location and a solid home to put your stamp on, this is the property you’ve been waiting for. Situated only 700m from Monbulk township and set upon an idyllic 1,218sqm (approx.) corner allotment with triple garage with workshop, you can stop shopping and start planning a fruitful future here.

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

Daniel Steen

Brad Conder

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

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

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

Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 27

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9775 3210 swa224c

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MAIL 29

SPORT

Thrilling end to the season It was a thrilling end to the regular season for Upwey-Tecoma, with four of its five male teams booking a place in finals action. The Women’s League also kicked off their finals series, with the Tigers featuring in semi-final action.

The first XI have secured a double chance after securing their 10th win in a row and esults fell their way. Hosting the Ferntree Gully Footballers, Upwey-Tecoma lost the toss and were asked to field in overcast conditions.

It was a red-letter day for young opening bowler Steven Conotitsos (5/27), tearing through the Griffin’s top order to claim his first five wicket haul at Norm Reeves Shield level. The Griffins could only manage a paltry 104, with Liam Dunning (2/6) and Cam Wheeler (2/35) chiming in with two wickets apiece.

Passing showers threatened the run chase but it was all over by the halfway mark with the Tigers mowing down the target for the loss of only one wicket. Skipper Jackson Waters finished with 30 not out as the Tigers finished on 1/105.

The Tigers’ attention then turned to the other fixtures, needing one of the top two sides to lose to earn a double chance. Incredibly, top team Lysterfiled succumbed to The Basin, seeing Upwey-Tecoma clinch second spot to book a date with Ferntree Gully in the first week of finals.

The second XI have clung onto their finals spot, finishing in fourth position after a disappointing loss away to the footballers.

Batting first, the Tigers managed 8/176 thanks to captain Damian Berenato’s 47 and an unbeaten 40 to young gun Sam Wicks.

Wickets were hard to come by for the Tiger bowlers and the Griffins chased down the total with relative ease, finishing on 4/177.

The third XI faced a mammoth task against top-of-the-table Knox Garden. A win would secure a finals berth, a loss would likely see them drop out of the four.

The first ever Upwey-Tecoma Women’s XI to feature in finals action.

Bowling first, regular wickets helped ensure the Falcons innings never really got out of first gear, finishing well short of their compulsory innings closure to be all out for 126. Veteran Wayne Moore was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/32, while youngsters Noah Weston (2/15), Atticus Todd (2/7) and Alex Moore (2/6) all played their part.

A 62 run opening stand to Richard Wicks (66*) and Todd (19) all but sealed the result, with keeper-batter Bon Sullivan finishing the job with 34 not out. The Tigers cruise to victory finishing on 1/128 with 10 overs to spare.

The fourth XI needed a win to be a chance for finals but came up short against a strong

Picture: SUPPLIED

Johnson Park outfit. James Todd capped a fine season with the bat, making 65 to help the target at 178. The Sharks were never troubled, finishing on 1/182.

The Under 16s finished fourth after a tough loss to Upper Ferntree Gully. Batting first, Asher Caldow blasted 48 and Jonah Thompson compiled 31 to help the Tigers reach 6/131. An aggressive Kings batting line up took the fight to the TIgers, passing the score with two overs to spare to finish on 4/132.

The Women’s XI played in their first ever finals series, travelling to South Belgrave on Sunday afternoon for their semi-final.

Batting first, Upwey-Tecoma recovered

from a sluggish start to post a highly competitive 2/131. Alex Bantock was the star of the show, bludgeoning an unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls, while Captain Jacqui Cooke anchored the innings with 44 not out.

The South Belgrave openers batted beautifully to take the game away from the Tigers.

Leah Borg (1/12) and Kaitlyn Roleff (1/29) struck late but it wasn’t enough as South Belgrave reached 2-133 with plenty of time to spare.

It was a brilliant first year for the FTGDCA Women’s League, with Olinda and South Belgrave duking it out for the inaugural premiership flag next weekend.

Brilliant Friday conditions for senior pennant at Lilydale

By David Waters Three of the four clubs around Lilydale, have performed their hosting duties and only Eastern is left for the penultimate round on March 17.

Round four of the Eastern Suburbs senior pennant was played at the Gardiners Run golf club on Friday. Brilliant sunshine and pleasant conditions brought happy faces to the tees to renew the tussle for top spot. A warming sun and light blustery winds greeted players halfway through the encounter. It was no one’s fault when we got into trouble.

Many bunkers were encountered by many players, and some had multiple shots to get out (or not).

Trees were hit instead of fairways but as any golfer will tell you “ I didn’t mean to hit it there” or “I was just unlucky”. Amongst the tales of woe there were some highlights such as Norm Carroll pitching in for a birdie after first landing in sand and then landing 50m out behind a bunker.

The greens were fast or slow (as usual) and the holes could move or shrink at will.

By virtue of these facts there were plenty of gimmy’s to avoid embarrassment.

The home club, Gardiners Run, could not press home course advantage, halving in gold group and going down to neighbours Yering Meadows in green group.

Eastwood and Churchill/Waverley had mixed results, Eastwood taking the honours in gold and Churchill/Waverley doing likewise in green.

Heritage dominated in both groups today over Eastern and are on top of both ladders.

An enjoyable meal was prepared by courteous catering staff and the bartenders were kept busy until most people left about 1.30pm.

Everyone is looking forward to next week at Box Hill golf club as we move into the run for a finals berth.

30 MAIL

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Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

Nonos watches his shot head towards the 11th hole.

Norm Carroll from Churchill/Waverley picks out the ball after pitching in for birdie on the fifth.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Trevor Nonos lines up a shot to get out of the shallow bunker on the 11th. mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Tight games for Monbulk

By Jack Rollings

Local netballers celebrating the opening.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Centre gets upgrade

By Parker Mckenzie Thousands of local netballers will now have access to more indoor courts, with The Knox Regional Netball Centre officially opened after stage one of the redevelopment project was completed.

Stage one of the build includes two additional inside and air-conditioned courts, new change rooms and a function room, an observation deck, an extra 180 car parks and additional office spaces and a first aid room.

Knox City Council Mayor Marcia TimmersLeitch said she was thrilled the first stage of the $15.6 million centre expansion is ready for play and to provide greater opportunities for increased participation.

“This expansion will meet future demand for the highest participation sport for females

in Knox,” she said.

“Up to 6000 players currently use the centre each week. In 2019, 180 games were cancelled due to poor weather.”

The centre is home to Mountain District Netball Association and teams in the Eastern Football and Netball League, with around 2,900 players using the facility.

After beginning construction in November 2021, the project had several delays because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The initial development of the concept for the redevelopment started in June 2019.

Cr Timmers-Leitch said when stage two is completed in July 2023, the number of indoor courts will be doubled to four, taking the total number of courts to 22.

“This will allow more games and training

sessions to be held without being impacted by weather, and enable more night-time games,” she said.

“I’m excited that the Knox Regional Netball Centre will provide greater training capacity for 180 teams stretching from Knox to the Dandenongs, modernising our facilities and making us one of the biggest centres in Victoria.

Stage two of the project, the refurbishment of the existing stadium, is aimed to be completed by April 2023.

The project has been funded through a $4 million grant from the federal government, $5 million in funding from the state government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program and a $6.6 million council contribution.

The Knox Regional Netball Centre is located at 9 Dempster Street, Ferntree Gully.

Monbulk Bowls Saturday pennant play

By Jack Rollings Saturday pennant section grand finals. The weather was dark and threatening. There were a couple of light showers but nothing big enough to stop the bowling.

Monbulk 1 played against Boronia 1 at a neutral ground in Heathmont.

Karen Rice’s team won nine ends but was in front for fourteen ends. Both sides dropped a couple of clangers. Boronia had a stronger final third, picking up five ends to Monbulk’s two and just pipping Monbulk on the final end. Monbulk lost the rink 18 shots to 20.

Jim Bras’ team won the first two-thirds comprehensively 26 shots to 3. In the final third Boronia started finding their range and picked up 15 shots over four ends to reduce the margin. Monbulk could only pick up one more single for the match, but they held onto the lead and won the rink 27 shots to 20.

Brian Smith’s team had a close contest in the first two-thirds. Both teams won seven ends each and the lead changed a few times.

The final third belonged to Boronia absolutely.

Monbulk did well to contain some of the losses to singles but still lost the rink 13 shots to 25.

Eric Markham’s team started slowly and was down 5 shots to 18 going into the tenth end.

But on the tenth end, Monbulk grabbed a big 5 shotter and was suddenly back in the game.

Both teams won a similar number of ends in the race to the finish, but Monbulk’s wins included some good multiples. They levelled by the fifteenth end and then hung on to win the rink 26 shots to 25.

On the composite board, Monbulk led for most of the day and was up by 20 shots at the break. But Boronia finished better. They mailcommunity.com.au

Cockatoo-Monbulk with Sunbury giving congratulations after the game. caught up and were able to take the wins at a crucial time. Overall Monbulk lost the grand final 86 shots to 91. Yes, it was a painful loss, but at least they gained promotion to division 2 for next season.

Cockatoo/Monbulk played in the section grand final at Ringwood against Lilydale 4.

They won on all four rinks to win the section grand final 101 shots to 65. That was a massive win against the second-placed side.

So, after winning the section grand final, it was the first round of the divisional finals on Sunday and the combined Cockatoo/Monbulk side played against Club Sunbury 5 at Bundoora RSL. The weather was perfect and the green was rolling well. It was a good sporting atmosphere on and off the green. Bundoora had a sausage sizzle on the go for spectators and the bar was open. The cheers going up for the combined side were “C’mon Cocky Monbulk”. There were some good tight heads and

Picture: SUPPLIED

a few close measures, but it was the combined Cockatoo/Monbulk side that gradually built the margin and ran away with the victory.

Ken Earle’s team won 19 shots to 14.

Graeme Godkin was Lead. Allan Brooke was Second. Mark Hoefer was Third.

Mark Coulter’s team lost 14 shots to 15.

Phillip Thomson was Lead. Kylie Bailey was Second. Martin Cattanach was Third.

Anthony Young’s team won 19 shots to 15.

Oscar McCurdy was Lead. Peter Dowsett was Second. Kevin Murray was Third.

Mark Blythman’s team won 25 shots to 11.

Ken Cowling was Lead. Yvonne Cowling was Second. Martin Williams was Third.

Overall Cockatoo/Monbulk won 77 shots to 55. It was a solid win and should give all the bowlers some confidence going into next weekend when they play against Port Melbourne in the divisional semifinal. Great work so far bowlers, keep it going.

Monbulk 1 travelled to Warburton for the elimination semifinal. Monbulk was in front on the big board many times but could never put in a safe buffer – Warburton always managed to grab some big scores to come back.

Brian Smith’s team dropped a 5 shotclanger early on and couldn’t recover from that in the front half. In the back half Monbulk rallied: they won more ends than Warburton and they didn’t let any big scores go against them. Monbulk won the rink 19 shots to 17.

Eric Markham’s team was in front for most of the day, but Warburton always stayed in touch. Then, in the race home, Warburton grabbed five ends in a row, including a 3 and a 6, putting Monbulk behind by 10 shots. Monbulk won the last two ends but could only claim singles and they lost the rink 15 shots to 23.

Jim Bras’ team had a close contest all day. They dropped a 5 shot clanger early on, but picked up a 5 and a 4 before lunch to take a 6 shot lead. After the break, Warburton won five ends in a row to again get their noses in front. The game then seesawed and, with two ends to play, the scores were level, and that’s when Monbulk dropped a 4, and couldn’t recover in the last end. Monbulk lost the rink 22 shots to 25.

Overall Monbulk lost 56 shots to 65.

Not a huge margin on away ground, but enough to boot Monbulk out of the competition. They had clung on to the fourth spot to make it to the semi, and the side will maintain a division 2 spot next season, so Monbulk has to settle for that compensation.

Monbulk 2 played the elimination semifinal at home against Cranbourne on Tuesday. They had strong wins on all rinks and an overall win of 73 shots to 41.

The Monbulk 2 side then progressed to the preliminary final on Thursday.

They travelled to Noble Park to play against Narre Warren 3. Both sides play on synthetic home grounds but played Thursday on Noble Park’s grass. It was hot and blowy and hard going.

Klaus Eisele’s team had a blinder. Going into the tenth end they were already up by 15 shots. Unfortunately, they dropped a 6-shot clanger on that end, but they were able to regroup and win the next seven ends and then win the rink 30 shots to 13. The dominance on this rink meant that the big board was always in Monbulk’s favour, giving a lot of faith to the other Monbulk teams.

Alan Hamilton’s team struggled in the front half, only winning three ends and trailing by 5 shots at the halfway mark.

They came back after the break and were a stronger side in a close back half, but not quite bridging the gap. Monbulk eventually lost the rink 17 shots to 21.

Peter Lee’s team had a close game apart from their slow start when Narre Warren got out to a 4-shot lead. After that scores were 5 all, 6 all, 12 all, 13 all, then with two ends to go, 14 all. Monbulk was able to take the last two ends to win the rink 16 shots to 14.

Overall Monbulk won 63 shots to 48 with two rinks up. This was a mighty effort against a side that finished above Monbulk on the home and away ladder.

Next week Monbulk 2 will play in the section grand final against Pakenham 2 at Berwick.

Cockatoo-Monbulk with the final scoreboard.

Picture: SUPPLIED Tuesday, 28 February, 2023

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MAIL 31

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