Mail - Ranges Trader Star Mail - 16th September 2025 by Star News Group

A life in art is celebrated

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Emerald artist Stewart MacInnes spent most of his life quietly creating, not for fame, but for the pure need to express himself.

Now, his family is sharing his world with the public through a retrospective exhibition, ‘A Life in Art’, at Burrinja in Upwey.

“He once said, ‘Art is the key to my existence, and it carried me through,’” his daughter Cat MacInnes said.

“He didn’t create for recognition, it was therapy, survival, something deep inside him.”

Mrs Carole MacInnes recalled how the idea to exhibit his work came during his final months, when each family member independently expressed the same wish to Stewart.

“That’s when I knew we had to do it.”

The exhibition, offering a rare insight into a deeply personal and emotional artistic journey, celebrates a man who created from the heart for more than 60 years and runs until 19 October.

Treaty welcomed

By Callum Ludwig

Victoria is the first state in Australia to table a treaty in its Parliament in a move welcomed by mob across the state.

Widely expected to pass with the support of the Greens and other crossbenchers, the Statewide Treaty Bill will expand and enshrine the existing First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and is set to hand decision-making power and responsibility to the democratically elected members of the assembly.

Education is a big focus of the treaty, with truth-telling of First Nations history to be incorporated into the Victorian curriculum, while the assembly will also have the power to establish its own First Peoples’ Institute to close the gap in tertiary education.

The First Peoples’ Assembly will be responsible for getting out into communities to conduct truth-telling and gather stories as well as for leading the Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Fund, Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll and NAIDOC Week.

Other colonial countries like New Zealand (Aotearoa), the United States and Canada (Turtle Island) have long-established treaties while Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greenland and Japan also have treaties established with their indigenous people.

The Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin announced at the end of June that the Liberals and Nationals would not support treaty in parliament and told ABC News Breakfast on 10 September that we need to seek a ‘genuine alternative.’

Wurundjeri man and indigenous studies professor Dr Andrew Peters said the commitment from the State Government is both unprecedented and very welcome by Aboriginal communities.

“It’s a very exciting step for Aboriginal people in the state, particularly those who continue to live with the legacy of colonisation in many areas, it’s a clear indication that the Victorian government is listening to its Aboriginal people and its history,” he said.

Turn to page 4 to read the full article

Carole and her daughter Cat McInnes with artwork by Stewart McInnes. (Stewart Chambers: 502505)

Club joy as grants approved

By Callum Ludwig

The latest round of Capital Development Grants was approved at the Tuesday 9 September Yarra Ranges Council meetings with a number of local recreational clubs to benefit.

Recipients have shared in grants totalling $181,040, ranging between $1300 and $30,000 to cover half of the cost of a project.

Billanook Ward Councillor Tim Heenan said it’s great to see good diversity of the $181,000 that’s being spent over the Shire on very worthy projects.

“These are projects that can only be endorsed up to $30,000 with the balance having to be undertaken by the club and looking at some of those projects, I know a little bit about some of the places, but certainly I have to hone in, zone in, or whatever the word is on Mt Evelyn (Football Club),” he said.

“The little players’ huts there, which I think were probably built in about 1923, and they’re certainly not fit for purpose anymore, so I’m very pleased to see that in my ward, as I am in all the Councillor’s wards,”

“If you’re not successful one year, that

doesn’t mean to say you are not going to be the next year and it’s not an infinite bucket of money, so we have to make sure that we can keep it and rein it in when the time comes.”

Here are the projects that have been funded:

$1300 has been awarded to Belgrave Heights Tennis Club for outdoor seating area repair and an accessibility enhancement project.

$3750 for retractable shade blinds in the outdoor seating area at Yarra Glen Bowls Club.

$6568 for a safety fence at the Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway & Steam Club.

$9070 to Monbulk Pony Club for repairs and upgrades of the cross country course.

$10,000 for cross country course repair and a water jump upgrade at Doongala Pony Club.

$15,000 for the replacement of the players/ coaches boxes the Silvan Football Club uses at Silvan Recreation Reserve.

$21,041 for cricket nets resurfacing at Mooroolbark Cricket Club.

$24,311 for coaches boxes replacement at Mt Evelyn Football Club.

$30,000 for a court and seating access pathway at Montrose Tennis Club.

$30,000 for drainage synthetic turf works at

the Kilsyth Centre of Excellence for the Eastern Ranges Football Club.

$30,000 for a digital scoreboard at Kimberley Reserve for the Chirnside Park Football Club.

Walling Ward Councillor Len Cox said he’s been going through all of these grants, and they’re all so well deserved.

“One in my ward, the Mooroolbark & District Miniature Railway, if anybody hasn’t been down there, you should, it’s just a wonderful spot, they’re open the fourth Sunday of every month, and it’s full of kids, and the little railway goes around all day long, taking young children around, and the kids just, shouldn’t say just kids, but the kids just love it,” he said.

“It’s just such a wonderful help to these clubs who really don’t always get the money that they need to improve their facilities and these grants give them that money and give them the ability to do what is needed for further enjoyment from everybody that’s involved.”

Funding was not provided through the program for clubroom upgrades and security lighting at Hoddles Creek Cricket Club (security lighting will be delivered by the Minor Works team), for a disability-accessible ramp at the

1st Selby Scouts Group (Council exploring alternative ays to support full DDA compliance), clubroom upgrades at Upwey South Tennis Club and kitchen upgrades and blinds at Wesburn Junior Football Club (alternative funding for kitchen upgrades, blinds to be done by Minor Works team).

Lyster Ward Councillor Peter McIlwain and Streeton Ward Councillor Jeff Marriott were also both positive about the impacts of the program.

“I think this is one of the most successful things that Council does, what we’re able to do is mobilise the energy in our community for outcomes that, you know, if you look at it, measure way beyond just the dollar value…it has impacts right across the board in terms of community engagement, health and wellbeing, even environmental outcomes if we’re talking about community grants,” Cr McIlwain said.

“When we’re looking at a lot of the budget expenses and considerations of what we talk about on council, these aren’t huge amounts… I remember we got a $1,200 grant for the purchase of life jackets in our scout group back in 1986 and that made a huge difference to our program,” Cr Marriott said.

Council highlights need for better State support

representatives joined alongside members from Outer Melbourne Councils (OMC) and community groups in late August to call upon the State Government to address pressing issues for communities in Victoria.

On Monday, 18 August and Friday, 22 August, Yarra Ranges mayor Cr Jim Child presented at a Community Growth and Infrastructure Forum and a Road, Transport and Connectivity Forum with other community leaders.

Cr Child spoke on the importance of infrastructure renewal for locals and visitors alike, and ongoing funding support from the State Government.

“We have more than $1.5 billion worth of assets over 55 townships, and they’re rapidly ageing,” he said.

“As one of the most visited tourist regions in the state, we have constant challenges in providing the infrastructure to meet this tourism demand, while meeting the needs of our local community.

“We know and our community know that our road network, drainage systems and community infrastructure are no longer built-forpurpose. We need significant upgrades to meet the needs of the community now and into the future, and to rise to meet the challenges of the changing climate,” Cr Child said.

Council chief executive officer Tammi Rose also spoke at an event at with other OMC council chief executive officers and mayors about issues impacting financial sustainability.

The issue of cost shifting – where other levels of Government move services to councils without adequate funding – was raised as a widespread issue.

All forums were attended by representatives of both the State Government and the opposition in an early opportunity for Council to highlight community needs in Yarra Ranges ahead of the November 2026 State Election.

Cr Child highlighted other specific concerns such as the costly management of aquatic facilities.

“What’s more, the growing cost of aquatics facilities is a concern for us and other councils; having swimming pools helps boost water safety – a key issue in the warmer months – and health and wellbeing, but they come at an enormous cost. “We want to work with the Victorian Government to find ways to fund infrastructure renewal, through grant funding or tax flexibility. If we can get support from the State, we can prioritise projects like a new urban aquatics facility, renew outdated infrastructure and make the Yarra Ranges better for everyone.”

Cr Child also presented on the importance of duplicating the Lilydale train line between Mooroolbark and Lilydale, with a new station to service the growing community at the former Lilydale quarry site; having improved and more frequent bus services and; flexible road funding alongside better maintenance of arterial roads such as the Melba, Warburton and Maroondah Highways.

In the face of the changing climate, Cr Child said the Yarra Ranges would need significant,

ongoing funding to help the region adapt to extreme weather events.

“We’re rated as one of the highest-risk areas in Australia for bushfire, we regularly experience flooding, storms and landslip events, and, quite simply, the current funding models don’t support Council and the community in the way we need,” Cr Child said.

“There are already local properties and businesses at the limit of their insurability, or becoming uninsurable because of the rapid increase in weather events.

“We’ve done great work with other levels of Government to help build community resilience, but we need long-term, structured, financial support to make sure our resilient communities are built in a way that can thrive in the face of massive change.

“I’m proud of our work with the State Government over my time at council, and I hope that the representatives from the Government and opposition take note of our concerns in the lead-up to next year’s state election.”

The player and coaches’ boxes at Silvan Recreation Reserve are set for an upgrade. (Stewart Chambers: 502576)

The coaches boxes at Mont Evelyn Recreation Reserve also received a grant. (Stewart Chambers: 502575)

The cricket nets at Mooroolbark Recreation Reserve will be resurfaced. (Stewart Chambers: 502573)

Yarra Ranges Council

FTG rooming house plan sparks backlash

Residents of a quiet Ferntree Gully street are raising concerns after learning a rooming house is proposed to be built at 6 Margot Street, which’s a small, residential area largely occupied by elderly residents.

Dora De Blasio, whose 98-year-old mother Angela lives across the road from the proposed development, said the news came as a shock to the long-time residents of the street.

“We got a letter Thursday or Friday last week. We have to have submissions in by this Friday,” Ms De Blasio said.

The property, recently sold earlier this year, was believed by neighbours to be a standard residential home, it wasn’t until plans were submitted to council that residents discovered it was intended to be a rooming house.

According to Ms De Blasio, the development plans show a nine-bedroom property with parking for only four vehicles, this, she said, raises concerns about congestion and access on an already narrow street.

“Suddenly we’re going to get this congestion on the road...parking is already a bit of a problem in that street, and when there’s cars parked on either side, it’s difficult driving down,” she said. Concerns also extend beyond planning logis-

tics.

Ms De Blasio said the proposal is especially worrying because Margot Street is home to many elderly residents who’ve lived there for decades.

“My mother lives across the road. She’s 98, next door is another elderly, who’s 94. Next door to the actual boarding house are people in their 80s. Two or three doors down, there’s more people in their 80s,” she said.

“It’s a very, very quiet, peaceful street, nothing much happens there at all, and I suppose we want to keep it that way.”

Ms De Blasio said several neighbours are working together to submit objections to the development, citing concerns including noise, safety, privacy, and lack of communication from authorities.

“There’s a lot of elderly people in that street... we’re already concerned because if it goes ahead, we’re going to have to put alarm systems in,” she said.

“I mean, I don’t want someone coming home drunk and going to the wrong house, banging on my mother’s door at one o’clock in the morning.”

Residents also expressed frustration about the short timeframe to respond and what they see as limited transparency around the process.

Ms De Blasio said, “No one wants a rooming or boarding house, but it’s happened so quickly and

everyone’s up in arms.”

In a statement, Knox City Council said its ability to respond to community concerns is limited due to a Victorian Government planning exemption.

“Council’s jurisdiction is limited for this type of application due to a Victorian Government planning exemption for rooming house use,” the statement said.

“This is a statewide planning provision, which seeks to facilitate rooming houses of up to nine bedrooms for up to 12 people. As the proposed rooming house meets these requirements, a planning permit for the use of the land for this purpose is exempt.”

The current application under review is for building and works, not the use of the property as a rooming house.

The application is being advertised from 29 August to 14 September, council confirmed it will consider all submissions lodged after that timeframe until a decision is made.

Ms De Blasio urged the council to reconsider whether the development is appropriate for the street, citing both the physical constraints and the vulnerability of existing residents.

“They really need to reconsider if it’s an appropriate development in the area, we’ve got a real problem in that area,” she said.

Man charged after tragic head-on collision

A traumatic road accident saw a Croydon woman lose her life last week in Lysterfield, one man airlifted to hospital with major injuries, and another taken in for treatment under escort by the police.

Police investigation into the male driver involved in the head-on collision has resulted in the charge of dangerous driving causing death and the 22-year-old Malvern driver will face court for it this week.

The man was charged following the crash which happened in Lysterfield late on Thursday night, 11 September.

Emergency services were called to Lysterfield Road around 11pm after a Toyota Hilux and a Hyundai i30 collided head-on on Lysterfield Road, north of Wellington Road.

The trained responders at the scene performed CPR, but tragically, the driver of the Hyundai, a 26-year-old woman from Croydon, died at the scene despite efforts to save her.

A 47-year-old man from Ferntree Gully, who was a passenger in the Hilux, was flown to hospital with serious injuries and according to updates by police media on Saturday 13 September, he remains in care.

The Malvern Hilux driver was also taken to hospital with minor injuries and later charged with dangerous driving causing death.

He has been released on bail and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 September.

Belgrave Police seek Eastern suburbs man

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate 39-year-old David Rellim, who is currently wanted on 21 warrants.

Rellim is sought in connection with a range of offences including assaults, burglary, shop thefts, criminal damage, and failing to appear on bail. He is known to frequent Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Belgrave Police Station on (03) 9754 6677 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers.

AusNet aerial inspections in the Yarra Ranges

AusNet will be in the Yarra Ranges undertaking aerial inspections from Monday 15 to Friday 19 September.

Locations include Warburton, Warburton East, Belgrave South, Big Pats Creek, McMahon’s Creek and Reefton.

Helicopters give AusNet a bird’s-eye view, so it can more easily identify and repair any wear and tear on powerlines and poles.

Each year it inspects around 40,000 poles. This work is undertaken throughout the year in an effort to keep the AusNet distribution network safe and reliable.

These routine aerial inspections help support a reliable and safe electricity supply for Victorian communities.

Margot St residents raise concerns over a proposed rooming house at 6 Margot Street, home to many elderly locals. (Supplied)

Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Excitement as treaty tabled

By Callum Ludwig

Victoria is the first state in Australia to table a treaty in its Parliament in a move welcomed by mob across the state.

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Centre chief executive, Taungurung man and Healesville resident Adam Frogley said it’s wonderful that Victoria has embarked upon this and we are now seeing the 10 years of work and negotiation come to fruition.

“We think back to the Barunga Statement back in 1988 when Prime Minister Hawke made the promise of treaty and then it was effectively watered down from that stage to become reconciliation,” he said.

“I remember grpowing up going to Healesville High School and Healesville Primary School, we did very little regarding Aboriginal people, I remember there was a week in primary school back in the 1980s, but aside from that, I mean really it was just touched upon in certain parts of curriculum,”

“There was no real detailed knowledge, it was almost speaking from a deficit model or a historic understanding of what Aboriginal people were as opposed to contemporary Aboriginal people.”

Mr Frogley, who has been a Director of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team at the National Tertiary Education Union, said he was glad about the proposed institute as the idea or the notion of having an Aboriginal university was something that was very strong when he was in the sector.

“I think the institute will be wonderful, it will be great to see the partnerships between the institutes and universities and to see the communities as well too coming together to embrace that other form of higher education,” he said.

“The other thing I’m very pleased about is self-determination… it means different things to different people, but the ability for Aboriginal people to actually come and speak directly to certain policies or agendas or programs that the government in the future would be looking at putting into place would mean that we have actually got a seat at the table,”

“Having the ability to directly be involved in those processes, I think will be fundamental in changing the way that we do business…for cer-

tain things like programs that are on the ground and running, we need to be able to ensure that those programs are tailored and catered particularly to those communities.”

Healesville-based Wurundjeri educator

Thane Garvey said he thinks treaty is something that will be remembered forever in this country.

“It’s quite obvious that treaty is going to play a huge part in reconciliation and if the government is serious about their commitment to reconciliation and closing the gap, then they should be serious about this,” he said.

“I think that the rest of the governments around Australia need to take note, especially certain governments that have withdrawn treaty processes,”

“This is a very unique treaty process in the way that it is because this treaty process is done so, so long after colonisation occurred, the way treaty is going to be structured and formatted in today’s day and age is going to look completely different to how treaty would have 200 or 250 years ago but either way, I think that the community is happy with the outcomes.”

Other colonial countries like New Zealand (Aotearoa), the United States and Canada (Turtle Island) have long-established treaties while Norway, Sweden, Finland, Greenland and Japan also

have treaties established with their indigenous people.

As an educator himself, Mr Garvey welcomed the focus on education and said as a society we can’t have an understanding without the information and we can’t kill the ignorance without the education.

“We need to come together to embrace what it is that is the truth on these lands, we are taught as young children to embrace the truth and tell the truth, so why don’t we do that when we grow up,” he said.

“I think the Yoorrook Justice Commission has just managed to retrieve over 10,000 documents relating back to the atrocities and histories of these lands that we already didn’t have, so it is obvious that we are still getting back evidence and histories that have still been actively kept from us and that’s exactly why these things are important,”

“There’s a huge misconception that these types of things are going to take people’s houses or take people’s land, and that is just not correct, if we are going to push what is correct, we want to make sure people understand what is happening, and for that they need about the truth, and the only way they can do that is by educating them.”

Wurundjeri man and indigenous studies professor Dr Andrew Peters said the commitment from the State Government is both unprecedented and very welcome by Aboriginal communities.

“An Aboriginal body needs to be in place to ensure cultural authority, authenticity and safety throughout the process, history shows us very clearly that nothing changes if we don’t have Aboriginal voices,”

“Education is probably the major platform for us as Aboriginal people, and the major reason for the disconnection between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in this country, if we get this right, we’ll get a lot of other things right.”

The entire treaty bill can be found and read at: legislation.vic.gov.au/bills/statewide-treaty-bill-2025.

Dr Peters said it’s a complex issue, so he doesn’t like commenting too much as these are merely his opinions, and may not be shared by all Aboriginal people.

“For me, education is the absolute key, people liken this to the Voice, and opposition to the Treaty refers to the Referendum result – Victoria had the highest Yes rate in the country – where again, lack of education and understanding about the issue caused a lot of confusion on the topic,” he said.

“We need to ensure that all Victorians are made fully aware of what Treaty means, who it will directly affect, who it will not directly affect, and the historical reasons for it being introduced,”

“While I know many people will still oppose Treaty, being informed on the issue is paramount.”

Date change for beloved Belgrave Survival Day next year

By Tanya Steele

A beloved community event and volunteer committee will see in 2026 with a new date to to better suit the people it serves and give more people across the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley and beyond a chance to attend.

Belgrave Survival Day has recently announced it’s annual event that is coming up rapidly in 2026 and the community group is actively seeking committee members as well.

Moving to 21 February for 2026, the annual event celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples survival, culture and heritage and was begun by a small group of hills residents in 2008 and is held on Wurundjeri land in Borthwick Park, Belgrave.

“Belgrave Survival Day has always been about celebrating the strength, resilience, and culture of First Nations people in a positive and respectful way,” said co-chair of the Belgrave Survival Day committee Will Brussen.

“A few years ago, after consultation with local mob, we made the decision to move the event away from 26 January,” he said.

In recent years, the timing of the event has been looked at again and the decision has been made to shift it earlier into the year instead of waiting until March.

“For the past couple of years, we’ve held it on the first weekend in March,” said Mr Brussen.

“We became aware that a number of local and First Nations community events also happen around that time, to make space for those and allow more people to attend and participate, we’ve decided to move Belgrave Survival Day to a new date, Saturday 21 February,” he said.

The annual free entry even features live music, celebration, dancing displays and culture, earlier this year crowds were treated a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy, along with performances by the Djirri Djirri Dancers and First Nations musicians Gumbaynggirr and Barkindji singer/ songwriter Manduway and artist Canisha and Jalgany.

Mr Brussen said next year the timing will alter as well.

“We’re also shifting the event into a twilight event, afternoon into early evening, which better suits the kind of festival-style celebration we’re aiming for,” he said. “It means people can come after their Saturday commitments whether that’s sport, work, or family activities and stay into the evening to enjoy the music, performances, markets and food stalls - it’s all about creating a welcoming, vibrant space that encourages people to come together and celebrate culture and community.”

With the aim to make Belgrave Survival Day a day for everyone that is inclusive and grounded in respect for First Nations voices, Mr Brussen said that they hope the new date and time will allow more people to attend, stay longer, and enjoy everything the event has to offer. People can in Belgrave and surrounds are welcome to get involved with the event and Mr Brussen said he has found it incredibly rewarding himself.

“Volunteering for Belgrave Survival Day has been one of the most rewarding ways I’ve found to offer my skills in support of First Nations people and the broader community,” he said. “It’s a chance to contribute meaningfully, learn deeply, and be part of something that celebrates culture, resilience, and connection.”

Miller Soding, another member on the committee said that people that become part of the

crew that makes this important event happen, with a monthly commitment leading up to the day don’t need any special experience to join in.

“No special experience is needed, just a passion for community and working together,” they said. “First Nations people will be prioritised, but everyone is welcome to get involved. I encourage anyone who’s thinking about it to reach out. Trust me, you’ll gain far more than you give,’ they said.

People can head to this online form and the committee will be in touch: https://docs.google. com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWAtSpAKQR4lW6OSzCV8W6QhCdchg9qdFxYLI3LkT4CB9m_g/ viewform?pli=1

The committee encourage people to get in touch with any questions and all are welcome to join the committee and volunteer and for now the broader community can look forward to February.

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service chief executive officer Adam Frogley is excited by the tabling of Treaty in Victoria. (Mikayla van Loon: 446672)

Education on what treaty really means is key for Dr Andrew Peters. (File: 290883)

With a Welcome to Country and traditional Smoking Ceremony, Belgrave Survival Day fosters connection, leaning and celebration of First Nations culture and peoples. (Tanya Steele)

The event for 2026 will move forward to 21 February. (Tanya Steele) .

Uncomfortable visitors frustrated by Aura Vale toilet closure

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Visitors to Lake Aura Vale in Menzies Creek have been left frustrated and disappointed, as the public toilets at the popular picnic and recreation spot remain closed, with no alternative facilities available nearby.

Families heading to the lake for a day out have found themselves in an uncomfortable situation, with many forced to relieve themselves behind the shuttered toilet block.

The lack of access to basic amenities has sparked dissatisfaction among visitors, who say the experience is far from what they expect in a public reserve.

The closed facilities have not only caused inconvenience but also created an unpleasant environment around the area, with reports of people regularly using the back of the building out of desperation.

Parks Victoria district manager, Georgia Kerr said the toilets are expected to be back in operation by the AFL Grand Final weekend.

“The Aura Vale toilets should be reopened by the Grand Final weekend. We’re just waiting on delivery of a couple of new pumps, replacing broken ones,” Ms Kerr said.

“This is part of a series of upgrades and repairs going on across the region.”

The pumps in question are responsible for carrying effluent from the toilets into the wastewater network.

While the response provides some clarity, it offers little comfort to those who have already had their lake visits marred by the situation.

It appears little information has been made publicly available about the exact reason for the prolonged closure or a firm reopening date, until now.

Until the works are complete, visitors are advised to plan ahead, though with no nearby alternatives, the issue remains a sore point for many.

Long-term home care delays

By Callum Ludwig

The release of an additional 20,000 Home Care packages by the Federal Government was welcome news, but has highlighted just how long many older Australians have awaited appropriate care.

Yarra Junction resident Margaret Baker spoke to the Star Mail in August 2024 about delays accessing any local providers she had faced after being assessed and approved for help in her garden and home.

Speaking again to the Star Mail following the announcement, Ms Baker said she was first assessed and approved for physio in 2022 before her circumstances changed in 2024.

“I rang My Aged Care in early June and was told that someone would contact me but if I had not heard from anyone within four weeks to ring a number they gave me, which I had to do on the 1st of July, to discover as of the 1st of July, they no longer did assessments so I rang my aged care and they told me I had been assigned to APM East Metro (an assessor),” she said.

“I finally spoke to someone who informed me that they did not have my file, they thought it had been passed to Access Care Network Australia (ACNA) so I rang them, waiting on hold for ages and I was told they did not have my file and I needed to ring My Aged Care I did this on the 7th of August to inform me she would resubmit my information to ACNA and to wait a few days, then give them a call.”

Ms Baker was finally able to arrange an appointment with ACNA over the phone again on 14 August 2024.

“Linda (ACNA employee) arrived on time and was helpful and she advised me, I needed a full comprehensive assessment, which is what I thought I was getting, but it was only an assessment,”

“She confirmed that I needed domestic cleaning, gutter cleaning, garden maintenance, but they did not have anyone registered in my area so I ended up with no help and on the list for a full comprehensive assessment,”

“What makes it difficult is you’ve got to go through the whole spiel every time and don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of people out there worse off than me…how can they do this assessment and say you are not eligible over a phone call, that doesn’t make any sense to me.”

Ms Baker was assessed for a Level 2 Home Care Package on 18 October 2024 and only received a letter two weeks ago to advise she had been approved for the package, over 10 months since she was assessed.

Managing director of home care provider

Nurse Next Door in Melbourne’s Outer East Debbie Hill said they absolutely welcome the release of 20,000 additional Home Care Packages.

“This is a much-needed boost for older Australians waiting to receive care in their own homes, for context, there are over 108,000 seniors

already approved for a home care package who are still on the waitlist - a number that highlights how urgent the situation is,” she said.

“Each new package means one more elderly person can finally access support services at home, improving their quality of life and easing the strain on their families.”

The Federal Government’s Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Program from 1 November this year.

Ms Hill said the delay of the Support at Home program from July to November pushed back the rollout of new packages, leaving many older Australians in limbo.

“Even a few months is a long time to wait when someone is frail and at risk of falls or rapid decline, these additional packages will help bridge

that gap, ensuring more people receive the right care now, rather than waiting until November until the new system starts,” she said.

“For families, it will ease the burden of caring alone, and for the system, it helps reduce avoidable hospital admissions, importantly, it also means the new Aged Care Act can start on stronger footing, with fewer people on the waitlist,”

“Overall, we see the release of these 20,000 home care packages as an extremely positive and welcome move, it demonstrates that the government is listening and responding to the urgent needs of older people in the community and most importantly, it means that right now, more seniors will get the care they need in the comfort of their own homes, rather than waiting in uncertainty.”

Nurse Next Door’s Debbie Hill welcomes the release of additional Home Care packages. (File)

Lake Aura Vale visitors left frustrated by closed toilets and no backup facilities. (Stewart Chambers: 502508)

Lake Aura Vale toilets remain closed until AFL Grand Final weekend. (Stewart Chambers: 502508)

Boronia youth tradies ﬁre up

By Tanya Steele

Making a difference with a hands on approach, a local Rotary will celebrate the one year anniversary of a free new youth program being delivered in Boronia this week on Wednesday 17 September.

Tucked away in Boronia Heights, the Boronia Rotary Youth Skills Shed has seen local Rotary working with tradies and volunteering their time every term to teach kids everything from plumbing to bricklaying.

This term’s graduates from Boronia Heights Primary, The Basin Primary and Boronia K-12 will finish up with a fun cooking lesson on hamburgers, but were busy learning how to lay bricks on September 10.

Coordinator of the Shed and Boronia Rotary member Ray Siegersma said 32 kids so far have come through the program.

“This term we have kids from 3 schools, Boronia Heights Primary, The Basin Primary and Boronia K-12,” he said.

“To see the benefit that we are able to give the kids, they’re just really excited about having been through the whole program and they get an op-

portunity to use tools as well.”

Rotary District Governor Peter Behn attended the bricklaying session on 10 September, said what makes Rotary so proud of the program is the fact that the primary school children have an opportunity to learn a skill that they normally wouldn’t come across at school.

“With qualified trades people that are actually getting them to do the work - it’s a great innovation in a whole range of areas,” he said.

“The Bornia Rotarians, particularly Ray, really wanted to do something a little bit different to help the kids.”

Kids from grade four to six attending the shed have had a go at woodworking, plumbing, electrical, metal work, safe tool handling, concreting, brick laying, tiling, various machine operations and more.

Mr Siegersma said he came up with after feeling he needed to do something more in the community and the idea developed into reality after a conversation with a local assistant school principal.

“It came about from a community activity that I wanted to do, from a family in the school and then we just got talking the assistant principal

and myself, out of the conversation, we ended up saying, ‘Well, why don’t do a shed? ‘ he said.

“Get the kids involved through trades.”

Children’s mental health and wellbeing is a big driver of the program, especially after the impact of COVID-19 on student mental health and the Youth Skills Shed has come together with the help of the Boronia Rotary Club, collaboration within the schools and sponsorship and grants from the local community, Mr Siegersma an ex-butcher by trade said he did know a lot of tradespeople was able to utilise them.

“My favourite part is when the kids get engaged and ask lots of questions,” he said.

The kids tend to be quite fascinated and excited by making things from scratch, feeling a lot of pride in what they can create in an hour and half session. The curriculum is quite broad and the Rotary members have come up with a number of projects that teach tool use and creates a take home item each week.

“One of them, in electrical, they do a buzzer, a little buzzer board, and they also make a radio which runs on a battery,” said Mr Siegersma.

“One of the girls at the end came out to her mum and said, ‘We made a radio today’, it doesn’t

need the internet,” he said.

The shed aims to capture the interest of kids who may not be as interested in mainstream offerings and instead teaches valuable life skills, which could lead to other jobs later down the line.

“‘We’ve had two from the first session, which was the last term last year. They’ve now gone on to secondary school, but they’ve come back past the shed and said, ‘We’re going to be plumbers,’ said Mr Siegersma.

“It’s actually going to give lifelong skills that may even arouse their interest in becoming qualified tradespeople,” said Mr Behn.

During the sessions, the kids get to ask the tradies questions and make something to take home, with clean up at the end an important part of the process.

One participant, Blake, said that the bricklaying lesson was a lot of fun. “It’s like stacking Lego and icing a cake all together, “ he said.

The Rotary now hopes to keep expanding the program beyond Boronia.

“You’re investing in the most important people in the world, which are our youth,” said Mr Behn.

Next-gen ﬁrepower on display as Gembrook fetes youth

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

September doesn’t just mark the start of spring, it’s also Youth Fest, a month to celebrate the energy, drive, and heart of young people across Victoria and at the Gembrook Fire Brigade, that celebration feels personal.

Sam Galvin still remembers what it felt like to evacuate during the 2019 Bunyip State Forest fires, it was a moment that changed everything.

“I was just a community member back then,” Mr Galvin said.

“But it was one of those moments where you realise, you want to be part of the help next time.”

He joined Gembrook CFA in late 2022, and since then, he’s thrown himself into every part of it, from training sessions and community events to turning out to incidents alongside his brigade.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I was cut out for this, but CFA has helped me find my feet. I’ve grown in confidence, in my skills, and I’m learning what kind of leader I want to be,” he said.

Now in his early twenties, Mr Galvin is not only a volunteer firefighter but also the Operational Health and Safety Coordinator at Gembrook.

He’s recently completed the CFA’s Emerging Young Leaders Mentoring Program, a sixmonth journey that pairs young members with mentors to help grow their leadership skills.

“It’s such a supportive space,” he said.

“You get to learn, to connect, to be heard, it feels like a breath of fresh air.”

That sense of purpose is echoed more than 200 kilometres away, where Brodie Hanks, CFA’s youngest first lieutenant, is making his own mark.

Mr Hanks joined Jancourt CFA on his 16th birthday, he couldn’t sign up fast enough.

Now 18, he’s completed a long list of spe-

cialist training, responded to countless callouts, and even been deployed to the Grampians earlier this year during a major fire.

“I’ve done courses in hazmat awareness, low structure, breathing apparatus, first aid, you name it,” he said.

“But the best part? Just turning out. Being there for people when they need it.”

In July, Mr Hanks was elected to his lieutenant role at just 17, he’s proud of the title, but even more proud of the community behind it.

“It’s such a lovely and supportive group. You learn from the best, and you’re surrounded by

people who believe in you,” he said.

For both Mr Galvin and Mr Hanks, CFA has become more than a volunteer gig. It’s a place to grow, to lead, and to be part of something bigger than themselves.

“I’ve developed so many personal skills, situational awareness, compassion, communication,” Mr Hanks said.

“The CFA is really good at developing good leaders.”

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said Youth Fest was a chance to recognise the important role young people play in the organisation.

“CFA is full of incredible youth that bring enthusiasm and new perspectives to their brigades,” Mr Heffernan said. “They are the future of CFA, and our aim is to empower them to take on any role and give them as many opportunities as we can.”

Victoria’s CFA is a vast network, more than 52,000 volunteers, over 1200 brigades, and around 1000 staff, all working together to respond to emergencies across the state.

From bushfires and house fires to road accidents and floods, they’ve got it covered, with a fleet of over 4000 vehicles, many owned and maintained by local brigades.

Despite its size, both Mr Galvin and Mr Hanks say CFA still feels personal.

“At Gembrook, I walk into the station and know I’ll be greeted by people who want to see me succeed,” Mr Galvin. “That’s powerful.”

And for those on the fence about joining? Mr Hanks has some simple advice.

“Just go for it. The process is easy, and you’ll be supported the whole way. I’ve gained so, so much in just two years,” he said.

The CFA is always looking for the next generation of volunteers, young people ready to step up, learn, lead, and protect their communities.

“It’s more than just jumping on the truck,” Mr Galvin said.

“It’s about making a meaningful impact, and that opportunity? It belongs to all of us.”

2025 SER YAN Skills Day group photo.

Sam Galvin in wildfire turnout gear at Gembrook CFA station. (Hayley Edgar)

The Youth Skills Shed has seen 32 kids from across primary schools in the Boronia area learn practical skills under the guidance of local tradies volunteering their time and Rotarians on hand to help.

The Boronia Rotary Club wanted to do more for the youth in their community and the Youth Skills Shed has now been up and running for nearly a year. (Tanya Steele)

Claim machete bins cost the government $325,000 is false

By Matthew Elmas, AAP FactCheck

WHAT WAS CLAIMED

Victoria’s machete disposal bins cost $325,000 each.

OUR VERDICT

False. The calculation method for the bin costs is incorrect. The government says the bins cost around $2400 each.

AAP FACTCHECK - Federal and state politicians are falsely claiming machete disposal bins installed across Victoria cost $325,000 each - or about the same as a Ferrari.

The figure has been miscalculated, dividing the $13 million budget for the entire machete amnesty program (which also includes an educational campaign and public awareness drive) by the number of bins installed across the state.

The Victorian government told AAP FactCheck the bins cost about $2400 each.

With a statewide ban on machetes now in force, the three-month amnesty scheme allows owners to dispose of their weapons anonymously.

Under the scheme, the government is funding education and awareness campaigns, the installation of machete deposit bins across the state, and plans for safe disposal.

The false claims about the cost of the bins have been made by the Victorian Liberal Party, including Opposition youth minister Nicole Werner.

In a Facebook video, Ms Werner compares the supposed $325,000 cost of each bin to a luxury sports car.

“$325,000 a pop - you could buy a Ferrari with that,” Ms Werner says. “$13 million for 40 bins - if you do the maths on that … that is $325,000 spent per bin, these bins that look like

charity bins at an op shop.”

The Victorian Liberal Party has made the same claim on its Facebook page, while federal Liberal MP Jason Wood has also cited the figure in a widely shared post. “How could one machete bin cost $325K?!” Mr Wood says in a Facebook post dated 14 August 2025.

Croydon MP David Hodgett and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish also circulated the $13 million cost claim in social media posts.

The false claims have spread more widely on social media too, with a series of commentators repeating the $325,000 figure.

Neither Mr Wood nor Ms Werner responded to AAP FactCheck’s request for evidence, though Ms Werner does detail how the $325,000 was calculated in her post.

She divides the $13 million in funding allocated to the whole machete amnesty program in the 2025/26 Victorian budget by 40, which

is close to the number of disposal bins (45) installed by the state government.

This method, however, drastically overestimates the cost of each bin because the $13 million program funding covers more than just the bins themselves. A briefing provided to Victoria’s Public Accounts and Estimates Committee in June 2025 details a series of other elements to be funded with the $13 million (page three), including a public awareness campaign and an education program focused on machete retailers.

The bins are a small part of the overall funding package, costing about $2400 each, data sent to AAP FactCheck by the Victorian government reveals.

AAP FactCheck requested further detail, including a detailed breakdown of how much each element of the scheme will cost, but no data was provided. As some elements of the program haven’t yet taken place, including the safe disposal of surrendered machetes, the final budget cost is unclear.

The $2400 price tag is, however, consistent with the price quoted online for steel charity bins by a prominent Victorian metal company. The claim has also been addressed in the Victorian parliament, with acting speaker Daniela De Martino also citing the $2400 price per bin.

“The entire project, that $13 million, includes public awareness, retailer education, manufacturing and installation of the machete safe disposal bins,” she added (page 92).

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky, TikTok and YouTube.

Call Rosemary today on 03 9735 5944 to arrange

AAP FactCheck confirmed the individual cost of the Machete Amnesty Safety Disposal Bin was $2400, not over $300,000 as claimed. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

Kids keen to leaf a legacy

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Belgrave Heights Christian School didn’t just leaf it to chance on Wednesday, 10 September, students, staff, parents, and MP Aaron Violi got their hands dirty for the 15th annual Keen on Green day, planting 1400 native trees.

The event celebrated the school’s commitment to environmental stewardship and has seen over 15,000 plants added to the grounds since its inception.

Principal Peter Cliffe said the day instils responsibility and hope in students, while James Mathews called it a “living classroom.”

Year 6 captain Eleanor Bird said, “We value trees and the life they bring.”

Timothy Sugumar (BHCS Teacher).

Henry M (Year 7) with Peter Cliffe (BHCS Principal).

Over 15 years, the school has planted more than 15,000 native species.

Sophie R (Year 4) and her mum, Catherine Rashleigh (BHCS parent), helped out during planting day.

Jessie T (Year 8) helping Jed W (Prep).

Left to right: Penelope S (Year 2), Jayah N (Year 8), Bethany W (Year 2), and Cecilia M (Year 2).

Ivy-Lou W (Year 4).

Year 6 students lend a hand to their Prep buddies during a planting day. (Supplied)

Year 6 students helping their Prep buddies with planting.

Casey Federal Member, Aaron Violi also attended Belgrave Heights planting day.

Hamish H (Year 5) enjoyed his day out planting.

For the love of environment

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A shared love for the environment brought students, parents, staff, and special guest Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi together on Wednesday, 10 September for Belgrave Heights Christian School’s 15th annual Keen on Green planting day, a beloved tradition that has become a cornerstone of the school’s identity.

Set against the backdrop of the picturesque Dandenong Ranges, the event saw hundreds of participants gather along the Monbulk Creek corridor, where 1400 native trees and shrubs were planted to help restore habitat and promote environmental stewardship.

Mr Violi joined the school community in rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty for the cause.

The school’s principal Peter Cliffe said Keen on Green is one of the most anticipated events on the school calendar, not just for its environmental impact, but for the values it instils in students.

“It’s a day when our entire school community, students, parents, and staff come together with a shared heart and purpose: to be good stewards of the beautiful land we are blessed to have as our school home,” Mr Cliffe said.

“This isn’t just about planting trees; it’s about embedding a sense of responsibility and hope in every student, creating a legacy of environmental stewardship that will grow for years to come.”

Over the past 15 years, the school has planted more than 15,000 native species across the campus, transforming it from a once bare and blackberry-infested campground into a thriving natural habitat.

The result has been a noticeable increase in local wildlife, including native birds like crimson and eastern rosellas, kookaburras, and more recently, sightings of a buff-banded rail and a sugar glider.

For the head of environmental studies and recipient of the 2025 Christian Teacher of the Year Award, James Mathews, the day was a living classroom, one where learning goes well beyond the textbook.

“Take a moment to look at the wattle and blackwood trees flowering behind you. These trees were planted by students just like you 10 years ago,” Mr Mathews told students during the event.

“Now, imagine yourself a decade from now and where you’ll be. Just remember then, the students who come after you will be enjoying the beautiful benefits of the plants you’ve put into the ground today. You’ve done something to be proud of, a truly life-giving thing.”

The planting day also stimulates connections

Kids keen to leaf a legacy

From Page 8

between age groups.

In keeping with tradition, older students were paired with younger buddies, creating moments of mentorship and unity.

One teacher described the transformation, “For a moment the Year 9s dropped their teenage facade and became engaged, responsible, and social people as they planted with their Year 2 buddies. It was a beautiful moment to witness.”

Year 6 school captain, Eleanor Bird summed up the sentiment shared by many of her peers.

“At this school, we value trees and the life that they bring. On Keen on Green day, we get to appreciate nature. We all always have a great day,” she said.

With many more plants still to go into the ground and plenty of students eager to carry on the tradition, Belgrave Heights Christian School remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental stewardship.

For this community, Keen on Green is more than just a day of planting, it’s a legacy in full bloom.

James Mathews (BHCS Head of Enviro), Aaron Violi (Federal Member for Casey), and Peter Cliffe (BHCS Principal).

Jacob G (Year 1) helping out on Planting Day.

L-R: Stella T, Sophie R, Addison R, and Sienna M (all Year 4). (Supplied)

Belgrave Heights Christian School’s celebrated its 15th annual ‘Keen on Green’ planting day. (Supplied)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Private works, public tribute

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

For most of his life, Emerald artist, Stewart MacInnes quietly created in the background with painting, sculpting, drawing and writing poetry not for fame, but for something far more personal and now, his family has brought that world into the light with a retrospective exhibition at Burrinja in Upwey, celebrating the late Mr MacInnes’s life and work.

The exhibition of Stewart MacInnes, ‘A Life in Art’, opened on Father’s Day, Sunday, 7 September, and will be open to the public until 19 October.

It includes decades’ worth of artwork across multiple mediums, alongside a short film featuring archival footage and interviews with family members.

Mr MacInnes, a long-time Emerald local, was a prolific yet private artist who rarely exhibited, his daughter, Cat MacInnes, said the family always knew how important art was to him, even if he never sought public recognition.

“There’s something he said once that’s always stuck with us, he said, ‘Art is the key to my existence, and it carried me through.’ That just says everything, really,” Ms MacInnes said.

“He didn’t do it for recognition. He did it because he needed to. It was therapy. It was survival. It was just something deep inside him that he had to do.”

Mr MacInnes’s wife, Carole MacInnes, said the idea for the exhibition was born in the most difficult of times, during his final months in care, when he was dying and visits were limited due to COVID restrictions.

“We could only see him one at a time, and during one of my visits, I told him that I really wanted to exhibit his work,” she said.

“And what I didn’t know at the time was that each of our children went in and told him the exact same thing, completely unplanned, that’s when I knew we had to do it.”

While his work was largely kept within the family, Mr MacInnes’s talent did receive early recognition, with acquisitions by the National Gallery of Victoria and the Art Gallery of Western Australia shortly after he completed his art studies in the 1950s.

“There’s one piece in the NGV that’s absolutely masterful,” Mrs MacInnes said.

“And the one that people see first when they walk into the gallery now, it’s from that same period. It’s like a renaissance masterpiece in my mind.”

Yet even with this formal recognition, Mr MacInnes remained modest and uninterested in the spotlight.

“He wasn’t one to self-promote, he wasn’t like some artists who are always putting themselves forward. He just created, constantly, quietly, from the heart and the mind,” Mrs MacInnes said.

The exhibition includes a deeply personal short film made by Mr MacInnes’s grandson, which Ms MacInnes said was unexpectedly emotional to watch.

“There’s footage of Dad at the end that I didn’t know was in there. I wasn’t ready for it,” she said.

“It was really lovely to see him again, but really hard too. It kind of felt like he was in the room again.”

For the MacInnes family, the exhibition is also a way of sharing their memories and connection to individual pieces.

One painting in particular, featured on the catalogue cover and invitation, holds a special place in their hearts.

“That one’s not for sale,” Ms MacInnes said.

“It’s always hung on the main wall at Mum’s house. It’s just part of our family, really. And there are these beautiful little details, like when we were kids, he used to draw with us, and sometimes he’d hide a little cat or a rhino in the painting, just to make us laugh. Then he’d paint over it. But it’s still there underneath.”

Mrs MacInnes agreed, “It’s a very emotional piece for all of us. It’s part of our lives, and I think everyone in the family feels that. It’s not just a painting, it’s a memory.”

Mr MacInnes’s artistic practice spanned more than 60 years, beginning seriously around 1956,

though he’d been drawing since childhood.

Over the years, he explored a range of mediums, painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and poetry, often working late into the night in his garden studio.

“He was a gardener by day, which he actually found really meditative too,” Ms MacInnes said.

“Then he’d come in, have dinner, and after that he’d disappear into the studio. He’d be out there for hours. It was just this constant drive, this need to create.”

Asked to describe his work, the family settled on three words: free-flowing, emotional, and honest.

“It was never contrived, it wasn’t uptight, it wasn’t planned out to be anything. It just came naturally. Everything he did flowed from a real place,” Mrs MacInnes said.

Although deeply introspective, Mr MacInnes’s poetry and artwork often focused on the human figure and condition, anatomy, shapes, and repetition -with a strong sense of identity present in each piece.

“There’s always a kind of presence in his work,” Mrs MacInnes said.

“You can see the person in the creation, it has a real weight to it, a personality.”

The process of putting the exhibition together was a family effort, from cataloguing, to layout, to design.

“It took about five or six months all up,” Mrs MacInnes said.

“We were lucky to have a creative family. Our daughter Catherine designed the flyer and catalogue, Helen made a beautiful book of all his work that’s available at the gallery, and there are also his poetry books. Everyone got involved. It felt right.”

Now, as the public begins to engage with Mr MacInnes’s work, the family hopes visitors leave with a sense of the man behind the canvas, not just as an artist, but as a human being.

“I hope people can feel the intensity and honesty in his work,” Mrs MacInnes said.

“He was a true artist. Quiet, but deep. Someone who created because he had to, because it was in him.”

Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival program launched

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

With excitement building for the inaugural Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival this October, the festival program was officially launched last week at a special event in Belgrave.

The program launch was held on Thursday, 11 September at The Blacksmith on Burwood Highway, brought many locals, creatives, community leaders and supporters together.

Acclaimed local author Lia Hills was the evening’s guest speaker, delivering a heartfelt address before officially launching the festival’s full program.

Guests included Cr Peter McIlwain and Cr Jeff Marriott from Yarra Ranges Council, the festival’s primary supporter, along with the Council’s Community Connections Officer Janette Scott, Federal MP Aaron Violi, and director of Bendigo Bank Upwey, Thomas Kern.

The festival chair Marian Matta described the launch as “a thank you to our sponsors” and an important moment for the community.

“Lia spoke beautifully, and her work

resonates so strongly with our theme of A Sense of Place,” Ms Matta said.

“The support in the room was a reminder of how much this region values stories and local voices.”

The event also marked the official opening of ticket sales, which Ms Matta confirmed were “ going very well”.

The idea for the festival emerged from a noticeable absence in the local cultural calendar.

“We hadn’t had a literary festival locally for at least 16 years and certainly not in the southern Dandenongs,” Ms Matta said.

“Once the idea was out there, the response was immediate. Everyone seemed to agree, we really should have one.”

Running across the weekend of 17–18 October, the festival will feature more than 30 authors in over a dozen panel discussions and workshops.

Events will take place at Cameo Cinemas, the Belgrave Hub and Belgrave Library, all centred around the festival’s theme: A Sense of Place.

Internationally acclaimed author Hannah Kent (Burial Rites) will open the festival on 17 October and will also speak on a panel the following day about her new memoir Always Home, Always Homesick.

Other featured authors include Carly Findlay, Christian White, Shelley Burr, Amy Doak, Alli Parker, Emmy Webbers and Kimberley Allsopp.

Ms Hills, who will appear on the panel Sense

of Place: how landscape shapes our stories, said the festival was a much-needed addition to the Hills’ already vibrant cultural scene.

“The Hills has a thriving cultural life, but the lack of a literary festival always felt like a missed opportunity,” she said.

“This is a wonderful chance for people to come together to think, explore, be challenged and share ideas.”

Alongside paid sessions, the festival will also offer free community events, including children’s readings at Belgrave Library, writing sprints and a book swap through Belgrave’s Main Street.

Ms Matta said strong local collaboration, including sponsorship from Bendigo Bank and support from Yarra Ranges Council, has been essential to bringing the vision to life.

“There’s no way we could do it without the community. Volunteers, ticket buyers, sponsors, everyone plays a part. It’s about building something sustainable and meaningful for the long term,” she said.

Tickets are now available via dandyrangeslitfest.net

Festival committee members. (Supplied)

Carole MacInnes and her daughter Cat McInnes with a sculpture by Stewart McInnes. (Stewart Chambers: 502505)

Cat McInnes and her mum Carole with Reclining Woman. (502505)

Carole and her daughter Cat McInnes with artwork by Stewart McInnes. (502505)

Carole MacInnes and her daughter Cat with artwork by Stewart McInnes. (502505)

Healthcare fight persists

For the past three years, I’ve heard a consistent message from families and residents of all ages: we need better access to healthcare in our community.

I’ve spoken with parents who can’t find a bulkbilled GP appointment for their children, locals travelling over an hour to access an emergency room and seniors facing onerous waits for essential home care supports.

I am proud to have fought for our region in Parliament, highlighting the unfair delays elderly residents are facing in receiving their home care packages and leading our petition for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the Yarra Ranges.

Our petition and constant pressure worked.

In this last sitting of Parliament, the government was compelled to release a further 20,000

From my From my desk

Federal Member for Casey

new home care packages to support older Australians who have been left waiting for far too long.

Labor had previously promised to deliver an additional 83,000 home care places from 1 July 2025, but not one new home care package has been released since last financial year.

Run – don’t walk – to this film, you won’t regret it

4.5/5

The Long Walk is the third and by far the best Stephen King adaptation of 2025 (after The Monkey and The Life of Chuck), In a totalitarian future United States, 50 contestants must walk non-stop across the country, with the winner being the sole survivor.

As the title suggests, The Long Walk (based on King’s 1979 novel) is a film of mostly walking and talking, but it’s perhaps the most gripping, gut-wrenching mainstream film of the year.

The footsteps of the contestants become the pulse of the film, and the hope, despair and growing fatigue of every walker is palpable.

The characters are nuanced and engaging, and the enthralling dialogue is intricate but still feels natural (the hallmark of a good book-to-movie conversion). Garraty (Cooper Hoffman) and McVries (David Jonsson) form a powerful bond and drive each other onward, and The Long Walk cements both actors as rising stars.

Mark Hamill makes a hateful impression despite his limited screen-time as the sadistic Major overseeing the Walk.

The phenomenal cinematography often evokes Depression-era photography, features frequent long takes, serene landscape shots and tight, immersive close-ups, and makes brilliant use of foreground and background to maintain tension.

Garraty will have a moment of support or humour with a fellow walker, but another walker in the periphery, stumbling along or deathly pale, keeps the depravity of the situation never far from our minds.

The Long Walk also rivals 28 Years Later for graphic violence, but while the deaths are horrific and unfair, they never feel gratuitous.

My only issue with the film is the unmemorable, slightly overwrought score.

A riveting thriller suffused with rich character work, remarkable cinematography, stark cruelty and human connection, The Long Walk is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

The number of elderly Australians waiting to receive care in the home has grown from 87,000 in March to 108,000 in July – not to mention the further 121,000 still waiting to be assessed for help at home under this government.

I’m proud that through our advocacy we have been able to deliver this significant support for older Australians across the country.

It will have a meaningful impact on families here in Casey.

Our campaign for a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic in the Yarra Ranges was also successful in getting Labor to listen to our needs.

I recently received confirmation that a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic will be established in Lilydale.

This is a huge win for our community which

was only made possible through the thousands of locals who signed our petition and shared their stories.

But while a clinic in Lilydale is a step forward, this location does little to help families in our rural and remote areas who are still left travelling long distances to access healthcare.

Labor’s candidate during the election said on more than one occasion that Healesville would be the location for the Urgent Care Clinic, which has left Healesville and Upper Yarra residents feeling understandably misled.

Together, we have had some great wins. I will keep pushing for the access to healthcare that our community needs and deserves right across our region - for residents at every stage of life.

The 1812 Theatre

Speaking in Tongues

Nine lives weave together on ways known and unknown in Andrew Bovell’s piercing drama Speaking in Tongues.

Prepare for onstage delight Kemp’s curtain call

Leon is married to Sonja. Jane is married to Pete. By chance, each spouse meets the other’s one night and wind up in motel rooms. Pete and Sonja resist the one-night stand; Leon and Jane do not. A lonely man, Neil, pines for the love of his life, Sarah, who moved on decades ago. A woman, Valerie, goes missing, and her stiletto was last seen in Nick’s car.

Love, marriage, infidelity and betrayal are all tackled in this tense, electrifying play about relationships between lovers, strangers, and the infinite ways people wound each other.

• Season: 2 – 25 October.

Gemco Theatre

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The Gemco Players invite you to a deliciously magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Meet the eccentric Willy Wonka, the kind-hearted Charlie Bucket, and a cast of unforgettable characters in this family-friendly musical packed with laughter, mischief and

toe-tapping songs.

• Season: 3 – 18 October.

Gasworks Arts Park

It is a vibrant arts precinct in Albert Park, offering theatre, visual arts, workshops, and community events. Committed to creativity and engagement, Gasworks continues to be a hub for innovative and inspiring arts experiences in Melbourne.

Melbourne Fringe Festival at Gasworks Gasworks Park is thrilled to announce its exciting program for the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2025, running from 30 September to 19 October. Audiences of all ages can look forward to an extraordinary mix of theatre, circus, cabaret, music, and interactive experiences.

Sense of Place in Belgrave

The inaugural Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival will take place in Belgrave on 17-18 October.

The festival program was launched last Thursday, with tickets to more than a dozen panel discussions and workshops available for purchase NOW.

The festival’s theme this year is “A Sense of Place”.

As festival chair and local author Marian Matta pointed out, it’s a notion with “unlimited possibilities – place as home, place as state of mind, place as inspiration or threat or query”.

A place makes sense and remains meaningful because of people – those who live and work here, those who spend time exploring and embracing its beauty, those who are informed and empowered by its resources, and those who cherish and celebrate its potentials.

In other words, a sense of place arises from our connection with it.

It’s through our relationship with a place –something that we strive to establish and maintain – that we can claim to know and love it. Indeed, we refer to ourselves as the “locals” only after we have contributed to and in turn been shaped by the place we call “home”.

Without a sense of place to position and anchor us, we can’t have a sense of belonging.

As novelist and poet Wendell Berry once suggested: “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.”

Writer William Kittredge described it even better: “Places come to exist in our imaginations because of stories, and so do we. When we reach for a ‘sense of place’, we posit an intimate relationship to a set of stories connected to a particular location, thinking of histories and the evolution of personalities in a local context.”

At the festival program launch, Lyster Ward Councillor Peter Mcilwain recalled how he used to read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to his young son.

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

As much as books help us develop empathy and “put us in other people’s heads” as he described it, such endearing and everlasting memories with family helped cement his sense of home in the Dandenong Ranges.

Meanwhile, local author Lia Hills remembered how the hills have nurtured many writers and artists throughout the years.

When Norwegian author Jostein Gaarder visited the 2010 Melbourne Writers Festival to discuss his international bestseller Sophie’s World, it’s Hills who invited him for a drink in Upwey, in the “outskirts of Belgrave” as she fondly described it. Both Mcilwain and Hills emphasised the importance of discussing and exchanging ideas in a time of division and polarisation.

In the latter’s words, of ultimate significance is an environment “where the community is committed to the deeper engagement required when reading or writing a book”.

To borrow local journalist Charisse Ede’s words, the forthcoming Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival will be a superb opportunity for people to “come together to think, explore, be challenged, laugh and share ideas”. It’s time to reflect on our sense of place, to celebrate our vibrant community, and to enjoy our diverse cultural richness.

The Long Walk Starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson and Mark Hamill MA15+

Seniors Festival fun in Cardinia Shire

Throughout October, over 30 local events will take place in Cardinia Shire to celebrate the Victorian Seniors Festival. These events are made possible by the remarkable support of the Cardinia Seniors Network, which consists of dedicated and active older residents representing a diverse array of community groups across the shire.

The month-long program offers a variety of free and low-cost activities for older residents to explore new interests and create connections within the community. This year’s theme is “Connect, Create, Celebrate,” inviting older Victorians to come together, discover new hobbies, and celebrate coming together in their community. There’s something for everyone! Join in the celebration of positive ageing by participating in events and activities happening near you or across Victoria as part of this statewide festival.

Cardinia Shire residents are spoilt for choice with something for everyone to get involved in and have some fun. A small sample of local events includes:

• Live Art Demonstrations at Moy-Yan Neighbourhood House

• Men’s Spit Roast & Wellness Day at Koo Wee Rup Men’s Shed

• Thursday Lounge Live entertainment at CCC

• Men’s Morning Tea at Fernlea Community House

• Pakenham and surrounds community garage sale

• Life in the Senior’s Lane photography exhibition and panel discussion

• Falls and Injury Prevention series with Monash Health at Cardinia Life

• Dementia friendly games days in Pakenham and Koo Wee Rup

• Bush bites - truffle delights, An indigenous experience with Pakenham U3a

• Anything You Can Do, Sip and See live performance at CCC.

All events in Cardinia Shire are free or low-cost, and some may require booking in advance.

Victorian Seniors Card holders can also enjoy eight days of free public transport throughout Victoria from 5 to 12 October 2025; This includes access to all metropolitan services, V/Line train and coach services, and selected regional bus services. There are also plenty of events happening in the city and across the state throughout October. Highlighted events outside of Cardinia Shire include:

• Celebration Day at Federation Square on Sunday, 5 October

• ACMI Seniors Film Festival, 6-12 October

• Big Band Dance at Melbourne Town Hall on Tuesday, 7 October

• Songs of Judy Garland at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday, 9 October

Residents can collect a statewide festival guide from Coles supermarkets or view the statewide events calendar at www. seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festival.

To view the full Cardinia Shire Seniors Festival calendar of events or for more information about the Seniors Festival, visit www. cardinia.vic.gov.au/seniorsfestival

Celebrate the Victorian Seniors Festival in Cardinia Shire

Join us this October for a month-long celebration of seniors with over 30 free and low cost events, including:

- Live Art Demonstrations

- Men’s Spit Roast & Wellness Day

- Photography Exhibition

- Dementia Friendly Games Day

- Live Performance

For more details, visit cardinia.vic.gov.au/seniorsfestival Free Activities & Transport Victorian Seniors Card holderscanalsoenjoy freepublictransport from 5 to 12 October.

OPINION

Future shock

By Maria Millers

Just by chance this week I came across a copy of Alvin Toffler’s 1970 book Future Shock.

Toffler’s main idea was that societies were entering an era of rapid, exponential change, and that this pace of change, particularly in technologies would soon outstrip human psychological and social ability to cope.

Looking at the many problems we are daily confronted with either in our own lives, those of our nearest and dearest or the many instances of breakdowns in social cohesion, it seems Toffler was anticipating what is happening now.

Today we are experiencing a cultural lag as technology evolves faster than values, ethics, and laws.

But writers and thinkers have long reflected on how changes can create disorientation and social problems.

Writing in 1934 T S Eliot’s concerns seem eerily relatable.

T.S. Eliot – The Rock (Excerpt, 1934)

The endless cycle of idea and action, Endless invention, endless experiment, Brings knowledge of motion, but not of stillness; Knowledge of speech, but not of silence; Knowledge of words, and ignorance of the Word.

All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance,

All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,

But nearness to death no nearer to God.

Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information

Today the pace of change in all areas of our lives has accelerated.

Nothing lasts: from kitchen appliances to ideas and careers, as we are forced to make constant changes.

It’s no wonder that many are suffering anxiety, depression and a sense of rootlessness, particularly the young.

Digital life creates virtual belonging but isolates physically.

Gangs, extremism, or criminal networks offer identity and structure.

Young people may not see old rules as relevant.

Social norms break down; deviance becomes normalized or even glorified online.

This search for belonging may lead to finding a ‘home’ in a gang.

There are characters at large that resemble Fagin inOliverTwistwhotaughttheyounghomelessboys in Dickens London how to pickpocket, and then fenced their stolen goods.

Toffler doesn’t excuse crime but acknowledges that people may act out destructively in an overstressed, rapidly changing world.

Other factors also play a part: poverty, education, inequality, mental health.

Toffler argued that, If society fails to help people adapt to the future, they will rebel against it in whatever ways they can.”

Toffler warned that future shock creates a ‘subculture of the rootless’ — disconnected people more prone to acting out their frustrations.

Like the many recent instances of youth behaving badly: from car-jacking, brazen thefts in supermarkets to the far too many instances of gang attacks tragically often ending in death.

Violence and antisocial content becomes entertainment.

Toffler points out: Theruleshaven’tcaughtupwith thereality”—andinthechaos,antisocialbehaviour becomes an outlet or a protest.

Constant media, AI-generated content, and algorithmic engagement reduce empathy.

Toffler noted the dangers of information overload leading to emotional numbness and impulsivity.

Understandably many are calling for harsher punishments without looking deeper into why this is happening.

Locking up and throwing away the keys as many would like to happen does not solve the problem.

Many people are now experiencing insecure employment, housing stress, homelessness or domestic violence.

Job insecurity exists in the face of galloping technology and the pressures of the unknown spectre of A1.

Long gone are the days when after leaving school you could find a job in retail, banking or as an apprentice and be certain of long time security.

This week’s ANZ announced that 3500 would be redundant by next September, also impacting 1000 contractors.

WOORILLA WORDS

This is but one example of job insecurity many face.

A sword of Democles hangs over many who struggle with mortgage repayments.

AI was not Toffler’s main focus, but he anticipated its disruptive psychological and societal impacts, experienced when confronted with too much change in too short a time.

He identified areas like information overload: today social media algorithms, endless news feeds, and data deluge driven by AI require constant filtering and mental energy.

In Jorie Graham’s Fast her fractured lines mimic the breakneck pace of screens, feeds and alerts, all vying for our attention.

The whole world is inside you now, bones and all, the clicking, clicking

In many ways, we are living in the world Toffler warned about, with AI acting as a key accelerant of the very forces he described.

His concept of “future shock” is a powerful lens for understanding today’s AI anxiety and the stress of constant, unpredictable change.

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn

This quote captures Toffler’s belief that in an age of rapid technological change, adaptability is the new literacy.

While Future Shock doesn’t centre AI as its main subject, Toffler foresaw the impact of intelligent machines, automation, and decision-making systems that resemble what we now call AI.

The question is whether we are preparing the next generation to cope with the tsunami of changes in every aspect of their lives that will engulf them.

Machines will increasingly replace human workers, not just in manual labour but in decisionmaking roles.

Super-industrial societies will rely on information and knowledge work rather than traditional labour.

Human beings will struggle to keep up with technological complexity and data volumes, leading to a need for decision-support systems (which we now often use AI for).

Toffler didn’t predict AI directly, but he predicted rapid technological effects on society with startling accuracy.

He warned that if we don’t intentionally manage technological change, we’d risk psychological burnout, social fragmentation, and loss of meaning—all of which are now being amplified by AI.

We must not forget the many benefits that advanced technology has brought to us and will only continue to do so: Early diagnosis and precision medicine, automation of repetitive tasks, climate modelling and prediction, smart factories AI-powered robotics. And creatives are increasingly embracing the part AI helps generate art, music, writing, and design, sparking new forms of creativity.

In Toffler’s words, ‘it’s not just a technological crisis.

It’s a “crisis of adaptation’ — and if society doesn’t adopt lifelong learning and constant reskilling in the face of AI disruption then we face a dysfunctional society.

At the same time our leaders and lawmakers must ensure that the new reality is acknowledged. And we must treat these changes as positive outcomes of centuries of human ingenuity but remember to use these innovation as tools for a better society and not as our masters.

Richard Brautigan in All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace imagines a future where technology is both intimate and integrated with life.

I like to think (and the sooner the better!) of a cybernetic meadow where mammals and computers live together in mutually programming harmony

Emerald seeks harmony

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

The Hills Hub in Emerald will come alive with songs of harmony on Sunday, 21 September, as local choirs unite for a free community concert to mark the International Day of Peace.

The event hosted by the Lyrebirds Community Choir from Cockatoo is part of the global ‘Sing for Unity’ movement and will feature performances from Sweet Sassafras Community Choir, The Colour Notes, and Emerald’s own youth group, Tune In - Group Music.

Lyrebirds’ musical director, Dalys Mithen, said the event is about more than just music.

“Being a part of the global Sing for Unity movement feels incredibly special,” Ms Mithen said.

“We create so much joy by singing and connecting together as a group, and to share that experience with other choirs at the concert we are hosting will spread that connection and joy to expand across the Hills.”

“To be part of a global movement singing together at the same time spreads that feeling of connection and joy across the world. We are very honoured to be a part of this.”

The concert will open with an address by Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino, before each group performs their own set of songs and after afternoon tea, generously provided by the Emerald and District Lions Club, all choirs will unite on stage for a grand finale performance.

Ms Mithen said singing is a powerful way to bring people together.

“When people sing together they breathe together – this alone aids well-being and deep connection. Singing has been proven to produce feelgood hormones in the body. When this is done in a group of people, and our sound waves are resonating at the same time, those amazing feelings are

amplified,” she said.

“Singing and music give people from very different walks of life a reason to come together and connect, where they might never otherwise. We have around 50 Lyrebirds members - aged from 20 up to late 70s.”

“I can’t think of another experience that enables such varied people to connect so intimately. Music breaks down societal barriers.”

The event is the result of months of collaboration between choirs, local organisations, and community members.

“Hosting a multi-choir event was something we’d talked about doing over the years,” Ms Mithen said.

“When one of our committee members, Elise Turnedge, saw an ad for Sing for Unity she jumped on the opportunity to create this event.”

“Through her connections to the Bendigo Bank and the Lions Club we were able to receive some sponsorship to help out. One of our members works for Ranges First National so she helped out with the billboards. Through the beautiful network Community Music Victoria has created, we have connections with many other choirs across Victoria.”

This will be the first time the Lyrebirds share the stage with The Colour Notes Choir, a collaboration that came about through the Dandenong Ranges Music Council.

“We’ve performed with Tune In and Sweet Sas-

safras before, but this is the first time with The Colour Notes, which is exciting,” Ms Mithen said.

Among the performers will be Ms Mithen’s children’s group, Tune In, a program she created for kids of all abilities to learn singing in small groups.

“Some of the kids performing on 21/9 only started this term and have never been on a stage before – so it’s a really big deal! We’ve also been lucky enough to work with the incredible Gülsen Özer on some choreography,” she said.

“I’m so excited for the kids to experience the power of singing together with around 100 other people.”

As for the music itself, Ms Mithen said audiences can expect songs filled with meaning and hope.

“The songs we will sing all together are Harbour by Anna Tabbush and Lingmarra by Balang T.E. Lewis. Harbour is a song about providing refuge for people when they need it – the chorus says: ‘For our door is always open, and our hearth is always warm. When you need a place to shelter, we’re a harbour in the storm,’” she said.

“We sing this song to promote peace in a world that is experiencing so much war and unrest.”

Lingmarra literally means ‘We all come together’ in Kriol, an Indigenous language from Arnhem Land.

“We sing this song to strengthen and promote community, and unity with people across the globe,” Ms Mithen said.

The event runs from 2pm to 4.30pm, and entry is free.

Attendees are encouraged to simply show up and enjoy an uplifting afternoon of music, community and connection.

When asked how she hopes people will feel as they leave the venue, Ms Mithen replied, “Full of joy and hope for the future.”

The Hills are calling again as R.U.T.H run returns

The hills are calling once again, with the R.U.T.H. Run (Running Up That Hill) set to return in 2025 on September 21st at Birdsland Reserve, after the overwhelming success of last year’s event.

Launched in 2024 by Mums of the Hills as part of their Empowering Women initiative, the R.U.T.H. Run quickly became more than just a fitness challenge.

It brought together people of all ages and fitness levels to walk, jog, shuffle, or sprint their way through some of the Dandenong Ranges’ most iconic hills, proving that showing up matters more than how fast you move.

Last year’s inaugural event drew participants from across the Yarra Ranges and beyond, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and shared achievement. While some came to test their fitness, many came simply to connect with friends, with community, and with themselves.

“People arrived thinking they were signing up for a run,” said event coordinator and Mums of the Hills President, Belinda Young.

“What they found was encouragement, laughter, and the reminder that we can all do

hard things when we do them together.”

The event’s name carries a double meaning, inspired both by Kate Bush’s iconic anthem Running Up That Hill and Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s famous words:“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”

Together, these two references capture the

heart of the R.U.T.H. Run — facing challenges, building strength, and creating lasting change, one step at a time. Alongside building community connection, the R.U.T.H. Run also supports an important cause.

“The R.U.T.H. Run also raises funds for the Black Dog Institute, the only medical research institute in Australia that investigates mental health across the lifespan, from childhood to adulthood,” said Ms Young.

A portion of every registration goes directly to supporting this vital research and developing resources to improve mental health outcomes across the country.

Participants will enjoy the energy and inclusivity of the event itself, but every entry includes a catered post-event breakfast, a unique runner’s medal, handmade from timber that fell during the June 2021 Dandenong Ranges storm, and a donation to the Black Dog Institute, supporting mental health research and resources.

“These small touches make the event feel special,” Ms Young said.

“Every medal tells a story of resilience, just

like every runner.”

Building on last year’s success, organisers are promising another inclusive, uplifting experience.

This year, the R.U.T.H. Run continues to welcome everyone in the community. From experienced runners, weekend walkers, or a person who just wants to be part of something bigger.

“It’s not about who gets to the finish line first,” Ms Young said.

“It’s about showing up, being part of a supportive community, and proving to yourself that you can do it.”

Early registration close on Sunday September 14.

Those who register by this date will automatically go into a special prize draw for vouchers at the local theatre, Cameo in Belgrave and the Treetop Adventures Park.

Spots are limited, and early registration helps organisers plan resources, volunteers, and safety measures for the day.

For more details or to register visit mumsofthehills.com.au/events.

Coming up for September 21, the event welcomes all to Birdsland in Belgrave Heights.

(Sliding Door Photography)

The Lyrebirds Community Choir. (Supplied)

MOUNT ROYAL MANOR

MOUNT ROYAL MANOR WITH OPTION TO GROW

A local landmark on lush acreage with spectacular views, Fletchers Yarra Ranges is proud to present magnificent “Mount Royal Manor”. A palatial dwelling framed by an inground pool and outdoor entertaining area with sauna, ground person’s bungalow, 6-car garage, 2-car in-house garage and single carport, greenhouse, glasshouse, and landscaped gardens with ornate water features, this property feels a million miles from civilisation while, in fact, only moments from amenities. Inside this incredible residence, the sense of grandeur is palpable. The split-level lounge boasts intricate coffered ceilings, a show-stopping marble fire, and a wrought iron circular staircase that leads to the lower level billiards room. The adjacent formal dining area features parquet flooring, decorative ceiling panels, and crystal chandeliers. The neighbouring open plan kitchen with granite benchtops overlooks the spacious meals area and sprawling level lawn framed by leafy gardens. For versatility, there are 2 upper level bedrooms with spa tub ensuites, 3 family bedrooms with plush carpet and built-in robes, and 2 rooms that could serve as additional accommodation or sizeable home offices. Furthermore, there are luxurious bathrooms on both levels featuring floor to ceiling tiles. Additional highlights include 2 balconies that soak up the exquisite outlooks, sealed drive with dual access, secure gated entry, and the incredible opportunity to purchase the adjoining block with complementary functions building and tennis court. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this prized property. Don’t delay, plan your viewing today. Prominent acreage with gated dual entry and sealed drive

• Magnificent “Mount Royal Manor” on landscaped gardens

• Formal lounge and dining areas with ornate lighting and picture-perfect views

• Open concept kitchen with granite benchtops and garden outlooks Beautiful bedrooms including 2 with ensuites featuring spa tubs 6-car garage, 2-car in-house garage, carport, greenhouse, and glasshouse

• Opulent inground swimming pool with sauna and outdoor kitchen area

• Option to purchase complementary functions building and tennis court Opportunity also available to purchase adjoining lifestyle allotment: https://fletchers.net.au/43739/ lot-1-1317-burwood-highway-upper-ferntreegully ●

A STORYBOOK RETREAT IN TRANQUIL SETTING

TUCKED away in a quiet court in the heart of Gembrook, this enchanting Storybook-style weatherboard home offers the perfect blend of charm, space, and lifestyle on an expansive 2,052m² allotment.

The home is perfectly tailored for growing families boasting three separate living areas, ensuring there’s room for everyone to relax, work, or play.

At the centre of the home, the beautifully renovated kitchen features bamboo benchtops, stainless-steel appliances, and a spacious walk-in pantry. It flows seamlessly into the dining area, where a dramatic vaulted ceiling and French doors opening onto decked outdoor spaces create an atmosphere of light and openness.

The main living room exudes warmth with its wood fire—perfect for cozy winter nights— while a second living zone with a vaulted ceiling and built-in reading nook provides an ideal retreat for quieter moments. The charming mezzanine loft with picturesque treetop views offers a flexible space that could serve as a home office, creative studio, or additional lounge.

Downstairs, the master suite is a private haven, complete with a stylish ensuite and built-in robes. Also on this level is a second bedroom with built-in robes and easy access to an updated central bathroom. Upstairs, three further bedrooms—all with built-in robes—are serviced by the beautiful family bathroom.

A spacious upstairs landing adds further flexibility, ideal for a children’s lounge or open-plan study zone. Comfort is ensured year-round with ducted heating and three split-system air conditioners. The home’s architectural features, including exposed beams, large picture windows, vaulted ceilings, and statement pendant lighting, create a sense of rustic elegance throughout. Lovingly renovated throughout, the home offers a move in and do nothing opportunity that will let you get back to doing the things you love!

The property’s elevated position enhances the restful views, which can be enjoyed from nearly every room. Under the same roofline, a remote double garage with internal access provides both convenience and security.

Step outside and discover a private country escape, where the beautifully landscaped garden offers a perfect balance of open space and functional features.

With a choice of four inviting front verandahs and balconies, you can unwind in peace, soaking up the tranquil birdlife and stunning treetop views.

Alternatively, the large rear deck is the perfect space for entertaining, especially during warm spring and summer evenings.

A variety of fruit trees will appeal to green thumbs, and two garden sheds provide ample storage for tools and equipment. The sealed driveway and additional off-street parking complete the practical aspects of this wellconsidered property.

Ideally positioned just a short stroll from

Gembrook’s bustling Main Street, residents will enjoy easy access to restaurants, cafes, the local primary school, kindergarten, public

transport, and the iconic Puffing Billy Railway. Offering a rare combination of peaceful country living with the convenience of town

amenities, this remarkable home is ready for you to move in and enjoy for many years to come. ●

LOFT IN THE MILL – AN ICONIC OPPORTUNITY

HAVE you ever dreamt of owning a true landmark, just one hour from Melbourne’s CBD? Nestled within romantic countryside and landscaped gardens atop the breathtaking Dandenong Ranges, The Loft in the Mill sits proudly in the heart of Olinda—directly opposite shops, restaurants and only a short stroll to renowned parks and gardens. This is a rare chance to secure a uniquely handcrafted, three-storey architectural masterpiece built from 150-year-old reclaimed bluestone. The property features a sealed 12-space carpark, four private courtyards, and outstanding income. Currently operating as a boutique hotel with an indulgent day spa, the property exudes charm and individuality. Its bespoke architecture and carefully curated interiors create a sensory experience unlike any other. With multiple permits in place, the possibilities are endless—live in, accommodate multigenerational living, continue operating as short-stay or long-term rental accommodation, or explore flexible commercial leasing opportunities. Perfect for those who work from home, run a business, or simply desire additional income while enjoying life closer to nature in a true sanctuary of peace and tranquillity. ●

Mount Royal Manor with Option to Purchase Lifestyle Allotment

• Prominent acreage with gated dual entry and sealed drive

• Magnificent “Mount Royal Manor” on landscaped gardens

• Formal lounge and dining areas with ornate lighting and picture-perfect views

• Open concept kitchen with granite benchtops and garden outlooks

• Beautiful bedrooms including 2 with ensuites featuring spa tubs

• 6-car garage, 2-car in-house garage, carport, greenhouse, and glasshouse

• Opulent inground swimming pool with sauna and outdoor kitchen area

Salisbury Street, Upper Ferntree Gully, Vic

FAMILY COMFORT WITH PLENTY OF SPACE

SET on a generous, usable and child friendly block with dual road access, this beautifully presented three-bedroom home is the perfect entry into one of the hills’ most sought after neighbourhoods. Offering a lifestyle of convenience and comfort, you’re just a short stroll from Upwey’s vibrant main street, train station and local schools, making this an ideal family starter or investment opportunity.

Step inside to discover a light filled, split level floorplan that is enhanced by raked ceilings, timber floors and plush carpets in all bedrooms.

A main feature of the home is the expansive undercover deck, creating a seamless indoor/ outdoor flow and serving as an inviting second living area that is perfect for entertaining throughout the warmer months.

The updated bathroom is a true retreat, featuring a freestanding tub for those relaxing end of day soaks. While the kitchen maintains its classic charm, it has been lovingly maintained and offers ample bench space and garden views that is ideal for keeping an eye on the kids while they play.

Climate comfort is guaranteed year round with ducted heating, multiple split systems, and ceiling fans throughout. For those working from home or in need of extra space, the separate studio/home office is a huge bonus, offering privacy and versatility.

Outside, enjoy the practicality of an excellent storage shed, wood shed, and under house storeroom. The rear vehicle access and additional parking options mean you’re well equipped for guests, trailers, or extra vehicles.

This is your chance to secure a beautifully presented, move in ready home in a tight knit community with everything at your doorstep. Whether you’re upsizing, downsizing, or buying your first home, 84 Mast Gully Road delivers lifestyle, location, and long term value. ●

TRANQUIL FAMILY HAVEN WITH CREEK FRONTAGE

TUCKED away in a peaceful setting, this beautifully presented four-bedroom, twobathroom home offers comfort, character, and a connection to nature.

The front courtyard with fire pit area and the undercover verandah, provide inviting spaces to relax and connect. Step inside to open-plan living, where floating floors, Italian stone kitchen benches, and a generous breakfast bar set the scene for shared meals. The lounge is warmed by a slow-combustion heater with its own bakery/pizza oven, while solar-powered skylights fill the room with natural light. Modern comforts include ducted gas heating, updated wiring and plumbing, and fresh finishes throughout.

The master suite offers fitted robes, ensuite, and private courtyard access, while three further bedrooms (two with garden-view robes) share a stylish central bathroom. At the rear, a north-facing “treetops” deck is perfect for morning coffees or evening drinks.

Outdoors, discover a permanent creek with black trout, bridge and picnic gazebo, the perfect spot to enjoy a lazy lunch, or simply sit back and soak in the peaceful surrounds, plus over 400 native plants that attract a chorus of local birdlife. With a huge aviary or pet enclosure, double carport, garden shed, and space for a future shed (STCA), this property combines everyday practicality with the magic of Hills living.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today.

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

Lifestyle,Space& Flexibilityon6.4Acres. PerfectlypositionedinBelgraveSouth,thisrecentlyrenovated6.4-acrepropertyofferscomfort, privacy& lifestyleappealjustminutesfromshops &witheasyaccesstoWellingtonRoad.A wide entryleadsinto awelcomingfoyer,flowingtoa formallounge &diningroom,withzonedreversecycleductedheating &coolingensuringyear-roundcomfort.Theopen-plankitchen/diningfeatures stonebenchtops,gascooktop,dishwasher,walk-inpantry,while asecondlight-filledlivingarea openstoa largeentertainingdeck.Themastersuiteenjoysa walk-throughrobe &ensuite,joinedby 2furtherbedrooms, acentralbathroom,study/fourthbedroom &laundrywithwalk-instorage.A selfcontained1-bedroomunit,excellentguestorfamilyaccommodation.Outside,establishedgardens, abundantwildlife,3-cargarage,carport& plentifulparkingcompletethispeaceful,privateretreat. 19TempleRoadBelgraveSouth$1,595,000 -$1,730,000

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451 5 A 3 B 4 C

Family,GuestsorIncome,DualHomesonIdyllicAcres Justunder15minutesfromPakenhamona quietno-throughroad,thisremarkablepropertyoffers twohomes,horsefacilitiesandseriousshedding.Themainhomefeaturespolishedhardwood floors,anopenplankitchenwithvalleyviews,spaciousloungewithwoodfire,splitsystem,updated bathroom,threebedrooms,masterwithensuiteandwalk-throughrobe,plus alargecovereddeck totakeintheoutlook.Betweenthehomesis ahugegarageandworkshopwithhoist,rackingand power,plus adoublecarport.Thesecondresidencehasitsowndrivewayandpower —perfectfor family,guestsorrental— withtwobedrooms,modernkitchen,light-filledliving,bigbathroomanda sunnydeck.Enjoy10fencedpaddocks, aroundyard,dayyardsonapprox.two-thirdsclearedland, fullyfencedandreadyforyouandyourhorses.

AOne-of-a-KindOff-GridHaveninGembrook! Seton5 privateacreswithtwospring-fedcreeks,thisremarkablefour-bedroomhomeisanoff-grid retreatlikenoother.A horseshoedrivewayleadsto awideverandahembracingsweepingviews. Inside,soaringceilings,exposedbeamsandtimberfloorsframetheopen-planloungeanddining withwoodfire,ceilingfanandbararea.Thekitchenblendsrusticcharmwithfunction,offering mahoganyandblackwoodbenches,walk-inpantry,hiddenfridge,dishwasher,gas/electriccooking andanIrishStanleyslowcombustionstove.Themasterincludes awalk-throughrobeandensuitestylebathroom,whileupstairstwofurtherbedroomsandduallivingzonescapturetreetopviews. Sustainabilityshineswitha 48vsolarsystem,generatorbackupandmultipleheating/coolingoptions. Withunder-housestorage,a 6m x6mcarportandtotalprivacy,thisisnotjusta home—it’sa lifestyle.

40AcresofFreshAir,Freedom &Fun. Ifyourdreamiswide-openskies,paddockstoroam,anda homethatwelcomesyouatday’send, thisCockatoopropertydelivers.Setonapprox.40acreswithendlessviewsanddirectCockatoo Creekfrontage,itblendscountrycharmwithpracticalliving.Inside,light-filledopen-planliving featureshighceilings,skylights,anddouble-glazedwindowsframingthescenery,withwoodfire,split system,andceilingfanforcomfort.Thekitchenisa delightwithamplebenchspace,cornerpantry, integratedoven,electriccooktop,anddishwasher.Threebedroomsinclude amasterwithrobesand spa-bathroomaccess,plus alaundry,secondtoilet,andgenerousstorage.Stepoutsideto avast undercoverentertainingarea,whilebeyondthehomefivefencedpaddocks,stables,loosestalls, andfive30,000Lwatertankssupporteveryruralpursuit.

CHARMING BRICK HOME, SUN-FILLED SITE

PERFECTLY positioned within walking distance of the Avonsleigh Store, the ever-popular Bam Bam Italian restaurant, and just moments from the heart of Emerald, this beautifully presented brick home offers an unbeatable combination of comfort, convenience, and lifestyle.

Step inside and you’ll be welcomed by a thoughtfully designed, family-friendly floorplan. At its heart, the central kitchen boasts quality stainless steel appliances, including a dishwasher and electric induction cooktop. Flowing seamlessly to the spacious dining and lounge area, as well as a second living space, this home provides the ideal setting for both everyday living and entertaining.

Accommodation includes three generous bedrooms, each with built-in robes. The master suite features a modern ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are serviced by a stylish

family bathroom. A separate study and a wellappointed laundry add further practicality.

Additional features include polished timber floorboards, a neutral colour palette, ducted heating, and split-system heating and cooling ensuring comfort all year round.

Outdoors, the appeal continues. A private, covered deck overlooks a secure playground, perfect for children and family gatherings. For those with extra vehicles, caravans, or boats, the property provides a large double garage with concrete floor and power, as well as a single carport.

Set on a flat, fully fenced ¼-acre allotment with low-maintenance gardens and plenty of sunshine, this property is the complete package. With schools, walking tracks, and parklands right at your doorstep, this is a home not to be missed. ●

SECLUDED VICTORIAN-STYLE HOME

SET at the end of a quiet lane, this charming brick Victorian-style home offers privacy, space, and timeless character. A circular driveway welcomes you to expansive grounds framed by a classic bullnose verandah, with garden beds ready for your personal touch.

Inside, high ceilings, ornate ceiling roses, and a wide hallway reflect the home’s authentic Victorian charm. The well-equipped galley kitchen includes ample storage and a walk-in pantry, flowing into a bright dining area with garden views and French doors that open to the outdoors.

Perfect for families, the home offers a separate lounge, rumpus room, and four spacious bedrooms-main with ensuite and walk-in robe. Comfort is assured year-round with wood fire heating and split system cooling.

Outside, a two-car garage, caravan clearance, and direct access to State Forest trails complete the lifestyle offering. A walking track from the rear gate leads to the Primary School and Wesburn Park, now home to newly established mountain bike trails-ideal for riders of all skill levels and connected to the wider Upper Yarra trail network.

Enjoy a peaceful lifestyle near the Warburton Rail Trail and vibrant local townships including Warburton, Yarra Junction, and Millgrove.

Call our team on 03 5967 1800 to arrange your inspection. ●

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.

1 Innocuous (8)

5 Neckwear (6)

10 Fat (5)

11 Philosophy without morality (9)

12 Logical (6) 13 The smell of the ocean (4,3)

14 One of the colours of the ocean (3,5)

15 Materialise (6)

18 Relaxed (2,4)

20 Ridicules (8)

21 Hang by attachment (7)

24 Wanders (6)

27 Forcibly remove from power (9)

28 Indigenous people (NZ) (5)

29 Screech (6)

30 Process of mesmerisation (8)

Stop (4) 2 Without principle (9) 3 Serving implement (5)

Mollusc (7)

Seance board (5)

Mexican hats (9)

Parasitic plant (4)

Photos (9) 16 Named after a particular person (9)

17 Raised track over low ground (8)

19 Apparition (7)

22 Show contempt (5)

23 Earth (4)

25 Japanese noodles (5)

26 Insult (coll)

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

and each

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

Burras hold on to deny Blues

By Armin Richter

It was Grand Final day on Saturday in mild, calm and overcast conditions. The Yarra Glen ground was in a great state to host the showpiece event.

Seville managed to reach the Grand Final in all eight grades of football and netball. The Blues were looking to return to the top division for the first time since 2001 if their senior footballers could continue their recent form.

Standing in their way were the WarburtonMillgrove side who had been minor premiers, although by percentage only, but lowered their colours to Seville by 10 goals a fortnight ago. Both teams were astray in front of the sticks and it was the Kookaburras who edged ahead and held on in a final struggle.

It wasn’t to be Seville’s day in the football, losing all three Grand Finals, but they had better results on the adjacent courts where they snagged four flags and missed a clean sweep by a single goal. Seville’s netballers have dominated in recent times and would be a top side in Premier division but are tied to the fortunes of their football team.

Warburton-Millgrove will return to the top division for the first time since 2018. Relegation, currently sitting with Emerald, may be decided by whether or not Upwey-Tecoma are allowed to transfer to the Eastern FNL. Upwey-Tecoma have been accepted into third division EFNL by that competition but the Outer East are challenging that and the matter will be decided by AFL Victoria.

In the Premier Division Preliminary Finals there were a few notable results. In Senior football Olinda-Ferny Creek defeated Woori Yallock again. Olinda’s ex-Collingwood AFL player Matt Scharenberg tore his ACL just two weeks ago and played with a heavily bandaged knee. He was Olinda’s best with five goals and will have a knee reconstruction after the Grand Final.

Outer East Football Netball League Results

• Football

Trades & Services

• Premier Division (Preliminary Finals)

• Seniors: Olinda-Ferny Creek 16.14.110 def Woori Yallock 10.11.71

• Reserves: Upwey-Tecoma 8.9.57 def Officer 2.3.15

• Under 18: Officer 10.14.74 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 1.2.8 Division 1 (Grand Finals)

• Seniors: Warburton-Millgrove 6.16.52 def Se-

• Reserves: Alexandra 9.6.60 def Seville 7.8.50

• Under 18: Pakenham 10.6.66 def Seville 8.9.57

Premier Division (Preliminary Finals)

• A Grade: Wandin 65 def Monbulk 41

• B Grade: Monbulk 45 def Mt. Evelyn 36

• C Grade: Wandin 32 def ROC 27

• D Grade: Mt. Evelyn 29 def ROC 24

Grade

• Under 17: Mt. Evelyn 32 def ROC White 27

• Under 15: Monbulk Gold 33 def Monbulk Maroon 25

Division 1 (Grand Finals)

• A Grade: Seville 60 def Warburton-Millgrove 48

• B Grade: Seville 46 def Pakenham 44

• C Grade: Pakenham 48 def Seville 47

• D Grade: Seville 28 def Pakenham 20

• Under 17: Seville 30 def Pakenham Gold 16

Seville score a goal in the A Grade Grand Final before a big crowd. (Armin Richter)A

Grand Final between Seville and Warburton-Millgrove.

D Grade Grand Final - Seville defeated Pakenham.

Monbulk B Grade deservedly storm into grand final

By Armin Richter NETBALL

A Grade

It was Preliminary Final day at Gembrook on Sunday with a mild and sunny day, however a strong wind was blowing, which is nothing unusual for that ground. Wandin have been a power team in netball, along with Mt. Evelyn, for around 15 years. Since the 2010 finals the Hawks have only twice managed to lower the Bulldog’s colours in A Grade, surprisingly both at Wandin, in 2022 and 2024. The head to head record in that time stood at 2 wins and 24 losses leading into this week’s Preliminary Final.

Monbulk started off well, matching Wandin around the court and trailing 10-12 at the first change. From the start of the second quarter the Bulldogs took control of the match. With superb running and passing by Wandin, Monbulk were unable to maintain momentum and were overrun by a skillful and well drilled team. The Hawks have had a good year and finish in third place, their best finish since making the Grand Final in Division 1 in 2019 and their best finish in the top division for 19 years, since their 2006 premiership.

Monbulk 41 def by Wandin 65

• Best: Stephanie Ferguson, Rihanna Kelly, Grace Scott-Thomas

• Goals: Peri Reid 26, Stephanie Ferguson 14, Sophie Stubbs 1

B Grade

Mt Evelyn’s B Grade team had finished in second place, having only lost three matches. This was five wins ahead of Monbulk who had placed fifth with a 10-8 record. The Hawks had put together a good body of work in the finals, coming from behind to beat Woori Yallock and then surprising Wandin last week in the same manner. Could they defeat another fancied rival? In the nine meetings between these teams since Covid, Monbulk had only registered a solitary win in B Grade against the Rovers and lost both matches this year.

In a physical encounter neither side was prepared to give an inch. It was virtually goal for goal through the first half and scores were tied

at 20-20 by the main break. Some superb defensive intercepts by captain Bonnie Munday and Tiana Mancarella then allowed Monbulk to gain advantage in the third as they established a seven goal lead. The entire team played a brilliant game and ran out deserving winners, earning a spot in the Grand Final. This is the fourth Grand Final for B Grade, having previously won in 2008 against Warburton-Millgrove and finished runners up in 2013 to Wandin and 2017 to Woori Yallock.

Monbulk 45 def Mt. Evelyn 36

• Best: Jorja Wragg, Alice McCormick, Asha Jones

• Goals: Jorja Wragg 40, Olivia Crook 5

Under 15s

Monbulk were guaranteed a Grand Final spot as Monbulk Maroon faced off against Monbulk Gold in the Preliminary Final. It is usual for players to be unavailable during the year but to

then have everyone making themselves available for the finals. For the Monbulk Gold team it has been the opposite. With Eila Dewhurst, Ria Greenaway and Aaliah Riddiford all unavailable, and Ella Longo having a broken wrist, the Gold team only had six members to call upon to pick their team from. The match was played at six per side, which might be unique for a final.

Monbulk Maroon had won the three previous clashes between these teams but it has been the form of the Gold team that has been impressive recently as they have dispatched ROC White and Pakenham Maroon on their way from the Elimination Final. Monbulk Maroon had five players who had participated in last year’s Grand Final - Bridie McCormick, Isla Stubbs, Stevie Mullinder, Stella Dunstan and Maddison Calcagno.

In a well fought match it was the run and defence of the Gold team which stood out. Having

a potent goal shooting duo of Eden and Amelia, the former having won the League shooting in this division, proved the difference as Gold won by 8 goals to advance to the Grand Final. Monbulk Gold 33 def Monbulk Maroon 25

• Monbulk Gold Best: Eden Murphy, Daphne Mitchell, Ruby Irwin

• Monbulk Maroon Best: Stevie Mullinder, Isla Stubbs, Maddison Calcagno

• Monbulk Gold Goals: Eden Murphy 20, Amelia Magarry 13

• Monbulk Maroon Goals: Isla Stubbs 15, Stella Dunstan 5, Jessica Verheyen 5 Next Saturday Monbulk will have three teams in the Grand Final at Healesville, which is a club record for their netball sides in a single season. At 8.30am ROC Blue will play Monbulk Gold in the Under 15s, D Grade will be at 10.40am between Monbulk and Mt. Evelyn while B Grade between ROC and Monbulk will be at 2.45pm.

Harlie, 10, reps the Ranges

By Tanya Steele

Hard work and intensive training have seen an up-and-coming 10-year-old athlete cross state borders while representing Yarra Ranges and Victoria in a national comp.

A dedicated young athlete Harlie, has competed and placed in the School Sports Australia Nationals Cross Country event on the Gold Coast, which took place from 7 to 9 September.

Placing 13th in Australia and 2nd place for the team medal while running alongside some of her closest friends from Victoria, Harlie had an amazing time competing.

Harlie’s mother, Karen, said on Wednesday, 10 September, that Harlie is over the moon after all the excitement.

“She had the most amazing week being part of Team Victoria,” she said.

“Harlie has just run the relays this morning with her team, and they took out 2nd place.”

“The nerves were high going into the week, so they are all looking forward to some well-earned rest.”

The young talent also recently qualified for the School Sport Australia track and field Nationals in Canberra in November for the 1500m event.

Harlie, at 10 years old, has dreams of one day being a professional runner and works incredibly hard, training six days a week.

Her training regime includes four days and around 23 kilometres of running, along with three days of swimming that total to around seven kilometres and she gets huge support at home.

“Her dad is the one who takes her to all her training and events. He’s her biggest supporter,” said Karen.

“We use swimming as a great way of crosstraining without the impact of running,” she said.

Harlie’s local primary school, Tecoma Prima-

ry, got behind her all the way to leading up to her win, raising money for her with an in-school sausage sizzle to help fund her trip north.

Principal Brooke Cross said the school is so proud of Harlie and her incredible achievements at the School Sports Australia Nationals.

“To place 13th in the country at just 10 years old, while also contributing to Victoria’s silver medal team result, is an outstanding effort,” she said.,

“Harlie’s determination, resilience, and commitment to her training make her a wonderful role model for her peers at Tecoma Primary School,” said Ms Cross.

Harlie rang alongside others from all over

“We can’t wait to see what she goes on to achieve next,” said

Monbulk’s B Grade team on Saturday who won their way into the Grand Final. (Supplied)Monbulk’s Georgia Wilson takes a pass in B Grade against Mt. Evelyn. (Armin Richter)

Victoria, including Annabelle from Cranbourne, Rayani from Box Hill, April from Dandenong, Claire from Ballarat and Lexie from Bendigo.

Ms Cross.

Harlie rang alongside others from all over Victoria, including Annabelle from Cranbourne, Rayani from Box Hill, April from Dandenong, Claire from Ballarat and Lexie from Bendigo. (Supplied)

Placing 13th in Australia and 2nd place for the team medal while running alongside some of her closest friends from Victoria, Harlie had an amazing time competing.

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