Mail - Mt Evelyn Star Mail - 22nd April 2025

Ride of a lifetime

By Oliver Winn

For roughly 20 years, Nikki Liebman has lived a relatively ordinary life managing an autoimmune condition that affects her liver.

But in 2022, she got Covid-19 and everything changed.

Her world was turned upside down as she battled through life with a failing liver, constant fatigue and the uncertainty of not knowing whether she would be there for her two teenage daughters as they navigated their teenage years.

A liver transplant saved her life, and now she will honour the mystery organ donor by riding the iconic 80km-return Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail for her one year transplant anniversary in May.

To read more, turn to page 15

Ms Liebman will ride along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail to honour her donor and to raise awareness around organ donation. (Stewart Chambers: 472091)

Housing focus

By Mikayla van Loon

Housing was also recognised as a key policy point by both major political parties, each announcing how they would tackle the issue last week.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the Labor Party’s official launch on Sunday 13 April

Housing affordability and accessibility may be the tipping point for voters this election, with many Yarra Ranges residents naming the issue as a top priority in Star Mail’s federal election survey. Some of those respondents spoke to Star Mail, noting that “there’s not one magic bullet” to fix the housing crisis, the cost of buying or renting, nor the trust of younger voters but key policies surrounding housing may sway votes in either direction.

that it would build 100,000 homes for first-time buyers, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced an elected Liberal government would offer first home-buyers tax deductible mortgage interest payments on the first $650,000.

Yarra Ranges voters said however, “the Great Australian Dream has been taken away” from young people, even those with partners and professional jobs because of the cost of owning a home.

Concerns for those forced into homelessness were also raised, with voters wanting to see a holistic approach to supporting people and improving rental availability through better investment property regulations to ensure there was a range of stock to cater to all needs and situations.

To read more, turn to pages 4 and 5

NEWS Wanndin’s new noticeboard

By Oliver Winn

A highly anticipated community noticeboard was unveiled in Wandin North on Saturday 12 April and is expected to help promote businesses and facilitate community.

The noticeboard was installed in the prime location of Wandin Recreation Reserve where many community groups can leverage the noticeboard to their advantage.

Community Bank Wandin-Seville executive officer Leah Thompson said the new noticeboard was a “big deal” for the community as it will bring many benefits to not only businesses but also other community groups.

“The noticeboard will enable more community groups to leverage the Wandin Recreation Reserve, which is the true community hub of Wandin.”

Some examples of the different groups which will benefit from the noticeboard are the Wandin North Community summer movie nights, the Wandin CFA, local primary schools, the Rotary Club of Wandin, and of course, sporting clubs.

The Community Bank Wandin-Seville funded $75,000 for the installation of the noticeboard.

“Tenant clubs came to us with the issues of not having a noticeboard,” Ms Thompson said.

“These issues included the Wandin Recreation Reserve having no digital footprint to sup-

port community events, the previous digital solution having no ability to be upgraded to further facilitate evolving community demand and the previous scoreboard facility for tenant clubs not being able to suitably recognise sponsors and community partners.”

The noticeboard was dedicated to long-term member of the Wandin Football Club, Rob Bayliss.

The noticeboard has been dedicated to long serving member of the Wandin Football Club, Rob Bayliss. (Supplied)

Can’t make it on Election Day?

If you can’t vote on Saturday 3 May, you may be eligible to vote early.

IN BRIEF

Third man arrested

Three men have been arrested as part of a police investigation into two alleged factory arsons causing $25 million in damage.

Police say the fires at factories in Bayswater and Kilsyth in December 2024 and January 2025 are linked.

Knox CIU detectives raided a property in Frankston, and arrested a 39-year-old Frankston man in Dandenong on Thursday 17 April.

He was charged with two counts of criminal damage by fire, theft of motor vehicle, and handle stolen goods.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that day.

On Wednesday 2 April, a 39-year-old Dandenong man was arrested following a police raid at a Nar Nar Goon property.

He was charged with three counts of criminal damage by fire, and three counts of theft of a motor vehicle.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 June.

A 38-year-old Dandenong North man was also arrested after his home was raided by police.

Police alleged seized illicit drugs from the address.

He was charged with criminal damage by fire and bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 22 July.

Police say the first fire occurred around 4am on Monday, 23 December at a business on Melrich Road in Bayswater.

The second incident took place around 3am on Wednesday, 1 January at a separate business on Canterbury Road in Kilsyth.

The investigation remains ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out, police say.

“We know there are others connected to these incidents, and we will continue to pursue every lead until everyone is held accountable,” Detective Inspector Glen Cruse of Victoria Police said.

All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over are required by law to vote.

So, if you can’t make it to a polling place on election day, you may be eligible to: · vote early at an early voting centre, or · apply for a postal vote.

If you’re travelling, working or will be outside the electorate where you’re enrolled on election day, you can vote early.

To check early voting options and eligibility, visit aec.gov.au/early

Your vote will help shape Australia.

To learn more aec.gov.au/early 13 23 26

“If you were involved, we strongly encourage you to come forward now—before we come knocking.”

Any information, CCTV or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Community effort to find Parsa

The amazing Yarra Ranges community turned out in hundreds to lend strength and heart to a visiting family as their worst nightmare unfolded just before Easter.

Emergency volunteers from across the district and residents of the hills came together to search, comfort and help in whatever way they could as a search and rescue effort got underway in Olinda.

The young boy who went missing in Olinda around 4pm on Friday 18 April was found safe and well.

Six-year-old Parsa Naimi was found around 8.20am on Saturday 19 April by a local Kalorama resident, Asher Schinkfield, eight kilometres from where he went missing.

Mountain biker Asher was out for his morning ride on Saturday and had heard the little boy was missing, but did not expect to find him.

“I was coming up the fire road and saw him just on the side of the road,” he said.

“He was just sitting cross-legged, tired and cold.”

“It wasn’t just the SES teams, the police force, or the firefighters who searched tirelessly for my boy. It was the local community — the heroes without uniforms,” Parsa’s mother Sahar Abedi wrote.

$100m for road sealing

By Corey Everitt and Mikayla van Loon

A Coalition Government has committed to reinstate $100 million of funding to seal roads throughout the Hills, a project that has fast become one of the top local issues.

La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Bridget McKenzie were joined by Hills residents in Gembrook, while Casey MP Aaron Violi met with Kallista residents, on Monday 14 April as they announced a commitment to reignite the project which was initiated by their previous government under Scott Morrison.

Formally known colloquially as ‘Sealing the Hills’ and ‘Roads for Community’, this former $300 million program aimed to seal 164 dirt roads throughout Cardinia and Yarra Ranges Shire Councils.

In 2023, the Albanese Government withdrew funding after only 38 of the planned roads were sealed, leaving both councils over $200 million short of previous presumed funding.

The topic has been a source of outrage among the community and questions loomed this election campaign as to whether the Coalition will recommit to their former program.

Minister McKenzie said the funding will ensure safe roads in the disaster-prone area.

“Having roads that are accessible, easy and safe to drive is incredibly important,” she said.

“When we talk to local residents, they’ve spoken about the damage the pot holes have done, how slowly they have to travel along them for safety reasons and just the amenity, the dust.”

The promise is a $100 million split between both councils over the next four years.

How exactly it will be split is not detailed yet and it is short of the over $200 million of funding which was cut from the original project.

Kallista Flood Watch member Karen Kestigian said despite Kallista alone being “over 100 years old with 80 per cent unsealed roads”, the request from the township was to only seal three roads of most concern because “we’re not greedy”.

Ms Kestigian said at the “top of the list” was Gleghorn Road, “a true access road” and “vital link for residents” as it connects with 11 other roads. Emberson Road and Rivington Avenue rounded out the three because of the immense flood risk.

“We recognise the needs across the whole of the Yarra Ranges Council’s 700 kilometres of unsealed roads that many communities desperately need sealed roads,” she said.

“This is an important step in responding to the basic infrastructure that is vital to the sustainability of our communities from flooding, addressing safer roads for drivers and in providing much needed access during significant fire and emergency events.”

For the announcement to be made in Kallista for the Casey electorate, Ms Kestigian said it was nice to be recognised and that “the actual conditions have been acknowledged publicly and federally”.

Stating that it’s “not about politics”, Ms Kestigian said she hoped the project would gain bipartisan support or the backing of other candidates.

Member of the Gembrook Road Action Group, Derek Jones was pleased with the commitment.

“We welcome the announcement from Senator McKenzie and Member for La Trobe Jason Wood and we are pleased to see this issue of unsealed roads in what is now peri-urban areas will be addressed,” he said.

“We also welcome a response from other parties in this forthcoming federal election, as to any commitments in this area.”

The project will follow the same scheme as the previous, with contributions from the council and residents joined by federal government funds with each sealing project.

Mr Violi thanked everyone who continued to raise the issue which led to the announcement of this “crucial funding”.

“Every day, families across our region navigate dangerous unsealed roads, battling dust clouds, deep potholes and hazardous driving conditions. This reduces visibility, damages vehicles and is a danger to drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike,” he said.

Mr Wood said this was something the Coalition “could not walk away from” after so much appeal from local groups.

He hopes the Labor Party will match this commitment.

“They need to match it, it’s just heartless,” he said.

The Labor Party remains non-committal to providing direct funding for road sealing in this region but rather to an equal system.

“We recognise that not just some, but all local governments across Australia deserve additional support to repair and maintain their local road networks,” a spokesperson said.

“Rather than playing favourites with councils in marginal seats, the Albanese Labor Government has doubled Roads to Recovery (RTR) funding for every Council across the country. That

means that Councils across Victoria will receive $895 million in RTR funding for the 2024-2029 funding period.”

The spokesperson did say, however, that should these projects be identified by the Victorian Government as “a priority for future investment”, it would employ “the usual Budget processes” to consider funding.

Kallista residents Rosemary, Karen and Ray met with Senator Bridget McKenzie and Casey MP Aaron Violi to hear about the Coalition’s commitment to road sealing. (Supplied)

La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Bridget McKenzie with Hills residents. (472195)

Final stretch brings promises

By Dominic Giannini and Poppy Johnston, AAP

On the east coast and in the west, Labor and the coalition are hyping up true believers as they sharpen their focus on housing and tax cuts.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched Labor’s official campaign in Perth, where he promised to build 100,000 homes reserved for first-time buyers only.

“This is the biggest home-building program since post-war housing,” he told party faithful and Labor luminaries on Sunday 13 April.

Australians would also be able to buy their first dwelling with a five per cent deposit, with the government guaranteeing the other 15 per cent and the help-to-buy scheme will be expanded to cover more people and properties.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton used his launch in western Sydney - where the Liberals need to pick up a slate of seats - to offer first home-buyers tax deductible mortgage interest payments on the first $650,000.

Both sides also offered more moderate tax relief measures as Labor promised a $1000 instant asset write-off, saving people up to $320, while the Liberals offered a one-off $1200 tax cut sweetener.

Famous faces on both sides were at the respective launches, with Mr Albanese embracing former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard and Mr Dutton greeting former Liberal prime ministers Scott Morrison, John Howard and Tony Abbott after his speech.

Mr Albanese cast the election as a choice between a steady hand to weather economic headwinds and a reckless Liberal government that needed to borrow its policies from the United States.

“Labor’s vision for this great country, our plan to build Australia’s future is not borrowing ideologies or copying policies from anywhere else or anyone else,” Mr Albanese said.

“It’s about building on what has always been our nation’s greatest strength, the Australian people.”

Mr Dutton centred his pitch around restoring the Australian dream of home ownership as he branded the 2025 election “a sliding doors moment for our country”.

“When Australians have heard me say that I

want to be the prime minister for home ownership, for home affordability, for home accessibility, I mean it,” he said.

“Australians, let’s make sure that we can get this great country that we love back on track.”

A first-home buyer with a taxable income of $120,000 and a $650,000 mortgage at 6.1 per cent interest would be about $12,000 better off a year, the coalition said.

Under its $10 billion tax plan, eligible taxpayers earning up to $144,000 a year would be in line for a rebate when they lodge their return for the upcoming financial year.

Australians had a clear choice on housing,

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

“Under Labor, more homes and smaller deposits, under the coalition and Peter Dutton, fewer homes and higher house prices,” he said.

Coalition campaign spokesman James Paterson said his party would help lower demand for housing and boost supply of new dwellings.

“We have some very strong policies out there to reduce demand, including immigration, because that is a driver of demand, and banning foreign investors for two years from buying Australian homes,” Senator Paterson said.

Greens leader Adam Bandt said cracking down on investor tax handouts and capping rents

were the real solutions to the nation’s housing affordability woes.

“Labor tinkers while prices soar, the Liberals will send prices even higher,” he said.

Mr Dutton claimed his plan would do more to ease cost-of-living pain than Labor’s tax cuts of up to $268 in 2026/27 and up to $536 each financial year after but Labor hit back saying people were better with long-term relief.

The major parties decided to make things official earlier than usual in a bid to stay in public view ahead of a slew of public holidays for Easter and Anzac Day.

The election will be held on 3 May.

Political parties eye votes in ‘over the top’ spending

By Dominic Giannini, Andrew Brown and Jack Gramenz, AAP

As major parties push big-ticket election pledges on housing and tax offsets, an economist warns of an “over-the-top” spend-a-thon that will do little to improve the budget bottom line.

Labor and the coalition have unveiled policies costing billions of dollars to boost housing supply in the coming years while offering incentives for first homebuyers in the interim.

Voters have also been promised a one-off tax offset of up to $1200 under the coalition, while Labor has pledged instant tax deductions of $1000.

The measures would cost $10 billion and $2.4 billion respectively.

But AMP chief economist Shane Oliver said the big-spending policies were at odds with previous pledges from the major parties to maintain fiscal responsibility.

“It’s all inconsistent with spending restraint or getting the budget back under control and it seems over-the-top this time around,” he told AAP.

“Major parties should be resisting the temptation to spend more.

“If they are going to provide tax relief, it should be on a permanent, logical basis rather than arbitrary sugar hits.”

The major announcements came at coalition and Labor campaign launches on Sunday, a week before pre-poll voting begins.

Touring a housing development in Adelaide on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended his plan to allow people to secure a mortgage with only a five per cent deposit with the government going guarantor.

He’s also pledged 100,000 new homes solely for first homebuyers under a $10 billion plan if Labor is re-elected on May 3.

“These two policies will make a significant difference to increasing supply but also importantly, to getting first homebuyers and particularly young Australians into their first home,” Mr Albanese said.

With housing a critical issue among voters,

the coalition announced it would allow interest payments on the first $650,000 of a mortgage for new houses to be tax deductible for first homebuyers.

That could save the average first homebuyer $10,000 a year.

The plan has found few friends among economists, who say it would disproportionately benefit high-income earners, push up house prices by increasing demand, and blow a hole in the federal budget.

But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton remains adamant it will incentivise housing supply as builders would be confident they had a buyer at the end of construction.

It’s on top of the coalition’s $5 billion kitty to unlock hundreds of thousands of homes by providing critical infrastructure to quicken builds.

The deductions are the “missing pieces of the picture”, Mr Dutton said in Brisbane, where the coalition is trying to win back seats from the Greens.

“To allow support for young people to get the finance in the first place so that the banks will lend them the money and importantly obviously to be able to service the loan, to make the repayments,” he said.

Tori Gibson, who is in her 30s, said she didn’t think she would ever be able to afford to buy her own home without an inheritance.

She said the coalition’s offer of tax-deductible repayments would probably be the better long-term solution for first homebuyers, but neither proposal solved the underlying problem.

“Essentially, we need more houses, that’s really what we need,” she said.

Dr Oliver said the rollout of large campaign promises did not send a good message after the major parties pledged to work to bring the budget into better shape.

“I can see why they want to (implement big-spending policies) because they want to be elected,” he said.

“It’s almost as if the pandemic has unleashed out-of-control spending by both sides of policies and taken spending to record highs.”

Housing and tax offsets have been a key part of the election campaign on both sides but experts warn it is an “over-the-top” spend. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton (right) during their campaign launches in Perth and Sydney respectively on Sunday 13 April. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch, Mick Tsikas)

Housing affordability

By Mikayla van Loon

One of the highest ranking issues for the urban area heading into this federal election was housing affordability and accessibility.

Nearly half of all respondents to Star Mail’s pre-election survey also noted housing affordability as highly concerning.

This went hand-in-hand with cost of living and a question around appropriate immigration.

A common underlying sentiment raised by respondents and interviewees was that everyone deserves a roof over their head.

“Everyone deserves the security of a homeit’s a basic right,” Mooroolbark resident Krystal Tutty said.

Lilydale resident Graham Warren, 65, who said he’s “done the hard yards”, now watches as his 13 grandchildren and nieces and nephews in their 20s and 30s struggle to buy a house.

“It’s so disheartening that the Great Australian Dream has been taken away from them and they don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, either,” he told Star Mail.

“These are young people that have professional jobs, and they still, as a couple, can’t afford to or will always struggle in the current environment, to own a house, and it’s just not right.”

While many of them rent, Mr Warren said with rental stock low and weekly rent in the realm of $500 to $600, it doesn’t leave room to save for a house.

For fellow Lilydale resident, Rob Wigg, his concern was for the growing homeless population, forced to live on the street or in cars because of a lack of affordable housing and exacerbated by other factors.

“I am reasonably well set up financially, it’s just that I see families living in cars, women can’t leave a domestic violence relationship due to no emergency relief or housing,” he said.

“By being homeless it restricts your potential to do things like get a job, your health must also be affected as being out in the elements must create health problems.”

When asked about what was contributing to the housing crisis Mr Wigg pointed to the lack of government public housing, population increase and land tax impacting landlords to the point of selling.

“The government keeps moving the goal posts with investing in property,” he said.

Mr Warren said ultimately it came down to supply and demand.

“There’s not one magic bullet, but there’s probably five or six. I mean, you can’t welfare your way out of this problem.

Some of the political parties are saying ‘we’ll give people this, give people that’, but that’s not sustainable,” he said.

“The issue is always around supply and demand.

They’ve got to take people’s investment strategy out of housing other than capital gains.”

Another investment strategy that needs attention, Mr Warren said, was “this whole Airbnb explosion”.

Having been helping friends and family search for rental properties, Ms Tutty said another issue was the asking rental price for somewhere rather rundown.

“(There’s a) lack of rentals. I’ve been looking at rentals with friends as they look for a place and there are so many dumps and crappy places going for so much because they can get away with it in this market. (It’s) tragic,” she said.

As for solutions, Mr Wigg took a holistic approach, stating that increases to rental assistance and jobseeker, mental health support and reduction of “immigration until we can manage our housing issues” would be a start.

“Every time I see the government make a policy announcement, handing out cash to get votesI ask myself who needs the help more: a homeless person, a person on jobseeker or the person who is getting the hand out,” Mr Wigg said.

“Example $19 billion to reduce the HECS debt by 20 per cent could build a lot of public houses.”

In a similar vein, Mr Warren said opening public land, under a strategy like the urban land authority in the 1980s, where developers were excluded from purchasing land, would go a long way in supporting young people to buy property.

“It’s become unreasonable the amount of income it takes to just put a roof over your head,”

key

he said.

Ms Tutty also put government or public housing as a key requirement or solution of the next elected government to support the housing crisis.

“(We need) more government housing for families. So many single parent families (are) needing homes,” she said.

On the reverse, however, both Mr Warren and Mr Wigg said the need for housing stock had to be appropriately matched with infrastructure and correct planning processes.

“We do need housing stock. Absolutely agree. But the problem is, when it becomes such a political imperative, you get poor planning decisions,”

Mr Warren said.

“I worry about the infrastructure with higher density living, already our roads are not coping. The units have one garage but the residents have multiple cars,” Mr Wigg said.

Heading into the election, Mr Wigg and Mr Warren said appropriate announcements or funding allocations to housing would sway their votes this election but it wasn’t without caution.

“I get really annoyed with both political parties, because once something becomes political nothing good comes from it, because it all becomes about point scoring,” Mr Warren said.

“If one side does something that might be good, the other side will come up with something else instead of a concerted approach with all sides of politics trying to resolve the issue.

“It has to be a suite of policies.

There’s no magic bullet, but a concerted effort to do something about it is what people really need at the moment.”

As predicted by political expert Dr Zareh Ghazarian, Australia is set to elect a minority government on 3 May, something Mr Warren said he too believes will occur.

“People are fed up with the two party system… my view is we’ve had poor outcomes for a long time now through a whole different spectrum of both sides of politics,” he said.

“Talking to younger people, in particular, they are very disenfranchised with the political system, because they don’t see anything of value for them coming from it. So they disengage.

“So I’m interested to see what comes of it after this election because there are a number of major issues that they need to tackle.”

The election will be held on Saturday 3 May.

Housing affordability was named as one of most concerning issues facing urban residents leading up to the federal election. (Stewart Chambers: 321951)

NEWS Courtis stands for Trumpet

By Callum Ludwig

Phillip Courtis is running as the Trumpet of Patriots candidate for the electorate of Casey.

As part of the Star Mail’s election coverage, Mr Courtis was contacted to share a bit of information about his connection to the seat of Casey and why he is running in this election.

Mr Courtis said while he currently lives outside the electorate, his connection to Casey runs deep.

“As the youngest of 10 children, I was raised with strong values of community and resilience, values that mirror the spirit of Casey, I’ve spent years actively engaging with this area, and I understand what’s at stake for its residents, this isn’t just a campaign, it’s personal,” he said.

“I’m running because Australia is heading in the wrong direction, and I refuse to stand by, I started my political journey with the Young Liberals, but as they drifted from the values that matter, I knew I had to find a new path,”

“The Trumpet of Patriots is that path, we’re committed to a government that works, an immigration policy that’s sustainable, and a future grounded in Australian values, the time for sitting on the fence is over.”

Mr Courtis’ social media presence lists an address in Mickleham which is in the electorate of Calwell. It is approximately a 40 minute drive from the nearest boundary of the Casey electorate in Panton Hill, which was recently redistributed to the area.

Mr Courtis said his goal is simple: to fight for the people of Casey like their future depends on it, because it does.

“People in Casey are under pressure. Crumbling infrastructure, spiralling rent and food costs, and unchecked immigration are pushing families and businesses to the edge, locals want their voices heard, not buried in bureaucracy,” he said.

“I’ve spoken with small business owners overwhelmed by rising premiums, staff shortages, and wage stress, these aren’t abstract issues, they’re happening now and the Trumpet of Patriots has the backbone to tackle them head on,”

“I’ll push for leaner government, smarter immigration, more homes, and policies that reduce

the daily cost burden on families, I’ll fight to ensure Australian values are not just protected but prioritised, we need practical infrastructure upgrades, a revitalised local economy, and a clear voice in Canberra that won’t be ignored.”

Out on the campaign trail, according to his social media, Mr Courtis has visited Trumpet of Patriots volunteers at Lilydale Lake and small

Bond nominates for Casey

By Dongyun Kwon

Chloe Bond is representing the Animal Justice Party for the seat of Casey in the 2025 federal election.

She has lived in two different towns, Kalorama and Wesburn, in the federal electorate of Casey for eight years.

The Animal Justice Party candidate said although she finds the region to be the perfect place to live, there are many vulnerable humans and animals with voices that are not being heard.

“I hope to bring my experience in advocacy and the Animal Justice Party values of kindness, rationality, non-violence, and equality to ensure Casey is represented with the relentlessness and determination I bring to every other aspect of my life,” she said.

Ms Bond has a lawyer background in her professional career, through which her passion for advocacy in vulnerable communities has grown.

She now works for a rural community legal centre as a generalist lawyer where she assists vulnerable people in both Victoria and New South Wales with their legal matters.

“Prior to (the current job), I was a specialist victims of crime and crimes compensation lawyer, where I would aid victim survivors of family violence and sexual assault with obtaining compensation and assistance in their recovery,” the Animal Justice Party candidate said.

“I previously worked at Victoria Legal Aid at the inception of its Victims Legal Services team, helping victim survivors of violent crime.

“Prior to this, I was a criminal defence lawyer where I would spend my days in court advocating for restorative justice. I began my legal career as a Victims of Crime lawyer, where my passion for advocacy began.”

Ms Bond experienced two election campaigns.

She battled for the electorate of Eildon in the 2022 state election and ran another campaign in the 2024 local council election for O’Shannassy Ward, representing the Animal Justice Party

both times.

The Animal Justice Party candidate said her party’s election promises are to advocate for animals, people, and our planet.

“We intend to ban live export, end factory farming, protect our Australian icons, stop animal poisoning, act against animal testing, protect our pets, and establish a federal animal protection body,” Ms Bond said.

“We intend to create a healthy food system for our people, achieve equality for all, prevent future pandemics, and legislate to protect family violence victim survivors and their non-human animals. We intend to put our planet over profit, to end species extinctions, to protect the rights of our natural world, and to declare a climate emergency at all levels of government.

“If elected, I hope to bring a youthful, energetic presence to the electorate and create changes that ensure a better community for all people, animals, and the natural land that comprises Casey. Casey can be improved by advocating for everyone, not only those who are the loudest or the most influential in the community.”

is unaffordable, and we’re dangerously dependent on foreign manufacturing and energy, we must act urgently to restore control of our own destiny, that means protecting our freedoms, supporting local industries, and stepping back from international bodies that no longer represent our national interest,” he said.

“I’m not running to build a political career; I’m running to protect what we all love about this country, I’m a husband, a father, and a small business owner, I know firsthand how hard it’s become to stay afloat.

“With your support, I’ll bring real world experience and real urgency to Parliament, let’s take back control of our future, starting right here in Casey.”

Some of the key Trumpet of Patriots policies include:

• Installing a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), seemingly in alignment with the executive order implemented by the Trump administration which is not actually an official government department.

• Cutting immigration to sustainable levels and prioritising ‘migration from nations with compatible values’

• Establishing high-speed rail networks to speed up commutes and allowing Australians to access their super for a home deposit

• ‘Restore reliable baseload power’, repeal the ban on nuclear energy, exit the Paris Agreement and ‘let the free market decide’ the cheapest form of power

• Believe in one Australian flag instead of multiple flags, likely the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and that there’s no need ‘to be welcomed to your own country’

• Get rid of Digital IDs, prevent a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) from being established and make accepting cash compulsory at all businesses ‘Get the woke agenda out of our schools’ with a ‘focus on reading, writing and arithmetic, not ideology’

Party in 2022 and is running again under the Trumpet of Patriots banner.

Mr Courtis said Australia is at a tipping point and is on the brink of losing what makes it great.

“Government waste is out of control, housing

• Exit the WHO (World Health Organisation), UN (United Nations) and WEF (World Economic Forum) and stay out of international conflicts

• Place a 15 per cent licence fee on all iron ore exports from Australia Establish a Royal Commission into Covid-19.

Nebaur is for Family First

By Dongyun Kwon

Former serviceman Dan Nebauer has declared his candidacy for the electorate of Casey as a member of the Family First Party.

Mr Nebauer saidhe has developed strong leadership and management skills through his experience in the Royal Australian Air Force, a major multinational company and his own travel company.

He served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for 25 years, including Vietnam War experience, and worked in senior management of a major multinational company for nine years.

Mr Nebauer has owned and managed his own travel company for 11 years.

“Having lived in this region since my retirement from the RAAF in 1988, I share the same pressures of high living costs including power and gas prices, the cost of putting meals on the table, paying council rates, meeting high insurance costs or filling up the family car,” the Family First Party candidate said.

“The list goes on and on.

“Watching my adult children struggle to buy a home has made me so aware of the pressure on people seeking to get into the housing market today.”

Mr Nebauer is a man of Christian faith and has been married to his wife Anne for more than 58 years.

He has been a member of Family First Party since 2020 because he has a strong affinity with the aims and convictions of the party.

“Family First has a wide range of policies from a faith-based family perspective that are aimed at addressing the issues that are impacting families today from cost of living pressures through to tackling deliberate pro-

grams and policies that create gender confusion in our children,” he said.

“I don’t think there would be a single person or family in the wide Casey electorate that would not benefit from these policies.”

Mr Nebauer contested the state seat of Croydon in 2022.

“Although unsuccessful, we did achieve the highest per cent gain in the seat,” he said. For more information about Family First Party’s policies, please visit the following website, familyfirstparty.org.au/policies

Animal Justice Party candidate Chloe Bond for the electorate of Casey. (Supplied)

Family First Party candidate Dan Nebauer. (Supplied)

business owners in Belgrave. He also met with current Senator Ralph Babet who was elected for the now-defunct United Australia

Trumpet of Patriots candidate for Casey Phillip Courtis. (Supplied)

‘Pop up’ food relief helps

By Tanya Steele

Special pop-up food events are helping people across Eastern Melbourne, boosting regular food relief efforts, diverting food waste and connecting people this school holidays.

Food relief remains as important as ever and two agencies across Yarra Ranges and Knox have committed to pop up events to continue the ongoing need to help people get dinner on the table every week.

Secretary of Outer East Foodshare Marilyn Lambert said their organisation still have to pick up food donations from the supermarkets over periods like school holidays and the pop ups are a great way to divert the food to where it’s needed.

“If we didn’t the food would just be wasted,” she said.

Outer East Foodshare in Knox has collaborated with two food agencies, helping provide food to a Salvation Army pop up in Ferntree Gully last week and will also deliver to Shop 16 Food Relief in Mooroolbark on Wednesday 23 April.

Mooroolbark volunteer Jenny from Shop 16 Food Relief said their location is usually a weekly pop-up market, but this week they will receive a boost of extra food.

“This week, we have partnered up with our friends from Outer East Foodshare – it will be a mega market with lots of extra food,” she said.

“We set up in The Terrace outside the old IGA - and are open to the public on Wednesdays at 12pm.”

“We help families in need with a bag or two of food, we have fruit, vegetables, bread, sweets, pantry items and more.”

Shop 16 runs on donated food and the weekly market is operated by volunteers and Jenny said they work under the banner of Shop 16 Community Connect.

“This shop is our local community space with a food pantry that is open daily, DVD library, book library, coffee mornings, and it’s always a great place to get a cuppa and a listening ear,” said Jenny.

“When our pop-up market is on, we have a cuppa and cake available for anyone coming to the market.“

As some food agencies shut down over school

holidays, reliant on volunteers the Outer East Foodshare put a call out across to agencies in Knox and the Yarra Ranges.

“We give them the full day’s load of food we pick up, which is normally around 300kg,” said Ms Lambert.

“A mix of fruit, veg, bread and meat will be

available, delivered straight to the Shop 16 for it’s Wednesday market,” she said.

“The usual deal is you bring a shopping bag or two along and fill it up.”

Shop 16 Food relief is located on The Terrace at 66-74 Brice Ave, Mooroolbark and is open 121pm Wednesdays.

With a gold coin donation and BYO grocery bags, residents can pick up some food, with parking around the rear. Jenny said the group was always grateful for any assistance, from donations to sponsors.

“We are community, helping community,” she said.

Ambere Livori is the One Nation candidate for Casey

By Callum Ludwig

Ambere Livori has been announced as the Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party candidate for the seat of Casey in the upcoming federal election.

The Star Mail reached out to Ms Livori to find out what ties her to the electorate and why she is running to represent the region in Parliament.

Ms Livori said she lives in the Latrobe electorate, near the border of Casey.

“I have a great connection with the Casey Electorate and surrounding areas, my family love to walk the streets, shop, dine, camp and stay in many beautiful locations Casey has to offer,” she said.

“Casey Electorate has so much to offer everyone and this is my chance to give back, I decided to run for One Nation as their policies are there to make this country better for all Australians,”

“The issues facing my electorate reflect the broader challenges across Australia—cost of living, housing, and migration… what I hope to achieve for Casey is to implement our policies in a way that delivers economic relief, puts money back in people’s pockets, and prioritises all Australians.”

Ms Livori’s background is in the automotive industry and she currently works as a mechanical fitter in construction, as well as being a new mum and wife.

Ms Livori said she was committed to addressing the cost of living, free speech and ‘citizen-initiated referenda’ (legislation and referendums proposed directly by residents), with a vision that includes tackling housing affordability, government overspending and standing up for individual rights.

“From my conversations with constituents, it’s clear that the major concerns in our electorate are the rising cost of living, inflation and housing affordability. These challenges are not unique to our community—they reflect broader

issues affecting Australians nationwide,” she said.

“One Nation is committed to tackling the cost of living crisis through a targeted and practical plan designed to deliver immediate relief to households and businesses,”

“I believe that inflation is being driven by irresponsible government overspending, that’s why One Nation is committed to cutting wasteful expenditure and delivering up to $90 billion in annual savings through efficient, targeted reforms.”

Ms Livori pointed to One Nation’s promises to implement the following measures for cost-ofliving relief:

• Reforming National Electricity Market (NEM) rules to support affordable coal and gas-fired baseload power, while backing nuclear energy as a ‘reliable, long-term solution’’.

• Halving the fuel excise to 26 cents per litre for three years, with the option to extend

• Raising the tax-free threshold to $35,000 for self-funded retirees

• Removing the excise on beer and spirits in licensed venues.

On the topic of housing affordability, Ms Livori supports One Nation’s pledges to:

• Introduce a five-year moratorium on GST for building materials.

• Conduct a full review of ‘excessive’ government charges.

• Remove mandatory disability compliance requirements for all new homes.

Ms Livori is also a supporter of One Nation’s proposed National Apprenticeship Scheme which would provide first-year, second-year and third-year apprentices with a wage subsidy of 75 per cent, 50 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.

Ms Livori enjoys four-wheel driving and camping with her family, opposing the Great Forest National Park proposal that has been a

hot topic in the Casey electorate in recent times as she believes it will ‘devastate the local economy’.

Some of One Nation’s other policy positions include:

• Joint income tax filing for families with at least one dependent child to encourage homeschooling and reduce childcare costs.

• Reduce government spending by reforming the NIDS, abolishing the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and climatechange programs and levying gas royalties, among other measures.

• Constitutionally protect free speech.

• Implement a national water infrastructure initiative.

• Withdraw Australia from the United Nations Paris Agreement on emissions reduction.

• Ban any further sale of freehold farmland to foreign investors and limit the sale of leasehold farmland to a tenure of 25 years.

• Reduce migration by over 570,000 people, deport 75,000 ‘illegal immigrants’ and implement migration reforms such as withdrawing from the United Nations Refugee Convention and refusing ‘entry to migrants from nations known to foster extremist ideologies’.

• Reduce cost of access to medicinal cannabis.

• Reform Medicare to prevent fraud and rorting while increasing rebates.

• Oppose any increase to GST.

• Keep firearm licensing laws the same.

• Reform law on abortion, including reducing the gestational limit, banning sex-selective abortion and giving doctors the right to make a conscientious objection to performing an abortion

• Begin a Royal Commission into the management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Supporting the fishing and forestry industries.

One Nation candidate for Casey Ambere Livori. (Supplied)

Outer East foodshare will drop off a load of donated food to Shop 16 in Mooroolbark on Wednesday 23 April. (Supplied)

Helping hand for students

By Mikayla van Loon

For aspiring healthcare professionals undertaking lengthy degrees, placements and many hours of study all to pursue their passion of helping people, a little help can go a long way.

That is the premise and intention of Inspiro’s tertiary health scholarship program - awarding grants to deserving, community focused and academically exceeding students from the Yarra Ranges.

This year was no exception, with Inspiro awarding two scholarships, one for $12,500 to Lilydale’s Tamara McDonald, and the other for $10,000 to Kallista’s Ebony Huidobro-Hoare.

Inspiro’s chief executive officer Sue Sestan said in the past scholarships have been awarded to three or four recipients but this year the community health service wanted to make more of an impact in students’ lives.

“We believe that as a healthcare organisation, we actually have a responsibility for supporting future workforce in the health industry,” she said.

In her fifth of seven years of a psychology degree, Tamara, who gave up her corporate job

in banking to embark on this path, said her ultimate dream would be to work with children.

“Ideally, I would like to work helping families

and children, either with mental health or with navigating, perhaps schooling,” she said.

“There’s a lot of work in psychology around assessments, not necessarily autism assessments, but just to help tailor schooling. We know a lot more now that it’s not one size fits all, and every child is different.

“I think there’s a lot of work that needs to be done in how children are individualised throughout school and supported. I think that being able to draw out children’s strengths and then help teachers or people in their lives to support them the best that we can.”

As a mum of four children, Tamara knows this first hand, not only through her studies but seeing it play out in her own life.

Tamara said the support of her family and friends has been instrumental in her ability to take a new step and change careers.

This was evident in their presence at the award ceremony on Wednesday 16 April.

Ebony, who is in her second of four year physiotherapy degree, travels to La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus to complete her studies.

and I’d love to keep up in that sports world as well on weekends. I’m really enjoying how I’m able to influence so many people who wouldn’t normally have access to care,” she said.

The tertiary health scholarships this year celebrated 25 years since their inception, first starting under the Lilydale Community Hospital and then taken on board by Inspiro in 2006.

Inspiro community advisory group member and inaugural chair Hamish Russell, who first initiated the scholarship program, said the awards are “something very special for our shire and for our people”.

“I don’t know any other health organisation that has committed itself to the future this way, the way Inspiro has,” he said.

“I’m having to travel up and back to Bendigo every week, so this (scholarship will) definitely help me in terms of just the basics. Living on campus is really expensive and I’m currently at one of the local football clubs, helping as a trainer so I’ve got to be back home for that,” she said.

“And then, especially next year, it starts ramping up in terms of placement hours, so a lot of unpaid placement. It’ll definitely help with that.”

As someone who always had a “strong passion for health”, Ebony knew healthcare was the right fit.

“I was thinking about medicine or physio. I really liked the connection with your patients that you have as a physio, especially in a post surgical setting or anything severe, any long term chronic conditions. I really liked how they were able to monitor and manage and have a bit of control with that as well.

“So I decided to do physio, which was a really long path for me. So I finished high school, did two years of Health Sciences, and now I’ve gotten into physio. I’ve got four years in total.”

Wanting to help and support people who have come through a heart attack or a lung transplant, or kids with cystic fibrosis rather than being in a clinical setting, Ebony said her dream scenario would be to work in a hospital three days a week and then have her own clinic to continue patient care outside their hospital stay.

“I can be in a very community based setting

Mr Russell commented that not only do recipients showcase incredible academic achievements, they also give back to their community, this year providing an astounding number of candidates who were worthy of the scholarship.

“Almost everyone we shortlisted for this award in other years might well have won one of the awards. That’s how good the competition was, and that’s always been my dream,” he said.

Ebony’s chosen path in volunteering and giving back to her community has been through sport, first as head coach of the Monbulk Marlins swimming team for five years and now as trainer for a football club.

Tamara also helps out at her children’s various sporting clubs but her volunteering was mostly done at Caladenia Dementia Care in Mooroolbark but since starting her masters, she has had to postpone her time there.

“With everything going on, I would leave there just feeling the top of the world. I just feel so humbled, and I just absolutely loved it. I was always in such a good mood afterwards. It really gives you a really good perspective on what’s important in life,” she said.

Over the 25 years of the scholarship, Mr Russell said around $225,000 has been granted to students of all different disciplines.

“I’m delighted to have been associated with it all this time and I can’t think of a nicer day in the year,” he said.

Ebony Huidobro-Hoare and Tamara McDonald were the lucky recipients of Inspiro’s tertiary health scholarships for 2025. (Mikayla van Loon: 472958)

Tamara was supported by her family at the award ceremony.

Hamish Russell and Tamara McDonald.

Ebony and her family.

Inspiro CEO Sue Sestan, Ebony Huidobro-Hoare and Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child.

Hamish Russell and Ebony Huidobro-Hoare.

Tamara McDonald and Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child.

Awarded for calming oasis

By Mikayla van Loon

A young Montrose gardener has been recognised for designing and creating her own oasis at home at the Victoria in Bloom awards.

Sharliya Bell, 17, took home the Best Young Gardener, under 25, award on Wednesday 16 April for her hanging garden concept, which featured colourful flowers, potted plants and a water fountain.

As the youngest of 11, Sharliya followed in her brother’s footsteps, Dekoda Bell, after he won the

Taking the blank canvas of the space, Sharliya said her main focus was to bring some brightness.

“I just thought it’d be nice to have a lot of flowers and somewhere to lay down in the sun with friends,” she said.

Completing the space over a couple of weeks, Sharliya said her brother Dekoda gave advice on how to plant certain flowers but she did it all herself.

Doing everything on a budget, Sharliya was able to find bargains, sourcing everything either on sale or second hand, highlighting how easy it can be to make something beautiful without it being expensive.

Since finalising her space in the garden, Sharliya and her friends use it as a sanctuary and they have all commented on her special spot in the backyard.

For Sharliya, she said her favourite part about the garden is that “it’s calm”.

Gardens at public and community homes

across the state were celebrated in this year’s Victoria in Bloom gardening competition. The finalists and winners gathered at a ceremony on 16 April for the annual competition, which recognises the great work of gardening enthusiasts living in public or community housing.

Renters entered gardens of all types, including those on balconies, and in backyards and community gardens.

Victoria in Bloom was first held in 2004 and continues to grow, with more than 130 entries received this year.

Cherry Tree Grove Retirement Living is renowned for its vibrant community atmosphere. Residents will soon enjoy revitalised community facilities, including cafe, cinema, gym and modern library - to be completed in 2025.

Discover a range of retirement homes, with modern designs and finishes, open-plan layouts and just steps away from new-facilities coming soon.

Victoria in Bloom Gardener of the Year in 202223.

Sharliya wanted to create a calming and bright oasis for her and her friends. (472728)

Montrose’s Sharliya Bell with her Best Young Gardener award. (Stewart Chambers: 472728)

ANZAC DAY Schoolmate was German

By Anthony McAleer

One of the most extraordinary stories to come out of the First World War was an incident that happened to a Lilydale soldier while serving in Europe.

Robert Shell had grown up in Lilydale and had attended the Lilydale State School for his education. In late 1915, aged just 18 years old, he left his job as a horse driver and enlisted in the AIF. From mid-1916 he served with the 21st Infantry Battalion on the Western Front where he was hospitalised a number of times.

Towards the end of the war he was resting one day in a reserve area when a group of German prisoners of war were marched past under guard. Suddenly from amidst the prisoners he heard in an Australian accent said: ‘G’day Bob’. He looked around to discover that among the prisoners was a friend he’d gone to school with at the Lilydale State School – in a German uniform.

Chatting with him, he told Robert that being of German descent, he had gone back to Germany with his family just before the war started and ended up being trapped there and was eventually conscripted into the Germany Army. Robert

then spoke to his Sergeant and explained that this prisoner was actually from Australia and would make a good interpreter for the AIF. But the Sergeant told him that as he was a German prisoner of war – ‘that was that’.

After the war Robert returned to Lilydale and around 1920 he was walking down the Main Street when suddenly he saw coming towards him the same school friend he last saw in a German uniform. Recognising him, he said to Robert ‘G’day Bob, glad to see we both made it back’. Sadly though, that was the last time they saw each other.

It is amazing to think that two soldiers from this area happen to meet on the Western Front, when there were so many thousands of soldiers stationed there during that period. But what makes this more phenomenal is that even though they were both from Lilydale, they happened to be serving on opposing sides – one with the Australian Army, the other with the German Army.

From the Mt Evelyn RSL’s publication –‘Home Front – The Impact of the First World War on the Shire of Lillydale’. Available from the RSL via ebay.

Anzac Day services to attend across the Outer East

By Callum Ludwig

With Anzac Day falling on the Friday after Easter, here’s where to attend your local services across the Outer East.

In the Hills:

Dandenong Ranges RSL will hold a 6.30am Dawn Service at the memorial on the corner of Sherbrooke Road and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Ferny Creek, which will be followed by a Gunfire Breakfast at the Ferny Creek Scouts Hall. At 10.30am, there will also be a Commemorative March and Service at the Sassafras Village Green on the corner of Mountain Highway and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras, including refreshments at the Sub Branch at 1773 Mountain Highway, Sassafras. Afterwards.

Upwey/Belgrave RSL will hold a 6am Dawn Service at the RSL at 1 Mast Gully Road, Upwey, which will be followed by a gunfire breakfast. TherewillthenbeaServicesMarchfrom9.45am through the main street of Upwey, starting from the IGA before the main morning service at the sub-branch at 10am. Live music, a BBQ lunch, traditional games of ‘two-up’ and screening of the Collingwood vs Essendon Anzac Day match will follow.

Anzac Day Dawn Watch at Quarry Park, Ferntree Gully will be held at 5.45am with attendees welcome to bring a torch and chair if needed.

Bayswater RSL Dawn Service, 626 Mountain Highway, Bayswater at 5.45am.

Boronia RSL Dawn Service, gather at 198 Dorset Road, Boronia at 5.45am for a 6am service, the usual Commerative March held the Sunday before Anzac Day has been cancelled this year due to Easter.

Emerald RSL Sub-Branch’s Dawn Service at Anzac Place, 3 Memorial Avenue, Emerald at 5am with breakfast provided. A march will also be held from 10am at The Cenotaph in the town centre with a 10.30am service to follow.

Kalorama will hold a 9am Commemorative Service at the Peace Memorial, located at Ellis Jeeves Reserve on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road in Kalorama.

Monbulk RSL will host 5.45am Dawn Service at the sub-branch at 48 Main Road, Monbulk as well as a 9.45am Commemorative March starting from St George’s Church, Monbulk and ending back at the RSL for a 10.00am Commemorative Service. In the Valley: Wandin’s Commemorative Service hosted by the Rotary Club of Wandin will be held again at

8.30am at the Wandin Cenotaph on the corner of Hunter Road and Beenak Road.

The restored Seville War Memorial will host its 5.45am Dawn Service with a free community breakfast provided.

Yarra Junction’s Dawn Service hosted by the Upper Yarra RSL will start at 6am sharp at the Yarra Junction Cenotaph near the Yarra Centre with attendees asked to arrive and be settled in by 5.45am to reduce interruption to the service. For the march later in the morning, attendees are asked find a spot on Main Street from 10am before it steps off from the Commonwelath bank at 10.30am, where the march will proceed to the Cenotaph for the Morning Service at around 10.45am.

Millgrove’s Dawn Service will be held at Millgrove Memorial Park from 6am with car parking available at Millwarra Primary School and a gunfire breakfast at the

Wesburn/Millgrove CFA.

Warburton will have a Commemorative Parade, assembling at Warburton RSL from 10.15am, at 10.40am followed by a Commemorative Service at the Cenotaph on Warburton Highway, Warburton at about 10.50am.

There will be a 5.45am Dawn Service at Healesville RSL on Maroondah Highway followed by Gunfire Breakfast. There will also be a 10.00am Commemorative March, which will assemble at 9.30am at the corner of Maroondah Highway and Church Street, and then a 10.30am Morning Service at the Healesville Memorial Hall.

Yarra Glen will have a Commemorative March, assembling outside the Yarra Glen Police Station at 10.00am and commencing at 10.15am followed by a Commemorative Service at the Cenotaph, 18 Anzac Avenue, Yarra Glen at 10.30am.

In the urban areas:

There will be a 5.45am Dawn Service at the Lilydale Cenotaph, with attendees asked to assemble at 5.30am, followed by refreshments at the Lilydale RSL in Anderson St. Mt Evelyn will also hold a 5.45am Dawn Service at Mt Evelyn War Memorial Park on the corner of Wray Crescent and Birmingham Road. There will be a 10.00am Commemorative Service at the Montrose Memorial on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose Mooroolbark will host a 12pm Commemorative service in Hookey Park on Charles Streeet, followed by refreshments and sausage sizzle put on by the scouts.

Croydon RSL asks attendees of their Dawn Service to arrive at the Croydon War Memorial at 5.30am for a 5.45am start with a gunfire breakfast afterwards at the RSL at 1 Civic Square, Croydon.

Robert Shell went all the way to Germany to bump into a schoolmate during World War I. (Supplied)

Where to find your local Anzac Day service. (File)

Vietnam vet shares time

By Dongyun Kwon

Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson shared his experience of the Vietnam War prior to the 2025 Anzac Day.

2025 marks special milestones of war history, in which many Australians were involved too.

It is the 110th year since the landing at Gallipoli and 80 years since the end of World War II.

It is also the 85th year since Australia entered World War II, the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Borneo, the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the 35th anniversary of the Gulf War beginning and the 10th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force strikes in Syria.

The Lilydale RSL president started the interview with Star Mail by clarifying the meaning of Anzac Day.

“Anzac Day is a day not to glorify war, but to commemorate and remember all those men and women who served their country during times of war,” Mr Dobson said.

From 1962 to 1973, more than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War.

Mr Dobson was deployed in the war from January 1969 to February 1970.

“I was in a combat supply unit, and I was at the front line at Nui Dat,” he said.

“From there, we did various things. Sometimes, we went out with engineers and other

times we went out with infantry. We also worked for civil affairs where we were rebuilding homes for Vietnamese communities.”

The local Vietnam War veteran was conscripted through the birthday ballot at the age of 20.

The birthday ballot was like a lottery, in which numbered marbles or wooden ballot balls were placed in a hand-spun barrel, a pre-decided number of marbles were drawn, and those whose birthdates matched the numbers drawn were then called up for compulsory national service.

After over 13 months of service in Vietnam, he returned to Australia and got back to the printing company he had worked for before he got called up.

“As part of the government‘s law, the employer had to put a person back in the same job after they came out of their service in the army,” Mr Dobson said.

In August, the local Vietnam War veteran will travel around Vietnam, the areas where he served, with his chap.

“There’s a chap who went to all the same places I went to, and he’s now a military historian,” Mr Dobson said.

“He’s got a lot of information about various things, a lot of people don’t know about. It’s going to be very interesting to learn about the enemy side of things and how they went about things.”

Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson (left) was conscripted into the Vietnam War when he was 20. (File: 232308)

Join Lilydale RSL this Anzac Day to commemorate and remember. (Mikayla van Loon: 331276)

ANZAC DAY Poppies light up streets

By Mikayla van Loon

Hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of knitted poppies later, a special commemorative Anzac Day display has been installed in Lilydale.

The group of Creative Community Knitters, led by Sharon Chuck, once again put a tremendous amount of effort into designing and knitting poppies for the bigger than ever before display.

Totaling 14,075 poppies, all handmade, Ms Chuck said “the ladies have done an incredible job”.

This year, the design features a full size horse, soldiers, a nurse, a line of poppies leading to the memorial, as well as the Lest We Forget banner which were installed on Main Street on Saturday 19 April by a team of volunteers from the Rotary Club, Township Group and CFA.

Marking the 110th year of the Gallipoli landing, the scale of the display matches the impact of the war and tells the stories of those who returned.

“It’s about people in our town and how they came back from war and contributed to making the town as it is,” Ms Chuck said.

“The soldier that’s with the horse, his parents owned the general store in Lilydale. He came back to take over the running of the general store. So that was his story.

The (other) soldier came back and he went to Silvan and took up one of the allotments that the government was giving. He started strawberry plants there. Each person has their own story.

“The nurse came back and she raised her family. She’s buried over at the Lilydale cemetery. Everybody that’s involved in it, they all have a part of the town, a little part in our town, and I think that’s important, that we recognise these wonderful people for what they did.”

With the help of the Mooroolbark Men’s Shed this year, some very lifelike rifles were created and crafted to accompany the soldiers.

“They have done the most incredible job. In fact, they’re too real. They’ve worked on these for 12 months now,” Ms Chuck said.

The help also spread further with the leader of the Melbourne Football Club cheer squad lending a hand after hearing of the project and Ms Chuck’s worries about sourcing a full size horse cut out.

National service meet up

Dear editor,

We are calling all men who were called up for National Service between the years of 1951 and 1972. Regardless of any organisation. If you were called up between the years mentioned, we would like to see you march on Anzac Day.

If you have your own medals wear them on your left side, you have relation’s medals wear them on your right

We meet on Anzac Day at 8am outside Young & Jacksons in Flinders Street. We look forward to seeing you there. Any inquiries call Peter Kemp on 0427 859 549.

All National Servicemen are invited to march on Anzac Day to the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance. (Unsplash)

A couple of days after it was mentioned to him, Ms Chuck opened her door to find just that waiting for her.

“We are very, very lucky the amount of people who have come aboard…everyone’s been magic, and they’ve all become very enthusiastic about it.”

Like every year, Ms Chuck is usually asked ‘what’s next’ but after such a large effort of time and knitting, she said she’ll just have to wait and see about next year’s design.

“I just need to have a break and restart rethinking. But usually it happens that somebody tells me a story, or I hear a story about somebody local, and then all of a sudden I think, ‘Oh, that was good. I could do something with that’.”

National servicemen are invited to march alongside others this Anzac Day. (File: 330598)

A full size horse and his soldier were added to the display this year. (Lilydale CFA)A line of red poppies lead up to the memorial.

The banner ‘Lest We Forget’ is held by two soldiers.

ANZAC DAY

110 years on, we remember

By Oliver Winn

Anzac day 2025 marks 110 years since Australian and New Zealand troops braced the beaches of Gallipoli, where over 8,000 brave soldiers lost their lives to the Ottoman Empire.

Throughout the remainder of World War One, a total of 60,000 Australian soldiers lost their lives to the brutalities of war.

But, this year also marks anniversaries for other significant military events over the last century, such as the 85th anniversary since Australia entered World War Two and the 80th anniversary since the end of World War Two.

80 years has passed since the Liberation of Borneo and its the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

The Warburton, Millgrove and Wesburn townships saw 151 of its own men leave their families - 47 men never returned.

World War One’s impact on the quaint Upper Yarra region reverberated like a shudder throughout the bones of the land, leaving stories behind that would be handed down for generations to come. The story of Yarra Ranges’ only World War One Victoria Cross recipient, Captain George Ingram, has been told by many over the years.

Mr Ingram grew up in Seville and miraculously served in both world wars before he died in 1961.

in this way,” he said.

Commemorative gates at Seville Primary School mark his contribution to World War One as a ‘Seville Boy’. This year also marked 10 years since the Anzac centenary where the Yarra Junction Anzac Avenue of Honour was opened.

“It was traumatic; he was responsible for the death of more than 40 men on that day, hand to hand combat, and that’s going to haunt anyone,” Anthony McAleer, author of Great Courage and Initiative - The Heroic Life of George Ingram VC, MM, said.

The official opening of the ceremony saw flags placed on 34 trees in tribute to the 34 men from the area who lost their lives in World War One.

The trees, protected by timber tree guards of the era, have been planted on the Warburton Rail Trail and identify the individual men, their age and where they died. Upper Yarra RSL member Jeff Smith said the soldiers would’ve been humbled at the commemoration they receive today.

“They would be amazed at the Australia of today, and humbled that they are being remembered

The Upper Yarra’s own Buller Brothers is another well-known tale from the area - the three boys, Charles, John and Arthur, lost their lives in horrific circumstances and left a void in their hometown when they never returned home.

Private Charles Lewis Read from Yarra Junction served with the 11th Reinforcements, 6th Battalion, dying a year after he enlisted in France on 26 July 1916.

It’s these local soldiers, and their stories of sacrifice that will be kept close to the hearts of the Upper Yarra people for this year’s Anzac day.

Remembering the 90th and 100th Anzac anniversaries

The 2025 Anzac Day marks the 110th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.

Heading into this special Anzac Day, Star Mail looked back at the years of 2005 and 2015 which respectively marked the 90th anniversary and centenary of the Anzacs’ sacrifice to fight for the peace of the world.

In 2005, Healesville soldier Gareth Ballantine joined thousands of Australians in honouring the Anzacs at Gallipoli on Anzac Day.

Mr Ballantine, an Army Private with Australia’s Federation Guard, was one of a select group who provided the ceremonial guard for the dawn service at Anzac Cove and the Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine.

The Gallipoli assignment was his first overseas.

Mr Ballantine said he was tremendously proud to be talking in the 90th anniversary commemoration as part of the Federation Guard contingent.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and it is hard to fathom that I am actually here,” he said.

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. For the communities in the Dandenong Ranges, these milestones offer an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recognise the lasting impact of war.

While these anniversaries resonate across the nation, it’s in our local towns like Sassafras, Mount Evelyn and Seville where the memories of those who fought in these wars are most deeply felt.

One such story sits quietly in the hills of Sassafras, where former Prime Minister William ‘Billy’ Hughes once found refuge from the pressures of wartime politics.

Mr Hughes, known for his fierce leadership in World War I, found refuge in his beloved home, ‘Ty Coed,’ during some of the country’s most difficult times.

From his quiet retreat in the Dandenongs, Mr Hughes continued to shape the country’s future - pushing for conscription and helping define Australia’s voice on the global stage. But it wasn’t all politics. Here, he hosted the Prince of Wales,

“I was blown away by the guided tour we had of the battlefields. I have read about it a lot and heard stories but to actually see what they went through and how they went about it just blew me away and it’s something that I will never forget.”

In 2015, right in time for the Anzac centena-

Commemorating 110 years since Gallipoli and 80 years since WWII, communities in the Dandenong Ranges remember the sacrifices made. (Pexels)

rode horseback through the gullies, and paused for billy tea in the bush.

These small, almost forgotten moments nestled in the Dandenongs’ forest remind us that even leaders - carrying the weight of a nation at war - needed space to breathe.

Mr Hughes’ bond with the Dandenong Ranges adds a deeply human layer to our history. These hills weren’t just home to soldiers - they gave shelter to the decision-makers too, those grap-

ry, the Healesville Avenue of Honour received a boost with the unveiling of new signage.

An Avenue of Honour is an avenue of trees that commemorates those who have served in armed conflicts.

In an effort to reinvigorate the commemorative avenue, the main plaque near Le Pine Funerals, along the Maroondah Highway, featured the names of soldiers from the Healesville RSL’s Honour Roll.

At the opening, then Casey MP Tony Smith spoke about the significance of the plaque and the centenary to the Yarra Ranges.

Mr Smith implored the community to reflect on the sacrifices of those honoured through the plaque.

“These were people who were volunteers, who jumped up to help because they believed in our values,” he said.

“They believed in the values of our allies and were prepared to do something about it.

“We’ve had 100 years to reflect; now it’s time to reflect like never before, as a nation and as a community.”

While Avenue of Honour received the gift, St Brigid’s Primary School hosted an information session about the history of Anzacs in World War I and the Gallipoli campaign, inviting students, parents and family members.

Students gathered to watch a presentation about the Anzacs and then made their way to the front of the school where turf had been laid to form a mini version of Flanders Fields under a flag flying at half-mast.

Students Lakoda Scopel and Vincent Belford led a ceremony of remembrance and commemoration before other students, teachers and guests.

Student Perry Byron brought forward an oak sapling to be planted on the school grounds as a marker of the significance of the Anzac centenary and Brother Darcy Byron proudly wore and presented a genuine slouch hat from the war.

At the end of the ceremony, students, teachers and guests were invited to place poppies made by the students into the fresh turf to recreate the sea of poppies of Flanders Fields.

pling with choices that would shape countless lives.

In Mount Evelyn, a special tribute was made on Anzac Day in 2015, when the RSL invited descendants of Gallipoli soldiers to lead the town’s march - an emotional gesture that honoured the bond between past and present generations.

“We thought the best way to honour those who were at Gallipoli was to invite their family members to march with a photo or their medals,” Mount Evelyn’s RSL secretary, Anthony McAleer said.

It was a powerful symbol of remembrance, showing how local families continue to carry the stories of their ancestors.

After the dawn service, the community gathered for a shared breakfast, reconnecting not just with history, but with one another - proof that remembrance is just as much about community as it is about commemoration.

The local spirit of remembrance was also captured in 2015 in the Gemco Players’ performance of ‘While Their Names Are Still Spoken’, a raw and emotional play that followed two soldiers - one living, one fallen - as they reflected on war, loss, and whether the sacrifice was worth it.

Set partly on the battlefields and partly in the hills of Emerald, the play didn’t glorify war - it told the truth of it. It gave voice to the pain of families waiting at home, the grief of mates left behind, and the hope that as long as names are spoken at dawn, their memory will live on.

The show struck a deep chord with local audiences and served as a reminder that honouring the Anzacs means remembering the full story, not just the battlefield moments.

As we reflect on these important anniversaries, it’s clear that the echoes of Gallipoli and the world wars still linger across the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley.

From a prime minister’s quiet escape in the hills to a local march led by proud descendants, or a community theatre where stories of the past come to life, the legacy of war is woven into everyday places.

Remembrance isn’t just found in history books - it lives in local halls, in family conversations over dinner, and in the hush of a dawn service. It’s in these moments that we honour not only those who served, but the communities who keep their stories alive, generation after generation.

Lakoda Scopel, Perry Byron, Darcey Byron, and Vincent Belford at St Brigid’s Primary School Anzac commemoration in 2015. (Victoria StoneMeadows: 138250)

Alex Ingram with a portrait of his father Captain George Ingram and his medals. (Rob Carew: 137767)

Alex Ingram with a portrait of his father Captain George Ingram and his medals. (137767)

EVERY CUP COUNTS

Coffee for Wildlife supports projects that empower people to live in harmony with forests and wildlife.

Ride of a lifetime for gift

By Oliver Winn

Nikki Liebman was eating steak with mushroom sauce when she got the phone call to tell her she was going to get a liver transplant.

As if the words from the phone had sent her into shock, Ms Liebman’s heart thumped rapidly, and her breathing quickened.

She’d endured end-stage liver failure for months as she waited for a matched liver to become available, and a potential fix to her autoimmune condition was overwhelming.

Ms Liebman will never know her donor’s name, but they’d given her life at the cost of their own.

To honour her donor, she will ride along the iconic 80km-return Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail for her one year transplant anniversary in May.

Roughly 25 years earlier, Ms Liebman was an active woman growing up in South Africa.

After she moved to Australia in 2004, she realised something was wrong when she wasn’t feeling her normal self and so she was diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune condition that affects the liver bowel ducts.

For 20 years, life continued as normal. She managed her condition with medication and had two daughters. Then she got Covid-19, and everything changed.

“In May 2022, it was just a normal day, but then I started feeling nauseous. I thought I was coming down with a stomach bug,” Ms Liebman said.

“Lo and behold, that evening, I kept running to the bathroom, vomiting blood.”

Her two daughters, aged 12 and 10 years old at the time, rushed to her aid when they found her collapsed on the bathroom floor before she was rushed to hospital.

For the next year and a half, Ms Liebman’s life consisted of hasty hospital visits and deteriorating health.

She was told she had around two years to live without a liver transplant. But Ms Liebman hadn’t realised that the wait for a transplant would be so hard.

“Day-to-day living was excruciating, you start developing brain fog, you have no energy, you’re tired, your body hurts, but then you just don’t know how long the process is going to take,” she said.

As she waited for the call, she tried to live a normal life, but the uncertainty was crippling.

She described the wait as being pregnant and not knowing when you were going to go into labour, only that she had no idea if she’d receive a transplant before her body gave out.

Her life was a haze of pain and fatigue, and her daughters were there to witness it all.

“It’s something that young teenagers, especially at that age, should never have to go through or see.”

Eight weeks later, she got the phone call.

The person on the other end of the receiver briefed Ms Liebman: “Hi, this is the story, there’s a potential donor, you have to come into hospital.”

Then: “Just breathe.”

What followed, Ms Liebman said, was all a

blur. But by the next morning, she woke up to hospital gowns and face masks towering over her.

“The nurses and the doctors were saying to me: ‘Well done, you’re amazing, you’ve come out of this’, and I just had this sense of euphoria.”

“I don’t know what my option would have been without it. I would not have survived,” Ms Liebman said.

It’s this reason why Ms Liebman wishes to

raise awareness surrounding organ donation.

According to DonateLife, four out of five Australians support organ and tissue donation, but only one in three are actually registered.

Ms Liebman said this is usually because the vast majority haven’t been affected themselves personally, so they simply forget.

“You hear about it, but you don’t know the ins and outs because when you don’t know anything

about it, why do you need to research, because it hasn’t affected you personally.”

Donatelife urges everyone to join the organ donor registry - it takes one minute to sign up, and you only have to be over the age of 16 to join.

Only your email and medicare card details are required - to register, visit donatelife.gov.au or register through Medicare.

“Often it happens that it’s family members or friends, once someone they know has gone through it, then people start spreading the word. But it doesn’t have to be that way.”

But, she’s not the only one - Ms Liebman’s story is shared by 1800 Australians on organ waitlists today.

It’s not only older populations receiving these transplants either - organ donations could give young people with early health complications a chance to live.

“Young kids are able to have a bright future because the right person registered to become an organ donor - it’s super important,” she said.

Since DonateLife’s national organ donor program started in 2009, just under 19,500 people have received life-saving transplants from 7000 deceased organ donors.

Though one organ donor can save the lives of up to seven people, there’s still strict requirements in place, which means only a small portion of donors have their organs donated.

Ultimately, it only increases the importance of getting more people on the donation registry.

It’s also vital for newly registered donors to tell their family, because the family has to give consent to actually have their organs donated.

Despite the hardship she’s endured, Ms Liebman said she’s always been a “glass half full kind of person”.

When she spoke of her journey, her voice was animated and lively. It was clear that she had so much more life to live in this world.

Now, her focus is set on training for the big ride. She said she was taken aback at the beauty of Warburton and felt it was the perfect spot for her commemoration.

“There’s just something about Warburton. It’s just such a beautiful spot,” she said.

In reference to her transplant anniversary bike ride, she used the word ‘celebration’ hesitantly. Though her life had been saved, she’s aware that another family had mourned the death of a loved one.

“You want to celebrate life but you also want to remember the donor,” she said.

“Because there’s the sad side of it - that another family has gone through pain. So you also want to remember that they had a life and that they gave you life.”

Ms Liebman recalled lying in her hospital bed after her surgery, staring out the window into the night. Outside, brightly-lit highways glimmered in the distance the world went about their lives.

“Here I am lying in this hospital bed, looking out at the lights and the cars going by, and I just thought to myself, I really have this opportunity of a new life.”

“And I couldn’t stop thinking of my donor. I don’t know who my donor is, I’ll never know who they were, but I owe it to them.”

Ms Liebman wishes to raise awareness about organ donation and encourages more people to sign up to the registry.

Nikki Liebman and her partner Damien will ride along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail to honour Liebman’s donor. (Stewart Chambers: 472091)

To register to become an organ donor, visit donatelife.gov.au or register through Medicare.

Where to pick up your FREE Star Mail

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar3 Meadowgate Drive

CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Caltex Safeway239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK EG Fuelco Service StationChirnside Park Shopping Cr Little

Chipping Drive, 241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Chirnside Park Country Club 68 Kingswood Drive

CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar158 Nangathan Way

CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar11 The Mall

KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketChuringa SC, Russo Place

KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketCanterbury Road Kilsyth

KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette Unit 7/87 Colchester Road

LILYDALE Aaron Violi MP Office 110 Main Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC51-59 Anderson Street

LILYDALE Woolworths SupermarketMarketplace, 33 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale VillageCastella Street & Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre7 Hardy Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre1 Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station473 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale346 Main Street

LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths31 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE BP Service Station87 Warburton Highway

LILYDALE Shell Service Station469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE 7 - Eleven LilydaleCnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Coles Express469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe251 Main Street

LILYDALE Round Bird Can't Fly170 Main Street

LILYDALE The Lilydale General110 Beresford Road

LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery96 Main Street

LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe178 Main Street

LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe222 Main Street

LILYDALE Gracious GraceCastella Street

LILYDALE Melba Coffee House33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies7/75 Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Point of View CafeLilydale Lakeside - Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE Freda's Cafe2 Clarke Street

LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate88 Main Street

LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate164 Main Street

LILYDALE Hello Harry245 Main Street

LILYDALE Noel Jones Real Estate 281 Main Street

LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate111-113 Main Street

LILYDALE Grubs Up1 Industrial Park Drive

LILYDALE Mc Donalds RestaurantMaroondah Highway

LILYDALE Olinda Creek HotelMaroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street

MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road

MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street

MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent

MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent

MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road

MOUNT EVELYN Bendigo Bank 2/35-39 Wray Cres

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket916 Mt Dandenong Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket15 Brice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Bendigo BankUnit 19/66 - 74 Brice Ave

MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar38 Bellara Dive

MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart108 Hayrick Lane

MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark103 Cardigan Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Express2 Cambridge Road

MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real EstateBrice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK L J HookerBrice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road

MOOROOLBARK Mc Donalds RestaurantManchester Road

MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale138 York Road

WANDIN NORTH Wandin Newsagency Shop 2 /18 Union Road

One way to become a vet

By Dongyun Kwon

World Veterinary Day is observed annually on the last Saturday of April and serves as an opportunity to recognise the vital contributions of veterinarians and the broader veterinary community in promoting animal health, welfare, and public safety.

In the lead-up to this year’s World Veterinary Day, which is scheduled on 26 April, Star Mail interviewed a veterinarian who works for the Australian Wildlife Health Centre in Healesville Sanctuary.

The vet team at the centre has three main roles; looking after wildlife patients, caring for the sanctuary animals, and working for the threatened species program.

Dr Chloe Steventon said the vet team members rotate the roles depending on the roster.

“We have three full-time vets every day. One covers the wildlife patients that come in from outside the sanctuary. We see around 2000 wildlife cases a year between birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs,” she said.

“Sometimes, I’m on the sanctuary round. I’m caring for the sanctuary animals that are here, and sometimes that’s dealing with emergencies that come up, and sometimes that is doing some preventative health care, making sure they stay healthy.

“We also do a lot of extensive work with the threatened species program, making sure those threatened species are healthy and well and helping out with research requests.

“Sometimes, I’m a procedures vet, doing the big surgeries. Rarely, we’re deployed outside of the sanctuary to help out with other welfare events.”

Although being a vet had always been her huge dream, Dr Steventon took some time to figure out what she wanted to do for her professional career, which she described as a “non-linear pathway”.

After graduating high school, she took a humanities course for a while, doing an arts degree specialising in history.

“I did visit the (Healesville) Sanctuary as a little girl and thought that this would just be a dream place to be. I didn’t even imagine I’d ever be here,” the vet said.

“ I was going to do it in a different pathway, and I just was unhappy, and I couldn’t figure out why.

“I finished the arts degree and thought I might as well try (for a veterinary degree).”

Dr Steventon started with a veterinary science

degree at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales and then got into the double degree program, taking veterinary biology as well.

“I started looking after wildlife when I was still at university. I became a wildlife rescuer and rehabilitator, mostly because I wanted to handle birds and learn how to do that,” she said.

“Then, I suddenly saw wildlife everywhere and was so fascinated by it. I ended up being the person to investigate a big mass mortality, a huge amount of deaths in eastern grey kangaroos caused by plant toxicity, that we hadn’t seen before. That was a really exciting little venture into research as well as wildlife vetting.

After graduating from university, she worked in different places to gain practical experience as a vet.

“I went out into a country and I worked as a mixed practice vet, doing dogs and cats, but also cattle work and the very occasional horse,” Dr Steventon said.

“I, then, moved into small animal practice, doing dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and guinea pigs.”

Combining her research and vet experiences, Dr Steventon was eventually successful in joining the vet team at her “dream workplace” in 2019 as part of the residency program.

“I did (the inbuilt honours program at university), and was able to show my interest in research,” the vet said.

“The residency (program) is a joint initiative between Zoos Victoria and the University of Melbourne, and (applicants need to) show not only their clinical skills but also their research skills.

“I did a two-year residency, both working as a clinical vet but also investigating some health research in Leadbeater’s possum.”

In light of her experience, Dr Steventon thinks it is important to love people as much as they love animals to be a vet.

“There’s not one animal that comes in without a person attached to it. There’s always an owner of your pet, someone who wants to adopt the stray, a zookeeper, a wildlife carer or a member of the public who’s really invested,” she said.

“We saw a butterfly recently, which is unusual for us, but the person, who gave it in, was very emotionally attached. So just being aware that, we need to make sure that we have really good people skills.

“In a setting like this, you’re never an individual. You’re always working in a big team of people, and you’re always leaning on each other’s specialties and interests.”

Dr Chloe Steventon sharing her story of the life of a vet at Healesville Sanctuary. (Zoos Victoria)

Grant brings purple patch

A beloved Mount Evelyn community garden and fitness centre will be given much-needed makeovers with a $15,000 grant from Yarra Valley Water.

Yarra Hills Secondary College’s Purple Patch community garden will get a new rainwater tank, water pump and irrigation systems, while its Yarra Hills Community Fitness Centre is having new water taps installed.

Both facilities play an important role in the local community.

The Purple Patch Community Garden, named after the health benefits of purple superfoods, was created to make use of undeveloped land in the school. It aims to promote inclusion and connectedness with its 24/7 access to fresh produce for all residents of Mount Evelyn and surrounds.

The initial project was undertaken by a handful of students and adults with disabilities who spent several months raising garden beds, redefining the landscape and building a wheelchair-accessible path.

Campus Principal Leighton O’Donnell said the Yarra Valley Water grant meant the school can give the Purple Patch Community Garden the makeover it needs.

“We’ve done a mass clear out, fixing up the

fence and garden beds, and have a new water catchment structure on its way to being built,” Mr O’Donnell said.

The installation of a new water tank, water pump, and underground irrigation system will enable the garden to reach its full production potential.

The fitness centre will also benefit and is used by multiple local sporting groups, including basketball, athletics and soccer clubs, as well as the school.

The school’s connection to external sporting organisations is being strengthened with the installation of the new water taps.

“Revitalising our shared community spaces has been incredibly rewarding, allowing us to focus on water conservation while fostering social connection and engagement with both students and the broader community,” Mr O’Donnell said.

Yarra Valley Water’s General Manager of Strategy and Community, Tiffany White, said Yarra Val-

ley Water was proud to help improve important community facilities.

“We’re delighted to be able to help improve community spaces with access to water and the tools for long-lasting and sustainable growth,” Ms White said.

“The Purple Patch Community Garden shows the power of people collaborating to spread benefits right through their community – from the social benefits of bringing people together on a shared project, to the practical benefit of putting fresh produce on local tables,” she said.

Yarra Hills Secondary College is among 14 recipients of Yarra Valley Water’s 2024 Community Grants program, which supports projects aimed at water conservation, habitat improvement, and community education.

For more information about Yarra Valley Water’s Community Grant program, please visit yvw. com.au/community-grants

Monkami’s inclusive exhibition delights and inspires

Monkami’s highly anticipated art exhibition, Artistic Horizons: Celebrating Ability Through Art, has been met with resounding success, captivating art enthusiasts, collectors, and the community.

The exhibition was held at Monkami in Croydon on the evening of 21 March and showcased a vibrant collection of works created by Monkami Artists of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.

Maroondah Council Mayor Kylie Spears and incumbent Deakin MP Michael Sukkar joined Monkami for the evening welcoming over 200 guests at the exhibition.

Artistic Horizons offered a diverse selection of artistic expressions, including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and textiles.

Visitors had the opportunity to meet with many of the featured artists during the event. Monkami Artist JMH said, “There is respect in the different ways we do art, there are so many different ways”.

Monkami were thrilled by the positive reception to Artistic Horizons.

“Artistic Horizons reminds us that art is a universal language that transcends boundaries,” centre based supports acting manager Nicholas Jacovou said.

“It’s a celebration of diversity, where creativity brings us closer, fostering unity and understanding through the unique abilities of every individual.ArtisticHorizonscreatedlastingconnections between Monkami Artists and the community.”

Artistic Horizons was proudly funded by the Maroondah Council through its Not for-Profit Community Grants Program.

Monkami is a not-for-profit organisation supporting individuals with disabilities. Monkami welcomes new participants, please visit monkami.org for more information.

Rising star Jai George taking the karting track by storm

Thirteen-year-old Jai George from Croydon South has achieved a spot on the podium at the recent Australian Kart Championships held at the Todd Road circuit in Port Melbourne.

The young driver displayed his talent and speed across the three days of racing in the highly competitive KA3 junior class contesting 77 drivers from all over the country.

A big statement was made with Jai’s impressive drive in the final including a frantic battle and sprint to the finish line.

Despite missing out on the win after leading majority of the race including the last lap, it was an emotional victory for Jai achieving a third place podium in the highest national level of karting in Australia in front of a huge crowd which was celebrated with his brother Riley by his side who is his coach and mentor and has been a huge part of Jai’s journey and success.

Jai has had an incredible 2024 season of racing achieving two state plates, a Championship win and multiple podiums and pole positions. The young gun was again able to back this up on the weekend dominating in Portland Victoria taking

The 13-year-old has had an incredible year in racing.

out the win for round 2 of The Victorian Country Series. He continues to lead the Championship for 2025 and has a busy year of racing ahead following his dreams to one day represent Australia and race his Kart Republic Chassis in Italy.

Seeing his potential and wanting to support the young talent, Jai has been sponsored by local business The Barber Master in Croydon for three years, something that has enabled him to pursue his dream.

Jai George, 13, placed third in the Australian Kart Championships. (Supplied)

Enjoying the beautiful weather, the exhibition filtered outside using the natural environment as a backdrop. (Katie Thompson)

The Artistic Horizons gallery was filled with artworks of all kinds created by Monkami Artists.

Sculpture was explored by some artists.

Incumbent Deakin MP Michael Sukkar, Monkami’s Art Program Facilitator Silvia Cooper and Maroondah Mayor Kylie Spears enjoying the art show.

Yarra Hills Secondary College’s Purple Patch community garden will receive upgrades thanks to a Yarra Valley Water grant. (Supplied)

Housing is a hot potato

By Maria Millers

They think I’m building a house. I’m building a haven, not with brick, but with tenderness. What They Don’t Know” by Jericho Brown

Housing seems to have moved centre stage in the election debates and while Brown’s poem is a reminder of how nurturing a home can be is shared by many, regrettably not by everyone.

Not all homes are nurturing havens and memories of home and an oppressive father for poet Sylvia Plath were very different indeed: I have always been scared of you,

With your Luftwaffe, your gobbledygoo.

Daddy – Sylvia Plath

But whether nurturing or otherwise what is indisputable is that the right to shelter or adequate affordable housing is a recognized human right enshrined in International Law.

But sadly not protected in the Australian Constitution.

In Australia housing policy is treated primarily as an economic issue not as a rights based one. The focus is on markets, ownership, and investment—not shelter, security, dignity, or fairness.

Australia’s obsession with home ownership is not just about having a place to live, but is tied to ideas of success and social status.

That has definitely created a divide between those who have ‘made it’ onto the property ladder and those left renting or priced out from both.

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness include single parents, low income essential workers, First Nations People, young people and even some who despite full time employment, can’t keep up with mortgage or rent.

With Anzac Day, this week we should also think about the many veterans who are homeless.

The right to housing must include our veterans.

We honour their service with medals, but leave them without a place to sleep.

There is without doubt a housing crisis.

There are just not enough affordable houses or rentals to go around.

WOORILLA WORDS

And this is why housing has become such a hot potato topic.

Wages haven’t kept up with house prices. So the old promise of ‘work hard and you’ll own a home’ feels hollow.

We still talk about the Australian Dream, the mythical home of John Williamson’s song which hardly reflects our society today. Give me a home among the gumtrees

With lots of plum trees

A sheep or two, a k-kangaroo

A clothesline out the back

Verandah out the front

And an old rocking chair

But the desire to own property remains strong as parents urge offspring to get ‘a foot on the property ladder’ and as we know often provide the deposit.

Perhaps it’s time to go beyond the solutions put forward by all parties and look at the philosophical thinking around housing reflected in the language used.

When you think about it: we have a whole vocabulary built around housing: a potential home is evaluated whether it’s ‘a good investment.’

And somewhere along the way, aspirational became code for a four-bedroom house, two bathrooms, and a mortgage the size of a small country.

It’s seen as a pathway into a kind of suburban middle class respectability.

We talk about aspirational suburbs, aspirational buyers, getting on the ladder—as if aspiration itself is only applicable to real estate.

So often used in this context it has almost lost its broader meaning.

It has stopped meaning hopeful, visionary, ambitious in any way that doesn’t end in bricks and equity.

What that does, though, is subtly devalue other kinds of aspiration: It can be seen in the way anyone choosing to pursue a creative social goal such as artist, teacher, carer or just someone who seeks stability without the pressure of accumulation is not valued.

Whereas taking on a massive mortgage, chasing capital growth to the exclusion of all else is celebrated as success.

As poet WH Auden’s satire on the man who did everything ‘right’ in society’s eyes asks: Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:

Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

Unknown Citizen”– W. H. Auden

It’s like changing the meaning of any cultural myth: it starts with language, stories, and visibility.

If enough people start using aspirational to mean something broader, richer, and more human, the weight of that old narrow meaning starts to crack.

But people still must have somewhere to live, be safe and raise families.

Cities like Vienna, Copenhagen, or even parts of Japan show that affordability, density, and quality can coexist.

These countries show how a different approach can work Vienna is such a great example: over 60 per cent of the population lives in social or cooperative housing, and it’s beautifully designed, well-maintained, and integrated into all parts of city life.

After WWII, Australia had a severe housing shortage and in response, the Federal Government offered cheap land, low-interest loans, and infrastructure development to encourage families (especially returned soldiers) to build or buy homes in the suburbs.

At the same time they initiated programs like the Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement

(1945)—which invested heavily in public housing.

Lots of people have gone from public housing to do great things in the world.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is a notable example. Raised in public housing in inner-city Sydney by a single mother on a pension, he often credits his upbringing with shaping his commitment to social justice and equality.

Jennifer Westacott, the Chief Executive of the Business Council of Australia, also grew up in public housing in New South Wales.

In the sports world, cricketer David Warner and actor Bryan Brown have both credited their humble beginnings in public housing with instilling resilience and determination.

Richard Glover, author and ABC presenter for many years grew up in Doveton, Victoria, a suburb that was predominantly public housing during his childhood.

In his memoir Flesh Wounds, Glover reflects on his experiences growing up in this workingclass area, where by 1966 around 2500 homes had been built.

Policies from the 1980s saw dere4gulation, privatisation and tax incentives like negative gearing and capital gains tax discount encouraging people to invest in property.

At the same time, public housing declined, was neglected and even demonized.

As home ownership started to become harder for many it was less about shelter and more about wealth creation.

Renting became more common, and the dream began to slip away for younger generations and the more vulnerable.

Many now see it as either unrealistic or unappealing.

The crisis isn’t just about not being able to buy a home.

It’s about lack of stability, security, dignity, and choice.

And it’s being felt mostly by the very people who keep the country functioning.

Local landmarks added to interactive Finding Her map

An Australian rock icon, an Aboriginal women’s safety advocate and a pioneer of Melbourne’s Italian cuisine scene are among 16 new stories being shared on an interactive map recognising significant Victorian women.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins recently announced 15 new locations, including three in the Yarra Ranges, being added to Her Place Women’s Museum’s Finding Her map after more than 50 nominations from Victorians.

Ms Hutchins said they’re bringing women’s stories out of the shadows into our streets – so every Victorian can see and celebrate the trailblazers who helped shape our state.

“Whether you explore the map online or visit the sites in person, you’ll be inspired by the women behind these stories – and how their legacies continue to shape Victoria today,” she said. The local landmarks added are:

• Beryl Phillips Reserve named for community leader and environmentalist Beryl Phillips in Mount Evelyn

• Edna Walling cottage and garden commemorating Victoria’s first female landscape architect Edna Walling in Sherbrooke

• A memorial stone commemorating beloved local historian Val Sheehan in Coldstream

• A dreaming trail and history walk including a commemoration to Aboriginal rights activist, educator and artist Hyllus Maris in Healesville Her Place Women’s Museum Board Chair the Honourable Mary Delahunty said women have played a vital role in shaping Victoria, leading the law, schools and universities, creating businesses and scientific breakthroughs, becoming Premiers, ridden Melbourne Cup winners, won Logies and Oscars.

“Now through research and a public nominations process, Her Place Women’s Museum has discovered more stories and sites to celebrate,” she said.

“These additions to the Finding Her Project will make more Women visible and start to rebalance the history books.”

Finding Her is Australia’s first interactive map spotlighting locations that commemorate women and gender-diverse people across Victoria.

The initiative, launched in March 2023, is part of Her Place Women’s Museum’s mapping of more than 60 women and gender diverse people who have shaped Victoria, linking the places and monuments that they are connected to with videos, stories and photographs of their lives via QR codes on every site.

To explore the full map, visit findingher.org. au.

The other new sites include:

• A plaque for first nations leader Antoinette Braybrook AM in Melton

• A sculpture of beloved matriarch Aunty Alma Roach at O’Donnell Gardens in St Kilda

• Amphlett Lane - a commemorative lane featuring murals honouring Australian rock icon Chrissy Amphlett in Melbourne

• Constance Stone lane - named after the first woman to practice medicine in Australia Dr Constance Stone in Melbourne

• Hanna Watts Park named for pioneering local Midwife “Grannie” Hannah Watts in Melton

• The grave of leading suffragist Henrietta Dugdale in Queenscliff

• A mural featuring disability pride activist Lesley Hall OAM

• A mural celebrating iconic artist Mirka Mora in St Kilda

• A laneway named after one of Australia’s first female test match cricketers Nell McLarty in South Melbourne

• A sculpture commemorating politician and LGBTIQA+ ally Olive Zakharov in South Melbourne

• A mural of restaurateur Teresa Bruno in Brunswick East

• The Great Petition sculpture honouring women who petitioned for the right to vote in Melbourne

Edna Walling’s (Pictured) cottage and garden in Sherbrooke is one of the locations added to the Finding Her map. (File)

A story about sisterhood

The Sirens, by Australian author Emilia Hart, is an intriguing story about two sets of sisters.

Lucy is a university student in modern-day Australia, while her estranged sister Jessica is an artist working in Comber Bay in the south coast of New South Wales.

Both have a rare skin condition that impacts negatively on their self-esteem.

After a violent incident on campus, Lucy attempts seeking shelter at Jessica’s place, but finds her missing in suspicious circumstances.

While staying in Comber Bay and searching for clues about Jessica’s life, Lucy unearths various secrets about their shared past – and the trauma that led their paths apart.

In particular, both Lucy and Jessica have increasingly vivid dreams about twin sisters Mary and Eliza, two women transported to Australia from Ireland on a convict ship two hundred years earlier.

Both also find themselves drawn to the mys-

CARTOON

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

teries surrounding the disappearances of eight men in Comber Bay.

The story is told alternatively from the perspectives of Lucy, Mary, Jessica’s diary, and later Jessica herself.

The voices and tones, while exquisitely evocative and beautiful, remain relatively identical from one character to the next.

The multiple and occasionally nonlinear stor-

Vampires in the musical south with note of humanity

Sinners

Starring Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton and Hailee Steinfeld

MA15+

4.5/5

Sinners is a stand-out fusion of horror, action and musical helmed by Black Panther and Creed writer-director Ryan Coogler.

In 1932, African-American twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) start a nightclub in their hometown of Mississippi, but must defend their family from vampires.

Sinners is a mesmerising slow-burn, with the first act immersing us in the twins’ rough but industrious lives and the musical ambitions of their cousin Sammie (played by Miles Caton in a phenomenal once-in-a-generation acting debut).

The film is replete in the energising power of music, especially in the rollicking second act, with human and monster alike revelling in the joy, sexuality and community music brings (and a musical sequence with the pack of vampires brilliantly turns an Irish jig into a chant before battle).

With ravishing costumes and lighting, Sinners looks as great as it sounds: shot on 70 mm film, Sinners’ cinematography has a careful, steady framing and deliberate vision you don’t often get from digital filmmaking these days.

Plus, the doubling effects for Jordan are seamless.

The vampires are scary – savage maulers or eerie lurkers when needed – but still have a note of humanity in their deep bond through song and shared memories.

Sinners takes on a more grindhouse Tarantino-ish feel in the action-heavy climax, but maintains its white-knuckle tension, engrossing dialogue and richly-defined characters until the bloody end.

There is just one epic musical sequence late in the second act that, while dripping with style and passion, may lose some viewers with its time-bending artistic choices.

Sinners is a riveting, beautifully-shot character-driven horror film supercharged with music, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

ylines further slow the pacing, prompting readers to observe details and reflect on the characters’ experiences.

This deliberate approach helps to immerse readers in each character’s feelings, emotions and memories, encouraging us to delve into those dramatic, meandering events that influence and even determine their decisions and actions.

Doing so requires the author’s stringent control of the imaginable and plausible development of both characters and plots, as well as the ability to substantiate the process with sufficient and believable details.

In this regard, perhaps the story is let down by its attempt to connect female empowerment and self-determination with folklore, to use fantasy elements to provide a (false?) sense of security allowing the female characters to feel protected and their grievances avenged.

Disconcertingly, although various crimes are committed against women throughout the book, none of the perpetrators is punished by law.

Worse, instead of the promised magical protection, the story is bookended by Lucy and Jessica taking matters into their own hands, and one has to wonder whether or not their actions can be condoned.

Meanwhile, on top of her being callously dismissed by the system that is supposed to help her right the wrongs, Lucy’s injustice is practically forgotten as the story shifts its focus to slowly revealing the puzzling link between the two sets of sisters and especially between Lucy and Jessica.

With all that said, to this reviewer, the story shines in its empathetic depiction of the convict women and their plight.

It is their resilience and courage, their mutual support and loyalty, that make them unforgettable characters.

It is the bond they share in adversity – their sisterhood – that sustains them. It shows us that women do not need magic or fantasy to achieve agency, autonomy and self-reliance.

Gang-gang cockatoo seen

A male Gang-gang cockatoo was spotted in Emerald on Wednesday, 16 April - the special moment was captured by Robyn Kuys, when she saw the bird enjoying the berries from her dogwood tree.

The striking bird, with its red head and grey feathers, perched calmly in the branches, nibbling on the sweet fruit.

It’s not every day we get such a beautiful visitor in our backyards, and Ms Kuys was quick to share her excitement with us.

Discover entertainment at neighbourhood theatres

The 1812 Theatre

The Thrill of Love

A story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in England for murder. Written by Amanda Whittington.

The Bakery@1812 was the venue for the performance.

Entering one saw and heard a nightclub singer on audience right.

This did bring back memories to your reviewer who grew up in this era of nightclubbing.

Angelina Thompson was the singer, dressed in an evening gown of red and a lovely voice.

Playing Ruth Ellis was Katherine Williams who handled the character with finesse and gave a full professional performance.

The Police Inspector, Jack Gale, was played by Mark Crowe.

A warm and good performance of an understanding policeman who couldn’t understand Ruth’s attitude.

Kate Bowers as Sylvia Shaw was the manager of a nightclub who gave Ruth a job of managing another nightclub.

Kate handed the role with ease giving a great and understanding performance as Ruth’s friend.

Vickie Martin played by Francesca Carl who also gave great performance as the character.

Doris Judd was played by Freya Timmer-Arends.

Freya lived up to the standards set by the and expected of 1812 Theatre giving a good interpretation of the character.

The play opened with Ruth being questioned by Jack Gale as to why she would not answer his questions.

The scene then moved to her story and her life in the world of nightclubs.

A first class produced by The 1812 theatre and one not forgotten.

Burrinja Theatre

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, 2025

Australia’s most iconic comedy tor is hitting the road for a huge 27th year!

Bringing together the brightest stars from the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, we’re delivering top-tier humour straight to your town.

This year’s Roadshow promises nation-wide

Kemp’s curtain call

happiness.

So, grab your friends, book your and prepare for a much-needed does of laughter as the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow rolls into Upwey.

Season: Saturday 26 April at 7.30pm.

Karralyka Theatre

Celebrating the Seekers – 60 Years

Keith Potger’s solo tribute to the group he helped form back in 1962 covers the songs, the stories and the influences that shaped The Seekers in their rise to international fame Celebrating The Seekers 60 Years is an audio-visual treat, with rare footage and still photos of the group.

His 12-string guitar was an integral part of their sound and being the arranger of the vocal harmonies, he had an unique place in the group. During his performance Keith plays a special tribute to his colleague and dear friend of many years, the late and great Judith Durham.

Season: Tuesday 22 April at 11.30am.

The Round Theatre

Meet Xie Li Tonight

A fusion of Classical and Modern

Blending the rich heritage of classical music with contemporary pop elements, this concert offers an unique experience that highlights divers regional musical cultures.

Featuring Xie Li, Deputy Secretary0General of the Melbourne Musicians Association and Leader of the Melbourne Vic Arts Group, will showcase her exquisite vocal artistry.

She has headlined the Chinese New Year organised by the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, sharing the stage with renowned artists such as Yan Wenwen, Cai Guoqing and Li Shengsu.

Since 2018, Xie Li has successfully designed and directed numerous Chinese New Ne Year Galas and large scale concerts.

Season: Wednesday 23 April at 7pm.

A gang-gang cockatoo was spotted in Emerald. (Robyn Kuys)

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 Department (6)

4 Sequence (6)

10 Paunch (5)

11 Grant (9)

12 Belonging to a thing by its very nature (9)

13 Sound (5)

14 Habitations (6)

15 Border (4)

19 At the top (4)

20 Dramatics (6)

24 Perfume (5)

25 Tequila cocktai (9)

27 Exhibition rooms (9)

28 Indigenous people of New Zealand (5)

29 Foil (6)

30 Harmony (6)

DOWN

1 Of the Bible (8)

2 Link (8)

3 Whenever (7)

5 Improve (7)

6 Roma is its capital (6)

7 Appeared (6)

8 Video discs (1,1,2)

9 Candied citrus peel (7)

16 Obsolete email service (7)

17 Guests (8)

18 Relating to cultivated land (8)

19 Hobbyist (7)

21 Monty Python member, Graham – (7)

22 Trapped (6)

23 Succeed (6)

26 Flower (4)

MODERN TWIST ON HISTORIC FARMHOUSE

NESTLED in a peaceful valley just minutes from Pakenham, this unique property seamlessly blends contemporary living with historic charm. Set on 7 flat, usable acres with the picturesque Bessie Creek winding through, it offers an exceptional lifestyle opportunity. The light-filled, modern residence features four generous bedrooms, including a master retreat with bi-fold doors that open directly onto the deck—perfect for morning coffee or evening relaxation. The open-plan kitchen and living area showcase striking timber and stainless-steel finishes, with expansive windows framing the lush rural views.

A second living space pays homage to the property’s rich past, complete with exposed timber beams, ambient rafter lighting, and preserved historic newspapers dating back to 1892. Local folklore suggests the property once served as the district’s post office, adding to its undeniable character and story. Outdoors, the property is fully equipped for rural living, with multiple well-fenced paddocks, two large sheds, a menage, and plenty of space for vehicle parking. The everflowing Bessie Creek ensures green paddocks year-round, making this an ideal setting for hobby farming, horses, or simply enjoying wide open spaces.

Contact Mick Dolphin on 0429 684 522 or Alison Barkley on 0494 175 410 to arrange your private inspection today.

LIGHT FILLED – ELEGANCE MEETS FAMILY HOME

THIS immaculately presented four-bedroom home set on a usable 1546 sqm perfectly blends style, comfort, and practicality and designed for modern family living.

From the moment you walk through the door, you’re greeted by sun-drenched openplan living spaces, effortlessly illuminated by stunning clerestory windows that flood the interiors with natural light throughout the day. At the heart of this remarkable home lies a beautifully appointed central kitchen, complete with sleek stone benchtops and premium stainless-steel appliances. Whether you’re preparing a family meal or entertaining guests, this space is both functional and inspiring. With clear views into the backyard, it’s easy to stay connected with the children as they play, whilst preparing the family meals.

Each of the four bedrooms is thoughtfully designed for comfort and privacy, the main bedroom has a generous ensuite and walk in robe, while the main bathroom is guaranteed to impress with its high-end finishes and stylish attention to detail.

The home has gas ducted heating, gas log fire and two split systems, as well as solar panels for energy efficiency throughout the seasons.

Step outside and enjoy the sweeping views from the backyard which is complete with raised garden beds, a charming cubby house, wood storage and chicken coop. Easy access onto the flat driveway and into the double carport adds to the appeal. This outdoor haven is both picturesque and practical—a space the whole family will cherish.

HOME FOCUS

‘DOONAHA’ – TIMELESS NATURAL SANCTUARY

‘***** VIEWINGS BY APPOINTMENT*****

A rare opportunity to own a characterfilled limestone residence, ‘Doonaha’ is a masterfully crafted sanctuary set on 1.4 acres of breathtaking landscape. Enveloped by established gardens, fruit and nut trees, and exotic flora, this fully fenced property is a haven for birdlife and nature lovers alike.

Step inside to discover a home that blends heritage charm with modern comfort, where bespoke reclaimed materials and quality craftsmanship shine. High ceilings, 8-inch skirting boards, and exquisite hand-cut Victorian Ash parquetry flooring create an atmosphere of refined sophistication.

Exceptional Features:

Gourmet Kitchen – Stunning sandstone benchtops, handcrafted blackwood cabinetry, walk-in pantry, and elegant glass splashback.

• Elegant Bathroom – Luxurious claw-foot bath and separate shower.

• Spacious Living – Three well-appointed bedrooms, each with built-in robes.

• Outdoor Entertaining – A full wraparound verandah, featuring a cozy fireplace on the eastern side, plus two additional decks for alfresco living.

Grand Carport & Workshop – Oregon beam 8x14.5m carport with brick floor, plus a 10x8m workshop with mezzanine, concrete flooring, and dual roller doors. Upper and lower driveways. Shedding.

• Sustainable & Secure – 18-panel solar system, gated entry with solar-powered automation, and a mains gas-powered 8kVA generator ensuring uninterrupted power. 5G availability, Fibre to premises in ceiling

• Year-Round Comfort – Efficient gas ducted heating for cozy winters. Ducted vacuuming. For those seeking a residence that exudes warmth, character, and timeless beauty, ‘Doonaha’ offers an unparalleled lifestyle in a tranquil, yet well-connected setting. Proudly positioned in a quiet no through road with Puffing Billy chugging nearby, you are within walking distance to a bus stop and a quick drive to Cockatoo and Emerald townships. There won’t be another ‘Doonaha’, Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 or Alison Barkley 0494 175 410 are looking forward to showing you this property by private inspection.

This locationisas peaceful asitis perfect!A character-filled,rustic retreatfeaturing vaultedceilings,open-planlivinganddiningarea, acozy fireplace,anoutdoor zone with Balinesetouches, acoveredarea, lushgardens, anda waterfall.Central timber kitchen, with awalk-in pantry,amplestorage,generousbenchspace,a wall oven,gas cooktop, anddishwasher.Ductedheating, awoodfire,anda splitsystemfor comfort.Single carport,two smaller sheds anda large shedalso.

MickDolphin 0429684522

AlisonBarkley 0494175410

IMMACULATEHISTORICCOTTAGE

CHARACTERANDCHARM

Locatedona flat,nearacre,backingontoMenziesCreek andwalkingtracks.Established gardens, afishpondwithwaterfall, asealeddrivewayandrearaccesstotheblock, garage,and agardenshed/chook pen.Thehouseconsistsof abespoke‘CarvillsBaltic Pine’kitchenwithdishwasher,andthemainlivingareafeaturing a‘Nectre’woodheater MasterbedroomwithWIR,renovatedbathroomoffering aclawfootbath.Remote controlledGDH,splitsystem,airconditionerandinstantGHW,plusa wiredingenerator

MickDolphin 0429684522

AlisonBarkley 0494175410

CONVENIENTLOCATIONON ASPACIOUSBLOCK

Setona generous625m²cornerblock,thisdelightful3-bedroomhomeoffersspace, comfort,and lifestyleflexibility.Withsideaccess idealforstoring acaravan /boat.This propertycaterstotheneedsofgrowingfamiliesina highlysoughtafterlocation,close toschools,shopsandeasy accessonto WellingtonRoad.Bright, open-planlivingarea designedformodernliving,Gas ducted heatingandevaporative coolingthroughoutthe home.Outdoors,is afabulousentertainingareaand asecure,fullyfenced yard.

toitsoriginalsplendour!With Pinefloorboardsthroughout acosy floorplanoffering alargekitchenwith ample benchspace,located offtheliving roomwith awoodfire.Whatitcould beisuptoyou. Maybekeeptheoutside character andcreatea modernmasterpieceinside?Outsideisyourveryowndecksetamongst

HOME FOCUS

NATURE, PRIVACY & PEACE – TIMELESS RETREAT

5.7 acres of gently undulating land, wrapped in trees and kissed by birdsong, this fourbedroom, two-bathroom brick sanctuary close to the heart of Emerald is where timeless country living meets the poetry of nature. Here, amid the hush of the hills, life slows, breath deepens, and beauty greets you at every turn.

Step beneath the undercover entry into a thoughtfully designed home, where floor-toceiling windows draw the outside in, bathing every room in natural light and lush, green views. The first lounge room welcomes you with soft carpet and a heat transfer wood fire — the perfect companion for chilly hilltop evenings — while a sliding door opens to the back verandah, inviting the outdoors to be part of everyday life.

The kitchen is a charming hub, complete with an integrated wall oven, electric stove, dishwasher, walk in pantry and a window overlooking the newly refurbished entertainer’s deck — where laughter, sunsets, and the rustling gum leaves will become part of your daily rhythm.

The master suite is a private retreat, with a walk-through robe and ensuite. Lyrebirds dance outside the window and wombats amble by. A second lounge — perfect for relaxing or entertaining — features a split system and direct access to the rear deck, gazing out over the established gardens and treed panorama.

Down the hallway, two more bedrooms each offer built-in robes and desks, ideal for children or guests, all serviced by a central family bathroom with separate toilet and shower. A spacious laundry completes the home’s well-balanced layout.

Outside, the land is both wild and welltended. A fully established vegetable garden promises farm-to-table delights, while water tanks, a wood shed, and abundant space for pets adds to the self-sufficient charm of this true bush retreat. A graceful circular driveway leads to a drive-through double carport and on to a single carport, plus an extended-height bay fit for your caravan or boat — this is a home prepared for adventure and return. Below the newly refurbished deck, you’ll find trailer storage, a powered underhouse workshop with a concrete floor, and an additional rumpus or storage room — ready for your hobbies, tools, or future projects.

Whether you seek a peaceful family haven, an inspiring work-from-home lifestyle, or simply a return to the land and its quiet gifts — this hilltop bush retreat offers all this, and more. Come home to the hills. Come home to Emerald.

This property has it all so don’t miss out - CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Samantha Scott 0438 680 032. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office.

Spacious5-BedroomFamilyHomeinPrimeUpweyLocation. This5-bedroom,2-bathroomhomeofferscomfort,privacy& convenienceona 991sqmblock.Enjoy stunningcityviews& breathtakingsunsetsfromthefrontdeck,accessedviathelounge& master bedroom.Thekitchenoverlooksa peacefulreargarden &connectstoa brightdining/loungearea withtimberfloors,tallceilings &plentyofnaturallight.Splitsystem& GDHensureyear-roundcomfort. ThemainlevelincludesthreebedroomswithBIR, acentralbathroomwithafloatingvanity &celestial window.Downstairsfeaturestwospaciousbedroomswithfloor-to-ceilingwindows,tiledflooring& secondmodernbathroom—idealforteens,guests,ora homeoffice.Outside,a singlecarport& fencedbackyardofferspaceforpets,entertaining,orrelaxing.Allwithinwalkingdistancetolocal shops,schools& thetrainstationina peaceful,tree-linedsetting.

SpaciousCedarHomeon3,889sqm,WalktoTown& PrimarySchool. Nestledina peacefullocation,thisspaciouscedarhomesitsonnearlyanacre,offeringtheperfect balanceofcomfort &lifestyle.A sealeddrivewayleadstotheundercoverentrance,welcomingyou into awell-equippedkitchenfeaturinggenerousbenchspace,integratedovenwith agascooktop &largepantry.Overlookingtheopen-planlounge/diningarea,thisinvitingspaceiswarmedbya strikingopenfireplacewitha stonesurround,a splitsystem &GDHthroughout.Slidingdoorsopen to alargereardeck.ThemasterbedroomwithdoubleBIR,while 3additionalwell-sizedbedrooms, eachwithBIR. Acentrallylocatedfamilybathroomincludes aseparateshower& toilet. Aspacious deckextendsalongtherearofthehomeoverlookingthefullyfencedbackyard,idealforchildren& pets.A doublecarport& smallgardenshedcompletestheoutdoorspace.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

4 A 1 B 2 C

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

Stunning4-BedroomHomeinEmerald. NestledbesideWrightsForest &offeringdirectaccesstolocalwalkingtracks,thisrecentlyupdated 4-bedroom,2-bathroomhomecombinesmodernlivingwithnaturalserenity.Seton aspacious 2925sqmblock,thepropertyhasa private,expansiveoutdoorspacewhilebeingclosetoamenities. Inside,thelight-filledopen-planlivingareafeaturessoaringceilings,floatingfloors&alargeskylight. Theheartofthehomeisthestunningkitchenwitha spaciousisland,modernappliances &a walkinpantry.Themastersuiteoffersprivacywitha walk-inrobe,ensuite& directverandahaccess.3 bedroomsallwithbuiltinrobes,A separateoffice &studyareacatertowork-from-homeneeds. Thelargeshed &ampleparkingspaceprovidestorage &roomforrecreationalvehicles.Withits generousyard &tranquillocation,thishomeofferstheperfectbalanceofcomfort &privacy. 6AzaleaCrescentEmerald

Solid &SpaciousFamilyHomeon aPrivateAcre! Nestledona privateacre,this3-bedroom,2-bathroomhomeofferstheperfectblendofspace &tranquillity.Thoughtfullypositionedatthecentreoftheblock &surroundedbynaturalbeauty, thishomeisdesignedforbothrelaxation& convenience.JustminutesfromCockatoomain street,CockatooPrimarySchool &easyfreewayaccess.Inside,2 expansivelivingareasprovide plentyofspace. Astunningbrickfeaturewallwith alargewoodheatercreatesa warm &inviting atmosphere.Thecentralkitchen,witha breakfastbar,flowsseamlesslyintotheliving/diningspaces. Largewindowsthroughoutframebreath-takingviewsofthelushsurroundings,fillingtheinteriorswith naturallight.Thehomefeatures asturdysteelframe,electricrollershutters &qualitycraftsmanship throughout.

HOME FOCUS

IMMACULATE FAMILY HOME IN PRIME SPOT

TUCKED away in a peaceful, private pocket of Upwey, yet just moments from the vibrant main street, 26 Birdwood Avenue delivers the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and space. This solid and beautifully maintained four-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits on a generous 1,174m² (approx.) block, offering an incredible lifestyle opportunity in a highly sought-after location.

From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a light-filled main living area that captures all-day sun and opens onto a lovely front balcony-perfect for your morning coffee or soaking in the serene surrounds. The home includes split system heating and cooling, ensuring comfort year-round, and a second living area downstairs, ideal as a teenager’s retreat, rumpus, or flexible living space.

The backyard is a standout-level, spacious, and private-offering plenty of room for kids, pets, or outdoor entertaining. There’s also a large solar system on the roof, helping you save on energy, and two single carports for undercover parking.

Enjoy being just a short walk to Upwey’s shops, cafes, train station, and local schools, while still feeling tucked away from the hustle and bustle.

If you’re after a move-in-ready home with room to grow in one of the hills’ best locations, this is the one.

TWIN GUMS – PARADISE ON EARTH

NESTLED at the end of Big Pats Creek Road, “Twin Gums” is a sanctuary that has been described as paradise on earth. Spanning over 3200sqm of lush, natural beauty, this home offers an unparalleled sense of serenity and harmony.

As you approach the property, you’re greeted by the tranquility of your surroundings – a landscape that evokes peace and calm. This beautiful home welcomes you with comfort and style and impeccable decor, providing a serene and charming atmosphere. Featuring large open plan living, this home effortlessly blends the outside in with room for relaxation and entertainment.

The modern kitchen is equipped with large windows that invite natural light while offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The servery to the outdoor entertaining area enhances the home’s connection to nature, making it ideal for family gatherings. With both a wood fire and split system air conditioning, you’ll stay comfortable and cozy throughout the year, no matter the season.

The master retreat is a true haven, boasting oversized windows that frame tranquil views of the natural bush and ferns – a peaceful sight to wake up to each morning. The ensuite and built in robes complete this luxurious space. Three further beautifully appointed bedrooms, a large family bathroom and laundry

continue the home’s theme of elegance and functionality.

Outside, the property transforms into your very own resort, the expansive garden, with winding paths is a paradise for both relaxation and exploration. A large, charming pond, big enough to canoe, or sit and soak in the beauty of the floating waterlilies and relax and unwind on the deck.

The birdlife here is abundant, adding an element of natural beauty that will never cease to inspire. With a seasonal creek running through the property, bridges, and a nature walk within your own boundaries, you’ll be able to explore and reconnect with nature at every step.

The large garage with power, concrete floor, and ample parking options provides everything you need for a functional and organized space, perfect for hobbies or additional storage.

Privacy and space are in abundance, with the property being tucked away at the end of a quiet road, while still being just across the road from Big Pats Creek and the Yarra Valley Walking Track. This is a rare opportunity to connect with nature and experience a lifestyle like no other.

Whether you are seeking a peaceful retreat or a place to entertain, Twin Gums offers everything you could ever desire. Come and experience the beauty and serenity of this incredible property – it’s a place to call home.

GloriousAcreswitha FantasticFamilyLifestyle

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SmallAcreageParadisein aFantasticLocation

Positionedtopleasethisbeautifulsmallacreagehobbyfarmistheidealplacetostarttherelaxed countrylifestyle,situatedonapprox.4.5acresofrollingpastures,thereisloadsofspaceforthe growingfamilytospreadoutandenjoy.Currentlysetuptosuitthehorseenthusiastwithmultiple paddocksandsheltersplus 3stablesandholdingyardsplusa largebarnwithmezzaninefloor.The countrystylehomeiswarm,homelyandinvitingoffering 2goodsizedbedroomsplusa family/ loungeareawithgasheatingandmultiplesplitsystemsthroughoutthehome.Thekitcheniswell appointedandhasplentyofbenchandcupboardspaceincludinga separatemeals/diningarea.A sensationalpropertyinanexceptionallocationbackingontotheWarburtontrailandjusta shortwalk tolocalschools,shopsandtransportit’sa greatplaceforthefamilytocallhome.

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RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

Lilydale’s div two is on top

By John Thomson

On Monday 14 the Lilydale Croquet Club’s Division 1 team made the journey to the Sandringham Croquet Club. Sandringham’s courts are in a very picturesque setting overlooking Port Phillip Bay.

Craig McCracken and Murray Howlett played this week.

Lilydale won the toss and hit off first in the doubles. The game was close all the way through with neither side able to establish a lead, after the 12th hoop had been played the scores were 6 hoops each with the 13th hoop to be played to decide the winner. Both sides set up well and it was Lilydale who were able to take their opportunity and run the hoop to win the game, 7 hoops to Sandringham 6 hoops.

Murray played in the first singles game. This game was also very close with both players trading hoops and after the 12th hoop the scores were 6 hoops each with the 13th and deciding hoop to

be played. Again, both players set up well but this time it was the Sandringham player that was able to run the hoop to win the game, 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

Craig played in the next singles game. Unfortunately, Craig got off to a slow start by missing some hoops that he would normally have run. By the time Craig got going the Sandringham player had built up a lead and won 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

The scores at the break were Sandringham 2 games 20 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 17 hoops. With two games to play Lilydale could still win.

Craig played in the next singles game. Craig was slow out of the blocks in this game as well, with the Sandringham player building quite a big lead to go on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 1 hoop.

Murray played in the last game. Murray got off to a good start and was determined not to let this one slip and was in control for most of the game winning 7 hoops to Sandringham 2 hoops.

The final scores for the day were Sandringham

3 games 29 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 25 hoops.

This loss drops Lilydale to fourth spot on the ladder and with only three weeks left in the season Lilydale has to not only win their games but also rely on other results going their way to get back up the ladder again.

The Lilydale Division 2 side played at home this week against the Kew Croquet Club.

This week’s Lilydale team as always was Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Mick Crawley.

Alan and Kerri played in the doubles. The experience of Alan and Kerri showed in this game as they were able to control the game from the start and were able to have a comfortable 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops win.

Mick played in the first singles. Again, Mick’s experience playing in competitions was the reason he was able to build a lead and go onto win 7 hoops to Kew 4 hoops.

Alan played in the next singles game. This game was a carbon copy of the first two games with Alan being able to control the game and go

on to have a comfortable 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops win.

At the break the scores were Lilydale 3 games 21 hoops to Kew 0 games 10 hoops. With 2 games to play Lilydale had already won the day.

In the first game after the break, it was Kerri who played. This was a much closer game with both players not giving their opponent a break. After the 12th hoop the scores were 6 hoops a piece. The Kew player was first to the 13th hoop and set up beautifully and from there was able to run the hoop and win the game. Kew 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

Mick played in the last singles game. Mick took up from where he left off in his last game and was able to control the game to win 7 hoops to Kew 4 hoops.

The final scores Lilydale 4 games 34 hoops to Kew 1 game 21 hoops.

This win keeps Lilydale on top of the ladder with three weeks to play.

Big loss sees Barkerettes bow out of the Nike FC Cup

By Peter Stephenson

A balmy Thursday evening at the Kennel saw Barkerettes continue their Nike FC Cup quest with a fourth-round tie at home to Victorian Premier League leaders Avondale.

This was a huge challenge, with the visitors sitting top of the VPL with a 100 per cent record, and having dispatched Altona City 7-0 in the previous round. Barkerettes made two changes to the side which knocked out State 1 side South Yarra, with Kelly Butera and Alizah Jones replacing Emily Stokes and Holly White.

Barkers were on the back foot from the off. Avondale won at least half a dozen corners in as many minutes, with Barkers’ keeper Ash Fraraccio punching clear regularly, and saving with her feet at least once. On 10 minutes, Avondale’s Chantelle Candia raced down the left, her cross was cleared, and Aaliyah Mukhwana’s low shot went wide. Then Barkers gave the ball away but Alexis Sketchley snuffed out the threat with a great block.

Three minutes later, dangerous Avondale striker Addison Steiner turned and shot wide, then Fraraccio saved with her feet. How long could Barkers hold out against the barrage? The dam was finally breached on 16 minutes. A throw-in from the right found Steiner in space,

and a lethal snapshot found the net despite Fraraccio getting a hand to it – 1-0 Avondale. Four minutes later, a cross from the right was turned in by Steiner for her and Avondale’s second –2-0.

Just before the half-hour, Steiner went on a mazy run down the left before crossing for Kurea Okino, who swept the ball home for 3-0. Then on 34 minutes, a precise through ball split the defence and found Okino, who hit a low crisp shot to make it 4-0. Okino and Steiner, who had bagged 18 goals in 5 league games, were a handful for the Barkers defence, but brief respite was provided by a superb tackle from Barkers’ Miranda Jackson on 39 minutes. The

last five minutes saw a long shot from Steiner which was well saved by Fraraccio, then Candia found the net from distance to make the half-time score Mooroolbark 0-5 Avondale. The second half saw Avondale continue the barrage. Three minutes in, Larissa Walsh hit home from close range to make it 6-0, then a cross from the left from Saphri Lines was hit low into the corner of the net by Walsh to make it 7-0. After this absolute deluge, now came Barkers’ best period of the game. On 52 minutes, Jones attacked into the Avondale box and was pushed down, but the referee waved play on. Then an Avondale attack was snuffed out by a great interception from Hannah Turnbull. With 20 minutes to go, Barkers’ substitute Alifya Loka beat one player but was blocked by the next defender. Then a Jones interception almost set up Loka – Barkers were now making the Avondale defence earn their corn.

Inevitably, this couldn’t last, and on 73 minutes, Barkers gave the ball away at the back, Mukhwana seized on the error and shot past Fraraccio for 8-0. Then a corner from the left by Lines deflected in off a defender at the near post to make it 9-0. In the last five minutes, Jones went on a good run, but then Avondale replied with a good through ball, Fraraccio bravely dived at the forward’s feet, and got a headache

and a free-kick for her trouble.

Full-time Mooroolbark 0-9 Avondale. Avondale are five from five in the VPL, with a goal difference of 27-2 , and have already hit double figures in a VPL game. They have beaten an array of National Premier League sides in pre-season, and must be short odds to win the VPL, and tonight we saw why. This was no ordinary VPL side, if there is such a thing. Remember too, that Barkers were the last remaining State 2 side in the Cup.

What Barkers didn’t do is as telling as the result itself. They didn’t pack the defence, they didn’t get frustrated, and they played football when they had the chance. The way to test someone’s character is to see how they react under pressure. For that, the Barkers can hold their heads high and look forward to the impending league season.

Anzac Day (Friday) sees three Barkers’ sides in action in the evening. The men’s seniors and reserves travel to Doncaster Rovers (Anderson Park, 6pm/8pm) while Women’s State 2 host Collingwood City (Esther Park, 8.30pm) in the opening league game. Sunday sees the debut of our second women’s side, in State 4, as they visit East Kew (Willsmere Park, 3pm). Finally, no fewer than 31 Barkers’ junior teams take their seasonal bow on Saturday and Sunday.

The Barkerettes were beaten by Avondale in the fourth round of the Nike FC Cup. (File)

The division 2 team Mick Crawley (centre), Kerri McCracken (left) and Captain Alan Jones (right). (Supplied) Kerri McCracken running the hoop with the black ball.

They are successful in local business... but what do our Tip-Stars know about Footy? Follow them every

and

FOOTY TIPSTERS

Q&A

Chris Lord

1. What made you barrack for the AFL team you follow today?

As a young impressionable 7 year old

I watched Gary Ablett kick 9 goals in the 1989 Grand Final so I wanted to barrack for him. (Geelong)

2. What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?

Playing sport (golf, lawn bowls) with family and friends. Also watching my kids play football and netball.

3. Do you enjoy what you do for a living?

I enjoy going on the journey to help buyers and sellers alike. I also enjoy the thrill of problem solving to end up with a great result for all people involved.

4. What’s your favourite type of cuisine?

Italian

5. What are 3 words that describe you best Honest, Reliable, Cheeky

6. When you were little, what did you think you were going to be?

I think I went through a Marine Biologist phase. Tough gig when you live a couple of hours away from the ocean.

7. Who would you like to have dinner with and why (could be anyone, dead or alive)?

Roger Goodell ( Long time Commissioner of the NFL) He has dealt with many billionaire owners and also thousands of players, many of them have got themselves in a lot of trouble. Would love to know the skeletons in the closet of one of my favourite sports.

8. What advice would you offer to your younger self?

Don’t be in a hurry to be grown up. Don’t over analyze what may happen and just enjoy the experience of what it is.