Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 27th May 2025 by Star News Group

Peter drops by

By Tanya Steele

“Wash your face in orange juice and clean your teeth with bubble gum!”

Parents in the outer east might have heard some interesting dental hygiene advice last week as Peter Combe dropped by to perform for the Mount Evelyn primary school students.

Combe has visited Mt Evelyn Primary for the second time now and the school was thrilled to have him. Performing arts teacher at the school and long-time fan of Combe, Jayne Setford said the concert on Wednesday on 21 May was fantastic and the kids had a ball.

“It was great seeing the kids so excitedthey were so happy,” she said.

Combe said the Mt Evelyn kids were a great audience and were really engaged from the start.

“It’s always good when you come in and they’re really attentive in the first couple of songs – that’s a great start,” he said.

“My performing roots are from primary schools and back in 1983 I used to do masses of school concerts, and I still like doing them.”

‘Budget shortfalls’

The Victorian Government handed down its budget for the 2025-26 financial year on Tuesday 20 May with the slogan ‘Focused On What Matters Most’.

But Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence said given there was next to zero funding for the Evelyn electorate, it sent a loud message that the community didn’t matter to the State Government.

“There is only a small amount of money for new toilets at Mooroolbark East and Montrose Primary Schools, but that’s it. There is no fund-

ing to upgrade the dangerous section of the Warburton Highway in Seville East, no funding to fix the dangerous and congested bottleneck of Hull and Mooroolbark Roads in Mooroolbark, and no commitment to start works on Maroondah Highway and Killara Road in Coldstream,” she said.

Along with Mooroolbark East and Montrose Primary Schools, Melba College, the new Maroondah (Queen Elizabeth II) Hospital and a business case for the intersection of Maroondah Highway, Kent Road and Yarra Road in Croydon have secured funding in the budget.

Croydon MP David Hodgett said, although it was positive to see those fundings, he lamented that no funding was forthcoming for the Mooroolbark Heights Reserve Clubrooms and to replace portable classrooms at Yarra Road Primary School.

“I have been a strong champion for the funding to deliver the necessary redevelopment and upgrade (of Mooroolbark Heights Reserve), however disappointingly the upgrades have once again been overlooked, I will continue to fight for the needs of our community to deliver an inclu-

sive space, where everyone feels welcome, which supports the continued growth of the clubs for years to come,” he said.

“I have long been advocating for the muchneeded funding to replace four portables that are no longer fit for purpose, whilst other larger schools within the electorate receive funding, Yarra Road Primary School often misses out.”

More details about the budget can be found on pages 4-6

Peter Combe dropped into Mount Evelyn Primary School last week to perform his iconic and catchy music. (Tanya Steele)

Brands back out of roo skin

By Callum Ludwig

Advocates for kangaroos are celebrating after another two major brands have opted out of using kangaroo skins in their products.

adidas chief executive Bjørn Gulden announced at the company’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday 15 May that the company had halted purchasing kangaroo skins in previous months and would not be resuming the purchase of kangaroo products.

President of the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action Wayne Pacelle attended the adidas AGM and said the mass killing of kangaroos has been driven by exports mainly for kangaroo skins.

“With adidas exiting the trade, we have shut down sourcing of skins by the world’s top five athletic shoe brands,” he said.

“adidas has been the most important supporter of the Australian kangaroo kill for years, its exit from this trade is thrilling news,”

“We now will redouble our efforts to secure similar pledges from Japanese companies ASICS and Mizuno and end this trade once and for all” Less than a week later, the Center for a Humane Economy received confirmation via email on Tuesday 20 May from ASICS that the major Japan-based brand would be phasing out the use of kangaroo leather by the end of the year.

“With the rapid-fire announcements from ASICS and adidas, we’re witnessing the dismantling of a supply chain built on bloodshed and the orphaning of kangaroo joeys,” Mr Pacelle said.

“The foreign markets for kangaroo skins are collapsing, and that can only mean good news for the iconic marsupials of Australia.”

Nike, Puma, New Balance, Diadora and Sokito have all previously announced they had ended using kangaroo leather in their products, with the focus now on persuading Mizuno to halt the use of kangaroo products in their athletic shoes.

Founder of the Victorian Kangaroo Alli-

ance (which started in the Yarra Ranges) Alyssa Wormald said it has been an absolutely exhilarating week.

“It means a lot to see more big brands walking away from this cruel, unsustainable and dangerous wildlife trade, we have been targeting adidas for years as part of a dedicated global campaign involving many organisations, so that victory was incredibly significant,” she said.

“Having ASICS follow just a few days later was

the cherry on top, it is definitely a morale boost, and testament to the power of collective action.”

The Center for a Humane Economy launched the Kangaroos Are Not Shoes campaign in 2020 and has since conducted investigations, litigation, protests and promoted awareness of the kangaroo trade worldwide.

Ms Wormald said they know the reduced demand for kangaroo products is hitting the kangaroo industry hard, very few processors are buying

Their best start, starts with Free Kinder

carcasses, so shooters are packing it in and there is no incentive for new shooters to get involved.

“Contrary to the popular belief that ‘the skins will be wasted’ if they aren’t turned into leather, the reality is that this is a profit-driven industry and the skins are lucrative co-product, not a by-product, without which the kangaroo trade would likely not be viable,” she said.

“We also know that the commercial incentive massively increases the number of kangaroos being targeted, for example, average quotas in Victoria are 3.5 times higher since kangaroo shooting was commercialised so a reduction in demand does translate to a reduction in killing, even if it cannot be eliminated altogether at this stage,”

“Ultimately, we hope the kangaroo industry will cease entirely, and the removal of mass slaughter and exploitation as an option will compel the government to develop and implement much-needed wildlife coexistence strategies.”

You can find out more about the campaign at KangaroosAreNotShoes.org.

Ms Wormald said their goal is to end the entire commercial industry and move towards a world where kangaroos are justly respected and protected.

“As it stands, there are a huge number of brands and suppliers that we would like to see divest from the kangaroo wildlife trade, we will join the Kangaroos are not Shoes campaign in targeting Mizuno, and we will continue our efforts to lobby companies selling kangaroo meat, skins, and body parts,” she said.

“We would love to see big Australian companies show corporate responsibility and stop selling kangaroo products, like Woolworths Group, Coles, IGA, Petbarn, Petstock, Mars Petcare, and Rebel Sport,”

“Our leadership needs to see the writing on the wall, the kangaroo industry is dying, and they need to condemn this grim wildlife trade to the dustbin of history and start committing to innovative wildlife coexistence solutions.”

Free Kinder is available for three- and four-year-old children at standalone sessional kindergartens and long day care centres across Victoria – saving families an average of $2,400 per child, per year.

From 2026, some children will be eligible for more time at Four-Year-Old Kinder each week. Visit vic.gov.au/pre-prep

At kindergarten, children will learn:

• language, literacy and numeracy skills through play, art, music and dance

• to express themselves and make friends in a safe and caring environment

• skills and confidence before primary school.

Contact your preferred kinder service or local council to learn about how to enrol for 2026. Visit vic.gov.au/kinder

adidas and ASICS have announced they have stopped or will stop using kangaroo leather in their products. (File)

‘No’ to case reopen

By Callum Ludwig

A request to reopen a coronial investigation into the death of a Maroondah Hospital patient nearly 20 years ago has been denied by the Supreme Court of Victoria.

General surgeon Doh Ong Hii sought to reopen the investigation into the death of Richard Keys on 18 December 2006, whom he had operated on back on 22 December 2005.

Mr Hii had previously tried to reopen the decision through the State Coroner in 2023 before appealing the decision to the Supreme Court. To be successful in reopening the investigation, Justice Forbes had to be convinced there were exceptional circumstances or that it was in the interests of justice to allow the case to be reopened.

Mr Hii performed an elective subtotal colectomy, where a large part of the colon is removed, on Mr Keys, after which he developed symptoms and was administered a resonium enema by a medical registrar. Mr Keys returned for a second surgery due to a anastomotic leak where his colon failed to heal, requiring an ileostomy (an alternative exit through the abdominal wall for faeces).

Mr Keys remained hospitalised at Maroondah Hospital continuously for almost the next year, with Mr Hii no longer involved in his care by November 2006. Mr Keys eventually suffered bleeding from the ileostomy site in early December and was transported to Box Hill Hospital for further investigation and a third surgery before he later deteriorated and died.

In February 2008, Coroner Hendtlass found consistent with an autopsy that Mr Keys had died due to ‘extensive complications of wound breakdown following subtotal colectomy’. Mr Hii was not involved in the original investigation and ap-

plied for the investigation to be reopened in 2019, believing the surgery went well and the enema, which was not authorised by him, was to blame.

Deputy State Coroner English found in 2021 that the anastomotic leak occurred sometime between 23 and 27 December 2005 and was not satisfied that the enema was the cause, despite it likely being an ‘inappropriate procedure’. The Deputy State Coroner also found there was no evidence that the complication was due to ‘substandard surgical practice’ from Mr Hii, but was simply an accepted possible complication of the procedure.

Mr Hii’s first dismissed appeal in 2022 was denied by Justice Gorton who wasn’t convinced that the leak was caused by the enema being administered or that the cause of death wasn’t a result of treatment Mr Keys received once at Box Hill Hospital.

In his most recent appeal, Mr Hii tried to argue that the matter should be reopened due to four factors:

The Box Hill Hospital records should be considered new evidence as they were not fully examined previously;

The description of the surgery performed at Box Hill Hospital was factually incorrect because there were two small bowel resections, not one;

Those who provided medical care in the six weeks up to the death of Mr Keys failed in their duty of care to medically manage him;

Mr Hii’s colectomy was unrelated to Mr Key’s death, which was rather caused by excessive bleeding from concurrent surgeries at Box Hill Hospital.

Mr Hii also claimed he had suffered reputational damage from his surgery being attributed to the cause of death, not helped by an alleged ‘finding of guilt’ in the coroner’s report.

Considering the substance of the appeal despite Mr Hii filing late and not producing satisfactory conditions for an extension of time, Justice Forbes said there is nothing further that demonstrates it would be in the interests of justice to revisit the DSC English finding.

“Mr Hii’s contentions about the events at Box Hill Hospital are submissions. They were not accompanied by any new evidence that supported his submission as to the alternate cause of death. His opinions, as a surgeon involved in Mr Keys care in 2005, may be informed by his own surgical knowledge. However, his opinions themselves do not compel a conclusion that the State Coroner’s refusal to re-open the investigation is erroneous as a matter of law,” the decision reads.

“The length of time since the death, the opposition by the family to the matter being further investigated, the lack of identification of a systemic health issue that would be relevant today, and the prior history of two coronial investigations all point away from a conclusion that it is desirable to re-open the investigation again in the interests of justice. It follows that I have not accepted that the past investigations have been inadequate or misguided in the ways alleged by Mr Hii.”

“No coroner has made a finding adverse to Mr Hii. Nor was there a statement of ‘guilt’ in the Hendtlass finding. The submission that the cause of death as found is ‘wrong’ misunderstands, or does not accept, Gorton J’s comments on causation. As his Honour’s reasons have set out, there may be a number of factors in a medical chain of events that lead to death. That chain of events, and the Coroner’s identification of the factor or factors that deviate from the expected course, is not an exercise in identifying legal fault for a death.”

Cultural, not planned, burn at local reserve

By Dongyun Kwon and Oliver Winn

A cultural burn took place at Spadonis Reserve as part of the Yarra Ranges Council’s Firsticks Program.

Cultural burning is a cultural fire practice used by First Nations people to improve the health of Country and its people.

It has been used for over 60,000 years to manage land, plants and animals.

The healing burn was led by the council’s firestick officer, Darren Wandin, and supported by the council’s bushlands team on Tuesday 20 May.

Darren Wandin is a Wurundjeri man who has learnt about cultural burning from his father, David Wandin, ‘Uncle Dave’, and other fire practitioners around Australia through the Firesticks Alliance.

Mr Wandin said cultural burning is different from other planned burning.

“A lot of the time, what most burns are looking at is fuel reduction. Fuel reduction isn’t the name of the game for us. What we’re looking at is diversity, so we’re looking at reintroducing and revitalising those species that are here,” he said.

Yarra Ranges Council Indigenous development coordinator Garry Detez said it was important to the council to apply the First Nations’ knowledge and resilience system back into the local landscape and communities.

“On the back of the Black Saturday fires from 2009, (Yarra Ranges) Council was looking at better ways to build a natural mitigation in the landscape, to provide healing into the landscape, but also to build resilience and healing into communities,” he said.

Lucky escape as driver flees flying fridge in Wonga Park

At 6.45am on Wednesday 21 May, the driver of a ute travelling on Lower Homestead Road failed to stop at the scene of a collision. It’s believed a fridge on a sliding frame in the utility tray was not secured and flew off on a bend, projecting into oncoming traffic and colliding with a 4WD causing significant damage. The driver of the ute fled the scene. Thankfully, no one was injured.

If you have dash-cam footage in the area at this time or any information that may be able to assist police with the investigation, please contact Warrandyte Police Station 9844 3231 or submit an anonymous report via crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police ramp up road safety efforts

Victoria Police has intensified its efforts to reduce road trauma across the region with the launch of Operation Conventus, a high-visibility road safety initiative targeting the Knox, Yarra Ranges, and Maroondah areas.

While National Road Safety Week officially concluded on May 18, police activity on local roads continues, as officers from Highway Patrol, General Duties, and Crime Investigation units joined forces this week to conduct widespread alcohol and drug testing.

Over 1,000 motorists were tested at 20 roadside sites as part of the operation, reinforcing the message that road safety remains a top priority.

The operation is a key element of the Victoria Police Road Safety Strategy which is aiming to address concerning statistics: since 1 January 2025, Eastern Division 2 has recorded nine lives lost and 92 serious injuries on local roads.

Police say driver distraction remains a major concern, with mobile phone use behind the wheel a persistent issue.

“Safe driving is everyone’s responsibility,” said a Victoria Police spokesperson on the Eyewatch social media page.

“Road users only become safer if they change their behaviour.”

Operation Conventus will continue in the coming months as part of an ongoing commitment to making Victorian roads safer.

‘Brake the Habit’

Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), with the support of Victoria Police, have launched the Brake the Habit campaign to encourage drivers to slow down on our roads.

Speeding, even at low levels, continues to play a significant role in road trauma across Victoria, contributing to at least 25 per cent of serious injury crashes and 30 per cent of fatal crashes.

One in every three reports to Crime Stoppers in Victoria is currently about high-risk driving behaviour, with many reports submitted including dashcam footage, demonstrating community concern about poor driving behaviours.

“We understand that that soil layer that we’ve got is called a seed bank in ecological terms, (but) we refer to it as a memory bank. It’s like the identity of the place.

“We came across the ancient Aboriginal cultural practice of cool burning or cultural burning. It became evident to us that when Aboriginal people cared for the landscapes prior to colonisation, they’d managed to build a natural mitigation into the landscapes, because there’s no recorded evidence of a major bushfire that we’re aware of today over the last 6000 years.

“When we apply fire, that’s like a medicine to help remind who it is. At the moment, we’ve got a lot of these weedy species (and) we’re trying to skim them off to get rid of them, then we can have the seed bank regenerate afterwards.”

“So that led us into a bit of a journey in trying to find where that expertise resided. And there’s clear evidence that Wurundjeri people certainly use cultural burning as a land management tool for thousands of generations.”

The Star Mail will delve into cultural burning in more detail through a further article and a video news package.

“This campaign is a timely reminder to slow down and Brake the Habit before you get caught or someone you care about is seriously injured,” Chief Executive of Crime Stoppers Victoria Stella Smith said.

As part of the campaign, a four-part video series will be released featuring first responders and trauma specialist, Dr Kerry O’Meara, who share their first-hand insights of the impact of speeding on our roads.

Yarra Ranges Council firestick officer Darren Wandin conducting the cultural burn at Spadonis Reserve, Yering. (Oliver Winn: 479656)

Breaking down the budget

By Dongyun Kwon

The Victorian Government handed down its budget for the 2025-26 financial year on Tuesday 20 May.

The budget’s slogan is ‘Focused On What Matters Most’, putting a lot of weight on to cost of living which matters most to Victorians.

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said it is a responsible budget defined by responsible choices.

“By ending inefficiency, we can invest more in what matters most to Victorian families. That means real cost of living relief, and more investment in frontline services,” she said.

“My first budget demonstrates the commitment to fiscal responsibility I have as Treasurer. That means for the first time since before the pandemic, this budget delivers an operating surplus over the budget and forward estimates and sees relative net debt reducing.

“With a growing economy, higher wages and strong business investment – we’re focused on creating secure jobs and more opportunities for Victorians wherever they live.”

A record of $2.3 billion will be delivered with new and expanded cost-of-living help for working people and their families.

It includes $320 million to make public transport free for Victorians under 18 every day, and for seniors every weekend across the state, $18 million to enable pharmacists to treat more Victorians and more conditions, saving them the money and time of a GP visit.

The government will put $50 million into a new $100 Power, $859 million into continuing Free Kinder, saving families up to $2600 a year per child on fees, and $152 million into increase support for families to pay for camps, sports and excursions.

$15 million has been allocated to deliver more than 65,000 extra Get Active Kids vouchers from 2025-26, helping even more families with the costs of kids’ sport, $18 million in food relief to support those doing it toughest, and almost $900

million in further new cost of living relief.

At the same time, the State Budget also includes investing even more in the frontline services that matter to Victorians.

An extra $11.1 billion will be spent to make sure Victorians can rely on great healthcare, including opening and operationalising nine new or expanded hospitals.

A Better Roads Blitz will be boosted through $976 million of investment to fix and resurface roads in 2025-26 alone.

$2.7 billion has been allocated to give Victorian kids a great education, including building new classrooms and supporting the teachers.

The Victorian Government will strengthen

the justice system and keep communities safe through $1.6 billion, including $727 million to back in new tough bail laws.

However, the budget also revealed the dark side of Victoria’s financial status.

The level of net debt is also expected to continue to rise over the next four years, from $167.6 billion to $194 billion, hitting a record high.

Monash Business School Department of Economics senior lecturer Dr Isaac Gross said the Victorian budget marked the beginning of a long process towards repaying the state’s record levels of debt.

“The budget currently projects a wafer-thin surplus of $600 million. However, this figure ex-

cludes the billions of dollars being spent on infrastructure projects. As a result, debt is still forecast to rise for several more years,” Dr Gross said.

“Bringing these costs under control will be essential to prevent interest payments from consuming an even larger share of the budget.

“Notably, most of the spending associated with the Suburban Rail Loop is not yet included in budget projections. We know this project will add tens of billions of dollars to total costs, and with no confirmed alternative funding sources, a large share of this burden is likely to fall on the Victorian budget in future years. That’s why beginning to pay down debt now remains a critical task.”

Pharmacy pilot win, health funding steady in budgets

By Tanya Steele

In health funding for the nation’s budget investments, announcements have been made across the board to invest in Medicare bulk billing, urgent care clinics and the health workforce itself.

At a state level, the community pharmacist program will continue and expand, and investments will be made to strengthen Victoria’s public health system.

access oral contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Training, awareness and treatment options are also listed in the Federal budget for those experiencing menopause, along with treatment subsidies for people suffering from endometriosis and pelvic pain.

In Victoria, the so far successful community pharmacist program will continue and expand – its biggest issue so far being awareness. The service means people can receive some treatments at a local pharmacy without needing to see a doctor to get a prescription first.

The federal government is making an investment of $7.9 billion to provide more bulk billing and it will provide $644 million to establish a further 50 Medicare urgent care clinics across Australia, with new clinics planned in every state and territory.

In April, Yarra Ranges councillors passed the motion to advocate for an urgent care clinic (UCC) to be located in Healesville, while Lilydale has been named on the government’s potential target area list.

$1.8 billion has been pledged to fund public hospitals and health services in 2025-2026, and the Commonwealth contribution to state-run public hospitals will increase by 12 per cent to reach $33.9 billion.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will continue to support people with disability with the budget providing a total of $175.4 million over four years, with a focus on fraud crackdown, with an additional $175.4 million to be put towards the NDIA’s fraud detection systems.

Women’s healthcare will see a $792.9 million package with funding for 150 per cent bigger Medicare rebates and more bulk billing for the insertion and removal of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs).

Several oral contraceptives previously not listed on the PBS will now be available, along with funding for two national trials to make it cheaper and easier for women to

Investing a further 18 million, the program means that people can get treatment for conditions like shingles, psoriasis, uncomplicated urinary tract infections and more.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, Victoria Branch (the Guild) welcomed the news and George Tambassis, President of The Guild’s Victoria Branch, said pharmacists across the State already deliver convenient and accessible healthcare to patients every day.

“This announcement empowers community pharmacists to do even more for patients, and that’s a win for every Victorian,” he said.

In the next two years, more common health conditions and services will be included in the program, upping the services pharmacists can offer to 22. Consults will stay free for patients, while the pharmacy receives a 20 dollar payment from the government per consult. Community in the Yarra Ranges can access this service through a number of local pharmacies. In general, the State budget is providing over $31 billion to the health system this year, which includes a $9.3 billion boost for hospitals and there is also $167 million to improve ambulance response times at Triple Zero Victoria, along with a $437 million investment into virtual emergency care.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Treasurer Jaclyn Symes. (James Ross/AAP)

NEWS Pollies on spending plan

By Callum Ludwig

With the Victorian State Budget handed down on Tuesday 20 May, the Star Mail reached out to MPs from across the local districts to share what they welcome, what’s been missed and what’s important for their constituents.

Star Mail readers are represented by Labor MPs Jackson Taylor (Bayswater) and Daniela De Martino (Monbulk) and Liberal MPs Bridget Vallence (Evelyn), Cindy McLeish (Eildon) and David Hodgett (Croydon).

Mr Taylor visited Wattle View Primary School in Ferntree Gully after the budget was released, with the school receiving $116,700 to upgrade their toilets.

“This Budget is all about focusing on the things that matter most to families in Knox – whether it’s help with the cost of living, improved schools, or cheaper healthcare,” he said

“The main issue people continually raise is around cost of living - so ensuring the State Government is doing all we can with the levers at our disposal to assist is important,”

“That’s why the PT (public transport) measures are critical, the new power saving bonus for those who most need it as well as continued funding of things like free kinder and TAFE are all part of how we are supporting locals.”

In a media release, Mr Taylor also welcomed funding to deliver lighting upgrades at Mountain Gate Shopping Centre in Ferntree Gully and The Basin Triangle Park and install tactile ground surface indicators at Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully stations.

Mr Taylor identified the Boronia Community Breakfast program and local roads repairs as causes he will continue to advocate for.

“I will continue to work within Government to secure funding for the very successful Boronia Community Breakfast program so it can continue to keep doing the incredible work it does beyond October,” he said.

“Seeing investment into our local roads and not just the big projects but also more funding for fixing potholes and resurfacing so it’s pleasing to see record funding allocated and already to see works occurring along stretches of road like Dorset and Scoresby Roads among others.”

Over in Monbulk, a $200,000 lighting upgrade for Monbulk Rangers Soccer Club, funding to plan an upgrade at Sherbrooke Community School and $150,000 for local SES and CFA volunteers were the key local areas of local funding highlighted by Ms De Martino.

“This Budget is about supporting our community and the services we rely on – from health to education to emergency services,” she said.

“This is a Budget that’s focused on what matters most to the people across the District of Monbulk.”

Other statewide initiatives Ms De Martino has welcomed include the $100 Power Saving Bonus, free public transport for seniors on weekends and children under 18 all the time, further investment in the Get Active Kids and Free Kinder programs, funding to upgrade capacity of prisons and the justice system and funding to enshrine the Community Pharmacist Pilot.

Local members in the Outer East who find themselves in opposition were scathing of the budget; Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence said while the title of the budget papers is ‘Focussed on what matters most’, given there is next to zero funding for the Evelyn electorate this does send a loud message that our community does not matter to this Labor Government.

“There is only a small amount of money for new toilets at Mooroolbark East and Montrose Primary Schools, but that’s it. there is no funding to upgrade the dangerous section of the Warburton Highway in Seville East, no funding to fix the dangerous and congested bottleneck of Hull and Mooroolbark Roads in Mooroolbark, and no commitment to start works on Maroondah Highway and Killara Road in Coldstream,” she said.

“Mystery still surrounds the Maroondah (Queen Elizabeth II) Hospital upgrades despite this being promised by Labor since 2018 it has remained stuck in the planning phase for 4 years now,”

“I will continue fighting for funding for vital road safety upgrades, for upgrades to our lo-

cal schools, for better access to healthcare, for affordable housing, for more bus services and to duplicate the rail line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale.”

Ms Vallence also expressed concern about Victoria’s $167 billion in debt, which is expected to rise to $194 billion over the next three years, the nearly $42 billion set to be taxed this financial year and which is expected to rise to $47.9 billion by 2028/29 and criticised the controversial introduction of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy.

Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said there’s not much to welcome when the debt keeps growing and there’s much to advocate for.

“The interest that we will pay is $28.9 million every day (in 2028/29), that’s just extraordinary to think we’re paying $10 billion a year in interest, when we know that across the Yarra Ranges there’s so many projects and things that could be done that aren’t being done,” she said.

“The quality of our roads and the condition of our roads and our parks, Parks Victoria has kept getting hit and hit and hit with funding cuts, we have people recreating in their own backyard here because it’s gorgeous and we also have visitors, but we’ve got trestle bridges that are broken or other heritage bridges that just need some additional maintenance,”

“We’re worried about all the hospitals, so now Yea and Alexandra Hospital are coming into Eastern Health…people are worried about what that is going to look like, and I do too, going forward with the services that can be delivered because we know even with Healesville that the services that we want aren’t being delivered.”

Ms McLeish also identified the Wesburn Junior Football Club, Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve and Healesville Outdoor Pool as projects left needing funding and welcomed the funding for a new fire station in Hoddles Creek, though was critical of how long it took to be funded having advocated it for years.

Croydon MP David Hodgett said funding for Melba College, the new Maroondah (Queen Elizabeth II) Hospital and a business case for the intersection of Maroondah Highway, Kent Road and Yarra Road in Croydon were positive.

“After years of advocating for the necessary and long-awaited Stage 3 works to be delivered at Melba College, I am pleased to announce that we have had a partial win, approximately $3.3 million has been funded in the budget, out of the $12.7 million originally promised,” he said.

“After many years of lobbying and advocacy holding the Government to account to deliver on its $1 billon promise to rebuild the Maroondah Hospital from the ground up, a small win with some shared funding listed in the budget, the exact amount not disclosed, raising the question how much of that $1 billon commitment will we see,”

“For years I have been advocating for the funding to improve this busy and dangerous intersection, the inclusion of funding for a business case for this busy intersection is a welcome step in the right direction to finally address the congestion and improve pedestrian safety.”

Mr Hodgett identified the delays to upgrading the state’s public transport ticketing system, the lack of duplication of the rail line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale, the growing debt and Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund (ESVF) as concerns.

Mr Hodgett lamented that no funding was forthcoming for the Mooroolbark Heights Reserve Clubrooms and to replace portable classrooms at Yarra Road Primary School.

“Every student deserves the right to have access to appropriate learning spaces.”

Small acts make a

The duplication of the rail line between Lilydale and Mooroolbark remains unfunded despite local MPs’ pleas. (File)

Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor visited Wattle View Primary School to announce budget funding. (Supplied)

Cost of living relief pitched

By Oliver Winn

The State Government’s 2025-26 budget claimed to deliver a range of cost of living reliefs for families in the Yarra Ranges.

Free kinder for kids had its funding renewed which meant families can continue to save up to $2600 a year per child on kindergarten.

In the Upper Yarra, Seville Primary School was named as one of the 13 schools to get a new free kinder built on its premises, which Seville Primary School principal Chris Dossor said would help parents avoid the “dreaded double drop off”.

Another notable funding promise was making public transport free for kids under 18, which would, according to the budget, save families $755 a year per child.

Minister for Transport Infrastructure and Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the budget prioritised

enabling families to travel without financial constraints.

“This is a Budget focused on what matters most – making it cheaper and easier for families to get where they need to go.”

The change would begin at the start of 2026 and would make Victoria the first state to offer free public transport for kids and teens.

Funding for better access to free pads and tampons had also been announced and Upper Yarra residents will reap the benefits.

Eighteen shopping centres will receive vending machines that dispense free period products, along with the existing rollout scheduled for public places - which included a number of libraries in the Yarra Ranges.

In the Upper Yarra, Yarra Junction Library is on the list to receive the machines, while in the Yarra Ranges, Montrose Library, Rowville Library and Belgrave Public Library are set to provide better access to free period products

too.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins announced the next 90 venues across Melbourne on Thursday 8 May.

“Period products are a basic necessity –and we’re making sure women and girls can get them for free, when and where they need them,” she said.

“This is about dignity, equality and making sure no one misses out on school, work or community life because of their period.”

Buses were also marked to get a $42.8 million upgrade, which will upgrade existing bus networks in Gippsland and establish a new Route 886 between Mornington and Hastings.

But, no bus upgrades were flagged for the Upper Yarra area, which had seen calls for upgrades to services such as Route 683.

“There is certainly a lack of public transport in rural and outer suburban areas. Often those in the far reaches end up being quite disadvan-

taged, students miss out, and the school bus network does not always work,” Ms McLeish said to the Star Mail in March 2025.

Another measure targeted at families was increased funding for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) which provides eligible families with payments to help cover costs of excursions and other extra curricular activities.

From 1 January 2026, families eligible for CSEF will see an increase in support to $400 for primary and secondary school children, up from $154 and $256 respectively.

The budget also pledged more than 65,000 Get Active Kids vouchers, which provides up to $200 towards the cost of kids’ sports membership, equipment or uniforms for families with a health care or eligible concession card.

And some $10.4 million was invested to support positive student behaviour and expand the School-wide Positive Behaviour Support program into an additional 408 schools.

‘We made their day’: Bookworms rejoice in literary road trip

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Twenty-two book lovers climbed aboard a bus in Emerald on Saturday morning, 17 May, for a literary road trip that took them through some of the Yarra Valley’s most beloved independent bookshops.

Organised by Grace and Louie Booksellers, the tour marked their very first Yarra Valley Book Trail, and judging by the smiles and stuffed tote bags, it won’t be their last.

The day kicked off at Grace and Louie Booksellers in Emerald, where guests were greeted by shop owner Lyn Watson and their enthusiastic hostess for the day, Melinda Moulday.

After a wander through the shop’s shelves and some early bookish purchases, the group boarded the bus and set off for Woori Yallock.

At their first stop, A Thousand Lives Book Haven, the group was treated to a surprise meet-and-greet with local romance author Devon May. Known for its focus on fantasy and romance, the store charmed visitors with its cosy vibe and warm hospitality.

From there, it was off to Verso Books in Healesville. Owner Nina and her team welcomed the group with open arms, and a playful book-themed lucky dip added a bit of extra excitement to each purchase.

Ms Moulday said the group left Verso with 43 books and games between them, a boost that didn’t go unnoticed by the store.

“Nina told us we’d made their day,” Ms Moulday said.

“Not just with our energy, but with our support.”

The group then stopped for a long lunch at the picturesque Zonzo Estate. With good food, fine wine, and sweeping views, it was the perfect mid-tour pause. Some guests even squeezed in a visit to the cellar door.

In the afternoon, the tour rolled on to Novel Nook in Yarra Glen. Set in a beautiful historic building, the shop wowed visitors with its spacious layout and expansive range of books, gifts and merchandise.

No Yarra Valley outing would be complete without a sweet treat, and the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and Ice-creamery was a clear crowd-pleaser. Guests sipped hot chocolate, sampled tastings, and stocked up on goodies to take home.

Throughout the day, the bus buzzed with conversation, literary trivia and games, all led by hostess Ms Moulday.

The sense of community and connection was unmistakable.

“It turned out to be so much more than a shopping trip,” Ms Moulday said.

“There was a genuine warmth, not just within the group, but from the bookshop staff too.”

Ms Moulday first came up with the idea over summer as a fun day out with friends. Little did she know that Ms Watson had been thinking along similar lines. Once the two teamed up, the idea quickly came to life under the Grace and Louie banner.

“It’s truly been a dream come true,” Ms Moulday said.

“Seeing the joy on people’s faces and the appreciation from each bookshop was incredibly rewarding.”

For Ms Watson, it was also a celebration

of everything that makes independent bookshops special.

“Each shop has its own unique feel,” she said.

“They’re not just places to buy books, they’re a vital part of their communities. They support locals, host events, and bring people

together.”

With the success of the first tour, Grace and Louie Booksellers are already looking ahead.

“We’d love to run more tours through the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges,” Ms Moulday said.

“It’s a joyful way to support small business-

es, bring people together, and celebrate the magic of books.” And if the buzz on the bus was anything to go by, this book trail might just become a much-loved tradition.

Plenty of laughs and lovely finds at Verso Books in Healesville that made everyone feel right at home. (Supplied)

Price is right to work here

By Tanya Steele

The Montrose community has rallied around their local crossing guard, Steve Price, after he was informed that his post would be reassigned due to recent road work upgrades in the area.

A petition has been posted on Change.org on 19 May to reinstate Mr Price, with 320 signatures gained so far.

Mr Price has been a crossing guard at the Montrose pedestrian crossing for eight years and is described as a fixture of the community in the petition.

“His presence at the Montrose crossing was not just a job, but a passion. Every day, Steve greeted our children, parents, and locals with a smile, ensuring the safety of everyone who used the crossing,” read the petition.

“His dedication and friendliness made him a central figure in our neighbourhood, and his absence is deeply felt.”

School crossing supervisors have a very important job assisting children and adults to safely cross the roads around schools at dropoff and pick-up times.

Mr Price was informed by the local council recently that his post would be reassigned somewhere else, and the decision has sent ripples through the Montrose community.

A spokesperson from Yarra Ranges Council said many of the Council’s school crossing supervisors are contracted through Hoban Recruitment.

“Before each school term, council provides Hoban with a list of school crossing sites that need a supervisor.”

The spokesperson said that these locations can change each term, so the assignments are never permanent and are on a term-to-term basis as per their Hoban contract.”

“Due to recent upgraded road and pedestrian safety works at the Montrose intersection, it has meant that only one supervisor is

through the Montrose community. (File).

now required at that location, rather than two.”

Many who signed the petition for Mr Price have expressed their frustrations and concerns, with comments like, ‘Every morning on my drive to work, I observe how happy the families are that use his crossing,’ and ‘When you take a person like Steve out of the Community, you remove an essential part of all of us.’

For locals, Steve’s role extended far beyond his official duties. His consistent presence helped build trust, safety, and connectionqualities that cannot be easily replaced.

The petition urges the local council to reconsider and Steve Price deserves to remain at his original post, where he has shown unwavering commitment and passion.

“His presence at the crossing is vital, and his bond with the community irreplaceable.”

Star Mail will follow the petition for further developments.

Fun times with Peter Combe

By Tanya Steele

An iconic kids entertainer swung by a local primary school recently to deliver some of his wellknown catchy tunes to the kids and teachers.

Mt Evelyn Primary School kids got a special mid-week celebrity concert this week when beloved Australian Children’s singer Peter Combe dropped in to perform at the school.

“It was great seeing the kids so excited - they were so happy,” she said.

Combe said the Mt Evelyn kids were a great audience and were really engaged from the start.

“It’s always good when you come in and they’re really attentive in the first couple of songs – that’s a great start,” he said.

“My performing roots are from primary schools and back in 1983 I used to do masses of school concerts, and I still like doing them.”

With origins as a primary school teacher himself, Combe played a variety of his music for the kids, both old and new and entertained the kids with what he described as a little bit of “comic business” in between songs.

The ARIA-winning musical artist was visiting from South Australia and celebrating the launch of his most recent album ‘A Frog in My Cheese Sandwich’.

Stopping over at a few schools in Victoria to share his catchy tunes, he also performed some of his classics like ‘Wash your face in Orange Juice (Mr Clickety Cane)’ and ‘Spaghetti Bolognaise’ along with newer releases as well.

Ms Setford said that she loves using Combe’s songs with her students because they are catchy and imaginative.

“ So many of them have such deep visuals and imagination,” she said.

“The kids love it – and he has a lot of action songs, a lot of echoing songs.”

While releasing and performing regularly, to adults and children alike, Combe said the music production side of the business has slowed down somewhat, partly due to the work of finding new subjects to sing about.

“I feel I am going a bit slower – I’m writing less,” he said.

It wasn’t until six years ago that the renowned musician who’s written about just about everything from Italian cuisine to life choices involved in teeth brushing, wrote a song about dinosaurs.

“I got this urge to do it. One of my granddaughters said she’d love to have a song about dinosaurs,” he said.

In recent years, the musician has performed to his now grown-up fans in places like the Adelaide Fringe or the Spiegeltent in Western Australia, using classics like ‘It’s so hot today’.

“I start my fringe shows with that very song, because you get out in Perth and it’s actually 40 odd degrees outside,” he said.

“So you come on stage and you simply go, it’s so hot today, and the audience sort of packs up laughing.”

The kids all enjoyed the afternoon, and Ms Setford said they would love to have him back again.

“Peter Combe very much reflects that.”

Small acts make a big impact.

E-waste cannot be put into any of your household bins.

E-waste is any item with a plug, battery or power cord that’s no longer working. E-waste contains hazardous materials which can be harmful to the environment, but they also contain valuable resources that can be reused.

Find out more: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Environment/ Waste/Electronic-Waste-E-waste

“Music is fun. That is my whole teaching – you teach all the concepts in a fun way,” she said.

Steve Price was reassigned and the community has rallied for him. (Facebook).

Mr Price was informed by the local council recently that his post would be reassigned somewhere else, and the decision has sent ripples

Peter Combe dropped into Mount Evelyn Primary school to perform for the kids. (Tanya Steele).

Where

Have your say

Yarra Ranges residents are being encouraged by their local council to share their feedback about playspace upgrades in Kilsyth and Mooroolbark, with engagement on upgrades starting 21 May.

The Yarra Ranges Council is looking for feedback from community members about two playspace concept designs, which have been created using earlier feedback from the community.

Yarra Ranges Mayor, Jim Child said that ideas from the community had been incorporated into the designs, and now Council wanted to check in on the results.

“When we open community engagements, some people can think that they have to read a lot of documents, or come to us with a fully-formed idea, or argument, or designs,” he said.

“So now is the time to have a look, imagine yourselves using the new space – and let us know what you think. It doesn’t matter if you visit every day after school or once in a blue moon, your opinion is valid and wanted.”

Play spaces open for engagement include the Kilsyth Recreation Reserve Playground and Bimbadeen Garden Playground.

There will be a completely new local playground built at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve, while

there is a consolidation of two playgrounds planned for Bimbadeen Gardens.

The new playground in Kilsyth will be all inclusive and located within the shade of existing trees with new trees, garden beds, logs and rocks blending in with the natural character of the reserve.

In Bimbadeen Gardens, the lower playground, next to Bimbadeen Pre-School will be removed and replaced with additional seating, timber teepee, and timber logs for informal play. A new sealed path will be provided to provide access from the footpath.

Then, a new local playground will be built at the current upper playground location, making use of the flat ground, shade of the existing trees and views of the Dandenong Ranges. Both engagements from council will close in a few weeks, on 16 and 17 June.

“Once engagement closes in mid-June, the final designs will come to Council for review and potential endorsement,” said Mayor Child.

“After that, we’ll organise works in our budget and make them a reality,” he said.

To find out more, see the designs and share your thoughts,head to: https://shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/

CHIRNSIDE PARK Meadowgate Milk Bar3 Meadowgate Drive

CHIRNSIDE PARK Coles Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Woolworths Supermarket239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Caltex Safeway239-241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK EG Fuelco Service StationChirnside Park Shopping Cr Little

Chipping Drive, 241 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK 7 - Eleven 242 Maroondah Highway

CHIRNSIDE PARK Chirnside Park Country Club 68 Kingswood Drive

CROYDON NORTH Croydon Hills Milk Bar158 Nangathan Way

CROYDON NORTH Eastfield Milk Bar11 The Mall

KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketChuringa SC, Russo Place

KILSYTH Woolworths SupermarketCanterbury Road Kilsyth

KILSYTH Kilsyth Laundrette Unit 7/87 Colchester Road

LILYDALE Aaron Violi MP Office 110 Main Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Marketplace SC33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Village SC51-59 Anderson Street

LILYDALE Woolworths SupermarketMarketplace, 33 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Coles Supermarket Lilydale VillageCastella Street & Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Lilydale Community Centre7 Hardy Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Lakeside Conference and Events Centre1 Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE United Petrol Service Station473 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Caltex Lilydale346 Main Street

LILYDALE Caltex Woolworths31 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE BP Service Station87 Warburton Highway

LILYDALE Shell Service Station469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE 7 - Eleven LilydaleCnr Maroondah Highway & Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Coles Express469 Maroondah Highway

LILYDALE Hutch & Co Cafe251 Main Street

LILYDALE Round Bird Can't Fly170 Main Street

LILYDALE The Lilydale General110 Beresford Road

LILYDALE Yarra Valley Smokery96 Main Street

LILYDALE Bee Seen Cafe178 Main Street

LILYDALE Blue Turtle Cafe222 Main Street

LILYDALE Gracious GraceCastella Street

LILYDALE Melba Coffee House33-45 Hutchinson Street

LILYDALE Lilydale Munchies7/75 Cave Hill Road

LILYDALE Point of View CafeLilydale Lakeside - Jarlo Drive

LILYDALE Freda's Cafe2 Clarke Street

LILYDALE Barry Plant Real Estate88 Main Street

LILYDALE Ray White Real Estate164 Main Street

LILYDALE Hello Harry245 Main Street

LILYDALE Noel Jones Real Estate 281 Main Street

LILYDALE Professionals Real Estate111-113 Main Street

LILYDALE Grubs Up1 Industrial Park Drive

LILYDALE Mc Donalds RestaurantMaroondah Highway

LILYDALE Olinda Creek HotelMaroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Crown Hotel Maroondah Hwy

LILYDALE Yarra Ranges Council 61 - 65 Anderson Street

MONTROSE Montrose Authorised Newsagency 912 Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket Mt Dandenong Road

MONTROSE Bell Real Estate 896 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road

MOUNT EVELYN Fast Fuel 1 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN IGA Supermarket 38- 40 York Road

MOUNT EVELYN Post Office 12 Station Street

MOUNT EVELYN Authorised Newsagency 1A Wray Crescent

MOUNT EVELYN Red Robyn Milk Bar 35 Hereford Road

MOUNT EVELYN Library 50 Wray Cresent

MOUNT EVELYN Milkbar 28 Birmingham Road

MOUNT EVELYN Bendigo Bank 2/35-39 Wray Cres

MONTROSE IGA Supermarket916 Mt Dandenong Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Supermarket15 Brice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Bendigo BankUnit 19/66 - 74 Brice Ave

MOOROOLBARK Corner Milk Bar38 Bellara Dive

MOOROOLBARK Fang & Yaoxin Mini Mart108 Hayrick Lane

MOOROOLBARK BP Mooroolbark103 Cardigan Road

MOOROOLBARK Coles Express2 Cambridge Road

MOOROOLBARK Professionals Real EstateBrice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK L J HookerBrice Avenue

MOOROOLBARK Fletchers Real Estate 1/14 Manchester Road

MOOROOLBARK Mc Donalds RestaurantManchester Road

MOOROOLBARK 7-Eleven Manchester Road

MOUNT EVELYN York on Lilydale138 York Road

WANDIN NORTH Wandin Newsagency Shop 2 /18 Union Road

Designs for both engagements are on the Yarra Ranges Council website. (YRC ).

(While stocks last)

Sister’s statue is unveiled

By Dongyun Kwon

The bronze bust of the Montrose wartime nurse was finally unveiled to the public on Sunday 18 May.

Sister Edith Yeaman, at the age of 30, enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Victoria in May 1915, about three weeks after the landing at Gallipoli.

She was a nurse at Melbourne Hospital and was also a member of the Australian Army Nursing Service, a reserve that was established in 1900.

Montrose historian Eddie Tichelaar, an active member of the Montrose Township Group, said the unveiling event went well.

“There was a fantastic representation of people. There were 14 Yeaman’s family members who attended from interstate and Victoria,” he said.

“We had retired Colonel Jan McCarthy, who actually did the unveiling of the Sister Yeaman bust. The other lady who helped with the unveiling was, believe it or not, also called Edith after Edith Yeaman. She was the niece of Edith Yeaman.

“A family member by the name of Wendy Oldfield represented the family with a short speech about the life of Edith, from being a young child through until her service and be-

yond … And there was also a representation from the Montrose Primary School because Edith Yeaman did attend the Montrose Primary School, albeit for a short time.”

The statue was established at the Montrose Town Centre to commemorate not only Sister Yeaman but also all of the nurses who served in times of war.

Mr Tichelaar said it was important for the Montrose community to be able to grasp this opportunity to have a memorial in Montrose.

“We were fortunate enough to have Edith Yeaman from Montrose, who served in World War One,” he said.

“Three wreaths were laid. One by a student from Montrose Primary School, another from the RSL, and the other from the family.”

After the service, the attendees enjoyed afternoon tea in the auditorium while appreciating the display of artifacts donated by the Yeaman family.

Sister Yeaman’s war medals and uniform donated by the family are now on display at the Montrose Library for three months.

After that, they will be held by the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum for future displays.

“Yarra Ranges Regional Museum has been extremely supportive with not only the display, but the future of the artifacts,” Mr Tichelaar said.

Descendant of Sister Edith Yeaman Wendy Oldfield. (Adam Cooper)

Three wreaths were laid. (Adam Cooper)

Mt Evelyn RSL president Matt Crymble. (Adam Cooper)

Bust of Sister Edith Yeaman. (Adam Cooper)

The bronze bust of Sister Edith Yeaman unveiled on Sunday 18 May at the Montrose Town Centre, (Adam Cooper)

Montrose Primary School student Lila Eade read a reflection from Edith Yeaman that she wrote to when she was a student at Montrose Primary School. (Adam Cooper)

Great War re enactment group, (L-R) Graeme Savage, Charlotte Doensen, Jess Doensen, Nick Doensen, Lyn Doensen, and Kim Fawkes. (Adam Cooper: 480015)

(L-R) Montrose Primary School students Lila Eade, Charlotte Eade and Marianne Naisbitt. (Adam Cooper: 480015)

Montrose Men’s Shed member Max Lamb who initiated the project. (Adam Cooper)

了解您的权利和责任，

这样您就能讨论工作场所安全事宜。

如要使用中文咨询，

请致电 131 450 或访问 worksafe.vic.gov.au/chinese-simplified

Scan for information in Simpliﬁed Chinese.

Workplace safety is our common language

Understand your rights and responsibilities, so you can talk about safety at work.

To speak to WorkSafe with an interpreter call 131 450, or visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/languages

Discover modern terrace homes in Croydon

Elevate your retirement at Cherry Tree Grove by Aveo. A limited release of modern terrace homes nestled within a well-established and welcoming community are now selling! Choose from beautifully appointed one and two-bedroom designs, featuring private courtyards, spacious openplan layouts, and seamless access to the newly revitalised community centre.

Enjoy premium amenities, a vibrant social calendar, and the peace of mind that comes with living in a thoughtfully designed environment.

Cuppa for a special cause

By Matilda Mcdermott

On 22 May, the Mooroolbark Library held a big morning tea for the Cancer Council.

The fundraiser is a part of Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, an initiative raised by the Cancer

Council in an effort to raise life saving funds for Australians who are impacted by cancer.

This is Mooroolbark Library’s third year running this fundraiser where over 80 people attended, already raising $400. Mooroolbark Library acting team leader Candice Zaviska said

the event was a great way to bring the community together. “There was lots of chatter going on all morning… people came in to have a chat and started to make friends, it was a real community event, it was lovely,” Ms Zaviska said.

The library has other opportunities for the

community to raise money for the Cancer Council with a book sale and raffle set to happen within the next month. The event is scheduled to happen Australia-wide on 22 May, however hosts can have a morning tea throughout May and June.

David (Community Bank Mooroolbark), Manji (Community Bank Mooroolbark branch manager) and Candice (Mooroolbark Library acting team leader). (Stewart Chambers: 476413)

Locals Val and Judy. (Stewart Chambers: 476413)

Locals Areli, Madhavi and Nethmi. (Stewart Chambers: 476413)

Mooroolbark Library staff Orielle, Candice, Zilin and Jeanette. (Stewart Chambers: 476413)

Mooroolbark CWA members Sandy, Maria, Vera and Wendy. (Stewart Chambers: 476413)

Mooroolbark residents Kathleen and Janet. (Stewart Chambers: 476413)

REV IT UP

A commitment to quality

Nestled in the heart of Lilydale, AG Automotive has been a cornerstone of the community for over three decades.

Established in the 1980s, this family-run business began humbly in a Wandin home garage, specialising in fitting LPG systems imported from Holland.

The high standards and exceptional quality of their installations quickly earned them a stellar reputation, necessitating a move to a larger facility at 21 Industry Court in Lilydale.

Today, AG Automotive stands as a beacon of excellence in the automotive industry, offering a comprehensive range of services including automotive repairs, Vicroads inspections and certificates, and specialised services for EV/ Hybrid vehicles, LPG systems, and automotive air-conditioning systems.

Their commitment to quality is evident in their use of the latest specialist equipment and employment of highly trained and skilled technicians. One of the most respected names in the LPG industry, AG Autogas has a rich history of innovation and customer satisfaction. After a brief hiatus, the business was rejuvenated in 2006 when John, the original founder, returned to the LPG industry.

In 2017, John entrusted the leadership to David, a longtime employee, ensuring that the same high standards and dedication to excellence would continue.

AG Automotive is committed to providing great value for money, a tradition that continues with their latest offer: a 10 per cent discount for readers who mention this article. This gesture reflects their ongoing dedication to serving the community and providing top-notch automotive services. For all your servicing and customising needs, AG Automotive remains your trusted one-stop shop, delivering unparalleled service and expertise.

David (centre) and staff of AG Automotive can assist with all your automotive needs.(419971)

David is an expert when it comes to your car.

DISCOVER TUDOR VILLAGE

A busy retirement keeps Jan young-at-heart

Jan Peacock has lived at Tudor Village for four years and couldn’t be happier. She is busy, socially connected and loving life. But if you had asked her four years ago, living in a retirement village was the last thing on her mind.

“I had lived for more than 35 years in Queensland, although I grew up in Boronia and my father had a factory business in Lilydale. My husband Dennis died in 2020 and then I packed up the Queensland house, sold the business, and moved back to Melbourne and in with my sister Trish. Trish had recently had a stroke and I wanted to be there to look after her. Trish passed away in February 2021 and suddenly, I didn’t have a home. My son who lives in Boronia said I needed a new start, I wasn’t staying on in the old house,” she said.

“No way was I going to move into a retirement village. My plan originally was to buy a house and have Trish come and move in with me. Then friends who had recently moved into a retirement village in Rowville told me how much they were loving it and it was the best thing they had ever done. I was very resistant, I told them no way was I going to move into a retirement village, anyway, I said I was too young, it wasn’t for me.” Not long after, another friend gave her the number of Tudor Village and was insistent she go for a look. Reluctantly she agreed to have a look and went for a visit with her other sister Judy. From the moment they entered Tudor Village Drive in late February 2021, they were both struck with how pretty the tree-lined streets were and the lovely established feel of the village. For Jan, she said it immediately felt like coming home, a full circle from when she had lived in the area as a child.

Jan looked at some of the established homes but didn’t want to undertake a renovation, so was interested to see something that was new and modern. She looked through one of the villas at the front of the village and immediately knew it was for her. Just to be sure, Jan and Judy visited five other retirement villages in the area but they quickly came back to Tudor Village and secured the villa she loved. Two months later, she moved in and she has now celebrated four happy years of village life!

Compared to the other villages that Jan and Judy looked at, Tudor Village offered the best location. Jan says that coming from a farming background, she didn’t want to live in any of the built-up areas in the city, so the country feel to Tudor Village appealed to her. She also loved the facilities of the village and well-established look of the homes.

Jan’s villa is a comfortable 2BR plus study home with open plan living and front and back patios. Her love of animals is evident with pictures of past family dogs on the walls, mementos of lions and tigers from her South Africa trip, and of course, the signature Peacocks around her house and garden, a touching tribute to her late husband. Jan doesn’t currently have a pet of her own but she enjoys walking Keira, her neighbour’s little dog.

In the four years since Jan moved in, her life has been rich and fulfilling.

“I’m a people person, I worked for many years in retail and loved talking to the customers. I have a great social network at Tudor Village and I’ve embraced the range of activities and events. I’ve joined the social committee and help organise the happy hours every Friday and I love being part of the ladies’ Tipsy Tuesday gatherings,” Jan said. “I enjoy Tai Chi and line dancing classes and I have a social group of friends who share my love of footy (go the Pies!) and reality TV including Farmer Wants a Wife! I also volunteer a couple of days each month at the Healesville Sanctuary as a Visitor Host and help with feeding the animals.”

But perhaps most importantly, Jan has found a new love of travel, something she was unable to do for most of her married life, with commitments firstly on a farm, then as business owners. Jan has found a travel buddy in the village and together she and Norma have already been to Borneo, Italy, Greece and South Africa, with a trip to Amsterdam and Budapest coming up later this year. Jan loves that she can just lock up and leave, with her villa safe and secure within the village.

Jan’s advice to anyone considering if retirement living is right for them:

“Come in early, don’t leave it too long, the sooner you move into a village, the more you will

get out of it,” she said.

“There’s so much to do and be part of, and you want to be able to enjoy the social activities and the friendships. Moving to Tudor Village was the

a range of facilities and activities.

Jan Peacock has found a happy home at Tudor Village. (Supplied) Find a place for yourself at Tudor Village. (Supplied)

(Supplied)

your move to Tudor Village. (Supplied)

Open House

2PM – 3PM | WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE

You are warmly invited to join us at Tudor Village to discover our welcoming community, take a tour of our beautifully appointed retirement village and homes available, and chat with our friendly residents and staﬀ. A ernoon tea provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information call 9739 6122 or register at www.tudorvillage.com.au/event/village-tour-and-open-home

Light-Filled, Renovated Comfort

is freshly renovated two-bedroom home is ﬁlled with natural light and ready to

Are you getting enough water?

Headachy? A bit tired and sluggish?

Before you blame the weather, last night’s sleep or your third coffee, ask yourself if you’ve actually had any water today.

Around four out of five Australians admit to not drinking enough water and fall short of the recommended eight to 10 cups per day.

Staying well hydrated is one of the quickest and easiest ways to feel better, fast and most of us aren’t doing it nearly enough.

Humans are made up of around 60 per cent water.

When you are dehydrated, every system in your body simply can’t function as well as it needs to.

Your blood volume drops, making it harder to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your brain, muscles and other vital organs.

You’ll feel lethargic, light-headed and have trouble concentrating, amongst many other things.

CARTOON

Healthy living

Ben Croxford

Physiotherapist, Leads the team at Form & Practice Mount Evelyn and Olinda

Problem is, by the time you feel thirsty, you’re probably already dehydrated.

Aussies also love our coffee, tea and alcohol – all of which are diuretics, meaning they make you lose more water than you gain from the drink.

It is important that you’re balancing your morning coffee with extra water to make sure you’re operating at your best.

Good hydration needs to become a regular

habit and sipping little bits throughout the day is best.

There is no one-size-fits-all rule regarding how much water you should drink because all of us are built a little differently.

Factors like your diet, the climate you live in and the type of activity you do will affect what your body requires.

The truth is, however, that statistically, the vast majority of you are not getting enough water and could be feeling so much better.

So, if you’re feeling a bit off, try reaching for that glass of water before anything else – it could make a big difference!

Ben Croxford is a Physiotherapist and leads the team at Form and Practice Mt Evelyn, Olinda and Chirnside Park.

His writings explore his favourite health topics, challenge common myths and aim to empower you to take control of your own health. Find out more at formandpractice.com.au

Hurry Up Tomorrow film review

Hurry Up Tomorrow

Starring Abel Tesfaye, Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan MA15+

3/5

Not One Of The Worst Films of 2025 Hurry Up Tomorrow is an ego trip with artistic appeal that has been unfairly hailed as one of the year’s worst films.

Musician Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, stars as a fictionalised version of himself (he also co-wrote and co-produced the film), who is held hostage by an obsessed fan named Anima (Jenna Ortega).

Hurry Up Tomorrow is beautifully-shot and features a pounding, disquieting electronic score.

The first act is a suitably stressful experience as Tesfaye’s drug use, painful break-up, strained voice and stress while on tour rise up to smother him, and the first act is effectivelybookendedbythesamemusicalnumber: the first instance is an awesome success and the second a disaster.

Many critics dismissed Hurry Up Tomorrow as a vanity project for Abel, but I’d dispute this based on the sheer self-loathing on display.

While barely-written as a character, Ortega is subtly creepy as Anima, and it is tense to watch her and Abel’s fun, relaxed night out devolve into violent entrapment.

Hurry Up Tomorrow seems to be a sincere examination of Abel’s faults, but the commentary is surface-level, and this angle of self-hating honesty holds less water in the third act, with Anima as basically a crazy but cute groupie dancing in a skimpy top to Abel’s songs.

You can’t bare your soul in an arthouse movie like this without stroking your ego a little, but the third act may take the egostroking too far, though there is a touching moment of repentance through song.

An aggressively okay film playing in a limited run in Victorian cinemas, Hurry Up Tomorrow is a blunt, wandering character piece in which not much happens, but it’s an atmospheric, hard-hitting and vibrantlypresented experience that doesn’t deserve the critical disembowelment it’s received.

A gentle, heart-warming story: The Truck Cat is a winner

The National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Each year a picture book is chosen, written and illustrated by Australian artists. The book is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, bookshops and homes across the country, as well as online.

For those readers who missed this year’s NSS on Wednesday 21 May, the book chosen is The Truck Cat, winner of the 2025 Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) for Children’s Picture Book. Published in October 2024, it is written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.

The book tells the story of a cat called Tinka, who lives in a B-double tri-axle truck with his human Yacoub. Together they travel all around the country, carrying different cargo and “learning the strange new landscape on the way”.

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

siblings and a mama cat”.

“So Tinka and Yacoub remembered their memories together. Then at night, when the truck stopped to rest under the Milky Way, Tinka sat on Yacoub’s lap and purred into the sky.”

When the pair become unexpectedly separated, “Tinka worried about Yacoub, along in the truck with just eggs to talk to”, while “Tacoub worried too, from town to town to town, and back again”.

about friendship and belonging.

In a note at the book’s end, the author mentions how her grandparents arrived in Australia in 1947 to begin a new life. “At some point, there came a moment when this country of refuge became something more familiar: it became their home. This moment intrigued me.”

“Sometimes apples, sometimes pears. Sometimes lots and lots of eggs. Yacoub had to drive carefully, because otherwise those eggs would all get scrambled.”

Their story has a wonderful ending, but it is surprising how the gentle words and the pastel-toned illustrations can be so satisfying and heart-warming.

Truck driving is a lonely profession, but Yacoub is particularly yearning for connection because his home country is far away and people around him cannot always understand “his jokes, his words, his silences”. Tinka, too, misses his old home, a warm basket “full of mewling

Anyone who has ever felt lonely in a crowd can emphasise with Yacoub’s journey.

One can also appreciate the emotional bond and mutual trust between humans and animals.

But this story is unique, precisely because it is simple and sweet. In its short passages a subtle yet universal message is conveyed, which is all

Which explains why this story resonates with so many people, because ours is a migrant nation. Like Yacoub and the author’s grandparents, and like so many others moving across this continent for reasons that are important to them, people “must create for themselves a new life in a land far, far away”.

“Their origins are different, but they’re all searching for the same thing: a new place to call home”. They must “make a new home, even while brimful of memories of the old one”.

Highly recommended for young readers and those young at heart.

PUZZLES

239

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 Football (6)

4 Careful (8)

9 Reprimand (5)

10 Intercede (9)

11 Fluid injection (5)

12 Clumsy (9)

13 Plan of action (8)

15 Obedient (6)

16 Uproar (6)

18 Scary things (8)

23 Reflects upon (9)

24 Brings up (5)

26 Making loud and confused noise (10)

27 Bring forth (5)

28 Removes (8)

29 Water-surrounded land (6)

DOWN

1 Triumph (7)

2 Legal offence (5)

3 Handsome (7)

5 Representative song (6)

6 Underwater missile (7)

7 Spy (9)

8 Ghost (7)

10 Cake decoration (5)

14 Superfluous (9)

16 Means of transport (7)

17 Southwestern US state (7)

19 Fertile spot (5)

20 Waitstaff (7)

21 Hang by attachment (7)

22 Holiday accommodation (6)

25 Fragrance (5)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter

MULTIPLE INCOME

STREAMS

ON THIS LIFESTYLE PROPERTY

MULTIPLE INCOME STREAMS ON THIS LIFESTYLE PROPERTY

SITUATED on approximately 129 acres this amazing opportunity for a complete lifestyle change features an amazing private & quiet location amongst it to many attributes along with its amazing views.

The main home built in an ‘arts and crafts’ style is approximately 40 years old and features beautiful second-hand red bricks and timber believed to have been cut off the site. Every room affords magnificent views to the Warburton ranges in the distance. The Featuring 3 bedrooms and a study, with the main bedroom featuring a renovated ensuite plus a central renovated bathroom upstairs whilst downstairs has a powder room, large kitchen with timber benchtops and dishwasher, separate lounge room and fomal dining room with an attached observatory framing the whole.

In addition, there are three cottages that can be operated as a bed & breakfast accommodation, 2 with their own entrances off the road & each once again offering magnificent views. Each of the cottages contains 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and living space with outside verandah. Approximately 30-40 acres of the land is cleared, and the remaining bushland offers privacy to the surrounding neighbours.

The property currently operates as Paintball Cockatoo with the business generating income for the owners for many years. The property can be sold with the business or without the business. The business has its own separate access from the main road and its facilities cover 15- 20 acres and is predominantly operational on the weekends and public holidays, but this is the purchase is discretion as to wish they would like to do.

There is also a track surrounding the property which the owners also utilize to hire out to ATV bike group hires as well.

The opportunity here is phenomenal! Not only an amazing lifestyle but the ability to earn significant income of one property. Properties like this do not come for sale very often, so you should really make the move now whilst this opportunity is still here!

To arrange your viewing call Mick Dolphin on 0429 684 522 or David Stewart on 0411 655 611

HOME FOCUS

FOR SALE: ICONIC 1950S AMERICAN-STYLE

DINER IN PICTURESQUE ALEXANDRA, VICTORIA

STEP back in time and seize the opportunity to own a beloved piece of Alexandra’s hospitality scene — a vibrant, 1950s American-style diner brimming with character, history, and heart.

Located in the thriving regional town of Alexandra, this leasehold business offers not only a nostalgic dining experience but a solid investment in a close-knit and supportive community. Operating six days a week with a 5x5 lease in place and rent of just $310 per week plus outgoings, this is an attractive opportunity for a savvy owner-operator or investor.

Patrons are welcomed by life-sized icons of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Betty Boop, setting the tone for a unique experience. Thousands of customer signatures decorate the walls — a testament to the diner’s loyal and growing fan base. Glowing Google reviews further highlight its strong reputation.

The menu is a crowd-pleaser, offering classics such as burgers, fish and chips, ice cream, coffee, milkshakes, and spiders. Local favourites include meat and gravy rolls, egg and bacon rolls, and a wide range of homemade pastries — all served with friendly, small-town charm.

Operating hours are tailored for both local residents and tourists, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The diner is perfectly situated to capture year-round traffic — from snow lovers heading to Mt Buller and Lake Mountain, to boating and fishing enthusiasts visiting nearby Lake Eildon.

The township of Alexandra is well-serviced with two primary schools, a secondary college, and daily bus routes to Billanook College in Lilydale and to Melbourne. The community spirit is alive and well, with active sporting clubs including basketball, netball, swimming, and football.

This business is listed at $120,000 plus stock at value (approximately $7,000). Whether you’re looking to escape the city and embrace country life or expand your portfolio with a proven hospitality gem, this is your chance.

For further information and to arrange an inspection, please contact Renae Ward at O’Brien’s Real Estate on 0412 315 885.

Don’t miss your chance to own a slice of Americana in the heart of regional Victoria.

CHARMING CHARACTER HOME WITH A MODERN TOUCH ON 2,134M2

EXPERIENCE the perfect blend of location, luxury, and sophistication on half an acre in one of Emerald’s most coveted areas.

This charming home offers stunning views and a beautifully landscaped garden from every window, providing an exceptional lifestyle for its fortunate new owners.

Designed to harmonize with its surroundings and create a tranquil space for family living.

The home features gleaming polished floorboards, an open-plan lounge and dining area, a stunning kitchen with Caesarstone countertops and stainless steel appliances, and large picture windows that flood the space with natural light, complemented by a fresh, modern colour scheme throughout.

Upstairs there are three spacious bedrooms, all have built-in robes and overlook the colour filled gardens. They are serviced by the stylish family bathroom. Additional comforts include a powder room downstairs, hydronic heating throughout, a cozy wood fire and two split-system heating and cooling units to ensure year-round comfort.

Step outside to enjoy a sprawling halfacre garden, complete with a large vegetable patch, a variety of established fruit trees, expansive lawn areas, and the added bonus of a separate outdoor room ideal for a study or teenager’s retreat.

Unwind on the deck with family and friends or enjoy a quiet moment with a book with your morning coffee as you take in the breathtaking views that surround you.

Conveniently located near shops and public transport, this home is perfectly positioned to maximize its spectacular vistas.

This dream lifestyle is waiting for you – call today to arrange an inspection.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW OPEN FOR TWO LANDMARK DANDENONG RANGES SITES

THE Dandenong Ranges attract over 5.8 million visitors annually and are home to some of Victoria’s most iconic and recognisable visitor destinations. It’s a place where heritage, natural beauty, and visitor experience come together in a uniquely memorable way. Among these sites, Mount Dandenong Observatory and Grants Picnic Ground Cafe have played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s tourism story and remain deeply rooted in the local community’s cultural fabric.

Now, both sites stand at the threshold of an exciting new chapter. Parks Victoria is seeking high-quality operators to lead the revitalisation of these important locations, with Expressions of Interest (EOIs) now open for long-term leases of up to 21 years.

Situated on the summit of Mount Dandenong, the Mount Dandenong Observatory, locally known as Sky High, has drawn visitors for over a century, offering expansive views of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay. Originally established as a geodetic survey point in 1861, the site has evolved into a destination of architectural and cultural importance. The distinctive circular restaurant — designed by architect J. Dale Fisher in 1969 — remains an iconic structure within the region, noted for both its social significance and architectural value. The Observatory continues to serve as a year-round tourism destination, with established dining and function offerings, landscaped grounds, gardens, and panoramic viewing platforms.

Just 15 minutes away, Grants Picnic Ground Cafe occupies a prime position within Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Originally operating as a service station in the mid-20th century,

the cafe has long served as a welcome stop for walkers, bus tours, and families exploring the region. Surrounded by towering mountain ash and native wildlife, the site offers a rare opportunity to integrate hospitality within an immersive nature-based experience.

Both opportunities provide substantial potential for the appointed operators — combining well-established infrastructure, strong visitor appeal, and deep local community connections. The EOIs invite applicants with the capacity, creativity, and commercial insight to deliver contemporary food and beverage experiences that also honour the environmental and cultural values of the locations.

Each lease offers not only commercial potential, but the chance to contribute meaningfully to the long-term sustainability

and appeal of the Dandenong Ranges. With strong alignment to regional tourism strategies these leases present an opportunity for lasting impact.

Expressions of Interest for both Mount Dandenong Observatory and Grants Picnic Ground Cafe are now open. Interested applicants can access further information and application details through the Parks Victoria website or Buying for Victoria tender portal.

There is a rare opportunity for the right operators to shape the future of two of Victoria’s most beloved visitor destinations — and to do so with vision, care, and lasting impact.

For more information https://www.parks. vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/lease-and-licenceopportunities

Tworareleaseopportunities intheDandenongRanges.

Bring your vision tolifeinoneof Victoria’smostvisiteddestinations.

ParksVictoriaisseekingexperiencedoperatorsfor twouniquelong-termleaseopportunitiesinthisiconic location.Welcoming5.8millionvisitorsannually,the DandenongRangesisoneofVictoria’smostvisited destinations.

Expressionsofinterestarenowopenforthesetwo locations:

GrantsPicnicGroundCafé-EOIcloses18June2025

MountDandenongObservatory-EOIclose4July2025

ScanQRformore information

GrantsPicnicGroundCafé

MountDandenongObservatory

COUNTRY RETREAT ON APPROXIMATELY 6 ACRES

LOOKING for a peaceful escape without being too far from conveniences?

This solid and charming 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom family home is set on a sprawling property of approximately 6 acres with natural bushland, offering both serenity and plenty of clear space for the children and fur family to play.

Featuring a spacious and comfortable 4 bedroom / 2 bathroom family haven, with zoned bedrooms and 2 separate living areas, this home is ideal for family living. Whether you want to entertain in the formal lounge and dining room or watch TV with the family whist preparing a feast in the well-appointed kitchen, you will stay cozy in every season with mains gas ducted heating throughout, plus the charm of a wood fire.

Outside, keep your vehicles protected under a generous double carport providing under cover access to the home and there is plenty of off street parking for family and friends. Add to this a garden shed and plenty of flat area for the shed of your dreams (STCA).

Enjoy the peace and privacy of a nothrough-road and the soothing sounds and natural beauty of your very own creek - all only a short walk to local shops, cafes, and amenities – convenience at its best.

Don’t miss out - call to arrange a private inspection today.

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

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.

CharmingOff-GridLivingin aSereneLocation,NOBILLS! Seton2 acresnearGembrook,Loftalongis acharmingA-frameWesternRedCedarhomeoffering sustainablelivingwithstyle.Solarpanels,batteries,andsmartphonemonitoringensurereliable,ecofriendlypower.Inside,enjoyopen-planlivingwithBlueGumtimberfloors,colonialwindows,woodfire heating,anda splitsystem.Thekitchenboaststimberbenchtops,gasstovetop,oven,anda walk-in pantry.Dineindoorsoralfrescoontheverandahorsunnypatio.Upstairshoststhreespacious bedrooms, apowderroom,and aseparateshower.Thepropertyfeatureslushgardens,veggie patches,chickencoop,animalpaddock,andshedsforeverypurpose.A doublecarport,four-car garage,andextrastoragecompletetheoffering.A blendofcomfort,charm,andsustainabilityina trulyidyllicsetting.

CharmingCountryLivingwithSpace,Style &a TouchofNostalgia. Welcometoa Gembrooktreasure,wheretimelesscharmmeetsmoderncomfortandPuffingBilly rollsbylikea livingpostcard.Nestledona generous1900sqm(approx.)blockwithdualaccessfrom StationRoadandMainStreet,this4-bedroom,2-bathroomhomeis ahavenofspace,warmth,and semi-ruralserenity.Inside,polishedfloors,10ftceilings,and asunlitopen-planlivingareainviteyou in,whilethewell-equippedkitchenandreardeckmakeentertaininga breeze.Withgasducted heating, asplitsystem,and awoodfire,comfortisyear-round.A secondloungeoffersversatility, andampleshedsplusdualdrivewayscatertoeveryneed.Justa strolltotown,thisischaracter-filled countrylivingatitsfinest.

breathtakingsunsetsfromthefrontdeck,accessedviathelounge& master bedroom.Thekitchenoverlooksa peacefulreargarden &connectstoa brightdining/loungearea withtimberfloors,tallceilings &plentyofnaturallight.Splitsystem &GDHensureyear-roundcomfort. ThemainlevelincludesthreebedroomswithBIR,a centralbathroomwitha floatingvanity &celestial window.Downstairsfeaturestwospaciousbedroomswithfloor-to-ceilingwindows,tiledflooring& secondmodernbathroom—idealforteens,guests,ora homeoffice.Outside,a singlecarport& fencedbackyardofferspaceforpets,entertaining,orrelaxing.Allwithinwalkingdistancetolocal shops,schools& thetrainstationina peaceful,tree-linedsetting.

BrennanMileto M 0422996451

5 A 2 B 1 C

150KirkRoadCockatoo

3StationRoadGembrook $840,000 -$900,000

BethanySullivan M 0438844968

AaronDay M 0407365994

WHERE COUNTRY CHARM MEETS INCOME POTENTIAL

WELCOME to Fernhem, a character-rich haven nestled on just over three-quarters of an acre (3373m²) where classic timber craftsmanship and modern comforts combine to create a truly unique lifestyle opportunity.

The heart of the main home is its open plan living space, where a soaring ceiling, warm timber finishes, and a gas fire invite you to relax and unwind.

The country-style kitchen, complete with timber cabinetry, a 900mm stainless steel cooker, porcelain benchtops, a walk-in pantry, and a dishwasher, brings both charm and practicality to everyday living.

Step outside through sliding doors to a vast covered deck, ideal for entertaining, dining alfresco, or simply enjoying the tranquillity of the surrounding gardens.

Nearby, a 10-person swim spa offers the ultimate in relaxation, set amongst a flourishing garden where native birdlife adds a soundtrack to your peaceful retreat.

The home offers three generous bedrooms on the lower level, including a master with full ensuite. The second bedroom features a walkthrough robe with direct access to the central bathroom, while the third has a built-in robe and its own private entrance to the same.

Upstairs, a loft-style study or fourth bedroom is accompanied by an additional open plan living space-ideal for a teenager’s retreat, children’s play area or creative studio.

Creature comforts include gas ducted heating, split systems a remote double garage, sealed circular driveway, and a carport providing ample room for multiple vehicles.

But what truly sets this property apart is Love in the Mist-a fully self-contained cottage that echoes the charm of the main residence. Currently run as a popular and highly rated Bed and Breakfast, the cottage includes a kitchen, meals area, cosy living room, bathroom, and a loft-style master bedroom, offering potential for income, multigenerational living, or a home-based business (STCA).

Perfectly positioned close to the scenic attractions of the Dandenong Rangesrenowned restaurants, boutique shops, Puffing Billy, Emerald Lake Park, and beautiful walking trails-Fernhem invites you to embrace the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of.

Whether you’re looking to work from home, accommodate extended family, or continue a thriving business, this property offers the space, serenity, and flexibility to make it all possible.

HOME FOCUS

QUALITY, FAMILY SIZED LIVING IN A PERFECT LOCATION

PERFECTLY located in the quiet and sought after township of Menzies Creek, this high quality, family sized home has been built to offer the best of both worlds-peaceful living with everything you need close by. Surrounded by leafy trees, and with a beautiful, filtered view across to Cardinia Reservoir, you will find it’s within an easy walk to the vibrant Emerald Village along the popular Puffing Billy walking track.

Set on a generous and fully useable 1895sqm block, the home has plenty of space and flexibility-There are four spacious bedrooms plus a home office and along with three separate living zones, it offers a versatile floorplan that caters for extended family living options or excellent entertaining.

The formal lounge is highlighted by not only an open fireplace, but also a wall of windows that let the sunshine through. A second, even larger living area boasts the stunning view of the nearby Reservoir which provides a dramatic backdrop to this comfortable room no matter what time of day.

Quality assured and with plenty of space to cook and create, the kitchen and dining area is perfect for any sized function and contains a 1000mm Ilve stove, dishwasher, excellent storage options, and a beautiful bay window that takes in the secluded patio and garden beds.

Temperature control has been well taken care of with the options of open fire, wood heater, gas ducted heating, reverse cycle heating and refrigerated cooling – Nothing has been left to chance.

Looking for more space? There’s a separate lounge/games room with a kitchenette and its own bathroom-ideal for guests, teenagers, or even a home office setup. A few stairs lead to another large bedroom or living space where the garden views are just perfect.

Step outside to the enclosed deck and relax in the swim spa, perfect all year round. The private, fenced yard features a fire pit area, well-kept gardens, pizza oven, and plenty of room to entertain. There’s also a garden shed, double garage with internal access, and extra off-street parking.

Only 6 minutes from Belgrave train station or Emerald, it’s also got easy access to public transport, Wellington Road, Eastlink and the Monash Freeway-making trips to the city a breeze. Local schools and hospitals are nearby too.

This well built and much-loved family home has it all-space, comfort, and a peaceful lifestyle with town convenience just minutes away. An absolute must-see!

When it’s time to gather with family and friends, the entry level features a formal lounge with wood fire and charming window seat that steps up to a bright family room and meals area with bamboo flooring. This zone then flows out to the expansive open and covered deck with skylights, ceiling fan, and heating for year-round enjoyment. Servicing these spaces is the exquisite chefs’ kitchen with stone benchtops, subway tiles, high quality appliances, and servery window that connects this space seamlessly with the deck. Additional living space can be found on the upper level mezzanine that overlooks this luxurious residence. When it’s time to retreat for the day, there are several beautiful bedrooms on offer. The entry level features 3 bedrooms plus

2 magnificently renovated bathrooms that feature rainfall showers, floating vanities, and one with a relaxing soaking tub. With an additional bedroom on the mezzanine level and a lower level office/bedroom, this is a home you can grow into. In addition, 3 of the bedrooms are adorned with blackout blinds for complete comfort.

Furthermore, this stellar property also features gas ducted heating, split system heating/cooling, a lined double garage, 2 large sheds, raised veggie beds, and a charming gazebo that overlooks Monbulk Creek. Guaranteed to impress, this property won’t remain on the market for long. Join us for a tour today.

HOME FOCUS

CHARMING HOME IN A SENSATIONAL LOCATION

A quality home and a very special Warburton property with a little bit of musical history at this well known address, simply stunning location, this beautiful home is the ideal place to secure you little piece of Warburton. Walk out your back gate and you’re right on the walking trail and in Warburton’s main street within minutes to enjoy all the main street eateries and attractions.

The classic weatherboard home is very well presented, well maintained and loved and cared for for years, offering 2 bedrooms plus a separate bungalow ideal for the B & B or the extra weekend guests.

The lounge/family room is just the spot to sit back relax and enjoy the colourful views and surrounds and ideally situated with the Yarra River and golf course just over the road it’s the ideal place to call home.

SpaciousFamilyHomewithMountainViews

Thisbeautifullyrenovatedtwostorey,fourbedroombrickhomeoffers ablendofcomfort,space, andconvenienceforthegrowingfamily.Stepinsidetodiscovertwogenerouslivingareas,ideal forbothrelaxedfamilytimeandentertaining.Themasterbedroomfeaturesitsownprivateensuite, whiletheremainingbedroomsarespaciousandwellappointed.Outdoors, acoveredcarportand aseparateworkshopprovidepracticalspaceforvehicles,hobbies,orextrastorage.Soakinthe stunningmountainviewsfromyourbackyardandenjoyeasyaccesstopublictransport,allwithin walkingdistancemakingdailycommutes abreeze.Don’tmissthisfantasticopportunitytosecurea stylish,moveinreadyhomeina sought-afterlocation.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

SolidHomeinPeacefulSetting –WalktoYarraRiver& Shops! Whetheryou’rea savvyinvestororsearchingfortheperfectplacetocallhome,thisbrickhome deliversspace,comfort,andgreatvalue.Newlyrenovatedkitchenandbathroommeanthebig ticketitemsarealreadydone.Paintedthroughoutthehomehaslovelynaturallightandfeatures agenerousloungeandthreewell-proportionedbedroomsidealforfamiliesorthoseneedingextra space.Timberfloorsandsoftcarpetaddswarmth.Splitsystemwillcoveryourheatingandcooling needs.Thetranquilbackyardiscertainlythewelcominghubforeverydayliving.Outdoors,you’ll find alevel,lowmaintenanceyardand ahandyshed,greatforstorageortinkering.Nestledina quiet,familyfriendlystreet,thispropertyisjust ashortstrolltolocalshops,publictransport,andthe picturesqueYarraRiver.

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.

2spaciousbedrooms,with thelargeopenlivingareasaretheidealspottositbackandadmirethecolourfulbushbackdrop. Thekitchenisfresh,modernandoffersplentyofspacewithqualityappliancesandfixtures.Entertain allyearroundwithcoveredverandah’sanddeckingaroundthehome,alfrescostyleserveryoff thekitchenareaistheidealspotforoutdoormorningbreakfast.Enjoytheoutdoorswithover 2400sqmoflandtoexploreandenjoywitha mixtureofscatteredtodensebushwithamplecleared areasforthewholefamilytoenjoy,plusextraalternativeaccommodationforweekendguestsor theextendedfamily.Thispropertyboastsfantasticoffgrid,selfsustainablelivingwitha qualitysolar systemandlargecapacitybatterybank.A greatpropertyoffering apeacefullifestyle.

-$920,000

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

Congratulations to the Lilydale croquet teams

By John Thomson

The South East Metro Autumn competition concludes this week.

The competition was played over ten weeks, punctuated with some public holidays.

Lilydale has two of its three teams in contention to take out top spot, the division two level play team and the handicap team, the division one team will probably finish third.

This week the Lilydale division one team took on the top of the table team from Kew. Lilydale’s team was Craig McCracken and Murray Howlett.

First game was the doubles.

Lilydale got off to a good start, half way through the game Kew tried to get into the game but Lilydale took back control and went on to win 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops.

Murray Howlett played in the first singles game.

This time it was the Kew player who had the upper hand and although Murray battled hard the Kew player was able to run some lovely long hoops which kept her in control of the game. Kew 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

Craig McCracken played in the next singles game.

This game was close with early in the game and then later in the game Craig was able to run consecutive hoops to give him a slight advantage which he was able to hold until the end.

Lilydale 7 hoops to Kew 4 hoops.

At the lunch break the scores were Lilydale 2 games 18 hoops to Kew 1 game 15 hoops.

With two games to play either side could still win the day.

Murray Howlett played in the first singles after lunch.

Murray played a superb game, everything he did came off and the longer the game went the more the Kew player struggled to have an impact.

Lilydale 7 hoops to Kew 0 hoops.

This win won the day for Lilydale with one game to play.

Craig McCracken played in the last game.

This time it was the Kew player who got off to a good start, but Craig was not going to just give her the game and tried to fight back but unfortunately the gap was to much and Kew went onto win 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.

The final scores were Lilydale 3 games 28 hoops to Kew 2 games 22 hoops.

Although Lilydale could only finish third they had a say in how the top spots on the ladder finished with Kew slipping to second position and Ringwood finishing in top spot.

The final ladder was Ringwood, Kew, Lilydale, Monash, Mornington and Sandringham

This week the Lilydale division two team travelled to Sandringham.

The Lilydale team was Alan Jones, Kerri McCracken and Mick Crawley.

Alan Jones and Mick Crawley played in the doubles. Lilydale seemed to struggle with the fast pace of the court and Sandringham were able to take control and win the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.

Kerri McCracken played in the first singles. This game was close all the way through, Kerri seemed to adjust to the pace of the court and both players were going hoop for hoop, at the end of the twelfth hoop the scores were six hoops each so the thirteenth hoop had to be played to decide the winner.

Kerri was first to the hoop and setup well and with her next turn with that ball was able to run the hoop.

Lilydale 7 hoops to Sandringham 6 hoops. Michael Crawley played in the next singles game.

Unfortunately, again, Mick could not come to grips with the speed of the court and the Sandringham player was able to take full control and go onto win 7 hoops to Lilydale 2 hoops.

At the break the scores were Sandringham 2 games 20 hoops to Lilydale 1 game 12 hoops.

With two singles games to play Lilydale will have to come out after the break and win both games.

Alan Jones played in the first singles after the break.

Alan had been watching the last two games and was able to adjust his line and length to the

speed of the court and go onto win 7 hoops to Sandringham 3 hoops.

This win to Lilydale evened up the games score at 2 each but Sandringham still held a 4 hoop lead.

Kerri McCracken played in the last game.

As like Kerri’s first game this was also very close with both players not giving an inch and after twelve hoops had been played the scores were six hoops each, with the thirteenth hoop to be the decider.

After some negative play by both players it was in the end the Sandringham player who was able to run the hoop and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

The final scores for the day were Sandringham 3 games 30 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 25 hoops.

Although Lilydale lost this game they still finished on top of the ladder for the Autumn season.

The ladder is Lilydale, Monash, Kew Kelpies, Sandringham, Kew Devils.

Congratulations to the Lilydale division 2 team of Alan Jones (captain), Kerri McCracken and Mick Crawley.

The division 2 team finished on top of the ladder in the 2024 Spring season and now in the 2025 Autumn season a great result for this team.

The last game of the handicap season was played at Kew Croquet Club and Lilydale played against the Kew team.

As this was the last game Lilydale had all of its players playing this week.

Lilydale needed to win this game to remain finish the season on top of the ladder.

Lilydale’s team consisted of Murray Howlett,

Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken, Drew Pawley, Murray McLean and Mark Edgell.

Mick Crawley played in the first singles game.

Mick has had a very good season, so much so that his handicap has come down and he now has bigger penalties that he has to adapt to.

In this game Mick was starting with a twos hoop penalty and the Kew player had a one hoop advantage.

The extra pressure on Mick of trying to make up ground was a bit to much and he struggled to make up the deficit with Kew winning 7 hoops to Lilydale 2 hoops.

The first doubles game saw Murray Howlett and Murray McLean team up.

Lilydale were starting with a two hoops disadvantage.

This game was fairly even all the way through with Lilydale gradually making up their deficit and getting the game back on even terms.

After twelve hoops had been played the scores were six hoops each with the thirteenth hoop to be played to decide the winner.

Both teams set up fairly well and after a short exchange Lilydale were able to run the hoop to win the game.

Drew Pawley played in the next singles game.

Both players were on the same handicap so neither player had any advantage.

Drew started well and was able to take the lead early and build on this lead during the game to go on and have a good win 7 hoops to Kew 3 hoops.

Kerri McCracken and Mark Edgell played in the next doubles game.

Both teams were on the same handicap so again neither team had an advantage.

The Kew team got off to a blistering start and

the Lilydale team could not settle in to the game with Kew having a comfortable win 7 hoops to Lilydale 2 hoops.

At the lunch break the scores were Kew 2 games 23 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 18 hoops with one singles and one doubles game to play.

Drew Pawley played in the last singles game.

The Kew player was starting with a one hoop disadvantage.

The Kew player made up his disadvantage early but from then on, the game was tight with both players on six hoops each so the deciding hoop had to be played.

This deciding hoop was keenly fought over but, in the end, it was the Kew player who was able to run the hoop and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

Murray Howlett and Murray McLean played in the last doubles game.

For Lilydale to finish top of the ladder they needed to not only win this game but win it big. Lilydale were starting with a two hoops disadvantage while the Kew team had a one hoop advantage. Although Lilydale fought hard, they just could not make up the deficit with Kew going on to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 3 hoops.

The final scores were Kew 4 games 37 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 27 hoops.

The final ladder was. Sandringham Sharks, Lilydale, Kew, Ringwood Royals, Sandringham Bayside, Monash, Ringwood Rebels. Congratulations and well done to the Lilydale handicap team who have again had another very good season and the experience the newer players got this season will be invaluable going forward.

The successful Division 2 team of Mick Crawley, Kerri McCracken and Alan Jones (captain). INSET: Kerri McCracken running a hoop. (Supplied)

Barkerettes lose way in fog

By Peter Stephenson

A mild evening at the Kennel saw Barkerettes (8th) take on Seaford (2nd). Barkers were still looking for their first win, and Amy D’Ortenzio became the first-ever female player to reach 250 games. Laelah Gundry and Gracie Touliatos were unavailable, and Ash Fraraccio was back in goal.

With only 58 seconds on the clock, Seaford captain Kallista Tzelios showed why she is the league’s top scorer. The ball came in from the right, and she turned swiftly and hit a fierce shot which Fraraccio blocked at her near post. Seaford then won a series of corners from the right, before Tzelios strolled through the home defence unchallenged before shooting wide. Barkers were the source of their own undoing on the quarter hour as they lost the ball from their own goalkick. A desperate tackle to retrieve possession saw Seaford awarded a penalty, which Laura Carroll hit low to Fraraccio’s right to open the scoring –1-0 Seaford.

Seaford then won some more corners, this time from the left, from the last of which the ball was headed over the bar at the far post. Now though, Mother Nature intervened – the mist rolled in across the pitch. It wasn’t too bad at first, but linesman’s decisions could be made with confidence only if they were almost right in front of you.

Seaford played another ball through which was put over. Then just before the break, Barkers finally fashioned a couple of chances. First a throw-in from the right was worked inside for D’Ortenzio, who hit a snap shot over. Then a good through ball put her in again, but once more the shot went over. Half-time: Barkers 0-1 Seaford, with the visitors deserving their lead.

The second half began with Seaford applying more pressure, but they got frustrated when Tate

Ascott tripped Barker Alysha Barrueto and was yellow-carded. This eventually led to a Barkers shot hit narrowly wide.

On the hour, Seaford got a bit lucky. A corner from the left from Lorelei Tildesley was played to the near post, but deflected off the keeper into the net for 2-0 Seaford. Five minutes later Charlotte Jansons made it 3-0, but spectators have absolutely no idea how (due to the fog), other than the ball came in from the right and there were cheers from the Seaford bench.

The rest of the match was farcical as the fog grew thicker. Linesman and writer Peter Stephenson called the ref over and asked if he could see both linesmen from the centre circle. Without checking, he said yes. Peter could not see the far end my touchline and could certainly not work out who was the second-last defender if play was on the far side. You’d follow one player, then another would emerge from the mist and you’d realise you were following the wrong one. Peter had no doubt that the other linesman was similarly limited. Comedy moment of the night was when the Seaford coach told his left winger to watch the offside. Well if you’re the left winger you can do what you like – the linesman can’t see you. Perhaps he was being ironic. Full time: Barkers 0- 3 Seaford.

So Barkers still have only 3 points from 5 games, and next visit Brunswick Zebras (Sumner Park, Sunday 1pm). In Women’s State 4, Barkers came from behind to win 2-1 at Croydon City, the goals coming from Charlotte Jacobs and Tilly Steele. Next is a home game against Boroondara Eagles (Esther Park, Saturday 6.30pm).

Conditions were mild and blustery as Barkers (6th ) hosted Comets (5th ) – a team they had never beaten. Barkers made one change to the side which drew 0-0 at Skye, with Anthony Di Crea coming in for Ryan Smith.

Mooroolbark’s Cayden Maki. (Supplied)

Draw and two losses for Mooroolbark against Montrose

Mooroolbark Senior Women vs Montrose

Final Score Mooroolbark 2 – 3 – 15 drew with Montrose 2- 3 -15

Best players: Jordyn Forrest, Ciara Delaney, Bella McMaster, Romany Trotter, Aimee Freene, Ella Brown

Goal Kickers: Tayja Maki and Jane Pirouc 1 each Mooroolbark Reserves vs Montrose

Final Score Mooroolbark 3 – 6 -24 lost to Montrose 9 – 10 -64

Best players: Max Batten, Alex Lutgens, Thom-

Comets had an early free kick, which was headed over by Blake Bauer. Then the visitors forced a low block from keeper Vladi Velikin at his near post. After these half-chances for Comets, Barkers got creative. On 8 minutes, a low cross from the left found Marcus Watson, whose first-time shot was blocked, as was his follow-up. Then Sean Perrin launched a long throw-in from the right, Chris Potter flicked on at the near post, and Watson tried his weekly scissor kick. This rebounded out to Potter, who hit over. Soon after, Tristan Walker was released in space, but instead of shooting, he chose to square to Watson, who was closed down by a defender.

Now the momentum shifted to Comets. On 21 minutes, a throw-in from the right was headed towards goal by Bauer, but Ray Markley cleared. Then Comets broke down the right and crossed for the unmarked Gonzalo Piccone, who swept theballintothenetfromcloserangetomakeit1-0 Casey. Nine minutes later, Barkers lost possession in defence on the left wing, Piccone picked up the ball and shot. Velikin parried, but the ball fell to Bauer, who had the simple task of finding the net, and suddenly Barkers were 0-2 down.

Just before the break, Comets threatened again. A throw-in from the left found Piccone in space. He lobbed the ball towards goal, causing Velikin to palm the ball over. Then a forward ran through the Barkers defence before being stopped by a saving tackle from Markley. Halftime: Barkers 0-2 Comets, a half of wasted chances and errors for the hosts.

The second half was only 22 seconds old when Danny Aye sent Di Crea down the left. DI Crea put a great ball in for Ross Clark, whose first-time shot was just wide. Four minutes later, Comets thought they had a third goal, when a free kick to the far post was headed back across goal and put into the net but were judged offside.

Barkers replied when Christian Porcaro’s cross was cleared out to Aye, whose angled shot was blocked. Comets’ defence was looking shaky as Barkers upped the work-rate to try and find a way back into the game.

The second half was mostly (but not all) Barkers. On 54 minutes, Comets’ Nick Swan hit a corner from the right out to Toshimitsu Semii. He hit a low shot through a crowd of players, but Velikin got down low to hold.

Then Barkers made the pressure count. On the hour, a Perrin throw-in from the left saw a scramble in the Comets penalty area. The ball fell to Walker, and although he had almost no time or space to work with, dug the ball from under his feet to manufacture a clever chip to goal. The defence seemed to have cleared off the line and the ref waved play on, but his linesmen wanted a word. Eventually the goal was given and Barkers were back in in at 1-2.

The last 15 minutes were mostly Barkers throwing everything at Comets. On 77 minutes Markley was brought down. Porcaro took the free-kick short to Aye, whose curling shot went over. Then Barkers worked the ball from the right to Aye, but the shot didn’t have the power to trouble keeper Kile Kennedy. In stoppage time, Watson and Clark had half-chances, but Comets held on for the win. Barkers missed a good opportunity to climb the ladder and are now winless in 4 games. They maybe should have been only 1 down at the break, and have only themselves to blame for the second Comets goal. They did work very hard after half-time, but couldn’t unlock the Comets defence even when they went down to 10 men.

The reserves drew 1-1 after taking the lead with a penalty from Harry Rushton. Next for the Barkers men is a home game against Chisholm United (Esther Park, Saturday 1pm / 3pm).

Woori Yallock get the edge over Gembrook Cockatoo

By Armin Richter

Football Premier Division Seniors: Olinda-Ferny Creek 20.9.129 def Healesville 9.6.60; Upwey-Tecoma 12.7.79 drew Mt. Evelyn 12.7.79; Woori Yallock 10.17.77 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 10.8.68; Wandin 15.17.107 def Officer 3.6.24; Monbulk 15.10.100 def Emerald 2.5.17

Reserves: Olinda-Ferny Creek 21.16.142 def Healesville 3.5.23; Upwey-Tecoma 7.16.58 def Mt. Evelyn 6.5.41; Gembrook-Cockatoo 9.10.64 def Woori Yallock 5.6.36; Officer 7.10.52 def Wandin 6.8.44; Emerald 7.8.50 def Monbulk 7.7.49

Under 18: Mt. Evelyn 21.17.143 def Upwey-Tecoma 2.2.14; Olinda-Ferny Creek 13.11.89 def Healesville 3.5.23; Gembrook-Cockatoo 13.10.88 def Woori Yallock 5.6.36; Wandin 7.7.49 def Officer 4.3.27; Monbulk bye Division 1

Netball

Premier Division

A Grade: Olinda-Ferny Creek 60 def Healesville 51; Mt. Evelyn 75 def UpweyTecoma 39; Woori Yallock 56 def GembrookCockatoo 32; Wandin 70 def ROC 33; Emerald 53 def Monbulk 51

B Grade: Olinda-Ferny Creek 78 def Healesville 9; Mt. Evelyn 66 def Upwey-Tecoma 25; Woori Yallock 62 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 52; ROC 58 def Wandin 37; Monbulk 61 def Emerald 35

C Grade: Mt. Evelyn 44 def Upwey-Tecoma 22; Gembrook-Cockatoo 50 def Woori Yallock 28; Wandin 27 def ROC 25; Emerald 31 def Monbulk 27; Olinda-Ferny Creek bye

D Grade: Mt. Evelyn 39 def Upwey-Tecoma 20; Woori Yallock 33 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 17; ROC 24 def Wandin 14; Monbulk 37 def Emerald 20; Olinda-Ferny Creek bye

as Argus, Mason Sheedy, Callum Toner, Jonathan Fraser

Goal Kickers: Christian TeBoekhurst, Jett Blumeris and Cam Storm 1 each Mooroolbark Seniors vs Montrose

Final Score Mooroolbark 7 – 6 -48 lost to Montrose 12 -9 -81

Best players: Cayden Maki, Billy Batten, Patrick Downie, Marcus Hamilton, Jett Hartman, Shane Kennedy

Goal kickers: Sam Gebert and Jackson Gilbee 3 each Ryan Symons 1

Seniors: Warburton-Millgrove 10.10.70 def Yea 5.12.42; Alexandra 16.12.108 def Yarra Junction 9.8.62; Seville 11.16.82 def Powelltown 6.7.43; Pakenham 12.14.86 def Yarra Glen 6.8.44; Belgrave bye Reserves: Warburton-Millgrove 9.7.61 def Yea 3.4.22; Alexandra 24.15.159 def Yarra Junction 1.0.6; Seville 19.13.127 def Powelltown 2.0.12; Pakenham 19.16.130 def Yarra Glen 1.3.9; Belgrave bye Under 18: Yea 10.8.68 def Warburton-Millgrove 5.8.38; Seville 22.18.150 def Alexandra 1.0.6; Pakenham 12.17.89 def Yarra Glen 1.3.9; Women (Div 1): Belgrave 2.4.16 def Woori Yallock 2.1.13; Mt. Evelyn 6.12.48 def Upwey-Tecoma 0.1.1; Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.6.54 def Healesville 0.11.11; Pakenham bye Women (Div 2): Warburton-Wesburn 9.17.71 def Yea 0.0.0; Emerald 3.5.23 def Seville 2.4.16; Wandin 7.12.54 def Officer 2.2.14; Thornton-Eildon bye Veterans: Yarra Glen 5.6.36 def Mt. Evelyn 3.10.28; Gembrook-Cockatoo 7.10.52 def Officer 7.2.44; Belgrave bye

Under 17: ROC White 28 def Woori Yallock 19; ROC Blue 42 def Wandin 11; Emerald 34 def Monbulk 17; Mt. Evelyn bye

Under 15: Pakenham Maroon 24 def Monbulk Maroon 20; Pakenham Gold 26 def Woori Yallock 25; ROC Blue 35 def Monbulk Gold 6; ROC White bye Division 1

A Grade: Pakenham 51 def Yarra Glen 28; Yarra Junction 40 def Alexandra 36; Warburton-Millgrove 73 def Yea 24; Seville v Powelltown pending; Belgrave bye

B Grade: Yarra Junction 38 def Alexandra 28; Warburton-Millgrove 67 def Yea 22; Pakenham 55 def Yarra Glen 29; Seville v Powelltown pending; Belgrave bye

C Grade: Yarra Junction 32 def Alexandra 29; Pakenham 44 def Yarra Glen 33; Warburton-Millgrove 56 def Yea 9; Seville v Powelltown pending; Belgrave bye

D Grade: Alexandra 19 def Yarra Junction 18; Pakenham 40 def Yarra Glen 21; Warburton-Millgrove 35 def Yea 8; Seville v Powelltown pending; Belgrave bye Under 17: Pakenham Gold 38 def Warburton-Millgrove 22; Seville v Powelltown pending; Pakenham Maroon + Alexandra bye

Triple treat at home

By Hannah Chappell

It was a blockbuster Saturday down in Coldstream with all three teams, women’s, reserves, and seniors, took to their home ground in a triple-header that delivered passion, perseverance, and a powerful show of community support.

The action began with the women’s team facing off against North Ringwood.

A slow start saw them hit the scoreboard just once in the opening quarter, but the team quickly turned things around.

With fierce tackling pressure and sharp ball movement, they ran over the top of their opponents to claim an impressive 30-point victory.

It was a full-team effort, with standout contributions across the ground.

Leading the charge was forward Abbey Broughan, whose three-goal performance earned her the Coldstream Brewery Player of the Round.

The reserves followed, fielding a team with a number of new faces.

It proved to be a tough afternoon against a strong Knox side, with the team going down in a heavy loss.

Despite the result, there were bright spots.

Ben Higgins kicked the side’s only goal in his first game for the season, while club debutant Ben Stelfox impressed with his effort and was named Reserves Player of the Match.

“Plenty of learning to take from today,” coach Rod White said.

“We’ll keep building, and it was great to see new players stepping up.”

The senior men’s team closed out the day, delivering a spirited performance against Knox.

From the first bounce, the boys were switched on, pushing their opponents across all four quarters and refusing to let up.

Key contributors included Darcy Fritsch and Lauchlan Craig, who were both outstanding, showing poise, strength, and leadership.

Whether it was marking contests, clean disposals, or scoreboard impact, both players were everywhere when it counted.

The biggest impact, however, came from Darcy Carrigan, whose performance was nothing short of outstanding.

Dominating across the ground and setting the tone for his teammates, Carrigan’s efforts saw him named the Yarra Valley Steel Player of the Round.

Seniors: Coldstream:13.9.87

Knox: 15.10.100

Goals: D Carrigan 4, D Fritsch 3, J Voss 2, B

Walker 1, A Chandlerv 1, C Shield 1, L Craig 1

Women’s:

Coldstream: 9.10.64

North Ringwood: 5.4.34

Goals: A Broughan 3, C Underwood 2, S Stark 2, M Stark, 1, T O’Kane 1

Reserves:

Coldstream: 1.1.7

Knox: 17.19.121

Goals: B Higgins

Mixed results for Lilydale Eagles against Waverley City

By Callum Ludwig

There were mixed fortunes for the Lilydale Eagles sides as they travelled to Clayton to take on Waverley City on a blustery but otherwise pleasant day.

The Reserves were up first with the challenge of taking on the ladder-leading side on the astroturf, meaning players had to adjust to the different surface as well as the strong breeze.

Boasting a couple of new recruits, the Lilydale Eagles made a positive start, frequently finding new signing Josh Zmegac out on the left wing and Tarin Cooper out on the right in space.

The unbeaten Waverley side tried to play out from the back and then through the lines of the Lilydale side but they remained resolute and avoided giving up any chances early to the home side.

Lilydale’s tidy build-up play saw them create some half-chances from the flanks but Waverley got back well to cover and clear the lines or put it behind for a corner.

The Eagles built up some pressure on their opponents and had the best chance of the half fall to Lucas Cordedda, but he put his shot wide. Waverley had the most joy also on the flanks and on the counter, hitting Lilydale with pace. Keeper Callum Ludwig was forced into a couple of saves low down to his left and right as well to tip a header over the bar.

The first half was cagey and both sides looked to be heading into the break at 0-0 when Tarin Cooper broke away down the right wing and fired in a high looping shot (which definitely was not meant to be a cross) that cuaght the wind and sailed over the keeper’s head and into the far corner in the 43rd minute.

The Eagles took a 0-1 lead into halftime but faced a tough second half battling the wind. Waverley City came out with intent in the second half and begun to get on top of the proceedings, putting some early pressure on the travelling Eagles, getting more shots off in dangerous areas that either flashed wide or forced Ludwig into action.

The Eagles were holding out resolutely but struggled to get any respite. Their opponents pressed high up the pitch, making playing out from the back a challenge and the blustery conditions meant goal kicks and long balls to relieve pressure didn’t travel far.

Disaster struck in the 66th minute when the Lilydale Eagles’ Korean import Dongyun (Andrew) Kwon attempted to clear a dangerous cross in that just missed the attacker. His header looped in the air, caught the wind and flew perfectly into the top corner of his own net for an own goal to make it 1-1 in the 66th minute.

The Eagles picked themselves up and got back to work to try and reestablish their lead, managing to make some forays forward, though they didn’t amount to much.

Waverly City kept piling on the pressure too and the Eagles case wasn’t helped by the referee, giving a corner after a Waverley player col-

lided with Ludwig who had claimed the ball, taking him out of play in the process. Bemusingly, the referee gave a corner, claiming that the player had the right to challenge for the ball and Ludwig’s efforts to avoid the contact were reason to not give a foul. Thankfully, the resulting corner was cleared with the only damage done a nice set of stud marks down Ludwig’s leg as a reminder.

The game remained a tight contest and seemed set for a draw when Waverley countered again. The Waverley player fired off a curling shot from outside the box which the Eagles’ Trent Scott-Elsley got in front of. Unfortunately, his block only created a wicked deflection

which wrong-footed Ludwig and the shot hit the back of the net to put Waverley ahead 2-1 in the 87th minute.

The Eagles were unable to peg it back in the dying minutes and they walked away with a disappointing loss despite the encouraging performance against a good side.

The Seniors took the field next, looking to bounce back from a tough loss in the cup.

Things got off to a good start against the opposition with Lilydale well on top in the midfield, keeping the ball on the deck and pushing forward.

The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Eages’ striker Jasper Blair harassed a de-

fender off the ball on the right wing and cut the ball across the box to midfielder Connor Hartman who tucked a tidy finish into the bottom corner to make it 0-1 Lilydale’s way.

The Eagles continued to put pressure on but Waverley just about kept them out for some time before giving away a corner in the 34th minute. Followers of recent reports would know that the Eagles’ set-piece prowess has been a strong suit and the ball was whipped to the back post where it found the shiny bald scone of captain Kaiden Deany-Smith who converted to continue his strong run of scoring form. Lilydale had a 0-2 lead at halftime and were well on top, only looking to make minor changes to make their press a bit more effective in the second half.

An early chance to consolidate the Lilydale lead came shortly into the second half as the referee awarded a penalty to the Eagles. Hartman stepped up and hit his shot down the middle but the keeper stayed, saving his effort, and Waverley were able to clear.

The penalty drama was far from over, however, with Waverley awarded a penalty of their own not long after when Eagles defender Lachy Hamling went sliding in and was adjudged to have fouled from behind. The Waverley player stepped up and sent his penalty crashing into the post and flying across the face of the goal to give Lilydale a let-off.

The Eagles would have a third in the 58th minute when a Lilydale shot across goal from the right-hand edge of the box was spilled by the Wavelery keeper, with J Blair on hand to tap home and make it 0-3.

Within the next minute, however, the Eagles’ bad habit of conceding shortly after scoring reared its ugly head again. Waverley would push forward and find their left winger one-onone with Lilydale right back Braden Zammit. The winger tapped the ball inside and tried to run back onto it, running straight into Zammit and going down with the referee bizarrely awarding a penalty despite Zammit keeping his arms down and not even moving in front of the attacker. This time, Tatsuya Ando would convert the spot kick to make it 1-3.

Lilydale would put any chance of a comeback to bed in the 77th minute with a perfect counterattack. After dealing with a Waverley attack, the Eagles spread the play down the right wing and drove forward. Left winger Ethan Emmett got involved through the corridor before making a run down his flank, racing onto a perfect pass into space and firing past the keeper who couldn’t keep it out despite getting a touch. Emmett wouldn’t be done there, however, after Lilydale were awarded a dubious penalty of their own, the fourth of the match, which he converted to make it 1-5 and a strong win for the Eagles. Both Eagles sides face Healesville at home next week while the club will also be celebrating its Club Day, with all welcome throughout the morning to come join the festivities and activities from 10.30am at Morrison Reserve.

It was a mixed day in front of goal for Lilydale’s Connor Hartman, scoring with a tidy finish but seeing a penalty saved. (File)

Darcy Carrigan. (Supplied)

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FOOTY TIPSTERS

Q&A

Greg Spence

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

My grandparents lived in and barracked for Collingwood. I was given no choice and from a young age was brainwashed to support the Pies!

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

With my kids and or out fishing

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

Love it! Great Community and sensational people!

4. What’s your favourite type of cuisine?

I am a big fan of a well cooked steak ( medium rare)

5. What are 3 words that describe you best Loyal, Determined, Empathetic

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

Sportsman

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

My whole family- we rarely all get together around the dinner table, but when we do – it’s a blast!

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

Don’t sweat the small things, continue to move forward, relax and enjoy the ride.