Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 6th January 2026

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

Healthcare a hot topic in 2025

Dan Sanders is Person of the Year

Best stories of each month in the Valley

See Real Estate liftout inside

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Daniel Sanders and his team at the finish line of the Rally Raid BP Portugal, where he sealed his first World Rally-Raid Championship title. (Kin Marcin/Red Bull Content Pool)

And that’s a wrap 2025 was a remarkable year filled with achievements and accomplishments but also a fair share of trials, tribulations and challenges.

Healthcare was a major talking point in the Yarra Valley, with a big but ultimately futile push from the community to see a promised Urgent Care Clinic relocated from Lilydale to Healesville and Eastern Health was regularly in the news following indsutrial action and the sudden announcement of a potential merger with Alexandra and District Health.

Sporting superstars such as Three Bridges’ Daniel Sanders, the Eastern Ranges Boys and Girls teams and 14-year-old Melbourne Gun Club junior member Chloe Hughes-Gage lit up their competitions and claimed major prizes in their events, with Sanders one of the most oustanding locals of the year as he reached the pinnacle of rally raid racing on the world stage.

In entertainment, artists and creatives of all kinds were a bright spark in the community,

claiming awards for writing, publishing and music, while others saw their projects and passions really take flight throughout the year.

Over six weeks, the Star Mail’s CCTV campaign delved into the details of the public security camera network that had fallen into disrepair in the region in order to explore whether it could possibly be restored.

Another opportunity for the Star Mail arose through a grant from the Walkley Solutions Journalism Fund, to put together a project over five

months examining how communities across the Yarra Ranges strengthened their resilience to bushfires.

And of course, no story would be complete without a picture worth a thousand words alongside it, and there was certainly no shortage of stellar snaps in 2025 to admire.

Join the Star Mail as we look back at the year that was through the lens of the news, starting on page 5.

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NEWS

Inaugural director mourned The TarraWarra Museum of Art is mourning the death of inaugural director Dr Maudie Palmer AO, who died on 3 December 2025.

Dr Palmer was also known for her support and work with the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Birrarung Valley Walk, Heide Museum of Modern Art, InPlace; McClelland Gallery and Sculpture Park as well as for being a Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow at Monash University.

Current director of TarraWarra Museum of Art Dr Victoria Lynn said Maudie was both a friend and mentor to her.

“She was driven, passionate and committed, devoting much of her time and energy to supporting artists, often conceiving original and imaginative approaches to raising the profile of art and the environment,” she said.

“Maudie was an exceptional writer about art, capturing both the integrity and poetry of contemporary creativity, she was determined to ensure that the legacy of Eva and Marc Besen would be honoured and the Board and team at TarraWarra are proud to continue her work as inaugural Director of the Museum.

“Maudie leaves behind a legacy of courage, generosity and transformative impact. Her zeal and fortitude live on within us. Her spirit will continue to guide us. We send our deepest sympathy to Maudie’s daughters Greta and Alice and family.”

In a statement, the TarraWarra Museum of Art described Dr Palmer as a ‘truly extraordinary figure in the Australian art world’ and a ‘trailblazer’’ who influenced the Australian art world from the 1970s onward. Passionate about the enviornment and the stories of First Nations people, Dr Palmer forged a strong relationship with Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO, Senior Wurundjeri Elder, to ensure that Indigenous stories were heard and celebrated.

At Monash University, Dr Palmer initiated the University’s cross-faculty Birrarung Project, weaving together Indigenous knowledge, post-settlement histories, art, architecture, environment and sustainability.

Dr Maudie Palmer AO. (Jacqueline Mitelman) “Maudie’s energy, intellect and kindness touched countless people: artists, curators, designers, students, architects, writers, community leaders and friends,” Professor Mel Dodd, Dean of Monash Art, Design and Architecture said.

“She saw the vital role of art in shaping a more thoughtful and connected society. Her impact will continue to be felt across the sector and within the many lives she touched.”

Through the Birrarung Project, and through collaborations with Monash Art Projects, she pro-

duced Birrarung: Art Water Refuge Tumbleweed and the film Birrarung, a culture-nature visual poem that captured her lifelong relationship with the river and Country.

The university awarded her an Honorary Doctorate in 2021, ‘reflecting a career defined by vision, generosity and the highest standards of cultural leadership’.

In her 2021 Graduation Address as the Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at Monash University, Maudie highlighted the three most significant aspects

of her career: embracing change, bringing together artists with communities, and the urgent need to look after our land, using creativity and passion to bring it back from the brink of extinction.

In this address, Dr Palmer said we live, like everyone else, in uncertain times.

“With that uncertainty comes a conservativism driven by simple economics. The humanities, art and design among them, don’t fare well in that equation because the riches they bestow don’t always translate into numbers that can be counted,” she said.

“But the riches of the arts means so much more than numbers. Their meaning comes through what we see, what we touch, and what we hear.

“The arts can change ordinary lives. Creativity can influence every aspect of what needs to be done, whether that creativity comes through art practice, scholarship, design, architecture, or arts administration and management.”

Dr Palmer had a sadly unrealised dream to see 1000 indigenous trees to be planted on the Birrarung in collaboration with Wurundjeri artists and curators as a Cultural Pathway.

Dr Palmer was also a champion fundraiser for the Venice Biennale in 2005, commissioned by Creative Australia (then the Australia Council for the Arts). Her success in fundraising in 2005 led to Venice Biennale Commissioner John Kaldor inviting her to be on the Commissioners Council for Venice Biennale 2007.

Creative Australia Head of Visual Arts Michelle Newton said Maudie’s ethos was deeply rooted in advocacy for artists, First Nations voices, and for the environment.

“She believed artmaking was central to civic life and worked tirelessly to ensure artists had the space and resources to shape our cultural future,” she said.

“She was a guiding force who helped shape Australia’s contemporary arts landscape. As a leader for women in the arts, she broke barriers and inspired generations of curators, directors, and cultural thinkers to dream bigger.”

Pilots reach their destination between dawn and dusk

By Mikayla van Loon Well, they did it, all 2518 kilometres from inland Victoria to the coast of far north Queensland within the hours of dawn and dusk.

Pilots Theresa MacDonald, Amanda Deed, and Delia Jones, accompanied by comedian Sammy J, jetted off from Lilydale Airport on Monday 8 December headed for Karumba, in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Following the famed Burke and Wills trail by air through the central parts of New South Wales and outback Queensland, it was a test of navigational and flight skills.

The team, named Ships of the Desert, factored in several contingency plans given the differences in climate, especially the unpredictability of the northern Queensland monsoon season.

“We’re now heading into the wet season. So ideally, in the wet season, you want to fly in the morning, but because we’re starting off down here, we won’t get there until the afternoon,” Theresa said.

The team, named Ships of the Desert, celebrated their return to Lilydale after a successful and jubilant trip. (Supplied) “We’ve got contingency plans in case. If we don’t make it up there in a day, then we’ll probably get there the second day, and we’ll do it in reverse. That’s plan B.” But those plans were not required, reaching their final destination within the day.

“It all went to plan and we made it to Karumba in the Gulf of Carpentaria last Monday (8 Dec).

Tired, exhausted, but jubilant,” Theresa said.

“We split the trip on the return journey as it

was 44 degrees in Birdsville! We hung out in the air conditioning and left at 6am for the final flight via Broken Hill back to Lilydale.”

The flight was part of the International Dawn to Dusk Competition, but a hugely important aspect for these women when doing these flight challenges is fundraising for a cause.

Because of the large outback expanse the team flew over, they chose Outback Futures as their charity.

Outback Futures supports the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people, adults, families, and entire communities living and working in rural and remote locations, where support services are few and far between.

Amanda said the impact of the floods in Queensland and the everyday challenges of living rurally, like the isolation from larger townships, helped set the original target of $10,000 for Outback Futures.

The target was then increased to $15,000, which by the end of their campaign, the team reached a total of $15,294.

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Comedian Sammy J and pilots Theresa MacDonald, Amanda Deed, and Delia Jones arrived successfully in Karumba at dusk.

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NEWS

‘Assault changed everything’ - victim

By Oliver Winn An ex-hotel manager at the Alpine Hotel supplied a teen with alcohol before sexually assaulting her, the County Court has heard.

James Stewart, 35, pleaded guilty in the County Court to an additional charge of supplying liquor to a minor, sexual penetration of a child and common assault.

Husband and father, Mr Stewart appeared at a plea hearing on 16 December where the victim impact statement was read to the court.

“This didn’t just affect my life, it changed everything about me,” the victim said in her impact statement.

“I could spend hours speaking about the emotional, physical and financial pain this has caused.”

Court documents show Mr Stewart invited a 17-year-old to his room in the early morning of 26 November 2023, where he prepared alcoholic beverages and asked her to sit next to him.

The 17-year-old told Mr Stewart, “I don’t want to do this” and he replied, “You’ll let me do this”.

The victim impact statement detailed how

James Stewart is a husband and a father who sexually assaulted a 17-year-old in 2023. (AAP Image/Con Chronis) the 17-year-old’s mental health had declined severely since the crime.

“I couldn’t get any sleep without seeing him in my nightmares,” the victim’s impact statement read.

Alpine Hotel owner Rachael Northwood described Mr Stewart prior to the offending as “my number one guy in the business and the most senior person”.

She confirmed he was dismissed the day after the offending.

The victim’s impact statement included references to the 17-year-old’s history which wasn’t available during the initial sentence indication hearing Judge Paul Higham said the nature of this additional information could potentially be an “aggravating factor” to the hearing. “[James Stewart] particularly knew of a traumatic past, it certainly aggravates moral culpability,” Judge Higham said.

Forensic psychologist Pamela Matthews assessed Mr Stewart and claimed he reached criteria for a formal diagnosis of borderline personality disorder.

Her conclusion was based on Mr Stewart’s results from two personality tests and her “intuition”, as he had come across as “quite odd” during her assessment.

But the test results revealed Mr Stewart’s personality traits fell well below the clinically significant threshold for borderline personality disorder.

Mr Stewart will reappear in court for a directions hearing on 19 February.

Serious family violence hits sad high rate The Crime Statistics Agency (CSA) released the Victorian recorded crime statistics for the year ending 30 September 2025 last month.

Here’s a breakdown of the latest statistics for the Outer East region: In the Yarra Ranges, criminal incidents were up 8.5 per cent on the previous year (5841 from 5383), with 32.9 per cent having charges laid, 21.9 per cent yet to have charges laid and 45.2 per cent unsolved.

Lilydale (1159 incidents, up from 1088), Mooroolbark (818 up from 687), Chirnside Park (667 up from 591), Kilsyth (437 down from 438) and Healesville (336 up from 315) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (602 incidents), breaching a family violence order (582), theft from a retail store (507), criminal damage (493) and other theft (475) were the most common offences.

In Knox, criminal incidents were up 6.8 per cent on the previous year (8311 from 7779), with 30.2 per cent having charges laid, 16.1 per cent yet to have charges laid and 53.7 per cent unsolved.

Wantirna South (1519 incidents, up from 1353), Boronia (81439 up from 1252), Ferntree Gully (1327 up from 1281), Rowville (1173 down from 1202) and Bayswater (904 up from 852) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (1434 incidents), theft from a retail store (895), other theft (786), criminal damage (563) and breaching a family violence order (520) were the most common offences.

In Maroondah, criminal incidents were up 9.2 per cent on the previous year (6752 from 6182),

with 33 per cent having charges laid, 16.2 per cent yet to have charges laid and 50.8 per cent unsolved.

Ringwood (2940 incidents, up from 2799), Croydon (1480 up from 1309), Bayswater North (692 up from 594), Ringwood East (534 up from 508) and Heathmont (322 up from 259) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (1027 incidents), theft from a retail store (618), other theft (577), breaching bail conditions (512) and criminal damage (416) were the most common offences.

In Cardinia, criminal incidents were up 20.1 per cent on the previous year (7067 from 5886), with 30.2 per cent having charges laid, 16.5 per cent yet to have charges laid and 53.3 per cent unsolved.

Pakenham (3884 incidents, up from 3387), Officer (1213 up from 919), Beaconsfield (522 up from 258), Koo Wee Rup (226 up from 200) and Emerald (178 up from 153) were the crime hotspots.

Theft from a motor vehicle (61156 incidents), other theft (643), breaching a family violence order (631), criminal damage (529) and motor vehicle theft (373) were the most common offences.

Statewide, the rate of recorded offences increased, up 9.0 per cent to 9030.2 per 100,000 Victorians in the last 12 months, while the number of offences increased 10.8 per cent to 640,860.

Property and deception offences had the largest increase in the last 12 months, up 14.2 per cent or 47,031 to 378,884 offences. The main driver of the increase was theft offences, up 37,676 to 245,975 offences due to stealing from a motor vehicle offences, which increased 18,577 to 86,600

offences in the last 12 months.

In the 12 months to 30 September 2025, the number of criminal incidents increased, up 12.3 per cent or 52,780 to 483,313 incidents. The rate also increased, up 10.4 per cent to 6810.2 per 100,000 Victorians. Criminal incidents have reached their highest recorded figures since the commencement of CSA reporting in 2004-05.

Alleged offender incidents increased 16.4 per cent to 197,143 in the last 12 months, as did the rate up 14.3 per cent to 3134.2 per 100,000. Theft incidents increased by 24.4 per cent or 8873 to 45,287 alleged offender incidents. Specifically, stealing from a retail store incidents increased 28.5 per cent or 4558 to 20,576 alleged offender incidents.

The victimisation rate increased by 9.5 per cent to 3935.1 reports per 100,000 Victorians. The number of person-related victim reports was up 11.4 per cent to 279,269 and organisation reports was up 15.1 per cent to 116,750. The rise in victim reports made by individual people was primarily driven by thefts (up 18.6 per cent to 131,131).

Family incidents increased by 3.2 per cent in the last 12 months, with 105,379 incidents recorded across Victoria. The rate also increased, up 1.5 per cent or 1484.9 incidents per 100,000 Victorians.

CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said that the number of family violence serious assault recorded by Victoria Police is at its highest levels since 2016.

“A key contributor to the increase has been the new choke/strangle/suffocate family member offence, which came into effect in October 2024.”

Ms Dowsley said.

(On file, Joe Mastroianni)

Deadly road toll Road safety will remain a key focus for Victoria Police in 2026 following another tragic year on the state’s roads.

There were 288 lives lost in 2025 compared with 284 in 2024.

While the provisional number of lives lost is higher than last year, it came in slightly below 2023 when 295 lives lost were recorded.

2023 recorded a 15-year high for road fatalities. The previous high was 303 lives lost in 2008.

While single vehicle fatal collisions deceased slightly in 2025, concerningly the number of multiple fatality collisions increased.

2025 saw 14 double fatalities, three triple fatalities and one quadruple fatality resulting in the deaths of 41 people, compared to 13 double fatalities in 2024 resulting in 26 deaths.

Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, pillion passengers, bicyclists and e-riders made up more than 40 per cent of all lives lost on Victorian roads in 2025.

There were 52 pedestrians killed, which is the highest number of pedestrian deaths in 17-years since 59 in 2008.

The number of motorcyclists killed decreased from 66 in 2024 to 59 in 2025.

Driver fatalities made up 42 per cent of all lives lost during 2025, with 121 driver deaths compared to 127 in 2024.

Around half of lives lost occurred on regional roads, with 147 fatalities recorded. This was similar in 2024 with 146 fatalities recorded.

There were 141 lives lost on metropolitan roads, slightly up from 138 in 2024.

May was the deadliest month on Victoria’s roads with 38 lives lost, followed closely by 36 in January.

Police have identified single acts of non-compliance or people making basic driving errors contributed to more than half of fatalities in 2025.

These are behaviours such as low-range speeding, lower-level drink driving, failing to obey road signs and distraction like using a mobile phone while driving.

There has been an increase in lives lost as a result of head-on collisions with another vehicle, with failing to keep left the most common factor in head-on fatalities.

This indicates that drivers are drifting out of their lane into oncoming traffic, most likely due to inattention, distraction, or fatigue.

At least 10 per cent of people killed in vehicle collisions weren’t wearing a seatbelt.

Speed has been a factor in at least 30 per cent of fatal collisions in 2025 and remains the highest contributing factor in road trauma.

Police are determined to drive down road trauma in 2026 and are urging all road users to consider their actions and behaviours when getting behind the wheel this year.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Havoc in healthcare Healthcare was a major talking point in the Valley in 2025, dominating both the news and conversations in the community.

In February, Health directory Cleanbill released the third annual Blue Report in 2025, scoping out the availability of bulk billing for an adult without concessions in each electorate across the country.

Aston’s previously strong availability of bulk-billing tanked to a concerning 11.1 per cent of 36 available clinics in 2024-25, down from 32.4 per cent and 36 per cent in the two years previous.

Casey was one of the biggest improvers in the country, rising from a low base of 11.8 per cent of the 34 available clinics in 2022-23 to 15 per cent of 40 available clinics in 2024-25, though still a reduction from 18.4 per cent of 38 available clinics in 2023-24.

Deakin’s availability was slightly down to 13.9 per cent of the 36 available clinics currently from 14.3 per cent of only 28 clinics in 2022-23. It dipped in between those years to 12.5 per cent of 32 available clinics in 2024-25 before rebounding.

VCAT found that an Eastern Health patient (RVL) had their right to consent to the compulsory electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) they were subjected to not afforded to them.

In the decision, VCAT Senior Member Nihill set about clarifying the application was not about if RVL had a mental illness and needed treatment, not about if ECT could benefit RVL and not about if the doctors, nurses and others on RVL’s treating team were ‘drawing on their considerable expertise and experience, and working with careful attention and compassion’ to treat RVL. If it was, based on the evidence Nihill said to all of the above their ‘answer would likely have been yes.’

“I could only make an order authorising the ECT if I was satisfied to the expected standard, taking into account the impact on RVL’s human rights of imposition of the proposed treatment without consent, and applying the law set out in detail in the MHWA and the case of PBU & NJE, that RVL did not have capacity to give informed consent to ECT and that there was no less restrictive way for her to be treated,” the decision reads.

“I was not satisfied about at least one of these two criteria, and so could not make an order authorising the ECT.” Medicare received bipartisan backing ahead of the 2025 election with both major parties with Labor pledging $8.5 billion in Medicare funding over four years and the Coalition vowing to match it ‘dollar for dollar’ before their defeat.

Following Labor’s win, voters can hold them to their promises of extending their bulk-billing incentive to all Australians, providing 400 nursing scholarships, funding the training of 2000 new GPs a year by 2028 and installing a new Bulk Billing Incentive program to provide 12.5 loading payment on Medicare rebates for fully bulk-billing practices.

The Labor party went on to flag Lilydale as a potential location for an urgent care clinic in a more than $600 million funding pledge upon their re-election.

The expansion of the existing 87 clinics by a further 50, including 12 in Victoria, was aimed to be delivered by the end of June 2026.

Labor released a list of target areas which included Lilydale but the final sites would be decided independently, which sparked debate in the community whether Lilydale was the best location.

The Star Mail’s federal election survey highlighted this, with readers of the Mountain Views and Upper Yarra Star Mail papers identifying the need of urgent or emergency care services as their top priority ahead of the election.

About 54 per cent of the survey respondents chose they would like to see federal funding for local hospitals increase and the majority of the respondents indicated Healesville Hospital and Yarra Valley Health (Healesville Hospital) would be a good spot to have an Urgent Care Clinic (UCC).

Services for Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) chairperson Jane Judd said the Healesville Hospital would be the best place for an urgent care clinic.

“It’s a perfect site because they have a GP clinic on site, so there are actually medical professionals up there, seven days a week. They have pathology services, X-ray services, an operating theatre, highly skilled nurses, 19 beds and palliative care beds designated for caring for people at the end of life,” she said.

“I’m sure the people in Lilydale would have been happy to hear that, but it ignored the fact that the vast proportion of people in the rural areas of the Yarra Ranges Council have much less access to health services than the people in Lilydale.

“Lilydale has Yarra Ranges Health, and Inspire

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Community Health, is close to the emergency department at Maroondah, and is closer to the other urgent care centres down the line towards Boronia and Kilsyth, so they have options that we don’t have.”

Just a week later, Yarra Ranges councillors passed a motion to advocate for the urgent care clinic to be located in Healesville.

Resident Sue Avery was against the proposal due to the population a Lilydale UCC could serve.

“Healesville has a population of around 7000 and spans over 142 square kilometres, including Yarra Glen, the population is 10,377,” she said.

“For Lilydale to match that size, it would need to include suburbs like Chirnside Park, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth, Mount Evelyn, Montrose and Coldstream, together that homes to over 85,000 people, all within 15 minutes of Lilydale.”

Ms Judd also returned to spea in favour of the motion.

Councillors debated the merit of the proposal, considering the length of time it takes for residents to travel to healthcare services now, how many urgent care options the urban area has compared to more peri-regional areas, the need for more GPs and hopes for an urgent care clinic in both Lilydale and Healesville in the future.

After a lengthy debate, seven councillors voted in favour and two were against.

Casey’s Liberal MP Aaron Violi promised the UCC in Healesville if his party was elected, which didn’t come to fruition, but other candidates also shared their views.

“It is disappointing that Labor doesn’t understand the needs of our community - particularly the challenges faced by those living in more rural areas and the need for better access to healthcare in Healesville,” Mr Violi said.

Greens candidate Dr Merran Blair, Family First candidate Dan Nebauer were also in favour of the clinic being in Healesville, independent Claire Ferres-Miles favoured prioritising the return of emergency care and Animal Justice Party candidate Chloe Bond wanted to see two clinics delivered long-term, including one in Healesville.

Despite the intentions of her party, Labor candidate Naomi Oakley said she would have advocated for the clinic to be in Healesville if she had have been successful.

“Healesville has an appropriate location with connected services and has a huge need, Healesville will be the location chosen,” she said.

Eastern Health’s Maroondah Hospital under scrutiny from The Age in June, with leaked information stating specialist paediatric and surgery services would be moving out of the premises.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas was quick to shut this down on ABC Radio on Wednesday 11 June, and said that her department hadn’t been told of Maroondah Hospital’s plans to move paediatrics admissions to the Box Hill Hospital.

“I have not received a formal proposal from Eastern Health regarding any of these changes, but I can be very clear with you and your listeners that I will not support any plans that would remove paediatricians from one of Melbourne’s biggest public hospitals in their servicing our eastern suburbs,” Ms Thomas told presenter Raf Epstein.

Eastern Health provided no further comment.

Hopes still remained in August that Healesville would be reconsidered for the UCC when it went out to tender, despite Mr Violi receiving confirmation that it would be in Lilydale.

Ms Judd said SHHAG sought clarification from the Minister of Health’s Office via local senator Lisa Darmanin.

“We queried the meaning of the advance tender notice and specifically who could tender. The final tender will define a service delivery catchment area. Any eligible provider from within the catchment can submit a tender. Healesville is within the service area,” she said.

“So I was absolutely delighted to hear that, which means if Eastern Health is interested in responding to the community demands, then they will put some energy into putting in a tender using the community health service at the hospital and the accredited Healesville GP practice to do so.”

Eastern Health essential support workers went on strike in September in response to the proposed privatisation of their employment.

Patient services assistant (PSA) Greg, who has worked at Eastern Health for 36 years and spoke to Star Mail on the condition of first name only, said he and his colleagues play an important role in the hospital system.

“We worked through Covid. We had to deal with a lot of stressful issues during that time. You just feel forgotten as a PSA,” he said.

“You feel like you’re disposable. You feel like they don’t value you, that they can just toss you

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing funding for 50 urgent care clinics on Sunday 2 March.

(AAP Image/Jeremy Ng) aside to a multinational corporation.”

It was estimated that 300 to 400 staff could potentially have their role outsourced across Box Hill and Maroondah Hospitals, Yarra Ranges Health in Lilydale, and Blackburn and Healesville Food Services.

In a statement to Star Mail, an Eastern Health spokesperson said the health service was “proposing a transition to a single, externally contracted model”.

ISS Facility Services Australia, a labour hire firm, was said to be the engaged “provider”.

“It is anticipated that existing employees will receive an offer of employment with the proposed provider,” the spokesperson said.

But workers and the Health Workers Union believed a shift to privatisation would bring “less compensation, weaker entitlements, less secure jobs”.

In November, another Eastern Health decision at the executive level came under scrutiny when it was proposed that they merge with Alexandra and District Health.

A quickfire consultation period was hashed out, including sessions in Healesville and Yarra Glen, where community member were largely nonplussed by the idea.

However over in Alexandra, concerns were more serious and Alexandra and District Traders and Tourism Association (ADTTA) secretary Caolán O’Connor said they broadly fall into three buckets; the short 15-day consultation period, a loss of local leadership and the lack of opportunity provided to the East Metro and Murrindindi Local Health Service Network, formed in July 2025.

“What we are very aware of is that Murrindindi has a very small population and that the rest of the eastern catchment has a very large population so just by law of averages, the chances of us having some seats around the table are statistically so much smaller,” he said.

“If the hospital is telling us how to trust the process, the CEC (Community Engagement Committee) is your avenue to have a voice, but in the past, the CEC have been the last person to find out about this, then there’s some issues with us being able to trust the process.”

The UCC saga concluded at the start of December when the Federal Government announced that Access Health and Community was selected the clinic at its Lilydale site.

The Lilydale Medicare Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) will be hosted at Inspiro - 17 Clarke Street - will be bulk billed, open seven days a week for extended hours, and without the requirement of a referral or appointment.

Access Health and Community chief executive officer Anna Robinson said she and the organisation were thrilled to be able to deliver the clinic later in December.

“We are proud to help bring this essential service to the Yarra Ranges to ensure local communities can get the care they need, when and where they need it, and help to reduce pressure on emergency departments,” Ms Robinson said.

“Added to this, as a community health organisation, we offer a wide range of integrated health and community services, in addition to the new Urgent Care Clinic. This means that we can connect people who come to Urgent Care with other

L-R: Federal shadow health minister Anne Ruston, AccessHC chief executive officer Anna Robinson, federal Casey MP Aaron Violi and AccessHC board member Annette Mercuri. (Oliver Winn: 512310)

L-R: Yarra Ranges councillor Jim Child, Casey MP Aaron Violi and Senator Anne Ruston at Healesville Hospital. (Dongyun Kwon: 471639)

Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher (front) at an Alexandra community meeting with director Michael Chesworth and Yea resident Neil Beer (seated). (Supplied) services and support that they may need.”

Health minister Mark Butler said the idea behind the Lilydale clinic was to reduce pressure on the hospital system.

“This clinic will take pressure off the local hospitals, including the Maroondah Hospital and will fill an important gap in services across extended hours and over the weekend,” he said.

The Federal Government’s data indicated that around 32 per cent of presentations in 2023-24 to Maroondah Hospital’s Emergency Department were for semi-urgent or non-urgent conditions.

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 5

NEWS

Playing in the ball pit is one of Snoopy’s favourite pastimes.

Snoopy gets along well with her 15-year-old roommate.

Snoopy the echidna hits 40 It was 1985: Live Aid was uniting the globe, hair was BIG and shoulder pads even bigger, it was also the year a young echidna named Snoopy arrived at Healesville Sanctuary.

The orphaned juvenile needed care at the Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre.

Deemed unsuitable to return to the wild as a youngster, she has been living out her days in the bushland haven, waddling around and inspiring generations to connect with native animals.

While Healesville Sanctuary Mammal Keeper Taylah Conlin wasn’t even born when Snoopy arrived, she loves taking care of this old monotreme in her twilight years.

“She is a little bit slower now that she’s older, but otherwise Snoopy is in good health,” Ms Conlin said.

As a geriatric animal Snoopy receives special support from the wildlife vets who often visit her habitat, so she doesn’t need to go anywhere.

“We have regular health checks, as well as general anaesthetics to assess her body condition and X-Rays to check for arthritis and other agerelated issues,” Ms Conlin said.

“We closely monitor her movement, gait, appetite, and demeanour to ensure she is comfortable in our care.”

Snoopy also receives a nutritional supplement at mealtimes to maintain the quality of her quills and fur in her old age.

Conlin admits for an elderly echidna, Snoopy still keeps up with Matilda her 15-year-old roommate.

“We recently introduced a ball pit into their habitat a part of our enrichment strategy for our echidnas. It helps to promote natural behaviours such as foraging and maintain cognitive health by spiking their inquisitive nature, which we love to see,” Ms Conlin said.

Snoopy reaching this remarkable longevity feat is a testament to the care she receives at the Sanctuary.

Snoopy the echidna has just hit the monotreme milestone of forty years old and is ready to waddle steadily into 2026. (Jo Howell) Echidnas have been known to live up to 50 years in a zoo setting. In the wild, guidance on lifespan ranges from 14-40 years old. It is believed their low body temperature and slow metabolism help them live longer too.

Visitors can find Snoopy in the front entrance

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echidna habitat right next to the admissions gate at Healesville Sanctuary.

Nine echidnas call the Sanctuary home. There are also wild echidnas that roam through from time to time.

Echidnas are part of a unique group of egg-

laying mammals known as monotremes. There are only two types of monotremes in Australia, echidnas and Platypuses.

Echidnas are adaptable and can be found across Australia in diverse environments from rainforests to suburban areas and even deserts.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Star’s man top of the world Plenty of Upper Yarra locals achieved big things in 2025, but for the Star Mail, the success of Three Bridges’ Daniel “Chucky” Sanders has topped the list.

When the rally raid motorbike rider won the 2025 Dakar Rally (arguably the biggest race in the world of motorbikes) in January, you would be forgiven for thinking he’d reached his zenith.

But the determined Australian had more up his sleeve, as he went on to win the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in February and continued to impress with a South African Safari Rally win shortly after.

In September, Sanders shocked the world again with a momentous Portugal 2025 World Rally-Raid win which saw him close a one minute 40 second gap and build another 50 seconds on top of it by the last 20 kilometres.

Sanders’ win in Portugal was historic as it saw him secure the Rally GP world champion title before the last round.

Sanders said 2025 was his biggest year yet.

“It came with a lot of pressure, but also a huge sense of relief from a results perspective.

More than anything, it was about finally showing people around the world what I’m really capable of, and that’s been incredibly rewarding.”

He said his experience with previous seasons was what helped him navigate challenges in 2025.

“Rally racing puts you into all kinds of challenging and unpredictable situations, and over the years I’ve learned how to manage those circumstances and back myself. Doing that consistently this season gave me an extra level of confidence, which meant I didn’t struggle as much when difficult situations came up, everything just flowed a bit more naturally.”

Though the series’ finale in Morocco saw Sanders lose to Schareina after a costly mistake denied him the clean sweep, but ultimately, Sanders already had the champion-

Sanders was the first person to claim the Rally GP Championship before the last round. (File)

Daniel Sanders is seen at the SS4 of the Rallye du Marroc in Fez on October 16, 2025 Morocco.

(Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool) ship in the bag.

“For the team, my family, friends, my girlfriend and everyone who’s seen me undergo all the lows and highs along the way, it’s finally all paid off,” Sanders said in an interview.

“They knew I could do it, everyone who’s

backed me along the way, even after the last three years of a lot of lows, really, now we’ve got the up, so all the hard work has paid off”.

Chucky bookended an incredible year in December at the 2025 FIM Awards in Switzerland where he collected his FIM World Rally-Raid Champion medal, flashing a wide toothed grin as he held his medal with pride.

But Sanders was also recognised for his advocacy back at home after he went public about the Yarra Ranges Council’s decision to ban commercial motorbike races at his farm in Three Bridges.

The Sanders Apple Farm has held motorbike races since 1982, eventually becoming a cornerstone of the motorbiking community

and providing a safe place for thousands to ride.

Mr Sanders said the farm had played a big role in 2025.

“Outside of racing, the biggest moment of the year was receiving a letter from the council rejecting our pre-existing use rights for our family’s apple farm bike track. That track has been used to host events and help junior riders get their first exposure to motorcycling in a safe environment, and it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about.

“While it was disappointing news, we’re working hard and will be taking the matter to VCAT in February next year. It’s something my family, the local community, and the wider racing community really care about, and we’re ready to fight for it,” Sanders said.

The council banned commercial motorbike races on the farm due to the property being zoned for agricultural use, though domestic use of motorcycle riding wasn’t restricted.

He posted on Facebook to announce the development and the post garnered widespread support with over four thousand likes.

It got the attention of Casey MP Aaron Violi who shared his support and also saw Sanders feature in an interview with multiple major news publications.

Motorcycle Racing Club Victoria (MCRCV) president Gary Puddy said the club supplied the Sanders farm with “all the evidence that it [has]” from the beginning and it would continue to support the farm in every way it could.

While the fight for the farm continues in the Yarra Ranges, Sanders currently is racing in the 2026 Dakar, which started on 3 January.

He finished in second position during the prologue and stage one, saying in a Facebook post that it “wasn’t a great day for the mind and head.”

“The bike and body were moving great, but I was unable to focus at the level I like to. Making a few adjustments for tomorrow! Let’s get this bread,” the post read.

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Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 7

YEAR IN REVIEW

Capturing the Yarra Ranges The Star Mail’s six-week ‘Capturing the Yarra Ranges’ campaign narrowed in on the dilapidated CCTV network in the region in 2025, proving a hotbed for discussion.

The campaign, which was highly commended at the Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA) awards, saw the team hear views from a range of community members, consult experts in the field and press for answers.

The campaign began when a petition landed at the door of the Star Mail’s Healesville office in December 2024, courtesy of local resident Penelle, who had concerns due to a theft at a previous workplace and her experiences with a stalker.

After following up with Penelle in February 2025, the Star Mail found that many of the cameras, installed through grants from the Safer Communities Fund between 2013 and 2019, had gone offline in the years following.

Cameras were installed in 13 townships throughout the region at a total cost of over $1 million.

Mooroolbark Police Sergeant Cal Cunningham explained that cameras are hosted by businesses across the townships with signal boxes also installed to carry the footage back to the police station.

Sgt Cunningham said the camera network is invaluable to both live police investigations and accessing footage after the fact.

Trader and township groups were largely in favour of a well-maintained CCTV network, with supporters including the Mooroolbark Traders and Community Group, Monbulk and District Community Working Group (who have successfully maintained their cameras after taking over from the Monbulk Business Network), Millgrove Residents’ Action Group, Seville Township Group, Warburton Advancement League, Healesville Traders (who took over from the Healesville Chamber of Commerce) and the former president of the Yarra Glen Chamber of Commerce.

“There’s been requests made to the Police

Former Casey MP Tony Smith with representaives of Victoria Police and members of the Monbulk community in 2016. (File: 155474) Minister for some money. It’s gone to council, and everything has fallen on deaf ears from everybody,” Mooroolbark Traders and Community Group president Geoff Earney said.

“The Monbulk township funds all management and upkeep of the cameras, and our traders have been an incredible support in funding to ensure that we have cameras for the safety of our community,” MADCOW co-president Aimee te Boekhorst said.

“The War Memorial subcommittee of the township group has been trying so hard to find out what

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is actually going on with the funding that was originally given to have a camera go in for us and we’re still struggling to know why we can’t get any answers and why it’s taken so long,” vice president of the Seville Township Group Sue McMurdie said.

The Seville War Memorial Committee, part of the Seville Township Group, were also disappointed by the lack of CCTV which they believed could have helped prevent the vandalism that occurred at the memorial in 2023, with an announcement of donated CCTV cameras to protect the site made in November 2025.

The owners of the IGA (Shane Wyles) and Charlie Horse Vintage Clothing store (Charlie Gaultier) in Warburton also expressed their support, while CCTV was a suggestion put forward by owner of the TerryWhite Chemmart in Wandin North Nabih Barsoum following a break in at the pharmacy in June 2024.

However CCTV does not come without its concerns, with invasion of privacy, data collection and misuse the main issues and it is important to discuss what could constitute overreach, while others wanted to see active policing prioritised.

Members of the My Place Yarra Valley group (MPYV), the community group which shut down Yarra Ranges Council meetings in 2024 in their opposition to the concept of ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’, are sceptical of global and local governance, 5G mobile connectivity and CCTV and digital surveillance.

“A ‘smart city’ designed for safety, convenience and efficiency could be exploited for total surveillance of every citizen’s movements, interactions, and behaviours, potentially used to silence critics or control public opinion,” founder of MPYV Belinda Modesti said.

“There’s no police in town from Friday to Sunday, I like that there’s concern about the rate of crime in town but without proper policing, not even a car cruising around, I don’t think cameras will do what people want them to,” Healesville resident and owner of The Mare Coffee Company James Lee said.

Former Star Mail journalist Andrew Kwon also shared his thoughts on CCTV through the lens of his experience growing up in South Korea, which has an extensive public CCTV network as well as installs cameras in cars.

“A Korean was exposed to CCTV cameras at least 24 times a day on average… I looked up the number again to write this column and found out the number increased to 98 times for people in their 30s and 40s per day on average in 2021,” he said.

Griffith University lecturer in criminology and criminal justice Dr Ausma Bernot detailed the “privacy paradox”, a disconnect between what communities want, like that of the Yarra Ranges, and the use and need for effective law enforcement.

“A good place to start is with transparency. So, for instance, how many cameras are we installing?

Law enforcement might not want to say where those cameras are for investigatory purposes, but it’s good to say how many cameras are maintained,” Dr Bernot said.

The Star Mail ran a six-week campaign on the run-down CCTV network in the Yarra Ranges.

(461353) Research manager at the Australian Institute of Criminology Anthony Morgan co-authored the research article ‘Does CCTV Help Police Solve Crime’ which found that while whether CCTV helps to solve crime is hard to determine, it can be highly valuable.

“We know that nine in 10 investigators reported using the footage when it was available… and twothirds said they were able to use it for the reason that they’d actually requested the footage,” he said.

The Labor, Liberal (eventual winner Aaron Violi), Greens and Independent candidates for the seat of Casey all expressed support for a return of the CCTV network in some form ahead of the election, while state MPs Cindy McLeish and Bridget Vallence also backed CCTV in their communities.

After many conversations, the Star Mail team weighed up potential solutions.

As a State Government entity, Victoria Police would be unable to manage any funds or grants to operate the CCTV system.

The Federal Government provided the initial funding to install the cameras but don’t have the scope to manage them, while the state advocates for partnerships between all three levels of government.

Some more sleuthing and inquiries from the Star Mail found that 55 of Victoria’s 79 councils operated public CCTV in some capacity, ranging from extensive networks to small-systems targeting key locations.

Setting on Yarra Ranges Council as the most appropriate authority to manage a CCTV network in the region, the council was non-committal.

Yarra Ranges Council chief executive officer Tammi Rose said it was not possible for the council to fund the CCTV network.

“In a financially constrained environment and during a cost of living crisis, the high cost of maintaining and replacing public CCTV cameras would mean either a reduction of services elsewhere, or ratepayers would find the increased cost reflected in their rates,” she said.

The little remaining funding provided to the Yarra Ranges Safety Camera Network group, set up to manage the network, concluded at the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

mailcommunity.com.au

YEAR IN REVIEW

Building bushfire resilience

By Gabriella Vukman

New recruits got to practice using the hose as part of Forest Fire Management Victoria’s seasonal firefighter training. (file) belts and carefully managed grazing, were promoted as complementary tools to reduce fire intensity and protect assets.

Local CFA brigades encouraged residents to attend open days, seek property advice visits and engage with local volunteers to ensure plans reflected suburb-specific risks.

When interviewed, experts also stressed that bushfire behaviour was changing due to climate change, with altered wind patterns, fuel loads and fire frequency requiring communities to continually adapt.

Fire as a land management tool A central focus of the project was how fire was being reintroduced and managed as a tool for both risk reduction and ecological health.

Cultural burning, led by Traditional Owners, was formally incorporated into Yarra Ranges Council’s planned burning program in 2024.

These low-intensity, “cool burns” aimed to heal Country, restore biodiversity and reduce bushfire risk without damaging soil or ecosystems.

Yarra Ranges Council Indigenous Development Coordinator Garry Detez said, “When Aboriginal people cared for the landscapes, they built in natural bushfire mitigation.”

“It’s been a long journey, probably about nine or 10 years but we are implementing it now,” he said.

Wurundjeri man and Indigenous Development Officer Darren Wandin explained that cultural burning prioritised regeneration rather than fuel reduction alone.

“Fuel reduction isn’t the name of the game,” Mr Wandin said.

“What we’re looking at is reintroducing and revitalising existing species,” he said.

Alongside cultural burns, planned burning remained an essential land management practice.

Conducted under strict conditions and managed collectively by the CFA, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and the Yarra Ranges Council, planned burns reduced fuel loads, moderated fire behaviour and supported biodiversity.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tamara Beckett said the program encompassed multiple approaches.

“As part of the Planned Burning Program, we undertake risk reduction burns, ecological burns

and cultural burns, so we refer to the whole lot as the planned burning program,” Ms Beckett said.

University of Melbourne bushfire behaviour expert Dr Trent Penman emphasised the need for balance.

“If we leave fire out of many of our ecosystems, we start to lose plant and animal species from those systems,” Dr Penman said.

“It is about finding the right mix of fire, in order to maintain and promote our country’s biodiversity,” he said.

The project also explored emerging practices such as mulching, windbreaks and bushfire moderation zones, which reduced flame height, slowed fire spread and limited ember attack, particularly around built-up areas.

Recovery, Regeneration and Community Leadership Beyond fire prevention, the reporting highlighted the long-term impacts of bushfire on people and landscapes.

At Dr Ken Leversha Reserve in Montrose, early signs of regeneration were visible months after fire had stripped the area of its canopy.

Community groups focused on supporting natural recovery while monitoring threatened species such as Powerful Owls.

Across the region, township and community action groups played a vital role in strengthening preparedness and recovery.

Township and Community Action Groups in Montrose, Warburton, Millgrove, Healesville, Kalorama–Mount Dandenong, Wesburn and Yarra Junction among others, worked on emergency planning, education, signage, energy resilience and community hubs.

The project also examined social trauma recovery, acknowledging that emotional impacts often emerged long after fires were extinguished.

Shared storytelling, education centres and community spaces were shown to be essential in healing and rebuilding confidence.

Preparing Households and Communities Residents were encouraged to develop and rehearse bushfire plans, addressing when to leave, where to go, what to take and how to stay informed. Community advocates consistently stressed that leaving early remained the safest option.

Vice president of the Millgrove Residents Ac-

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Star Mail was awarded a grant from the Walkley Solutions Journalism Fund to deliver an in-depth journalism project examining how communities across the Yarra Ranges strengthened their resilience to bushfires.

Over five months, the project explored how residents, agencies, Traditional Owners and scientists worked together to address bushfire risk in a region deeply shaped by fire.

The aim was to move beyond disaster-focused reporting and instead highlight practical, evidence-based strategies that strengthened preparedness, supported recovery and built longterm resilience.

To achieve this, Star Mail’s Gabriella Vukman visited sites throughout the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, documenting initiatives including controlled and cultural burning, habitat regeneration, community action groups, firefighter training and emerging preparedness technologies.

Interviews were conducted with residents, fire service professionals, environmental scientists and Indigenous leaders, alongside analysis of data from fire authorities, environmental agencies and academic research.

The project culminated in a series of in-depth articles and seven videos published on the Star Mail YouTube channel, each exploring different dimensions of bushfire resilience, including land management, township action, social trauma recovery, habitat regeneration, firefighter preparedness and community education.

Preparedness, - a unifying theme Preparation for an increasingly dangerous bushfire season emerged as a consistent theme across every community, agency and landscape in the Yarra Ranges. With forecasts indicating heightened fire risk, residents, volunteer groups and authorities alike emphasised that readiness was critical to protecting lives, property and the environment.

While each part of the Yarra Ranges faced unique bushfire risks due to differing terrain, vegetation and weather patterns, several universal preparedness measures were consistently reinforced.

Central among these was the importance of having a clear, well-practised bushfire plan.

Community leaders and fire authorities encouraged residents to know their trigger to leave, plan evacuation routes, prepare essential items, make arrangements for pets and livestock, and stay informed through reliable warning systems such as the VicEmergency app.

Pet preparedness was identified as a significant barrier to early evacuation. Community safety advocates worked to address this by encouraging residents to plan dog-friendly destinations, organise carriers for smaller animals and identify safe locations for livestock well before extreme fire danger days.

These practical solutions aimed to remove hesitation and support early evacuation.

Making homes more fire-resilient was another major focus. Measures such as installing gutter guards, clearing fine fuels within 100 metres of buildings, maintaining gardens and protecting vents were repeatedly highlighted as effective ways to reduce ember attack.

In rural and semi-rural areas, broader landscape approaches, including windbreaks, shelter

tion Group Phil Pomeroff said preparedness begins with simplicity.

“Bushfire preparedness is having your plan,” Mr Pomeroff said.

“You should leave as early as you can,” he said.

Pet preparedness again emerged as a critical issue. Kalorama CFA Community Safety Coordinator Virginia Porter worked to remove barriers by promoting pet-friendly evacuation options.

“What we found is that a lot of people won’t leave because they can’t take their dogs with them,” Ms Porter said.

“We want people to leave before there is a fire,” she said.

Fuel management near homes was repeatedly highlighted as a priority.

Graeme George from the Healesville Community Emergency Group said, “The critical amount of fuel is the fuel within 100 metres of an asset.”

“Houses are most likely to burn down if there’s fuel within 100 metres of them,” he said.

Environmental scientist Graeme Lorimer reinforced the importance of location-specific advice.

“Each particular location has its own unique aspects and vegetation,” Mr Lorimer said.

“People need to be aware that things are changing almost year by year.”

Innovation and firefighter readiness The project also showcased innovation in preparedness, including immersive virtual reality training designed to simulate bushfire decision-making under pressure. Participants reported increased awareness of stress responses and evacuation timing.

Community Safety Coordinator at the Kalorama CFA, Virginia Porter was also heavily involved in rolling out the new VR program.

Ms Porter said, “The sessions are also about how one’s ideas, judgement and mindset can change under pressure.”

Behind the scenes, firefighter training and readiness formed another critical layer of resilience.

Seasonal training camps in the Yarra Valley prepared hundreds of recruits through intensive hands-on instruction.

“Forest Fire Management Victoria is gearing up for the summer,” said District Manager Dan White.

When it comes to bushfire, regeneration and social recovery, all interviewees noted that these items are a shared responsibility.

“There’s only so much we as public land managers can do,” Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tamara Beckett said “Residents in bushfire-prone areas need to manage their properties and have a fire plan,” she said.

Across all reporting, a clear conclusion emerged: bushfire resilience in the Yarra Ranges was not built through a single solution. It was created through sustained collaboration between Traditional Owners and councils, agencies and scientists, firefighters and residents, neighbours and communities.

From cultural burning and ecological recovery to township planning, trauma-informed care, new technology and individual preparedness, the solutions highlighted throughout Star Mail’s Walkley-funded project demonstrated that resilience was an ongoing process grounded in shared responsibility, local knowledge and care for both people and Country.

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 9

YEAR IN REVIEW

Advocates at Yarra Ranges Council after councillors voted to request an exemption from the Kangaroo Harvesting Program. (Tamsin Ramone)

Star Mail’s top 2025 stories In 2025, the Star Mail worked hard to cover the most important issues in the community to ensure people can stay informed and in touch with one another.

Our team of journalists reported on a wide range of topics, which spanned from national issues like the federal election, to local ones, such as the Warburton paid parking pilot.

In this article, we’ll look over the pieces which stood out among the rest each month. Please enjoy the Star Mail’s 2025 highlight reel.

January: Water safety highlighted Just days into the new year, the Star Mail covered the busiest day on record for Life Saving Victoria with lifesavers rescuing 145 people in 24 hours.

The issue on swimming lesson attendance rates for children in the Yarra Ranges was brought into frame, with an estimated 40 per cent of children not reaching the national benchmarks for swimming and water safety.

The Yarra River flowing throughout the Yarra Ranges is a popular swimming destination and the public’s ease of access to the river highlighted the need to increase swimming ability.

School Sports Victoria Yarra Division officer and Upper Yarra Primary Schools Sports officer Andrew Devisser said it’s important to trigger questions in kids’ minds before they enter the water.

Mr Devisser operates a program aimed at introducing primary aged students to rivers and lakes and their unique conditions through kayaking.

Schools engaged in the program stretch from Coldstream to Toolangi, Silvan to Warburton, as well as Lilydale and Montrose.

February: Better care calls The coverage of a Yarra Junction man’s neardeath experience and subsequent demands for better emergency care shone above the rest in February.

Larry Norman phoned the newsroom and spoke of the time he suffered from an abdominal aortic aneurysm, known as a Triple A. He was walking down to his neighbour’s house on 25 October 2024 when he collapsed in pain, ending up on his hands and knees crawling to his neighbour’s verandah, though he wasn’t home to help.

Mr Norman said he tried to ring his son and his wife but couldn’t and was just saying ‘God help me’ to himself as a neighbour from the top of the hill drove down the road.

What followed was a blur for Mr Norman - he was taken to Box Hill Hospital where he immediately underwent surgery for four and a half hours.

He was put in an induced coma, sent across multiple wards and even got pneumonia, before being sent to Maroondah Hospital.

“They put me in an induced coma and then on life support (a ventilator), on the seventh day, my

10 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

Parliament House in Canberra lit up on 25 November. (Supplied) wife was with me and I pointed up and she said ‘What are you seeing up there, angels or something’ and I just nodded my head yes, because I couldn’t talk,” he said.

After over 30 days in hospital, Mr Norman was released just in time for his 30th wedding anniversary which he spent happily at the Upper Yarra RSL. His experience prompted calls to expand emergency care services throughout the Upper Yarra.

March: Price for parking The Yarra Ranges Council’s decision to introduce a paid parking pilot in Warburton caused much debate among locals.

The pilot’s aim was to ease congestion and more fairly distribute the cost of maintaining infrastructure among residents and visitors.

Residents of the Yarra Ranges were exempt from paying if they applied for a permit, while visitors would have to pay on weekends and public holidays in designated areas.

“The Yarra Ranges region is one of Victoria’s most visited destinations, with annual visitor

numbers expected to double from 4.5 million to over 9 million in the next decade,” O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said.

“While this growth is vital to the local economy, it also creates significant challenges for our infrastructure, particularly in the high visitation areas like Warburton.”

But a large swathe of the community were critical of the pilot. One Facebook user commented on the Warburton/Millgrove noticeboard, “I feel this will impact local businesses that rely on tourists and day to day trades stopping for morning tea, coffee or lunch.”

The Yarra Ranges Tourism chief executive officer at the time, Simon O’Callaghan, said the price of parking in Warburton is a “modest fee” and won’t impact tourist spending.

“We need to find ways with the government on how that infrastructure is paid for, and I think it’s a good thing if collected parking fees from visitors go back into supporting local infrastructure,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

April: Immigration brought into focus The Star Mail’s federal election survey sought

to uncover what Yarra Ranges residents thought about key election topics, with one main focus being immigration.

Our coverage revealed immigration was a touchy topic for Upper Yarra residents - out of 114 respondents, 59 per cent wanted the next Federal Government to reduce immigration in the country, while 32 per cent said it should stay the same.

Peter, who requested only his first name to be used, said he’s a “firm believer” the majority of immigrants who arrive in Australia contribute to the country.

“The popular press, they talk about the African gangs, they talk about the machete attacks and that sort of stuff… it just gives a negative view of people from overseas,” he said.

“The government changed tax laws to make it much better for investors and at the expense of people trying to buy a home and get a home, or build a home.”

Another resident who responded to the survey, Craig Robin, believed Australians are struggling enough already – immigration is only increasing the burden.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Bob Sanders has been heavily helping run motorcycling events at the farm since 1982. (Oliver Winn: 501529) “Australians are struggling themselves at the moment without bringing others in,” Mr Robin said.

One respondent said there was “too much rental shortage for Australian options” due to immigration.

While rental shortages are a glaring problem in the Upper Yarra, there are plenty of AirBnBs in each township.

May: Livestock attacks cause fear A rise in attacks on livestock by wild animals prompted an emergency community meeting which saw landowners, politicians and councillors unite to find a solution.

These attacks were carried out by both domestic wild dogs and dingos and it resulted in the formation of the Yarra Valley Wild Dog Action Group (YVWDAG).

There had been a growing sentiment of fear, frustration and resentment among the landowners who all shared their own horror stories about gory livestock discoveries, wild dog encounters and long nights keeping watch over cattle.

Wild dogs include feral dogs, dingoes and their hybrids and are considered a serious pest animal in Australia that have a detrimental effect on the agricultural sector, potential to cause adverse social impacts and are perceived to cause environmental damage.

But, a 2023 study by the University of New South Wales found there is limited evidence of interbreeding between wild dogs and dingoes, meaning most animals previously thought to be wild dogs, are in fact likely to be dingoes.

While landowners called for lethal management of wild dogs and dingoes, conservationists argued for a balanced, non-lethal approach to ensure dingo populations were protected.

“It’s going to require investment in non-lethal management, so stock protected by electric fences, improved fences, but also guardian animals like donkeys and maremma dog,” Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) park protection and nature campaigner Jordan Crook said.

But Stock and Land journalist Barry Murphy said this was out of touch with the damage caused to livestock.

“So for us it’s all about demonstrating just how bad it is.”

June: Permit pushback The Star Mail covered the development of an unpopular planning application at the Yarra Junction shopping centre which would see the expansion of the Woolworths kick out the Cortella discount store, swallow up the arcade and move shopfronts to face the car park.

Clea Reynolds, owner of local variety store Cortella, filed a petition opposing the changes after she found out her store was excluded in the planning permit application.

At the 21 October council meeting, councillors “reluctantly” voted to approve the unpopu-

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lar Woolworths expansion in the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre.

The decision was made in the face of strong push back from business owners and community members, bolstered by a petition with 889 signatures and 54 formal objections made to council.

Paul Little, a planning consultant representing the owner of the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre from law firm Planning and Property Partners, said the expansion would give a “new and improved” retail offering for residents.

But Yarra Junction residents were dismayed at the move, and Ms Reynolds said she was “devastated and disappointed”.

O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said this application “has weighed heavily” on himself and the other councillors.

July: Roo exemption denied The Star Mail extensively covered the topic of a Yarra Ranges kangaroo harvesting exemption, which led to the council’s request being denied in July.

The Yarra Ranges Council initially deferred to make a decision on requesting to be removed from the Gippsland Harvest Zone under the Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP).

But in May, the council made its long-awaited decision to formally request to be removed from the KHP. But ultimately, the council’s request would be denied by the State Government in July.

In a statement following the denial, the Yarra Ranges Council said it remained “concerned about the long-term impacts of this program on our local ecosystems and community values”.

Meanwhile, the State Government said kangaroo activity was higher in the Yarra Ranges, and their potential to damage the wildlife made it necessary to control population levels.

“Changes to harvest zones, including the adjustment of the exclusion zone boundary are not made at the request of local councils, but by consideration of local kangaroo population levels,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.

August: Shots saved a life In August, the Star Mail broke the terrible news of when Yarra Junction Police were forced to shoot and kill a man after he’d strangled and attempted to cut his sister’s arm with a samurai sword.

Police were called to a Warburton Highway property after reports of a violent altercation between two siblings.

Police tasered 45-year-old Justin Filardo multiple times, but were forced to shoot him to stop the assault and save the woman.

It took police eight gunshots to subdue Mr Filardo, who died at the scene.

Mr Filardo is diagnosed with schizophrenia and his mother believed he’d not been taking his medication.

“What I’ve observed is a male strangling a female and without intervention by police, I think

Larry Norman has recovered strongly from his abdominal aortic aneurysm.

(Supplied)

that would have been life-threatening,” Victoria Police Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said.

September: Full throttle support After the farm of the world champion motorbike racer Daniel “Chucky” Sanders was forced to cease commercial motorbike races, the Star Mail published articles covering all bases of the issue.

Initially, the Yarra Ranges Council rejected over 40 years of evidence from the Sanders Apple Farm in Three Bridges after the family attempted to apply for existing use rights to hold commercial motorbike races.

As the farm is zoned for agricultural use, the council argued it wasn’t eligible to hold commercial motorbike races, even though the farm has done so since 1982.

Yarra Ranges mayor Cr Jim Child said in a statement the types of evidence provided weren’t varied enough and therefore didn’t meet the criteria for existing use rights.

In response, the Sanders family sought to appeal the decision in VCAT as it allowed for a wider range of evidence such as testimonials.

State controlling body Motorcycling Victoria, along with major clubs Motorcycle Racing Club Victoria (MCRCV) and Diamond Valley Motorcycle Club (DVMCC) expressed their support for the Three Bridges farm.

October: Timely training After the Star Mail’s coverage of emergency services’ extensive training for the opening of the Warburton Bike Park, a successful mountain bike rescue in October instilled faith in the community.

Just weeks after training sessions took place, the rescue saw the Upper Yarra SES working with Ambulance Victoria (AV) and the CFA on 1 October.

Paramedics treated one male patient in his teens on 1 October at 4.35pm and the rescue was largely regarded as a success.

“We were pretty nervous initially with these mountain bike rescues that they’d be very difficult for us to respond to. Essentially, the person got out quickly and safely, and no one was further injured. So it’s a big measure of success,” Upper Yarra SES member Garion Hall said.

While these rescues can still be challenging, Mr Hall said it was much different due to the tracks being professionally built.

“They’re designed by experts to be safe, and not safe in a boring way, but safe in an absolutely thrilling way – the riders love these tracks.”

November: Fight for Charlie When a four-year-old girl from Launching Place was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of brain cancer, a small fundraising effort from the family managed to raise over $120,000.

Charlie Fraser was diagnosed with a hyperaggressive form of brain cancer which has only affected three people in Australia in the last 15

years.

The cancer is curable - an intense treatment regime offered only in Florida, USA can save Charlie - but the Fraser family had to look to the community for financial support.

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.

“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.

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.”

December: Sharing her story helps with healing For the Star Mail’s coverage of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the impact of an Inner Wheel Club of Wandin member’s advocacy was shared.

When Maree Budweg wrote a letter sharing her experience with abuse as a child, she had no idea of the impact it’d have on hundreds of other women in the Inner Wheel community.

She shared the letter with the Inner Wheel president Kay Morland in October and it’d eventually be shared by the International Inner Wheel Committee during the global UN Women-led campaign.

Ms Budweg’s act, along with the advocacy of the Inner Wheel Club of Wandin, led to Parliament House in Canberra being illuminated in orange to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November.

With one in four women (2.3 million) having experienced at least one incident of violence by an intimate partner, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Personal Safety survey, Ms Budweg’s courage to share her story couldn’t be more important.

“The impact of that led on to it being shared with the International Inner Wheel Committee, who were coordinating it. They decided they needed to release the story internationally, and that’s pretty significant,” Inner Wheel Club of Wandin president Jill Lloyd said.

Federal member for Casey Aaron Violi, who helped push for the Inner Wheel Club of Wandin’s request to have Parliament House glow orange, spoke in Parliament on the International Day of the Elimination of Violence Against Women and called on men to call out inappropriate behaviour.

“The reason I’m standing here to speak is that it is not just the women of this parliament and the women of Australia who have a role to play. The leaders of the country, the men in this place and the men in communities have a role to play.”

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 11

YEAR IN REVIEW

Yarra Valley’s best stories

By Gabriella Vukman Unique and interesting news could be found throughout every month of the year.

Here are some of the top picks from each month in the Yarra Valley.

January: Nine-month Journey to End The new year trickled in along with some trekkers who brought the Yarra Ranges together in the name of mental health awareness and fundraising.

It was in late January that Steph and Daniel announced their arrival in Healesville after a nine month and 5330km trek along the National Trail from Cooktown, Queensland to Victoria.

The trek began in April of 2024 and ended in Healesville in 2025 and involved Steph and Daniel’s two horses Future and Karma.

Steph said, “We take everything one day at a time and just tackle the problem that is in front of us.”

“Some of the biggest challenges for me personally have been the steep terrain and caring about the welfare of my horses, making sure they are not too tired and planning enough breaks for the horses not to be sore,” she said. Throughout the over 5000km trekking, Steph said she learnt to trust herself and her horses and be open to the kindness of strangers. “I’ve realised most people are really good when you give them half an opportunity to be,” she said. We’ve had such warm welcomes in most of the towns that we’ve gone into.” Steph and Daniel organised to wrap up their nine-month trekking in Healesville on 2 February and invited locals to join them for the last two days of the journey. The trekkers encouraged locals to meet up in Marysville on 31 January and trek from there to Monda Horse Yards on 1 February, which is about 31km, and from Monda Horse Yards to Healesville on 2 February, which is about 18km. “People can come for either one or both of those days,” Steph said before the event.

“If anyone is interested in doing a bit of trekking on a horse or off a horse, we’re very happy to help.

Unfortunately, motor vehicles are not allowed on the trail,” she said. “You are welcome just to show up but it’d be very helpful if you were able to message us just so we know to look out for you.”

February: Scams target locals The Federal Government passed the Scams Prevention Framework Bill on 13 February in response to rising instances of scamming across the nation. The new legislation requires service providers in selected sectors of the economy to take a variety of actions to combat scams relating to, connected with, or using their services.

Healesville residents were not exempt from scamming efforts, in fact the Star Mail received two suspicious emails that were the result of a scam scheme targeting two Healesville locals.

Both locals had their emails hacked with messages sent to everyone in their contacts.

The emails read: “Would you be open to a brief email conversation? I would have preferred calling, but I’m currently managing shingles, and, unfortunately, my phone screen went black after a fall.”

Following the above request, the emails demanded that recipients buy Apple gift vouchers.

Healesville resident Alan Honeycombe was one of the local scam victims.

“The scammer person sending the emails also said that my niece had breast cancer and needed money for treatment. None of these things were true,” Mr Honeycombe said.

Fortunately, no one who received an email took the bait.

March: Tour fallout impacts locals.

An inaugural Timeless Summer festival event scheduled to be held at Yarra Valley’s Rochford Wines venue was suddenly cancelled, leaving locals with a hole in their pockets.

Emerald resident Wendy purchased her festival tickets for over $200 and was dismayed at the lack of correspondence, updates and refunds.

“The event organiser has cancelled the concert for whatever reason and we have been strung along since before Christmas with many promises of new events later in the year,” Wendy said.

“We were given a glimmer of hope that things would start happening on 20 February, and all we got was an email that asked for a few more days.

“These people are holding onto our money and not communicating. They don’t respond to emails and they delete Facebook posts.”

April: Push to leave roo program The request for the Yarra Ranges to be exempt from the Victorian Government’s Kangaroo Har-

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World War Two veteran and Healesville local Marjorie Bradford celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family in October. (file) vesting Program (KHP) has been denied.

Local resident Jan Heald said the decision is heartbreaking.

“It took a lot of time and work by members of the Yarra Ranges community, councillors, wildlife organisations and advocates plus people far and wide across Victoria who have offered their support,” she said.

“We respect kangaroos as Australia’s national icon and wish to see them live on country in their native land without exploitation, violence and harassment.

“I was very disappointed but it really just confirmed the State Government’s contempt and lack of respect for our native wildlife, particularly our larger species like the kangaroo, which has been pursued mercilessly since Settlement.”

In a statement, Yarra Ranges Council said they know that this decision will cause distress and concern among members of the community, particularly those who have voiced strong opposition to the inclusion of Yarra Ranges in the program.

In April, Councillors voted to support a motion, asking the State Government to exclude the area from the program. Yarra Ranges is the only metropolitan Council within the harvest zone and many community members have petitioned for the area to be excluded.

May: Federal election result. An Alban-easy victory.

May saw the re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a landslide victory for the Labor Party. An eventful election day in Casey saw a close battle between Liberal member Aaron Violi and Labor’s Naomi Oakley. At the last minute. Violi took the lead and retained his seat.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said they didn’t do well enough during the campaign and he accepted full responsibility.

“I called the Prime Minister to congratulate him on his success tonight,” he said.

“There are good members and candidates who have lost their seats and I am sorry for that.”

Returning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in his victory speech that in this time of global uncertainty, Australians had chosen optimism and determination.

June: Conflicting views in regards to local animal welfare organisation In response to a July Herald Sun article alleging that the Coldstream Animal Aid was unnecessarily euthanising animals to save costs, among other suggestions of neglect and mistreatment of animals in the organisation’s care.

Steph and Daniel with Future and Karma on the trail outside of Nundle. (Supplied) Animal Aid denied all allegations reported by the Herald Sun and whistleblowers who were interviewed by the Herald Sun also came forward to add more context.

Animal Aid communications and engagement manager Elle Ammann said she was very upset and surprised when she saw the Herald Sun article.

“The day before the article came out, the Herald Sun had given us a list of questions which we responded to as soon as possible, all of which we were doing our very best to be honest and transparent,” she said.

“We invited them to come down and speak with us. Unfortunately, they chose not to, and they chose not to use a lot of the information that we did provide.”

A report was later sent to the Animal Aid board which included serious claims alleging the wrong management in animal welfare in regard to animal feeding, euthanisation and medical treatment.

Ms Ammann said Animal Aid has great systems for cleaning, feeding, and medication.

A former Animal Aid staff member, Sue (pseudonym), who worked for the organisation for nearly a decade, said she left the shelter after her efforts to make change within the shelter didn’t work.

“I couldn’t work for an organisation that wasn’t in line with my beliefs any longer,” she said.

“There were obviously always issues, as there always will be because everybody has different opinions on things but since (the current chief executive officer) had taken over, he didn’t want any dogs or cats to go out to rescues.”

July: Uber Eats delivers questions.

After Healesville and Yarra Glen were added to the Uber Eats map, local businesses shared their views on the new service.

An Uber spokesperson said through the conversations in the community, they’ve seen strong enthusiasm from local restaurants and retailers eager to expand their reach, as well as from residents interested in flexible earning opportunities.

“Online food delivery is creating new opportunities and adding value for small businesses, workers and consumers in connected communities,” they said.

“Our recent Restaurant Pulse Check report shows that the vast majority (96 per cent) of restaurants surveyed who use online food delivery boosted their revenue over the past 12 months.

“Our services in the Yarra Glen and Healesville are live from (Thursday 3 July), with many local favourites now available to order from at the tap of a button.”

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Healesville RSL secretary Brian Luscombe received the life membership award. (Dongyun Kwon: 494993) Despite Uber Eats’ aim of supporting the local economy, a Healesville-based restaurant is concerned about the impact, while it is still happy to give it a try. Monroe’s Burgers and Beers has been operating since 2016, located on the main street of Healesville. The co-owner of the restaurant, Paul Stephens, said he’s worried about Uber Eats’ commission structure.

“From our perspective as an established business, we do our own delivery, and we built that without the complexities of dealing with a thirdparty delivery partner like Uber Eats,” he said.

“Their standard business model of taking a 33 per cent commission of sales is probably something that’s not really sustainable for hospitality in general and small businesses.

“I’m pretty sure all the restaurants that are on the platform locally have been given introductory promotions and offers that are quite a lot better than what they would typically roll out when they’re doing expansion in urban areas.”

Finding delivery drivers is also proving difficult for local businesses.

August: RSL’s life honour for Brian.

The dedication of many decades to the local RSL sub-branch has been recognised through a lifetime RSL award presentation.

Longtime RSL member and accomplished veteran Brian Luscombe was the recipient of the award.

“It’s a big honour,” Mr Luscombe said.

Mr Luscombe’s military journey kicked off locally, serving in the Australian Army’s Medical Corps based in Healesville.

He was a member of the Sergeants’ Mess in Healesville.

“I served in the Australian Army’s Medical Corps in Healesville for about three years in the early ‘60s,” he said.

“I did training for everything, but I ended up doing a lot of driving.

“When the army camp in Healesville was closed, I walked into (the Healesville RSL). I’ve been here on and off ever since.”

One of the many achievements of Mr Luscombe, was changing the Healesville RSL to be more accessible to every community member, not just to veterans.

September: From refugee to supporter Healesville Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) group founder Iain Gillespie and his unofficial adopted son, Zaki Hairari, met each other in 2013 when Mr Gillespie was working for The Age newspaper.

He was working on a series of articles on asylum seekers, and the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre put him in touch with Mr Hairari, a 17-year-old Hazara man.

Mr Hairari had just been released from detention after arriving in Australia by boat when Mr

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Gillespie first spoke to him.

“He had fled from Afghanistan because his father had been murdered by the Taliban. His father was a doctor. And his older brother had also been murdered for daring to seek an education.

That was something banned by the Taliban,” Mr Gillespie said.

“The family was getting notes on the door, saying that Zaki was next, so his mum arranged for him to flee overseas in a boat. He didn’t know where he was going. He went through a horrendous journey through Pakistan and India, ended up in Indonesia and got on a boat and headed towards Australia,” Mr Gillespie said.

“His boat floated for four days when the engine cut out and almost sank. He was incredibly relieved when he was rescued by the Australian Navy. He thought he was being rescued, but he was actually whacked in jail.”

Becoming Mr Gilespie’s unofficial adopted son, Mr Hairari’s family were soon also brought over to Australia with the help of the Healesville RAR. Mr Hairari fled to Australia with the dream of getting an education, because his father, who was a doctor, had drummed into him that he must get an education.

However, it was hard for refugees like Mr Hairari to access education and work opportunities because of the visa conditions. Despite the challenging circumstances, Mr Hairari didn’t give up his dream of chasing education.

Mr Gillespie took it upon himself to ring around some private colleges, and soon enough Mr Hairari was admitted into one.

Knowing only a spattering of English upon first coming to Australia, Mr Hairari climbed to the top of his college chain and was offered a scholarship to university, which he couldn’t take because of his visa restrictions.

After completing another course, within two years, Mr Hairari was named 2015 New South Wales International Student of the Year, and then shortly afterwards, he was named a City of Sydney International Student Ambassador.

“Only a couple of years ago, he was named the Human Rights Commission Human Rights Hero.

He’s now the Refugee Rights Campaigner for Amnesty International Australia,” Mr Gillespie said.

Healesville RAR members also adopted Mr Hairari as an honorary member.

Mr Hairari is now an Australian citizen and continues to work for refugee rights.

October: Marjorie’s good life hits 100 A Healesville veteran celebrated her hundredth birthday in style, surrounded by family and friends.

Before the war, Marjorie Bradford worked as a dressmaker, becoming a housewife after marriage and the war, and later worked as a lab tech-

The request for the Yarra Ranges to be exempt from the Victorian Government’s Kangaroo Harvesting Program (KHP) has been denied. (John Torcasio) nician at the University of NSW in Sydney.

“I made very good friends in my years of service. They were some of the best days of my life,” Mrs Bradford said.

When she had a few hours of leave, Mrs Bradford would take a long train ride back to see her family and help out with caring for her sick mother.

Mrs Bradford shared some a few secrets to her longevity, naming exercise as a leading factor.

“I played a lot of sports, played a lot of tennis and then from tennis I went to bowls with my husband,” Mrs Bradford said.

“I eat well, lots of fruit and veg and I always have a glass of chardonnay made by my grandson and that is what makes it so special,” she said.

November: Balloon suit gets ok A ballooning company has failed in its second attempt to strike out a claim put forward by two passengers who were seriously injured following a hot air balloon crash in the Yarra Valley.

Picture This Ballooning (Picture This) had a request to strike out proceedings in June this year rejected.

Elizabeth Wheeldon and Robert Fookes each brought separate proceedings against Picture This after the balloon they were riding in crashed between Glenburn and Yarra Glen on New Year’s Eve in 2021.

An investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau completed in 2022 found that passengers on board the flight received an “incomplete” pre-flight safety briefing, likely resulting in the passengers adopting an incorrect deep squat brace position prior to the hard landing.

The finding also noted that the pilot was notified of the windy conditions and rejected a number of suitable landing fields to avoid issues with landowners or access issues to the site, rather than prioritising occupant safety.

The pilot had to manoeuvre the balloon to clear a fence before descending rapidly to avoid contact with nearby powerlines. The hard landing caused the basket onto its side and was dragged 30 to 40 metres, resulting in the two plaintiffs sustaining serious leg injuries, among the 16 passengers and pilot onboard.

The investigation found the maximum number of passengers the balloon operator allowed meant there was insufficient room for them to adopt the backwards-facing landing position specified in the operator’s procedures. In the wake of the incident, Picture This reduced the maximum number of passengers allowed on future flights.

December: Social media age cap youth findings With the Federal Government’s social media ban officially in place as of 10 December, local youth are quickly adapting their platform usage, albeit

not in ways that were expected.

With the purpose of shielding Australia’s youth from social harm and promoting real world experience, the ban was enacted under the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024 and officially came into force on 10 December.

The new legislation maintains that all agerestricted social media platforms must “take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under the age of 16 from creating or keeping an account.”

Platforms that were required to take action to ban users under the age of 16 from their services included Tik Tok, Instagram, Snapchat, X, Youtube, Facebook and Reddit, among other platforms.

Since its recent implementation, the strength of the social media ban itself has been inconsistent, with many youth under the age of 16 retaining access to some or all of the above listed platforms, while others have lost access.

14-year-old Healesville High School student Paige is yet to be kicked off any of the social media platforms she uses.

“Most people have found a way around the ban,” Paige said.

“I still have access to all of my social media platforms,” she said.

Despite retaining her access to social media, Paige confirmed that her screentime habits have changed since the ban.

“My social media use is probably the same, except some of my friends have been kicked off so I am not doing as much on social media because I can’t interact with them on there,” Paige said.

“I am only talking to a couple of friends on Snapchat now,” she said.

15-year-old student Eliza, who is from elsewhere in the region, has been able to navigate around the ban in a similar fashion.

“When I first heard about the ban, I thought it wouldn’t actually happen,” Eliza said “I thought it wasn’t real,” she said.

In response to the fact that many youth under the age of 16 still have access to social media, the eSafety Commission spokesperson said eSafety expects platforms to take steps that are evidencebased and responsive to emerging technology and risk.“\ “While platforms are not required to eliminate all uncertainty, they should seek to minimise harm and work continuously to improve their age assurance methods. Our regulatory guidance for platforms makes it clear that we expect platforms to actively monitor and respond to changes in circumvention methods,“ they said.

Researchers have begun analysing the effects of the social media ban and will continue to do so in the near future.

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 13

YEAR IN REVIEW

The shining arts of 2025 The Star Mail reported on all things art/entertainment throughout 2025 - here are some of the most notable moments of the year.

Young violinist features in coveted orchestral performance: A 15-year-old violinist from Yarra Junction became one of the youngest performers to feature in the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual production of Handel’s Messiah.

Arielle has previously played in the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra, Percy Grainger Orchestra and Melbourne Youth Chamber Strings Orchestra before she was accepted into the Flagship Melbourne Youth Orchestra, a goal of hers over the last three years.

“The pure overwhelming sound is the first thing that strikes you, it’s beyond words to describe being in the very centre of all that glorious music, all those instruments, all those notes,” Arielle said.

When she received a phone call from a mentor at 7pm asking if she could rehearse the next morning for the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra, she was in disbelief.

The production of Handel’s Messiah was held on 8 December 2024 in Melbourne Town Hall and was the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra’s world record 245th time performing it since 1853.

Arielle said being a part of Handel’s Messiah was a unique gift, unlike anything she could’ve ever imagined.

Warburton photographer wins national award: Warburton photographer Suzanne Phoenix cemented the Yarra Ranges in Australian photography history after she won the woman music photographer of the year on 9 October.

Ms Phoenix attributed her nomination to her International Women’s Day (IWD) photographic portrait series, What Does International Women’s Day Mean to Me, which has documented Melbourne’s leading cis and trans women, non-binary and gender diverse people for 14 years.

She’d convinced herself she wouldn’t win the award, yet before she was aware of it, one foot was moving in front of the other in the direction of the stage.

During her speech she emphasised the importance of elevating women and gender diverse photographers and videographers.

2025 marked a year of highs and lows for Ms Phoenix, where she was forced to find another job to supplement her income after going full time earlier in the year.

Nevertheless, she’s still dedicating her life to her vocation, with the goal of challenging the male-dominated status quo.

An empowering return: The Body of Wellbeing Limited (BOWL)’s Body of Empowerment exhibition returned in April 2025, showcasing the talented women artists in the Yarra Ranges and encouraging women-identifying people to take back control of the narrative surrounding their body.

Executive director of BOWL Louise Wigg said it built on the success of last year’s exhibition and continued to promote compassion and kindness towards oneself.

BOWL believes positive and empowering narratives about all bodies is crucial as the relationship we share with our body is central to our sense of self.

“Our project, My Body’s Story, was designed in recognition that women often experience a disconnection from their bodies due to societal pressures such as objectification, weight-centered attitudes and the pervasive diet culture,” Ms Wigg said.

The exhibition featured a wide variety of art, including sculptures, paintings, drawings, photography, textiles, pottery, mosaics and more.

Ms Wigg said it was hard for women to express their relationship with their bodies, as it’s a felt sense, not a cognitive experience that can be articulated.

This is why expression through art is a perfect way to feel and express that relationship, she said.

Warburton cookbook wins oscars for cookbooks: A cookbook published by Signs Publishing Company in Warburton was named Best in the World at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards on 19 June.

Food As Medicine: Cooking to Prevent and Treat Diabetes by Sydney-based dietitian Dr Sue Radd was awarded best cookbook in the Health Professionals Books category, beating out shortlisted books from France, Mexico, Portugal and Spain.

The award citation for the book labelled it an “empowering and science-backed guide” that

14 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

BOWL’s exhibition encourages women-identifying people to take back control of the narrative surrounding their body. (Christine Johanna Photography)

Accredited practising dietitian and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Dr Sue Radd said the recipes took a “huge amount of work”. (Supplied) offered a practical and inspiring approach to diabetes.

Accredited practising dietitian and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Dr Sue Radd said the recipes took a “huge amount of work”.

Dr Radd said she chose the small, Warburton-based Signs Publishing Company because she felt as if it would be good to give a smaller publisher a chance to publish something it might not have published otherwise.

The cookbook is packed with valuable information on nutrition, delivered in bite-sized, easyto-digest messages (no pun intended).

Top award for student’s climate change photo: A vibrant dandelion, with its petals stretching outwards, against a brilliant backdrop of colourful bokeh – this was the picture taken by an Upper Yarra Secondary College student which won first place in a Victoria-wide photography competition.

Year nine student, A’isha took the top prize in Sustainability Victoria’s Through Your Own Lens photography competition – a state-wide initiative to inspire climate-ready thinking across schools participating in the ResourceSmart Schools program.

Up against 90 entries received from 28 schools across the state, A’isha’s image titled Growing Towards a Better Future, won the senior school category.

A’isha said the image “illustrates the small, simple wonders of our world.”

“The ability of this dandelion to grow back strong and vibrant after a cold, harsh winter is remarkable.

Judges praised A’isha’s entry for its “beautiful reflection with a striking image and creative use of focus”.

“We appreciate the natural light and colour in this photo, which really pop. The subject, colour

Arielle had previously played in the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra, Percy Grainger Orchestra and Melbourne Youth Chamber Strings Orchestra. (Supplied) and reflection together create a caring and empathetic mood,” the judges stated.

Warburton local’s book shortlisted for award: An exploration of the historical railways that shaped Warburton’s history was shortlisted for the 2024 Victorian Premier’s History Award.

Nick Anchen’s 2023 book Whistles Through the Tall Timber tells the story of the Warburton, Powelltown and Noojee railways and the fascinating memoirs of railwaymen and timber workers who worked on them.

The Victorian Premier’s History Award offers the top prize out of the 11 categories a part of the 2024 Victorian Community Historian Awards,

with the winner taking away $5000.

His book is a culmination of 15 years of research and around 150 interviews, which saw him network his way among the old-timers of Warburton, gathering stories and artefacts for his book.

Mr Anchen grew fascinated with the social history of railways from a young age, where a family friend who used to run the Warburton train line told him stories of the past.

The book’s title comes from the sound of steam train whistles and steam winches in the bush used to haul timber onto tramways to be taken to a saw mill.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

How we were entertained The artists and entertainers of the Yarra Valley were excellent again in 2025.

Here’s just a few stories on how their creativity and talent shone last year.

The newly-formed Hills Act Theatre Company debuted with two-well received shows eaturing local talent last year.

Founded by Healesville resident Phillip Stephenson in September 2024, the company debuted with ‘Breathless’ at The Memo, Healesville in April and May as well as two renditions of their play ‘A Butler Did It’ in November.

Mr Stephenson said the main focus of the company is to get younger people on board to teach all different aspects of theatre.

“Last year, I thought it would be a great idea if I could use anything that I’ve learnt from the theatre to teach younger people who were trying to get into the theatre but couldn’t,” he said.

“I will look at plays that support younger people not only as actors but as directors, stage managers, set designers and everything.”

Through four different conflicts and the stories of four different veterans, Breathless explored the unchanging cyclic horror of war, the unnatural stress it places on soldiers at the front line and how it bleeds into their civilian lives, traumatically affecting not only them but all those who love them.

Actor Adam Boswell said it was incredible to be a part of the debut show of Hills Act Theatre Company.

“I’ve always known that soldiers and veterans go through a lot and struggle a lot. I think it put into perspective how difficult and hidden some of their struggles are. It brought that to light,” he said.

“It’s been a fun experience, but it’s also been very educational and emotional.”

In June, a Coldstream composer was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his ‘significant service to music as a composer, arranger and conductor’.

Kenneth Bruce Rowland AM, who goes

by Bruce, is most famous for composing the award-winning score for The Man From Snowy River.

Mr Rowland said he wasn’t quite sure yet how to feel, but it came as quite a shock.

“I got this basically for The Man from Snowy River I think…I wanted it to be really importantly Australian, because no one had ever done this, or if they had, they hadn’t really done it properly, they always treated it as being a little thing,” he said.

While composing the award-winning score for The Man From Snowy River might have catapulted Mr Rowland’s career and be one of his most memorable productions, his list of work and accolades certainly isn’t short, with seven awards between the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) for his work.

Mr Rowland said he thinks it’s important to have Australian creative arts out in the world that are reflective of Australia.

“Just to let the rest of the world know that we’re not just a sunburnt country, we do have a brain, we can think and we can deliver, I think that’s important,” he said.

In July, works began on a bright new addition to the Healesville Walk Shopping Centre.

Healesville-based artist Paul Sonsie began painting a giant kangaroo mural as part of his project A Giant Leap Forward, with help from Haynes Paint, Kennards Hire and Yarra Ranges Council.

Mr Sonsie said the positive feedback and support from the community during the project meant the world to him.

“Being an artist or designer can be a pretty solo gig most of the time, so working out in public and getting real-time feedback has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had literally hundreds of kind comments during the install, people waving, honking, stopping to chat,” he said.

By the end of the month, the job was completed and the shopping centre adorned with the iconic Australian animal.

Mr Sonsie said he is super passionate about Healesville but had seen a gap in Healesville… that the town needed more public artwork.

“I’m really passionate about cultural branding and about helping make our towns feel inspiring, creative and great to live in or visit.

“I want young creatives to see that public art is a real way to contribute, to shape a place, and to make a lasting impact.”

At the start of November, a brand new festival filled with a unique artistic medium arrived in Healesville.

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Bruce Rowland AM was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia. (Callum Ludwig: 483057) The town’s first Zine and Comic Festival was held, shining a light on the creative process behind comic-making and zines, a small form of booklet-style work.

Event organiser Cora Zon, whose exhibition Cipher was on display during the festival, said they were very excited to be hosting the first Healesville Zine and Comic Festival.

“Zines are the most accessible form of self publishing, anyone can create and publish their own work, whether it be art, photography, poetry or prose using a photocopier,” she said.

The event was filled with a variety of workshops covering any and all kinds of comics and zines, encouraging and teaching attendees how to create their own.

Star Mail cartoonist Danny Zemp facilitated a caricatures workshop throughout the festival and said he loves comics, he lived, breathed and grew up on comics.

“But I didn’t hear about zines until I came to Australia, I’d never really participated in zine making until I became a Toastmaster and after that I embraced the simplicity of a zine, it’s cheap, it’s fast, it’s informative and you can get a message out there fairly quickly, it’s minimal effort,” he said.

A Healesville piper became a record holder in November when AC/DC came to town.

Walter Skilton was one of 374 pipers who descended upon Fed Square in Melbourne on Wednesday 12 November to mark the arrival of AC/DC in the city with a rendition of ‘It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)’.

Mr Skilton said he started playing the bagpipes when he was in school, so has been piping for over 55 years and it was amazing to be in the middle of the record attempt.

“It’s a very simple tune to play, but just quite amazing to hear everyone play that together, it was very crowded but there was a passage that the bagpipers could move up,” he said.

“After we finished, the crowd just roared, I don’t know how many people but there but it was intense, but great… I felt privileged to be a part of that.”

The congregation of pipers in Fed Square smashed the previous world record of 333 pipers in Sofia in Bulgaria, in 2012.

Healesville author Sandra Thom-Jones found herself in the spotlight again at the Sisters in Crime’s 32nd Scarlet Stiletto Awards for 2025.

Having already had a category win and third overall placing at the same awards in 2023, Ms Thom-Jones went one better and claimed first prize.

Ms Thom-Jones said she was absolutely delighted and shocked.

“I totally didn’t expect it… there were 31 shortlisted writers, so I knew I was shortlisted and I was sitting there as they announced all the category prizes,” she said.

The Scarlet Stiletto Awards is a national competition for Australian women writers with crime and mystery short stories featuring a

Paul Sonsie with the completed mural. (Stewart Chambers: 492843)

Tim Bridges and Danny Zemp ahead of the inaugural Healesville Comic and Zine Festival.(Stewart Chambers: 512289) strong female protagonist, with 231 entries submitted this year.

Winning the first prize this year for her short story ‘Der Hölle Rache’, Ms Thom-Jones said it was inspired by a story on social media she followed about a really terrible case of animal cruelty.

“I was feeling really emotional about it, but

really powerless and obviously, in fiction, you can do anything,” she said.

“So I was sitting there imagining what it would be like in a world where there was no rules, and I had no morals, and I could actually do something to avenge these animals who were so badly treated and that was my inspiration for the story.”

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 15

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

An all female dental clinic Valley Dental Family Clinic is an all female clinic based in Lilydale.

The clinic is owned by Dr Rupali Prabhu and Dr Sonali Prabhu.

Rupali graduated from dental school in 1999. She has worked in private and public community clinics both in, and around Melbourne.

She has also lived out of the city, spending a period of time in Benalla in rural Victoria.

Rupali is passionate about providing high quality dental care and takes pleasure in sharing a story and a laugh with her patients.

She enjoys all aspects of dentistry and always strives to provide dental treatment in a relaxing and comfortable environment.

Rupali believes her practice and approach to dentistry creates an experience that will change your notion of what a trip to the dentist is.

Outside of work she loves to spend time with family and her young children, sharing her passion for reading and travelling with them at every opportunity.

Sonali graduated from dental school in 2003.

She has worked as a dentist in both community and private practices. She has also worked various roles within the dental industry.

Sonali believes that your mouth is the gateway to better wellbeing, and that a great healthy smile will leave a great lasting impression on people.

Sonali loves interacting with patients and ensuring they are comfortable and at-ease.

She enjoys all aspects of dentistry. She particularly loves working with older clients.

In her spare time, she loves cooking delicious Indian dishes and enjoying time with her family and friends.

The third dentist joined the Valley Dental team two years ago and has been an integral part of the team ever since.

With over 10 years of experience, Merhaz believes that world-class dentistry should be delivered to each and every patient. Mehraz has a keen interest in aesthetic dentistry and is

Come see the team at Yarra Valley Dental. (Supplied) studying a certificate of Cosmetic Dentistry to introduce lip and cheek fillers to the clinic for Valley Dental patients.

Rupali said being an all-female team, patients were treated with care and compassion.

“Staff are very approachable and compassionate making everyone feel at ease coming to the dentist,“ she said.

The clinic offers a wide range of dental services, including general dentistry, fillings,

crowns, bridges and veneers.

Take advantage of current specials, including a check-up, clean and two x-rays for $195, and in-chair whitening $450.

For an appointment phone 9737 6453

PROVIDING ALL GENERAL DENTAL & EMERGENCY SERVICES

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1 Symonds Street Yarra Glen 9730 2536 ygfamilyclinic.com.au 12818745-KH48-25

16 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

Check up, Clean, 2 X-rays

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Connect with free advice Accessing mental health support can feel overwhelming, especially during times of stress, anxiety or emotional uncertainty. Knowing where to turn and what options are available is not always clear.

Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (PHN) wants the community to know that help is available - confidential and easy to access through Medicare Mental Health.

Medicare Mental Health is designed to be a supportive first point of contact for anyone unsure about where to seek mental health or wellbeing support. The service has trained professionals who take the time to listen, understand individual needs and discuss personal goals.

From there, they help guide callers toward the most suitable information, services and supports available locally or online from the comfort of your own home.

This service is for anyone experiencing anxiety, feeling low, stressed or overwhelmed, as well as carers who may be supporting a family member, friend or loved one and are unsure how best to help. It also provides valuable information for health professionals seeking to better understand local mental health services and referral options within their community.

Support offered through Medicare Mental Health includes clear guidance on understanding mental health and wellbeing options, assistance in identifying the most appropriate services for individual circumstances, and referrals to local and accessible supports. The service also promotes collaborative care planning, working alongside care teams to ensure people receive the right support at the right time.

Importantly, Medicare Mental Health helps remove some of the barriers that often prevent people from reaching out. A Medicare card or referral is not required; there is no cost to call and no judgement. It is about meeting people where they are and helping them take the next step forward, whatever that may look like for them.

Eastern Melbourne PHN encourages any-

Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network is here to provide mental health support. (Supplied) one who is feeling unsure, concerned or simply needs direction to reach out. Whether you are seeking support for yourself, someone you care

about, or professional guidance for a patient or client, help is just a phone call away.

If you or someone you care for needs help

finding and accessing mental health supports, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212 today.

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Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 17

YEAR IN REVIEW

Riders geared up for a record-breaking Eastern 80. (Supplied)

Frankie and Ineka take part in the colour run fun at Healesville Primary School. (Stewart Chambers 463279)

Tug-of-war was hotly contested at the Wandin Family Fun Day. (Garry Byrne)

Zara was excited to start her school journey at Yering Primary School. (Stewart Chambers: 456231)

The best views of the valley Stunning pictures aplenty featured in the pages of the Star Mail in 2025.

Here is a selection of the best snaps from the year just gone.

Nikki Liebman and her partner Damien rode 80km along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail to honour her liver donor. (Stewart Chambers: 472091)

Star Mail’s Andrew Kwon took to the radio waves at Yarra Valley FM before his return home.

(Stewart Chambers: 498803)

The Star Mail explored the importance of fire resilient communities in 2025, including with Healesville Community Emergency Group member Graeme George. (Gabriella Vukman: 508220)

A shout out to the Star Mail before the paper goes up in flames. (Stewart Chambers: 513648)

Wandin Yallock Primary School’s Enviro Squad with their CDSVic Excellence award. (Stewart Chambers: 483604)

Alice Underwood with her first-ever fridge after months of work to bring power to her Yarra Junction home. (Stewart Chambers: 486505)

18 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

All smiles at the Warburton Bike Park. (Supplied)

Three Bridges’ Daniel Sanders became the first person to win the Rally GP Championship before the last round. (Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool)

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12740599-MC02-25

From Cornwall with love

By Tania Phillips Cornwall is considered one of the most remote and yet beautiful counties in England.

And the county’s North Coast with its dramatic cliffscapes, craggy coves, boundless white-tipped breakers and kilometres and kilometres of golden sands is a jewel in the crown, a hikers paradise – beloved by it’s local residents including local fisherman Jeremy Brown, who is more than happy to extoll it’s beauty, heritage and culture.

Part of a five-generation fishing family Jeremy lives in Port Isaac – a quintessential Cornish Fishing village – known for its narrow, winding streets lined with charming, whitewashed cottages that overlook a picturesque harbour – locally referred to as the Platt.

It has gained fame as the fictional village of Port Wenn in the BBC series Doc Martin with many a visitor searching the historic village for the “Grumpy Doc’s” landmarks according to the seasoned fisherman and part-time singer.

However, Jeremy and his fellow members of Fisherman’s Friends – a group of local men who have been taking sea shanty’s to the world through their two successful movies, musicals and their forthcoming first Australian tour – are slowly changing that. Bringing the tourism focus back on the beautiful landscape and vibrant living culture.

Fishing heritage dates back to the early fourteenth century in Port Isaac. It’s a village that has always been deeply connected to the sea, with fishing continuing to play a significant role in the lives of its residents. The village’s name comes from the Cornish Porthysek, meaning ’corn port’, a nod to its historic role in the grain trade.

“People actually do turn up now and look for someone from the Fisherman’s Friends and not just the grumpy old Doc,” Jeremy laughed.

“It’s been a goal of mine in a way – to have some people come to Port Isaac to see the home of Fisherman’s Friends. People have always come to Port Isaac it’s such a pretty place – but then we got a certain amount of the Tourism which was just people looking for the Doc’s House and what have you.

“Even though we’ve got members in from other Ports now – Padstow and Boscastle – it is the home of the Fisherman’s Friends and people do make a beeline for it but of course the village sells itself - it’s so pretty.”

And on Wednesday nights Jeremy, an original member of the group, formed to raise a bit of money for charity back in the 90s, can often be found in the pub singing sea shanties with the rest of the community. The band on stage on those nights is The Yarnigoats who do a lot of the Fisherman’s Friends repertoire as well as their own music. Local gigs are few and far between for the Friends these days.

“Very occasionally about three times this year – on our group WhatsApp chat – we just say is anyone free on Friday and we just do an impromptu gig,” he said.

“But we can’t advertise it these days because

Down on the Platt at Port Isaac where Fisherman’s Friends first performed. If it looks familiar its probably because it’s better-known to a lot of the world as Port Wenn thanks to the TV Show Doc Martin. it causes chaos down there. If we advertise it we get 2000 people turn up – paramedics, police and marshals have to come because there’s no parking in the village – it’s all out of the village.

“The old sea shanties are obviously from the days of sail so we’re going back hundreds of years.

“But for some reason they’ve got some sort of resonance with people. When we first started singing we had no ambition other than to raise a few pounds for charity. We started singing in the open air at Port Isaac – it’s a bit of an amphitheatre and it sort of lends itself to it.”

The beauty and setting of the village evokes the past and the fishing culture.

“Everything rolls downhill to the harbour,” Jeremy says.

“It’s a very small harbour and it’s straight into the open ocean from there. You’ve got the North Atlantic right out there and the gales literally come right on through and they sweep up the streets and we have to move all the boats.”

He said visitors invariably always find themselves at the bottom of the village at The Platt – a concreted area where the fishermen (like Jeremy’s son who is one of just a few professional fishermen left in the town) keep their dingy. The Platt is also where Fisherman’s Friends got their start and still pop up from time to time.

“You can get a beer and just sit on the Platt or you can go up to our local pub where some of the filming in our films took place and enjoy the atmosphere and have a sing.”

No need to make rustic backdrops for photos, movies or TV shows in Port Isaac in the breathtaking county of Cornwall in the UK. Jeremy believes the best thing that has come out of the adventure of Fisherman’s Friends is the revival of pub singing – of singing just for the joy of it at your local and of keeping that part of Cornish Culture alive. Of course, the band’s trip to Australia is another bonus – and it helps that it’s in the English winter when work is not so busy.

“Singing has not really taken us around the world because we’ve all still got our regular jobs,” he said.

The group’s first Australian tour starts in Adelaide on 7 January and closes out in Perth on 25 January and takes in all States and the ACT. Tickets on sale head to the fishermans-friends website for more information.

Fisherman’s Friends original member Jeremy Brown is part of a long-standing fishing family in the Port Isaac District. He’s also a staunch supporter of his home village and keeping the fishing culture alive and vibrant. (Supplied)

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Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 19

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Incredible South Africa There are destinations you visit, enjoy, and file away as another stamp in the passport — and then there is South Africa.

A country that doesn’t just invite you in, but envelopes you in a kind of wonder that is hard to articulate and impossible to forget. Last year, I had the privilege of travelling through South Africa with a group of fellow travel professionals, and even for those of us fortunate enough to roam the world, this journey stood apart.

South Africa is a land defined by contrasts — dramatic, breathtaking contrasts that somehow create a perfect and harmonious whole. From wide-open savannahs to rugged coastlines, and from cosmopolitan cities to communities deeply connected to centuries-old traditions, the country offers a tapestry of experiences. But it was the encounters with nature in its purest, most unfiltered form that left the deepest imprint.

There is something profoundly humbling about watching animals roam free in the landscape they have called home for thousands of years. Not behind glass. Not in controlled environments. But out in the wild — living, hunting, nurturing, surviving. Seeing a lioness stretch into the early morning sun, or an elephant herd wander silently across a dusty track, is not merely a tick on a bucket list. It is a reminder that we, as visitors, are the privileged observers in a world that belongs to them.

For travellers seeking not just a safari, but a deeper understanding of the good being done in South Africa, a visit to Samara Karoo Reserve is an especially powerful addition. This privately owned conservation project has dedicated itself to restoring one of the country’s most fragile ecosystems. Here, guests witness first-hand how

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ACCREDITED

20 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

thoughtful rewilding, community partnerships, and long-term ecological commitment can bring landscapes back to life. It offers an authentic, grounded experience — the kind that not only showcases extraordinary wildlife but also highlights the positive impact tourism can have when it supports genuine conservation.

The guides and rangers who dedicate their lives to protecting these environments bring an added layer of meaning to every experience.

Their knowledge runs deeper than textbooks; it is lived, breathed, and shared with a passion that is infectious. Every outing becomes a lesson in ecology, conservation, and respect. South Africa’s wildlife is extraordinary, yes — but equally extraordinary are the people working tirelessly to safeguard it for the generations that will follow us.

Beyond the reserves, South Africa revealed its generous heart in other ways. Whether wandering through vibrant markets, exploring local cuisine, or simply sitting with a coffee and watching life unfurl in a bustling street, there was an unmistakable warmth everywhere we went. A sense of resilience, pride, and optimism radiates throughout the country — a spirit that stays with you long after the plane lifts off for home.

Travel has the power to change how we see the world and our place in it. South Africa does this with ease. For anyone seeking a journey that is equal parts adventure, reflection, and connection — and who wants to witness the real good being done on the ground — this remarkable country offers it in abundance. It is not just a destination; it is an experience that roots itself in memory and lingers long after the journey ends. If you’d like more information on travelling to South Africa contact Exclusively Cruising on 03 9762 2799.

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By Julie O’grady

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OPINION

Must watch

Avatar: Fire and Ash Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Stephen Lang M 3.75/5

SunSmart urges everyone to make their skin check a priority this year. (File)

A simple New Year’s resolution Many of us make a promise or two at this time of year to do more for our health.

But there’s one subject many skip when planning their New Year resolutions, even though it affects two in three Australians in their lifetime.

Australia has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. But the earlier skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

More than 70 per cent of skin cancers are

CARTOON

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found by people themselves or by their loved ones, so choosing to get to know your skin and checking it regularly could be a decision that saves your life.

In 2026, routinely look over your skin from head to toe. Ask someone you trust to look over those hard-to-reach places, like your back. If you notice any spots that are new or that have changed in shape, colour or size, go and get it

checked out by your GP. This simple habit shift will not only give you peace of mind. It might also be the thing that gives you more Christmases and New Year’s Eves with your loved ones. If that’s not a resolution worth sticking with, we don’t know what is.

Emma Glassenbury, Head of SunSmart, Cancer Council Victoria

The third film in the Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash is another serviceable, visually stunning sci-fi action movie in a franchise running low on ideas.

On the alien world of Pandora, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his Na’vi family grapple with mounting human imperialism and the warlike Mangkwan clan.

Beyond the staggeringly beautiful, immersive visuals, grand score and soaring action sequences – James Cameron is still a tremendous technical director – the best parts of this alien adventure are human, more-orless. Spider (Jack Champion), a plucky human boy born on Pandora, is a headstrong but deeply likeable character who is loyal to the Na’vi but feels increasingly outcast. Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who was resurrected in an engineered Na’vi body in the previous film, is still a fun swaggering zealot but has far more nuance this time, as he tries to be a better father for Spider and forms a relationship with Varang (Oona Chaplin), the fierce Mangkwan leader. Quaritch still serves the human occupying force, so it’s intriguing to watch him integrate more with the natives after meeting one as unhinged and nasty as he is (and some people online jokingly compare Quaritch to real white supremacists who paradoxically have nonwhite partners).

Like the other Avatar films, most of Fire and Ash’s characters are underdeveloped, Jake Sully is a bland hero and the conflicts carry little weight or lasting peril. For example, Jake’s wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) develops an understandable hatred of humanity after the death of her son in the second film, and she rejects Spider as a result, but we know she won’t do anything to him because Varang already fills the “Evil Neytiri” role in the plot. The long (just over three hours) but undernourished narrative suffers from being a middle instalment, retreading many of the same plot and action beats from the first two films (including a tired subplot about whale pacifism) and setting up further sequels without accomplishing much on its own. Some people still argue that the Avatar franchise has no cultural relevance, but they’re mistaken. The fact that each Avatar film rakes in over a billion dollars globally, helping to keep cinemas alive in the process, is cultural relevance. The fact that we still discuss Avatar in terms of visually beautiful but thinly-written epics, or as Ferngully in space or Dances With Wolves with nine-foot Smurfs, is cultural relevance, for better and worse. The recurring question of whether Avatar has any cultural relevance, ironically, is relevance.

Each Avatar film has, broadly speaking, focused on a different classical element.

The first film followed an air-themed Na’vi tribe, The Way of Water featured a M?oriinspired water tribe and Fire and Ash features a volcano-dwelling fire-themed tribe.

James Cameron has planned two more Avatar films, and I predict the fourth Avatar film will feature an earth-themed Na’vi tribe to complete the classical elements. By the way, while the Avatar franchise is Cameron’s baby, it would be nice if Cameron brought new directors into his universe, like how other filmmakers took on the Terminator franchise after him, or how Cameron himself followed Ridley Scott’s Alien with the amazing Aliens. Featuring a great antagonist in Quaritch but otherwise too similar to its predecessors, Avatar: Fire and Ash is another landmark special effects extravaganza and a resplendent thrill-ride that isn’t as deep as it thinks it is, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 23

PLACES TO GO - THINGS TO DO

Experience country races Just an hour from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, the Healesville Amateur Horse Racing Club delivers one of regional Victoria’s most enjoyable and family-friendly days out. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Yarra Valley, and only a short stroll from Healesville’s main street, this much-loved community event blends the charm of traditional country racing with the fun and energy of a modern festival atmosphere.

From the moment you arrive, the setting invites you to settle in and make a day of it.

Families can enjoy shady picnic spots—perfect for relaxing between the excitement of races—while children are spoilt for choice with activities. Pony rides, an animal nursery, a jumping castle, and even special kids’ races ensure the little ones are entertained from start to finish. Live music fills the air, creating a cheerful backdrop that brings people together, while the popular $500 raffle draw adds a dash of extra excitement to an already vibrant day.

Planning a hens or bucks celebration, or simply bringing friends and family together for a memorable summer outing? The club’s marquee and umbrella packages are the perfect solution, with catering also available. Enjoy your own private space overlooking all the action, where you can soak up the excitement of race day in comfort and style—an ideal blend of relaxation and trackside buzz.

Food lovers are well catered for too. Whether you’re craving a hot, gourmet toasted sandwich from the canteen, freshly brewed barista coffee, or the irresistible aroma of woodfired

pizza, there’s something to satisfy every appetite throughout the day.

The 2026 racing calendar is set to deliver three standout events, each offering its own flavour of country excitement.

Mark your diary for 17th January – On Course Bookies Healesville Cup Day, the club’s premier event filled with top amateur racing and festive summer energy, plus the kids will love the free face painting.

31st January – Summer Fun at Healesville brings an easygoing, family-focused atmosphere perfect for school holiday entertainment.

And don’t miss 28th March – RACV Golden Thong Race Day, complete with Fashion on the Fields for those ready to dress up and make an impression.

With thrilling racing, family entertainment, great food, and a warm community spirit, Healesville’s amateur races are more than just a day at the track—they’re a celebration of local pride and the joy of coming together. Bring your friends, bring the kids, and discover why Healesville remains one of Victoria’s favourite country race destinations.

Come enjoy a day at the Healesville races.

(Supplied)

Live Music, Food and Coffee Van

For the Kids: Races, Jumping Castle, Animal Nursery, Little Ryders Pony Rides

Admission:

0423 236 328 marquees@healesvilleracingclub.com.au 24 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

12827338-MS01-26

Adults $15 Pensioners & Concession Card Holders $10 | Under 18 years FREE

Find your fun at the races. (Supplied)

mailcommunity.com.au

PLACE TO GO - THINGS TO DO

Go wild and visit the zoo On a stunning 12 ha property with sweeping views to Mt Buller and beyond is a very special place where Dr Doolittle dreams of talking to the animals regularly come true.

A fabulous day out for the whole family, and one of the best kept secrets of Victoria’s High Country, the Mansfield Zoo is home to all kinds of Australian and exotic animals.

Once inside the gates, discover a surprising and magical place where kids can interact with and hand feed a large variety of animals like the kangaroos and deer and guinea pigs that roam freely.

The zoo is also home to a colony of Meerkats as well as Marmosets and Capuchin monkeys, llamas and alpacas, wombats, a variety of birds including red tail black cockatoos and peacocks, water buffalo and antelope.

There are also three magnificent African lions, including two, rare white lions (of only 100 in the world!), and visitors of all ages can experience the thrill of being up close to these majestic creatures on a daily feeding tour of these as well as other animals at the zoo. Don’t forget to watch out for Zambezi, our Zebra, coming soon to Mansfield Zoo. It’s an ideal place for large family gatherings with lovely, undercover places to picnic and barbecue. And for a truly unique family experience, there are gorgeous campsites to spend the whole night under the stars and literally wake up to the sounds of the jungle.

Mansfield Zoo’s Bronwyn and Dave and their dedicated team welcome visitors every day from 10am to 6pm, except for Christmas Day. It’s a perfect way to introduce children to the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom in a safe, relaxed and picturesque environment.

Come and meet the meerkats at Mansfield Zoo.

Pay a visit to Mansfield Zoo this holiday period. (Supplied)

MANSFIELD ZOO: White Lions

Enquire about our ‘Unforgettable Over Night Camping Experience’ Watch out for Zambezi, our Zebra coming soon to Mansfield Zoo Phone 03 5777 3576

12828228-MC01-26

Lion feeding @ 1.30pm (followed by Meerkat feeding) Visitors can feed the Kangaroos, Llamas, Deer, Emus & more!!

1064 Mansfield Woods Point Road, Mansfield www.mansfieldzoo.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 25

PLACES TO GO - THINGS TO DO

Eli has fun with the frog. (Supplied)

Find Poppy the fairy in the garden.

Stop and smell the lotus.

Visit Blue Lotus for fun With the pressures of Christmas now over, I’m sure many parents are looking for ways to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays.

The Blue Lotus Water Garden at Yarra Junction is the perfect place to get the kids outside in the fresh air, while parents get to soak up the beauty of lotus flowers and the tranquillity of the gardens.

As part of their special 21st birthday year celebrations, on weekends over the school holidays the garden will provide a line-up of entertainment for the little ones. Everything from enchanted fairy stories to amazing magic shows, depend-

ing on the day. Face painting will also be available for a small fee. Best of all, children under 16 have free entry, helping to make any visit affordable.

The Blue Lotus Water Garden is famous for the largest display of lotus and waterlily flowers in Australia. Over summer, visitors will experience a breathtaking floral display covering 50,000 square meters of tropically themed water gardens. Another wow factor is the amazing Giant Amazon Waterlilies, made famous by David Attenborough in his TV series on plants. These spectacular waterlilies produce huge leaves (lily pads) that can grow to 1.8m in diameter. The gardens are the

only place in Victoria where you can see this wonder of nature.

And there is a host of family-friendly facilities on offer no matter what day you visit.

Highlights include: Thousands of flowers to see and 14 acres of tropical gardens to explore.

Plenty of picnic shelters and BBQs, plus a fabulous cafe and ice cream kiosk.

Large fairy garden with cubbies, slides and of course, plenty of fairies.

Large marquee with games, Frog Hollow with

• • • •

its giant frogs and Todd’s Tree House with its zippy slide.

Face painting available daily (weather dependent) and free Dragon Spotto Treasure Hunt.

The Blue Lotus Water Garden is open 7 days a week including public holidays until the 19 April.

Ticket prices: Adult $26.50, Senior $23.50, Child under 16 free (t&c’s apply). To find out more about the gardens, school holiday events or to purchase tickets, please visit their website bluelotus.com.au.

Address: 2628 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction.

•

12823612-MS01-26

26 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

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BINDAREE - A SCENIC HILLS ESTATE WITH VIEWS

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

BINDAREE - A SCENIC HILLS ESTATE WITH SWEEPING VIEWS ON OVER 1½ ACRES PERCHED proudly along the ridge of Emerald’s most scenic stretch, “Bindaree“ is one of the region’s most iconic properties - a timeless sanctuary where panoramic vistas sweep from the tranquil waters of Cardinia Reservoir to Arthur’s Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, and across to French Island in Western Port Bay. From its origins as a charming 1930s Art Deco cottage, this residence has gracefully evolved into a magnificent family estate, crowned with a distinctive turret and surrounded by magnificent established gardens. Every corner of Bindaree reflects a devotion to craftsmanship and a reverence for its history - a home where past and present coexist in perfect harmony.

Step beyond the original fretwork porch and into an entrance hall featuring a pressed tin ceiling, a fitting introduction to the home’s rich character and well-preserved period detail.

The master suite is a private retreat with walk-in wardrobes, a separate toilet, and a stately en suite complete with a deep bath and elegant shower.

A cosy lounge beckons with its original fireplace adorned with rose-blush deco tiles and bay windows framing the garden’s seasonal blooms. The heart of the home, however, is the stunning kitchen - a seamless blend of tradition and modern luxury, featuring white subway tiles, Victorian Ash benchtops, brass fittings, and premium stainless-steel appliances including a 6-burner gas stove, double oven, and twin-drawer dishwasher.

From here, meals can be served in the beautifully wood-panelled dining room, or out on the wide veranda where sunsets paint the horizon in breathtaking colour.

The family room, framed by expansive picture windows and fitted with automated blinds, provides a spectacular vantage point for enjoying the ever-changing scenery - from morning light to twilight hues.

Downstairs, discover three additional bedrooms with walk-in robes, a bright sunroom opening to a private courtyard, and a newly renovated bathroom and laundry in crisp whites. The thoughtful layout ensures comfort with ducted heating, evaporative cooling, and split-system air conditioning throughout.

Outdoor living is every bit as enchanting.

The under-veranda terrace, tiled in terracotta and edged by Sasanqua Camellias, creates a tranquil garden gallery. The double garage offers ample storage for vehicles and leisure equipment, while the grounds are a true horticultural delight - a mature orchard boasting fig, apple, mandarin, grapefruit, tangelo, lime, lemon, guava, quince, orange, plum, peach, and pomegranate trees.

Complementing this are a fully fenced vegetable garden, 22,000 litres of tank water, an olive arbour leading to a picturesque pergola, and even a croquet lawn for leisurely afternoons outdoors.

Set on nearly two acres, Bindaree is a place where life’s most memorable moments unfold. Within minutes of Emerald Village, local schools, and public transport, this extraordinary property offers privacy, beauty, and a sense of permanence rarely found.

An inspection is essential to experience the soul and splendour of this once-in-a-lifetime home. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 46 Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, EMERALD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,680,000 - $1,740,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115 and Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888

28 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

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HOME FOCUS

SPACIOUS, CHARACTER-FILLED FAMILY HOME A much-loved family home offered to the market for the first time in nearly 50 years, 10 Temple Road is bursting with warmth, character, and space for everyone.

Representing the perfect opportunity for families looking to settle into a thriving, close knit community, this property is positioned just a short, flat walk to Belgrave South’s main shopping village, local primary school, and public transport and combines absolute convenience with classic family comfort.

Inside, the flexible floorplan offers three spacious bedrooms, including a generous master suite complete with full ensuite, walkin robe and tranquil garden views. A central home office zone adds versatility for those working or studying from home.

Entertaining is a dream here. Designed to host everything from big family birthdays to relaxed weekend BBQs, the home features expansive indoor and outdoor living zones.

Outside, a huge timber deck and alfresco area are the centrepiece of this fully useable rear yard whilst inside, formal and informal living areas cater to all family needs, whether it’s cosy movie nights or relaxed catch ups with friends by the open fireplace.

The standout kitchen features a large island bench, walk-in butler’s pantry, excellent storage, and premium finishes. A large, light filled sunroom adds yet another flexible living space – ideal as a playroom, craft area, or quiet reading corner. An oversized laundry and conveniently located third toilet make entertaining and everyday life effortlessly practical.

For those who love the outdoors, the established garden is a true delight, with

vibrant blooms, mature trees, raised veggie beds, and a secure chicken coop – offering a sustainable, family-friendly lifestyle.

Comfort is assured year-round with ducted

heating, split-system air conditioning, and the ambient charm of an open fireplace.

If you’ve been searching for a spacious, move in ready home that offers charm and a

premium location – this is it! 10 Temple Road is not just a house, but a cherished family haven in one of the Dandenong Ranges’ most sought after pockets. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 10 Temple Road, BELGRAVE SOUTH Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,190,000-1,290,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Kate Johnson 0434 670 177, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888

Time for a home loan health check!

With the current cost of living, there’s never been a better time to review your home loan.

We’ll look at your rate, term, repayments, and equity, giving your loan a full check-up to make sure it’s still right for you and your current needs.

Enquire online at bendigobank.com.au/healthcheck or visit your nearest branch.

12756808-MC11-25

Community Bank Healesville 5962 1011

*Source: Roy Morgan Single Source Australia, May 2023. All loans are subject to the bank’s normal lending criteria. Fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Please consider your situation and read the Terms and Conditions, available online at www.bendigobank.com.au or upon request from any Bendigo Bank branch, before making a decision. Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879 A 2045547 OUT_40398501, 17/09/2024

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Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 29

HOME FOCUS

ENCHANTING HILLS RETREAT WITH STRIKING FAÇADE, GRAND FIREPLACE AND EXPANSIVE GROUNDS PRIVATELY set on approx. 5,367m², this Tudor-inspired residence captures the essence of hills living with its storybook façade, beautifully landscaped gardens, and versatile family floor plan.

Spread across multiple levels, the home blends timeless character with modern comfort to create an inviting lifestyle property.

Tucked away in a peaceful setting, yet only minutes from Upwey village, cafes, schools and train station, it offers the best of both worlds - the tranquillity of the Dandenong Ranges combined with everyday convenience.

From the moment you arrive, the home’s presence makes a lasting impression, while inside, the scale, warmth and flexibility of the layout ensure it will adapt to your family’s needs for years to come. Designed for both relaxed living and entertaining, this residence delivers comfort and versatility at every turn - from cosy evenings by the stone wood fire fireplace beneath soaring cathedral ceilings, to summer gatherings on the deck overlooking the massive backyard that stretches all the way down the block. The welcoming front garden, with its generous carport and landscaped surrounds, completes the picture of a home full of charm and lifestyle appeal.

Key Features • Four bedrooms including a main with ensuite and robes, plus two with BIRs and balcony access • Two bathrooms, ideally positioned throughout the home • Grand cathedral-ceiling lounge with polished timber floors and a feature stone wood fire fireplace • Ducted heating and split system cooling for year-round comfort • Dedicated study plus separate office/retreat, perfect for working from home • Well-appointed kitchen and meals area with direct connection to covered entertaining decks • Multiple outdoor living zones including three covered decks, pergola and balcony • Expansive backyard that stretches all the way down the block, ideal for children, pets or further landscaping • Generous front yard with landscaped gardens and a double carport, plus additional car space • Established gardens with feature lighting, enhancing the property’s storybook appeal ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 30 Mast Gully Road, UPWEY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $1,350,000 - $1,450,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115 and Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888 6 September, January, 2026 2025 30 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 2

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Real Estate you can trust!

We’re here to help.

14 Bellbird Street, BelgRave 5

2

3

247-249 olinda-Monbulk Road, MonBulK

1225m2

3

2

2

7361m2

4 Francis Street, TeCoMa 5

2

6

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

$900,000 - $990,000

$920,000 - $990,000

$990,000-$1,089,000

Daniel Steen 0434 979 142

Brad Conder 0422 639 115

10 Temple Road, BelgRave SouTh 3

2

2

Jerlyn arradaza 0434 688 554

30 Mast gully Road, upwey

1348m2

4

2

3

5367m2

1468m2

Daniel Steen 0434 979 142

46 Beaconsfield-emerald Road, eMeRalD 4

2

2

6628m2

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

$1,190,000-1,290,000

$1,350,000 - $1,450,000

$1,680,000 - $1,740,000

Brad Conder 0422 639 115

Brad Conder 0422 639 115

Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442

Kate Johnson 0434 670 177

Jerlyn arradaza 0434 688 554

Jerlyn arradaza 0434 688 554

03 9754 6888 office@chandlerandco.com.au 1689 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Vic 3160 mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 31

HOME FOCUS

HILLS COTTAGE, WALKING DISTANCE TO TOWN POSITIONED just moments from the Gembrook township, this charming character home on a generous 919m² offers warmth, personality and an inviting blend of modern comfort and classic appeal. Thoughtfully designed across two levels, the home provides excellent family living with a flexible layout and beautiful features throughout.

The heart of the home is the light-filled living area, the charming country style kitchen has been updated with quality fittings including a stainless steel free standing 900mm oven and dishwasher. Its generous bench space and open connection to the dining and living areas make it the perfect spot for everyday meals and relaxed entertaining.

Downstairs, two comfortable bedrooms are serviced by the family bathroom, creating an ideal zone for kids, guests or extended family.

Upstairs, a private master retreat offers a peaceful escape, complete with its own ensuite and a leafy outlook.

Outdoors, the decked verandah is the perfect place to relax with your morning coffee of unwind afterwork with lovely views over the yard. The balance of the 919m² block provides room to enjoy the fresh air, potter in the garden or simply unwind in a setting surrounded by nature. With its inviting charm, practical layout and sought-after Gembrook location close to cafes, walking trails and the township, this home offers a wonderful opportunity to secure a character-filled property with all the comforts of modern living. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 21 Gembrook Launching Place Road, GEMBROOK Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

32 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

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4 NaughtoN Street COCKATOO

11 Kitchener Parade COCKATOO

25 HAZEL STREET COCKATOO

FAMILY RETREAT

PEACEFUL HILLS RETREAT WITH STUDIO

SPACIOUS FAmILy LIvIng

4A

3A

4A

2B

2D

FOR SALE $1,150,000 - $1,250,000 OFI By appointment

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

1B

4D

FOR SALE $730,000 - $770,000 OFI By appointment

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

2B

4D

FOR SALE $760,000 - $836,000 OFI

By Appointment

JaCQUI RYDER 0433 095 278 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

67 Beaconsfield emerald road EMERALD

9/27-31 Kings Road EMERALD

81 JARDINE ROAD MACCLESFIELD

COUNTRY LIFESTYLE WITH DUAL LIVING

CHARMING, LOW-MAINTENANCE LIVING

21 ACRES OF PRIVACY, VIEWS & VERSATILITY

5A

2A

8A

2B

4D

FOR SALE $1,425,000 - $1,525,000 OFI By appointment

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

1B

1D

FOR SALE $590,000 - $620,000 OFI By appointment

GAYLE BARROT 0408 195 767 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

3B

5D

FOR SALE $2,200,000 - $2,400,000 OFI

By Appointment

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

17 EMERALD LAKE ROAD EMERALD

21 Gembrook LaunchinG PL rd GEMBROOK

26 Kitchener Parade COCKATOO

PRIME LOcaTION WITH ELEVATED VIEWS

CHARMING HILLS COTTAGE

RENOVATED COCKATOO GEM ON 999M2

3A

3A

981M2 FOR SALE $490,000-$539,000 OFI

By Appointment

mailcommunity.com.au

LANA MAHER 0408 535 075 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

2B

FOR SALE $775,000 - $815,000 OFI by appointment

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

1B

1D

FOR SALE $700,000 - $770,000 OFI By appointment

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 33

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 271

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.

easy

8 2 3 1 4 5 8 2 3 6 4 2 9 4 9

9 1 5 6 1 2 3 2 8 6

DECODER 18 3

20

22

21

18

2 1

6

1

17

25

10

17

13

4

10

13

20

15

10

14

26

X

23

7

3

23

18 15

25

S

4

18

20

22

17

25

6

12

10

17

23

14

12

25

5

S 23

22

6

7

8

13

23

9

25

S

25

17

S

15

5

5

24

25

10

19

8

S

23 23

2

25

12

S

10 11 12 13

S X 18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

J W M V T Y Z K P O Q D U 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

1

1

17

8 4 6

9-LETTER WORD

8 easy

medium

9 4 5 7 8 2 6 3 1 7 3 6 1 4 9 5 8 2 1 8 2 5 3 6 4 9 7 6 9 4 3 5 1 7 2 8 8 5 7 2 9 4 3 1 6 2 1 3 6 7 8 9 4 5 4 7 8 9 1 5 2 6 3 5 6 1 4 2 3 8 7 9 3 2 9 8 6 7 1 5 4

2 1 5 3 4 9 6 8 7 3 7 4 8 2 6 1 5 9 6 9 8 5 7 1 4 2 3 5 2 7 4 3 8 9 1 6 8 3 9 1 6 2 5 7 4 4 6 1 9 5 7 2 3 8 1 8 3 2 9 4 7 6 5 7 4 2 6 8 5 3 9 1 9 5 6 7 1 3 8 4 2

hard 4 7 2 5 8 1 6 9 3 8 3 6 7 9 2 4 5 1 5 9 1 6 4 3 8 7 2 9 1 3 8 5 4 7 2 6 6 8 4 9 2 7 3 1 5 2 5 7 3 1 6 9 8 4 1 2 8 4 6 9 5 3 7 7 4 9 2 3 5 1 6 8 3 6 5 1 7 8 2 4 9 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

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

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

T

Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good 29 words: Excellent

C

Y

I

H

I S

S

P

WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ADD ADO ADS AID BOW EEL EGO FED GEE IDS ILL IOU IRE LIE MAR NIP NOR OFF OKS ORE PEN TEE WHO YOU 4 LETTERS EARL EBBS FLEE GULP KEEL LILY MEET MIEN POPE SASH SLAM TALL TRAY USES

chip, chips, chit, city, hips, hiss, hits, itch, itchy, physic, PHYSICIST, physics, pitch, pith, pithy, pits, pity, schist, ship, ships, sips, sits, spicy, spit, spits, this, tips, tipsy, yips

7

S

2

16

S

25

14

19

21

22

23

13

22

10

12

25

11

25

S

17

S

17

S

S

22

15 20

19

25

22

19

S

2

17

X

25

14

16

23

18

26

24

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

4

6 5

10

23

12

R C G I B L A F N E H S X

7

12

24

S

25

1

18

19

13

1

9

20

5

5

15

4 3 8

23

20

16

6

S

3

hard

6 9

25

18

19

5

9

No. 303

No. 271

A C C O R D

5 LETTERS ABATE ABODE ALIGN ALIVE AMISS AWARE BEARS BERET CANAL CRATE DEALT DYING EAGER EATEN EDGES EERIE ELUDE EVERY EXUDE FLORA HOSTS

INANE KNOTS LADLE LAPEL LEERY LOVES NOTED PIXIE RISER SATIN SCANT SEDAN SHREW SLAIN SLEPT SLEWS SOLED SPEAK STAFF START STEAM STUDY

SWING TEASE TENET TENOR TILDE TOILS ULTRA

7 LETTERS ANTENNA APOSTLE GOATEES LEOTARD REALISE SNUFFER

6 LETTERS ACCORD ASSURE FRONTS ORIENT

8 LETTERS CELLISTS HANGOVER HYSTERIA TABLOIDS

S P E A K S C A N T A B A T E T I L D E T E N O R S O L E D E X U D E U L T R A S W I N G A I D L A D L E Y O U G E E D Y I N G F R O N T S M E E T O K S S N U F F E R S L A I N T A L L E A R L P O P E L I E T A B L O I D S A P O S T L E R E A L I S E S L A M H A N G O V E R F E D F L E E L I L Y E V E R Y G O A T E E S I R E A C C O R D N O T E D S A S H M A R I O U T E A S E WH O S T A R T B E A R S I N A N E S A T I N E E R I E B E R E T S E D A N S L E W S S L E P T

6 8 6 1 5 7 4 5 4 9 3 1 2 7 1 7 8 3 9 4 2 6 5 6 1 3 4

9

17 18 19 21 22 23 26

7 9

3 4

8 5

Inhabitant (8) Abstinence (8) Childish (7) Pressurised dispenser (7) Light rainfall (6) Holiday spot (6) Fringe (4) Tableland (7) Meeting for an exchange of ideas (7) Sheath (8) Sing to (8) Unaffected (7) Settle (7) Help (6) Slip-on shoe (6) Ballot choice (4)

1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 16

5

medium

1

DOWN

Formula (6) Large rope (6) Climb (5) Light-headed (9) Disadvantage, disservice (9) Impugn (5) A spice (6) Plummet (4) Require (4) Source of wisdom (6) Schnoz (5) Incapable of being seen (9) Provider of information (9) Tropical climbing plant (5) Slave (6) Interfere (6)

15

6

ACROSS 1 4 10 11 12 13 14 15 19 20 24 25 27 28 29 30

No. 271

14

7 3

QUICK CROSSWORD

09-01-26

Robbie, Gavan and Janet

www.heritagefunerals.com.au • Wantirna, Lilydale, Woori Yallock • 9800 3000 34 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

12711905-KG37-24

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networkclassifieds.com.au networkclassifieds.com.au Trades & Services DEADLINE

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HEALESVILLE PLUMBER On time, Local, Family owned

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• 2 Trucks Available • Storage Available Boxes and packaging material for sale Local, country and metro

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Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 35

SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW

Aunty Joy Murphy-Wandin was left disappointed by the Melbourne Storm’s decision to cancel an ANZAC Day Welcome to Country. (Damjan Janevski: 305847)

Coldstream Boxing Club coach Hayden ‘H-Bomb’ Wright took on and beat Thai boxer Sunthon Pankhui for the WBF Heavyweight Champion of Victoria title. (Marty Camilleri/Marty’s Knockout Photography)

Regional sporting superstars of 2025 Sport is an integral part of the fabric of the Yarra Valley and it played a prominent part in the news in 2025.

Here are the top sport stories in the Star Mail from the east year.

Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin was left broken-hearted after a scheduled Welcome to Country ceremony for the NRL’s Melbourne Storm was cancelled at the last minute on Anzac Day. Aunty Joy told ABC News she received a phone call from the rugby club’s chief executive officer while driving to AAMI Park.

“His words were, ‘Hello, Aunty Joy, I’ve got a decision made by the board that you don’t do Welcome (to Country) today, but you can join in the cultural performance,” she told ABC News.

“When I got in, he said (the reason for the cancellation) was about the booing that happened (in the morning) and something like protecting or looking after you.”

In the early morning on Anzac Day, Bunurong and Gunditjmara elder Mark Brown was interrupted by a group of neo-Nazis while he was delivering a Welcome to Country at Melbourne’s Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

The Melbourne Storm released a statement and said there was a clear misunderstanding between the board and management on Friday which caused confusion with the pre-game cultural ceremony.

“The board asked for clarification about the sequencing of the Anzac Day ceremony, and we were not aware that a Welcome to Country was to be performed. We had agreed at the start of the year that a Welcome to Country would be delivered at multicultural round and Indigenous Round and would always have an acknowledgment of country when appropriate,” Storm Chairman, Matt Tripp, said in the statement.

Despite the issue not being resolved, Aunty Joy attended the club’s Indigenous Round match later in the season.

Coldstream Boxing Club coach Hayden ‘H-Bomb’ Wright took on Thai boxer Sunthon Pankhui at Melbourne Pavilion on Saturday 13 September for the WBF Heavyweight Champion of Victoria title.

After training hard with his mates, Zac Thompson and Chris Hume, Wright was able to push the opponent strongly from the first round.

The new WBF Heavyweight Champion of Victoria said he was prepared, and came out hard and strong.

“It was very even. So in the first round, I kept punching and punching him, and I nearly knocked him down and unconscious,” Wright said.

In July 2024, Wright won the Melbourne Heavyweight Championship title match against

36 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

Indian boxer Ranjeet Singh by TKO which led to his first retirement to focus on coaching.

However, he reversed his decision as people surrounding him wanted him to bring another championship title back to the Yarra Valley before retiring again.

“I am very proud of all the hard work and dedication; 25 professional fights over the past 10 years, to become the new heavyweight champion and bring it back to the Yarra Valley to inspire kids,” he said.

The Eastern Ranges, the local junior representative pathway for young AFL stars in the region, made history in September as the first club to win both the boys and girls premierships in the same year.

Eastern Ranges talent lead Danny Ryan said it’s been pretty exciting to see Eastern Ranges talents get their chances at AFL and AFLW level in recent years and shared his advice for the boys and girls hopeful of being selected to play at the elite level.

“To see some of our girls that were in our program last year making their debut, Grace Belloni and Georgia Brisbane, it’s really exciting that both the boys and girls programs we’re seeing these kids have impacts immediately when they go into the AFL and we’re seeing what Nick Watson’s been able to do and Christian Moraes over in Port Adelaide,” he said.

In a back-and-forth contest, the boys in blue rallied in the last quarter to run over the top of the Sandringham Dragons, keeping their opponents goalless and nailing four goals straight to run out victors by 15 points.

The girls had three goals and two behinds on the board in the first quarter while their Dandenong Stingrays opponents could only muster a solitary point, going on to establish an insurmountable lead in the next two quarters before easing to a 38-point win.

A Yarra Glen Tennis Club player was crowned the top player in her grade at the 2025 Tennis Victoria Player Awards.

Tahlia Wheatley took home Pennant Player of the Year for the Women’s Grade 4 competition at the awards night held at Kooyong Lawns Tennis Club on Sunday 26 October.

Ms Wheatley said she was super proud to receive the award, if a little shocked at first.

“Our Grade 4 ladies went really well, we went all the way to the final, but unfortunately just fell short, by I think eight games it was,” she said.

“We had an amazing run at the start, but yeah, just got done in the end, which was a bit unfortunate, but I felt that we were really positive throughout the whole season.”

The Yarra Glen Tennis Club are no stranger to Tennis Victoria awards, winning the Community Engagement Award for the whole club and seeing committee member and coach Jarron Morris win his second Pennant Player of the Year for his grade in a row in 2024.

Ms Wheatley said she had a very consistent season, training every week, putting in the work and wanting to be better.

“I just tried my best, not putting that expectation on myself to win every game, but making sure I was in the right mindset for the whole season and training as much as I can,” she said.

Age was no obstacle for 57-year-old Triathlon champion and Yarra Glen local Jeremy Critchett after finishing second in the world in the latest triathlon World Championships in Wollongong on 19 October.

Critchett’s new, shiny silver medal will accompany the two golds he won in the 2018 ITU age group world championships in the Gold Coast, along with another gold medal he won in the 2024 Cross triathlon world championships in Townsville, on his shelf at home.

“The thing I love about triathlon racing is that it’s just such a vibrant, exciting environment for racers themselves,” Critchett said.

“You would think that with time constraints, it is easy to get isolated, but with triathlon, wherever you’re going, whether you’re running or riding or swimming, there’s lots of people generally around you doing a similar thing, so it really brings people together.”

He plans to race again at the 2027 World Championships in New Zealand.

A young Yarra Valley sport shooter stunned at the 2025 Victorian State Trap Carnival in Echuca hosted by the Victorian Clay Target Association (VCTA).

14-year-old Lilydale High School student and Melbourne Gun Club junior member Chloe Hughes-Gage finished first in an astonishing five categories at the event.

Chloe said it was just a really good weekend and she was feeling lucky.

“I went into the event knowing that I would be up against some pretty good competition, but I guess things just happened to be on the right side,” she said.

“I was really in my zone when I was shooting.”

Chloe’s luck seemed to be accompanied by plenty of skill too as she claimed the titles of overall Ladies State Single Barrel Champion (total score of 46/50), C-grade Single Barrel Champion (46/50), Sub Junior Single Barrel Champion (46/50), C-grade Double Barrel Champion (50/52) and C-grade Champion of Champions (120/125).

Chloe said she started shooting in high school after her older brother went through their school’s program.

“I know he (her older brother) will always help me if I have any questions, I’m sure he’d be able to answer them for me, so he always helps me out,” she said.

“I hope one day to get into the Victorian team for a discipline, and maybe even one day, one of my biggest goals, is shooting for Australia.”

Chloe Hughes-Gage took the chocolates in five categories of the 2025 Victorian State Trap Carnival. (Supplied)

Yarra Glen Tennis Club’s Tahlia Wheatley was crowned Pennant Player of the Year for the Women’s Grade 4 competition. (Supplied)

57-year-old Yarra Glen resident Jeremy Critchett came second in the 19 October World Championship Triathlon. (Supplied)

The Eastern Ranges girls celebrate their flag win.

(AFL Photos/Jordan Sacchetta)

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SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW

Henderson broke the record for most goals kicked in the OEFN women’s league. (File: 469871)

Daniel Sanders dominated the 2025 Dakar Rally. (Kin Marcin/ Red Bull Content Pool)

Mullett after kicking his 100th goal for Wandin. (File: 491520)

More sporting achievement Sports play a big role in the Upper Yarra, and 2025 saw some incredible feats both locally and nationally.

Sanders dominates: In January the Three Bridges’ born rally raid motorbike rider, Daniel “Chucky” Sanders, shocked the world when he won the 2025 Dakar Rally.

Considered the biggest race in the world of motorbikes and off-roading, his Dakar Rally win put Three Bridges on the map.

He dominated the race with a comfortable eight minutes and 50 seconds between him and second-placed Spaniard Tosha Schareina.

Interviewed after the stage, Sanders said when he came out of the dunes, he could see the bivouac and just got instant chills through his whole body.

“I was super nervous. I couldn’t believe it.

All the emotions started coming through and I could see the finishing line. It’s the biggest race in the world of motorbikes and off-roading,” he said.

“To win the six-day international enduro and now the Dakar, it’s just ticked off all the goals for my career and everything I’ve wanted to achieve. It’s a massive accomplishment,” “For the team, my family, friends, my girlfriend and everyone who’s seen me undergo all the lows and highs along the way, it’s finally all paid off. They knew I could do it, everyone who’s backed me along the way, even after the last three years of a lot of lows, really, now we’ve

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got the up, so all the hard work has paid off”.

Wandin take the flag Wandin Football Netball Club were a force to be reckoned with in the 2025 season of the Outer East Football Netball League.

On Saturday 20 September, the Dogs took the flag in a triumphant victory over Olinda-Ferny Creek Football Club, thumping the Bloods by 91 points.

Taking place at the Don Road Sporting Complex in Healesville, Both teams travelled out with legions of fans behind them.

Though the game started off on level terms, Tom Merlino’s brilliant snap from deep in the pocket set the tone, and Wandin never looked back.

Thriving in the open spaces of the Don Road Sporting Complex, Aaron Mullett put on a show, booting 10 goals and six behinds to claim best-on-ground honours.

It capped off a dream day for the club, with both A and C grade netball sides also lifting premiership trophies.

The celebrations back at Clegg Road reflected the magnitude of the achievement—three flags and one unforgettable night for the Bulldogs.

The Burras claim the premiership Warburton-Wesburn’s Senior Women’s side conquered Emerald in the grand final to snatch up their first premiership as a team.

The game started just before midday, and the sun was shining out at Powelltown, and the

girls had a tough battle against a strong Emerald With seven scoring shots to Emerald’s one in the first quarter, the momentum was with the Burras, although they seemed to be filled with nerves in the opening quarter.

But the mighty Burras had shrugged off the pressure and by half time, they were 22 points above Emerald.

The last term was the most exciting with six goals scored, and when the siren sounded, supporters filled the oval celebrating with their loved ones on the clubs achievement of an undefeated season and a premiership win.

Warburton-Wesburn’s first Division Two grand final will be one to remember, with a final score of 94 to 21.

Mullett and Henderson finish with the golden boot We were all privy to some standout individual talent in 2025, with Wandin’s Aaron Mullett and Warburton-Wesburn’s Sarah Henderson dominating the scoreboards.

Women’s footy history was made with Henderson slotting a total of 58 goals during the 2025 season - the first in the Outer East Football League to do so.

“I’m very happy with myself, very proud of myself for getting such a big achievement and I’m definitely looking forward to the years to come,” the Warburton-Wesbrun forward said.

Meanwhile Mullett made the men’s league look like a video game having kicked an insane

129 goals.

When Mullett sealed the deal, he said it was a moment he’ll “never forget”.

“I remember kicking that goal and just going on the run and kind of getting swarmed by all my teammates and a lot of friends and family came running out too,” he said.

Bike park lives up to the hype: 2025 was a big year for mountain bikers with the Warburton Bike Park opening on Saturday 19 July.

Over the opening weekend a total of 1100 excited riders gathered at the Wesburn Park trailhead to try the first 30 kilometres of mainly entry-level trails.

Yarra Ranges O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said it was a tremendous feat to have finally opened the trails.

“After years of planning and development, we’re thrilled to have opened the first 30km of the Warburton Bike Park network, and to be delivering this incredible asset for our community,” Cr Child said.

Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers president Andrew Howieson said the opening was an incredibly important moment in his life.

“The genesis of this project dates back to pre-2010, so to be there on opening day and to be a part of that was probably one of the highlights of my life to date,” Mr Howieson said.

The trails, built by contractors World Trail, were praised by riders both experienced and beginner.

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 37

SPORT

A winning start to the year

By Ian Milgate Healesville Bowling Club Championship Finals were played recently for the Women and Men’ s Singles and Pairs event.

The Women’s Pairs final was won by Robyn Turville and Rita Featherstone over Anne Knibbs and Jude Wallace, while the Women’s Singles was also played between Robyn and Rita, with Robyn Turville being victorious.

In the Men’s Pairs Final Robert Ayres and Steve Bulled were victors over Gary Broussard and Ian Milgate.

In the Singles Final Robert Ayres was the winner over Rob Broadhurst.

Tuesday’s Firsts Side played away at Yarra Glen.

This was going to be a tough match as we were sitting on the bottom of the Ladder and Yarra Glen were in fifth place.

The match started off quite well with all three rinks winning ends and at the half time break Healesville were eight shots up 30/22.

After the break two rinks were neck and neck while one rink was surging ahead with a seven on one end, bad luck about eight, which took the wind out of their opponents sails.

In the end Healesville won by five shots 69/64.

The scores were as follows; Bob Brown, Anne Knibbs, Rita Featherstone, Gary Broussard 36/19 Gerda Otto, Rob Broadhurst, Steve Graham, Robyn Turville 17/21 Col Jarvis, Ian Milgate, Rob Ayres, Mick Featherstone 16/24.

Tuesday’s Seconds side played at home against Croydon.

Each week the Healesville team get shuffled around due to players being unavailable and also returning, so they always go into the match with their eyes wide open, and to their credit, continue to come up with the results.

In the first half Healesville was down but they managed to compose themselves and push hard to finally win by one shot 53/52.

Steve Bulled (left) and Robert Ayres (right) won the Healesville Bowls Club’s Men’s Pairs final.

The Women’s Pairs final was won by Robyn Turville (left) and Rita Featherstone (right) over Anne Knibbs and Jude Wallace, while the Women’s Singles was also played between Robyn and Rita, with Robyn Turville being victorious.

Every rink played their part and it could not have been any closer. They are now sitting second on the ladder.

The scores were as follows; Russell Smith, Mike Adams, Sarah Gallagher, Len Cosson 16/15, Karl Tok, Glenda Graham, John McMillan, Damian Key, 15/15, Tino Macari, Kenny Gallagher, Mark Cookney, Bernard Godde 22/22.

Saturday’s Firsts side played away at Yarra Glen and they will be looking for retribution after losing to Healesville on Tuesday, so we really needed to be on our game.

The game started off well with Healesville nudging ahead but Yarra Glen weren’t giving up without a fight.

By the half time break Healesville were five shots up 45/40.

After the break Healesville got a small break on them but Yarra Glen came back again.

In the last six ends there were only two or three shots in it, right up until the last end.

Healesville held two shots on the last end of the last rink to play.

With two bowls to go, Healesville were holding another shot, until the Yarra Glen skip put down a brilliant bowl to knock the Healesville bowl out giving them five shots and finally winning by three shots overall, 79/82.

The scores were as follows: Gerda Otto, Anne Knibbs, Robyn Turville, Adrian Beales 12/31, Col

Jarvis, Rita Featherstone, Steve Graham, Mark Ward 24/18, Chris Hawting, Rob Broadhurst, Steve Bulled, Robert Ayres, 25/10, Bob Brown, Ian Milgate, Gary Broussard, Mick Featherstone 18/23.

Saturday’s Seconds side played at home against Yarra Junction.

This was a must win game to hold our fourth spot on the ladder and maybe third if Monbulk lose.

Watching the roll up I had no doubt that Yarra Junction were going to struggle on our green after being used to their very fast green.

Healesville got off to a ripper start with all rinks enjoying their day and by the half time break, there was no doubt Yarra Junction were in for a big loss.

After the break all rinks kept piling on the points until finally winning by 71 shots, 92/21.

A brilliant effort by everyone going into the Christmas break.

The scores were as follows; Karl Tok, Glenda Graham, Kenny Gallagher, Mark Cookney 31/6, John Allen, Judy Veermann, Mike Adams, John Howard 32/11, Russell Smith, Jude Wallace, Sarah Gallagher, Bernard Godde 29/6.

They’re bowling into 2026 Lots in the Warby pipeline

By Gary Lewis

By Grant Ingham Yarra Junction bowls report for the last game pre-Christmas.

The Yarra Junction Eagles’ midweek side welcomed top of the ladder side Eastwood Golf to the nest.

Needing a win to progress up the ladder in the new year the Eagles were on their game, winning 81 shots to 42 and two rinks to one overall.

The result earned the Eagles 14 points positioning the side fifth on the ladder going into the Christmas break. - A very good win!

Rink Scores: Jason 36-5, Marty 30-15, Howard 15-25.

The two Saturday sides had mixed results.

The Seconds had a hard task travelling to Healesville to play on a slow green.

The Eagles tried hard but with a depleted side due to absentees, Healesville were too strong, resulting in Eagles going down 92 to 23.

With the Yarra Junction side still second on the ladder and a return of players, the side should look forward to a strong performance in the New Year.

The Firsts travelled in the mist to Cockatoo needing a win to keep top spot on the ladder.

Half time break saw the Eagles 15 shots up with plenty to work still to do.

After a strong comeback from Cockatoo, the Eagles got home by four shots and two winning rinks.

The win keeps them ten points clear on top.

The score was Yarra Junction 83 to Cockatoo 79.

Rink scores: Howard 12-32, Jason 24-15, Adrian 32-7, Johnny 16 -25.

With the addition of a second Saturday pennant side this season, the club is in good stead for a successful year.

Starting on 9 January, Yarra Junction bowls club will again be hosting Friday night barefoot social bowls for $10 per head.

The bar will be open with a sausage sizzle.

Rustic kitchen will also be operating on the night from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

38 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 January, 2026

Despite the mist, the Eagles managed to obtain a victory against Cockatoo. (Supplied)

The Firsts travelled in the mist to Cockatoo needing a win to keep top spot on the ladder.

For more information go to Yarra Junction Bowls Club face book page or contact Jason on: 0411263721

Following on from the successes of the previous round of Pennant games, the Warburton Bowls Club was challenged with the unavailability of several players mainly due to illness and the festive season in our final round before the break.

The positive was it provided many players with the opportunity to step up to the challenge of a higher level of responsibility.

The weekend Division Two Warburton One side played top side Mooroolbark One away and despite giving their all, went down 56 shots to 88, with only one rink up.

Rink scores were S. Lord 19/ 15; G. Walsh 8/28; R, McKail 20/23 and C. Neale 9/22.

The Burras face another challenge after the break against Lilydale Two at home on 17 January, determined to finish the second half of the season on a high.

The undermanned seconds also started their game strongly against Mitcham Four on their slow grass green due to earlier rain.

It was great to see young first gamers, Harry and Noah Lord, step up to help the side as they both performed extremely well.

Also, thanks to another young member, Lawson Appleton, playing to assist the team once again.

However, as the game progressed the home side handled the changing conditions a lot better overall to win comfortably 95 shots to 66.

Despite being one player down, Damian Key’s rink only went down by 6 shots, 16 to 22. A great effort!

Other rink scores were D. Nisbet 8/37; P. Summers 23/15 and P. Woods 19/21.

The Burras play top side Heathmont Five at home after the break in another double header with the ones.

Ferntree Gully’s visit to play Warburton’s Midweek side the week before Christmas, proved to be a close and absorbing battle.

The Gully bowlers adapted to the green conditions quickly and took a solid lead at the break.

But as so often happens, the match turned after lunch.

The momentum changed as the Burras edged ahead, though the Gully bowlers never gave up and got very close at the end.

Finally, an exciting finish saw the Burras win by four shots overall, 70 to 66.

Rink scores were A. Dostie 21/ 22, R. McKail 22/ 21 and G. Walsh 27/ 23.

The Burras next play top side, Upwey Tecoma One, away on Tuesday 13 January in a battle between the top two sides to start the new year.

The club looks forward to the next round of the Jack Attack Triples Competition to be held on Wednesday 21 January.

Intra Club Competitions are all approaching the Finals stage following many close contests.

The Annual Tradge Woods Triples Tournament will be held this coming Saturday 10. January from 9am, with several Clubs represented.

The Warburton Bowls Club thanks the Woods Family for their generous sponsorship of the event and the following businesses, Yarra Valley Professionals, Car City Ringwood and Warburton I.G.A. The Annual Pink Ribbon Triples Tournament, sponsored by Yarra Valley Professionals will be held on Sunday 1 February from 12 midday.

Female and male entries accepted of all abilities, including beginners. $10 per player ($30 per team).

Entries must be in by 24 January.

Contact Michelle Foord 0437566238 or the Club 59662391 for further information.

Three Games, raffles, prizes and a BBQ Sausage Sizzle will be held during the day.

All proceeds from the Annual Pink Ribbon Tournament will go towards Breast Cancer Research.

The Free Warburton Bowls Club Barefoot Bowls evenings continued last Friday with another good crowd in attendance.

Each week so far there have been several new participants joining in the fun.

It will continue every Friday from 6pm to 9pm over the Holiday season.

All community members, families and friends are encouraged to join in the fun.

All equipment, coaching and music will be provided.

BBQ food and raffle tickets are available at a small cost.

Social Bowls continues each Monday from 12 midday.

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SPORT

Parker smacks a century

By Kieran Cantwell First XI Heading out to Warranwood for our First XI, it was a tough day for both teams with the bat.

Many starts for us batting first, with Chris Reynolds top scoring on 28, but no one could go on with it thanks to some tight bowling and good catching.

After 33 overs we were dismissed for 136, not a huge total to defend.

Our bowlers gave it their all, with Adam Dunn striking early, but with not a lot of runs on the board, Warranwood didn’t need to do too much to overtake us.

Another wicket to Adam Dunn, and one to Tyson Gaskett, and the highlight being Flynn Pritchard’s first First XI wicket for the club.

Eventually Warranwood passed us four down in the 31st over.

Coming into the break sitting in fourth on the ladder, there is still work to do, but the side is in a good position to have a crack at finals.

Second XI We took on Lilydale at home this week, and the captain lost his first toss of the year.

This proved a bad one to lose as there was a lot of water on the ground from earlier rain, making the ball hard to bowl with first.

Marty White took our first at 1-54, and from there it was slow going, both with ball and bat.

Stephen Morgan got their opener who was in the 70s which was crucial. Jai Gupta took one wicket also, and Lucas Parker bowling the last over took two wickets off the last two balls.

Lilydale finished with 5-203 off their 40 overs.

With the bat it was the Lucas Parker show, he came out to bat at number three in the second over of the game, and steered the ship throughout, crafting a magnificent innings.

Corey Winter-Annette supported him with 33, but it was a superb 117 not out off 119 balls from Lucas that clinched the victory in the 38th over.

Thanks to efforts like that, our Second XI are sitting in second spot on the ladder comfortably going into the break.

Third XI Looking for a much-needed win, our Third XI

A horsey Christmas wrap-up

By Anita Prowse The Yarra Ranges Pony Club finished up for 2025, with their much loved Christmas Rally on Sunday 18 December with thanks to Wesburn/Millgrove CFA for delivering Santa, even with the nasty weather forecast.

2026 promises to be a big year with some new events on the program.

The Annual Australia Day Freshmans will run Monday 26 Jan, with entries available on the day, followed up in February with our Friday twilight freshmans on the 27th.

We thank everyone for their support in 2025.

Keep an eye out for the first meeting to start up The Yarra Ranges Equestrian Alliance in this New Year.

Happy riding everyone!!!

Santa visited the Yarra Ranges Pony Club to wrap up 2025. (Supplied)

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Lucas Parker smacked a century for Lusatia Park’s Second XI. (Supplied) hosted North Ringwood at Wickhams Road Reserve.

It was a tale of two innings, with youth starring with the ball, and the old timers bringing it home with the bat.

Tayte Hubbard got reward for effort with 3-23 off his opening seven overs, and Jacob Ahmad cleaning up with 4-18 off five, fantastic work from a couple of juniors!

North Ringwood managed 130 with the bat.

Tayte’s dad, Ben opened strongly with Simon Amore, combining for an opening stand of 48, Dan Madsen also contributed before Stuart Parker was able to bring it home, and we passed North Ringwood seven down in the 30th over.

Our Third XI are sitting sixth, within striking distance of the top four.

U/14 Our Juniors took on Healesville at Woori Yallock and looked to keep their good run going.

All the batters got runs, with Mason McNeill top scoring with a fiery 33 off 25 balls.

Noah Kelsall also retiring, and Maxwell Diggins chipped in at the end with quick runs.

We posted 6-155 off the 25 overs and were well placed. We took wickets early with the ball, with Oscar Broussard, Cameron Philpot and Alexander Mason all taking wickets, and from there the run rate was just too much.

Although we didn’t snare any more wickets, we came away with the win, as Healesville finished with 3-134.

The win sees us in a very commanding second place, well clear of the chasing pack, and within striking distance of first.

U/12 and Mini-Bash Our Friday night youngsters capped off the finish to the school year with more cricket!

In the U/12s Maxwell scored 24 and retired, while Acasia took a first wicket for the club as well.

In the Mini-Bash Harry was the star, with some big hitting and a great run out with one stump to aim at.

Growth is strong in community football Football participation across Victoria continued to grow in 2025 surpassing 250,000 registered participants to mark an all-time record for the state.

Victorians accounted for more than 40 percent of all football participants nation-wide in 2025, up six percent on last year, with the national total reaching a record 625,000 participants.

Touted as the ‘older sibling’ of NAB AFL Auskick, participation in NAB AFL Superkick grew by 170 percent in Victoria, hitting a new record of 10,000 participants in the program’s second year.

Modified footy offering - AFL Nines - continued to grow in popularity, with a 27-percent increase in registered participants.

AFL Nines has been designed to fit into everyday life, with the nine-a-side, no tackling format accessible to people of all ages and skill levels.

Growth in community football across both country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne remains steady, with more than 183,000 Victorians registered with a local club from junior and youth through to senior level.

Primary and high school students are continuing to engage more with Aussie Rules football, assisted by AFL Victoria’s partnership with School Sport Victoria (SSV), with 57 percent growth in 2025. An extension to the partnership with SSV for a further two years was announced in August.

Women and girls’ participation continued to grow, up four percent across community football, whilst one in five NAB AFL Auskick and Superkick participants were girls in 2025.

For the first time ever, Victoria celebrated 1,000 women and girls registered as community umpires.

Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said the record numbers reflect both the strength of the game and the deepening connection Australians continue to build with footy.

“Reaching 625,000 participants (nationally) this year is a remarkable achievement and a powerful reminder of how footy continues to bring communities together across the country,” Auld said.

“As more Australians find their pathway into

NAB AFL Superkick registrations soared in 2025 to more than 10,000. (Morgan Hancock/AFL: 522594) the game, our focus remains on making sure footy is welcoming, inclusive and accessible as we strive to have one million participants by 2033.

“Encouraging people to find their way to play whether it’s through NAB AFL Auskick, NAB AFL Superkick, community football or AFL Nines – sits at the heart of that vision, driven by the 10 percent enshrined investment into Game Development that supports programs and participation across all levels of the game.

“To sustain the game for generations to come,

we need a strong foundation.

“These results are driven by the thousands of people who give their time, energy and passion to footy every week.

“We know there are challenges in local footy and there is still work that needs to be done to help clubs; but to our clubs, coaches, umpires, volunteers and parents who make all of this possible, thank you and we’re incredibly grateful for everything you do.”

To find out how you can play and connect with Australian football, visit: play.afl

Tuesday, 6 January, 2026 | MAIL 39

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