Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 18th July 2023

Black summer firefighters recognised

Olinda Primary School benefit from fallen trees

Towering ‘eyesore’

By Tyler Wright

Locals are calling for plans to build a 40-metre high “eyesore” in Kallista to be scrapped after a planning permit application for a large telecommunications tower was submitted toYarra Ranges Council in May.

The proposal for a tower at Lot 1 395 Kallista-Emerald Road, which was submitted by Downer Downer Edi on behalf of Amplitel, also notes the installation of a parabolic dish antenna at the top of the pole as part of the scope of works on the Melbourne Water site.

Resident Peter Anderson said his property, which sits near the bottom of a gully, will look out directly onto the tower if it is built.

“All the neighbours have all come together to say this is a significant structure that’s going in there, say 12 to 14 stories high, which is going to affect what we’ve got here in a beautiful spot,” Mr Anderson said.

“It’s going to significantly affect our land here, and the price of our land, the enjoyment of our land; the whole lot.

“It’s putting an eyesore in.”

The area is also under a Significant Landscape Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay. Peter Learmont owns a property opposite the gate entry to the site, and has lived in Kallista for five years.

Mr Learmont said cyclists and motorbike riders often stop on Kallista-Emerald Road to enjoy enjoy what the area has to offer.

“There’s a lot of residents that bring their friends from suburbs and no doubt interstate, intrastate. I’ve got no doubt there’d be international visitors as well,” he said.

“It gets down to ‘what is the Dandenong Ranges? what are its assets and to what extent do we want to protect this piece of paradise?’

“So many other areas are being developed... once you develop something, you can’t go backwards.”

It comes after Knox City Council refused a planning permit application for a telecommunications facility at Lot 2 onWellington Road in Lysterfield in October 2022, citing the signifi-

cant impact on the setting of the LysterfieldValley, which is classified by the National Trust as part of the‘green wedge’ between the suburban areas of Rowville and Dandenong North and the urbanised Ferntree Gully-Belgrave ridge of the Dandenongs, as part of its reasoning.

Mr Anderson said the application for the proposed tower in Kallista should “at least” go to VCAT.

“If there’s a need for better communication,

no worries at all.We’re not saying ‘let’s not find another solution,’ but maybe there should be more solutions discussed, rather than a 40-metre pole,” he said.

“Hopefully the council take on the ratepayers’ [concerns] and say ‘okay, let’s go, this isn’t right for the area,’ and not just listen to Melbourne Water’s interests..and they actually say ‘yeah, I want to protect the area.’”

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Kallista residents Robert Stygall, Peter Anderson and Peter Learmont are fighting to have plans for a 40-metre telecommunications pole installed in a picturesque gully scrapped. Picture: SUPPLIED

Fight those bush fires

By Callum Ludwig

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has opened applications for project firefighters who are keen to join the Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) team.

Roles are available at nine different locations throughout Melbourne, including Powelltown, Olinda and Knoxfield.

Powelltown-based firefighter Molly Tucci said they do a lot around the community in helping to prevent and suppress bushfires.

“I’ve been at Powertown for two years now, it’s just a really good opportunity, even for people who don’t feel like they have the skills but there’s a lot of training involved so you never feel out of your depth,” she said.

“No two days are the same, there’s always work to do, and all of our work is, in effect, to help the community.”

A number of FFMV and CFA firefighters are currently deployed in Canada to help fight bushfires in the country which have been burning since March this year, with their important expertise even more crucial as the intensity of the fires has risen over June and July.

MsTucci said their work is a big part of what goes into keeping fires away locally or being able to control them in a better manner if they do come.

“We do a lot of planned burning, a lot of our work is coordinating and carrying out back burning and even when there’s no back burns or fires, we do a lot of maintenance around the community,” she said.

“We’re working outdoors predominantly, there are opportunities for machine operating, we do a lot of slashing, clearing tracks and road

construction, we have a grader and a dozer and maintain a lot of the area around recreation sites like the Ada Tree and Starling’s Gap (campground).” A seasonal recruitment drive is held each year, offering full-time positions as general firefighters, fire support officers and rappel crew fire-

fighters from October until April.

Ideal candidates will have a reasonable bill of health and fitness and hold a current manual driver’s licence. Ms Tucci said new firefighters are always put with experienced people and are learning constantly.

“It’ll be really important to have some fresh

skills to bring on and new people, just to all work as a team and be able to do our jobs with more experience,” she said.

“We need everyone we can to try and reduce that fuel, get all our roads open and have everything really accessible and ready if we do find ourselves in the face of fire this year.”

Selby Fire Brigade on the hunt for new recruits

By Tyler Wright

The Selby CFA Fire Brigade is on the hunt for new recruits ahead of the 2023/2024 fire season.

Banners, door knocking and an upcoming information session are all a part of the five-week long winter campaign.

“It’s a matter of targeting people that we believe are going to stay here for a long time so that they get the benefit out of it, too, that they’re in the brigade for a long time and enjoy what it has to offer and what they can give back to the community,”

community safety coordinator Neville Aldham said.

“We’ll support Begrave South to Belgrave

to Menzies Creek... then in the summertime we go away to interstate mainly, but can be intrastate as well, with a group of trucks to fight the fires that you see on the telly.

“This year is leading up to a fire season, where we’ve had two or three years where there’s been nothing since that ‘19/ ‘20 season.”

Currently with around 21 operational members, those interested in becoming a CFA volunteer will need to complete a month-long theory course followed by an assessment before being able to hop on a truck and attend a call out.

Third lieutenant Andrew Munn said in winter, members may attend house fires, chimney fires and car accidents.

“August, where it’s windier, there’s trees down, you help out with the SES...anything that happens in the community, we’re there to help them,” Mr Munn said.

Mr Munn said there are also support roles available that do not involve firefighting.

“You don’t have to be out there with a hose fighting a fire,” he said.

The brigade will hold an information session at the Selby fire station on Greenwell Road on Thursday 20 July from 7.30pm to 8.30pm, with anyone over 16 years of age able to be trained as a firefighter.

“They could gain chainsaw qualifications, first aid qualifications, driving heavy vehicle qualifications... skills that they can then use elsewhere,” Mr Aldham said.

“The skills you learn are fantastic and then you’re helping your neighbours out... if someone’s house is on fire, you’re helping them out,” Mr Munn added.

Volunteer firefighter Laura Lucas received her qualification at the end of May.

“For me, it’s about being part of the community and also giving back to the community as well,” Ms Lucas said.

“Even just some of our just regular Wednesday night trainings, when that’s on, we do that with other brigades as well which is nice, that’s an even bigger group to get to know and mingle within.

“I’ve only been in Selby for just over two years now...maybe I’ll be here for 40 years.”

Selby CFA Fire Brigade members, from left to right, Andrew Munn, Laura Lucas and Neville Aldham are on the look out for new recruits in the community. Picture: TYLER WRIGHT

Molly Tucci with Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp while deployed to assist with floods in late 2022.

Molly Tucci working at a planned burn.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Cameras watching

Yarra Ranges residents will now be liable for fines for using mobile phones while driving as new high-tech detection cameras have been spotted along major routes by residents in Coldstream, Monbulk and Dixon’s Creek.

As of Saturday 1 July, drivers will now face penalties of four demerit points and a $577 fine when caught using a mobile phone while driving, and three demerit points and a $385 fine for drivers and passengers not wearing a seatbelt.

The mobile device and seatbelt detection cameras began operation in April this year, using AI technology to capture high-resolution images of vehicles and detect offences.

Minister for Police Anthony Carbines said that driver distraction is a major contributor to serious and fatal collisions, and the time for complacency is over.

“These cameras will be deployed all over the state and they will catch those drivers not buckled up or distracted by phones,” he said.

Victoria Police has approved over 150 locations across Victoria where the cameras can operate at any time on any day.

These cameras detect and take photos of drivers who use portable devices, like mobile phones. The cameras can also pick up people in the front seats not wearing their seatbelts.

Each camera trailer has two cameras and an infra-red flash that are enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) software. The cameras take high-resolution images any time of the day or night, and in all traffic and weather conditions.

The AI technology automatically reviews each image and if it does not see a potential offence, it will reject the image.

If the AI detects a driver who may be using a

Distracted driving is a major contributor to serious and fatal collisions.

portable device or not wearing a seatbelt it will flag the image for further review.

Images where there might be a potential offence are checked and verified by qualified independent officers.

Illegally using a mobile phone when driving significantly increases the risk of being involved in a serious crash.

There are currently four camera trailer systems in operation, enforcing more than 8000 hours each month.

The cameras can be deployed to up to 200 locations in rural and metropolitan areas. A further two camera trailer systems will be operational in the coming months.

Picture: ON FILE

Distracted driving is a major contributor to serious and fatal collisions, in 2022, nearly a quarter of vehicle occupants who died and their seatbelt status was known were found to not be wearing a seatbelt.

Drivers are also 10 times more at risk of crashing if they are texting, browsing or emailing on their mobile phones.

Mr Carbines said that drivers have a responsibility of not just keeping themselves and others in their car safe, but everyone else using the road too.

“Every life lost on the roads is avoidable –I urge Victorians to do the right thing on the roads,” he said.

Locals oppose plans to build tower

From page 1

In a statement, Melbourne Water’s manager of program delivery for information technology, Ainsley Huxley, told the Star Mail Melbourne Water has engaged Telstra to undertake a“new site feasibility study” for its Kallista facility to ensure it has the “appropriate on-site data technologies”.

“These upgrades will ensure our on-site operators can work effectively and efficiently, and we can maintain the services that we provide Yarra Valley Water and the local communities now and into the future,” Ms Huxley said.

“While no on-site work has started, we will be looking to confirm the right data approach, as recommended by Telstra, in the coming months, before going through the appropriate and required processes to engage with local council and the community prior to the commencement of the project.”

Yarra Ranges Council’s director of planning and sustainable futures, Kath McClusky said the application was out for public notification, which included a notice sign at

the road frontages to the property informing passers-by of the application, as well as informing owners and occupiers in the “local vicinity to the site by direct mail”.

“No decision has been made by Council on this application, and any community members who are interested in this application are encouraged to read the advertised documents on our ePlanning website at https://eplanning.yarraranges.vic. gov.au/Pages/XC.Track/SearchApplication. aspx?id=1402251 and make submissions to inform Council of their concerns and how they may be affected by this proposal,” Ms McClusky said.

“Each application Council receives is assessed on its merits against relevant planning controls affecting the subject land and any relevant particular provisions.

“The assessment by officers follows the consultation period, and includes consideration of the community feedback prior to a decision being made. The applicant and objectors have a right to appeal the decision at VCAT if they are not satisfied with Council’s decision.”

Ms McClusky said when assessing an application, the council can not “pre-empt future applications” on a property, or the site’s “future development”.

“It must consider what is being applied for against the provisions in the planning scheme,” she said.

“When an application is required to be advertised, this is always done by direct mail to adjoining land owners and occupiers, for 14 days in accordance with legislation.

“In some cases, Council can require notification to be broader by direct mail, may require a notice to be placed at the road frontage adjacent to the site, and/or in some cases, can require a notice in the local newspaper.”

Applications are available to be viewed on the the council’s ePlanning website, Ms McClusky said, and objections can be submitted at any time from when the application is lodged, to the date it is decided.

“The extent and form of notice is determined by Council as part of processing the application.”

Monbulk theft, information required Monbulk Police are seeking information surrounding an alleged theft of items from the rear of a retail premises on Main Road in Monbulk overnight between 21 June and 22 June 2023.

Police are looking to identify a vehicle which appears to have an oversized right rear wheel protruding past the body and damage to the rear passenger side door and roof. The vehicle was towing a blue 6x4 or similar sized trailer at the time.

Anybody with information about the vehicle or the theft is urged to contact Monbulk Police on 9756 6266 or submit a report via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

String of thefts

Police are investigating a series of theft from motor vehicles within the Selby and Upwey areas. The majority of offences have occurred overnight with unlocked vehicles being targeted. Anybody with any information about these offences is urged to contactYarra Ranges CIU - (Property Crime Reduction Team) on 9739 2401.

Garage fire concerns

A surge in garage fires across the state, including one in Mooroolbark, has Victorian fire services encouraging residents to clean up their garage and consider installing smoke alarms inside. Many of the reported garage fires in the last year were caused by faulty electrical equipment or related to fuel spills. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said CFA firefighters have already responded to 26 garage fires this year compared to the 28 in total from last year.

“We’re expecting to see a rise in rechargeable battery and car fires this winter season,” CO Heffernan said.

A garage fire at a Mooroolbark home last month was a timely reminder about the importance of households inspecting their appliances, devices and vehicles regularly.

Vaccination info changes

WorkSafe is reminding employers that pandemic regulations put in place to assist with the collection, recording, holding and use of Covid-19 vaccination information from specified persons expired today.

Following the revocation of the Occupational Health and Safety Amendment (Covid-19 Vaccination Information) Regulations, employers who recorded or held Covid-19 vaccination information specifically under these regulations have 30 days to destroy that information.

The regulations were introduced in mid2022 following the removal of certain vaccination requirements under the Pandemic Orders and supported employers to collect, record, hold and use Covid-19 vaccination information from specified persons attending a workplace under their management or control in order to determine and to implement reasonably practicable measures to control Covid-19 risks.

A specified person includes employees, independent contractors and their employees, volunteers and students on placement permitted to attend the workplace.

The destruction of information requirement does not apply to employers that are permitted or required under other laws to collect, use, record, or hold vaccination information.

Employers are reminded that a person’s Covid-19 vaccination status is health information protected by other legislation such as the Health Records Act.

Firey’s back from Canada

By Tyler Wright

A local firefighter has returned from deployment in Canada after helping emergency services fight devastating wildfires currently ravaging the country.

Knox-based Forest Fire Management (FFMVic) firefighter and Hills resident Hannah Ransome was one of 46 Victorians, including 42 people from FFMVic and four people from the Country Fire Authority (CFA), who recently spent 35 days providing much needed relief to exhausted Canadian crews.

Ms Ransome returned to Melbourne on 30 June after working to mitigate a 125,000-hectare fire which had impacted forests and some paddocks at the Kimiwan fire complex in northern Alberta.

After starting off the day with a morning briefing, crews would receive a tasking and would then head out to the part of the fire they were assigned to; putting out burning ashbeds.

“We were working to protect the assets for the oil companies and the workers that were working in the area,” Ms Ransome said.

Canada has seen nine million hectares burned in 2023, according to Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

There were around 422 active wildfires across the country as of 29 June.

Canadian firefighting crews travelled to Australia to help during the 2019/2020 bushfires, and Ms Ransome said she was “honoured” to be able to return the favour.

“It was really good to learn off the local fire crew over there. They’re very experienced.

They were very welcoming and friendly,” she said.

“The Canadian forest was very different to Australian forest, so we had to learn the different vegetation...with that came the wildlife as well… It was beautiful, lakes everywhere with beaver dams in them.

“They’ve got more water on the ground, so [there’s] a lot more use of bigger pumps and a lot more hose than we would use in Victoria because we just don’t have that much water.”

A total of 115 Victorians have travelled to Canada since 25 May as part of a wider Australian and New Zealand response, with all Australian states sending specialist support.

80 firefighters and incident management personnel from FFMVic have been deployed to Canada, 17 of which are from the Port Phillip region.

Crews have also been deployed from the United States, South Africa, France, Chile, Costa Rica, Portugal and Spain.

Emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp said it’s great to welcome home the first contingent of highly skilled crews who have provided invaluable support to their Canadian colleagues and their communities.

“This team of 46 have represented our state

in the best possible way through helping our Canadian colleagues, as the Canadians supported us during the 2019/20 fires,” Mr Crisp said.

Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said FFMVic has contributed 80 experienced campaign firefighters who have worked “incredibly hard” and made a “real difference” to the Canadian firefight.

“They’ve been supported by amazing incident management, vehicle support, logistics and communications personnel from our partner agencies across from Australia and New Zealand, who are working extremely well to integrate into the Canadian wildfire management system,” Mr Hardman said.

CFA acting chief officer Garry Cook said Victorians can be proud of the valuable contribution members continue to make to help protect Canadian communities from wildfires.

“Our CFA personnel are highly trained to

assist in a wide range of emergencies and I thank this group for showcasing their expertise internationally and helping communities abroad,” he said.

Ms Ransome said she would “absolutely” participate in another international firefighting operation given the chance.

“You get used to the pressure and the intensity of the job,” she said.

“If I asked myself when I was at uni, when I was 20, I didn’t think I’d be fighting fires in Canada 11 years later.

“I really recommend this job to anyone. “

Later this week, six people from FFMVic’s Port Phillip region are set to depart on deployment.

Victorians are reminded to never rely on one source for emergency information.

Official sources of emergency information include:

· VicEmergency app

· www.emergency.vic.gov.au

· Local emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio, commercial and select community radio stations, or SkyNews TV

· The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226

· VicEmergency’s Facebook and Twitter accounts

Upwey local gives support to Ukraine first hand

By Tanya Faulkner

It’s difficult to think about what some of the world is going through these days, however one Ferntree Gully local has made it his life mission.

Daniel Jackson is a young man with big ambitions to make the world a better place, having recently worked alongside the Red Cross in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid for those who have been impacted by the ongoing war against Russia.

After being born and bred in Upwey, attending Belgrave Heights Christian School and Upwey High School, Mr Jackson said he has always wanted to do something to help others in the world.

“Because of my work in Verdis (verdisgov. org), I had the opportunity to work with others on forming the Verdis Red Cross, our own society of the red cross movement within our own state,” he said.

Beforehand, the Verdis Red Cross was referred to as DIY Ukraine and was run by the Vice President ofVerdis, Hector Bowles, since the start of the full invasion last year.

Last month it was rebranded, with this being the first trip made underVerdis Red Cross branding, although still run by the same and more volunteers.

It was because of this opportunity that he was able to make the trip to Ukraine to provide aid first-hand.

The Red Cross had been making preparations since early June this year, with volunteers driving to Ukraine from Osijek, Croatia, where they are based.

Mr Parker said for their recent short trip, the aid they provided in Ukraine was a dozen walkie-talkies, which were given to our colleague in preparation for further distribution in Kyiv.

“We also delivered a smartTV and a bunch of toys to a kindergarten in the Zakarpattia Oblast,” he said.

An experience like this can be confronting, which Mr Parker said it felt very eyeopening in person to see the conditions that

Ukrainians have to live in and what they must be prepared for, even in one of the safer oblasts where they visited.

“They had air raid shelters everywhere, many of which are not in the best condition, sandbags covering many buildings, military checkpoints between towns, billboards regarding the war, and many other signs of the situation in Ukraine were apparent.

“I think seeing the yellow dots on the sidewalk that lead from the kindergarten to the air raid shelter was probably what hit me the

most. I just couldn’t even imagine how horrifying it must be for them whenever the air raid sirens go off, the most recent only being about 3 days ago,” he said.

This support is not just a one-off for Mr Parker, who is ambitious in his career and doing his bit to help those in need.

“We already have more trips lined up and we are getting prepared to send more humanitarian aid into Ukraine.

“I am very much glad for being able to have had the opportunity to deliver aid in

Ukraine and I will be back there on one of the upcoming aid trips,” he said.

Mr Parker said the work of the Red Cross does rely on volunteers and those willing to help them deliver humanitarian aid, including donations to afford to fund aid trips to countries like Ukraine.

To share your interest as a volunteer or to donate to the cause, go to redcross.vs.land/ get-involved/

You can also follow their journey on Facebook for project updates and to get in touch.

Daniel Jackson with Red Cross representatives providing new school equipment in Ukraine.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

One of the classrooms visited in Ukraine by the Red Cross on their humanitarian trip.

The crew from FFMVic’s Port Phillip region from left to right, Hannah Ransome, Russell Clarke, David De Podolinsky and Shannon Walsh on their last day based at Kimiwan fire complex in northern Alberta. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The 20-person Arduous Firefighter Taskforce from across the state on their last day of their deployment in Canada.

Firefighters awarded

By Tyler Wright

Dandenong Ranges firefighters have been awarded national service medals for their work during the 2019/2020 bushfires that devastated the east coast of the country.

Lyndy Jewell, former Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade member and Belgrave Fire Brigade second lieutenant Terry Boyd were acknowledged by CFA acting CEO Jason Heffernan and CFA board member Peter Shaw AFSM alongside district leaders in a ceremony at Mater Christi College on Wednesday 12 July.

The National Emergency Medal is part of the country’s Honours and Awards system and recognised significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency.

Ms Jewell was deployed to Grafton in New South Wales for a week in November 2019, followed by another week’s deployment in East Gippsland from 26 December 2019 to 2 January 2020.

While working as a firefighter in Grafton, Ms Jewell worked on the communications team for people on the ground in East Gippsland.

“It’s stressful to have blanks in the communication and not know where the weather’s at,” Ms Grafton said.

“The good thing about the East Gippsland [deployment] was that they knew the fires were goingtocomeoutandtheyroughlyknewwhen, so we had lots of time to prepare, which was not something you often get with firefighting.

“It was good to be able to have that little bit of time up our sleeves, which is an absolute such a gift when you know that the sh*t’s going to hit the fan and hit it hard.”

Ms Grafton said she was also deployed to Rochester; “chasing fires through paddocks and cutting through fences”.

“Definitely different to the firefighting that we were used to,” she said.

“We trained for it, but it’s not something that we do day to day, so that was a real eye opener.”

She said people were “definitely on edge” during the fires, and were trying to get information which was not always available.

“There was a lot of patience required with people, but also a lot of empathy because they’re doing what they can with the information they’ve got and often it’s not enough, so it’s just how it is,” she said.

“Watching everyone come home exhausted and filthy...it breaks your heart a bit to watch everybody doing that and seeing the community struggle.”

Ms Jewell said the aftermath of events like the Black Summer fires which burned more than 5.5 million hectares according to the Australian Institute Disaster Resilience, is often overlooked.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a firefighter or someone impacted by it, but suddenly your energy just drops out of your boots,” she said.

“It’s a long recovery process for communities, for individuals, for firefighters, for everybody.

“Energetically and emotionally impacted everybody. [Fires] often impact everyone more than you can prepare for.”

Mr Boyd was also deployed to Grafton in

November 2019, and said crews knew in the second half of 2019 the fire season was going to be “pretty ugly” because of the way the fire seaon started.

“Eastern Australia, Queensland, seems to go first., and we know from history the rough timing of these things, what time of year we expect Queensland to start burning, and if it’s going to burn,” Mr Boyd said.

“They’re followed by New South Wales and it works its way down the east coast...when New South Wales has fires in July, I think everybody knew they were in trouble.”

Mr Boyd said the fire area in Grafton covered an “immense” area, including semi-rural environments and residential rural areas.

“There was a lot of asset protection and lots of cleaning up work and also trying to stop things, getting into unburned fuel and then getting rid of unburned fuel,” he said.

No sooner had crews returned home, Mr Boyd said, when they were sent to East Gippsland in their own state, with fires burning in Mallacoota.

“People with their their holidays being upset and the people who lived in the town being upset and spending nights and days on the beach.

“It gives you a wake up...we all know the Dandenong Ranges likes to burn from time to time.

“It’s living in Australia, isn’t it? Sometimes your territory burns.You have to be prepared.”

The 2019/2020 bushfires were not Mr Boyd’s first major bushfire event, with the volunteer firefighter being apart of the CFA for 20 years.

He was awarded his first National Service Medal for his work during the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

“The learning is always going on. We learn from every fire we go to and every deployment we go to,” he said.

“We learn from the people who are coming in from interstate to help. We learn from the people whose states we’re visiting. We learn from the other crews. We learn from the brigade next door to us.”

Both Mr Boyd and Ms Jewell said they do not do what they do for awards, but said they were honoured to be acknowledged for their work.

“I was quite chuffed to get it, but you never feel like you’ve done enough. We just did what needed to be done,” Ms Jewell said.

“We certainly didn’t do it as much as a lot of other people did, so you feel very humbled by it.”

Mr Boyd said it is “nice” to be recognised.

“The number of people that are involved and just the sheer effort that goes in; you look around the way people are working and there’s a lot of people who did a lot harder stuff than I was doing this time around,” he said.

“We’re all a little humbled sometimes because we tend to think‘well, this is what we do, why are we not going to turn out?’ and to get a medal or a clasp on your medal...it’s always good.

“The ceremony was wonderful, we had the chief and member of the board... the district manager was there. They spoke kindly, and their congratulations were warmly received by all.”

CFA board member Peter Shaw AFSM presented the medals and said they were an important recognition of the valiant efforts of CFA members.

“The National Emergency Medal is a formal

recognition that Australia appreciates the efforts and contributions of CFA members during the 2019-2020 bushfire crisis,” Shaw AFSM said.

“It is a great honour to receive this medal and I hope it goes a small way to thanking our members for their service.”

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the 2019/2020 fires “devastated” East Gippsland and the North East of Victoria.

“But from that crisis arose the most remarkable human spirit of generosity and ‘lending a hand,’” Mr Heffernan said.

“Our medal recipients have exemplified that spirit, and I am incredibly proud of each and every one of them.

“Whether they joined a firefighting strike team, worked in an Incident Control Centre or provided other assistance to affected communities – every contribution was valuable made a real difference.”

Mr Boyd said he can not see “any way forward” with fire prevention unless there are people stepping up and putting their hand up to serve.

“That goes from the juniors from 11 to 12 years old and learning about firefighting and about fire and then coming into seniors at 17 and actually getting their qualifications and getting onto the fire ground,” he said.

“There wouldn’t be any people receiving medals and there’d be a lot more people without houses and without livestock and possibly without their own lives if we don’t have more people stepping up to the plate.”

Three other CFA firefighters from the Dandenong Ranges group were also awarded with national service medals.

Belgrave Fire Brigade first lieutenant Don Prout, Belgrave Fire Brigade second lieutenant Terry Boyd, Upwey Fire Brigade fourth lieutenant Jackie Pancutt, now-retired fifth lieutenant from Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade Lyndy Jewell and Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade captain Jeff Harbourd. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The Dandenong Ranges team in New South Wales in November 2019.

Mr Prout and Mr Harbourd in New South Wales in November 2019.

Foodbank filling the need

By Tyler Wright

The Philanthropic Collective has teamed up with Foodbank Victoria to provide free fresh fruit and vegetables for Hills locals in need.

On Wednesday 12 July, the Olinda Hall was home to a fresh food market, with beans, potatoes, capsicums as well as apples and pears on offer for people to pick themselves for a healthy boost to their meals.

Philanthropic Collective founder Andrew Fillip-Gaultier said the collaboration allowed the community to collect food in a clean, dignified and self-serve manner.

“It’s a self service model as opposed to a more prescriptive model where we’re loading things for people so that they’re able to actually grab what they need for themselves,” Mr Fillip-Gaultier said.

“What’s important is that it actually highlights the need for a food distribution point on the mountain…we don’t actually have anything that’s purpose built. We’re working out of the hall, which is fantastic, but it’s also a shared community space.

“For us, it means that we have to constantly bump in and out many times per week.”

Mr Fillip-Gaultier said the sheer numbers of people utlising the volunteer-driven organisation’s free food program, which provides fresh food to school students, families and community members, has “escalated enormously”.

“It demonstrates more than ever the need to have a place where we can just distribute more food to more people more rapidly,” he said.

“There’s been up to 100 people come through [today], a lot of people can’t come because they’re working, so we’ve made arrangements where a lot of our volunteers have then gone out and prepared boxes and have home delivered them.

“There’s also another crew that will come in after four o’clock when they’ve picked up their children from work, so in total from today, there’s been a reach of close to 250 people.”

Foodbank Victoria’s chief commercial officer, Katie Fisher, said the organisation’s team

had been around Olinda, engaged with Mr Fillip-Gaultier and saw the demand for food relief in the relief.

“Our teams came together and thought ‘we’ve got the fresh produce and Andrew’s got the people, let’s figure out how we can connect them,’” Ms Fisher said.

“Today’s mini market was a beautiful example of that, providing healthy meals and healthy food in a really beautiful, dignified way.”

“A gentleman came up and said to me how amazing it was to have so many onions so that he could create Indian curries, because that was the basis of everything that he was cooking, so it’s really delightful to see that the produce is something that will go into these homes and end up people’s tables tonight.”

Demand for Foodbank Victoria’s services

has “gone through the roof” in the past 12 months, Ms Fisher said, with dual income families coming to access services for the first time.

“That’s around all these multiple interest rate rises are pushing through into people’s pockets now and food becomes a discretionary item,” she said.

“When you have to pay your rent, you have to pay your electricity, the food is the piece that you can compromise on, and we feel so strongly that it shouldn’t be something that you have or you don’t have, that food is just a basic right.

“We work really hard to make sure that everyone has the access, despite whatever barriers they may have.”

Ms Fisher said it was a “privilege” to visit the market at Olinda, with people welcomed

by name at the door to the local hall.

“To be able to see all the work that goes on in big distribution warehouses with trucks... to see it actually practically rolling out and happening with community on the ground and particularly on such a beautiful sunny day in such a beautiful part of the country, it’s a real privilege,” she said.

Mr Fillip-Gaultier said one of the core values of the Philanthropic Collective is to “do things with love”.

“Everything is free, no one is paid, no one is turned away,” he said.

“It is the community connecting with community and looking out for each other, and that’s the beautiful thing; sometimes it’s got less to do with actual food than social connection and connection to each other.”

‘Fruitful’ community project launched at Olinda school

By Tyler Wright

Olinda Primary School students will soon be able to utilise fresh fruit and vegetables grown out of new garden beds created out of hardwood salvaged from the June 2021 storm event.

Treasuring Our Trees’ David Ferrier has built five garden beds at the school for children to be able to grow and take home themselves, as part of a project shared with Mount Dandenong Preschool staff and students which was officially opened on Tuesday 11 July.

Mount Dandenong Preschool students - who are now based at the Olinda Primary School site after their site on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road was damaged during the June 2021 storm event - are also able to enjoy a fairy house, makeshift fishing haunt and a yarning circle.

“It’s just so healing, the fact that this is here now, it felt really special,” Mount Dandenong Preschool educator Victoria Clarke said.

“We sit in the yarning circle and it’s so special… the children love it.”

Mr Ferrier said for residents were impacted after seeing truckloads of fallen trees driven off the mountain after the storm event.

“It was breaking everyone’s heart,” Mr Ferrier said.

“I jumped into volunteer work straight after the storm... we’ve got 25 partnerships at the moment... we’re delivering Emerald [Primary School] in about a week, and then Sassafras [Primary School] and Mount Dandenong [Primary School] after that.”

Olinda Primary School students are preparing to grow fruit varieties, including the possibility of grown passionfruit, peas, and tomatoes out of the new garden beds made

out of messmate.

Principal Cornelia Sheeran said students are currently focusing on the ocean, with the curriculum then tying into reducing plastics even further.

“This was always a dream to get these built, because we had planter boxes on the asphalt...but they kept on drying out and they were rotting,” she said.

“When we get our chooks at the end of the year, and we get the other garden beds in here, we’ll be able to provide all the vegetables for the families that come to Olinda.”

Mr Ferrier said there are no chemicals in the garden as children and families will be eating the produce out of them.

“The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden [Foundation], which is part of our program, is now supporting the school,” he said.

“We’ve chosen particularly tough materials and hopefully this is the start of a fruitful relationship.”

In May the state government announced it would provide $200,000 to Treasuring Our Trees in the 2023/2024 budget to ensure the organisation is well-equipped to continue to help local families and members of the community, in what was originally a 2022 state election promise.

“At Olinda Primary School,Treasuring Our Trees has given fallen trees a second life by creating a whimsical play space and educa-

tional resource for students and families,” Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said.

Redgum logs donated through the Level Crossing Removal Project’s Cranbourne line upgrade were also used to build the yarning circle.

Mr Ferrier said it feels “incredible” to see the creations come to life and finally be used, with the children using the ‘secret garden’ as a fun and restorative place.

“We want the greater community to see the impact this work is making and how important it is to educate the kids and everyone else about recycling, to stop throwing these materials through wood chippers and support us and let us build 100 school projects.”

From left to right, Olinda Primary School principal Cornelia Sheeran, Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino, Treasuring Our Trees founder David Ferrier and Mount Dandenong Preschool educator Victoria Clarke at the site’s new fairy house.

Pictures: TYLER WRIGHT

Mr Ferrier (centre) and Mrs Sheeran (far right) with grade one student Davyd (second from left), grade four student Charli (second from right) and school council president Debra Park huddled around one of the new garden beds made out of salvaged hardwood from the June 2021 storm event.

Philanthropic Collective founder Andrew Fillip-Gaultier (right) with Foodbank Victoria’s chief commercial officer Katie Fisher (leftt) at the free fresh food market at the Olinda Hall on Wednesday 12 July.

Pictures: TYLER WRIGHT

Mr Fillip-Gaultier, Ms Fisher and Philanthropic Collective volunteers with the boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables that were available for the community as part of the mini-market.

Arts a work in progress

By Tyler Wright

The Alma Treloar Reserve amphitheatre upgrade project is well underway in Cockatoo, with Cardinia Shire Council hoping to deliver a “fantastic new, accessible” performing arts space for the community.

The council’s manager of active and connected communities, Kristen Jackson, told the Star Mail said works on the upgrade will include rebuilding the existing amphitheatre and stage, installing a new shade sail, a picnic and BBQ area, seats, tables and landscaping.

“These upgrades will increase the amenity and appeal of the reserve to visitors, significantly reduce the ongoing maintenance requirements and will offer a more comfortable experience for the audience, improving accessibility for older residents and people with limited mobility,” Ms Jackson said.

Ms Jackson said Exco Construct has been contracted to deliver the project, which is part of the “ongoing implementation” of the Alma Treloar Reserve Masterplan.

“The cost of the upgrade is about $573,000 and is being funded by Cardinia Shire Council, the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs fund and the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Fund,” she said.

“These works are currently underway at Alma Treloar Reserve, located at 73 Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Cockatoo.”

Connecting Cockatoo Communities chairperson, Tate McFarlane, said the Alma Treloar Reserve masterplan, including the construction of a new amphitheatre, will be a “great contribution” to promoting community as well as outdoor activities in the space.

“It’ll be utilised by the township for Australia Day as well as the annual Easter egg hunt. It will also be utilised by the Cockatoo Country Market for their Twilight series and for the Christmas get together,” Mr McFarlane said.

“That area has certainly grown in popularity as far as utilisation with the introduction of barbecues down there and the playground.

“Four or five years ago it was identified and we discussed with the council the fact that the amphitheatre did need to be upgraded, so we’re grateful for the council to actually be putting the funds forward and getting that facility upgraded.”

The construction of a new off-leash dog park, a pump track and the demolition and reconstruction of the reserve’s southern tennis courts are also part of the council’s masterplan.

“There is going to be public toilets now available in that area for young families and for people utilising the dog park, which is also good,” Mr McFarlane said.

“It will be nice if council could hurry up and finish off reconditioning refurbishment works to the Allan Bailey Hall because at the moment the scout group is unable to operate out of there…that’s been out of action since the start of the year.”

Cardinia Shire Council’s manager of buildings and facilities, Jarrad Unsworth, said the Allan Bailey Hall is currently closed due to “health and safety concerns”.

“A tender recently went out and a successful contractor has been chosen,” Mr Unsworth said.

“They are scheduled to meet onsite with council next week and works will be scheduled.”

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Construction of a new amphitheatre at the Alma Treloar Reserve in Cockatoo is set to be completed at the end of September. 347143 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Demolition and reconstruction of the existing facilities at the reserve’s southern tennis courts are also underway as part of the Alma Treloar Reserve Masterplan. 347143

Have an Upwey say

By Tanya Faulkner

Upwey community members are being encouraged to have their say for a proposed project by a local ‘action’ group.

The Upwey Community Group (UCG) is looking at replacing the three ageing murals on the side of the Pearl Garden restaurant in the Village Green and putting some art works on the six shade sail poles.

The idea came about following several community meetings over the past few years to discuss ways to improve the community, of which the murals were a recurring topic.

Leader of the Upwey Community Group’s arts working group Linda Fullager said the general consensus from their community feedback is the desire for more high-quality art in the community.

“The idea is to brighten up the whole area, and to match the other mural on the bank side of the space,” she said.

She said the group’s idea is for the artwork to celebrate our diverse backgrounds and cultures.

“We want to showcase a balance of indigenous, multicultural pieces to showcase the inclusivity of the community,” she said.

The UCG will be applying for one of the Yarra Ranges Council Grants for Community to cover the costs of the Moving Forward Together art project.

They’ve also taken to Facebook to extend inclusion in the project to the wider community, sharing a number of posts and polls for the community to have their say on the matter.

Overall the feedback appears positive, with some comments saying its a “fabulous idea” but also share their desire to continue showcasing the original pieces, which are said to have been made by Upwey Primary School.

One proposed idea for the previous works as shared by UCG on their Facebook was to photograph them and have them digitally enhanced to be displayed elsewhere.

The group is currently seeking community feedback to ensure they carry out this project to suit the desires of Upwey, and have shared a poll on Facebook for members to have their say.

Ms Fullagar said the group’s idea is to refresh the artwork that currently exists in the Village Green, by engaging local artists to come in and create murals for the space, inclusive of the poles holding up the sun sails.

Upon completion, she said they would like to then interview the artists who created the pieces to be shared onYoutube, and to include

Bringing a new sparkle

By Tanya Faulkner

Members of the Ferntree Gully Community are united on a proposal to lighten up the community.

A recent Facebook post shares a proposal for the community to provide their opinion on the idea of lighting up the main street outside of the Village Court. Ferntree Gully Traders Association president Jeni McLean said local traders are in agreement that the town needs some help in improving the overall vibe and security for its residents.

“We have been concerned about security for some of our traders who are open later in the evening when it’s getting dark, and thought it would be good to light up the street in a more soft, userfriendly way,” she said.

QR codes leading viewers to the interviews, and be able to hear the stories about the pieces directly from the artists.

The Upwey Community Group are inviting locals to a community afternoon tea to discuss what residents are interested in getting involved in, as they set up working groups, and want to know the overall idea of what do people want to achieve together.

Residents can drop in on Sunday 16 July from 2pm - 4pm to share their ideas, and have a cuppa and some afternoon tea, at the Blue Hills Community Centre.

Those who also want to share their thoughts on the mural project can go to Upwey Community Group on Facebook or forms.gle/CswPAjZ4FPS8oLsS6

Welcoming a new year of Rotary service

By Tanya Faulkner

Local service clubs have come together over the past few weeks to welcome in a new service year.

The Rotary Club of Boronia are one of several across the Knox municipality who have come together to farewell the past Rotary year, and welcome in a fresh set of service men and women to lead their club into the new year.

The club recently had their changeover night at the Churchill Waverley Golf Club, Rowville, where the outgoing President John Poke handed over the Presidential Collar and Club Charter to incoming President Greg Mossop.

Their changeover was described as ‘a great night’, with Rotarians and guests having a chance to socialise and reflect on the past Rotary year.

According to club member Glenn Tippett, his highlight of the night was the presentation of the inaugural Walter Goodwin Award to the Club member who had exhibited “Service Above Self over the past year, which was awarded to fellow Rotarian, Mr Doug Gibson.

During the Past President’s presentation, Mr Poke thanked the Club members for their support over the past 12 months and fondly spoke about the Club achievements over the past Rotary year, One of the club’s most significant highlights of the year were for those club members who attended theWorld Rotary Convention held in Melbourne in March.

The Night was also attended by outgoing District Governor, Ken Miller and Knox Councillor Susan Laukens, who both took turns in addressing the club and congratulating them on the year just gone.

In what was a busy year for the Club the Club under president John undertook several community projects, including establishing a garden at Knox Community Gardens to grow vegetables that will be used by the Infolink Breakfast Club.

Club members had been undertaking weekly service at the Knox Infolink Breakfast Club, including cooking meals, kitchen duties, hosts and socialising with the Knox community that attended each breakfast.

Club member Mark Smith, a talented local musician, created ‘Knox Rocks” – a music

program for teenagers where students worked with Mark and other musicians to create, record and perform their own compositions.

The 6-week program finished with a performance for the Students families and Club members at the Knox Club.

For the past 25 years, in cooperation with Rotary Club of Healesville, the Boronia club has planned and run their annual Ride for Medical Research to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health.

This year the Ride by over 30 Rotarians and friends, in March, based itself at Bendigo and, over a week, cycled over 600 kms and raised over $40,000.

The ride route is created and managed by Club member Stephen Spiers.

ANZAC was a commemorative event for the club, who arranged a service for grade 5/6 students from Primary schools in the Boronia area at the Arboretum Cenataph, marking the 8th year the Club has organised the event.

The guest speaker Sgt Shaun Forde, ret, presented about his years in the Army as a dog trainer and handler and the role of dogs in war,

with music provided by the concert band from the Knox School and choir from St Joseph’s Primary school.

Over 450 students and staff attended this event as well as Mayor Marcia TimmersLeitch, Jackson Taylor MP and District, Governor Ken Miller and Boronia RSL president Rod Canobie, and the Club is already planning for another Service in 2024.

In cooperation with their Sister Club in Fiji, Taveuni, the club again managed the treatment of Eye diseases for over 200 people in the Island in May, being the 15th year the Club has supported this project and saved the sight of over 1000 Fijians.

This year the Club also sponsored 2 students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award weekend seminar developing leadership skills for youths in the community.

For the coming service year of 2023/24 the club has set themselves some ambitious goals, including an increased social media presence to raise awareness of the club, creating three or more fundraising projects and implementing dynamic programs to support the youth of the Knox municipality, among others.

The idea came after seeing trees lit up with fairy lights in Queensland towns, and thought it would be a great idea for locals to feel safer and enjoy what Ferntree Gully has to offer. Ms McLean said these lights looked awesome, and was something that would improve the overall Ferntree Gully township.

“We’ve had a very positive response from the community, and think it would bring a much more positive, homely sort of atmosphere in town.

“Everyone in the community knows each other, saying hello to each other up and down the street, and we just want to improve the vibe and improve the environment for our local traders,” she said.

After being a member of the Ferntree Gully Traders Association for almost five years, she knows the potential that her home town provides visitors and locals alike.

“Ferntree Gully has a lot to offer, and we want to help our local traders showcase the good things we have, and provide new experiences within the community,” she said.

Ferntree Gully CFA’s Graham Crichton, a passionate, long-term member of the community, thinks the lights would be of great value.

“We need something to give the town a facelift,” he said.

Several Ferntree Gully locals took to social media to share their thoughts on the proposal, which generally brought a positive response.

Some comments included that locals “think that it would definitely enhance a safe feeling within people”, “fairy lights add atmosphere”, or say that “this would be a great way to make the village a more inviting place to be”, and bring a “much needed positive vibe to our community”.

Another local said “it’s a shame that our village has missed out when many other Knox shopping strips like Mountain Gate got some string lights installed. They are really eye-catching at night, so anything to help attract people to our FTG village” and “Lighting to beautify the village at night would certainly beautify the area and be more inviting to customers”.

The Ferntree Gully Traders Association are planning to apply for a grant to install solar lights to the main trees down Station Street and Forest Street, as well as markets and other community-building initiatives.

For more information, contact the Ferntree Gully Traders Association.

The outgoing board of the Rotary Club of Boronia.

Pictures: GLENN TIPPETT

Ferntree Gully Traders Association president Jeni McLean is advocating for new lights in town. 346964

Longterm UCG member Linda Fullagar with Deb and Neil Williams in front of the proposed mural refresh site in Village Green.

Picture: TANYA FAULKNER

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Accountancy firm Alexander Neil and Associates offers a broad range of accounting services including, but not limited to, taxation and GST, business advice and bookkeeping. Over its duration, the business has built up a reputation for being trustworthy and reliable, within the community, both immediate and surrounding.

Alexander Neil and Associates has established a broad network of professionals including financial planners, lenders and professional brokers to augment the services they can offer to clients.

Employing sound business practices and integrity in their approach, the team has also maintained a good rapport with their peers in the surrounding district. All partners and employees endeavour to keep their practice knowledge current by attending ongoing conferences and professional developments. It is important to the whole team to provide clients with the best service and advice possible.

With seven professional accountants, two book keepers and three admin and support staff, Alexander Neil and Associates is able to offer sound, experienced advice and personalised customer service.

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A beauty in volunteering

By Tanya Faulkner

A local community house is taking ‘giving back to the community’ to another level, bringing an element of beauty.

As part of their ‘streetscape’ project, Coonara Community House are making upgrades to their grounds for members and visitors to explore.

The ‘streetscapes’ are part of Knox City Council’s Green Streets Policy, which encourages enhanced biodiversity and habitat for local fauna and fauna, while improving the look of local streets.

The House is being funded to upgrade our Yarning Circle to include Indigenous plants for our Bush Tucker garden, which has been specially designed to, not only look beautiful from the street, but also provide a practical immersive experience.

Coonara Community House manager Sandra Romero said this is one of several upgrades coming, thanks to several generous businesses and community groups around Knox.

“Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place are preparing Art Murals to be displayed externally throughout the Community House, and Bunnings Scoresby are planting edible plants to enhance our community garden and

to be used in the community kitchen later this month.

“We will also promote indigenous cuisine with a cooking demonstration facilitated by Mullum Food Creations,” she said.

Last week brought a collaboration with Yellowstone Landscaping, with members of the landscaping team coming to the house to help create a new indigenous plant journey in the front corner of the garden at Coonara.

Yellowstone Landscaping director Doug Lord, who is not often seen on the tools these days, had a shovel in hand alongside his team during their working bee held on 7 July.

He said the collaboration is possible through the company’s Community Connections Program.

“Every month we are doing something to give back to the community.

“We will be establishing a long-term commitment to Coonara house, we appreciate the work that Sandra and her team do, it’s really touched our hearts,” he said.

Landscape architect Natalie Back, who designed the garden to be developed at the front of Coonara house, said there will be a lot of sensory features to explore.

“All of the plants going into the garden are indigenous bush and plants, mostly from East Melbourne.

“There’s a practicality element to the garden too; we have paths so that it’s accessible, the food from the plants can be picked and used, and we have lemon myrtle for the beautiful smells around the garden,” she said.

This streetscape interpretation will be on public display encouraging our community to have discussions around our First Nations people.

Ms Romero said Knox has a large indigenous community, who don’t always have a safe place to be able to go, and said Coonara is designed to be their safe place.

She said the yarning circle is a place for indigenous peoples of the Hills to come together and chat (or ’yarn’) and be able to connect with each other, and the wider community for opportunities.

“We are very welcoming, respectful and understanding of indigenous needs, and we provide a safe place for them to come together and chat, connect and develop with various programs held here,” she said.

Coonara helps to connect indigenous peoples of the Knox community with growth and development opportunities, as well as connecting them with employers for jobs, and giving them a space to feel safe.

They also provide volunteer opportunities

for locals who may not be sure what they want to do and want to explore other opportunities, or who just want to give back to their community.

Employee Mandy Limb has been with Coonara Community House for almost 12 years, after walking in the doors one day and giving teaching volunteering a try.

She went on to complete her Cert III in childhood education, which she did at the House for eight years, before moving into administration and making her place with Coonara more permanent.

Ms Romero said being a volunteer comes with its ups and downs.

“Lots of people want to help, which is fantastic for us being on the receiving end, and it helps to inspire intergenerational and cultural collaboration, and conversation.

“Volunteering can be hard work and very challenging, but when you see success it’s really rewarding,” she said.

Those who are wanting to connect with Coonara Community House are welcome to come to their site at 22Willow Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully anytime, though Ms Romero said Wednesday is the best day when they have food on for the community.

Celebrant says that what glitters is gold in marriage

By Tanya Faulkner

There’s no better feeling than celebrating love and commitment between a couple, friends and family.

For 50 years, there are several members of the Knox municipality, and across the country, who have had the privilege of bringing couples and families together in holy matrimony.

2023 marks 50 years of celebrations by civil marriage celebrants in Victoria, and according to ABS statistics, have helped to solemnise over 80 percent of marriages in Australia.

Local civil marriage celebrant Karen Cottrell shared her story with Star Mail reporter Tanya Faulkner, which tells a story of some beautiful ceremonies that have taken place in the Upwey and surrounding communities.

Ms Cottrell was appointed in September of 2007, and has been a civil marriage celebrant in Upwey for 16 years, along with being a longterm Upwey resident of 51 years.

Her induction saw the introduction of an annual registration charge and compulsory professional development activities, as stipulated by the Attorney General’s Department in Australia.

As part of her 16 years as a celebrant, she has travelled to ceremonies at various local and regional locations from private homes, reception centres, wineries and stunning gardens.

Ms Cottrell said her inspiration comes from recognising the significance of a marriage ceremony and being entrusted to deliver the same, which she said is ‘such a privilege’.

Her career highlight includes a particular themed wedding that she said is a ‘particular standout’.

“The bridal party, guests and I all dressed for the occasion in steampunk attire.

“The attention to costume detail was a visual extravaganza as in a Baz Luhrmann movie,” she said.

Apart from the required legal components, each ceremony is uniquely tailored to the wishes of the couple.

Ms Cottrell said it’s a great opportunity to effectively listen, write and present a ceremony which will be remembered for the right reasons for those she brings together.

When asked what marriage meant to her, Karen said it’s a public declaration by both parties that they readily commit to be part of a union which will continue to evolve.

“Many couples have been in previous relationships, have cohabited for some time and choose to marry their partner because that person is “the one”.

She said before she writes a ceremony, each partner is given an in-depth questionnaire as to why they want to marry.

“The constant in replies is that this person is the one they love, trust, respect and want to share life’s journey with, whatever it brings,” she said.

For Ms Cottrell, the 50 year anniversary

of Civil Celebrants in Victoria is a milestone recognition of those who came before us and enabled this movement to advance to its present status within the community.

She said Lyn Knorr, the first Victorian civil celebrant appointment, Dally Messenger 111 and Sally Cant, who trained her in her role as a celebrant, are some names who have done so much for ceremony in Victoria.

“There are many others who continue to elevate the role of the celebrant and rightfully challenge the regulator for beneficial change.

“The decision for me to train and be appointed as a Marriage Celebrant has brought so many rewards and happy memories, something for which I will always have immense gratitude,” she said.

The committees of the Association of Civil Marriage Celebrants Victoria, Celebrants Australia, and the International College of Celebrancy, Alumni and Friends invite all celebrants, partners, friends, members, nonmembers, retired, practising, beginning and aspiring celebrants to join them on Sunday July 23rd at the Sandown Park Hotel Function Room in Noble Park.

For those who wish to attend this all-inclusive celebration contact acmcv@bigpond. com

Landscape architect Natalie Back, Yellowstone Landscaping director Doug Lord, Mandy Limb, landscaper Andrew Baker, Coonara Community House manager Sandra Romero and landscaper Tas Bellurst in front of the new garden site.

Yellowstone Landscapers get underway with the new sensory garden at Coonara Community House. Pictures: TANYA FAULKNER

History in the making

By Rod Gilbert

A member and volunteer of the Knox Historical Society (KHS) was intrigued by the history of Ambleside Park with one member stating there was nothing on the land where the house stands today and another saying that the owner had fenced the land, built a five room slab and weatherboard home, a stable, a cowhouse and a piggery, sunk two dams, had 11 acres under cultivation, planted 339 fruit trees, rung 30 acres of timber and cleared 20 acres of scrub. It turns out that both members were correct but were just speaking about different allotments.

On the 1st May 1877 Edmund Wicks, described as a “gardener,” living in Moonee Ponds, was licensed to occupy a selection of approximately 259 acres in “North Scoresby via Ringwood.” The licence was unusual in that the area covered was in two separate parcels — about 210 acres in what is now Ferntree Gully, and about 50 acres in The Basin.

Edward Wicks declared: “the dwelling was five rooms, permanently attached to the soil, he had resided on the land continuously, he

had no other place of abode, his family resides on the land and he had no other business or employment and he did not own any other land in fee simple or from the crown”. The 1869 Land Act enabled the selector to peg out no more than 320 acres, then request to have the land surveyed and apply for a licence of occupation of the land for three years. After surveying, the land was given an allotment number. During the three years, a rental of two shillings per acre per annum was payable. The selector was required to cultivate ten per cent of the land, completely fence it, and prove residence for 2 years.

The lease was approved by the Board of Land andWorks to EdmundWicks of Scoresby, Gardener, on May 1, 1880 for seven years at £2 per annum per acre for allotment 75 parish of Scoresby comprising 49 acres, 4p also for allotment 53k, Parish of Scoresby, comprising 210 acres 1r and 16p Lease number 365 Fol. 72941.

Six months later, on November 29, Edmund Wicks died leaving his wife Janet to administer the estate.

This was Rod Gilberts’ inspiration, to know more, to clear the confusion and set the records straight, so with laptop and glasses in hand he delved into the archives of KHS only to discover the footsteps of Howard McComb had already passed this way and recorded the lease deeds after spending many long hours at the Lands and Title Office in 1970. McCombs’ exact text is printed brown and became the basis of the book for the acquisitions of the land.

With a sound knowledge of colonial architecture and together with the room-by-room typed notes from the 1951 Vacant Possession Auction; the Rate Books for Berwick and Scoresby Ridings, letters from the National Trustees (and the door hinges in the house),

the story of Swedish immigrant brother, Ephraim Hansen, who arrived in the 1860s and finally settled in Ferntree Gully, made his mark on the landscape and constructed a Hawthorn brick Victorian villa in 1889. Built with monies from his father in-law’s estate, Ambleside not only had a viewing platform on the roof and lacework on three sides, the homestead featured a front room and three bedrooms for the family, a Parlour and Dining room each with their own exterior entry for guests, a ‘middleroom’ with an unusually elaborate back door that once led to the Kitchen and washhouse at the rear. The original two-room stone cottage that predates the house hides out the back and a careful examination reveals the wooden shingle tiles under the corrugated iron roof. Ambleside has had only two owners before being bequeathed to the City of Knox to become the headquarters of Knox Historical Society. Open most Thursdays and Fridays at 10am and Sundays from 1pm, a self-guided tour of this magnificent and unique historical museum on a two-acre site creates a clearer image of life at the turn of the 20th century and now with the corrected history to match.

A story of hardship and hope .. and the power of words

By Christine Yunn-Yu Sun

A review of The Bookbinder of Jericho by Pip Williams

Writing the second book is hard, especially when your first book is an international bestseller. The expectation for another triumph, from your supporters and particularly from yourself, can be crushing. But Pip Williams did it, convincingly and with so much grace and compassion. The Bookbinder of Jericho is the companion novel to Williams’ debut The Dictionary of Lost Words, praised as an

“imaginative, delightful, charming and clever book” by Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Mad Man (1998)..

Set between 1914 and 1918, The Bookbinder of Jericho tells the story of Peggy and Maude, twin sisters who work in the bindery at Oxford University Press. Peggy is intelligent and ambitious, dreaming of making a difference with her own words, yet she often feels duty-bound to watch over her vulnerable sister.

The story picks up the threads of The Dictionary of Lost Words with Peggy playing an

important role in the production of Women’s Words, composed by Esme Nicoll and lovingly printed by her sweetheart Gareth Owens. Also reappearing is Esme’s friend Tilda, the talented actress and fierce supporter of the women’s suffragette movement.

However, the dominant and omnipresent character in the story is the war. It sendsTilda to the frontline, and turns the world upside down. It brings Lotte and Bastiaan to Jericho, two refugees from Germany’s invasion of Belgium in 1914. It sends fathers, sons and husbands to the bloody battles and leaves wom-

LATC production one for the diary

Lilydale Athenaum Theatre’s choice of play for June/July season was Joanna Murray-Smith’s Switzerland.

Quoting from the director’s notes Helen Ellis’s original intention was to to direct Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley. Unfortunately the worldwide rights were not available so the LATC’S President, Alan Burrows suggested Joanna Murray-Smith’s Switzerland.

A fictional story about Patricia Highsmith living as a recluse in Switzerland when a representative from her publisher arrives with a request that she writes one more Tom Ripley story. She initially refuses and this is the context of the play.

LATC did a wonderful job with sets, an apartment overlooking the Swiss Alps, a lounge come workroom decorated with items from her stores, guns, swords and knives. Patricia is a mystery writer. To the rear of the stage was a wall consisting of upright poles with a view of the stairs leading to the bedrooms. Above the rear wall was fantastic view of the Alps.

Off centre stage was Patricia’s writing desk, audience

right was a reclining chair and the walls were decorated as afore mentioned.

Playing Patricia Highsmint was Angela Glennie and as Edward was Travis Handcock. Angela gave a stirling performance as Patricia Highsmith with the extremes of acting form a really nasty person who has no time for a young man from America to an understanding of is problems Tavis Handcock caught the character of Edward with professionalism giving an outstanding performance. The pair had a great rapport which enhanced the production. It shows that one need not go to Melbourne when one has show like this in the outer suburbs. Amateur theatre is coming into its own and the standard overall is really professional. Also reasonably priced seats, no parking problems, close to home and some theatres have an arrangement with local restaraunts where if you produce your theatre ticket you receive a discount. Lilydale Athenaeum /theatre put on a great production and your correspndent recommends that this should be in your diary.

en behind to live in grief, fear and despair.

At times, various details of the war are almost too bleak to bear. Further contributing to the misery is the influenza pandemic, which kills mercilessly and relentlessly. The vivid first-person narrative provided by Peggy draws readers deep into that morbid world. Thankfully, her capacity to see the possibility of a different future gives us hope.

Throughout the story, Williams subtly explores the myriad ways in which words can impact on individuals, communities and even nations.

The History of Ambleside book.

Picture: KNOX HISTORICAL SOCIETY

PUZZLES

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD

1 Condiment (7)

5 Advise (7)

9 Exactly the same (9)

10 Citizens of Switzerland (5)

11 Obtain by threats (6)

DECODER WORDFIT

9-LETTER WORD

15 words: Good

23 words: Very good

31 words: Excellent

U E

I N G B N

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”. D N

binned, budge, bunged, debug, deign, dine, dune, ending, enduing, ennui, gibe, gibed, ginned, guide, gunned, indue, nine, nude, nudge, unbend, UNBENDING, unending

begin, begun, being, bend, bending, benign, bide, binge, binged,

QUINTESSENTIAL AUSTRALIAN DREAM

IT is the ‘Quintessential Australian Dream’ to own a home, preferably on some land with the expectation to enjoy a great lifestyle with family in a wonderful community area.

84 Woori Yallock Road in Cockatoo, offers it all.

It even has the verandah out the front for your ‘old rocking chair’.

Featuring:

· 4 bedrooms and a study, the main bedroom with ensuite and walk-in robe.

· The three remaining bedrooms have built-in robes and are serviced by the family bathroom with bath and separate shower.

· The living spaces are perfect for family, a nice quiet lounge for those wishing a bit of a quiet evening. The dining/living/kitchen areas combine for a great communal family space.

· The Tassie Oak kitchen has a 900mm stove, dishwasher, lots of storage and bench space.

· Year-round comfort with cooling, ducted heating and a toasty wood fire.

· The flat block has plenty of room for pets, children to play, even a inground pool for the warmer seasons and undercover outdoor entertaining.

· You’ll be spoilt for choice with a 2 + car garage and a further 3 car garage in the rear yard.

· The location is ideal, Cockatoo township merely minutes away, a variety of schools nearby, walks, bike rides, sporting clubs, community events and much more. Put this one on the top of your list. ●

2/45 Belmont Avenue, UPWEY

Price:

$520,000 - $560,000

2 Bed, 1 Bath, 2 Car

This low maintenance property will have you dreaming of a new lifestyle with so much to do and explore.

Spacious living area is bright and airy.

Well-lit bathroom is designed with contemporary fixtures and fittings.

Good size laundry off the kitchen, gas heating, additional storage room and carport for off-street parking.

Contact Paul Marra 0493 023 449

6 Unity Court, WARBURTON

Price:

$580,000 - $630,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1 Car Land Size: 1564m2

Open plan tiled kitchen.

Timber flooring throughout loungeroom complete with cosy Coonara style fireplace.

Large front timber deck – perfect for a BBQ on a beautiful day.

Fully fenced property – ideal for dogs and toddlers.

Contact Renata Dimitriou 0493 026 981

90 Elvian Road, WOORI YALLOCK

Price:

Expression of Interest

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, 46 Acres Approx. Used to grow many varieties of blueberries, as well as a large fruit orchard, vegetable gardens and chickens.

Current infrastructure to sustain successful berry farm practices, if you choose to diversify, the owners are willing to assist with the removal as required.

Located 25 minutes from Lilydale Train Station and one hour from Melbourne CBD, the property is well within commuting distance.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367

The Flying Apron Business-Wesburn

Price: $180,000 - $198,000

Well established, immaculately presented patisserie with a solid reputation.

Described as ‘authentic’,‘hidden gem’,‘food made with love’ and ‘best outside Europe’. Long lease 3 x 3 x 3, Excellent Equipment (refer to inclusions). Corner position with outdoor seating and alluring herb garden.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367

25 Giffords Road, WARBURTON

Price:

$740,000 - $780,000

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Land Size: 685m2

Nestled in a family friendly neighbourhood at the heart of Warburton. Open plan living area is designed to meet the needs of a modern family.

Well-appointed kitchen is complete with modern appliances.

Self-contained lower level that is separately metered and showcasing its own kitchen, bathroom, laundry, bedroom, living and dining areas.

Contact Paul Marra 0493 023 449 Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367

21 River Road, MILLGROVE

Price:

$1,200,000 - $1,300,000

5 Bed, 3 Bath, 6 Car, 4.47 Acres Approx.

As you enter the meandering driveway, you are greeted by two residences and beautiful surrounds.

Main living area of the home is open plan, with a charming wood fire.

Additional storage; a large double garage; ample room for your horses; a safe space for chooks, and a paved patio with an undercover BBQ area.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367 Paul Marra 0493 023 449

175 Tarrango Road, WESBURN

Price: $850,000 - $930,000

3 Bed, 2 Bath, 4 Car, Land Size: 4395m2

Open concept living spaces exude an aura of warmth through the highlights of cathedral ceilings, exposed brick, and dado style wood panelling. Country style kitchen has a practical layout incorporating an abundance of storage.

Second lounge/dining area that spills out to the rear veranda and alfresco area. 8.5mx12.1m machinery shed with mezzanine, double carport.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367 Paul Marra 0493 023 449

20 Best Street, BELGRAVE

Price: $920,000 - $980,000

4 Bed, 1 Bath, 2 Car, Land Size: 1034m2

Sunlight filled kitchen, featuring a beautiful bay window, with Bosch double oven and stone benches. Charming colonial style bathroom – featuring a claw bath and large shower.

Hydronic Heating and Evaporative cooling for all comfort.

Undercover entertaining al fresco area, perfect for hosting friends and family alike.

Contact Renata Dimitriou 0493 026 981

1/668-670 Warburton Highway, Seville 0429 888 367

215

Price: $2,400,000 - $2,600,000

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, 36 Acres Approx. Spectacular floorplan flowing effortlessly across multiple living zones.

Enormous second dining, living/games room ready for relaxed enjoyment, gifted with soaring cathedral ceilings.

Spacious kitchen is well-equipped with loads of storage and bench space.

Extensive shedding, including a 6.4 x 18.6m 6-bay machinery shed for tractor, horse float or trailer storage; a second 6.8 x 15.3m machinery shed; plus 5.9 x 12m workshop.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367

10 La La Avenue, WARBURTON

Price: Contact Agent

4 Bed, 3 Bath, 4 Car, Land Size 1562m2

Lovingly restored with the original character in mind, this is a perfect family home, luxurious Bed & Breakfast, or even a wedding venue. Spread over two levels, the upstairs living spaces are north-west facing allowing for an abundance of natural light to filter through. Country style kitchen is an entertainer’s dream, especially as it flows seamlessly through to the elegant formal dining and lounge rooms. Beautiful garden landscape & alluring alfresco area.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367

Price: $900,000 - $960,000

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 2 Car, Land Size: 5212m2

Open and free flowing living/dining area is highlighted by beautiful timber floorboards and ambient natural light.

Stunning country kitchen is the true heart of the home. Stylishly renovated bathroom features a walk-in shower and a divine outdoor bath for ultimate tranquillity.

Other notable highlights include decorative wood features, split system, front alfresco for entertaining, and rear deck for relaxing.

Contact Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367

Paul Marra 0493 023 449

143 Wonga Road, MILLGROVE

Price: $900,000 - $990,000

4 Bed, 2 Bath, 4 Car, 3.4 Acres Approx.

Stylishly renovated kitchen is perfect for entertaining, enhanced with Bosch S/S oven, dishwasher, induction cooktop, stone benchtops. Central family bathroom has been glamorously modernised with eye-catching feature tiles.

Paved outdoor entertaining area provides seamless indoor-outdoor living.

Other highlights include a spacious laundry with additional storage, downlights, garden shed and fenced paddock for animal enthusiasts.

Contact Paul Marra 0493 023 449

1/668-670

Warburton Highway, Seville 0429 888 367

56 McOwan Crescent, YARRA JUNCTION

Holden Road, SEVILLE

HOME FOCUS

HOME ON 24.5 ACRES PLUS ORIGINAL HOME

WELCOME to paradise. Showcasing sweeping Yarra Valley views, this spectacular lifestyle property sets the standard for style, serenity, and sophisticated family living.

Grand in presence, the ultra-modern home is situated on a peaceful 24.5 acres approx. along with the original 4-bedroom self-contained character home.

Beautifully appointed and luxurious in style, the main residence begins with a grand entry foyer.

Glamorously styled, the expansive floorplan features open plan kitchen, dining and living room that incorporates a romantic combustion stove; stone benchtops; 900mm Smeg oven; mirrored splashback; island breakfast bench; plus, huge butler’s pantry, perfect for storing preserves and large family celebrations.

A grand barn style sliding door opens into an enormous family/rumpus room perfect for family celebrations.

Further complementing the homes outstanding design is a gorgeous alfresco where you can truly appreciate your surrounds and a second outdoor living area positioned to take in beautiful sunsets as they merge with the tranquil aspect.

Natural light filters into each of the five bedrooms, all enhanced by a generous scale and BIR’s.

The master features a walk-through robe, fashionable floor to ceiling tiled ensuite, and spectacular outlook.

Two additional bathrooms inside are fitted with luxury appointments of stone topped vanities, heated towel rails and one with a freestanding bath.

HOME ESSENTIALS

Other notable highlights include an impressive modern hydronic heating system, split systems, spacious family laundry, mudroom/bathroom with access via the alfresco, 95,000L water tank to residence, 6.6kw solar, double garage with internal access and workshop space, plus the original 4-bedroom cottage with its own 60,000L water tank and double garage.

Animal enthusiasts will love the 9 fenced paddocks, dam and visiting birdlife.

The property lends itself to multigenerational living and a country lifestyle enviable to many.

Located moments from Seville shopping precinct, schools, sporting grounds, restaurants, and award-winning wineries and bus stop at the end of the street.

This property is one you’re going to want to see and experience.

Call Property Partners today. ●

Address: 25 Bridgewater Road, SEVILLE EAST Description: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 4 garage

Contact: Rebecca Halit 0429 888 367, PROPERTY PARTNERS

9591SQM SENSATIONAL LAND HOLDING

PLEASE CALL TO VIEW THE PROPERTY DO NOT GO WITHOUT AN AGENT PRESENT.

Just under 2 ½ acres of prime land, private, partially cleared and all services available.

A rickety old 2-bedroom weatherboard home is just standing, so you could demolish and build a beautiful home (subject to council approval).

There are established fruit trees here, several citrus varieties, even a macadamia. Walking the allotment, you’ll find some old shedding and a carport with plenty of room in the back paddock for a horse or other animals you might desire.

The property is accessed through gates off a sealed road. You are just minutes to Cockatoo township and Emerald is only a few minutes extra drive to all the shops, supermarkets, and cafes.

It’s very hard to find land like this - flat and sunny - so best to act now. ●

LookWhoJoinedTheTeam

ErinDavies|SalesConsultant

Comingfromasolidcareerof19yearsinretail,workingherwayuptomanagement,succeedinginanextremelydifficultfield, lookingafterherteam,andexcelling.

NowErinislookingtodiversifyhercustomerserviceskillsandcombinethatwithherloveoffarmlifethatsheenjoyed forover20 yearslivingon5.5acresinPakenhamUpper.

M.0493136937E.erind@rangesfn.com.au

TayTing|SalesConsultant

Withplentyofexperienceintherealestateindustryanddecadesofbuildingprofessionalrelationships,itisaprioritytocreate anenvironmentoftrust,respectandconfidencetohelpensureanoutcomethatwillexceedallyourexpectations.

M.0417302112E.tayt@rangesfn.com.au

NatCampbell|Reception&SalesAdmin

Natalieisourbubblygo-getter!Sheiskickinggoalsintheoffice,joiningtheteaminouradministrationdepartment, sheassists heavilywiththesalesstaffprocessingfiles,streamliningtheagent’sdays,andgenerallyassistinginanywaypossible!Herrolein theofficealsoconsistsofmeetingandgreetingourclientsatreceptionandifyouphoneintotheofficeyou’llmorethan likely getaquickchatwithherbeforebeingtransferredtothecorrectteammember!

M.97546111E.reception@rangesfn.com.au

BUILDYOURDREAMHOMEHERE(STCA)

2 A 1 B 2 C

Justunder2½acresofPRIMEflatlandthatissunny&private,partiallycleared&all servicesavailable.Aricketyoldweatherboardhomeisjust standing,soyoucould demolishandbuildanewhomeSTCA.Includesestablishedfruittreesandevena macadamia.Walkingtheallotment,you’llfindsomeoldshedding&acarportwithplenty ofroominthebackpaddockforanimals.Thepropertyisaccessedthroughautomated gatesoffasealedroad.Justminute’sdrivetoCockatooTownshipandEmerald.

COCkATOO 84WOORIYALLOCkROAD $895,000-$980,000

CLASSICAUSTRALIANWEATHERBOARDHOME

4 A 2 B 2 C

‘quintessentialAustralianDream’thathasitall,featuringafrontveranda,study,lounge andanopenplankitchen/dining/living,TassieOakkitchen witha900mmstoveandlots ofstorage&benchspace,GDH,woodfireandcooling.Theflatblockhasplentyofroom forplay,aningroundpool,undercoveroutdoorentertaining,2+cargarage&afurther 3cargarageintherearyard.Thelocationisideal,Cockatoo Townshipismerelyminutes away,avarietyofschoolsnearby,walks,bikerides,sportingclubsandmuchmore.

BEAUTIFULOUTLOOkOVER5FLATACRES

4

A 2 B 3 C

TayTing 0417302112

BELGRAVE 86TERRYSAvENuE $980,000-$1,060,000

MINUTESTOBELGRAVE!

4 A 2 B

Thischarmingresidenceretainsmanyofitsperiodfeatures &somenewcreature comforts.Offeringhigh(ornate&strapped)ceilings,chandeliers,hardwoodfloors& doors,OFPwithcastironburner,woodpanelling,Frenchdoors,customdrapery,Juliette balconyfrommaster,study/gamingnookin2ndbedroom,claw footbath,2living spaces,lounge/diningwithfireplace,sealedreturndriveway,secondaccessforcaravan/ boat,cubbyhouse,veggiepatch,under-housecaraccess,workshop&storage.

MickDolphin 0429684522

‘TREETOPS’CIRCA1910ONHALFANACRE

JanetHawkins 0409117432

FLAT1/2ACRE,TWOGARAGES

MickDolphin 0429684522

TayTing 0417302112

9591SqMSENSATIONALLANDHOLDING

COCkATOO 224WOORIYALLOCkROAD $600,000-$660,000

MickDolphin 0429684522

TayTing 0417302112

MudBrickdelightsoakingin19acresofGembrooknature!

Thispicturesquemudbrickhomefeaturesacathedralceilingloungeroomwithlargewoodfire& masterbedroomintheloft!DownstairsthereisasecondmasterbedroomwithalargeWIR,&office/ secondloungeareawithabathroomwithbath&shower&separatetoilet.Thekitchenhasagas oven&woodfiredstove.Thereisafullyfencedpaddockperfectforapony/goat.Thereisadouble carport&aseparateteenagersretreat/officebuildingwithtoilet,shower,kitchenette,loungearea, laundryarea,bedroom,twostoragerooms&fencedyard.Thereisalsoafreestandingroomperfect asacraftroom/officespace.Featuringa3carlockablebarn/workshopwithpower&concreted floors.Thishomeistotallyoffgrid,witha9kWsolarsystem&batterysetup,supportedbyagenerator. Thereisapproximately55000Loftankwaterstoredinthreelargewatertanks,&asepticsystem.

6AzaleaCrescent,Emerald$895,000-$950,000

WakeUptoGorgeousForrestViewsonapprox.3/4acre!

POTENTIALPLUS-thissolidhomewithpitchedtimberceilingsthroughoutiswarm&homelywithan amazingcourtlocation,beautifulviews&perfectfamilyfloorplan.Withaprivatenorthfacingfront verandah,thesingle-storeyhomeoffers4robedbedrooms,2bathrooms,2studies&2livingareas. ThemasterbedroomhasaBIR,ensuitewithspabath,hugewindows,&slidingdoor.Thelivingisopen planwithkitchen,diningroom&2livingareas-onewithatoastywoodfire,whilstthehomehas ductedheatingthroughout.Thekitchenhasadishwasher,gasstove,electricoven,&asplitsystem inthediningarea.Attheotherendofthehomeare3bedrooms,familybathroom,separatetoilet& laundrywithaccesstotherearverandah&a2ndstudy/workshop.Outsideisalargeshedwhichis accessedfromaseconddriveway,withconcretefloor,power&awoodfire.

214-216Olinda-MonbulkRoad,Monbulk$820,000-$900,000

LiveAmongsttheTree-Topsinthisfabulous4-BedroomFamilyHome!

Thisstunningsplit-levelhomeboastsanopen-plandesignfloodedwithnaturallight.Thekitchen enjoysanortherlyaspectforyear-roundsunlight,&ismodern&well-appointed.Theloungeroom featuresasplit-systemAC&awoodfireheater,complementedbyductedheatingthroughoutthe home.Stepoutfromtheloungeroomtoalargedeckwithaglassbarrierthatprovidesunobstructed views.ThemasterbedroomisprivatelypositionedonthelowerlevelwithaWIR,andupdated ensuite.Ontheupperlevel,therearethreebedrooms,twoofwhichhavetheirownsplit-system ACs,andtheysharealarge&updatedfamilybathroom.Situatedonnearly2/3ofanacreofland, thereisadoublecarportandaSLUG,aswellasanexternalgeneratorplug.Enjoybeingimmersedin naturewhilestillbeingconvenientlyclosetothecharmingtownshipsofMonbulk,Sassafras,&Olinda.

5BelvedereCourt,Gembrook$900,000-$990,000

TheUltimateFamilyHomeintheHeartofGembrook!

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

SamanthaScott M 0438680032 5 A 2 B 4 C

6LiegeStreet,Selby$800,000-$880,000

Comfy,RenovatedHomeonAlmost½anAcreofPeace&Privacy!

Situatedonnearly1/2anacreisthisrenovated3bedroom/2bathroomfamilyhomewithvaulted ceilings,DLUG,carport,sealeddrive&allprivatelylocatedoverlookingSherbrookeNationalForest. Thekitchenhasanewfreestanding900mmstove,adishwasher&plentyofstorage.Theseparate diningareaoverlooksthelightfilledloungeroomwhichflowsouttothegenerous,northfacing entertainingdeck.Therearethreerobedbedrooms-theMasterwithsemi-ensuiteandtreetop views,and2bedroomswhicharelocatedadjacenttothefamilybathroomand2ndtoilet.The homehas3splitsystems,awoodheaterinthelounge&brandnewmainsgasductedheating throughout.Externallyisadoublecarport&aDLUGwithconcretefloor&power.Thereisalsoa chickencoop,2watertanks,raisedgardenbeds,fruittrees&alargeunderhousestoragearea.

18VistaCourt,Gembrook$750,000-$820,000

Perfecthomeforwalktotownconvenienceandlowmaintenanceliving!

Thisgorgeous3bedroom,2bathroomhomeismoveinready.Withabitumendriveway&DLUGwith entrydoortothehome,thefrontyardislandscaped&lowmaintenance.Themasterbedroomhasa ceilingfan,&WIRaswellasanensuite.ThefurthertwobedroomsbothhaveBIRs.Thekitchenisfully equippedwithalargeislandbench,electricoven,gasstovetop,&stainless-steeldishwasher.Being openplanwiththeloungeroomforseamlessentertaining,&therearetwoslidingdoorsfromthe loungeouttotherearentertainingareaordirectlytothebackyard.Relax&unwindinthelounge roomasyouenjoythewoodfireplace,orusethesplitsystemairconditionerorductedgasheating that’spresentthroughoutthehome.Thereisalsoastudyforyourworkfromhomeconvenience.This propertyisashortstrolltoalltheamenitiesofGembrookmainstreet.

25MiddletonDrive,WooriYallock$690,000-$755,000

ThisIsTheOne-YourFullyRenovatedFamilyHome,FirstHomeorInvestment OpportunityAwaits!

With3bedrooms,&2bathrooms,thisisamusttosee.ThekitchenboastsaSSdishwasher,electric ovenwithgascooktop&canopyrangehoodalongsideaEuropeanlaundry.Ontheupperlevel thereare2bedrooms(1withBIRs)&anupdatedfamilybathroomwithabath.Downthestairsto thespaciousloungeroomwithprivateviewsofthereardeck&distanthills,andthenthroughtothe masterbedroom,withensuite,largerobe&asunnyoutlookovertherearyard.Thishomeisflooded withnaturallight,hasgasductedheating&splitsystemAC.Relaxonthereardeckofthefully fencedbackyard,orentertainonthepavedarea.Thereisalsoagrassedarea,agardenshed&a CubbyHouse!Ideallylocatedonly2minsdrivefromtownoraneasystrollintoWooriYallockshops.

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

Approx1/3anacreinEmerald!Gorgeousfamilyhomeawaits!

Thislovely3bedroom,1bathroomhome,iswaitingforitsnextfamilytoenjoythegenerousblock& closeproximitytotown.Thereisabitumendrivewaythatleadstoafrontverandahforunwinding on.Enterthehometofindthebrightneutralinteriorwithhardwoodfloorsthroughout.Yeararound comfortisassuredwithbothsplitsystemairconditioning&ductedgasheatingthroughout.Plus awoodfireheaterintheloungeroom.Thekitchenhasagasstovetop&multifunctionalelectric oven,stainlesssteeldishwasher,&plentyofbenchspace.Externallythereisahandystorageshed &concretedflatentertainingarea,beforethecottagegateleadstotherearorchardstylegarden withlotsoffruittrees.Thisprivate,fullyfencedbackyardisadelightasyoumeanderthroughthe establishedfruittrees.Pleasenote,allappliancesarelessthan18monthsold.

SamanthaScott M

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

PRIVATE SETTING AND OVER 5 ACRES

THIS property is an absolute standout! If you are seeking privacy, in a convenient location with a home that has luxurious fittings, look no further.

This home is an entertainers delight, with a welcoming front entertaining deck featuring a spa, ceiling fans and a built in bar to greet you. Step into the home to find a modern open plan kitchen/dining/lounge room with a wood fire and split system air conditioner. The chef of the family will enjoy the large island bench with built in sink, electric oven & stove top, and concealed dishwasher. Then continue through the home to discover the master bedroom that delightfully offers two spacious walk in wardrobes, split system air conditioner, and spacious ensuite with dual vanities, walk in shower with dual showers and a toilet.

Then discover a second loungeroom with another wood fire and ceiling fan, as you unwind on the two bay windows as you enjoy the park like and private views. There is also a spacious laundry attached to the loungeroom with Caesar bench tops and separate access to the yard.

There is a convenient toilet off the hallway and plenty of storage on the way to the further 3 bedrooms, all with built in robes and split system air-conditioners.

The features continue with a large fenced dog yard, two fenced paddocks, 3*22,000 Water tanks, two hot water services, and an external generator plug, an 8kW Solar System and sprinkler system. This lovely home also features double glazed windows throughout.

There is also a large shed approx. 16m * 8m divided into two rooms with double sliding door entry and pedestrian entry. The shed has a concrete floor, power and lights. There are also multiple smaller sheds around the property and a chicken coop and childrens play ground area.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall 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 FOCUS

UNIT 23 - SYLVAN GLADES RETIREMENT VILLAGE

SYLVAN Glades Retirement Village offers affordable, independent living for retirees over 55’s.

Located in the highly sought after Dandenong Ranges, this private and peaceful village offers an affordable downsized lifestyle living.

A beautiful, light filled unit boasting two generously sized bedrooms, modern ensuite, 2 toilets and an open plan living/ dining area. An updated kitchen with electric cooking, new carpets and multiple split systems have all been included for convenient living. Outside, undercover patio areas can be found at both the front and rear of the unit along with a workshop and single carport off an easy access driveway.

A communal hall for residents to enjoy is centrally located within the village along with a friendly barbecue area.

Only minutes from Monbulk main street and with bus access at front of the village, Sylvan Glades is a must see for those looking for affordable, secure retirement living options in the Dandenong Ranges.

Please note this accommodation is available for Loan License Agreement only.

HOME ESSENTIALS

Address: 23/15 Anderson Road, MONBULK Description:

Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442, CHANDLER &

HOME WITH COVETED NRZ2 SUBDIVISION ZONING

WITH a desirable location only 750m from cafes, shopping, and Upwey Station, this 2,015sqm (approx.) property has the potential to be a very profitable investment. Already adorned with a residence ready for rental or renovation plus exclusive NRZ2 zoning for subdivision (STCA), this is an exceptional opportunity in an outstanding lifestyle location.

This original home features 3 bedrooms with built-in robes, a generous lounge with open wood fire, and an original timber kitchen with freestanding gas range. With a neat and tidy white bathroom, spacious laundry, lower level rumpus/storeroom, and gas ducted heating, the framework is here for a fabulous family home.

Alternatively, take advantage of this

HOME ESSENTIALS

sprawling block by building something new (STCA). Loads of sunlight and lovely treetop and valley outlooks line the gently undulating allotment. With easy access to local amenities including schools, this will be the perfect place to call home or a hotly sought-after development. Plan your viewing today.

· 2,015sqm (approx.) property in prime position near Main Street amenities

· Rare and revered NRZ2 subdivision potential (STCA)

· Original weatherboard home ready for rental or renovation

· Lounge with open wood fire and classic timber kitchen

· Lovely valley views and gently undulating landscape. ●

CHANDLER & CO. About

Having built a reputation of honesty, reliability and hard work over 20 years in the industry, the team at Chandler & Co lead by example combining today's technology, marketing strategies & negotiation techniques with good old fashioned customer service, professionalism & team work.

Understanding the local market & having over 80 years collective experience, Chandler & Co offer authentic people, with a genuine interest in Real Estate to help you through what can sometimes be the most stressful transition in your life.

There is so much more to consider than just a commission on a sale price. There is the decision of working alongside the right Agent who will guide you, give the best possible advice & help you through this life changing experience.

Chloe Jaeger

Brad Conder M 0422 639 115

Maya Giampa M 0456 026 450

Tamara Euinton

Sharyn Chandler M 0439 882 442

Tammie Fleming M 0416 264 497

Rachel Eastwood M 0401 117 761

Suzie Brannelly M 0490 506 910

Glenn Chandler M 0418 410 689

Daniel Steen M 0434 979 142

ofJapaneseaestheticsandFrankLloydWrights“Fallingwater”thisinspiringsteel,glassand brickhomesetonjustoveroneacrehasbeenrecentlyredesignedandrenovatedtoa superbstandard,resultinginoneofthemostintriguingandsophisticatedresidencesinthe area.

Fromitssprawling628sqm(approx.)cornerallotmentinaquietno-throughroadposition, thisimpressivehomeoffersanoutstandinglifestyle.Designedforcomfortwithinasingle levellayout,everyelementrequiredforenviablefamilylivingcanbefoundhere.Upon entry,thegenerousloungewithfloortoceilingwindowsisadornedwithqualitycarpetfora warmandcosyfeeling.

M 0418410689| E glenn@chandlerandco.com.au

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Enjoytheprivacyofaquietcourtandtheconvenienceofbeingpositionedcloseto Upwey’svibrantcentralhubofshops,cafesandeateries.Apeacefulambiencefeaturing gardensburstingwithcolourandspectacularviews,this2-bedroomhomeiswaitingforyou tomakeityourown.

BradConder

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M 0434979142| E daniel@chandlerandco.com.au

formulti-generationalspace.Boastingasprawling8,586sqm(approx.)allotmentwith2tiles, 3dwellings,andpotentialtosubdivide(STCA),thisisaone-offchancetosecureamultiresidencepropertyofimpressiveproportions.

RCRC’s grants set to flow

The Regional Community Recovery Committees (RCRCs) have recently finalised the distribution of $768,000 in grants to support 66 community projects.

The allocation of these Council-funded grants, made possible through a partnership with Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Fund, aim to bring the community together, enhance connection, and promote overall well-being.

The dedicated members of the RCRCs contributed their time and fostered strong community connections, both within their committees and across the municipality. Their efforts were especially commendable, as they collaborated during a time of recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating June 2021 storm.

Through their dedication, the RCRCs identified the specific needs within their local communities and allocated the $1,000,000 in grants accordingly. The second round of the Community Led Recovery Grants funding reached a diverse range of organisations, benefitting 17 groups in the Valley area, 10 in the Urban area, 14 in the Upper Yarra, and 10 in the Hills. Furthermore, 12 Storm Grants of up to $25,000 each and three larger grants of up to $60,000 were also awarded.

Among the recipients, Anchor has received a grant of $60,000 to establish a free service catering to the children of parents currently accessing Anchor Homelessness Support in the Yarra Ranges. This initiative aims to address the developmental goals of over 100 children who are currently navigating the challenges of homelessness with their parents. With the assistance of specialist child-focused therapeutic practitioners, Anchor seeks to minimize the impact of homelessness and enhance resilience among these vulnerable children.

Mums of the Hills have been awarded $57,000 for their groundbreaking ‘Check Me Out’ project.This initiative entails an extensive

research and development period to map out local services and identify any gaps in support. Subsequently, roadshows will be conducted, enabling women to meet with specialist medical and allied health professionals in small groups. These gatherings will facilitate discussions on physical and mental health issues, offering referrals for further support. With the provision of childcare during the events, Mums of the Hills aims to prioritise the wellbeing of mothers while fostering connections among participants. The project is a joint initiative involving Mums of the Hills, Women’s Health East, and the University of Melbourne’s Phoenix Australia - Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health.

Interchange Outer East has been granted $46,094 to organise a family camp for 160Yarra Ranges individuals and families who have a child or young adult with a disability. With a 30-year track record of hosting Family Camps,

Interchange Outer East provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities and their families to enjoy a weekend getaway free from judgment. This opportunity allows them to connect with others who share similar experiences, fostering a sense of belonging.

Formed in December 2021, the RCRCs played a pivotal role in addressing the recovery priorities of the community following the pandemic and the June 2021 storm. Divided into the Hills, Urban, Valley, and Upper Yarra areas, each committee initiated a call for grant applications earlier this year, resulting in the allocation of these valuable resources.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the RCRCs for their exceptional efforts on behalf of the Council. They have played a vital role in bringing our communities together and aiding their recovery from the pandemic and the June

2021 storm,” expressed Councillor Jim Child, Yarra Ranges Mayor.

These grants have empowered numerous projects, and while every initiative is noteworthy, here are a few examples:

Glen’s Goldies, with the support of the Warburton Advancement League, secured a $6,500 grant. This funding will be used to buy new equipment for warm water exercise classes, train new leaders with Musculoskeletal Australia, provide transportation for outings, and organise events during Seniors Month.

Big Brothers Big Sisters have been provided with a $10,000 grant towards their mentoring program which will recruit and train mentors in the Hills area to work with young vulnerable people who have disengaged from school and community.

The Lilydale Community House will employ their $10,000 grant to host a series of music events over the course of 12 months. These events aim to engage the community, foster connections, and reduce isolation. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy live music, have fun, and even dance if they wish.

The Gruyere Hall and Grounds Management Committee, with the support of the Rotary Club of Lilydale, received a $1,500 grant. They plan to organise a Bushdance event featuring performances by local music students under the guidance of two professional musicians. This event aims to bring together locals, allowing them to dance, socialize, and alleviate the impact of the recent closure of the local primary school.

These grants exemplify the spirit of community support and empowerment, enabling organizations and initiatives to thrive and create positive change.

For a complete list of grant recipients and more information, please visit yarraranges.vic. gov.au/community/grants/regional-community-recovery-committees.

physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

TheUpperYarraCommunityRecoveryCommittee.

Picture:ONFILE

Tough match-ups for teams

Monbulk’s seniors would have a tough weekend as they came up against Narre Warren, who are on top of the ladder in all grades for both football and netball, except for the Reserves, where they are second. The women’s footballers faced Healesville, who are also on top.

The day was cool and overcast but close to ideal as far as playing conditions were concerned, with the strong wind on Friday having dried out the ground. Monbulk applied a strong pressure game on their more fancied rivals, and for most of the day this resulted in the match being very evenly poised. The only thing that separated the two sides was effective use of the ball when it entered the forward fifty. The Hawks can take plenty out of this match as they head to Wandin next Saturday.

Monbulk 7.9.51 def by Narre Warren 13.10.88

· Best: Glenn Strachan, Lachlan Sheppard, Thomas Taylor, Lochlan Beecroft, Bailey Rutherford, Ben Smith

· Goals: Glenn Strachan 2, Ziggy Hatherley 2, Brodie Emmett 1, Harry Fleming 1, William Mutschler 1

The Narre Warren seconds are a well drilled team with good outside runners who are able to create chains of possessions towards goal. Around the packs and in the contested balls Monbulk more than held their own and it was just a lack of polish that resulted in the margin being greater than it should have been.

Monbulk 4.7.31 def by Narre Warren 12.14.86

· Best: Clayton Spooner, Lewis Oliver, Matthew James, Beau James, Benjamin Magnay,

Magpies upstage Hawks

The A Grade match was played under lights as dark clouds rolled though in the mid afternoon. The Magpies are a class combination and although Monbulk played a solid game, they were never able to gain the upper hand at any stage. Narre won each quarter by just a few goals but that was enough to see them home comfortably by 15 when the match ended.

Monbulk 33 def by Narre Warren 48

· Best: Sophie Stubbs, Nicole Macdowell, Jamie Clark

· Goals: Nicole Macdowell 18, Sophie Stubbs 8, Jen Dewhurst 7

B Grade

Monbulk’s defensive players put in a very creditable game and caused numerous turnovers, but, coming up against a well oiled machine, the weight of forward entries by Narre Warren overwhelmed their efforts and the Magpies had a decisive victory in the end.

Monbulk 38 def by Narre Warren 61

· Best: Rihanna Kelly, Lisa Boyle, Siobhan Munday

· Goals: Paige Rondinella 38, Chloe Schmidtke 5, Dayna Walsham 5

C Grade

On paper the C Grade game looked to be a

mismatch as Narre Warren were 7 games ahead of the Hawks on the ladder. The game was far more evenly matched than expected. The Hawks played a tenacious game for the first three quarters and were only trailing by 11 at the final change. The Magpies finally broke the shackles in the last term, shooting 13-5, which made the final margin greater than it should have been. C grades goal for the day was to remain positive and lift each other up despite the scores which was well and truely achieved, as well as putting on one of their strongest games of the year!

Monbulk 26 def by Narre Warren 45

· Best: Courtney Witt, Jessica Whitworth, Sammi Kelly

· Goals: Jamie Sands 19, Sammi Kelly 7

D Grade

Narre Warren’s D Grade team wouldn’t look out of place playing C Grade and were too experienced and well drilled for the young Hawks side. Monbulk ran out the game but were just outclassed.

Monbulk 12 def by Narre Warren 61

· Best: Kate Smith, Caitlin Utting, Eireann Lawson

· Goals: Eireann Lawson 1, Kate Smith 9, Rachael Jennings 2

Shane Williams

· Goals: Shane Williams 2, Clayton Spooner 1, Michael Langworthy 1

The Monbulk Under 19s were again undermanned, having 16 players compared to Narre Warren’s 23 and the match was played at 16 a side, with Narre having seven on the bench. In the first quarter the Magpies looked to take the ascendency with three goals to nil in what looked like it could turn into a blowout. After quarter time the Hawks dug deep, attacked the contests hard and controlled the tempo when they could. It was a gutsy performance by the players who showed pride in their team and their guernsey. For the last three quarters it was an even match with both sides scoring a goal each.

Monbulk 1.3.9 def by Narre Warren 4.10.34

· Best: Nick Taylor, Coby Passingham, William Henderson, Tait Colee, Nicholas Heron, Casper Griffiths

· Goal: Noah Rutherford 1

Monbulk celebrated Maddy Dodd becoming the first player to reach 50 games with the senior club since an Under 18s team was formed in 2018, which became the nucleus of the senior team formed in 2019. Monbulk met Healesville for the second time in three weeksand although they again faced a hefty deficit on the scoreboard, the endeavour and enthusiasm was consistent throughout.

Monbulk 0.0.0 def by Healesville 11.16.82

· Best: Genna Seamer, Maddison Dodd, Josie Ford, Indy Bakker, Kathryn Gow, Matilda McDermott

Tiana Mancarella (GK) and Paige Whitworth (GD) defending for Monbulk against Narre Warren in A Grade.

Picture: ARMIN RICHTER

Monbulk captain Jonathon Hevern (5) flies for a mark against Narre Warren’s captain Jake Richardson (14). Picture: ARMIN RICHTER Monbulk celebrated Maddy Dodd becoming the first player to reach 50 games with the senior club since an Under 18s team was formed in 2018. Picture: SUPPLIED

Olinda avenges early losses

They’re a happy team at Olinda.

The OlindaWomen’s team set themselves to avenge the two early season losses to Pakenham and did so in emphatic fashion, thrilling the bumper Friday night crowd at home with their 4.16.40 to 2.1.13 victory.

The mood before the game was celebratory already with the 18th birthday of live wire Ruby (Barb) Gilson, and singing, dancing and laughter formed the foundation of the pre-game warm up. The team skipped onto the ground with a magnetic spirit, but fierce intent.

Olinda lost the toss and started the game kicking into the wind towards the eastern or “swamp” end of the ground.

Heavy rains over autumn and winter have left that end of ground unrecognisable, and search parties have gone out looking for missing Auskickers feared lost in the gluggy mud pit. The icy, blustery, muddy conditions were not particularly enticing for the ‘flatlander’ visitors, but the mountain women of Olinda are well accustomed to inhospitable weather.

Olinda exploded from the first bounce and played a tough, exciting brand of football, the ball spending most of the first quarter locked in Olinda’s forward line. A sneaky first goal to Pakenham against the tide would be the last they would score until the last quarter.

Miss Football Lily (Laser) Carlin had not played football for 13 days due to concussion protocols, and was ticking every day off like an advent calendar.

Lils showed no signs of ill health and picked upwheresheleftoff,consistentlywinningcontests, driving her opponents into the ground with bone crunching tackles or precisely delivering the ball by hand or foot. Where’s Wally Olivia (The Weapon!) Edwards is likely to pop up anywhere on a football field, but her ability to work up and quickly back to her forward home is to her immense credit. There is rarely an Olinda score that hasn’t had the handprint of Liv on it, and the first quarter was no exception, Liv creating a bunch of scoring chances but without the reward of a goal. The siren sounded with Olinda having scored only two points, but the ball in Liv’s hands 30 metres out from goal on a tricky angle.While the players, coaches and spectators held their breath, the ball thundered off Liv’s boot and split the goals post high. The Olinda girls sprinted into the quarter time huddle with rapturous excitement one point ahead on the scoreboard, and would not relinquish the lead for the rest of the game.

Ball magnet and ruck leviathan Chelsea (Big Kahuna)Wilson is exceptional at bounces, whether delivering deft taps sideways into the arms of her midfielders or thumping the ball 20 metres to her forwards. Chelsie’s ground ball work is equally impressive though, and she frequently places herself exactly where the ball is landing and wins it most times . Chelsea’s work all night was hugely influential in the win. Lucy (Goose) Hilton is the archetypal in-and-under midfielder and her work extricating the ball out of contests, earning free kicks or causing stoppages was outstanding all night.

Olinda’s backs were getting frost bite in the second quarter as the ball lived in Olinda’s forward line. Another classy goal to The Weapon was a highlight, but the six points for the quarter were equally encouraging and frustrating. Amalija (Mars) Kostich Angerson is working back to her best form after an extended lay off, and her forward pressure all game was first rate. Mars created plenty of scoring opportunities without reward, but surely a bag is just around the corner. (Barb) Gilson was equally impressive forward all night and created a plethora of scoring chances and continually harassed her defensive opponents. The Football Gods were hovering when Rubes lined up

for goal 30 metres out at the half time siren, but the Birthday Girl’s shot drifted left with the breeze and crashed into the post.

The third quarter was an arm wrestle with the two points to Olinda the only scores. Kyah (The missile) Barry is a walking highlight reel, and there is rarely a game when Kyah doesn’t do something brilliant. Such a highlight occurred during the quarter when Kyah delivered a bullet handball out of a contest into the waiting arms of the Big Kahuna who fired a wormburner onto the chest of The Weapon. It was the best passage of play in a game packed with great moments.Young battering ram Tobi (Killer) Monkhorst was at her brutal best all night, but her attempt to “don’t argue” two opposition players at the same time was a standout moment. It didn’t end well for Tobes, but all at the ground loved the intent.

You could set your watch to Anna (Goanna) Hughson, so reliable she is repelling attacks from half back, and delivering surely by hand and foot. Anna was moved forward for two minutes last week and Berwick Springs kicked two goals, so don’t expect to see Anna up forward again any time soon.

In round 10’s disappointing loss to Pak-

enham away, Pakky Captain Chloe Nagel received best on ground honours, and burly full forward Chelsea English kicked six goals.

Enter Cult hero Anja (Onions) Hulston and firebrand Paige (The Rage!) Robinson. Anja completely blanketed Nagel, to the point where she was moved to all corners of the field trying to shake the tag, all while Onions had plenty of ball herself.

In the absence of regular full back of the year Casey Seymour, who missed her first ever game of football, 15-year-old Paige was given the unenviable task of standing Chelsea English. Not only did Paige have a great game herself, she held English to zero goals in what was essentially a match winning performance.

The football gods finally intervened in the last quarter when amidst a scrum in the goal square a toe poke from Birthday Girl Ruby Gilson dribbled through the big sticks. Rubes was duly taken to ground and mobbed by her joyous teammates.

The team piled on another four points to take the tally to 16 for the game, but the third goal to The Weapon was the icing on the cake and sealed the contest.

(DJ) Ness Curnow (nee Bateman), Chloe (The Smiling Assassin) Kanally, and team talisman Emmalee (Bruce) Keegan all had strong games and contributed well to the win. Sisters Laura and Celia Clarke, Issy Dennis and Olive Kelly all had good moments and contributed to what was an outstanding team performance.

Saving the best for last, Captain Courageous Claire Hyett is consistently in Olinda’s best players, and was again Friday night. Claire’s fearlessness and work rate is of the highest quality and she is a constant inspiration to her teammates.

Claire’s work off the field is even more telling. Equal parts mentor, big sister and motivator, Claire’s work during the week calming the waters after last week’s horrible loss was amazing, as was her pre game getting the team energised for such a brilliant performance.

If the win in round 11 against Upwey was Olinda’s best win of the season, this victory was surely the most enjoyable.

Olinda has the chance to remedy last week’s loss with a return bout at home against Berwick Springs on Saturday morning. If Olinda brings the same spirit and intensity, Berwick Springs will not enjoy their trip up the mountain.

Strong junior performance in front of appreciative crowd

It was another massive week in the life of Under 9s football.

TheYoung Bloods played host to a fired up Yarra Glen side, in front of a huge crowd of Olinda faithful.

It was an extra special night as this encounter was the curtain raiser for the Olinda women’s senior side.

With plenty at stake, the 9s showed plenty of promise, raising many an eyebrow from the onlooking senior side.

This display of pure football bliss was a real inspiration for the all at the ground.

There were many highlights across the night but it was Olinda’s desire to win the ground ball that had every applauding.

The Under 11 boys opened up the days footy at Olinda in beautiful conditions and put on a clinic against a developing Yarra Junction side.They demonstrated some great ball movement to be able to score heavily in the first half.

Rotating players to give them opportunities around the ground and also giving Junction a bit of a boost showed great teamwork and sportsmanship.

Under 12 girls had a bye.

Under 13 boys white team also had a bye.

Another strong performance by the Under 13 Reds on the weekend as the lads notched up their 10th win for the season.

The first quarter was played predominately in Olinda’s forward half however their forward structure and ball use was not up to usual standard. As a result Olinda were un-

able to capitalise on the scoreboard.

After a quarter time reminder about team first football, holding position, maintaining structure and lowering the eyes, the boys “upped the anti” and played some really impressive tram football for the remainder of the game.

Super pleasingly was the fact Olinda had 11 individual goal kickers for the match, sharing the ball around and bringing team-

mates into the game.

Congratulations to Nate Johnson who celebrated his 50th game.

Final scores Olinda 12.15.87 def Healesville 0.0.0

The club knew it would be a fierce game based on the way the girls entered the club rooms yesterday.

As the sun beat down upon the Olinda Oval, (a rarity on a wintery Sunday morning) the girls had a certain attitude about them, and it showed in the way they played. Mt Evelyn White has been the team with which we have had our closest battles and yesterday was no different.

Olinda’s girls drew first blood by hitting the scoreboard early with the first goal of the match. And while it was a solitary goal, the girls got round each other and it felt like the first win of the season was on the cards.

Alas, it was not to be, but not through lack of effort, drive and determination. The girls really played for each other and their tenacity, their grit and their never say die attitude was mentioned by the opposition coach after the match.

A huge game in which we got the closest we have to a win. The girls should be very proud of themselves.

Looking forward to the last game of the season this Sunday.

Round 12 saw Olinda’s Under 15 boys host top of the ladder team Wandin in perfect conditions for football and it would prove to be a game to remember.

The opening quarter was an even contest with Wandin taking a three-point lead into the first break.

The second quarter was all Olinda, kicking three goals to nil off the back of some dominant clearance work and efficient forward entries, while the third quarter was the complete opposite with Wandin kicking 2.7 to Olinda’s solitary point.

The final quarter began with Wandin holding a four-point lead and ending with the visitors hanging on, deep inside Olinda’s forward line to record a nail biting threepoint victory.

Aden Bates (two goals) and Tom Ford (30 possessions) were superb in what was their joint 100th game for Olinda, and along with Lenny Barry (tireless all day), Will Meyer (impassable in defence), River Bellemo (two goals) and many unsung heroes helped Olinda put on their best performance for the year.

A special mention to the seven Under 13s who stepped up with courage and skill.

Final scores

· Wandin 4.15.39 d Olinda 5.6.36

At home and under clear skies (for a change) Olinda’s Under 17 boys came up against an undermanned Seville.

The boys played a great brand of footy from start to finish putting together a quality four quarter performance, in the end running away with a comprehensive win.

The teamwork was fantastic and showed with eleven different goal scorers for the game. Great job boys.

Plenty of milestone celebrations on the weekend with Nate Johnson celebrating 50 games. Picture: SUPPLIED

Powerful and inspirational final words by Joel Goldsztein to the Senior Women before their clash against Pakenham on Friday night.

Picture: SIMON GILSON