Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 14th July 2026

Purple for ‘Miss Melinda’

By Tanya Steele

A force of nature, a local mother and a volunteer that never did anything halfheartedly, a Yarra Ranges resident Melinda Gordon-Addison has been honoured by her CFA.

The vibrant mother of two and cherished CFA member of the Belgrave Heights and South brigade lost her life in a tragic car accident in 2022 and a purple plaque now rests in a newly established garden, engraved with her name, sparkling in the winter sunshine next to a handcrafted wooden bench.

Melinda’s widower Simon and former CFA Captain and current member Sean Grondman

Feral deer almost kills Hills man ...

Call for controls

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A Ferny Creek resident is calling for stronger, ongoing deer control measures after a close encounter with a female sambar deer left him counting his luck.

Bob Stevens has lived in Ferny Creek for 18 years, he said the incident highlighted growing concerns among Yarra Ranges residents about the risks deer pose to drivers, cyclists, the environment, native wildlife, waterways, farms and private gardens.

On Friday morning, 3 July, Mr Stevens was driving home from grocery shopping along Churchill Drive when a deer came down a steep roadside embankment and collided with his vehicle.

The animal went over the top of the car, smashing the side mirror and rear driver’s side window with its legs.

Mr Stevens said he felt extremely fortunate to escape without injury, and that the outcome could have been much worse if someone had been sitting in the back seat or if the deer had entered the vehicle.

The incident renewed his concerns about deer management.

He believes ongoing investment in deer control is essential and warned that reduced efforts could allow numbers to rise again.

came together to reflect on her memory and quietly celebrate Melinda and her volunteering spirit, along with the impact she made within her community.

The garden and memorial came together with help from across the volunteers at the CFA and appeared in time for the brigade’s 100 year celebration in March.

Former Belgrave Heights and South CFA Captain Sean Grondman said when planning the memorial garden and the two large stones within it, Melinda was always going to have one on her own.

“It’s fantastic to see the memorial finally here,” he said.

Read more on page 7

He said he was driving carefully, as he always does in areas where wildlife is common, but did not see the deer before it struck.

Parks Victoria said wild deer pose significant risks to biodiversity and community safety, with annual control programs operating in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with 420 deer had been removed over the past four years.

Read the full story on page 4

Damage to Bob Stevens’ car after a sambar deer collided with the vehicle in Ferny Creek. (Supplied)

Melinda’s widower Simon Addison at the memorial. (Tanya Steele: 565211)

Lessons of policeman’s death ignored, says widow

By Oliver Winn

The wife of a Launching Place policeman who was murdered in 2005 has strongly rebuked the Victoria Police’s potential plans to reinstate solo patrols.

It came after reporting by the Herald Sun on 7 July revealed police were considering reversing a ban on “one-up” highway patrol shifts

Tina Hogarth-Clarke’s husband, Senior Constable Tony Clarke, was murdered in Launching Place while working one-up in 2005.

Victoria Police assistant commissioner Mick Hermans said the changes would see highway patrol members work one-up but be deployed in “close proximity” to another member to support “greater visibility” of police force members on roads.

“The health and safety of our members remains the number one priority of Victoria Police,” Mr Hermans said.

But Ms Hogarth-Clarke slammed the idea and said Victoria Police had forgotten the lessons of her husband’s death.

“There is no doubt in my mind that my husband, SC Tony Clarke, would be alive today if he was working two-up the night he was murdered on the side of Warburton Highway Launching Place in April 2005,” she said to the Herald Sun.

Five years later, coroner Kim Parkinson’s report into the death of Senior Constable Tony Clarke found the one-up patrol policy had contributed towards his death.

“I am satisfied that solo police intercepts of drivers in isolated areas and particularly at night are unsafe,” Ms Parkinson said at the time.

But it was in 2015 when solo patrols were finally banned off the back of a planned terrorist attack against a police officer.

When Mr Clarke died, it sent the Yarra Ranges reeling with grief.

He had intercepted a vehicle and was about to administer a breath test when at some point, the driver managed to gain possession of Mr Clarke’s gun.

The driver, a Croydon man named Mark Bailey, then fatally shot Mr Clarke and stole the police car.

He then left the scene, before turning the gun on himself.

Ms Hogarth-Clarke said to the Herald Sun her husband’s death was preventable.

“I wouldn’t have been left to raise our baby son on my own and he would not have had to grow up never knowing his dad,” she said.

Mr Hermans said Victoria Police would first engage with the workforce on the change and consult any occupational health and safety assessments.

“Any potential changes will also be preceded by a trial period within the State Highway Patrol involving a pilot which will allow for further refinement if required prior to any broader application,” he said.

“A highly visible police presence provides a significant general deterrence and will lead to less road trauma.”

Mr Hermans said the change was not because of vacancy numbers as the same number of police would be deployed.

The Police Association Victoria’s (TPAV) website’s count of current police officers totals 15,555, with a required number of 17,020 – a gap of just under 1500 members.

A memorial plaque on the Warburton Rail Trail commemorates Mr Clarke’s death. (Neil Follett, Monument Australia)

IN BRIEF

Arcare stands accused

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

One of Australia’s largest aged care providers is facing a Federal Court class action over allegations residents were charged daily fees for additional services they did not, and could not, use, including high teas, exercise classes and bus outings.

The proceeding has been filed on behalf of residents who lived at Arcare aged care facilities and paid for the provider’s “signature package” , which allegedly included an additional daily services fee ranging from $20 to $35.

Thecurrentclaimdoesnotincluderesidents from Arcare Slacks Creek, Arcare Eight Mile Plains and Arcare Hope Island in Queensland.

The lawsuit alleges residents were charged for services despite being unable to access or benefit from them because of their individual circumstances.

The high-profile global law firm, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, is acting for the applicants. In an email, it said the proceeding is an open class action, with the lead applicant filing the claim on her own behalf and on behalf of other eligible residents.

On a conservative estimate, the law firm said about 7500 group members could be covered by the proceeding.

The lead applicant is from Victoria but is not available for comment because of her role in the legal proceedings.

The matter is expected to be listed for its first case management conference in the Federal Court within the next month.

In a statement, Arcare said it would not comment on the allegations while the matter is before the court.

“As the matter you have referred to is currently before the Federal Court, it would not be appropriate for Arcare to comment on the allegations or the legal proceedings,” the statement said.

“Arcare remains committed to providing high-quality care and services that support each resident’s choice, independence and dignity.”

“We value feedback from our residents and their families and encourage anyone with questions or concerns about their own care or services to speak with their residence manager or contact us through our established feedback and complaints process.”

Seniors Rights Victoria and the Council on the Ageing (COTA) Victoria said they would watch the case with interest.

COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria chief executive officer, Ben Rogers said it was

vital that older people who chose to pay for additional services in residential aged care were not taken advantage of.

“For an aged care provider to charge a resident for extras they do not - or cannot - use is extremely concerning,” he said.

“It needs to be stopped so we can maintain trust in the system.”

Mr Rogers said concerns about optional fees in aged care had existed before recent reforms and continued following the introduction of the Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) last November, which was intended to provide greater choice for residents.

He said the organisations would continue monitoring the rollout of HELF to ensure older Victorians did not encounter a two-tier system, noting the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission had launched investigations into several residential aged care providers over the fee.

“The aged care system needs to effectively support and protect aged care residents in Victoria,” Mr Rogers said.

“COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria will continue to systemically advocate on behalf of older Victorians so these reforms can deliver on their potential, and in doing so, protect residents from financial exploitation, neglect and harm.”

A man has died following a hit-run collision in Cockatoo last month.

It is alleged a 44-year-old Cockatoo man who was driving a Ford Territory struck a cyclist on Pakenham Road about 3pm on Friday, 26 June.

The cyclist, a 47-year-old man of no fixed address, was airlifted to hospital that day with life-threatening injuries and has later died in hospital on the morning of 11 July.

The driver of the Territory allegedly failed to stop at the scene, then dumped the vehicle at a nearby reserve on Hillside Road.

The 44-year-old was arrested on 27 June and at the time was charged with internationally cause serious injury and dangerous driving causing serious injury. Homicide Squad are now investigating the matter and will consider whether the charges will be upgraded.

The Cockatoo man was remanded to next appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 September.

Sienna still missing

Knox police and family are concerned for the welfare of a young Wantirna South teenager who has been missing since late June.

Sienna, 15, was last seen on Beachwood Drive, Wantirna South around 8pm on June 21 wearing a dark hoodie and dark shoes and police confirmed on Monday 13 July that she remains missing. Police and family have concerns for Sienna’s welfare and are asking for community to assist and let them know if they have seen her or know where she may be.

Community in the outer east are urged to contact Knox Police Station on (03) 9881 7000.

Dash cam appeal

Police are appealing to the community for dash cam footage after a green Holden sedan allegedly evaded State Highway Patrol officers on Wellington Road in Lysterfield, on Thursday 25 June.

The vehicle was allegedly detected travelling at 107km/h in an 80km/h zone at about 4.10pm before accelerating towards Kelletts Road. Police allege the driver crossed on to the wrong side of Wellington Road near the hill approaching the intersection. Anyone with dash cam footage from the area at the time is urged to contact Leading Senior Constable Rapley-Smith at Knox Police Station on 9565 9000. Safe phones during AusAlert

For women and children experiencing domestic violence – if you have a hidden safe phone, you are recommended to turn it off, give it to a safe person, or switch it to airplane mode on 27 July at 12pm.

A new national warning system, called the AusAlert test, will send a safety alarm to all phones at this time, even if the volume is turned down or the phone is on silent/do not disturb. For more information, visit: ausalert.gov.au Satellite phone found in Rowville Knox Police are seeking the owner of an Inmarsat satellite phone found at the corner of Wellington Road and Westminster Drive in Rowville on 28 March.

The phone was handed in to Knox Police Station.

Anyone who believes it belongs to them, or knows who owns it, is asked to contact Knox Police on 9881 7000. Proof of ownership will be required.

Arcare Aged Care has been accused of charging residents for services they could not use. (File)

Cockatoo cyclist loses life after hit and run

Call for feral deer control

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A Ferny Creek resident has renewed calls for ongoing deer control after a close call with a female sambar deer left him counting his luck.

Bob Stevens, who has lived in Ferny Creek with his wife for 18 years, said residents across the Yarra Ranges region had become increasingly concerned about the growing presence of deer and the risks they pose to drivers, cyclists, the environment, waterways, native flora and fauna, farming properties and private gardens.

On Friday morning, 3 July, at 8.55am, Mr Stevens was driving home from grocery shopping along Churchill Drive, Ferny Creek, when a deer came down a steep roadside embankment and struck his vehicle.

“It was a clear morning and the road was clear of any other vehicles,” Mr Stevens said.

“I always drive carefully along Churchill Dve in Ferny Creek, particularly early morning, dusk and at night due to the possible presence of deer, wallabies and other wildlife.”

Mr Stevens said he did not see the deer before it hit his car and believed it may have attempted to jump over the vehicle at the last moment.

The deer went over the top of the car, but its legs smashed the side mirror and rear driver’s side window.

“I feel extremely lucky to have escaped unscathed,” Mr Stevens said.

“Had anyone been in the back seat they would have been showered with shattered glass and I’m lucky the deer didn’t end up in my lap.”

The deer eventually got to its feet and walked into the bush, leaving Mr Stevens shocked but unharmed.

The incident reignited Mr Stevens’ concerns

about deer control, an issue he has been raising for years.

In 2021, he contacted several government agencies and representatives seeking action, but said he became frustrated after being referred between different organisations over responsibility for managing the problem.

Mr Stevens said he was frustrated by what he described as “lip service” in previous years, with “too many committees, plans, meetings and talk, without meaningful timely action”

He said deer had been a problem for more than a decade, and believed only now was there a serious, concentrated effort to reduce deer numbers and their impacts, which he said remained dependent on ongoing government funding.

Mr Stevens said he believed stronger deer control should have happened much earlier.

“It made me angry that had proper deer control been carried out many years ago as it should have been, the chances of my collision occurring would have been extremely remote,” he said.

He said the crash highlighted the risks deer continue to pose, particularly to road users.

“Hundreds of cyclists pass our property each weekend and travel at high speed down Churchill Drive,” Mr Stevens said.

“If one was to hit a deer that suddenly clambered down on to the road like the one that I collided with, they wouldn’t stand a chance.”

In response to Mr Stevens’ concerns in 2021, Yarra Ranges Council coordinator biodiversity conservation, Amanda Smith acknowledged the growing impacts of deer across the region, including damage to vegetation, native wildlife and increasing collision risks on roads.

Ms Smith said deer were becoming a significant threat faced by residents, agriculturalists, natural bushland managers and government agencies.

A Parks Victoria spokesperson said government funding had supported delivery of deer control programs, with further funding allocated for additional control actions.

“Wild deer can cause significant damage to the environment and pose safety risks to biodiversity and the community,” the spokesperson said.

“Parks Victoria runs annual deer control programs in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, with 420 deer removed over the last four years.”

Mr Stevens said ongoing investment was needed to ensure deer numbers continued to decline.

“If culled deer numbers decline, that should not be the trigger for reduced funding otherwise we will find ourselves back at square one in no time,” he said.

“Parks Victoria need to maintain dedicated deer control teams and efforts to further reduce deer numbers should be ongoing indefinitely.”

Mr Stevens said he hoped sharing his experience would reinforce the need to address the risks deer pose.

“I was lucky but the possible consequences of road collisions with these large animals should not be simply ignored or dismissed,” he said.

Michael Smith appointed to Respect Victoria board

By Callum Ludwig

There will be eastern expertise on the new board of Respect Victoria following the appointment of Michael Smith.

Mr Smith is the chief executive of Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) and brings his wealth of experience to the agency, which sets out to prevent family violence and violence against women in Victoria.

Mr Smith said it’s a real honour and a privilege.

“My work at Eastern Community Legal Centre, but in other organisations over many years, has very much been about both responding to family violence and preventing family violence,” he said.

“We’re very lucky to have Respect Victoria as an organisation set up by the government to really prevent family violence before it occurs, and they’ve been doing excellent work for a number of years.

“I’m really keen to support the important work they’re doing and to get that real statewide picture about how we can prevent family violence and make a much safer Victoria.”

Mr Smith is one of four new members on the board while after four years on the board, the chief executive of Women’s Legal Service Victoria Claudia Fatone has been appointed the chair for a three-year term.

Mr Smith said despite how things have improved historically, there’s still far too many people experiencing family violence.

“We know that Victoria as a state, in terms of the systems and the funding and the approach, is doing much, much better in responding to family violence than we’re used to, we know the police response is much improved, we know we’ve got some

great programs and we’ve got some things that are doing much better,” he said.

“But the levels of family violence against women and children in particular are still much too high, there are sadly women being killed every week in relation to family violence and we had another one this week in the east, which is incredibly sad.

“We need to keep improving, we need to keep redoubling our efforts to prevent family violence, to intervene early and to respond… there have been great steps forward since the Royal Commission in Victoria, but there’s much more work to do as well.”

Resident of Boroondara, Whitehorse, Manningham, Knox, Maroondah and the Yarra Ranges can seek free legal advice from ECLC at their offices in Healesville or Box Hill, as well as at outreach locations.

Mr Smith said Eastern Community Legal Centre has been working in the family violence area for over 50 years.

“We know that from conversations with people who started the organisation back then and a majority of our work relates to family violence, so we’re supporting women and children and broader community members every day responding to family violence,” he

said.

“But we know that you can’t just keep responding, you have to find ways to prevent family violence before it occurs and to intervene early so we’ve been pretty active in local primary prevention programs that prevent family violence before it occurs.

“We’re an active member of the Together for Equality and Respect partnership, which includes lots of the local councils across the east and other organisations that are looking to prevent violence, so we’ve been doing that work locally and regionally.”

The new board members commenced their terms on Tuesday 7 July 2026, replacing outgoing chair and inaugural board member Professor Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Maxine McKew AM and Professor Steven Roberts.

Respect Victoria Chief Executive Officer Helen Bolton thanked outgoing Board members for their exceptional contribution and welcomed both returning and new directors.

“Their combined expertise, experience and commitment to prevention will be invaluable as Respect Victoria continues to provide evidence-informed leadership and work alongside government, communities and partners to create lasting change,” she said.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Melissa Horne said family violence continues to have devastating impacts throughout the community – the work of Respect Victoria is more important than ever.

“The diverse skills and backgrounds of the new Board members place them in a strong position to continue Respect Victoria’s critical work,” she said.

“I thank the outgoing Chair and Board members for their outstanding service and leadership during their tenure.”

Eastern Community Legal Centre chief executive Michael Smith has been appointed to the Respect Victoria board. (Supplied)

The smashed rear driver’s side window of Bob Stevens’ car after the deer collision. (Supplied)

G8 Education sued for alleged underpayments

By Callum Ludwig

The Fair Work Ombudsman has announced legal action against the embattled earlychildhood education provider G8 Education, which runs for-profit centres in Melbourne’s outer-east.

G8 Education operates childcare centres in Healesville, Boronia, Croydon, Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark.

It follows a nightmarish last year for G8 Education, who were one of the employers of the alleged child sex abuser Joshua Brown and also suspended operations at 40 of its centres across the country in April this year.

A G8 Education spokesperson said as they previously announced in December 2020, following a proactive review of award and legislative requirements, G8 Education identified a number of inadvertent non-compliance issues.

“G8 Education immediately self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) and initiated a full remediation program,” they said.

“The program is designed to ensure all affected team members are compensated in full for any underpayments, including interest and superannuation.

“G8 Education has been working proactively with the FWO since December 2020 and has consistently complied with all FWO requests and directions.”

As part of the action, the FWO is seeking compensation of more than $2 million combined for more than 1400 workers.

It is alleged that G8 Education underpaid employees’ minimum rate and overtime entitlements, underpaid some employees engaged as trainees and failed to pay a first aid allowance to some employees.

The G8 Education spokesperson said to date, G8 Education has paid approximately $41 million in compensation to impacted employees and will remediate any further identified underpayments.

“G8 Education remains committed to working with the FWO to reach an appropriate outcome,” they said.

“Since the issues were identified in 2020, G8 Education has strengthened its internal controls to ensure that team members are correctly paid.

“Appropriate provisions for remediation payments and penalties have been included in G8 Education’s financial accounts since the issue was identified.

“G8 Education apologises unreservedly to affected team members.”

All affected employees were either children’s services employees or support workers, including some juniors aged under 20.

Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the alleged conduct was disappointing.

“It is completely unacceptable for large, well-resourced corporate employers to allegedly underpay hard-working childcare workers’ basic minimum entitlements,” she said.

“We have been saying for years that large corporate employers need to place a higher priority on ensuring they pay their employees’ lawful entitlements.”

“Any workers with concerns about their pay or entitlements should contact us for free advice and assistance.

“They can also contact their union if they are a member.”

G8 Education’s local centres are the Croydon World of Learning, Headstart Early Learning Centre Croydon, Community Kids Chirnside Park Early Education Centre, Great Beginnings Boronia and Steel Street Children’s Centre (Healesville).

Employers and employees can visit fairwork.gov.au or call the Fair Work Infoline on 13 13 94 for free advice and assistance.

An interpreter service is available on 13 14 50.

G8 Education is being sued for over $2 million over allegations of underpayments. (File)

TAC nightmares revealed

By Gabriella Vukman

In a country with universal healthcare, Australians often assume life-changing medical treatment will be there when it is needed. But for Healesville resident Tamara Tesseyman and her son Gus, accessing the care recommended by their treating specialists has become a battle lasting over a decade.

More than 12 years after she and her fouryear-old son Gus suffered catastrophic leg injuries when they were struck by a car while walking into Bunnings at Chirnside Park, Ms Tesseyman is still fighting Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission (TAC) for treatment recommended by medical professionals.

With her son in need of ongoing surgery to address growth-plate and other structural damage to his leg, Ms Tesseyman said the TAC system has become an obstruction preventing herself and her son from receiving the care they need.

“We have contacted surgeons because my son needs surgery this year, and we have been told that they don’t deal with the TAC,” Ms Tesseyman said.

“I also got a letter on 1 January from my son’s new case manager saying the TAC would no longer take responsibility for his left leg, which was the leg that was crushed in the crash.”

“We can’t access the services that we need because the TAC makes it so difficult.”

Now with a Victorian parliamentary inquiry examining the TAC, Ms Tesseyman is among a growing number of clients speaking publicly about their experiences.

The Australian Medical Association of Victoria (AMA) also made a submission to the Inquiry arguing that the TAC’s administrative, payment, billing and medico-legal processes have become unnecessarily burdensome and unpredictable, discouraging clinician participation and delaying patients’ access to timely care.

The AMA highlighted delayed and unclear payments, burdensome approval processes, routine use of medico-legal assessments, and fraud and billing integrity measures that it says are applied too broadly, resulting in prolonged reviews and payment delays for legitimate providers.

It also argued that inadequate fee settings, inconsistent billing practices, including refusal to reimburse some legitimate pre-operative consultations, and poor coordination with schemes such as the NDIS, make TAC work financially and administratively unsustainable for many clinicians.

Ms Tesseyman was told by her son’s therapists that medical professionals are not guaranteed to get paid by the TAC and that the commission pays significantly less than the market rate.

“A surgeon has to make a decision whether to take on a client that doesn’t know if the TAC will pay the fees, or to take on a client that knows they can pay all of the fees,” Ms Tasseyman said.

“Will a person not get the care they require or the best possible care they can get because the TAC won’t pay the hospital for services they are supposed to be paying for?”

Ms Tesseyman did not expect her devastating road accident in 2013 to evolve into an ongoing struggle with the TAC, leaving her family fighting the lasting effects of catastrophic injuries, alongside battling the system designed to support them.

“I am just lucky that I can speak up,” she said.

“I have seen what happens to people with cognitive disabilities who don’t understand the system.”

“People fall through the cracks. People could die. It’s not being hyperbolic. That is just reality.’

While the TAC process seemed straightforward in the early days after her accident, for Ms Tesseyman and her son, that impression quickly changed.

“The first 90 days, everything was paid for pretty easily,” Ms Tesseyman said.

“But it wasn’t long before they started rejecting treatments”

Remembering her first phone call with the TAC vividly, Ms Tesseyman said after describing extensive reconstructive surgery involving muscle transfers, skin grafts, metal rods and permanent nerve damage, her injury was brushed off as “a broken leg.”

“It was pretty upsetting,” she said.

“My leg had to be completely reconstructed.”

“To hear it described like that made me think the TAC should know how to speak to people who have just been through catastrophic trauma.”

According to Ms Tesseyman, as time went on, the TAC progressively stopped funding services recommended by her treating practitioners including physiotherapy, exercise physiology, home assistance and more recently, psychological treatment.

Most recently, Ms Tesseyman said the TAC delayed approving a replacement ankle-foot orthosis despite detailed recommendations from her treating orthotist, leaving Ms Tesseyman without walking aid when her original brace failed.

“I couldn’t leave the house because I couldn’t walk,” she said.

After eight weeks of waiting for approval, Ms Tessyman contacted local media.

“The day the article came out was the day the approval came through,” she said.

For Ms Tesseyman, the experience reinforced what she believes has become an unfortunate pattern.

“You seem to only get what you need once you become a problem.”

“The only way to put pressure on them is to go to politicians or to the media.”

Living with permanent mobility impairment caused by severe muscle loss and foot drop, requiring ankle-foot orthosis to walk safely, without regular physiotherapy, Ms Tesseyman said maintaining mobility has become increasingly difficult.

“I can’t lift my leg by myself, so there is no way I can do all of the exercises on my own.”

For Ms Tesseyman, one of the most distressing experiences came after successfully appealing for a small number of additional therapy sessions.

To receive them, she was required to sign an agreement preventing future claims for physiotherapy related to the same injury.

“I ended up having to sign away my rights to physiotherapy for that injury forever,” she said.

The experience, combined with post-traumatic stress disorder, left her withdrawing from public life.

“I don’t think I left the house for a year.”

Despite struggling with her own health issues, Ms Tesseyman’s greatest concern is now her son.

“We don’t want Gus to have to fight for his healthcare forever.”

Ms Tesseyman is an administrator of an independent online support group for TAC clients.

The group, which began in early 2024 and grew steadily throughout 2024, became a forum for injured Victorians to share experiences of delayed treatment, payment disputes and difficulties navigating the scheme.

Through that network, she said she has heard repeated accounts of people struggling to access wheelchairs, home modifications, rehabilitation equipment and psychological support.

“I know people who have bought their own wheelchairs because they couldn’t get approval.”

“I know people paying for modifications to their cars because they can’t drive without them,” she said.

Those shared experiences eventually led a number of TAC clients to approach politicians, and in early 2026, members began organising collectively, encouraging claimants to document their experiences and raise concerns with Members of Parliament.

Ms Tesseyman and other group members met with Victorian MP David Limbrick, who subsequently moved for a parliamentary inquiry into the TAC.

Following a coordinated campaign by claim-

ants to contact MPs and share their experiences, the Legislative Council voted in February 2026 to establish the inquiry.

When the inquiry called for submissions in March, members of the group helped other claimants prepare submissions by sharing information, answering questions and developing templates.

Many also attended the public hearings in June, where injured Victorians, stakeholder organisations and the TAC gave evidence.

The TAC was contacted for comment and said it has already introduced significant reforms to improve client experiences and address many of the issues raised during the parliamentary inquiry.

Head of Clients at TAC, Kath Gobbi, said the organisation remained focused on supporting injured Victorians while ensuring treatment decisions were evidence-based.

“We are committed to supporting the recovery and wellbeing of every TAC client, and that means making treatment decisions based on clinical evidence and what will deliver the best long-term outcomes.”

Ms Gobbi said the TAC had implemented a range of changes over the past two years and welcomed the parliamentary inquiry.

“We have made a range of improvements over the past two years to address the issues raised in the inquiry and we look forward to the committee’s report and recommendations for further improvement.”

The TAC said it funded almost $1.9 billion in treatment, rehabilitation, benefits and compensation last year.

Of more than 100,000 treatment requests assessed during the period, 70 per cent were decided within 10 days, 92 per cent within 30 days, and 95.8 per cent were approved or partially approved.

According to the commission, relatively few treatment decisions proceeded to review.

Of more than 100,000 treatment requests, around 3200 were challenged through informal reviews, disputes or applications to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Of those reviews that were resolved, the TAC said 95 per cent resulted in the original decision being upheld or settled by compromise, while five per cent were overturned.

The TAC said it can only fund treatments that meet the requirements of the Transport Accident Act, including that they relate to injuries sustained in a transport accident, are clinically justified, represent reasonable use of public funds and are expected to improve a client’s rehabilitation or independence.

The organisation said feedback from clients had informed its six-year Make Every Day Matter reform strategy, launched in late 2024, which it says has already reduced wait times, improved dispute resolution and enhanced customer service.

It also highlighted improvements to payment systems, shorter call wait times, a streamlined Independent Medical Examination process, and the introduction of artificial intelligence tools to improve record-keeping and client communication.

The TAC said it is also working to reduce administrative burden for health providers by streamlining billing, payment and approval processes. It noted fee increases introduced this year for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology and neuropsychology, with further fee reviews across other allied health professions scheduled throughout 2026.

Asked what she hopes will come from the inquiry, Ms Tesseyman said her priority is improving injured Victorians’ access to treatment by making the scheme easier for clinicians to work with.

“We need to reduce the administrative burden on clinicians and improve the TAC’s payment systems,” she said.

She also wants claimants to have a stronger voice in how the scheme operates.

“We don’t even know how many people have taken their lives from the stress of dealing with the TAC,” she said. “I would like the TAC to stop causing harm to people.”

The parliamentary committee is expected to hand down its report in August.

Those experiencing difficulties with the TAC who would like peer support or practical guidance are encouraged to join the TAC Client Support Group on Facebook.

Ms Tesseyman and her family. (Supplied)

69 submissions were made to the Inquiry. (File: 541676)

Gus’ first walk with his brother after three months of not being able to. (Supplied)

Memorial for Miss Melinda

By Tanya Steele

A memorial garden with a touch of purple has been created at Belgrave South CFA to honour longtime volunteer Melinda Gordon-Addison, whose life was tragically cut short in a car crash in 2022.

As Belgrave Heights and Belgrave South CFA celebrated 100 years of service in late March, volunteers also quietly honoured one of their own.

A newly installed garden has been planned by the volunteers for some time, who want to cherish and uphold Melinda’s memory and spirit in the community.

Melinda’s widower, Simon Addison, spoke with Star Mail about how much having the plaque for Melinda in the garden there means, meeting with former CFA Captain Sean Grondman to reflect together.

Melinda’s dedication to CFA was a big part of both their lives. Wearing a vibrant shirt in her honour, Simon said that after Melinda died, donations for her from the community went to the CFA.

“It was a final thing that Melinda could do for the brigade,” said Simon.

Former Belgrave South CFA Captain Sean Grondman said when planning the memorial garden and the two large stones within it, Melinda was always going to have one on her own.

“It’s fantastic to see the memorial finally here,” he said.

Always looking for the ‘next thing ‘, Sean said he recalled that Melinda would keep the members engaged with fundraising and support and always brought new ideas to improve her community through volunteering, often calling him and the former CFA Captain to keep things moving at the station.

“She had a knack for wrangling volunteers and kids,” he said. “Her volunteering spirit with the brigade and community was outstanding.”

Known to many as Miss Melinda, Melinda was an active volunteer at the CFA, local primary school and more throughout Belgrave South and Belgrave Heights.

To bring the garden to life, a supplier in Bayswater supplied the rocks, while a brigade mem-

ber, John, crafted the wooden bench with donated timber. The plaque for Melinda and the CFA logo on the bench are coloured purple in honour of her.

In February 2022, the accident that took Melinda’s life was highly traumatic, as an afternoon trip attending a motorcycle event turned to tragedy. A woman driving under the influence clipped one vehicle before crossing on to the wrong side of the road and colliding head-on with Melinda’s car.

Rushing to the scene that day, Simon said, looking back, that being there was really important to him. “She was gone, but I got to say my goodbyes to her, hold her hand,” he said.

Simon said he was ‘pissed’ at the driver for at least two weeks, and then intentionally decided to not let her live in his head, later doing counselling.

“I sort of hit that bottom and thought I can still get out of this, I’m going to do something,” he said. “If you let it define you, it can hold you back for the rest of your life.”

The couple had built a life in their community and were long-term members of their brigade, Simon said he joined after the 1997 fires, and Melinda got involved as well, taking up various roles.

The duo also ran a local karate dojo, and Melinda also ran a dancing school for a number of years.

“She always danced. Her mother was a dancer, and her two sisters are dancers,” said Simon.

Simon has also begun a scholarship in memory of Melinda at her sister’s school.

The two met in in their younger years, when they were both Rovers and Simon said he fancied Melinda from the start but was quite shy with her at first.

“She loved to dance and perform,” he said.

Always involved and always giving back, the two were also part of a car club together, and Melinda also helped out at Belgrave South Primary every year with the school’s production.

“Wherever something was needed, she was there,” said Simon.

In 2023, sentencing the driver responsible to seven years for culpable driving causing death , the judge at the time said all of the victim impact

statements proved just how loved Melinda was.

“All of those victim impact statements read of a very loved, very active, very lively country woman – she was involved in the CFA, involved in her community, very much involved in dancing –clearly a real contributor to her community and a lifelong very, very dear partner to her husband,” they said.

In 2026, Simon said that as life got busy, he has moved on from the CFA and has another partner in his life, but Melinda is always with him and her two sons, who are now in their mid-twenties.

“I don’t think you’re ever old enough to lose your Mum,” Simon said. The bench now sits alongside the garden as a place for people to sit and enjoy a minute or two in their day, with a vibrant purple touch to preserve Melinda’s memory.

As CFA get through a busy winter and a new Captain steps up, Sean said that Belgrave South CFA are always happy to welcome new volunteers, and the community is always welcome to get in touch with them at the station to find out more.

Volunteer funding overhaul leaves VRCs in the lurch

By Oliver Winn

Volunteer support organisations across the country banded together to launch a petition calling for funding amid growing uncertainty.

Known as Volunteer Resource Centres (VRC), these place-based organisations are vital pieces of the volunteer framework, connecting volunteers with the organisations that need them.

In the outer east, EV Strengthening Communities is a VRC that has supported individuals into volunteering and strengthened local organisations.

But its chief executive officer Viv Cunningham-Smith said the petition demanded consistent funding beyond 2027 from the Federal Government.

“The petition that we’re asking people to sign is to let government know that there remains an urgent need in all communities across Australia for those core functions of Volunteer Resource Centres to be restored, to allow people to have in their communities a place to go to find volunteering opportunities.”

But a Federal Government Department of Social Services (DSS) spokesperson said from next year, changes were being made to the funding model for VRCs “improve consistency”

“Under this new model, community organisations, such as Volunteer Resource Centres (VRCs), will be able to apply for funding through their state and territory peak body for local projects. Funding for successful applicants will be provided from 1 July 2027,” a DSS spokesperson said.

“To prepare for the changes to the program, Volunteer Resource Centres have been offered a 12-month extension to their current funding arrangements under the VMA, to 30 June 2027.”

Volunteer Resource Centres (VRC) have provided essential support to volunteers across the country. (File)

Under the new arrangements, it’s unclear whether the 40 existing VRCs would all be able to all receive funding, or if only a limited number of applicants will be successful.

For 40 years, EV Strengthening Communities has been the central hub of the volunteering network. But in 2020, the Federal Government stopped funding VRCs, which stripped EV Strengthening Communities’s ability to support 600 outer east volunteer networks.

VRCs like EV Strengthening Communities have been funded with yearly $50,000 grants since 2021. Though it’s merely a fraction of what the organisations need to properly deliver their services, these grants have at least helped them keep the doors open.

Ms Cunningham-Smith said the Yarra Rang-

es would lose a vital volunteer workforce if EV Strengthening Communities were to shut down.

“There’s nowhere for people to go to be able to get into volunteering. So we’re losing people to deliver services in the community.

“There’s services in the arts, there’s services in the environment, there are community services, there are emergency management services, tourism services right across the spectrum.

“If we don’t have a pipeline of people who want to volunteer and are assisted to volunteer, then the consequence of that is reduced services to the community,” Ms Cunningham-Smith said.

VRCs were places were those who wanted to volunteer were able to find the opportunities to

do so. Meanwhile, VRCs also provided support for organisations with volunteers, such as training and upskilling.

With 480 signatures, the petition is gaining support from across the country.

The petition states if funding were to be replaced by a centralised model, communities would risk losing the local expertise of VRCs.

Among the 600 organisations across the outer east EV Strengthening Communities used to assist was Healesville Living and Learning Centre (HLLC).

Though HLLC executive officer Nich Rogers was only appointed after EV Strengthening Communities had to scale back its services, he said the benefits they could provide now would be significant.

“It would be really helpful to have more resources from a service like EV because I’m no expert when it comes to volunteers.

“I’ve got staff to manage, contractors to manage, trainers to manage, and I also have volunteers at my service, but having some frameworks or some resources and some resources would be really helpful to me in order to better support volunteers,” Mr Rogers said.

Ms Cunningham-Smith said EV StrengtheningCommunitiesalsosupportedalargenumber of community houses in the outer east throughout the Yarra Ranges, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Manningham LGAs.

“We’ve helped suppor the neighborhood groups. In fact, before Aaron Violi went into politics, I trained him on in governance in committees when he was on the Lilydale Township Group,” she said.

“We need to restore the place-based volunteer resource centres into communities if we want sustainable volunteering to continue into the future.”

Simon Addison and former CFA Captain and current Belgrave South volunteer Sean Grondman. (Tanya Steele: 565211).

Volunteers dig in for Upwey

By Tanya Steele

A group of young environmental volunteers is helping transform an overgrown pocket of Upwey bushland while building a stronger community in the process.

Urban Guerillas, a volunteer group founded by environmental science students, recently held a community planting day at Brooking Street Reserve, where volunteers planted native shrubs and grasses to restore habitat for small birds and insects.

Co-founder Callum Clarke said the group became involved after he and his partner moved to Upwey about a year ago and noticed the reserve looking overrun with invasive weeds.

“There were beautiful mature trees and tree ferns already there, but the understory was just covered in blackberry, trad and other environmental weeds,” he said.

After speaking with neighbours and working with Yarra Ranges Council, the group has adopted the reserve as an ongoing restoration project.

“We can let Yarra Ranges Council know when particular weeds need attention while we continue restoring the site,” said Mr Clarke.

Over the weekend of June 20 and 21 , the team of 35 volunteers from Urban Guerrillas, along with local community members and members of the Iranian community, came together to plant around 1150 locally native plants at the reserve.

The group said that they got a huge amount done via social media on 23 June.

“We have added an additional 16 locally endemic species, which will support birds, frogs, insects and other plants in the reserve,” the post said.

“We were so stoked to see everyone getting a huge amount done through the pouring rain and muddy slopes.”

Mr Clarke said most of the species they planted can be sourced from local indigenous plant nurseries, and the Yarra Ranges Council supported the site regeneration efforts.

Mountain Timbers in Kilsyth has long been a trusted name for quality timber, building supplies and expert service throughout Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The business is now entering an exciting new chapter, with Jarrad Peters and Chris Shambrook recently taking over the company, bringing with them a combined 40 years of experience in the building and timber industry.

For Jarrad and Chris, owning Mountain Timbers is the culmination of a dream years in the making. The pair grew up together in Somerville, where they became best mates and spent countless hours playing basketball. Their friendship eventually led them into the timber industry, with Chris helping Jarrad secure a job in timber sales seven years ago.

A few years later, they shared an ambitious goal of owning their own timber yard. They spent almost every night for two years planning, preparing and working towards making that dream a reality. Today, they are proud to call Mountain Timbers their own.

Both Jarrad and Chris have young families, giving them a strong appreciation for the importance of supporting local businesses and building strong community connections. They say they still have to pinch themselves that they now own their own timber yard and describe working alongside their best mate every day as a surreal experience.

Their extensive knowledge and passion for the trade place Mountain Timbers in capable hands as they continue the tradition of providing outstanding service to local builders, tradespeople and home renovators. They understand the importance of quality products, reliable advice and building lasting relationships with customers.

Serving customers across the region, Mountain Timbers has earned a reputation as a trusted destination for everything from structural timber and decking materials to builders hardware and construction supplies. Whether tackling a major building project or a weekend renovation, customers know they can rely on the experienced team for practical support and expert guidance.

Jarrad and Chris are committed to preserving the values that have made Mountain Timbers a respected local business while also bringing fresh ideas and energy to its future growth. Their vision is focused on supporting local trades, helping homeowners bring their projects to life and ensuring the business remains a valued part of the Kilsyth community for many years to come.

With a dedicated and knowledgeable team behind them, reliable delivery services and a comprehensive product range, Mountain Timbers is well positioned for the future. Under the leadership of two lifelong friends who turned a shared dream into reality, the business is set to continue its proud legacy of quality products, trusted advice and outstanding customer service.

The volunteers are aiming to rebuild the missing middle layer of vegetation with native shrubs and prickly plants that provide food and shelter for smaller native birds.

“The really big eucalyptus trees are already there, but what was missing was that lower layer,” Mr Clarke said.

“We’re planting species that little birds love and that noisy miners don’t, because it’s those smaller birds we’re seeing decline the most in urban areas.”

Urban Guerillas began several years ago when a group of Deakin University environmental science students started looking for ways to apply their university-learned skills to gain conservation experience outside the classroom.

Working alongside the KooyongKoot Alliance (KAA) and Melbourne Water, the organisation has since expanded to six active restoration sites across Melbourne, including projects in Burwood, Nunawading and Upwey.

Many volunteers now work professionally in bushland regeneration and environmental management, but continue giving their time to community projects on weekends.

Mr Clarke said one of the group’s biggest goals was making environmental volunteering accessible to everyone.

“We’re real advocates for education and sharing knowledge,” he said.

“We want to do the right thing by the environment and build community in a positive way.”

He said he hopes more Upwey residents will become involved as restoration work continues.

“The idea is to build enough local involvement that people from around Brooking Street can come together and create a real community around caring for the reserve,” he said.

“People can feel intimidated because they don’t always know what’s a weed and what’s not, but we’re happy to share that knowledge.

“It’s a really special community up here, and people are keen to learn more about the environment and get involved.”

Community Course Guide Course Guide

Lots to come in term three

We have a lot of our regular activities returning for Term 3 at Lilydale Community House. New ones this term include Meditation classes on Saturday mornings, 9.30-10.30am. An hour of meditation to set you up ready for the weekend. We also have Ability Cooking specifically for people with a disability. This is a free 6-week course, where people will learn how to cook or improve their cooking skills. Generously funded by Community Bank Mt Evelyn, this has very limited spaces so enquiries are only by ringing us on 7036 6813.

The Lilydale & District Historical Society will be conducting another walk. This time it will be a tour of the Old Lilydale Lawn Cemetery, with many interesting stories of local people who are laid to rest here. And once again Bunnings Lilydale will be run-

Mountain District Learning Centre 13-15 The Avenue, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156 (03) 9758 7859 | office@mdlc.org.au | www.mdlc.org.au Proudly a Learn Local & Registered Training Organisation | RTO 3969 Semester 2, 2026 (Terms 3 & 4) - Adult Education Classes

Read Write Now

Boost your literacy, numeracy, and digital skills in a supportive, fun, and personalized learning environment! Gain practical skills that fit your needs and interests.

Talk Learn Live: Everyday English (NEW)

Empower your voice with Talk, Learn, Live—a practical English course designed to help you connect, communicate, and thrive in your Australian community. Build skills that open doors to work, friendships, and new experiences!

Workshop series “Digital Skills for Work and Life”

Learn to use your phone, tablet or laptop with confidence. Join friendly, hands-on workshops to build everyday digital skills—from texting to video calls and online safety. Attend one or as many as you like.

Health and Financial Wellbeing

Learn how small changes can improve your mental health and financial wellbeing. Join our course to discover simple, practical ways to feel more confident and in control.

English for Living and Working in Australia

Build your English skills for everyday life and work with our confidence-boosting class. Get practical language support tailored to your needs.

English Conversation Groups Is English your second language? Do you want to improve your speaking and listening skills? Join our group where you can practice English and gain confidence in real-life conversations.

Brainworks

Keep your mind sharp and improve your thinking skills with this fun and engaging course! Build focus, stay mentally active, and enjoy brainboosting activities.

Semester 2 (includes Term 3 and 4) 13 July – 11 December 2026 Free for eligible learners

An Enrolment Form must be completed. For more information, contact the MDLC office. (03)9758 7859 www.mdlc.org.au

ning a “Potting Up For Wellbeing” session on 7 th September for Women’s Health Week. This term also sees two sessions of Nervous System Workshops in the evening on 26 August and 16 September.

We are pleased to announce that we will be holding an Open Forum on Wednesday 5 August, 6.30-8.30pm with Councillors Tim Heenan and Mitch Mazzarella from Yarra Ranges Council. We invite the community to come along and ask questions, raise concerns and listen and speak to your local councillors for Billanook and Melba Wards. RSVP August 3 for catering purposes.

Check out our program! Come along and join in the fun in any of our regular activities too! Our website is: lilydalech.org.au or phone us on 7036 6813.

We offer a variety of classes, workshops and social activities at low cost or no cost

Our activities for TERM 3, 2026 starting Monday 13 July

MONDAYS

Paint, Draw, Create, Explore 10.30–12.30pm Gold coin donation Soup & Stories 11am–1pm Cost: Free Make soup together and eat together Creative Arts (4 weeks)

20 July–10 August, 1-3pm Cost: $100 Join Leigh to learn different media as well as her popular oil painting. Materials supplied.

TUESDAYS

Table Tennis 1-3pm. Gold coin donation Pop Pilates

An upbeat full body toning session with easy to follow moves and fun music. 6.30-7.30pm Contact 0457 008 627 directly.

WEDNESDAYS

Nervous System Workshops

26 August or 16 September

7-8.30pm Cost: $10 a session

Understanding the nervous system and how it impacts your body and its regulation.

THURSDAYS

Step & Connect Women’s Social Walks Group leaves the House 9.30am sharp. Return for a cuppa. Cost: Free Cooking Together

30 July, 6, 13, 20, 27 August. 11am-1pm Cost: $50 for 5 weeks. The Singing Circle

Join Barb for singing and laughter each week. 1.30-3.00pm. $10 per session. Pay on the day.

FRIDAYS

Exercise for Older Adults (Class 1) 10-10.45am. $10 a session. Exercise for Older Adults (Class 2) 11-11.45am. $10 a session.

SATURDAYS

Meditation NEW Starts 18 July 9.30-10.30am Cost: $10 a session, $90 for 9 week term.

SESSIONS

History Walk

Thursday 6 August

Old Lilydale Cemetery – 10am-12pm Cost: $15

Potting Up for Wellbeing Monday 7 September Time: 1-3pm Cost: Free

TALKING CAFE

Wednesdays @Hendriks, 54 John St Lilydale

Join others for a cuppa and chat, 2-3pm

OPEN FORUM

Join Councillors Tim Heenan, Billanook Ward and Mitch Mazarrella, Melba Ward for a 2hour Open Forum.

We invite the community to come along and ask questions, raise concerns and listen and speak to your local councillors for Billanook and Melba Wards.

Wednesday August 5, 6.30-8.30pm RSVP by August 3

Light refreshments will be available. Please RSVP for catering purposes.

Hard at work. (Supplied)

Cultivate your cooking craft in the kitchen.

Soup and Stories is always popular in the cold months of winter.

Keeping the stars in reach

By Tanya Steele

Saturday 11 July saw a passionate volunteer group celebrate 15 years of sharing the wonders of astronomy with the community atop Mount Burnett.

Despite bracing cold and windy conditions, founding members of Mount Burnett Observatory Inc. (MBO), current committee members, volunteers and local dignitaries gathered to mark the milestone.

Founding members Ken Beard, Barry Cleland, Ray Schmidt, Perry Vlahos and James Murray (who was unable to attend in person) formed what is now known as Mount Burnett Observatory Inc. after taking over the lease of the observatory and reopening it to the public in 2011.

A commemorative plaque was unveiled during the celebrations before guests were invited to tour the observatory and its telescope viewing stations.

Founding president Perry Vlahos said each of the original members brought unique skills that helped make the ambitious project possible.

“We managed to get this wonderful observatory opened again to the public,” he said.

The Mount Burnett site was originally established by Monash University in the early 1970s as

a field station for Physics Department researchers and PhD students, offering almost uninterrupted 360-degree views of the night sky.

According to a history compiled by astronomer and physicist Dr John Innis, the observatory became a respected centre for astronomy research and education, earning national and international recognition for its long-term studies of southern stars despite its modest size.

Over the following decades, the observatory upgraded its telescopes and contributed to international research into stellar evolution, variable stars and active stars while also providing practical training for Monash physics students.

As technology advanced and research priorities changed, the site was eventually decommissioned.

When the lease was later offered to the Astronomical Society of Victoria, the organisation declined. Rather than see the observatory disappear, several members formed Mount Burnett Observatory Inc. to preserve the site and reopen it as a community facility.

After restoring the observatory’s original telescopes and installing new equipment, the site has grown into a community observatory and hub for citizen science.

Today, volunteers host regular public observ-

ing nights, giving people of all ages the opportunity to explore the night sky and learn about astronomy.

“May the observatory continue for many, many years into the future,” Mr Vlahos said.

Founding member Ray Schmidt said the group saw far more than an unused observatory.

“We saw a valuable educational resource, decades of scientific history, and something that would almost certainly never be replaced if it were lost,” he said.

“The stars we observe tonight are the same stars that shone over this hill when Monash students worked here in the 1970s, the same stars that shone while the observatory stood silent, and the same stars that inspired a small group of people to believe this place was worth saving.”

Current MBO president Paul Simmons thanked the founders and volunteers for their dedication over the past 15 years.

“More than 1200 members and 480 children have passed through our doors,” he said.

Sharing surplus, while growing the hills community

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Driven by a shared desire to reduce environmental footprint and benefit from sustainable practices, many people in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs are swapping surplus fruit, vegetables and other household items they have more of than they can use, giving them a new purpose while supporting local connections.

The convener of the Mooroolbark Urban Harvest Swap, Claire has watched the monthly gathering grow into a thriving community event, recently celebrating its 10th birthday.

She said the idea began after she and another community member were involved with a similar swap in Forest Hill before moving closer to Mooroolbark.

“It was a bit silly driving all the way from Mooroolbark down to Forest Hill once a month, so I thought I’d see how we would get one going up here,” Claire said.

The swap is supported by a grant from Yarra Ranges Council to help cover the venue costs and has grown from a small gathering into a regular event attracting around 20 people each month.

Rather than a direct exchange, the swap allows people to bring along whatever surplus items they have available.

“It’s not like I’ll give you two oranges if you give me one lemon,” Claire said.

A selection of produce and homemade goods shared at the swap, including vegetables, plants, preserves and jars for the preserving group. (Supplied)

Participants share fruit, vegetables, seedlings, plants, eggs, preserves, gardening books, tools and household items.

Seasonal produce such as citrus, tomatoes, lettuces, carrots, silverbeet, garlic, herbs and apples are common additions.

Claire said the swap is as much about connection as it is about produce.

“It’s more of a way of catching up with people who don’t think you’re weird if you have chickens, or weird if your chickens roam the front yard,” she said.

The swap brings together people with different levels of gardening experience, from beginners to long-time growers, and provides opportunities to share knowledge through informal

talks on topics such as seed saving, preserving, bees and dehydrating.

Claire said the gatherings help people find ways to use the abundance that can come from home gardens.

“If you look at the preserves, you might have 600 oranges, how do you preserve 600 oranges?” she said.

“You can juice them, you can dry them.”

The Mooroolbark Urban Harvest Swap is part of the Eastern Suburbs Permaculture Group (ESPG), which began in 2006 with a focus on sustainable urban living, gardening and reducing environmental footprints.

In 2018, the Outer Eastern Permaculture Swaps joined ESPG, expanding the

network across the outer eastern suburbs.

Monthly swaps are now held in Bayswater, Heathmont and Mooroolbark, where residents share homegrown produce, seeds, seedlings, preserves and gardening knowledge.

The community effort comes as Australia continues to address food waste.

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australia wastes around 7.6 million tonnes of food each year, with households responsible for about 2.5 million tonnes, or 30 per cent, of that waste.

Foodbank Australia reports that while Australia produces enough food to feed everyone three times over, millions of households still experience difficulty putting meals on the table.

Australia’s National Food Waste Strategy aims to halve food waste by 2030, with community initiatives such as produce swaps offering one way people can make better use of available resources.

Claire said people interested in attending do not need to bring anything.

“Just come along and have a cup of tea and check it out,” she said.

However, she stressed the swap is about community sharing rather than food relief.

“It is not a food relief pantry,” Claire said.

Original members and current day volunteers along with family and local dignitaries came to celebrate 15 years in operation. (Tanya Steele).

Four of the five founders of MBO, Barry Cleland, Ray Schmidt, Perry Vlahos and Ken Beard pose with the newly installed plaque. (Tanya Steele).

Attendees socialising at the community swap. (Supplied)

David’s art hits right note

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

An assemblage sculpture crafted in the Dandenong Ranges is on its way to the United States, with Olinda artist, David Cox completing his biggest commission to date for a new $1 billion building in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Two years after travelling to the United States to build a sculpture for a client, Mr Cox has once again secured an American commission, this time, instead of flying over, he has designed the artwork to be dismantled, shipped and assembled on site - right here in the Dandenongs.

“Making any sculpture takes a huge amount of focus and dedication, but for me personally creating a sculpture for someone else as a commission adds additional complexity,” Mr Cox said.

“This is because I’m not just making this piece because I want to, but also to fulfil the client’s desires and expectations from my work.”

“Until the sculpture arrives and is assembled, it will be on my mind every day.”

The sculpture is destined for a new $1 billion building, ‘The Pearl’ that forms part of Charlotte’s innovation and medical district.

The commission came about after the chief executive of the business found Mr Cox’s work on social media.

After hiring Skyline Art Services in Houston, Texas, to fit out the new office, the CEO also commissioned Mr Cox to create a sculpture.

The result is a 1.2-metre-diameter mandala, made entirely from parts of a 100-year-old recycled piano.

Thesculptureisbuiltfromanentirepianokeyboard, which also incorporates antique sheep’s wool piano hammers and a reformed fretwork centre reshaped by Mr Cox.

While the original concept measured 1.5 metres in diameter, the final sculpture was reduced to a more practical 1.2 metres.

Planning for the commission took 18 months, followed by three months of construction.

To make international shipping possible, Mr Cox designed the sculpture to dismantle into four “pizza slice” sections to help keep shipping costs down.

The artwork was shipped last week and is due to arrive in the United States, where the team at Skyline Art Services will assemble and install it

using what Mr Cox described as “Ikea-style” instructions.

Mr Cox said shipping delicate artwork is always worrying and he’s anxious to hear how the sculpture has fared once it reached its destination.

His assemblage sculptures are almost always

made from, or inspired by, unwanted antique pianos and pump organs that would otherwise end up in landfill.

“Pianos have 10,000 moving parts inside, that’s more than any car, and when the piano has been played for a century, imagine the amount of hands that enjoyed playing, or children who dis-

covered the love of music from it,” Mr Cox said.

“Something as characterful and as homewarming as this needs to be appreciated, even after it can no longer be played.”

Mr Cox said he sourced almost all of the piano parts for the sculpture through Pianos Recycled in Braeside, where unwanted instruments are dismantled so their materials can be reused.

“It’s why I do what I do,” he said.

“Breathing new life into something that would otherwise be discarded brings me a huge sense of purpose.

“I’m fortunate in life to feel that my assemblage sculptures aren’t just art that can be appreciated visually, but also one that can be appreciated for what it was and the life it had before this next chapter for its story.”

The piano used in the sculpture was made in Germany before spending most of its life in Australia.

Now, after being transformed into a new artwork, it will live on in the United States.

“When people see my work for the first time there is often an audible ‘ah ha’ moment when they realise, ‘It’s a piano’,” Mr Cox said.

“I hope viewers of my work can appreciate how it looks, as well also what it once was.”

See more at www.davidcox.com.au or Instagram: David.Cox.Art

New chapter for lyrebirds in classroom cinema program

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

After an 11-year journey to the screen and its Australian premiere at Belgrave’s Cameo in 2022, The Message of the Lyrebird is now reaching classrooms across Australia through a free Classroom Cinema Program.

The one-hour documentary, which premiered at Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave on 12 February, 2022, with all proceeds supporting the Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group, will be available free to teachers, students and education staff from 24 to 31 July through the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) and The Education Shop.

The program is suitable for primary students in Grades 5 and 6 and secondary students in Years 7 to 12, it includes a downloadable study guide and features curriculum links to sustainability learning outcomes and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

Belgrave and Knoxfield schools are among those already registered to take part in the program.

Sherbrooke Lyrebird Study Group’s associate member, Alex Maisey, whose work with the group plays a major role in the documentary, said community support for the film had remained strong.

“The film shows a dawn survey where we get up to 50 people or more out at 6am in the dark,” Mr Maisey said.

“People come and go over the years, but the enthusiasm’s still there in the community, it’s really enduring.”

While the superb lyrebird is internationally recognised for its extraordinary mimicry, Mr Maisey said there was much more to the species than its famous calls.

“We all know about the lyrebird song and dance, but for me, it’s probably their role as ecosystem engineers,” he said.

“Through their foraging, they shift 150 tons of leaf litter and soil per year in a hectare, they’re really important in the structure of the forest, as well as being very beautiful.”

Mr Maisey hopes the classroom program would encourage young people to develop a stronger connection with Australia’s natural environment.

“I really hope that they just have an opportunity to connect with their interests in the natural world and build a bit more understanding of just how special our unique wildlife here is, but also hopefully take that home with them and spread the word to their communities, to their parents, to their siblings,” he said.

Film producer Mark Pearce said the documentary encouraged audiences to see themselves as part of the natural world.

“The lyrebird holds the history of the forest in its song... and so this type of record-keeping

has become a living echo, or remembrance, woven into the story of our landscape,” he said.

Mater Christi College Year 9 student, Allora Cumming said learning about lyrebirds had given her a greater appreciation of the species and the forests they inhabit.

“Before I met Alex Maisey and learned about the lyrebirds, all I knew about them was that they could imitate sounds, they were beautiful, and that they lived in my forest, now I’ve learnt about their nesting habits and their important role in Australian forest ecosystems, and their natural foraging helps expose buried seeds and supports healthy forest growth,” Allora said.

She said the documentary helped students better understand the wildlife living around them.

“If you don’t know what’s out there, how can you care for it? Connection and understanding

with nature is vital to its protection,” she said. Youth and Education Landcare coordinator, Kate Spry said the documentary’s educational value extended across multiple learning areas.

“Iwasgenuinelyblownawaybyhowthisfilm interconnects with multiple key learning areas across the Australian Curriculum. Its breadth and depth make it an outstanding educational resource, supporting cross-curricular priorities and aligning seamlessly with the senior Geography syllabus and related learning outcomes,” Ms Spry said.

The education initiative is supported by the film’s impact partners, BirdLife Shoalhaven and the Wilderness Society, and forms part of ATOM’s Classroom Cinema Program, which brings contemporary and diverse Australian stories into classrooms across the country.

To register for the free classroom cinema program of The Message of the Lyrebird, visit The Education Shop. at theeducationshop.com. au/topics/classroom-cinema-program-themessage-of-the-lyrebird/

The Message of the Lyrebird is now being shared with students through a free classroom cinema program.

Helen Cumming and her daughter, Allora Cumming, at a lyrebird survey. (Supplied)

David Cox’s 1.2-metre mandala sculpture was designed to dismantle into four sections for shipping.

Olinda’s assemblage sculptor David Cox with his daughter, Ava. (Supplied)

SHOP LOCAL MONBULK

Celebrating in fine style

Community banking was celebrated in style at this year’s annual Community Bank Monbulk & District Community Night in June, with representatives from more than 40 local organisations, clubs, schools and community groups coming together to recognise the power of local investment and community connection, while celebrating more than $1.6 million contributed back into the community since 2012.

The evening highlighted the significant impact community banking continues to have across the region, supporting initiatives that strengthen local wellbeing, education, sport, mental health, youth programs, the arts and community resilience.

Organisations from across the district gathered to share stories, celebrate achievements and acknowledge the partnerships that help create lasting outcomes for local people. A presentation by local Monbulk Fire & Rescue (CFA) members highlighted the incredible scope of work undertaken by their volunteers to keep the community safe and connected.

The event also served as as important opportunity for Branch Manager Bec Turpin to thank the many customers who choose to bank locally.

Every account, loan and banking decision made with the community bank helps generate funds that are reinvested directly back into the local area, this year alone over $250,000 supporting projects and programs that benefit the wider

Monbulk & District community.

A heartfelt thank you was also extended to shareholders for their continued commitment to the community banking model and their belief in local ownership, local decision-making and local impact.

Special recognition was given to the Monbulk & District Community Enterprises Limited Board of Directors, whose members all volunteer their time and expertise to support the organisation and guide its ongoing success. Their dedication, leadership and passion for the community continue to underpin the strength of the community banking model.

The Community Night was a celebration not only of funding and partnerships, but of the collective effort that makes community banking unique. Through the support of customers, shareholders, volunteers and local organisations, community banking continues to create positive and meaningful outcomes throughout Monbulk & District.

The Ray Yates Community Award, which acknowledges the volunteers and community champions who make our town such a special place, was presented for 2026 to the family of the late Trevor Rickets OAM. Trevor gave so much to the community he loved. His legacy is a reminder of the extraordinary difference volunteering makes. He helped build the spirit of connection, generosity, and community pride that makes Monbulk different from anywhere else.

The Community Bank of Monbulk & District recently held its annual Community Night. (Supplied)

FTG’s tramway option

By Ray Peace

A STEAM TRAMWAY linking Ferntree Gully with Oakleigh? This sounds improbable, but for a short time, 140 years ago, local residents seriously considered this as a transport option.

It never happened, disappearing to become one of the many might-have-beens in the history of the district.

The story starts in 1888. At that time, Ferntree Gully was missing something that every community in the late 19th century wanted: “the benefit of railway communication with the metropolis”

In fact, work had already started on this convenience of modern life at Ringwood early in 1888. But at that time, the main route between the city and the famous “Fern Tree Gully” was not the modern highway via Burwood. Most traffic, horsedrawn, bicycle, and foot, came via way of Ferntree GullyRoadfromOakleigh.Agroupofwealthylocal landowners decided they were not going to be beholden to the Victorian Railways. They formed the Oakleigh and Ferntree Gully Steam Tramway Co., which was registered early in 1888.

This was a consortium of local families: the

provisional directors included members of the Dobson and Chandler families, also Thomas Grimwood and William Kennedy Ross, licensees of the Ferntree Gully and Club hotels respectively.

The consortium opted for a tramway rather than a railway line due to a loophole in 19th century legislation. To construct a railway required an Act of Parliament, with strict regulations on the standards of construction and operation.

But to construct a tramway, all that was needed was to form a company. The resulting tramway could then be built and operated to any standard the company directors liked. This promised to be cheaper to run, and faster to build. The company reportedly had £40,000 in paid up capital.

Which seemed a lot for a 6 ½ mile (11 km) tramway. Unfortunately, it was nowhere near enough. The company directors blithely assumed the tramway could follow the course of Ferntree Gully Road. They had not looked closely at Ferntree Gully Road, particularly Wheelers Hill. This was steep enough, when the early motor cars arrived a few decades later, to require a large deviation (called, naturally enough, The Deviation) to reduce the grade to one cars (and steam trams)

could actually negotiate.

Victoria’s economy was booming at this time. In 1890, the steam tramway company directors discovered that what goes up comes down. The great 1880s land boom started to collapse, taking with it the expected 50,000 tramway passengers per year. Victorian Railways had meanwhile completed the 12.4 km branch railway from Ringwood to Upper Ferntree Gully on 3 December 1889. The line ran at a loss for years.

By an odd quirk of history, when the Melbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board commissioned a feasibility study in 1982 on building a public transport link between Huntingdale and Ferntree Gully, their preferred option was, naturally enough, light rail. This joined its steam-powered predecessor as a historical never-was.

This story might have ended up buried in some dusty archive, except for one of the early members of Knox Historical Society, Howard McComb. McComb spent years transcribing the files related to Ferntree Gully at the Public Records Office of Victoria. These records are now safely preserved at Knox Historical Society’s museum at 3 Olivebank Road, Ferntree Gully.

Small-scale film with big passions

The Invite

Starring

?/5

An Unlikeable Good Film

Directed by Olivia Wilde, The Invite is a small-scale film driven by big, passionate, chaotic emotions and a remake of the Spanish film The People Upstairs.

Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Wilde), a constantly-fighting married couple, invite their upstairs neighbours Pina (Penelope Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) around for dinner, but what they expected to be a simple visit becomes much more intimate.

Set almost entirely in a single apartment, The Invite full of clever dialogue and gripping interpersonal tension, as Joe and Angela keep their animosity barelycontained and their perspective on their guests evolves from reserved hospitality to titillated intrigue. However, the film immediately establishes Joe and Angela as an extremely unlikeable couple, infusing the plot with a sense of inevitable collapse. Plenty of people will enjoy the deliberately uncomfortable vibes, the sexy destabilising influence of Hawk and Pina, and the angry futility and shreds of hope between Joe and Angela, but I personally found it annoying.

The weak link is Angela: while her character provides worthy commentary on how women are often expected to act for a man’s benefit, Angela is so intensely performative that she feels fundamentally dishonest and hard to relate to, and Joe is more likeable in a way I don’t think the filmmakers intended. I also found The Invite disappointingly straight, given Angela and Pina’s great chemistry and how Hawk is attracted to Joe’s raw honesty. Sarah Polley’s 2011 romantic drama Take This Waltz (which stars Rogen) is a much more eventful, dynamic look at rocky relationships and grappling with attraction to others.

Coming after the witty high-school caper Booksmart and the incel 1950s Matrix pastiche Don’t Worry Darling, The Invite is Wilde’s weakest film as a director, but still a scintillating watch for those in the mood.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Paw patrol, pirates and opera: Theatre round-up

Paw Patrol

The heroic pups of Adventure Bay are getting ready to race across Australia with Nickelodeon, Stare Entertainment Group and TEG Live Touring are proud to announce an all-Australian cast for the tenth-anniversary tour of the iconic PAW Patrol live: Race to the Rescue.

Ryder and the pups share lessons for all ages about citizenship, social skills and problem-solving as they make several heroic rescues on their race to the finish line.

Season August 22 Saturday – 23 Sunday.

Venue: Margaret Court Arena. Eltham Little Theatre

AUDITION NOTICE

Lend Me a Tenor: synopsis

The notorious tale of mistaken identities and unexpected romance explodes in this comedy.

It’s 1934, and Opera virtuoso Titi Merelli is about to revive Othello for the 10th anniversary of the Cleland Grand Old Opera Company.

Kemp’s urtain call curtain

When Tito becomes inexpertly incapacitated, a suitable replacement must be found.

Audition Format:

Open Auditions will be held on Wednesday, 5 August at 7.30pm and Saturday, 8 August at 1pm in Eltham Little Theatre’s Rehearsal Room.

A cast of eight are required for this show, who must all show strong comedy skills both in timing and slapstick with high energy.

Cast role ages are just a recommendation.

We are open to casting roles of either gender.

NOTE: Two of the roles, Tito and Max, are re-

quired to sing short snippets of Opera.

We are more looking for gusto and enthusiasm rather than strictly talent in this regard, so please do not feel intimidated if you have not studied at a European Musical Conservatory.

The song is Dio, che nell’alma infondere amor, from the opera Don Carlos if you would like to practice.

We are also open to using professional recordings with mime if necessary.

Email Director Matthew Freeman at auditions@elthamlittletheatre.org.au.

All shows and rehearsals will be held at Eltham Performing Arts Centre 1603 Main Rd Research.

Dates to be confirmed for three times a week.

The 1812 Theatre Treasure island

This isn’t your dusty classic. This Treasure Island is at full throttle-packed with Ken Ludwig’s trademark rapid fire humour, razor sharp dialogue and the kind of theatrical spectacle that keeps you gripping the edge of your seat.

Follow Jim Hawkins as hurtled into a world of pirates, peril, and pounding twists. Long John Silver schemes in the shadows, tempers flare, swords clash, and the story races forward with the speed of a cannon blast.

Season: 9 - 29 August.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Laurence Jammeson makes his living by talking rich ladies out of their money.

Freddy Benson swindles women with fabricated stories about his grandfather’s failing health. After meeting on a train, they attempt to work together, only to find that this small French town isn’t big enough for the two of them.

They agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female heiress, Christine Colgate, wins and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of the conmen ensues, and with music.

Season: 10 - 26 September.

Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton MA15+

Uncomfortable tech truth

By Maria Millers

WOORILLA WORDS

For many, the first instinct on waking is to lean over for that rectangular piece of glass that has become a constant companion of modern living: the mobile phone.

But last Wednesday for Telstra customers came the rude shock that not only was the early morning temperature barely above zero but that their phones were not responding: no morning wakeup call, no time calls, no reminders, no notifications.

There was no signal, the network had experienced a major outage and what followed was chaos.

Twenty years ago, losing your mobile phone signal was mostly an inconvenience. Today, telecommunications underpin almost everything we do.

People stood in doorways holding useless rectangles of glass, waiting for a signal that never came.

Shops forgot how to sell.

Banks forgot who owned what.

Traffic lights blinked once, then slept, while the city searched for its own memory.

This recent Telstra outage is more than a story about a telecommunications company experiencing a technical glitch.

It’s a wake up call to all of us about how deeply dependent on interconnected digital systems we have become and how failures can trigger a raft of problems reaching out well beyond the original one and affecting so many daily experiences of our lives. Even threatening lives.

The Telstra outage, described as being triggered by a software defect affecting network time synchronisation, left people with disrupted mobile services and then reached into most areas of our daily existence.

The outage demonstrated that a fault in one network can ripple across multiple industries and services because they all depend on the same digital foundations

We have become less practised at operating without digital systems.

The phone now holds much of what we used to commit to memory like phone numbers of close friends and relatives, their birthdays, important dates and vital appointments.

Now it has become central to our daily routines from paying for that morning coffee en route to work to paying for purchases, making or cancelling medical appointments, accessing transport, filling up or charging cars, contacting customers, verifying identities and the list goes on.

In a society where cash is fast disappearing as

we tap our phones at the servo, coffee shop, supermarket, doctor’s surgery and for myriad other daily transactions, the sudden withdrawal of being able to do so throws people into panic.

Add to the list banking and other electronic transactions, public transport, emergency services, healthcare, logistics and freight – all becoming inoperable.

Small businesses across the country were immediately affected. Some taxi drivers lost fares that were worth hundreds of dollars.

Rail services in Victoria and NSW were halted for safety reasons causing chaos at terminals particularly for regional travellers.

Personal stories abounded: missed specialist appointments; a young woman could not get to her TAFE orientation day for a new course; a man missing his mother’s funeral; stranded Vic Rail passengers having to find and pay for hotel accommodation.

Distraught, unwell people found difficulties in getting through to 000.

It was later confirmed that 600 triple zero calls failed.

For a while it was feared that there could have been fatalities as more than 600 had attempted to call for help

Thankfully there were no direct fatalities as a result.

Also affected were those who have devices which enable them to function such as pacemakers, pressure machines for sleep apnea or monitoring blood glucose levels for diabetics

All this raises the thorny question of whether we are too dependent on new technologies and vulnerable when things go wrong.

There is also the uncomfortable realisation that increasingly we lack the resilience to cope with discomfort and disruption.

Or how to plan for such eventualities.

People become moody, aggressive and look for who to blame

There is uncertainty in living through technological change particularly when change is more relentlessly rapid than is our ability to adjust and

create structures and laws to soften transitioning through this liminal period.

This is of course not something that is new.

The healing power of nature has been the subject of much literature throughout the ages.

From the first Industrial Revolution to the rise of electricity and mechanisation, and later during the nuclear and computer ages, it remains just as relevant in the era of artificial intelligence, cloud computing and globally interconnected digital networks.

The technologies have changed, but the underlying human concern has not.

Back in the beginning of the 19th century poet

William Wordsworth lamented: The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;

Little we see in Nature that is ours;

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!

Although he was reacting to the early Industrial Revolution not digital technology, his concern was that people had become disconnected from nature, contemplation, and deeper human values. One can easily read the poem as equally relevant today.

But modern poets like Mary Oliver dream of a future world in her poem, The Future, where technology coexists harmoniously with nature: I dream of a world where nature and technology thrive,

Where the stars are visible in the night sky,

And people gather to share their stories,

In a harmony of life and innovation.

The poem encourages readers to imagine a future where technology serves to enrich our lives, promoting a balance between innovation and the natural world. Oliver’s looks hopefully to the possibilities that lie ahead and the role technology can play in fostering a more connected and compassionate society.

Other poets have tackled the problem of love and connection in a technologically driven world. For older people the modern dating scene often seems overwhelming by the presence of technol-

ogy, yet poets like Anne Carson suggest that despite the presence of machines human emotions endure:

In the age of screens and machines, I search for the heartbeat beneath the wires.

Connection lost in the digital haze, Yet love persists, flickering like a candle.

The poem encourages readers to reflect on the importance of nurturing connections despite the distractions of technology, emphasising that true intimacy transcends the digital realm.

One striking observation is that poets rarely opposed technology itself. Instead, they questioned what might be lost if technological capability advanced faster than wisdom, community, or moral imagination.

Perhaps it’s also time to consider whether utilities and services like telecommunication should be in private hands. As private companies, their primary aim is to maximise profit through efficiency rather than the common good.

For this, we need leaders who can show us a common future that promotes enduring human values within a technology that enhances all aspects of our society

The outage also illustrated what some call the ‘fragility of complexity’ . As societies become more interconnected, they often become simultaneously more capable and more vulnerable.

Every technological advance solves problems while introducing new dependencies.

Electricity enabled modern civilisation but created dependence on the power grid. The internet connected the world but made economies reliant on digital networks. Artificial intelligence promises further gains but may deepen dependence on complex systems that are difficult to audit or fully understand.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve human society by adding to human capabilities rather than simply replacing them. There are potential benefits in so many areas: health, education, scientific discovery, environmental management and economic productivity. But this must be embraced only with thoughtful governance, ethical standards and broad access to all for its benefits.

The Telstra outage reminds us that technology is not merely a collection of tools; it is the infrastructure upon which much of modern life depends.

The question, therefore, is not whether we should slow technological progress, but whether we are investing enough in resilience, redundancy and governance alongside innovation.

The Telstra outage is likely to prompt renewed scrutiny of Australia’s critical infrastructure, emergency communications and telecommunications resilience. If those lessons lead to more diverse networks, better contingency planning and stronger system design, the disruption may ultimately strengthen Australia’s digital infrastructure for the future.

The Future of Technology by John Ashbery: Perhaps this is the outage we had to have We stand on the brink of something great, As machines hum and screens glow bright.

Yet in the midst of progress and change, We must not forget the beauty of the night. Woorilla Poetry Prize 2026 is now receiving entries via Submittable. Visit woorilla.com.au.

The Telstra outage revealed just how dependent we are on technology. (File)

PUZZLES

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

ACROSS

1 Upper part of a dress (6)

4 Sickness (6)

10 Extraterrestrial realm (5)

11 Awkward (9)

12 Obligation (9)

13 Make a speech (5)

14 Arachnid (6)

15 Strong wind (4)

19 Strike (4)

20 Shooting star (6)

24 Japanese verse form (5)

25 Russian chemist who developed the periodic table (9)

27 Clan leader (9)

28 Accumulate (5)

29 Vocalist (6)

30 Erase (6)

DOWN

1 Without foundation (8)

2 Theatrical (8)

3 Fissure (7)

5 Stunning (7)

6 Sacred beetle (6)

7 Horn of a deer (6)

8 Wireless internet (2-2)

9 Start of the calendar (3,4)

16 Porridge (7)

17 Sing to (8)

18 Fissure in a glacier (8)

19 Struggle confusedly (7)

21 Promote (7)

22 Inspects (6)

23 Subordinate (6)

26 Not any (4)

HOME SWEET HOME PLUS A HUGE SHED

HOME SWEET HOME PLUS A HUGE SHED

TUCKED away behind established trees on a beautifully maintained and fully usable 4,832sqm, this much-loved home offers the perfect blend of space, comfort and privacy. Thoughtfully updated over the years and impeccably cared for, it’s a property that feels welcoming from the moment you arrive and one you’ll easily see yourself enjoying for years to come.

Freshly painted throughout and featuring beautiful floorboards, the home offers four bedrooms, including a spacious master retreat complete with a walk-in robe, private ensuite, split-system heating and cooling, and its own lounge area – the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day. A separate study provides flexibility for those working from home, running a business, or simply needing extra space for the family.

At the heart of the home, the kitchen is designed for everyday living, featuring a gas cooktop and overlooking the living and dining spaces so you’re always connected to family and guests. A stylishly renovated bathroom, generous laundry, gas ducted heating and split systems throughout ensure comfort and practicality all year round.

Outside is where this property truly comes into its own. The front verandah is the ideal spot to enjoy your morning coffee while taking in the peaceful, treed outlook. The fully fenced and fully useable grounds provide plenty of room for children and pets to roam, while still offering a sense of privacy and seclusion.

Adding even more appeal is the impressive 15.5m x 14m shed, built approximately six years ago, offering endless possibilities for tradies, hobbyists, car enthusiasts or those simply needing substantial storage space.

Additional improvements include a doubleglazed rear door, a recently re-rocked driveway, and a septic system that was pumped and fitted with a new pump approximately two years ago, giving added peace of mind.

Offering space to grow, room to entertain and a peaceful lifestyle setting, this is a property that truly feels like home and all this only a short drive to Cockatoo township and around 1 hour from central Melbourne.

A HILLS HAVEN WITH A BACKYARD MADE TO ENJOY

SET amongst the natural beauty that Belgrave is loved for, 5 Martin Street offers a warm and inviting Hills lifestyle with generous living spaces, character filled interiors and a fantastic outdoor setting ideal for relaxed family living.

Inside, the home features three bedrooms, with robes to two bedrooms, serviced by a central bathroom complete with a bath, separate toilet and laundry. The spacious lounge provides an inviting place to unwind, enhanced by a cosy wood fire, ducted heating, 2x split systems, brick feature fireplace and beautiful timber lined ceiling that adds warmth and charm throughout the space.

The adjoining dining area offers a practical everyday layout, flowing through to the kitchen complete with good bench space, gas cooking, a breakfast bar and leafy outlooks.

Outdoors is where the property truly shines, with a large covered deck overlooking the rear yard, creating the perfect space for entertaining, weekend BBQs or simply enjoying the peaceful surrounds. The backyard is fully fenced and framed by established trees, offering a lovely setting for children, pets and outdoor enjoyment.

Additional features include a double garage, shed, camp fire area, ceiling fans and a functional floorplan with plenty of scope to enjoy as is, while still offering potential to update or add your own style over time (STCA).

Positioned in a convenient Belgrave location, close to Belgrave township, train station, local shops, cafes, schools, parks and walking tracks, this is a wonderful opportunity to secure a character home in a sought after Hills setting. ●

COMFORTABLE FAMILY LIVING

SET in a peaceful Monbulk location, 20 McAllister Road offers a warm and inviting three bedroom home with charming period detail and a generous outdoor setting perfect for everyday family living. With a practical single level floorplan, spacious rear yard and excellent entertaining options, this home is ready to enjoy while still offering plenty of scope to make it your own over time.

Inside, the home features a light filled lounge and dining area with high ceilings, decorative cornices and a cosy wood fire, creating a comfortable central living space. The updated kitchen is a standout, offering excellent storage, generous bench space, modern cabinetry, quality appliances, and a large freestanding oven, making it both stylish and practical for daily use.

Accommodation includes three well sized bedrooms, each enjoying good natural light, while the central bathroom with a modern vanity, black tapware, bath and shower. A separate laundry adds further convenience, while ducted heating throughout provides year round comfort.

Outdoors, the property continues to impress with a large covered entertaining area that runs along the rear of the home, ideal for outdoor dining, relaxing or hosting friends and family. The backyard offers a great sense of space with established greenery, lawn area, garden beds and a shed for additional storage. A long carport provides secure off street parking, adding to the home’s overall practicality.

Combining character, comfort and outdoor appeal, this inviting Monbulk home is ideal for first home buyers, downsizers, young families or investors looking for a well presented property in a convenient Hills location close to local shops, schools and everyday amenities. ●

HOME FOCUS

EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE ON 13 ACRES

SET behind a gated entry with a horseshoe driveway, this beautifully established 13-acre equestrian and hobby farm property offers the perfect balance of country lifestyle, horse facilities and comfortable family living in the heart of sought-after Macclesfield horse country.

Welcomed by an undercover entry, the home opens into a warm and inviting lounge where floating floors, a crackling woodfire and split system create a relaxed atmosphere year-round. Privately positioned, the master bedroom features a walk-in robe and ensuite, while the second carpeted bedroom sits alongside a study, ideal for those working from home or needing extra space for growing families.

Designed for easy everyday living, the spacious open plan kitchen, living and dining area forms the heart of the home. The kitchen is exceptionally well equipped with a large island bench and breakfast bar, gas stovetop, dishwasher, butler’s pantry, generous bench space and extensive storage. The adjoining living area includes a slow combustion wood heater, split system and access to the front verandah, while sliding doors from the dining area open to the rear entertaining space, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living.

A third bedroom, central family bathroom with separate toilet and full laundry complete the interior.

Outside, the property is perfectly set up for horse lovers and hobby farmers alike, featuring 6 fenced paddocks, a fenced grass arena, 3 stables and a tack room with concrete floor and power. Extensive shedding includes a double garage along with a substantial 4-car shed with both concrete and gravel flooring, power and plenty of room for floats, machinery, workshop space or additional storage.

An established orchard with a variety of fruit trees, pizza oven, dam and approximately 22,500 litres of water storage further enhance the lifestyle appeal of this versatile property. Offering usable land, excellent infrastructure and a peaceful rural setting, this is a fantastic opportunity to embrace the best of equestrian and hobby farm living in a tightly held Macclesfield location.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office.

Seton1,687sqmintheheartofCockatoo,thisinviting3-bedroomhomeofferscomfortableliving justashortwalkfromthetownship,schools&publictransport.Afrontverandahwelcomesyouinto theopenplanliving,dining&kitchen,featuringfloatingfloors,timberbenchtops,afarmhousesink, gascooktop,dishwasher&excellentstorage.Gasductedheatingprovidesyear-roundcomfort. Aflexibleadjoiningroomisidealasathirdbedroom,homeofficeorsecondlivingarea.Upstairs, 2bedroomswithbuilt-inrobesareservicedbyacentralbathroom,whilethelaundry&separate toiletaddconvenience.Outside,thespaciousbackyardoffersplentyofroomforchildren&pets, complementedbyalargepoweredstorageshed&ampleoff-streetparking.Afantasticopportunity forfirst-homebuyers,familiesorinvestorsseekingspace,flexibility&aconvenientHillslifestyle.

ContemporaryAcreageLivingwithPremiumFamilyAppeal. Setonapproximately6,015sqm,thisbeautifullifestylepropertyofferstheperfectblendof contemporarycomfort&ruralfunctionality.Thestunningdesignerkitchenfeatureswaterfallstone benchtops,breakfastbar,gascooktop,Smegoven,abundantstorage&recentlyupdatedbutler’s pantry.Soaringceilings,hardwoodfloors&largedoubleglazedwindowsenhancetheopenplan living&diningarea,whileawoodfire,splitsystem&gasductedheatingprovideyear-roundcomfort. Asecondlivingareawithsoaringceilings&floor-to-ceilingwindowsoffersapeacefulretreat.The mainbedroomenjoysdeckaccess,awalk-inrobe&ensuite,whilethreeadditionalbedroomswith built-inrobesareservicedbyafamilybathroom.Outside,threepaddocks,achookhouse,a9mx 13mpoweredshedwithhoist&mezzanine,60,000Lwaterstorage&anauto-startgenerator.

AaronDay M 0407365994 BrennanMileto M 0422996451

repairstoEmerald&thesurroundingareaseversince.JLAutomaticsisyourone-stopshopforrepairs &servicesforallmakes&models,whichcurrentlyprovidesawiderangeofservices,including: generalrepairs&service,powersteeringrepairs,manual&automatictransmissionrepairs,tunes onallmakes&models,brakeinspections&repairs,airconditioningrepairs,EFIdiagnosis,injector cleaning&roadworthyreports.Pricedtowalkin&startworkingthisbusinessincludes:•2xhoists •Workshoptools•Spareparts•Anextensivedatabaseofclients•Thewebsite•Historical averagegrossyearlyturnoverof$400,000+AccessisfromHeroesAvenue,Emerald

1LaddSquareEmerald$1,080,000-$1,180,000

Seton6,236sqminasought-afterEmeraldpocketwithdualaccess&leafyviews,thisspacious double-storeyhomeoffersflexibilityforfamiliesofallstages.Twomastersuitesmakeitidealformultigenerationallivingorguests.Downstairsfeaturesaprivatezonewithamastersuite(ensuite,walk-in robe,splitsystem),plustwobedroomswithbuilt-inrobesservicedbyacentralbathroom.Upstairshas beenfullyrenovated,withlight-filledlivingcentredaroundastrikingdouble-sidedwoodfireshared withthemainmasterretreat,completewithwalk-inrobe&luxeensuitewithfreestandingbath& oversizedshower.Theopen-plankitchen&diningincludestimberbenchtops,farmhousesink,double ovens&alargeisland.Slidingdoorsopentoanundercoverentertainingarea.Freshpaint,new carpets&ampleparkingcompletethisprivate,lifestyle-focusedproperty.

TIMELESS CHARM IN THE HEART OF EMERALD

PERFECTLY positioned in one of Emerald’s most desirable locations, this beautifully cared-for character home offers a wonderful combination of charm, comfort and convenience. Set on approximately a quarter of an acre of flat, usable land, this inviting property provides the space and lifestyle appeal that will attract families, downsizers and investors alike.

Enjoy the best of Emerald living with the township just a relaxed two-minute stroll away. Cafes, local shops, schools, parks and public transport are all within easy reach, while the home itself provides a peaceful retreat where you can unwind and enjoy the privacy of your own backyard.

Stepping inside, you’ll immediately appreciate the warmth and character this home has to offer. Featuring three generous bedrooms, a stylishly updated kitchen and comfortable living spaces that beautifully blend original charm with modern improvements, the home is ready to be enjoyed from day one. The light-filled sunroom adds another layer of appeal, creating the perfect spot to relax, enjoy your morning coffee or soak up the afternoon sunshine.

Outside is where this property truly shines. The fantastic undercover entertaining area provides the ideal setting for yearround gatherings with family and friends, overlooking a spacious, flat backyard with endless potential. Whether it’s children and pets enjoying the space, creating your dream garden, or simply relaxing outdoors, there is room for everyone. For those who love a project, the 3.5m x 11m garage and additional 3.5m x 5m storage area offer plenty of room for hobbies, tools and extra storage.

Offering character, convenience and a rare amount of usable land in the heart of Emerald, 3 Benson Street presents a fantastic opportunity to secure a home in a location that continues to be highly sought after.

Property Features:

• Beautifully maintained character home with timeless appeal

• Three spacious bedrooms

Updated kitchen combining style and functionality

• Light-filled sunroom perfect for relaxing

• Covered outdoor entertaining area for yearround enjoyment

• Approximately quarter-acre of flat, usable land

Large garage and additional storage space

Walking distance to Emerald’s shops, cafes, schools and amenities

• Outstanding opportunity in a highly desirable Emerald location ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

VIEWS&ENDLESSPOTENTIAL

Positionedonapproximatelythreeprivateacresinoneofthearea’smostsought-after locations,thissolidlybuiltresidencepresentsanexceptionalopportunitytocreate somethingtrulyspecial.Showcasingbreathtakingpanoramicviews&anenviablesetting, theproperty’sgreatestassetsarethosethatsimplycannotbereplicated.Featuringa sealeddriveway,generousbedroomseachwithBIR’s,awrap-aroundbalcony,adouble carpor,aseparatepoolhousewithaningroundswimmingpoolandspa.

JanBrewster 0409558805

BUILTIN2023,STILLUNDERBUILDERSWARRANTY Architecturallydistinctive,thisprivatethree-levelretreatblendscontemporarycomfort withthepeacefulcharmofthehills.Tuckedawayonjustoveraquarteracreof establishedgardens,thehomeoffersararesenseofseclusionwhilestillbeingmoments fr mtheheart fEmerald.Featuresaflexiblefl rplanthatincludesastunningt p-fl r mainretreat,designer itchenwithS/Sappliances,astri ingst nefireplace,GDH,d ubleglazedwind ws,s aringceilings,extrawatertan f rthegardenands larp wer.

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Holiday action at FTG club

Although it’s been school holidays, there was no slowing down at Ferntree Gully Tennis Club, with members keeping busy both on and off the court.

The club was well represented at the recent Special Olympics Interclub Tennis Competition hosted by Ringwood Central Tennis Club, where players from across Melbourne came together for a fantastic day of competition and friendship.

Congratulations to Andre and Bonnie, who won Divisions 2 and 3 respectively.

Both players demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, enthusiasm and a love of the game throughout the event.

The school holidays also saw Prestige Tennis Academy’s Head Coach, Mark Brodam run a two-day junior holiday clinic, with an enthusiastic group of young players enjoying skill-building drills, fun games and prizes.

Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated volunteers spent part of their holidays giving back to the club.

A big thank you goes to Paul, Pete, Justin and James, who worked hard soft washing the club’s hard courts in preparation for the start of Term 3. Their efforts have left the courts looking fantastic for members returning this week.

Although the recent closure of St John’s Tennis Club was sad news for the local tennis community, Ferntree Gully Tennis Club is pleased to welcome many of its members and looks forward to them becoming part of the club family. Competition and coaching resume this week, with plenty of excitement ahead for the winter season.

The club is also delighted to welcome a new all-female team into the Knox District Night Tennis Association competition and wishes Kia and Kate the very best for their first season representing Ferntree Gully.

Bonnie and Andre at the Special Olympics tournament. (Supplied)

Trades & Services

Rangers held to a draw

Monbulk Rangers’ Seniors and Reserves travelled to Fairfield Park to face Yarra Jets, a side they defeated 2-0 earlier in the season.

With the title race heating up, the Rangers needed points to stay in the hunt.

The Reserves endured a tough afternoon, going down 5-0 to a strong Yarra Jets outfit that was simply the better side on the day.

The Seniors were desperate to return to winning ways after a dip in form.

Last week’s 0-0 draw showed encouraging signs, with their defensive solidity restored and plenty of chances created despite failing to find the net.

Played in difficult conditions, the strong wind made aerial balls unpredictable, while the

patchy surface, made it equally challenging to play on the ground.

The Rangers struggled to adapt early but still created the first clear opportunity.

A Jack Higgins free kick curled onto the crossbar before the rebound was blasted over the bar.

Yarra Jets soon had a golden chance to open the scoring after a foul inside the penalty area.

However, Rangers goalkeeper Brad Cutts came to the rescue, diving low to his right to produce an excellent save and keep the scores level.

Neither side created many more opportunities before the break, with the teams heading into halftime locked at 0-0.

The Rangers came out firing in the second

half and dominated much of the play.

Jack Higgins was played through on goal and attempted to lob the keeper, only to see his effort drift just wide.

Soon after, Brayden Jones won possession high up the pitch, drove towards goal and struck a powerful shot that was well saved.

The pressure continued as a dangerous corner found Steve McRae, whose effort was cleared off the line before two more Rangers shots were desperately scrambled away by the Jets defence.

Monbulk were firmly on top, playing some excellent football even with the challenging surface.

Despite their dominance, the Rangers couldn’t find the breakthrough, and the match

finished 0-0 for the second consecutive week.

It was another frustrating result, with Monbulk showing plenty of positive signs but unable to convert their chances.

The draw leaves the Rangers third on the ladder, three points behind league leaders Monash.

With seven matches remaining, they will need to turn strong performances into victories to remain in the promotion places.

The Rangers return home this Saturday to take on Fortuna 60, who make the long trip from Morwell.

Monbulk claimed an entertaining 5-3 win earlier in the season and will be looking to complete the double while getting back to winning ways.

Around the region’s football ovals and netball courts

By Armin Richter

Football

Premier Division

Seniors: Upwey-Tecoma 16.10.106 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 8.9.57; Woori Yallock 21.14.140 def Healesville 5.7.37; Mt. Evelyn 16.10.106 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 11.9.75; Officer 9.7.61 def Monbulk 2.14.26; Wandin 24.17.161 def Warburton-Millgrove 4.9.33

Reserves: Upwey-Tecoma 18.8.116 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 5.1.31; Woori Yallock 14.12.96 def Healesville 5.4.34; Mt. Evelyn 16.11.107 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 3.7.25; Wandin 17.21.123 def Warburton-Millgrove 4.3.27; Officer 14.17.101 def Monbulk 2.5.17

Under 18 (combined): Mt. Evelyn 18.18.126 def Alexandra 2.2.14; Wandin 19.14.128 def Warburton-Millgrove 2.2.14; Officer 14.12.96 def Monbulk 4.2.26; Upwey-Tecoma 20.20.140 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.1.25; Healesville 14.13.97 def Woori Yallock 4.4.28; Seville 12.11.83 def Pakenham 5.5.35; Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.7.61 def Yarra Glen 4.10.34

Women (Div 1): Upwey-Tecoma 12.10.82 def Pakenham 2.4.16; Mt. Evelyn 15.14.104 def Belgrave 0.1.1; Warburton-Wesburn 6.2.38 def Healesville 3.4.22; Olinda-Ferny Creek bye Veterans (Over 35 - round 8): Monbulk 8.8.56 def Belgrave 3.4.22; Wandin 7.12.54 def Mt. Evelyn 5.2.32; Upwey-Tecoma 4.17.41 def Officer 5.3.33; Olinda-Ferny Creek 7.6.48 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 6.8.44; Yarra Glen bye

Division 1 Seniors: Yarra Glen 37.31.253 def Yarra Junction 2.3.15; Pakenham 15.9.99 def Seville 12.8.80; Yea 9.8.62 def Emerald 6.12.48; Belgrave 26.19.175 def Powelltown 3.4.22; Alexandra bye

Reserves: Yarra Glen 12.15.87 def Yarra Junction 4.5.29; Pakenham 13.11.89 def Seville

2.2.14; Emerald 11.10.76 def Yea 6.4.40; Belgrave 28.19.187 def Powelltown 3.1.19; Alexandra bye Women (Div 2): Seville 16.16.112 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 1.0.6; Wandin 4.5.29 def Officer 3.8.26; Yea 7.7.49 def Emerald 2.0.12; Woori Yallock 9.9.63 def Thornton-Eildon 0.3.3

Netball

Premier Division

A Grade: Monbulk 54 def ROC 38; Wandin 35

def Warburton-Millgrove 33; Gembrook-Cockatoo 56 def Upwey-Tecoma 24; Woori Yallock 58 def Healesville 29; Mt. Evelyn 64 def OlindaFerny Creek 25

B Grade: Wandin 47 def Warburton-Millgrove 24; Gembrook-Cockatoo 54 def UpweyTecoma 34; Woori Yallock 75 def Healesville 27; Mt. Evelyn 67 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 37; ROC 52 def Monbulk 43

C Grade: Wandin 45 def Warburton-Millgrove 22; Woori Yallock 60 def Healesville 17; Mt. Evelyn 55 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 17; ROC 41 def Monbulk 25; Gembrook-Cockatoo bye

D Grade: Wandin 28 def Warburton-Millgrove 26; Woori Yallock 57 def Healesville 15; Mt. Evelyn 42 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 29; ROC

34 def Monbulk 16; Gembrook-Cockatoo bye Under 17: Warburton-Millgrove 34 def Wandin 22; ROC White 39 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 6; Woori Yallock 64 def Monbulk Maroon 24; Mt. Evelyn 96 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 5; ROC Blue 44 def Monbulk Gold 14 Under 15: Wandin Red 30 def Pakenham Gold 28; Pakenham Maroon 34 def Wandin Blue 11; Monbulk Maroon 29 def Woori Yallock 21; ROC Blue 27 def Monbulk Gold 23; ROC White bye

Division 1

A Grade: Yarra Glen 63 def Yarra Junction 39; Pakenham 39 def Seville 35; Yea 45 def Emerald 44; Belgrave 45 def Powelltown 39; Alexandra bye

B Grade: Yarra Glen 51 def Yarra Junction 35; Pakenham 40 def Seville 33; Yea 48 def Emerald 28; Belgrave 53 def Powelltown 27; Alexandra bye

C Grade: Yarra Glen 47 def Yarra Junction 18; Seville

Dylan Werts gets his kick away as his Officer opponent makes a lunging tackle. (Anthea Heagney)

Man of the match Brad Cutts. (Supplied)

Officer blow Monbulk away

By Armin Richter Football Seniors

On a day when a four-goal breeze was blowing towards the Princes Highway end of the Officer ground it was crucial to make a good start. The home side won the toss and kicked with the prevailing conditions, which netted them a four goal to nil return in the opening quarter, in line with expectations. When the teams switched ends it was the Kangaroo’s more efficient ball movement and tight defence that won out as the Hawks peppered the goals but could only register singles. It wasn’t until halfway through the final term that Joel Wensley finally broke through for Monbulk’s first goal after the team had put up 14 consecutive behinds. Both clubs had sixteen scoring shots although the results seemed beyond doubt from half time. The Hawks slip back from fourth to seventh as the tight tussle for a finals spot looks likely to be decided in the final home and away round.

Monbulk 2.14.26 def by Officer 9.7.61

• Best: Will Henderson, Lachlan Sheppard, Lochlan Beecroft, Caleb Quirk, Daniel Banks, Thomas Berman

• Goals: Joel Wensley 1, Kai Linde 1 Reserves

The patched up Reserves outfit relied on five Under 18s and a Veteran doubling up on the weekend to allow them the luxury of a bench. Against the second placed Officer team this preparation was to be brutally exposed. The Hawks battled hard but were beaten by a better team.

Monbulk 2.5.17 def by Officer 14.17.101

• Best: Lewis Oliver, Trent Purcell, Lachlan Smith, Finn Horsfall, Abel Teese, Lachlan Urquijo

• Goals: Hamish Emmett 1, Lachlan Smith 1

Under 18s

Facing the unbeaten reigning premiers on their ground didn’t daunt the Hawks who took it right up to their more fancied rivals in the first half. Officer broke away in the second half but the fighting spirit of the Hawks was to be admired.

Monbulk 4.2.26 def by Officer 14.12.96

• Best: Myles Koelewyn, Thomas Hill, Arley Gray, Cohen Mitchell, Finley Ede, Riley Broadbent

• Goals: Riley Broadbent 3, Thomas Hill 1

Veterans

In the penultimate round of home and away fixtures for this division there were five clubs desperately fighting for four spots as wins are becoming critical. The Hawks faced reigning Grand Finalists Belgrave on their ground. Monbulk quickly rattled on three goals before the Magpies responded with two of their own by quarter time. The Hawks then held a narrow lead for the next two quarters before they broke the shackles in the last to score the final four goals and emerge with a morale boosting 34 point win. This has secured top spot on the ladder, a position they will maintain if they can win well in their final match against Officer in a fortnight. Due to the closeness of the competition it is also still mathematically possible that they could miss the Top Four if they lose.

Monbulk 8.8.56 def Belgrave 3.4.22

• Best: Bradley Condor, Lucas Day, Jarrett Anderson, Michael Langworthy, Shaun Brooks, Peter Donald

• Goals: Tim Wragg 2, Shaun Brooks 2, Michael Langworthy 2, Chris Hughson 1, Jarrett Anderson 1

Netball

A Grade

Monbulk settled quicker than their rivals and pro-

duced a dominant first half where they doubled their opponent’s score, 28-14. ROC fought back to challenge in the second half but were unable to make inroads into Monbulk’s lead. The win has the Hawks a game clear in third.

Monbulk 54 def ROC 38

• Best: Grace Scott-Thomas, Sophie Stubbs, Peri Reid

• Goals: Peri Reid 41, Jorja Wragg 13

B Grade

The home side, who are equal top of the ladder, won the match with a 17-7 second quarter. Monbulk responded in the second half to produce a solid display under finals like pressure and showed that they have the game to again compete in the finals.

Monbulk 43 def by ROC 52

• Best: Dayna Walsham, Elizabeth Cutting, Catherine Braniska

• Goals: Dayna Walsham 29, Chloe Baker 10, Chloe Carmichael 4

C Grade

Although the teams were at opposite ends of the ladder, this match was a competitively balanced and interesting game for the most part. ROC’s experience won out in the end but the Hawks are on the right track.

Monbulk 25 def by ROC 41

• Best: Zali Utting, Hayley Donald, Laura Del Biondo

• Goals: Maddy Buckland 19, Grace Sands 5, Chloe Schmidtke 1

D Grade

Monbulk and ROC entered the match level on points however it was the Kangaroos who worked better in transition and forcing turnovers to claim the win. The Hawks are in fifth place, a game ahead of Warburton, who they will meet after the

bye weekend.

Monbulk 16 def by ROC 34

• Best: Jamie Sands, Michelle Steele, Katrina Wragg

• Goals: Jamie Sands 15, Emiley Asling 1 Under 17s

The two Monbulk teams sit on the cusp of possible finals, being in fifth and sixth places respectively. The Maroon team travelled to Woori Yallock to take on the second placed home side while the Gold team were at Officer to meet ROC Blue, who are third.

Monbulk Gold 14 def by ROC Blue 44

• Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Stevie Mullinder, Amelia Kay

• Goals: Summer Kuppers 9, Kaitlyn Summers 4, Amelia Magarry 1

Monbulk Maroon 24 def by Woori Yallock 64

• Best: Shiloh Koole, Tully Caccia, Milla Puddy

• Goals: Chelsea Ferguson 15, Ahliya Wragg 9 Under 15s

The Under 15s met the same opponents at the same venues as the Under 17s. The Gold team’s unbeaten run came to an end in a fiercely contested match where ROC’s pressure in the second term proved to be the difference in an even encounter. The Maroon side moved up to just being percentage outside of the Five after a determined win against the Tigers.

Monbulk Gold 23 def by ROC Blue 27

• Best: Eden Murphy, Ruby Irwin, Alanna White

• Goals: Eden Murphy 17, Amelia Magarry 4, Ria Greenaway 2

Monbulk Maroon 29 def Woori Yallock 21

• Goals: Olivia Dalman, Grace Gaunt, Hayden Brady

• Goals: Isabelle Kos 25, Grace Gaunt 2, Jessica Verheyen 2

Local footy leagues lend support for Fitzgerald family

Victorian metropolitan football leagues of Victoria have united to express their deepest sympathies to the family and community of the beloved Epping footballer Nathan Fitzgerald after he passed away while on end-of-life care.

A rare incident saw the 29-year-old teacher and footballer sustain a serious brain injury during a Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) Reserves match last weekend.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family and loved ones of the individual involved, as well as the players, coaches, officials, volunteers, spectators and the wider football community who have been impacted by this devastating event,” read the joint statement.

“Australian Rules Football is built on community, connection and the wellbeing of those who participate.”

“While our leagues are fierce competitors on the field, we stand together in times of tragedy.”

“The football community is one family, and today we stand alongside the NFNL as they support those most affected.”

The statement acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of the emergency services, first responders, medical personnel, club officials and

volunteers who responded on the day and over the past few days.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in grassroots sport remains our highest priority,” it read.

The leagues have encouraged anyone affected to seek support and to check in on family members, teammates, colleagues and friends during this difficult time.

As the news sent shockwaves through the football community, a GoFundMe set up in support of Mr Fitzgerald has already raised over $100,000 to ease financial pressures for his family.

The community is encouraged to seek out assistance either through their local GP or another trusted health professional if they or someone they know needs support at this time.

Formal organisation services are available through Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 at www. lifeline.org.au (24 hours), Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 at www.beyondblue.org.au, Outside the Locker Room at https://otlr.org.au/ and SALT on 1300 980 424 at www.sportandlifetraining. org.au

Chloe Schmidtke passes to Candice Freeling in C Grade against ROC. (Armin Richter)

Ben Hughson attempts to mark for Monbulk in the seniors against Officer. (Anthea Heagney)

The 29-year-old teacher and footballer sustained a serious brain injury and then passed away while on end-of-life care. (AAP Image/Jason O’Brien)

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Q&A

Ludwig

1.

2. If you were stranded on a desert island,

Satellite phone,

water and wait for rescue!

3. What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Plitviče Lakes National Park in Croatia.

4. What was your first car? Did you name it?

2015 green Holden Barina Spark called Ivy.

5. Where would you like to retire?

By the beach.

6. What is the most unusual food you have ever tried, did you like it?

Witchetty grub in the Northern Territory. Tasted like eggs and I don’t like eggs, so no.

7. If you had any super power for a week, what would it be, and how would you use it?

Teleportation and I would travel the world.

8. What movie title matches your job role?

Mr. Fix It.

9. Which historical figure would you most like to date, and why?

I really don’t know so I’ll go with Margaret BourkeWhite, she was a photographer during World War Two so would be interesting to ask about what she saw.

10. What is the craziest thing you believed as a child? That Port Adelaide wears grey (turns out I was colourblind).

11. If you could have a conversation with your pet, what would you talk about?

I’d let my dog know she can stop waiting for scraps from dinner before eating her own cause she isn’t getting any!