Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 13th May 2025

Sleeping out for a cause

The library teams across the Yarra Ranges dressed in casual attire on Friday 9 May in support of Your Library chief executive officer Dr Karina Lamb taking part in the upcoming Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

Raising awareness about homelessness, the CEO Sleepout invites the leaders of companies to sleep rough for a single night.

Getting behind their leader, the library staff used their casual dress to promote and support Dr Lamb in her personal pursuit to help a worthy cause.

To see more, turn to page 2

Lilydale Library Team, (L-R) Mykaela Covey, Judy Cousins and Karen Hemmings.

responded to numerous out-ofcontrol burn offs throughout the Yarra Ranges within the first few days of the danger period lifting, igniting a reminder that while you can burn off, it doesn’t mean you should.

The second saw 30 metres of fence line and trees burned.

Some fires, which had been lit safely during the day, reignited overnight with higher winds carrying the blaze, like one in Warburton.

Paged at around 1.50am on Tuesday 6 May,

Mt Evelyn Fire Brigade reported attending two preventable fires caused by unattended burn offs, one in a backyard which spread to a nearby shed and unfortunately, a car was burned in the blaze.

firefighters from across the region attended and were required throughout the day to ensure it stayed under control.

“It was brought under control around 4am but had burnt out approximately three acres which meant a lot of blacking out was going to be required,” Warburton CFA captain Ron McIntosh said.

In the Dandenong Ranges, Emerald CFA Cap-

tain Klaus Brodeck said their brigade attended no fewer than six incidents since Saturday 3 May.

“They do vary from burn-offs that have run up a tree, or the resident hasn’t been actually manning the fire and they’ve lost control and it’s spread to a neighbour’s property, to other ones which have been large burn piles which again may not have been supervised,” he said.

To read more, turn to page 3

(Dongyun Kwon: 477078)

Supporting the homeless

Library staff members across Yarra Ranges took off their uniforms and wore casual clothes to support a cause for homeless people on Friday 9 May.

Your Library chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Karina Lamb is joining the Vinnies CEO Sleepout on Thursday 19 June, taking a personal stand against homelessness and raising crucial funds for St Vincent de Paul Society.

Dr Lamb said this isn’t just another fundraising event.

“I understand the challenges of unstable housing and the fear and uncertainty it brings. I see the growing number of individuals we serve at our library branches who are facing housing stress,” she said.

“I also know that with the right support, lives can change. That’s why I’m sleeping out for the thousands of people doing it every night, not by

choice, and for the young people, the families, the older people slipping through the cracks.

“One night won’t fix homelessness. But it can raise money that keeps someone warm, safe, and supported.”

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event held on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year.

Hundreds of CEOs, business owners as well as community and government leaders sleep outdoors to support the many Australians who are experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness.

Each CEO Sleepout participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide essential services to the people who need them.

In a show of solidarity and support for the CEO’s participation, Your Library staff wore casual clothes instead of their uniforms.

This initiative aimed to raise further aware-

ness among library visitors and encourage contributions to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout fundraiser.

Healesville Library team leader Sabina Wills said it was great to take part in the initiative.

“We’ve been promoting it to our patrons that come in because they ask why we’re out of uniform,” she said.

“It’s a fantastic cause. Homelessness is a very big issue, and it’s great to raise money for it.”

Your Library encourages the community to support Dr Lamb and staff members’ efforts in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, which will contribute to providing essential services for those experiencing homelessness.

Donations can be made online at ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/karinalamb17423/ victoria

Tasmin with library customer Gareth at the Belgrave Library. (Tanya Steele: 477078)

Mooroolbark Library staff Karen Dethomas (left) and Candice Zaviska. (Dongyun Kwon: 477078)

Healesville Library Team, (L-R) Katie Gatward, Sabina Wills and Melissa Hiatt-Boyle. (Dongyun Kwon: 477078)

Jasmine wearing casual clothes on Friday at the Belgrave LIbrary for the sleepout. (Tanya Steele: 477078)

Lilydale Library Team, (L-R) Mykaela Covey, Judy Cousins and Karen Hemmings. (Dongyun Kwon: 477078)

By Dongyun Kwon and Tanya Steele

Yarra Junction Library staff Margaret Duffus (left) and Bridget Laws. (Dongyun Kwon: 477078)

Student recyclers awarded

By Oliver Winn

In a true display of great sustainable practice, the Wandin Yallock Primary School has been named as a finalist in the 2025 ResourceSmart Schools Awards.

First time finalists, the primary school was nominated for the Container Deposit Scheme Vic (CDS Vic) Excellence Award (Primary), where they could win prize money to fund further sustainability projects.

It all comes from the heroic efforts of The Enviro Squad, a team of staff and student leaders paving the way towards the school’s 2025 sustainability goals.

School garden specialist and sustainability leader Jillian Dowling, affectionately known as Farmer Jill, said the nomination showed the school’s actions were making a difference.

“It’s nice to feel recognised - it’s recognition for the work we are doing and the effort that the students are putting in.”

“But we’re just a small school, so while we may feel like it’s a little effort, it’s clearly making a difference,” she said.

Through a proactive approach to sustainable practices, Ms Dowling said the Enviro Squad students influenced others to do the same.

“The main thing that stood out for us was our Enviro Squad students started collecting the containers for CDS so that we could raise funds to encourage others to do the same.”

“They shared awareness so that our community could also help, we’ve had people deliver cans and bottles to us so that we could return them,” Ms Dowling said.

The school earned $500 from VICReturn for water tanks and raised over $400 from container collections, showing their sustainability practices are financially - you guessed it - sustainable.

One purchase the Enviro Squad team had

made with the funds they’d earned was the plush sea turtle Mascot, fittingly dubbed Eco by the students.

“Oh, you’ve got to have a plushie. It’s just, I don’t know, it’s a given.”

Ms Dowling said Eco the turtle helped encourage the students to get involved in sustainable practices - one of the student’s ideas was a class lunchbox competition, where the classroom with the least amount of lunchbox waste gets to look after Eco for the week.

The staff at Wandin Yallock Primary School are all incredibly supportive of the students.

Teachers encouraged students to be ‘waste warriors’ during recess and to always strive to keep the environment clean.

But they also validated the student’s ideas when it comes to sustainable solutions, which promotes healthy leadership while curating a comfortable environment for peers to share ideas.

“It’s their voice and we’re quite proud of our student voice, so they talk about what’s important to them or what they think will really work in our school environment.”

“So they get to choose and then they act on it and we just sort of support them doing that,” Ms Dowling said.

Sustainability Victoria director of regions and community action Katie Pahlow said collaboration is crucial

“We can achieve so much more when we work together, whether that’s with other students, other schools, other teachers, or the wider community beyond the school gate. By working together, our efforts combine to build the future we need.”

ResourceSmart Schools is a free Victorian Government program offered by Sustainability Victoria delivering sustainability education to help Victorian schools minimise waste, save energy and water, promote biodiversity and act on climate change.

Since ResourceSmart Schools’ inception in 2008, the program has reached 1,600 Victorian schools, planted more than 5.1 million trees, saved over $63 million through energy, waste and water savings, diverted 170,000 cubic metres of waste from landfill and avoided over 110,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

The year’s winners will be announced at the coveted awards ceremony held at the MCG on 5 June.

Wandin Yallock Primary School’s The Enviro Squad at a Container Deposit Scheme site. (Supplied)

Violi reflects on election

By Dongyun Kwon

While Liberal’s Aaron Violi successfully retained his seat of Casey, turning more voters across the electorate to him, his party lost most of the bordering electorates.

Political expert Dr Zareh Ghazarian said, although he was aware that the opinion polls had shown Labor was edging ahead, the final result was a bit of a shock to him.

“How quickly the result became clear on election and the size of Labor’s win, I think these were things that we didn’t really expect, such a clear-cut outcome for this election,” he said.

“The result of this election was a continuation of the result of the 2022 federal election. Voters were clearly giving the signal that they weren’t supportive of the Coalition’s policies or direction, and it appears that the coalition didn’t respond enough to convince voters.

“It gives us an indication that there were a lot of voters who were just not prepared to support the Coalition and wanted them to go back and do further homework for the next election.”

On election night, the Coalition faced a painful defeat.

Even Opposition Leader Peter Dutton lost his own seat of Dickson in Queensland, which he’d held since 2001.

The head-of-politics at Monash University said the Coalition’s policy program, which prioritised urban and outer metropolitan electorates, failed to resonate with the voters.

“(The Coalition’s policy program) was underpinned by two main policies,” Dr Ghazarian said.

“The first was the policy on reducing the excise on fuel for one year, and the other was to focus on nuclear energy as a source of energy for Australia.

“Both of these policies were presumably geared towards addressing cost-of-living con-

cerns among voters, but they just didn’t resonate. As we’ve seen in many parts of Australia, there’s been a swing against the Coalition, especially the Liberal Party.”

Despite the big defeat of his party, Mr Violi ended up succeeding in retaining his seat with a 1.7 per cent point swing in two-party-preferred votes and a 5 per cent swing in first preference votes.

Dr Ghazarian said the result of Casey was one of the bright parts of the Coalition’s performance at this election.

“The performance of Mr Violi suggested that the party can take lessons from what has occurred in Casey,” he said.

“When we look at that, it wasn’t as high profile as the contest in Goldstein or Kooyong, but it does indicate to us that there is some volatility in Australian voters, how they’re voting and who they’re supporting, and that (candidates) who campaign effectively and can position themselves effectively in the local community are rewarded with support.

“It’s also interesting to remember that swings across states, swings across all different parts of the country can happen. They’ll change, they’ll go up, they’ll go down. There’s no uniform swing, so I think that’s also what Casey is demonstrating to us.

“When incumbent candidates do well, and especially when they go against the trend for their own path, it suggests to us that there’s strong support for the candidates and the performance over the last few years.”

Although Mr Violi won the election twice in a row for the seat of Casey, most of the surrounding electorates were taken by Labor.

Labor’s Mary Doyle succeeded in defending the seat of Aston, which she gained at a by-election in 2023, against Liberal candidate Manny Cicchiello.

Liberal’s Michael Sukkar lost to Labor’s Matt Gregg in Deakin, the seat that had been held by Mr Sukkar since 2013.

Labor’s Gabriel Ng has become the first Labor member to gain the Menzies.

The electorate had been held by three Liberal members, Neil Brown, Kevin Andrews, and Keith Wolahan, since it was first contested in 1984.

Along with Mr Violi, Liberal’s Jason Wood was also one of a few Liberal members who could retain the seat in Victoria.

Mr Wood successfully retained the La Trobe, which he has held since 2013.

Both Liberal members said they humbly accepted the election result and will listen to Australians to prepare for the next election.

On election night, Mr Wood said the Trump Presidency and the policy of reigning in working from home were damaging to the Liberal’s campaign.

“When Trump came to power, we thought it could lead to a Coalition, we didn’t know it would actually end up being a wrecking ball,” he told Star News.

“I’m not saying we ran a great campaign, we didn’t, but that really hurt.

“Our policy on working from home was one of the dumbest policies ever and that really hurt.”

Mr Violi said lots of reflection and reviews are required.

“A review is nice, but actions from that as a party are what is needed moving forward,” he told Sky News.

Both the Liberal Party and the National Party are now getting into the period of change to rebuild trust with Australian voters, with new leadership decided this week.

Aaron Violi said the Coalition requires lots of reflection and reviews. (Supplied)

Reflecting on Race Mathews’ legacy

By Matilda McDermott

Race Mathews was nothing short of a reformer for Australia, working through all forms of Government to enact real change.

Serving as the MP for Casey and as State Member for Oakleigh, Mathews contributed to policies that still shape Australia today.

He started his career as a speech therapist, where eventually he joined the Labor Party and worked his way up in government, working as a private secretary and being a major part of former Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam’s, think tank.

“He never forgot where he came from or who he was there to serve,” Premier Jacinta Allen said in a statement.

Mathews contributed to the development of Labor’s policies, such as Medibank paving the way for Medicare.

“Race helped shape the early design of Medibank – laying the groundwork for Medicare and helping build a health system that treated care as a right, not a privilege.”

“When Race became Fabian Society secretary in 1960 he commissioned Moss Cass to put his ideas into Fabian pamphlets. The first, Reform in Medicine (1961), advocated a national health scheme centred on public hospitals and health centres and staffed by fulltime salaried doctors,” Iola Mathews via Race Mathews: A Life in Politics.

Mathews was dedicated to the local community, throughout his career as State Member for Oakleigh he worked as Victorian Minister for the Arts, where he was a champion.

He opened the Arts Centre in Southbank,

introduced the Spoleto International Festival for Arts and the Melbourne Writers Festival all while overseeing Victoria’s 150th celebration.

Mathews also worked as Minister for Police and Emergency, where he conducted a major review of Victoria Police, introduced gun reforms in the form of gun control and bettered disaster relief after the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983.

His role as both Minister for the Arts and Minister for Police and Emergency overlapped when the famous theft of Picasso’s Weeping Woman was conducted by the Australian Cultural Terrorists in which they sent letters to Mathews demanding funding for young artists. The painting was returned two weeks later, unharmed.

Mathews also served as Minister for Community Services where he introduced an expansion of child protection.

“Race’s legacy is found in the Victoria he helped build – a fairer, more caring, more creative place,” Premier Allen said.

After a decorated career in politics, Mathews committed his life to academics completing a PhD at Monash University, and publishing works.

Race Mathews’ legacy will be forever remembered by his family and wife, Iola Mathews who published a biography about his life, Race Mathews: A Life in Politics.

His reforms and tireless dedication will always be felt by the local community.

Race Mathews passed away on 5 May 2025 following a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Looking for a lost puppy

I’m reaching out with a heartfelt request and a great deal of hope.

Our beloved puppy, Saffy (also known as Saphire), has gone missing, and we’re doing everything we can to bring her home.

Saffy is a one-year-old Italian Greyhound who went missing on the 11 May near the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Boundary Road in Coldstream.

She is very timid and may be hiding or moving silently through the area.

She was wearing a rainbow collar and lead when she disappeared.

We kindly ask the community not to call or chase her, as she is extremely shy and may run.

If anyone spots her, please contact us immediately on 0421 995 941. -Nervada Bridge

Former Casey MP Race Mathews died on 5 May at the age of 90. (Iola Mathews)

Fishing to support vets

By Mikayla van Loon

As someone who served in peacekeeping missions in the Solomon Islands and only exited the armed forces six years ago, Veterans For Fishing (VFF) founder Chris McAleer knows all too well the challenges that can come from transitioning to civilian life.

Invited back to join his former brigade, the 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse, in Sale for a training exercise on Saturday 3 May, Chris said he was both excited and nervous to return to the army environment.

But most importantly, he and fellow ex-serviceman David, were there to pass on a message of support, family and friendship to the men and women currently serving in the unit.

“Even though they’re still currently serving, they’re still veterans, and they’re still part of the family,” Chris said.

The foundations of VFF were built by many of the past serving members of 4th/19th joining in the early days, so the connection between the two entities is strong.

As a predominantly armoured reconnaissance based contingent, Chris said the unit were interested in running some water based training.

“They asked if we could help them out, because we’ve got the boats. They wanted to observe some boats on the water and put their soldiers’ skills to the task of observing boats on the water and what they’re doing,” he said.

After the exercise, Chris was given the opportunity to speak with the members about VFF, what they do, events and how they help ex serving and current serving members.

“If they feel like they’re struggling at all, we can be a support base, they’re still part of the family, so to speak,” he said.

“Once you’re in the defence force, it is really a close knit family, and then when you leave that, you really do feel like somebody’s just torn something from you.”

With a mission to support all service personnel, whether veterans, current serving members or their families, Chris said proactive chats like this one were important to ensure soldiers can find the support and community they need throughout any stage of their service.

“It lets them know straight away that there are ex service organisations out there that they can not only reach out to when they get out, if they feel that they need to, but they can, at the moment too, that they can still get hold of us and still be a part of what we do,” he said.

“Not every ex service person has any issues. The majority are all fine, and off they go into the world but to then also show those people that we’ve created a little bit of a community here with like minded people, with a bit of an activity thrown in.”

As defence personnel, Chris said competitiveness was typically woven into their nature, that’s why the VFF model works so well.

“We like to compete. We like to be on edge and have a mission,” Chris said.

Post chat and upon arriving back home, Chris said he opened up the VFF social media accounts to find at least 40 new likes and some encouraging messages.

“Lots saying, ‘Hey, this looks great. I’m going to have to come to your next family day’ and stuff like that.

“It’d be really good to see, because I know the older diggers get a kick out of seeing the young blokes and ladies turn up and they chat to them about what they did and what’s different and how it’s new.”

After the visit to Sale, Chris said there was hope VFF could follow this direction more by going to speak with other units and sharing the networks of support with current serving members.

As VFF continues to grow and expand, reaching more people and deepening connections, new offerings have come about like a

veterans retreat and a sponsored fishing competition at Jerusalem Creek in October.

Now as a fully independent, registered not for profit organisation, VFF has plans to set up offshoots in Western Australia, Far North Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

“We’ve had plenty of people contacting us

saying ‘we’d like to do exactly what you’re doing, but in our state’. So we will be expanding Australia wide very soon.”

Veterans For Fishing run regular fishing days, family events and attend competitions. To find out more, visit the facebook page.

Before

Veterans For Fishing founder Chris McAleer and ex-serviceman David were invited to a training exercise for the 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse. (Supplied)

Mental health a priority

By Matilda McDermott and Mikayla van Loon

The Montrose Scout Group received a grant as part of Australia Post’s People of the Post Program, with the funding to go towards youth mental first aid training for its scout leaders.

Group Leader Tim Whitehead said the grant will help support scout members as they adjust to changes in their life.

“It gives us a really great opportunity to be able to support those young people in a space that they would want to confide in, providing that extra support,” Mr Whitehead said.

The scout group, which began at the end of 2023 has recruited over 50 members since its inception.

Providing a safe haven for scouts from Prep, all the way up into the transition of high school.

“We have seen massive growth across our joeys, cubs and scouts,” Mr Whitehead said.

“Our scout section only launched at the start of this year, they’ve already got eight kids and three leaders involved, which is absolutely amazing.”

The grant was made possible by Australia Post’s People of the Post Program, in which someone from the community nominates a good cause, in this case, it was the Montrose Scout Group.

“To have that funding from Australia Post makes our leaders better at their job, but also keeps our programs as thoughtful as possible,” said Mr Whitehead.

The grant will cover the $200 cost per head for the training, to ensure the support of young scouts.

“We don’t need to budget an extra $200 for every adult we bring on into the costs that we pass on to the family,” said Mr Whitehead.

Mr Whitehead said that their key selling points for receiving the grant was the focus on young people and their struggle with mental health, all while fostering a diverse community.

“Being able to have that really huge cross section of the community all in one room, and to have those conversations and leaders supporting them. It means that it’s a really diverse impact that the grant is giving,” said Mr Whitehead.

Mr Whitehead hopes the grant will give the tools necessary to have conversations around mental health and build up support systems out-

side of the Scouts.

“Our biggest thing is giving young kids the tools and skills to be successful leaders in life, and being able to support their own mental health and even support the mental health of their friends and peers is a really important skill.”

The grant comes from Australia Posts People

of the Post Program where they offer funding to local communities to combat any financial pressures they may face.

The program has offered $400,000 in grants towards grassroots community and not-for-profit groups around Australia.

Which means for groups like the Scouts in

Montrose, it can foster a better support system for young kids.

“It’s been clear for us, the uptake from the local kids, but also people coming from a bit further away just because of the program we’re providing is really encouraging…. We’re really lucky to be in such an amazing community.”

Honouring a Montrose wartime nurse with statue

By Mikayla van Loon

The day has been set for the unveiling of Montrose wartime nurse Sister Edith Yeaman’s statue, forever paying tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of women from across the outer east.

The bronze bust will be revealed on Sunday 18 May at 2.30pm in the Montrose Town Centre, at the Nurses who Served garden, adjacent to the war memorial.

Nurse Yeaman enlisted in 1915 at the age of 30 and on 15 May that year, just three weeks after the landing at Gallipoli, she sailed from Sydney on board RMS Mooltan headed for an island in the Aegean Sea.

She served on a hospital ship at the port of Mudros in Lemnos. This was the port that the sick and wounded from Gallipoli were sent to.

After the evacuation of Gallipoli, Nurse Yeaman served in hospitals at Alexandria, Egypt, then on to England before finally serving in France.

In May 1917 Nurse Edith was promoted to Sister.

Fortunately, Sister Yeaman was able to return home safely to her family in May 1919, almost four years after she left and continued to work in hospitals in Melbourne and Sydney.

Getting to this moment of unveiling the statue began in early 2023 on a chance meeting with one of Sister Yeaman’s family members.

Montrose Township Group president Chelsey Cooper was in a meeting at the Historical Cottage when she met a woman wandering the grounds.

She introduced herself as Julie Davies and said she was visiting from Sydney. She was researching the family tree and history of the Yeaman family.

Connecting Ms Davies to Montrose historian Eddie Tichelaar, ideas sprouted.

In 2023 Montrose Men’s Shed member Max Lamb had also helped establish a garden, fitted with plaques, dedicated to the nurses from the area who served in the World Wars.

After hearing of Sister Edith Yeaman Mr Lamb proposed that she would make a fitting subject for a statue.

Securing a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Saluting Their Service program, wheels were in motion.

“As you could imagine, the family were thrilled to receive this news,” Mr Tichelaar said.

They offered photographs to help sculpt Sister Yeaman and also donated her war medals and uniform to be put on display, first for three months at the Montrose Library and then to be held by the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum for future displays.

When asked why this was an important acknowledgement and project when the grant funding was confirmed late last year, Mr Lamb said they, the nurses, served too.

“Every town’s got its memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives, but virtually no one’s got a memorial to the nurses,” he said.

“They went overseas, and they served very close to the front and they did get bombed a couple of times.

“When Japan took over Singapore, quite a lot got captured and then when they were evacuated out, the ship got bombed, and quite a few lost their lives or they were captured by the Japanese. So the nurses certainly were in the thick of it.”

The unveiling ceremony will be followed by afternoon tea in the Town Centre Auditorium.

The Montrose Scout Group was a successful recipient of a People of Post grant supporting its leaders to become mental health first aid trained. (Supplied)

Sister Edith Yeaman will be recognised for her service in World War I in a bronze statue to be placed Montrose. (Supplied)

A garden dedicated to nurses was established in 2023 and will now feature the final touch with Sister Yeaman’s statue. (Stewart Chambers: 443697)

THE PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE BIT

Head for the hills and discover Victoria’s regional events. Try your hands (and feet) at various things you’ve never done before. You could find yourself cider quaffing, tulip sniffing, star gazing, maybe even grape stomping.

Thieves sour festival

By

Kalorama Chestnut Festival goers attended in record numbers this year as the humble community event hit its 40th anniversary running.

Shortly after all the fun, the volunteers had to deal with the disappointing and alleged burglary of a generator and some tools from the Kalorama Memorial Reserve overnight on Sunday 4 May.

“Overnight, thieves broke into the pavilion at Kalorama Memorial Reserve and stole tools, including a generator that belongs to our wonderful festival coordinator and kinder educator, Victoria,” read a social media post by the festival Facebook page.

Involved since his children were in kindergarten, current Mount Dandenong Principal Jake Laurie and Olinda local said the alleged burglary has been reported to police.

“Please keep your eyes out on resale plat-

forms for this generator. If you have any information about this theft, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or you can make a report online https://www.crimestoppersvic. com.au/,” said the social media post.

Focusing on the positive, Mr Laurie said the festival this year was phenomenal, despite the burglary and said they raised over 30,000 dollars on the day.

“I feel like every year the festival grows a little bit. We were blessed with spectacular weather, and we had our community there who worked their socks off,” he said.

Picking chestnuts for weeks before the actual day, volunteers on the Chestnut Festival committee, staff and parents at the school brought the popular hills event to fruition and Mr Laurie said they picked around 700 kilograms of chestnuts this year.

“It’s amazing,” he said.

The week before the festival kicks off commu-

nity gathers for ‘Snipping night’ and the nuts are scored with a knife to ensure they don’t explode when roasted, which Mr Laurie said is a ‘big job’.

“We all get into the school hall, get some music on and make that happen,” he said.

“I do love snipping night and talking with the community.”

The event provides vital fundraising opportunities for the Mount Dandenong Preschool and Mount Dandenong Primary School, but also comes out on top for creating beautiful memories for the students as well.

Mr Laurie said the kids rank the festival as their favourite day of the year.

“The kids help with the picking, over the school holidays and ANZAC Day – they are very involved,” he said.

Hitting its 40th Anniversary, Mr Laurie said the chestnut festival began as a very small event in front of the old pre-school’s car park and later moved to the Kalorama oval.

“It’s grown and grown – generations of families have been involved in it,” he said.

“It’s beautiful.”

An event that binds the local community together, the festival offers art and performance opportunities as well and Mr Laurie said some former students popped up to put on a show.

The Mountain Howlers, Almost June and singer-songwriter Bridget McCluskey, along with his own band Milk Bar Run were all featured on the day.

Despite the disappointing final note, the overall weekend was amazing, and Mr Laurie said people have been involved in the event for decades and absolutely love it.

“The kids run around in packs, with parents on the stalls – the kids have the time of their lives,” he said.

If any public have any information about the alleged stolen goods, please contact Crimestoppers on on 1800 333 000.

Parents and volunteers on the stalls, while the kids have a ball. (Lauren Bianchi).

Prep for the big event begins weeks before. (Lauren Bianchi).

Crowds are also kept entertained by local bands. (Lauren Bianchi).

The festival had great numbers and event better weather this May. (Lauren Bianchi).

Tanya Steele

Roasting the chestnuts. (Lauren Bianchi).

CFA in attendance for the fun filled day. (Lauren Bianchi).

Vamp dish for 2025 Met Gala

By Tanya Steele

Across the world, the 2025 Met Gala recently embraced the theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’, celebrating the rich legacy of Black dandyism, and a slew of celebrities flocked to the event, dressed to the nines.

Here in Tecoma, the Veteran Vamp took time to dish on the iconic event, with several looks making her favourites list this year.

The gala’s dress code, ‘Tailored For You’, invited attendees to interpret the theme through personalised fashion choices, emphasising individuality and the significance of menswear in Black culture.

This year marked a historic moment as it was the first Met Gala to focus primarily on Black designers, underscoring the enduring influence of Black dandyism in shaping contemporary fashion narratives.

Tecoma icon Michelle Trebilco aka the Veteran Vamp – A Thriftalicious Fashionista, loved a number of looks from designer and filmmaker Tom Ford.

“My favourite was Wendi Murdoch – it was a whole look for me,” she said.

The entrepreneur and socialite stepped out in an amazing creamy white tailored skirt suit ,which featured embossing on the jacket and skirt.

“She had an amazing headpiece and amazing boots – so for me, because I’m very strong on accessories these days, it was a whole look,” said Michelle.

Actress Demi Moore came in second for the Vamp, and Demi’s dress resembled a necktie.

“It was so brilliantly done,” said Michelle.

Coming in third by the fashionista for the ladies was actress Zoe Saldana in a sleek button up skirt suit.

“It was black and white,” said Michelle.

The Vamp thought it was quite interesting how she was drawn to many of Tom Ford’s creations this year.

“I do like his style. I’ve seen his style before, but I like the fact that it’s so diverse,” she said.

Ford also designed Janelle Monet’s outfit on the evening, which was a divine pinstripe tailored suit.

“It had amazing shapes and patterns – she was a walking piece of pop art,” said Michelle.

The Vamp also appreciated Rihanna and Alicia Keys’ outfits on the evening.

“Rihanna was pretty out there as well – that was more like a trouser suit, and Alicia Keys had a check trouser suit with puffy sleeves,” she said.

“I also need to mention the white suit worn by Zendaya. - very classic - she was gorgeous.”

For the more masculine looks, the Vet Vamp loved the look worn by racing car driver Lewis Hamilton, who wore a white suit by Grace Wales Bonner and a beret by Stephen Jones Millinery added a final touch.

“He was just gorgeous - once again, that’s a complete look,” said Michelle.

On accessories, Michelle said she thinks it just elevates an outfit.

“I like the fact that people go to trouble to make headdresses or wear head pieces and certain jewellery,” she said.

Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa was also a hot favourite with his slim-fitted purple suit.

“I think he looked divine, it was well-fitting,” said Michelle.

The Vamp also thought White Lotus star Walton Goggins looked impressive.

The actor wore a long black and white jacket and skirt.

“That was designed by Tom Brown again,” said Michelle.

When asked about her opinion on the theme, Vamp doesn’t mince her words

“It was a bit restricting,” she said.

The fashionista said it was quite annoying to see celebrities who didn’t bother to make an effort to meet the dress code this year.

“If you can’t come up with something, I mean, you’ve got a stylist to do this for you,” she said.

“I think it’s an insult.”

The vamp was also a little scandalised by actress Halle Berry’s look, which revealed perhaps a little too much and took away from the amazing dress she wore.

“It takes away from the dress, because it’s a nice dress. It’s nicely fitted. It’s got a lovely hem,” said Michelle.

The fashionista said it wasn’t necessarily even about the sheer panels on the gown, as she would go for that look herself, just the way it came out.

Pantless suits, such as those worn by Sabrina

Carpenter and Hailey Bieber and body suits were also a no from the Vamp this year, and she said that even though Jenna Ortega’s look was outstanding and quite literally ‘made to measure’, it didn’t fit the brief. So, what would our local icon wear to fit the theme herself?

“I’ve got a Christmas suit,” said Michelle.

“It’s more on the sort of quirky side,” she said,

Residents can catch Michelle’s looks daily as she walks her catwalk in the hills or see it on social media, and the fashionista said she still very

give it a go.

much enjoys fashion and encourages anyone to

People may have caught sight of her voting in style on election day, wearing a beautiful green

outfit with a long cape. “I enjoy what I do – I think fashion is fun,” she said.

American singer Chappell Roan poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Met Gala. (EPA/Justin Lane)

American singer Janelle Monae poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Met Gala. (EPA/Justin Lane)

Zendaya attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Damson Idris sheds his racing suit to reveal a tailored suit at the Met Gala. (EPA/Justin Lane)

You

keep fighting fatigue,

Working 17 continuous hours causes impairment equivalent to .05 blood alcohol concentration level.

Working long, multiple days in a row by yourself can be part of the job but consider the cost to you and your family.

Check in with yourself and others around you.

Know the signs of fatigue, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/farmfatigue

It’s never you, until it is.

Mums of the Hills celebrate

By Tanya Steele

Mother’s Day is just a little bit more special this year for Mums of the Hills (MotHs) as the not-forprofit group hit a massive milestone of community connection on 11 May.

As the traditions of burnt toast, smiles, cuddles, and hopefully a sleep-in play out across the Yarra Ranges, a grassroots online community is celebrating ten years of local impact.

Star Mail journalist Tanya Steele interviewed MotHs President, Belinda Young, about the inspiration behind the creation of the Facebook group that has been providing steady support to families all over the hills for a decade.

“MotHs is about community,” she said.

“Living in the hills means leaning on each other—dropping off meals, checking in when someone’s quiet, showing up when it matters.”

“A Mum of the Hills looks out for others, and knows someone will do the same for her.”

The Facebook group has helped mothers connect online and face-to-face in the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges, and with over 5,000 members, shows no signs of slowing down.

Ms Young said initially her drive to create the online community came from a need to find out about local events on the ground.

“Like who people recommended for a haircut or where to take the kids on a rainy day,” she said.

“But deep down, I was really craving that small-town feeling—being able to walk down the main street and run into someone I knew.”

Ms Young said she had begun to miss the sense of belonging that comes from small-town living, and after an accident at home while she was looking after two small kids, the drive to connect became real.

“The real push came after I fell off a ladder while painting a wall at home,” she said.

“The kids were little—just two and four—and even though I was lucky not to be badly hurt, I remember sitting there thinking, ‘Who would I even call right now?”

“I didn’t want other mums to feel that isolated —so I decided to start something that could help bring us all together.”

Not without its challenges, MotHs began small, and Ms Young said that building trust was the hardest part.

“Getting people to open up, ask questions, and feel safe enough to answer them,” she said.

“I had to go first, sharing my own experiences, not knowing if anyone would respond.”

Extending the group into real-life connections in person was also challenging, and Ms Young said that it required persistence.

“I once booked a table for ten mums at Sooki Lounge – ten had confirmed,” she said.

“I sat there smiling at the waitstaff, saying, ‘They’ll be here soon…’ But no one showed up – I felt humiliated.”

“But I also knew I couldn’t give up—it just meant I had to try a different way to connect.”

Over the years, the group has forged bonds through its online sharing and resources both openly and quietly, and Ms Young said there have been many funny, touching and unexpected moments within the community.

“This group has seen it all—laugh-out-loud moments, quiet heartbreaks, and incredible acts of solidarity,” she said.

“There was the mum who bought g-strings for the first time since giving birth, saying it felt like paying respects to her post-labour vagina.”

“Or the one who stepped on a piece of rusted wire in her thongs before the school run, limped bleeding across her cream carpet, only to be met with ‘Mum, I’m hungry’ and ‘I did a poo.”

Over the years, Ms Young said there have been moments that really stick with her.

“There was a mum who shared her story of multiple miscarriages, IVF, and finally carrying her second baby,” she said.

“Her honesty gave so many others the courage to speak about their grief.”

Being a parent is not easy, and in the hills, it can hit different notes as families face regular

challenges with power outages, floods and tree falls happening regularly.

In 2016, the MotHs rallied behind a local family after a gumtree crashed through a local family’s home, and it set the tone for the group onwards.

Ms Young said that to her, being a ‘Mum of the Hills’ means being resourceful, resilient, and quietly tough.

“It’s whipping up a last-minute Book Week costume, running the soccer canteen, or chainsawing a tree off the driveway during the school run,” she said.

‘It’s heading into work in the city looking like everyone else—except you’ve just survived 21 days without power and your colleagues are saying, “‘How about that wind?’ completely unaware

of the devastation your neighbourhood is in.”

On top of their online group, MoThs regularly support and promote community events in the Yarra Ranges, from breastfeeding help to chainsaw workshops and have branch-out groups devoted to the individual needs of their MotHs community.

“We’ve laughed together, cried together, and— when it mattered most—turned up for one another,” said Ms Young.

“That’s what makes this space so special.”

Soon, the group will be celebrated in a Masquerade Ball event hosted y the Monbulk Community Group to be held in Monbulk on 24 May, with a donation pledged to them.

“We are very honoured,” said Ms Young.

President Belinda Young (right) was recognised in 2023 for an Australian of the Year award and was celebrated for her work founding MotHs in the Local Hero category for Victoria. (Supplied).

The group celebrates ten years of connection in the hills.(Pauline Klemm Sliding Door Photography).

MotHs at a planting event at Belgrave Lake. (Supplied).

the years. (Supplied).

EDUCATION WEEK

Grounded in their values

In today’s rapidly changing world, parents increasingly seek more than just academic excellence from a school. They are looking for a place that nurtures their child’s character, fosters resilience, and builds a foundation of values that will last a lifetime. At Edinburgh College in Lilydale, this is precisely what we offer: a values-based Christian education that educates the whole child—academically, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

For over 60 years, Edinburgh College has served families across Melbourne’s East, providing consistent and caring Christian education from Early Learning through to Year 12. Located on a peaceful and picturesque property in the Yarra Ranges, our campus offers a sanctuary where students can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.

Education is not just about gaining knowledge but about forming identity and purpose. Our Christian worldview guides every aspect of School life, ensuring that our students learn not just how to think, but who they are in God’s eyes. Whether a family shares our faith or comes from another background, all are welcome at Edinburgh College as long as they respect and embrace our Christ-centred ethos.

From our youngest learners in Early Learning (3–5 years) to our Year 12 graduates, we aim to develop students who are kind, confident, curious, and capable. We provide a rich, balanced program that builds essential academic skills while encouraging social responsibility, emotional intelligence, and faith in action.

Our Primary School has gained attention for its forward-thinking approach to literacy. While many schools are only now adopting phonicsbased programs, Edinburgh College has been ahead of the curve, having implemented the Little Learners Love Literacy program over four years ago. This evidence-based, structured approach

helps all students gain fluency and confidence early in their literacy journey, especially those who find reading challenging. The results speak for themselves: improved reading, enhanced spelling, and a love of language that sets the foundation for lifelong learning.

Beyond academics, we take seriously our role in developing students who will serve their communities with purpose and compassion. Our Year 9 Challenge Program is a standout example. This year-long subject is designed to take students on a journey of self-discovery, teamwork, and spiritual growth. Through activities like city challenges, hikes, service projects and reflective discussions, students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones and develop resilience, responsibility, and respect—values that reflect the character of Christ.

The program’s unique blend of practical ex-

periences and spiritual mentoring helps our students navigate the complex transition from childhood to adulthood. It’s not just about preparing them for exams—it’s about preparing them for life.

We are also proud of our strong emphasis on service learning. From food drives to community outreach, students across all year levels engage in projects that show them the importance of giving back. These activities are not add-ons—they are part of who we are. Service is woven into our curriculum because a proper education teaches students to look beyond themselves and love their neighbours.

Our dedicated team of Christian educators bring expertise and care to each student’s learning journey. With small class sizes and a personalised approach, our staff work closely with families to support every child’s strengths, chal-

lenges, and aspirations. Our teachers model faith in action, providing instruction, mentorship, and spiritual guidance that students carry with them beyond graduation.

Child safety and wellbeing are paramount at Edinburgh College. Our Child Safe Program supports every student’s right to learn in a secure and nurturing environment. Through play- based learning, emotional development, and clear boundaries, our students grow in self-awareness, empathy, and resilience. This framework ensures that each child feels safe, supported, and free to be themselves while exploring the world around them.

One of the most unique aspects of our school is the sense of continuity we offer. With Early Learning, Primary and Secondary education all on the one campus, students enjoy a seamless transition through key stages of development. This consistency fosters strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and a deeply connected school community.

At Edinburgh College, we are not just preparing students for university or a career. We are preparing them for a life of meaning. In a society that increasingly questions truth and blurs moral boundaries, we offer a compass: a Christ-centred education that helps students navigate the world with wisdom, courage, and compassion.

Now more than ever, our communities need people of principle—young people who can lead with empathy, act with integrity, and live with purpose. That’s the kind of education we provide at Edinburgh College.

We invite families to visit our campus, meet our passionate staff, and discover the difference a values-based Christian education can make.

“Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

Students at Edinburgh College embody the values instilled by the school for over 60 years. (Supplied)

Where to pick up your FREE Star Mail

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar3 Meadowgate Drive

CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Caltex Safeway239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK EG Fuelco Service StationChirnside Park Shopping Cr Little

Chipping Drive, 241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Chirnside Park Country Club 68 Kingswood Drive

CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar158 Nangathan Way

CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar11 The Mall

KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketChuringa SC, Russo Place

KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketCanterbury Road Kilsyth

KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette Unit 7/87 Colchester Road

LILYDALE Aaron Violi MP Office 110 Main Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC51-59 Anderson Street

LILYDALE Woolworths SupermarketMarketplace, 33 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale VillageCastella Street & Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre7 Hardy Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre1 Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station473 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale346 Main Street

LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths31 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE BP Service Station87 Warburton Highway

LILYDALE Shell Service Station469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE 7 - Eleven LilydaleCnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Coles Express469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe251 Main Street

LILYDALE Round Bird Can't Fly170 Main Street

LILYDALE The Lilydale General110 Beresford Road

LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery96 Main Street

LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe178 Main Street

LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe222 Main Street

LILYDALE Gracious GraceCastella Street

LILYDALE Melba Coffee House33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies7/75 Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Point of View CafeLilydale Lakeside - Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE Freda's Cafe2 Clarke Street

LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate88 Main Street

LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate164 Main Street

LILYDALE Hello Harry245 Main Street

LILYDALE Noel Jones Real Estate 281 Main Street

LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate111-113 Main Street

LILYDALE Grubs Up1 Industrial Park Drive

LILYDALE Mc Donalds RestaurantMaroondah Highway

LILYDALE Olinda Creek HotelMaroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street

MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road

MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street

MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent

MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent

MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road

MOUNT EVELYN Bendigo Bank 2/35-39 Wray Cres

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket916 Mt Dandenong Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket15 Brice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Bendigo BankUnit 19/66 - 74 Brice Ave

MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar38 Bellara Dive

MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart108 Hayrick Lane

MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark103 Cardigan Road

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MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real EstateBrice Avenue

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MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road

MOOROOLBARK Mc Donalds RestaurantManchester Road

MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale138 York Road

WANDIN NORTH Wandin Newsagency Shop 2 /18 Union Road

Showcasing their talent

By Tanya Steele

Dripping blood, fear, nostalgia, healing and latestage capitalism – the young artists of the Yarra Ranges have come together to unveil a collective VCE showcase that does not disappoint.

Four students from the exhibit spoke with Star Mail journalist Tanya Steele ahead of their official launch at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Friday 2 May sharing their works and process as developing artists.

With an interest in the macabre and the detail in anatomy, Harrison from Upwey High School has created a giant interactive sculpture of human organs.

Not just a visual, the piece has an interactive element with fake blood dripping from it, which Harrison said was partly inspired by an exhibit he saw in the city.

“It was part of this whole thing with pipes and wires everywhere – It was really cool. I really liked the sound of the water actually dripping through it,” he said.

After some trial and error, Harrison said he ended up creating the massive set of organs for his work.

“They had a felt filling them with random, weird materials, so that when you actually feel the organs, they’re squishy and they’re sometimes crunchy,” he said.

Artist Patience, also from Upwey High School, applied a nostalgic lens to her showcase piece.

Titled ‘Golden Child’, the circular oil painting explores themes of perfection and anxiety, with two figures representing the transition and changes between school and adult life.

“I think everyone in this exhibition– we’re at a point where we are going from childhood out of school into adulthood for the first time,” said Patience.

Putting storytelling threads into her work, Patience said she looks back on like moments that might have been insignificant at the time, but now that she is older, she regards them quite fondly.

“I actually got my friends to model – it was my first big oil painting,” she said.

Milla from Mater Christie has focused her attention on sculpture work for the showcase, exploring themes of sexual violence.

“I made it to represent the healing process victims of sexual assault experience,” she said.

A set of pristine white wings with bloodied handprints explores Milla’s feelings and processing of the horrific numbers of women who experience sexual assault in Victoria.

“I put red handprints on it to show the scars left on those girls’ lives,” Milla said.

Last but not least, Dean from Lilydale High School chatted about his two paintings featured in the showcase that critiqued late-stage capitalism and planned obsolescence.

His two different paintings show fine detail and slow decay in one, with a saturated oil pastel in another.

Dean is inspired by the world around him and said his work represents the idea that despite the illusion of improvement in technology over the years, nothing’s really gotten better.

“I like observing the world, specifically with how late-stage capitalism is sort of eating itself,” he said.

All four artists met with others from the showcase on Friday 2 May, and celebrated their work and achievements together – a chance to collaborate and connect across the Yarra Ranges.

The Creative Showcase will be on display for free until 18 May at the Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey.

Patience from Upwey High School, applied a nostalgic lens to her showcase piece. (Tanya Steele).

All four students were excited for their launch and happy to see what comes next as artist. (Tanya Steele).

Voters see through the spin

By Paul Thomas, Star Managing Director

In the final days of the federal election campaign, Peter Dutton’s decision to lash out at the media was not just desperate, it was dangerous. Labelling the ABC and Guardian Australia as “hate media” and accusing journalists of being “activists” rather than reporters echoed the tired, toxic playbook of Donald Trump: when you’re behind, don’t reflect, just shout “fake news”.

Australians saw through that. No amount of spin, deflection or blame shifting could hide the truth. Voters rejected the Coalition’s message. Shooting the messenger doesn’t change the message.

Media scrutiny is not the enemy of democracy; it’s the oxygen that keeps it alive. A free press questions power, challenges spin and asks uncomfortable questions. That’s not bias, that’s journalism.

Sure, when journalists get something wrong, call it out. Point to it. Demand a correction. Any credible newsroom will make one. But blanket accusations, unsubstantiated claims and outright falsehoods aimed at delegitimising the media are not just cheap politics, they actively erode trust in institutions that underpin democracy.

We see this tactic far too often, not just at a federal level but in local councils, including one our newsroom currently covers. Rather than engaging with the facts or addressing legitimate public concerns, some in power choose the easy path: Attack the media. But in doing so, they expose themselves, not the journalists.

That’s why strong local media matters now more than ever. Local newspapers and newsrooms remain one of the last truly independent and accountable sources of community informa-

tion. They report on councils, expose local corruption, celebrate community success and give a voice to residents. Yet their very survival is under threat.

Digital platforms and social media have stripped local media of its commercial foundations, and worse, they have helped legitimise the kind of rhetoric Dutton and Trump rely on. By feeding audiences personalised echo chambers and monetising outrage, they have weakened the public’s trust in credible journalism, while doing little to support its production.

Those who benefit from journalism must also help sustain it, and that includes the massive digital tech companies who have profited enormously from republishing, aggregating and monetising news content without paying fair value.

Now, artificial intelligence platforms are doing the same, scraping content, harvesting the work of journalists and training their models on material they never paid for. It’s the same pattern we’ve seen for years with social media - extract the value, deny responsibility, and undermine the industry you depend on.

This cannot continue. Everyone who profits from journalism must help fund it. That includes readers, advertisers, governments - and yes, the tech giants and AI developers whose empires have been built in part on the work of others.

On Saturday, Australians made it clear they won’t be fooled by leaders who blame everyone but themselves. Let’s hope they also recognise the essential role of a strong, independent media and are willing to fight for its future.

Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas. (File: 357748)

Comfort food, what does it really mean?

By Maria Millers

The Indian summer we have been enjoying so far is coming to an end with trees almost into their full autumn colour and increasingly crispy mornings and chilly evenings.

Autumn is always when we revert to our primitive selves and feel a vestigial response to fatten up for the cold lean months ahead.

Colder weather and shorter daylight hours affect mood and appetite and lead to cravings for carb rich comfort foods.

Heavier, richer foods start to seem more appealing than light summer fare.

A Little Bit of Comfort

In the style of Pam Ayres

I don’t want quinoa in a bowl, Or salad made of kale, Don’t talk to me of “healthy fats” Or “omega-rich” green ale.

I want a pud that sticks your ribs, And custard poured on top, A steaming stew with dumplings, And gravy that won’t stop.

Food is not just necessary for survival but has psychological value and is always present at the milestones of our lives.

And while in Australia we probably have the most diverse food culture of any place on earth, it is often the simple foods of our past that we crave.

When we talk about comfort food, it is about the food that brings a sense of well-being and emotional satisfaction because of its nostalgic associations with memories of childhood, home and cultural traditions.

Duringtimesofillnessourbodiesoftencrave comfort foods that are easy to digest, soothing, and emotionally reassuring.

Across different cultures soup features consistently: from chicken broth (often referred to as Jewish penicillin) to Asian congee, Middle Eastern shorbatadas, a lentil soup to Russian/ Ukrainian borsht.

Of course, the converse could also be true and may lead to avoiding certain foods because of their reminder of painful or unpleasant memories.

The smell of a dish from a difficult period might bring back the emotional weight of that time.

WOORILLA WORDS

Certain flavours or meals might recall momentsofgriefasinEatingTogether”byLi-Young Lee, a poignant poem about a family meal after the death of the speaker’s father In the steamer is the trout seasoned with slivers of ginger, two sprigs of green onion, and sesame oil.

Every kind of food not only has nutritional value it also carries with it what one might term a psychological value and there is a scientific explanation how certain foods affect us.

When we eat our favourite comfort foods the hypothalamus releases dopamine creating a feeling of pleasure and anticipation: a feel good sensation.

The positive effects of dopamine influence everything from digestion and blood flow to memory, focus, and stress management.

The brain’s response to comfort food is particularly pronounced with dishes high in fat, sugar, or salt.

This reaction isn’t just about pleasure – it’s rooted in survival instincts. Our ancestors’ brains evolved to prioritise calorie-dense foods, making fatty and sugary foods particularly appealing. Unfortunately the fast food industry understands this too well.

Comfort food varies widely between individuals and cultures—what’s comforting to one person might be unfamiliar and unappealing to another.

For Australian indigenous poet Ellen van Neerven the mango becomes a site of nostalgia and cultural connection. the mango is a memory of summer sweat, of bush tracks and bare feet... from Mango

All of us are a little unbalanced in some way at some time.

The food we love is frequently something that compensates us for this: it counterbalances us It can be a hot bowl of soup or a slice of chocolate cake.

Maybe a plate of Nonna’s pasta carbonara or Gran’s apple crumble. It’s all about what fills your spirit.

So food is not just what you eat, it’s what you feel. Fish and chips in plastic tray container never quite matches the long gone newspaper parcel, the enticing smell permeating through the paper.

Australia’s comfort foods not only reflect British culinary traditions but increasingly reflect the diversity of our population.

The other day in a cafe at lunchtime with people on work breaks it seemed that just about everybody was enjoying huge bowls of Vietnamese pho (pronounced fuh) a fragrant broth with noodles beef or chicken served with crisp bamboo shoots, Asian mint and basil .a recent addition to our increasing diversity of comfort food on offer.

But older Australians may still long for a sturdy pea and ham soup or have in their pantries a tin of condensed tomato soup which cheered up many on a cold wintery day.

Recently Virginia Trioli, a guest on the ABC’s afternoon food show, A Bite with Alice, the question of comfort food was raised and Virginia confessed that for her after a bad day at the office the ideal comfort food was the Dim Sim And not any gourmet version but the bog standard dimmy found in every fish and chip shop.

Always steamed not fried, the magic number for her was three in a bag with a dash of soya sauce.

She would retreat to her car and savour the steam and the taste and as she put it she would feel ready to face the world again.

The Australian dim sim is a uniquely Aussie take on traditional Chinese dumplings.

Despite the name’s similarity to “dim sum,” the dim sim has its own origin story and cultural significance in Australia.

The right food can provide at the right time access to neglected psychological needs.

It might be that one needs to eat fish and chips or mashed potatoes with lashings of butter or a lamb roast with gravy and mint sauce that remind you of Sunday roasts or maybe next day’s transformations of the leftovers. These are familiar, hearty and satisfying and emotionally soothing comfort foods.

The smell of certain foods bring to mind memories and associations and none more so than bread.

That is why estate agents have been known to tell vendors to have bread warming in the oven to create feeling of home for prospective buyers.

Right across the world from the crusty baguette to the softness of the Indian Naan, to South American tortillas, to pitta pockets to the stolid black rye of eastern Europe and the braided challah in Jewish culture, there’s nothing like the smell of fresh bread to give you that sense of comfort and peace.

With apologies to vegans and vegetarians the following poem is a picture of someone fully sated and comforted by a hearty meal of meat.

Osso Bucco by Billy Collins

I love the sound of the bone against the plate and the fortress-like look of it lying before me in a moat of risotto, the meat soft as the leg of an angel who has lived a purely airborne existence. And best of all, the secret marrow, the invaded privacy of the animal prized out with a knife and swallowed done with cold, exhilarating wine.

I am swaying now in the hour after dinner, a citizen tilted back on his chair, a creature with a full stomach — something you don’t hear much about in poetry, that sanctuary of hunger and deprivation. You know: the driving rain, the boots by the door, small birds searching for berries in winter. But tonight, the lion of contentment has placed a warm, heavy paw on my chest, and I can only close my eyes and listen to the drums of woe throbbing in the distance

Lilydale’s Fire Bell

By Joy Gothe

As the Lilydale township developed, the need for a fire brigade, and a fire alarm system was desperately needed.

In 1904, newspapers reported yet another disastrous fire, the second for the year, which broke out at 2 o’clock on Saturday morning.

When the alarm was given by the cries of “fire” and the ringing of the Church of England bell, it was usually the only way to let the community know of the danger.

This fire had broken out in a drapery shop in Main Street and before it could be extinguished it had engulfed the two-storeyed Colonial Bank next door and threatened the next-door Crown Hotel.

Up to 150 people were involved in trying to control the fire.

Obviously, a lot of time was wasted when

The Electric State fails to spark

The Electric State Starring Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt and Giancarlo Esposito M 3.5/5

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, The Electric State is a lacklustre adaptation of the 2018 graphic novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag.

In an alternate 1994, following a war between humans and sentient robots that ended with the latter’s segregation inside a vast Exclusion Zone, an unruly teenager named Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) must venture into the EZ to rescue her brother Christopher (Woody Norman).

The Electric State has fun action and some quirky and poignant moments, and recreates the book’s retrofuturistic visual style juxtaposing advanced technology with rusty decay, but converts the book’s sombre road-trip narrative into a slow, meandering adventure story with awkward humour and bland characters.

Brown and Norman deliver solid performances but their characters are too thinly-written to connect with, and Chris Pratt is a generic moral scoundrel as the scrap merchant Keats.

As with Pratt playing yet another Star Lord type, Giancarlo Esposito plays yet another cold, soft-spoken antagonist as the robot hunter Colonel Bradley.

As many others have pointed out, even with the advertising imagery in Stålenhag’s books, it feels crass for the film to feature corporate mascot Mr Peanut (voiced by Woody Harrelson) as a major character.

The Electric State offers scant insight on reality versus illusion, racism and corporate greed, with Stanley Tucci giving it his all for a barely-there character as the CEO villain Skate, and save for the aesthetics, the film has almost none of the book’s quiet melancholy and fascinating existential unease.

The Electric State is also somehow one of the most expensive films ever made; it looks good, but not $320 million good.

The Electric State is streaming on Netflix, but for a better and smarter retrofuturistic robot-themed film (at quarter the budget), watch Gareth Edwards’ The Creator instead.

someone had to run up to Castella Street to ring the church bell so the push for an urgent fire bell began.

The fire bell tower, which used to stand proudly near the Lilydale Band Rotunda in Main Street, was erected in 1906.

TheCountryFireBrigadeBoardletatenderfor £16, to Messrs Brown and McClure of Warrnambool for the erection of a steel tower for the Lilydale brigade’s fire alarm bell which came from Sale in Victoria, work on the tower commenced almost immediately.

Now the bell could be rung to alert shopkeepers and residents to attend to any fire much faster.

Subsequently, when World War I had ended, and Madame Melba, who was one of the only people with privilege to own a telephone in the area, received the news, she took the initiative to rush from Coombe Cottage to Lilydale, even

CARTOON

though it was the middle of the night, and rang the new fire bell continuously to tell the community that the war had finally ended.

The bell tower served the community well, but later the bell was removed from the tower and erected at the old fire station.

It now has pride of place swinging proudly at the front of the entrance to the current fire station in Main Street.

Just recently in December last year at the ‘Lilydale Melba Festival and Street Fair’, the now significantly historical Fire Bell was rung as a tribute to Dame Nellie Melba and a reminder to the community of the Bell’s past history.

If you are interested in discovering more stories about the history of Lilydale visit Lilydale and District Historical Society’s website at lilydalehistorical.com.au or email: info@lilydalehistorical. com.au

Action-packed space opera

“Space opera” is a sub-genre of science fiction that emphasises space warfare.

According to Wikipedia, this type of work features “technological and social advancements... in faster-than-light travel, futuristic weapons, and sophisticated technology, on a backdrop of galactic empires and interstellar wars with fictional aliens, often in fictional galaxies”.

Traitor’s Run is the first book in Australian author Keith Stevenson’s The Lenticular Series.

In his words, this space opera trilogy portrays “species slaughter, invasion and rebellion where humanity are the bad guys”.

In this series, Earth controls a federation of worlds and civilisations called the Hegemony.

Relentless and ruthless, it will sacrifice anything – including aliens and its own citizens – to dominate the galaxy and protect humanity.

Against this backdrop, we meet Udun, a member of the Kresz, an insular and peaceful species native to their Homeworld.

Here is a description of the Kresz: “Tall and heavily armoured, like a cross between a crab and a lobster but with only two arms and two legs, although these were strangely jointed and much longer than a human’s. The eyes too were human-like, even if the thing’s mouth looked like a horror show.”

More importantly: “The cowl behind the head [like a cobra’s hood]...is an extra-sensory organ which allows the Kresz to ‘pick up’ on the empathic state of other Kresz nearby.”

As Udun explains it: “The sensation of others’ feelings was natural for a Kresz, as natural as looking up in the sky and seeing the suns, and just as assuring.”

This is why the Kresz are peaceful creatures, because “it took a deep madness to inflict [any injuries] on someone when that suffering instantly became your own”.

Simply put, such ability for one Kresz to immediately understand another in any situation is

PASSION FOR PROSE

the bedrock of their society.

Yet, when Hegemony forces invade the Kresz Homeworld, they brutally harvest the hoods from everyone who dares oppose them.

“This is not simple occupation and suppression. It’s beyond even calculated murder. It’s the malicious destruction of the soul of an entire people, something only a species that has lost its own soul could contemplate. This is the human race.”

One of the witnesses of the Hegemony’s capacity to cause carnage, destruction and suffering is Rhees Lowrans, a disgraced human pilot working for the so-called Diplomatic Corps.

But there is no diplomacy here, with the Hegemony encouraging factions in various alien societies and then launching full-scale invasions in the name of quelling local “civil disorder”.

As one character describes it: “The Hegemony always come in friendship, one hand extended but the other clutching a weapon behind their back... They move secretly wherever possible. They stay strong by driving outwards and sweeping aside all those who might challenge them. They will never stop.”

Stevenson’s representation of the human race is refreshing yet chilling.

Can Udun and Rhees help overthrow the Hegemonyandrestorepeaceandorderintheuniverse?

We can only wait and see what happens next in The Lenticular Series.

Coming live to a stage near you

Burrinja – Live in the Lyre Grigoryan Brothers

The Grigoryan Brothers – Australia’s guitar duo return with Amistad -

A collection of Friendship and Connection.

Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have long been celebrated as Australia’s finest classical guitarists with a repertoire spanning centuries, continents.

Their unique ability to evoke deep emotion from every note and their telepathic musical bond have captivated audiences worldwide for over two decades.

Now, the Grigoryan Brothers return to Amistad, their latest album released by Decca, a heartfelt tribute to friendship and creative connection.

• Season: Thursday May 15 at 8pm.

The Round Theatre

My Fair Lady

One of the greatest musicals of all time, My Fair Lady (based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion) tells the story of a Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins who takes a bet that he can pass her off as a lady within six months. Made famous by Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, My Fair Lady has won many awards and broken many records since its Broadway debut in 1956. The music is universally known and loved.

• Season: 2 – 16 June.

Matsudo Week 2025 Itotake

The Brandon Lee Koto Ensemble again joins forces with internationally renowned shakuhachi performer, vocalist, improvisor, Anne Norman to present Itotake. Featuring voice, shakuhachi and koto ensemble, with a variety works ranging from traditional pieces to contemporary pieces by Japanese and Australian composers,.

• Season: Friday May 16 at 7.30pm Karralyka Theatre

Victorian State Ballet – The Snow Queen

The Victorian State Ballet and the Victorian State Youth Ballet proudly present The Snow Queen in a beautiful ballet story performance. Outstanding skill, artistry and technique will be on show in this visually inspiring and highly entertaining performance.

Based on the well-known classic tale of Hans Christian Andersen, The Snow Queen is a beautiful ballet that portrays the heart-warming story of the young Gerda and her struggle against an evil and icy foe. The Snow Queen is full of magical imagery. Intrigue, drama and suspense.

Season: Friday May 16 at 7.30pm. Saturday May 17 at 2pm and 7.30pm. Sunday May 18 at 2pm.

Gemco theatre

Gemco Players Open Stage Nights 2025 Welcome one and all to Gemco’s ongoing Open Stage Night. Hosted by Carol, the popular open stage has been running for many decades. Held in a cosy hall, you are welcome to perform anything you like or just come for the lovely entertainment.

Enjoy music, poetry, singing, monologues, or anything you wish to show.

Returning the first Saturday of every month, now starting at 7pm.

Remember:

• The 1812 Theatre

• The Housekeeper

• Opening May 22 and closing June 14. Bookings 9758 3964.

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 One who believes in sharing evenly amongst the community (9)

6 Majestic (4)

10 Possessive pronoun (3)

11 Notorious dispute (11)

12 Of cooking (8)

13 Situate (6)

14 Without (arch) (4)

15 Hitchhiker'sGuide author, – Adams (7)

20 Enterprise (7)

21 Not genuine (4)

25 Invisible (6)

26 Tied up (8)

28 Offender (11)

29 Special effects (1,1,1)

30 US university (4)

31 Not at all sleepy (4-5)

DOWN

1 Patience (8)

2 US state, North – (8)

3 Climb (6)

4 Closest to the centre (9)

5 Duration (4)

7 Package (6)

8 Wild dog native to North America (6)

9 Infested (7)

16 Clothed (9)

17 Erased (7)

18 US actress who portrayed Allison Dubois, – Arquette (8)

19 News title (8)

22 Provide, furnish (6)

23 Of the stars (6)

24 Himalayan mountain person (6)

27 The bow of a ship (4)

A GRAND FAMILY SANCTUARY ON 18 ACRES

SURROUNDED by Selby’s lush and tranquil landscape, this expansive five-bedroom, three-bathroom family residence delivers the perfect blend of timeless character, modern functionality, and rural serenity. Situated on approximately 18 acres of gently undulating, usable land with fenced paddocks, this rare lifestyle property is ideal for growing families, multi-generational living, hobby farmers, or those seeking a peaceful tree change - just a one-minute drive to Wellington Road.

At the heart of the home lies a stunning open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area, complete with a magnificent 4-metre island bench - a dream for home chefs and entertainers alike. Polished Tasmanian Oak floors, ceiling roses, and ornate cornices add warmth and character, wood fire , zoned ducted heating and evaporative cooling ensure year-round comfort.

Step outside to a large entertaining deck with a Coonara wood heater, perfect for alfresco dining and taking in the sweeping views of surrounding paddocks and native bushland.

Upstairs, the grand master suite features a walk-in robe and private ensuite. Additional bedrooms are generously sized and serviced by a spacious second living area with an inviting gas open fireplace. Downstairs offers a fully versatile area with its own bedroom, bathroom, living and study areas, separate entrance, and private firepit zone - ideal for guests, teenagers, or in-law accommodation.

A standout feature is the huge barn/ workshop, fully equipped with mains gas, water, and electricity. With a large mezzanine level and ample space, it’s ideal as a workshop, studio, teen retreat, or for secure storage of farm equipment and toys.

Located just 10 minutes from Lysterfield, Harkaway, and Narre Warren, and offering easy access back into the city, this is a rare opportunity to enjoy the best of both worldsspace and seclusion, with convenience close by.

Property Highlights:

Expansive open-plan kitchen, living & dining area with 4-metre island bench

Large entertaining deck with Coonara heater and panoramic views

• Five generous bedrooms & three bathrooms, including a luxurious master suite with WIR and ensuite

• Second upstairs living zone with open fireplace

• Character-rich features: Tasmanian Oak floors, ceiling roses, ornate cornices

• Zoned ducted heating & evaporative cooling

Versatile downstairs zone with private access ideal for extended family or guests

Fenced paddocks perfect for horses, livestock, or hobby farming

Huge barn/workshop with mains gas, water, electricity & mezzanine ideal for studio, retreat, or storage

• Firepit

and

sufficient lifestyle, 130 Old Menzies Road offers a rare and remarkable opportunity in one of Selby’s most picturesque settings.

HOME FOCUS

THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE ON OVER 15 ACRES

POSITIONED on an elevated setting surrounded by stunning landscaped gardens this impressive home is the perfect blend of country lifestyle and modern comforts.

The home has been lovingly constructed using recycled Jarra to create a warm and inviting home. You step inside into the vast living space where vaulted ceilings and solid timber beams give you a sense of grandeur. For the cooler nights there is a coonara and a gas log fire that create a cozy ambience.

The huge timber kitchen has been designed for the chef of the family, featuring stainless steel appliances including a 900mm free standing oven, dishwasher, huge island bench, breakfast bar, an abundance of storage and adjoining spacious dining area to ensure you can entertain comfortably.

A second separate lounge room offers the potential for an additional living space, kids play room or whatever you need! For growing families there are 6 spacious bedrooms all with built in robes, upstairs you will find the master suite that boasts a gorgeous sunroom with picturesque garden views. Bedrooms two and three are also both upstairs and are all serviced by the spacious family bathroom.

An open study and retreat with a built-in bookshelf complete upstairs. The remaining bedrooms are located downstairs along with the second family bathroom. Hardwood floors, striking timber features and garden views throughout create a charming country home. To keep the bills down there is a solar array with two batteries and a generator switch for when you need it.

Outside there is a spacious decked and covered entertaining area ideal for hosting your friends and family. In the cooler months there is cafe blinds to keep the weather out.

Surrounding the home, the gardens have been meticulously designed and maintained to create a parklike setting with mudstone features, established plantings and expansive lawned areas for the kids and four-legged family members to run and play.

For the toys and tools there is a huge 12m x 20m shed with a 5.4m x 20m carport and a 4.2m x 20m carport either side for additional storage should you require it, with the added bonus of three phase power this is the man cave of all man caves!

The balance of the 15 acre property is your own private park, with tracks meandering through ready for you and the kids to explore. Located just a few minutes from the Gembrook township and within easy access of Pakenham, this property offers the country lifestyle you have been searching for with all the modern amenities. The property is access via the service road for added privacy.

HOME FOCUS

IMMACULATE FAMILY HOME IN PRIME LOCATION

SET on a generous 1,693sqm parcel right in the heart of Cockatoo, this welcoming three-bedroom, one-bathroom home blends everyday comfort with unbeatable convenience.

Located just a short stroll from local shops, the primary school, medical centre and directly opposite the park and skatepark, it’s a prime position for families or savvy investors.

Inside, the light-filled lounge features freshly polished timber floors, a split system for year-round comfort, and a large sliding door leading out to the front verandah – perfect for soaking up the sunshine or enjoying a quiet evening. Gas ducted heating runs throughout the home, keeping things toasty no matter the season.

The adjoining open-plan kitchen and dining area offers tall ceilings, an integrated oven, electric stove, large pantry, fridge recess, and plenty of storage and bench space, with another sliding door opening to the verandah for easy indoor-outdoor flow.

A few steps up, the carpeted master bedroom includes built-in robes and ensuiteeffect access to the central bathroom, while two additional bedrooms enjoy peaceful garden views – one also with built-in robes. Outside, the 11m x 6m shed is equipped with a concrete floor, power, and 4 x 15 amp double outlets, making it ideal for tradies, hobbyists or extra storage. A fully fenced backyard, perfect for kids and pets to play, concrete driveway, lots of off-street parking, and a 6kW solar system complete this wellrounded family package.

Whether you’re chasing your first home, upsizing with the family, or hunting for a smart investment, this Cockatoo gem has personality, practicality, and park views to boot. Fire up the BBQ on the verandah, send the kids across to the skatepark, or just kick back and soak up the local charm.

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

Comfort,Space& LifestyleonanAcreinCockatoo. Tuckedawayon afullyfenced4,063sqmblock,thisspaciousfour-bedroom,two-bathroombrick homeblendscomfort,functionandoutdoorcharminpeacefulCockatoo.Inside,enjoyfreshcarpet, 9-footceilings,a flexiblefrontloungeandstudy,anda masterbedroomwithensuiteandgarden outlook.Theopen-plankitchen,diningandsecondlivingareacentresaround atoastywoodfire, withslidingdoorstoanexpansiveundercoverentertainingspaceframedbylushgardenpaths. Threeadditionalbedrooms,gasductedheating,evaporativecoolingand alargelaundrycomplete thepicture.Outsideis adreamforfamiliesandtradiesalike—apowered8m x7.5mshedwithgas heater,woodfireandaircon, alean-to,woodfireBBQ,gazebo,firepit,kids’playzoneand10,000-litre watertanks.A truelifestylehaventhat’sprivate,practical,andreadytoenjoy.

M 0438844968 AaronDay M 0407365994

RusticCharm& FutureDreamson 2AcresinPeacefulCockatoo. Tuckedawayin aquietpocketofCockatoo,thischarming2-bedroom,1-bathroomhomesetona serene2-acreparcelofferstheperfectblendofcomfort &futurepotential.Whetheryou’reseeking apeacefullifestyleretreat, aproductivehobbyfarm,ortheperfectspottobuildyourdreamhome (STCA),thispropertyhasthespace &soultoinspire.Stepthroughthedoublecarport &intothe kitchenwhererusticslatefloors, agasstovetop &timberceilingcreatea countryfeel.Theadjoining loungeischaracter-filled,witha woodfireheater &a picturewindowthatframesgardenviews. Themainbedroomsitsjustofftheloungewithitsownaccesstotheoutdoors, acentralbathroom& secondloft-stylebedroomcompletethelayout.Outside,naturelovers &greenthumbswilldelightin thelargegreenhouse,raisedveggieboxes,&2fullyfencedpaddocks

15aStationRoadGembrook $690,000

HistoricCharminGembrook. Thischarming2-bedroom,1-bathroomweatherboardhome,builtintheearly1900s,isoneofthe fewremainingoriginalhomesinGembrook.Seton aspacious1239sqmblock,itcombinesperiod characterwithmoderncomfort.Theloungefeaturesoriginaltimberfloors,10-footceilings &a baywindow,whilethesecondlivingareaoffers awoodfire &split-systemairconditioning.The masterbedroomhasa BIR& thekitchenincludestiledbenchtops,a gasstovetop&adoublesink overlookingthebackgarden.A sunroomconnectstothebathroom &separatetoilet.Thefully fencedbackyardisperfectforkids &pets,with apavedentertainingarea &undercoverstorage. Alargesinglegarage,3-phasepower& proximitytothePuffingBillytrainstationcompletethe package. Apeaceful,well-appointedhomewitha uniquehillslifestyle.

BethanySullivan M 0438844968

AaronDay M 0407365994

Nature,Privacy &Peace –A TimelessBushRetreaton5.7AcresinEmerald Seton5.7gentlyundulatingacreswrappedintrees &birdsong,this4-bedroom,2-bathroombrick havenblendstimelesscharmwithnaturalbeautynearEmerald.Floor-to-ceilingwindowsfloodthe homewithlight &lushviews,while 2livingareas—1with aheattransferwoodfire,theotherwith splitsystem &deckaccess—offercomfortyear-round.Thekitchenfeaturesa walk-inpantry,electric stove,dishwasher &outlooktotheentertainer’sdeck.Themasterincludes awalk-throughrobe& ensuite; 2morebedroomshavebuilt-ins &desks,servicedbya centralbathroom.Outside,enjoya fullyestablishedveggiegarden,circulardriveway,drive-throughcarport,extra-heightbayforvansor boats,under-houseworkshop& trailerstorage.Withwildlife,spacetoroam& everythingreadyfora self-sufficientlifestyle,thispeacefulbushretreatisthetreechangeyou’vebeendreamingof.

HOME FOCUS

YOUR LUXURY OASIS: 27.5 ACRES OF PERFECTION

NESTLED in the prestigious and picturesque pocket of Macclesfield, this extraordinary property offers 27.5 acres of rolling pastures and natural bushland, creating the perfect blend of luxury, tranquility, and rural charm. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the care and attention that has gone into crafting this exquisite, one-owner residence, designed with comfort, elegance, and functionality in mind.

The home itself is a masterpiece of design, boasting four oversized bedrooms that cater to every need. The master suite is a private haven featuring a spacious walk-in robe and a luxurious ensuite complete with a double vanity. The guest bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned at the opposite end of the home, each with built-in robes and serviced by a stunning family bathroom adorned with marble benchtops. Adding to the home’s versatility is a large office, ideal for those who work from home or easily adaptable as a fifth bedroom.

At the heart of the home lies a chef’s dream kitchen, offering an abundance of stone bench space and quality stainless steel appliances. The adjoining expansive family meals area ensures effortless entertaining and everyday living.

For larger gatherings or moments of relaxation, the home provides multiple living areas, including a main living room with soaring high ceilings and a wall of windows that flood the space with natural light while showcasing the breathtaking garden and pasture views.

An additional rumpus room with a vaulted ceiling adds an extra layer of grandeur, while a formal dining area completes the living experience with timeless sophistication.

Throughout the home, premium features abound, from the 2.7-meter ceilings and 2.4-meter-high doors to the ducted refrigerated heating and cooling system. A solid fuel fire in the family room adds warmth and charm, creating the perfect ambiance for cooler evenings.

Stepping outside, you’ll find an entertainer’s paradise. A spacious covered alfresco area leads up stunning Ironbark steps to a resort-style, self-cleaning, heated, saltchlorinated pool that overlooks rolling hills.

This incredible outdoor space is complemented by a pool house featuring its own bathroom, complete with floor-to-ceiling tiles and an oversized shower, ensuring every gathering is unforgettable.

Beyond the main residence, the property offers unmatched infrastructure for those seeking space or versatility. A massive 12 x 14 meter shed provides the perfect environment for running a business from home or catering to car enthusiasts, with additional machinery and storage sheds enhancing the functionality

of the property. Multiple paddocks, eight of which have water, are ideal for grazing livestock or horse enthusiasts, while the bushland areas and dam further enhance the property’s charm.  To the rear of the property there is an adjoining creek, perfect to sit by and relax. Adding even more value, a separate twobedroom bungalow with its own driveway

offers complete independence with a lounge room, kitchen, bathroom, solid fuel fire, split system, and separate utilities.

Situated in an enviable location next to a renowned primary school and just minutes from the vibrant Emerald town centre, this property offers the ultimate in convenience. With easy access to supermarkets, schools, restaurants, cafes, shops, and public

transport, this is an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the best of rural and modern living.   Rarely does a property of this calibre come to market. Don’t miss the chance to make this extraordinary luxury oasis your own. Contact us today to secure your dream lifestyle.

• Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218

• Barry Plant Emerald – 5968 4522

Peaceful,PicturesqueEscapein aColourfulLocation

Enjoythispicturesqueandpeacefullocationwiththisbeautifulhomesittingonapprox.2828sqmand offeringtheidealcountrylifestyle.Boasting4 bedroomsincluding ahugemainfeaturebedroom andensuite.SuperbopenplankitchenwithqualitySmegappliancesandfixtureswithamplebench andcupboardspace,themainliving/lounge/familyareasaretheidealplacetositbackand admirethecolourfulscenery.Largefullheightdoubleglazedwindowsbringinplentyofnatural sunlightandwarmth,complementedbythecomfortofunderfloorheatingthroughoutthehome. Outsidea mixofclearandscatteredtreesandbushandconvenientlypositionedatthefoothills oflocalwalkingtracksandtrails.It’sa natureloversparadisesituatedin agloriousandpeaceful location.

35EllisTrack,Gladysdale$1,350,000

LargeAcreageBlisswithPeaceandPrivacy

Admireandenjoytheamazingviewsallyearroundatthissuperbproperty,situatedonjustover36 picturesqueacreswith amixofundulatingpastureand abushsettingit’ssuretoimpress!Theclassic rusticmudbrickhomeiswarmandinvitingandhasallthecharmandambienceofa countryescape offering 4bedroomsplusanoffice/studyarea.Thespaciouslounge/livingareasoffergreatspacefor thewholefamily.A separatemeals/diningareahasamplespaceforthegrowingfamilyplus alarge kitchenareaand averyimpressivecombustionstyleovenandhotplate.Amplecar,trailer,truckor caravanaccommodationwith alargebarnandloadsofextraroomtomove, ablankcanvasready andwaitingtocreatetheidealcountrylifestyle.It’sa greatplacetocallhome.

DavidCarroll M 0419539320 Inspection:

GloriousAcreswitha FantasticFamilyLifestyle Arareopportunitytosecurea beautifullypresentedsmallacreagepropertywithcommanding viewsinpeacefulsurroundings.Sittingonjustunder 7sensationalacreswith2 separateresidences andofferingtheidealrelaxedlifestyle.Themainhomeisspacious,beautifullypresentedandoffers 4goodsizebedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesincluding akingsizemasterbedroomwith awalkin robe,ensuiteandparentsretreat.Inadditiontothemainhomethereis aseparatewellpresented 3bedroomhomewithmultiplelivingandfamilyrooms,spaciouskitchenandmealsareait’sthe idealplaceforextrafamilymembersortheextendedfamily.Everyonewilllovetheoutdoorswith beautifulestablishedgardens,doublecarportplus atrueclassicoldstylebarnwithamplecar accommodationandworkshopspacewithupstairsgamesroomorextraaccommodation.

PrivateBushlandRetreatwithCreekAccess –Over3.5Acres

Tuckedawayin asereneandprivatepocketjustminutesfromthevibrantheartofYarraJunction, thisexceptionalparceloflandoffers arareopportunitytosecureyourownsliceofnature.Seton over3.5acres,thepropertyenjoysdirectaccesstothepicturesqueLittleYarraCreek —perfectfor naturelovers,campers,orthoseseekinga peacefulweekendescape. Agentlywindingdrivewayleadstoa generousclearing,idealforcampingorestablishingyour dreamgetaway.Withelectricityalreadyconnectedanda watertankinplace,muchofthe groundworkisdone —justbringyourvision. Whetheryou’reaftertranquilityora futureproject,thisaffordableandversatilepropertywon’tbe onthemarketforlong.

27ForestRoad,Wesburn

$870,000 -$920,000

DavidCarroll

AdventCare is a ‘not for profit’ organisation offering aged care that embraces Christian values. Yarra Ranges is a 42-bed facility nestled between the Yarra River and picturesque mountains making it a popular tourist destination all year round. Yarra Ranges offers a boutique feel while providing personalised care and emotional support to people and their family and friends.

We are seeking applications from Personal Care Assistants who desire to support people to achieve their optimal function and independence. Yarra Ranges has increased care minutes and therefore finds itself in the unique opportunity of having AM and PM shifts available. If you would like to work close to home while making a difference to someone’s else day, then this may be the opportunity for you!

On offer:

• Casual and +Permanent Part time positions

• Immediate start

• Salary sacrifice

The successful applicant/s will have:

• Experience in residential aged care.

•Knowledge of Aged Care Standards and Accreditation requirements.

• Valid police check or current NDIS Check.

• Work effectively within a team.

•Possess a compassionate, care and supportive nature.

Please email yarra.ranges@adventcare.org.au or call (03)5966 4400 for a position description or if you have any queries

Ocaa’s six guides Eagles

By David Nagel

A month on the sidelines has failed to dampen the impact of Beaconsfield forward Jafar Ocaa who returned to footy with a match-defining six goals in the Eagles hard-fought 18-point win over Montrose at Holm Park Reserve.

Ocaa, playing his first game since round one, booted three of the home side’s last four goals of the match to lead his team to a 12.13(85) to 10.7(67) victory.

The Eastern Division 1 clash was played with a patient overtone for three quarters, with a free-flowing 10-goal second term the outlier of the match.

Beaconsfield came off second best in that second-quarter shootout and adjusted the finer points of its game at the main break.

The Eagles started the game well, with Charlie Muley hitting Jake Bowd on the lead for the first six-pointer of the match.

The lively Ty Galbraith provided a quick answer for the Demons, but the Eagles opened up a 16-point lead at quarter time after an open goal to Ocaa and a mark and straight kick from Hayden Brough.

Brough’s goal came after some wonderful length-of-the-ground transition from defence; and that run, carry and connection was a key advantage for the home side in the opening term.

But Montrose certainly wasn’t done with on the attacking front, playing some free-wheeling football to kick four of the first five goals in the second term.

Ocaa’s second was the only goal sandwiched in between, with the Demons’ midfield providing their forwards with plenty of very good looks.

The Eagles settled, kicking three goals to two heading towards half time, with majors to Bowd, Ocaa and Damien Johnston setting up a fivepoint advantage at the major interval.

Myles Currie then slotted home the opening goal of the third, but when Galbraith kicked his second, and Michael Schwab rammed home his fourth, the Demons had taken a two-point lead…10 minutes in to the premiership quarter.

Beaconsfield coach Mick Fogarty then watched on as his side showed the maturity that he hopes will take it deep into September this year.

The Eagles really tightened up defensively all over the ground, with the clever Tylah Stokoe

finding Ocaa with quick hands to break a seven-minute deadlock.

Ocaa’s goal was sprinkled with a touch of class, with his left-foot snap from distance one of the great highlights of the match.

Busy midfielder Jake Aarts then nailed Ocaa with a great hit up, and his straight kick at the 22-minute mark of the third had opened up a 10-point lead.

Ethan Harris then caused a turnover at centre-half forward; strolling through two opponents to kick the margin out to 16 points at three-quarter time.

Both teams fought tooth and nail for the opening goal of the final stanza; and it was Ocaa who slammed it home after 14 minutes of gridlock.

Midfielder Harris found Ocaa with a nice handball on 50, with the sweet-moving forward slamming one home from 35 to make it a match-winning four-goal lead.

Ocaa and Bowd worked well in tandem up

forward, with six and two goals respectively, while defenders Finn Devine and Brandon White offered reliability when their opposition gained momentum.

Ali Zijai continued his terrific form on the wing, while Harris put his leg-speed to advantage and Muley was a consistent target in the front half.

The Eagles now sit third on the ladder with a 3-1 record and face a stretch of matches where they can really consolidate that position.

Away games against Mooroolbark (fifth) and Norwood (last) are followed by a home game against Bayswater (ninth) ahead of the mid-season break for all teams.

EASTERN DIVISION 1

Beaconsfield Goals: Jafar Ocaa 6, Jake Bowd

2, Hayden Brough, Myles Currie, Ethan Harris, Damien Johnston. Best: Finn Devine, Ali Zijai, Brandon White, Jafar Ocaa, Ethan Harris, Charlie Muley.

Montrose Goals: Michael Schwab 4, Ty Galbraith 2, Riley Hams, Taj Heap, Luke Jenkins, Brodie McLaughlin. Best: Bradley Watson, Beau Tennant, Michael Schwab, Daniel Frith, Luke Jenkins, Taj Heap.

Other Games: Bayswater 5.3(33) def by Mooroolbark 12.20(92), Boronia 15.16(106) def North Ringwood 13.8(86), Park Orchards 20.19(139) def Norwood 12.3(75). Bye: South Belgrave. Ladder: South Belgrave 16, Park Orchards 16, Beaconsfield 12, Boronia 12, Mooroolbark 8, North Ringwood 8, Montrose 4, Bayswater 4, Norwood 0.

Fixture R6: Mooroolbark (5) v Beaconsfield (3), South Belgrave (1) v Boronia (4), Montrose (7) v Norwood (9), North Ringwood (6) v Park Orchards (2). Bye: Bayswater (8).

Belgrave nabs 1-point win over Yea in tight contest

By Armin Richter

Football Premier Division

Seniors: Wandin 19.7.121 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 10.7.67; Gembrook-Cockatoo 8.10.58 def Officer 7.9.51; Woori Yallock 14.12.96 def Upwey-Tecoma 7.7.49; Mt. Evelyn 16.15.111 def Emerald 3.3.21; Healesville 11.11.77 def Monbulk 7.10.52

Reserves: Wandin 13.15.93 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.3.51; Officer 11.13.79 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 6.5.41; Upwey-Tecoma 12.16.88 def Woori Yallock 4.3.27; Mt. Evelyn 16.14.110 def Emerald 3.8.26; Monbulk 10.19.79 def Healesville 3.3.21

Under 18: Wandin 8.15.63 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.5.53; Officer 9.22.76 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 2.4.16; Upwey-Tecoma 15.12.102 def Woori Yallock 4.7.31; Healesville 15.2.92 def Monbulk 3.5.23; Mt. Evelyn bye

Division 1

Seniors: Yarra Glen 12.11.83 def Alexandra 11.7.73; Seville 25.28.178 def Yarra Junction 2.6.18; Warburton-Millgrove 26.14.170 def Powelltown 2.4.16; Belgrave 12.16.88 def Yea 13.9.87; Pakenham bye

Reserves: Alexandra 6.16.52 def Yarra Glen 4.5.29; Seville 27.15.177 def Yarra Junction 2.0.12; Warburton-Millgrove 14.20.104 def Powelltown 2.4.16; Belgrave 15.12.102 def Yea 5.6.36; Pakenham bye

Under 18: Yarra Glen 11.9.75 def Alexandra 3.3.21; Pakenham 16.12.108 def Seville 3.3.21; Warburton-Millgrove + Yea Bye Women (Div 1): Upwey-Tecoma 8.6.54 def Woori Yallock 1.0.6; Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.7.55 def Pakenham 2.1.13; Mt. Evelyn 14.15.99 def Belgrave 1.1.7; Healesville bye Women (Div 2): Warburton-Millgrove 9.18.72 def Officer 0.1.1; Thornton-Eildon 5.4.34 def Seville 2.6.18; Emerald 8.13.61 def Yea 1.0.6; Wandin bye

Netball Premier Division

A Grade: Monbulk 74 def Healesville 44; Wandin 60 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 38; ROC 49 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 34; Woori Yallock 55 def Upwey-Tecoma 40; Mt. Evelyn 50 def Emerald 37

B Grade: Monbulk 94 def Healesville 10; Wandin 52 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 34; ROC 64 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 31; Woori Yallock 69 def Upwey-Tecoma 49; Mt. Evelyn 47 def Emerald 29

C Grade: Wandin 49 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 31; ROC 46 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 30; Woori Yallock 57 def Upwey-Tecoma 22; Mt. Evelyn 37 def Emerald 18; Monbulk bye D Grade: Wandin 22 def Olinda-Ferny Creek

18; ROC 28 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 13; Woori Yallock 41 def Upwey-Tecoma 30; Mt. Evelyn 38 def Emerald 20; Monbulk bye Under 17: Woori Yallock 33 def Monbulk 15; ROC Blue 32 def ROC White 19; Mt. Evelyn 39 def Emerald 26; Wandin bye Under 15: ROC Blue 40 def Monbulk Maroon 16; ROC White 23 def Pakenham Gold 20; Pakenham Maroon 43 def Woori Yallock 12; Monbulk Gold bye Division 1

A Grade: Belgrave 46 def Yea 43; Yarra Glen 71 def Alexandra 37; Seville 66 def Yarra Junction 32; Warburton-Millgrove 81 def Powelltown 9; Pakenham bye

B Grade: Yarra Glen 48 def Alexandra 32;

Beaconsfield forward Jafar Ocaa nails one of his six goals against Montrose on Saturday. (Rob Carew: 476846)

Seville 72 def Yarra Junction 20; Warburton-Millgrove 70 def Powelltown 21; Belgrave 55 def Yea 32; Pakenham bye

C Grade: Yarra Glen 40 def Alexandra 25; Seville 43 def Yarra Junction 19; Warburton-Millgrove 65 def Powelltown 5; Belgrave 36 def Yea 30; Pakenham bye

D Grade: Alexandra 32 def Yarra Glen 16; Seville 48 def Yarra Junction 12; Warburton-Millgrove 50 def Powelltown 10; Belgrave 18 def Yea 11; Pakenham bye Under 17: Seville 31 def Pakenham Gold 21; Warburton-Millgrove 51 def Powelltown 18; Alexandra + Pakenham Maroon bye

Healesville and Monbulk Under 18s contest a hitout (Armin Richter).

Drama for Eagles

By Callum Ludwig

The Lilydale Eagles looked to build on their fine form from last week as they welcomed Monbulk on Saturday 10 May.

The Reserves were up first and things got off to a worrying start as left back Caleb Knox went down early with a knee injury that is suspected to be serious.

However, things started to look up on the pitch shortly after as the Eagles found Trent Scott-Elsley in space on the left wing who drove forward and finished to make it 1-0 only three minutes into the match.

It wasn’t long before the Eagles pushed forward again and within two minutes, the dangerous Scott-Elsley had scored again to put the Eagles 2-0 to the good and have Lilydale looking likely to run away with it.

Monbulk did regroup, however and began to get a bit more physical and look to run in behind the Eagles’ defence. Trying to assert themselves on the contest again, Lilydale tried to match the Monbulk physicality but ended up giving away free kicks in dangerous areas as the referee picked out infringements.

Eventually, one of Monbulk’s long balls broke through on the left wing and as the Eagles scrambled back, the ball ricocheted to Monbulk striker Atticus Cornell who scored into the empty net to make it 2-1 in the 29th minute.

Frustrated, the Eagles lost some of the control they had on the match and Monbulk started to build into the game. Only 10 minutes later, the away side had scored again to leave Lilydale reeling and wondering what has gone wrong, but they saw out Monbulk’s momentum to make it to halftime.

A tactical switch at the break saw Lilydale pack out the midfield and drop their wingers back and wider to cover Monbulk’s attempt to overload on their right-hand side and it proved helpful, with the Eagles more solid defensively and finding lots of space, particularly on the left wing.

Lilydale had most of the ball throughout the second half and pushed forward looking to regain the lead but to largely no avail. Monbulk

looked to go long continuously but Lilydale cut their attempts out early and repelled.

The first big chance fell to Lilydale’s Marcus Salvitti after a set-piece as he cleanly struck a half-volley that flew towards the goal and had the keeper beaten, only to crash into the post and rebound across the goal into the Monbulk stopper’s grasp.

Late in the game, the Eagles were convinced they had found a winner as Mark Vanderkolk, shifted out to the left wing, was played in behind and finished at the near post only for the linesman to have his flag raised for offside, much to Vanderkolk’s disbelief. After a quick consultation with the referee, the goal was ruled out. To even things out, Monbulk had also had a chance in behind shortly after that was put away but also ruled out for offside.

Neither side was able to break through and the match finished 2-2.

The Seniors were up next and were looking to bank back-to-back wins for the first time in a long while.

Things started positively with the Eagles enjoying most of the possession and looking to fashion chances from tidy build-up while Monbulk soaked up pressure and tried to hit the Eagles on the break and play out to their wide players.

Despite the positive start, it was Monbulk who would strike first, with a long ball seeing striker Toby Storer facing up to Lilydale captain and centre-back Kaiden Deany-Smith. Storer went one way and then quickly the other, with Deany-Smith’s attempted challenge only managing to get a slight touch on the ball before Storer finished coolly into the bottom corner past keeper Callum Ludwig.

Disappointed but not downhearted, Lilydale got back to work trying to get back into the game. Despite their best efforts, the Eagles found themselves with plenty of the ball but little threat going forward, only mustering some half-chances or seeing their efforts repelled by Monbulk’s deep defence.

Monbulk would have the next big chance, with Ludwig taking no risks with a direct free kick which he palmed over the bar.

Women still undefeated

By Hannah Chappell

All three Coldstream Football Netball Club teams hit the road over the weekend, facing tough matchups in Round 4. While the men’s teams endured a challenging day, the Coldstream Women’s team continued their impressive start to the season with a dominant performance.

Playing away at Walker Park, the women overcame a sluggish start against Mitcham to deliver a powerful second half, eventually running out 54 to 14 winners. A dominant third quarter flipped the match in Coldstream’s favour, with strong defensive pressure and clearance work setting the tone. The win keeps the team undefeated after four rounds, cementing their status as early-season contenders.

Taleesha O’Kane was named Coldstream Brewery’s Player of the Round after a standout game, where her relentless effort and on-field pressure helped shift momentum at critical points in the match.

Over at Wally Tew Reserve, the day was far tougher for the men’s sides against a strong Ferntree Gully outfit. The Reserves were outgunned, falling 6 to 140 in a one-sided affair. Despite the margin, Cam Boeder was a standout and earned Reserves Player of the Round honours for his determined four-quarter effort.

The Senior Men also faced a tough battle against Ferntree Gully, going down 42 to 59 in a hard-fought contest. Coldstream showed good signs of competitive football in the first half, but Ferntree Gully’s efficiency around the contest saw them edge ahead. The Senior Men worked hard throughout, with Mitch Edmonds and Darcy Fritsch both kicking 2 goals each, but the team couldn’t close the gap in the last quarter.

A highlight for the seniors came in the form of Josh Powell, who was tasked with keeping Ferntree Gully’s captain Jaiden Stevenson in check. Powell executed the role to perfection, limiting Stevenson’s impact and showcasing his leadership in a challenging match. For his efforts, Powell was named the Yarra Valley Steel Senior Player of the Round.

Football Results:

Seniors:

Coldstream: 6.6.42

Ferntree Gully: 8.11.59

Despite dealing with most of Monbulk’s counterattacks well, Lilydale were unable to reduce the deficit and went into the halftime break 0-1 down. Identifying some opportunities to reduce gaps in their midfield, take time to find better options and trying to test the keeper more often were the key areas of improvement the Eagles looked to work on in the second half.

Things were to get worse before they got better as Lilydale still looked tidy on the ball but were caught on the counter, with Ludwig called into action to keep out Monbulk’s Storer after a one-on-one.

Lilydale’s improved intent would bear fruit, however, as a cross was put in from the right wing towards left winger Ethan Emmett. Monbulk’s goalkeeper came off his line but didn’t reach the ball, and Emmett raced onto it to glance a header into the empty net and level the scores.

Buoyed by their equaliser, the Eagles kept up the pressure, taking more opportunities to drive at the Monbulk defence and play the ball into dangerous areas, with Monbulk resorting to putting the ball out for repeat corners and throw-ins.

However, the next big chance would fall Monbulk’s way from another free kick. Taken towards goal, the ball would deflect off the derriere of Lilydale midfielder Connor Hartman and fall right into the path of a Monbulk attacker. His quickfire shot was repelled by Ludwig at the near post and Lilydale were able to clear their lines.

As time ticked down, it looked like the match might end in a draw until a pass on the righthand side was left by playing coach Daniel ‘Dicko’ Dickson to winger Jake ‘Digga’ Dioguardi who raced in behind the exposed Monbulk defence. Digga was one-on-one with the keeper but had no issues tucking his composed shot to the right and give Lilydale the lead in the 88th minute.

It wasn’t the end there though, as Monbulk rushed to try and score, they lost the ball in a central area with plenty of space for the Eagles’ Bailey Hone to run into and he put his shot into the bottom left in the 90th minute to put the result beyond any doubt as Lilydale won 3-1.

Both the Reserves and Seniors will play next on Wednesday 14 May in a catch-up game against Maroondah United.

Goal Kickers: M Edmonds: 2, D Fritsch:2, D Versteegen 1, LWarne 1

Reserves: Coldstream: 1.0.6

Ferntree Gully: 21.14:140

Goal Kickers: B Decru 1

Women’s: Coldstream: 7.12.54

Mitcham: 2.2.14

Goal Kickers: M Stark 3, T O’Kane 2, C Gunther 1, A Broughan 1

Netball: Grey Team 44 def Donvale 35 Black Team 28 loss to Norwood 39 White Team 43 def East Ringwood 40 Blue Team 35 def Ringwood 23 Pink Team 42 def Bayswater 17 Green Team 15 loss to Upper Ferntree Gully 29

L-R: Lilydale Eagles’ Daniel ‘Dicko’ Dickson and Bailey Hone celebrate the win over Monbulk. (Callum Ludwig: 477470)

FOOTY TIPSTERS

Q&A

Daniela De Martino MP

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

Mum grew up in North Fitzroy just near the Brunswick oval so the Fitzroy Lions it was for our family. When they merged I followed the Lions and haven’t looked back. Go Roys!

Fun Fact: I’m the only MP in the Victorian Parliament who barracks for the Lions

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

When not out in the Community I love catching up with friends and family over a meal and a game of cards.

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

I love it, It’s the best job I’ve ever had and it really is an honour and a privilege to be the Member for Monbulk – the best District in the State!

4. What’s your favourite type of cuisine?

Italian, no two ways about it. It’s in my DNA.

5. What are 3 words that describe you best?

Passionate, Loyal, Kind

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

When I was 8 – an Eygyptologist

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

Jesus - So many questions…..

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

Always be kind and don’t be so hard on yourself