Parsa, 6, survives ordeal
By Tanya Steele
The amazing Dandenong Ranges community turned out in hundreds to lend strength and heart to a family visiting the hills as their worst nightmare unfolded just before Easter.
Emergency volunteers and residents came together to search, comfort and help in whatever way they could as a search and rescue effort unfolded in Olinda.
“Yes, it’s true - my son Parsa was on the news,” said parent Sahar Abedi on Sunday 20 April on social media.
“My worst nightmare came to life — I lost my son in one of the most beautiful places I know, and he spent 17 hours alone overnight in the bush,” she wrote.
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.
Talking with Star News and multiple media outlets at the Olinda Playspace on Saturday morning, Acting Senior Sergeant Melissa Gosti-
mir from Knox Police said Parsa has been reunited with his parents and has been checked over by Victoria Ambulance staff.
“There’s not a scratch on him, thankfully,” she said.
The community had rallied completely around the situation as it became clear the young boy was missing, spreading the news across social media and lending support on the ground as Police, SES, CFA searched the trails around the Olinda Playspace.
Parsa travelled around eight kilometres north overnight, and while the young boy had been wearing an AirTag - he had taken it off.
On having found the young boy, Asher said it did make him feel good, but that the huge community effort was amazing.
“I feel good, obviously, but it’s great that so many people here are helping, like volunteers and the police and everyone,” he said.
For more on this story turn to page 3
For the love of the jersey
Huglin says
set to be a “cracking day of football,” and they’re proud to have the RSL involved.
Read more on page 11
By Tanya Steele
South Belgrave Captain Tim Smith celebrates with ahead of the Anzac Day Clash with Upwey Belgrave RSL President Fred Schmager. (Tanya Steele)
Charges over fires
By Tanya Steele
Police have charged a man following reports of two fires in Wantirna South bushland last night.
Monday 14 April saw the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria crew stamp out a grass and scrub fire allegedly started by a 32 year old man.
With the fire danger period still in place for Knox, emergency services quickly responded to two grass fires in the area of Pumps Lane and Axford Road in Wantirna South.
A CFA spokesperson said CFA responded to reports of a grass and scrub fire at around 8:37pm.
“Eight CFA units from multiple local brigades attended the scene alongside FRV and Victoria
Police,” they said.
CFA Crews arrived to an active grass and scrub fire and got to work straight away suppressing the blaze.
Police responded quickly to the emergency and on their arrival to the scene officers allegedly caught sight of a man trying to put one of the fires out with his shirt.
It was reported by police media that an attempt was made to arrest the man, who allegedly refused to follow police directions, resulting in two officers sustaining minor injuries.
“A 32-year-old man of no fixed abode was charged with light bushfire during a fire danger period,” said a spokesperson from police media.
At the same time, CFA and FRV continued to
suppress the blaze.
“The incident was deemed under control at 9:33 pm,” said the CFA spokesperson.
The Fire Investigation Unit was called in to investigate the cause of the fire and investigators at the sight of the incident have alleged that one of the fires was more than 100 square meters in size.
The man arrested was then remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later on 15 April.
The Fire Danger Period (FDP) is a designated time in each Victorian municipality when fire restrictions apply due to increased fire risk.
During this period, a written permit is required to burn off for farming practices, including grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation.
Plenty of options for Casey electorate voters
The election swiftly approaches and and Election day is set for Saturday 3 May 2025.
Casey electorate residents will have many options to go cast their vote.
Polling places are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings and voters can vote at any polling place in their state or territory on polling day.
There are also mobile voting options that will be
In the Hills the following locations will be up and running from 8am to 6pm on the day.
Belgrave and surrounds:
Belgrave South Primary School
• 175 Colby Dr, Belgrave South VIC 3160
St Thomas More Primary School
• Reynolds La, Belgrave VIC 3160
Tecoma Primary School
• 1536 Burwood Hwy, Tecoma VIC 3160
Upwey South Primary School
• 91 Morris Rd, Upwey VIC 3158
Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School
• 4 Talaskia Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156
Menzies Creek Primary School
• 12 School Rd, Menzies Creek VIC 3159
Ferny Creek Primary School
• 34 School Rd, Ferny Creek VIC 3786 Kallista Primary School
• 72 Monbulk Rd, Kallista VIC 3791
The Patch Primary School
• 53 Kallista-Emerald Rd, The Patch VIC 3792 Sassafras Primary School
• 399 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras VIC 3787
Monbulk Living and Learning Centre
• 21 Main Rd, Monbulk VIC 3793
Olinda Primary School
• 45 Charlemont La, Olinda VIC 3788
Emerald Secondary College
• 425 Belgrave-Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782
Mount Dandenong Primary School
• 13-15 Farndons Rd, Mount Dandenong VIC 3767
Lilydale/Mt Evelyn:
Billanook Primary School
• 270 Sheffield Rd, Montrose VIC 3765
Macclesfield Primary School
• 405 Macclesfield Rd, Macclesfield VIC 3782
Gladesville Primary School
• 48 Gladesville Dr, Kilsyth VIC 3137
Montrose Primary School
• 17-21 Leith Rd, Montrose VIC 3765
Silvan Primary School
• 10 White St, Silvan VIC 3795
St Richard’s Primary School
• 672 Mt Dandenong Rd, Kilsyth VIC 3137 Kilsyth Primary School
• Cnr Durham Rd & Mt Dandenong Rd, Kilsyth VIC 3137
Pembroke Primary School
• 25 Pembroke Rd, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
Yarra Hills Secondary College (Mooroolbark Campus)
• 16 Reay Rd, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
Mooroolbark East Primary School
• 106-112 Taylor Rd, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
Mount Evelyn Primary School
• 33 Monbulk Rd, Mount Evelyn VIC 3796
Mount Evelyn Christian Reformed Church
• 45-47 Birmingham Rd, Mount Evelyn VIC 3796
Lilydale Baptist Church
• 305 Swansea Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140
Bimbadeen Heights Primary School
• 118 Hayrick La, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
Mooroolbark College
• 186 Manchester Rd, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
Wandin Yallock Primary School
• 105 Beenak Rd, Wandin North VIC 3139
Rolling Hills Primary School
• 52 Landscape Dr, Mooroolbark VIC 3138
Victoria Road Primary School
• 44 Victoria Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140
St John the Baptist Anglican Church Hall
• Cnr Castella St & Jones St, Lilydale VIC 3140
Chirnside Park Community Hub
• 33 Kimberley Dr, Chirnside Park VIC 3116
Seville Primary School
• 639 Warburton Hwy, Seville VIC 3139
Lilydale Heights College
• 17 Nelson Rd, Lilydale VIC 3140
Coldstream Primary School
• Kelso St, Coldstream VIC 3770
Healesville/Warburton and surrounds:
Wonga Park Primary School
• 41 Dudley Rd, Wonga Park VIC 3115
Gruyere Hall
• Cnr Killara Rd & Cahillton Rd,, Gruyere VIC 3770
Woori Yallock Primary School
• 1360 Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Rd, Woori Yallock VIC 3139
Hoddles Creek Primary School
• 700 Gembrook-Launching Pl Rd, Hoddles Creek VIC 3139
Launching Place Primary School
• 20A Carter St, Launching Place VIC 3139
Yarraburn Centre
• 1-3 Park Rd, Yarra Junction VIC 3797
Gladysdale Public Hall
• 5 Hazeldene Rd, Gladysdale VIC 3797
Yarra Glen Primary School
• 35 Symonds St, Yarra Glen VIC 3775
Wesburn Primary School
• 2850 Warburton Hwy, Wesburn VIC 3799
Badger Creek Primary School
• 139 Badger Creek Rd, Badger Creek VIC 3777
Millwarra Primary School (Millgrove Campus)
• 18-20 Cavanagh Rd, Millgrove VIC 3799
Healesville Senior Citizens Hall
• 18 Green St, Healesville VIC 3777
Healesville High School
• 10 Camerons Rd, Healesville VIC 3777
St Andrews Primary School
• 15 Caledonia St, St Andrews VIC 3761
Warburton Primary School
• 16 Horners Rd, Warburton VIC 3799
Millwarra Primary School (Warburton East Campus)
• 397 Woods Point Rd, Warburton East VIC 3799
For more information on voting head to: https:// aec.gov.au/
IN BRIEF
Anti-Semitic graffiti discovered
Police have launched an investigation after antiSemitic graffiti was discovered in The Basin, near Boronia, on Saturday 20 April.
The offensive markings were found around 4.45pm on a building and several street signs along Mountain Highway.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for anti-Semitic or hate-driven symbols and behaviour,” a spokesperson said on Yarra Ranges Eyewatch.
Investigators are urging anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to come forward.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant footage is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Easter a family violence spike
Police have revealed concerning rise in family violence incidents over the Easter holiday period, with 1,247 reports made statewide between Good Friday and Easter Monday last year.
As the holiday period continues into ANZAC Day, police are asking people to look out for loved ones.
The Easter break now ranks among the most high-risk periods for family violence, following only Christmas and New Year.
The 2023 figures represent a 15 per cent increase from the previous year, with 317 incidents reported on Easter Sunday alone. Police say family violence often spikes during holidays due to increased contact between family members, including those who may not see each other regularly.
“There is never an excuse for family violence. It can affect anyone, at any time,” a police spokesperson said on Eyewatch. Support is available:
Safe Steps – 1800 015 188 No to Violence – 1300 766 491
Safe+Equal – safeandequal.org.au
In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000). Lost ring in Belgrave
A ring lost on the Belgrave main strip has been handed into police who are on the hunt for the owner.
This ring was handed into Belgrave Police recently and Police are asking if you are the owner or know who the owner is, please contact the station on 9754 6677.
The ring is yellow banded, with one large white stone set in the middle of the band. Flu Vaccine reminder
Victorians are being reminded to book in their annual flu vaccination ahead of winter peak season, with free flu vaccines now available for children under five years old and other at-risk groups.
There have been more than 11,000 notified influenza cases in Victoria this year already, which is almost twice as many as for the same time last year.
It remains early in this year’s flu season and numbers are expected to rise more steeply in the winter months.
Dr Weeramanthri highlighted the flu is highly contagious and while it most often causes mild to moderate illness with symptoms such as fever and cough, severe illness can develop.
Babies, children, older people, and people with underlying medical conditions were among the most vulnerable.
Number of locations for those want to vote early in Casey
Across the Casey electorate, early voting will be running at a number of locations from Tuesday 22 April right up to the day before the election.
Hundreds of early voting centres across the state will be open progressively across the country from Tuesday 22 April 2025 and will run up to and including Friday 2 May.
Please remember to check the opening dates as not all early voting centres are open for the entire two-week early voting period.
Most will operate from 8.30am to 5.30pm weekdays, with a 9am start on Saturday 26 April and a late finish at 6pm on Friday 2 May.
All early voting centres will be closed on Easter Monday, 21 April, and Anzac Day, Friday 25 April.
Early voting centres:
• Boronia - The Orchard Church of Christ, 59 Bo-
Get
ronia Rd, Boronia
• Rowville - 1st Rowville Scout Group Hall, 61 Turramurra Dr, Rowville
• Croydon - Old Croydon Community School, Cnr Mt Dandenong Rd and Anzac St, Croydon
• Ringwood - Ringwood Bowls Club, 2-12 Loughnan Rd, Ringwood
• Lilydale - St Patrick’s Parish Community Centre, 40 Jones St, Lilydale
• Chirnside Park - Chirnside Park Community Hub, 33 Kimberley Dr, Chirnside Park
• Healesville - Darron Honey Centre, 286 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville
According to the AEC, you can vote early either in person or by post if on polling day you:
• are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
• are more than 8km from a polling place
• are travelling
• are unable to leave your workplace to vote
• are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
• are a person with disability (or caring for someone who is)
• are a patient in hospital and can’t vote at the hospital
• have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
• are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
• are a silent elector
• have a reasonable fear for your safety or wellbeing.
For more information on early voting head to the AEC website: https://aec.gov.au/
ready to vote on May 3. (Australian Electoral Commission)
Public rallies for little boy lost
By Tanya Steele
The amazing Hills community turned out in hundreds to lend strength and heart to a visiting family as their worst nightmare unfolded just before Easter.
Emergency volunteers and residents came together to search, comfort and help in whatever way they could as a search and rescue effort unfolded in Olinda.
“Yes, it’s true - My son Parsa was on the news,” said parent Sahar Abedi on Sunday 20 April on social media.
“My worst nightmare came to life — I lost my son in one of the most beautiful places I know, and he spent 17 hours alone overnight in the bush,” she wrote.
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.
Talking with Star News and multiple media outlets at the Olinda Playspace on Saturday morning, Acting Senior Sergeant Melissa Gostimir from Knox Police said Parsa has been reunited with his parents and has been checked over by Victoria Ambulance staff.
“There’s not a scratch on him, thankfully,” she said.
“I believe he’s been given a banana and some water, and now he’s cuddling up with his Mum, having a snooze.”
Parsa travelled around eight kilometres north of the playspace overnight, and the young boy had been wearing an AirTag, but he had taken it off.
Emergency service staff and search and rescue volunteers searched but had no luck locating him, dealing with the bushy terrain of the Dandenong Ranges.
Mountain biker Asher Shinkfield 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.”
On having found the young boy, Asher said it did make him feel good, but that the huge community effort was amazing.
“I feel good, obviously, but it’s great that so many people here are helping, like volunteers and the police and everyone,” he said.
Asher said Parsa was pretty calm as he sat with him and called the police, having seen the local social media notice boards that had reported him missing.
“I think it was probably the tiredness, I just made sure to give him some water, and I was smiling at him,” he said.
Acting Senior Sergeant Gostimir said authorities were really fortunate that it had been very mild weather, so there were no major issues healthwise with Parsa when he was found, other than him being lethargic, tired, a bit dehydrated and hungry.
“The poor thing, I think he was just excited to be reunited with Mum and Dad,” she said.
The primary school-aged boy from Forest Hill was originally reported missing after wandering from the Olinda Playspace area, on Olinda-Monbulk Road, on Friday afternoon.
Parsa’s mother Sahar, later described on social media how she felt when she realised he had gone missing.
“We were surrounded by the golden beauty of autumn. I was taking photos of Parsa, who had a tracker on, and in just a blink, he took off. I ran after him,” she wrote. “He vanished into the dense forest. From that moment until he was found, I lived through a thousand deaths.”
Parsa, who has autism and is non-verbal, was last seen by family members at about 4pm.
Friends and relatives searched for the boy before reporting him missing about 30 minutes later.
Local police, Air Wing, State Emergency Services (SES), CFA personnel and community and from near and far searched the area as well.
Acting Senior Sergeant Gostimir said they had many resources out looking for the missing boy and that everyone went out there and everyone did their absolute best.
“We had community volunteers coming out to assist us,” she said. “We had all our members playing Parsa’s favourite music. We had Hickory Dickory Dock and an A, B, C song on phone speakers, trying to call out for him.”
The rescue effort was big and fast, from sniffer dogs to thermal imaging cameras and helicopters overhead searching for Parsa. Members of the public were also meeting at the oval next to the playspace, asking if they could help.
“With all of our resources and we had around 200 people helping,” said Acting Senior Sergeant Gostimir.
“We were really fortunate to have members from the community coming out to assist with the search,” she said.
Parsa’s Father, Siamak Naimi, came out to thank the community and young Asher, the two chatting for a while before he went back to his son. He also rang Parsa’s twin sister, who was anxiously waiting to hear that her brother was ok at home.
The family asked for privacy that morning as Parsa sat and had some orange juice and water with his mother while being monitored by ambulance staff.
Later, over social media, Parsa’s mother, Sahar, thanked the Hills.
“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,” she wrote.
“People I had never met brought us clothes, toys for Parsa’s twin sister, warm homemade cakes, food, water, and hearts full of love.”
“I’ve always known I was lucky to call Australia home, but this experience showed me just how extraordinary this country’s people truly are.”
She thanked Asher as well, writing that she was deeply grateful.
“To the young man who found Parsa, sat beside him, and gave him water — Parsa’s guardian angel will look after you, my friend. I’m so deeply grateful for you,” she wrote.
Cockatoo’s Alma Treloar Reserve gets major upgrade
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Cockatoo’s Alma Treloar Reserve is now home to a newly completed outdoor performance area and upgraded park facilities, following the successful finishing of the Alma Treloar Masterplan Implementation Stage two project.
In late March, Development Victoria and Precincts Minister Harriet Shing announced the completion of the project, which received a $180,000 investment from the State Government, with additional support from Cardinia Shire Council and a grant from the Federal Government.
The new improvements at Alma Treloar Reserve include a fantastic amphitheatre with a stage, a shade sail canopy, two barbecues, pic-
nic tables and shelters, as well as more seating around the playground area and extra trees.
These upgrades are designed to make the space more enjoyable for the community –whether it’s for gathering, learning, playing, or staying active.
Minister Shing highlighted the importance of the project for the local community.
“These wonderful upgrades are another example of how we’re supporting Melbourne’s suburbs to thrive,” she said.
“Our fastest-growing areas need extra support, which is why we’re making sure grants are going to where they’ll make the most impact and be of most community benefit.”
With more families moving into the area,
these new facilities aim to make the most of the central location of the reserve, benefiting both locals and visitors from surrounding rural towns. The park will now cater to a wide range of users, offering a space for everyone to enjoy.
The project was made possible through the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, which helps councils across Melbourne’s fastest-growing suburbs build and improve local infrastructure. In Cardinia Shire, the Growing Suburbs Fund has supported 23 projects since 2015, totalling more than $36 million in upgrades.
Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino shared her excitement about the project’s completion.
“We’re excited to officially open the new and improved facilities at Alma Treloar Reserve, which will bring the people of Cockatoo together and benefit them for years to come,” Ms De Martino said.
The Cardinia Shire Council was also contacted for comments.
With the Growing Suburbs Fund backing over 360 projects across the state since 2015, including the new improvements in Cockatoo, the State Government is helping create better, more connected communities, with over 11,300 jobs supported in the process.
For more information on the Growing Suburbs Fund, you can visit suburbandevelopment. vic.gov.au/grants/growing-suburbs-fund.
Discover how AI can positively impact your business through real-world examples and practical advice from Australian futurist, author and technologist; Steve Sammartino.
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Wednesday 14 May, 6.45am – 9am at Cardinia Cultural Centre
Parsa’s Father Siamak Naimi talking with his daughter and Parsa’s twin sister and telling her Parsa was OK. (Tanya Steele)
Parsa’s Father Siamak Naimi came out to thank the community and young Asher, the two chatting for while before he went back to his son. (Tanya Steele)
Moments after taking pictures of her son, Sahar Abedi’s worst nightmare unfolded. (Sahar Abedi).
NEWS Sealed Hills roads pledge
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 20242029 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.
Community consultation open for Puffing Billy Place Reserve
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
The Cardinia Shire Council is facing some backlash after announcing just two days for the community to provide feedback on the draft plans for Puffing Billy Place Reserve in Emerald - this has raised eyebrows among local residents, especially with the consultation being scheduled right in the middle of school holidays.
The Council recently revealed a draft masterplan for the redevelopment of Puffing Billy Place Reserve, which includes upgrades to the playground and surrounding parkland.
Theaimistore-energisethespace,attractmore visitors, and improve the connection between the reserve and the nearby town centre for locals and tourists alike.
However, the way the Council has approached the consultation process has left some residents questioning whether they are being given a fair op-
portunity to have their say.
While the first round of community feedback helped shape the draft plans, the feedback period for this next round of consultation was announced with little notice - only two days after the plans were made public.
To make matters worse, the first public session to discuss the draft will fall during the school holidays, which many believe will make it harder for families and regular park users to participate.
Even though the consultation period runs until 18 May, the timing of the initial feedback window and the school holiday sessions has caused frustration for some in the community, who feel that they won’t be able to fully engage in the process.
The draft masterplan proposes several changes to Puffing Billy Place Reserve, including the upgrade of playground equipment, the addition of new park furniture, and improved accessibility.
The aim is to create a more lively, welcoming space for people of all ages, as well as better connect the park with the town centre. However, the finer details of these changes - like which types of park furniture or playground designs will be selected - are still up for discussion and need input from locals.
For those interested in sharing their thoughts, the Council hosted a pop-up session at Puffing Billy Train Playground in Emerald on Wednesday 9 April 2025 from 1-3pm. The next pop-up session will be held on Tuesday 6 May 2025 from 3-5pm.
Residents of Cardinia Shire Council can also complete a short online survey or request a hardcopy through the Council.
General manager of Community and planning services, Debbie Tyson, responded to the concerns.
“We understand the importance of ensuring our community has a chance to be heard on com-
munity engagement projects especially with a space as well-loved and well-used as Puffing Billy Reserve,” she said.
“This project is open for an extended consultation period of 6 weeks, and we encourage community members to provide comment on the proposed design of the reserve through the various ways including, attending a pop-up session, completing the short online survey on the Creating Cardinia website, requesting a hardcopy of the survey via mail@cardinia.vic.gov.au or contacting Council on 1300 787 624.”
Once the final masterplan is approved, it will guide the future development of the park. But for many residents, the real question is whether the plans will truly reflect the community’s needs, especially given the rushed consultation period. For more details or to provide feedback, visit the Council’s project page here, creating.cardinia. vic.gov.au/puffing-billy-park-emerald.
Locals say they’re being left out of the conversation, as Cardinia Shire Council’s quickfire consultation on Puffing Billy Reserve upgrades lands during school holidays. (Stewart Chambers: 472732)
La Trobe MP Jason Wood and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Bridget McKenzie with Hills residents. (472195)
‘Pop up’ food relief eases strain over the school holidays
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 help with 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 al-
ways 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 days 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 is always grateful for any assistance, from donations to sponsors.
“We are community, helping community,” she said.
Burnham Beeches boost
By Tanya Steele
The Dandenong Ranges are beginning to see glimmers of change on the horizon for an iconic landmark of the area, as grant money delivered by the Victorian government bolsters a huge local project.
The exciting new redevelopment of Burnham Beeches in Sherbrooke was given a boost by the State Government officially last week and the developers are happy about the assist.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos announced the successful recipients of the government’s regional tourism investment funds for 2024 on Tuesday 15 April.
“Victoria has always been a great place to visit and explore - these grants will make regional Victoria even more enticing, which is great for local jobs and the economy,” he said.
A grant for stage one of the Burnham Beeches Mansion and Village Square, by Burnham Beeches Investments Pty Ltd, was one of many who received funds across Victoria.
Trenerry Property Group will be undertaking the redevelopment for Burnham Beeches and Managing Director Robert Dicintio said the development consortium is excited to be a recipient.
“Burnham Beeches is such a special and historic project,” he said.
“The mansion holds almost 100 years of history and given it has sat idle for almost 40 years now, the restoration works required to breathe new life into the Art Deco building are complex and significant.”
Local member for Monbulk, Daniela De Martino congratulated the group which aim to deliver a luxury wellness retreat and hospitality precinct at Sherbrooke in the Dandenong Ranges.
“Burnham Beeches is a historical treasure, but it had fallen into disrepair over many years,” she said.
“This project will revitalise this beautiful example of Art Deco architecture and provide not only a great tourist drawcard for the Dandenong Ranges, but local jobs as well.”
CEO of Yarra Ranges Tourism, Simon O’Callaghan, said Yarra Ranges Tourism also fully supports the redevelopment of Burnham Beeches as a transformational project for the Dandenong Ranges.
“The plans for heritage restoration, premium accommodation, and vibrant visitor experiences present a rare opportunity to breathe new life into an iconic site,” he said.
“Burnham Beeches has the potential to become an exemplar of sustainable tourism and wellness-led development—exactly the kind of investment encouraged by the State Government’s Experience Victoria 2033 strategy,” said Mr O’Callaghan.
The State Government funding announcement was made at Sovereign Hill, and the grants
of between $100,000 and $5 million will support 22 new and 13 improved accommodation options across Victoria.
Burnham Beeches and other tourism infrastructure projects will hopefully attract more visitors across Victoria and aim to encourage day trippers to stay overnight, boosting local businesses at the same time.
Mr O’Callaghan said that more commercial accommodation is critical to lifting the Yarra Ranges tourism region visitor economy.
“By converting more day-trippers into overnight guests, we can increase local spend, stimulate new business opportunities, and support more local jobs for our community,” he said.
“This project directly aligns with our destination management plan, which highlights the urgent need for quality accommodation and product renewal in the region.
Burnham Beeches was originally built for the
Nicholas family, founders of the Aspro brand in 1933 and has evolved through several uses from a holiday home, children’s hospital, science research facility and hotel.
Ahead of current plans, the site was even a short-term art gallery in 2019, painted by street artist Rone aka Tyrone Wright, which saw the walls painted and the famous mansion open to the public.
The State grants have also helped fund five new mountain bike trails to be built at Mt Buller.
Alpine Resorts Victoria plans to deliver nearly 10km of new single-track mountain bike trails that will improve connectivity through the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling trail network.
The Victorian government grants are part of a $170 million regional tourism and events fund - designed to create more jobs, support important tourism businesses and attract more visitors across regional Victoria and are part of a larger
strategic plan for tourism.
Trenerry Consortium received the go-ahead for the $120m landmark redevelopment in mid2023, and after some processes around permits with Yarra Ranges and Heritage Victoria, the construction seems green lit to go ahead.
Mr Dicintio said the group is committed to doing the Burnham Beeches special site justice, bringing the mansion and historic grounds back to life for another generation to enjoy.
“This grant will go a long way towards supporting the conversation and restoration works in preparation for the site’s new iteration as a mixed-use, eco-accommodation destination,” he said.
For now, Burnham Beeches remains trapped in time,
a
Outer East foodshare will drop off a load of donated food to Shop 16 in Mooroolbark on Wednesday 23 April. (Supplied)
sitting behind
fence for curious bushwalkers visiting Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens to ponder, but change seems to be just around the corner.
The famous mansion has been given a little boost by the State Government and sits frozen in time in the Dandenongs. (Tanya Steele)
Visitors to the nearby Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden often stare in curiosity at the Art Deco building. (Tanya Steele)
The Alfred Nicholas mansion has sat vacant for nearly 40 years. (Supplied)
The masterplan also includes plans for the Nicholas hall and library, a restaurant, wellness retreat, pool house and guestrooms. (Supplied)
MEET CASEY CANDIDATES
Trumpet of Patriots man says we are at tipping point
By Callum Ludwig
Phillip Courtis, running as the Trumpet of Patriots candidate for the electorate of Casey, says that 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 Lillydale Lake and small business owners in Belgrave. He also met with current Senator Ralph Babet who was elected for the now-defunct United Australia 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.
Cardinia Shire Council
Federal Election
Q&A Session
One Nation candidate Livori targets living costs
By Callum Ludwig
Ambere Livori, the Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party candidate for the seat of Casey, 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. She said she is 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 broad-
Come along to Cardinia Shire Council’s Federal Election Community Q&A session at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Tuesday 29 April.
Hear from candidates standing for the seat of La Trobe at the upcoming election on 3 May.
Strategist and futurist, Simon Waller, will moderate the session.
All questions must be submitted via the registration link prior to the event and will not be taken from the audience on the night.
We will endeavour to ensure a wide range of topics and issues are covered. Learn more about Council’s advocacy priorities www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/advocacy
er 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 costof-living 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.
Tuesday 29 April, 6–7:30pm Cardinia Cultural Centre 40 Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham
Registrations essential: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/advocacy
One Nation candidate for Casey Ambere Livori. (Supplied)
Trumpet of Patriots candidate for Casey Phillip Courtis. (Supplied)
MEET CASEY CANDIDATES
Family First candidate Dan Nebauer backs his skills
By Dongyun Kwon
Former serviceman Dan Nebauer declared candidacy for the electorate of Casey as a member of the Family First Party.
Mr Nebauer 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 programs and policies that create gender confusion in our children,” he said.
“I don’t think there would be a single per-
son or family in the wide Casey electorate that would not benefit from these policies.”
Mr Nebauer contested the state seat of Croy-
don in 2022.
“Although unsuccessful, we did achieve the highest per cent gain in the seat,” he said.
more information about Family First Party’s policies, please visit the following website, familyfirstparty.org.au/policies
Animal Justice’s Chloe Bond advocates for the planet
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.”
Animal Justice Party candidate Chloe Bond for the electorate of Casey. (Supplied)
Family First Party candidate Dan Nebauer. (Supplied)
Young Montrose gardener 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 Victoria in Bloom Gardener of the Year in 202223.
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.
CFA gets ready to connect
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Upwey CFA is getting ready for its 54th annual jumble sale, and this year’s event promises to be another highlight for the community.
The event is happening on Saturday, 3 May, at the Upwey CFA hall from 9am to 2pm.
Upwey CFA captain, Liam Rhodes said it’s not just a jumble sale where you can find some great second-hand goodies - it’s also the brigade’s biggest fundraiser of the year, helping to support all the important work they do.
For Mr Rhodes, the jumble sale represents the heart of what the CFA stands for - community connection and support.
“Without the community, we wouldn’t be able to do this. And without this, we wouldn’t be able to support our community in return,” he said. He has been volunteering with the CFA for nearly 13 years and serving as captain for nearly a year.
The funds raised from this event are crucial for maintaining equipment and ensuring that Upwey CFA is ready for any emergency. With firefighting vehicles having a lifespan of around 20 years and rising costs of gear and uniforms, every dollar raised counts.
“One vehicle could easily cost $250,000 now, and with inflation, these things are getting more and more expensive,” he said.
The jumble sale plays a huge part in helping to meet these costs. Throughout April, donations roll in, ranging from second-hand furniture and books to kitchenware, gym equipment, and even camping gear.
Mr Rhodes said while they don’t keep track of every single donation, they’re confident there will be plenty for bargain hunters to dig through on the day.
The event will kick off in the morning with a
wide selection of donated items available for sale.
Whether you’re after a comfy old armchair, a vintage display cabinet, or just a few new books, there’s something for everyone. The sale runs un-
til around 2pm, offering plenty of time to browse and find a bargain.
And it’s not just about shopping - there will also be a barbecue running throughout the day,
serving up tasty meals, and raffles with fantastic prizes, including a trailer load of firewood - cash and EFTPOS will be available, so everyone can get involved.
The captain said, the support of the local community is what makes this event possible.
“We’ve got about 35 to 40 operational members who are out there protecting the community 24/7, 365 days a year - and they do it all for free,” he said.
“At the end of the day, whatever the community spends at the jumble sale is returned back to them in the service that we provide.”
Even though Upwey CFA has been fortunate to avoid major local fires in recent years, their members are always ready to jump into action when needed.
Whether it’s supporting firefighting efforts in the Grampians or helping during local storms, the CFA volunteers make themselves available whenever they’re needed most, often putting their personal lives on hold.
For Mr Rhodes, seeing the same faces return year after year to support the jumble sale is one of the highlights of the event.
“We appreciate the community support, both with donations of goods and then with coming along to purchase. It’s something that’s grown over the years, and it’s amazing to see the same faces come back, knowing that we’re all in this together,” he said.
Upwey CFA’s 54th annual jumble sale isn’t just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of the community’s heart and generosity.
Mr Rhodes is encouraging everyone to come down to the Upwey CFA hall on Saturday, 3 May, to grab a bargain, enjoy some tasty food, and feel good knowing that every cent you spend helps support the brave volunteers who keep our community safe.
Upwey South Tennis Club is turning half-a-century
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Upwey South Tennis Club is marking its 50th birthday - a milestone that’s been decades in the making, with a strong sense of community at its heart and the whole community is invited to join the celebration on Sunday, 4 May from 11am to 4pm.
The club will open its gates on Eloera Street to host a free, fun-filled day for everyone – past and present members, as well as anyone interested in seeing what the club’s all about.
The club’s treasurer, Sandra Beer, has been with Upwey South for over 20 years, and she’s one of the first to tell you how much this day means to the club.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years already,” Ms Beer said.
“We have such a strong, local community behind us. Just look at the flags in our clubhouse – they’re a testament to our history and how far we’ve come. Having 500 members on our database is something we’re really proud of - that’s not easy to achieve.”
Over the years, the club has made significant progress, with Ms Beer highlighting the recent upgrades as a key achievement. All courts have been upgraded from en-tout-cas to synthetic grass, and the outdated halogen lights have been replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting.
of tennis enthusiasts over the past 50 years. (Supplied)
“We’ve always tried to stay ahead of the curve,” she said.
But it’s not just about the courts and lights.
Ms Beer said the club’s longstanding partnership with Extreme Tennis has been a cornerstone of the club’s coaching programs for more than 20 years.
“A solid coaching program is key to any great club, and we’re lucky to have such a loyal partner in Extreme Tennis,” she said.
Of course, no club’s journey is without its challenges, and Upwey South has faced its share.
In the mid-2000s, the club was on the brink of collapse, and it took a dedicated group of volun-
teers to save it.
“We had a real crossroads moment back then, if it wasn’t for the people who stepped up, the club might not have survived,” she said.
But the club is not only surviving - it’s thriving.
During the pandemic, the club’s previous committee worked tirelessly to keep members engaged, securing grants that allowed the club to upgrade its facilities.
Now, with a new committee in place as of 2023, Ms Beer said they’re more optimistic than ever about the club’s future.
“The club is in good hands, we’ve got a fantastic team, and it’s exciting to see what’s coming next,” she said.
So, why is this 50th anniversary such a big deal? It’s a time to celebrate the club’s history and, most importantly, its people.
“Fifty years is a huge milestone, and we wouldn’t be here without the support of our members,, this is our way of saying thank you and reflecting on everything we’ve accomplished together,” Ms Beer said.
The big day on Sunday, 4 May, promises something for everyone – whether you’re a fan of social tennis, looking for fun Hot Shots activities for the kids, or keen to catch some exciting exhibition matches, there’s plenty of fun in store.
For those who love a bit of friendly com-
petition, there will be a speed radar and ball machine, as well as prizes in the raffle. And, of course, what’s a celebration without food? The Upwey Men’s Shed will be firing up the barbecue to add some delicious flavour to the day.
Ms Beer said you don’t have to be a member to play.
“We’re one of the few clubs around that allows non-members to come and play without signing up first. It’s all about making tennis accessible for everyone,” she said.
The club’s treasurer said the club has always been about more than just tennis – it’s about creating a community.
Over the years, the club has hosted a range of activities for all ages, from junior competitions to social play, and it continues to offer opportunities for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out.
A few of the club’s recent achievements include winning the Wilson Round the World competition for the Asia-Pacific region and claiming their first Tennis Victoria pennant flag, Ms Beer said they are a club that truly punches above its weight.
“We’re proud of where we’ve come from, but we’re just as excited about where we’re headed, there’s so much more to come,” she said.
To join the free event, sign up here: forms.gle/ WWjkaxF8CUgQuqbx5.
Montrose’s Sharliya Bell with her Best Young Gardener award. (Stewart Chambers: 472728)
Upwey South Tennis Club has nurtured generations
Bargain hunting and good food all in one place on 3 May.
Hundreds of items are donated for the jumble sale event.
Upwey CFA volunteers prepare for their 54th annual jumble sale, with plenty of second-hand treasures waiting for new owners. (Supplied)
Inspirational duo awarded
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 herself, 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.
“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 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.
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)
Hamish Russell and Tamara McDonald.
ANZAC DAY
Upwey-Belgrave and Emerald RSLs enhance facilities
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Upwey-Belgrave RSL and Emerald RSL, have been awarded significant funding as part of the State Government’s ongoing effort to support veterans and their communities.
On Thursday, 10 April, Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman and Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino annouced the recipients of the Veterans Capital Works 2024-25 grants. Both Upwey Belgrave and Emerald RSLs are among the lucky recipients, set to receive much-needed upgrades that will benefit veterans and the local community.
Upwey Belgrave RSL will use its grant to install solar panels, including a battery system, in a move to boost the energy efficiency of the club. The installation is expected to save the RSL approximately $500 per month, a critical cost-saving measure for an organisation grappling with rising energy costs.
“The Upwey Belgrave RSL is proud to announce we have been successful in our application for Government funding to upgrade our Solar installation, including the addition of batteries,” Upwey-Belgrave RSL project manager, David Brimacombe said.
“This substantial upgrade is projected to save us around $500 per month, which is huge for our little RSL that continues to be impacted by increasing costs - many of which are simply beyond our control.”
“This new installation will also provide a level of power backup for our operations, which is a real bonus given the frequent outages that occur in the hills.”
The RSL also expressed gratitude to local government representatives and the volunteers who helped prepare the grant applica-
tion, turning the solar project into a reality.
Meanwhile, Emerald RSL is set to make much-needed improvements to its clubroom, thanks to funding for upgrades to disability access and bathroom facilities.
The renovations will include new handrails, a ramp, and safety upgrades to the club’s bathrooms to ensure that all members of the community, regardless of ability, can enjoy the space.
“Emerald RSL Sub-Branch applied for a Grant through the Veterans Capital Works Grant Program and recently received advice our application has been successful,” Emerald RSL secretary, Tanya Jogan said.
“We are very grateful and excited about the upcoming works which will enable improved handrails, ramp and disability access, as well as toilet facility safety upgrades. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to our Clubrooms and supporting our community all-inclusively.”
Both RSLs are part of the 26 successful recipients of the Veterans Capital Works 202425 program, which is distributing more than $780,000 across the state to improve facilities for veterans and their families.
The funding is part of the State Government’s broader commitment to preserving the legacy of Victoria’s veterans, with other grants
going to projects such as the restoration of war memorials and avenues of honour.
One such project is Gembrook RSL, which will use its grant to restore its War Memorial, addressing natural wear and tear and ensuring the memorial is preserved for future generations.
Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman highlighted the importance of these grants in maintaining and improving spaces where veterans’ stories are honoured.
“These projects are a powerful way we’re preserving the unforgettable legacy of our veterans by improving the places where their stories are honoured and remembered,” Ms Suleyman said.
“By investing in community projects across the state, we’re paying tribute to our veterans and creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for future generations to gather and reflect on Victoria’s history.”
Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino also spoke to the significance of these projects, particularly for the local communities.
“By preserving memorials and upgrading veteran facilities, we’re helping future generations understand the legacy of service,” Ms De Martino said.
“These projects make sure the stories of our veterans live on in every community they helped shape.”
For more information on the successful grant recipients and details about these programs, visit the official Victorian Government websites: vic.gov.au/veterans-capitalworks and vic.gov.au/restoring-communitywar-memorials.
Unlikely frontline reunion
By Anthony McAleer
One of the most extraordinary stories to come out of World War I 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, he left his job as a horse driver and enlisted in the AIF. From mid1916 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 amidthe prisoners he heard in an Australian accent: ‘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.
The veteran grant will help Emerald RSL to upgrade ramps, handrails, and bathrooms for better accessibility. (Stewart Chambers: 442244)
Robert Shell went all the way to Germany to bump into a schoolmate during World War I. (Supplied)
ANZAC DAY
New jersey honours heroes
By Tanya Steele
together for a cause, with the local sporting club pledging donations to be raised at the special footy match to the Upwey Belgrave RSL and Running Rabbits Military Museum.
President of South Belgrave Chris Huglin said the club are excited about the game and it will be
a cracking day of football.
“We’re excited about having our local RSL involved,” he said.
Upwey Belgrave RSL President Fred Schmager said he is also excited about the game and jersey and will be there to read the Ode on the day in a special ceremony.
“I’ll be up at 3.30am Anzac Day, and I’ll be lucky if I get to bed before probably nine o’clock that night,” he said.
Mr Huglin said the community-based football club plays in a very professional league in the Eastern Football League, but likes to hold onto its
Please note March begins at IGA located in Upwey Main Street
Jason Vorherr performing 11:30am to 1:30pm Geoff Edkins Duo performing 3pm to 5pm Bistro
community heart.
“We try and keep a blend of community and professionalism within our club,” he said.
The special Anzac Day Clash game has stemmed from a regular annual clash that sees Beaconsfield and South Belgrave battle for the Rick Crook Cup - a local legend and life member of both clubs.
“This year his year, it just coincided with Anzac Day,” said Mr Huglin.
“We got together with Beaconsfield, and we said, well, let’s make this a big one.”
Mr Huglin said Beaconsfield are of a similar mindset to the South Belgrave club and comes from similar origins.
The local club wanted to connect more with the community, and along with the ANZAC day game, have commissioned a special ANZAC jersey, which features a silhouette of soldiers standing across a field.
The South Belgrave teams will be selling their jerseys from the game to members and supporters at the game, raising money for the Upwey Belgrave RSL veterans.
Upwey Belgrave RSL Secretary Graeme Tuplin said it was wonderful when the local team approached the RSL with the idea.
“The money that we raise is used to fund support services to veterans,” he said.
“This is really something brand new for us.”
Other local teams are also joining in to fundraise for the RSL, with Upwey-Tecoma FNC running a hamper raffle at their club, with tickets available at their ANZAC round match on 25 April.
Upwey Belgrave RSL will be hosting its regular Dawn Service and Gunfire Breakfast from 6am on 25 April and will be broadcasting the special commemoration live via 3MDR at 97.1FM.
The Veteran’s March through Upwey will run from 9.45am, followed by the main service, live music, BBQ lunch and more.
South Belgrave will take on Beaconsfield at the 2025 Anzac Day Clash at Belgrave South Recreation Reserve, with a special 2.30pm ANZAC Day Ceremony.
South Belgrave FNC President Chris Huglin and Upwey Belgrave RSL President Fred Schmager at the RSL. (Tanya Steele)
South Belgrave Captain Tim Smith celebrates with ahead of the Anzac Day Clash with Upwey Belgrave RSL President Fred Schmager.
ANZAC DAY
All the region’s services
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 High-
way 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. There will then be a Services March from 9.45am 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.
Services from dawn through to late morning will be held across the District of Monbulk. For details on times, check the Facebook pages of the following RSL Sub-Branches: Cockatoo RSL
Dandenong Ranges RSL Emerald RSL Gembrook RSL Monbulk RSL
Upwey-Belgrave RSL
Please be in place 5.45am for service commencing at 6am. The service will be held at the Cenotaph in front of the RSL.
ANZAC DAY
Now 110 years since Gallipoli
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, 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 grappling 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 cap-
Looking back at the 90th and 100th anniversaries
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.
“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 centenary, 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.
tured 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.
We will always remember
By Oliver Winn
Anzac day 2025 marks 110 years since Australian and New Zealand troops braced the beaches of Gallipoli, where over 8000 brave soldiers lost their lives to the Ottoman Empire.
Throughout the remainder of World WarI I, 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.
“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.
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.
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 in this way,” he said.
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.
Alex Ingram with a portrait of his father Captain George Ingram and his medals. (Rob Carew: 137767)
Lakoda Scopel, Perry Byron, Darcey Byron, and Vincent Belford at St Brigid’s Primary School Anzac commemoration in 2015. (Victoria StoneMeadows: 138250)
Commemorating 110 years since Gallipoli and 80 years since World War II, communities in the Dandenong Ranges remember the sacrifices made. (Pexels)
Emerald exhibition shines a light on local talent
By Paul Bianco
The Hills Hub in Emerald came alive on Friday evening, 4 April, for the grand opening of the Hills Photographic Society’s annual Photography Exhibition. Around 60 community members gathered to admire more than 50 striking and diverse images, created by local photographers and students from Emerald and Monbulk Secondary Colleges.
Now a highlight of the Emerald calendar, the exhibition runs alongside the vibrant PAVE Festival and continues to grow each year in both
scale and popularity.
The event was officially opened by Walter Berger, representing the Dandenong Ranges Community Bank, whose support helped bring the exhibition to life. Other generous sponsors included Ranges First National Real Estate, DigitalWorks in Cockatoo, Hills Physiotherapy, and Emerald Village Meats.
Thanks to a grant from Cardinia Council, visitors also enjoyed a free public portraiture workshop on Saturday, 12 April.
The exhibition is open daily from 10am at the Hills Hub until 2 May, and entry is free.
Housing sadly not protected
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 recognised 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.
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, aspira-
tional 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 World War II, 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.
Bendigo Bank First prize winner. (Supplied)
Hills Physiotherapy Prize winner. (Supplied)
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)
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
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.
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 &leparkingspaceprovidestorage &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.
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)
Hobbyist (7) 21 Monty Python member, Graham – (7) 22 Trapped (6)
23 Succeed (6)
26 Flower (4)
Mixed bag for Outer East
By Callum Ludwig
Soccer clubs have kicked off their seasons in recent weeks, but with clubs taking a week off for the Easter break, here’s how local sides’ top teams have fared so far:
In the State League competitions, Outer East clubs include Mooroolbark Soccer Club, Croydon City, Monbulk Rangers, Boronia Soccer Club, and Lilydale-Montrose United.
Competing in the State 2 Men’s South-East competition, Mooroolbark have gotten off to a solid if unspectacular start, sitting mid-table in seventh with two wins, one draw and one loss in their first four games. They beat North Caulfield 1-2 in their season opener, followed by a 1-0 win over Peninsula Strikers before a 2-0 loss to Knox City and 1-1 draw with Berwick City. No individual player has hit the scoresheet more than once this season for the Barkers and they play Doncaster Rovers away on Anzac Day.
One step down in State 3 South-East, Croydon City have had a tougher start to their campaign down in ninth with one win, one draw and two losses. They drew 1-1 in their opening game against Sandringham, followed by a 1-3 loss to Heatherton United, a 1-2 win over Hampton Park and a 0-2 loss to Elwood City. Jack Buglass leads the scoring charts not only for the club, but the whole league, with 4 goals. Croydon City next play Waverley Wanderers at home on Anzac Day.
Monbulk Rangers are struggling in State 4 East, sitting in 10th with two draws and two losses for their senior side. Monbulk lost 1-2 to East Kew in their opening match, then picked up a 1-1 draw at Mount Waverley and a 2-2 draw at Albert Park before a tough 1-5 loss to Manningham Juventus.
Thomas Wilkinson is their only multiple goalscorer with two and the Rangers next play Kings Domain FC away on Saturday 26 April.
Finally in State 5, Boronia are ninth, having beaten Glen Waverley 0-3 to start the season before losing 3-2 to Old St Kevins and 1-7 to East Bentleigh, while no result has been recorded for
Trades & Services
the 12 April match scheduled against Burwood City. Boronia have no multiple goalscorers and next play Old Trinity Grammarians away on Saturday 26 April.
Lilydale-Montrose United are doing it tough with four straight losses to start the season, going
down 2-6 to East Bentleigh, 2-3 to Old Melburnians, 1-10 to Glen Waverley and 13-1 to Whitehorse. Julien Sebire has managed to put away two of their six goals for the season and they face Burwood City at home on Saturday 26 April.
In the Victorian Churches Football Associa-
tion (VCFA) competition, the region is represented by Mooroolbark Baptist, Yarra Valley Soccer Club, Eastern United, Healesville Soccer Club, Maroondah United, Lilydale Eagles and Croydon Rangers (Monbulk Rangers senior side plays State League and other sides in the VCFA).
Mooroolbark Baptist are sat pretty in second in the VCPA Men’s Premier League 1 with a win and a draw from their first two games, drawing 3-3 with Knox Churches and then beating Eastern United 5-0. Andrew Stubley and Matthew Hotchikin-Van Neuren have each notched two goals and they play Doncaster away next on Saturday 26 April.
Yarra Valley have picked up a win and a loss to leave themselves fourth in the table, losing 4-2 Eastern United before beating Doncaster 3-0. They have no multiple goalscorers, though Winjo William has already picked up a red card, and play Berwick United away on Saturday 26 April.
Eastern United have had the aforementioned 4-2 win over Yarra Valley and 5-0 loss to Mooroolbark Baptist to sit in seventh. A hat trick from Rory Tattersall in their season opener has him as their top goalscorer and they play Knox Churches at home on Saturday 26 April.
In the Premier League 2, Healesville are sat equal-first thanks to a forfeit in their game against Croydon Rangers and a 4-2 win over Waverley City. Two goals for Daniel Tadesse has him as their top scorer and they play Dandy Casuals away on Saturday 26 April.
Maroondah United have also picked up two wins and sit third, having toppled Dandy Casuals 1-3 and One FC 3-1. Jack Williams has top scored for them with two and they play Lilydale Eagles away on Saturday 26 April.
The Lilydale Eagles themselves are down in ninth with two losses, going down 0-1 to One FC and 4-1 to Gideon’s Warriors so far. Christian ‘Flik’ Lindner-Mark is their only scorer so far and they will host Maroondah United as mentioned previously.
dissolved by mutual consent.
That Karlie Stansfield, of Belgrave South, Victoria, has withdrawn from and is no longer associated in the
of said business, and Joanne Brooks, of Belgrave Heights, Victoria will conduct said business hereafter, has
of the outstanding obligations of said business incurred both heretofore and hereafter, and is entitled to all of the assets of said business.
Said partnership is dissolved as 01/04/2025
Connor Hartman in action for Lilydale Eagles. (Samantha Moller)
Spotlight on Knox athletes SPORT
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Knox Little Athletics Club is sending a wave of pride to Adelaide this April, with six of its standout young athletes selected to represent Victoria at the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships (ALAC) - and they couldn’t be more thrilled.
The championships, held at SA Athletics Stadium from 26–27 April, bring together the country’s best Under 13 to Under 15 athletes in a teambased competition, with individual medals and state pride on the line.
Eight athletes from Knox Little Athletics will compete at the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships in Adelaide - and for our local athletes, it’s about more than results - it’s a celebration of years of dedication, friendship, and community spirit.
Luke Fisher, 14, has been a familiar face at Knox since he first laced up his runners in Under 6s - a State Champion in the javelin, he will take on both the javelin and shot put in Adelaide.
“When I found out, I was thrilled,” he said.
“It felt like all my hard work had paid off. I love the challenge of perfecting my javelin technique and watching it soar - every throw is a chance to improve.”
The joy of the sport also runs deep for the Baldy siblings, Julia (12) and Damian (14). Both started in the early years of Little Athletics and are now heading to their first ALAC as race walkers.
Julia, competing in the Under 13 1500m walk, is excited to meet athletes her age from across the country.
“I met my best friend at Little Athletics,” she said. “It’s so much more than just competing.”
For Damian, this ALAC marks his final year in Little Athletics, and he’s determined to make it count.
“It’s my first and last ALAC, so I’m looking forward to giving it my best go for Victoria,” he said.
Joining them is Hirun Wijerathne, 13, who will represent Victoria in both the 90m and 200m hurdles.
Having joined Knox in 2017, Hirun has found joy in learning new techniques and pushing himself each season.
“Training for hurdles is fun - there’s always something new,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to giving it my best and hopefully getting a PB (personal best).”
Ben Tornatora, 14, is no stranger to the big stage. After breaking the national 100m record last year, he’s heading to ALAC again, competing in the 100m, 200m, 400m and relay.
“It’s a great opportunity - not many kids get to experience this,” he said. “I’m aiming for a per-
sonal best and to enjoy every moment with my mates.”
Rounding out the Knox team is 13-year-old Chloe Grund, a seasoned long-distance runner with national experience. Just last week, Chloe returned from Perth, where she competed in the Athletics Australia Junior Nationals, setting personal bests in both the 800m and 1500m in the U14 category.
She’ll be competing in the 1500m in Adelaide, one of her favourite events.
Chloe’s journey started at Sherbrooke before moving to Knox in Under 12s - inspired by watching her parents compete in masters athletics.
“I’ve made some of my best friends through Little Aths,” she said.
“I’m just excited to race and hopefully hit a PB - I’m aiming for 4:40.”
Chloe’s passion is backed by her parents, Shane and Danielle Grund, who couldn’t be prouder.
“Chloe is passionate about athletics, always
gives her best and works hard to achieve her goals,” they said.
“She’s already represented Victoria for the past three years and this will be her 10th national championship. Most importantly, it’s her dedication to her dreams that we admire most.”
Mr Grund also coaches long-distance and cross-country athletes at Knox, helping shape the next generation of runners like Chloe.
The group’s stories reflect more than talentthey show the heart of Little Athletics: family, fun, and fitness. Whether it’s four-square between events, shared Saturday mornings, or the support of coaches like Fran, Mike, Allan and Shane, these young athletes are backed by a village.
As Damian puts it: “It’s not just about competing - it’s about hanging out with your friends and becoming a better athlete along the way.”
With Adelaide just around the corner, the Knox Little Athletics team is ready to do their community proud - and no matter the result, they’ve already achieved something remarkable.
How Hills footy clubs have started the 2025 season
By Callum Ludwig
With football and netball clubs taking a break for Easter, here’s how clubs (Senior Men’s Football and A-Grade Netball for the Outer East competition) in the Hills have started their seasons:
In the Outer East Football Netball League, Olinda-Ferny Creek have made a good start in the Premier Division with two wins over Officer (77 points) and Monbulk (12 points). Luca Smith is third in the league goalkicking with 8 and Matthew Scahrenberg has been in the Bloods’ best two weeks running. The A-Grade netballers have won one and lost one, beating Officer by 4 before losing to Monbulk by 19. Jess McCall has been in the best players each week and Olinda Ferny-Creek take on Upwey-Tecoma in Anzac Day clash.
Monbulk are the next Hills side to feature, in fifth after beating Gembrook-Cockatoo by 38 and losing to Olinda-Ferny Creek by two goals. Josh Rak, Lachlan Sheppard and Lochlan Beecroft have been in the Hawks’ best both games. The A-Grade netballers are only off top spot on percentage, having beaten Gembrook-Cockatoo by 65 and Olinda-Ferny Creek by 19. Peri Reid and Paige Whitworth have both featured in the best in the first two rounds and Monbulk will host Wandin in their next game.
Upwey-Tecoma are just below in sixth, having lost to Healesville by 24 points and defeated
Officer by 33. Spencer Richards-West has been among the Tigers’ best both weeks. The netballers are without a win having lost to Healesville by 15 and Officer by 10. No Tigers has featured in the best in multiple weeks and they will play Olinda-Ferny Creek on Anzac Day.
Gembrook-Cockatoo are without a win, having lost to Monbulk by 38 and Mt Evelyn by 28. Robin Nahas and Benjamin Schultze have been two of the Brookers’ standouts in both games. The netballers are also winless, sat last after a 65-point loss against Monbulk and a 70-point loss to Mt Evelyn. Bianca Nagel and Mary Miles have been shining lights in the tough start and
the Brookers will travel to Emerald.
The aforementioned Emerald are in lowly last, overcome by Woori Yallock by 87 points and Healesville by 61. No Emerald player has been in the best more than once. The netballers have fared much better with two wins propelling them to third place, beating Woori Yallock by 12 and Healesville by 25, with Jackie Cutting key to both wins. They play Gembrook-Cockatoo after the break.
In Division Two, Belgrave are flying the flag for the Hills but are without a win, losing to Warburton-Millgrove by 46 and Yarra Glen by 10 and stuck second-last. Nathan Power and Christopher Westcott can’t be faulted for their efforts though, in the best both weeks. The netballers are in the same spot, having lost to Warburton-Millgrove by 44 points and Yarra Glen by 29. Annaliese Carroll has been among their best both weeks and the Magpies next host Seville in an Anzac Day clash.
Over in the Eastern Football Netball League, South Belgrave are leading all comers in Division One with two wins, over Park Orchards by 42 and Norwood by 91. No player has featured in their best more than once but Taylor Garner’s 13 goals is five clear at the top of the league goalkicking. South Belgrave next play Beaconsfield on Anzac Day.
Boronia’s Division One campaign is also off to a decent start, in fourth after a bye to start and
a 6 point win over Bayswater to follow. Joshua Hannon, Luke Hannon, Mitch Mellis, Jordan Church, Daniel Houeix and Ben Robertson were the best players for the Hawks in that game and they play Montrose at home in Round Three.
In Division Three, Silvan’s 52-point win in a standalone season opener against Coldstream, 40-point win over Oakleigh District and 56-point loss to Knox is good enough for fourth place. Cameron Blease, Garrison Asciak and Matteo D’Alfonso have been in the Cats’ best players every week while Michael Fowkes’ 7 goals is the third best tally in the league. Silvan heads to The Basin for their next match.
Ferntree Gully are fifth after losing to Scoresby by 42 before beating Upper Ferntree Gully by 56. No Ferntree Gully players has featured in the best more than once but Elliot Triegaardt has an impressive 7 goals so far. Ferntree Gully play Knox at home next.
The Basin are seventh after going down to Donvale by 49 points and toppling Coldstream by 11. Bailey Syswerda and Jai Gripple have been in the Bears’ best both games and they will host Silvan in Round Three.
Upper Ferntree Gully are second last and winless, defeated by Knox by 20 points and Ferntree Gully by 56. Braidyn Wilson and Buster Todd have featured in their best players each week and they will head to Fairpark for their next match.
Monbulk ruckman Campbell Evans wins a hitout. (Anthea Heagney)
Chloe Grund will compete in the 1500m at the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships, bringing national experience and recent PBs in the 800m and 1500m. (Supplied)
Siblings Damian and Julia Baldy will represent Victoria in race walking and long-distance events at the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships.
Ben Tornatora will compete for Victoria in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 4x100m relay at the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships.
Luke Fisher will compete in Javelin and Shot Put at the 2025 Coles Australian Little Athletics Championships after a standout season as U14 State Javelin Champion.
They are successful in local business... but what do our Tip-Stars know about Footy? Follow them every
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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.
