Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 13th February 2024

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Kallista Primary signage, speed concerns raised

QFF detections return to Ranges

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

Mail Gembrook’s John Krzywokulski launches art exhibition

See real estate liftout inside

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A Star News Group Publication

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A world we can sustain A mother and daughter have been creative to introduce children to the concept of protecting the environment and sustainability.

Mridula Chopra and daughter Raveena Grace co-wrote ‘Rosie Rescues Her Precious Planet’.

Now released as a picture book, it tells the story of the Dregs and Treebles who live in two different worlds of pollution and cleanliness respectively.

As sustainably minded people, it seemed fitting to offer a resource for others to teach their children or students about living in an environmentally friendly way.

To read more about the story and authors, turn to page 14 Mother-daughter duo Mridula and Raveena have put together a children’s book on sustainability. 387936 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

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hours. It was at this time he was asked several times by staff to adjust his cap as his face was obscured.

The man was asked to leave the venue and staff called 000 after Searle told an employee to “shut her face” and grabbed her facemask.

It was around 2 am Searle approached a man in his vehicle, made demands he get out and threatened to shoot the driver in the face.

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He committed the offences while on bail.

Searle was heard to have filmed Snapchat videos of himself timed at 11.30 pm on 8 November.

The video saw Searle holding a sawn-off shotgun and pointing the barrel into the camera before concealing it in his shorts and then taking the train to Boronia.

He arrived at Boronia Hotel around midnight and played the pokies for around two

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“Cautious optimism” has been granted a man with a known criminal history for numerous crimes committed throughout Boronia in 2021.

Brandon Searle, 36, who attempted a carjacking and fired a gun near police in Boronia on 9 November 2021 was jailed for seven years and three months.

He will be eligible for parole in four years

and three months.

On Friday 9 February, County Court judge Gavan Meredith stated that he had ”cautious optimism” for Searle’s rehabilitation and that it was “to Mr Searle’s credit that he pleaded guilty.”

Searle was charged with 12 offences, pleading guilty to several including the use of a firearm, discharging a firearm and an attempted carjacking.

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By Tanya Steele

d l e e i l f y r st e e v t i f a Li R

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IN BRIEF

WorkSafe has charged a Monbulk nursery and horticulture supply company after a worker suffered fatal head injuries when he fell 3.5 metres through a shed roof onto a concrete floor.

Van Berkel Distributors Pty Ltd faces three charges under section 21(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act for failing, as far as

reasonably practicable, to provide and maintain a safe working environment.

The charges relate to the death of a 66-yearold maintenance manager who fell through polycarbonate roof sheeting, which he was attempting to replace, in June 2022.

It is alleged the company breached regulation 327(1) of the Occupational Health and

Safety Regulations by performing high risk construction work without a safe work method statement (SWMS).

WorkSafe also alleges the company breached section 21(2)(a) of the OHS Act by failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work; and regulation 44(4) of the OHS Regulations by failing to use a fall arrest system.

Judge ‘optimistic’ but jails Searle for seven From page 1 The driver drove his car forward in panic, then reversed away and reported the conduct to Boronia police and Searle left the scene on foot.

About 2.15am Searle was spotted walking west along Boronia road.

Searle was asked to stop and put his hands in the air and was then followed by three officers. Searle turned and pulled the firearm, pointing it towards police and then firing one shot into the air.

Judge Meredith read at the sentencing that Searle later said “it was a 12 gauge firearm… you get a firearm and you think you are f***ing hero.”

“It was just to kind of scare them off.

“You don’t realise the consequences, you don’t think about it at the time.”

The three officers took cover and Searle fled the scene, hiding at a nearby house for around five hours.

On 9 November Searle handed himself in at Melbourne West police station.

The shotgun was later found on 23 April buried in a resident’s garden bed and was found to be a match to Searle’s.

Judge Meredith found at the time that Searle had a significant criminal history including assault, damaging property, breaching court orders and drug use.

Searle has served several terms of imprisonment previously along with a history of entrenched substance abuse.

Picture: ON FILE As a child, he had a disadvantaged child- Searle received his final sentence on Friday 9 February. hood which exposed him to alcohol, addiction and anti-social behaviour from his fa- and half-sister passed away, his father from and removed himself from adverse influther - who was heard to have burnt down a a terminal illness in 2017 and his half-sister ences in the prison.

Judge Meredith took Searle’s background family home, stolen a vehicle with Searle in from a heroin overdose in 2022.

Searle has been in a stable relationship into account and said that Searle “presents it at the age of four and self-injected in front since September 2022 (after he went into with a complex and dysfunctional childof Searle at the age of 14.

He was diagnosed with ADHD as a child custody). His partner has attended plea and hood,” and that the “guilty plea and other and found learning difficult. He has worked sentencing to provide character support, materials satisfy me that you are appropriately remorseful for your crime.” mostly in labouring jobs but has been un- having known Searle throughout his life. able to maintain stable employment.

While in custody Searle has attended sevSearle has already served over 750 days of His parents separated and both his father eral vocational and therapeutic programs his sentence in pre-sentence detention.

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Emergency services attended a crash in Emerald on Monday 5 February.

A Victoria Police spokesperson said a truck rolled near the intersection of Wellington and Aura Vale Roads about 12.50pm.

“The male driver and male passenger were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” the spokesperson said.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said a man in his 30s was taken to the Alfred in a stable condition with upper body and lower body injuries.

A man in his 20s was taken to Dandenong Hospital in a stable condition with upper body and lower body injuries.

Six CFA units from Monbulk, Clematis, Menzies Creek and Narre Warren East attended the scene, a CFA spokesperson confirmed.

“The incident was deemed under control at 1:31pm and declared safe at 2:06pm.”

The exact circumstances of the truck rollover will be investigated.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Final permit approved Yarra Ranges Council has approved final changes on a planning permit application for a retail and residential premises on Monbulk’s main road.

The block in Monbulk has been approved by the Council to amend the location of the parking spaces to match the subdivision plan and reduce the number of car parking spaces to four on 19 January this year. The application was decided by the Council after being lodged on 20 September 2023, no building or works changed as a result of the amendment. The application was for the development of the land for retail premises and accommodation in the form of apartments.

A reduction in the car parking and bicycle rates, subdivision and removal of carriageway easement have also been approved with the application. The permit can be viewed at https:// eplanning.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Pages/ XC.Track/SearchApplication.aspx?id=1433981

Accessibility survey The Yarra Ranges Council is looking for feedback on how it can make Yarra Ranges more accessible, equitable and inclusive for local residents.

In particular, the council is looking to hear from community members with disability, long-term health conditions and/or chronic illness, as well as unpaid carers and service providers to help inform our next Access, Equity and Inclusion Strategy (Disability Action Plan).

With almost one in five residents identifying as having a disability and almost 15 per cent of people providing unpaid care, it’s crucial that YRC hears about how accessible residents find infrastructure, facilities, communications and services in the Yarra Ranges.

People can provide input online at shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/access-equity-andinclusion-strategy? For other ways to provide input, give YRC a call on 1300 368 333.

Hard copy surveys will also be available at any of YRC’s Community Links or at libraries in the Yarra Ranges.

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Monbulk nursery is charged over death

Truck rollover in Emerald

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

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Police in 40-year cold case Homicide Squad detectives are appealing for information in relation to the murder of Boronia woman Nanette Ellis in the hope it could provide a breakthrough in the case.

The 41-year-old was attacked and killed in her Manuka Drive home on 10 February 1984, some 40 years ago.

Detective Inspector Dean Thomas said that Nanette was a single mother of two boys, who had a job she enjoyed and lived a quiet life in Boronia.

“She was well liked by all those who knew her and had no criminal associations or anything that would potentially lead to her being killed in such a violent manner,” he said.

That day, Nanette had gone to her job as an advertising manager at a local newspaper as usual and had made plans to go out to dinner that evening with a number of her colleagues.

About 5.15pm, she was seen by a passer-by pulling into the driveway of her property in her yellow 1982 Toyota Corolla sedan.

Sometime after entering the house, Nanette was attacked by an unknown offender or offenders and stabbed a number of times.

Her body was subsequently found at the rear of the family home shortly after 6pm that night by her 16-year-old son Greg, who had been at a neighbour’s house watching TV. In the days leading up to her death, Nanette’s vehicle was the subject of a number of rock throwing attacks on her way to and from work.

A number of other vehicles in the area were also damaged in the same way around the same time.

Following the rock throwing incidents, her car was also subject to a series of vandalism attacks in her driveway where paint was tipped over the car, the tyres were slashed and the radio aerial and number plates were removed.

The incidents were investigated by local police, however no suspects were identified and no clear link was able to be established between the rock throwing incidents, vandalism or her death.

Nanette’s family have released the following statement: “Nanette was taken from us in horrendous circumstances 40 years ago.

She was a caring mother, daughter, sister and aunt, and would have no doubt been a wonderful grandmother had her life not been cut viciously short. At the time her life was simple and honest – it revolved around her work and raising her two sons, and her passion for art in the expression of painting.

To this day we remain tormented at the

As part of the appeal, detectives are also re-releasing an image of Nanette and her Manuka Drive home. thought of what she endured. The sequence of events leading up to the day she died, and the brutality of her last moments. Had she died from illness, she would have been surrounded by the care and affection of others. If she had died of an accident, someone would have been there to help and support. But there is no comfort to be had, there is no consoling thought in the way she died, attacked brutally in the sanctity of her own home, what should have been the safest of havens.

Our lives have gone on but have never been the same again since Nanette’s death, a sense of enduring loss and sadness continue to this day, exacerbated by not knowing who was responsible, and why Nanette was targeted.

We believe that someone must know who murdered Nanette. No one can carry such an appalling secret forever without sharing it with another. We believe someone must know who murdered Nanette, and we ask anyone with information to come forward in confidence and share this information with the police. We would also appeal to the person responsible, to find it in their conscience to do the right thing and hand themselves in.

Please help us find some closure to Nanette’s death after all these years.”

To mark the 30th anniversary of Nanette’s death, police announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of those responsible for her death.

That reward remains on offer and the investigation remains ongoing, however no one has ever been charged in relation to the fatal stabbing.

Homicide Squad detectives have spoken to a number of people over the past four decades and followed up hundreds of pieces of information in an effort to identify Nanette’s killers.

Police are hopeful that this renewed appeal on the 40th anniversary of her death could potentially lead to new avenues of enquiry for investigators.

As part of the appeal, detectives are also rereleasing an image of Nanette and her Manuka Drive home.

A reward of up to $500,000 will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner, for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Nanette Ellis.

Detective Inspector Thomas said that forty years is an incredibly long time for her family to go without answers. Her sons have grown

Picture: SUPPLIED

up without their mum and she never got to see them with families of their own.

“Over the years, a number of investigators from the Homicide Squad have looked at this case in the hope that time may provide the opportunity for new developments, and we still haven’t given up hope,” he said.

The Department of Public Prosecutions will also consider granting indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders.

Detective Thomas said that while a significant amount of time has passed, there are potentially still people out there who know why Nanette was killed and who was responsible.

“The time to come forward is now. The Ellis family have waited four decades for answers – four decades of grief and mystery,” he said.

“If there is anyone out there who knows anything about Nanette’s death, no matter what it is, I urge you to come forward and speak to police or Crime Stoppers.”

Anyone with information about Nanette’s death and those responsible is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppers.com.au

Tax cuts set to benefit La Trobe residents the most

By Tyler Wright The electorate of La Trobe is set to benefit the most from the Labor Government’s amendments to the stage 3 tax cuts in Victoria, according to independent think tank The Australian Institute.

According to the recent report, the electorate will benefit from an additional $46 million as a whole, with each taxpayer $369.16 better off compared to the original stage 3 tax cuts legislated by the Liberal Government in 2019.

The paper used taxation statistics by postcode from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) and aggregated them into federal electorates, added up the number of taxpayers in each tax bracket for each electorate.

“The modified Stage 3 tax cuts give a larger tax cut to low-and middle-income earners, the biggest winners are those electorates that have a larger proportion of low-and middleincome taxpayers,” The Australian Institute’s report read.

The Prime Minister broke a promise that the party would not amend the cuts.

While the Coalition will attempt to amend the bill, it will not stand in the way of Labor’s changes, supporting the amendment in order to ‘help Australians’.

Liberal La Trobe MP Jason Wood said his office had received “two or three emails” from constituents calling for the Liberal Party to support the changes.

“They didn’t want to lose the money; mailcommunity.com.au

Low to middle income earners are set to earn more under Labor’s proposed changes to the stage 3 tax cuts.

Picture: ON FILE when I’ve gone out there, other people have, like doctors, have made it very clear to me that they’re obviously not happy about the changes.

“Overall, people really hurt, and that’s the key message I’m hearing, the cost of living... everything’s going up, insurance is going up.

“I get more emails on potholes than tax cuts.”

Mr Wood said the scrapping of funding for

the duplication of Wellington Road between the 2022-23 budget and slashing over $100 million of funding the Sealing the Hills program, which was set to seal 100 kilometres of roads in the Cardinia Shire in the 2022-23 budget, are other examples of broken promises from the Federal government.

“These were election commitments made

by Labor back in 2019, and they’ve walked away,” he said.

“Reducing the tax rate from 19 to 16 [per cent], we will support that, we’re not gonna stop anyone from getting a tax cut, but the point is Labor, they never put any amendments on it in the last four years and all of a sudden they change it, and that was election commitments, and that’s our issue.

“There was stage one and stage two [cuts] more for low income earners and stage three was for people earning more, and that was the agreement through two elections.”

Speaking to the ABC, Casey MP Aaron Violi also criticised Prime Minister Anthony Abanese’s “broken promise” that the Labor Party would not amend the stage 3 tax cuts.

“Most Australians will gain $804 in that low and middle income bracket,” he said.

“That, for perspective for viewers, is $15 a week, starting on the 1st of July.

“Petrol in my community is $2.19 today, that’s about six litres of petrol in about five months that this government is promising people for cost of living.

“So he’s [Albanese’s] broken his promise, he’s broken his word, and he’s not delivering significant, tangible relief to Australians today, he’s making them wait five months.

“It’s $15 a week for most, and he could have acted last year when he slugged everyone an extra $1500 on their tax bill.”

The Federal Labor Government cited a global inflation spike, interest rate rises and ‘greater global uncertainty’ as its reasons for the changes.

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Concerned parent Jason Fox is calling for illuminated speed signs near Kallista Primary School on Kallista-Emerald Road Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS following “near misses”. 387941

Electronic speed signs were installed on Monbulk Road in 2018. 387941

Safety fears at school

By Tyler Wright There are renewed calls for electronic speed signs on Kallista-Emerald Road outside Kallista Primary School, with fears for student safety.

Concerned parent Jason Fox launched a petition on 1 February urging Yarra Ranges Council to install illuminated 40 km/h safety signs near the school crossing.

“I tried to get [electronic signs] years ago, [in] 2016, for the school, my three kids were there, and just watching these cars speed past and the near misses; I campaigned and did a petition back in 2016... they promised in the election and they got put on in 2018 on Monbulk Road, but not the front of the school where all the crossings are,“ Mr Fox said.

“I thought I might as well get going again, it’s my child’s last year at primary school. I’ve been going for it quietly for a couple of years, emailing occasionally, but I thought I’ll push it up again.“ “All the parents of that down there at the school, and the kinder as well [are calling for illuminated signs] because they use that crossing, and some of them go across to the school for after school care.“ The Department of Transport and Planning confirmed it is aware of four other injury crashes, where an ambulance has attended for

minor injuries, but no one was admitted to hospital for treatment, at the intersection of Monbulk Road and Kallista-Emerald Road in the five years between July 2018 and June 2023.

The department said it plays a key role in ensuring speed limits are consistent and appropriate in line with the state’s Speed Zoning Policy and Technical Guidelines, which set out the requirements for electronic speed limit signs.

Electronic speed limit signs are used when there is a change of 30 km/h change in speed or greater, according to the department, or on roads with a 20 km/h change in speed and high traffic volumes, which amounts to more than 20,000 vehicles per day, or between 10,000 and 20,000 in some circumstances.

The guidelines do not prevent Yarra Ranges Council installing illuminated speed signs on Kallista-Emerald Road, the department said.

In 2016, electronic variable speed limit signs were installed at The Patch Primary School - on the same road as Kallista Primary School - as part of a $593,000 funding package which also included the installation of speed limit signs at Mount Dandenong Primary School.

Mr Fox expressed his disappointment that electronic signs were only installed on one side of the school, and not the side where the school crossing is located.

He said the current signs on Kallista-Emer-

ald Road are on bends, hidden by other signs and tree foliage.

“Also with the regular poor weather and visibility in the area, it also makes the signs hard to see, where lights, you can’t miss,” he said.

“They also give a reminder of a school zone.“ A letter from Yarra Ranges Council, published in Mr Fox’s petition, said the “existing school zone speed signs and repeater signs on Kallista-Emerald Road have been assessed and deemed satisfactory, meeting the current standards“.

“It’s essential to highlight that illuminated speed signs were installed on Monbulk Road, an arterial road with a higher volume of nonregular users,“ the letter read.

“Our council’s approach to installing illuminated speed signs is primarily guided by the visibility limitations posed by the geography of the road or its specific location.

“In this instance, the intersection near the ’School Zone’ speed signs on Kallista-Emerald Road is characterized by a slow-speed environment. Additionally, the other side of the school crossing features a relatively straight road section, where the visibility of the existing signs is deemed adequate.“ The letter continued, “Illuminated speed signs are typically reserved for locations where

visibility is significantly compromised“.

“Given the treatment of a supervised school crossing already in place and the specific road conditions, the installation of additional illuminated signs on Kallista-Emerald Road is not warranted at this time.”

Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said “road safety around schools is paramount, which is why our State Government installed illuminated speed signs on our state road, Monbulk Road, outside of Kallista Primary school, and it is why we will also be installing them on our state road outside of Gembrook Primary School“.

“Kallista-Emerald Road in Kallista is a council road, so the installation of illuminated speed signs is a matter for Yarra Ranges Council,“ Ms De Martino said.

“I would encourage Council to continue monitoring traffic along here to evaluate the need for illuminated speed signs.

“I would also encourage anyone aware of speeding vehicles or dangerous driving to report these matters to Victoria Police via the Police Assistance Line 131 444 or if someone is in immediate danger, to contact 000.”

To view Mr Fox’s petitIon, visit change. org/p/install-illuminated-40-km-h-safetysigns-outside-kallista-primary-school Yarra Ranges Council has been contacted for comment.

Steiner school breathes life into Menzies Creek Hall

By Tyler Wright The Dandenong Ranges Steiner School is set to breathe new life into the Menzies Creek Hall, following the news that the Menzies Creek Preschool will be ceasing operations.

On 31 January, the hall committee confirmed via social media it had formally signed an agreement with Steiner to use the hall during the day from Term 3 2024.

The school will be operating its playgroup sessions out of the hall, with its financial contributions through the lease helping subsidise local programs.

Menzies Creek Hall Committee president Geoff Connor said the committee subsidises yoga programs, a pilates program, movement classes for the elderly and a table tennis program.

“That allows us to provide other things as well; sometimes we do cabaret nights, which is a fully funded thing, which we would never be able to do unless we had funding,“ Mr mailcommunity.com.au

The Dandenong Ranges Steiner School will operate playgroup sessions out of the Menzies Creek Hall from Term 3. 355996 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Connor said.

“Cabaret night would be something in the order of a $2,000 contribution by the committee that basically bridges the gap between ticket prices that we offer to residents and the actual cost of running an event like that.

“We talked about how [Steiner’s] contri-

butions to the Menzies Creek Hall, for the use of the hall, would go directly to maintenance, repairs, improvements and more importantly resident programs.“ Dandenong Ranges Steiner School also has a fondly remembered past at the same hall, starting its kindergarten at the hall in 1995.

“We started our school in the Menzies Creek Hall as well in 1999...the first prep class of eight children started in the Menzies Creek Hall,“ Dandenong Ranges Steiner School business manager Cath Lanigan said.

“It grew from there; in 2000 we had class one, and then that year we bought the building across the road and then the school moved into there.

“It’s really lovely to be going back to that space again as well and being able to offer playgroups there to the community as well.“ Ms Lanigan said the school currently operates a playgroup, three-year-old and fouryear-old kindergarten and prep across the

road from the hall at its early childhood campus, and with kindergarten hours extending over the next five years needed more space.

“We contacted the Menzies Creek Hall to see if we might be able to rent the space for our playgroup so we can move our playgroups across to the hall and then have more room on our current site for kindergarten,“ Ms Lanigan said.

“We’d heard as well that sadly the Menzies Creek Kindergarten was finishing at the end of last year operating from the hall, so we knew that there might be space possibly at the hall following the kindergarten closing.

“We’re really glad because we say ourselves as being part of the community; we’ve been in Menzies Creek for 25 years now, we’ve got six playgroups so it’s an opportunity for you to know for anyone who’s interested in our playgroups to [participate].“ The Dandenong Ranges Steiner School playgroup sessions will run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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Black Saturday bushfires remembered, 15 years on

By Dongyun Kwon Black Saturday marked its 15th anniversary on Wednesday 7 February.

It’s been 15 years, but many locals still remember the bushfires vividly and have tried to make the community safer by taking the lessons from the experience.

Healesville CFA member Ron Poole said he and his team were anxious because they couldn’t control the fires.

“We were more worried about the Murrindindi fire, which we thought would be what’d be mainly involved, but as time went past, it had shown that wasn’t to be the case,” he said.

“We were heading out to support Yarra Glen, they’d already had spot fires started around the whole town of Yarra Glen.

“We shot across here to give a hand which was pretty well before it was already gone heading towards Coldstream, so there wasn’t a lot that we could do.

“We headed back to Healesville because a wind change was starting to happen. We wanted to be back in the town more than out over at Yarra Glen, that’s basically the first part of the turnout.”

The team couldn’t do many things and they decided to focus on looking after people.

“As it turned and came towards Healesville, we were there more to just look after life, not so much the property,” Mr Poole said.

“We came back to the town, got some gear and then we headed up to the Chum Creek side, but the fires went on quickly and it was low in front of us.

“So we just did what we had to do, get people out of there.”

Since the Black Saturday bushfires, even though the CFA’s equipment has been upgraded, there has been a decreased number of volunteers joining local emergency services.

“Nobody seems to volunteer so it’s not just the CFA or SES but it’s every organisation that people don’t seem to want to volunteer and fire brigades are all getting older,” Mr Poole said.

“It’s going to come to a big crunch eventually.

Dixons Creeks CFA former captain Graeme Miller said he felt disappointed because his brigade was unable to stop the bushfires despite their massive effort.

“Normally when there’s a total fire ban, we are expected to log into superiors and ask about availability for the day, on this particular day [Black Saturday], they knew it was going to be pretty bad, so we were expected to, in fact, man our truck at 8.30 in the morning,” he said.

“We worked that day until well into early hours the next morning and we were back on the trucks again at 7.30 in the morning and worked the next day until about midnight, we were pretty well stuffed by the end of that period, however, we continued to turn out pretty much every day for the three weeks, sometimes multiple times a day.

“We did save quite a few but we lost a lot.”

Black Saturday marked its 15th anniversary on Wednesday 7 February.

Yarra Glen CFA captain Bill Boyd , who was captain at the time of the fires, recalled his experience.

“First fire hit us about 3.45 in the afternoon and from 3.45 to the next week, we were busy fighting fires,” he said.

“We lost 11 members of our community in those fires, numerous homes and businesses and it was something that should never be forgotten.

“Certainly don’t live in the past, it’s all move forward and learn from our experience and try to make the valley a beautiful place.”

The tragedy gave the lesson to the CFA brigades to prepare the properties before summer hits.

“Do their own fire preparation works of their own, fire suppression works, slashing the grass tidying up around the home and a lot of people have installed pump systems now,” Mr Boyd said.

“It’s about re-educating or educating new people to the area, we’ve seen the demographic change in 15 years.

“We have new people moving into the area, so it’s about coming together as a community and educating everyone about what happened and trying to prevent that happening again.”

Mr Boyd said many rules were changed after the Black Saturday bushfires.

“The rules were changed after the fires to enable people to clear large trees in close proximity to their homes and their boundary fences, that’s a good thing.

“Also, the building regulations were changed so that people’s homes depending on what part of the bush they’re living in, had different BAL [Bushfire Attack Level] ratings.

“The design and the construction of the homes were changed as well, so they are all real good lessons that we’ve taken from it [Black Saturday bushfires].”

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister’s

property was also affected by bushfires and she joined the Community Recovery Reference Group.

“I’ve been part of the reference group giving feedback to the council looking at ways to support the community with recovery but also look at what we needed to do into the future,” she said.

After she was elected as a councillor, Cr McAllister was committed to working with the most directly affected people and areas in the first few years.

“When I stepped into the council, I was part of a Bushfire Recovery Network and in first four or five years, a lot of it worked around making sure there was counselling support for people who clearly were still very impacted, financial support and grant funding that helped people cope with what they had to do with rebuilding or dealing with emotional trauma,” she said.

“Another important focus was on finding ways as a community to come together, remember, reflect and create places for the community.

“So we have two very beautiful reflective memorials in Ryrie Ward, there’s one in Yarra Glen which was created by a local artist and there’s one at Queens Park in Healesville.”

The Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) keeps working to minimise the risk of diverse disasters.

“Everything from our roadside slashing program to make sure we get the timing of that right, network with all of the emergency service providers and make sure there’s a much better connection with communication between the council and all of those agencies,” Cr McAllister said.

“We did a Healesville Structure Plan for the first time which is a strong consideration of how we better protect the town against bushfire.”

VicForests staff were part of a group who

Picture: SUPPLIED received bravery awards after rescuing campers threatened by the Black Saturday bushfires.

VicForests roading coordinator Ray Mackey and VicForests senior harvesting forester Jarrod Logue were recognised with a Group Bravery Citation as part of the Australian Bravery Decorations.

Mr Mackey said the award was a great thing for everybody involved in the rescue.

“It was a surprise to be nominated and to receive an award. It made my family very proud,” he said.

“Our team went to the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve on Black Saturday, and we were in the process of evacuating about 20 campers when the fire crossed the road, trapping us in the forest.

“The group included families and children and we spent a number of hours in the river as the fire burnt the hills on either side.

“It was a very intense experience until the fire front finally passed and we were able to escape.”

Mr Logue said the team was simply doing what was required in the difficult circumstances.

“A lot of people faced dangerous situations on that day, so to receive an award really was a surprise,” he said.

“I’m sure other people would have done exactly what we did if they found themselves in the same place at the time.”

Mr Logue said a large number of VicForests’ staff and contractors played an important role in fighting the Black Saturday fires.

“There is an enormous amount of fire experience within VicForests, particularly when it comes to dealing with high intensity bushfires,” he said.

“This knowledge of fire behaviour, and the on-ground role played by our contractors working in the forests, was vital in protecting the community.”

Closing the Gap review

By Mikayla van Loon A scathing review of how all levels of government are implementing the National Agreement on Closing the Gap has made numerous recommendations to ensure better progress for First Nations people.

The Productivity Commission released its first three-year review into the co-signed document on Wednesday 7 February stating “governments have failed to fully grasp the nature and scale of change required”.

“To date, most government actions and plans to implement the agreement re-label business-as-usual, or simply tweak existing ways of working,” commissioner Natalie SiegelBrown said.

“The agreement can and should be a blueprint for real reform, but governments will need to move beyond business as usual and address the entrenched attitudes, assumptions and ways of working that are preventing progress.”

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In response, Yarra Ranges Council mayor Sophie Todorov said Closing the Gap is one of the council’s “big focuses”.

“As the first tier of government to have offered an apology to the Stolen Generations in 1997, Council is committed to Closing the Gap and improving life outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

“One of our big focuses is to help drive an understanding of the vital relationship between culture, and health and wellbeing, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people need to be given control over the decisions that affect their lives, which is one of the recommendations to come out of the national review into Closing the Gap.” The Closing the Gap agreement came into effect in 2020 to deliver policies, programs and services for and by First Nations people, to achieve better outcomes in health, life expectancy, education and appreciation of Country and culture.

The initial priority reforms sought to create stronger partnerships with Aboriginal groups and services for shared decision making; improve community controlled programs and services through government support; overhaul government organisations and eradicate racism; and shared access to data.

The commission found however, a ‘government knows best’ attitude still remained limiting the ability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from making decisions.

“Efforts to improve outcomes are far more likely to succeed when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people lead their design and implementation,” commissioner Romlie Mokak said.

“Nothing will change until this model of partnership, based on genuine power sharing, becomes the rule and not the exception.”

Mayor Todorov said the work of the Indigenous Development Team and Indigenous Advisory Committee has been crucial to making

headway in Closing the Gap. “We’ve supported local Aboriginal elders towards self determination, which has enabled the formation of a community-controlled health organisation, such as Oonah, to help improve the health and wellbeing for the indigenous population in the Eastern region,” she said.

“We know that identifying opportunities to work on Country is a really important way that we can improve health and wellbeing outcomes, which is why we’re so proud of programs like our Firesticks project.”

The council’s previous reconciliation framework expired last year with the new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) currently being worked on ready for release later this year.

“This will outline the council’s key strategic reconciliation actions and objectives to further drive progress in this space,” mayor Todorov said. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Creating consistent habits

By Callum Ludwig Many kids dread a visit to the dentist and oral health and hygiene can often be neglected when kids express their distaste for dentistry.

Inspiro Community Health’s dental team are helping break down the barriers to dental care, offering free dental screenings for kids at child care centres, kindergartens, primary schools and community houses throughout the Outer East.

Inspiro CEO Sue Sestan said Inspiro has a long history in providing outreach screenings.

“Kids get a sense in a fun way of what oral hygiene and oral health is about, but then they get to experience what we call a good exam experience so that children can feel confident that when they go to the dentist,” she said.

“There’s not the fear factor which a lot of people say in their 50s and 60s experienced as kids, and I think it’s incredibly important because it sets them up for good health in the future.”

All children aged 12 years and under can access free or low-fee dental screenings through Inspiro, while they also have a strong connection to Dental Health Services Victoria’s ‘Smiles 4 Miles’ program, which helps to educate and promote the benefits of good oral health alongside screening services, creating a positive dental health experience.

Ms Sestan said they are really proud of the program and the skill sets Inspiro has.

“We’ve got some really good staff that manage children exceptionally well, I’m really proud of their ability in that space because you can imagine lousy experiences set kids up for a really bad interaction with oral health and dental professionals,” she said.

“You need your teeth to feel confident it affects mental health and self-esteem, you need your teeth to eat well and as an adult, as we age, if you haven’t got your own teeth,

Consistent check-ups and oral health habits are crucial for kids. general health suffers,” “There’s also a strong connection between good oral health and cardiac and diabetic health as well.”

Picture: UNSPLASH

Inspiro’s dental team can provide emergency care, check-ups, cleaning and preventative care, general care, dentures, advice for healthy teeth and referrals to specialist care.

Ms Sestan said there’s something to be learnt from what they call ‘intentional outreach’.

“Intentional outreach is making a decision to go out to these smaller centres or towns so that they feel like they’re still connected to a system,” she said.

“The Yarra Ranges is geographically challenged, we know that the distances between small towns and our larger urban centres cause problems, especially if we haven’t got transport,” “It is important to go to an area that is isolated from other parts of the Yarra Ranges and make sure that they know that we haven’t forgotten them and that they are an integral part of the region.”

The Woori Community House organised to welcome the Inspiro Dental team on Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 February, helping make a dental check-up more accessible for local families.

The nearest dental services to Woori Yallock are in Seville and Yarra Junction and would incur a cost for a check-up.

Ms Sestan the initial check-ups are just a screening rather than a physical exam.

“You can actually see a fair bit just by looking in the child’s mouth and asking them to give you an understanding of what their oral hygiene routine is,” she said.

“It’s pretty evident if something’s not right so it just gives parents or families reassurance that there’s nothing significantly wrong or if there is, that they can contact us.”

Pensioner, concession and health care card holders and their dependants, children and young people in out-of-home care up to 18 years of age, people in youth justice custodial care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and refugees and asylum seekers can also all access free or low-fee dental care from Inspiro.

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NEWS

FOHH’s Amy Gregorovich a finalist for volunteer award

By Callum Ludwig A young conservationist has been recognised for her efforts to bring a youthful influence into the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FOHH) group.

FoHH Committee Member and Youth Reference Group Convenor Amy Gregorovich has been nominated as a finalist for the Young Volunteer Award of the 2023 Victorian Volunteering Awards.

Ms Gregorovich said it’s very exciting and it’s always nice to be recognised for the hidden volunteer work that people do.

“I had a look at the other nominees who have been shortlisted as finalists and it’s incredible to be a part of a cohort doing such amazing work,” she said.

“I joined the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater as a volunteer about five years ago, I was studying environmental science at the time and was looking for an opportunity to get some skills within the field and I have stayed on because I love the people and I love the work that we do.”

Ms Gregorovich was appointed to the FOHH Committee of Management in 2020 and has since become involved in the running of the organisation, the citizen science surveys, writing grant applications and running the group’s social media presence.

Ms Gregorovich said at the moment, her focus is the Youth Reference Group.

“I convene the group, which runs activities for people aged between 18 and 30 for them to participate in, it adds to the efforts of the group in ways that support their very busy lifestyles and gives them an opportunity

Amy Gregorovich is a finalist for the Young Volunteer award. to gain transferable skills,” she said.

“We’ve continued those programs and we’re always getting great feedback on the activities we’re running and how they’re designed to meet the needs of young people, for example, we don’t always have them at strict times during the week and people can come and go, they don’t have to commit on a regular basis,” she said.

“I find it incredibly rewarding to host those opportunities and work with oth-

Picture: SUPPLIED

er young people.”

The Youth Reference Group was formed in 2022 and has gone on to conduct citizen science surveys, frog surveys with Melbourne Water, adaptive planning workshops with Parks Victoria, wetland ecology surveys with researchers from the University of Melbourne and more.

Ms Gregorovich said they were hoping to provide opportunities for tertiary students in the environmental science space to get their

work experience after studying online during lockdowns.

“The interest in the program really shocked me, we had about 66 expressions of interest in four days before we had to close the expressions of interest and it was really exciting to see that there was a real demand for those opportunities that were designed by and for young people,” she said.

“70 young people participated in the following three workshops that were focused on various aspects of conservation and environmental management, and it was really exciting hearing from other young people about how nice it was to get out into nature, to be learning from some experts in the field and networking with people who are also within the early stages of their career.”

28 individuals and 24 organisations were nominated as finalists for the awards across eight categories, with one individual and one organisation also set to take out the tile of the Premier’s Volunteer Champions of the year when the awards function is held at Government House on Tuesday 27 February.

Ms Gregorovich said she thinks encouraging volunteering is incredibly important.

Volunteering is a pivotal part of our society, especially in our current society with all of the issues going on at the moment and I think it’s a really meaningful opportunity for people to get out and about, be a part of their community and create meaningful change,” she said.

“It’s a great two-way relationship and you’re able to build skills and relationships while you give back to the issues that you’re passionate about.”

‘Small but mighty’ team

By Tanya Steele The small but mighty Volunteer for Knox community team is once again a finalist in the Volunteering Victoria Awards for the second time in two years for the Community Partnerships Award for 2023.

The government is recognising 28 outstanding Victorian volunteers who have generously given their time and skills to make this state an even better place to live.

Volunteer for Knox stated via social media that they will be “Off to the beautiful Government House - we go on February 27. Wish us luck!”

Coordinator Sally Dusting-Laird said while Volunteer for Knox is only a small team, it doesn’t stop them from doing great things.

“We are happy to be nominated and to go to Government House and meet the Governor, and be applauded for the work that we do in the community,” she said.

Ms Dusting Laird and Co-ordinator Mandy Limb are both looking forward to the ceremony.

“It’s very formal and it is very lovely to be invited,” Ms Dusting-Laird said.

On 2 February Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence announced the nominees for the 2023 Volunteering Awards which recognise community organisations and volunteers for the enormous contribution they make to Victorian communities and the economy.

Minister Spence said volunteers play a vital role in our community and these awards celebrate the incredible achievements of our hard-working volunteers.

“It’s been through the resilience and innovation of our wonderful volunteers that many of our community organisations have been able to continue to provide great service.”

The Volunteer for Knox group has a governance team consisting of the five Knox neighbourhood houses and is funded by the Knox City Council.

“We aim to place passionate and willing volunteers,” Ms Dusting-Laird said.

The nomination stems from a collaboration facilitated by Volunteer for Knox which has resulted in pairing up local community member Lillie Giang - Founder and President of Feed One, Feed All and 30 youth group volunteers from Resend church.

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At one of the groups events, Sally and Mandy make a small but powerful community force.

Lillie Gang stated in her nomination letter that “The Resound Church Youth group are energetic, enthusiastic and we have bonded as a dream team. We host Master chef challenges keeping it fun and exciting for all involved.

Even other members of the church have expressed interest in volunteering and we feel like a connected community all working towards the same cause.

Volunteer for Knox have been extremely supportive in all areas of training, networking and continued connections. Their guidance, patience and commitment have been outstanding. We are very grateful to be able to continue to amplify our outreach with such a wonderful group of volunteers that we call family.”

Ms Dusting-Laird said initially the Volunteer for Knox introduced the youth group leader who met with Lillian and through that meeting, they then offered Feed One, Feed All the commercial kitchen at the church.

“Every Friday night they prepare. cook, and package meals for vulnerable people in the community,” she said.

“They are putting out about 1000 meals a week at the moment and they’re just growing bigger and bigger.”

Volunteers for Knox continue to support the development of the program, assisting with more volunteers .

“The nomination was for creating that opportunity and pairing Lilian with the youth group and we are now supporting them as they go along,” Ms Dusting-Laird said.

“We aim to place volunteers, assist marginalised groups and try to think outside the box,” she said.

“Volunteering, especially as a young person can also really stand out on your resume - you’re giving back to your community.”

Ms Dusting-Laird was previously announced as the Runner Up in the Volunteering Victoria Awards in the Community Partner-

Mandy, Sally and dog Quentin from Volunteer for Knox.

Pictures: SUPPLIED ships category for her work at the Westfield Knox Community Space in 2022.

Volunteering Victoria Chief Executive Geoff Sharp said they are pleased to partner with the Government and Government House for a joyous celebration.

“These awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of Victoria’s volunteers, acknowledging their selfless care and immense impact on building stronger, more connected communities,” he said.

Volunteer for Knox will continue its vital work helping place volunteers and looks forward to creating more opportunities within the community.

One individual and one organisation will be named the Premier’s Volunteer Champions of the Year at a function to be held at Government House on 27 February.

For the full list of finalists, visit volunteeringvictoria.org.au/awards mailcommunity.com.au

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We have experienced lending specialists Fiona and Bec who are based in our lending hub next door to the branch who are ready to help you with your next project. Our staff are friendly and approachable and will ensure you are completely taken care of with their personalised and professional service.

We have worked with many customers on their dream to own their own home. Providing assistance right from the beginning, working with clients to achieve their goals.

From saving techniques 12 months before buying, to providing information on available Government grants, to wealth creation and investments Our dedicated team is here to help you in this difficult financial climate. We encourage our existing customers and any local homeowners to chat with us and receive our personalised service and support through this time. Nowhere else in Monbulk is there a whole team of lending specialists dedicated to helping you reach your financial goals.

Contact us on 9752 1130 today to see how we can help you.

L-R: Lending specialists Fiona and Bec.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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NEWS

Frogs in spotlight Croaks, ribbits and more have contributed towards an amphibious undertaking recently as an Australian citizen science project reaches a new record.

FrogID, the Australian Museum’s national frog count and the largest global citizen science project about frogs, has reached a new milestone, one million validated frog records.

The one millionth frog record was of a Spalding’s Rocket Frog recorded about 50kms from Cloncurry, north-west Queensland by volunteer citizen scientist, Dr Elliot Leach.

Curator of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biology at the AM and UNSW Sydney, and lead scientist behind FrogID, Dr Jodi Rowley, said she was thrilled and grateful to the tens of thousands of FrogID users across Australia who helped achieve this milestone.

“This is a testament to the incredible contribution of citizen scientists right across the country. FrogID has changed attitudes towards frogs and created opportunities for communities, schools and families to learn, participate and contribute towards the research and conservation of Australia’s unique amphibians. It is inspiring and encouraging to see such interest in our precious frogs,” said Rowley.

Leading Amphibian scientists from across the USA, UK and Australia congratulated Dr Rowley and her team at the Australian Museum on this extraordinary achievement saying that a dataset of this size will help inform scientists and policy makers into the future.

David De Angelis, who is an environmental consultant who consults in ecology and frog conservation for the Greater Melbourne area said that the audio recordings submitted through the frog ID end up alongside the records that a professional ecologist would collect. “They eventually all end up in Atlas of Australia,” he said.

The sounds are run past a group of herpetology experts Mr De Angelis said the team are

By Gabriella Vukman

The Southern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilii insularis).

Victorian Smooth Froglet (Geocrinia victoriana) can be heard in Autumn in the Yarra Ranges.

Pictures: DAVID DE ANGELIS fairly quick to identify the frogs when people send recordings through.

“From a scientific perspective, the great thing is that we have so many people contributing records,” he said. “It’s then in the hands of the scientists and that data is available to all sorts of other researchers.”

Created and devised by AM Director & CEO, Kim McKay AO and Dr Rowley, the AM launched FrogID in 2017 with the purpose of creating a database of frog records and associated audio files to assist in the conservation of Australia’s distinctive amphibians.

Mr McKay said this milestone was made possible by more than 45,000 interested and concerned volunteer citizen scientists across Australia.

“Emphasising science and technology, the free FrogID app is at the heart of our nationwide program. Initially developed with the assistance of IBM and the Federal Government, the GPS technology used in the free FrogID app has allowed thousands of Australians of all ages to contribute to this vital national citizen science project,” he said.

For communities across the Yarra Ranges and beyond, Mr De Angelis said that nighttime is the best time to attempt to capture recordings of the amphibian vocal escapades.

“Nighttime is a good time to catch them calling, but there is nothing to stop you from trying in the daytime,” he said.

“That’s the great thing about having a tool like the Frog ID app, it’s convenient.”

Director and Chief Scientist of the Australian Museum Research Institute, Professor Kris Helgen, said frogs are not only charismatic and colourful animals, but important for healthy ecosystems.

“Because frogs are highly sensitive to environmental change, including pollution, land and water use, and climate change, they are key indicators of the health of our environment. With 249 native frog species in Australia including many in serious decline, there is a critical need to better understand our frogs and their habitats,” Professor Helgen said.

“They are the ‘canary in the coalmine’ for Australian ecosystems,” he said.

Helping people identify frogs in the wild is just part of the FrogID project. FrogID submissions have helped identify five new species, produced more than 20 research papers and even inspired an ARIA nominated album.

Home gardeners urged to be on QFF alert

By Tyler Wright Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) has been detected in Avonsleigh and Silvan in February, with residents urged to enact their fruit fly action plan.

QFF regional coordinator (Yarra Valley) for Agribusiness Yarra Valley, Bronwyn Koll, said the pests were detected in a surveillance trap.

“We have fruit fly traps all over the Yarra Valley on public and private land, and these fruit fly detections have shown up in our surveillance traps,“ Ms Koll said.

“From that point, we then let people in those areas know that there’s been fruit fly caught in the surveillance trap, and that means that they can elevate their fruit fly action plan.”

Ms Koll said the action plan could entail a home gardener checking their fruit more thoroughly than they have in the past, or a commercial fruit grower choosing to put more fruit fly traps up.

“We won’t know exactly where [the fruit fly has] come from,“ she said. “Part of my role as the fruit fly coordinator is to door knock, letterbox drop, make appropriate calls and emails, and let as many people know in that area as possible, and get all of those land managers to then look at their own properties.

“Hopefully we can narrow it down, and if we can’t, it doesn’t really matter, we just get everyone to elevate their prevention measures of that fruit fly anyway.“ Ms Koll also said one fruit fly in a trap is “usually an indicator“ there are more of the species around. “We know that just one in the fruit fly trap can mean that there’s several more in the region or in that area,“ she said. “I make observations about the area that I’ve gone to where the fruit fly’s been detected; quite often I see lemons hanging on trees that should have been picked months ago.

“The other thing I often see is ripe blackberries, so anything that’s a fruit that’s ripe now means that that’s somewhere where the fruit fly can lay her eggs, which means that the fruit fly can breed and build up numbers.“ The detections come after one fruit fly was detected in Kinglake on 21 January, and two were found in Lilydale on 19 January. According to Ms Koll, urban and peri-urban suburbs 12 MAIL

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Mite night, sleep tight

Queensland Fruit Fly found on a sticky card used in Lilydale as part of the area wide surveillance traps used for early detection and regional alerts.

Picture: SUPPLIED of Melbourne and the Yarra Valley, including Mooroolbark, Croydon and Yarra Glen, are experiencing QFF. More detections are expected in Silvan. “Particularly with the QFF pressure from wild blackberries in full fruit,“ Ms Koll said.

“We have sent the council notification of that fruit fly and this is the same in the other Yarra Ranges detections...we sent a notification to council and the council and I worked out a targeted area to send letters to explain in detail the things that you could look out for,“ she said. “That’s what we did with the Lilydale case as well as letter box drops, and we’ve put up some extra fruit fly traps and we’ll do more intensive surveillance in those areas.“ Home gardeners are at risk of potentially losing all their fruit crops to QFF, with any fruit not protected with a fine insect mesh “vulnerable to attack“ from the female QFF looking for good fruit to lay her eggs into.

“This can have devastating knock on effects on the larger scale fruit producers in the Yarra Valley,“ Ms Koll said. “Many home gardeners with fruit and ‘fruiting’ vegetables (tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers etc) are unaware their produce has been ‘hit’ by QFF as the damage can happen while the fruit is unripe. The QFF is targeting ripening fruit (not yet mature) so her young develop inside at the same rate the fruit is ripening. This ensures a good survival of all her young. Most people find out their produce is infested when they go to harvest it.

It’s shocking!“ In 2023, there were 40 detections of QFF in the Yarra Valley; a number which Ms Koll said could have been “so much worse“ had Agribusiness Yarra Valley not been ahead of the curve.

“Early detection is definitely a superpower that we have,“ she said. “We have the winter break where we find that there’s not many fruit flies around at all, probably zero, and what happens is that they either come in during the warm weather or they’re potentially overwintered as mature adults over the winter and they’re just starting to start their breeding cycle as the fruit ripens, so they’re very clever insects, very robust as well.

“They’ve proven that they can survive in many situations, so there are other regions of Victoria that are really, really doing it hard because fruit flies become quite prolific.“ Looking to reduce the number of QFF detections in 2024, Ms Koll said Agribusiness Yarra Valley’s intention is to get more people on board with prevention work.

“If we were to find larvae in fruit... It would be a far more urgent response because we know that that means they’re definitely breeding, and that’s when we encourage the landowners or whoever’s responsible for growing that fruit to destroy it by boiling or freezing,“ she said.

For information on how to control QFF in home gardens, you can visit agriculture.vic. gov.au/biosecurity/pest-insects-and-mites/ priority-pest-insects-and-mites/queenslandfruit-fly/controlling-queensland-fruit-fly-inhome-gardens

On Tuesday 13 February, Emerald Regional Beekeepers group are hosting a Varroa Mite information night.

With an expert speaker, Victorian Apiarists’ Association board member Andrew Wootton, coming in, the event will commence at 7.30pm at the Hills Hub in Emerald, to inform local beekeepers about biosecurity and pest control.

Emerald Regional Beekeeping Club member Bronwyn Koll said, “recently we’ve had the Varroa Destructor Mite come into NSW.” “While Australia has been through a massive bio-security response to try and eradicate Varroa, the NSW and Australian governments were unsuccessful at containing the pest, rendering a potential threat to Victoria as well.”

“It’s very hard to contain an insect and I know this because of my background in insect bio-security,” Bronwyn said.

Spreading awareness about the Varroa Mite is crucial to all beekeepers Australiawide if pollination levels and the honey industry are to remain at functioning levels.

“Raising awareness and being prepared can actually make a huge difference to regions and communities when it comes to preventing a pest from establishing itself.”

“I’ve been working with the executive committee at the Emerald Regional Beekeeping group and they are trying to keep our members up to date with the Varroa situation in Australia.”

“While Varroa is not yet in Victoria, we anticipate that one day it might be, due to it not being successfully eradicated in NSW,” Bronwyn said.

The information session will cover bee management techniques in preparation for Varroa infestations.

“It is a really crucial lot of information, and the more people around us who know these techniques, the less risk for everyone who keeps bees in our region,” Bronwyn said.

“So we have invited this expert along for next Tuesday’s Bee club meeting and he is going to speak to us about varroa management techniques.”

All are welcome to attend this information evening, however, the Emerald Regional Beekeepers group suggested sending an email to emeraldregionalbeekeepers@gmail.com to advise of attendance.

“We would like to encourage as many people as possible to come along,” Bronwyn said.

The Emerald Regional Beekeeping Club has regular monthly meetings to help local beekeepers stay informed on best practices and ensuring the health of local hives.

Head down to the Hills Hub in Emerald to learn some vital Varroa mite management tips.

Picture: UNSPLASH mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Six decades of FTG netball

By Gabriella Vukman Celebrating their 60th anniversary, Ferntree Gully Netball Club is hosting a community day on 18 February.

This event will run at the Ferntree Gully Netball Club from 11am-1pm and while there will be a mixture of past and current club members along with their families, all are welcome to join in the festivities.

Head coach, umpire and netball player Heyley Mettes said, “I’ve been at the club for 16 years. When I was in primary school all of my best friend’s sisters played at Ferntree Gully and so that’s where I started and I haven’t looked back since.”

“The club over the past couple of years has seen some really big growth, we’ve always been one of the largest clubs at Mountain District and this year we’ve just ticked over 260 players.

Approximately 29 teams.”

“Which is probably the largest we have been in our history so that’s really exciting,” Heyley said.

Sunday’s celebrations will host a range of activities, kicking off with a colour fun run, an ice cream truck, barbecue and an exhibition match between the current A-grade team and members of the previous A-grade teams over the years.

“We will be announcing our team of the decade, and volunteer of the decade. It’s going to be great,” Heyley said.

“I think what makes Ferntree Gully really special is the ability to make lifelong friendships but also develop relationships between players that might not be the same age.

“Especially in our open age groups we have such a variety of ages and it is really exciting to see individuals developing the ability to play and then to become role models who influence the younger players.”

A guest appearance and Q and A with a

Celebrating 60 years of Netball, the Ferntree Gully Netball Club is hosting a community day on 18 February.

Pictures: SUPPLIED BY HEYLEY METTES

All are welcome to join in the fun.

Suncorp Super Netball player will also feature among the day’s activities.

“The last couple of years the club has been really focused on improving not only the professionalism of the club but the inclusiveness of the club and we’ve worked towards improving and developing the program,” Heyley said.

“We squad train instead of training individ-

have been awarded badges from Suncorp Super Netball, our club also provides players with important life skills such as team-work, communication and ability to take on feedback,” Heyley said.

“Ferntree Gully Netball Club also teaches players the importance of giving back to their community.”

ually so while some of the players might not be in the same team as their friends, they get to train with their friends.”

Grass root netball clubs provide players with the opportunity to progress through the Netball Victoria pathway.

“Whilst we have had players that have progressed to the state team as well as those who

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 13

NEWS

Debut book for mother-daughter duo is a keeper

By Tyler Wright A mother-daughter duo from Wantirna South have teamed up to create their debut children’s book in an attempt to educate young children about sustainability.

It was a passion for Mridula Chopra, who was an Arts Degree in English Literature, and daughter Raveena Grace co-wrote ‘Rosie Rescues Her Precious Planet’ as part of a university assignment during Grace’s Master of Environmental Science and Climate Change at Melbourne University.

“I did a subject called Environmental Education and you were tasked with communicating sustainability in a creative way and I decided to write a children’s book; my mum being the writer of the family, I definitely needed her help,” Grace said.

“We basically co -wrote this children’s book about the Dregs and the Treebles [characters] and we wanted to display the differentiation between nature and humans and how if we work together we can actually save the planet and look forward to a sustainable future in preserving a natural environment.

“We submitted it as an assignment but then my lecture was like ‘this is really good, you should submit it as a book’.”

The picture book’ focuses on the pristine world of the Treebles, while lies above the polluted world of the Dregs, and what happens once the Dregs venture to the fruitful world above them to find a new place to live.

But with the Dregs comes the toxic methods of polluting the earth and cutting down trees; before main character Rosie steps in to rejuvenate the world once again.

“Mum’s a huge animal lover and activist, so we just want to try and educate the next generation on how we can empower them to make a difference and communicate this important message,” Grace, now a sustainability engagement officer at Melbourne University, said. “[Mum and I are] both very sustainability minded and we’ve always had a passion for wanting to educate others about sustainability.

The Dregs and the Treebles, the two characters in ‘Rosie Rescues Her Precious Planet,’ learn how to work together to create a healthy world. 387936

Raveena Grace (left and Mridula Chopra (right) are aiming to educate children on the Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS importance of sustainability in their debut book. 387936 “Us being sustainable, me studying sustainability, now working in sustainability, it’s our world.”

Published in March 2023, Chopra said people have commented on Instagram sharing how they are “loving the way [they] write” and how it is a “great story to tell children”.

“We do feel really good that in our own small way, [we’re] trying to help because we know how dire the circumstances are in the world,” Chopra said.

“We’re in an ecological and climate crisis,” Grace added, “so I think being able to communicate sustainability through a positive manner as well has really helped to bring light on sustainability and the fact that sustainability can be done and it’s not a tiresome topic, it’s a topic that’s really important to talk about.”

Despite Melbourne University trying to phase out plastic use, Grace said there is still

a lot being thrown out in bins on campus. “[People] do want to know how to recycle properly, for example, they do want to know like what new innovations they can do to use a keep cup instead of a disposable cup...so it’s nice to know that there are people that still want to learn and do as much as they possibly can,” she said.

“The other big topic that I see often is around the carbon neutrality debate and electrification, and people having a lot of climate anxiety unsure as to where we’re going and what they can do, but I think what’s nice to see that, especially in my work... people can can rely on each other and share resources on how to live more sustainably and what they can do, even as simple as changing your energy providers for a more sustainable one that that doesn’t invest in fossil fuels for example.

“These messages are just slowly being

spread on and more and more people are just willing to get involved and do anything they can; they really want to do something they just sometimes don’t know how, so I think that’s the power of education to try and let them know.”

The duo are planning to hold readings at libraries, schools and the Readings book store, with a potential sequel on the cards in the future.

“It was so much fun doing this book, Rav[eena] and I were saying it would be so good to write a sequel and go into a little bit more depth about recycling ideas and so that kids can learn,” Chopra said.

“The children of today are our future, so if we can in some way encourage or instil hope that the world still can be saved, then it makes us feel good that we’re trying to give them hope as well as educating them so that they can carry forth in the future and recycle and replenish and do everything that they can in terms of improving our environment.

“Often when you give so many negative messages people switch off, whereas in our book we wanted to create it in a fun, positive way to keep the hope alive.”

‘Rosie Rescues Her Precious Planet’ is available in both hardback and paperback for purchase through Amazon Australia, and more information on the book can be found on Instagram at the handle raveena_and_ mridula.

So much at the library!

By Emma Xerri Those lucky enough to call the Emerald Library their local, will be more than familiar with the many exciting things on offer each day.

The latest quirk to join the library’s long list of offerings is an interactive fire safety model presented by the CFA, hoping to catch the attention of the library’s devout readers just long enough to lift their eyes from their current read and partake in some all-important fire safety.

“One of the guys down at the CFA came up with the idea of creating this model, showing a ‘good’ house and a ‘bad’ house with regards to what you’re supposed to do while living up in the hills during bushfire season,” Emerald Library Program Officer, Tara Thomas, said.

“I’ve seen a lot of people in the library looking at it and interacting with it, so it gets conversations going about what they would do in the case of a fire and how they can make their houses safer.”

The model, which will be hosted by the library for a month, invites visitors to spot the differences between the sides, encouraging more thought and discussion around fire safety in an immersive, child-friendly way.

“It’s been fun for the kids, because they have to try and spot all the differences between them,” Ms Thomas added.

“The CFA have also had to come in and restock all the brochures in there, so I’m assuming people have been taking a lot of stuff, which is great.”

And the exciting CFA model is only one of the many immersive things currently on offer at the library, with the weekly Baby Rhyme Time sessions also continuing to be a hit amongst local parents and carers whose Monday mornings have become centred on song and rhyme.

14 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

Arie (5 months) enjoys Baby Rhyme Time at Emerald Library. 387282 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Emerald Library Branch Manager Siobhan Steele with a Property Preparation display by the Emerald CFA 387285 “It’s nice for new parents who can’t remember all the rhymes they used to sing when they were a kid.

“We do print outs that they can take with them, and talk a bit about the kinds of books

they can borrow from the library to read to their children.

“It’s also a nice place for them to meet other new parents in the area. The children are all the same age, and it gives parents someone to

Evan and Charlie (6 months) from Gembrook 387282

chat with that’s in the same newborn bubble as them.”

For more information about the events at Emerald Library, visit the Emerald Library Myli website. mailcommunity.com.au

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Decades of work on show

By Tyler Wright For Gembrook local John Krzywokulski’s, his work has played a part in coping through grief.

“I lost a son to suicide in 2004, he was 29, I didn’t paint for a while,” Krzywokulski said.

“His grave was decorated by these friends who made totem type things out of tree branches, and they decorated them with feathers and messages and stones and coloured them rainbow colours.

“We just left the grave like that for a couple of years and it kept happening, his friends kept coming and putting these totems on the grave, and when I started painting again I thought I just didn’t really know what to do.

“I was [experiencing] total grief, so I used the elements on the grave as a cathartic experience and I started painting them and that got me back into the painting. The sticks, the feathers, the beach, he died overlooking a beautiful beach...[have] all became quite important elements in my own work.”

Krzywokulski’s parents were also displaced persons during the Second World War; his mum of Ukrainian descent and his dad Polish.

“During the war [mum] passed herself off as Russian because the Ukrainians during the war were basically getting wiped out by both sides; the Russians who came back then had an issue with them as they have right now with the Ukrainian war.

“She survived by being a Russian, but she was taken from school when she was about 16 in Ukraine because the German army came through and just took every able-bodied person; she never went back home and she never went back to her family, and she was put to work as a teenager.

“Dad was in the Polish army, which lasted for about two weeks. And then he went into the Polish underground resistance, which lasted for about six months before they were captured.”

An essay by arts journalist Dr Ashley Crawford, published in 2008, posits that Krzywokulski’s subsequent move to Australia - first to the bush are of Bonegilla migrant camp in Northern Victoria - has informed the colours present in his paintings; including sunsets.

Krzywokulski admits that sky and space do appear in his works.

“The conditions in Bonegilla were harsh... my family had it [very tough] and everyone

John Krzywokulski at his survey exhibition, The Luminous Breath of Empty Space, at Yering Station Art Gallery.

Picture: SUPPLIED had it very tough back then in Nissen army huts, but it was a new world and I think the expanse of space probably did have a subconscious effect on me in my paintings,” he said.

“The sense of space, sunsets, huge sky, clouds, beautiful cloud formations, and then the odd item in that incredible space which possibly subconsciously does affect a lot of the work that I’ve done where these spaces just counteracted by just a few items within the painting.”

The disparate nature of his artworks is evident, with included symbols such as apples, bowls and branches as a nod to culture, religion and art history often inserted into open spaces of sky and water; often with only craftily painted sticky tape combining the two worlds together, Krzywokulski describes himself as a “maverick” in the art world.

“I’ve done the work and people realise that ‘hey, this is something we haven’t quite seen before; it’s fairly new.’ I’ve never been categorised as such, I haven’t been put into a particular category.

“Eventually, people realise that something different and new is going on here and perhaps requires a bit more attention than it’s had.”

Yering Station Art Gallery is currently presenting a three decade survey exhibition of Krzywokulski’s paintings called The Luminous Breath of Empty Space spanning from 1994 to 2024, which follows another survey exhibition held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in 2022.

“Most of the responses have been positive;

very positive from people that weren’t even interested in art before,” the surrealist artist said.

“I had a visitor’s book at the Cardinia show, and it was filled with quite amazing comments that really blew me away.

“I didn’t expect it from ordinary people coming off the street, but not only that, people who have followed me. There’s these people who came from overseas to see that show... they said it was one of the most powerful shows they’ve seen.”

Studying a Diploma of Art and Design at the Caulfield Institute of Technology, now Monash University, Krzywokulski formed a relationship with the renowned John and Sunday Reed; founders of the Heide Museum of Modern Art in Bulleen, after their adopted son Sweeney spotted his work in a student exhibition in the city.

“Even with the patronage of John and Sunday Reed, it wasn’t enough really to live off and the sales Sweeney made, they were okay, but certainly not enough to have any sort of decent living and expectations of owning houses and so on,” he said.

“I was lucky with that show that sold out because it gave me [money for] the land [in Gembrook]...I’ve done numerous jobs my whole life from when I left high school.

“I’ve worked in market gardens, I’ve worked on potato fields here... I’ve worked for motor mechanics in local mechanical shops.

“I’ve worked on fitting out houses and renovating houses with Dad when he was a carpenter and alive, so I’ve done a lot of things to bring in extra money... [art has] never been full time as such.”

In 1979, Sweeney Reed died by suicide at 34 years of age, followed by the deaths of John and Sunday in 1981.

“I was actually shattered at the time, absolutely shattered,” Krzywokulski said.

“I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t have an art dealer. I lost the patronage of John and Sunday Reed, so I actually took up teaching.

“Most of my career as a teacher was in Bialik College, which is a very prestigious, expensive private Jewish school in Hawthorn.... I did have a short period at Beaconhills College in Pakenham, I think it was about four years I was there, but then I went back to Bialik because they wanted me back as head of department.”

In the meantime, Krzywokulski remained exhibiting, and retired in 2009.

In 2016, his eutectic sculpture named “Tristan’s Journey,” a tribute to his late son, was heritage listed by Whitehorse City Council after it was originally awarded in 1974 as part of a national competition for a metal sculpture held by welded alloy supplier in Mitcham, Eutectic of Australia Pty Ltd. Leading artists James Gleeson, Clifford Last and Frank Watters deemed Krzywokulski’s sculpture the winner, before it was placed in front of the company’s then headquarters at 666 Whitehorse Road.

“I think it’s incredibly important because general public probably don’t know but with the rapid development of the CDB with all the skyscrapers...we’ve actually lost a lot of very important sculptures that were in public places,” Krzywokulski said.

“People just don’t know where they went, whether they were scrapped, whether they were melted, if bronze was melted down or what, no one has any idea but they weren’t protected, they simply weren’t protected and we’ve lost them and that’s tragic, very tragic, so at least I know mine will be taken care of.

“I called it Tristan’s Journey after Tristan; that journey element is actually something that’s remained with me ever since.”

While he has got 50 years of work behind him, Krzywokulski said she us “not a coffee table book type artist” despite having a strong following “both nationally and internationally”.

“It’s adding something new to the contemporary art scene, so I think by word of mouth, and people doing a bit of research, they realise that ‘hey, this guy’s probably a bit of an outsider, but he’s important,’” he said.

“There’s nothing absolute that I’m trying to put out there; I’m not trying to be didactic or preaching to anybody as such, but I am hoping to make them think; think about life, think about reality, think about the illusions, think about what’s real and what’s important.”

The Luminous Breath of Empty Space will be on display until Sunday 3 March.

If the topics mentioned in this article have impacted you, help is available through Lifeline at 13 11 14 or 0477 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue at 1300 224 636 and through webchat or email support 24/7.

Explore depths of nature around us at Burrinja Head down to the Burrinja Cultural Centre this Sunday 18 February to experience ‘An Unconscious Voice,’ a free art exhibition.

Exploring life, decay and the combination of seasons, this series of embossed works employs geometrics to reveal the depths of nature around us.

Aimee McCallum said: “The Burrinja Cultural Centre has been amazing in facilitating my growth as an artist.”

“I have loved being a part of the artists that work from the Centre, and having unlimited access to the studio has really harnessed my artistic flow,” Aimee said.

“Getting to know each artist has been so great and I have really enjoyed the help that we provide each other.”

The exhibition is running from February 18 to March 28 and is open to the public from 9am-5pm Wednesday to Sunday.

Aimee said, “I would describe my art as quite contemporary. It focuses on the cycle of life and the continuous life that surrounds us.”

Wishing to elicit a sense of connection between humanity and nature, Aimee said, “I want my audience to see the beauty that I see in nature as well.”

The exhibition is free and open to all.

“I love the connection that is fostered by mailcommunity.com.au

the Burrinja community,” Aimee said.

“I feel comfortable exhibiting my work in this community space because judgements are removed and freedom is endorsed.”

“Whether the community likes my art or not it doesn’t matter, it’s just a freedom of expression,” Aimee said.

Get to know the local art scene at Burrinja Cultural Centre with the free upcoming ‘An Unconscious Voice’ exhibition.

Picture: AIMEE McCALLUM Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 15

OPINION

Upgrades of Knox Historical Society Knox Historical Society (KHS), based at Ferntree Gully’s historic Ambleside homestead, is starting the New Year with upgrades to equipment and range of services.

KHS president Ray Peace said this has been made possible by continued support from Knox City Council and the Ferntree Gully branch of the Bendigo Bank.

“We’ve received grants from council’s Community Development Fund, and also the Bank’s grant programme,” he said.

“These have enabled the Society to replace old equipment with more up-to-date items.”

Recent acquisitions have included a new public-address system for the KHS Christmas market, and a laptop for the highly popular Ferntree Gully ‘History and Mystery’ cemetery tours, and also a new guillotine for the production of in-house publications.

The society produces a range of publications related to local history.

“Previously, we’ve been forced to outsource some of our publications,” Mr. Peace said.

“This will reduce costs and improve turnaround times.”

The society has also improved its digitisa-

Misplaced priorities

tion equipment, now able to instantly email photos from the KHS School Photo Collection.

KHS has collected more than 20,000 images, believed to be the largest of its type in Australia, and acquired a camera mounting for imaging of real estate flyers and other oversize documents. KHS will also be setting up a historical display at this year’s Knox Festival in March.

Ambleside homestead and museum is located at 3 Olivebank Road, Ferntree Gully, open to the public from 10am to 1pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 1pm to 4pm on Sundays, call 9758 6722 for any inquiries.

Force of Nature: The Dry 2 Starring Eric Bana and Anna Torv Rated M 4/5 Based on the novel by Jane Harper, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 is an engrossing, atmospheric mystery film that isn’t quite as good as the first film.

When five women, including whistleblower Alice (Anna Torv), embark on a wilderness corporate retreat but only four return, detective Aaron Falk (Eric Bana) resolves to find Alice or uncover what happened to her. Torv is phenomenal as Alice, a steely woman grappling with the elements and suspicion from dangerous people, and Bana is once again authoritative yet sensitive as Detective Falk. Like the first film, The Dry 2 weaves together layers of flashbacks for tension on multiple fronts. Throughout the ill-fated retreat, we learn reasons every member may hate Alice, with Deborra-Lee Furness as Jill, the contemptible yet compelling leader of the group. As their situation grows increasingly dire, we gain hints of a serial killer and see Falk’s own tragic childhood connection to the mountain ranges where Alice went missing.

The beautiful cinematography frames the Victorian forest as misty and lush but cold and claustrophobic, contrasting with the arid, open outback setting of the first film. The Dry 2 has a grand yet moody orchestral score, but the sound mixing can be a little messy in some scenes.

It’s a shame that the film’s main conflict, including some fuzzy corporate intrigue, is less interesting than the gripping flashbacks. Despite an oncoming storm, the investigation into Alice’s disappearance has a surprising lack of urgency, partly due to Falk’s relative detachment: while he has some responsibility for Alice, Falk lacks the close personal stakes he had in the first film.

A solid mystery film more concerned with the past than the present, Force of Nature: The Dry 2 is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

CARTOON

Unique business plan doesn’t work as planned Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Piece of Mind A story of two friends who are nurses and decide to go into business as Therapists but with a difference.

The idea is that one person plays dead in a coffin while the other talks about their problems or an eulogy.

But things don’t always go to plan.

Take a solo patient, a kinky couple who have other ideas and a threaten to sue.

A fun night out but your correspondent feels it could do with some tightening up.

Lisa Upson, Allie, was the main idea behind the therapy and her assistance was played by Judith Sivasubramanian as Gwen.

Both ladies presented reasonably on stage but did not seem to get into the spirit of the play.

This was notable as when Rowena, played by Rosey Cullinan entered her department and acting was very obvious, a fine piece of work.

Josh, Allie’s son, was a computer expert and put the business on the internet with fantastic results.

Josh was played by Sam Corr who gave a fair performance.

Ellie/ Julie/ Margot all customers was played 16 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

Kemp’s curtain call

by Colette MacLaren and Ed/John/Michael was played by James Anderson.

Each giving a good interpretation of their respective roles.

It is not easy changing characters successfully in a play, but Colette and James handled their roles with finesse.

A funny play with a few good laughs.

It was written as a comedy, but I still feel it needed tightening up.

Live on the Lawn Feed your soul with an afternoon of sweet swampy southern soul at Burrinja’s Live on the LawFeaturing sets by Cookin’ on 3 Burners, Sweet Talk, The Shakmen, and Charlie Needs Braces and Maggie Alley.

Live on the Lawn IS NOT JUST AN EVENT,

IT’S A CELEBRATION FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. Burrinja extends a warm invitation for you to a delightful summer day out that caters to all agers.

Immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere, complete with kin’s activities.

Arts markets, lawn games, food trucks and more.

Dates: Saturday February 24 at 12pm.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Piece of Mind opened on 8 February and closes on Saturday 24 February.

It is a quirky, funny tale about two long-suffering nurses and best friends opening a rather unique new therapy business.

The idea is that you and your partner spend an hour or two, reflecting on your relationship while one of you is laying in a coffin playing dead.

The Basin Theatre Hatched Matched and dispatched Hatched – How Green was MY Baby.

Fleur and Jamie are committed to the “greenie” cause and the arrival of their first child coincides with the upcoming protest to stop logging in the Bellbird forest.

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Fleur’s parents are also sympathetic to the environmental cause but Jamie’s parents are dyed in the wool capitalists.

See the feathers ruffled and the fur flying as the family struggles to compete for little Shaweta’s position on the issue.

Matched – Something Old, Something New. With the wedding less than 24 hours away, a mother and daughter and a father and son, share their thoughts on the coming day over a meal.

Well-meaning hospitality people add to their thoughts on marriage.

Dispatch – Dust to Dust.

What will you legacy e and how will those you leave behind cope without you and remember you?

Does Morris need the well meaning support of his daughter, son-in-law and neighbours after the passing of his wife? What legacy has vera left for her family?

Season: February 24 – Sunday March 3.

REMEMBER 1812 Theatre – Mother and Son. Season: February 22 – March 16.

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mailcommunity.com.au

OPINION

Funds’ flow is skewed

By Kallista Flood Watch Many residents and businesses in the older parts of Yarra Ranges Council are literally drowning due to drainage and infrastructure systems that harken back to times when horse and buggy were the rage.

Houses and businesses are impacted regularly by flooding due to antiquated man-made drainage and infrastructure. Road surfaces either sealed or unsealed are eroded and worn adding to safety and health risks.

Across the Shire stories of residents and business owners’ properties are being put at risk because the majority of funding is dedicated to new housing developments, stadiums, sporting complex upgrades and tourism trails and facilities.

According to the Shire’s own capital expenditure for the next decade - Mt Evelyn, Kilsyth, Chirnside and Lilydale - will receive more than $47 million which is over half the entire annual budget spread across the Shire’s 55 communities.

A group of residents across the Yarra Ranges has sprung up to advocate for fairer and more equitable distribution of funding – particularly in regard to antiquated drainage and road surfaces.

The Flood Watch movement is not against progress, but asks why it should be at the expense of the older communities?

A spokesperson for the group said “we’re not saying that significant funding shouldn’t be afforded to those towns with open land for

Residents say the that the water comes from Gleghorn Road and floods their homes.

Picture: SUPPLIED development, but surely there must be more consideration given to communities such as Kallista, Coldstream and older parts of Lilydale and Belgrave, that have been left behind?”

“We are all ratepayers and yet when it comes to receiving much-needed support for antiquated drains and unsealed roads, Council provides little more than band-aid solutions.”

“Council’s infrastructure strategy is to look after good assets first and to keep them in good order. It begs the question then when do those communities such as Kallista, that has little or no infrastructural assets, ever get proper support?”

In past deluges the antiquated drainage systems in older parts of Lilydale suffer. Poor design and lack of maintenance contributing to the problems. Cars were stranded in 2022 due to the rising flood waters with homes and businesses becoming totally inaccessible.

In Coldstream the problems are worsened by the impact of a new subdivision with the water being channelled into an antiquated drainage system that simply cannot cope and floods older homes. The flooding of a home there took only seven minutes and the homeowner’s family had to move and rent for nearly a year, while in Belgrave, unfettered water and poor drainage on the sloping roads cause significant ponding. Over two decades a resident advised the Council of the problem. But it still exists today.

“We hear from residents across the Yarra Ranges,” said the spokesperson for the Flood Watch Group. “And while every location has a unique need, the story is the same. It is flooding due to antiquated drainage, lack of or old infrastructure, poor maintenance and upgrades. The ratepayers deserve better.

“Council openly criticises the removal of Federal funding after the last election as the main cause for their inability to service many of these infrastructure problems, but surely

there is some way that funds being earmarked for newer developments across the Shire could be re-apportioned to provide much needed support to some older communities?”

Residents live 24/7 in their homes and now their safety, comfort and wellbeing is being severely compromised by lack of funding. The funding is being diverted and diluted in the name of progress. Progress is good but not at the expense and sacrifice of established communities. The destruction of the floods is impacting on residents’ health and the environment. Beautiful native forests and waterways are being swamped in gravel, pollution and debris from unsealed or poorly drained roads.

In many cases, insurance companies are running from the hills either refusing to offer any coverage due to the flooding issues or at best, offering hugely inflated premiums. Then, too, there are also concerns about landslides as occurred recently in Ferny Creek.

The Flood Watch movement calls on the Yarra Ranges Council to deliver a plan to resolve the issues confronting older communities and commit to funding allocations in the coming budget. The Group has studied the Yarra Ranges Council’s Capital Expenditure for the next 10 years and observes the inequality represented in the budgeting allocations.

The Yarra Ranges Council needs to focus their attention on duty of care, due diligence and obligations to all ratepayers across the Shire, acknowledging the responsibilities to the impacted communities and delivering sustainable solutions.

Valentine’s Day: About onions, not just hearts, flowers

By Maria Miller With supermarkets already selling hot cross buns and chocolate eggs not that far behind, do we really need another Hallmark holiday full of cliched overpriced goods driven by the need of retailers to fill in a consumer vacuum between Christmas and New Year?

By the end of Valentine Day eye watering amounts will have been spent on gifts and outings to celebrate a day that may be no longer fit for purpose.

Not an official holiday with a day off work, nor is Valentine Day a recent invention of the advertising world. Like many such festivals the origins of Valentine’s Day are somewhat murky and, again like so many that have been incorporated into the Christian tradition, its beginnings reach back to paganism and in this case the Roman festival of Lupercalia.

Along the way, there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, but the most famous one, now associated with Valentine Day, was a priest in Rome during the third century.

Today, Valentine Day is celebrated worldwide on 14 February, with the exchange of cards, gifts, flowers, and romantic gestures

but we know that for a lot of people the day is meaningless and indeed could even be distressing.

There is a tendency in celebrating this one day to focus on Romantic love and not on the other variations.

Today, our usage of the word fails to recognize various kinds of love whereas the Ancient Greeks had distinguished between different expressions of love.

There was Eros or sexual passion and carnal love, while Agape was brotherly love and charity; Philia covered affection and friendship and Pragma longstanding commitment. Storge was love and affection of parents and children And Philautia was self-

I give you an onion.

It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.

It promises light like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears like a lover.

It will make your reflection a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.

Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips, possessive and faithful as we are, for as long as we are.

Take it.

Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding ring, if you like.

Lethal.

Its scent will cling to your fingers, cling to your knife.

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

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Publish

WOORILLA WORDS

esteem and the love of self.

British poet Carol Ann Duffy’s poem Valentine about giving an onion rather than traditional flowers challenges the usual cliched gifts. The onion’s layers as they are unpeeled mirror the complexities of relationships.

The scent lingers long after you’ve peeled an onion: ‘clingy, possessive and faithful,’ like any strong and lasting relationship.

As a celebration of erotic love Andrew Marvell’s early 17 th century seduction poem, To My Coy Mistress cannot be surpassed.

This is a poem with an urgent message: carpe diem, seize the day while you are young.

But at my back I always hear Time’s wingèd chariot hurrying near; And then he adds: The grave’s a fine and private place, But none, I think, do there embrace.

Who would argue against celebrating that most important of human emotions with love being ultimately the defining one that makes us human.

Valentine by Carol Ann Duffy Not a red rose or a satin heart.

y

Tuesda

Mail

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

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

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

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

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

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

BELGRAVE First National Real Estate 1660 Burwood Highway Belgrave BELGRAVE SOUTH Belgrave South Motors 138 Belgrave-Hallam Rd BORONIA Boronia Mall Newsagent Corner Floriston Road & Chandler Road

Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY Mountain Gate Newsagency & Lotto Mountain Gate SC 9b Ferntree Gully Road FERNTREE GULLY IGA Ferntree Gully, 107 Station Street

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12652353-AA48-23

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

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 17

PUZZLES No. 172

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

easy

3

1 4 6 1

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

4 7 3 5

6 9 3

1 9 2 4

6 7

1 8

ACROSS

DOWN

Chic (6) Structure in C programming language (6) Cad (5) Accept reluctantly (9) Russian guitar-like instrument (9) Gods (5) Middle (6) Scheme (4) Pig meat (4) Uniform (6) Beautiful maiden in Muslim paradise (5) Putting others need above their own (9) Heights (9) Seabird excrement (5) Guarantee (6) Rests (6)

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

No. 172

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 26

Sexual abstinence (8) Nose like a beak (8) Relating to the stars (7) Coaching (7) Result (6) Blood-sucking African fly (6) Hire-car (4) Even-tempered (7) Reasons (7) Inscribe to (8) Tropical storms (8) Hint (7) Against the law (7) Group of words (6) Fancy hotel rooms (6) Waistband (4)

DECODER

No. 172

4 2 1 7

9

2

QUICK CROSSWORD

6 8 7

8

5 9 4 hard

9 8

1 6 7 8 4 1 8

9

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9-LETTER WORD

easy

medium

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”.

A

Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good

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

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

29 words: Excellent

hard

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alacrity, apical, atypic, atypical, capita, capital, carat, carl, carp, carpal, cart, city, clap, clarity, clay, clip, crypt, lacy, laic, lyric, pact, PARALYTIC, pica, piracy, racial, racy, rapacity, talc, typical

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

P

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4 LETTERS AGES ALLY CASE CASK DEEP IDLE MESH PARE POOR RUSE SLEW STEP TOUR YENS 5 LETTERS ADAGE ADORE

No. 172

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6 LETTERS EASELS RASCAL SEDATE SENATE

8 LETTERS DESOLATE DISPLACE DITHERED ENDORSED

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SUDOKU

16-02-24

William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS

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

18 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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PROPERTY

CHARACTER, COMFORT AND PRIVACY mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 19

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

CHARACTER, COMFORT AND PRIVACY THIS immaculate 4-bedroom family home ticks all the boxes with spacious bedrooms, 3 living areas, double carport + large shed and a stunning solar heated pool – all located on a private 3337sqm block hidden behind the foliage.

Meander along the drive through the fully fenced, landscaped gardens to find this gorgeous character home. Enter the home into the spacious lounge with Tassie Oak floors and abundance of natural light. The Master Bedroom, featuring a walk-in robe and ensuite, is located at the East end of the home, zoned away from the remaining 3 good sized bedrooms and the huge, sound proofed, rumpus room with toasty wood fire and access to the deck.

At the heart of the home is the wellappointed kitchen with stone bench tops, glass splash backs and a 900mm free standing Ilve Stove. The kitchen overlooks the dining area and family room. This bright space has soaring timber ceilings and French doors leading out to the front deck with built in BBQ space. The whole home flows beautifully for large gatherings and to top it off the deck leads to the inviting solar heated pool with its paved surround ready for you to have a dip on the warmer days.

Add to the home gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling, ducted vacuum and new carpets.

Outside you will find landscaped gardens, a further entertaining area at the rear, flat lawns, a huge double carport providing undercover access to the home, a garden shed, tank water for the garden and a double lock up garage with workshop and concrete floor.

This property is ready for you to move in and enjoy with nothing to do – it really does have it all.

Call to arrange a private inspection today.

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

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 23 View Hill Road, COCKATOO Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $1,050,000 - $1,150,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD 20 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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HOME FOCUS

CLOSE TO TOWN AND ENJOY THE GARDEN THIS lovely 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is positioned just a short stroll from the main street, yet is private and low maintenance. With the Puffing Billy Train Station, playgrounds, primary school, restaurants, IGA and other amenities just moments away.

With a welcoming flower filled front garden, and two separate driveway entries, there are plenty of possibilities with this home. Bring your caravan and enjoy the off street parking between adventures.

The home is well designed with an open plan kitchen/lounge/dining room that enjoys views out to the back garden and has a split system air-conditioner. The kitchen is well equipped with a gas stove and oven and a butlers pantry.

The master bedroom enjoys its own split system air conditioner, built-in wardrobes and ensuite. There are two further bedrooms both with built in wardrobes.

There is a welcoming family bathroom with a shower and a separate bath. Whilst there is ducted heating throughout the home and plenty of natural light.

Outside is delight in the fully fenced backyard. The manicured garden and lawn is tranquil with an array of fruit trees. There is also a security system with alarm and cameras, and sensor lighting at the front of the home.

This home is a must to see.

This property has it all so don’t miss out - call 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. ●

Two Titles Commercial 1 Zone - Long time Tenant Price: $679,850

Forget residential investing go commercial, better return, less capital investment, and no hassles. Situated at the Top end of town this Blue-Chip Commercial freehold in 2 lots (Separate Titles) offers you future security and growth with a handsome monthly income.

A total of 632 m2 of land area with a 14 m frontage to Main Road and a rear lane way access its stacked with potential for future development. Services include Mains Water and Power Connected. Mains Gas & Sewer ready to be connected.

The huge Steel and Corrugated Iron Shed approximately 144.5m2 in area has the potential to be extended (STCA).

Currently leased to Monbulk Tyres an established business servicing the Dandenong Ranges for over two decades returning $2032.48 PCM with fixed 5% annual increases + Outgoings. Leased to 2026.

Arguably the best Commercial offering in the Dandenongs secure your future and add this Blue-Chip property to your property portfolio to help fund your retirement.

Terms of Sale: 10% Deposit of the purchase price on signing Formal Contracts.

Settlement 30 /60 days.

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 4 Vista Court, GEMBROOK Price: $850,000 - $920,000 Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451 or Bethany Day on 0438 844 968, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD mailcommunity.com.au

Joseph - 0418 509 722 www.kallistarealestate.com.au 12668640-AA07-24

Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 21

HOME FOCUS

EMBRACE MODERN LIVING IN THIS LOCATION NESTLED within the serene beauty of its surroundings, this home boasts four generously sized bedrooms, master with walk in robe and ensuite effect, with the upper floor bedroom providing a private retreat.

This space is ideal for a family member seeking a bit of seclusion but has versatile options such as a home office or sitting room. This flexible floorplan offers a downstairs 4th bedroom or perhaps a teenager’s retreat.

The heart of this home lies in its openplan design, with the soaring cathedral ceilings which not only enhance the visual appeal but also contribute to a feeling of expansiveness, creating a seamless flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas.

The spacious layout is bathed in natural sunlight and for the cooler months there is a wood fire in the living area which adds a touch of warmth and creates a cozy ambiance. Enjoy the convenience of modern bathrooms, and updated kitchen with dishwasher and ample storage space, designed to offer both style and functionality.

The home is north facing and has a 6.75kw solar system, a spacious double garage, sealed driveway, fenced separate area for a pony, lovely native gardens on a 2295 sqm block.

This home is just a 5-minute drive from Belgrave central, train station and shops plus close proximity to schools, parks, and reserves. Embrace the tranquility of the surroundings while still enjoying easy access to essential amenities.

This is not just a home, it’s a lifestyle to enjoy. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 10 Maskells Hill Road, SELBY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $840,000 - $890,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Jan Brewster 0409 558 805, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL, 9754 6111 22 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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Ranges PRISTINE MOUNTAIN RETREAT

SASSAFRAS 9 WOODLANDS AVENUE ONE ACRE GARDEN WONDERLAND

We put you first

DOUBLE GARAGE & A DOUBLE CARPORT

$1,135,000-$1,245,000 4A 2B 4C

Discover a meticulously maintained four-bedroom home with triple garage and secluded setting. Open-plan living, formal lounge with a log fire, vaulted ceilings, and large windows create a welcoming ambiance. The kitchen features an island bench, dishwasher, and ample storage. The master bedroom has an ensuite and walk-in robe, with the study serving as a versatile space. The lower level includes a triple garage/ workshop, carport, and storage.

Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102

COCKATOO 12 BAKER STREET PRIvACY ON NEARLY 1/2 ACRE

$750,000 - $825,000 4A 2B 4C

Enter via remote-controlled gates to this split-level home that features excellent zoning with a parent’s ‘wing’ with an open fire & a child’s ‘wing,’ so each can have their own space yet come together in the spacious kitchen/meals area. Other impressive features include an updated ensuite, main bathroom & laundry, ducted heating, a deck, BBQ area with a pergola, ample off-street parking, garage with a workshop, heater & water, great infrastructure for veggie patch/garden beds, a chook run & a 5KW solar system.

Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522

Erin Davies 0493 136 937

TRANQUILITY WITH VIEWS TO WESTERN PORT BAY

GOOD VALUE. GREAT LOCATION. NICE LAND.

BELGRAvE 14 HILTON GROVE ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED HOME

COCKATOO 18 DEVON AVENUE COMFORTABLE AND RELAXING LIFESTYLE

$1,350,000-$1,420,000 4A 3B 4C

A perfect blend of contemporary architecture, breathtaking views, secluded tranquillity on almost 1 acre at the end of a no-through road and within walking distance of Belgrave Central. This quality residence features generous bedrooms, abundance of natural light, open-plan living spaces, flexible floor plan with 3 distinct living areas, cathedral ceilings, updated kitchen, master suite overlooks a central courtyard, covered entertaining area, landscaped gardens, a double garage with a workshop & another oversized garage.

Jan Brewster 0409 558 805

9754 6111

rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

$670,000 - $740,000 3A 1B 2C

Ideal property to get your foot in the door as it has everything you need. Excellent location, just under ¼ acre useable allotment, spacious open plan living/dining, central kitchen, all bedrooms with BIR’s, custom leadlight in bathroom, separate WC & laundry, ducted heating and split system, fenced rear yard, front & rear deck, carport & a garden shed. This property has a comfortable ‘vibe’, a relaxing lifestyle in a suburb that has a community feel, great amenities, local school, sporting facilities, shops, IGA & post office.

Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522

‘We Put You First’

Erin Davies 0493 136 937

1660 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Shop 2/24 McBride St, Cockatoo Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 23

HOME FOCUS

FULLY RENOVATED AND PRIVATE HOME THIS lovingly renovated family home is bursting with character, charm and bespoke details.

There is a convenient circular driveway that leads to the home, and a welcoming front verandah. With plenty of area to park a caravan, trailer or boat.

Step inside to discover the sumptuous master bedroom located behind the ‘secret’ door. The master bedroom has its own woodfire, ceiling fan & split system air conditioner. There is a walk-in wardrobe and a lovely ensuite with a separate toilet and a double shower.

Then continue along the hall to discover three further good size bedrooms, all with generous built in wardrobes and views out to the stunning established garden and hills beyond. These bedrooms are serviced by a great family bathroom and separate toilet.

The family bathroom contains a glass less shower and a bath tub that uniquely fills with a waterfall style faucet from the vanity.

The hallway then opens to a fantastic entertaining space consisting of an open plan loungeroom/kitchen. There is a built in gas fireplace and then a fantastic kitchen. The kitchen offers a large island with generous Belling stove top and floating rangehood, with unique granite stone benchtops and lots of storage space.

There is a walk in pantry, built-in plumbed fridge and plenty of light with floor to ceiling double-glazed windows and 2 sets of bifold-doors opening out to the rear entertaining deck. There are also handy sliding, retractable flyscreens for balmy evenings relaxing inside and enjoying the breeze. The kitchen window concertinas to allow you to pass your culinary magic to your guests outdoors. The elegance continues in the vast and bright laundry/mudroom with stone benchtops and a further door to the rear yard.

This property has it all so don’t miss out call to arrange a private inspection today. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 23 Williamson Road, GEMBROOK Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: $890,000 - $960,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994 or Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD 24 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald

1/32 Eramosa Road East, Somerville

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

Fantastic Location, Light, Bright & Charming Californian Bungalow with Work From Home Potential!

With 3 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms in the main home, there is also the potential for a teenage retreat in the renovated studio with updated ensuite. The lovely residence has a welcoming double front door that opens to the neutral palette of the home. The kitchen is equipped with a 900mm cooktop, 2 stainless steel ovens, an abundance of storage & a walk in pantry. There are two living areas, & a cute low maintenance & established flat yard to potter in. This home also features ornate ceilings, timber sash windows, a fireplace in the front lounge room & a bay window to enjoy your favourite book on. The home also has polished hardwood floors & an air conditioning unit. There is also a double lock up garage, & a covered deck area for entertaining.

Bethany Day M 0438 844 968

100 Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road, Gembrook Stylish Equine Property on approx. 5 acres!

The expansive 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom home has a formal loungeroom & a master bedroom with a large WIR & ensuite. Near the master bedroom is a further bedroom with ceiling fan & BIRs. The home has high ceilings, double glazed large windows, & reverse cycle AC. The central open plan kitchen/ dining/lounge area is flooded with natural light, & offers a wood fire heater, & kitchen with a large walk in pantry. The kitchen has a 900mm gas stove/oven, & SS appliances including dishwasher & Caesar stone benchtops. There is a laundry with it’s own external access, a study/office area, & then 3 further bedrooms, all with ceiling fans & BIRs. These bedrooms are serviced by the family bathroom & separate toilet. Externally the acreage is divided into 5 fully fenced paddocks. This home utilizes gas bottles, tank water, has 4kW solar with 18 solar panels, & mains electricity.

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

4

3 Bell Street, Cockatoo

A

3

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

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

B 2 C

$650,000 - $695,000

5

4 Vista Court, Gembrook

A

B

2

C

$850,000 - $920,000

This Home is Bursting With Cockatoo Cottage Charm!

Walk to Gembrook Mainstreet & Enjoy The Gorgeous Garden!

With established gardens surrounding this 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom home, enjoy the feeling of being sheltered from the hustle and bustle & yet being less than 5 minutes walk to the conveniences of Cockatoo Main street. This home has a circular gravel driveway, a DLUG, & has a fully fenced front yard, separate fenced back yard, & gated front porch. Enter the home to find a cosy woodfire in the loungeroom. The kitchen & loungeroom are open plan, & there is a sliding door from the dining room to the rear paved area. 2 of the 3 bedrooms offer BIRs, whilst all utilising the family bathroom with a heater, & a bath & shower. There is a lovely rear outdoor covered entertaining area, & the DLUG has plenty of space for a workshop area & has concrete floor, power & lights. There is a rear garden shed & a single carport.

This private & low maintenance 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home is a short stroll from the main street.

Featuring 2 separate driveway entries, there are plenty of possibilities with this home. The home has an open plan kitchen/lounge/dining room that enjoys views out to the back garden & has a split system AC. The kitchen is well equipped with a gas stove & oven & a butlers pantry. The master bedroom enjoys its own split system AC, BIRs & ensuite. There are 2 further bedrooms both with BIRs. There is a lovely family bathroom with a shower & a separate bath. There is also ducted heating throughout the home & plenty of natural light. Outside is a delight in the fully fenced backyard. The manicured garden & lawn is tranquil with an array of fruit trees. There is also a security system with alarm & cameras, & sensor lighting at the front of the home.

Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032

Bethany Day M 0438 844 968

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

3

A

1

B 3 C

Bethany Day M 0438 844 968

3

A

2

B 2 C

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 25

HOME FOCUS

BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED AND VERSATILE HOME TAKING pride of place between Tecoma township and Sherbrooke Forest is this magnificent family home that captures the essence of Hills living. Blending architectural eras seamlessly to create a versatile and sophisticated interior while set upon a stunning 1,045sqm (approx.) block, this property will revolutionise your family’s way of life.

The landscape that holds this home features a gate drive, terraced lawn areas, abundant off-street parking, and a separate studio/home office with split system heating/cooling for year-round useability.

The idyllic double-storey interior of this dwelling boasts a bounty of rooms that can be set to reflect your lifestyle. On the ground floor, homeowners will enjoy a generous rumpus room with new flooring and a warm wood fire, 3 refined and relaxed bedrooms, and a convenient storeroom/cellar.

On the upper level, indoor-outdoor living is showcased in style. At the front of the home, the open concept living zone and timeless kitchen with butcherblock benchtops and quality appliances spills out to the covered deck. With a flexible formal lounge and a fabulous main bedroom with French doors to the rear deck, the level of comfort afforded will exceed expectations. Add to this 2 generous bathrooms, including one with luxe spa tub, and you have a family home you can grow into. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 52 Hazel Grove, TECOMA Description: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Price: $1,095,000 - $1,195,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Daniel Steen 0434 979 142 or Brad Conder 0422 639 115, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 26 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

mailcommunity.com.au

Real Estate you can trust!

We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

1341 Burwood Highway, UPPER FERNTREE GULLY SELLING SUNSETS-UPPER FERNTREE GULLY EDITION!

$780,000 - $850,000 4A1B2C

Overlooking a mesmerising view that takes in the city skyline and the sparkling lights of nearby suburbs below, this well maintained and much-loved property is now for sale. With a backdrop of breathtaking colours each and every sunset, the home boasts spacious living that spans over two levels and includes 4 bedrooms (or 3 plus home office), 3 living areas and a fully functional kitchen that allows you to take in the in-ground, salt chlorinated, solar heated pool all whilst preparing dinner!

FOR SALE

4 Merrigum Lane, BELGRAVE

$1,050,000 to $1,150,000 4A2B2C

A BEAUTIFUL BLEND OF LOCATION AND LIFESTYLE

Architecturally designed and brimming with beautiful elements, this property is a unique offering within walking distance to Belgrave township, Belgrave Recreational Reserve and Birdsland Reserve. With an elevated aspect with vista views and an inground pool perfect for families, a lifetime of enjoyment is available at this elegant home.

Rachel Eastwood M 0401 117 761 | E rachel@chandlerandco.com.au

Sharyn Chandler

Suzie Brannelly

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

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

FOR SALE

13 Johns Crescent, MOUNT EVELYN CHARACTER HOME WITH HOBBY FARM POTENITAL

$820,000 - $900,000 3A2B2C

Set on a fully useable, half acre block, this spacious property provides the perfect opportunity for any family looking for a hobby farm lifestyle change.

Spanning over two levels, this charming home, that was first built around 1952 by the then Mount Evelyn Station Master, has an abundance of space with two large living areas, three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

FOR SALE

89 Temple Road, SELBY

$920,000 - $1,010,000

LARGE SCALE LIVING WITH VERSATILE FLOORPLAN

5A3B2C

Spanning over two levels of spacious living, this large-scale family home offers more than meets the eye. Having a flexible floorplan that offers the choice of options no matter your needs, this property is suitable for everyone including extended families and those looking for an extra investment.

Rachel Eastwood M 0401 117 761 | E rachel@chandlerandco.com.au

Sharyn Chandler

Sharyn Chandler

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

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

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

Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 27

networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services V Deadline

V Trades Business Profile

V Excavators

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

Family run Excavation Business

We accept payment by: VISA/MASTERCARD/EFTPOS/BANK TRANSFER (1.5% credit card processing fee applies.)

TRADES & SERVICES

• Concrete works and Landscape construction • VBA Registered Builder DB-U 46665 • Fully insured • Personalised service • Customer satisfaction guaranteed

From plumbers to pest control, carpet cleaning to building services, dry cleaning to computer repairs, lawn mowing and more, Network Classifieds has been connecting local businesses with the local community with our Trades and Services each week.

l Electrica JJ .L. HutStERVICE 24 HOUR

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• Brivis Evaporative Cooling • Daikin & Rinnai Splits • Pensioner discounts • Evap & Split Service Specials

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V Plumbing

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SPORT

Podium spots for YR littlies

By Jamie Strudley Yarra Ranges Athletics little athletics athletes excelled at the EMR Region Track and Field Championships over the weekend.

The championships, held on a sun-baked Doncaster Athletics Track, attracted close to 400 athletes from little athletics clubs in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

Yarra Ranges Athletics had a team of 58 athletes competing over the weekend with an untold number of PBs recorded.

There were plenty of medalists with 19 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze won.

Medallists were: Female 16 - 800m: Kristina Nackovski 2:38.28 (3rd); Triple Jump: Stephanie van Bemmel 9.93m (2nd).

Female 15 - 200m: Kayla Paton 27.42 (3rd); 400m: Zoe Clarke 61.18 (2nd); 800m: Zoe Clarke 2:24.42 (1st); 1500m: Zoe Clarke 5:03.63 (1st).

Female 14 - 100m: Emily Fiedler 13.43 (2nd); 200m: Emily Fiedler 27.45 (1st); 400m: Emily Fiedler 62.46 (3rd); 200m Hurdles: Emily Fiedler 31.04 (2nd).

Female 13 - 1500m Walk: Brienna Coffey 9:32.46 (1st); High Jump: Mackenzie Graham 1.40m (1st); Javelin: Shania Tove 27.03m (2nd); Long Jump: Mackenzie Graham 3.94m (3rd).

Female 12 - 1500m Walk: Holly Yorke 8:51.69 (1st); High Jump: Lanni Aborowa 1.45m (1st); Emily Pincott 1.45m (1st); Arizona Peel 1.35m (3rd); Female 11 - 1100m Walk: Lucy Oettinger 7:58.18 (2nd).

Female 9 - 700m Walk: Tillie Sommers 4:18.07 (2nd); High Jump: Imogen McMillan 0.95m (3rd); Long Jump: Zahra Lehmann 3.19m (3rd); Shot Put: Imogen McMillan 4.75m (3rd).

Male 16 - 800m: James Crome-Smith 2:11.74 (1st); 1500m: James Crome-Smith 4:33.40

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Bree and Adele racing hard during EMR championships.

Picture: SUPPLIED

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end. First up was Vic Milers meet on Thursday evening with some excellent racing.

Results: 800m: Mitchell Pointon 2:13.48; Pete Nackovski 2:21.58; Rori Jones 2:30.65; Kristina Nackovski 2:54.00; Mile: Zoe Clarke 5:24.33; Katrina Winger 5:34.63; Max Savill-Bentley raced to a fighting fourth place in the Bendigo Frenzy 5km, recording a swift 14.40.

Lis Coffey was in action at the Victorian Masters Multi Event championships bringing home another gold medal with a five event total of 2030 points. Lis competed in including Shot Put (5.55m), 100m (14.33), Long Jump (3.93m), Javelin (10.02m) and 800m (2.40.64).

Our AVSL team were competing at Knox and Aberfeldie venues, with the majority at Knox.

Big thanks to everyone who helped out with club helper duties on the day with special mentions to Andene Rooke and Carolyn Rosenbrock.

Results: Women 100m: Ashleigh Rooke 13.30 (-0.0); Georgia Boundy 13.36 (-0.5); Taryn Bourke 13.95 (0.2); Shani Bullard 14.42 (0.2); Kathi Hewitson 17.56 (-1.2); Anne-Marie Ebbels 21.16 (-1.2).

400m: Ashleigh Rooke 64.85; Taryn Bourke 65.67.

1500m: Carolyn Rosenbrock 6:41.69; Emilie Garside 8:08.64.

3000m Steeple: Olivia Twining 11:18.58.

100m Hurdles: Shani Bullard 21.81 (-1.5).

2000m Walk: Carolyn Rosenbrock 11:10.7h (Record); Emilie Garside 12:25.7h.

Discus: Hayley Wilkins 29.75m; Ashleigh Rooke 26.35m; Meg Sparkes 26.31m; Shani Bullard 17.04m; Anne-Marie Ebbels 14.55m; Kathi Hewitson 10.10m.

Hammer: Sarah Ebbels 33.28m; Anne-Marie

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(1st); Discus: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck 29.95m (2nd); Javelin: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck 27.30m (3rd); Shot Put: Wilbur Davidson-Tuck 8.45m (3rd).

Male 15 - 800m: Mitchell Pointon 2:11.76 (3rd): 1500m: Mitchell Pointon 4:36.55 (3rd): Javelin: Mitchell Pointon 25.66m (1st).

Male 14 - 800m: Finn Rossthorn 2:35.68 (3rd); 1500m Walk: Beau McKinnon 8:37.57 (1st); Shot Put: Zac McMillan 10.54m (2nd).

Male 13 - Javelin: Jakob Knapman 21.73m (3rd).

Male 12 - 80m Hurdles: Zack Paternoster 17.07 (2nd); Javelin: Ilikimi Tove 24.85m (1st).

Male 11 - 1100m Walk: Xander Sommers 6:45.45 (3rd); Long Jump: Koby Stephens 4.10m (2nd) Male 9 - 800m: Riley Yorke 2:49.49 (2nd); High Jump: Brock Peel 1.09m (1st); Long Jump: Brock Peel 3.35m (2nd); Shot Put: Brock Peel 5.38m (3rd).

Male Para - 400m: Micah Friend 1:58.92 (1st); 800m: Micah Friend 4:35.25 (1st); Discus: Micah Friend 9.99m (1st); Long Jump: Micah Friend 1.58m (1st); Shot Put: Micah Friend 4.49m (1st).

Our seniors were in action across the week-

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Trades & Services V

Tree Lopping/Surgery

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

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

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

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Ebbels 25.70m; Kathi Hewitson 23.75m; Meg Sparkes 13.54m.

Javelin: Hayley Wilkins 32.17m; Meg Sparkes 17.04m.

Long Jump: Ashleigh Rooke 4.22m; Shani Bullard 4.08m; Kathi Hewitson 3.01m.

Shot Put: Hayley Wilkins 8.50m; Meg Sparkes 6.12m.

Men 100m: Liam Russell 12.04 (-0.0); Oliver Duncan 12.43 (-2.0); Craig Hewitson 14.48 (-2.8).

400m: Liam Russell 53.36; Oliver Duncan 58.04; Craig Hewitson 65.42.

1500m: Bradley McMeeken 6:37.31.

High Jump: Oliver Duncan 1.68m.

Long Jump: Oliver Duncan 5.57m; Liam Russell 5.40m; Craig Hewitson 3.61m.

Little Athletics action returns to Morrison reserve on Saturday morning. Check socials and website for early events with group warm ups from 8.45am. Our seniors travel to Doncaster and Murrumbeena for Round 12 of AVSL. All attention will be on the relays where club records will be under threat.

Training for our six-12yo continues on Tuesdays from 4pm. Seniors training (13yo plus) is on Tuesday and Thursday from 5.30pm at Morrison Reserve. Check the socials and website for more details and sessions available with our throws and jumps coaches. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability.

If you, or someone you know, wants to join in the fun of track and field registration is now open. Go to wavic.com.au or athsvic.org.au or email info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au for information about events and registration.

For information on training, how to join or trial, photos, results and updated news, visit the website at yarrarangesathletics.org.au or check us out on Facebook. Run, Jump, Throw…too easy!

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

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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MAIL 29

SPORT

Tigers fall to Blackburn

By Sean Talbot On a day of celebrations for the Blackburn Burners as they celebrated their 60th anniversary, the Upwey Ferntree Gully Tigers were unable to put a dampener on the party as they fell in heartbreaking fashion, coming up on the wrong side of a 5-4 walk-off win for the hosts in front of a raucous home crowd.

The Tigers sent their ace and season workhorse Jarrod Turner to the mound as they looked to lock up another win and maintain their stranglehold on second place on the Premier League ladder.

With Blackburn sending their own ace in Michael Cabeza to the hill, the game started in typical miserly fashion as both righties traded a scoreless first inning.

The Tigers were first to break through on the scoreboard as they manufactured a run in the top of the second to take an early 1-0 lead.

Answering right back in the bottom of the second, Ben Aslett doubled to right field on a ball that was lost in the sun before Dion Di Battista doubled to left field to score Aslett and level the score at 1-1.

Advancing to third on a wild pitch during Koetsu Sakamoto’s at bat, Di Battista came around to score Blackburn’s second run on Mitch Whiting’s two-out single to push the score to 2-1 in favour of the home squad.

Rogers walked on four pitches before Senn, attempting to lay down a sacrifice bunt to move Rogers to second base, managed to find himself on as well as his bunt found the Blackburn defense out of position and saw Upwey now threatening with two on and none out.

The red hot Kane stepped to the plate and lined a ball to centerfield, scoring Rogers and moving Senn to third on a throwing error by Sakamoto to level the scores at 2-2.

Harvey Chinn was called upon to pinch hit off the bench, taking some very aggressive swings before eventually grounding out to the pitcher while advancing Kane to second as he looks to come back from an ACL tear during the winter.

With the Upwey line-up flipping over, Schroeders came to bat and successfully laid down a squeeze bunt, scoring Senn and moving Kane to third to put Upwey back in the lead sporting a 3-2 scoreline before Wade McConnon struck out to end the inning.

With the top of their lineup due up and the heat starting to become a factor, Blackburn fancied their chances to get back on the board and tie the game up again.

Leadoff hitter Taichi Nagano popped out to Schroeders at second base before evergreen Andy Tierney laced a ball to right-centerfield, putting the home side in position to make something happen as their 3-4-5 hitters were due up.

Ben Leslie was walked as Turner ensure the hulking first baseman did not get a pitch he could drive, setting up the double play for the Tigers as they looked to find a way to Houdini themselves out of the inning.

It was not to be, however, as catcher Chase Hodgkinson singled to right field, scoring Tierney, and moving Leslie to third.

Aslett grounded into a double play to end the threat, however the score was again deadlocked at 3-3 coming into the 8th inning.

As Blackburn handed the ball to Andrew Jones, Jordan Elliott was hit with a pitch to lead off the inning before stealing second base during Josh Hendricks’ at bat, during which he grounded out to Nagano and was unable to advance Elliott.

Donavon Hendricks singled to right field to move Elliott to third where he was held by coach Dan McConnon before Rogers struck out for the second out, however Senn laced a ball that was too hot for Aslett to handle at third and scored Elliott.

Upwey looked to create some pressure in the top of the 9th as Schroeders reached on a throwing error by Nagano, however he was thrown out at second base after a pickoff move

by Jones.

McConnon promptly walked and was himself thrown out at second, this time with Hodgkinson credited with the assist.

Elliott was unable to create any two-out momentum, grounding out to Aslett to end the inning and see the home team with their last chance of the day.

30 MAIL

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Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

Upwey Women’s team member Jess McDonald.

Picture: ADAM BATTYE

Striking out Nagano to lead off the inning, the power hitting parade in Tierney, Leslie, Hodgkinson and Aslett were due up and ensured de Jong was given no ability to relax with the game on the line.

Tierney walked on five pitches before Leslie worked a seven-pitch walk, but not before attempting to end the game with a couple of fullblooded hacks that thankfully did not connect.

Hodgkinson, now batting right-handed, laced a ball to centerfield to score Tierney and advance Leslie to third to bring Aslett to the plate with the game on the line.

Aslett lined a single to rightfield over the leaping J Hendricks to score Leslie and send the Blackburn squad into jubilant celebrations around first base where they mobbed Aslett.

The loss sees Upwey slip to fourth place on the Premier League ladder with a 14-8 record after beginning the day in second place, highlighting just how little separates second from fifth as Blackburn, Essendon, Upwey and Sandringham all chase Waverley and look to lock up a finals berth.

In the curtain-raiser, the Reserves were unable to hold a four run lead, surrendering a five spot in the bottom of the 4th before clawing the tying run back in the top of the 6th that saw the game end in a 5-all draw.

The draw moved the Tigers record to 9-5-1 on the year and sees them tied for second place with Sandringham (8-4-3) with both sides just a half game behind Essendon (8-4-1).

Also on the road at Billabong Park due to

the Blackburn 60th anniversary celebrations, the 3rds were jumped in the bottom of the 1st inning and surrendered a lead they never were able to recover on their way to an eventual 9-2 loss.

A fielders choice that did not result in an out and three successive singles saw the score quickly balloon to 5-0 before an out had been recorded, however Halupecki struck out the next two hitters before another single plated the sixth run of the inning for Blackburn.

Kept well in check by the Blackburn pitchers, Upwey managed to finally score in the top of the 4th inning as Daniel Williams reached on an error, Sam Griffiths doubled and Mitchell Thorne lifted a sacrifice fly to score Upwey’s first run.

Steve Williams followed this up with a single to bring home Griffiths to plate the Tigers second run, however they were still facing an uphill battle as they were on the wrong side of a 6-2 score.

Dan Smith, who took over for Halupecki in the 3rd inning, did everything in his power to keep his side in the game as he navigated his way through Blackburn’s potent hitting order and keeping the Burners scoreless until the 6th inning when they strung together base hits and capitalized on some slopping Upwey defense to push the score to 9-2 and ice the game.

The loss sees Blackburn jump into first place on the Premier League Thirds ladder with a 10-3-1 record, while Upwey maintains its hold on third with an 8-4-2 record.

Playing away and looking to extend their perfect season, the 4ths were unable to peg back a Blackburn side that scored runs in the first, third, fifth and sixth innings on the way to hanging the first loss against the ladder leaders for the season in a game the Tigers must’ve favoured their chances in.

Firing the opening salvo in the top of the first inning on a Richard Ferguson sacrifice fly, the Tigers would be remiss for thinking this game would be like all others that came before it.

A scoreless second inning gave way to the third where Blackburn tacked on their fourth run of the game, this one off of reliever Oscar Monagas who took over pitching duties at the start of the inning.

Finding a way to claw their way back into the game with two runs in the top of the fifth inning to get within one, the Burners immediately answered back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the 5th to push the deficit back to three runs as the scoreboard showed a 6-3 Blackburn lead after five complete.

Upwey pushed another two runs across the plate in the top of the 6th inning to again pull within one run, however Blackburn put reliever Russell Ferguson to the sword and scored a further three times to run away with the game and a 9-5 final scoreline.

The Premier League East 5ths hosted second placed Waverley Black and were left hoping they didn’t, finding themselves on a receiving end of a 19-2 belting and left to recover after being bullied by a Waverley team for the second week in a row.

Despite the Wildcat onslaughts the previous two weeks, the Tigers are still in fifth place on the ladder and well within striking distance of the top four coming into finals.

The Metro League South 6ths will be looking to quickly move on from their result on Sunday, as Pakenham rolled into town and promptly rolled right over the Tigers, headed back to the east with a 14-1 win under their belts.

Quite simply the Tigers were outplayed in every facet of this game and were defeated by a superior team on the day.

Also taking a perfect record into their Saturday clash with Cheltenham, the Lady Tigers were the only Upwey team to register a win (albeit a nail biting one) as they hosted the Rustlers and took full advantage of the home conditions, running out eventual 10-9 victors in a result that was a lot closer than would’ve been expected on paper.

Take the chance to again give regular starter Chelsea Mosbey some rest, the Lady Tigers handed teenage sensation Caitlin Kiel the ball for her first start of the season, however the young righty was left shellshocked after the Rustlers exploded for five runs in the top of the first, taking full advantage of five free passes and pairing them with three hits and an error to ensure their baserunners were moving at all times and kept the pressure on the home team.

Upwey responded with four runs in the bottom of the 1st courtesy of a leadoff walk to Billie McCulloch, base hits to Jess McDonald, Clare Williams, Sally Light, Zienna McCulloch and Elinor Jack whilst keeping on the move around the bases due to a series of wild pitches from Cheltenham’s starter.

The Rustlers ensure the inexperienced Kiel was made to work for her outs as the first six hitters of the innings all reached base via a walk to plate two before a hit batter and a single scored two more.

Upwey exploded for six of their own runs in the bottom of the second as Mosbey lead off with a single before stealing second and third and scoring on Eloise Holdens groundball.

The offense got started again as Hayley Mather singled, B McCulloch walked, McDonald singled, Williams singled, Z McCulloch singled and then scored on a catchers error.

A scoreless third inning saw the score remained at 10-9 and left Cheltenham with one last roll of the dice as time had nearly run out for a late rally, however Billie McCulloch was more than up to the task at hand, navigating her way around two walks and an error to leave the tying run on third and nail down the win for Upwey.

The win ensures the Lady Tigers maintain top billing on the Women’s Metro South ladder with a 14-0 record. mailcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Cosstick leads from front

By Aaron Gillard The weekend review saw some great success and our ones had a great win, with 1s skipper Shane Cosstick leading from the front with 103* v Olinda. It is his 6th MCC 1st XI century. We chased down Olinda’s 216 two down with Jim Fenby ending up 54* and Josh Spencer making 40.

Our 2nd XI also had a big win defeating Olinda outright with Jake Santini taking 6/23 in the first innings and 9 for the match and Joel Wensley 5 wickets for the match.

Unfortunately our Veterans came up short in their Semi-Final. They have had a great season, and will be looking forward to a bigger season next year.

The 3s fell short, but Matt Winzenried didn’t give away his wicket, facing 190 balls for his 48*.

The threes won’t make finals, but will be looking to finishing the year off strong.

We had some strong results in the juniors, with standout performances from Will Meyer (52*) and Jed Fraser (35*) and James Thornton taking 2/12 off 6 overs in the u16s.

Ned Taylor made 22* and also took 1/8 off 2 overs for the u12s, and wickets and runs were shared, as the 12s got a big win against Rowville.

The fast 9s had the bye, while our Super 7s are loving their cricket and enjoying themselves on a Wednesday night!

Saturday night was finished off by a fun Trivia Night! It was great to see the room full, and it awesome to see so many people in the room!

Thank you to all that organised it!

Scores: 1st XI - Monbulk 2/219 (S. Cosstick 103*, J. Fenby 54*, J. Spencer 40) def Olinda 9/216 (K. Storey 2/34, A. Powell 2/45, C. HaworthHooker 2/54, D. Maher 2/49) 2nd XI – Monbulk 10/250 (B. Trinnick 68, L. Jurey 55, B. Hooker 33, K. Snyman 30) def Olinda 9/53 & 7/55 (J. Santini 6/23 & 3/15, J. Wensley 3/20 & 2/18) 3rd XI – Monbulk 5/231 (B. Emmett 54, M. Winzenreid 48*, C. Hooper 45) def by Upwey Tecoma 4/401 (C. Spooner 2/65) 4th XI – *Monbulk 6/94 (C. Mackay 28, D. Blenkiron 27, M. Adams 22) vs Ferntree Gully 3/22*

The 1st XI after their win against Olinda.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

· 5th XI – Bye - Monbulk 9/122 (M. Anderson 40*, · Veterans M. Cutler 36) def by Ferntree Gully 6/124 (N. Haines 2/8, T. Scholes 2/23)

Monbulk 7/236 (W. Meyer 52*, J. Fra· U16’s: ser 35, E. Dawson 31, E. Knight 27, R. Tudor

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22) def South Belgrave-Lysterfield 10/136 (J. Thornton 2/12, A. Sutton 2/27, J. Fraser 1/10, W. Blenkiron 1/5, B. Trinnick 1/17, E. Dawson 1/19) U12’s: Monbulk 4/125 (N.Taylor 22*, T. Brodie 16, E. Toohey 13, J. Jennings-Sykes 12) def Rowville 7/100 (S. Czaja 1/5, N. Taylor 1/8, A. Selby 1/9, T. Brodie 1/17, F. Ratten 1/16) Fast 9’s: Bye Super 7s: Monbulk Gold 71 (J. Stott 7, K. Paynter 7, M. Phyland 7) vs Olinda 201 (H. Robb 1/21) Super 7s: Monbulk Maroon 91 (Z. Spargo 7, P. Silver 5, I. Stott 5, H. Jonker 4) vs Ferntree Gully 176 (A. Anderson 2/18, Z. Spargo 2/10)

1st XI Captain Shane Cosstick with 103.

Final ends absolute nailbiters but Monbulk is on top

By Jack Rollings Saturday pennant. Yesterday’s weather was near to perfect for bowling. Warm, little to no wind. No excuses there.

Monbulk 1 played at home against Lilydale. It was a crucial matchup for both sides, with Lilydale clinging onto a top four spot and Monbulk trying to break into the top four. The composite scoreboard was the main focus for the day. Monbulk got the early break and led by 20 shots before afternoon tea. Towards the end of the day, it was Lilydale who finished stronger and reduced their deficit to something achievable. That made the final ends on each rink real nail-biters, with Monbulk just managing to hang on and take the big points.

Eric Markham’s team dominated in the first third, then dropped a 4 to let Lilydale back in the game on equal terms. Monbulk recovered well to take 9 shots over the next three ends. In the run home Lilydale won more ends but mainly for minor scores while Monbulk held on to the lead and even made a statement with a 3 shotter pick up on the last end to win the rink 23 shots to 18.

Jim Bras’ team also dominated in the early scores. They dropped only three ends in the front half and led by 11 shots going into the break. Once again Lilydale won more ends in the back half and gave Monbulk a scare with some multiples. It was a noisy last end when the Lilydale skip drove a fast bowl into the head to take out the only close Monbulk bowl and take a big 6 shots. But the Monbulk lead was too great and they were able to win the rink 25 shots to 20.

Tony French’s team won thirteen ends including five 3 shotters. But their losses inmailcommunity.com.au

Mark Johnston - showing great style in his first season of bowling.

Picture: SUPPLIED cluded four big bad 4s which meant the lead changed during the day. After the break Monbulk won more of the mat and changed the length, resulting in a string of wins. On the second last end Lilydale grabbed a 3 shotter to bring them within 2 shots of the lead.

But Monbulk made sure of the last end picking up their own 3 shotter to win the rink 25 shots to 20.

Brian Smith’s team was climbing a mountain all day. Their opposition team was skipped by the legendary John Snell and even though John might have slowed down a bit and uses the mechanical arm, he showed many times that he has lost none of his abil-

ity to read the head and predict where shots should go. Monbulk stayed close in the front half and levelled a couple of times, but Lilydale picked up some multiples in the back half and drew away. Monbulk lost the rink 14 shots to 22.

Overall Monbulk won the round 87 shots to 80 with three rinks up. That leaves Monbulk sitting in fifth place on the ladder, on equal points with fourth, just a score percentage making the difference. Next week is the last home and away round and Monbulk will travel to Upwey-Tecoma in a last gasp effort to make the finals.

Monbulk 2 played away against Lilydale 4 and they were “smashed”. All four rinks lost and all four rinks barely made it to double figures. It was an unhappy drive back from Lilydale.

Don Barnetson’s team started effectively and was up by 8 shots going into the eighth end. But Lilydale came home much stronger and picked up four 3s and a 5 in the back half.

So, even though Monbulk won nine ends, they lost the rink 12 shots to 29.

Graeme Goller’s team had one of their toughest matches for the season. They won only seven ends and dropped a couple of clangers along the way. Monbulk lost the rink 11 shots to 24.

Case Broekhof’s team won eight ends but their losses included three 3s and a 5. Lilydale picked up further after the break and took the game away. Monbulk lost the rink 11 shots to 25.

Andy Smith’s team won nine ends, which should have pointed to a close game, but, once again, it was the clangers that made all the difference. Monbulk dropped two 3s, two

4s and a 6 and lost the rink 12 shots to 29.

Overall Monbulk lost 46 shots to 107 but they are still clinging onto third spot on the ladder. Next week, in the final round, they play against Mulgrave who are sitting just above. But, when you look at this season’s numbers, Mulgrave have won just one more game than Monbulk, and next week the game will be on Monbulk’s home ground. Finals are up for grabs.

Monbulk 3 played at home against Upwey-Tecoma.

Graeme Godkin’s team won only seven ends for the day and it’s very difficult to end up on top with so few scoring chances. But their wins included three 3s, a 4 and a big 6.

So, even though they trailed several times, they always seemed to pull the rabbit out of the hat when it was needed. Monbulk won the rink 22 shots to 19.

Mike Harris’ team won a similar number of ends to Upwey but they led all day due to a 3 shotter and two massive 6 shotters. Monbulk won the last five ends to really make sure of the win. They won the rink 25 shots to 14.

Chris Sullivan’s team trailed for most of the front half but then turned the tables with a 7 shotter on the ninth end. Upwey crept back to level on the seventeenth end, but that’s when Monbulk pulled out another unbelievable 7 shotter. They were able to finish off the game with a win 28 shots to 19.

Overall Monbulk won 75 shots to 52 with all three rinks up. That puts Monbulk on top of the ladder with just one round to go. The top four spots are all close, so even though a finals berth is assured, Monbulk will have to perform well next week against Ringwood if they are to secure a home-ground final.

Tuesday, 13 February, 2024

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