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More decay

By Callum Ludwig

The slow decay of the old White Dog Hotel in Lilydale has continued, with more damage to the front facade of the building noticeable.

Also known as The Lilydale Hotel or Duke’s Saloon over the years, the formerly popular pub has fallen into disrepair over the years despite community support for its restoration.

Friends of The White Dog Facebook group founder Rob Hall recently posted fresh pictures of the damage and said it’s hard to take a picture of The White Dog at any angle and not be left thinking that it doesn’t look good.

“I am very concerned about the future of The White Dog and the speed at which the whole front is degrading,” he said.

“I feel demolition by neglect is pretty much on track and with no repercussions from the Council other than platitudes, if she goes down, it happened on their watch,” he said.

“There might not be any jackhammers, bulldozers or wrecking balls, but demolition by neglect achieves the same results just a lot slower.”

Turn to page 3 for more

Quarry quarrel

By Callum Ludwig

Montrose residents are expressing concern about the potential expansion proposed by Boral Resources (Boral) at the Montrose quarry.

Located in a mixed industrial and residential zone on the township’s border with Kilsyth, the quarry has been in operation for over 70 years and the proposal is designed to extend its life by 30 more.

Montrose residents Katie and Ian, speaking on behalf of a larger group of concerned residents, said there has been a significant level of commu-

nity concern and their petition has now received 1900 signatures.

“A local Facebook group has grown rapidly, with hundreds of residents participating in discussions, asking questions, and offering to assist,” they said.

“We’re also hearing from people in surrounding suburbs — including Kilsyth, Kilsyth South, and Mooroolbark — who believe they may be affected by environmental or traffic impacts associated with the proposed expansion.”

Over 70 residents attended a community meeting on 5 November to express opposition to

the proposal, which was also attended by local politicians looking to express their opposition or listen to the community worries.

The Boral spokesman said they will work with all stakeholders, including local community members, to address their questions and ensure they have transparency into how Boral conducts its operations in line with permits, licences and strict national safety regulations.

“Prior to this, Boral informed Yarra Ranges Council in September 2024 that it was considering future expansion plans and this information was added to the council’s website,” he said.

“We shared an overview of our quarry expansion plans during a community open day held at our Montrose site in November last year, attended by about 200 people from the local community.

“Since then, we met with Council officials and provided Councillors a briefing regarding the project and we’ve notified immediate neighbours and the Montrose Environmental Group in writing regarding the lodgement of the application and established a dedicated project website. Broader community notification and awareness activities are also planned.”

Turn to page 6 for more.

The White Dog Hotel has seen better days. (Tanys Steele: 515921)

Charlie’s ﬁght ramps up

By Oliver Winn

A Launching Place family’s plea for support has seen over $100,000 raised in two weeks after their four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of brain cancer.

The life of little four-year-old Charlie Fraser turned upside down on 17 October when what started as a routine eye test quickly turned into every parent’s worst nightmare.

The cancer was revealed to be a hyper-aggressive, extremely rare form of brain cancer, with Charlie being the third case in 15 years.

But hope is on the horizon - the cancer can be cured by an intense treatment of high-dose chemotherapy and more surgery only available in Florida, USA.

Charlie’s father Daniel Fraser said the support shown by the community was incredible and the money donated will help pay for the expensive treatment overseas

“We’ve had overwhelming support through GoFundMe, friends and family.

“There’s people that we have no idea who they are, where they’re from, who’ve reached out. We can’t fathom the gratefulness we have for everyone,” Mr Fraser said.

It’s not just the financial support which has been crucial though, as Mr Fraser and his partner Kate Fraser grapple with caring for Charlie’s younger brother, two-year-old Jack.

“Just trying to juggle that care everyday is difficult,” he said.

“Our families have been our rocks, and we haven’t had to worry about too much at home.

“All the sisters and mother-in-laws and mums, they’ve baked, they’ve cooked, they’ve cleaned, they’ve helped look after Jack, the younger brother, just while we’ve been able to focus on Charlie.”

The Mount Evelyn Cricket Club said in a statement one of its “favourite, most loyal families” were going through hardship and needed the community’s help.

“Charlie Fraser is fighting a tough health bat-

tle at the moment that is requiring the utmost love, effort and time that Dan and Kate can dedicate to supporting Charlie,” the statement read.

“This of course means time away from work and upcoming challenges to provide the beat care for her to fight this battle in true Fraser spirit.

“For now, we are all sending our love, best wishes and support to the Frasers.”

The Mount Evelyn Cricket Club are hosting a fundraiser for Charlie where a twenty-twenty cricket match will be played between Mount Evelyn and Powelltown.

The event takes place on Sunday 7 December

at the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve from 11am.

During the eye check appointment, Mr Fraser said pressure on the back of Charlie’s eye was the first hint of something terribly wrong.

“We got sent to the Royal Children’s [Hospital] to get it double checked and then sure enough, after a brain scan, it showed that there was a mass on her head of nine centimetres by seven centimetres.”

Immediately, Charlie had two surgeries, multiple blood transfusions and spent three days in the intensive care unit.

“It was probably about four or five days later after the brain surgery that the results came back to say that it was this rare type of cancer.”

The discovery was “gut wrenching” for the entire family.

“Your world’s shattered when you look at your beautiful little daughter and only a week prior, she was running around, like nothing had happened.”

But in spite of everything, Mr Fraser said Charlie’s a “trooper” who still shows her cheeky side.

“She’s being cheeky. She’s tickling dad and mum.

“No matter how tough it’s been or how sick she’s been, she’s always willing to put a smile on her face and be cheeky,” Mr Fraser said.

After waking up from a surgery with a collapsed lung and a case of pneumonia, she still found the strength to be her cheeky self, tickling her dad’s neck and asking for sushi.

He described her as a “loving and caring girl who always wants a cuddle and is always happy to give you a kiss.”

It was hard for Mr Fraser and Ms Fraser to tell Jack why Charlie can’t be home, playing cricket in the backyard of their house in Launching Place.

He said it’s been tough to break the news to Jack.

“I suppose for him understanding that situa-

tion is probably pretty hard, but he’s a tough little bugger as well and he’s coping alright.

“We don’t know the right answers but we’re not going to shy away from what the situation is because it’s going to be different for him,” Mr Fraser said.

It’s a long road ahead for the family, but Charlie’s parents are focused on giving her the best shot she has.

“That’s all we’re about, we want to give her the best opportunity so that’s what we’re doing.”

In the end, all Jack wants is to be able to play with his older sister again.

“He just wants to kiss Charlie’s head better and make it better.”

Lane closed Melba Highway Maintenance works

From Monday 13 October to end of January.

One lane will be closed on a section of the Melba Highway between HealesvilleKinglake Road and Hunts Lane in Dixons Creek for landslip repairs.

Plan ahead and allow up to 20 minutes extra time.

Charlie is a loving and caring girl with a playful personality. (Supplied)

The Mount Evelyn Cricket Club is hosting a cricket match fundraiser in December for Charlie. (Supplied)

Damage worsens at The White Dog Hotel

By Callum Ludwig

The facade of the White Dog Hotel in Lilydale is continuing to fall apart, with more damage visible to the front of the building since the issue was raised in July.

Also known as The Lilydale Hotel or Duke’s Saloon over the years, the formerly popular pub has fallen into disrepair over the years despite community support for its restoration.

“I am very concerned about the future of The White Dog and the speed at which the whole front is degrading,” he said.

“I feel demolition by neglect is pretty much on track and with no repercussions from the Council other than platitudes, if she goes down, it happened on their watch,” he said.

“There might not be any jackhammers, bulldozers or wrecking balls, but demolition by ne-

glect achieves the same results just a lot slower.”

Decaying wood and cracking brick are all visible from the front of the old watering hole, which is fenced off . Perhaps most concerning is the visible bending on the second floor, leading to concerns for collapse.

Mr Hall brought the issue to the council in July this year, but the council’s ability to enforce compliance with heritage laws is limited, and council officers are not permitted to discuss or disclose individual cases and actions that have been taken”.

The council put forward an updated statement of significance for the White Dog Hotel in 2022, alongside a number of heritage overlay amendments, which sought to amend the outdated statement and make suggestions on conservation measures like the restoration or replacement of original elements of the building.

Approval for the amendment was granted by the planning minister and came into effect on 5 June this year, the date the notice was published in the Victorian Government Gazette.

Yarra Ranges Council has two avenues to en-

force private owners to act on dilapidated buildings or neglect of buildings, as confirmed in 2022 after a community question.

The first of those being the use of a building emergency order “when there are life, health or safety issues such as structural concerns or where the building is being accessed or occupied by squatters or rough sleepers.”

Under this, the council can evict the occupants and instruct the owner to complete ‘make safe’ works.

The second option would be to issue a ‘notice of comply’ under the Yarra Ranges Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law 2020, sections 12.6 unsightly land and 12.7 dilapidated buildings.

If owners do not comply with the notice given, financial penalties can apply.

To read more about the history of the hotel, visit: lilydale.mailcommunity.com.au/ news/2021/06/08/see-you-at-the-white-dog/.

To find out more about the ongoing push to protect and restore the pub, read: lilydale.mailcommunity.com.au/news/2021/06/16/whats-tobecome-of-the-white-dog/

Teens arrested for school damage

Police have charged three boys following a burglary at a school in Mount Evelyn on 5 November.

It is alleged the three teens broke into Birmingham Primary School on Francis Crescent about 2.15am.

The teens allegedly stole scissors and threw milk onto the basketball court.

Officers were quickly on scene and chased two of the offenders and arrested them nearby.

A third offender was allegedly located stargazing in nearby bushland and was arrested by police.

The trio were charged with burglary, theft and criminal damage and bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

Free online webinar for preventing gender-based violence

Parents and carers are invited to join us for a free online webinar, Respect is: Supporting young people to build healthy relationships, as part of 16 Days of Activism.

Hear from a panel of experts in violence prevention, social work, education and lived experience, as they share practical ways to encourage respect, break down gender stereotypes and support young people’s wellbeing.

The webinar, facilitated by Maroondah City Council, Knox City Council, Yarra Ranges Council and City of Monash, will be held on Wednesday 26 November 2025 between 7.30pm and 9pm. · Register at: maroondah.vic.gov.au/ Community-support-business/Community-health-safety-and-wellbeing/ Community-Wellbeing/Wellbeing-programs-and-activities/Respect-is-Supporting-young-people-to-build-healthy-relationships-online-webinar.

Theft of a caravan

Police are seeking information regarding the theft of a caravan from Mount Evelyn between 10.30am on 2/ November and 2pm on 4 November.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to contact Lilydale Police Station on 9739 2300.

· Ref: 250458909

The front facade of theThe White Dog Hotel. (Tanya Steele: 515921)

The second floor of the balcony looks unstable. (Rob Hall)

Supports hold up the hotel. (Rob Hall)

Police are seeking any information regarding the theft of a caravan from Mount Evelyn. (Victoria Police)

Mr Monopoly in town

By Oliver Winn

Yarra Valley’s very own Monopoly board just dropped on 5 November featuring beloved local businesses, iconic tourist attractions and hidden local gems.

Monopoly Yarra Valley Edition was launched on a cloudy Wednesday at CherryHill Orchards in Coldstream, where Mr Monopoly himself turned up on a tractor and strode down a red carpet to reveal the squares on the life-sized board.

The crowd cheered on as locations like the Redwood Forest, Mount Lilydale Mercy College and Yarra Valley ECOSS were revealed one by one.

Winning Moves Monopoly brand manager Michael Counsell said the team behind the board attempted to capture everything people in the region might have an interest in.

“When we create these editions we think of tourists and locals alike.

“So not only are we trying to highlight those businesses to the locals for a product that’s going to sit in their homes for 20 plus years, we’re trying to bring foot traffic to those businesses as well,” Mr Counsell said.

Players will trade Mayfair and Park Lane for Yarra Valley Wineries and Redwood Forest and other places such as Truffle Valley, Blue Lotus Water Garden and 3MDR also got a feature.

Leaders from the Mount Lilydale Mercy College attended the launch and shared their excitement for the new board.

“It’s just such an honour that our school gets to be represented on such a household valued item,” one student said.

Another student said they were “very proud” to be included on the board.

It was a surprise trip for the students as they hadn’t been told beforehand about the event.

“We weren’t sure what we were doing and they revealed it to us and it’s amazing and very unexpected, it’s a privilege to be included in the Yarra Valley’s top sites.”

“Everyone will know Mount Lilydale’s on the Monopoly board, so we’re excited to tell our friends and parents.”

Mr Counsell said it was fantastic to see smiles on the Mount Lilydale Mercy College students’ faces.

“It’s not every day that Monopoly will come to a small region and produce an official edition for that town so this is a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight what makes local areas fantastic.”

The Monopoly Yarra Valley Edition board took 12 months of engaging with local stakeholders to create.

Mr Counsell said he hoped the board has done a fair job at representing the Yarra Valley region.

“We’re very much dictated by the court of public opinion and I’d hope that you would agree that the edition that we’ve come up with is a fantastic representation of what locals would consider the Yarra Valley.

“We’re definitely not Yarra Valley experts but by the end of the project we’d like to consider ourselves pretty knowledgeable on the area.”

Monbulk Creek Trestle Bridge and Warburton Swing Bridge take up the two utilities squares while four travel squares feature the townships of Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Warburton and Healesville.

By representing local traders, the board is expected to bring a boost to businesses in the area.

But Mr Counsell said the Monopoly Yarra Valley Edition would also instill a sense of local pride in generations to come.

“I’m sure everyone in Australia can name a few of the London Monopoly squares Mayfair, Piccadilly, Old Camp Road.

“What I’d like to see for the next 10, 15, 20 years in the Yarra Valley is those memories that we all have of that London Monopoly being replaced with new generations coming through with Cherry Hill, with the Dandenong Ranges, those are the iconic places of their town and of their Monopoly.”

Healthcare bodies to merge pending minister approval

The boards of Alexandra District Health and Eastern Health are working together to explore how they can strengthen healthcare for their communities and connect care for a healthy tomorrow.

Alexandra District Health board chair Kim Flanagan said the exploration builds on the strong partnership already in place through the East Metro and Murrindindi Local Health Service Network, which is beginning to deliver real benefits for their local communities.

“Through our long-term partnership with Eastern Health, we have brought specialist oncology consulting and infusion services to Alexandra, coordinated graduate nurse programs, and a staff learning platform,” Mr Flanagan said.

“Exploring a voluntary amalgamation is the next step in considering how we can build on this progress to secure sustainable, high-quality care

for people living in Alexandra and its surrounding communities.”

Eastern Health board chair Eugene Arocca said both boards were focused on what matters most – stronger healthcare for the community.

“Eastern Health is deeply connected to its community and has enhanced services to provide more care locally.

“Our shared focus with Alexandra District Health is to strengthen healthcare in the region. Exploring a voluntary amalgamation is about testing how we can bring more specialist care closer to home, make it easier for patients to get the right care when they need it, and create more training opportunities for staff to grow their skills and career to help attract and retain a strong workforce.”

As part of the exploration, the boards are looking at how services could be strengthened and ex-

panded, such as bringing more visiting specialists to Alexandra, improving local access to XRay and ultrasound, enhancing community health services support, and improving patient information systems to provide a seamless patient experience. There are no plans to cut jobs or reduce existing services.

Staff will remain in their current roles and locations but could benefit from new opportunities and expanded training if a voluntary amalgamation was approved.

Engagement with staff, stakeholders and the communities serviced by both health organisations will happen from 6 to 21 November 2025.

People will have the chance to provide feedback through a survey, by email or at several local tea talk sessions.

Learn more about the community engagement program at connectingcare.net.

“Above all, this process is about better health outcomes and making sure our communities can continue to access the care they need, close to home,” Mr Flanagan said.

Pending the outcomes of the exploration and community engagement, any future proposal would require ministerial approval.

The new Monopoly Yarra Valley Edition will be available at Big W, JB Hifi, QBD, The Gamesmen, and Gameology.

The vibes were high as attendees posed with Mr Monopoly on the life-sized board. (Oliver Winn: 515484)

A little look at the cover of the box. (515484)

Mr Monopoly rocked up in style on a tractor. (515484)

Mr Monopoly got many cheers as he turned up at CherryHill Orchards. (515484)

The healthcare merger would bring improved services to the district. (Towfiqu Barbhuiya/ Unsplash)

Almost 7000 oﬀences

More than 6600 offences were detected by Victoria Police during Operation Furlong over the Melbourne Cup long weekend.

The statewide road policing operation saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour over five days, with a particular focus on speeding and impaired drivers.

Assistant commissioner for road policing Glenn Weir said time and time again, they continue to detect far too many people disregarding the road rules and taking unnecessary risks on our roads.

“The number of people detected for impaired driving over the last five days is particularly concerning – these are people who have made a choice to drive knowing they have alcohol or drugs in their system,” he said.

“Don’t try and guess if you’re right to drive or under the limit – just don’t do it. We need people to separate driving from alcohol and drugs.

“Similarly, so many drivers continue to think that if they speed, they won’t be detected, and yet we have caught 2,900 speeding drivers over five days.

One in every 465 drivers who were breath tested were caught over the legal alcohol limit, with 234 drink driving offences detected from 108,910 preliminary breath tests.

A further 135 drug driving offences were detected from 3,079 roadside drug tests – a strike rate of one in every 22 drivers testing positive to drugs.

The majority of offences detected were for speeding, with 79 per cent of drivers caught speeding between 10km/h and 25/km over the speed limit.

Police also caught 459 unauthorised drivers, using automatic number plate recognition technology to detect disqualified, suspended and unlicenced drivers illegally using the roads.

ple who take ridiculous risks on our roads,” he said.

“So much of this year’s road trauma could have been avoided if motorists took more care and attention on the roads and obeyed the rules – they exist to keep all road users safe.

“Coming into the end of the year, motorists can expect to see ongoing enforcement across the state’s roads, including some major blitzes targeting impaired drivers.”+

The total 6617 offences detected during Operation Furlong included:

drivers.

365 instances of disobeying signs/signals.

238 vehicle impoundments.

234 drink driving offences from 108,910 preliminary breath tests.

223 mobile phone offences.

135 drug driving offences from 3,079 roadside drug tests.

108 seatbelt offences.

There were two lives lost on Victorian roads over the weekend, including a male on a mobility scooter who was hit by a car in Malvern East, and a male motorcyclist who collided with a car in Roxburgh Park, both on Sunday 2 November.

Police are urging motorists to remain vigi-

lant behind the wheel throughout November, with the number of lives lost reaching 246, 12 higher than the same time last year.

November recorded the highest number of lives lost in 2024, with 35 fatalities in 30 days.

Police will continue to conduct local road policing enforcement in high-risk areas, particularly on major roads to regional areas and around holiday hotspots.

There will also be significant roadside alcohol and drug testing blitzes conducted on major freeways in Melbourne leading into December. Operation Furlong ran from 12.01am on Friday 31 October until 11.59pm on Tuesday 4 November.

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Police detected numerous offences over the cup long weekend. (File)

Quarry expansion fears

By Callum Ludwig

Montrose residents are expressing concern about the potential expansion proposed by Boral Resources (Boral) at the Montrose quarry.

The site, located in a mixed industrial and residential zone on the township’s border with Kilsyth, has been in operation for over 70 years and the proposal is designed to extend its life by 30 more.

Montrose residents Katie and Ian, speaking on behalf of a larger group of concerned residents, said there has been a significant level of community concern and their petition has now received 1900 signatures.

“A local Facebook group has grown rapidly, with hundreds of residents participating in discussions, asking questions, and offering to assist,” they said.

“Community members continue to volunteer their time and skills to raise awareness and encourage others to participate. Many residents remain unaware or are only now becoming aware of the proposal, let alone its scale and potential long-term impacts.”

Over 70 residents attended a community meeting on 5 November to express opposition to the proposal, which was also attended by Yarra Ranges councillors Len Cox, Tim Heenan and Jeff Marriott who expressed opposition. Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino attended and also expressed opposition, a representative for Casey MP Aaron Violi attended to convey his intention to advocate for the community’s concerns and Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child has written a letter to planning minister Sonya Kilkenny expressing concern that Boral applied for an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) referral without making the council aware until after.

A Boral spokesman said Montrose Quarry is an important part of their metropolitan quarry network, supplying the south-eastern Melbourne market.

“The expansion of the Montrose Quarry will therefore allow continued supply of construction aggregates to enable major infrastructure projects, and provide vital materials for residential subdivisions, road construction, and general

concrete and asphalt supply,” he said.

“Montrose Quarry is located in a Special Use Zone (Extractive Industries) under State planning provisions.

“The site’s purpose is to supply vital cost-effective construction materials close to market and made available for development when needed – which is now.”

The proposal to expand the extraction boundary requires the following statutory approvals:

A Work Authority and Work Plan Variation under the Extractive Industries Development Act 1995 for the extended quarry operations.

A Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme and a planning permit under the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

A Works Approval and Licence under the Environment Protection Act 1970 for the increased water discharge volumes associated with the quarry activities.

Katie and Ian said there have been three previous major community campaigns opposing quarry expansion — in 1965–66, 1996–99, and 2003–2008 — and this is significantly larger than the previous application.

“There is a growing call for the application to be withdrawn considering historical precedent, transparent consultation, and independent assessment before any decisions are made,” they said.

“These campaigns relied on strong local participation, expert evidence, and consistent advocacy to highlight environmental, health and social concerns.

“This long history of organised community action gives residents confidence that public sentiment and evidence-based advocacy will again play an important role in shaping the outcome.”

Community concerns are centred around the proximity of the quarry to schools, homes, traffic ans safety issues and environmental and health concerns.

“Prior to this, Boral informed Yarra Ranges Council in September 2024 that it was considering future expansion plans and this information

was added to the council’s website,” he said.

“We shared an overview of our quarry expansion plans during a community open day held at our Montrose site in November last year, attended by about 200 people from the local community.

Community members can find information, provide feedback and sign up for updates on the project website at boralmontroseproject.com.au.

The Boral spokesman said they work collaboratively with regulators to make sure our controls meet and, where possible, exceed required standards to safeguard the health and safety of our people and the community.

“The proposed pit design moves quarrying activities away from more densely occupied Ash Grove and Kirkwood Court towards less populated areas to the south and southwest of the site. Strict national safety regulations apply to protect neighbouring homes, buildings and public places from the potential effects of blasting that are well below the vibration levels which could cause structural or cosmetic damage to structures,” he said.

“With regard to dust, we understand that communities close to our quarry sites have questions. With the application of dust management and mitigation strategies, potential impacts on airborne dust due to the project would be avoided, minimised or managed to required standards to

Cash rate to stay for now after RBA decision

By Tanya Steele

The cash rate will hold for now, according to recent news from the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Remaining cautious, the RBA announced on 4 November a hold on the cash rate of 3.60 per cent, in a unanimous decision.

Over the year in the September quarter, inflation had lifted quite sharply to 3.2 per cent and was largely expected, after a number of electricity rebates wound down in a number of states.

“Inflation has recently picked up,” the RBA

statement reads.

Electricity prices went up quickly and and households have increased their spending more this year as incomes have risen.

Unemployment crept up to 4.5 per cent in September, but the jobs market has been described as ‘healthy’ and expected to remain so.

Falling markedly since a peak in 2022, the statement said higher interest rates have been working to bring the total level of spending in the economy and potential supply closer towards balance.

The Board has said it is focused on delivering

low and stable inflation and full employment, but expects a little uptick in the growth in the Australian economy, before it settles again.

Pointing to interest rate cuts earlier in the year, globally, growth is expected to slow, and the effect on Australia is ‘not likely to be large.’

With a question mark over the global economy, so far, there has been little impact on growth and trade, and the RBA said that many forecasters have revised up their near-term expectations for world growth.

“Trade policy developments are still expected to have an adverse effect on world growth

ensure that the health and wellbeing of employees and nearby residents would be protected.

“We take very seriously our commitments and responsibilities to manage airborne dust across all of our sites. We undertake personal and workplace area dust monitoring, as well as regular environmental (boundary) monitoring at relevant sites.”

In May 2023, Boral was fined $180,000 in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay almost $14,000 in costs after pleading guilty to a single charge of failing to provide and maintain a safe system of work due to workers being exposed to harmful crystalline silica dust.

WorkSafe inspectors had visited the site in September 2019 and observed potential exposure hazards from dust that was generated during processes including the blasting, crushing, mixing, screening and transferring of quarried rock.

An investigation found atmospheric monitoring conducted by Boral Resources confirmed that several workers had been exposed to levels of respirable crystalline silica that exceeded workplace exposure standards.

The court found it was reasonably practicable for the company to have reduced the risk of serious injury or death by requiring workers to wear respiratory protective equipment that was adequately fit tested and by providing supervision to ensure workers did so.

Katie and Ian said they would certainly welcome meaningful engagement from Boral — consultation that goes beyond minimum statutory requirements.

“In its Extension Referral Form (page 46), Boral states that its intention to extend the pit was discussed during a community open day in November 2024, attended by more than 250 People,” they said.

“However, after contacting Boral several times by phone and email for further information — such as meeting notes, attendee lists, and materials provided — the community has not yet received a response.

“At the heart of this issue is a simple principle: communities deserve transparent, good-faith consultation and protection from industrial developments that may affect their health, safety, and long-term livability.”

While it’s currently too early to accurately predict a timeline for when expansion would begin if the project is approved, Boral estimates it would be in six to eight years.

over time,” they said.

With a focus on maintaining price stability and full employment, the RBA said that recent data on inflation suggests that some inflationary pressure will be sticking around in the economy.

“With private demand recovering and labour market conditions still appearing a little tight, the Board decided that it was appropriate to maintain the cash rate at its current level at this meeting,” said their media release online.

The RBA has also released its latest official forecast online, and the Board’s final meeting of the year will take place on December 8-9.

Boral’s Montrose Quarry could be set to be expanded. (Boral)

PFAS found in possums

By Callum Ludwig

A new study has found that long-lasting and potentially harmful chemicals might be harming some of our much-loved marsupials.

University of Melbourne researchers in the Australian Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) and the Melbourne Veterinary School measured the concentrations of human-made per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a synthetic ‘forever chemical, in possums from the greater Melbourne region.

Associate Professor Jasmin Hufschmid from the Melbourne Veterinary School at the University of Melbourne said we know that generally speaking, the PFAS compounds we found can negatively affect reproduction, the immune response and can even cause cancer.

“To investigate this further, ideally, we’d like to look at a range of health indicators in possums, such as blood values, immune response indicators and pathological changes in tissues,” she said.

“In the possums we sampled, it was not possible to investigate health impacts as they had already been dead for some time.

PFAS has been used in a wide variety of products for decades, including but not limited to fire-fighting foams, non-stick pans, waterproof clothing, and cosmetics, meaning there is no shortage of potential exposure points for possums and other animals.

PhD candidate and lead researcher Ellis Mackay explained that the research group investigated PFAS concentrations in the livers of common ringtail and brushtail possums that had been euthanised on welfare grounds or died under circumstances unrelated to the study.

“All the possums we examined had been exposed to PFAS – we found 45 types of PFAS in their livers – and median levels were among the highest recorded in any small terrestrial mammal worldwide,” Ms Mackay said.

“PFAS have been studied widely in aquatic animals, but we know very little about the health impacts of PFAS in terrestrial wildlife, and this is the first study to investigate PFAS levels in Australian marsupials.

“The possums in this study are sentinels warning us that broad PFAS contamination of Australian ecosystems and native species is highly probable.”

Human exposure also poses a problem, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ most recent National Health Measures Survey finding PFAS in the blood of more than 98 per cent of Australians tested.

Ass Prof Hufschmid said it’s important to continue this research both to address impacts in wildlife and animals, but also to see them as sentinels of what is going on in our environment more broadly.

“By looking at PFAS levels in a range of different species, representing different levels of exposure (due to their location, but also due to their ecology (e.g. home range) and life history), we will be able to get a much better understanding not only of the potential impacts in the species we

examine, but also the distribution of these chemicals throughout the ecosystems, of which, after all, humans are also a part of,” she said.

“PFAS can be widely transported and distributed through water but also subsequently the soil, it is likely possums are exposed through water and soil (e.g. by feeding on plant matter and invertebrates that are exposed to the soil).

“PFAS is also present in rain, which means

that it potentially settles on a wide range of surfaces (vegetables, flowers, trees etc) outside. In addition, it is possible that some brushtails access human rubbish (e.g. garbage bins).”

Research into the health impacts of PFAS on a range of other animals, including endangered species like the Leadbeater’s Possum, are needed with PFAS occurring almost everywhere in the world.

Ass Prof Hufschmid said there is a lot of location-based variation in the levels of PFAS contamination and it is likely that locations closer to cities, industry and air-bases, have higher contamination levels.

“We are hoping to help raise awareness of the ubiquitousness of PFAS in our environment with the public and our regulators, but also to draw attention to the fact that we continue to contaminate the world with a vast number of man-made chemicals, which accumulate in our bodies in substantial amounts, but of which we have very little understanding what it actually does to us, and the world surrounding us,” she said.

“In particular, we are very interested in getting

a better understanding of the impacts of environmental pollutants on free-ranging wildlife, and what these impacts tell us about potential risks to humans.”

The research was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

ALEC leader and co-author of the published paper, Associate Professor Brad Clarke, said that certain PFAS have been linked to serious health effects, including cancer, developmental harm, and immune system disruption.

“Globally, we are producing and using hundreds of thousands of synthetic chemicals including PFAS, with limited understanding of their long-term impacts,” he said.

“Building on this study, we are keen to investigate how different landscapes affect animals’ exposure to environmental contaminants, as well as examining the health impacts of exposure more closely.

“We are likely to see increasing health impacts from contamination of our ecosystems and food chains with synthetic chemicals, so tighter control of their production and use is essential.”

Preuss surveys agribusiness on kangaroo control

By Callum Ludwig

Woori Yallock resident and vigneron Peter Preuss is continuing to take on kangaroo control concerns, recently conducting a survey to try and find out whether and why local wineries and agribusiness engage commercial shooters.

Mr Preuss contacted 84 other Yarra Valley vineyards asking them to complete a short survey, receiving ten responses, and later adapted the survey to send to all forms of agribusiness in the region.

Mr Preuss said it took a year and a half to get Yarra Ranges Council to unanimously agree to request an exemption to the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) and the main thing that got it over the line was community support.

“I was expecting some pushback from those people that are in favour of it and in fact, the Agribusiness Yarra Valley did state that farmers were having difficulty with kangaroos, but they didn’t say which farmers, they didn’t say how or what the difficulties were,” he said.

“I knew that there were some vignerons that have opened up their properties to commercial shooters and it’s one thing that I do know something about because I’m a vigneron myself…I en-

joy having the kangaroos in over winter, this year in particular with it being so dry, I didn’t have to mow at all because they did me a favour.

“I didn’t get a very massive uptake… but what I did get is small ones like a two-acre family affair right through to the big multinationals and I only got two that tried to defend their position for having called in commercial shooters.”

Only two vineyard respondents claimed kangaroos cause substantial damage to infrastructure, eat grapes, and impact revegetation works and both had recently allowed commercial shooters onto their properties and would do so again.

Mr Preuss said he believes you might get the odd kangaroo that has a little taste of grapes or foliage but they don’t generally do that because they’re graziers who eat grass.

“If you’re revegetating with native grasses, perhaps they might have a nibble of that but they’re not going to eat your shrubs or your bushes or your trees,” he said.

“Deer do that, deer are moving into places in unprecedented numbers and causing quite a bit of damage and I think the kangaroos get the blame for it.”

Of the 29 agribusinesses that responded to the

surveys, all but five at least somewhat supported Council’s call to stop commercial killing of kangaroos and of these:

Two do not support the Council’s position, use commercial shooters and would do so again, having used non-commercial Authority to Control Wildlife (ATCW) permits in the past but are prefer to utilise commercial shooters instead.

A third grazier had never felt the need to kill kangaroos before but recently allowed commercial shooters to operate on their property and now ‘somewhat’ support Council’s call to stop

commercial killing.

One late respondent who described themselves as a 48-acre subsistence agriculturalist also only somewhat supported the call to stop commercial killing and another who was a 17acre hobby farmer with paddocks, wetland and garden did not agree with the Council’s position.

Mr Preuss said he worries by the time the KHP is reviewed for 2028 the situatio could be worse and he hopes the State Government will listen to the people.

“Some were blaming kangaroos for 50 per cent of their costs hat’s quite unbelievable but if that were the case, you’ve got to question the commercial shooting itself working for them, and when they list the problems, it includes things like fence damage,” he said.

“When you shoot kangaroos, they run and damage fences but if you leave them alone, they will find a way through holes in the fence that already exist, or they’ll take their time jumping them.”

“If for some reason they’ve (the Victorian Government) just gone ‘No we’ve already planned to review things in 2028’, then they won’t have any excuse but my concern is we’ll have very few kangaroos left by then.”

PFAS was detected in the livers of brushtail and ringtail possums around Melbourne. (File)

Cosmetic products are common carriers of PFAS. (File)

Vigneron and kangaroo advocate Peter Preuss recently surveyed local vineyards and agribusiness for their thoughts on kangaroo harvesting. (File)

Gruyere needs a school

By Callum Ludwig

Consultation is ongoing within the Gruyere community to see the town’s local school up and running again.

The Department of Education held drop-in sessions for the community to attend throughout October with a view to drumming up awareness and understanding community sentiment regarding the future of Gruyere Primary School.

A Department of Education spokesperson said every student has the right to attend their local Victorian government school.

“We are continually planning for and responding to changes in enrolment trends so all students can be accommodated in fit for purpose teaching spaces,” they said.

“The community were informed at the consultation meetings that any families interested in enrolling students for 2026 or 2027 are invited to contact the Department of Education.”

Gruyere Primary School has had no students or staff since the start of 2024 due to a lack of student enrolments, and thus has been non-operational.

In 2025, there are 15 primary school students residing in Gruyere that attend other local government schools, spanning from Badger Creek to Mt Evelyn and Woori Yallock to Wonga Park.

It is unknown how many school-aged children are attending Catholic or other independent schools, or children aged up to four years old living in the area that could add to a future cohort at Gruyere Primary School.

Gruyere resident Andrea Bigham said the meeting was very productive and cleared up a lot of unknowns.

The Department of Education definitely clarified some issues that were confusing to people and it was good to hear that in the Department of Education’s eyes, they agree Gruyere Primary School is not closed,” she said.

“They are now looking for expressions of inter-

est to get students back hopefully in 2026 or 2027.”

Consultation with the community regarding the school is not done yet, with more to place in the near future.

Ms Bigham said the loss of the Gruyere Primary School has definitely had a ripple effect through the community.

“We don’t have a lot out here and things like schools are definitely what we call central points for rural communities,” she said.

“Having that central point not there anymore has had an effect on community and it’d be nice to see the primary school being used again as a primary school if possible.”

School closures only proceed if requested and recommended by the school council because of no current or expected future enrolments.

The Department of Education has a process to ensure current and future demand for schools is properly planned for and accommodated, including conducting annual reviews of enrolment trends, forecast population demand, and the capacity of local schools.

Due to the number of primary schools in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges in close proximity to one another, the department constantly monitors enrolments in these areas and supports communities wherever possible.

Ms Bigham said the most important thing is to get the message out there.

People in the Valley have assumed the Gruyere Primary School is closed but it’s not as black and white as that,” she said.

“The more of us that can spread the message that the Department of Education is looking for expressions of interest for students, the more it will help their chances of Gruyere Primary School being up and running for what it’s been built for, and that’s to educate our young community.

“The old motto when the small schools in the Valley were open was ‘Small schools are great schools’ and I still believe in that.”

A minimum of 11 new enrolments from the

catchment area would be required for the school to reopen. If the school fails to receive any interest, or if it doesn’t reach the required amount of enrolments, then it would officially close and the department will manage the site’s disposal. Assets and memorabilia of local historical interest from the school would be handed over.

as needing essential maintenance work to ensure they’re kept weatherproof and secure.

Claims management ‘eroding’ quality kinder

By Oliver Winn

Teachers and community leaders at Launching Place Kinder claimed changes made by senior management staff have severely impacted the quality of the kindergarten.

Launching Place Kinder Parent Support Group (PSG) president Emily Arnold said senior staff of the early years manager (EYM) organisation Yarra Ranges Kinders (YRK) had destroyed the service offered by Launching Place Kinder.

gradetoanoutdoorarea,overhalfofthetotalcostof $9000 for the project. The project would reportedly make greater use of the space, ensure comfort in all weather conditions, and potentially open opportunities for increased program capacity in the future.

“There’s no real support for the teaching staff, there’s no support for families, the teachers feel completely undervalued and disrespected,” Ms Arnold said. YRK is an Early Years Manager (EYM), an organisation that runs multiple kinders and centralises management. It manages 22 kinders in the Yarra Ranges. Ms Arnold was critical of what she claimed was YRK’s focus on prioritising profits over the needs of teaching staff, parents and ultimately, children to rein in its debt.

“We’ve gone from the standard three five-hour sessions to two seven-and-a-half sessions per week, and this was dropped on us last year with no consultation.”

But Ms Arnold said the main purpose of the project was to increase the program capacity, which would put teachers under more stress and compromisechildsafety.“Attheendoftheday,ourlicensing wouldincreasefrom27childrento33,whichhaving 33 children on site at any given time, no matter how many staff you have, is increasing issues with child safety and supervision.” But Launching Place isn’t the only kinder to have spoken out against YRK. Lancaster Preschool in Mooroolbark has started a petition demanding YRK’s interim chief executive officer, Juliette Hammond, to resign after similar changes were made.

The petition had 237 signatures at the time of publication. In a response to Star Mail regarding the changes at Lancaster Preschool earlier this year, Ms Hammond said timetable changes had been introduced across 14 of its kindergartens to benefit growing family preferences, the State Government’s reforms and meet demand.

“As a not-for-profit provider operating 22 kindergartens across the local government areas of The Shire of Yarra Ranges and Knox City Council, we continuously review our service models to meet community needs while ensuring sustainable operations,” she said. “We remain committed to supportingourfamiliesanddeliveringhigh-qualityearly education across all our services.”

This was just one example of the many decisions made by YRK without consulting teaching staff and parents. Ms Arnold said YRK moved to combine three-year-old and four-year-old kinder, extend the hours-per-day from five to seven-and-a-half and change timetables without consulting parents and teaching staff “Ultimately, every decision YRK makes regarding sessions and staffing for our children is not for the benefit of our children. It is based on saving money for the organisation because they have been hamstrung by the government with feefree kinder.”

Ms Arnold said teachers at Launching Place Kinderwereforcedtoturntoparentstoraisemoney themselves for essential purchases.

“The kinders individually get a minimalist budget to try and provide these really great quality programs for the children. “They have to access parent funding, fundraising through gold coin donation, dress-up days and chocolate drives and things like that.” In one case, YRK management asked Launching Place Kinder to fundraise $5000 towards an up-

Ms Arnold said YRK has been “hamstrung” by the State Government’s introduction of fee-free kinder under the Best Start, Best Life reforms, as it removed a major source of income for kinders.

“They’re almost running at a corporate-looking structure, rather than keeping the focus on the centres and trying to minimise those management and administration costs.” YRK recorded an operating deficitofover$850,000inits2024annualreportand Ms Arnold said it pointed to a larger, structural issue with how EYMs work. Yarra Ranges Kinders was contacted for comment, and a follow-up story with its response regarding claims made by Launching Place Kinder is intended for next week.

Gruyere

In July 2025 Gruyere Primary School received $52,000 as part of the Victorian Government’s Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) for essential maintenance works. Three buildings at the school were identified

Gruyere Primary School has had no enrolments since 2024. (Stewart Chambers: 515534)

Arnold Dix is honoured

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Monbulk lawyer, engineer, scientist, and author, Professor Arnold Dix, was named a Victorian Finalist for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at a ceremony last night,Thursday, 10 November, at the Leaper Family Pavilion, Arts Centre Melbourne, alongside three other extraordinary Victorians.

The awards celebrate the achievements of Victorians who have made an extraordinary impact on their communities and the nation.

In a Facebook post ahead of the event, Professor Dix said he was, “thrilled and deeply humbled to be named a Victorian Finalist for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards alongside three extraordinary Victorians.”

“I’m just a bloke who helps keep us all safe underground, helps dig tunnels, and tries to get people home safely too. This is a proud day for us nice people, the hardworking majority.”

Professor Dix attended the awards ceremony alongside nominees, guests, and media, where winners were revealed in four categories including, Local Hero, Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, and Australian of the Year.

During an interview with Star Mail reporter, Shamsiya Hussainpoor, Professor Dix reflected on what the recognition means for everyday workers.

“It’s humbling to be recognised, but I’m really just one of many people doing meaningful work quietly every day,” he said.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been driven to help communities facing natural disasters and to understand the forces of our environment so we can be better prepared. Every rescue, research project, and community effort is a collaboration, and I hope this recognition encourages others to step forward and contribute where it matters most.”

The Monbulk Professor, who has spent decades combining his expertise in engineering, law, and science to keep people safe underground, described the honour as “belonging to all those who contribute selflessly to their communities.”

“It’s wonderful recognition for all the kind miners, tunnellers, paramedics, police, and other volunteers and good people around the world,” he said.

Reflecting on his role in the 2023 Himalayan tunnel rescue, where 41 trapped workers were safely brought home, Professor Dix emphasised the importance of teamwork.

“I didn’t rescue anybody, I was part of a team,” he said.

“There were probably 200 of us that were es-

sential for the rescue. We were like a big jigsaw puzzle, and without any one piece, it wouldn’t have worked.”

When asked what drives him, Professor Dix said his passion lies in celebrating the decency of everyday life.

“I wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and think, it’s another day, I’m happy to be alive, I celebrate being a civilised human being in the 21st century,” he said.

“The world around me is predominantly fantastic, people are decent, kind, and good, we just don’t make much noise about it.”

In the same Facebook post, he wrote, “Nice is the new black,” explaining that kindness should

be seen as a strength rather than a weakness.

“Being nice requires strength, if you want to be nice, it’s going to take more effort than being unkind,” he said.

Professor Dix said he was honoured to share the recognition with such compassionate fellow finalists.

“No matter who gets to represent us at the Australian of the Year, I know they’re going to have a big kind band on them,” he said.

“They’re all really lovely people motivated by kindness and decency.”

For him, the occasion was made even more special by sharing it with those closest to him - his mother, wife, sister, and a lifelong mentor,

who joined him at his table for the awards dinner.

“It’s really lovely for Mum to see some celebration of the decent things I do while she’s alive to see it,” he said.

“If you want to know what being a decent person is, stand in front of the mirror and imagine what your five-year-old self would tell you - we already know the answers.”

While Professor Dix was celebrated as a finalist, the Victorian award went to Carrie Bickmore OAM for her outstanding contribution to brain cancer research, alongside other remarkable Victorians recognised in various categories.

Elliot Bell’s running wild for men’s wellbeing

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Dandenong Ranges resident and Bell Real Estate director, Elliot Bell, has been pushing his limits for months, preparing for the epic Grampians Peak Trail (GPT) 100 Mile, held from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November.

Mr Bell attempted to run 162km through the Grampians National Park, climbing a staggering 7700 metres along the way.

The run was a way to test his own limits, it’s a way to raise funds and awareness for the Dandenong Ranges Mountain Men, an initiative that supports men’s connection and wellbeing.

“I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself, and this run scared me witless so it was perfect,” Mr Bell said.

Mr Bell has been training five to six days a week for most of the year, building on his experience in marathons and ultra runs, including three marathons (one DNF), the Rollercoaster Ultra 46k, and the Buffalo Stampede 100k earlier this year, which he said was the perfect lead-up to the Grampians Peak Trail 100 Miler.

He said he’s drawn to Mountain Men because of their commitment to creating safe spaces for men.

The Dandenong Ranges group hosts game nights, activity days, and “dad and children” catch-ups, giving men of all ages and backgrounds opportunities to connect outside traditional sporting clubs or social circles.

“I had heard of Mountain Men, but didn’t know much about them in detail, we reached out to Paul and Andrew, and had a really great connection. I could tell instantly they are men of

great character and really liked the work that they were doing with the group,” he said.

While Mountain Men isn’t strictly a men’s mental health organisation, Mr Bell said its work naturally supports the spirit of connection and wellbeing, especially in the wake of Covid.

“Anything to encourage connection and com-

munity spirit is much needed, and sometimes improving men’s mental health doesn’t explicitly need to be pushed, but it’s a natural evolution of those principles of community and camaraderie amongst men,” he said.

The fundraising target is $5000, and the total is already close to $3000, with all donations going to

support Mountain Men’s ongoing programs.

For the Bell Real Estate director, running has been a transformative journey. He started trail running two and a half years ago to get healthy, lost 40kg in just eight months, and along the way, it has helped him manage anxiety and discover a renewed sense of purpose.

“Help is always out there judgement judgment-free, so don’t talk yourself out of speaking to someone, in my experience, if you do something challenging, you find out something about yourself you didn’t know existed,” Mr Bell said.

“There is a huge amount of growth when you push through your own glass ceilings and find a greater purpose in life.”

He hopes his run will inspire men in the Dandenong Ranges to seek connection and support, and he encourages others to get involved with the Mountain Men.

For more information, visit Mountain Men’s website at www.mountainmen.org.au

L-R: Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, Professor Arnold Dix, and Governor Margaret Gardner at the ceremony. (Salty Dingo)

Professor Arnold Dix, Victorian Finalist for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards. (Stewart Chambers: 515506)

Professor Arnold Dix with his wife, Divina Dix. (Salty Dingo)

Professor Arnold Dix with kids from Puducherry, India. (Supplied)

Elliot Bell from the Dandenong Ranges is running the 162km Grampians Peak Trail 100 Miler to raise funds and awareness for Mountain Men. (Stewart Chambers: 515548)

Elliot Bell is aiming to raise $5000 to support men’s connection and wellbeing. (Stewart Chambers: 515548)

Poetry event approaches

By Tanya Steele

A beloved community literary event with international acclaim is fast approaching in Emerald.

The Emerald Hub will host the annual Woorilla Poetry Prize once more on 16 November from 2pm, promising an afternoon of literary delights.

Breaking previous years’ records, founder Maria Millers said they have received more than 900 quality entries, not just from across Australia but also from overseas, Spain, UK, USA and India.

“The Woorilla Prize has grown over the years from a small local prize to one of the major literary prizes in Australia,” she said.

The shortlisted and winning poets will be announced by judges at the hybrid presentation event, which will be broadcast online from the group’s social media.

“This year, we are honoured to have Andy Jackson as judge for the Judith Rodriguez Open Category and Gayelene Carbis returns to judge the Louise Rockne Youth Section,” said Ms Millers.

A well published poet, Andy Jackson, mentor to writers at Melbourne University and won the ALS Gold Medal and the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for his innovative collection, Human Looking, which delves into themes of disability, identity and the human body.

“He lives with Marfan Syndrome and his work often challenges conventional perceptions of the human body,” said Ms Millers.

Gayelene Carbis is an Australian–Irish–Cornish–Chinese writer of poetry, prose and plays. Her I Have Decided to Remain Vertical was awarded Finalist in two international awards, the International Best Book Award 2023 and Poetry Book Awards 2023, UK.

The keynote speaker for the event is Alicia Sometimes, who is well known for her week-

ly appearances on Melbourne radio and for her latest collection, Stellar Atmospheres, where she turns science into poetry. She has also judged for the prize in previous years.

Victorian Slam Poetry Champion, Aloma

Davis, will be on hand to read out the judges’ selection and perform some of her own

noon and be immersed in the world of poetry.

“For those who may have been sadly inoculated against enjoying poetry by bad school experiences, it may come as a surprise that poetry today is relevant, vibrant. It comes in many forms and is enjoyed across generational divides,” said Ms Millers.

“How many remember Amanda Gorman’s stirring poem, The Hill We Climb, delivered at the 2021 inauguration of President Biden or UK Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage’s Coronation poem from the viewpoint of an ordinary person,” she said.

Coming in varied forms from the traditional ballads and sonnets, so much a part of our literary tradition, to the free forms of today, Ms Millers said there is no such thing as a strictly poetic subject.

The event, while a competition, is about celebrating poetry, providing creativity and connection among poets, along with some live entertainment from local musicians.

Rebellion Bird, a duo featuring singer-songwriter Erin Downie and virtuoso guitarist Nico Distefano, will be on hand to play live, and there will be a very special drop-in bush ballad performance from Mel and Susie, who will say G’Day from Lightning Ridge.

“If you are lucky enough to live in Victoria, join us for an afternoon of poetry, music and delicious refreshments,” said Ms Millers.

Alternatively, join online from your sofa if you are unable to attend. The event will be streamed live from the Woorilla Poetry Prize Facebook page for those who are too far away to be there

Woorilla Poetry Prize founder Maria Millers (left) and slam poet Aloma Davis (right) at the event in 2022. (Supplied)

Appreciate the porcelain

By Oliver Winn

An artistic array of painted porcelain and fine china is on display at the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead this November.

With works from the Australasian Porcelain Art Teachers Vic and the Victorian Guild of China Painters, the exhibition features different styles of painting from traditional to contemporary.

Lilydale based painter Chris Chamberlain said the exhibition was a chance to show people the beauty of porcelain painting.

“We are proud to be showing our work and it’s lovely, often someone will come in and they’ve no idea about how it’s done and to be able to explain how it’s done and they realise all the work that is involved in painting.”

She said 10 different artists contributed their works to the exhibition which included a wide range of subject matter.

“Some people like doing birds and animals, other people like flowers and there’s a few down there that are more modern pieces.”

One of her works is a blue wren painted onto a porcelain trinket box. The soft pastel palette has a graceful nature to it, much like the delicate porcelain it’s painted onto.

The blue wren box is also an example of traditional styles combining with the contemporary through a technique called penwork.

“I painted the flowers first, and then I came with filling in a bit of background penwork,” Ms Chamberlain said.

Though it tends to be older demographics who appreciate traditional porcelain painting, she said younger generations lean more towards pieces that use penwork.

“Younger people like these sort of things as well, the animals and the more modern type slant on it.”

Ms Chamberlain is the membership secretary for the Australaisian Porcelain Art Teachers Vic and the group holds exhibitions at Mont De Lancey every November.

She hoped the exhibition would help people see the effort artists go through when painting on porcelain.

“It can be a lengthy process if you’re doing something big and it needs several firings.”

Unlike regular painting, which could be com-

pleted in one sitting, the porcelain needs to be fired in a kiln and it can take multiple days to finish a piece.

From plates, vases, trinket boxes and framed tiles, there’s no limit to the pieces that can be painted, making it a versatile medium.

Those interested in appreciating the beauty of porcelain painting can view the exhibition for the rest of November at Mont De Lancey.

“It’s such a lovely place for people to come and visit, and there’s so much to look at when they do come, apart from what’s on in the gallery.”

Chris Chamberlain working on a piece. (Oliver Winn: 515803)

Traditional style painting is often combined with newer techniques, such as penwork. (515803)

An example of a porcelain tile, which is often confused for regular paintings due to its framing. (515803)

Busy market period ahead

By Mikayla van Loon

The Mooroolbark Men’s Shed is busy prepping and preparing for a busy period of selling, with its second major market day just around the corner.

Opening up the Shed to the community on Saturday 15 November from 8am to 3pm, a range of handmade and beautifully crafted items will be sold alongside both new and used machinery.

A selection of wooden chopping boards and serving platters, different dog breed-inspired planters, pens, coasters, wooden trucks and cars, and trollies will all be available to purchase.

Having collected a number of tools, saws and screws, all in useable condition but just in need of new owners, these will all be up for sale

as well, with a sausage sizzle to add to the occasion.

Joining forces with the Mooroolbark and District Miniature Railway, the Shed will also be selling its handmade goods on the fourth Sunday of every month.

President Peter Gray said the idea of the market day is to fundraise for the Shed but also to clear out some stock, especially in time for Christmas.

Hosting markets is a new way for the Shed to generate much-needed funds to ensure it can buy materials and provide a space for men to gather.

With its Mooroolbark Coles barbecue tenure ending in August, Mr Gray said the Shed is

looking for new ways to raise funds now that the regular bi-monthly barbecue and stall will come to an end.

“They’ve given us only two a year, instead of getting two a month. So that’s going to cut our costs down tremendously,” he said.

“So next year, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’ll have to try and concentrate on markets. There are only certain things you can do, because in any club, footy club, or whatever it is, it’s the same people week in and week out that help you.

“We might have to have our monthly market here and do a regular sausage sizzle outside, then Denis and the boys can sell all the goods that we make.”

Mr Gray and the committee are hopeful the market days will be a success to ensure the equipment, supplies, and facilities are at a standard suitable for the members.

If people have a project they need help completing, the members love a challenge or taking on custom work.

The market day will also act like an open day, for people to see what the Mooroolbark Men’s Shed is all about.

Head down to the Mooroolbark Men’s Shed, located on the corner of Ellen Road and Croydondale Drive.

The Shed is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 2pm every week. To find out more, visit mooroolbarkmensshed.org

She Shapes History comes to the Yarra Ranges

By Tanya Steele

A little online storytelling can go a long way, and locals may have noticed the stories and scenery of some amazing figures from Yarra Ranges’ history appearing across social media since October this year.

Now showing at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, the innovative new project, Badass Women of the Yarra Ranges, is both a physical and digital body of work that tells the stories of 11 remarkable women from across the region.

“We want to reinsert their stories into the collective consciousness and hopefully inspire younger generations to remember these women,” Yarra Ranges Regional Museum curator Maddie Reece said.

Running from 18 October to 7 December, the exhibit includes a driving map that takes people all over the Yarra Ranges to discover the stories of some of the area’s beloved icons, like garden designer Edna Walling and opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.

People can also learn about Alice Anderson, the first woman to drive the Black Spur; Eileen Steenson, a daring pilot who flew from Australia to England; and Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters, whose advocacy brought recognition to Aboriginal service people.

Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said this project is a powerful reminder of the courage, creativity and determination of women from our region.

“It celebrates the legacy of women who led the way — often against the odds — and ensures their contributions are recognised, remembered and honoured,” he said.

Dreamt up over a lunch break, Ms Reece said she met with the She Shapes History founder Sita Sargeant after realising the feminist tour guide was also running a tour that included Dame Nellie Melba in Melbourne, and the collaboration soon followed.

“We’ve got this amazing illustrated adventure tour map by illustrator Amandine Thomas that takes you beyond the museum, off your phone, and into what the Yarra Ranges has to offer,” Ms Reece said.

Filming on site across the Yarra Ranges and

delivering a ton of energy in her online storytelling, Sita Sargeant from She Shapes History shines the spotlight on some iconic figures who have shaped Australian history and broken barriers in their time.

“If we want respect for women today, we need to recognise the women who shaped our past,” Ms Sargeant said.

She Shapes History is a social enterprise spotlighting often overlooked contributions of women and other marginalised communities to Australian history, founded by Ms Sargeant in Canberra in 2021, the museum was excited to work with her.

To bring the project to life, the teams from the museum and She Shapes History consulted with historical societies and First Nations families across the region to source the history and local connections of the women selected for the project.

“They were instrumental in telling these stories and helping us to connect with people across the region who might have more information,” Ms Reece said.

From a beautiful painting and journals, to a stool used by Edna Walling herself, the physical exhibit in Lilydale is small but powerful, with a number of artefacts to accompany the history being brought into the modern day.

“What we have done with the museum display here is actually drawn out the collection to represent some of those stories as well, and local private collectors have contributed as well,” Ms

Reece said.

The museum also has an interactive honour board, where residents can nominate other women throughout Yarra Ranges’ history whom they admire.

“They can add their details to the wall,” said Ms Reece.

Museum Director Megan Sheehy said the collaboration with She Shapes History is about inspiring the next generation to challenge the status quo with the stories of incredible local women.

“These women weren’t just part of history — they shaped it,” she said.

With advocates, travellers, designers, artists and more, the Badass Women of the Yarra Ranges physical exhibition will close in style to coincide with the Lilydale Melba Festival and Street Fair on 7 December, with Sita Sargeant set to make a few guest appearances.

Mooroolbark Men’s Shed’s Peter Gray, Peter Versteegen and Denis Hough are busy preparing for its second major market day. (Stewart Chambers: 487758)

The dog-inspired planters are a fan favourite. (487758)

Ted, Alec and Pat having a laugh. (487758)

Gerry Bakker, former trade teacher, is the go-toman for tips, tricks and trade skills. (487758)

Filming the story for Eileen Steenson - one of the first Australian women to fly solo from England to Australia, later becoming one of PNG’s first female commercial pilots. (Supplied).

Filming across the Yarra Ranges, Sita Sargent and her team have brought the stories of 11 iconic women to a new audience across social media. (Supplied).

Roadside rubbish survey

By Cindy McLeish

Endless piles of illegally dumped rubbish are lining our roads more often than not and destroying our environment, while the State Labor Government believes if it is not a hazard – rubbish or roadkill - it is not a priority for moving.

I want to send a clear message to the Minister for Roads and Minister for Environment that it is not good enough.

That’s why I have launched a survey to provide evidence where roadside rubbish is being illegally dumped.

You can help by completing the survey to let the state government know exactly where the worst spots are for rubbish dumping.

If it is safe to do so, take a photo of the rubbish

CARTOON

The state of

affairs

Cindy McLeish MP Member for Eildon

pile to upload with the exact location.

I know our littered roadsides are embarrassing to Yarra Ranges locals who take great pride in their surrounds, and with good reason.

We are surrounded by greenery, vineyards

and are a major tourist destination.

The constant heaps of building offcuts, rubble, mattresses, broken furniture, tyres, bags of clothes and rags, planks of wood, even washing machines are unsightly, unwelcoming and damaging the environment. Rubbish often mounds along the busy Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road and HealesvilleYarra Glen Road.

To make matters worse, animal carcases from roadkill have become a regular occurrence on the Eltham-Yarra Glen Road which is also a popular dumping ground.

The Allan Labor Government has clearly failed at keeping roadsides rubbish free, preventing illegal dumping and have slacked off on removing roadkill.

What’s

coming up in the theatre

Malthouse Theatre – Southbank

Red Shoes – Meow Meow returns International cabaret icon Meow Meow returns to Melbourne with Meow Meow’s Red Shoes, a wildly inventive, darkly funny and achingly beautiful reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairytale, at Malthouse’s Merlyn theatre.

Drawing on the myth of a young girl who cannot stop dancing, Meow Meow explores the seduction of desire, the fragility of identity, and the hunger for transcendence that every performer wants to step back into the spotlight again and again.

The beguiling fairytale offers audiences the perfect end-of-year escape - a dazzling cabaret spectacle that leans into frenzy, ferocity and joy, with a wink, a gap and more than a little mischief.

• SEASO: 19 November - 3 December, 7.30pm.

Eltham Little Theatre

Whodunnit

Six strangers and a butler have gathered for a black tie dinner in a wealthy lawyer’s mansion during a thunderstorm.

The guests include an aged rear admiral, a bitchy aristocrat, a doddering old archaeologist, a dashing young cad and other Agatha Christie types.

One of the guests is an oily Levantine who tells the others that he has the goods to blackmail them.

He is ripe for murder and so it happens. Whodunnit?

This is a tabled event - take your own food and beverages.

• Bookings: 0411 713 095.

• Season: Friday 21 November – Sunday 6 December.

1812 Theatre

Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica

It’s an age-old-question: do opposites attract.

More specifically could you date someone who had completely different music desires to you.

Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica explores this contested idea with oodles of wit and charm through the story of a very unlikely pair.

It’s the beginning of a new friendship between Miss Monica and her contractor, Gary.

Miss Monica has taken leave from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to tendinitis in her shoulder

I’ve had enough! In Parliament, I directly called on the Minister for Roads to ensure the Department of Transport receives the appropriate budget to make an ongoing effort to clean up our roadsides. They do what they can with the budget provided but their hands are often tied.

Cleaning our roadsides should be made a priority, along with fixing our roads.

The Allan Labor Government needs to pull their heads out from the sand and smell the rubbish.

Have your say and let the Allan Labor Government know where roadside rubbish is being dumped via the survey link: cindymcleish.com. au/survey/roadside-rubbish

Is this a good movie?

Predator: Badlands Starring Dmitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi and Elle Fanning M 4.5/5

Predator: Badlands is another excellent Predator film from Prey director Dan Trachtenberg.

Dek (Dmitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), an outcast of the Yautja/Predator species, teams up with a damaged android named Thia (Elle Fanning) to hunt a deadly creature on a perilous planet.

Badlands is the first Predator film with a Predator protagonist, and SchusterKoloamatangi gives a fierce, noble performance, sprinkled with vulnerability and humour, as Dek.

The Predators even speak a complete language developed by Paul Frommer, who made the Na’vi language for Avatar.

and decides to employ Gary to install her IKEAdesigned decor.

Unbeknown to the trained musician, Gary has an alto ego of Rhinestone Rex, a washedup country music star who intends to convince Monica that country music is just as valid as her classical music.

Both single and alone, a little spark forms between the two, but are they too dissimilar to match or do opposites attract?

• Season: 13 November – 6 December. Bookings: 9758 3964

Lilydale Athenaeum theatre

Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Jamboree

In Nunsense 1, wacky nun, Sister Mary Amnessia, regained her memory and recalled that she always wanted to be a country singer.

In Nunsense 11, her dream became one step closer to reality when Reverend Mother landed a recording contract for her.

The third in the series in Dan Grogan’s series of Nunsense musicals, this hilarious comedy is cheered by audiences and critics alike as funny and fast-paced.

Outrageously funny musical numbers include We Miss You Patsy Cline and A Cowgirl from Canarsie where Sister amnesia’s dream is realised as ache headlines a brand new sow promoting her debut album I Coud Have gone to Nashville.

• Season: 20 November – 6 December. Bookings: 9735 1777

Between this and the video game Death Stranding 2, Fanning stars in some cool scifi this year, and delivers an engaging dual performance as Thia and her “sister” Tessa. Thia is upbeat and chirpy but also a voice of reason, and Tessa is the cold, driven antagonist.

By the way, Badlands is the first cinematic crossover between the Predator and Alien franchises since AVP: Requiem in 2007, as Thia and Tessa are Company synthetics like Ash, Bishop and David.

The swiftly-paced plot builds upon Dek’s quest to hunt a mighty creature and avenge his slain brother, fleshing out the world and bringing Dek and Thia closer as they reject their corrupt origins.

Their alien native companion “Bud”, a cute but powerful gremlin-like critter, might be a little goofy for some viewers, but he has a solid role in the action and story.

The kinetic, creative action makes clever use of the planet’s wildlife and hazards, and the brutal fights spill buckets of blood – but since it’s green Predator and white synthetic blood, Badlands only gets an M rating.

Predator: Badlands is an immensely entertaining action movie and a well-paced, surprisingly touching journey about finding your own family, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 Cutting tooth (7)

5 Tidies, – up (7)

9 Rally participant (9)

10 Around (5)

11 Scanty (6)

12 Australian food spread made from yeast (8)

14 Admirably brave (6)

15 Vampire tooth (4)

19 Burden (4)

20 Bug (6)

24 Bloopers (8)

25 Strip (6)

27 Streets (5)

28 Liveliness (9)

29 Accidents (7)

30 Afternoon rests (Sp) (7)

1 Mischievous (6)

2 Hymn tune (6)

3 Draws (8)

4 Mechanical procedure (4)

5 Respect (coll) (6,4)

6 Vehicle propelled by explosive thrust (6)

7 Circus (8)

8 Search in discarded waste (8)

13 Big string instrument (6,4)

16 Image made of light beams (8)

17 Weddings (8)

18 Last (8)

21 Sickness (6)

22 Favouring one or the other gender (6)

23 Compensates (6)

26 Life simulation series developed by Maxis, The – (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can

EXQUISITE “BUILDER’S OWN“ RESIDENCE WITH MONBULK VALLEY VIEWS AND GARAGING GALORE

CRAFTED to exacting standards and designed with a meticulous eye for detail, 238 Emerald Monbulk Road is a masterclass in contemporary luxury and functionality. North-facing and beautifully proportioned, this builder’s own home boasts quality, comfort and clever design at every turn.

Occupying the entire lower level, the expansive 170sqm garage (with over 3-metre ceilings) is a dream come true for car enthusiasts, trades, or those seeking a flexible multipurpose space. Whether it’s a collector’s haven, home gym, workshop, or studio - the options are endless.

Upstairs, the home opens to stunning views across the Monbulk Valley. The lightfilled interiors are perfectly balanced between sophistication and warmth. Four spacious bedrooms are strategically positioned for privacy, with the master suite featuring a picturesque bay window, walk-in robe, and indulgent ensuite, whilst an open-plan living and dining zone provides the ideal space for family connection and entertaining. As a centrepiece, the French Provincial-inspired kitchen is a showstopper, boasting stone benchtops, a walk-in butler’s pantry, and quality finishes that elevate everyday living. Designed with sustainability and comfort in mind, the home features a 6-star energy rating, double-glazed windows, electric ducted and cooling plus a gas log fire - ensuring perfect temperature control all year round. Set on just under half an acre of beautifully cared for grounds, the property offers:

• A 4.3m x 2.3m swim-spa pool for summer enjoyment: gas heated with swim jets Expansive undercover decking for effortless entertaining

• Tiered lawns ideal for children and pets

• A sealed driveway, additional parking, and rear yard access

Attic storage with ladder access adds yet another layer of practicality to this impressive home.

Perfectly positioned within walking distance of Monbulk’s main street, public transport, and local schools, this superior residence combines the best of tranquillity with everyday convenience.

Whether you’re seeking a luxurious family home or a refined retreat with room for all your passions, 238 Emerald Monbulk Road delivers an unmatched lifestyle opportunity - a property where craftsmanship, comfort, and class come together in perfect harmony. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

PRIVATE HILLS HIDEAWAY WITH STUNNING SURROUNDS

TUCKED away in a peaceful no-through road, just moments from Upwey’s vibrant village and train station, this beautifully presented home captures the perfect blend of comfort, lifestyle, and convenience.

Stepping through the formal entrance, you are welcomed into a light-filled open-plan living zone where tiled floors, a charming bay window, and tranquil surrounds create an inviting atmosphere to relax and unwind. Whether curling up with a book on a cool winter’s evening or opening the doors to the garden on a warm summer’s day, the seamless indoor-outdoor flow sets the tone for easy Hills living.

At the heart of the home, the modern kitchen is a delight for both everyday cooking and entertaining, complete with stainless steel appliances, gas cooktop, dishwasher, and ample storage space.

The accommodation comprises three generous bedrooms, all featuring built-in robes and reverse-cycle air conditioning. The main suite is enhanced by expansive windows that invite the natural light in and a stylish dualaccess ensuite-effect bathroom for added convenience.

Outdoors, the property takes full advantage of its sought-after usable block. A spacious deck and paved entertaining area overlook the leafy rear garden a private retreat offering plenty of space for children, pets, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Additional highlights include gas ducted heating and four split system air conditioners for year-round comfort, a double carport, a lock-up garage with an impressive workshop area, and easy-care gardens with established plantings that enhance the sense of serenity.

Perfectly positioned within walking distance to Upwey Primary School, Upwey High School, local cafes, shops, and the train station, this home also offers quick access to scenic walking trails such as the 1000 Steps and Birdsland Reserve.

Move-in ready and ideally located, this delightful Upwey residence promises a relaxed Hills lifestyle with all the modern conveniences at your doorstep. ●

FAMILY HOME IN A PEACEFUL HILLS SETTING

TUCKED away on a generous 3293 sqm allotment in a peaceful pocket along the iconic Puffing Billy corridor, this spacious fivebedroom, two-bathroom home delivers familyfriendly comfort and unbeatable convenience — just moments from Belgrave’s shops, schools, and Wellington Road.

Step in under the covered entry to a welcoming foyer that leads into the expansive kitchen, dining, and living area. With exposed beams, skylights, and large windows capturing the natural light, the home feels open and uplifting.

The kitchen is well-appointed with a dishwasher, integrated wall oven, gas stovetop, and abundant bench and cupboard space, making family meals and entertaining effortless.

Gas ducted heating and ducted cooling keep the home perfectly comfortable throughout the seasons.

A second living zone with hardwood floors and a woodfire provides a relaxed retreat and opens directly to the rear verandah — a wonderful spot to unwind or entertain while overlooking the leafy surrounds.

Privately positioned on a lower level, the master bedroom includes built-in robes and an ensuite, while down the hallway, four further carpeted bedrooms each feature built-in robes and share a bright family bathroom with separate toilet.

Outdoors, a double carport, garden shed, and extensive under-house storage with a concrete floor offer practicality and space for tools, hobbies, or future workshop potential.

Perfectly located in a quiet, family-friendly setting close to the Puffing Billy walking trail, this property is all about space, comfort, and a true Hills lifestyle.

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. ●

HillsLifestylewithViews,Space &Versatility. Setona generous2,474sqmjustmomentsfromEmeraldtownshipandschools,thisinvitinghome deliversspace,comfort,andflexibilityforfamilyliving. Awideverandahwelcomesyoutoenjoy sweepinghillviewsbeforesteppinginsidetoanairyopen-planliving,dining,andkitchenzonewith vaultedceilings,woodfire,andsplitsystem.Thewell-appointedkitchenincludes agasovenand cooktop,dishwasher,andplentyofstorageoverlookingtheleafyreargarden.Themasterbedroom features awalk-inrobeandlargewindowframingtheview,whiletwoadditionalbedroomssharea renovatedbathroomwithskylight.Outside,enjoyanundercoverentertainingarea,veggiepatch, birdaviary/chookhouse,andampleyardspace. Aself-containedone-bedroomstudio,triple carport,andextensiveunder-housestoragecompletethiswonderfullyversatileHillsretreat.

$1,380,000-$1,500,000

Stunning &ImmaculateHillsRetreatwithDualAccommodation &Beautiful ViewsonOver3 Acres Setonjustover3 acreswith2 streetfrontages, acirculardriveway& viewsfromeverywindow,this exceptionalpropertyblendsspace,flexibility& tranquillity.Themainhomefeatures3 bedrooms (masterwithensuite &walk-inrobe)a brightopen-plankitchenwithstonebenchtops &900mm gasstove &split-levellivingwitha loungewarmedby awoodfire &splitsystem.Stepontothe expansivedecktoenjoydistanthillviews, aspabath &overheadheaters —perfectforyear-round entertaining.A separatestudiowithbathroom,Juliettebalcony& workshopbelowaddsdual-living orguestpotential.Additionalhighlightsinclude a4-carpoweredgarage,extensiveveggiegarden,2 fencedpaddocks,anorchardof27fruittrees &an8.5KVAdieselgeneratorwithautomaticcut-in.

ArchitecturalElegancewithPanoramicViews! Perchedon2,671sqminpeacefulAvonsleigh,momentsfromEmerald’stownship,schools& shops, thisstriking4-bedroom,2-bathroomhomeblendsarchitecturalflairwitheverydaycomfort &breath takingtreetop &valleyviews.A wideverandahwrapsaroundthehome,leadinginsidetosoaring ceilings,timberfloors&astunningcentralatriumthatfillsthespacewithnaturallightbyday& frames thestarsbynight.Thestylishkitchenfeaturesstonebenchtops,integratedappliances &a serene outlook —perfectforrelaxedliving& entertaining.Themastersuiteenjoysverandahaccess,walk-in robe &ensuite,while 3furtherbedroomsareservicedby afamilybathroom.Freshlypainted& fitted withgasductedheating &evaporativecooling,thehomealsoincludesanundercoverentertaining area,doublegarage,carport& leafygardens —a trueHillssanctuary. 15AAvonRoadAvonsleigh

FAMILY LIVING WITH STYLE, SPACE AND LIFESTYLE

PERFECTLY positioned in one of the area’s most sought after family friendly pockets, this beautifully modernised home delivers the ultimate combination of comfort, functionality and Hills charm. Within easy walking distance of Belgrave Heights Christian School and just minutes from Belgrave South and Tecoma Primary Schools, it offers a lifestyle designed around convenience and modern living.

From the moment you step inside, the home’s warmth and thoughtful design are immediately apparent. Gleaming hardwood floors flow throughout, complementing the spacious, light filled interiors. The oversized lounge room is a true centrepiece that is perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or gathering around the fire on those colder evenings.

The kitchen is both stylish and practical, showcasing stone tops, an island bench, Bosch gas cooktop, built-in oven and microwave, and an integrated dishwasher that blends seamlessly into the cabinetry. Adjoining the kitchen, the generously sized dining zone offers a delightful sitting nook - an inviting space for family conversations or casual coffee moments.

There are four bedrooms, each fitted with ceiling fans, blinds and new carpet, plus a home office with built-in cabinetry for those working or studying from home. Both the main bathroom and ensuite have been fully renovated, with sleek finishes and there is a deep soaking tub that is the ideal place to unwind at the end of the day.

Climate control is well catered for with ducted heating, a wood fire, an open fireplace and air conditioning in the main bedroomensuring comfort all year round.

Step outside and the lifestyle continues. A heated plunge pool promises endless family fun, while the undercover rear deck is ideal for entertaining - whether it’s summer BBQs or relaxed evenings that spill from outdoors to in.

Practicality hasn’t been forgotten with dual driveway access, a large four car garage, double carport, under-house storage and a garden shed provide ample space for vehicles, hobbies, and tools. Set on approximately onethird of an acre, the grounds offer plenty of room for children, pets and outdoor living.

Combining stylish modern updates, generous proportions, and a location that is only moments from quality schools and all local amenities, this property delivers everything a growing family could wish forcomfort, space, and a touch of luxury in the heart of Belgrave Heights. ●

CHARACTER, COMFORT AND SPACE TO GROW

PERFECTLY positioned in a sunny pocket of Cockatoo, this character-filled property is bursting with charm, flexibility and lifestyle appeal. Set on a generous 983m² allotment zoned Residential Zone 1, it’s the perfect opportunity for first home buyers, families or anyone seeking space and versatility in a peaceful hills setting.

The main residence offers a warm and inviting atmosphere, featuring a light-filled kitchen with timber benchtops, gas cooking, dishwasher and plenty of storage.

The central lounge provides the ideal place to relax and unwind, while two spacious bedrooms and a flexible additional room, perfect as a study, kids’ playroom or extra storage, ensure comfort and practicality for everyday living.

Adding to its appeal, the property also includes a fully self-contained one-bedroom bungalow complete with an ensuite, lounge and kitchenette. This versatile space is ideal for a teenage retreat, extended family accommodation or even a home business setup.

Step outside and you’ll discover an incredible outdoor entertaining area that will no doubt be the envy of your friends and family.

Complete with its own outdoor kitchen and plenty of room to gather, it’s the ultimate space for year-round entertaining.

The expansive, fully usable block provides loads of room for kids and pets to play, as well as ample car accommodation for vehicles, trailers or boats.

Conveniently located just minutes from both the Cockatoo and Emerald townships, you’ll enjoy the perfect balance of country charm and everyday convenience, with schools, shops, cafes and public transport all within easy reach.

Packed with character, space and flexibility, this delightful property has everything you’ve been searching for, so don’t delay. Call today, as opportunities like this don’t last long. ●

E HILLS ’ LEADING PROPERT Y

At BarryPlant Emerald we believe that yourinvestmentdeservesmore thanjust management,itdeservesexpertcare and attention.

Led by Senior PropertyManager, Krystelle Rush ourlocalteamoffersunrivalledknowledge of the Emeraldand Dandenong Rangesmarket, ensuring yourpropertyisalways intrustedhands. From

•

THE ULTIMATE COUNTRY HIDEAWAY ON 172 ACRES

A rare and very unique large acreage property, offering the ultimate bush getaway in stunning surroundings and a complete off grid lifestyle.

Sitting on approx. 172 glorious Yarra Valley acres with a few cleared acres and the remainder of picturesque scattered bushland.

A builders own home, a quality build and just a few years old.

Beautifully presented inside and out and with all the modern comforts of an energy efficient home.

Offering 3 bedrooms all with built in robes plus an ensuite and walk in robe in the main bedroom.

Separate spacious family and living rooms are perfectly situated to admire and enjoy the rural vista view.

The kitchen is very impressive with quality appliances and fixtures throughout with ample

bench and cupboard space plus a separate meals/dining area.

Head outdoors and you’re spoilt for activities and adventure - offering something for the whole family.

A huge lock-up garage, beautiful open rolling grassed areas and acres and acres of bush to explore and enjoy.

A nature lovers paradise with an abundance of wildlife and birdlife in peaceful and private surroundings.

Boasting a fantastic rural lifestyle, this property boasts a very unique financial bonus offering generous biodiversity credits offering the new owners a substantial financial income and bonus for the years ahead.

A truly unique and special property offering a fantastic large acreage rural lifestyle. ●

FantasticAcreageViews& CharmingHomein aPrivateLocation Thissuperbacreagelifestyleawaitsyou.Setonjustunder20acreswitha mixofclearedpastureand bush,it’stheidealplacetorelaxandenjoythescenery.Thehomesitsina commandingposition, enjoyingthevalleyviewsallyear.Boasting 4bedroomsover2 levelsplus alargeoffice/studyand workfromhomesetup.Multipleliving/loungeandfamilyroomsgivethefamilyspacetospreadout. Thekitchenisimpressivewithqualityappliancesandplentyofbenchandcupboardspaceplusa separatemeals/diningarea.Stepoutsideandenjoycovereddeckingandanalfresco/BBQarea -justthespottorelaxandenjoytheYarraValleyviews.A largehighclearancecarportandbarn offerplentyofcar,truckandcaravanaccommodation.Thefamilywilllovetheacresofspacewith somethingforeveryone!A fantasticpropertyin agloriousandprivatelocation.

CharmingHideawayinPeacefulSurrounds Setinpicturesqueandprivatesurroundingsthischarmingmudbrickhomeistheidealplaceto unwindrelaxandgetawayfromitall.Offering 2bedroomswithlounge/livingroomspace,meals areaandanopenkitchen,headoutsideandenjoyandexplorethehugeblockofapprox.1670sqm with amixofcolourfulestablishedgardensandmaturetreeswithloadsofspacetospreadoutand enjoy.Amplecaraccommodationwith acarportandlockupgarage, agreatpropertyoffering greatvaluein apopularandpicturesquelocation.

EmbracetheLifestyleat‘MapleCottage’

Thiscottageiswonderfullycosy,featuringpolishedfloorboardsthroughout,highceilings,sash windows.Themasterbedroomincludesanupdatedensuite,whilethesecondbedroomisa generoussize,thethirdbedroom,isbathedinnaturallightandoffers aserenegardenoutlook. Openplanlounge,completewitha cosyfireplace,flowsseamlesslyintothekitchenandouttoa gorgeouspatioarea,creating arelaxedandinvitingatmospherewitha divineaspecttositback andenjoy.Outside,you’llfind astudio,gardenshed,and agaragewithconcretefloor,carportand multiplesittingareaswhereyoucansoakupthetranquility,andenjoyyourgardenwithabundant fruittrees.Setonanapprox.800sqmblock,thisdelightfulcottagewouldsuita peacefulweekender or acharminghomealljustminutesfromthepicturesquewalkingtrails &YarraRiver.

extendedfamily.Offering 5bedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesandspreadover2 levels,a greatsize familyroomanda separatelivingroomgivesthewholefamilyplentyofspacetorelaxandmove around.Thekitcheniswellappointedandhasamplebenchandcupboardspaceplus aseparate mealsarea.Sitback,relaxandenjoythefantasticvalleyviewsallyearroundfromthecovered verandah,whilstoverlookingthepicturesqueblockofapprox1687sqm.A greatcornerblock locationofferingeasyandconvenientaccessidealfortrailersandlargevehiclesplus alockup garageandplentyofextraparkingspace.Ideallysituatedjust ashortstrolltolocal,schools,shops andtransport.A greatfamilyhomein agreatlocation,situatedina quietandpeacefulstreet.

No play, but high spirits

Despite the horrid weather on Saturday, and the subsequent cancellation of play, the Ringwood and District Cricket Association community took the opportunity to observe our collective gratitude, thoughts and remembrance for those who have served our country with the inaugural launch of Remembrance Day Round.

Remembrance Day Round was commemorated with a poignant ceremony recognising the sacrifices our service men and women have made, and continue to do so, to give our country the freedoms we have today, in particular the privilege of playing the game we love, cricket.

With the impromptu halt in cricket action, initiatives such as all cricketers wearing poppies and the awarding of a Remembrance Day Medal will be held off until next weekend’s play. So too will Mt Evelyn Cricket Club’s pregame ceremony, involving the players and officials of the club and members of the Mt Evelyn RSL.

This is a special moment for the Mt Evelyn Cricket Club and the Mt Evelyn RSL, who have led the way in our cricket community, honouring our service men and women, having run ceremonies over the past three seasons and grown a strong relationship between both organisations.

The week off gives us a chance to reflect on the first part of the season as the action-packed start to the season now settles to the cut and thrust of two-day cricket as teams jostle for prime positions in the top four heading into the Christmas break.

Community Bank - Mt Evelyn First XI

Ladder position: 8th/10

Leading Run Scorer: Daniel Giblin 154 runs

Leading Wicket Taker: Lachlan Morrow/ Bohdie Jones four wickets

The First XI have had a few challenges adjusting to the consistent rigours of the Wilkins Cup competition. There is no let-up from game to game with the quality of opposition, and the depth of bowling and batting that each side presents has left the Mounters rueing key opportunities as they have only been able to post one victory thus far. The next month provides not only a stern challenge, but one that could thrust them into finals calculations should they post some key victories.

Professionals Outer East Second XI

Ladder position: 2nd/8

Leading Run Scorer: Luke Shepherd 123 runs

Leading Wicket Taker: Joseph Chamberlin/ Luke Shepherd/Kynan Yates five wickets

The Second XI have made a strong start to the 2025/26 season, sitting second on the ladder with just one loss coming in the last round against Bayswater Park. Their form has been on the back of even contributions across the board with both bat and ball. The team will be wary of a drop in form as the chasing pack isn’t too far behind. A good run into Christmas will have them in pole position for finals action.

Rhead Group Third XI

Ladder position: 2nd/8

Leading Run Scorer: Cambell Finch 151 runs

Leading Wicket Taker: Graeme Foster/Daniel Meades/Alex Whiting seven wickets

After being completely outplayed by Heathwood in Round One, the Third XI have strung together three emphatic wins on the trot to look like one of the front-runners of the Ann Pascoe Shield. Cambell Finch has impressed with the bat, whilst the bowlers have shone, setting their team up well. The Third XI have been in similar positions in recent seasons, only to fall away when the whips get cracking. They will be well aware that nothing can be taken for granted and any slip in form will need to be addressed promptly.

Hop Hen Brewing Fourth XI

Ladder position: 5th/8

Leading Run Scorer: Jarrod Hartman 233 runs

Leading Wicket Taker: Robbie Wilson six wickets

The Fourth XI have had an unsettled line-up, and as such have produced a mixed bag of results. Two consecutive wins have put them within reach of the top four, and if they can continue the run, will be right in the mix come Christmas. Results have been highlighted by some impressive individual achievements, in particular the monster double ton produced by Jarrod Hartman in Round Three.

Lilydale Tyres Fifth XI

Ladder position: 5th/8

Leading Run Scorer: Andrew Frid 81 runs

Leading Wicket Taker: Craig Kenins five wickets

The Fifth XI have stepped up a grade and a division this season, and have been more than competitive in their outing thus far, bar the trouncing they copped last round against Boronia. The Fifth XI have built a consistent lineup over the past few seasons and this shows with their cohesion on the

field. The developing youngsters in the team are where this team will find its growth and improvement, and if the young stars continue their rapid rise, then anything is possible for this team.

Flowtec Sixth XI

Ladder position: 7th/8

Leading Run Scorer: Chris Anderson 98 runs

Leading Wicket Taker: Ian Llewellyn/Chris Anderson three wickets

The Sixth XI have battled to field a team each week this season, and as such has struggled to put wins on the board.

The highlight, as always, in this grade is the ‘firsts’ achieved by the juniors stepping up to the senior ranks for the first time. Noah Bell, Elisha Whitelaw and Liam Glover have all scored their first senior runs, whilst Bell has completed the double, taking his first wicket. Jacdan Mikaelian, Chase Missen and Mason Jones are also juniors

Mt Evelyn RSL President Matt Crymble, Mt Evelyn Cricket Club President Tim Heaphy and RDCA President Michael Finn. (Supplied)

Mt Evelyn Cricket Club President Tim Heaphy, Secretary Chris Anderson and First XI captain Campbell Mole. (Supplied)

Mt Evelyn RSL President Matt Crymble, Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence, Mt Evelyn Cricket Club President Tim Heaphy and RDCA President Michael Finn. (Supplied)

Solomons’ blistering run

By Les Hutchings

Last Wednesday, Kilsyth First XI played against Bayswater Park in the Round 2 RDCA T20 match at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve. It was the second match between the two teams within a week, as they had also met in the Wilkins Cup competition one-day match the previous Saturday, when Kilsyth were narrow victors by four runs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Kilsyth lost two early wickets to be 2/24 after 5.3 overs. However, Andy Solomons and Sagar Ahir then put on a brisk 85 in 8.4 overs for the third wicket to take the score to 109 when Solomons was out for a blistering 72 off 37 balls, including five fours and six sixes. His innings included three consecutive sixes off the last three balls of the 13th over. Then, the Redbacks lost another wicket to be 4/114, with Devon Gabriel-Brown claiming both wickets in the 15th over. Sagar Ahir was the next batsman out, caught for 30 off 34 balls (1 four), with the score now 5/133 after 17.5 overs. At the end of the allotted 20 overs, Kilsyth had reached 8/143cc. For Bayswater Park, the multiple wicket takers were Devon Gabriel-Brown, who took 3/37 off four overs, and Troy Gstrein 2/17 off four overs.

The Sharks replied with a match-winning opening partnership of 105 in 9.1 overs between Kade Perkins, 57 off 33 balls (nine fours), and Max Parker. Parker was the second batsman out for 65 off 31 balls (five fours and three sixes), and at that stage Bayswater Park were 2/135 from 12.2 overs. Shortly after, they passed Kilsyth’s score with a six to Justin Laughlin, reaching 2/148 off 14.5 overs with Laughlin and Spencer Petrie both 11 not out. Kilsyth’s wicket takers were Chris Pahi 1/11 off 1.2 overs and Dyan Smith 1/22 off three overs.

The next match is on Tuesday, 11 November, with the Redbacks at home against Upper Ferntree Gully on Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve (start time 5.15pm).

Serena Gibbs wins inaugural Remembrance Day medal

By Les Hutchings

Last weekend was the RDCA’s Remembrance Round but unfortunately, all Saturday’s junior and senior men’s matches were cancelled due to the wet weather and state of the grounds. However, Kilsyth Cricket Club’s Under 12s played on Friday evening and the Women’s First XI played on Sunday. In the Women’s match, all-rounder Serena Gibbs won the inaugural Women’s Remembrance Day Round Medal after taking 3/12 off six overs and then scoring 37 off 44 balls with the bat. Also, Stephanie Gibbs 44* and Belinda Hutchings 21* shared an unbroken eighth-wicket record partnership of 71 to steer the Women’s team over the line in a close match. The Women’s First XI one-day B Grade match against Belgrave was fixtured to be played at Belgrave Recreation Reserve, but this was changed to Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve, as the Belgrave ground was unplayable due to the recent wet weather. Belgrave won the toss and elected to bat. Yvonne Pleydell and Co-Captain Ishleen Lamba shared a good opening partnership of 47 in 13.2 overs before coming to an end when Stephanie Gibbs’ second ball of the match dismissed Pleydell for 22 off 43 balls, well caught by Nicole Woolhouse at fly slip. Lamba was the next wicket to fall, bowled by spinner Nisansala Hettiarachchi for a well-made 35 off 55 balls (five fours, including three in one over). Belgrave were now 2/76 off 20.2 overs. After 30 overs, the score had reached 2/120 with a third-wicket partnership of 44 between Melinda Cottrell and Co-Captain Jess Walker. Then, opening bowler Serena Gibbs came back into the attack, and with the first ball of her second spell, had Cottrell caught by her sister, Sarah Gibbs, at short mid-wicket, for 28 off 50 balls. Serena Gibbs followed up with another wicket in her next over, caught by Tegan Unternahrer and Belgrave were now 4/130 off 32.1 overs.

Acting Captain, Lecia Baldry, then picked up two wickets (both bowled), in consecutive balls to be on a second hat-trick for the season, but it wasn’t to be. One of the wickets was that of Jess Walker, who scored 25 off 42 balls (1 four). It was three wickets in four balls for the Kilsyth team when Serena Gibbs captured another wicket (clean bowled), and in the end, Belgrave finished on 7/138cc off their allotted 36 overs. The wicket takers for Kilsyth were Serena Gibbs, 3/12 off six overs, Lecia Baldry 2/19 off six overs, Stephanie Gibbs 1/10 off five overs, and Nisansala Hettiarachchi 1/11 off three overs.

After the tea break, Kilsyth started positively in the run chase and were 0/19 after two overs. However, the first wicket fell on 20 in the third over, bowled by Jess Walker. Serena Gibbs and Sharon Sheals then put on 30 for the second wicket when Sheals was out to a brilliant catch by Kirsten Brindley, fielding in close at short cover. Kilsyth were now 2/50 off 8.3 overs. Then

the scoring rate slowed, and the Redbacks lost five more wickets, 3/59, 4/63, 5/66, 6/67 and were 7/70 after 20.3 overs. Serena Gibbs, who had held the top order together, was the fifth wicket to fall for a bright 37 off 44 balls, caught behind by ’keeper Yvonne Pleydell off the bowling of spinner Ishleen Lamba. It was then that Stephanie Gibbs joined Belinda Hutchings, and they set about trying to build a partnership. They chipped away at the target with some good running between wickets and stroke play, and

the 100 came up in the 26th over.

After 30 overs, it was 7/118 and then a maiden over from Chloe Harris meant that Kilsyth needed 21 off five overs to win. Two runs came off the next over and so 19 were needed off the last four overs, and the situation was getting tense on the Kilsyth bench. However, nine runs off the 33rd over and 12 runs off the 34th over saw Kilsyth over the line with two overs to spare, finishing on 7/141. Stephanie Gibbs batted superbly to be 44 not out off 38 balls (five fours),

and was well supported by Belinda Hutchings, 21 not out off 52 balls (two fours). Belgrave’s wicket takers were Ishleen Lamba, 3/14 off 7 overs, Jess Walker 3/25 off 6 overs, and Kirsten Brindley 1/20 off 7 overs. Wicket keeper Yvonne Pleydell took three good catches behind the stumps.

On Friday evening, the Under 12-3 team played against Wandin Bulldogs on Roy Baldwin Oval. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat. After being 2/11, the Redbacks recovered well to finish on 5/125cc after their 23 allotted overs. Zion Solomons top-scored with 48 not out off 29 balls (six fours), and Aiden Nicoll was 20 not out of 21 balls. There were four individual wicket takers for Wandin Bulldogs: Elijah Moloney 1/6 off three overs, Tyler Felich 1/7 off three overs, Angus Johnson 1/7 off two overs, and Corey Lehmann 1/16 off three overs. In reply, Wandin were 2/24 off six overs when the game was called off due to the weather, and the match was declared a draw. For Kilsyth, Aiden Nicoll took 2/2 off two overs.

The Under 12-6 team played against Norwood on the Main Oval at Mullum Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bowl. Norwood were soon in trouble at 6/24 but recovered to be 6/58cc after 23 overs. Vaibhav Malhotra was the standout batsman with 20* off 45 balls (two fours). Kilsyth’s Dylan Ekanayake had the excellent figures of 3/1 off two overs (1 maiden), Tex Wells 1/3 off three overs, and Amarvir Singh Bhatti 1/4 off two overs. The Redbacks replied with 5/58 in 12.3 overs to win the match. Dylan Ekanayake and Tex Wells were equal top scorers with 11 each, whilst the single wicket takers for Norwood were Henry Davis 1/15, Vaibhav Malhotra 1/2, and Austin Ball 1/3.

Kilsyth’s junior teams are doing well in their respective competitions, with the U16-3 team currently on top of the ladder, both U12-3 and U12-6 teams in second position, and the U14-5 team is in fourth place. After five rounds, Kilsyth’s Women’s

Andy Solomons scored a blistering 72 off 37 balls in the T20 match against Bayswater Park. (Supplied)

Sagar Ahir scored with 30 off 34 balls in the Round Two T20 match against Bayswater Park and shared a third-wicket partnership of 85 with Andy Solomons. (Supplied)

First XI are third on the ladder whilst the Men’s First and Third XI’s are both fourth.

Serena Gibbs won the Women’s Remembrance Day Round Medal after taking 3/12 off 6 overs and then scoring 37 off 44 balls against Belgrave. (Supplied)

Kilsyth CC Women’s First XI team.(Supplied)

Honouring the fallen

TheWandinCricketClubhelditsRemembrance Day ceremony on 8 November where despite the rain, members paused to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our nation.

Though there was no weekend cricket, people still gathered at the Wandin North Recreation Reserve, demonstrating the significance and importance of the commemoration.

The ceremony, hosted by Lilydale RSL and led by president Bill Dobson, commenced at 12.30pm with the haunting notes of the Last Post played by Tom Steele, followed by a minute’s silence as our community stood united in remembrance.

Ms Vallence spoke of the role that cricket played during the great war.

Then, the stirring sound of bagpipes played by Mick Ryan echoed across the ground, and we were honoured to have local MP Bridget Vallence in attendance.

“I commend the RDCA and Wandin Cricket Club and many outer east cricket clubs for exceptional leadership to hold a permanent Remembrance Day round, commemorating those who’ve served and paid the ultimate sacrifice so we can enjoy freedoms today,” she said.

The Rotary Club of Wandin will be holding a Remembrance Day service at the Wandin War Memorial on 11 November. It’s located at the Cnr of Beenak and Hunter Roads, and the service will begin at 10.45am. Remembrance Day reminds us that the freedoms we enjoy today - including the simple pleasure of playing cricket with our mates on a Saturday - came at an extraordinary cost.

Wandin put on dominant show against Canterbury

By David Marshall

While the rain prevented our men from taking the field, our women’s teams showed the resilience and determination that defines the Wandin spirit.

Women’s First XI:

Our First XI produced a dominant all-round performance in their away clash against Canterbury, securing a comprehensive victory to maintain their position in the top four.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, captain Olivia Edwards set the tone immediately with three quick wickets, reducing Canterbury to a disastrous 3/10.

It was a masterclass in opening bowling that had the home side reeling from the outset.

Canterbury attempted to rebuild with a 50-run partnership, but Edwards struck again to claim the fourth wicket at 61.

Charlotte Edwards then turned the screws with two wickets in one over, finishing with excellent figures of 2/18 to have Canterbury struggling at 6/72.

The tail offered little resistance as Jacquie Lowrie (1/18), Nyree George (1/9), and Lexi Mar-

shall claimed the remaining wickets.

Marshall’s dismissal was particularly special - her first wicket for the First XI after earning promotion this week.

However, the day belonged to captain Olivia Edwards, who produced a stunning spell of 4/5 - bowling figures that will long be remembered.

Chasing a modest total, Wandin lost an early wicket, but Charlotte Edwards (30) and Tilly Pearce (36*) combined brilliantly to take the game away from Canterbury.

Their partnership put Wandin in complete control, and when Charlotte departed with the score on 78, Kate Johnstone (18*) joined Pearce to guide the team home in the 26th over.

A clinical performance that showcased both disciplined bowling and composed batting.

Women’s Second XI:

Our Second XI faced a challenging day at home against Vermont, falling short despite a fighting effort with the ball.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Wandin struggled to build partnerships as wickets fell regularly throughout the innings.

Rikki Murphy, having her first opportunity

opening the batting, showed promise with eight runs, but the constant loss of wickets made it difficult to post a competitive total.

Kerry Peet (19) provided valuable runs in the middle order, while Bee Cuddon (10) also contributed, but Wandin could only reach 9/87 from their allotted overs.

Vermont’s openers came out with aggressive

intent, and with their first wicket not falling until 71, the target quickly came within reach.

However, Wandin didn’t give up without a fight.

Captain Kirwan Peluso led the fightback with two quick wickets, finishing with impressive figures of 2/8.

Nat Lowe (1/12) and Rikki Murphy (1/11) also claimed wickets as the team showed character in defence.

Vermont ultimately reached the target five wickets down in the 16th over, but the Seconds can take heart from their bowling performance.

LOOKING AHEAD

A mixed weekend that reminded us of what truly matters.

WhileourFirstXIwomencontinuetheirstrong campaign and our Seconds gained valuable experience, the most important moment came before any ball was bowled - when our community stood together to remember those who served.

The men’s teams will be eager to return to action next weekend, while both women’s teams look to build on their performances.

Lest We Forget. Up the Dogs.

Young Wandin Cricket Club member reads a speech to the audience. (Supplied)

Members laid a wreath at the bottom of the Australian flag pole. (Supplied)

L-R: Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson, Wandin Cricket Club president Bryce Edwards, member for Evelyn Bridget Vallence. (Supplied)

Bridget Vallence spoke at the ceremony, reflecting on the sacrifices made by those who have served in war. (Supplied)

The Wandin Womens First XI’s strong display against Canterbury saw them retain their top four position. (Supplied)