Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
Recycling site closure upsets locals
Junction students push for change
Sanders maintains overall lead in Dakar Rally
Real estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Competitors descend on Yarra Valley Some of the finest competition shooters descended on Yering last week after the Melbourne Gun Club stepped in to ensure a major event could go ahead. Initially scheduled to take place in Echuca, the heat would have cancelled the competition. Instead, the Commonwealth Championship and the Australian Clay Target National for Trap could go ahead, seeing Olympic shooters from across Australia and the world head to the Yarra Valley. It was an incredible display of talent in challenging conditions, from heat and wind. Star Mail photographer Rob Carew was able to capture some of the action on Thursday 8 January. See more on page 33
Olympian Penny Smith with her mum, Kim, and the trophy Penny won at the event. (Rob Carew: 527441)
Anxious weekend Everyone in the Yarra Valley held their breath last week as out-of-control fires blazed just 50 mins north of the area. Catastrophic conditions sparked and fuelled many major fires across the state, with the Longwood fire tearing through 350,000 hectares of land, including more than 300 structures, and killing one person at the time of publication. Locally, a fire in Seville quickly spread and could’ve wreaked havoc if it weren’t for a rapid response from CFA and Forest Fire Management
Victoria (FFMV). Meanwhile, an illegally modified e-motorbike caused a scare in Warburton when it burst into flames, igniting a fire which took all night to contain. The community banded together to support those affected by the fires in multiple ways, in what was a testament to the altruism and benevolence of the Yarra Valley in times of crisis. Many CFA brigades from the Yarra Valley sent out strike teams to assist the firefighting ef-
fort, with CFA tankers from Little Yarra, Hillcrest, Wandin, Yarra Junction and Coldstream heading up north. Lilydale opened a relief centre, seeing evacuees make use of the space as they wait to learn the fates of their properties and townships. Cars, some towing trailers of items, vans, people and their animals were continuing to flow into the Lilydale High School stadium car park at 6.40pm on Friday 9 January. The centre provided basic relief with tea and
coffee facilities, beds, a kids’ area and animal housing. Smokey skies left the entire valley awash with an eerie orange haze and air quality deteriorated. The smell of smoke caused some false alarms to the CFA, the anxiety of a bushfire hanging in the air just like the smoke was. The temperatures dropped late into Friday evening and the heat left the air like a sigh of relief. Read more on pages 3 to 6
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NEWS
IN BRIEF Warburton Water World closure The Warburton Water World is temporarily closed due to a technical issue. The Yarra Ranges Council announced the update on 12 January, and is currently on site working to fix the problem. Updates will be provided on the council’s wesbite and Facebook page. In the meantime, you can find a list of other pools and splash parks open across Yarra Ranges on its website.
Relief Centre, Lilydale The ICC has approved the closure of the relief centre set up at the Lilydale High School basketball stadium, which was set up to support those moving away from the Longwood bushfires. The centre will open as an Information Hub tomorrow between 9am-4.30pm.
CFA brigades send tankers to Longwood fire An orange glow and smoke haze descended on Alexandra, and flowed down to Buxton where cold ash was starting to fall late on Friday. (Buxton CFA)
Cold ash falls under orange Buxton sky By Mikayla van Loon
Some CFA brigades in the Yarra Ranges have sent strike teams to the Longwood fires to help support the firefighting effort. As a result local brigades operate at a lower capacity. The CFA brigades which have sent out strike teams are the Little Yarra, Hillcrest, Yarra Junction and Coldstream. Wandin CFA’s strike team has returned.
Lost tow hitch A tow hitch and extender have been handed in to the Healesville Police Station. If you own these, please contact the Healesville Police Station on 5962 4422. Proof of ownership will be required. Property reference is 202512-E-2918.
Lost binoculars
A resident in Buxton confirmed cold ash began to fall over the township early on Friday afternoon, but was hopeful it wouldn’t increase before the wind changed direction. At around 2.30pm on Friday 9 January, the resident told Star Mail that cold embers were descending but that spotting was not likely as far out as Buxton. “It is dark, definitely an orange glow. There are cold embers coming down here, so they’re not warm. The fire is not predicted to come our direction,” they said. “Cold embers, basically, it means that the air hasn’t withheld enough temperature to keep them hot for a distance.” The Maroondah Highway, northbound between Mckenzie Avenue, Healesville and Anderson Lane, Narbethong, was closed at 3.42pm and remained in place over the weekend. One major issue, however, the resident said was the water supply, with Goulburn Valley Water issuing an urgent notice that the drinking water could not be maintained. Goulburn Valley Water’s notification at 2.15pm read: “The Buxton Water Treatment Plant cannot treat enough drinking water to meet current demand. “We estimate that there is about four hours of water supply left in the system. You must limit water use to essential needs only to help us try to maintain a supply of water. “As a precaution, you should reserve drinking water. You should ensure you have at least 10 litres of drinking water available for each person in your household for 48 hours. “Use the bathtub, tanks, buckets and any large storage containers available to reserve drinking water.” The resident said a community safety briefing in late December advised people to have a sup-
In times of crisis, you can give
A pair of binoculars have been handed in to the Healesville Police Station. A description or proof of ownership will be needed to collect them. Contact (03) 5962 4422 with reference number 202601-E-0347.
Seville fire extinguished quickly
A smoke cloud in the direction of Kinglake. (527832)
View from Selover’s Lookout in Healesville as smoke surrounds the hills from Longwood. (Mikayla van Loon: 527832)
ply of bottled water on hand for situations of this kind, but the main message was to leave early. “Quite a lot of the town left yesterday (Thursday). I’m not seeing many residents still here. The highway has been quite busy, with a constant flow of cars leading towards Melbourne. “It has settled down probably in the last half an hour. So I think everyone who’s going to leave pretty much has. “The Rangers went through the campsites everywhere, up near Eildon and up at Alexandra and all those surrounding towns yesterday morning and yesterday afternoon (8 Jan), and started forcefully evacuating people, so it’s pretty quiet here.” Healesville’s Queens Park and Don Reserve were set up as evacuation zones. Lilydale High School opened a relief centre late on Friday, with the Lilydale Fire Brigade also opening its doors to evacuees for a reprieve. The resident did say that, given the lack of water supply, “CFA wants people in the area who are
not trained and well supplied with their own water supply to leave”. “Especially with the Spur, the biggest concern is when people get distressed, and they get on the Spur, accidents happen, and then that’s our only exit. At the moment, we can’t exit in any other direction. “The more people that leave now before it gets dark tonight, in particular, which is when fear levels go up, even though Buxton’s safety level will probably actually get safer once this cool change comes through, because it’s going to head away from us, but dark seems to make people more scared because the sky gets more scary looking. “So, particularly those who are elderly or have young children or parents, should probably be leaving now.” At the time of the interview, the resident said while the cold ash did seem to be increasing, the wind had stopped slightly, although this wasn’t a sign of safety “because the fire is big enough that it’s actually caused its own weather system”.
CFA crews responded to a fire in Seville East on Friday 9 January. The fire was rapidly spreading and given the conditions, had the potential to grow into something much bigger. CFA crews from Seville, Wandin, Hillcrest, Yellingbo, Gruyere, Silvan and Macclesfield took care of the blaze. “Flames were visible from the highway and on arrival a fire was spreading rapidly through grass into surrounding trees and ground fuels, driven by the very strong winds,” Seville CFA said in a Facebook post. “Under yesterday’s conditions it was a mammoth achievement to pull it up. “We are very grateful to the rapid and incredibly professional response.”
Community urged to not light fires The Seville CFA has urged the community to refrain from lighting fires, despite the Total Fire Ban ending on Sunday 10 January. “We do urge the community to continue to take great care especially with activities outside,” the brigade said in a Facebook post. “Make sure you are fully aware of what you can and cannot do during fire restrictions. “Strict conditions apply. Failure to comply carries heavy penalties for you personally and potentially dreadful consequences for the community. Rules on what you can and can’t do during a fire danger period can be found here: shorturl. at/7d6rl.
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www.mckenzies.com.au Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 3
NEWS
Healesville resident Cindy De Luca owns a lifestyle property up in Yarck where the fires raged on Friday. (Supplied)
More than 350,000 hectares have burned.
Recovery mission begins By Allanah Sciberras, AAP
Resident Cindy said the bush on her property was amazing, with wildlife everywhere. (Supplied)
Over on the Ranges side, many chose to leave to wait out the dangerous period, returning home Saturday to skies still yellow. (Supplied)
‘Do we stay or go?’ By Gabriella Vukman Friday’s extreme fire conditions and statewide total fire ban has raised one question for many Yarra Ranges locals. ‘Should I stay or should I go?’ With many fires dotted around the Yarra Ranges from Warburton to Seville, to Tecoma, the four days since Thursday 8 January were a whirlwind for locals and travellers alike. With a northerly breeze blowing the blistering flames in Alexandra towards Healesville and the Upper Yarra Valley, locals had varying responses to the threat. When it comes to staying and going, Tecoma local Tanya chooses leaving every time. “It felt a bit shocking but I took the warnings from Vic Emergency very seriously,” Tanya said. “As someone who is newer to the Hills, I have been aware of fire risk for a number of years and we often go away around this time of year so we haven’t really had to deal with it straight off the bat in January,” she said. “Our plan was always to go on an extreme day based on the weather.” Friday’s hot and windy forecast had Tanya and her family packing their bags to get out early Friday morning. “Once it was forecasted to be super hot and windy, we’re like, ‘now we’ve got to go,’” Tanya said. “I felt really anxious in the lead up to it. I wanted to go sooner, almost for my own peace of mind, but we didn’t actually leave until Friday about 10 o’clock.” Upon speaking with her neighbours and other Tecoma and Hills residents via a WhatsApp group, Tanya found out that it was roughly a 5050 split on who was staying and who was leaving on Friday. “My neighbours on both sides had mixed reactions as to what they were doing, but everyone had sort of clocked that it was getting a bit more serious than a standard hot day,” Tanya said. “Half of our people were still going to work and doing the usual things and others were like, ‘no, we’re going to go’.” Tanya and her family rented out an Airbnb in Blackburn for the day and night. When it came to navigating her fire plan with her family of two preteen children and her husband, Tanya said “I underestimated how my state of stress would affect my kids.” “There was a bit of arguing in our family, getting ready to go and that sort of thing. And they were very concerned about our pets. “Giving everyone in the family a job to do really helped.” Finding accommodation that would house the family cats was, in its own right, a tricky task for Tanya to navigate. “I think in future, I just need to find a few catteries that I can call in a string of 10 minutes to see if I can get them in well ahead of us going because it is so much easier to move without pets,” Tanya said. When it came to leaving, Tanya noted her de-
4 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
cision relied on the navigation of multiple moving factors. “I probably would have liked to go a bit sooner, but it was confusing because if it was an extreme day, but if we had a few cool days before, I don’t know if my decision would have been different,” Tanya said. “There are many factors you’ve got to consider, and also what if we left for the day thinking it’s just an extreme day, but then it turns catastrophic, and we’ve left our pets and certain valuables behind?” According to Tanya, emotions were heightened on Friday. “Emotionally, I just kind of stressed at seeing the VicEmergency App going off a lot,” Tanya said. “On Friday morning as well, there was a small fire quite close to us in Tecoma, and that wasn’t pleasant because we could smell it as well. “Just waiting it out was not fun.” Additionally, Tanya noted that choosing to leave takes a financial toll on top of an emotional one. “Having to flip the credit card to stay just in case, I can see how that adds up,” she said. In future, Tanya will make sure everything her family needs to leave in a fire emergency will be packed in a bag near the front door for the rest of the summer. “We are also going to have a post-leaving chat with my family to kind of decide how we all feel and how we’ll be next time, as well as what our absolute trigger for leaving is,” Tanya said. “I do think extreme trending towards catastrophic is definitely when I would consider leaving.” Yarra Junction resident Angela Jade took a different approach on Friday. “I was on a rescue mission. I drove into it,” Angela said. “The police can’t stop you. They just say ‘We advise you not to.’” Driving through roadblocks and past towering flames, Angela was on a mission to save the livestock that were stranded on her mother-in-law’s farm. She and her family managed to save all of the livestock, moving all of the animals to a farm in Healesville. According to Angela, the fire would need to hit Healesville or Warburton before she considered leaving. “For us here in Yarra Junction, there was no reason for us to leave. We would have just been congesting the roads and making it harder for people who actually need to get out to leave,” Angela said. “We didn’t have our bags packed just yet. “We actually had family from Alexandra and Buxton come and stay with us. They were escaping the fires.” Angela noted that leaving without being in an immediate fire threat can be dangerous. “When we were on the roads driving up there to do that, the amount of cars that were leaving from places that they didn’t need to be leaving
from caused bottlenecks at intersections,” Angela said. “If you feel uncomfortable, get out and leave, and if you have a lot of animals, start moving them out, but when you have got a lot of emergency services who are trying to get people to safety, you need to leave the roads as free as possible. “If people who are 50 and 60 km away from the fires start to leave, it means that people who are closer can’t get out. “It is actually unsafe for people to be leaving when they don’t need to.” Healesville resident Cindy De Luca owns a lifestyle property up in Yarck where the fires raged on Friday. Despite many farms around the area losing everything, Cindy’s beloved family shed has remained intact. “The whole area up there has been wiped out but our shed and our main area, our buildings where we live, has all survived, thank God,” Cindy said. “We have spent 25 years making it beautiful and making it our getaway and our friends and family have just loved it. “The bush was amazing, just an amazing oasis of bird life and koalas and wombats and kangaroos and deer and just unbelievable. It’s so beautiful and now it’s all, it’s all gone.” With many Yarra Ranges residents owning property in places such as Marysville and Yarck, local townships within the shire are also feeling the burn. “There’s quite a few Healesville residents that actually have property up there. We have our own little community,” Cindy said. Cindy looks after her elderly father and took him to her house on Friday to be ready to leave if needed. “It is just so stressful, I suppose one of the big things is not knowing what’s going on up there,” Cindy said. “As soon as somebody gives you a bit of information, a guy who I know from the CFA would send me a map and show me the area, and we would see that the fire hasn’t hit our place yet. “It’s like, oh, this is so good. But you can see it’s coming, you see it was going to be inevitable, but you’re just hopeful that if it does, once it does pass us, it will, you know, we might be able to save some things.” Cindy found out from a neighbour who stayed back during the fires that her shed and main area had survived the flames. Cindy believes that it was some pre-emptive slashing and gutter clean-outs that protected her shed. “We got the whole main area slashed and did as much fire preparation as we could when we left the place after Christmas,” Cindy said. Now Cindy is trying to organise a trip back to her farm to assess the damage. “I want to salvage some items of value out of the shed because of looters,” Cindy said. “All the fences are gone, so we want to make sure we get everything out.”
Recovery efforts are ongoing in a region completely decimated by raging bushfires, though for many, the future remains uncertain. Two major Victorian bushfires are expected to burn for weeks, including the Longwood blaze in the state’s north. Cooler conditions could offer some relief to firefighting efforts, but for many small communities, the damage has already been done. Police confirmed on Sunday 11 January that human remains had been found near a fire-affected road at Gobur, a remote area east of Seymour. The remains are yet to be identified, but were discovered 100 metres from a car. The fire-affected patch was scorched when the roaring Longwood fire moved through on Friday. Paddocks are littered with the remains of animals and livestock that did not make it to safety. Ruffy Country Fire Authority Captain George Noye told AAP half of the small town’s residents had lost either their homes or a structure. The local primary school is also unrecognisable after being burned to the ground. “It’s unbelievable how wide this fire is. Many people left early,” Mr Noye said. “It could have been a lot worse with the conditions that we had.” The Longwood fire has covered about 136,000 hectares since it started amid catastrophic conditions. The fire is still burning as crews work to clear roads so assistance and relief can flow. More than 350,000 hectares have burned and more than 300 properties have been lost in the state after summer heatwaves spurred out-of-control bushfires. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Jacinta Allan visited the regional town of Bendigo on Sunday, where they announced funding relief for residents hit hard by the fires. Residents in communities most impacted by the bushfires can claim a one-off disaster recovery payment of $1000 for each adult and $400 per child as part of a $19.5 million package. A $10 million program to help distribute fodder to farmers in need will be rolled out as part of the package. The leaders also visited the small community of Harcourt, where they witnessed the devastation firsthand. At least 50 homes and structures have been lost to the fire, which continues to burn. A state of emergency has been declared for 18 local government areas. Several emergency-level blazes were dotted across the state but firefighting efforts were concentrated on a huge blaze in Victoria’s centre and another in the northeast, near the NSW border.
Support from the air. (Supplied)
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The sky glowing orange over Lilydale from Melba Avenue as the fire continued to rage in Longwood. (527854)
The smoke was making unusual cloud formations over the Yarra Valley, looking back to Healesvile. (527854)
A number of families, individuals and their pets were using the centre for respite after evacuating their homes. (527854)
Lilydale acts as relief hub By Mikayla van Loon Lilydale opened a relief centre, seeing evacuees make use of the space as they waited to learn the fates of their properties and townships. Cars, some towing trailers of items, vans, people and their animals were continuing to flow into the Lilydale High School stadium car park at 6.40pm on Friday 9 January. The centre provided basic relief with tea and coffee facilities, beds, a kids’ area and animal housing. Support services from Yarra Ranges Council, The Salvation Army emergency relief team and Animal Aid were on-site to direct and help peo-
ple as needed. For people with larger camper vans, trailers or caravans, the Lilydale Recreation Reserve was open and able to accommodate the vehicles. The relief centre was closed on Sunday and pivoted to an information centre on Monday 12 January. It will remain open until required and will be staffed by Yarra Ranges Council and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing from 9am-4.30pm. As of 5.15pm on Friday, more townships, including Marysville and Narbethong, were told to leave immediately. A warning at 5.42pm instructed residents in
Castella, all of Kinglake, Pheasant Creek and Toolangi to prepare to leave and to leave as soon as they were ready, as roads would become busy as people leave. At around 5.30pm a fleet of CFA tankers, led by a forward command vehicle, was headed up Maroondah Highway towards Healesville and likely further to assist in firefighting efforts. A wind change was expected around 8pm on Friday 9 January, causing the fire to change direction to the north east, heading back towards Strathbogie. Conditions were predicted to become very dangerous and unpredictable, according to VicEmergency. Wind conditions were picking up, seeing
debris on roads around Lilydale, Wandin and Seville, and some lightning strikes spotted heading towards Lilydale along the Warburton Highway at around 6pm on Friday. In the Dandenong Ranges, resident weather authority Stuart Coombs advised that people who left earlier on Friday should remain off the mountain until later on Saturday, with the risk of falling trees, lightning and wind gusts of 90km/h expected during the southwest cool change. Temperatures did drop rapidly from about 5.15pm onwards, getting down to about 29 degrees in Healesville and 25 degrees in Monbulk after the scorching 41 degrees or more recorded throughout the day.
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NEWS
Help on way By Oliver Winn
Little Yarra CFA’s Bill Fill tanker assisting the firefighting effort in Longwood. (Little Yarra CFA) during this challenging time.” The brigades offered reassurance that resources would be managed so fires which start locally could still be responded to. Hillcrest CFA said deployments are carefully planned to ensure local response capability is maintained, even on high-risk days, while also supporting communities facing active fire threats elsewhere. The Hillcrest CFA has a pumper and two tankers to help fight fires in the towns of Woori Yallock, Launching Place and Don Valley. Little Yarra CFA said it was able to protect a house and stables on a property threatened by the fire. “We’re relieved to say the house and stables on the property were successfully protected, although many of the horse paddocks have unfortunately been lost. The neighbouring farmer has suffered significant damage as well, thankfully their homes have been saved.” “As the sun rises this morning, it’s pushing through a dense smoke haze that has settled across the landscape. It’s an eerie sight after a long night on the fire ground.”
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Illegal e-motorbike to blame for night time blaze By Oliver Winn An illegally modified e-motorbike battery ignited a fire in Warburton on 8 January, sending local CFA crews into a scramble to prevent a major bushfire. CFA units were paged at around 9pm on Thursday night to a fire spreading on the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail after the owner of the e-motorbike called emergency services when their bike’s battery went up in flames. Warburton CFA captain Ron McIntosh said it was a close call for Warburton, given the extreme fire danger rating forecast for Friday 9 January. “That’s why we had so many trucks on it, because we didn’t want that festering into today, because that would have been a nightmare to put out with this sort of temperature that we’ve got now,” he said. Police confirmed with the Star Mail the incident wasn’t being treated as suspicious, and Mr McIntosh said local police reportedly spoke with the owner of the motorbike after the fire. Rumours were circulating that Ride Time Bikes Yarra Junction had serviced the e-motorbike earlier that day, but the Star Mail has confirmed the bike repair business did not service the e-motorbike. Mr McIntosh said the fire kept his crews up all night as they worked to black out the blaze. “It started about 9.30pm I think, some-
where around there was the call-out, and five o’clock was when my last two crew ended up coming back into the station.” “They’re also my daytime responders, so they’re at home at the moment, hopefully getting some sleep and waiting for the pagers to drop again.” Mr McIntosh said the e-motorbike owner attempted to extinguish the fire themselves but alerted the CFA after it got out of control. Without a pinpoint location, firefighters struggled to find the blaze, and it took them 10 minutes to arrive on scene. Mr McIntosh said the help of a local on Hazelwood Road provided the CFA tankers access to the aqueduct trail. “All trucks ended up coming in off Hazelwood Road, there’s a property on Hazelwood Road and the chap there that owns it actually opened the gate up for us, as it’s a good access to get up onto the aqueduct through his property.” A total of five tankers and five slip-ons were used to put out the fire, and units from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) also arrived on scene to chop down trees which were out of reach. He also urged the public to take more responsibility of their equipment when riding. “I’m not saying it was an illegal bike, but it may have been. But because it was burnt, it was a bit hard to tell,” he said.
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Strike teams from a number of Yarra Ranges CFA brigades were deployed to provide support as devastating fires tear through north Victoria. CFA tankers from Little Yarra, Hillcrest, Wandin and Coldstream have travelled to Longwood, where an out-of-control blaze burns and threatens multiple towns. Little Yarra CFA captain Peter Cookson, who has been fighting a blaze at Longwood, said the conditions still made him nervous, despite his years of experience. “It’s all going to be a very bad day,” he told AAP. “We all prepare for these days, and if nothing happens, that is a win. “But you can’t say nothing will happen - with these things, they can all start from a spark.” Hillcrest CFA provided the update via its Facebook page and said a small team of highly experienced firefighters were assisting brigades already stationed in the area. “Our members heading north are experienced, well-prepared, and proud to assist where they are needed most — just as others would do for us. We wish the crew a safe deployment and look forward to welcoming them home.” Meanwhile, Little Yarra CFA’s “Big Fill” tanker was deployed to provide crucial water supply for tankers. “The big fill plays an important role during fire operations. It is used to rapidly refill fire tankers with large volumes of water, allowing crews to get back on the fire ground quickly without long trips to refill,” Little Yarra CFA said. “When fires are large or water supplies are stretched, big fills are often sent to other areas where they’re most needed to support frontline crews.” “Our big fill is currently in the capable hands of Little Yarra CFA captain Peter Cookson and firefighter Lachie Van Styn, who are doing an incredible job supporting firefighters on the ground
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Shock, anger as container refund point forced to shut By Oliver Winn
The Little Yarra Ranges Egg Farm’s large capacity made it suitable for businesses. (Supplied)
One user of the refund point saved up enough money to holiday in Vietnam. (Supplied) ber for breaching its contractual obligations. Refund points run by community members have certain obligations, which include counting containers, checking them for eligibility, and not exceeding bin capacity, among others. A couple of weeks after Visy audited the farm, they sent out a secret shopper and Mr Gimmill said they sighted someone depositing a 24 slab box of cans without counting them.
“We counted his [the secret shopper’s] stuff, no problems. But while he was here, he witnessed someone tipping a 24 slab box of cans straight into a bin without counting it. That was one of their reasons.” “We’re like, well hang on a minute. We’ve been doing this for two years, it’s pretty obvious when a 24 slab of cans is 24 cans,” Mr Gimmill said.
Another reason for Visy’s termination was due to the farm not checking containers for eligibility. But, Ms Gimmill said the farm checks for eligibility later when they’re emptying the containers into the bins. “We can scan them for eligibility when we tip them in the bins later, it’s not an issue to get non-eligible items. You can still check that when you’re emptying them.” Ms Gimmill said the farm also struggled to pass its audit as it kept exceeding bin capacity. Her requests for more bins were rejected by Visy and the farm was told to turn people away. But she said part of the farm’s contractual obligations was to be open at least 26 hours a week. “If our bins were full we’d just count the cans into bulk bags so we could keep taking material because we kind of presume this program is about recycling. “We’re also required to be open a minimum of 26 hours a week, so if we fill our bins before that 26 hours and then can’t be open like we breach it in that manner.” An outpouring of community support has seen the Little Yarra Ranges Egg Farm’s social media posts gain over 170 comments and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish has offered to represent the community’s complaints. The farm is seeking to have its refund point reinstated by Visy so it can continue to operate and serve the community.
12794021-EA34-25
The shutdown of a recycling deposit location at a Yarra Ranges egg farm has sparked outrage from the community. The Little Yarra Ranges Egg Farm announced on 17 December its recyclable container refund point was shut down by the network operator, Visy, for not performing its contractual obligations. Little Yarra Ranges Egg Farm owners Greg and Sue Gimmill said they were shocked by the sudden closure. “I was very angry and disappointed in Visy, it was just instant, there was no heads up this might be happening,” Mr Gimmill said. After issuing a formal breach notice to the egg farm, Visy shut the site down on 18 December for breaching its contractual obligations. But Little Yarra Ranges Egg Farm owners Greg and Sue Gimmill explained how they believed Visy’s reasons for the closure were unfair. “Every six months they come out and they go through and they’ll all find something. No matter what you do to try and improve, every time they come around you can never pass an audit,” Mr Gimmill said. People travelled from towns as far as Neerim and Croydon to the farm for its convenience and sense of community, while the refund point’s high capacity made it perfect for small businesses and community organisations. Here, they could cash in on recyclable containers as part of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) - but now they’ve been left without an efficient place to handle their deposits. Visy is the network operator for the CDS Vic North Zone and manages refund points in the area, dealing with non-compliance related issues. Visy CDS general manager Tim O’Donnell said Visy ensures refund points can offer the best services in line with contractual and regulatory obligations. “We understand how important it is for the community to return their containers close to where they live, learn or work.” “Visy works closely with all sites to support compliance and help them operate within the scheme’s requirements.” Visy suggested the newly installed reverse vending machine in Yarra Junction as an alternative, but Mr Gimmill said many weren’t a fan of the experience. “That machine in Yarra Junction, I think within the second day of it being open, it was broken,” he said. “Football clubs, sporting clubs, bowling clubs, CFA, numerous CFAs, the Upper Yarra SES, all those organisations come to us with bulk amounts. “They’re not going to stand at a machine and feed into because at the end of the day they’re volunteers, they haven’t got hours up their sleeve to do it,” Mr Gimmill said. After issuing a formal breach notice to the egg farm, Visy shut the site down on 18 Decem-
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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 7
NEWS
With the arrival of the new year, Healesville pauses to remember the lives of ambos Robert Bland and Phillip Oakley (File: 260327_01).
Healesville community remembers lost ambos By Gabriella Vukman With the coming of January, the Healesville community pauses for a moment of recognition for two ambulance drivers who died on their way to attending an emergency on 4 January 22 years ago. Robert Bland and Phillip Oakley received a call to help a man and a woman who had driven off the road along the Black Spur. Both men climbed into their ambulance and headed out from the Healesville depot for what would be their last emergency call. Inspector at Victoria Police Sammantha Knight was one of the first units on the scene. “It came up over the police radio that there had been a collision and an ambulance was involved, so we didn’t know the extent of it immediately,” Ms Knight said. “We obviously saw the extent of the collision with the ambulance, that it had gone off the road.” “It was immediately identifiable that there was no way anyone could survive that particular type of collision,” she said. According to Ms Knight the ambulance had gone off the road and hit a tree, leaving the cabin smashed in. “It was really horrific to be honest,” Ms Knight said. “There was another ambulance that turned up that was the colleagues of Phil and Bob.” “It had a lasting traumatic impact for all of us there because you can’t unsee some of the things that we are exposed to as emergency services workers,” Ms Knight said. “No amount of training can really prepare you.” At the time of the accident, the welfare support for emergency services was not as thorough as it is today. Ms Knight said, “We did a debrief with other VicPol members where we sat there and talked about what we saw and how we felt, albeit it was many weeks after the incident.” “The impact it had on me lasted for quite a few years afterwards,” Ms Knight said. “Ev-
8 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
ery time I had to drive through that black spur whether I was on or off duty, it was a constant reminder that that particular bend was where Phil and Rob had lost their lives.” Ms Knight was particularly shaken by the uniforms of the ambulance drivers. “You just swing into action because that’s your job. It is what you are trained to do. Take control, assess the risks and do what you need to do,” Ms Knight said. “But when you see another uniform involved, another emergency service, I think it hits us all pretty hard.” “We all want to come home from our jobs at the end of the day.” Despite having incidents of her own whilst serving over thirty years in the police force such as broken vertebrae and a broken sternum as a result of that collision, Ms Knight wouldn’t change jobs. “I have been in the job a long time and have had my ups and downs but I have really loved everything that I’ve done,” Ms Knight said. “I’ve been fortunate to be able to branch out into different areas within Victoria Police and I have to say that I have really loved my 31 years in the force.” Business owner Phillip Wright attended the first accident that Robert Bland and Phillip Oakley were on their way to. Mr Wright was driving along the black spur to drop off a delivery when he saw a man and a woman who had been injured as a result of their car running off the road. Alarmed to see a car down the embankment, Mr Wright pulled over and went to the couple’s aid, placing a call that was to be later received by Mr Bland and Mr Oakley. Mr Wright said, “I was up on top of the spur, and a guy jumped out in front of my car to wave me down, and I stopped when I saw that the man’s car was down off the side of the mountain. I grabbed my mobile phone and rang the emergency services, and they said an ambulance would be on the way, so I just stayed with the people because there was a young lady stuck in the car, and I administered
as much first aid as I could,” Mr Wright said. “The young fellow was in shock, and I was trying to keep him calm for nearly two hours.” After hours of waiting with the couple, a police motorcyclist rode up to Mr Wright. “He told me I would have to wait a bit longer and go down through Narbethong,” Mr Wright said. “He then elaborated about the two ambulance drivers losing their lives on the way up to this particular crash. “I can see the accident like it was yesterday and to sit there with the people that were injured for a good two hours before I got notified of what had happened,...it has just really stuck in my head.” While it was shocking for Mr Wright to see the injured couple and their off-roaded car down the mountain, it is the lost life of the two ambulance drivers that is of most concern to him. “It was a shock to see the couple down the mountain, but I can live with that. They are still alive,” Mr Wright said. “But for the emergency services to be on their way to attend to them because I had rung in the call and for those ambo guys to not get there…they should be able to go to an accident and come home afterwards.” After the accidents, Mr Wright sold his business and to this day refuses to drive along the black spur. “It was starting to become an absolute nightmare for me just driving the roads up there, “ Mr Wright said. “I had had a close call earlier on in the morning of the accident driving through there so I really thought about what happened and I said to myself, ‘life is worth more than what money is worth.’” “I went back there the week after the accident and saw where it happened, and I knew I had done the right thing by just closing my business and walking away from it for my own peace of mind because it really hurt,” Mr Wright said. Mr Bland was a Healesville local and had been at the branch for eight years, and Mr
Oakley had freshly moved to the branch just three months before the accident. Family, friends and colleagues spoke highly of both Mr Bland and Mr Oakley. Colleague of Mr Bland at the Healesville Ambulance Depot, Bernie Harkins, told Star Mail that Mr Bland always gave 110 per cent of himself for every call. “The Tuesday morning after the accident, a mother with six children visited the ambulance branch,” Mr Harkins said. “The oldest child, aged nine, was carrying a large preserving jar filled with coins. This was the combined savings of the six children,” Mr Harkins said. “The mother said they had come to donate the money to the branch in honour of Rob because of the extra care he had extended to the family when attending a car accident that they had been involved in.” According to Mr Harkins, the mother and youngest child had been injured, so Mr Bland immediately organised for someone to care for the remaining five children. Mr Harkins said, “When the family car was being repaired, Rob lent them a car of his own and visited the family several times to offer further assistance.” Former Chief Executive Officer of the then Metropolitan Ambulance Service, Greg Sassella, told Star Mail at the time it was hard for the ambulance community to deal with the deaths of Robert Bland and Phillip Oakley. “The sudden, tragic deaths of these two paramedics who devoted their lives to caring for others is extremely difficult for the families and their paramedic colleagues to come to terms with,” Mr Sassella said. “Our line of work, our very purpose, is to help others in need and deal with tragedy on a daily basis,” he told Star Mail. “It is extremely difficult when it is two of our own.” The funeral of Robert Bland and Phillip Oakley was attended by around 1500 emergency service personnel, family, friends and people the ambos had helped along the way.
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NEWS
Concern amid assessment By Callum Ludwig Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is seeking federal approval for its forest fire management works, with a strategic assessment underway. An agreement for the assessment was signed by the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) in mid-December 2025 and the terms of reference were released for public consultation on 8 January. Kinglake Friends of the Forest (KFF) are criticising the move however, claiming it is an effort to bypass the scrutiny of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), due to an ongoing legal challenge brought against DEECA by the Warburton Environment group. KFF spokesperson Sue McKinnon said it will be like putting the fox in charge of the hen house again. “The state government has a long history of failing to regulate itself, we’ve seen court cases showing illegal logging by VicForests under similar State - Federal agreements called ‘Regional Forests Agreements’ or RFA’s,” she said. “The discredited exemption for the native forest logging industry from EPBC Act scrutiny will now be copied for the native forest burning and fuel break construction industry. “The RFAs, which exempted the state owned native forest logging company from national regulation, were shown in court to be failures. Self regulation leads to expansion without safeguards and ultimately conflict, environmental damage and expensive and socially devastating collapse.” RFAs ceased in Victoria when native forest logging was phased out at the start of 2024, but were criticised by enviornmentalists when numerous species throughout Australia in RFA areas became more threatened. Local groups like KFF and Warburton Enviornment have been vigilantly monitoring the works of Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), which is managed by DEECA, in recent years, criticisng the organisation for allegedly failing to survey or monitor for endangered species such as the greater glider or native plants during planned burns or the construction of fuel breaks. A DEECA spokesperson said they are focused on protecting local communities and our unique natural environment from bushfires and reduce their impact across Victoria. “The strategic assessment will give Victorians confidence that DEECA will continue to meet their legal obligations to protect wildlife and plants while we reduce bushfire risk,” they said. “DEECA’s bushfire risk reduction program is supported by a robust evidence base drawing on our deep knowledge of the Victorian bush and our communities, world-leading science and
Kinglake Friends of the Forest campaigners at fire break renewals works on the Forty Mile track near Noojee. (Supplied)
Kinglake Friends of the Forest members and supporters at a meeting discussing the efficacy of planned burns with Dr Philip Zylstra. (Supplied) continued investment in monitoring and improvement.” The strategic assessment, which will be done by DEECA and provided to Minister for Environment and Water Murray Watt, will aim to take a landscape-scale approach to protecting plants,
animals and ecosystems, and heritage locations of national significance under the EPBC Act. A DCCEEW spokesperson said strategic assessments provide long-term, program-level environmental approval for routine or ongoing actions that impact on matters of national environmental significance. “The terms of reference will guide the development of the impact assessment report which informs the assessment of a Victorian program of planned bushfire management works under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act),” they said. “Approval based on a strategic assessment ensures impacts are minimised and acceptable. Under the EPBC Act, the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment can endorse a program which avoids and manages impacts to matters of national environmental significance. The Minister can also approve activities to be taken under an endorsed program.” A consultation on the draft terms of reference is open on the DCCEEW website from 8 January to 6 February 2026, which can be found here:
consult.dcceew.gov.au/draft-tor-strat-assessment-vic-forest-fire-mngt. There will also be a public consultation on the assessment report later this year once it is completed. DEECA is legally required to do work to prevent bushfires on public land, such as state forests, national parks and protected public land, which is done through a combination of managing fuel loads (clearing excess grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and small fallen branches) and maintaining infrastructure like fire towers and remote water points.The strategic assessment will consider any and all activities for the planned prevention of fire and use of fire (eg: planned burns) for land management purposes and all associated preparatory works. DEECA anticipates if the strategic assessment is agreed to, it will ‘streamline approvals for bushfire management activities, give the community more clarity about how DEECA manages impacts on MNES (Matters of National Environmental Significance) and support the delivery of timely planned bushfire management activities.’
Warby locals to learn how to protect platypus populations By Oliver Winn Warburton residents will have the chance to protect the precious platypus population of the Yarra River at an upcoming educational event. Hosted by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association (YRKA) and Melbourne Water, the platypus patrol event will see participants learn about platypuses, what threatens them, and how we can help clean up their home. It takes place on Sunday 18 January from 10am to 12pm and will start at Thomas Avenue. A small section of the guided walk involves stairs and uneven ground along the trail. Co-hosting the event is YRKA community engagement and education officer Emma Barnett who said the event started with a guided walk along the Yarra Birrarung River. “It is focused on understanding platypus habitat and the threats facing this iconic species. “So people will learn how platypuses live and what they need to survive and how our activity, with a focus on stormwater and litter, impacts river health,” Ms Barnett said. If participants are lucky, they might spot these “totally enigmatic” creatures, which Ms Barnett said always left people awestruck. The event is open to all and registration is free of charge as Ms Barnett said both locals and visitors would benefit from learning more about our unique egg-laying, duck-billed, beaver-tailed mammals. “We’ll also be chatting to visitors who might be visiting for the first time about why it’s important
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Litter and stormwater both threaten Warburton’s local platypus population. (File) to dispose of our litter in bins or if they’re full, to take them home. “We’re hoping that if people see us doing this, that will encourage them to take responsibility for their litter.” It will be the first litter cleanup the YRKA has held in Warburton, and Ms Barnett hoped it’ll help reduce the waste left behind on busy sum-
mer days. “We’ve heard that litter has become a real problem and on a weekend, on a nice sunny day after people leave, there’s a lot of rubbish on the river. “So that’s why we feel like it’s really important to address this and see what we can do to increase people’s awareness about the impact of litter and
also to encourage people to pick up their litter,” Ms Barnett said. The abundance of native vegetation around the Yarra River in Warburton makes it a suitable habitat for platypuses. Ms Barnett said it’s an incredible asset to the community and she wanted to help dispel myths surrounding what a “healthy” river actually looks like. “People might look at the river and think, ‘Oh, it looks really messy, there’s a lot of debris and fallen logs.’ “But that’s actually what makes such an amazing habitat for platypus. A messy river is actually a healthy river and it creates those diverse little pockets that platypus and their food sources, macron vertebrates, like to make their homes.” The real problem is of course the impact of humans, whether that be from the rubbish left behind, or stormwater and septic tank issues. “The stormwater impacts in the upper reaches are a little bit different. And some of the issues of stormwater still include litter, but they also include leaky septic tanks which overflow.” Historically, European scientists thought platypuses were a hoax, despite Aboriginal Australians having a longstanding relationship with the critter. “So if you can see their habitat and you actually get the opportunity to see one, I think that is a real eye-opener for people.” “It does give people a sense of responsibility to care for these special creatures and to find out what they can do to help protect them.”
Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 9
NEWS
Water storage levels dip By Callum Ludwig Melbourne’s water storages levels have dipped below 75 per cent in 2026, caused by hot, dry conditions, record-low streamflows and higher household use last year according to Melbourne Water’s Annual Water Outlook released on 23 December 2025. From July 2024 to June 2025, inflows to Melbourne’s storages were 36 per cent below the 30-year average, including the lowest January-June inflows on record while 38,000 new households joined the city’s water network. At the time of writing on Friday 9 January, water storage levels sit at 74.4 per cent. Yarra Valley Water’s acting managing director Bridie Fennessy said, on behalf of Melbourne’s metropolitan water corporations, that in 2025 we saw the steepest drop in Melbourne storage levels since the Millennium Drought due to significantly lower inflows of water reaching our storages and higher water use. “Our current storage levels mean that we don’t expect restrictions this summer, but declining storages are a warning sign and we’re asking Melburnians to use water wisely,” she said. “If we each save a little, we all save a lot- every drop counts.” Last financial year, Melbourne’s four major storages received 305 billion litres in annual inflows. At the same time, Melbourne’s customers used approximately 500 billion litres, with an increase of daily water use in Melbourne from 163 to 169 litres per person. All water corporations urge residents to aim
for no more than 150 litres of water use per person per day, achievable by following the Permanent Water Saving Rules and taking simple actions like four-minute showers, brushing teeth with the tap off, choosing drought tolerant native plants and mulch gardens, running full washing-machine loads, watering gardens early in the morning and fixing leaks quickly. Water restrictions are not expected this summer but continued dry conditions and higher water use through 2026 may mean restrictions will be needed in summer 2026-27. The Victorian government placed an order of 50 gigalitres of water for 2025-26 in March 2025 from Victoria’s desalination plant, which has been used in 8 out of the last 10 years. When the annual water outlook was released in mid-December, Yarra Valley Water’s managing director Natalie Foeng said said storages remain secure for now – but conservation is vital to slow the decline. “Melburnians have always adapted in dry times, and we need to do that again now,” she said. “Our storages are secure today, but this year’s sharp fall shows how quickly they can drop in dry conditions and when rainfall is low. “By using water wisely now, we can avoid or delay restrictions and protect supplies for our growing city.” Specific water saving rules include only using sprinklers and watering systems between 6pm and 10am, ensuring hoses are leak-free and have trigger nozzle for all uses, not hosing hard surfaces such as driveways and decks and using a broom instead and only using fountains and water features that recirculate water.
Water saving efforts are encouraged after storage levels steeply declined in 2025. (Unsplash).
Rebates to help councils, land managers tackle dumping By Callum Ludwig The state government is supporting councils and land managers to tackle illegal dumping with a new $8.5 million Illegal Dumping Clean-up Rebate Program. The government will chip in 50 per cent of the clean-up costs for councils and Crown land management committees for claims up to $250,000 when the perpetrator cannot be traced and recover costs have been exhausted or are not feasible, at a maximum of $500,000 per financial year. This will be limited to 25 per cent of costs up to $75,000 per claim and capped at $150,000 per financial year for Parks Victoria and the Department of Transport and Planning (VicRoads and VicTrack). Contractor costs for the collection, transport and disposal of illegally dumped waste, rent of equipment such as skip bin, trailer, bobcat for disposal or fees for waste disposal at a place authorised to receive it will all be eligible for the rebate. “We welcome any State government support to help us manage the time-consuming and costly task of investigating and removing illegally dumped rubbish, which costs Yarra Ranges ratepayers around $400,000 dollars each year,” Yarra Ranges Council Acting Mayor Gareth Ward said. To help ensure more dumpers are caught, the government has also invested $13 million into the Illegal Dumping Taskforce to ramp up surveillance, enforcement and clean-up efforts across the state. The taskforce will be led by the EPA, who will work with Conservation Regulator and undertake enforcement activities using expanded intelligence and monitoring to detect and respond to waste crimes in key locations. “Too often councils and public land managers are left with a costly mess to clean up from the actions of wrongdoers – this rebate scheme provides support to help cover these costs and keep our suburbs and towns clean,” Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos said. Rubbish dumping and littering on public land is illegal with a maximum penalty of $3,951,800 for businesses and $800,000 for individuals or five years imprisonment, or both. To report illegal dumping call the EPA on 1300 372 842. Illegally dumped waste in Hoddles Creek in 2022. (File: 295356) INSET: Illegal waste left in Warburton in 2022. (File)
10 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
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Heading to the Australian Open this January? Victoria’s Big Build works continue across the state with train disruptions on the Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough, Geelong and Warrnambool lines and road disruptions on the Eastern and Princes freeways. These works could impact your journey into Melbourne to attend the Australian Open.
Upfield
Bacchus Marsh GLENROY TAYLORS HILL
BULLEEN
Sections of Bulleen Road closed Mid Jan
BRUNSWICK
FOOTSCRAY
RICHMOND
Southern Cross
BOX HILL Alemein
Wyndham Vale
Williamstown ALTONA MEADOWS
Sections of the Eastern Freeway closed Early Jan to early Feb
BRIGHTON Sandringham
Disruptions on the Ballarat, Ararat, Maryborough, Geelong and Warrnambool lines Mid to late Jan
Princes Freeway closed at Clyde Road Mid Jan
BERWICK
Avoid delays and check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12827584-CV02-26
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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 11
NEWS
Kids put forward their case Yarra Junction Primary School students did some serious environmental advocacy work in December 2025 after sending letters to federal Casey MP Aaron Violi. The clever combination of science and literacy curriculums not only taught children about persuasive writing and the environment - it also helped them find their own voice. Grade one-two teacher Mairi Thomas said it enabled students to realise it’s up to them to take care of the planet. “We’ve been learning all about the ocean and the environmental impact plastic has on the ocean,” Ms Thomas said. “With our persuasive letters, we decided to write them to Aaron Violi and give them to him so that actually they can realise that they do have a voice and they can make a difference.” The students requested for supermarkets to stop using single-use plastic packaging after they learnt about the harm it does to marine life. One student Oliver said animals were mistaking plastic packaging for food and eating it, which could cause them to die. “Since there’s so much plastic going out every day, that means that there’s been around, I don’t know, maybe nine or so garbage patches all around the world.” “I hope that Aaron Violi could maybe go to most of the supermarkets and maybe try and make them use less plastic packaging and not for everything,” Oliver said. Meanwhile student Charlee spoke of the pride she feels in taking responsibility and trying to make change in the world. “It kind of makes me happy,” she said. Mr Violi said as the local federal representative, it was important for him to listen to local children forming the next generation. “The grade one and two students at Yarra Junction Primary School have taken the time to write to me about single-use plastics and the impact on our marine life. “With much of our community surrounded by the beautiful Yarra River, it is so important students continue learning about how we can protect our environment for years to come,” he said. Ms Thomas’ students are only in grades one to two, yet they proved themselves to be quite articulate “The level of maturity and the writing that’s come across has been really impressive, par-
Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi. ticularly as they’re only grade one and two students and they’re quite young.” She said writing has a greater purpose in expressing oneself and understanding others, and it was tasks like these which helped show students how writing can be beneficial outside of school.
“Often I feel with writing, children need to realise that it has a purpose and it’s not just something to be done at school. “Writing is not just something to be done in a school book but that it has an impact on their life as well,” she said. Mr Violi planned to contact the Prime Minis-
ter and Coles and Woolworths with the responses. “I will be writing to the Prime Minister as well as Coles and Woolworths to share the thoughts and concerns of the students at Yarra Junction Primary School, and look forward to keeping them updated on any responses I receive.”
Plenty of free holiday fun at your local Healesville Library By Callum Ludwig With a few weeks left of the school holidays still to come, the Healesville Library will be a hub of activity to keep all entertained at no cost. A Young Writer’s Workshop is coming up for anyone wishing to join the existing group, there will be a Summer Fun Storytime for the little ones and a day to make Paper Plate Sea Creatures and get their creative juices flowing. Tech support officer and keen writer Katie Gatward said they started the Young Writer’s Group last year because she’s very interested in writing and encouraging young people to write. “There are lots of opportunities for young writers that adults don’t get so I really wanted to encourage those kids to embrace them and write what they wanted but have also the support of other writers in the area,” she said. “We ran some sessions last year and had some regular students who attended, we’re just hoping to do the same this year and get it started with the workshop next Friday. “I drew from my own experience of being that young writer and not knowing anybody else really who was interested in it, living out this way and having little in the way of opportunities like workshops or events or competitions to enter so I wanted to change that for kids now.” The workshop will be held at 4pm on Friday 16 January for students in Year 7 to Year 10 in 2026. Registrations to secure your place are required and can be made by calling 03 9800 6497 or doing so online at the events.yourlibrary.vic. gov.au website. Customer service officer Trish Bardwell will be hosting the Summer Fun Storytime for kids aged up to six years old and said they like to try and do a story time for the younger audiences and their families so that are used to coming to
12 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
L-R: Trish Bardwell, Claire Backhouse and Kaite Gatward are ready to host holiday fun at Healesville Library. (Callum Ludwig: 527713) the library. “It’s going to be all about summer, there’ll be probably books and songs about the beach, going to the park, eating ice cream and there’ll be a craft at the end as well,” she said. “Storytime can be like an escape for families, whether it be the heat or just to get out of the house and connect with other families in the area, “But it’s also good for developing early literacy and having fun, we always make sure it’s lots of fun as well, because we want to encourage them to come to the library as much as we
can and to love reading.” The storytime will be held on Wednesday 14 January at 10.30am and bookings are not required. Customer service officer Claire Backhouse said she will be running the Paper Plate Sea Creatures session for primary-school aged kids. “There’ll be really simple ones that the younger ones can do and we’re getting plastic sewing needles so that the older kids are interested as well because the school holidays do go for a long time so children might be missing some craft activities,” she said.
“It’s a good chance to develop their fine motor skills as well but for the guardians or grandparents, aunties, uncles, anyone who comes in with the children it’s a really good chance to bond with their child. “We’re using pretty basic materials to show them that if they want to do a craft activity at home we can do it really simply, you don’t have to go out and buy special things that cost a fortune.” The Paper Plate Sea Creatures session will be at 11am on Friday 23 January and bookings are not required.
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Ballarat
Under 18s travel free on all public transport with a Youth myki Save up to $755 per child, per year
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Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12828413-MC03-26
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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 13
NEWS
2. The Yarra Valley has a large farming community in Launching Place. (525878)
3. We all know the Valley is famous for its vineyards. (525878)
4. The Redwood Forest in East Warburton is now a huge tourist attraction. (525878)
1. Warburton in Autumn. Bring it on. (Graeme Edwards)
5. The 18th hole at the Warburton Golf Course is a stunning place to end a round of golf. (525878)
Graeme’s top photos of ’25 Local photographer Graeme Edwards has shared his work with the Star Mail throughout the year. His excellent photography has featured in multiple editions, capturing the beauty of the Upper Yarra throughout the seasons. Here is his top 10 photographs from 2025.
7. Beautiful gum trees abound in The Yarra Valley. (525878)
6. The Upper Yarra Museum in Yarra Junction has captured the Valley’s history in excellent fashion. (525878)
8. The silos in Wesburn stand todayto reflect a bygone era. (525878)
14 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
9. Launching Place has great views to the mountains from the farms below. (525878)
10. Who can deny that a walk around the Yarra River in Warburton can be an uplifting event. (525878)
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YOU CAN TEACH IN REGIONAL VICTORIA The future is calling, and we need your help to educate the next generation. With secondary teaching scholarships, employment-based degrees, and a range of supports to help get you into the classroom, there’s never been a better time to become a teacher in Victoria.
12822622-MS02-26
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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 15
OPINION
Prepare for hard waste collections On behalf of Yarra Ranges Council, welcome to 2026 and the second edition of the Star Mail News for the year. I hope you are all reading this relaxed and refreshed from your Christmas and New Year’s. There will be many community members making the most of the school holidays, so I hope your January is filled with fun with your families. This month, our hard waste collections will begin in the Yarra Valley. Our collection period will be starting later this year, from 27 January, to reduce roadside rubbish piles in the early new year. The order of collections will also be changing, so I strongly encourage everyone to visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/hardwaste to check collection weeks and see what you can put out. I’d also like to ask our community members to please not put out their rubbish until the Sunday
Mayor’s
desk Richard Higgins
before their collection week starts, so we can keep the area looking beautiful and reduce the visual impact of roadside rubbish. You can also place out bundled branches, mattresses, metals and whitegoods for collection. Items with an electrical cord or batteries – including computers, televisions, monitors and other electronics – will be sent for recycling. All other items will be sent to landfill.
We know that a lot of appliances, tools, toys and things around the house get replaced after Christmas time. Anything that can be powered by batteries or a cord is classified as e-waste and can’t go in wheelie bins. This is because these items contain hazardous materials, like lead and mercury, as well as valuable materials that can be reused. These items can go out in your hard waste, but if they’re in good condition, they can also be donated, sold on marketplace or repaired. If we think about how we dispose of our items, as well as what we buy and when we replace our things, we can all help live a little lighter on the earth. For a full list of what can be put out for collection, and to check your collection week, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/hardwaste
CARTOON
A subpar modern persona
Sentimental Value Starring Stellan Skarsgärd, Renata Reinsve and Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas M 4/5 Nominated for seven Golden Globes, Sentimental Value is a comfortable but poignant Norwegian drama full of rich dialogue, nuanced characters and authentic, moving performances, but it’s also an overlong shadow of a sixties classic. Famous filmmaker Gustav Borg (Stellan Skarsgärd) returns to Norway to film his dream project and reconnect with his estranged daughters Nora (Renata Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas) in the process. Skarsgärd plays Gustav as an arrogant but good-humoured, well-meaning man who can only truly connect with people through his art. Reinsve is remarkable as Nora, playing a woman palpably weighed down by anxiety and self-doubt who bursts into life on the stage. Elle Fanning plays Rachel Kemp, a perky but conflicted American actress who Gustav casts in his film (and treats like a surrogate daughter) after Nora refuses. Sentimental Value has some stunning shots and clever music choices, and draws clear inspiration from Ingmar Bergman’s 1966 classic Persona. Nora is a talented stage actress who suffers debilitating stagefright, and Persona’s Elisabet Vogler (Liv Ullmann) is an actress who suddenly turns mute on-stage. Both films address the process of moviemaking and feature a beautiful house as the setting for deep psychological introspection and revisiting past tragedy. The framing device of Gustav’s screenplay, informed by another framing device of Gustav’s mother Karin, generates a little too much detachment within the narrative, even as the plot-threads and themes of intergenerational trauma come together well by the end. 133 minutes is an awfully long time for such a low-impact narrative, and I nearly forgot Nora was in the movie after a long absence. Persona is much darker (literally; it’s black-and-white), but shorter and more focused. An awards darling and a touching character study that didn’t quite grab me, Sentimental Value is playing in select Victorian cinemas.
Make this a reading year and lose yourself in words Welcome to the 2026 edition of Passion for Prose, a column dedicated to promoting everything about books, especially those created by Australian authors and artists. To make up for my recent absence, this post begins with my Top 5 books read and reviewed in 2025: #1: This Kingdom of Dust (2024) by David Dyer #2: The Memory Collectors (2025) by Dete Meserve #3: Wild Dark Shore (2025) by Charlotte McConaghy #4: The None Shall Sleep Sequence (2020, 2023 and 2025) by Ellie Marney #5: The Wild Robot Series (2016, 2018 and 2023) by Peter Brown And the honourable mention: The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories (2022). The 2025 highlight for me was the successful launch of the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festi-
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PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN val. I also attended the Melbourne Taiwan Film Festival, where I watched the iconic A City of Sadness (1989), one of the must-see masterpieces probing the multifaceted and intersectional history of Taiwan. Another highlight was Warm Winter Read 2025, for which I managed to read and record my reading for a total of 92 days. It was purely
a personal exercise of will – nothing to write home about. Yet, it is rewarding to have spent time learning, musing and finding inspiration in something new and meaningful everyday. I finished last year with the publishing of my mother-in-law’s recipe collection as a print book. She was a beautiful woman who passed away in 2022 at the age of 92, a brilliant seamstress, a great role model whose kindness and generosity had touched numerous people within and outside of our family. As I wrote in the Editor’s Note: “These recipes reflect May’s personal style, tastes and interests. More importantly, they offer a glimpse into the many phases of her remarkable life – how the time went by, with Australia’s eating and cooking trends ever-changing...” “As expected, many of these recipes are for seafood and sweets – party time for families and friends, and with plenty of wine! But there are also
day-to-day meal ideas and tips that are worthy of note (such as cleaning the fridge with vanilla!).” Indeed, we all read different books, and the books we read very much reflect who we are. Interestingly, what we read – as well as write, publish and/or review – are also a form of documentation of our life’s journey, how we respond to the demands of our times, how we act, react and interact as members of our community. A good example came to mind. On the day this post was drafted, the temperature soared to 41 degrees and it was time to abandon work. As a result, I spent hours reading for pleasure, completely immersed in a recently published dark fantasy novel – and the day passed amazingly fast. I reckon reading is one of the best survival strategies anyone can use at times like this! I look forward to making 2026 a great reading year. Would you like to join me?
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Explore some Mekong magic By Lee McCarthy If it is time for that holiday of a lifetime, a retirement trip with a chance to see and visit exotic countries and cultures then it’s time to explore Viking’s fifteen day “Magnificent Mekong” voyage from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa. Shop Old Hanoi’s markets, see the Khmer temple complex of Angkor Wat and the haunting beauty of Ta Prohm Temple, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins. Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw. Discover silk towns, fishing villages, monasteries and local river life. With hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) bracketing the eight-day Mekong cruise, this cruise tour reveals the beauty and grace of a land Australians have only begun to know. All of this and more is available for travellers on the fifteen-day, two country river cruise which includes sixteen guided tours called the “Magnificent Mekong”, just one of the many river, ocean and exploration cruises available with Viking. The most wonderful fun of a river cruise besides the exceptionally comfortable rooms, the stunning seating options, the generous and tasty meals, the stunning scenery is you simply unpack once and let the dedicated crew take care of the rest allowing guests to relax on board the beautifully crafted and appointed Viking Longship. Local guides immerse guests in the history and culture of each destination with enriching excursions. Enjoy all onboard meals with complimentary beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. Plus, Viking guests enjoy endless specialty tea, coffee and bottled water, unlimited Wi-Fi and all onboard gratuities, port charges and taxes. Vietnam is fast becoming a desired destination and on the cruise guest will enjoy a treasure trove of tasty delights to awaken the senses in the Vietnamese capital. Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, serving up an array of dishes from all corners across the city. Steaming bowls of pho, a Vietnamese rice noodle soup, are served alongside marinated meats grilled to perfection. The cafe scene in Vietnam is equally as popular with egg coffee a local specialty and a decadent cap to any meal. For those who have not visited the Phnom Penh, Cambodia it is a capital time seems to have passed by. Once known as the “Pearl of Asia,” this bustling Cambodian capital is home to charming French colonial architecture along relaxed boulevards, beautifully wrought pagodas and the monumental Angkorian complexes for which Cambodia is revered. The city’s park-like riverfront boasts plenty of inviting cafes and restaurants, and its rich collection of universities, museums and other institutions have grown into Cambodia’s centre of cultural heritage. For those who book before 31 March 2026, travellers can save up to $5,000 per couple fly
Twilight over West Lake or Ho Tay Lake in Hanoi.
The Viking Saigon in the Mekong-Delta in Tien Giang in Southern Vietnam.
Guests relax and feel at home in the comfortable and very classy French Balcony rooms onboard Viking.
Explore the cities on cyclo rickshaws in the Hanoi Old Quarter. free, have a flight upgrade credit on selected 2026 to 2028 cruises. The trip is priced from $12,495 per person with fifteen days accommodation in a stunning French Balcony Stateroom. With no kids, no casinos, fewer than 1,000 guests, and all veranda staterooms, Viking’s award-winning ships take guests as close as possible to each destination. For further information please call 138 747 or go to website viking.com which has this and many more stunning trips around the world to choose from.
The blue blue sky above Angkor Wat in Cambodia. (Supplied)
JULIE O’GRADY IS YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL ADVISOR Locally owned and operated www.exclusivelycruising.com.au
Award-winning independent & experienced cruise specialist Specialising in river, ocean, expedition, luxury and small ship cruising
Mention this advert for a 10% DISCOUNT on Go Travel Insurance
Personalised service & travel advice
Discover your next journey with a trusted travel and cruise professional. Call Julie
03 9762 2799 cruise@exclusivelycruising.com.au
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Rocky Mountaineer Magic For more than 30 years, Rocky Mountaineer has welcomed guests from around the world to experience luxury rail journeys through some of the most spectacular landscapes in North America. From the dramatic peaks of the Canadian Rocky Mountains to the vast deserts and red-rock canyons of the American Southwest, these iconic journeys are designed for travellers who want to slow down, look out the window, and truly savour the scenery. Travelling by luxury glass-domed train, guests are treated to ever-changing vistas of sky-high mountains, turquoise lakes, ancient glaciers, rugged canyons and, with a little luck, glimpses of wildlife along the way. It’s a front-row seat to nature at its most impressive, paired with impeccable service and refined comfort onboard. Rocky Mountaineer offers four unique rail routes. The most popular, First Passage to the West, retraces historic Canadian rail lines between Vancouver and the celebrated mountain towns of Banff and Lake Louise. Over two days, the train winds through British Columbia and Alberta, passing thundering waterfalls, icy glaciers and dramatic mountain scenery. Another favourite is Journey through the Clouds, connecting Vancouver with Jasper National Park. This route travels through some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring landscapes in Canada, showcasing remote wilderness and towering peaks that feel untouched by time. For those wanting a longer adventure, the three-day Rainforest to Gold Rush journey travels from the lush coastal rainforest through desert terrain and ranchland before reaching the heart of the Rockies. Rocky Mountaineer’s only U.S. route, Rockies to the Red Rocks, runs between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah. Launched in 2021, this two-day
An unforgettable Rocky Mountaineer Experience. journey highlights the raw beauty of the American Southwest, with sweeping canyons, striking red sandstone formations and wide-open desert landscapes. Onboard, the experience is elevated by awardwinning service and regionally inspired cuisine. Each season, Rocky Mountaineer’s Executive
Chef creates menus showcasing local produce, from Alberta beef to Pacific seafood and fresh seasonal fruits, all served as the Host team ensures every detail is taken care of. Beyond the rail journey itself, guests can add customised pre- and post-tour experiences, from exploring glaciers and national parks to gondola
rides, wildlife encounters or desert adventures. Effortlessly combining luxury with the spirit of exploration, Rocky Mountaineer is a truly memorable way to experience North America. To plan your journey and tailor it perfectly to your travel style, speak with Exclusively Cruising, your local travel specialist, on 03 9762 2799.
Truly Moving Train Journeys The majesty of the Rockies meets the comfort of luxury train travel.
Explore in 2026 Promotion Book any 2026 Rocky Mountaineer package on select dates and save
$550.00 per person on GoldLeaf Service $375.00 per person on SilverLeaf Service Offer available from 13 January 2026 to 10 February 2026.
For Bookings & Enquiries Contact
cruise@exclusivelycruising.com.au
03 9762 2799 https://www.exclusivelycruising.com.au
18 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
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c
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FESTIVE
SHORES 15 NIGHTS FROM AN INCREDIBLE
$3,699pp
CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS DAY & NEW YEAR’S EVE ON BOARD
COMPLIMENTARY FLIGHTS & HOTEL STAY IN SYDNEY
Christmas & New Year South Australia Discovery Voyage 15 Nights
19 December 2026
Embrace the festive season with this South Australian discovery, celebrating Christmas surrounded by Holland America Line’s elegant interiors and welcoming the New Year against the magical backdrop of Tasmania’s coastline.
Your Holiday Includes Full-Board Cruise
Complimentary Hotel Stay
14 night full-board cruise on board Noordam
1 night four-star hotel stay in Sydney at the Rydges World Square with breakfast
Visiting: Sydney, Phillip Island, Melbourne, Burnie (Tasmania), Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Hobart (Tasmania), Port Arthur, Eden, Sydney
Complimentary Flights & Taxes Transfers not included but can be added on at the time of booking
Celebrate Christmas and New Year on board your ship
Call us on
(07) 3558 9908
Visit us online imaginecruising.com.au
INSIDE FROM
OCEAN VIEW FROM
$3,699PP
$4,299PP
VERANDAH FROM
SIGNATURE SUITE FROM
$5,299PP
$6,499PP
Scan the QR code or search the holiday code on our website.
Excellent
HOLIDAY CODE: AUS7554
Terms and Conditions apply, for full details please visit imaginecruising.com.au. All prices shown in AUS Dollars. Prices are per person based on two adults sharing a cruise cabin or suite and include flights from Melbourne (regional flights available at a supplement). Credit cards charged at 1%, if paying by AMEX a charge of 2.5% will be added. ABN number 48614987718. Prices are correct at the time of print and are subject to change. Offer applies to new bookings only. Named hotels are based on availability and are subject to change without notice. Alternative hotels will always be of equal or higher star rating.
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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 19
FLY FREE, FLIGHT UPGRADE CREDIT OR SAVE UP TO AU$2,500 PER COUPLE
LISBON, PORTUGAL COMPANION
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
FLY FREE ECONOMY CLASS
Florence/Pisa CROATIA MONACO (Livorno) Venice Šibenik Monte Carlo Marseille Split ITALY Dubrovnik Sète SPAIN Kotor MONTENEGRO Barcelona Naples GREECE Istanbul TURKEY PORTUGAL CORFU Palma de Rome Bari Troy Kérkrya Mallorca (Civitavecchia) Crotone Granada Athens (Çanakkale) Lisbon (Málaga) (Piraeus) Mediterranean Ephesus Seville Messina Ionian Sea (Kuşadasi) (Cádiz) SICILY Sea Murcia Olympia Rhodes (Cartagena) Tangier (Katakolon) Heraklion MOROCCO CRETE FRANCE
UPGRADE BUSINESS CLASS AIRFARE CREDIT
GRAND MEDITERRANEAN EXPLORER Lisbon to Istanbul 36 DAYS • 10 COUNTRIES • 29 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • MAR, APR, SEP 2027; MAR, AUG 2028
Overnight in Por t
OR
SAIL FOR LESS ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING No kids, voted world’s best Private veranda stateroom Nordic spa facilities
From AU$33,295pp in Veranda Stateroom From AU$40,795pp in Penthouse Veranda
– Cruise •
OR
Shore excursions Choice of 8 dining options Wi-Fi & gratuities
Florence/Pisa (Livorno) Venice MONACO (Chioggia) CROATIA Monte Carlo Šibenik ITALY
FRANCE
Marseille Sète SPAIN
PORTUGAL
Palma de Mallorca
Lisbon
Granada (Málaga)
Seville (Cádiz)
Tangier
Naples Rome Bari (Civitavecchia) Crotone
Mediterranean Sea
Messina SICILY
Ionian Sea
22 DAYS • 7 COUNTRIES • 18 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • FEB-JUN, AUG, SEP 2027; FEB, MAR, MAY, JUN, SEP 2028
Wine & beer served with lunch & dinner 24-hour room service Newest small ship fleet
Murcia (Cartagena)
From AU$17,295pp in Veranda Stateroom From AU$21,295pp in Penthouse Veranda
MOROCCO
– Cruise •
Barcelona
ADRIATIC & MEDITERRANEAN DISCOVERY Venice (Chioggi) to Lisbon
Overnight in Por t
SCAN QR CODE FOR OFFERS FRANCE Marseille
MONACO
ITALY
Monte Carlo
Florence/Pisa (Livorno) Rome (Civitavecchia)
Sète Barcelona PORTUGAL
SPAIN
Lisbon Seville (Cádiz)
Granada (Málaga)
Tangier MOROCCO
– Cruise •
Overnight in Por t
Palma de Mallorca
Murcia (Cartagena)
Mediterranean Sea
SPAIN, PORTUGAL & THE MEDITERRANEAN Lisbon to Rome (Civitavecchia) 15 DAYS • 6 COUNTRIES • 15 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • NOV 2026; JAN-JUN 2027, SEP-DEC 2027, JAN-JUN, SEP 2028
From AU$8,495pp in Veranda Stateroom From AU$10,295pp in Penthouse Veranda
0800 447 913 VIKING.COM
*Choose one offer per booking (all guests must select the same): Companion Fly Free (Economy) up to AU$2,500 per couple (code CFE25) OR Business Class Air Credit AU$2,500 per couple (CFB25) OR Cruise-Only Save AU$2,500 per couple (CRX25). Valid on selected 2026–2028 Viking Ocean voyages. New bookings only, prices in AUD per person (twin share), subject to availability, not combinable. Grand Mediterranean Explorer based on 02 March 2028 departure. Adriatic & Mediterranean Discovery based on 22 February 2028 departure. Spain, Portugal & the Mediterranean based on 13 December 2027 departure. Booking window: 02 Dec 2025 – 31 Mar 2026 (AEDT). Full T&Cs: viking.com.
OR CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL ADVISOR
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THE PERFECT ESCAPE THIS IS THE ONE YOU MUST SEE
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
THE PERFECT ESCAPE -THIS IS THE ONE YOU MUST SEE - IMMACULATE IN EVERY WAY JUST around an hour’s drive from the CBD and 7km from the shopping centre. For the first time in more than 50 years, this much-loved Spanish style estate is ready for its next chapter. Set on 21 acres of mostly cleared, gently rolling land, it’s a property that has been treasured by one family for half a century. As you arrive, a caretaker’s cottage welcomes you at the front, and electric gates open to reveal a home full of character, warmth with beautifully updated modern touches. The classic Spanish façade sets the tone, but once inside you’re met with a contemporary, light-filled interior spread across two generous levels. Upstairs is the main living zone, where the kitchen, dining and living areas come together in a bright, open space with high ceilings and peaceful views across the property. It’s the kind of area that naturally becomes the centre of daily life— relaxed, inviting, and easy to live in. Downstairs is designed for entertaining and hosting. A second full kitchen, a bar and an amazing wine cellar, create the perfect setting for gatherings of any size, while extra living areas flow for the perfect entertainment space and add even more versatility. One of the standout features is how effortlessly this whole lower level opens out to the pool and spa area on one side and the alfresco area on the other side – entertain here for the largest of gatherings! It creates a smooth indoor– outdoor flow that feels great in summer and makes entertaining feel completely seamless. The home offers 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, including a master suite that feels like a private retreat. It comes with a spacious dressing room and a large ensuite, giving you the sense of having your own luxurious getaway within the home. Guests are also spoilt, with a dedicated guest suite featuring its own balcony, ensuite, and separate sitting area. And don’t forget the caretaker’s cottage! Comfort is well taken care of with split systems, hydronic heating, and air conditioning. There is a large automatic generator to run the entire home in case of power failure, excellent internet access with Starlink, eleven external cameras, internal and internal security. Outside, the property continues to impress: a wide deck for outdoor dining, a workshop, entertainment retreat for club meetings and gatherings, a dam with a gazebo, and a creek running along the back boundary all add to the sense of space and tranquillity. Bore water drawn to top up tank water, from a charming wishing well adds a practical—and nostalgic—touch. With most of the 21 acres already cleared, the land offers plenty of freedom and potential, whether for hobby farming, horses, gardens or simply enjoying the open space. It’s rare to find a property that blends architectural charm, modern living and so much land in one place—especially one that has been so lovingly held for so long. This estate offers something truly special: room to breathe, room to grow, and a lifestyle that feels both peaceful and full of possibility. A home with history, heart, and an unmistakable sense of place. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 749 Woori Yallock Road, NANGANA Description: 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $2,700,000 - $2,970,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE 9754 6111
22 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
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PROPERTY NEWS
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST POOL OPTIONS? WITH summer now here, dreaming of a backyard swimming pool to cool down and unwind couldn’t be more fitting. Thanks to ingenious creations that have resulted in backyard pools coming in all shapes, sizes and styles, it’s easy to find the perfect match for your backyard. Better yet, you can also find one that suits your price range. Before jumping into the intricacies of design detail, it pays to learn a thing or two about the different categories backyard swimming pools have. This way, you can narrow down your selection based on category, design, and price. In-ground pools Just as the name is self-explanatory, in-ground pools are the classic pool at ground level. They look great and have the advantage of lasting a long time. However, with beauty comes price and in-ground pools can be expensive to purchase with a higher maintenance requirement along with longer installation times compared to other backyard pool options. Typically made from concrete or fibreglass, concrete in-ground pools are constructed on-site making them extremely durable. On the other hand, fibreglass pools are usually manufactured beforehand and will take less time to install, although they aren’t as resilient as concrete. The process of building an in-ground pool is highly complex with requirements to rip up your entire backyard to get the job done. Not only will you have to undergo backyard renovations, but the future soil conditions of your yard may also be compromised when installing an in-ground pool. To build a backyard in-ground pool, you will need to apply for council approval which can take the process (including construction time) anywhere from 3 to 6 months. Above ground pools An alternative to in-ground pools, above ground pools, have become increasingly popular due to their versatility. Being cheaper and faster to install when compared to inground pools, above ground pools are also quite modular, which gives you the flexibility to resize according to your needs. You will need to make sure that the site in your backyard is flat and levelled before placing an above ground pool (unless you want a real shallow end on one side and real deep end on the other). The majority of above ground pools have been designed for easy DIY installation, making it straightforward to put into your home. As above ground pools aren’t fixtures, you can simply take them with you wherever you go. Most above ground pools are made from steel or resin and often have a vinyl interior. Depending on the model, you may have one that tolerates freshwater or one that does well with chlorinated saltwater. Some above ground pool packages come supplied with everything needed to set up a working pool, from pumps to filters and even ladders and decks. Portable pools Those with restricted space in your backyard won’t have to miss out on having a pool thanks to the portable pool. It’s versatile and suitable for most gardens, so long as you have flat ground and access to water. The range of sizes and shapes make portable pools fantastic for pool parties and for families with kids. Plus, they’re also easy to put away when not in use. Inflatable pools If you like the idea of using a pool once in a while, a backyard inflatable pool is your solution. You won’t have to worry about storage nor having a fixed pool in your backyard. Inflatable pools are often made from durable plastic that can last for a long time. They come with cartridge filter pumps that keep the water clean and safe from bacteria. Kids’ pools For those who only want to buy a pool just for the young ones, getting a kids pool is your best option. Specifically made for kids, the design means shallow water that provides enough space for splashing, some paddling, and having a good time. Some kids pool models are even big enough to cater for the whole family to sit in. It is strongly advised that you supervise your
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child at all times when in or around a pool, no matter the size. Backyard pool decisions Everyone’s needs are different, which means that the best backyard pool option for you is a personal one. Depending on your budget, space, and use of the pool, you will easily fall into one of the pool categories above, bringing you one step closer to a backyard pool decision. - realestateview.com.au ●
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HOME FOCUS
EXQUISITE “BUILDER’S OWN” RESIDENCE CRAFTED to exacting standards and designed with a meticulous eye for detail, 238 Emerald Monbulk Road is a masterclass in contemporary luxury and functionality. North-facing and beautifully proportioned, this builder’s own home boasts quality, comfort and clever design at every turn. Occupying the entire lower level, the expansive 170sqm garage (with over 3-metre ceilings) is a dream come true for car enthusiasts, trades, or those seeking a flexible multipurpose space. Whether it’s a collector’s haven, home gym, workshop, or studio - the options are endless. Upstairs, the home opens to stunning views across the Monbulk Valley. The lightfilled interiors are perfectly balanced between sophistication and warmth. Four spacious bedrooms are strategically positioned for privacy, with the master suite featuring a picturesque bay window, walk-in robe, and indulgent ensuite, whilst an open-plan living and dining zone provides the ideal space for family connection and entertaining. As a centrepiece, the French Provincial-inspired kitchen is a showstopper, boasting stone benchtops, a walk-in butler’s pantry, and quality finishes that elevate everyday living. Designed with sustainability and comfort in mind, the home features a 6-star energy rating, double-glazed windows, electric ducted and cooling plus a gas log fire - ensuring perfect temperature control all year round. Set on just under half an acre of beautifully cared for grounds, the property offers: • A 4.3m x 2.3m swim-spa pool for summer enjoyment: gas heated with swim jets • Expansive undercover decking for effortless entertaining • Tiered lawns ideal for children and pets • A sealed driveway, additional parking, and rear yard access Attic storage with ladder access adds yet another layer of practicality to this impressive home. Perfectly positioned within walking distance of Monbulk’s main street, public transport, and local schools, this superior residence combines the best of tranquillity with everyday convenience. Whether you’re seeking a luxurious family home or a refined retreat with room for all your passions, 238 Emerald Monbulk Road delivers an unmatched lifestyle opportunity - a property where craftsmanship, comfort, and class come together in perfect harmony. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 238 Emerald-Monbulk Road, MONBULK Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 4 garage Price: $1,250,000-1,350,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Kate Johnson 0434 670 177, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
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HOME FOCUS
PRIME 4577M2 BLOCK WITH PLANS AND PERMITS IMMACULATELY kept and edged by fragrant Eucalypts, this picturesque 4587m² (approx) block of land is nestled on the edge of suburbia - And within easy reach of Lilydale, Mount Evelyn and Mooroolbark. Set amongst other high-quality homes in one of the area’s most desirable pockets, this exceptional property presents a rare opportunity to create your dream home (STCA) in a peaceful yet connected community. With planning permits already in place, this is a ready-made canvas for those seeking space, privacy and a connection with nature. Taking in views of the nearby Hills, come home to an already established, long sweeping driveway that leads to your secluded, flat building envelope, saturated with unobstructed northern light - a setting that will inspire you every single day. Unique to the property is a Philip Johnson (internationally award-winning landscape designer) landscape design plan that will be nothing short of impressive. Contact agent for link. Drawings for a sustainable, 4-bedroom family home, architecturally designed by The Sustainable Weaver are also available to view. Contact agent for link. Both teams would love to continue their work with the new owners on this wonderful project if they wish. Families will appreciate the proximity to quality local schools - Edinburgh College is within walking distance, while Billanook College and Birmingham Primary School are a bike ride or short drive away. Just minutes from the ever-popular Lilydale Lake, walking and bike trails, and stunning rural
views, all easily accessible for a peaceful stroll or ride, you can also enjoy the convenience of being centrally positioned for easy access to shops, cafes and amenities close at hand. A truly special offering, this prime parcel
of land combines the tranquillity of country living with the convenience of modern life - the perfect place to make your dream a reality. EXTRA INFORMATION: • Access available to all services (mains water,
gas, electricity, sewer, internet) • Any future changes made to current approved plans are STCA • There is no requirement to use the above garden designer or architect ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 17 William Road, LILYDALE Price: $850,000 - $920,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Kate Johnson 0434 670 177, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
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Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 25
HOME FOCUS
MODERNIST STYLING ON 75 ACRES WITH VIEWS PRIVATELY located at the end of a long driveway and offering amazing views of the surrounding rolling hillsides, this beautiful 9 year old home sits on 75 beautiful acres with a mix of 9 clear paddocks (8 watered) with a section of bushland. Access to the property is provided off a sealed road. Built to a very high energy efficiency rating, the home is comfortable all year round. The home boasts a wonderful series of rural outlooks from every room, the living spaces offer both casual and formal settings, with the stylish lounge adjoining the dining space with a strategically placed wood-heater offering both warmth and ambiance. Enjoy entertaining outside on the travertine tiled alfresco area whilst soaking in the views. Indoor and outdoor spaces combine here for absolute lifestyle pleasure. True to the owner’s intentions, the home is an entertainer’s delight, with the modern gourmet kitchen appointed with stone benchtops, abundant storage and huge pantry, dual ovens including a steam oven, Induction cooktop and dishwasher. Offering 5 bedrooms, the layout consists of 4 robed bedrooms, serviced by a family bathroom that offers a separate living space also. Whilst the master suite is large and offers a study nook, enormous walk in robe and ensuite with walk in shower. Special features include polished concrete floors, double glazing, solar hot water, 3 split systems and mains and tank water. Outside offers a mix of garden beds (but not too many!), veggie patch, fruit trees, chook run and a large 18m x 6m shed with concrete floor and attached side roof that would serve a multitude of purposes including farm equipment, cars, trailers etc. With this much land you can take up the rural pursuit you have desired - perhaps a few sheep, alpacas, a horse or two or some cows, with beautiful visiting birds and wildlife - come home to paradise! Located approximately 1 hour from Melbourne CBD, locally you have easy access to Primary Schools, kindergarten, supermarkets, with a High School in nearby Emerald. Rail connections in Belgrave and Pakeham and Wellington Road accessibility to M1. This property truly is your piece of paradise in the hills – so be quick, this one won’t last! ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 8 Kennedy Road, AVONSLEIGH Description: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 garage Price: $2,300,000 - $2,500,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE 9754 6111
26 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
mailcommunity.com.au
Ranges 4.4 Sunny acreS
CoCkatoo 35 edmundS rOad Immaculate masterpiece, Privately located
rich in characTer
$1,600,000-$1,700,000
olINda 24-26 mccarThy rOad
$1,500,000-$1,600,000
4A 2B 4C
dual living with Endless Views!
4A 2B 6C
Privately located at the end of a no-through road and exhibiting amazing rural views, this beautiful home sits on 4.4 beautiful acres. enjoying a wonderful series of rural outlooks from every room, the living spaces offer both casual and formal settings, the stylish lounge with wood heater, family dining and living areas with French doors to the covered deck. indoor and outdoor spaces combine here for absolute lifestyle pleasure.
mick dolphin 0429 684 522
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
Over 3700 m2
$1,100,000-$1,200,000
Private. Peaceful. Family Home.
5A 2B 4C
This timber residence exudes character, combining timeless craftsmanship with open, light-filled interiors and dramatic cathedral ceilings. Set on a generous landholding, it enjoys beautiful, treed vistas from every window—quintessential “hills living.” The home offers five bedrooms, with the spacious main suite privately positioned on the ground level and featuring a soaking tub, separate shower, and walk-in robe. The remaining four bedrooms, all with built-in robes, occupy the first floor.
9754 6111
rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
Set on 1.74 hectares of beautifully established gardens, this enchanting dual-dwelling property offers the kind of space, flexibility, and character that is increasingly hard to find — all just minutes from the heart of monbulk township. From the moment you arrive, the home reveals a sense of warmth and rustic appeal. The main residence features four generously sized bedrooms and two bathrooms, thoughtfully designed to support family living at every stage.
mick dolphin 0429 684 522
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
rear STreeT acceSS
EmErald 37 Fern Glade drive
mick dolphin 0429 684 522
We put you first
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
BElgraVE 22 WaraTah avenue PrIVatE FamIlY SaNtUarY oN 1¼ aCrES
$1,550,000-$1,705,000 4A 3B 8C
Set amidst a gorgeous, treed landscape, this impressive four-bedroom brick veneer residence offers exceptional privacy, space and resort-style living on an expansive 1¼-acre sun filled allotment to enjoy. designed for relaxed family living and effortless entertaining, the home features separate living zones from the dining area to the large lounge which features an open fire, to the generous rumpus and meals area perfectly designed for both quiet retreats or vibrant gatherings.
Jan Brewster 0409 558 805
‘We Put You First’
1660 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Shop 2/24 McBride St, Cockatoo Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 27
HOME FOCUS
THE PERFECT BLEND OF HILLS LIFESTYLE AND CONTEMPORARY COMFORT BEAUTIFULLY positioned on a tranquil nothrough road just moments from the heart of Belgrave, this exceptional property combines modern updates, flexible living options, and a true connection with nature. Set on a picturesque 1,220sqm (approx.) block with Monbulk Creek gently meandering by, it’s a home that perfectly captures the relaxed Hills lifestyle. From the moment you arrive, the home’s striking street presence impresses - a sealed driveway, double garage, and stylish steel balustrades lead the way to a residence that is both sophisticated and welcoming. Across two thoughtfully designed levels, this home delivers outstanding versatility. The lower level features a stunning openplan living zone warmed by a wood fire, anchored by a gourmet kitchen showcasing Smartstone benchtops, 2-pack cabinetry, a Bosch dishwasher, gas cooktop, and stainlesssteel oven. Entertain with ease thanks to the seamless flow out to a covered alfresco area and a lower deck complete with pizza oven - all overlooking lush gardens that roll down to the creek’s edge. Upstairs, the clever retention of the original kitchen (with gas cooktop, wall oven, and dishwasher) adds impressive flexibility - ideal for multi-generational living, guest accommodation, or growing families. A cosy lounge and meals area with a second wood fire and reverse-cycle heating/cooling ensures comfort year-round. Four adaptable bedrooms, two stylish bathrooms, and an additional living zone complete the layout, ensuring there’s room for everyone. Every detail of this property reflects thoughtful design and quality living, from the inviting indoor spaces to the serene outdoor zones perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying the sounds of the creek. Homes offering this level of versatility, privacy, and beauty are a rare find - and this one delivers it all. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 14 Bellbird Street, BELGRAVE Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $900,000 - $990,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Daniel Steen 0434 979 142, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
28 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
mailcommunity.com.au
Real Estate you can trust! We’re here to help.
2 Francis Street, TEComa
14 Bellbird Street, BElgRavE
1153 m2
5
2
3
1225m2
4 Francis Street, TEComa 5
2
6
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
$460,000 - $500,000
$900,000 - $990,000
$990,000-$1,089,000
daniel Steen 0434 979 142
daniel Steen 0434 979 142
daniel Steen 0434 979 142
238 Emerald - monbulk Road, monBulk 4
2
4+
19 Colehurst Crescent, olinda
1807m2
4
2
31100m2
1468m2
46 Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, EmERald 4
2
2
6628m2
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
$1,250,000 - $1,350,000
$1,650,000 - $1,750,000
$1,680,000 - $1,740,000
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
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, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 29
PUZZLES No. 272
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
3 4 5
2 1
9 8
6
5
2
8 5 6 6 8 4 3 7 9 7 6 2 8 8 5 7 1 6 6 9 2 4 medium
1 5 2 5 9 1 4 7 3 1 5 4 1 6 7
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS
15
23
23
18
23
5
17 2
19
15
9
21
26
D
12
20
22
7
6 2 5 9 8 1 5 7 6 2 9 3
9
6
15
17
7
26
D 1
12
15
11
7
17
17
17
17
23
8
21
17
4
17
17
2
12
2
3
4
15
5
17
23
23
21
15
14
23
12
13
5
14
2
5
22
6
23
22
23
7
8
9
5
6
25
3 LETTERS ALL ASH AVO BOA DAM DNA ELK FRO GOT HOE ICE ILK INK INN ITS PAD PAR PER SAC SHE SPA UGH USE WIT
B
15
23
8
25
4
WORDFIT
B
25
B
18
17
16 17
11 17
4
4
17
26
5
15
11
3
7
17
23
15
14
10
15
15
No. 304
16
17 16
15
17
2 5 7 4 2 7 3
19
21
12 23
23
7
18 23
23
12
7
14
21
9
9
hard
Surrender (6) Difficult to understand (7) Odd (7) Slash (4) Stated an argument (10) Trying (7) Newspaper executives (7) Begins a voyage (4,4) Personal items (10) Pledged (8) Woodlands (7) Islamic state (7) Farm vehicle (7) Forbidden by law (7) Complimentary (6) Notion (4)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 16 18 19 20 21 22 25
DECODER
23
2 1 4 6 4 4 7 2 5 9 6 1 3 6
DOWN
Foot covers (5) Pleasure (9) Purchaser (5) Verification schedule (9) Purpose (6) Fearful (8) Speed up (10) Snow runner (3) Officiate (abbr) (3) Self-centred (10) Wedlock (8) Telemarketer (6) Kept up (9) Taut (5) Indigestion (9) Acting parts (5)
1 4 9 10 11 12 14 15 17 19 23 24 26 27 28 29
No. 272
7
15
18
23
23
1 21
D
24 17
17
16
23
10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
B D N A M E I P W T Y S K B D
1
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
V O F G C H L Z Q X R U J 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
4 8 4
14
8
9-LETTER WORD medium
3 4 1 5 8 6 2 7 9 9 5 2 7 4 1 3 8 6 7 8 6 2 3 9 1 4 5 2 9 4 8 5 7 6 3 1 5 6 8 4 1 3 7 9 2 1 3 7 9 6 2 4 5 8 8 2 3 6 9 4 5 1 7 4 7 5 1 2 8 9 6 3 6 1 9 3 7 5 8 2 4
6 3 9 8 2 7 1 4 5 2 5 8 9 1 4 7 3 6 1 7 4 3 6 5 2 8 9 4 2 1 5 3 6 8 9 7 7 8 5 4 9 2 6 1 3 9 6 3 1 7 8 4 5 2 5 1 2 6 8 3 9 7 4 8 4 7 2 5 9 3 6 1 3 9 6 7 4 1 5 2 8
hard 3 5 6 2 7 1 9 8 4 1 8 7 5 4 9 6 2 3 9 2 4 3 8 6 5 7 1 6 3 1 8 9 5 7 4 2 2 4 8 1 6 7 3 5 9 5 7 9 4 3 2 8 1 6 4 6 2 7 5 3 1 9 8 8 9 5 6 1 4 2 3 7 7 1 3 9 2 8 4 6 5 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”.
E
Today’s Aim: 18 words: Good 27 words: Very good 37 words: Excellent
A
I
O
S
H H
R
R
ashore, hair, hare, harries, harsh, harsher, hash, hear, hears, heir, hero, hers, hire, hirer, hires, hoarier, hoarse, hoarser, hoes, horse, HORSEHAIR, hose, hosier, rash, rasher, rehash, rhea, shah, share, sharer, shea, shear, shier, shire, shirr, shoe, shore
easy
4 LETTERS APED DYED ENDS GOOF HOWS KEGS LAMP MONK ROES SAFE SLAG SLED TENS THAW 5 LETTERS ABATE ABODE
No. 272
M O N K
ALPHA APART CRIES CROCS DIETS DODGE DRONE DUVET EARLY EATEN ERODE EVENS EVOKE FAUNA FORTE KEEPS KNEED LISTS LITHE LOWER LUNAR MATTE
NAVAL NOOSE OFTEN ONION OPALS PATIO PREEN REBUT SEEKS SERUM SKATE SORTS SOUTH STAID STAVE STEEL STEMS STRUT TENTS TITLE TOUGH TSARS
ROOSTER RUPTURE TINSELS
UNTIE USERS WINED WREST 6 LETTERS LUSTRE ORDAIN RIDERS TRADES
8 LETTERS ASSURING ASTUTEST INITIATE TOLERATE
7 LETTERS AROUSES ENACTED PRISONS K E E P S L I T H E O P A L S N A V A L O N I O N R E B U T E R O D E W I N E D D R O N E E L K D I E T S S P A D A M C R I E S R I D E R S D Y E D U S E A L L I N N S T A V E T S A R S A P E D G O O F A V O T O L E R A T E R U P T U R E E N A C T E D U G H M O N K A S S U R I N G U S E R S N O O S E T H AW I T S G O T S A C L U S T R E S O U T H S A F E I N K A S H S T E E L B O A S T A I D O F T E N A P A R T WR E S T M A T T E T I T L E S O R T S P R E E N S E E K S
SUDOKU
16-01-26
Robbie, Gavan and Janet
www.heritagefunerals.com.au • Wantirna, Lilydale, Woori Yallock • 9800 3000 30 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
12711905-KG37-24
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2 Spinebill Court HEALESVILLE VIC 3777 being Lot 12 PS 516315 Sec 5 CA PTS 8 9&10 PGracedale
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12570815-AV40-22
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Call Chris 0412 099 142 24 years in roofing leaks
12638924-JC41-23
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Our ‘Chucky’ holding firm By Oliver Winn Motocross maestro Daniel “Chucky” Sanders remains on top position after stage seven in the 2026 Dakar Rally, despite suffering a speeding penalty. The Three Bridges local sped off to a great start in stage six, collecting time bonuses and overtaking the leaders, but was setback to third position after he was hit with a six minute speeding penalty. “Really disappointed after today. I pushed so hard from start to finish and started to collect time bonuses because I overtook the leaders and was opening the stage. This gave me a really good lead, but then I was given a six minute speeding penalty, which put me back to third position. “I am still leading the overall, but with a slim margin,” he said in a Facebook post. He hit the ground running in stage seven where he managed to catch both leaders, improving his overall lead and finishing in fourth position. The start of stage seven saw Sanders flying at high speeds through large open valleys, before he slowed his pace to confront more technical terrain in the latter half. “The start of the stage was super fast, but towards the end there was some fun rocky terrain. Tomorrow I start in fourth position and I’m ready to go.” Sanders finished stage seven behind KTM teammates Luciano Benavides and Edgar Canet, while Honda’s Adrien Van Beveren sits in third place.
Daniel Sanders competes during stage two of the 2026 Dakar Rally from Yanbu to Al Ula, Saudi Arabia on 5 January, 2026. (Florent Gooden / DPPI / Red Bull Content Pool)
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SPORT
Mansfield shooter and Rio Olympics gold medallist Catherine Skinner. (527441)
Melbourne Gun Club president and Olympian Craig Henwood. (527441)
Camperdown Olympian Penny Smith with the trophy she won at the event. (Rob Carew: 527441)
Colin Kneebone takes aim. (527441)
Olympians here with a bang By Gabriella Vukman Thursday 8 January marked the commencement of a four-day frenzy at the Melbourne Gun Club in Yering. From the Commonwealth Championship competition to the Australian Clay Target National for Trap, the Melbourne Gun Club saw endless spells of bullets long into the weekend. Shotgun Programme Manager at Shooting Australia Adam Hosking said, “We work closely with the Australian Clay Target Association to deliver the nationals for the Australian Clay Target. “We at Shooting Australia have used this event as a selection event for a series of competitions to choose athletes to represent Australia at World Cup events early in 2026,” Mr Hosking said. According to Mr Hosking, World Cups are a good preparation point for the shooting athletes as they progress through the four-year cycle to the Olympics. A number of Olympians ventured out to the Yarra Valley to compete in the competitions, with Mitch Iles, James Willett, and Penny Smith among them. Some competitors from New Zealand also attended the Commonwealth Championships at the club. Mr Hosking said, “This event, because there is a selection overlay, really attracts all those top quality Australian shooters to Melbourne.” “Melbourne Gun Club is one of the best in the country. They have a sufficient amount of layouts and are well equipped to host a competition of this size,” Mr Hosking said. “We are always really happy to come here and compete.” Unlike many other Olympic sports, many of the shooting athletes are not paid for their profession, and work part time jobs on top of com-
peting. “These guys are really pursuing their dreams and passions when they travel to be here,” Mr Hosking said. Treasurer of the Melbourne Gun Club and Coldstream local Lenny Harrison started shooting at Melbourne Gun club in 2022. “We are one of the best venues in the country. We are known as one of the premier shooting facilities,” Ms Harrison said. “We have beautiful grounds with eight trenches and eight layouts in total,” she said. Originally planned to be held in Echuca, last week’s competitions were moved last minute to the Melbourne Gun Club, due to heat wave fears. Ms Harrison told Star Mail, “They contacted the president, Craig, and they said, ‘We need your grounds,’ and Craig, of course, said, ‘yep, okay.’” “It was a flurry of text messages to see if we could all help get the place ready and we did, just in time,” she said. Ms Harrison was most eager to see Mitchell Iles and James Willett take aim last week. “They are just so fluid in the way they shoot,” she said. “It is exciting to watch.’ One of the things Ms Harrison loves most about the club is the members. “It feels like family,” Ms Harrison said. “Everyone is friends.” The club encourages everyone to come down and have a try. “We sometimes get people who have never shot a gun before and they are really tense at first, but then they loosen up and go ‘wow,’” Ms Harrison said. “Anyone can come along,” she said. In terms of 2026 events, the club looks forward to hosting the World UT Championships in February.
New Zealand Sue Kwek travelled across the ditch to compete for the Commonwealth title. (527441)
Samar Salha. (527441)
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Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist Laetisha Scanlan lines up her shot. (527441)
New Zealand’s Natalie Foss. (527441)
Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 33
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Wandin lose to Mt Evelyn The Professionals Outer East Second XI entered the new year in the top four, but seeking some consistency over the back end of the season, as solid wins had been accompanied by the occasional slip up leaving the 2nd XI far from comfortable with their standing. Up first were the top of the table Bulldogs from Wandin. A big test straight off the bat. Gary Martin Oval has been the source of quick and plentiful runs this season, so when the Mounters started with the ball, they knew they needed to be persistent and resilient, as runs would be the order of the day. Openers Kynan Yates and Brad Jones would be disciplined with their lines and lengths and would be ably supported by young star Billie Laird. Regular wickets would stymy the flow of the innings and despite reaching a useful total of 9/211, the hosts still would be well pleased with their efforts in the field. The only blemish would be the 30 extras gifted to their opponents. Would that prove fatal? Right from the outset, the total was going to look well under par. Opener Adam Smith was particularly unforgiving, blasting 94 runs off 68 deliveries littered with 14 fours and four sixes. The only hiccup in his brilliant innings was that he wasn’t able to capture a much-deserved century. The rest of the top order would follow Smith’s lead, with Mike Mawson’s unbeaten half-century capping off a brisk chase, taking the Mounters to victory within 30 overs and seven wickets in hand. The victory is the perfect start to the new year for the Second XI, however, they would be well aware that wins will be at a premium for the remainder of the season, as the gap between the top of the table and the bottom of the table is minimal. String some late-season wins together, and home finals beckon. Lose games and finals may be missed.
Despite the effort, Smith was unable to capture the century. (Supplied)
Warburton Bowls Club supports CFA brigades amid fires By Garry Lewis The Warburton Bowls Club Annual Tradge Woods Triples Tournament to be held last Saturday was unfortunately cancelled due to the recent Total Fire Ban and extreme weather conditions our local area experienced leading up to the event. The Warburton Bowls Club sincerely thanks all the competitors for their understanding and support of the tournament as they look forward to next year’s event. All the food that was going to be provided throughout the day, was donated by the club to the local CFA in support of their wonderful work protecting and controlling the recent bushfire situation throughout our local area. The weekend pennant competitions will continue this Saturday 17 January with a double header at home. The Burras top side face a tough challenge against Lilydale second side, determined to finish the second half of the season on a high. The Burras seconds play top side Heathmont’s fifth side in another tough challenge for the club. The Burras midweek side play top side, Upwey Tecoma one, away this Tuesday 13 January in a battle between the top two sides to start the new year. The club looks forward to the continuation of the Jack Attack Triples Competition to be held on Wednesday 21 January. Also, Intra Club Competitions are all approaching the finals’ stage following many close contests. 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). There are still vacancies for eight more teams. Entries must be in by 24 January, - contact Michelle Foord on 0437 566 238 or the club on 5966 2391 to show interest. Three Games, raffles and prizes and a BBQ Sausage Sizzle will be held during the day. All proceeds to go towards breast cancer research. The free Warburton Bowls Club Barefoot Bowls evening was unfortunately cancelled last Friday due to the extreme weather conditions. The previous Friday saw an excellent turnout of over 55 people with everyone having a great time in superb weather conditions. The Barefoot Bowls evenings will conclude
34 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 January, 2026
The Warburton Bowls Club supported local CFAs through food donations. (Supplied) next Friday 16 January from 6pm to 9pm. All community members, families and friends are encouraged to join in the fun. All equipment, coaching and music provided.
BBQ food and raffle tickets will be available at a small cost. Thanks to all the club members who assisted with the organisation of these successful eve-
nings, particularly Paul and Maxine Burke and Michael Woolley. Social Bowls continues each Monday from 12 midday. For more information contact the club.
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A strong performance all round for Lusatia Park By Kieran Cantwell First XI In our first game for 2026 we took on second place Lilydale at home. We started positively with the ball, Angus Gelly taking two early wickets. Lilydale were able to string some partnerships together but the bowlers kept on taking their chances, with two each to Tyson Gaskett and Terry Bennett, and Flynn Pritchard with one. Lilydale ended their innings at 8-193. It was a real team effort with the bat, with multiple 40 plus run partnerships, and everyone scoring double figures at least. Michael Nicholls hitting 55 the top scorer, but great contributions from all the other batters also. A partnership between the two Matts (McConnell and Robinson) saw us get over the line in the 37th over, four wickets down. A big win against a top four side setting the second half of the year up well. Second XI Taking on Yarra Junction again, but with a much different side to the one that scored 340 last time. We won the toss yet again and chose to bat yet again. The bowling was tight early and runs were hard to come by. Michael Dwyer just keeps on being Mr Consistent and plugged away for a hard fought 71, whilst his skipper ably supported him, turning the strike over for a scratchy 56 of his own. This laid the platform for some good big hitting late from Luke Thomas, who hit 35 off 26 in the dying overs to drive the score to 6-231 at the change. Paul Broussard opened the bowling with spin and was able to keep the runs down with clever bowling, making it a hard task to chase.
All Lusatia Park teams performed strongly for the start of 2026. (File) Marty White once again proved difficult to get away, and took a handy wicket. Young Tayte Hubbard proved he’s got what it takes with an excellent spell of tight bowling that dried up the runs, and he took an important wicket also, ending up with figures of 1-33 of his 8 overs. Luke Thomas bowled tirelessly at the death again, taking 2-32. Junction were unable to reach the target and finished at 8-184. Another excellent win cementing that top two
spot. Third XI At Wickhams Road again, we hosted South Croydon and batted first. It was hard going with the bat, despite the rock-hard outfield, but solid contributions from Ben Hubbard, Daniel Madsen and Matthew Holland got the total beyond a hundred. A special shout out to Joel Pratt who once again upped his highest score to 13 not out but is
still yet to register an average. We ended up with 138 and had something to bowl to. An early run out saw a ray of light, but the batting was too solid, and the ground too quick to defend a low total. Jacob Ahmad took a late wicket to get some joy from the day, and South Croydon passed the total two down in 29 overs. We’ll need to bounce back next week to keep the finals hopes going.
Leading the way with road safety message Blue armbands will be a familiar sight across courts in the east after Basketball Victoria partnered with the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) to support a new road safety initiative that will see tens of thousands of grassroots and elite sportspeople join its mission to save lives and prevent injuries on the state’s roads. The partnership was announced recently at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne joined the TAC and leaders from Basketball Victoria, Cricket Victoria and Football Victoria to launch the expanded program, which will engage more than 1700 sporting clubs statewide. At the centre of the initiative is the TAC Club Participation Program, which will see Road Safety Rounds delivered across multiple sports. Basketball Victoria will activate its Road Safety Round from 19 January to 1 February, with players, coaches and officials wearing blue armbands to Band Together for road safety awareness and in recognition of those impacted by road trauma. Basketball Victoria CEO Nick Honey said the initiative reflects the scale, reach and responsibility of basketball communities across metropolitan, regional and rural Victoria. “Basketball is Victoria’s highest-participation team sport, with more than 691,000 participants and over 29 million visits to basketball venues each year,” Honey said. “Our participants, particularly young drivers, parents and supporters, travel more kilometres per season than any other team sport, with 100 of our associations located outside metropolitan areas. “This partnership allows us to speak directly to our community about making safer choices every time they get behind the wheel.” Through the program, community basketball clubs will be eligible to share in merchandise and vouchers valued at $40,000 by demonstrating how they are actively promoting road safety within their local communi-
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Those with hay available are encouraged to reach out to bushfire affected people. (Supplied)
Horse talk Basketball Victoria will be first cab off the rank in 2026, activating its Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Road Safety Round from January 19 to February 1. (Gary Sissons: 492204) ties. Across summer, the pilot will focus on the dangers of speed, equipping clubs with resources to promote the TAC’s campaign messages: Slow down on the road. Make the right choice. Be the Difference. These messages reinforce the shared responsibility all road users have to keep themselves and others safe. TAC CEO Tracey Slatter said sporting organisations play a vital role in influencing positive behaviour beyond the field of play. “The TAC is proud to expand its involvement in grassroots sport to reach as many people as possible with the simple but lifesaving message to slow down,” Slatter said. “Whether it’s players, families, volunteers or supporters, sporting communities have the power to model safe driving behaviour
and create lasting cultural change.” The initiative builds on the success of the TAC’s Club Rewards program, which has seen hundreds of football and netball clubs become road safety advocates across Victoria over the past six years. Elite basketball clubs, including Melbourne United and Bendigo Spirit, will also amplify road safety messages throughout the season, extending the campaign’s reach to fans and members across the state. The partnership comes after 288 people lost their lives on Victorian roads last year, with speeding a major contributor to around 30 per cent of fatalities. The TAC has recently launched its major holiday road safety advertising campaign, featuring new television ads highlighting the dangers of speed and drink driving.
By Anita Prowse Hopefully everyone got through the fire weather unscathed. A huge thanks goes out to all those helping and donating feed, transport and accommodation etc. The equestrian community is always so strong and generous during a crisis. There’s numerous posts and comments on Facebook groups offering goods and services, so if anyone is in need, please scroll through and do what you can, many of our northern neighbours have lost their hay, so we will need to keep an eye on that in coming weeks and give what we can. We do have a few things coming up: the UYPC’s Australia Day Freshmans is on 26 January, starting at poles, at approximately 9.30am and then 30cms, 45 cms, 60cms, 75 cms, 90 cms and more on demand. Tickets available on the day, we hope you come and enjoy our annual Aussie day fun.
Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 | MAIL 35
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