Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 14th May 2024

Ferntree Gully Belgrave

Aurora approval

Andrew Kreibich was just one lucky Upwey resident to witness the Southern lights display the showed up over the weekend of 11 and 12 May.

The colourful marvel is a rare sight caused by a large geomagnetic storm which is typically seen at the North and South Pole.

First seeing a green glow on the horizon, Mr Kreibich then spotted pinks and reds as it changed and morphed.

“We had an unforgettable night, I never thought I’d see an aurora that bright in Victoria,” he said.

To see more photos, turn to page 20

The Aurora Australis put on a show for Upwey resident Andrew Kreibich who followed the colourful skies.

Picture: ANDREW KREIBICH

Massive, week-long search and rescue effort comes to happy ending as... Zak found alive

By Tanya Steele

A massive search and rescue effort for a local missing man in theYarra Ranges has ended on a high note.

Over a week after being first reported missing, Kallista man Zakary was found safe and well on the morning of Thursday, 9 May. A representative from police media said that Belgrave Police would like to thank all the volunteers from the SES, CFA and Bush Search and Rescue (BSAR) for their assistance during the search. “We would also like to thank media and members of the public for their assistance,” they said.

SES Emerald Unit Controller Ben Owen said the SES were glad to see Zakary well. “We did a lot of hard work and the the final result is positive,” he said.

Over 50 volunteers a day from multiple SES and CFA units, along with police and BSAR combed through the bush in the Dandenong

Ranges National Park. “It was horrendous terrain, very steep and lots of leeches,” said Mr Owen.

SES Lilydale Controller Shaun Caulfield said that concern grew as the days since Zakary disappeared increased.

Continued page 14

NEWS Shire backs local farmers

By Corey Everitt

Cardinia Shire Council is pushing for more Government support for local farmers in a recent submission to an upcoming State Government inquiry, calling for “all efforts” to retain the state’s farming land.

In November 2023, the State Government authorised an inquiry into securing Victoria’s food supply.

It will investigate the future of the farming industry and examine the conditions arising from an increasing metropolitan area with particular focus on the urban fringe which includes Cardinia Shire.

In the council’s submission, they highlighted the many other contributions they have made on the matter before, describing the ‘difficult task’ councils face on the urban fringe of managing ‘diverse’ and ‘highly contested’ priorities amid a rural and urban landscape.

Amidst these submissions and reasserted in the latest is the council’s desire to see more State Government funds going to the local farm industry - specifically through the suggestions of redefining Cardinia’s metropolitan status or creating a new agricultural fund.

The council said its urban status ‘greatly disadvantages’ farmers as it disqualifies them from applying for numerous grants that would help farming on matter from regional infrastructure to flood assistance.

“A new category or the ability for our rural land areas to be considered as rural in terms of funding grants is important to enable Council and industry to seek appropriate grants, to help continue the development and protection of our important agricultural lands,” the submission says.

out of the statistics.

The recent Bunyip fires are credited by the council as revealing this fact as many of the farmer affected were not accounted for in the records at hand, the number is ‘likely much higher’.

In response, the council said they are currently conducting their own agricultural audit to full assess the breadth of producers in the shire which Morgan firmly supports.

“I think they have realised there understanding of the amount of farming in the area was out of whack and that’s why they are going for an agricultural audit because it will identify part-time and all the unidentified cohort of producers that fall below the statistical threshold,” Morgan said.

“With all accounted for they can truly see how many producers are in Cardinia and show how much support agriculture needs here.”

Additionally, the council added that the landscape should be viewed in a ‘new integrated lens’ that accounts for the complexities of arable land and the impact of urban development.

Victoria Farmers Federation Cardinia President Tony Morgan backs this suggestion.

“I think the council has done a good job in their submission, they have hit a lot of relevant points,” Morgan said.

“The suggestion of an agricultural fund is good because the way it’s set up a lot of the funding mostly applies to rural and regional Victoria.

“Which leaves farmers on the fringe at a disadvantage when there is a significant con-

Alternatively, the council proposes a ‘Green Wedge Agriculture Fund’ (GWAF) which can ‘complement’ current programs to address this shortfall of assistance for periurban farmers.

tribution from agriculture in the peri-urban areas.”

The council emphasised how, despite significant population growth, the portion of rural and arable land in Cardinia still dwarfs the encroaching urban sprawl.

The submission reveals that there were 397 registered agricultural businesses in the shire and the total value of Cardinia’s farming industry amounts to $323 million, according to the records as of 2020-21.

Yet, the council believes that farming is much larger than ‘currently acknowledged’ due to limiting factors in the recording of the industry that leave many part-time farmers

Regarding planning, further controls to strictly identify agricultural use were supported along the same lines as laid out in the recent Planning for Melbourne’s Green Wedges and Agricultural Land Action Plan and the council’s establishment of Special Use Zones.

The council also raised the unique factor to peri-urban agriculture in their logistical necessities as a bridge between the land and the market.

They further added that there is an ‘urgent need for targeted investment’ toward infrastructure and skills within the supply chain to assist not only working the land but the logistics, education and technical development of the industry.

your gas heater serviced at least once every two years, by a qualified gasfitter. Energy Safe. Always | esv.vic.gov.au

Cardinia Shire Council is backing more support to secure the shire’s farming. Picture: FILE

Erratic coverage costs local vendors

By Tanya Steele

The 39th Annual Kalorama Chestnut Festi-

val saw some local stallholders devastated by losses to their business when a lack of phone reception cost them trade profits.

Reception issues were felt by some, but not all of the stall holders on what was otherwise a stellar day out in the hills.

Jaki the Stall coordinator from the Chestnut Festival said that while some of the stallholders were experiencing difficulties, the committee didn’t realise how bad the issues were until the next day.

“I believe the coverage was more restricted in some areas of the oval, I heard mixed reviews overall,” she said.

“A lot of people said it (the reception) was slow and some said they had none at all.”

Babaji’s restaurant had their regular stall at this year’s festival and co-owner Billy Crombie said the stall had issues connecting their phone to complete electronic sales on the day.

“We’ve never had any problems before and there was no reception that day – I know that we turned away at least $2000 in trade,” she said.

“It was a great festival overall, the dampener is that we know how much business we lost.”

Ms Crombie said she went around the festival on the day to gauge the losses from other vendors and many others reported difficulty – she said she was concerned about the smaller businesses.

“We were a bigger operator but a lot of the small market vendors are much smaller micro businesses and a $50 loss to them is to be a deal,” she said.

Ms Crombie said she wanted to emphasise there is no fault to the Chestnut festival organisers, who do an awesome job of putting it together.

In previous years, an ATM has been provided but wasn’t used this year due to costs and lack of use, Jaki said that this year was definitely the worst for the reception issues.

“There were a lot of people at this year’s festival, we spend a lot of time trying to make sure everyone has a good day and for all that work to be undone by phone reception is heart breaking,” Jaki said.

“The organisers are all locals and unfortunately having reception issues in the hills is just life for us,” she said.

Telstra Regional General Manager Jenny Gray said that Telstra 5G and 4G coverage is available in and around Kalorama.

“One-off annual events can put extra demand on our local network and can slow data speeds,” she said.

State Member for Monbulk, MP Daniela De Martino said that mobile telecommunication blackspots are a critical issue in the Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas.

“Large areas of the District of Monbulk have very poor or no coverage and when demand is increased, the problems are exacerbated,” she said.

Telecommunications are governed by the Australian Federal Government, which means the Victorian State Government is restricted in how it can respond to mobile network deficiencies.

Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi MP said it is devastating to hear that local businesses have suffered losses during what is a much-loved community event due to telecommunications challenges.

Infrastructure projects for the hills have been funded federally in the past and Mr Violi said that the former federal Liberal government funded a phone tower for Kalorama in 2018.

“This would have alleviated some of these challenges, however, the relevant telecommu-

nications providers were unable to build the base station due to difficulties acquiring a suitable site and obtaining local planning approvals,” he said.

Ms De Martino said that dozens of telecommunications projects were announced for the Dandenong Ranges in 2022 through the Labour Connecting Victoria program – a $540 million program to improve mobile and broadband connectivity across the state.

“This includes construction and upgrades of mobile phone towers in various townships, including Kalorama,” said Ms De Martino

“We are doing what we can, where we canbut it’s time for the Telcos to come to the table,” she said.

Ms De Martino has an active petition running “Tell the Telcos” and said that it is incumbent uponTelstra, Optus,TPG andVodafone to improve mobile coverage across the Dandenong Ranges and eliminate ‘blackspots’.

“I’m asking that the telecommunications companies ensure uninterrupted mobile coverage across the Dandenong Ranges,” she said.

“The Kalorama Chestnut Festival is a striking example of the need for more resilient mobile coverage in the Hills.”

Telstra regional manager Jenny Gray said Telstra are always happy to work with community organisations ahead of a big event and that organisers often co-invest with Telstra to boost capacity by bringing in a temporary mobile base station or roll out other solutions to improve connectivity for visitors and traders.

“We’re happy to discuss options with Chestnut Festival organisers ahead of next year’s event,” Ms Gray said.

Jaki said that because they’ve never experienced this kind of outage before it’s never been on the Chestnut Festival committee’s radar that they would need to notify a telco.

“We are adding this as a priority for the event next year,” she said.

IN BRIEF

Police report boy, 14, missing

Taj is missing - the 14-year-old was last seen at Ringwood Railway Station around 3.30pm on 10 May 2024.

Taj is described as having a Caucasian appearance, is approx. 140cm tall with a slim build and short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black jumper and black pants and police and family have concerns due to his age.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Knox Police Station (03) 9881 7000.

Tools found in Olinda

On 29/04/24, a set of tools were located outside the Olinda CFA, that had fallen from a vehicle. Police are asking the public via social media if these tools belong to you and can identify them, to please contact Olinda Police on (03) 9751 1241. Reference 202405-E-0330.

Deer Control in Sherbrooke Forest

Regular visitors to Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges should be aware that Parks Victoria is currently undertaking deer control in the area.

Shooting will be occurring from May 13 to 17 from 6pm to 6am and the area will be closed. These control works are being undertaken by accredited and authorised contractors. For reasons of public safety, various areas of the park will be inaccessible during the evening throughout this period.

Vic Parks have advised the public that for safety please to observe the signage during this time and do not enter any closed areas. For further information13 19 63 or email info@parks. vic.gov.au

Survey continues

The Yarra Ranges police want to hear from the public - The Victoria Police Community Sentiment Survey - now in its third year – launched this month and is open until midnight on 31 May. Results are used as part ofVictoria Police’s back-to-basics neighbourhood policing initiative to help police develop local responses to key community safety issues. When issues are more complex police work with local councils, community groups and government agencies. The more people who take part, the better. The survey can be found online at: https://bit.ly/4bxdc7R

Illegal rubbish dumping

The EPA is asking Victorians to call 1300 EPA VIC (1300 372 842) and report any dumped rubbish they find.

EPA’s Northeast Regional Manager Ben Kneebone says anyone can do their bit for the environment.

“Give us a prompt report and an accurate location of the dump site, and you are giving EPA a better chance of tracking down the culprit and making them pay the price,” he said. “Taking a photo can help, too. With these simple measures, you can make sure your favourite spot in the bush doesn’t turn into a stinking, illegal tip,” he said.

Loads of waste dumped in the bush often include construction and demolition waste, hazardous materials like asbestos and rotting household rubbish.

Cleaning up abandoned waste costs millions of dollars every year. Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution

The Chestnut Festival has not had these kinds of reception issues before.

Record crowds and beautiful weather were dampened as some stallholders were unable to process transactions. Pictures: LAUREN BIANCHI

Family, domestic, sexual violence response bolstered

By Callum Ludwig

In an otherwise fiscally conservative Victorian Budget for 2024/25, investment in addressing family violence stood out as a key focus of expenditure from the State Government.

The further investment brings Victoria’s investment into supporting family and sexual violence services to $3.8 billion since the 2015 Royal Commission into Family Violence, in which the Victorian Government announced in 2023 that all 227 recommendations had been implemented.

“We’re proud of our nation-leading reforms and we will continue working to keep women and children safe,” Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Vicki Ward said.

“We know that there is so much more to do.We want aVictoria that is free from family violence.”

$269 million has been committed to initiatives designed to prevent family violence and improve safety for women;

$42 million is directed to ‘deliver timely and individualised interventions and continued support’

$39 million has been set aside for schools and early childhood services to continue to deliver the Respectful Relationships program,

$24 million aims to bolster the information-sharing capabilities of police, courts and agencies through a Central Information Point

$16 million is dedicated to providing community-led and culturally safe responses to family violence in Aboriginal communities with Aboriginal women anywhere between 35 to 45 times more likely to experience violence than non-Aboriginal women.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said Victoria leads the nation with our work

to strengthen how we prevent and respond to family violence and violence against women.

“We know we have more work to do for a future where women, children and young people are safe,” they said.

“We support victims of family violence in Victoria with initiatives such as the statewide Orange Door Network,”

“The budget includes measures to sustain support to victim survivors, drive down family violence and sexual assault, including funding for perpetrators to change their behaviour, and tools and guidance for working with children and young people.”

Since its opening in May 2022, The Orange Door Outer East with sites in Croydon and Belgrave has received more than 19,000 referrals and provided support to more than 21,000 people, including more than 8,800 children through outreach across the Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges local government areas.

The Orange Door Outer East is delivered in partnership by Family Safety Victoria, Anglicare, FVREE, VACCA, Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service and Child Protection, aiming to provide access to coordinated help and support for family violence, and the wellbeing and development of children.

The Orange Door network consists of specialist family violence, child and family and Aboriginal services to provide crisis assistance and support, risk and needs assessment, safety planning and connection to other services with support offered face to face, or via telephone or email.

The Orange Door Outer Eastern Melbourne is open Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm. For more information, call 1800 271 150 or visit orangedoor.vic.gov. au.

$76 million of funding is dedicated to supporting victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence including providing access to therapies and support for children

and young people recovering from trauma of family violence or sexual abuse, measures to ensure they are safe in their own homes and support for staffing at Sexual Assault Services Victoria and training packages for practitioners.

Head of Service Design and National Practice Lead for Family Violence at EACH Olivia Sinn said their team of Financial Counsellors frequently support and advocate for people experiencing financial abuse: an under-recognised, poorly understood, but insidious form of family violence.

“Financial abuse is a key factor in perpetuating family violence, but is often not recognised because people do not recognise this as violence,” she said.

“Financial (or economic) abuse can include refusing to contribute to household expenses, stopping partners from working, preventing access to bank accounts, and taking out loans in a partner’s name,”

$6.8 million is specifically set to bolster financial counselling services for family violence victim-survivors, providing support to stabilise their financial position and recover from abuse.

Ms Sinn said EACH welcomes the continuation of funding from theVictorian Government in the budget to address the impact of financial abuse.

“Family violence is primarily about power and control,” she said.

“We can help keep more families free from violence by raising awareness, preventing, and better responding to financial abuse.”

In the corrections and justice system, $31 million is being poured into supporting the prosecution of family, domestic and sexual violence offences with $600,000 also committed to better educating and creating an understanding of family violence in the justice workforce.

Crisis management boost

By Emma Xerri

The 2024-2025 Victorian State Budget has allocated more than $16 million towards future emergency management response.

With $9.5 million of those funds going towards ensuring Victorians and emergency service organisations have the most up-to-date emergency information, advice and warnings, residents of the Hills who have long suffered from poor access to emergency information may have cause for optimism.

However, for Rescue Logs founder, and former Hills resident Julia Hill, this optimism must come with caution.

“I don’t know how much it costs to put up proper towers, so I don’t know how far $9.5 million is going to go,” she said.

“All I can say is that as a Hills community, we should not have to be worried about being able to get through when we have an emergency.

“As a consequence of living in the hills and having such bad communications, I am really conscious on hot windy days to have the radio going with the emergency services radio station playing, and making sure I’ve got the weather reports coming up on my internet.

“So for most of us that are young and fit, we just change the way we manage the information we get.

“But the flip side, for the elderly in the area, is that they’re not so connected, because they don’t tend to be on things like Facebook. And so unfortunately, they miss out on a lot of information.

“What we noticed after the storms was that we had to really make an effort to connect with our neighbours and to check in to make sure they were okay. Because, as I say, sometimes the elderly were missing out on information, and sometimes they were even freezing in their homes, and people weren’t aware of it.”

The frightening impacts of this poor communication in the case of emergencies is something Hills residents have become all too familiar with, and something which carried particular weight in the aftermath of the 2021 storms.

“There were four days where we had barely any communication at all,” Ms Hill added.

“Mobile reception was out and there was no NBN, and it took three months for it to be hooked up again.

“I was unable to ring the SES myself without walking to the top of my road, and my husband had had a heart attack earlier in the year.

“Even if I did get through, they wouldn’t have been able to get to us and we couldn’t get out.

“So, it was quite daunting not having any reception at all.

“And there was an example recently of a lady who had to call triple zero, and she had to physically walk to the top of her street to get a line, which dropped out three times. Meanwhile, she’d left her husband, who was unwell, in the house on his own.

“Hills people shouldn’t have to deal with this. Just because we’ve chosen to live in a rural area, we shouldn’t not be able to have access.”

Long time Emerald SES volunteer Ben

Owen is also all too familiar with the communication difficulties that have long plagued the Hills community.

“If there is to be an enhancement of emergency warnings going out, that would be an advantage,” he said.

“We have storms that come through quite rapidly, so we need new ways of sharing those warnings in a timely manner.

“But I would obviously like to see more sustainable telecommunication systems in the hills when power goes out. That would probably be a better, or equally important, way to spend the funds.”

However, as a member of the SES, Mr Owen is also intrigued to see what the $6.9 million budget allocation to the State Emergency Service will mean for his branch, which has long been underfunded.

“My early indications from the budget were that SES were going to take a cut. So, if the budget allocation means an additional $6.9 million on top of what we normally receive, then

that’s fantastic. But if it’s $6.9 million for one thing, and other areas are going to miss out, then that’s a real concern.

And these uncertainties are shared by VICSES, who said “we’re still awaiting the full details from Tuesday’s announcement and the overall impact on our budget.

“We’ll continue to work collaboratively with the State Government to advocate for our needs to support our SES volunteers and their fantastic service to the community.”

Meanwhile Mr Owen maintains that when it comes to SES funding, the government has a long way to go.

“Our unit gets about a third of what we need to run per year from the government and the rest we’ve got to make up.

“I’m here today, ready to open up our CDS program where we collect containers. But we get 10 cents per container to put vehicles on the road, put fuel in the trucks, buy equipment, and put electricity on site.

“Our volunteers who are here today could be out there training or providing community education instead of having to fundraise.”

Even the state budget’s promise of 15 new urban pumpers for the CFA is unlikely to take effect for another couple of years, according to a CFA spokesperson, meaning local branches like the Monbulk CFA will have to wait to receive these pumpers; that is, if they are deemed high enough in “regional and statewide priorities.”

So while the $16 million allocation may seem like a hopeful step in the right direction for residents of the Hills, uncertainties surrounding exactly how this money will be spent means Hills residents may have to endure another storm or two before real improvement is made.

“If they had said nine and a half million was being allocated to putting towers in to enable rural Victorians and, in particular, the Dandenong ranges, to have good, reliable reception, then I would say that is wonderful news, because we really need it,” Ms Hill added.

“Because I’m sure that’s not going to be the last storm.”

Domestic, family and sexual violence responses and support services have been bolstered in the state budget. Picture: FILE

Premier Jacinta Allan and Emerald SES unit controller Ben Owen.

Picture: FILE

What missed out in YR

A scant-detail State Budget has left many of the projects open to interpretation but what missed out, particularly in the Yarra Ranges,? Mikayla van Loon and Dongyun Kwon take a look. With family violence support and prevention earmarked for $211 million in funding and $28.8 million set aside for community legal centres, it came as a double edged sword for a local provider.

Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) was “pleased” to learn a further four years of funding would be provided for its Mabels program but was “deeply disheartened” that no further funding had been budgeted for the expansion of its services despite the apparent gendered-violence “national crisis”.

“We are disappointed by the State budget announcement that does not recognise the apparent need for additional and ongoing funding for our services that are at the forefront of support for family violence victim-survivors that often face multifaceted, complex needs and require tailored and targeted legal advice and broader help,” ECLC chief executive officer Michael Smith said.

A call for a “sustained commitment” from both the State and Federal Governments has been on the agenda for community legal centres in the lead up to the National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) review.

“There is very little in [the] budget for the Victorian community legal sector to get excited about,” Federation of Community Legal Centres chief executive officer Louisa Gibbs said.

“But we acknowledge that in a tight fiscal environment, existing programs of Community Legal Centres will continue to be funded.”

ECLC awaits the release of the Federal Budget on Tuesday 14 May “and hopes that the urgent challenges faced by CLCs will be recognised and addressed”.

While education was at the forefront of the budget, Yarra Ranges schools have missed out on upgrade funding totalling $753 million, with the closest school with ‘upgrades in planning’ being Croydon’s Melba College.

Universal pre-prep for four-year-olds has been delayed and will be rolled out by 2036 instead of 2032, citing workforce shortages as the

reason for the push back.

Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence has claimed the delivery of a promised 50 new childcare centres has been put “on hold”. Similarly, 35 planned mental health and wellbeing locals will be set up slower than scheduled as Victoria cannot find the extra 2500 psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health nurses required to support the services.

“[This is] not only failing their obligation to implement the measures of the Mental Health Royal Commission but meaning it will remain hard for families to access vital mental health and wellbeing services,” MsVallence said.

A bulk amount of $964 million to maintain Victorian roads has been announced but details on where and what has been left out. Ms Vallence said the true cost of road maintenance works was hard to decipher given the inclusion of flood recovery works but the total expenditure was “16 per cent less next year than it was four years ago”.

“Yet again there is no funding to fix known dangerous roads such asWarburton Highway at Seville East or to duplicate Mooroolbark Road at Hull Road in Mooroolbark, and the Budget is silent on the Maroondah Highway and Killara Road project, creating uncertainty about when this project will ever start.

The Department of Transport was contacted for comment to confirm which, if any, road maintenance projects had been allocated to the Yarra Ranges.

RACV has also asked for better transparency from the State Government to understand which roads require repair to meet safety standards.

“Transparency of allocated road funding and areas where road improvements have been made will be key to tracking the areas where spend and upgrades are still required,” RACV head of policy James Williams said. “Without this understanding, regional roads will miss out on integral funding that is key to ensuring a safe road network for all users.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said in her first delivery of a budget “we’re making the biggest multi-year investment in our healthcare system in our state’s history”. Ongoing hospital funding of $8.8 billion, $146 million for Ambulance Victoria and $28 million to support the healthcare workforce were some of the headline announcements. Despite this, Maroondah Hospital, or the renamed Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, remains noted as in the planning stage alongside three other projects, with no capital works money allocated.

“Last year’s 2023-24 Budget allocated a small fund for the design and planning only, and this has not yet commenced,” MsVallence said.

“So, for two Budget cycles the Allan Labor Government has the promised Maroondah Hospital upgrade as ‘in planning’ and there is absolutely no funding allocated for any capital works to achieve the promised ED and expansion of Maroondah Hospital.” General practi-

tioners were also left dissatisfied by the $10 million for a co-designed grant program.

“While any investment in general practice care is always welcome, the Victorian Government’s $10 million to support GPs will not save us from the Patient Tax – it’s like putting a bandaid on a patient who’s lost both their legs,” Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Victoria chair Anita Munoz said. “Victorians should be prepared for further crowding at hospitals and local GPs to be at breaking point.”

On the environment front, despite $270 million to protect waterways and catchments, $116 million to restore native forests, $85 million for biosecurity and $38 million to expand hot water rebates through Solar Victoria, Landcare Victoria was disappointed to learn the facilitators and coordinators program would not be funded.

Tourism bodies were also left disappointed with a lack of funds supporting Yarra Ranges tourism. Victoria Tourism Industry Council CEO Felicia Mariani said there were few surprises given the industry was steeling itself for a very challenging budget hand down.

“In a tough fiscal environment this budget has clearly defined the priorities for the Victorian Government over the next four years, and the visitor economy will take a back seat to the delivery of core services and mitigating the strains of the current cost of living pressures,” she said.

“It’s incredibly hard to come to terms with the slashing of the destination marketing budget for Visit Victoria from $32.5 million in one year to $32.5 million over four years.”

Yarra Ranges Tourism CEO Simon O’Callaghan said the impact of less major events funding would also no doubt have a knock-on effect for the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

Premier Allan admitted this budget was “challenging to put together” especially “in a domestic and global environment that faces many, many pressures”.

“Whether it’s the inflationary and interest rate pressures, the pressures of workforce shortages and what that means for project and service delivery, also too the global unrest, the ongoing impact of the pandemic,” she said.

An underwhelming budget in a time of inflation

By Mikayla van Loon,

with AAP

It was what some have called a “no frills” 2024/25 State Budget, with the Premier saying it was “sensible and disciplined” at a time of inflationary pressures.

Spotlighting cost-of-living, family violence support, education and frontline services, this was shadowed by increasing debt, a $2.2 billion deficit, the delay or merging of project funding and a detail-lacking breakdown.

Heeding calls to curb infrastructure spending, the Melbourne Airport Rail was delayed by four years, while a $24 billion

forecast for infrastructure in 2023/24 will come down to $15.6 billion by 2027/28. Despite this, Victoria’s net debt is said to hit $187.8 billion by mid-2028, pushing up interest expenses to $9.4 billion annually. It comes after Victoria’s credit rating took a hit, with Moody’s stripping Victoria of its AAA status in February 2021 and downgrading its rating from AA1 to AA2 in 2022.

S&P Global Ratings also downgraded Victoria’s credit rating two notches in 2020 from AAA to AA, the lowest rating of any Australian state or territory. Credit rating downgrades make it more expensive for governments to service debt, leaving less money for hospi-

tals, roads and schools.

Making the cost-of-living for families with school aged children more manageable was a focus of the budget, with the government’s headline announcement being a $400, one off payment to cover the cost of uniforms, excursions and supplies. The $287 million fund is expected to support 700,000 students at government schools and eligible concession card holders from 2025. A program worth $6.8 million will assist a further 74,000 students in Prep to Grade 3 undergo vision testing and get prescription glasses.

The Victorian Homebuyer Fund has been extended for one more year at a cost of $700

million, before the federal government sets up a national scheme. In 2023, a parliamentary inquiry urged the Victorian government to look into scrapping stamp duty and replacing it with a broad-based land tax.

Treasurer Tim Pallas on Tuesday said it would not be “economically responsible” to make the change as it would essentially wipe off up to $9 billion of revenue each year.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the government had not done enough to reduce debt or provide cost-of-living relief.

“We will be spending more on interest than we spend on families,” he said.

State budget road-funding detail was minimal.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

TAFE focus is welcomed

By Mikayla van Loon

A total of $555 million has been allocated in the Victorian Budget for the TAFE education system, training and workforce pipeline, a welcome investment from the trades industry.

Majority of the funding, $394 million, will go towards the widening of free TAFE positions, while $113 million will be allocated to support services, training delivery and help for students.

A further $32 million will be put towards the upskilling and retraining of workers.

Mooroolbark qualified electrician and apprentice plumber Michael MacDonald said freeTAFE was a blessing as an adult apprentice with a family to support while upskilling.

“Wealth shouldn’t be a barrier to education. Someone’s financial status shouldn’t limit them to accessing education and this initiative, I’ve certainly benefited from,” he said.

“Because of free TAFE, I’ve actually been able to almost complete my licensing modules, I still have a couple more to go. But at the end of the day, it means I’ll be able to become a licensed plumber and gas fitter.

“Without free TAFE, it would have been probably almost impossible for me to make a sacrifice to upskill.”

Attracting more people to not only the building and construction industry but to hospitality and other vocational training courses, Mr MacDonald said will go a long way to reducing the workforce shortages.

“There is a skill shortage across the country and in Victoria…when people are weighing up decisions, whether to go to university, or to do a TAFE course, one of the benefits of going to TAFE is that you’re earning while you’re learning,” he said.

“If you do a TAFE course, particularly with free TAFE, you come out with a head start in life. So I think it’s going to attract people.”

The skill shortage, Mr MacDonald said, is the worst he’s ever seen so any step to bridging the gap will “make a big difference”.

“There is a high demand for skilled workers, particularly the licensed trades, plumbing and electrical.

“There are employers calling out for quality people and unfortunately, a lot of people are struggling to fill the gaps they need in their workforce.”

Although building and construction won’t be the only industry benefiting from the budget, with an above average participation rate in TAFE and training, it will impact the region

significantly.

Vocational education and training in the Yarra Ranges was recorded at above state and national averages in the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021 Census.

It showed that 3,786 (8.7 per cent) people were attending TAFE, compared to the state’s 7.9 per cent and the national percentage of 7.8.

Empowered Women In Trades (EWIT) founder Hacia Atherton also welcomed the announcement but said wellbeing support for apprentices was an important piece of the puzzle to ensure completion rates improve.

“The increase of $555 million, particularly

the expansion of free spots, is a step in the right direction for attracting more people to trades, especially women and girls,” she said.

“However, to improve the completion rate and promote longevity in the industry, we need to prioritise psychological wellbeing at TAFE and at the workplaces of apprentices.”

Master Builders Australia found that over the year to September 2023, 42,333 apprentices started a career in the building and construction industry.

This, however, was a 25 per cent decrease on the previous 12 month period.

Completion rates also dropped 7.9 per cent, with 21,814 students finishing their training over the year to September last year.

“Teaching apprentices positive psychology principles will empower them to build the resilience needed to navigate the challenges of an apprenticeship and effectively handle stress and burnout,” Ms Atherton said.

“It’s not just about mastering technical skills; we must also invest in equipping apprentices to thrive psychologically and emotionally.”

Evelyn MP and shadow skills and training minister Bridget Vallence was a bit more critical of the budget, saying the funding didn’t make up for the 10 years of poor investment.

“Victoria has had the lowest funded TAFE system in the country for 10 years. Labor has been in government for the last 10 years,” she said.

“This Budget reveals the number of enrolments under the Allan Labor Government in the Free TAFE for priority courses has fallen, as did the number of government subsidised apprenticeship course enrolments.

“This State Budget has fallen well short of addressing the required pipeline of workers to tackle the dire shortage of skilled workers in Victoria.”

The 2024/25 Victorian Budget has allocated $555 million to the vocational training system. Picture: ON FILE

Awarded store giving back

IGA Cockatoo is not only award-winning but is helping create jobs locally while giving back to the wider community.

After recently winning Victoria’s Medium Meat Department of the Year award, the store prides itself on hiring local butchers and sourcing the finest quality meats all prepared in-house.

With the store nearing five years in Cockatoo, owner Nathan Pasco said they’re always motivated to give their customers an exceptional experience.

Mr Pasco highlighted while they’ve never been focused on winning awards, they were pleased to have been recognised.

“This is our third year in a row where we’ve been nominated for every category, to win or not wasn’t really a focus, but then to win the award for meat holds a special place for us.

“We’ve got in-store butchers; the meat manager is local, one of the butchers is local and we’ve just started an apprentice who’s also local.”

Their meat is sourced locally and they always aim to have a point of difference.

“We make our own snags, not many butchers do that anymore, we cut to order if a customer wants anything specific, we’ll do it for them. Our butchers and our meat manager are here 6 days a week, and they love helping customers!”

The store also puts a lot of effort into ensuring their meat selection is well presented.

“We take pride in our quality, our price and our presentation. We like to think meat is an area we can do better than our competitors, and thankfully our customers seem to agree.”

They are also dedicated to giving back to the community.

“Through our MYIGA points program, we donate upwards of $10k each year to local

community groups. We put on a sausage sizzle out the front of the store most Saturdays where we donate the bread and sausages and local groups receive the money for it.”

“We love being a part of this

community and are privileged to support these organisations.”

Overall, the store proudly employs more

We’re removing level crossings on the Lilydale Line

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing 110 dangerous and congested level crossings, with 76 already gone.

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Lilydale Line From 8.30pm 24 May to early July On sections of the line

great

than 60 staff, most of whom live locally. Be sure to come and check out Cockatoo IGA and their award winning meat department for their One Day Sale on 23 May.

IGA Cockatoo’s meat department manager (middle) Simone Berry and owner Nathan Pasco accepting the award.

Climate 200 seeks indies

By Callum Ludwig

A community-driven push for independent candidates is set to be bolstered by further fundraising efforts from Climate 200, provided their values on climate change, political integrity and gender equity among others align.

The marginal seats of Casey and Deakin are on the list of target areas in Climate 200’s Community Accelerator Fund, with Liberal MPs Michael Sukkar and Aaron Violi having only claimed victory over Labor candidates at the lastelectionwithmarginsof0.2and1.5percent respectively.

Climate 200 Executive Director Byron Fay said they know from history that it often takes at least two go’s to win as an independent.

“Independent campaigns that might come a close second leave fertile ground for the next independent to win the seat,” he said.

“Strong, local community groups, like the ‘voices of’ groups, are critical to the success of independent campaigns. They find the candidates that represent the community and build the groundswell of support through engaging with voters.”

TheVoices 4 Casey group began their search for an independent candidate in January 2022 prior to that year’s election and settled on Claire Ferres Miles, a resident of the electorate who stepped down from her role as CEO of Sustainability to run. Ms Ferres Miles’ campaign was launched 75 days out from the election and was announced alongside funding of over $10,000 from Climate 200.

Mr Fay said Climate 200 was established to help community independent campaigns compete against the major party machines.

“These local groups are volunteer-run and reach into their own pockets to fund things like events and advertising. The more support they can get from the community, including donors, the greater their chance of scaling up and being successful,” he said.

“As history shows, with the right support,

community-backed independents can absolutely win,”

“Polling shows that voters are turning away from the major parties and looking to park their votes with community-selected independents who truly represent their interests.”

Ms Ferres Miles secured 8.34 per cent of the vote in Casey in 2022, behind the Liberal, Labor and Greens candidates.

The Community Independents Project (CIP) is continuing to campaign for more community groups such as Voices groups to be established and provide the grounds for people being at the centre of politics, according to CIP Director and the founder of the Voices 4 Indi group Alana Johnson.

“The current provisions for how we campaign in Australia make it very difficult for an independent who has to raise their own funds in order to run a campaign and certainly we all have different opinions about whether there should be tax put on campaign spending, which seems obvious to me., but it leaves independent candidates in a very difficult position,” she said.

“I think the availability of funding is a really important part of shifting the dial in Australia from the dominance of the two-party system,

or any party system for that matter,”

“I also believe though that the community independents movement has to make sure that it continues to be anchored by the communities who get behind the campaign and raise their own funds, and that we don’t just end up with a system of candidates putting their hand up and getting funded by an outside force.”

MsJohnsonwaspresentforthelaunchofthe Voices 4 Casey campaign in February 2022 and as a founding member of Voices 4 Indi group, which neighbours the Casey electorate, helped elect independent candidate Cathy McGowan in 2013, and then began the first seat to reelect an independent candidate to replace a retiring independent MP when current Indi MP Helen Haines was successful in 2019.

Ms Johnson said CIP continue to talk about how there are numerous ways to win and unfortunately, the only notion of winning that gets spoken about or reported about is actually winning the seat.

“There are many wins to be had for communities, the whole notion of community independents is based on the fact that people, ordinary people in communities come together and say we want representation, better representation, of somebody who actually represents us and our views and is not locked into party pol-

icy,” she said.

“The two-party system isn’t the only way we can have government and the two-party system isn’t the only way that we have representation, in fact, ordinary people can feel a great hope in the fact that they may well be better represented through an independent,”

“Even when you look at electorates where their candidate didn’t get elected in the last federal election, the benefits and the wins for the community have been enormous because people have shifted their views and are looking very differently at the two-party system.”

The Voices of Deakin group has established an online presence via a website, private Facebook group and X (formerly Twitter) account and opened up a community sentiment survey for Deakin residents to share their thoughts and views on what matters to them.

Ms Johnson said there is no recipe for a community independent group, every community finds its own way of doing things.

“I must acknowledge that Climate 200 alwayssaythatfundinggoestocommunitieswho are going to support a candidate, they don’t just pick willy-nilly ‘winner-type’ candidates out of nowhere, they’re looking at communities who are doing the work and the communities who are taking the lead,” she said.

“What happens in each individual electorate depends more on how the community has organised themselves more than it does on the candidate and if there’s a process where the community invites people to consider being candidates and then has a process for interviewing them and selecting them, then that candidate has a head chance anyway because all of a sudden they’ve got this particular community who’s chosen them and is behind them from the start,”

“The most successful win for everybody, including democracy and community, is for the candidate to be brought forth by the community.”

Voices 4 Casey’s endorsed candidate for the 2022 election Claire Ferres Miles at her campaign launch. Picture: FILE

Transforming Grief into Healing

Bargain hunt hits Upwey

By Emma Xerri

While the hot jam donuts may have been a new addition to the day, the Upwey community returned to the Upwey Fire Station for the 53rd annual jumble sale, a cherished tradition locals have come to anticipate in their hunt for a delightful bargain.

Like previous years, with lines of eager treasure hunters surrounding the building before opening, this year’s event was no exception, raising all-needed funds that will go towards replacing the branch’s three community-funded vehicles and, hopefully, a new station.

“It went really well,” Upwey CFA captain Cliff Pancutt said.

“We consider ourselves very fortunate that the community gives as much as they do every year, and it just makes for a really fun day for for everyone involved. From the community members that come down and support us, to all the donations that we receive leading into it, it’s just a fantastic event.

“We had a couple of years where we couldn’t run it due to Covid, but we’re back up and running, and stronger than ever.”

Shifting their focus to less goods, but with better quality, the jumble sale once again hosted an unmatched assortment of second-hand items, one that continues to surprise even Mr Pancutt, who has been involved in these sales for 35 years.

“Every year, you look at the things that come through, and you go, is that going to move, or is it going to be there at the end of the day?

“But majority of the bargains are snapped up pretty quick. The line outside before the rope drops at nine o’clock is usually five or eight people deep, all the way across. So it’s bedlam for the first little while, but it’s great.

“And surprisingly, the interest is really varied across the entire spectrum of goods that we have, from all the bric-a-brac that’s on display in the back, to exercise equipment, push bikes and garden tools. We also received some abso-

lutely lovely furniture, and people have been able to pick up some really good quality stuff for a bargain price, which is fantastic.”

While he is exerting some self-discipline by holding back from purchasing some treasures of his own, even Mr Pancutt has “been able to walk away with some bargains over the years.”

However, he believes the best part of the event is the togetherness it encourages throughout the community.

“My favourite thing about the jumble sale is catching up with people in the community. People can be there for half an hour, or they can be there for two hours, but I guarantee that they are always catching up with somebody.

“And one of our members, who’s still actively helping us, has been there for every single sale. He still comes every year to help out, including in the lead up to the event with all the collections that come in and coordinating all the paperwork and inventory. So it’s fantastic to have him involved still.

“Sure, it’s a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding as well.

“So, even if you don’t come down to find a bargain, come and meet the fire brigade. You’ll see everyone from our junior members all the way through to our senior members, and everyone’s happy to talk to people. We’re more than happy to explain what we do, and why we do it, and answer questions for people who are thinking about being involved. And, you know, there is always a great sausage sizzle going on, plenty of raffles and auctions throughout the day, and, of course, the recent addition of some fantastic jam doughnuts as well.”

With the annual jumble sale now sadly finished for 2024, the brigade will continue to be involved in various community events throughout the year, whether it’s supporting the local market days, or the billy kart races.

They will also be running a second chance bookstore later in the year with the leftover books donated through the jumble sale and, of course, the Santa run at Christmas time.

Massage by Eleisha

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Introducing Eleisha

Portnoy: Your Guide to Holistic Healing

Welcome to Massage by Eleisha, where the blend of healing with empathy nurtures your well-being. With 14 years of expertise, Eleisha, a skilled Remedial Massage Therapist, warmly invite you to embark on a journey of transformation, guided by the restorative power of therapeutic touch.

Eleisha takes pride in providing a variety of specialised services tailored to address your unique health concerns as a woman. Whether you’re seeking Relaxation & Remedial/Deep Tissue Massage, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, or Myofascial Cupping, each session is designed to revitalise not just your body, but also your mind and spirit.

Bereavement Support Massage: Navigating Grief with Compassion

A standout offering is Bereavement Support Massage, a deeply compassionate approach rooted in Eleisha’s personal journey of loss. Having experienced her own grief for over 30 years, Eleisha understands the profound impact of therapeutic touch during challenging times. The physical touch and soothing motions of massage can provide comfort and relaxation during times of intense emotional pain. Massage helps to release tension held in the body, promoting a sense of ease and wellbeing. It can also stimulate the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, helping to alleviate feelings of sadness and depression. Additionally, the focused attention on the body during massage can provide a temporary reprieve from overwhelming grief, allowing women to find moments of peace and respite.

A Safe Haven for Healing

At Massage by Eleisha, every session is more than a treatment—Eleisha recognises the delicate balance between discussing grief and avoiding retraumatisation, acknowledging the physical toll it can take on individuals. Sometimes, the weight of grief can’t be captured in conversations alone and in each massage she strives to create a sacred space where grief is honoured, tears are welcome, and stories are shared.

Embracing Transformation Through Touch

Eleisha’s mission transcends merely providing exceptional massage therapy; it’s about honoring memories, offering compassionate support, and redefining how grief is navigated. Her dedication to transforming women’s lives, one touch at a time, is a testament to the profound impact of holistic healing.

Book Your Journey to Wellness

Experience the healing touch of Massage by Eleisha today. Conveniently book your appointment at either the Emerald or Ferntree Gully locations through www.massagebyeleisha.com.au . Elevate your well-being with a personalised, compassionate approach to massage therapy.

Munchkins Massage

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This year’s event saw another brilliant collection of second-hand furniture.

Walking tour big success

By Emma Xerri

Twenty-five Emerald locals and visitors took to the Nobelius Heritage Park on Sunday 5 May to bask in the autumn sunlight and enjoy a guided walking tour offered by the Emerald Museum.

Running as part of this year’s National Trust of Australia Australian Heritage Festival, the walking tour embodied the 2024 theme of connections, fostering a greater awareness of the rich cultural history of the park, and developing a greater appreciation for the way in which proprietor Carl Axel Nobelius developed the former nursery into the largest fruit and ornamental tree exporter in the southern hemisphere.

“It was very successful,” Emerald Museum Committee President and great granddaughter of Carl Axel Nobelius, Pauline Murphy said.

“We were very lucky with the weather because it was a magnificent day, and the park is looking its best because it’s autumn. The kids who came thoroughly enjoyed picking up the leaves and carrying them around.

“And we had 25 attendees on the walk, plus another 25 or so who visited the museum, so we would consider that a huge success.”

Graced with the unmatched historical knowledge of committee member Anne Carter, attendees had the opportunity to learn about the history of the nurseries, as well how the park was established.

“The Nobelius Heritage Park is essentially a memorial to these nurseries,” Anne said.

“We walked around the park and looked at the many significant trees and historical buildings, including a rotunda that is a replica of one built in 1914. We also looked at the Nobelius Packing Shed, which was built in 1904, and

Power!

the memorial of Carl Axel Nobelius.

“Everyone really enjoyed it.

“A lot of them had been to the park before but never understood what it was about, so the people found the history very interesting.

“And it’s the sort of park that looks magnificent in autumn on a gorgeous still, sunny day, with lovely ornamental trees, and leaves dancing in the sunlight.”

Attendees were also treated to a history lesson on Gus Ryberg, who “dedicated his retirement to promoting Emerald’s history,” and “campaigned for the establishment of the Nobelius Heritage Park.”

“The park is a remnant of the once enormous nurseries that were the biggest in the southern hemisphere in their day” Anne added.

“Gus planted trees to typify the range of trees

that were sold by the nursery, and also to memorialise early Emerald industries like the eucalyptus oil industry, timber, flax and lavender oil.

“Emerald certainly punched above its weight then,” she laughed.

“For people who have already been to this park, or for locals, events like this help to increase their understanding of the park, because most people in Emerald probably don’t realise just how significant the Nobelius Nurseries were.

“But these events are also important for visitors to the park from Melbourne and other places to be introduced to the park and understand what it’s about.

“Because once you’re given an explanation of how the park was set up and what it’s meant to achieve, that increases your enjoyment of it.”

The picturesque autumn leaves proved the perfect backdrop for the educational walking tour.

COMMUNITY HOUSE WEEK

Trail-blazing women feted

The Victorian Neighbourhood House movement was born in the early 1970s by trail-blazing women who wanted to get away from ‘the kitchen sink’ and create opportunities to make meaningful change in their communities.

According to Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, the movement grew from the grassroots out of local community needs, particularly the isolation of women in the community, with a vision to bring people together and enhance the opportunities of people and communities.

Another initial emphasis was to provide an informal, non-threatening and nurturing environment that supported individualised learning, something Emerald Community House does to this day.

The Sherbrooke Shire group of neighbourhood houses was among the first to develop in Victoria which included Selby (1975), Coonara, Kallista (1976) and Emerald in 1977.

It was a period when there were few employment prospects and no superannuation requirements for women. Only a few years previous to this time, if a woman married, or got pregnant, she often lost her job, and then

rarely returned to the workforce.

Sadly, Kallista Community House has closed, a thriving centre lost due only to the decline of their shire-owned building. Emerald Community House is the oldest centre in Cardinia and the hills are in danger of losing more of the socially significant contribution of women for nearly half a century.

Monuments and protection of women’s history is sorely lacking in Cardinia shire with steps being taken by the community house to amend this.

The time has come to halt the shedding of important social advances driven by women, benefitting women and those in their care –basically everyone else.

Protecting what is important is not just women’s business. Bad things will happen when good people do nothing.

If you are interested in supporting ECH’s continuation of its operation in its historic home for the long term please email your support to emhouse@iinet.net.au or sign our petition which will be distributed throughout the area that ECH serves.

Pottery/Ceramics/Mixed Media

Adults: Fri, 1-3:30, $330

Children: Wed, 4-5:30, $220

Wellbeing

Yoga: Fri, 10:30-12, $250

Wellbeing Group: Thur, Free Women’s

Health Cycles: Tue, 630-730pm, $50 https://aurorecermony.com/index.html

Chair Pilates coming! Wed, 1030

Cooking

Garden to Plate: Mon, 9:30-1:30, $80

Community Magazine

Hills Community Focus: Free, volunteers

First Aid Expressions of Interests

Community Market

Produce, local goods,10-3, $30 stall fee

Venue Hire

https://www.echvic.org.au

26/4 to 14/6 24/4 to 12/6

Term 2 ongoing 18/4 to 27/6 4/6 to 25/6

Starting in Term 3

15/4 to 24/6

published quarterly

Term 2

C. 1914 Hall + kitchen w/playground Upon request

Volunteer Opportunities

Free Food program, Garden/Seed Sharing

Resilient Resources

Free Food Grocery, Power recharge, wifi, community support

Licensed Childcare

Occasional Care under 5s, M,Tu F Before and After School Care, M-F https://www.echvic.org.au/forms/

It is important to retain the ongoing opportunities for all ages at Emerald Community House.

The old Emerald Community House.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Gully Market spreads cash for great cause

By Tanya Steele

Mother’s Day was made extra special recently as a local Ferntree Gully market gave generous donation to a national breast cancer charity.

The Gully Market donated 2,000 towards the OTIS Foundation and raised further funds on the weekend of Mother’s Day for 2024.

President of the Upper Ferntree Gully market Ian Rice continues on his mission to spread funds collected by the market across local community groups and said he is happy to make the donation.

“OTIS is a good and vital organisation and the market will continue with this type of work,” he said.

The OTIS Foundation is a national not for profit that provides retreat stays at no cost to those dealing with the challenges of breast cancer.

CEO Claire Culley said that the donation is very welcome and the money will make a difference to many families that use the charity.

“We’re incredibly grateful to groups like the Ferntree Gully Market,” she said.

“We’ve been ongoing since the year 2000 and we don’t receive any public or government funding – so all of our work that we do across the country is through public generosity.”

“Every $100 we get means a night for someone.”

Ms Culley said that the Ferntree Gully Market has a close connection with the charity and contacted OTIS to make a donation.

“He thought we could be a really good cause to do some grassroots fundraising for,” she said.

OTIS provides a fully paid for stay to families living with breast cancer in their families, providing a vital space to decompress with the stress of illness and treatments and spend quality time with loved ones.

“For some, it is probably the last time that they will get to have be with their family, and it’s about making memories for those families. So it is really important,” she said.

The Gully Market runs every Saturday and Sunday out of the Upper Ferntree Gully train station car park.

Previous recipients of funds from the market include the CFA, who put the money to-

ward the extension of their station on the hill, providing more space for crews heading on jobs.

Other lucky community groups included the Angliss Hospital and the Upper Ferntree Gully junior football team.

Mr Rice is looking forward to raising funds this weekend and said that the market is about community.

“Our market is a community market, and the money we take after expenses should go back into the community,” he said.

The official cheque will be presented to the Otis Foundation in the following few weeks.

Zakery is found safe

From page one

“We were hoping for the best outcome,” he said.

Temperatures have been cold overnights in the areas and Mr Caulfield said being out in the weather “would not have been pleasant”. The Victorian State SES Facebook page also extended big thanks to all the volunteers who devoted their time to the search.

“Well done to all involved and a great example of how Victoria’s emergency services work together. Big thanks to our volunteers as well as their families and employers who enable them to respond,” the post on Facebook read.

Sooki Lounge in Belgrave also celebrated the SES and raised over a thousand dollars for the volunteer organisation on Friday, 10 May.

The local business donated all proceeds from the door of their regular Friday night “No Pressure Sessions” to the SES. “‘It’s amazing what can be done when a community comes together,” said Sooki Lounge Co-owner Stephen Crombie.

The search began when concerns were raised after Zakary was last seen on Norton Road, Kallista, on the evening of 28 April. Police believed he may have walked in the Sherbrooke Forest in the early morning of 29 April. The search for Zakary went on for over a week and had expanded after new information came to light overnight on Monday 6 May.

At the time, this lent officers and volunteers on the ground new hope in the search for the 22-year-old.

The Gully Market is a non-for-profit organisation run by a committee of stall holders and is one of the oldest markets still running in Victoria. Picture: SUPPLIED

At 92 years of age, Gembrook’s Kath Ramage has celebrated Mother’s Day on a number of occasions. Each year continues to be more special as her family continues to grow, with the family now stretching out to four generations. MATTHEW SIMS spoke to Kath about how being a grandmother and greatgrandmother has changed her life and why being a mum to so many remains special.

A mother’s love burns on

At the top of Ramage Lane in Gembrook stands a house like a number of others in the town.

However, this house tells a story of an evergrowing family and one of its major foundations.

Ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday 12 May, the Ramage family came together to celebrate Kath Ramage, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of a family with four generations.

Hailing from Mount Eliza, Kath first met Harold, who hails from Gembrook, at a badminton evening at her local social club in 1956.

The pair married two years later in a ceremony on 27 September 1958.

Living for 64 years about one kilometre from the town centre in a house built by Harold for his parents, the pair raised their four children – three sons and one daughter – in Gembrook.

David came first in 1959, followed by Jeff in 1961, Tim in 1963 and Jan in 1969.

Now the family has grown, with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren extending the Ramage family to four generations.

Indeed, the Ramage family stretches back into the past as well, with five generations of the Ramage family working on the shire council at one time or another since the late 1800s and about eight different offshoots of the family living in Gembrook at one time.

“We’re the last ones to leave,“ Kath said.

The family also used to go camping at San Remo, where they had a permanent caravan and annex.

The very first announcement of church services for Mother’s Day in Australia was in 1910, but public observation by giving mothers a white flower gained popularity slowly over the following years.

Mother’s Day was first celebrated with gift giving in Australia in 1924, when Sydney woman Janet Heyden put out a call for people to donate charitable gifts for lonely, elderly mothers in hospital who had lost husbands and sons during World War I.

She ran advertisements in the local Sydney newspapers calling on the public to remember the mothers of Sydney with a gift.

Kath said she had always wanted to be a mother.

“I love family,“ she said.

“I had one brother and one sister.

“My sister-in-law was always asking me when was I going to have children.“

Kath had all of her children at the Pakenham Bush Nursing Hospital.

She said her first birth was especially slow, with nurses and doctors coming in holding a newborn baby to show her the end goal.

“The nurses came in the room holding a baby and said “This is what you’re supposed to be producing“,“ Kath said.

Kath said she quickly embraced the role of the mother.

“I loved it, that’s why I can’t understand the young mothers day wanting to get back to work.

“I think it was less stress on you back then.

“I wasn’t called out to a job, it was more laid-back back then.“

Kath remembered her boys loved playing games out in the garden.

“It was good for them to have each other,“ she said.

Jeff said he loved the life lessons and love he received from his mum and that she was then able to help raise his own children and grandchildren.

“You’ve always been a mum and a great nan,“ he said.

David said his mum had always been a “wonderful“ support for him and the family, with him now returning to care for his parents at home.

“We don’t know what we’d do without her,“ he said.

“We’re very lucky.“

I just think I’m lucky because the family have always been close and caring. I’m proud of every one of them.”

Kath said one of the key elements of being a good mum was being there for your kids; “loving them and advising them“.

“The grandchildren were a joy,“ she said.

“We’re seeing them growing up.“

Kath said raising children and life in general was “more peaceful“ in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s

“It was more simple in those days,“ she said.

“We weren’t sidetracked.

“There’s more on the go now.“

Kath said children found it easier to preoccupy themselves with physical play.

“We didn’t have iPhones and iPads,“ she said.

“They were always interested in sport.

“They just played on the property.“

Kath said she was always grateful that her children grew up to healthy and happy.

“We lived simply,“ she said.

“We never had a takeaway shop in town.“

Jeff said having a number of cousins in the town also allowed a family feel in Gembrook.

“You always felt safe and loved,“ he said.

“The extended family were all close too.“

Kath remembered her own mother Dorothea (nee Dixon) was a full-time mum.

“We lived on a farm in Bembridge behind Somerville,“ she said.

“She used to make and sell milk and cheese.

“I used to love the smell of the churn.“

Kath said she also loved learning new skills from her mum and then passing them on to her children and grandchildren.

“She was always teaching me to cook, sew and knit,“ she said.

Kath said she was excited to know the Ramage family would continue.

“I just think I’m lucky because the family have always been close and caring,“ she said.

“I’m proud of every one of them.

“They’re all good people and hard working.“

Jeff and David Ramage with mum Kath.

Part of the extended Ramage family came together, including Tanya, Camden, Sylvie, Jeff, Paisley, Kath, Airlie, Harold, David and Lachie. Pictures: MATTHEW SIMS

EDUCATION WEEK

Ghilgai’s day of discovery

Tucked away among the trees on the high side of Liverpool Road in Kilsyth, there stands a remarkable little school that has been quietly serving families for over 40 years.

And yet, according to Ghilgai Steiner School

Principal Annabel Brown, ‘for a long time Ghilgai has been a real hidden gem.’

As the new leader of the Prep to Grade 6 school, Brown is out to change that. “

The education on offer at Ghilgai is exceptional, and our teachers are dedicated and highly skilled.

Along with our specialist programs in music, handwork, movement and language, we have a strong emphasis on building the solid academic foundations that enable a child to fulfil their potential throughout their lives,” Brown said.

“As a small school community with 150 places, we provide an environment where every child and every family is seen, known and valued - and that human connection is what children need today more than ever.

‘‘Ghilgai children love coming to school, and when we see that, we know that we’re fulfilling on our purpose of providing education for a flourishing world.”

On Saturday, 25 May, Ghilgai Steiner School is welcoming the public to come in and get a taste of what actually happens in the classrooms each day.

“When families come for a personal tour and speak with our wonderful teachers, the

comment we hear over and again is ‘I wish I could come and be in your class!’.

So, recently our teachers got together and began making plans for this special day where people can do just that,” Brown said.

“On 25 May, adults will be able to come and be guided in mini-lessons by teachers from across the school.

‘‘As well as seeing how literacy and numeracy teaching are approached at Ghilgai, parents will experience storytelling, music, Bothmer gymnastics and even handwork.

‘‘Best of all, teachers will be available to answer all your questions and hear about the needs of your child and their journey so far.”

The Ghilgai Discovery Day is taking place from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday, 25 May. To book your place or arrange a personal tour, contact Enrolments Officer Michelle McAulay on 9761 8369 or email enrol@ghilgai.vic.edu. au.

Come discover Ghilgai Steiner School. Picture: SUPPLIED

Ghilgai Steiner School

EDUCATION WEEK

Early focus

On Tuesday, 7 May, Social Services minister Amanda Rishworth and Early Childhood Education minister Dr Anne Aly launched the Early Years Strategy 2024–2034.

The EarlyYears Strategy sets out the Federal Government’s vision that all children in Australia thrive in their early years.

The strategy recognises how critical the early years are for setting children up for lifelong success. It outlines how, over the next 10 years, the government will prioritise and support child-centred policy development, as well

as target investment in early years supports and services.

The strategy has four priority focus areas being to value the early years, empower parents, caregivers, and families , support and work with communities and strengthen accountability and coordination.

The government consulted widely to develop the strategy. It is informed by the views of children, parents and families, early childhood providers, services and educators, academics and peak organisations.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CAMPUS

Open Day

Saturday May 18th 10am - 1pm

We strive to grow curious, caring, lifelong learners through gratitude, respect, persistence and kindness

Our days/times for Education Week are:

Tuesday 14th May 9 - 11:30

Wednesday 15th May 9 - 11:30

Thursday 16th May 2:40 - 3:30

Ours school guidelines are:

At Menzies Creek Primary School, we’re proud to offer a unique educational experience designed to enhance academic growth and promote wellbeing and engagement.

Please contact us to arrange a school tour.

Take a look through our website to learn more about us.

12 School Rd, Menzies Creek 9754 3695

Early-years education has been brought into focus by the Federal Government with a new 10-year strategy. Picture: FILE

Vamp dishes on the Met

By Tanya Steele

Forget the Met Gala, creating exciting fashion looks can be as easy as a stroll to your local op shop.

Tecoma icon Michelle Trebilco aka the Veteran Vamp - A Thriftilicious Fashionista took the time to dish on the annual fashion storm and to endorse people being creative with their own looks.

“I love it, it’s fabulous, and the theme this year was wonderful,” she said.

The dress code for the Met Gala this year was The Garden of Time, which saw stars dressed in an array of floral frocks, some even opting for multiple outfits in one night.

“The more outrageous the better – my favourite was Zendaya, she looked amazing,” said Ms Trebilco.

“Both her looks were great, but I always enjoy her outfits,” she said.

Accessories themed around timepieces and large floral headpieces abounded and Ms Trebilco was impressed with the diversity.

“I enjoyed a lot of the things the men wore – although some people didn’t fulfil the brief, not quite hitting the garden theme,” she said.

“I personally didn’t like the way Lana Del Ray’s outfit looked as a whole – although I loved the dress and I appreciated the risk she took.”

The Met Gala 2024 is a fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City that is held every year on the first Monday in May.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The event sees a bevvy of stars, creatives and executives strut their stuff in a mind-boggling fashion furore.

The 2024 event took place on Monday, 6

May and celebrated the Costume Institute’s new exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”

TheVamp said that while the Gala is a spectacle from afar the idea of creating on demand for an event like it would be too much.

“I have to wait for the inspiration to come,” she said.

The fashionista has created stunning looks from everything from cat toys to silicone chocolate molds.

“I like playing around with headpieces and

creating handbags as well,” she said.

“My favourite was using a water filter - I made a kind of atomic-era style looking bag with a towel ring.”

The Veteran Vamp herself loves to roam the local op shops, putting back into the community with her playful hobby.

Ms Trebilco continues to grow a large social media following as she documents her own fashion adventures and celebration of recycled fashion.

“Anything goes, I’ve used fabric bins as hats and attached spiders as well,” she said.

When asked about anything in her back catalogue that aligns with this year’s theme, Ms Trebilco said she has featured a little something.

“Back in February, I had had the idea for a while, but it took a bit to get together,” she said.

Ms Trebilco started with a plain black dress as a base and and sewed a big green leaf to the bodice and smaller leaves to the hem.

“I like sewing the clothes to make them look different,” she said.

As the spectacle of this year’s Gala fades into the media’s fast-moving landscape, Ms Trebilco will still turn heads as she walks her catwalk in Tecoma when inspiration hits.

She said she encourages people to play with their fashion.

“There are no rules, you can wear something individual - something unique,” she said.

“It’s good fun.”

Dazzling burlesque cabaret and thrills for Mother’s Day

By Tanya Steele

A line of up of talented mothers recently dazzled and delighted locals in Belgrave, with literal sparks flying by the end of the show.

‘End of the Line’ delivered thrills and laughs to a packed crowd at Sooki Lounge on Sunday 12 May, for people in search of something beyond the traditional Mother’s Day brunch.

The cabaret, circus and more themed show ‘End of the Line’ celebrated a variety of performers, with sequins, contortions, comedy and more.

Some audience came to the show having no idea what to expect and Upwey local and show producer Kat Renehan (also known as

Katy Kapow) said that cabaret is a real gateway to live theatre.

“It’s so fun and silly, you can be anyone to be able to come in and enjoy a cabaret show,” she said.

The event was led by performer Miss Fribby as MC, who is one of Melbourne’s leading avante show makers and boutique entertainment providers.

Dressed in an array of glorious sequinned outfits to die for, with several costume changes of course, Miss Fibby introduced the performers one by one, keeping the crowd on their toes.

All the performers were mothers and a number were local to the area, with even a pole-dancing grandmother who dazzled

with a high-octane routine.

Ms Renehand said the idea came about for the show because she knows a lot of fantastic mothers that are also performers but she hadn’t yet seen them perform together as a group.

“A lot of our performers are of different ages and different bodies,” she said.

Throughout two acts the crowd saw burlesque, barre, sword swallowing and more with Mr Renehan herself performing a contortionist routine involving tennis racquets.

No performance was the same and the artists each brought their own brand and personality into their routines.

“It was also important to me not to just putting keep one kind of person on stage – it’s

Local writing talent takes to the stage

The Gemco Players Community Theatre is continuing to embrace its community, with an upcoming 10-minute play festival using a number of local writers as the source for its plays.

Gemco Players Community Theatre is a not-for-profit association run by volunteers.

President Mandy McGarrigle said this year’s TakeTen Festival will be the 24th run of the festival.

“It’s a festival of 10 10-minute plays,” she said.

“People put their hands up to direct and act.”

The top ten plays selected by the commit-

tee will also be featured in a booklet on sale after the shows.

Ms McGarrigle said she was directing Night Angel, a “quite sinister” tale about a musician.

“There’s an alarming twist at the end,” she said.

Ms McGarrigle said the limited scope of the festival forced the writer to quickly wrap up the story.

“When you’ve got a dramatic climax, you have to wrap up the action,” she said.

“The writer has to be quite clever.”

Ms McGarrigle said one of the plays even features three members of Gemco’s youth

group.

“That’s good experience for our youth group,” she said.

The youth theatre has grown in the last 20 years from 15 young people, to about 50 young people.

Gemco is also performing a Terry Pratchett and Stephen Briggs play called ‘Night Watch’ on Friday 12 July, as well as hosting the Dandenong Ranges One Act Play Festival from Friday 16 August to Sunday 18 August.

“It’s a really amazing weekend,” Ms McGarrigle said.

The Take Ten Festival will run from Friday 17 May to Sunday 19 May.

vital to challenge that,” Ms Renhan said.

Ms Renehan has now put on three ‘End of the Line” variety shows and originally began putting them together to bring opportunities for burlesque and circus performers to the outer east.

“As a performer, I was just tired of everything being in the city and wanted to bring burlesque and circus out here,” she said.

“We have such a great creative community in the hills, I think there is a real demand.”

Ms Renehan hopes to continue bringing her shows to the Yarra Ranges and celebrating her performers and their skills.

“It’s an incredible cast and it’s something I want to keep putting out there,” she said.

The mothers of ‘End of the Line’ take a bow after dazzling at the Sooki Lounge. Pictures: TANIA PENDLEBURYMC Miss Libby cracked jokes while presenting the line-up.

Garden of Time anyone?

Ms Trebilco loves attaching an array of recycled goods to hats and crafting hand bags from pretty much anything you can think of.

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The dancing delight

By Gabriella Vukman

At this moment are we united with our ancestors? In this moment did the past, present and future merge to reveal and disseminate the same image for all of our generations to decode?

Hues of red, green and blue dazzled the Dandenong Ranges and Valley from Saturday 11 May until Sunday 12 May, as the southern lights provided a spectacle for lucky onlookers.

Triggered by a gargantuan solar storm, the Aurora Australis was seen across the southern hemisphere and the Yarra Ranges and Valley featured among Cape Schanck, Tasmania, and New Zealand as a viewing location.

Ferntree Gully resident Tyler Hamilton said: “We’d been following it for a little bit. I had seen from a couple of posts online that it might have been happening and so earlier on Saturday night I went out at about 7.30 and tried to have a little look but couldn’t see anything.”

“I got really disappointed because I thought I missed it,” Tyler said.

My partner told me that it would be going the whole night so on a whim we jumped into the car, drove down to the lookout point at the Quarry.”

Tyler was there for a while, viewing the spectacle through his camera along with another photographer.

Tyler said: “I was halfway through taking a photo and my fiance was like ‘quick put down your phone. It’s actually happening’!

“You could actually see it and it was quite incredible! There were some really nice deep reds and pinks dancing across the sky and you just saw it move from right to left and it was just so cool,” Tyler said.

“It was just so crazy how quick it all happened. One moment I thought I’d missed it completely and then the next thing we were at this beautiful vantage point and couldn’t believe what we were seeing.”

Remarking on some of the incredible shots taken down at the beach, Tyler notes that everyone’s individual experience of the lights is unique.

Tyler said, “We saw some great shots from people from the beach but at the end of the day I think every vantage point was so different. Ours was really beautiful.We got to see out across the whole city so even though I think we missed out on a couple of colours, what we got to see was pretty unmatched to anywhere else.”

“And we are really happy to have seen it when we did. It didn’t seem to have put on as good of a show on Sunday so we are very grateful we got to see it when we did,” Tyler said. “We are fairly new to this area too so it was quite nice to have that special moment along with other members of the community who were there too.”

Social media platforms have been inundated with glamorous shots of Saturday and Sunday’s brilliant skies.

Selby resident Ben said, “I was at John’s Hill lookout just up the mountain. It is south-facing so you get a good view with some trees in the foreground. It was a nice spot.”

“I sort of knew it was happening but my dad was the one that said it was on so we thought ‘we’d better go and see it because it’s, not once in a lifetime but very rare.”

Ben said, “I definitely did not expect to see this much colour. Taking into account that there were lights around the spot we were looking from and that it was a bit cloudy and we are so far north, you’d think that all of these factors would mean that it wouldn’t be that colourful but it turned out amazing.”

Ben first went out and took a photo at roughly 8:30 but it was cloudy and not quite dark enough.

“I went back later with my brother at midnight and that’s when it was the best and we got the really good photos,” Ben said.

“At the earlier time it was a very faint tinge of green, along lower, down where the clouds were and you could sort of make out the red but it wasn’t very much- it was just once you took a long exposure photo with your camera that you could see the colours.”

“But when we went back it was much more spectacular. Still not as amazing as you see in all the photos and everything, but you could see the green, fluoro colour, the red and all the vertical lines of it.”

“You couldn’t see it moving but it almost felt like it was rippling,” Ben said.

The spectacle of the southern lights brought communities and people together.

Ben said, “Usually when we go to that spot

to look at the stars and other phenomena, there’s one or two other people but when we got there the car park was full.”

“Even across the world, everyone was posting pictures of it and it’s a great way to see people enjoying the natural wonders of the world.”

“It’s such a cool thing to see,” Ben said.

Ferntree Gully mother Taylar-Ann’s last minute trip to Coles turned into a star-spangled night surveying the lights with her family down at Flinders.

Taylar-Ann said, “I was actually planning to just go to the shops before they closed and I was just outside at around nine and I looked up, and saw a really dull red. I originally thought it was light pollution, my hubby confirmed: ‘There’s definitely red happening. Something is happening’.’”

After a quick trip down to the Ferntree Gully arboretum for a few snaps on her iPhone, Taylar-Ann packed her husband and children into her car along with a few blankets and headed off to Flinders to observe the spectacle.

“It was a pretty surreal experience to see something with the naked eye and then the colours just pop in even more when you use a camera so I was so excited, especially for me being a huge fan of astrophotography,” TaylarAnn said. “I’ve always known that you can go and see the aurora at the lighthouse down at Cape Schanck but to see it in Ferntree Gully is absolutely amazing. “It was so special to see the lights in my home suburb and it’s definitely a memory to cherish. I am going to hang the photo up in my house.”

Go to https://rangestrader.mailcommunity. com.au/ to see a gallery of the Aurora.

Events for every interest across the Hills

nounced in the Victorian State Government Budget, last Tuesday.

Specifically $38 million for solar/electric hot water, $6.1 million for Solar Battery loans and $5.9 million to improve the Victorian energy upgrades program (energy efficiency).

More information can be found at: budget. vic.gov.au/budget-papers

Train mystery solved

By Tanya Steele

Train enthusiasts might have witnessed a special locomotive chugging along the trainlines of the outer east recently.

Locals along the Belgrave and Lilydale line may have spotted an unusual train while travelling on the weekend of Sunday 5 May.

John Weeks from Upwey posted a pic to social media and speculation began as to the purpose of the large bright yellow train.

Mr Weeks said he had heard a large rumbling on the tracks and stopped to get a picture.

“I was waiting for the bus and there was a rumbling sound and I thought, what is that?,” he said.

“All of sudden this big monstrosity of a train came by and I didn’t know the purpose of it, but it was quite impressive,” Mr Weeks said

The mystery was gladly solved by the Metro Trains department who dished on the special locomotive - a vehicle known affectionately by the staff as ‘Evie’.

The Metro’s EV120 vehicle – or ‘Evie’ for short is a special train that uses special sensors and cameras to examine the condition of track, overhead lines and other rail infrastructure in real-time.

Evie travelled the full length of the Lilydale and Belgrave lines Monday, 6 May as part of Metro’s proactive maintenance checks, especially after recent heavy rain.

Gondoliers by Singularity Choir in June

Gilbert and Sullivan’s will be performed the Gondoliers by Singularity Choir

The event will be held on Sunday 2 June at 2pm at Upwey Baptist Community Church, Cnr Burwood Hwy/21 Darling Ave Upwey.

Concert and Afternoon Tea come to a total cost of $22 and please ring the following number for tickets 0424 617 081.

Welcome funds announced, community forum this Wednesday 15 May

Local community energy group ‘Repower The Dandenongs’ has welcomed funding an-

“These funding commitments align with our priority areas, i.e. encouraging the uptake of renewable energy, whilst improving energy efficiency and lowering household costs. It’s pleasing to see the State Government investing to achieve its emissions reduction targets, and at the same time, providing much needed financial relief for residents and businesses,” Repower The Dandenongs President Neil Evenden said.

Hills residents wanting to learn more about existing Government support are invited to attend the Repower The Dandenongs Community Forum on Solar and Batteries, this Wednesday 15 May at Hills Hub, Emerald, commencing at 7.30pm. The forum will also outline how renewables can address energy resilience.

Repower The Dandenongs is the new name for Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association (DRREA) which was founded in 2007.

The group changed name this year to focus on new electrification initiatives (like those funded in the Budget), as well as community batteries, EVs, home energy efficiency and all forms of renewable energy.

More information at www.repowerthedandenongs.org.au

Outer East libraries to host biggest morning tea

The Biggest Morning Tea is coming to local libraries and people can help raise funds for Cancer Council Victoria while enjoying a delicious morning tea, in exchange for a gold coin donation.

Morning teas will be held at the locations below - no need to book.

Wednesday 22 May, 10am-12pm at Croydon Library andThursday 23 May, 10am-12pm at the Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, and Mooroolbark libraries.

More information can be found at: https:// bit.ly/4a5gGNv

The crew on board were looking for any track deviations or overhead faults and all was functioning as it should be.

The technology on Evie includes ground-penetrating radar to check the stability of the ballast under the track.

Evie can go anywhere – with specially trained operators helping it run the full length of Metro’s network which spans 16 suburban lines and more than 1,000 kilometres of track.

The vehicle is about 20 metres long, weighs about 50 tonnes, and can travel at up to 120 kilometres an hour, hauled between two trains.

The train supports Metro Trains’ $300 million annual maintenance program.

A representative from Metro Trains said track evaluation train Evie helps to identify key sections of the network for proactive maintenance to keep the network running smoothly.

“It will be back inspecting the Belgrave and Lilydale lines around August,” they said.

Andrew Kreibich was able to capture parts of the milky way as well as the Southern lights.

Picture: ANDREW KREIBICH

Mr Weeks grabbed his camera quickly to get a shot of the giant train known as ‘Evie’.

Picture: JOHN WEEKS

Lilydale’s lost buildings

By Joy Gothe, Lilydale and District Historical Society

Another glimpse into the lost buildings of Lilydale was the impressive old brick building left behind from the Gasworks that were at the end of Market Street next to the swimming pool.

In June 1886 at the Hodson’s Lilydale Hotel, the first meeting was held to discuss the idea of establishing a gasworks in the township, a public meeting was then called for at Poyner’s Dining Hall in July 1886, with many excited local storekeepers and residents turning up.

The decision was made to form a company for the purpose of lighting and providing Lilydale with Gas.

The Lilydale Gas Company was formed in June 1887 offering 10,000 shares at one pound each, which were purchased by residents of the town.

Local builder, Samuel Dornom who had already built many buildings in Lilydale, was contracted to carry out the construction. Henry Hyne’s Bricks were selected for use in the buildings for their excellent quality and ability to withstand great heat.

The works comprised of a large imposing brick building, and a huge gasometer encased in a brick tank.

The Gasworks opened in August 1887 with an official Ceremony and the Illumination fes-

CARTOON

tivities were of a very extensive character, as was fitting on so important an occasion and continued on into the evening. Large numbers of people flocked through Main Street intent on seeing for the first time in Lilydale the magnificent lighting supplied from the company’s works.

Ascending the hill to the centre of the town, quite a blaze of light met the eye in all directions.

The shops and homes were festooned with coloured lights and huge stars adorned the front of many buildings.

The works a whole new industry as shop owners and home owners purchased gas light fittings for their premises and homes.

The Gasworks operated until the 1930’s when it went into liquidation.

Unfortunately, the works were sold in January 1935. Later the Council purchased some of the land for flood prevention works and demolished the old brick building in June 1947.

What a sad day, destroying such a unique solid brick building, if it had been restored it surely would have provided a fabulous space for many community activities.

The Lilydale Community Youth Club is now built over the site.

If you want to discover more about the history of Lilydale, visit lilydalehistorical.com.au or email info@lilydalehistorical.com.au

Third Planet of Apes thrills

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Starring Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Kevin Durand

Rated M

4.25/5

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is an enthralling continuation of the Planet of the Apes reboot series.

Generations after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes, a young chimpanzee named Noa (Owen Teague) must rescue his clan from the tyrannical ape Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), and befriends a human girl named Mae (Freya Allan) along the way.

As with the previous trilogy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes blends compelling drama and richly-developed characters with thrilling action.

Noa has an enthralling arc of courage and discovery, as he learns more of the old world and struggles to save his family and embrace his clan’s traditions.

Some of the best villains make sense but you disagree with their actions; Proximus is a ruthless zealot who twists the teachings of the benevolent ancestor Caesar from the prior trilogy, yet he is charismatic, ambitious and leads a vast, organised empire.

Unlike many modern effects-heavy blockbusters, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

uses beautiful real locations rather than flat green-screen sound-stages.

The gruelling action sequences make great use of nimble ape physicality, and through moving performances and extremely expressive CGI (which even models the apes’ faces, to some degree, after their motion-captured human actors), the apes can be deeply sympathetic or terrifying. Peter Macon provides insight and levity as Raka, a wise orangutan.

The one weak link in the cast is, amusingly, the human Mae; among the humane, affecting apes, Mae feels implausibly capable yet somewhat bland.

An animalistic thriller with some of the best drama and character writing of the year, Kingdom ofthe Planet of the Apes is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

The 1812 Theatre

The Great Gatsby

Jay Gatsby, a self-mase millionaire, passion ately pursues the elusive Daisy Buchannan.

Nick Carroway, a young newcomer to Long Island, is drawn into their world of obses sion, greed and danger.

Billy Elliot delights at CLOC Kemp’s curtain call

The breathtaking glamour and deca dent excess oof the Jazz Age comes to the stage in F.

Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel and Simpon Levi’s adaptation.

Season: May 16 – June 8. Bookings: 9758

3964

CLOC Musical Theatre

Billy Elliot

First I must say that this is a musical not to be missed.

CLOC Musical Theatre has produced one of its most moving and funny shows that it ever has.

The story of Billy Elliot is set against the miners strike of 1964 in County Durham in the north of England.

Young Billy is taking boxing lessons when he discovers in the same hall there is a ballet class.

Watching the class, he realises this is his future. And so the story commences.

Opening the production was film from news TV of the miners’ strike, a scene from Churchill and Maggie Thatcher

Billy, on May 11 was played by Lukas Elliot. A very talented young man.

Not only did he box, do ballet excellently, tap and act.

A wonderful portrayal and he was on stage all evening never missing a line nor a number.

Some of the dance sequences were terrific especially when he danced with his older self-played by Dylan Hery.

A wonderful duo.

Other outstanding performances were

given by Billy’s friend Michael, played by Angus Hutchison who is also talented in dance and tap and seeing both Billy and Michael doing a dance sequence together was a sheer delight.

Billy’s grandmother was portrayed by Barbara Hughes, another asset to CLOC doing a great job in the role.

His father was played by Chris Hughes who captured the role of father, miner, widower and striker with aplomb and expertise.

Billy’s older brother Tony was given a first class performance by Joshua Summer.

Billy’s dance teacher, who supported him all the way was Mrs Wilkinson, played by Melanie Bit.

A wonderful portrayal and in parts very moving.

Some of the scenes were outstanding particularly the dance sequences.

The scenes where the miners fought the .police, very well done, the sequence where the police and miners were mixed with the ballet dancers.

The ballet scenes were a delight and CLOC has rounded up a very talented dancers who not only did ballet but were excellent o tap.

Overall a wonderful night of theatre and I recommend everyone should go and see it.

The production finishes May 25 Book through CLOC webpage.

REMEMBER

· The Basin Theatre – Jimmie the Beatle. June 13 – 23. · Gemco – Take Ten – May 17, 18 and 19.

Graphic novel is charming

A review of Ghost Book by Remy Lai Winner of the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award – Prize for Children’s Literature, Ghost Book, by Brisbane-based author and illustrator Remy Lai, is a heart-warning graphic novel for children aged nine and above.

The book’s protagonist is July, a 12-yearold girl who is seldom noticed by her schoolmates.

With her mother having died in childbirth and her father busy selling dumplings everyday, July often feels ignored – by both the living and the dead, as those ghosts around her don’t realise she can see them.

It’s the Hungry Ghost Month, the seventh month in the lunar calendar, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts get to roam the living world.

When July saves a boy ghost named William from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first and only friend.

Together, they try to return William’s wandering spirit to his body. Their adventures reflect many aspects of East and Southeast Asian folklore, starting with the Hungry Ghosts, which are believed to be the spirits of those who have died tragic deaths, those who aren’t receiving offerings from their living families, and those who are punished for the terrible things they did while alive.

The story further brings various mythical figures to life, including Oxhead and Horseface, whose job is to escort new ghosts to the Underworld. Meanwhile, the character Heibai Wuchang combines two deities –the Black and White Impermanence – who keep the Underworld in order.

Perhaps the most interesting character is Grandma Meng (or Meng Po), who serves the Forgetting Soup (or the Soup of Oblivion) at the Bridge at the End (or the Bridge of Oblivion).

Like the water of Lethe, the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology, the soup

PASSION FOR PROSE

ensures that souls who are ready to be reincarnated do not remember their previous life or their time in the Underworld.

These traditional cultural elements enrich the plot, shedding light on universal themes such as friendship, family, grief, loss and loyalty.

The funny, full-colour illustrations and witty dialogues are uplifting, easing the tension that some young readers may feel while pondering the complex issues of life, death, separation, loneliness and fear.

The portrayal of the Underworld may bring back memories of Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (2001) and Lee Unkrich’s Coco (2017), where bright, festive colours are used to capture the audience’s imagination.

Also curious are the “people” in the Underworld, creative combinations of animals and humans that remind readers of Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are (1963).

While a handful of ghosts are spooky, the overall visual effect is delightful and fun. To this reviewer, the handful of Chinese characters used in the book are full of meaning, such as the subtle difference between “dumplings” (yummy) and “wonky dumplings” (“eat some and your problems – and you – will be forgotten”).

But the most fascinating character is “forget”, which combines “perish” and “heart”. Luckily, as Ghost Book shows us: “A broken heart is a heart that has loved and been loved.” Highly recommended.

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Our experienced local lenders are eager to assist you with your financial needs and can discuss your enquiries face to face, over the phone or via video call.

We also encourage our existing customers and any local homeowners to contact us for a home loan health check. A home loan health check looks at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs.

Our great old fashioned style of personalised service and genuine interest in our customers has seen us hold a strong position within the local community.

If you need help with your banking, contact the team at Community Bank Monbulk & District on 9752 1130 or drop in and see us at 70 Main Road Monbulk.

L-R: Local Lenders Bec and Fiona.

Picture: SUPPLIED

SHOP LOCAL - MONBULK More than just game here

Bowling enthusiasts and casual revellers alike, brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience at the Monbulk Bowling Club, located at 11 Moores Road, Monbulk.

This vibrant establishment is not just your run-of-the-mill bowling club; it’s a haven for good times, delectable dining, and a variety of entertainment offerings that will keep you coming back for more.

The Monbulk Bowling Club welcomes guests with open arms and a host of exciting events throughout the week. Dial up the fun on Wednesday nights with the much-anticipated “Parma Night.” Indulge in the classic combo of a traditional parma served with your choice of chips and salad or chips and vegetables, all

for an unbeatable $19. It’s the perfect midweek treat to share with friends or family.

Thursdays take a turn for the tasty with the “Burger and Beer Night.” For just $25, savour a mouth-watering burger paired with a refreshing pot of beer or house wine. The perfect way to unwind and kickstart your weekend early.

Families, mark your calendars for Sundays because at Monbulk Bowling Club, kids eat free with the purchase of a main meal. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gather the family for a delicious feast without breaking the bank. The club opens its doors from 6 pm every Wednesday through Sunday, ensuring that you have plenty of chances to enjoy these delightful specials.

And what’s a Friday without a bit of Happy Hour cheer? From 4 pm to 6 pm, the Monbulk Bowling Club treats you to discounted prices on selected drinks. Quench your thirst with $6.00 schooners, $7.00 basic spirits, and $5.00 house wine. The perfect way to toast the upcoming weekend with friends.

As the weather warms up, don’t miss out on the chance to try your hand at barefoot bowls for just $10 per person. This inclusive offer provides all the necessary equipment and guidance from an experienced bowler. Make sure to book in advance to secure your spot in the sunshine.

Stay in the loop with all the exciting happenings at the Monbulk Bowling Club by fol-

BOWLING CLUB

lowing them on Facebook. It’s the best way to catch wind of upcoming events, promotions, and exclusive offers that will make your visits even more enjoyable.

In a world where entertainment options are abundant, the Monbulk Bowling Club stands out as a beacon of camaraderie, culinary delights, and good old-fashioned fun. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or just looking for a memorable night out, this bowling club has it all. So, roll on over to 11 Moores Road, Monbulk, or give them a call at 9757 6183. The Monbulk Bowling Club awaits, promising an evening of joy, laughter, and making memories to last a lifetime.

Skye is ready to pour you a refreshingly cold drink of choice at Monbulk Bowls Club. 290953 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERSMonbulk Bowls Club offers both the perfect recreational activity and venue for a good meal.

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.

ACROSS

1 Underground railway (6)

4 Water-surrounded land (6)

10 Chickens, pigeons etc. (5)

11 Social exclusion (9)

12 Provider of information (9)

13 Rainforest vine (5)

14 Of Troy (6)

15 Over (4)

19 Currency unit (4)

20 Antelope with lyre-shaped horns (6)

24 Happen (5)

25 Encouraging (9)

27 Male name (9)

28 Proclaimer (5)

29 Proof-corrector (6)

30 Fruit (6)

DOWN

1 Temperance (8)

2 Shoeless (8)

3 German-speaking country (7)

5 Mollusc (7)

6 Shoe brand (6)

7 Humiliate (6)

8 Scottish island (4)

9 Law (7)

16 Bed-bound person (7)

17 Italian church (8)

18 Large marsupial (8)

19 Procession (7)

21 North African country (7)

22 Deadbeat (6)

23 Outline (6)

26 Sham (4)

5 LETTERS ABIDE ABOUT ABOVE AGAIN ANGRY AREAS AROSE ARROW ASSET

IMPRESSIVE EXECUTIVE PROPERTY PROPERTY

IMPRESSIVE EXECUTIVE PROPERTY

LOCATED on a glorious, sun filled 4050m2 block, in the highly sought after pocket of Belgrave Heights / South, this large and spacious family home is set to impress both inside and out.

A floorplan of 6 bedrooms, study, three bathrooms and three oversized living zones has been extremely well designed to adapt to any family lifestyle and creates space and privacy for all.

Spanning over two levels, the home has been finished tastefully with striking timber floorboards and quality carpets whilst double

glazed windows, remote V-Lux skylights, ducted vacuum system and loft storage are all quality extras for you to enjoy.

A sunken formal lounge plus spacious rumpus room can be found on the lower level of the home whilst upstairs, another oversized living area and study nook sit perfectly between the master suite and another large bedroom, making this a versatile floorplan that could allow for extended family living options.

Beautifully detailed, the kitchen has been updated to include stone benchtops, quality

appliances and allows for great functionality with its walk in pantry and extensive bench space. It also allows you to cater for both indoor and outdoor entertaining, being centrally positioned around the spacious dining area and also the undercover Merbau decking at the rear of the home.

Sparkling in the background, the inground pool stretches for an impressive 13.5 metres and comes complete with solar heating.

Just as extensive as the size of the home, the amount of garaging and storage

space seems endless. A double garage with remote access can be found off the circular sealed driveway plus there is an additional 14 x 7m shed at the rear of the property plus under house workshop / storeroom making this property the perfect choice for those that need to store cars, work equipment or the like.

Staring out over a peaceful view of the nearby valley with a near flat and fully useable block, this property needs to be seen to be believed. ●

HOME FOCUS

FEEL SUBMERSED IN NATURE

THIS fantastic home is nestled on approx. 1 acre offering space for your four legged friends to enjoy! The home has impressive stone lined steps that lead to the front wrap around verandah and lead light front door. Enter the home to find split level living with vaulted ceilings in both vast loungerooms. To the right is a lounge room with built in fire place, and a stair case leading up to the bedrooms. To the left of the front door is the kitchen with 900mm Falcon oven, and a free standing wood fire. Through loungeroom leads out to the side decking equipped with a natural gas built in BBQ, and the home office which is complete with power, lights and a split system air conditioner. For all your working from home needs, there are also CAT-6 cabling throughout the home –even in the garage.

Upstairs is a master bedroom with walk in wardrobe and an ensuite featuring a custom printed glass shower. Then continue along the hallway with handy storage cupboards, to discover another 3 bedrooms, all of which have ceiling fans, split system air conditioners, and built in wardrobes. These further bedrooms are serviced by a family bathroom which offers a further custom glass shower and separate bath tub and toilet. Year around comfort is ensured with ducted heating throughout and evaporative cooling downstairs. All of this is complimented by the double glazed windows throughout.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME WITH VALLEY VIEWS

ENJOYING views across the valley, this spacious, open plan home boasts great appeal along with four bedrooms, two modern bathrooms – The master suite with full ensuite with corner spa plus oversized walk in robe and split level lounge, dining and TV areas. The floorplan has been well designed to allow for privacy for kids bedrooms away from the living areas and master bedroom, giving everyone a little bit of peace and privacy and making this the ideal family layout.

Along with the convenience of multiple split systems throughout, you will also find a cosy wood heater that you can enjoy throughout the colder Winter months ahead. Outside, a sealed driveway leads to a double carport whilst an extra parking bay for two cars is convenient for guest and extended family.

Tiered for easy use, the rear yard is fenced and contains a paved entertaining area and lovely garden where kids can play. The rear decking is the ideal spot to enjoy a BBQ or relaxing of an evening watching the sun go down.

Only a short drive to Upwey main street, public transport and schools plus only a short distance from the wonderful walking trails of Birdsland Reserve, this home will impress on every level. ●

SharynChandler

HOME FOCUS

IMPECCABLY PRESENTED HOME AND ACREAGE

THIS outstanding property offers a holiday feel with the tropical palms and solar heated swimming pool awaiting lazy summer days. All the work has been done at this property, move in and start relaxing.

The home has great street appeal with the white picket fence and electric gate, the driveway is asphalt and there’s a handy double carport next to the home. With a charming front rose garden leading you to the front brick paved porch and then into the well proportioned home.

There is a master suite with high end walk through wardrobe. Then a stunning ensuite with a freestanding bath and toilet. The home also offers a lounge room with wood heater that flows through to the dining room with garden views. Both rooms are serviced by the addition of a split system air-conditioner.

The kitchen is an entertainers delight with vast stone bench tops and has been fitted out with high end European appliances including 2 pyrolytic ovens, one with a combination microwave function and the other with a unique ‘slide and hide’ door. An integrated dishwasher and large induction cooktop together with a fully ducted range hood. The kitchen includes a ‘wired in’ frame TV to allow for artwork to be displayed when not in use. It also includes a plumbed in benchtop water filter that provides chilled and boiling filtered water at the touch of a button.

The kitchen offers plenty of storage space with a great combination of cupboards and drawers.

The home continues to a family room which spills out to the covered entertaining with views over the garden and swimming pool.

The kitchen services this outdoor space with a sliding window out onto a serving shelf/bar. The family room and kitchen are both serviced by a second split system airconditioner.

The laundry is located off the family room which acts as a butlers pantry in addition to providing ample laundry space with a built in hamper drawer and included upright freezer and built in ironing centre.

The zoned living provides for 3 further bedrooms at this end of the home, all appointed with custom built wardrobes and electric blinds.

The beautifully renovated family bathroom with valley views, features a walk in rain shower, luxury spa bath, ample bathroom storage, quality tapware throughout, automatic flushing toilet and an additional makeup vanity with lighting.

Further property features include brand new gas ducted heating, evaporative ducted cooling, solar panels, multiple water tanks which are fully UV filtered to the entire home. (Mains water is available at the rear of the property where road frontage is accessible).

The garden includes a fire pit area, several level grass areas surrounded by

fully landscapes gardens, an orchard and an above ground vegetable garden, all serviced by a large storage shed nearby.

There is a 50 sqm shed at the base of the property which has been partially renovated and used as a play room/rumpus room/storage and workshop.

It has a functioning wood heater and floating floorboards throughout.

Beyond the shed is a bush paddock of around 1/2 an acre.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

BeautifulHomeinEmeraldonapprox.23acreswithViews!

Thisoutstanding3 bedroom,3 bathroomhomesituatedonapprox.23Acresoffersgorgeousviews acrossclearedpaddockstoCardiniaReservoir.Thisstoneconstructedhomehas awoodfireheater, acousticstrawboardvaultedceiling,giantwindowssoakingintheview &plentyofnaturallight.The kitchenisvast,with agasstovetop &electricoven, &plentyofbenchspace.Unwindinthesecond loungeroomwithanopenfireplace&astunningstudyarea.Thereisa masterbedroomfeaturinga walkthroughwardrobetotheensuite.Thefurther 2bedroomshaveBIRs& areservicedby afamily bathroom.Externallythereisa clearedpaddockwith acentraltreedgully.Thegroundscontaina pizzaoven,a highdoublecarportattachedtothehome, &inthebackyardareais adoublegarage withpower,lights &concretedfloor.Thispropertyhasmainspower,gas &water.

Beautifullymaintained 4bedroom,2 bathroomhome.Thehomehasductedheating &ispositioned tothefrontofthisflatparklikefullyfencedblockwithclearedlawnsamongstestablishedtrees. Featuring:leadlightfeaturefrontdoor,splitlevelliving, 2bedroomswithBIR,Mastersuitewithensuite, WIR& ceilingfan,familybathroomwith adualvanity,shower &bath, &a 4thbedroom/studywith ceilingfan.Thereis agranddiningroomthatisopenplanwiththekitchen &hasviewsouttothe expansivedeck.Thereis asecondlargeloungeroomwith acosywoodfire &splitsystemAC.The deckisgorgeous&floodedwithsunlight.TotherearoftheblockisaninsulatedAmericanbarn, with 1bayrollerdoor,a pedestriandoor,concretefloor,power,lights&amezzanine.Thereisalsoa handytapnexttothebarn,assortedfruittrees,a shedwithpower, &6 solarpanelswiththehome.

BrilliantlyLocatedImmaculateFamilyHome! Thisfantastic4 bedroom,2 bathroomhomeismoveinready.Situatedonapprox.½ anacre, thisgreatpropertyoffersviewstoRedwoodPark.Thedrivewayisasphaltedforyeararound convenienceandthereisa DLUG.Themasterbedroomhasa baywindow,WIR& ensuite, &there isanofficelocatedtothefrontofthehome.Theopenplankitchenoffers agascooktop& electric oven,dishwasher& walkinpantry.Enjoythewarmsummerswithmealsinthecoveredoutdoor entertainingareaorunwindinthespa.Furtherconveniencesincludegasductedheating, &ducted vacuum.Enjoypotteringinthegardenwithestablishedvegetablegardens& gardenshed,orrelish hostingsummereveningsintheRotunda.Thispropertyhashandydualaccessallowingeasyaccess tostrolltotownalongthewalkingtrackfromtherearoftheproperty.

PerfectlylocatedintheheartofMonbulkthisfamilyhomefeatures 4robedbedrooms,& 2 bathroomsincluding afamilybathroomcompletewith abathtub,thishomehas afunctionalfloor plan.Themasterbedroomhasanensuite &WIR &islocatednear alargeformallivingroom,whilst2 oftheremainingbedroomsarelocatednearthespacious,openplankitchen &familyroom.Thereis aseparatediningroomwhichcouldbeutilisedas ahomeoffice/study.Addtothefeatures atoasty woodfireinthefamilyroom,gasductedheatingthroughout,floorboards, awell-appointedkitchen &securityshuttersonnearlyallwindows& doors.Outsideisthehuge,private,undercoverdeck, perfectforentertainingallyearround,a DLUG,2 furthergarden/woodsheds&alovelysideyard.

SamanthaScott M 0438680032

HOME FOCUS

A MASTERPIECE OF STYLE AND SPACE

DISCOVER the epitome of luxury living in this custom-built home, tucked away in a serene location right in the heart of town. With meticulous attention to detail and highquality finishes throughout, every aspect of this residence exudes elegance and comfort.

Step inside to be greeted by the warmth of hardwood timber floors, soaring 10’ ceilings, casement and double hung windows, feature leadlight and beautifully sculpted cornices. The formal living area beckons with a feature fireplace, perfect for cosy gatherings with loved ones.

Entertaining is a delight in the expansive family/meals area where a solid fuel fire invites relaxed enjoyment. This area connects seamlessly to a state-of-the-art Smith and Smith granite kitchen, where culinary adventures await. Boasting a Beling stove, glass splashbacks dishwasher and a vast array of storage, you will delight in the views on offer as you whip up a storm. French doors lead out to a spacious deck adorned with a covered gazebo, creating the ideal setting for memorable family gatherings. Unwind in the covered

outdoor swim/spa area, surrounded by the tranquillity of the lush 7659m2 of established gardens.

There are four bedrooms, the master suite, complete with a luxurious ensuite boasting double vanity, double shower and the latest fittings, offering a sanctuary of relaxation whilst the main bathroom also displays top of the range fittings. An open study will cater for the student or a work from home situation.

Year-round comfort is assured with hydronic heating, a solid fuel fire, and a split system, while a remote double garage and separate colorbond garage provide ample space for vehicles and storage, with the shed doubling as a workshop or man cave. A paddocked area will cater to a four legged friend.

Security and privacy are paramount, with remote gates ensuring peace of mind for you and your family.

Don’t miss the opportunity to make this private sanctuary your own. Contact us today to schedule a viewing and experience luxury living at its finest.●

SPORT

Three Hills clubs funded

Boosting women’s sport across the Dandenong Ranges has been made even more possible with three clubs gaining grant funding from the Change Our Game program.

Sassafras Ferny Creek Netball Club’s Hills Women are Active Program was just one program of the total 119 to gain funding, which will provide exercise sessions for women in the Yarra Ranges whilst their children are playing sports nearby.

Belgrave Football Netball Club and Upwey Tecoma Junior Football Club were also among the recipients to gain up to $10,000 to put towards their club’s programs, whether in participation, capability or community leaders.

“I look forward to seeing how the opportunities supported through the Change Our Game Community Activation Grants Program drive practices that support a level playing field for women and girls in community sport and active recreation acrossVictoria,” Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Sarah Styles said.

Since 2018, more than $2.9 million in funding has been provided to 580 eligible organisations through the Community Activation Grants program, which is part of the Government’s $18.8 million investment in the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation and Change Our Game initiative.

“These grants are driving change for women and girls right acrossVictoria and providing new ways to take part in the sports they love within their own local communities,” community sport minister Ros Spence said.

To learn more about Change Our Game, head to changeourgame.vic.gov.au

Belgrave Football Netball Club’s women’s football team. Picture: SUPPLIED

Norman takes Rock silver

By Jamie Strudley

Round 2 of Athletics Victoria’s XCR season was held at Hanging Rock on Saturday afternoon. The traditional club round with open athletes running over 12km drew over 400 athletes from throughout Victoria to the picturesque Hanging Rock. The course took athletes around and half way up the famous rock before finishing via the race course. Excellent conditions underfoot and overhead made for a fantastic day of cross country action.

First event of the day was a 5km event for U14, U16 and U18 women and the U14 and U16 Men. Zoe Clarke (U16) and Brigette Rice (U18) both ran solid races to finish fifth in their respective grades. Mitch Pointon (U16) ran a solid race to finish 16th in a very competitive grade.

The U20 women were next up in a 7km race, joined by U18 and U20 men. Briar Keyser and Maddie Laven were part of a big lead pack through 2km and stayed in the hunt for medals to the end. Briar finished fifth and Maddie a few steps behind in sixth.

The Open Women were chasing team results in the 12km race. A fantastic race from Olivia Twining to finish 13th leading to the team of Katrina Winger, Abi Hyndman and Bonnie Morris to a very close second place finish..

Harry Norman led the men’s team in their 12km race with a steady but impressive second place. The team was unable to match the exploits of the women, finishing fifth. Full club results are:

Women

· Open Women 12km: Olivia Twining 13th 47:47; Katrina Winger 50th 53:21; Abi Hyndman 73rd 56:30; Bonnie Morris 97th 1:00:48;

· Open Women 7km: Erica Purcell 46:57;

· Female 20 7km: Briar Keyser 5th 28:23; Madeline Laven 6th 28:33;

· Female 185km: Brigitte Rice 5th 19:18;

· Female 165km: Zoe Clarke 5th 20:25;

· Female 14 5km: Brienna Coffey 12th 24:04; Men

· Open Men 12km: Harry Norman 2nd 37:58; James Laven 26th 40:19; Max Savill-Bentley 52nd 41:47; Angus Norman 130th 45:00; Sam Arnold 147th 45:48; Chris Grundy 186th 48:18; Matthew Morrison 205th 49:23; Bryan Ackerly 315th 59:08; Craig Hewitson 361st 1:14:54;

· Male 20 7km: Reuben Johnson 14th 24:35; Daniel Groves 17th 25:28;

· Male 16 5km: Mitchell Pointon 16th 18:37; We had another fantastic morning of Cross Country, this week at our home ground at Morris Reserve for Round 4. Next Saturday we head back to Lillydale Lake with Freddo frogs and minties on offer for those who achieve a course PB. The LAVic Cross Country relay teams need to be entered soon. This is the last reminder to put your U9-U17 athletes name down if you would like to run on the 8th of June at Cruden Farm.

Round 3 results from Elizabeth Bridge are:

500m

· Kylan Milne 2.39; Sophie Ashton 3.2; Rowan Coffey 3.33; Pippa Stark 3.33

1000m

· Ivy Ingle 5.27; Angus Congreve 5.47; Elliott Dawson 6.05; Jasper Dean 6.08; Noah Hewitt 6.58; Aaron Zuo 7.19; Emily Moore 8.02; Willliam Hastewell 8.15; Thea Christian 9.47

1500m

· Riley Yorke 6.19; Lucas Pawly 6.3; Amelia Sketchley 6.47; Brock Peel 7.03; Victoria James 7.11; Willow Neal 7.19; Harper Neal 7.29; Sorelle Byrne 7.29; Sadie Kennedy 7.34; Indi Budin 7.42; Imogen McMillan 7.43; Delia Coffey 7.44; Fletcher Norman 7.52; Iola MacKay 7.57; Georgia Cooke 7.57; Tahlia Dawson 8.1; Spencer Norman 8.4; Winter Anderson-Bonsor 9.04; Etta Thoma 9.04; Cody Buckland 9.26; Byron Stark 9.48; Micah Friend 9.54

2000m

· Samuel Thomas 7.22; Holly Yorke 8.32; Caitlyn McKerlie 8.4; Pippa Congreve 8.46; Hugo Gibbs 8.47; Lexi Aders 9.11; Tess Hewatt 9.13; Jonty Friend 9.2; Noah Eldridge 9.21; Zuri Dawson 10.02; Alice Sabo 10.02;

Kirsten Mcerlie 10.25; Meadow Anderson-Bonsor 10.42; Hugh Richardson 0.49; Eamon MacKay 10.54; Ashleigh Christian 10.59; Isabella Martin 11.45; Dominic Nealon 11.49; Jake Buckland 11.52; Leah Gobetti 15.11; Lanni Aborowa 15.12; Arizona Peel 15.12; Blake Vine 19.11 3000m

· James Crome-Smith 10.18; Cameron Yorke 11.08; Archie Budin 11.08; Daniel Gibbs 11.29; Zac McMillan 11.41; Hamish Mcerlie 11.43; Tim Anderson-Bonsor 11.49; Riley Yorke 12.49; Mason James 12.53; Lily Clarke 13.57; Bryan Ackerly 14; Mackenzie Graham 14.14; Tori Kincaid 14.37; Adele Ellis 14.38; Victoria James 14.38; Toby James 14.39; Elizabeth Coffey 14.43; Amelia Eldridge 16.13; Bethany Vine 16.15; Katie Clarke 16.55; Bradley McMeeken 17.08

Don’t forget to mark Saturday 25 May in your diaries... the Cockatoo Hills Challenge is a wonderful event.

Also please put your name down to be part of a team for the State XC Relays at Cruden Farm Langwarrin on Saturday June 8- this event is open for any registered child in U9 and above.

See you all next week at Lillydale Lake.

Warm up at 8.45am with the first event starting at 9.00am. Anyone able to help with course set up (from 7.30am), timing, recording or pack up please contact the club on info@yarrarangesathletics.org.au or let us know on Saturday.

A reminder that the club AGM is at Morrison Reserve on Tuesday evening from 7.30pm. We need as many members as possible to be there, attending doesn’t mean you are, or want to be on the committee, but does show you have an interest in supporting our club.

Cross country training for all club members is on Tuesday evenings from 5.30pm and Thursdays from 5.30pm at the Victoria Road Primary School gym. Yarra Ranges Athletics welcomes and encourages all athletes of any age or ability. Go to www.lavic.com.au or www.athsvic. org.au or email info@yarrarangesathletics. org.au for information about events and registration. Cross Country is here!

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!

Harry Norman finished with a steady silver medal.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Brigette Rice leapt towards a fifth place finish in the U18 category.

Briar Keyser finished fifth in the U20 women 7km race.

Hawks beaten on siren

By Armin Richter

The Senior Women’s Monbulk football team notched their fifth successive win as they accounted for Seville in emphatic style. The Hawks had 13 scoring shots to one by half time but the Blues made more of a match out of the contest in the second half by tightening up and restricting the Monbulk style of play. Congratulations to Monbulk’s Georgia Knight, who has been with Eastern Ranges this year and made her senior debut with the Box Hill Hawks in the VFLW competition on Sunday, being named at centre half-back.

Monbulk 7.11.53 def Seville 2.4.16

· Best: Maddison Dodd, Grace Emmett, Laura Gillard, Ruby Ross, Nina D’Emilio

· Goals: Grace Emmett 2, Maddison Dodd 1, Jewel McDermott 1, Ruby Ross 1, Jade McCormick 1, Laura Gillard 1

The Seniors in Monbulk were desperate to get on the winners board after a slow start to the year. The game against Pakenham was controlled largely by the defences of both sides in a low scoring encounter in windy conditions. The Hawks had the best of the ruck clashes and won the contested ball however the Lions led the uncontested possessions with constant switches of play on the wide Toomuc Reserve.

Monbulk seemed to have Pakenham’s measure for the first three quarters and held a 14 point lead at the last change. Two early final term goals by the Lions resulted in a close tussle but a captain’s goal by Pat Barge out of a scrimmage looked to have steadied the Hawks. In the last minute Pakenham, trailing by 5 points, made a final charge out of defence, and with a good mark and long kick on the siren snatched the win from Monbulk by a single point.

Monbulk 6.9.45 def by Pakenham 7.4.46

· Best: Riley Finlay, Joshua Spencer, Jack Downard-Pengilly, Dylan Werts, Kai Linde, Lochlan Beecroft

· Goals: Ziggy Hatherley 2, Mitch Dekker 2, Pat Barge 1, Lochlan Beecroft

The Monbulk Reserves had never beaten Pakenham in their six prior meetings since 2019, although they had come close on occasions. With a strong lineup, including regular seniors Nic Wall, Josh Wentworth and Mitch Veit, the Hawks controlled the game and gradually drew away from the Lions in blustery conditions to double the score of their opponents.

Monbulk 8.4.52 def Pakenham 4.2.26

· Best: Mitchell Veit, Nicholas Wall, Campbell

Evans, Thomas Trezise, Harry Fleming, Josh Wentworth

· Goals: Nicholas Wall 3, Josh Wentworth 2, Matt James 1, Campbell Evans 1, Lachlan Smith 1

The Senior Women’s team notched their fifth successive win as they accounted for Seville in emphatic style. The Hawks had 13 scoring shots to one by half time but the Blues made more of a match out of the contest in the second half by tightening up and restricting the Monbulk style of play. Congratulations to Monbulk’s Georgia Knight, who has been with Eastern Ranges this year and made her senior debut with the Box Hill Hawks in the VFLW competition on Sunday, being named at centre half-back.

Monbulk 7.11.53 def Seville 2.4.16

· Best: Maddison Dodd, Grace Emmett, Laura Gillard, Ruby Ross, Nina D’Emilio

· Goals: Grace Emmett 2, Maddison Dodd 1, Jewel McDermott 1, Ruby Ross 1, Jade McCormick 1, Laura Gillard 1

Monbulk’s A Grade netball team started competitively but were beaten 18-7 in the second term and never recovered. The second placed Lions played with confidence for the remainder of the match to chalk up a 20 goal win in the end.

Monbulk 35 def by Pakenham 55

· Best: Sophie Stubbs, Elly Stewart, Jennifer Dewhurst

· Goals: Stephanie Ferguson 19, Elly Stewart 15, Sophie Stubbs 1

B Grade Monbulk came up against the third placed Pakenham side and stunned the Lions on their home courts in the first half, holding a 28-16 lead. The Hawks were looking at recording a strong win until in-form Goal Keeper Rihanna Kelly went down with an injury. Pak-

enham then clawed their way back to force a draw.

Monbulk 44 drew Pakenham 44

· Best: Georgia Wilson, Chloe Schmidtke, Sophie Stubbs

· Goals: Jorja Wragg 36, Dayna Walsham 5, Sophie Stubbs 2, Chloe Schmidtke 1

In C Grade, the Hawks opened strongly against the ladder leading Lions, with Jamie Sands on target in the tricky wind to take a 10-6 quarter time lead. Pakenham steadied after that and eventually recorded a ten goal win, but the Hawks can take plenty from the game into next week.

Monbulk 23 def by Pakenham 33

· Best: Grace Sands, Sammi Kelly, Lisa Boyle

· Goals: Jamie Sands 16, Grace Sands 6, Chloe Carmichael 1

D Grade experienced the wind was at its strongest in the morning and the 11th placed Monbulk squad battled the conditions and a good Pakenham team, who were second on the table, eventually succumbing by 25 goals but gave a good account of themselves.

Monbulk 11 def by Pakenham 36

· Best: Maddy Buckland, Brooke O’Loughlin, Leah Hansby

· Goals: Maddy Buckland 10, Ella Flynn 1 Under 15s had the performance of the day. Three weeks ago these teams had met on the same courts and the Lions won 25-13. Both sides were sitting equal second on the table with a 3-1 record each. They faced rain and wind in the early morning game. Monbulk played a superb team game to completely reverse the earlier result and make a defining statement in their 13 goal win.

Monbulk 24 def Pakenham 11

· Best: Stella Dunstan, Bridie McCormick, Isabelle Cross

· Goals: Kaitlyn Summers 12, Lara Stenhouse 9, Isla Stubbs 3

Outer-East round five scoreboard for footy and netball

By Armin Richter

FOOTBALL

PREMIER DIVISION

· Seniors: Mt. Evelyn 5.13.43 def Berwick Springs 5.6.36; Wandin 14.12.96 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 7.7.49; Woori Yallock

15.15.105 def Emerald 5.9.39; Upwey-Tecoma 13.9.87 def Officer 6.12.48; NarreWarren 19.14.128 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 6.9.45; Pakenham 7.4.46 def Monbulk 6.9.45

· Reserves: Mt. Evelyn 4.7.31 def Berwick Springs 3.11.29; Wandin 9.9.63 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 5.4.34; Woori Yallock 9.6.60 def Emerald 6.6.42; Upwey-Tecoma 13.13.91 def Officer 1.6.12; Narre Warren 12.13.85 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 2.5.17; Monbulk 8.4.52 def Pakenham 4.2.26

DIVISION ONE

· Seniors: Yea 17.25.127 def Powelltown 4.2.26; Warburton-Millgrove 11.14.80 def Belgrave 11.10.76; Healesville 9.14.68 def Alexandra 7.7.49; Seville 25.18.168 defYarra Glen 3.2.20; Yarra Junction bye

· Reserves: Yea 11.15.81 def Powelltown 2.3.15; Belgrave 10.13.73 def WarburtonMillgrove 3.3.21; Healesville 16.7.103 def Alexandra 2.1.13; Seville 27.13.175 defYarra Glen 1.3.9; Yarra Junction bye UNDER 19s

· Upwey-Tecoma 11.7.73 def Officer 5.8.38; Gembrook-Cockatoo 16.16.112 def Wandin 3.5.23; Narre Warren 9.13.67 def Pakenham 4.2.26

UNDER 18s

· Healesville 8.7.55 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 1.6.12; Mt. Evelyn, Seville, Upwey-Tecoma + Woori Yallock bye SENIOR WOMEN

· Division 1: Healesville 4.7.31 def OlindaFerny Creek 1.4.10; Pakenham 5.4.34 def Berwick Springs 0.1.1; Upwey-Tecoma 9.6.60 def Belgrave 3.0.18

· Division 2: Warburton-Wesburn 5.5.35 def Wandin 0.2.2; Monbulk 7.11.53 def Seville

2.4.16; Officer 5.4.34 def Thornton Eildon

4.2.26; Woori Yallock 4.6.30 def Emerald 1.1.7

NETBALL

PREMIER DIVISION

· A Grade: Mt. Evelyn 81 def Berwick Springs 11; Wandin 73 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 37; Emerald 57 def Woori Yallock 41; ROC 48 def Upwey-Tecoma 45; NarreWarren 67 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 33; Pakenham 55 def Monbulk 35

· B Grade: Mt. Evelyn 73 def Berwick Springs 15; Wandin 57 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 46; Woori Yallock 74 def Emerald 46; ROC 64 def Upwey-Tecoma 47; NarreWarren 66 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 26; Pakenham 44 drew Monbulk 44

· C Grade: Mt. Evelyn 27 def Berwick Springs

13; Wandin 53 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 25; Emerald 38 def Woori Yallock 33; ROC 43 def Upwey-Tecoma 18; NarreWarren 42 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 24; Pakenham 33 def Monbulk 23

· D Grade: Mt. Evelyn 31 def Berwick Springs 1; Wandin 23 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 16; Woori Yallock 34 def Emerald 33; ROC 40 def Upwey-Tecoma 10; NarreWarren 45 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 11; Pakenham 36 def Monbulk 11

DIVISION ONE

· A Grade: Warburton-Millgrove 49 def Belgrave 29; Seville 58 def Yarra Glen 49; Alexandra 55 def Healesville 51; Yarra Junction + Yea bye (Powelltown dropped down a Grade during the week)

· B Grade:Yea 36 def Powelltown 33;Warburton-Millgrove 57 def Belgrave 51; Seville 67 v Yarra Glen 37; Healesville 53 def Alexandra 33; Yarra Junction bye

· C Grade:Yea 51 v Powelltown 7;WarburtonMillgrove 36 def Belgrave 22; Yarra Glen 38 def Seville 29; Healesville 23 def Alexandra 15; Yarra Junction bye

· D Grade:Yea 27 def Powelltown 12;Warburton-Millgrove 29 def Belgrave 27; Seville 40 def Yarra Glen 17; Alexandra 35 def Yarra Junction 15

· 17 & Under Premier: Wandin 34 def Woori Yallock 11; Narre Warren 51 def Mt. Evelyn 12; ROC 58 def Berwick 4; Pakenham bye

· 15 & Under East: Monbulk 24 def Pakenham 11; ROC 30 def Berwick 13; Woori Yallock 28 def Beaconsfield 23; NarreWarren bye

Monbulk’s win against Pakenham.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Monbulk’s Goal Keeper Abbey Whitaker cuts off a pass in A Grade. Picture: ARMIN RICHTER