The Wandin Yallock Primary School prep students celebrated their 100 Days of Prep on Thursday 31 July in an event which saw smiles, excitement and youthful cheer.
The kids bounced with exuberance as they built cup towers with 100 cups, raced to score 100 in board games, assembled domino runs with 100 pieces and painted hand prints with 100 fingers.
At 11am, the rest of the school formed a guard of honour for the preps which saw the preps walking with their heads high.
Star Mail journalist Oliver Winn took photos for the event and captured the unbridled joy of childhood.
Foundation teacher Libby Davidson said the students felt very special to have hit this momentous milestone.
“In the morning we had a lovely time with our families coming to engage in lots of activities all based around the number 100,” Ms Davidson said.
Turn to page 11 to see more photos from the event
Shots save a life
By Oliver Winn
Police in Yarra Junction were forced to shoot a man who was violently assaulting his sister on Wednesday night after multiple taser rounds failed to subdue him.
The 48-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital with a partially severed arm and remains in a coma, while the 45-year-old man was declared dead at the scene.
It came after the siblings’ mother called police around 5.30pm, 30 July, after a fight had broken
out between the pair.
Upon arrival at the Warburton Highway property, the police officers were briefed by the mother outside the home before entering to find the brother strangling his sister, who appeared unconscious and had a partially severed arm.
“What I’ve observed is a male strangling a female and without intervention by police, I think that would have been life-threatening,” Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said.
A was sword found at the scene. Mr Barrett didn’t confirm it was used, but he said the woman’s injury was “from a weapon of some description”.
The 77-year-old mother was distressed and was also taken to hospital for shock.
“You can imagine what the mother is going through at this moment.
“It’s a tragic circumstance for a family and for a relatively small rural community who know their community and know their police,” Mr Barrett said.
He reviewed the officer’s body cam footage and said they acted “entirely appropriately”, adding the two officers were distressed after the incident.
“These police officers have come to work doing what they do every day in a relatively small community, had been confronted with a situation where they’ve had to take life-taking action.
“It’s what they’re trained to do and they’re trained very, very well. But no police officer wants to take these actions.”
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The preps had a blast celebrating their first 100 days of schooling. (Oliver Winn: 493971)
Story
Bulk billing incentive clash
By Callum Ludwig
A new report by healthcare directory Cleanbill has indicated that the expansion of the Bulk Billing Incentive might not see a massive uptick in fully bulk-billing clinics, but the Australian Government has been quick to disagree and slammed it as inaccurate.
Following the announcement that the incentive program would be expanded to non-concessional patients in February, Cleanbill sought to model the potential boost in fully bulk-billing clinics (100 per cent bulk billing for a standard consultation for an adult).
Cleanbill estimates that a total of 2081 GP clinics will become fully bulk billing, up by 740, while the government’s modelling has estimated a total of 4800 will be financially better off, three times as many clinics as there are that currently bulk bill and accounting for nine out of 10 GP visits.
Cleanbill predicts a consistent increase in the Outer East electorates of Casey, Aston and Deakin as well as a bigger increase in La Trobe: Casey would rise from six bulk-billing clinics to 10 of the 40 clinics in the electorate.
Aston from five to nine of its 36 clinics.
Deakin from six to 10 of its 39 clinics.
La Trobe from 10 to 19 of its 36 clinics.
To determine if it will make sense for a clinic to bulk bill, Cleanbill used the ‘new total Medicare payment’ which consists of the Medicare rebate, the expanded Bulk Billing Incentive set to apply to all Medicare patients and the Bulk Billing Incentive Program (BBIP), which is an additional 12.5 per cent payment a GP clinic will receive for bulk billing 100 per cent of patients. Cleanbill researches and uses software to comb for all potential GP clinics nationwide each year, and calls them to ask what the fee is for a standard (accounting for 64 per cent of GP visits) or long consultation appointment.
For this latest report, if this outweighed the current fees a clinic charged for a standard consultation, Cleanbill noted that it would make economic sense for the clinic to fully bulk bill from 1 November.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DOHDA) has access to official Medicare data for more than 140,000 million GP services each year, including where the service was provided and any fees charged if the service wasn’t bulk billed, as well as Medicare data from 6500 general practice clinics enrolled in the Practice Incentives Program. The government predicts that a GP at a city practice that bulk bills every visit will earn over $5300 more than a mixed billing GP that provides the same number of services. Government data also indicates that of clinics that don’t fully bulk bill, 70.4 per cent of those clinics have bulk-billing options.
Despite this, a DOHDA brief provided to health minister Mark Butler in recent months estimated that 23 per cent of clinics are unlikely to join the program solely on financial incentives (though increased competition and consumer demand for bulk billing may provide further incentive) and the 12.5 per cent payment being split between practices and providers may risk the incentive being insufficient.
Mr Butler said Cleanbill’s report is a headline-grabbing phone poll conducted by a private company whose own website says their data is not ‘reliable, accurate, complete or suitable.’
“Their analysis is fundamentally flawed and should not be reported as accurate. Our policy is modelled by the department and based on actual Medicare data,” he said.
“We know this investment will work, because it has already worked for the patients the incentive already applies to: pensioners, concession cardholders, and families with kids,”
“When they went to the GP last year, more than nine out of 10 GP visits were bulk billed for them.”
Mr Butler refers to the information and liability disclaimer on Cleanbill’s website, a common legal measure to protect a business or entity from legal liability for information on the website. The DOHDA and HealthDirect, the government-owned healthcare directory, also have similar disclaimers in their terms of use.
Cleanbill chief executive James Gillespie said the disclaimer has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on their collection processes, and they wholeheartedly assert the accuracy of the data that they’ve published.
“We found that there were 740 GP clinics across the country for which it makes economic sense to take up the bulk billing incentive payment in full and therefore become fully bulk billing clinics,” he said.
“We also found that the economic effect of the changes would need to be between 20 and 30 per cent higher than the actual amount of the new to-
‘Toughest’
Bailed crooks who commit serious crimes will find it “almost impossible” to keep their freedom under new laws.
The Victorian government introduced its second package of bail reforms to parliament on Tuesday 29 July, amid rising crime rates.
These changes include a new bail test for people accused of repeat, serious offending and a “second strike” rule for those charged with further offending.
“We are making it very clear to bail decision-makers across the system that in Victoria community safety comes first,” Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters.
“Victorians remain not just concerned but disgustedwithwhatweareseeingwithrepeatoffending.”
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny described the bail test, for people accused of one of six offences while on bail, as the “toughest” in the nation.
The offences covered are aggravated home in-
tal Medicare payment in order for 4800 GP clinics across the country to become fully bulk billing,”
“The third and final point… if you’re a patient whose GP doesn’t move to bulk billing you, your out-of-pocket costs are likely to stay the same or in some cases, go up as they have each of the last two years because your GP won’t be receiving any more money from the government for seeing you.”
Mr Gillespie’s ‘economic effect’, which is also mentioned in the Cleanbill report, could include specific factors that might allow for a clinic to become fully bulk-billing beyond the new total Medicare payment. These could include the payment being close enough to the current fees, a predicted increase in patient numbers from switching to bulk-billing, if the clinic’s patient mix has a sufficient weight of concession patients to offset any losses from switching to fully bulk billing or state-based incentives, such as New South Wales’ Bulk Billing Support Initiative.
Cleanbill estimated that the economic effect of the changes to the program would have to be an increase of between 20-30 per cent to hit the government’s target of 4800 bulk-billing clinics.
Mr Gillespie said every single GP clinic across the country is going to be doing the maths over the next couple of months and figuring out whether it makes economic sense for them.
“And as much as there’s the modelling that we’ve put out there, as much as there’s the mod-
vasion, aggravated carjacking, armed robbery, aggravated burglary, home invasion and carjacking.
Bail must be refused unless the decision maker is satisfied there is a “high degree of probability” the person won’t reoffend.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the test went further than NSW laws as it was not time limited and didn’t just apply to young people.
“Your chances of getting bail are almost impossible,” he said.
The “second strike” rule will also make it harder people to get bail if accused of repeat indictable offending such as burglary, theft, assault, robbery, sex offences and serious drug offences.
Ms Kilkenny said low-level drug possession, petty theft and crimes driven by poverty and homelessness would be carved out to mitigate disproportionate impact on vulnerable people.
But she made it clear those offenders would still face a bail hearing.
The legislation’s default start date is March 30, 2026 but the attorney expects the laws to come into effect “as soon as system capacity permits and
elling that the government puts out there, I don’t think anyone is in a position to say we 100 per cent know what every single clinic across the country is going to do, because just no one does,” he said.
“What’s going to be telling is post-1 November, once these changes come into effect and once the clinics have adjusted, it’s going to be really interesting to see the exact number of clinics that do adopt this change in becoming fully bulk-billed,”
“Cleanbill will be there every step of the way, reframing our data throughout November and December in order to make sure that in January when we release our next Blue Report, it’s accounting for this change.”
DOHDA contacted Cleanbill to offer support and shed light on their data collection methods, presented modelling to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) 2025 Practice Owners Conference and will hold a series of Webinars on the Program – including information on financial modelling – during the week beginning 4 August 2025.
Departmental officials also briefed members of the RACGP, Australian Medical Association (AMA), select Primary Health Networks and state and territory governments.
Mr Gillespie and Cleanbill refute that any staff at Cleanbill have any record of being contacted by DOHDA or the Australian Government and that the entire team went through their emails to make sure nothing had been missed.
it’s safe to do so”.
Victoria tightened bail laws in 2018 after James Gargasoulas drove into Melbourne’s busy Bourke Street Mall in 2017 while on bail, killing six people and injuring dozens more.
A coronial inquest into the death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson in 2020 found the changes were a “complete and unmitigated disaster”, sparking a relaxation of laws in 2024. Ms Allan conceded the government “got it wrong” and vowed a crackdown on repeat serious offenders.
Its first law changes removed the principle of remand as a last resort for children, made community safety an overarching principle for bail decisions and reintroduced bail offences.
Victoria’s latest crime statistics, which showed youth offending at a record high, were collected before the harsher bail laws were rolled out. But figures released by the justice department in mid June showed the number of youths being held on remand had doubled since the changes took effect in late March.
Health Minister Mark Butler slammed Cleanbill’s report as ‘unreliable’ and remains steadfast in the belief that the bulk-billing incentive will have the desired impact. (Lukas Coch/AAP)
Saved a life: Police
By Oliver Winn
Police in Yarra Junction shot a man who was violently assaulting his sister on Wednesday night after multiple taser rounds failed to subdue him.
The 48-year-old woman was airlifted to hospital with a partially severed arm and remains in a coma, while the 45-year-old man was declared dead at the scene.
It came after the siblings’ mother called police around 5.30pm, 30 July, after a fight had broken out between the pair.
Upon arrival at the Warburton Highway property, the police officers were briefed by the mother outside the home before entering to find the brother strangling his sister, who appeared unconscious and had a partially severed arm.
Police tasered the man multiple times, but were forced to shoot him to stop the assault and save the woman.
“What I’ve observed is a male strangling a female and without intervention by police, I think that would have been life-threatening,” Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said.
“We hope they’ve saved a life by their actions.”
A sword was found at the scene.
“The advice was that he had… a sword, that is what we’ve located. At this stage, the connection to that and the injuries is part of the investigation.”
“I’ve observed a female who’s been subjected to a significant injury, which I think would be rea-
sonable to say is from a weapon of some description,” Mr Barrett said.
The man was known to police due to a history
of mental health.
The 77-year-old mother was distressed and was also taken to hospital for shock.
“You can imagine what the mother is going through at this moment.
“It’s a tragic circumstance for a family and for a relatively small rural community who know their community and know their police,” Mr Barrett said.
He reviewed the officer’s body cam footage and said they acted “entirely appropriately”, adding the two officers were distressed after the incident.
“These police officers have come to work doing what they do every day in a relatively small community, had been confronted with a situation where they’ve had to take life-taking action.
“It’s what they’re trained to do and they’re trained very, very well. But no police officer wants to take these actions.”
One officer was a leading senior constable while the other was a senior constable, and Mr Barrett said they were both “experienced members”.
Forensic examiners remain on scene and investigations are ongoing.
The State Coroner, Judge John Cain, attended the scene on Wednesday evening.
“Our police are part of that community and they’ve acted courageously and in my view absolutely appropriately,” Mr Barrett said.
Police are still searching the premises and investigations remain ongoing.
IN BRIEF
Part of Badger Creek Road closes Badger Creek Road will be closed to allow some work to be done at the Healesville Sanctuary on Tuesday 5 August.
A small section of Badger Creek Road next to Healesville Sanctuary will be temporarily closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm, as a large crane lifts in new office buildings.
This is part of an exciting renovation to create a new intensive care unit at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, increasing the ability to care for native animals.
The new offices have been constructed off-site to minimise disruption to both the wildlife hospital and the local community.
Police look for the stolen Toyota Ute Healesville Police are seeking the public’s assistance to keep a look out for a stolen 2008 Toyota Landcruiser Ute, registration 2AK5RI.
Stolen from the Healesville Walk (Coles) car park at approximately 9am on 2 August.
The vehicle was last seen driving East (towards Narbethong) on Maroondah Highway.
Please note that the tray is now empty and it currently has silver alloy rims with smaller tyres on. If spotted please call 000 or contact Healesville Police 5962 4422.
Witness/dashcam appeal
At about 5.30pm on Monday 28 July, a collision occurred on Melba Highway, Yering near Chateau Yering winery.
A white Toyota wagon lost control and crossed to the wrong side of the road before impacting a black Toyota SUV travelling in the opposite direction.
Several occupants of both vehicles were conveyed to hospital, one with serious injuries.
Police are seeking any witnesses to the incident or anyone with dash cam footage. Make a confidential report via Crimestoppers: crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime/ Use reference number: T20250019938.
Please share with friends and family members who may have been travelling in the area at the time.
Four charged with aggravated assault
Police have charged four people with aggravated assault after a 45-year-old Croydon South man was attacked on Sunday 27 June.
At around 12.15am police were called to reports a group of people were behaving erratically at premises on Maroondah Highway.
It is understood four male and two female offenders forced entry into a room at the motel and assaulted the man with metal poles and bats. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Five alleged offenders fled the scene in a grey Audi before police arrived.
On Monday, detectives from the Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit arrested a 20-year-old male from Croydon, a 19-year-old male from Seville, a 19-year-old female from Mooroolbark and a 17-year-old Yarra Ranges male after a warrant was executed at an address in Mooroolbark.
All four have been charged with aggravated home invasion and remanded into custody.
A 17-year-old Yarra Ranges male was arrested at an address earlier today, 29 July, and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.
Police are not seeking any other offenders in relation to the incident, however the investigation remains ongoing.
The Warburton Highway property where the police shooting took place. (Stewart Chambers: 493620)
Police remained on scene at a house in Yarra Junction on 31 July after a fatal shooting of a man who had allegedly been assaulting a woman the previous night. (Gabriella Vukman: 493505)
Seville CFA trains to fight fire in the dark
By Oliver Winn
Seville CFA conducted a special night time training session on Wednesday 23 July which saw the brigade prepare for after dark turnouts while utilising specialised equipment.
“It’s dark, it’s noisy and it’s dangerous. That was the scenario for training on Wednesday night,” the Seville CFA said on a Facebook post about the training.
From donning gear in under 90 seconds, navigating dark and smoky environments with breathing apparatus (BA) gear, using thermal imaging cameras and practicing safe search techniques, it was a busy but productive night for the brigade.
Seville CFA fifth lieutenant Adam Campbell said the brigade turned its station into a garage/ workshop setting for the training.
“Using proper search techniques and our thermal imaging cameras, we had crews work in pairs and set up as two teams.
“Teams had to work together to find three warm objects and also members acting as semi conscious props needing aid,” Mr Campbell said.
The brigade borrowed Hillcrest CFA’s vehicle which was set up with BA cylinders and equipment ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Smoke filled environments can pose unique challenges for firefighters and the risks can compound at night due to poor visibility.
“We have torches and lighting but in a smoke filled environment they can make visibility worse, like high beam lights in fog.
“Crews need to know how to use other senses and also the specialised equipment we have at hand to carry out a search in a timely manner.”
The landscape of the Yarra Ranges poses unique challenges for CFA brigades due to the mixture of both urban and rural properties.
It means brigades have to possess a mixed skillset so they’re ready to adapt to any situation.
“Urban environments are becoming a lot more relevant in the Valley but rural properties still occupy a large part of it bringing a need for mixed skills and local knowledge.”
Mr Campbell also raised the need for homeowners to do their part in making sure their properties are as safe as they can be in the event a fire breaks out.
“Home owners should make their properties as safe as they can with removing rubbish and clutter, make sure smoke alarms are checked regularly and appliances regularly serviced to make sure they remain safe to use.”
Mr Campbell recalled the many occasions where firefighters have to navigate cluttered properties, houses and garages.
He said night time conditions only make it more difficult to respond to a fire when other ob-
stacles are in the way.
“There has been many times we have had to traverse less than ideal landscapes at properties in an emergency. Cluttered houses, yards, pathways and garages. Slippery steps, mud, animals, vehicles - you name it. Night, smoke and steam only make these conditions more difficult.”
“If people can start early in preparing properties for summer it will go a long way to reducing risk,” he said.
With this year’s winter recording less than average rainfall, Mr Campbell said more brigades are beginning summer training earlier on in the
year to prepare for an earlier fire season.
“Our brigade, like many others, will start switching to our summer skills training very soon in preparation for warmer weather when it arrives.”
Seville CFA is always welcoming new community members who have questions about fire safety or even want to join up to become a member of the brigade.
Both operational and non-operational roles are available, which means there’s multiple ways someone can contribute to CFAs in the Yarra Ranges.
It’s weed whacking season in Yarra Ranges
By Oliver Winn
Yarra Ranges Council has received new funding to help native flora reclaim the landscape from invasive weeds.
The council received $388,000 in grants for the Peri-Urban Weed Management Partnerships program with $1.7 million in total being delivered across seven local councils in Victoria.
The grants were announced by the Minister for Environment on July 28, with additional partners Parks Victoria and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation also receiving funding.
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the new funding would help eliminate weeds posing a threat towards the state’s special wildlife.
“Weed management in Yarra Ranges and across greater Melbourne is critical to protect and restore habitat for native plant and animals, including the endangered southern greater glider and broad-toothed rat near Healesville Sanctuary.
“Through manual works, spraying and community initiatives, our program will help to restore those habitats, while making sure these spaces can also continue to be enjoyed by the community.
“This program is supporting land managers, communities and Traditional Owners to work together to manage weeds in peri-urban Melbourne,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.
The are two projects to take place in the Yarra Ranges area.
The first is to restore the habitat at Barak Creek, adjoining Healesville Sanctuary, led by the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.
It will restore the habitat for the critically endangered broad-toothed rat, in partnership with Zoos Victoria.
The second project is led by the council and is called the Protecting the Dandenong Ranges project.
It will target weed species that are emerging following the 2021 storms, reduce tree canopy cover and create significant ground disturbance.
Weeds of greatest concern include Sweet Pittosporum, Sycamore Maple, Holly, English Ivy, and Blackberry.
The Yarra Ranges Council is actually where the idea of peri-urban began and weed management was kickstarted by the Community Weed Alliance of the Dandenongs (CWAD).
A Yarra Ranges Council spokesperson said the
Exploring the role of rangers
By Oliver Winn
The unseen and often dangerous work done by our Yarra Ranges National Park rangers were celebrated on 31 July for World Rangers Day.
Parks Victoria ranger Darren Barnes works out of the Woori Yallock area and has been on the frontline protecting the Yarra Ranges National Park for 12 years.
Mr Barnes said he loved being a ranger for many reasons which included preserving the environment, the varied and dynamic nature of the work and connecting with park visitors.
“Managing ecosystems and heritage at the Yarra Ranges National Park is fulfilling. From maintenance to enforcement, every day brings variety.
“Overseeing Upper Yarra Reservoir Park’s campground and seeing people enjoy nature is a joy,” Mr Barnes said.
But being a ranger isn’t an easy job - it comes with plenty of risks which can be life-threatening.
Founded by the International Ranger Federation in 2007, World Ranger Day is internationally celebrated on 31 July and aims to commemorate the rangers who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
International Ranger Federation (IRF) president Chris Galliers said the work undertaken by rangers can come at a cost.
“Often unseen rangers stand protecting both nature and communities in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.
“This work unfortunately comes at an extraordinary cost. It is with deep sadness that we get to remember and celebrate the lives of 175 rangers who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Mr Galliers said.
It’s the highest number of deaths recorded by the IRF so far, with 28 per cent of deaths being attributed to homicides, 34 per cent occurring in conflict zones and 36 per cent being fire-related.
“This is a staggering number, and is always a huge concern,” Mr Galliers said.
The rest of deaths are due to health-related causes such as heart attack, heat stress and exhaustion.
Parks Victoria chief executive officer Lee Miezis said there was a wide array of risks to account for in the day-to-day tasks of a ranger.
“The day-to-day tasks of being a ranger vary greatly, and, due to the nature of the role, safety is always at front of mind.
“Remote and rough terrain, wildlife encounters, extreme weather conditions and emergencies like bushfires and floods are some of the risks rangers may face,” Ms Miezis said.
group brought passionate people together to advocate for a better kept shire.
“CWAD brought together the many passionate environmental volunteer groups throughout the Dandenongs to seek funding for effective, collaborative weed control on public and private land.
“Our geology and vegetation, higher rainfall and nutrient rich soils, make the establishment and spread of exotic plants a significant threat to the threatened indigenous plants and animals in an already modified landscape through lifestyle and urban development.
The group delivering the weed management program has representation from CWAD, Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water, Knox City Council and Yarra Ranges Council.
The council spokesperson said there were many ways for people to get involved in managing invasive species.
“Residents can help by being mindful of garden plants that may become invasive if left unmanaged. Remove high threat species and where possible and replace them with indigenous plants, increasing biodiversity values.
“They can also get involved in their local Friends of or Landcare Group, and become involved in Councils Gardens for Wildlife program.”
“Rangers receive training in first aid, navigation, conflict resolution, and are equipped with communication and emergency gear. Regular safety briefings and comprehensive risk management processes help ensure rangers are prepared for the many different scenarios that present themselves in our parks.”
Mr Barnes initially started out as a project fire fighter with the Department of Sustainability and Environment in 2008 before joining Parks Victoria in 2011.
After the 2010 Black Saturday bushfires, Mr Barnes installed the world’s most remote Leadbeater’s possum nest box near Mount Bullfight in the Yarra Ranges.
“Helping to save our endangered faunal emblem in a fire-hit area was unforgettable,” Mr Barnes said.
“I dreamed of being a firefighter, inspired by serving communities. As a ranger, I’ve lived that passion, earning a National Emergency Medal for my work during the 2009 Black Saturday fires.”
Though being a ranger can be exciting and dangerous, Mr Barnes said it was best to stay strong and recognise the good in the work being done.
“Stay resilient, embrace the variety, and know you’re making a difference.”
The Seville CFA turned its own station into a workshop mimicking a real life night time callout scenario. (Supplied)
The
Protecting wildlife is one of many reasons why Mr Barnes’s loves his job as a ranger. (Supplied)
Residents rally for the roos
By
Locals gathered at Lillydale Lake on Saturday 2 August to rally against the State Government’s rejection for the Yarra Ranges to be excluded from commercial kangaroo harvesting.
The aim of the event was to show support to the Yarra Ranges Council for its stance on wanting to be excluded from the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP), as well as to urge the State Government to reconsider its decision to reject the notion.
The family friendly event hosted speakers as well as face painting and kangaroo colouring pages which was organised by the Victorian Kangaroo Alliance.
President of the Alliance, Alyssa Wormald, said the rally was a “resounding success”, with people’s spirits high and positive action taken.
“We gathered because the Minister for Environment refused the Shire of Yarra Ranges Council’s unanimous request to be exempt from commercial kangaroo shooting, despite this industry driving a massive increase in the killing of kangaroos, leaving many community members traumatised and heartbroken,” she said.
“We turned our anger into action, and were delighted with the strong show of support from the community.”
The array of speakers included Aunty Janet Turpie-Johnstone, kangaroo advocate Peter Preuss, wildlife veterinarian Dr Natasha Bassett, a statement from Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, Greens MP Aiv Puglielli and Yarra Ranges councillors Len Cox and Tim Heenan.
Ms Wormald said the speakers were “compelling” and “denounced wildlife trade, condemned Labor’s rejection of the community’s wishes, and demanded an end to commercial kangaroo shooting in the Yarra Ranges”.
The Yarra Ranges Council formally requested the State Government to exclude the area from the program following a unanimous decision on 8 April.
The State Government rejected the idea on 10 July.
Kangaroo advocate and environmentalist Peter Preuss, who has led the charge for the council to withdraw from the KHP, said it would be too late to wait until the end of the 2024-28 KHP management plan.
“By then, kangaroos will have been virtually removed from our local landscape,” Mr Preuss said.
“The words, ‘at this time’, give me hope that the Minister respects the democratic process. He should accept that the commercial killing of kangaroos is unwarranted, unacceptably cruel, unsustainable, but most importantly, it is unwanted by the majority of people living, working and visiting the Yarra Ranges.”
The Kangaroo Harvesting Program is a State Government initiative that enables commercial kangaroo harvesting in areas around Victoria to cull Eastern Grey Kangaroos, reducing their population by up to 10 per cent.
Mr Preuss said he has produced a survey to understand community sentiment that he hopes will contribute to the evidence collected by the council and advocates to support the end of the KHP.
“The council has committed to continue advocating for an end to commercial killing of kangaroos,” he said.
“Council will continue receiving evidence of how the commercial killing of kangaroos is impacting both kangaroos and people. They will also continue receiving evidence of community support for the motion.”
The Victorian Kangaroo Alliance was created out of the Save the Kinley Kangas campaign and after 250 kangaroos were killed as part of the Kangaroo Harvesting Program in Chirnside Park.
Currently, all of metropolitan Melbourne, Nillumbik, French Island and parts of the Morn-
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ington Peninsula have been excluded from the Kangaroo Harvest Program, with the Yarra Ranges still wanting to be added to that list.
Mr Preuss said considering that not all councillors were in favour of the motion at the beginning, and much debate ensued, it gives him hope that the State will also act “democratically” and listen to the people.
Pleased with the rally, Ms Wormald said the Alliance and its supporters would continue to advocate for the protection of kangaroos.
“We all departed the event united in our de-
termination to safeguard kangaroos and hold those responsible for this horrendous wildlife trade accountable,” she said.
“We call on the community to continue speaking out, and demanding that the Premier and Minister for Environment get commercial kangaroo shooters out of our Shire, and out of our state.”
A number of residents attended the rally at Lillydale Lake on 2 August. (Afraa Kori: 494071)
Yarra Ranges councillors Len Cox and Tim Heenan spoke and supported the rally. (494071)
Tourism not barbarism was the slogan of the event. (494071)
A blow-up kangaroo stood in pride of place as a symbol. (494071)
Matilda McDermott and Mikayla van Loon
Lyrebird building is opened
By Dongyun Kwon
Lyrebird College in Coldstream officially opened the new multi-purpose building on Friday 1 August.
The college is an independent school, providing an inclusive learning environment for students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing, Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence, Yarra Ranges councillor Fiona McAllister attended the opening ceremony to congratulate on the completion of the last piece of the puzzle for the Lyrebird College campus.
The new building is equipped with a large space for the students to participate in movement breaks and targeted sensory experiences such as swinging, spinning and bouncing.
Principal Julie Kugler said the new space will play a vital role in Lyrebird College students’ growth as students on the spectrum need movement and sensory input more than the average children.
“Having a space where they can come and engage in swinging, rolling, jumping and get that sensory input, it helps them to be able to go back to the classroom and focus on their learning,” she said.
It is also equipped with a media centre to create videos, enjoy a large interactive screen and participate in teacher-led learning.
The room also has a quiet sensory space for regulation and calming time, as well as small spaces for students to engage in one-to-one therapies.
The project was sponsored by the Victorian government.
Ms Shing said the government provided $720,000 to Lyrebird College.
“It’s so important that we continue to invest in the facilities that can make schools just like Lyrebird equipped and reflective of the wonderful school culture and the extraordinary dedication and passion of teachers and of staff in the school community,” she said.
“It is really a wonderful example of school communities getting together to design the sort of facilities that they need, having spaces where students can come together and chill out, can spend time in quiet spaces or make noises they want to.
“Since we were elected to government, we’ve invested more than $1 billion in specialist educational facilities. And this is just another wonderful example of the difference that good facilities have.”
Ms Vallence, who has been advocating for the Lyrebird College since even before the school was founded, was pleased to see the progress of the school campus.
The Evelyn MP said it’s an absolute credit to the whole school community, including the prin-
cipal, staff, educators, students and their parents.
“The vision to have a school here that was dedicated for kids with autism was something that our community across the Yarra Rangers really needed, and it made a lot of sense to be able to advocate for this because all children have potential, all children should be valued, and all children should have the opportunity to have a great
education,” she said.
“So it was fantastic to support this at Coldstream. It started out as just a big patch of dirt, and we provided letters of support and advocacy.
“And it’s fantastic to see it started with one building and then another building, and years later, now we’re opening the multi-purpose room
Along with the state government’s
the school also appreciated the
Council, which provided a lease for the land for the school campus.
Australian Wildlife Health Centre reno nears completion
By Dongyun Kwon
Healesville Sanctuary is looking forward to increasing its capacity to care for native animals through the renovation of its Australian Wildlife Health Centre (AWHC).
AWHC is one of Australia’s biggest native wildlife hospitals, treating over 2000 patients each year, including animals inside and outside of the sanctuary.
The AWHC’s contribution to animal welfare marks its 20th anniversary at the end of this year, as it was officially opened in December 2005.
AWHC manager Gerry Ross said the renovation will enable the team to do what they need to do behind the scenes.
“Our team has grown quite significantly over the last 20 years since the centre has been as it is now,” she said.
“We now have a team of 22 staff, and there’s just not enough space for the team, so it will allow more office capability for the team.
“And we’ll end up having an ICU (Intensive Care Unit) ward at where the office space currently is, for our wildlife cases, our sanctuary cases, and then also a waiting room area for our wildlife carers who visit us.”
AWHC has been central in saving wildlife in multiple events, from the local community to other regional communities, including the recent wild bird poisoning in Springvale South and the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
“We have always played a vital role in helping protect wildlife and rehabilitate wildlife to get
them back out into the wild again, so we feel that we’ve been very involved in that space for a very long time,” Ms Ross said.
“We also assist with disease surveillance of wildlife, so we have a wide range of things that we do.
“If someone did report mass mortality in
something, then we are able to assist with the investigation. That’s usually not just us alone in those investigations, but we work very closely with the department and other organisations to manage wildlife disease in a best way.”
The renovation is expected to be completed soon, as the new office building is planned to be
craned in on Tuesday 5 August, after being built off-site.
“The building has been built off-site and is coming to us in seven different modules, and we’ve done that to try and make sure that we reduce the disruption to the hospital and also to our local community,” the manager said.
here, which I think is one of the last pieces in the puzzle for Lyrebird College.”
support,
Yarra Ranges
Siddhu did a speech. (Dongyun Kwon: 493851)
Joel and Ms Oates did Acknowledgement of Country together. (Dongyun Kwon: 493851)
Lyrebird College principal Julie Kugler. (Dongyun Kwon: 493851)
Australian Wildlife Health Centre. (Zoos Victoria)
Trailblazing women’s champ
By Mikayla van Loon
A true trailblazer in every sense of the word, Healeville’s Hilda ‘Gracia’ Baylor AM paved the way for women in Victoria’s Parliament.
After a long life of community contribution and fighting for women’s rights, at the age of 95, Gracia died peacefully in May.
She was born in Brisbane in October 1929 to parents Herbert and Hilary Parry-Okeden. Her father was in the air force, so the family moved to Victoria.
A teacher by trade, Gracia taught art and French in various schools. She married her husband Richard Baylor, who was working at a law firm and eventually bought a practice in Healesville.
Concerned by the lack of kindergarten education in Healesville when her children were born, Gracia decided she would stand for the then Shire of Healesville Council.
Serving three terms on the council from 1966 to 1978, she told the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum’s Oral Histories project that she was, in fact, overlooked for Shire President at each election.
But in 1977, the year before she left the council, she became Victoria’s first female Shire President.
“Not only did we get the kindergarten up and running, but we also got the first social housing built in Healesville,” she said in her Oral Histories interview.
“And then the third thing that I was adamant about (was) that we should have a public library. In the end, we got a free library. All those things are still there today.”
She also served as President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association from 1973-76 and actively supported and encouraged women to stand for local government. By 1979, Gracia was selected by the Liberal Party to run as the Boronia province representative.
Again, she would make history, becoming one of the first two women elected to the Victorian Legislative Council since its inception.
“There were women in the lower house, but certainly on our side, in the upper house, I was alone.
“But that never worried me. It’s my right to sit there and it’s my right to speak and I spoke.”
In Parliament on Wednesday 30 July, Eildon MP Cindy McLeish honoured the “trailblazing politician” and “strong woman”, saying she truly helped pave the way for all women who came after.
“Someone like Gracia, who didn’t take a backseat, and really pushed for matters important to women, has made a huge difference by paving the way and setting a tone for us to follow,” she told Star Mail.
“She had a real presence which was inspiring for all. I like how she saved the Queen Victoria
Free virtual women’s clinic
By Mikayla van Loon
A virtual women’s health clinic, led by community health organisation Each, has officially launched in Victoria, the first state-wide initiative of its kind.
AnnouncedinFebruarywithavisiontolaunch mid-year, the free virtual clinic offers more access to expert advice and care for endometriosis and pelvic pain care, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause care, breast health care and abortion.
Each chief executive officer, Natalie Sullivan, said the clinic aimed to address a health gap for women and gender-diverse people of all ages by connecting them with specialist nurses, GPs, and allied health professionals.
“We’ve seen many barriers that restrict women, girls and gender-diverse people from getting the health care they need: geography, cost, caring responsibilities, and cultural stigma or shame,” she said.
“This virtual clinic addresses this gender health gap by providing free, remote, culturally-safe care.”
Particularly aiming to break down barriers for women in remote and regional areas, where distance to major towns can impact or prevent appropriate care, Ms Sullivan said dedicated women’s health services locally or virtually have an incredible impact on changing the trajectory of someone’s life.
“Our clinical team sees first-hand through our Endometriosis and Pain Clinic how life-changing these services are for women and the impact it has on not only their health, but all aspects of their lives,” she said.
This has already been seen and experienced by registered nurse Kim Lucas.
“It’s a very accessible service providing free appointments with our nurses, doctors, women’s physiotherapist and a bicultural worker,” she said.
“We’re really set up to provide excellent care to women across Victoria.”
The clinic will be able to provide an initial health assessment and some treatment. Some patients may also be connected to a GP or be referred to a relevant health practitioner as close to home as possible.
Triaging of initial needs will also enable the clinic to make further referrals for mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, and fam-
ily violence community support services.
The flexible, no-judgment appointments are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm via video or phone. Appointments are free but there may be a fee for prescribed medications or treatments.
The measure is just one of a suite of initiatives proposed by the State Government following the Australian-first inquiry into the pain gap experienced by women.
Women’s Health East chief executive officer Elly Taylor told Star Mail in January 2024 that it is not uncommon for WHE to hear of the hardships women face when trying to access treatment or care.
“[We] hear from women from a range of diverse backgrounds that the medical gender bias often leads to their pain not being recognised or appropriately treated by healthcare professionals and the healthcare service system,” she said.
“Women’s sexual and reproductive health remains a highly gendered and stigmatised area of healthcare.”
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the virtual clinic complements the mobile women’s health clinic, which is touring the state, making healthcare more accessible for all women and girls.
“We’re making it easier for all women and girls to get the specific care and advice they need, no matter where they live – and we have made it free,” she said.
“There is no denying the gender health gap is real and it disproportionately affects women living in regional or remote areas of Victoria – our new virtual women’s clinic is helping to break down this and other barriers to care.”
Appointments can be booked by calling 1300 003 224 or by visiting each.com.au/services/virtual-womens-health-clinic
Hospital site from being sold off by the Labor Government. It is our home to women’s services. All thanks to her.
“Gracia led the way and certainly shattered the glass ceiling for women entering politics.”
During her six years in the upper house, a pivotal moment was when Premier John Cain attempted to sell Crown land.
She was instrumental in helping to save the main building on the Queen Victoria Hospital site by persuading fellow Upper House colleagues to block legislation.
“That hospital was a hospital for women by women,” she said.
Gracia also championed women’s health, child safety, and community services. Her work helped establish the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, introduce baby capsule safety laws, and bring mammograms under Medicare.
Ringwood MP Nick McGowan also praised
Gracia on 30 July for her unwavering support of women in all aspects and the initiatives she championed.
“In all Gracia’s roles she advanced the rights of women, the welfare of families and the strength of communities across our great state. Gracia leaves behind many achievements,” he said.
“Perhaps towering among the many peaks include her initiatives. We have heard of council-approved baby capsules, meaning that parents no longer took their newborn infants home in a bassinet.
“She was also instrumental, as we have heard, in achieving mammograms approved for the Medicare register, an action that no doubt saved thousands, if not millions, of women’s lives.
“May her legacy endure and may her achievements inspire many women and men alike to follow in her footsteps.”
A self-defined feminist, Gracia told the Oral Histories project she believed in equal opportunity.
“I believe the only way to make progress is to get where the decision-making is done. And that’s what I attempted to do.”
Her desire to promote and guide women never faltered, holding the position of President of the National Council of Women (NCW) of Victoria from 1990-93, President of NCW Australia from 1997-2000 and also joining the International Council of Women.
She prepared numerous submissions to the government on issues concerning women’s health, migration, education, nutrition and environment.
In 1999, Gracia was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and was inducted into the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll in 2003. She is survived by her children Andrew, Donal, Peter and Belinda and grandchildren Rosalie, Charlie, William, Hilda, Jesse, Eldon, Gibson, Harry, Grace and George.
Hilda ‘Gracia’ Baylor AM, a champion of women, died peacefully aged 95. (Supplied)
The state’s virtual women’s health clinic has launched providing more access to expert advice. (Unsplash)
Is it time for home solar and batteries?
By Dongyun Kwon
Given that the federal government launched the Cheaper Home Batteries Program at the beginning of July, a local renewable energy group is planning to host a free community event to inform the public about solar and home batteries.
The $2.3 billion investment in the Cheaper Home Batteries Program aims to help more people install batteries.
Australian households, businesses and community organisations can now get a discount of around 30 per cent on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems from 5 kWh to 100 kWh through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Healesville Community Renewable Energy (Healesville CoRE) president Karen Roberts said with the recent launch of the federal government’s Cheaper Home Battery Program, Healesville CoRE’s committee felt they needed an event explaining the rebate available, eligibility, whether it is now worth installing a home
battery, and how to avoid the cowboys out there.
“There will also be a discussion on the pricing of solar, especially comparing what you would have paid about a decade ago, to what you would expect to pay today,” she said.
“If you are considering a solar installation and/or a home battery, it will be worth investing a couple of hours to hear the latest news from experts who are here to help you.”
The special community information evening is scheduled from 7pm to 9pm on Monday 18 August, at the Memorial Hall in Healesville.
Two key speakers have around 40 minutes each to discuss their topic, a speaker from Yarra Ranges Council’s Sustainability Department has around 15 minutes, and then there will be the usual 20-minute Q and A at the end.
“Glen Morris will be known to many locals as a highly respected expert in off-grid and renewable systems, with over thirty years of experience in the design and implementation of innovative energy solutions. He is the general manager of Smart Energy Lab based here in Healesville, where he has lived off-grid for the
past 34 years,” Ms Roberts said.
“Glen has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia’s renewable energy standards and policies, has served on the Australian Standards Committee for over a decade and was vice president of the Smart Energy Council for six years. I think we are safe in the knowledge that he knows what he is talking about.
“Lloyd Heathfield is Project Lead at Yarra Energy Foundation (YEF), a not-for-profit organisation working to accelerate the energy transition. With experience as a solar installer and technician, Lloyd leads YEF’s solar and electrification programs, focusing on the interests of local communities in the face of a changing climate. Lloyd is passionate about the need to ‘electrify everything’ and speaks regularly at community information sessions and government and industry conferences.”
Entry is free, and a light supper will be served after.
To register for a spot, please visit the Healesville CoRE’s website at healesvillecore.org.au/ civicrm/event/info/?reset=1&id=40
More than just free food at Millgrove Meals
By Oliver Winn
Around 70 Millgrove residents were “fed physically… and emotionally” at the River Valley Church’s Millgrove Meals event on Wednesday 30 July.
The free event, which took place at the Millwarra Community Building, addressed a decline in cost-free places where people can socialise and hang out.
River Valley Church pastor Adam Killeen said it was a “beautiful mix of community”.
“We have people come along that are genuinely hungry and struggling to feed themselves, but then we also have a lot of older men who come along that are just lonely,” Mr Killeen said.
“Then there’s the mums and dads who just need a night off cooking.”
The night’s offerings included baked potatoes stuffed with bolognese, bacon, onions, cheese and coleslaw, plus some ice cream and cake for dessert.
Mr Killeen said the event, which runs on the last Wednesday of every month, served to not only feed hungry mouths within the community, but also hungry hearts yearning for connection.
“At our church we’ve got a number of outreach programs that were all based around seeding hungry people, but what we’ve discovered is that the real hunger is just for connection.”
He said it was a great chance for parents to have a chat and socialise over a meal or two, while the kids run amuck and hang out, completely free of cost.
This sort of environment, where one can go and socialise with others for little cost, is often referred to as a “third place” by sociologists - somewhere we go to socialise and hang out that’s not home or work/school.
Defined by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1999 book The Great Good Place, there’s been a decline in third places in Australia and other Western countries, and a marked increase in loneliness.
This is evidenced in studies like Closure of Third Places: Exploring Potential Consequences for Collective Health and Wellbeing published in the Health and Place scientific journal. Though it’s focused on American society, there’s been an increase in media attention to the phenomenon in Australia too.
“We have an epidemic of loneliness up here [in Millgrove]. When you couple that together with the current housing crisis and the pressure that’s on people financially, I think it is important they got a space where they could come along,” Mr Killeen said.
“There’s not a great deal in Millgrove to bring the community together.”
An example he pointed to was the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre which could possibly see a Woolworths expansion swallow up a well-loved communal space if a planning permit application is approved by the Yarra Ranges Council.
“We always give thanks and pray for our food so there’s a spiritual seeding there as well,” Mr Killeen said.
The Millwarra Community Building was built as a partnership between the River Valley Church and the Victorian Government, with the church and the Millwarra Primary School sharing the building.
The church funds the meal nights with donations it receives from the community and local businesses.
Get the cogs turning at event
By Oliver Winn
Warburton’s Cog Bikes and Brew Cafe will celebrate its wonderful community with its Cog Rideshow event which will see locals, riders and outdoor enthusiasts come together.
Taking place from 8am to 4pm on Sunday 3 August, the event will include a free sausage sizzle, relaxed bike workshops and a chance to explore the new Warburton Bike Park.
Cog Bikes and Brew Cafe operations manager Danielle Bortignon said the event wasn’t just for mountain bike riders.
“Events like this bring people together. They are not just for cyclists but for all locals and visitors who can connect over good food, coffee and a shared love for the outdoors,” Ms Bortignon said.
“We are a place where people gather, share stories and feel welcome whether they have ridden in from the trail or just walked over from town.”
The day will kick off with a social ride exploring the new trails at Warburton Bike Park, which starts at 10am and is limited to 25 spots. Those who wish to attend the event should register here: tinyurl.com/cogrideshow - those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
Meanwhile, the cafe will have a free sausage sizzle from 10am to 12pm. From 12pm onwards, there’ll be free workshops which cover how to get your bike “ride ready” for the new Warburton Bike Park.
“We will be running some free basic workshops/talks throughout the day at Cog Bikes and Brew. These will cover getting your bike ride ready, cleaning your bike, choosing the right bike and others.
“They are perfect for riders of all levels whether you are a casual rider who just wants to keep your bike in good shape,” Ms Bortignon said.
For the business, “seeing the smiles” on locals’ faces remains the best part about hosting community events like these.
“Whether it’s someone learning something new in a workshop, enjoying the social ride, or simply relaxing with a coffee and watching the bikes roll by — it’s those moments that make it special.”
But, Cog Bikes organised the event not only to attract customers but also to promote more positivity and to say thank you amid recent robberies.
“After the challenges we’ve faced recently with the robbery at our Monbulk store, we’re looking forward to filling the day with nothing but positive energy and good vibes,” Ms Bortignon said.
The Ranges Trader Star Mail reported on robberies taking place at Cog Bikes in Monbulk on Monday 12 May, that left the store damaged and several valuable bikes stolen.
The robberies dealt a strong blow to the team and community at the store, the staff shared on social media that the early morning break-in allegedly occurred around 4.23am.
“A number of bikes were stolen, and there’s significant damage,” read the post.
“There’s so much more we could say, as the anger and stress builds — but we’ll hold that back.”
Cog Bikes wanted to acknowledge the community’s support through the event as it brings people together.
“The main purpose is to give back and to celebrate the community that has supported us through the ups and downs,” Ms Bortignon said.
Groups such as the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) have also been tirelessly providing third places for community and interaction for decades.
The Millgrove Meals event also proved a good opportunity for people to practice their faith and thank the church for its contributions.
But events like the Millgrove Meals night is a great way at fostering that connection and community amid a time where we’re all feeling lonelier than ever.
“We’re not a church with a big bank account. We’re a church that, every time we receive [donations], we look at ways to float that out into the community and the people who need it.”
Mr Killeen reflected on the way how the Millgrove community supports each other in times of need.
“It’s actually quite beautiful because it’s lots of battlers that are banding together to provide and care for other battlers.”
“The past few months have been tough but the kindness and encouragement we have received from locals and visitors have kept us going.”
“It creates a space where people can meet, chat and be part of something uplifting.”
She said the event was the business’s way of appreciating the kindness and benevolence of the community in the Yarra Ranges.
“It is about sharing our love of bikes, food and connection. Hosting an event like this is our way of saying thank you.”
River Valley Church’s Millgrove Meals event saw around 70 hungry mouths attend. (Supplied)
The Millwarra Community Building before the event started. (Supplied)
The event had free bike workshops, social rides and of course, great coffee. (Supplied)
NATSICD is celebrated early
By Dongyun Kwon
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (NATSICD) was celebrated a little bit earlier in Healesville.
Although the NATSICD is held annually on 4 August, Healesville Library hosted an event for the day on Friday 1 August.
In its third year at the local library, the event was enjoyed by dozens of First Nations and non-First Nations children with their parents.
Your Library children’s services officer Rose Herring said the library prepared fun activities for children, including storytime featuring books written and illustrated by First Nations artists, an interactive activity called The Secret World of Food and a morning tea.
“This year, we have teamed up with Vic Health and Eastern Health, featuring The Secret World of Food pop-up display. This is a hands-on experience where children and their parents move through the full food cycle from farm to compost,” she said.
“The display has a felt vegetable garden where kids can be a farmer, then they can take their produce to the market in little trucks, learning about food miles and how our fruit and veggies travel.
“After being the truck drivers, kids head to the market where they become shopkeepers or shoppers. Then it’s onto making kitchen magic in the toy kitchen where children become chefs, and finally we compost our scraps and worms do their work, showing the cycle back to soil.”
The theme for 2025 NATSICD is Little Footsteps, Big Future, which recognises the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the influence of culture, community, and connection to Country.
Through the annual event, the Healesville Library aims to close the gap between First Nations and non-First Nations communities.
Ms Herring said the library crew feel that closing the gap is incredibly important.
“Speaking personally, I feel we have such a great opportunity to play our part in helping to close the gap through supporting educational opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members,” she said.
“We continue to collaborate with local Indigenous community groups and organisations, we have a wonderful collection of literature that features First Nations artists, and we are always working to create safe and inclusive spaces.
“Your Library Ltd, as a wider organisation, is developing a partnership with The Wurundjeri Corporation to develop some exciting programs and projects for the whole community. Our libraries are committed to using a reconciliation
model for events and activities.”
The event organiser thanked all the people who came together to celebrate the special event.
“I’m just so happy to see so many families from a variety of backgrounds coming along and celebrating together,” Ms Herring said.
“I also want to thank everyone who helped to make the day come together, including support from Yarra Ranges Council, who brought copies of the locally written and illustrated The Way Bunjil Flies, by Aunty Dot Peters, for families to take home.
“It’s been a beautiful day, and we can’t wait for next year.”
Garden of Goodness, where children became farmers. (Dongyun Kwon: 493698)
Market where children became shopkeepers or shoppers. (Dongyun Kwon: 493698)
Ms Herring with the book The Way Bunjil Flies, written and illustrated by Aunty Dot Peters. (Dongyun Kwon: 493698)
All chummy after 100 days
By Dongyun Kwon
Chum Creek Primary School invited junior students’ families to congratulate Preps on a special milestone.
The Preps marked their 100th day of school on Wednesday 30 July.
Chum Creek Primary School’s junior class is composed of Prep and Grade 1, led by two teachers, Samantha and Ann.
Samantha said it was a magical 100 days.
“They are all now reading and writing,” she said.
“They learnt school routines, working well together and experiencing new things.”
From day 1, the junior class counted down 100 days together by putting a fish in the bowl every day.
To celebrate the special day, students did lots of fun activities symbolising 100 days.
They made crowns with 100 stickers, word charts with 100 words, cityscapes with 100 windows and so forth.
Ruby can now count up to 100 and showed off her numeracy skills to her mum Katie with 100 seeds, which were prepared for the special day.
Katie said she was happy to see a great transition from her daughter.
“Ruby is settled in school and well surrounded by nature and good friends,” she said.
Special day with fun and activities at St Brigid’s PS
By Dongyun Kwon
St Brigid’s Primary School Preps wore special costumes to mark a significant milestone in their school life.
Thursday 31 July marked their 100th day of school.
Preps entered the school assembly with a special parade.
They danced in front of other students, teachers and families and showed off their counting skills from zero to 100 with the music beat.
After the cute dance performance, each student received a 100 days of school certificate from principal Tess Dwyer.
Preps came back to their classroom after the
school assembly and enjoyed the rest of the day with fun activities focused on the number 100 and an art activity with Grade 5 students.
Ms Dwyer said it was a great day and was enjoyed by all.
“We are very proud of our Prep students’ achievements. They are tracking along really well with their learning this year, especially in their reading, writing and maths,” she said.
“They are overall at a higher level of academic standard in comparison to students from previous years, and we’re excited to continue to support their amazing learning growth.
“Prep is such an important year of school, and it is the one where we see the most growth in confidence, socially and academically.”
Grandparents join for the joy at Healesville Primary
By Dongyun Kwon
Healesville Primary School invited families to the school for two different events on Friday 1 August.
It was the Prep students’ 100th day of school as well as grandparents/special persons day.
The day kicked off with the school assembly to celebrate the special milestone of the Preps, and then students moved back to each classroom to do some activities with their grandparents.
In the school’s library, Preps did a colour-
in activity with their grandparents and had a story time.
When asked about their granddaughter’s achievements over the past 100 days at school, Prep student Ivy’s grandparents Jody and Greg both said “very proud”.
Prep student Indy’s grandma Jan said her granddaughter’s transition in school has been amazing.
“From a lass that’s been at home just playing and so on, and then participating in all the activities (in school), it’s been amazing seeing the growth in her,” she said.
Prep parade at St Brigid’s Primary School. (Dongyun Kwon: 493719)
Chum Creek Primary School junior class and their families celebrated the Preps’ special milestone of 100th day on Wednesday 30 July. (Dongyun Kwon: 493401)
Ruby and her mum Katie. (493401)
Ruby showed off her counting skill to her mum Katie with 100 seeds. (493401)
The Wandin Yallock Primary School prep students celebrated their 100 Days of Prep on Thursday 31 July in an event which saw smiles, excitement and youthful cheer.
Foundation teacher Libby Davidson said the students felt very special to have hit this momentous milestone.
“In the morning we had a lovely time with our families coming to engage in lots of activities all based around the number 100,” Ms Davidson said.
The prep classroom had been decorated with streamers that the children had helped make with 100 links during their maths lessons.
“A week ago they each coloured in a picture of the number 100, and on the day were presented with that picture printed on their very own t-shirt.
“They had crowns that they had made the day before, so they were definitely dressed for the occasion.”
The kids bounced with exuberance as they built cup towers with 100 cups, raced to score 100 in board games, assembled domino runs with 100 pieces and painted hand prints with 100 fingers.
Then at 11am, the rest of the school formed a guard of honour for the preps which saw the preps walking with their heads high.
Achievements are unlocked at Yarra Glen Primary School
By Dongyun Kwon
Yarra Glen Primary School Preps celebrated their 100th day of school on Wednesday 30 July.
Unlike last time when Start Mail visited school on their third day of school earlier this year, they looked much more settled.
From writing and reading activities to food baking and treasure hunting, the special day was filled with lots of fun activities, which all of the young students enjoyed together.
Prep teacher Jess Nahon was proud of her students’ achievements over the past 100 days.
“Every Prep teacher’s focus is to get students reading and writing, and we’ve achieved that,” she said.
“They’ve made some amazing growth over the 100 days. They’re all where they need to be, and they’re continuing to achieve and grow to the best.”
The Wandin Yallock preps celebrated their 100 days on 31 July. (Oliver Winn: 493971)
The rest of the school formed a guard of honour for the preps. (Oliver Winn: 493971)
Both the preps and rest of the school were excited for the milestone. (Oliver Winn: 493971)
Yarra Glen Primary School Preps celebrated their 100th day of school on Wednesday 30 July. (Supplied)
A little dinosaur,
Untold pioneer tales captured in a book
By Mikayla van Loon
The untold tales of Yarra Ranges residents, whose histories are rooted in stories of work, play, hardship and love, craft a vision of what the region was like decades ago.
Wanting to honour and give light to these nearly forgotten stories, the Lilydale Community House set out on a path to do just that, a little over 12 months ago.
Receiving funding from the Lilydale Revitalisation Board, the We’re Not Dead Yet project began.
On Tuesday 29 July, the finished product, a book of collected stories, officially launched.
“This came about through conversations I had with various older members of our community and realising how amazing and varied people’s lives have been and still are,” Community house coordinator Suyin Chan said.
“Some have had massive challenges along the way. All have lived very interesting lives. As we get older, we become more invisible in so many ways.
“I wanted to highlight the stories of a few and acknowledge their amazing lives, and hope that others will acknowledge them too. Too many people may assume that you haven’t done much in your life, and it’s far from the truth.”
From migration and setting up homes in the east, to growing up locally and sharing stories of clubs, groups and friendships that were integral during those formative years, every featured story was unique.
Vincenzina (Vincy) Borrelli shared one of those unique stories.
Born just before the onslaught of World War II in a small village in Italy, she didn’t meet her father until they reunited in Australia when she was nine years old.
He had left before her birth in 1938 to escape the potential call to serve in Europe.
“The whole of Europe was devastated, the whole of Italy was devastated,” Vincy said.
Arriving in Australia all those years later to a farm in Wandin East, life was entirely different for Vincy: the language, the distance from neighbours and outdoor toilets.
Attending school in Lilydale until the age of 12 and then having to take on caring responsibilities at home, Vincy tended to the farm and family, raising her younger sister until she married at 19.
Her husband, Charlie, migrated to Australia with sponsorship from her father.
After a stint in the city, the pair moved back to the then country town of Lilydale, setting up shop on Main Street with Charlie’s Fish Shop in the 1960s.
“It was much smaller back then, but we knew everyone in Lilydale,” she said.
“The kids used to come in and get five pence worth of chips and a potato cake, and we’d wrap it up in newspaper. That was before we knew how much bacteria were on newspaper.”
Charlie’s Fish Shop was a fixture of Lilydale, on the corner of Clarke Street, covered in signage and billboards, unmissable to a passerby. The duo operated the shop for nine years before opening a deli and sandwich bar instead.
Vincy said it was important to share even a small part of her story with the children of future generations, so they would understand what had come before them.
For Michael Kent, he “enjoyed the process immensely” of telling his life story.
An anecdote of the 1944 Beaumaris bushfires was clear in his mind.
“A friend of mine and I were playing down by the cliffs at Beaumaris and we saw all this smoke, so we thought ‘we’ll go see what that is’,” he said.
“There was a howling northerly wind and the next thing, we’re being chased by a bushfire. We ran like the devil to get away from it.”
The house his parents had been renting was lost, along with all their possessions, including a recently gifted Hornby electric train set - a rarity, especially during wartime.
Michael said all he had left were the clothes on his back. He still had the Red Cross blankets that were used at the relief centre up until a few years ago.
In 1953, the final year of his engineering diploma at Melbourne Technical College, Michael’s father decided to retire and hand the business he owned over to him.
Not completing his final exam, Michael stepped in to run and manage the sheet metal manufacturing factory in Fitzroy.
He married in 1955 and the pair spent a happy 61 years together, 58 of those as a married couple. Their first home together was in Blackburn North and slowly they moved further east.
After retirement and selling the Fitzroy factory, Michael ended up in Lilydale’s Tudor Village.
In 2013, his wife died of a two-year-long battle with a brain tumour. In the book, Michael states that he felt like life had come to an end for him as well.
But opening himself up to friendship and companionship with a fellow Tudor Village resident and widower allowed him to keep going.
Mount Evelyn’s Marg Quon tells of how she knew from an early age growing up in Colac that she “wanted what the boys had”, sparking her feminist ideals as a young girl.
She was the first in her parents’ families to finish high school and then go on to tertiary education, training to become a teacher herself.
Initially starting as a primary school teacher, then upskilling as a special education teacher, Marg went on to work as a project officer in drug education, taught community service, mental health and AOD studies at TAFE and worked as a teacher at the Tallyho Boys Home.
She faced immense hardship, first when she was pregnant with her second child, being held at knifepoint at Tallyho by one of the boys.
A week before her third child was born, tragically, Marg’s husband Terry died in a building site accident. She was 32.
Marg shared how she learned to put one foot in front of the other, because she had three little people relying on her, but it wasn’t without difficulty.
Her challenges in having to fight for a widow’s pension so young, without superannuation to fall back on and not being able to make choices about her own body as a woman fired her spirit as a feminist.
She joined small protests and marches calling for women to have rights over their bodies.
Activism was a major part of her life, joining the anti-conscription movement, having known people conscripted to serve in Vietnam.
For several years, her oldest son battled drug addiction. Her first insight into being shamed for this was during her tenure as a project officer in drug education for the department. She was fired for her son’s use of drugs.
When he sadly overdosed, Marg said in the book that it felt like the police victimised her and her family. This set her on a path to removing the stigma around families that are affected by drug and alcohol use and mental health.
With a fierce desire to live her life to the fullest, she said, “I refuse to accept that at 72 I have to stop doing things”.
That ignited her desire to take part in the We’re Not Dead Yet project.
“I was really feeling challenged about being
older and running out of time in your life with so much more to do, because all this technology and internet shows me all this other stuff that’s available and I want to see the volcanoes in Iceland.
“It was a challenge of mortality, really, that I’m not dead yet, but what can I do, and then to have the chance to actually reflect on what I have done, it’s quite surprising what I have done.
“I was lucky to have gone to Afghanistan just as the Taliban followed me through, things like that that you just take for granted.”
The stories in We’re Not Dead Yet are a snippet of what people have experienced in their lives but they also stand as a reminder to never stop being curious about what someone has achieved in life.
Swapping hoses for bows in CFA team building fun
By Oliver Winn
The Hillcrest CFA swapped hoses for bows, water for arrows and fire for targets during a night out at the archery on Wednesday 16 July.
Hosted by the Yarra Valley Archery Park, the brigade took the team out for some fun to change up its regular Wednesday night training routine.
The night offered a great opportunity for team building for the brigade.
“Last Wednesday night, training saw Hillcrest Fire Brigade swap fire trucks for targets as we took aim at a team night out at the Yarra Valley Archery Park,” the Hillcrest CFA said in a Facebook post.
“Turns out, lining up a perfect shot with a bow has a lot in common with handling a hose under pressure — focus, control, and not accidentally hitting your teammate.
“Don’t worry, everyone survived… barely,” Hillcrest CFA joked in its post.
As the brigade members tested their skills at the range, they all quickly learnt who had the natural talent.
“There were some natural marksmen among us, and a few who might want to stick to the firetruck.”
The Yarra Valley Archery Park hosted the brigade and said it was a delight to have the local firefighters there.
“Thanks guys for all you do for our community. It was an absolute pleasure to have you at our facility, great night,” Yarra Valley Archery Park commented on the post.
The Hillcrest CFA said the night provided a well deserved break from the exhausting duties of a firefighter.
“But either way, it was a night full of laughs, a bit of friendly competition, and some much needed time off the tools.”
It thanked the Yarra Valley Archery Park for making the night “an absolute hit”.
“We’ll definitely be back, maybe with flaming arrows next time… just kidding,” the Hillcrest CFA said.
Lilydale Community House coordinator Suyin Chan was proud to the project completed. (Richard Timbury)
Participants getting their first glance at the finished book.
Lilydale’s Vincy Borrelli (left).
Mount Evelyn’s Marg Quon.
The brigade changed up its routine with some archery. (Hillcrest CFA)
Some members were sharpshooters, other were not so talented. (Hillcrest CFA)
SENIORS LIVING
Enjoy vibrant retirement living
In the heart of Lilydale, where the lush Yarra Valley meets the Dandenong Ranges, stands Lilydale Valley Views – not just a retirement village, but a thriving community where residents relish every moment of their golden years. For the past 15 years, we have meticulously crafted an environment that goes beyond providing accommodation; it’s a place where the essence of retirement living is fully embraced.
Our village boasts an array of accommodation options, from stunning homes with valley views to cosy terrace living. With 139 homes, including semi-attached 2/3 bedroom units, each designed to ensure a family-like atmosphere, we prioritise creating a space that fits the unique preferences of every resident.
What sets Lilydale Valley Views apart is the commitment to offering a comprehensive retirement experience. Picture a heated indoor swimming pool and spa, providing residents with an oasis for relaxation and exercise. Imagine weekly Tai Chi and dancersize sessions, tailored to keep both the body and mind active and engaged. Our village bus takes the hassle out of shopping, offering a convenient door-to-door service, freeing residents from the need to drive and park.
One of the key pillars of our community is the vibrant social committee. This dedicated group organises a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities, ensuring residents always have opportunities for connection and enjoyment. From outings to social events, our calendar is brimming with activities that cater to diverse interests, creating an enriching experience for everyone.
Yet, the true magic lies in the residents themselves. A wonderful group of people with a wide range of interests, they form the beating heart of our community. The warmth and genuine sense of camaraderie that have flourished over the years are truly heartwarming. Newcomers quickly find themselves embraced by the community, invited to various activities and social occasions, allowing them to tailor their level of engagement.
At Lilydale Valley Views, we recognise the importance of social connections for overall health and wellbeing as we age. Our environment is curated to facilitate an active and connected lifestyle, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the physical boundaries of the village.
Centrally located near essential amenities, including medical practitioners, supermarkets, and the train station – all within walking distance – Lilydale Valley Views provides a seamless blend of convenience and tranquillity. The nearby Warburton Trail offers residents the opportunity for scenic walks or bike rides, while a thriving veggie/flower garden on-site adds to the communal spirit.
As a testament to our commitment to excellence, we are proud to have built a retirement
village that has evolved into a close-knit community. Lilydale Valley Views is not merely a place to live; it’s a place where people flourish, creating a tapestry of shared experiences and cherished moments.
In celebration of our journey and the joy of vibrant retirement living, we invite you to explore Lilydale Valley Views. Come and witness firsthand the beauty of terrace living, stunning views, and the warm embrace of a community that defines the essence of retirement living.
For more information, contact Lilydale Valley Views at 471 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale, email manager@lilydalevalleyviews.com.au, or call 03 9735 5944 to speak with Rosemary Seymour our manager. Our doors are open from 9am to 4.30pm, welcoming you to a new chapter of vibrant retirement living.
A better retirement lifestyle from $590k
Be part of a vibrant Community and enjoy the Facilities
Breathtaking views await residents at Lilydale Valley Views. (Supplied)
Meet and mingle with friends in the community centre. (Supplied)
Enjoy some quite time with a book from the extensive library collection. (Supplied)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Delayed but never stopped
By Dongyun Kwon
The 37-metre-long kangaroo mural project was finally completed on Wednesday 30 July.
Healesville-based artist Paul Sonsie finished drawing a giant kangaroo on one side of Healesville Walk Shopping Centre’s exterior.
The mural is now named Marram, the Woiwurrung word for kangaroo.
Mr Sonsie said the completion of the project was delayed due to the recent wet weather.
“Painting in the middle of winter isn’t ideal. The cold and rain make it tricky,” he said.
“But to be honest, painting in the peak of summer brings its own challenges too.
“In hindsight, the rainy days actually gave me a chance to rest and reset a bit, which wasn’t such a bad thing. It’s been a big install, so the breaks were kind of welcome.”
Throughout the Marram project journey, Mr Sonsie received numerous praises from community members, along with sponsorship from various organisations.
He said the positive feedback and support from the community mean “the world” to him.
“Being an artist or designer can be a pretty solo gig most of the time, so working out in public and getting real-time feedback has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had literally hundreds of kind comments during the install, people waving, honking, stopping to chat,” the mural designer said.
“One of my favourite things was hearing how many families had their own guessing game going at home about what the mural was going to be. I had quite a few people tell me they’d come back each day to check on the progress and try to figure it out.
“That level of engagement, where the whole family’s talking about it, is exactly what you hope for with public art. It’s been such a great reminder of how a simple mural can spark conversation, curiosity and connection.”
Haymes Paint, an Australian-made and owned paint brand, donated 50 litres of paint for the project.
Kennards Hire Lilydale supplied the scissor lift, and Yarra Ranges Council provided a small monthly grant.
Haymes Paint commercial sales and strategy director Tim Haymes said the company was thrilled to support Mr Sonsie’s remarkable artis-
tic talent, which has gifted the Healesville community with an enduring piece of public art that will be enjoyed for many years to come.
“Our business is a family and community-minded business, and when this opportunity came with Paul, we thought it was a fantastic time to get involved,” he said.
“Paul’s done the majority of the work, and we were just a small part of the involvement. We’d love to be involved in these types of local community ideas and initiatives.
“(The mural) is fabulous and the colours are brilliant. It blends in beautifully with the sur-
Love of music on airwaves
By Dongyun Kwon
Healesville resident Michael de Oleveira enjoys running a radio program where he shares his lifetime hobby with listeners.
Mr de Oleveira hosts The Beat’N Track between 10am and 12pm every Wednesday at Yarra Valley FM.
He brings the songs from his music CD collection at home each week to the radio, plays them, and provides background information.
“I play a mixture of music from the ‘50s until the modern stuff right up to 2025,” the radio presenter said.
“The Beat’N Track is about music and I’ll give a bit of background on the songs, when they were recorded and who recorded them.”
The love for music came to him naturally as a kid through listening to his older siblings play music on their record player.
The music lover said he’s always collected music and has always been interested in music.
“I listened to (my siblings’) music through the ‘50s and became very much interested in music through the ‘60s, and I travelled to America and saw a lot of bands,” Mr de Oleveira said.
“Through the ‘70s, I’ve always gone to concerts and listened to music.”
Like other people in his generation, Mr de Oleveira grew up listening to the radio in his childhood.
Mr de Oleveira began his journey as a radio presenter about 18 months ago with The Beat’N Track, the first radio program he’d ever done.
The opportunity of being a presenter of the platform he grew up with appeared to him out of the blue when he met Greg Carrick, the radio station manager.
The retired man was looking for something different to do at the time and stepped into the world of radio within a week after he’d met Mr Carrick.
Mr de Oleveira said he was always interested
Michael de Oleveira hosts The Beat’N Track between 10am and 12pm every Wednesday at Yarra Valley FM. (Dongyun Kwon: 493574)
in being a radio presenter.
“When (the radio station) was located in Woori Yallock, I made inquiries, went over there and looked at the studio, but the times that were available were nighttime shows, and I didn’t feel like driving from Woori Yallock back to Healesville over nighttime,” the Healesville resident said.
“When it moved here and I retired from work, I thought it was a perfect opportunity.
“I’ve got a huge collection of vinyl and CDs. I’ve got plenty of music to play. I can cross a whole range of genres, covering rock, country and world music. I play English music, American music, African music and South American music.”
Looking back on his past 18 months of adventure, he said it’s been very interesting.
“I was very nervous when I first started, and now I’m completely relaxed about it,” the radio presenter said.
“Hopefully, it’ll develop in time, and I’ll get some guests in the future.
“I’ve had one guest in, and that worked well. He came from Jamaica and lives in Healesville, and we played reggae music.”
You can listen to The Beat’N Track at yarravalleyfm.org.au/listen.html or 99.1 on your FM dial.
roundings of Healesville.”
When asked about future mural projects for the town, Mr Sonsie said he’d love to paint another large-scale mural in Healesville or somewhere else in the Yarra Valley.
“I’ve even had ideas about continuing the theme on the back wall of Coles, which is actually even bigger than the current one,” he said.
“The biggest challenge, as always, comes down to funding. Building owners often aren’t in a position to cover the costs, and local businesses can find it hard to contribute too. Council grants are great but very competitive, and
while sponsorship can help, it’s not always easy to secure. That said, I’m definitely open to new opportunities, and I think there’s a real appetite from the community to see more of this kind of work.
“I’m really passionate about cultural branding and about helping make our towns feel inspiring, creative and great to live in or visit. I’m doing this not just to grow my own creative business Sonsie Studios but to hopefully inspire the next generation of artists too. I want young creatives to see that public art is a real way to contribute, to shape a place, and to make a lasting impact.”
Grief woven into storylines
By Dongyun Kwon
A Healesville resident published his 20th book, dedicated to the memory of his daughter.
The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement was written by Dr Bob Rich.
The book is a heartfelt, practical guide to understanding grief and healing from it, rooted in the author’s personal experience of the loss of his daughter and decades of psychological counselling.
“It is basically a handbook on how to process grief, but it’s very readable and enjoyable,” the author said.
Dr Rich earned his doctorate in psychology in 1972. He worked as a counselling psychologist, running a private practice for over 20 years in the Yarra Valley.
“It was mostly written, and then I put it aside. It focused on a young couple who were actually clients of mine, whose little toddler son died in terrible circumstances. They each felt suicidally guilty, and also each bitterly blamed the other,” Dr Rich said.
“I tracked their progress through the book on how they not only resolved their grief, but got back together as a married couple.
“And then when my daughter died, I rewrote the book and put a second story through, which was highlighted with my grief, and everything is illustrated with little stories from my various clients. I simply changed the names. Sometimes, I combined two or three clients into one story to hide their real personalities.”
In the book, Dr Rich introduced compassionate tools for navigating bereavement to serve as both a comfort and a roadmap for anyone experiencing loss, emphasising that while grief is unique and unpredictable, growth and peace are possible.
“Those tools handle all sorts of problems,” the author said.
“For a few examples, setting aside a set time every day for feeling the grief. Let’s say you set the appointment at 5pm, when you have a thought of grief at 5pm and then say, ‘Go away, love. I’ll see you at 5pm.’ As long as you keep the appointment, it works.
“Another one is mindfulness meditation. That means you’re focusing on this instant and anything else, including severe bad emotions, can be there, but they become background because anytime something happens, you just gently return your attention to whatever you’re focusing on.”
Dr Rich’s daughter Natalie died of liver cancer in December 2024. She graduated from Healesville High School and received a medal for the top accountancy student at RMIT University.
“She worked locally as an accountant, but she hated being the sandwich between the tax department and the client, so she retired at 30 and started up her bookkeeping business,” Dr Rich said. “A great many people in Healesville and surrounding areas have been her past clients, and they all loved her. She was that kind of person.”
L-R: Haymes Paint Ringwood assistant manager Pacqs Maher, Kennards Hire Lilydale branch manager Youssef Ghosn, artist Paul Sonsie and Haymes Paint commercial sales and strategy director Tim Haymes. (Stewart Chambers: 492843)
Bob Rich launched his 20th book The Hole in Your Life: Grief and Bereavement. (Dongyun Kwon: 493194)
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
New women’s health expert
Healesville Medical Centre is delighted to welcome Dr. Nermin Faltas to their established healthcare team, bringing specialised expertise in women’s health and integrative medicine to the local community. Her arrival means residents of Healesville and surrounding areas now have access to comprehensive healthcare approaches that prioritise treating the whole person, not just symptoms.
Dr. Faltas brings an impressive healthcare journey that began with her graduation from the University of Alexandria in 1996 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. Her passion for women’s health led her to specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, earning her diploma in 2004. In 2005, she made the significant move to Australia, where she dedicated herself to achieving her AMC qualifications, completing them in 2009.
Her commitment to providing the best possible patient care hasn’t stopped there – she has earned a Diploma in Integrative Medicine, reflecting her belief in treating patients holistically byconsideringtheirphysical,emotional,andlifestyle factors together. This continuous learning reflects her dedication to staying at the forefront of medical advances to better serve her patients.
What makes Dr. Faltas’s arrival particularly valuable for the Healesville community is her comprehensive approach to women’s health and general practice. Drawing on her extensive obstetrics and gynaecology background, she provides specialised care for women’s health concerns throughout all life stages, from adolescence through menopause and beyond. Her integrative medicine training allows her to consider conventional medical treatments alongside lifestyle factors, nutrition, and preventive care approaches. This means patients receive treatment plans that address not only immediate health concerns but also focus on long-term wellness and disease prevention. Dr. Faltas has particular expertise in specialised obesity management, which she views as a crucial area for preventing chronic diseases that can significant-
ly impact quality of life. Her approach combines medical intervention with lifestyle counselling and ongoing support to help patients achieve sustainable health improvements.
Dr. Faltas takes a refreshingly personal approach to healthcare, with particular interests in women’s health, skin problems, acne treatment, and weight management. She believes strongly
that obesity management is crucial for preventing chronic diseases that can significantly impact quality of life. Beyond her professional expertise, Dr. Faltas is a devoted mother to two boys and enjoys music, reading, and swimming – interests that help her connect with patients on a personal level and understand the importance of maintaining work-life balance for overall wellbeing.
Dr. Faltas’s addition to Healesville Medical Centre significantly strengthens their commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the local community. Patients interested in accessing her services can contact Healesville Medical Centre directly on 5962 4379 to arrange appointments and learn more about the treatments now available locally.
Dr Nermin Faltas. (Supplied)
Healesville Medical Centre is the place to go for healthcare all in one place. (Supplied)
Need for affordable housing
As Homelessness Week approaches, running from 4 to 10 August, Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is stepping up its Origami-housefolding activities for the Houses at Parliament campaign.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the growing and urgent need for affordable housing across Victoria.
Recent Census data reveals a sobering reality with 30,660 Victorians, including 6800 children, counted as homeless.
This represents 27 per cent of the national total.
The problem is especially acute for young people, with a quarter of those experiencing homelessness in Victoria aged just 12-25, despite
Legal matters
Anita Koochew Eastern Community Legal Centre
this group making up just 18 per cent of the population.
Family violence remains a leading cause, with 45 per cent of women and girls experienc-
Surrender yourself Together
Together
Starring Alison Brie, Dave Franco and Damon Herriman
4.5/5
MA15+
Together is a biting body horror satire about toxic codependency and the inherent loss of the individual self in relationships, brought to a Cronenbergian extreme.
After moving to the countryside during a rough stage in their relationship, teacher Millie (Alison Brie) and musician Tim (Dave Franco) begin a shocking transformation stemming from a local cave.
Brie and Franco (who are married in reallife) work extremely well together as a couple for whom their frustrated, clashing relationship and the body-warping paranormal threat are inseparable.
The horror runs on a current of creeping unease sprinkled with icky effects, effective jumpscares and dry humour.
The intriguing plot has glimmers of The Substance (with an inversion of The Substance’s mantra ‘You are one’) and Get Out, and the wellseeded clues bring on anticipatory chills: you feel one step ahead of Millie and Tim, praying for them to catch up, but still in a state of dreadful
uncertainty at where the situation is headed.
My only minor issue with the film is a certain scene involving hair that I think hammers the body horror hard a little too early in the narrative.
Together is the feature directorial debut of Michael Shanks, a Melbourne filmmaker and musician (look up Roadgeek) who created the TV miniseries Wizards Of Aus and has released surreal visual effects-driven short films (often video game-themed) on YouTube since 2010.
A suspenseful, squirmingly unpleasant and superbly-directed horror film about two people emotionally driven apart but physically and viscerally brought together, Together may be my favourite film of the year so far, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
ing homelessness reporting family violence as the reason.
Building on last year’s powerful demonstration at Parliament House, this year’s campaign, coordinated by the Victorian Homelessness Network, invites everyone to join the movement.
Individuals, schools, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to fold origami houses as a symbol of hope and solidarity.
The goal is to fold 60,000 origami houses across the state, each one representing a new home that is urgently needed in Victoria.
Participants are encouraged to display their houses in street-facing windows and share photos online.
Instructions can be found at homelessnessau-
CARTOON
stralia.org.au/homelessness-week/ Homelessness isn’t just about the absence of a roof.
It can lead to a range of legal and social challenges, including fines, debt, complex family law issues and mental health decline.
ECLC provides free legal advice and connections to local support services for anyone experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
If you or someone you know requires free legal help, contact ECLC for confidential advice and support on 1300 32 52 00 or use the online form at eclc.org.au/help for an appointment.
More resources are also available at justiceconnect.org.au/our-services/homeless-law/
Shining a light on what homelessness really looks like
August 4-10 marks Homelessness Week in Australia – a time to take a moment to think about those in our community who are facing some of the most challenging circumstances and realise that it may be affecting people that we don’t expect.
The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of homelessness services in the country, and in our over 140-year history in Australia, we have seen it all.
We support over 8000 people every month across Australia who are experiencing homelessness, but what can sometimes shock me more than these numbers is the individual sto-
ries behind each person that reaches out to us for help.
We have seen people reach out to our homelessness services who have been donors to the Salvos in the past. We have seen people who are perceivably “well off”, but due to one unforeseen personal crisis like a family member falling ill, they have slipped into homelessness.
Recently, we have started to see increased numbers of women and children reaching out to us. In fact, one in seven people who reached out to us for homelessness support this year have been children under 14. This breaks our hearts.
Homelessness isn’t just sleeping rough on the streets. It manifests in a number of ways, like couch surfing, staying in emergency accommodation or sleeping in your car. In a recent survey of people who reached out to the Salvos for financial support, one in five (19 per cent) had couch surfed or lived in their car at some point in the past 12 months.
That is why, this Homelessness Week, we want to shine a light on what homelessness really looks like in Australia. At the Salvos, we want to encourage people to reach out to their friends and family, notice the signs, and know where to go if you or someone you know is experiencing
homelessness.
And where can you go? The Salvos are a great place to start. The Salvation Army are here for those experiencing hardship, including those at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. We don’t judge and don’t discriminate. It has been our privilege to come alongside Aussies in their time of need for the past 140 years, and we look forward to doing so in the future.
If you or someone you know needs support from The Salvation Army, please visit salvationarmy.org.au
Commissioner Mark Campbell, The Salvation Army
Glowing winter sun
The winter sun has glowed warm and bright in recent days as captured by Woori Yallock resident Tracey Frazer. (Supplied)
UNIQUE RETREAT
RUSTIC CHARM AND MODERN COMFORT
NESTLED amid established gardens, lawns and native bushland, this enchanting lifestyle property offers a rare opportunity to secure a multi-dwelling estate just moments from the heart of Gembrook. With three distinct mudbrick buildings and a host of charming features throughout, this is a place where creativity, comfort, and connection thrive.
Main Residence:
Beautifully updated, the main home centres around a stunning open-plan kitchen with stone benchtops, quality appliances, a spacious butler’s pantry, and excellent storage. Overlooking the large living area, this inviting space brings family and friends together with ease and warmth.
The cozy lounge is warmed by a solid fuel fireplace and enjoys picturesque views from every window, inviting natural light to stream in and highlight the home’s natural features. Three well-proportioned bedrooms and a fully renovated bathroom complete the space, with thoughtful touches throughout for warmth and efficiency.
The Chalet:
Brimming with rustic charm and vintage appeal, this two-bedroom character-filled retreat is ideal for extended family, guest accommodation, or B&B use.
Downstairs, you’ll find a spacious living area with beautiful garden views, warmed by a wood fire and kept comfortable year-round with a split system. The bathroom on this level features brass fixtures, and a timeless
style that blends effortlessly with the home’s country aesthetic.
Upstairs, the second living zone offers flexibility for relaxation or entertaining, while the charming country-style kitchen includes timber cabinetry, a freestanding oven, ample storage, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Two light-filled bedrooms complete the dwelling.
The Studio: This unique two-level space is a true creative sanctuary. Featuring soaring vaulted ceilings, rich Chestnut timber stairs, and colourful stained-glass windows, it offers the perfect environment for an artist’s studio, peaceful retreat, inspiring home office, or versatile rumpus room.
The Land:
Beautifully landscaped with a variety of thoughtfully selected trees and shrubs, the gardens offer a tranquil blend of open lawns, meandering paths, and secluded nooks. There's plenty of wide, open space for children and animals to play freely, making this a true lifestyle property where nature, family, and relaxation all come together.
Whether you’re seeking a peaceful family sanctuary, a unique work-from-home setup, or an income-generating retreat, this captivating estate delivers a truly special opportunity in one of the hills’ most picturesque townships— close to Gembrook’s cafes, restaurants, school, kindergarten, supermarket, and friendly community.
HILLSIDE HARMONY WITH ROOM TO GROW
SET on a generous 1399sqm (approx.) allotment along a sealed road, this beautifully presented home offers the perfect balance of comfort, character and lifestyle. With lightfilled interiors and a lovely connection to its garden surrounds, it’s a place where everyday living feels easy and inspired.
At the centre of the home, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living zone is bright, stylish and welcoming. The updated kitchen features crisp white cabinetry, timber-look benchtops, a sleek black splashback and quality appliances. The layout flows effortlessly into the lounge and out through sliding doors to a spacious covered deck—an ideal setting for entertaining or unwinding under festoon lights, framed by lush greenery.
Both bedrooms are generously sized and positioned to capture views across the deck and garden, creating a peaceful and calming atmosphere. The central bathroom is tastefully updated with matte black tapware, soft neutral tones and a deep bath.
A versatile rumpus room at the front of the home adds flexibility, ideal for a home office, creative studio or workshop. With its generous proportions, built-in storage and separate entry, it’s a valuable extension of the home’s functionality.
Outside, the backyard is mostly flat and bordered by tall trees, with a garden shed, veggie patch and plenty of room to potter, play or relax. Brick-edged steps wind through the tiered front garden, and a long driveway with ramped access ensures everyday practicality.
HOME ESSENTIALS
Comfortable and well-equipped with ducted heating, split system cooling, ceiling fans and timber-look floors, the home is perfectly
positioned just minutes from Emerald Lake Park, local schools, shops and forest trails. If you’re looking for space, charm and
Contact: Sue Colic 0421 772 610. Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767, BARRY PLANT EMERALD – 5968 4522
a foothold in one of Emerald’s most loved pockets—this Charman Avenue address could be the perfect fit. ●
SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME WITH VIEWS
THIS beautifully renovated two storey, four bedroom brick home offers a blend of comfort, space, and convenience for the growing family. Boasting a thoughtful layout and quality updates throughout, this property is ready for you to move in and enjoy.
Step inside to discover two generous living areas, ideal for both relaxed family time and entertaining. The master bedroom features its own private ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are spacious and well appointed. Stay comfortable year round with split system heating and cooling, as well as efficient ducted heating throughout the home.
Outdoors, a covered carport and a separate workshop provide practical space for vehicles, hobbies, or extra storage. Soak in the stunning mountain views from your backyard and enjoy easy access to public transport, all within walking distance making daily commutes a breeze.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to secure a stylish, move in ready home in a sought-after location.
TranquilRetreaton ½acreBorderingtheYarraStateForest Aquietretreatseton ageneroushalfacreblockthatbacksdirectlyontothebreathtakingYarra StateForest.Lightfilledandwelcoming,featuringtwogenerouslivingareas,polishedtimberfloors, anda cosywoodfire.Themodernkitchenoffersplentyofbenchspace,connectingeffortlessly withthediningarea,with asplitsystemprovidesyearroundcomfort.Threegoodsized,carpeted bedrooms,eachwithbuiltinrobes,alongwith amodernbathroom.Thoughtfullydesignedlargebuilt instoragecupboardsanda cleverlyintegratedlaundrytuckedbehindcupboarddoors.Additional featuresincludea lockupshedadjacenttothecarport,gardenshed,woodstorageanda water tank.Positionedona quietcountryroadjustmomentsfromtheYarraRiverandpopularaqueduct trail.Idealforthoseseekinga peacefulescapewithmoderncomforts.
MAGICAL views & sunsets can be enjoyed from every aspect of this 1 acre allotment which also offers the peace and privacy you’ve been searching for. The beautifully presented home stands proudly overlooking this perfect playground for your family & pets to enjoy all year round. Recently renovated in tasteful, neutral tones, the home is thoughtfully designed for family living, with an open plan layout that centres around a spacious living area and a stylish modern kitchen. The kitchen offers quality bench tops, a two drawer dishwasher, two ovens, plenty of storage & direct access to a fantastic outdoor entertainment area complete with new decking, fire pit area & of course beautiful valley vistas. There are 4 bedrooms cleverly zoned for privacy, with the master suite featuring a walk-in robe. The home offers solar power, 2 x 10,000 litre water tanks & for year round comfort there is a split system & a brand new wood fire that also creates a warm welcoming atmosphere through these cold winter months. Fully fenced the property also offers stone wall landscaping, plenty of parking plus there is a wood shed & workshop for ample storage. With plenty of sunlight there is room to grow your own veggies plus you will enjoy kiwi, pomegranate, cherry, mulberry, lemon, lime, apple, orange & passion fruit trees that are already established here. This is one that will tick all of your wish list items –this is country living at its best! ●
INCREDIBLE VALUE - 27.7 ACRES OF PRIME LAND
IF you’ve been seriously considering investing in Warburton, now is the time! With commencement of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination and several new projects and developments in town, this could be the property you’ve been waiting for.
Opportunities like this are few and far between, this land is centrally located and perched proudly at the top of Brisbane Hill Road which allows direct access into the town hub. This stunning parcel of land offers sweeping panoramic views across the Warburton township and beyond. Comprising of three separate titles, several open paddocks ideal for grazing horses or cattle, the position creates a picturesque setting ideal for those seeking privacy, lifestyle, or investment. A large portion of the land is cleared, while bushy areas add natural charm and back directly onto the Yarra Ranges National Park which includes the O’Shannessy Aqueduct Trail — an absolute bonus for outdoor enthusiasts and those connected with the proposed Mountain Bike Hub.
Located just a short stroll to the town centre, the Yarra River, the Warburton Trail, and a vibrant collection of local cafes, this property combines the best of convenience with tranquil rural living.
With water and electricity already connected, the groundwork is laid for you to bring your vision to life whether it be a dream home, eco-retreat, or a strategic investment in one of the most sought after destinations in the Yarra Valley.
Don’t miss out on securing this golden opportunity in the heart of Warburton. Call today to arrange a private inspection.
PEACEFUL COUNTRY LIVING
WELCOME to your peaceful country escape in the heart of Gladysdale. A property that feels like home the moment you arrive. Set behind an impressive fence and secure automated gates, this charming brick veneer residence is nestled well back from the road, offering privacy, serenity and space for the whole family to grow.
A long, sealed driveway leads through established gardens to the home, surrounded by established trees, lush lawns and framed by views of the nearby hills, best enjoyed from the comfort of the front verandah. Step inside and you’ll find a warm and inviting home. A formal entry opens into a spacious lounge with a split system, while the heart of the home is the tidy, well-equipped kitchen and meals area, complete with generous cupboard space, a dishwasher and a charming wood stove that fills the home with warmth during the cooler months. The thoughtful layout includes three bedrooms, two with built-in robes and a main bedroom with a walk-in robe and ensuite. A family bathroom, separate toilet and a practical laundry add to the comfort and functionality. Outdoors, the rear verandah is the perfect spot for a morning coffee or an evening unwind, overlooking a secure, fenced backyard filled with beautifully cared-for gardens.
For those with a passion for self-sufficiency, this property has all the right foundations with bore water, massive water tanks, a chook shed and infrastructure ready for growing your own veggies. Impressive shedding includes a large powered workshop with concrete flooring, undercover parking for two cars, a garden shed, woodshed and loads of undercover
HOME ESSENTIALS
parking for machinery. Perfectly positioned just a short walk from the local primary school, community hall and tennis courts plus Yarra Junction’s vibrant town centre is only a short drive away. This location strikes the perfect balance between rural tranquillity and everyday convenience. Families will also appreciate the easy access to Upper Yarra Secondary College and the Little Yarra Steiner School, both just a short drive away. Backing onto open farmland and brimming with country charm, this much-loved home has been an oasis for its current owners. It is now ready for the next family to enjoy everything that comes with a semi-rural lifestyle. Whether you’re dreaming of space for the kids to play, a productive garden, or simply a quieter, more grounded way of life, this Gladysdale gem could be just what you’re looking for. ●
Contact: Ashleigh Hall 0419 500 059, PROFESSIONALS YARRA VALLEY 5967 1800
THE ULTIMATE FAMILY HOME AWAITS
WELCOME to this exceptional dual-living family haven in the heart of Upwey, offering the perfect solution for extended families or multi-generational living. Thoughtfully designed across two levels, this spacious home provides two distinct living zones, ensuring privacy and independence while keeping everyone connected.
The upper level features a fully selfcontained space complete with a modern kitchen, renovated bathroom, and two generous bedrooms – ideal for elderly parents, adult children, or guests seeking their own retreat. Downstairs, the main residence offers generous family accommodation, including a luxurious master bedroom with walk-in robe and private ensuite, a gourmet kitchen fitted with a premium 900mm stainless steel oven and cooktop, and multiple living areas. A large dedicated study zone caters perfectly to those working from home or for children’s homework needs.
Outdoors, the sparkling swimming pool creates the ultimate summer oasis for entertaining family and friends, while a cozy Coonara wood heater adds warmth and charm during the cooler months. Car accommodation is well catered for with a remote-controlled garage, complemented by a versatile workshop/storage area and ample off-street parking suitable for additional vehicles, boats, caravans, or trailers.
Positioned in a highly convenient location, you’re just moments from Wright Avenue Playground, Upwey Village Shopping Centre, Upwey Primary School, Upwey Train Station, and Upwey High School. Nature lovers will also appreciate the proximity to the 1000 Steps and National Park, only moments away.
Combining flexibility, comfort, and convenience, this remarkable property offers a lifestyle opportunity rarely found in today’s market. ●
PUZZLES
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box. No. 249
ACROSS
1 Strike (3)
3 Murder a politically important person (11)
9 Cowboy literary genre (7)
10 Print process (7)
11 Trustworthy (8)
12 Leave off (6)
14 Aye (3)
15 Debates (11)
17 Not anxious (11)
19 Buddhist temple or monastery (3)
20 Peril (6)
21 Despot (8)
24 Speech (7)
25 Stamp (7)
26 A phrase marked off by brackets (11)
27 Lord (3)
Common greeting question (3,3,3) 2 Fights (7)
3 Playground (5)
4 They protect the eyes from glare (10)
5 Staunch (4)
6 Made greater (9)
7 Japanese emperor from 1989 (7)
8 Type of boat used in rowing competition (5)
13 Amounts (10)
15 Flower tea (9)
16 Soaked (9)
18 Mythical horse-man (7)
19 Soaking (7)
20 Sag (5)
22 Ribbons (5)
23 2.54cm (4)
Using the nine letters in the grid,
No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.
Sharp cuts through
By Ron Hottes
Wednesday 30 July, Stableford
Although we have recently copped plenty of precipitation, both the course and the field size is holding up well.
This also allows for the daily scores to hold up as well.
The best result on this day was scored by Laurie Doyle, who posted a very impressive 39 points.
Laurie is one of our early birds, and often his group, and those around him, get the best of the winter weather.
Josh Hin was our runner up, on a countback, returning 34 points.
But he clearly had a superb back nine, because along with the second placed prize, Josh also snared both the 12th and the 15th NTPs on offer.
The balls only reached down to 33, and that was on a countback, too.
The other dual winner was the talented Clinton Toohey, because he grabbed the third and the fifth NTPs.
This just left Ross Machar to grab the one NTP left, on the ninth.
Saturday 2 August, Stroke and Monthly Medal: ask
Any true golfer and they will tell you that Monthly Medals are clearly harder to win in the depths of winter than at any other time of the year.
But, this year is different.
A drier than usual winter, and medal day falling on a weekend of great weather conditions, means that scores posted can still be impressive.
So, the most impressive result posted, earning him the medal and the B grade voucher was done
by Geoff Sharp, with a sharp Nett 67.
Geoff won this on a countback, because young Jackson Byrne was right on his hammer, also with a 67.
The A grade prize went home with Gary Vollmer, as his Nett 70 was enough to also win after a tight countback.
The unlucky runner up here was Ben Lever, also posting a Nett 70.
Balls on this day reached a Nett 74.
The NTPs went home with five worthy winners; they being Josh Hin (third), Sam Dennis (fifth), Michael Batten (ninth), Steuart Hawke (12th) and finally to Paul P.K Kennedy (15th). V.V.Vs:
Again, there were no V.V.Vs playing this week.
We are all hanging out for spring weather to bring the girls back.
Horse talk
By Anita Prowse
The fields finally got some sun over the weekend just in time for Monbulk Pony Club’s freshman’s day.
August is Show Jumping month, with Upper Yarra Pony Club’s freshman’s day on Saturday 23 Augus.
Entries are taken on the day and there is camping available overnight.
On Sunday 24 August, the Upper Yarra Adult Riding Club’s Official HRCAV Show Jumping Day takes place and entries are open at the event secretary now.
This is followed by Shirley Heights Equestrian Centre’s Show Jumping Classic which starts on Friday 29 August with a Freshmans Event, followed on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 with an official EA competition.
Entries for the classic are available via Equipe.
Upper Yarra Pony Club are also soon starting on some new cross-country fences at Wesburn Park so plenty of practising will be available.
Happy Riding everyone.
grant.
You may view the application documents at the website below. Simply search the Application Reference Number then click on ‘Documents’www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/track
You may also view the application documents free of charge at one of our Community Link offices from Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm.
If you are affected by the granting of this permit, objections can be submitted online at the website above. Simply search the Application Reference Number then click on ‘Make a Submission’.
An objection must:
1. Include the application number and site
Laurie Doyle posted an impressive 39 points. (File)
Upper Yarra Pony Club are starting to work on some new cross-country fences at Wesburn Park. (Supplied)
Henderson hits goal high
By Oliver Winn
Women’s footy history was made on 26 July when Warburton-Wesburn’s Scarlett Henderson slotted her 50th goal against Thornton Eildon, the first in the Outer East Football League to do so.
She sailed past the previous single-season record holder, Pakenham’s Aeisha Kolaritsch, earlier this month when she kicked her 44th against Seville in a crushing 131-0 win.
Henderson said it felt “pretty surreal” but ultimately was extremely proud of herself for accomplishing the impressive feat.
“I’m very happy with myself, very proud of myself for getting such a big achievement and I’m definitely looking forward to the years to come,” the Warburton-Wesbrun forward said.
Her tally sits at 52 goals in 13 games this season with one regular league round left before finals.
She managed a five goal haul against the fifth-placed Thornton side and kicked her 50th with quite a memorable goal.
When she marked the ball quite a ways out and on a slight angle to the goal, she said to herself, “Oh jesus, I’m not kicking this.”
Her teammates backed her though, and she sent the ball soaring through the big sticks.
Immediately, squeals of delight erupted from her teammates as they crowded around her and jumped in celebration.
“My whole team got around, did a bit of a celebration, everyone just ran out and it was really great.
“I even had the coach’s wife, Poe, she ran out onto the field as the water carrier, so that was probably one of my favorites.”
Since breaking the record, Henderson has seen support from all areas of her community, including her team, family, friends and even the Wandin CFA - but her parents take the status as top supporter.
“Probably my mum and my dad, they’re always there watching the games and supporting me.”
Warburton-Wesburn’s perfect 13-0 form this season put them as the premiership favourites with one regular league round left before finals.
Second-place for goals kicked this season is Warburton-Wesburn’s Madi Ward with 24 goals, proving the side has plenty of attacking power to push them through this season.
Henderson joined Warburton-Wesburn in 2025 after Monbulk couldn’t field a women’s team.
Emerald, Wandin, Olinda and other clubs approached the 18-year-old, but Henderson chose the Burras due to their attitude, quality of football and welcoming nature.
“Everybody there at the club and in the team has been so, so welcoming, so I think probably play there next year, hopefully,” she said.
Warburton-Wesburn host fourth-placed Yea in the final round of the season on Saturday.
Warburton undefeated as season end nears
By Alex Wood
It was Warburton-Millgrove Football Netball Club’s second last home game for the year. On the weekend, we hosted Alexandra (17s netball) and Yea.
The morning started early with Alexendra making the drive over for a game of netball.
The team started strong with a 21 goal lead at the half time break.
They kept Alexandra to score another 6 goals for the game and finished off with a total of 40 for themselves.
Amarli Weir, Layla Ata and Maddie Loveless were the top performers.
Women’s footy started the day off on the oval, they started the game off slowly but picked up as the minutes went on.
They went into half time with a four goal lead.
The second half they switched it in and kicked another eight goals and five behinds, while only leaving Yea to secure just the one in the two quarters.
Madi Ward, Emerson Woods, Sienna Clark, Max Atwell, Lily Pagels and Skye Comer were the stars of the match.
The team have now completed their home and away season, with an undefeated run. They take on finals this weekend.
D grade took the court against Yea.
Another strong start, but only had a five goal lead heading into the second half.
They picked up their pace and managed to extend the lead to remain comfortable into the last.
They secured a 36-19 win, with Tiahn Syme, Nikita Aldridge and Tayah Humphrey being the top performers.
C grade were on after and began their game with a solid start, also.
They extended the lead as the quarters went on and secured a 42-19 win, with Teagan Adams, Emily Biddle and Sienna Wyatt being the star performers.
Under 18s footy took the field in search for some four points.
They secured 5.7 in the first half to Yea’s 0.4.
They kept going right to the final siren and secured a 10.12.72 to 3.8-26 win.
Nate Lucas, Max Blunt, Kobe Wunyhm, Mahliki Balde, Brayden Tamme and Brody Urquhart were some of the top performers.
Reserves were on after and also had a similar start.
They went into half time with a seven goal lead and kept the distant between scores at a good distance.
They got the win with a final score of 13.13-91
to 6.4-40.
Matt Sidari, Liam Barnard, Marcel Kocher, Jamie Nelson, Dale Morris and Josh Read were all top performers for the game.
B grade on next over at the netball, and another strong start for the girls.
An 38-8 half time lead, they didn’t slow down at all and took home a 69-16 win.
Gabby Woods, Alyssa Walker and Tanner McCurdy were the star performers.
A grade finished the netball for the round.
Very similar to B grade, they also had a solid half time score of 38-13 and didn’t back down. 64-29 was the final score and another win on the board.
Tegan Butcher, Karly Wappett and Indi Pinnock were the stars of the match.
Seniors finished off the day.
A two goal lead at quarter time that extended to four goals heading into the half time break.
The second half the Burras turned it in, extending their lead as the minutes ticked over.
14.18-102 to 2.9-21 was the final score and another win on the board.
Nelson Aldridge, Tom Barr, Bailey Humphrey, Jack Farrugia, Ben Pretty and Jack Lee were the stars of the game.
Over to Pakenham next week for Match of the Round. Don’t miss it.
Chayce Black and his brother Cayden were key players against Healesville. (File: 410426)
In a hard-fought clash between ladder leaders and fifth-placed Healesville, Wandin held their nerve to record a 9.7 (61) to 7.16 (58) victory at Healesville. Despite Healesville creating more scoring opportunities, inaccurate kicking ultimately cost them, with Wandin’s efficiency on entry and capitalising on those chances meaning they secured the win. John Ladner led from the front for Wandin, with strong support from Daniel Willis and brothers Chayce and Cayden Black, whose efforts around the contest proved crucial in the narrow victory. The result reinforces Wandin’s position on top of the ladder while Healesville will be left to rue missed opportunities in a thrilling encounter.
Scarlett Henderson currently sits at 52 goals in 13 games this season. (File: 469871)
Stronger Together unites club
By Hannah Chappell
Coldstream Football Netball Club turned Halley Supple Reserve into more than just a sporting ground on Saturday, it became a place of cultural celebration, community pride, and thanking the sponsors.
All three senior football teams took to the field at home for the final time together this season, in what was a day marked by fierce competition and powerful symbolism.
Wearing their inaugural Indigenous guernsey for the first time, the club embraced a theme of Stronger Together, a message brought to life not just through design, but in spirit.
The jumpers were proudly created by women’s players Sophie Stark and Kahla Gossip, and represent unity, resilience, and the strength of many cultures coming together as one.
The women’s team set the tone with a commanding performance against South Croydon, leading from start to finish.
Midfielder Ella Herrmann was outstanding, controlling the game with poise and creativity, and earning best-on-ground honours with a goal to cap off her standout effort.
The reserves followed in a hard-fought battle with Upper Ferntree Gully.
The match was cut short due to a serious injury, but not before Coldstream left everything on the field.
Making his return from injury, junior players club favourite, Ben Stelfox was named best on ground for his composure, effort, and impact.
The seniors closed out the day with another gutsy performance, though Upper Ferntree Gully ultimately took the win.
Despite the result, there was plenty to be proud of, especially the backline work of Liam Hetherton, who was named Yarra Valley Steel Player of the Round.
Liam’s continued growth as a senior player has been a shining light for the club, and his efforts each week embody the Stronger Together mindset.
Bloods finally back on home ground to take on Wandin
By Steve Ebbels
Having not played at home since early July, all teams were really looking forward to getting back on to home turf.
Coming off a bye last week Healesville senior women were ready to take on Olinda in the last home and away game for the season and hopefully turn around the result from last time they played Olinda.
The first quarter was a relatively close contest with only three majors being scored for the quarter, but it was the Healesville girls on top after the first term leading 2.3.15 to 1.2.8 at the first break.
For the next three quarters, Healesville took control of the play and whilst goals were seemingly hard to come by the local girls were the only ones that managed to get any goals on the scoreboard whilst only allowing Olinda a single behind for the rest of the game.
In the end, Healesville was too strong taking out the game 5.6.36 to Olinda 1.3.9.
Best for Healesville: A.Caldicott, B.Watson, I.Stock, M.Cameron, D.Jones, A.Bryan.
Next week, girls travel back to Olinda to start their finals campaign to take on Olinda again in an elimination final.
Next up, Healesville U18 boys prepared to take on Wandin and hopefully go one better than the thrilling draw when they last met.
In an even first quarter, it was Healesville with a slight edge at the first break leading 2.3.15 to 1.3.9.
In the next quarter, it was Wandin that took control of the majority of play putting on five straight goals while Healesville managed just 3.2 to give Wandin the lead at the major break 6.3.39 to Healesville 5.5.35. Healesville tightened things up again in the third but could only manage to score four behinds while Wandin with same scoring shots managed 1.3 to increase their lead slightly.
In the last quarter, the tight tussle again continued with the Healesville boys working hard and slowly chipping away at Wandins lead. With only minutes to go, Healesville had reduced the lead to just two points.
Healesville then slotted a goal with only a minute or so left on the clocked the victory was theirs.
Final score Healesville 8.11.59 to Wandin 8.7.55.
Best for Healesville: G.Houlihan, E.Yates, L.Senti, l.Warner, A.Crossman, J.Newsome.
With the Healeville netball court upgrades not quite yet complete, netball was again back indoors at Healesville High School.
First up was the B grade.
After really struggling to score in last weeks game, the Healesville girls this week got back on track but ultimately Wandin were way too strong winning every quarter to take out the game 9515.
As always though, the club couldn’t be prouder of this team and their resilience and positive attitude that they bring every week and are always looking for small ways to improve.
Best for Healesville: E.Roberts, L.Cole, A.McMaster.
Nest up on court was the A grade.
Another tough day on court for the Healesville’s top-grade girls but as always, they showed their competitive spirit fighting the game out in every quarter.
In the end though, Wandin proved way too strong winning every quarter and ulitimately taking out the game 75-34.
Best for Healesville: M.Erickson, B.Erickson, A.Heath.
Back to the football and it was the reserve boys.
With quite few injuries to senior players, the reserves once again were relying on the U18’s backing up.
In the first quarter, Healesville boys started off really well and at first break the score was Wandin 3.5.23 to Healesville 1.1.7.
Unfortunately for the Healesville boys, Wandin took the game into the next gear and completely dominated play for the next three quarters and with Healesville U18 lads tiring quickly (and understandably given the hard game they had already played prior) the Healesville team had no answer.
In the end, Wandin was way to dominant taking the win 27.10.172 to Healesville 1.1.7.
Best for Healesville: R.Bode, J.Cross, l.English, M.Holland, R.Ashby, D.English.
To the last game of the day and after a very disappointing game last week, Healesville senior lineup were keen to get back on track and
Healesville footballers and netballers were happy to be back at their home ground. (Stewart Chambers: 483904)
get back to playing the quality football that they know they are capable of.
In the first quarter, Healesville came out flying controlling most of the play and with the Healesville forward pressure looking better than it had for awhile the home side went into the first break leading the competition leaders 3.7.25 to 1.2.8.
In the second quarter, thing tightened up a bit with both sides only managing one major each for the quarter.
The score was Healesville 4.9.33 to Wandin 2.6.18 at halftime.
As to be expected from the quality outfit that Wandin are, they came out after halftime looking to get the game back on their terms.
To the Healesville boys credit they stood up to the onslaught but were a bit inaccurate in front of goal kicking 1.6 for the quarter while Wandin
put on five staright to hold a four point lead going in to the last.
First 10 mins of the last and Wandin put on two goals with Healesville not managing to get it between the big sticks.
Healesville boys dug deep and held Wandin scoreless for rest of quarter while putting on two goals to get back to within three points but unfortunately, time wasn’t on their side and in the end, it was Wandin just scraping in 9.7.61 to Healesville 7.16.58.
Disappointing result but if we can take anything out of this game it is the belief that bour best football is enough to compete with the best in the competition. Best for Healsville: N.Mende, C.Bradley, J.Newsome, C.Warren, D.Plozza, M.Jones. Next week back at home against Olinda.
Coldstream women’s team in their Stronger Together jumpers. (Supplied)
Senior Reds deliver on field
By Sarah Bailey
Important wins for the Premier Women and Senior Men capped off a sunny winter’s day of soccer.
Healesville Premier Women 5–1 Blackburn
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Don Road, Healesville hosted a hugely improved Blackburn team.
The home side rushed the pass initially, and this gave Blackburn some early momentum that required some good saves from Kells to resist.
Tess stepped up with a great finish for Healesville’s first goal.
She then turned provider for Kiah, who arrived at the back post to make it 2–0 in quick time.
A fantastic header off a corner by skipper Sarah had everyone cheering.
It was 3–0 at half-time and the team was relaxed.
The second half started with the Reds on the front foot.
Defence held firm and the home side kept attacking.
Tess grabbed a second before a beautifully worked corner saw Kiah score again, arriving perfectly to make it 5–0 before Blackburn got some consolation via a penalty.
Healesville Men’s Firsts 4–3 MUFC
After two losses, Healesville needed a win to keep their title hopes alive.
The Reds missed a host of chances in the first half, the best of which was when JJ headed wide from six yards out after David M had hit the cross bar.
A poor ball from defence resulted in a great strike from Maroondah as they took an undeserved 1–0 half-time lead.
Healesville made some tactical changes after the break, courtesy of Bubs’ and Tony’s input, and regained parity 30 seconds into the second half, JJ atoning for his earlier miss with a delicate chip over the onrushing keeper.
Five minutes later JJ’s second had the home side 2–1 in front.
A poorly headed clearance saw Maroondah hit another great strike and the scores were level again.
Daniel T then hit a great strike of his own and captain Anthony M scored at the far post from a cross and things were looking comfortable for the hosts.
With three minutes left the visitors scored directly from a corner to leave the game on a knife edge, but Healesville held firm and took home a deserved three points, leaving them one point off the top with four games to go.
Healesville U14 Red Devils 4–1 Berwick
The Devils made the long and winding trip to
Berwick to avenge their close Cup defeat a few weeks ago.
With a full squad to choose from, the visitors started strongly.
Some lovely passages of play saw the midfield link up well with the forwards.
Eloise W opened the scoring with a fantastic finish on the left foot at the 10-minute mark.
More dominance of possession followed before Evie T took a shot from just inside the box that ended up in top corner.
Half-time and 2–0 up against Berwick was exactly how the girls were three weeks ago before Berwick pulled two goals back to take it to penalties, so they couldn’t rest on their laurels going into the second half.
But the Devils’ relentless effort and pressure was there for all to see, with all 15 girls staying on task to secure another two goals in the second half.
Sia finished well for the third and an Evie T solo effort was the icing on the cake.
Berwick scored an absolute screamer on the last kick off the game, but a 4–1 win was a fair result for the performance.
It was hard to pick a best on ground as all 15 girls played their part, but Stella C, Zara P and Georgia C’s pressure and determination all day
was great to see.
The Devils are fired up for next week’s top-ofthe-table clash against league leaders Knox.
Healesville U12 Diamonds 3–0 Bayswater Tiger Sharks Playing against a lovely team in the Bayswater side, the Diamonds enjoyed a close tussle the whole way.
To walk away with a win was a welcome reprieve after some recent big losses.
Keely and Emmelia scored great goals after their efforts pushing forward paid off on Saturday.
An unfortunate own goal from Bayswater contributed to a 3–0 win for Healesville.
Healesville U16s 0–1 Yarra Valley
The Yarra Ranges rivalry was in full force this week as both teams sat equal on points at the top end of the ladder.
The Reds tried a new formation and tactic to break Valley’s system.
A tough, hard contest where neither team really got on top was fought for virtually the entire match.
Charlie J starred as keeper, while the same can
be said for Gordon K in a rare return to defence and Harry L, who cut off so many promising YV attacks.
Nil-all at half-time and the instruction was more of the same – and that’s just what the spectators got.
There were five minutes to go when a corner ball just hit Charlie’s fingertips and Valley got a stunning header to score the game’s only goal. There were many positives from the game for Healesville.
After a big loss in their last meeting, they made it very difficult for Valley and nearly finished the day with some points.
After the game both teams joined arm in arm to represent the Yarra Ranges in great spirit.
Other results:
Healesville U11 Ninjas 2–2 Maroondah
Goals:
Disappointing results for Yarra Glen in crucial clashes
By David Ball
Yarra Glen travelled to Pakenham to take on the challenge of facing a top two team with a win needed for the senior team to get back into finals contention.
Sadly, the River Pigs never really made it a contest.
Five goals down at quarter time they were unable to put any pressure on the Pakenham midfield.
As a result, they were able to move the ball quickly and precisely into their forward line.
Yarra Glen defenders worked hard with young Jake Ferris a standout.
Yarra Glen produced an improved effort in the second quarter, restricting the Lions to three goals.
Unfortunately, they were failing badly with their forward entries with the constant interceptions seeing the backline under siege.
Yarra Glen were unable to score in the second and third quarters with just one goal added in the last.
It was a disappointing performance as they went down Yarra Glen 2.2 to Pakenham 20.15
Best for Yarra Glen: Jake Ferris, Lachlan Schack, Jayden Capuano, Simon Van Der Westhuizen, Aussie Smith, Dan Christian. Goalkickers were Noah Battle and Richard Gurney.
The Yarra Glen Reserves were up against the undefeated top side and were powerless to stop a stronger, quicker and more skilled Pakenham.
Despite trying hard, the River Pig boys found it hard to maintain possession in the first quarter. There was a marked improvement in the sec-
ond as they started to find teammates with their kicks.
They were still falling down when kicking into the forward line.
Pakenham were excellent at using the wide open spaces and with a forward kicking his 100th for the season, the backline were unable to stop the flow of goals.
Yarra Glen were well beaten, losing 1.1 to Pakenham 24.16.
Best players: Lachlan Hanna, Brad McKenzie, Josh Dick, Ethan Murdock, Justin Russo, Matt McKenzie.
The Goalkicker was Josh Valadon.
The Under 18’s came across the undefeated top team in Pakenham.
With a team packed with quality top aged players they have proved too strong, too fast and too skilled for all opposition teams this year.
Whilst the Yarra Glen boys didn’t score in the first quarter they did keep Pakenham to four goals.
The second quarter effort was commendable as they started to use the ball better and link up from defence.
The Yarra boys managed to score two goals for the quarter through Robert Pavic.
It was a credit to the boys as they never gave up and ended up adding a third goal whilst keeping Pakenham to under 20 for the game.
Yarra Glen 3.0 to Pakenham 19.19.
Best players: Alastair Lowrie, Robert Pavis, Sam Gloury, Spencer Boers, Lachlan Rutherford, Brody Adams.
Goalkickers: Robert Pavic 2, Kobey Jarvis 1.
The Yarra Glen netballers also faced Paken-
ham who were top 2 in all grades.
The Yarra Glen A Grade girls got off to a slow start to be six goals down at quarter time. They came out firing in the second, handling the defensive pressure better and converting well.
At half time, they were with a goal of Pakenham.
The second half was a carbon copy of the first as Yarra Glen struggled against the pressure from Pakenham in the third and then settled well to match it with their opponents in the last.
Final Scores, Yarra Glen 44 to Pakenham 51.
Best Players: Alana McGurgan, Elise Dobson,
Yarra Glen B Grade girls started well and in a goal for goal encounter were just one down at quarter time.
Pakenham were just that bit bigger and better across the last three quarters and whilst the Yarra girls played well in patches, Pakenham proved too good as Yarra Glen went down 31 to 55.
Best Players: Jasmin Wood, Abbey Stranger, Imojean Parsons.
The Yarra Glen C Grade girls found themselves 6 down at quarter time as Pakenham showed why they sit second on the ladder.
Despite being competitive across the court, Yarra Glen could not stop Pakenham’s shooters. Whilst the effort was commendable, Yarra Glen were outclassed, going down 26 to 48.
Best players were: Ellie Estcourt, Ashleigh Katoa, Ash Shanks.
With D Grade starting the day for Yarra Glen they kept pace with Pakenham early in the game.
As the game progressed the Yarra girls found it hard to maintain possession and when they did, found the defence made it hard to score.
They improved in the last quarter which was a credit to their effort but could not contain the Pakenham shooters to be beaten 8 to 33.
Best players: Annabelle Forsyth, Ashleigh Wallace, Sarah Matthews.
Next week Yarra Glen is hosting a Pinks Sports Day to raise funds for the fight against Breast Cancer. They come against Powelltown in senior footy and netball, whilst the Under 18’s host Seville.
The Vets travel to Gembrook on Friday night with a 7pm start.
Great sportsmanship was on show by both sides in the U16s’ clash against Yarra Valley. (Supplied)
The U12 White Diamonds (and mascot) celebrate their 3–0 win against Bayswater. (Supplied)
The U14 Red Devils showed fine teamwork to defeat Berwick 4–1. (Supplied)
Jasmine Evans.
Yarra Glen players leading a Pakenham opponent to the ball. (Supplied)
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