Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Search continues for missing Evan
State Schools Spectacular returns
Aussie rock faces change
Real estate liftout inside
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Scouts’ honour By Mikayla van Loon Thousands of Scouts across Victoria gathered to commemorate World Scout Day on Saturday 1 August, where they participated in community activities from city quests to local festivals. District contingents showcased youth-led initiatives statewide. The Knox District hosted a “ScoutFest” at Rowville’s Arcadia Reserve, offering archery, rock climbing, and ten-pin bowling to engage prospective families. Elsewhere, Pakenham Joeys undertook an adventure hike through the Dandenong Ranges, 1st Croydon Hills erected a custom timber-and-rope playground, and 1st Healesville joined roughly 200 cyclists on a 17-kilometre ride along the Warburton Rail Trail. Meanwhile in the CBD, Maroondah District Cub Scouts navigated Melbourne landmarks during a “Cub City Quest.” Despite national post-pandemic declines in volunteering, Scouts Victoria reported a thriving roster of over 23,000 members. Chief commissioner Daniella Taglieri attributed the growth to outdoors-focused programs offering youth real responsibility. The day also marked the 80th anniversary of the state’s Venturer Scouts section, established in 1946.
Mason from the 1st the Basin Scouts tries his hand at some axe throwing. (Gary Sissons: 569009)
Macclesfield relief By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Macclesfield Public Hall is set to become an even stronger community hub during emergencies after receiving $121,695.48 through the AusNet Energy Resilience Community Fund. The funding will allow the hall to install solar and battery storage with generator back-up, helping it stay operational when power outages hit. Residents will be able to access lighting, communications, food preparation, toilets, re-
ticulated water, device charging and a safe place to gather. The project follows the lengthy outages experienced during the June 2021 and February 2024 storms, when Macclesfield was without power and phone services for weeks. Many homes also rely on tank water and electric pumps, leaving some residents without water for drinking, washing and flushing toilets when the power was down. Macclesfield Disaster Recovery Group mem-
ber Fiona Sewell said the experience highlighted the need to better prepare for future emergencies, particularly in a smaller community that can wait longer to be reconnected to the grid. The hall is already an important part of local life, hosting community groups, school activities and family events. It has a kitchen, communal area, toilets and dedicated spaces including a child-safe area and low-sensory or confidential meeting room. Ms Sewell said local volunteers had worked
hard to ensure the hall could support residents when they needed it most. The project is one of 15 Victorian initiatives funded in the final round of AusNet’s program, with almost $1.7 million awarded to councils and community groups. Planning for the upgrade will now begin, with the community to be kept updated as the project progresses. Turn to page 4 to read the full story
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CFA, SES, Victoria Ambulance, and Police officers worked to rescue the women. (Facebook).
Car rolls 30m down charged steep embankment Man and firearms
Police executed search warrants at Ferntree Gully and Scoresby. (Police Media).
By Tanya Steele
A woman in her 40s was injured after she was involved in a serious car accident which saw her vehicle roll down a steep embankment in Sassafras on 7 August. Injured but stable, the woman was rescued and airlifted to hospital by helicopter after CFA, SES, Police and Ambulance responded to reports of the road accident at around 9.14am on the Mountain Highway in Sassafras. A CFA spokesperson said the incident was attended by five brigades across the area. “Upon arrival, crews found a car had rolled approximately 30 metres down an embankment, and one occupant was trapped,” they said. Working together, responders executed a high-angle rescue to get the woman out of her
vehicle and into the care of Ambulance Victoria paramedics as Mountain Highway closed to traffic in both directions between Sassafras and The Basin. An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said a specialist Air Ambulance helicopter crew, as well as Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics, assessed and treated one patient at the scene. “A woman in her 40s was airlifted to hospital in a stable condition with upper and lower body injuries,” they said. Knox SES Commander on scene Peter Milne and Monbulk CFA Captain Glenn Hickingbotham said the rescue was a great collaboration between all emergency service personnel. “It ensured a coordinated and efficient re-
sponse, allowing the patient to be rescued quickly and safely, a fantastic team effort by everyone involved,” Commander Milne said. Assisting with the rescue, Monbulk and Wandin CFA have brigade members trained specifically for high-angle responses and are known as the District 13 Rope Rescue Team. “We set up a rope system today, anchored off of one of our vehicles,” said Captain Hickingbotham. Knox SES Unit Controller Kristian Schouten said the crew worked to safely extricate the patient using specialist rescue tools. “Working alongside fellow emergency service personnel, crews carried out a coordinated response to safely free the patient and ensure they could receive further care,” he said. The woman is now stable and in hospital.
Investigation into Ferntree Gully assault continues to the ground. Officers have been told the offender then stood beside the victim while he was on the ground and struck him again when he got up onto his feet. The victim fell a second time, and whilst on the ground, the offender took photographs of the victim. It is understood by the police that witnesses helped the victim as the offender left the scene on his orange-and-black-coloured electric scooter. A short time later, the victim was again assaulted by the offender, who struck him from be-
An image of the man who allegedly attacked an 82-year-old man in Ferntree Gully on 6 July. (Police Media). hind on Rankin Road. The victim was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He sustained significant bruising and lacerations to his face as well as bleeding.
By Tanya Steele A man has been charged after police seized several handguns, 3D printers and ammunition from a house in Ferntree Gully and a storage site in Scoresby on Thursday 6 August. Orna Street in Ferntree Gully was discovered to be the site of operations for alleged firearm manufacturing, with items also found at a storage facility in Scoresby. After receiving information from the Australian Border Force (ABF), detectives from Knox Crime Investigation Unit and Croydon Divisional Response Unit police conducted an investigation and then executed search warrants at both sites. Police found five firearms, parts, ammunition, 3D printers allegedly used to manufacture the weapons and drugs of dependence. A 39-year-old Ferntree Gully man was then taken into custody and charged with several offences surrounding the possession and manufacture of illegal firearms and remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday 7 August. Anyone with information on the manufacturing of firearms is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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Further information on a Ferntree Gully assault in July has police appealing to the public for assistance, and they have now released an image of the alleged offender. Police say that on 6 July, an 82-year-old Ferntree Gully man yelled out to a teenager on an electric scooter whom he thought was going too fast on the Blind Creek Trail between Bond Street and Lewis Road at around 1.30pm. Allegedly, the male offender then verbally abused the victim before striking him to the face and head multiple times, causing the victim to fall
seized in Ferntree Gully
2 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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IN BRIEF Suspicious Yellingbo house fire Police arrested a woman in relation to a “suspicious” house fire in Yellingbo on Saturday 8 August. Multiple brigades responded to reports a house fire on Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road at around 7.20pm. “The house was safely evacuated, and there were no reported injuries,” said a Victoria Police spokesperson. “A woman was arrested at the scene and will be interviewed by investigators,” they said. CFA firefighters from across the Yarra Ranges arrived at a bedroom fire in a single-storey residential home that was well alight. “CFA had 15 vehicles on scene,” a CFA media spokesperson said. CFA volunteers from Yellingbo, Emerald, Macclesfield, Hillcrest, Wandin, Seville and Silvan brigades brought the blaze under control within an hour. Ambulance Victoria transported a woman in her 50s that night by road to Maroondah Hospital in a stable condition for observation. Police said that it is alleged the people involved are known to each other, and there are no parties outstanding.
Numberplate thefts on the rise
Victoria Police and Evan’s family are appealing for information about his whereabouts. (Victoria Police)
Evan Sinclair’s distinctive wrist tattoo.
Evan search appeal By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Victoria Police called on the public to help find missing Belgrave man, Evan Sinclair, after his family made an emotional appeal for information during a media conference on Wednesday, 5 August. The 24-year-old was last seen leaving his McNicol Road home about midnight on Friday, 31 July. Evan is described as Caucasian, about 183cm tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. Acting senior sergeant Ben Aulich said Evan’s distinctive bright yellow 2010 Holden Commodore sedan with black rims was captured on CCTV travelling east on the Princes Highway in the early hours of Saturday before being seen between Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance about 3.30am. “Since that time, we haven’t been able to locate the vehicle or Evan, and so we’re very much seeking the assistance of the public,” he said. Evan’s bright yellow Holden bears registration: 1NY2OQ. Mr Aulich said there had been no known contact with Evan’s friends since he disappeared, and enquiries had found no activity on his social media, banking or other accounts since the early hours of Saturday. He said police in the Bairnsdale area are continuing enquiries and had also contacted Parks Victoria and DEECA because of the large number of campgrounds across the region.
Evan’s distinctive yellow Holden Commodore was last seen travelling east on the Princes Highway through Bairnsdale. “We’re here today to ask people that are one, locals to that area that may have seen the car, or people that are travelling or holidaying in that area, just to keep an eye out in those campgrounds or those more rural locations,” Mr Aulich said. Evan’s mother, Margaret Sinclair, described her son as “one of the good guys” and said his disappearance was completely out of character. “We just miss him very much, and we would like to have him back,” she said. Ms Sinclair said Evan is her youngest child and that her family had always been close. Evan’s brother and sister, who were interstate at the time, travelled to be with the family as soon as they heard the news.
“For me, he was my baby,” Ms Sinclair said. Ms Sinclair said nothing appeared unusual on Friday evening before Evan left home. She said he had asked her for a shopping bag so he could do some grocery shopping, returned home with groceries, and she went to bed without seeing him again. The following afternoon she became concerned when she was unable to contact him and noticed his car was gone. “It’s nothing like this has ever happened before,” Ms Sinclair said. “He’s just a really, really lovely young guy who is very much loved, and we want to see him back again - we want to find him.” Ms Sinclair said Evan loved nature and urged anyone in the Gippsland area to remain vigilant, asking people not only to look for his bright yellow Holden Commodore but also to keep watch while walking tracks in the region. “The car to me is the key to be able to find my son because it is very distinctive,” she said. She also had a direct message for her son. “There’s never ever any mess that’s so big or little or whatever that we can’t fix up,” Ms Sinclair said. “So come back or reach out and make contact.” Anyone who sees Evan or his yellow Holden Commodore, registration 1NY2OQ, is urged to contact Triple Zero (000) immediately or Lilydale Police Station on (03) 9739 2300.
Outer east locals are urged to secure their cars after new Crime Statistics Agency data shows almost half of all numberplates stolen in Victoria are from cars parked on residential streets. Of the 32,614 numberplate theft offences in the year to March 14,431 were taken from cars parked on residential streets. Though the outer east does not contain any of the top five hotspots for numberplate theft, car owners should still be proactive and park their vehicle off the street and in a garage if possible. Police know numberplates are the most common item to be stolen from cars and is often at the centre of more serious offending. Police regularly see offenders use stolen numberplates to hide the identity of a vehicle when committing other crimes such as burglaries, ram raids, petrol drive offs and to evade police.
Locals asked to support return of soft plastics drop-off points The Cardinia Shire Council has called upon locals to drop off their clean and dry soft plastics at dedicated bins located at the front of participating Woolworths stores “Soft plastics don’t belong in your kerbside recycling bin and now they don’t need to end up in landfill either. “We’re calling on residents to support the return of soft plastics recovery drop-off points,” the council said in a Facebook post. “Think plastic bags, snack wrappers and cling film – if it’s scrunchable and stays scrunched, collect and drop.” Locals can also look for the “Check locally” label for accepted materials. Cardinia Shire drop-off locations include: 28 Sylvia Rd Beaconsfield, 383–385 BelgraveGembrook Rd Emerald, Cnr Princes Hwy and Cardinia Rd Officer, 9 Village Way Lakeside (Pakenham), 55 Henry St Pakenham.
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Solar upgrade for Macclesfield hall By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Macclesfield Public Hall is set to play an even bigger role during emergencies after receiving $121,695.48 through the AusNet Energy Resilience Community Fund to install a solar and battery system with generator backup. The funding means the hall will be able to keep operating when the power goes out, giving residents access to lighting, communications, food preparation, toilets, reticulated water, device charging and a safe place to come together. The funding comes after the 2021 storms that left Macclesfield without power, mobile phone and landline services for three weeks. With no mains gas and many homes relying on tank water and electric pumps, residents were also left without water for drinking, washing and flushing toilets, while cooking options were limited. Macclesfield brigade recovery liaison and Macclesfield Disaster Recovery Group member Fiona Sewell said the experience reinforced the need to better prepare the community for future emergencies. “As a community with a smaller population, we have often not been reconnected to the mains until bigger local townships were back on the grid,” she said. “The two to three-week outages following both the June 2021 and February 2024 storms really brought home those residential gaps.” “Although we did have a number of residents invest in diesel generators, the lack of power to nearby petrol stations during 2024 left those homes without a solution.” Ms Sewell said developing the funding application required careful planning to ensure the project would meet both current and future community needs. “For us the biggest challenge was to really think through what sort of system and equipment we need now, but to also look at how that equipment could continue to future-proof the facility in the years ahead,” she said. “The AusNet application process gave us a critical and guided opportunity to complete a fully fleshed project plan, work out who the right implementation team needed to be, and cost out a viable plan we could take forward if we were not successful with our AusNet application.” The resilience upgrade will combine solar generation, battery storage and generator backup so the hall can continue operating when the local power network is disrupted. Beyond its role in emergencies, the hall is already a valued community space used by local groups, the school and for family events - it includes a kitchen, ablution facilities, a large communal area and several internal rooms, includ-
Council opening up opportunities for roadside trading permits
Macclesfield Public Hall has received AusNet funding to install a solar, battery and backup generator system. (Stewart Chambers: 570009) ing a designated child-safe area and a separate low-sensory or confidential meeting space. In an emergency, those facilities will enable the hall to support residents who may be isolated, displaced or without essential services. Ms Sewell said local volunteers had played a vital role in ensuring the hall was ready when the community needed it most. “The Macclesfield Disaster Recovery Group formed in 2012 and has been ready when we’ve needed them ever since,” she said. “Knowing that when the worst has hit us, the hall will be ready to charge devices, have a safe space for children, connect with services and get a warm meal is when you really see both the recovery group and hall committee volunteers come to the fore.” Macclesfield fire brigade captain and Macclesfield hall booking officer Sharon Merritt said the hall committee’s volunteers had worked for decades to ensure the facility benefited the community. “The hall committee are just a small group of local community volunteers who have managed the hall since the late 1990s and want to see the hall used to benefit the local community, particularly in emergencies when the locals need support,” Ms Merritt said. While the upgrades are designed to improve emergency preparedness, Ms Sewell said they would also benefit the community every day. “Our local hall is so much more than just a temporary relief centre,” she said. “It’s where our local community groups meet,
the school uses the facilities and it’s available for hire for all sorts of events and special family occasions.” “Knowing that the lights won’t go out, the kitchen will keep cooking and we’ll be able to stay warm and keep on keeping on during the best and worst of occasions is something our community is feeling really proud to have an opportunity through this funding to achieve.” The Macclesfield project is one of 15 community initiatives across Victoria to receive funding through the final round of AusNet’s Energy Resilience Community Fund, with close to $1.7 million awarded to councils and community groups. AusNet executive general manager distribution Andrew Linnie said the grants supported community-led projects that built long-term resilience and provided practical support during outages and extreme weather events. “These projects are important because they are shaped and delivered by communities themselves,” Mr Linnie said. “Local councils, community organisations and volunteers know what they need and have turned that knowledge into practical solutions that keep people safe, connected and supported.” Through the Energy Resilience Community Fund, AusNet has supported more than 90 community resilience hubs, with many operational and ready for community use now and during future emergency events. The project will now move into the planning stage, with the community to be kept updated as the upgrades progress.
Boronia trains return Trains have returned to Boronia Station, while works continue on the Boronia Station Upgrade. Buses had replaced train services at Boronia last week, and now work will continue around the station precinct until spring. Here’s a timeline for further works and access to the area as the upgrades continue: People can access the train platforms at Boronia via lifts or stairs at the western entrance on Erica Avenue. From 21 August, 8.30 pm - Last service Sunday 23 August: Buses will replace trains between Bayswater and Belgrave. This closure is scheduled to allow crews to carry out roadworks on Lupton Way, pave the new plaza, station concourse, platform and forecourt areas, paint, and put the finishing touches on the station precinct. Until Wednesday 30 September: Crews will be on site around the clock, working 24/7 around the station precinct and on Dorset Road. Late August to early October: Western station entrance on Erica Avenue will be closed for finishing works. The new Lupton Way station entrance will be open to passengers via a footpath from Dorset Road and Chandler Road. 4 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Work continues until spring. (Supplied).
The station works are set to be finished by spring. (Supplied).
Trains are running again at Boronia Station. (Supplied).
Late September: Lupton Way will reopen to traffic. The upgrades are expected to be finished by spring; both station entrances will be open, an ex-
panded concourse will improve connections over the rail line, and the station precinct will be more accessible, with an updated pick-up and drop-off zone on Lupton Way.
Yarra Ranges Council has opened an expression of interest (EOI) process for Roadside Trading Permits at 14 fixed locations around the Yarra Ranges and is inviting local traders to apply. This follows several rounds of community engagement over recent years, which helped shape the Roadside and Public Place Permit Guidelines, Trading Policy, and other policies on trading in public endorsed by Council in December 2025. As a result of this work, 14 locations around the Yarra Ranges have been identified as ‘fixed trading sites’ and will require businesses to hold a specific permit to allow them to trade from 1 January 2027. Expressions of interest are open now on the Council website and will close on 27 August. Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Richard Higgins encouraged locals with a mobile business to put their hands up for a permit. “Roadside trading is part of the history and day-to-day life of the Yarra Ranges, from locals grabbing a coffee at a park or on your way to work, picking up some of the fantastic fresh produce our region has to offer or buying the kids a treat on a drive through the region,” he said. “We’ve now opened EOIs for 14 prime trading sites, creating a fantastic opportunity for locals to make their roadside business a fixture of our region. “Through the EOI process, we want to hear about your business, what you’ll offer locals and visitors, and how you operate your business.” The 14 locations where roadside trading permits are available are: ■ Three sites at Lillydale Lake, Lilydale. ■ One site at Bellbird Park, Lilydale. ■ Two sites at 150 Cambridge Road, Kilsyth. ■ One site on Paynes Road, Chirnside Park. ■ One site at Keith Hume Fraser Reserve, Montrose. ■ One site on the corner of Tramway Road and York Road, Mt Evelyn. ■ One site on the corner of the Old Warburton Highway and Warburton Highway, Seville. ■ One site on the corner of Warburton Highway and Victoria Road, Wandin North. ■ One site at Kalorama Memorial Reserve, Kalorama. ■ One site at Wesburn Park (Warburton Bike Park Trail Head), Warburton. ■ One site on McIntyre Lane, Yering. Cr Higgins said there is plenty of time to make an application, and the council is available to support any traders that need a hand with the process. “An independent panel will assess applications based on connection to the region – including if there’s a history of trading locally - hours of operation, sustainability of operation, range of options for the community and diversity in what the businesses offer,” he said. “We’ll notify applicants of our decision by end September, with the new permits applying from 1 January 2027.” Current flexible permits for these sites will continue until the end of 2026. Flexible roadside trading permits will continue to be available for use at other locations across the Yarra Ranges.
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Plight of hidden homeless By Callum Ludwig When many of us think of homelessness, we can often think of the visible forms; rough sleepers, begging for help, on busy city streets. This Homelessness Week, local homelessness support services are urging the community to be aware that homelessness can be hidden and found all around us. Stable One chief executive Katherine Kirkwood said one of the most noticeable changes they’ve observed this winter has been an increase in the number and average length of stay for people staying at the Yarra Valley Winter Shelter each night. “As our shelter is best suited to people with low to moderate support needs, this may indicate that more people without highly complex needs are now experiencing prolonged homelessness due to housing affordability, limited rental availability and financial stress,” she said. “A key concern is that even people who are ready and able to move forward are not finding a realistic pathway out of homelessness. “Homelessness isn’t always visible, while some people sleep rough, many others are sleeping in cars, couch surfing, living in overcrowded or unsafe housing, or staying in temporary accommodation because they have nowhere else to go.” Stable One will be launching two initiatives later this year to continue their efforts beyond the Winter Shelter network: the Fast Haven Collective and Stable One Education. The Fast Haven Collective will be a network of community members willing to offer accommodation, being connected with individuals and families experiencing housing instability, supported by Stable One to ensure matches are appropriate and sustainable. People with investment properties, spare rooms, bungalows, caravans or even vacant land to house a caravan are all welcome to express an interest in joining the Fast Haven Collective.
Stable One Education will be a program offering practical education to individuals, churches and community organisations to help them better understand and respond to homelessness and related issues. Ms Kirkwood said raising awareness for homelessness remains incredibly important as it is often misunderstood as something that only affects people with complex needs, or only comes as a result of bad decision-making. “In reality, many people across all demographics in our own community are experiencing homelessness, and often because of circumstances beyond their control - such as childhood trauma, family violence, serious illness or injury, relationship breakdown, or financial hardship,” she said. “By continuing to raise awareness, we help challenge misconceptions, encourage empathy, and build practical community involvement in the long-term solutions needed to address homelessness… the more our community understands the different forms homelessness can take, the more likely people are to recognise when someone needs support. “We all need to play our part; it might be donating to a local organisation, volunteering your time, contacting your local government representative about affordable housing, or simply taking the time to treat someone experiencing homelessness with dignity and kindness.” In Lilydale, Holy Fools’ Felix House remains busy providing services to people experiencing homelessness in the community. Chief executive Neal Taylor said one of the big things that he’s seen over the last year is that homelessness can affect anyone. “We’ve seen people who are elderly living in their cars at 70-plus years old through to 17-year-olds; it’s amazing how people don’t realise how far away they are from being homeless, two or three steps and their lives could be in turmoil,” he said. “We’ve seen the difference that it makes
Local support services share their observations this Homelessness Week. (File) for people to encounter Felix House and just having that as an aid for their journey, we had one lady, she was 72, she was living in her car with her friend and when she came to us, she was stooped over, carrying a cane but she had a shower at our center, and she came out and she looked like she had a spring in her step. “We’ve really worked hard to try and build awareness in the community over the last 15 years we’ve been around, and I think the awareness is better than it used to be, but I think it still has chasms to go.” A lunch was held at Felix House on Wednesday 5 August while its annual FreezeOut! campaign remains ongoing, with community members invited to swap their bed for the floor, the couch, your car, your backyard, a club room or a school hall for a night or more to raise vital funds. Anchor chief executive Heidi Tucker said it’s becoming increasingly hard for people in the Yarra Ranges to be able to access safe and affordable housing. “We notice every day just how limited the options are for people when someone presents to our service, and how long it can take
to get people moving through the system,” she said. “We are seeing an increase in people that are 55-plus years of age on fixed incomes (pension or super), as well as employed and dual income families with children, but are still finding themselves experiencing homelessness. “Many people are those have experienced of family violence and the risk has decreased; however, they cannot return to their home and are now forced to access homelessness services.” Ms Tucker also highlighted that bottlenecks within homelessness refuges, access to crisis brokerage, public housing properties without tenants due to required maintenance and low vacancy rates are contributing to extended waiting lists for people experiencing homelessness. Ms Tucker said a big part of Homelessness Week is raising awareness of what the reality of accessing a homelessness service looks like and urged people to take the time to familiarise themselves with what supports are available. “Setting clear expectations of what is possible and when people should reach out for support - earlier is better than when things enter crisis situations… there is still stigma and misunderstanding about what homelessness actually looks like,” she said. “An alarming trend witnessed by our homelessness team this year has been the increase in demographics that have never accessed specialist homelessness services before, specifically, families with two parents who are both working and earning incomes, yet still unable to afford housing or rentals, and unable to secure accommodation. “We have a brilliant community full of generous and empathetic people that want to see people experiencing homelessness get the support they need and deserve, often people want to help someone they know needs help, but don’t know where to turn to.”
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At the Yarra pride and Glen Racecourse, determinatio young annual State Championsh n for School athletes ran tion. with Tuesday ips Cross Sports Victoria’s , 21 July, Country The Yarra competi2026 Ranges ment and venue became from acrosscompetitive a hub of spirit excitecross-countr Victoria raced on 16 July as students y runners against The event the best in the state. young By Oliver Winn cal schools, produced strong performance 2A and 2B trails. and Outer with students on Stage 2. A $2.1 million increase in building Stage 2A and 2B will cost $1.6 million the community, and that the Stage best young East making from across the s from locosts for the PAGE and is 2 trails needed She cited breaches their mark Warburton Bike Park was revealed Yarra Valley runners. 7 of trail width on one of the to be completed before economic The at the 14 July funded by a Federal Government grant. Mean- park’s trails, among benefits of the boys race on. In the Yarra Ranges Council meeting. while, the meeting also revealed A Stara lack of clear financial reporting re- park could be realised. Victoria’s (Stewart that Stage 1’s garding ary Girls SSV State Combined News the park’s Chambers: economic total cost had increased by $533,000. 9-10 Years The development drew criticism Group impacts, and issues “Phase two is critical from an economic mary School 565898) surrounding washbays from comevent, AlmaPrimary and Publicat modat the Wesburn and Mt elling perspective… O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim munity members speaking at the Secondfinished Sadie E PAGE H it will help us move to cost Child said Tugwell trailheads. ion meeting, while from Croydonninth overall from Tecoma the cost amendments were “appropriate” 9 importantly, councillors labelled it “appropriate” d neutral, but more sixth in Prias it in race . to be generating 666 808 But, the council’s director of built race 250. Hills Primary neede kept the 19 243 project “within budget” environ- financial returns for the community.” It came after a motion . ds: 1300 of theto extend PAGE ment and infrastructure, Anita Curnow Meanwhile, was ts tabled 2 trails School while But a Yarra Ranges said “no placed “We can’t achieve that if we don’t and vary mountainStage local, Karen Hanmer, spoke nonconformances” Lilydale finished and Classifie benefi trail design company to the continue were identified on the trails. the bike High School motion and said the council must Trades mic through all phases of this particular PAGE World Trail’sthat Upwey third in the Girls modcontract address 3700a range of issues Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister project. student the High new Stage econoto construct mic and 11 5957 before it can commence works said That’s when the employment targets will By Tanya Zoe C of 12:59.963 School student 17-20 Years to cost she was be met.” grateful unity, 31 before Phone: category for the increased scrutiny from Steele ting Spencer in the Multi-Class an econo d. PAGE move eted comm J recorded and READ MORE ON PAGE 4 Over the compl be realise l fromhelp us be genera Boys 13-15 the school a time to family ue Years event. to be could is critica holidays it willtantly, ® have weaved Phone: Read more PAGE t. two contin ebrate e unity.” a park By Mikayla 19 5957 on page ctive…impor of the NAIDOC 9 a giant local student don’t projec “Phas 3700 14 van Loon oldest PAGE perspe more the comm ular be met.” Trades on one ing reif we figures week for rainbow serpentand her Yarra Ranges 4 s for e that the hills. partic s will from First 2026, bringing and Classifie elling l, but width report issues to celto redevelop Council has ial and trail Mt • FRL 60/60/60 separation wall Nations neutra ial returnachiev of this target ON PAGE approved ds: 1300 Netball Using the s es of financ ts, rn and curing learningone of the • Timber or steel frames 2. donated ran with bow yment MORE financ can’t phase the full McDermott Avenuea masterplan praised Court Parkland 666 808 6 on to life Firezone breach of clearmic impac serpent 1.726-hectar use following athletes smarter way and “We is aall to build • Minimal components for an intertenancy parti wall. emplo nWesbu in the decision PAGE READ Reserve, Redevelopm on Stagecited a lack Publicati Weather h e, young Sports Victoria’s grave South has taken hand dyed and mould e site theresistant, Firezone years of se- currently helps builders save time and econo the • Weather & mould Resistant Group enviro“no costs She to preserve ent group, The majority sheets, without community for recreational Racecours compromising performance or competi- as term throug when Primary form on News trails, park’s ays at quality. for School phalt and sits underutilise built said the site, the fence the raina previous CodeMark Country vote on advocacy. Certified is Yarra Glen • tion A Star w returned, and students That’s disused d and littered park’s g the washb which risen from $4.4 Cross about At the or of line at • Trusted ships infrastructur southwest draft proposalTuesday 14 July by Australias largest builders n and Aborigina “This is Curno the trails. doing and determina BelNow available at your trusted have celebrated ads. with as- which includes million to just direct said overrode and of excitein the a significant pride to sell e. millio Mean1’s gardin nding il’s e, Anita fied on ister will feature corner for under $6.2 a hub classroom l and Torresactivities State Champion one will 15 years a testament surrou ll trailhecounc housing. off the reserve’s outcome $1.6 t grant. from and annual allocate million, became July as students A of Strait . ing area, a kick-about ® advocated Instead, Stage for Mooroolbar to the many ® cost ructur identi McAll y and grassing, ® $2.5 million maintenanc venue Tugwe the 16 Islanderlearning young school nmen that will tion. for the e. Stage this project will Ranges e spirit on residents walking multipurpos lawn, playspace,the area he said. infrast were Fionased scrutin But, k and for site culture the best Blaze said Captain and 2B Gover ed reserve 2B trails. e court, deliver paths, and parking followed by $1 who have preparation and ances” illor The Yarra this year’s l over the and Mayor ly, she 00. 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Cr Mitch nnass ments n budge 14 July total Choosing .com ng costs pointed tience. reflected a decade cost of Mazzarella Karen il must works to install an $18,000 barbecue, the proud Second- the O’Sha amendt “withi to the the staged cal schools, East making the buildi ed at ence @eview and nearly of community said which •Primary thing Wills •and show, Drafting PriRainbow s local, counc Powers cost project costing incluAttorney •VCAT Guardianship to se in reveal Winn Blaze of and Outer runners. $17,000 comm he argued the comian.vine Tecoma has nity“We’ve heard the the projec Range and Administration • Property Law pa- chy NOW Serpent also led levels • Probate from year annually $21,600 | E: OFFERING CONVEYANCING while loud said it can and letters guidelines breached wants a of g. administration 243 best youngSSV State Combined n increa was in some as the her some • Alma H kept a Yarran and By Oliver to clean, Contesting m fromg, while standard site whichand clear that & PROPERTY LAW SERVICES 179 767 star of estates • Conveyancing Services event, overall in race time weaving, fellow students placed millioBike Parkil meetin criticis before But the commuIn the Ultimately, during a tight park is usable Torres SchoolStraitlooking at motioissues meetin flag making T: 0488 9-10 Years ninth CALL NOW TO 301 Maroondah Highway, Healesville across and green... A $2.1 rton s Counc t drew councillors budget cycle. hierarplan. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT the different ary Girls WITH USand finished Hills Primary lia as Islander to the of at the . AT YOUR HOME, WORKPLACE, OR and voted to school Warbu Range ing priate” AT OUR OFFICE to extend (03) 5929 7010 Zoe C ny groups pmen Aborigina spent approve Croydon a range mary School on the student WE COME TO YOU! “I really returned. the E from and Yarra l and develo ers speak “approwas tabled compa Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm map of (03) School Sadie like how 250. Stage ing category d it The memb Read more Austra- 5929 7010 n info@yarravalleylegal.com.au rty Lawes sixth in race , Lilydale High design new Yearsall sorts a time it’s a rainbow, EMENT y of labellea motio trail 17-20 on the people,” recorded event. page 3 Prope ADVERTIS munit illors uct Meanwhile in the Girls Spencer J so it’s she said. bike n • ng Servic Years PHYSIOT representE third 14 counc came after tain to constr student s Boys 13-15 istratio yanci HERAPY ct on page OFFICfinishedHigh School READ It moun Multi-Clas Read more MORE - REMEDIA Admin Conve contra Upwey vary .au in the Blaze ON PAGE AT OUR MOUNT weaved and p and s • Trail’s L MASSAG OR al.com of 12:59.963 EVELYN 8 Chambers the Rainbow CE, Shop 2, ianshi estate World lleyleg E - CLINICA : 565994) 18 Station KPLA Serpent arrava AT Guard sting with help Street L CLASSES ON E, WOR P: 9736 Conte info@y from her 02-25 2565 EILD HOM - REFORM 1542 Mount OLINDA ey •VC n • family 12739397-MC 3775 FOR and had VIC Attorn istratio ER PILATES BOOK Dandeno AT YOUR Glen 7010 fun taking rs of BER YOUR US Yarra m.au admin 5929 NEXT APPOIN lead on P: 9751 ng Tourist Road MEM Street, Leish.co WITH CHIRNSI ng Powe of (03) Bell NAIDOC 0400 .au ENT DE PARK TMENT 3/282 Maroond week letters CindyMct.vic.gov 10, 38-40 • Drafti INTM activities ONLINE and Shop 1066 arliamen - 5pm in Belgrave APPO ah Highway • Wills te www.for AN 03 9730 leish@p 565898) 9am P: 8899 Proba South. mandpr - Fri LeishMP Chambers: • (Stewart 6377 BOOK cindy.mc Mon actice.c TO (Stewart CindyMc Our pool he said. 3775 race on. om.au/b VIC NOW sole opposBy Tanya deliver that,” Glen service The boys cast the maintewill Steele ook-onl CALL YOU! St, Yarra s include Regular, Higgins Bell ine TO this project William over long-term Richard : 10, 38-40 on-dema green pool Mayor COME concerns Shop inclucoming Ricketts $6.2 million, FREE MP, WE & to the under nd pool months, Sanctuary vote, citing ce. Stage equipme onsite to just $21,600 On-site is set C. McLeish n ing closed servicing more pointed costs. d by to reopen nt check following Poolwerx “The of maintenan than fivecosting $4.4 million *T&Cs clean, nance preparatio , Cr Higgins 2021. apply, * chemicawater testing Authorise Boronia see website severe CING 15 years Shop 7, barbecue, for site years to in the and will recovery works risen from annually Specifically for details. 109 Boronia hierarafter for drainage storm l balancin million and includes include EYAN Boronia park group, it was works to the Parksan $18,000 $17,000 damage which allocate $2.5 by $1 millionand $2.2 mil| 03 9762 Road, ment g nearly standard cycle.in sion of Victoria CONVSERVICESsville 4955 stroyed to repair andadditional site are ongoing No are June nearingand says Redevelop site, which one will followed in stage two, breached the three. ING buildings, works budget to install argued replace insurance Poolwerx stage said. funded Parkland preserve the LAW ay, Heale with asand called he completio a tightto maketo approve and grassing,upgrades ” a Parks damaged -funded ure in Court OFFERERTY to Lilydale 5/9 Clarke whichrepairs duringn, with voted littered the site after parking for and Victoria Netball future to Highw decision Street, and infrastruct said ed greater and guidelines, damaged NOW PROP reopening Lilydale safe 3 “The works the 7010 and councillors further insurance social spokesper de- ure rk transpare | 03 9735 ndah & ure. praised sits underutilis Mazzarella pa- chy buildings more on page to the public.” . will not lion for has been assigned. from that the 3179 son Ultimately Cr Mitch community Maroo (03) 5929 for Mooroolba require Read to continueVictoria. both the managementncy over the currently disused infrastruct of who have funding After 301 the site outcome Labor site’s the motion, so far plan. a masterplan van Loon se- phalt and a significant residents a decade to re-close governme by this the June was media Moving “Commun many the past decade,” Reserve, l reflected has approved By Mikayla nt and a fail- which and said to the “This is the commuabout Fitzmauriyear, Liberal storm anniversa ity members over t Avenue recreationa Council Parks the plan the the protection clear that green... and testamentthe reserve ce criticised Monbulk for early ry passed and a old andis special to Sanctuary are for Yarra Ranges the McDermot loud andusable and “Parks are site advocacy. tience. is a unique many heard the lengthcandidate y is to prioritise Victoria of this site,” very concerned plans quiet new will enjoy advocated 1.726-hect and to redevelop “We’ve site which and vanfor the place she said. communit must July overrode the full of the Clare the council a being she hopes place of art, Sanctuary come ing safety years of Tuesday 14 the reserve’s he said. urged curing closure able to More visitors “After nature clean nity wants recently, .” long-stand just over return Mr Sheedt and has about vote on to sell off tino broadcast which use following the area to this their Monbulk project devastated five years reflection. Instead, climb- works to address The majority its reopening staged news draft proposal housing. playspace, concerns. cost of the this part following of the MP Daniela silience a previous corner for is the storm lawn, sensory garden, dalism re-openin De Marof the symbolic of of our communi g on social Dandenon The projected southwest a kick-about people the recovery se court, t ty, amenities. g,” she and places will featuremultipurpo and resaid. upgraded g the McDermot across ing area,paths, and Mount walking Sheedy, representin READ MORE Mark ON PAGE 4
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At the Yarra Glen Racecourse, young athletes ran with pride and determination for School Victoria’s annual State Championships Sports Cross Country competition. The Yarra Ranges venue became a hub of excitement and competitive spirit on 16 July as students from across Victoria raced against the best young cross-country runners in the state. The event produced strong performances from local schools, with students from across the Yarra Valley and Outer East making their mark among Victoria’s best young runners. In the SSV State Combined Primary and Secondary Girls 9-10 Years event, Alma H from Tecoma Primary School finished ninth overall in race 243 while Sadie E from Croydon Hills Primary School placed sixth in race 250. Meanwhile, Lilydale High School student Zoe C finished third in the Girls 17-20 Years category and Upwey High School student Spencer J recorded a time of 12:59.963 in the Multi-Class Boys 13-15 Years event.
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL 5
NEWS
Library Day focuses on funds needs
The campaign pushes for better investment in Australia’s school libraries. (Unsplash/Iñaki del Olmo)
By Oliver Winn
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School libraries in the Yarra Ranges have come back into focus with the Australian School Library Day set to take place on 26 August. The day aims to showcase the benefits of school libraries while calling for more support. In July, the Star Mail contacted 22 schools and asked what their libraries were like, if they had paid staff maintaining them, and if they wanted more funding to better support their libraries. The data revealed over three-quarters of schools ran their libraries with volunteers, teachers or education support staff, and mixed satisfaction with the quality of the libraries. A school library is the gateway to literacy and trustworthy information and also provides a safe, calming environment for students to spend their time. Yet, many school libraries are under pressure and risk closure. Australian Coalition of School Libraries is spearheading a campaign throughout August that highlights why sustained investment in libraries is essential for children’s education. “Australia currently does not mandate school libraries which is creating significant inequity across education systems,” Australian Coalition of School Libraries Ms Ellermen said. “Ensuring that full and fair funding includes provision for a school library with qualified staff in every Australian school would be an investment solution that would make a difference to educational outcomes in Australia across the board,” Ms Ellerman said. Birmingham Primary School principal Steven Harvey said libraries remained crucial for delivering a quality education experience. “In an age where students are surrounded by digital content, we believe there remains something uniquely valuable about children holding a physical book in their hands, browsing library shelves, discovering authors they have never encountered before, and developing a genuine love of reading. “While technology has an important place in education, it complements rather than replaces the experience of reading quality literature in print. “School libraries remain an essential part of every child’s education, providing opportunities to build literacy, curiosity and a lifelong love of reading,” Mr Harvey said. Ms Ellermen agreed with the sentiment and said key literacy skills had never been more important in an instant-information society. “Critical thinking, ethical use of information, along with digital, media literacy and AI literacy are more important than ever in an instant-information society. “Access to information is everywhere, so understanding, evaluating, using and creating information effectively is what school libraries and teacher librarians teach.” But school libraries needed to be resourced well to be beneficial for young people in regional or rural areas like the Yarra Ranges. “School libraries are an educational resource like no other that support every student, every teacher, and every learning area across the entire school community. “In regional and remote areas access to a school library is an imperative to ensuring equity in learning opportunities and resources,” she said. The Australian School Library Day coincides Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Children’s Book Week.
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Ferny Creek PS preppies showed up to school on Tuesday, 4 August, in their creative outfits. (Supplied)
A Ferny Creek PS student joins in the 100 Days of School celebrations. (Supplied)
Alex dressed as an old man for the 100 Days of School celebrations. (Supplied)
Preps mark 100 days of school By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
celebrated 100 days of school on Tuesday, 4 August, with a morning of activities centred around the number 100. Students dressed in creative costumes before taking part in a treasure hunt to find 100 hidden items, creating colourful 100 days crowns, completing 100 exercises and practising counting to 100, along with a range of other learning activities. Ferny Creek Primary School principal Susan Vissenjoux said the celebration was an opportunity to recognise the progress students
had made during their first 100 days. “It was a fantastic celebration of everything our students have achieved in their first 100 days of learning this year,” Ms Vissenjoux said. “The 100 days of school celebration is always a wonderful opportunity to recognise just how much our youngest learners have grown.” “In just 100 days, our junior students have developed new skills, built confidence, formed friendships and embraced the routines of school with enthusiasm.”
Indy also turned up to school dressed up for the celebrations. (Supplied)
Nate came to school with his walking cane as part of his costume. (Supplied)
The Basin Primary School students danced the day away. (Supplied)
Hayley celebrates 100 days of school. (Supplied)
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The Basin Primary School and Ferny Creek Primary School preppies celebrated their first 100 days of school last week, with costumes, games and fun learning activities. At The Basin Primary School, the milestone was marked with a 100 days parade, games, cookie decorating and a disco, with students encouraged to celebrate the number 100 throughout the day. Prep students arrived to school in creative
costumes - bringing colour and excitement to the celebrations. The day also provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress students have made since starting school, including settling into classroom routines, making new friends and developing important learning skills. The school said its preppies had shown enthusiasm, curiosity and resilience while embracing the new experiences that came with starting school. At Ferny Creek Primary School, preppies
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL 7
THE ARCTIC BIT COME WINTER IN VICTORIA
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8 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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NEWS
Now at spectacular stage By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Around 28 schools and approximately 450 students are coming together for this year’s State Schools Spectacular, with several schools from the Yarra Ranges among them, including Tecoma Primary School, The Basin Primary School, Upwey South Primary School and Wonga Park Primary School. On Friday, 7 August, the students took part in a regional rehearsal at Maroondah Nets in Heathmont. The annual Victorian State Schools Spectacular is a performing arts opportunity for Victoria’s government primary and secondary school students, showcasing the talents of government school communities and supporting students to reach high levels of achievement in the arts. The 2026 event, ‘This Is Me’, will bring together song, dance and circus acts, with bold costumes, stunning visuals and a live 80-piece orchestra. The participating students have spent weeks learning choreography and preparing for the 2026 State Schools Spectacular, ‘This Is Me’. Wattle View Primary School, Year 6 student Charlie said one of her favourite parts of the program was being able to take part alongside her friends. “Definitely being able to be with my friends and all the different props are just so cool and so exciting,” she said. It is Charlie’s’ first year in the program, and while she has found some of the dance moves challenging, she said she was looking forward to seeing how well the group performs on the big stage. “I know we’ll do amazing,” she said. For Year 6 student Evie from Wattle View Primary School, this year’s performance is particularly meaningful as it is her final year of primary school. She took part in the program last year and decided to return so she could experience it again in her final year. For Evie, the ‘This Is Me’ theme is about being yourself and expressing your personality. “Just keep going and do your own thing,” she said. Year 6 student Madison, also from Wattle View Primary School, joined because of her love of dancing. After taking part last year, said she had not realised just how much fun the program would be. For her, this year’s theme is about “being yourself” and “boosting your confidence.” “Just keep going and be yourself, especially when you’re dancing,” Madison said. Year 4 student Zoe is experiencing the spectacular for the first time. She loved being able to dance, show her personality and have a good time, although remembering all the songs had been a challenge. When she takes to the stage, her plan is simple. “I will just smile and just dance my heart out,” Zoe said. She is also looking forward to performing in front of her parents and family and showing them her talents. Year 6 student Mylee joined this year after watching students take part previously and seeing how much fun they were having. She said the program had boosted her confidence in dancing. “Before this I wasn’t a very confident dancer, but now I’m a better dancer,” she said. “This opportunity is important for young people because they did not always get opportunities like the spectacular.” Year 6 student Tahlia had been waiting for her chance to take part. She said she had watched the spectacular for years, including watching her older cousin Isabel and dancers from Wattle View, and had always wanted to be part of it. Now, she is performing herself. Tahlia’s focus when she takes the stage will be to “do my best and let my inner dancing shine”. Having already developed a love of the program, she said she would like to continue taking part for as long as she can, with the hope of becoming one of the performers on stage in her later high school years. Students from other local schools are also embracing the opportunity. The Basin Primary School, Year 5 student Marlow said one of the best parts of the program was “seeing everybody come together”.
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L-R: Otis and Isabelle from Upwey South Primary School, Zara from Wonga Park Primary School, Marlow from The Basin Primary School, and Hazel from Tecoma Primary School. (Shamsiya Hussainpoor: 571015)
L-R: Zoe, Mylee, Tahlia and Lacey, with teacher Suzi, Evie, Madison and Charlie, representing Wattle View Primary School. (571015)
Students rehearsing for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular. (571015)
Around 450 students from 28 schools came together in Heathmont for a regional rehearsal on Friday, 7 August. (571015) Although remembering the moves can sometimes be difficult, Marlow said seeing everyone else perform helped bring the choreography back to mind. “I tell myself, I can do this. I’ve got this,” he said. Year 6 student Hazel from Tecoma Primary School has previously taken part in the 2024 Splash Spectacular and decided to return because she enjoyed watching the schools come together. She said the rehearsals themselves had been a highlight and she was excited to see everything come together on stage, including the principal vocalists, lighting and the performances involving students from different schools. Her advice to students who might be nervous about joining was straightforward. “I think they should definitely join it because it’s like a great experience,” Walton said.
Year 5 student Otis from Upwey South Primary School is taking part for his second year. He said he first joined after his brother had taken part - he decided to give it a try. This year, he is most looking forward to being with his friends, dancing and getting out on stage. For him, this year’s theme is about being himself, doing what he wants to do and having fun. Year 6 student Isabel, also from Upwey South Primary School, is taking part for her third consecutive year. She first participated in 2024 and said she had enjoyed the experience, particularly the friendships formed between students from different schools. “The theme is just about being true to yourself and not caring what other people think,” she said. For Year 6 student Zara from Wonga Park Primary School, this year is her first spectacular. Although some of the dances could be intense
and some moves challenging, she said they all came together when performed as a group. Zara said she had been unsure about signing up but was glad she had taken the opportunity. Behind the students’ preparation is a significant commitment from teachers and schools. Wattle View Primary School performing arts teacher Suzie Pedler has been involved with the State Schools Spectacular since 2012. She said the excitement around the program never stopped and that students were given an opportunity to work with dance teachers and industry technicians and perform in an arena on a scale their schools could not otherwise provide. “No school has a budget to put on something like this, so to have this level of literally spectacular is really amazing,” Ms Pedler said. Ms Pedler said she had seen students’ confidence grow dramatically after taking part, particularly after performing in front of a large audience. She said students also continued talking about the program with their peers and encouraging younger students to get involved. At Wattle View, students rehearse during lunchtime on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, alongside four local hub rehearsals before two days of rehearsal at John Cane Arena. Ms Pedler said the dedication of the students was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. The program also gives students an opportunity to understand both individuality and teamwork, something Ms Pedler said was reflected in this year’s ‘This Is Me’ theme. “They love being a part of the team, but it’s also about, you know, this is me. This is about being who I am and not afraid to shout out who I am as well,” she said.
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NEWS
Helping hand for FTG CFA By Shamsiya Hussainpoor From a free repair worth about $20 to dozens of donated vehicle batteries, local businesses are stepping up to support the volunteers who give their time to the community. Ferntree Gully CFA captain Seamus Smith thanked Marks Quality Shoe Repairs and Ferntree Gully Toyota for lending a hand to the brigade and its members. A simple act of generosity from Marks Quality Shoe Repairs recently caught the brigade’s attention after one of its members discovered a pouch used to hold ear plugs for the brigade’s portable exhaust fan had deteriorated during routine maintenance. The member took the pouch to Marks Quality Shoe Repairs in Ferntree Gully to be repaired and priced, but owner, Mark Kane instead repaired it free of charge. “We were really appreciative of the gesture,” Mr Smith said. “It’s great to know that there’s people in the business community that really value and respect the work that we do in the community as well.” Mr Smith said the brigade did not find out what the repair would have cost elsewhere because Mr Kane had simply offered to fix it. For Mr Kane, helping out was an easy decision. He said the brigade was local and only around the corner from his business, estimating the repair would normally have cost about $20. “They don’t get enough help as it is by the government,” Mr Kane said. “It doesn’t worry me, they’re local, I was happy
Ferntree Gully Toyota donated 40 used vehicle batteries to Ferntree Gully CFA. (570735) to help.” Mr Kane said he would happily help again in the future. Mr Smith said the brigade would continue supporting the business in return. “Thanks very much for supporting us and we’ll continue to publicly acknowledge and support his business,” he said. Ferntree Gully Toyota also pitched in by donating 40 used vehicle batteries collected throughout July to help fundraise for the 2026 Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb. Ferntree Gully Toyota marketing and customer experience manager, Mardi Scott said supporting local organisations was an important part of the dealership’s values. “At Ferntree Gully Toyota, we love giving back to the community that supports us,” Ms Scott said.
“Being part of Ferntree Gully and surrounding suburbs means more than selling and servicing vehicles, it means supporting the local people and organisations that make our community stronger.” “While it may seem like a small gesture, initiatives like this can make a real difference.” “We are incredibly grateful for the work our local CFA volunteers do and are proud to play a small part in helping them reach their fundraising goals.” “Supporting local causes and giving back to our community will always be an important part of who we are at Ferntree Gully Toyota.” The dealership also sponsored the first level of the stair climb with a $250 donation. Mr Smith said it was the first time the dealership had donated batteries to the brigade’s stair
Marks Quality Shoe Repairs repaired an ear plug pouch free of charge for Ferntree Gully CFA. (Shamsiya Hussainpoor: 570737) climb fundraising efforts, which support the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb rather than the CFA itself. He said the annual event sees firefighters and emergency service personnel climb 28 floors in full gear to raise money for cancer, depression and suicide. Mr Smith said support from local businesses helped reinforce the importance of the brigade’s work beyond emergency response. “It just goes to show that there’s value in the work that the fire brigade does, but not just fire and emergency response related,” he said. “It’s also community work outside of it.” Mr Smith thanked both businesses on behalf of Ferntree Gully CFA for their support and encouraged the community to back local businesses that continue to give back.
New, free Emerald mental health service Home-share discussion By Corey Everitt
A new mental health service has arrived in Emerald, providing free, accessible support close to home. The Community Mental Health Access Clinic was officially opened on Friday, 7 August, at Fernlea Community House, with appointments available from Thursday, 13 August. The service will provide confidential counselling for a range of needs, with no waiting list, no cost and no referral required. The clinic will operate two days a week, on Thursdays and Fridays. The service will support people managing issues such as anxiety and stress, depression and low mood, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, self-esteem and confidence, overwhelming emotions, life transitions, sleep problems, and family and parenting challenges. This is the second such clinic established by the Australian Trauma Education Centre (ATEC), following the opening of its first clinic in Narre Warren. ATEC Lead Councillor Samuel Tan previously said the initiative was helping bridge the gap in access to mental health care. “It can be quite difficult to essentially navigate the system and get help where you need
Australian Trauma Education Centre Lead Counsellor Samuel Tan, Cardinia Community Foundation Chair Kristine Ash, Provisional Psychologist Ria Gulshan and Cardinia Community Foundation Executive Officer Kara Norton-Jones. (Stewart Chambers: 570147) it, especially in this local area of Cardinia, also Casey as well,” he said. “We were hearing the same things. Couldn’t get access to services, tried to get into walk-in clinics, couldn’t get access into it. There were just so many barriers. “And so, we said, rather than trying to get the clients to come to us, we’ll try to go to them.” Each 50-minute, one-on-one session will be provided by provisional psychologists completing their Master of Psychology.
The service is fully funded by ATEC, which dedicates time to providing free, accessible support in the community. A portion of ATEC’s profits is donated to charitable efforts, with recipients including local groups such as the Cardinia Community Foundation. The service will operate at Fernlea Community House, 356-358 Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald, on Thursdays and Fridays each week. Appointments can be booked now at austrauma.as.me/fernlea-booking.
Community members are invited to gather at The Tin Shed in Belgrave on Wednesday 12 August for an interactive session focused on creating shared homes for connection, companionship, and affordable living across the Dandenong Ranges. Running from 6pm to 8pm, the event will feature a lineup of community speakers, headlined by special guest Wendy Francis from the Homeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance (HANZA). As the national peak body for Homeshare, Ms Francis will share insights on how the homeshare model has operated successfully worldwide for over four decades, emphasising safety standards and best practices. Designed as both an information night and a hands-on working session, organisers are inviting local residents to help shape what a tailored “Hills version” of homeshare should look like. Attendees will have the opportunity to weigh in on who the model should serve, discuss safety measures, and contribute their own ideas during an open forum. Admission is free and open to everyone (Tea, coffee, and light refreshments provided) See more by visiting events.humanitix.com/ room-with-a-shared-view-could-homesharework-in-the-hills
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10 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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OPEN DAYS AT URBAN COLLEGE
Open Nights at Urban College are coming up. (Supplied)
Schooling done differently at Urban College. (Supplied)
A different way to learn Choosing the right secondary school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Urban College invites prospective students and their families to discover a fresh approach to education at its Croydon and Boronia campuses. Both the Croydon and Boronia campuses provide an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every student is encouraged to achieve success in a way that suits their individual strengths, interests and aspirations. With smaller class sizes, dedicated teachers and a strong focus on student wellbeing, Urban College creates a positive atmosphere where young people feel valued, connected and inspired to learn. The upcoming Open Nights at both campuses provide the perfect opportunity for families
Where
to explore everything Urban College has to offer. Visitors can tour the facilities, meet the passionate teaching teams, speak with current students and discover the innovative learning programs that help students thrive both academically and personally. Whether enrolling at the Croydon or Boronia campus, students benefit from an education that extends beyond the classroom. Urban College encourages young people to develop confidence, resilience and independence while participating in engaging programs that prepare them for further education, employment and life beyond school. Strong relationships between staff, students and families create a genuine sense of belonging
and a community where every learner is supported to succeed. Urban College also offers flexible learning pathways designed to meet a wide range of educational needs. Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace while being challenged to achieve their personal best. The College celebrates individual achievement and recognises that every student’s educational journey is unique. Families attending the Open Nights at either the Croydon or Boronia campus will gain valuable insight into the curriculum, wellbeing initiatives, specialist learning opportunities and future pathways available to students. Staff will be available to answer questions and provide an overview of the personalised approach to learn-
Come see what the Urban College campuses in Croydon and Boronia have to offer. (Supplied) ing that has helped many students flourish in a supportive and respectful environment. The Open Nights are also an excellent opportunity for youth agencies and external support services to gain a deeper understanding of the College and the young people Urban College supports. Prospective employees interested in joining a caring and dedicated team are warmly encouraged to attend, along with community members from the Healesville and Scoresby areas who would like to learn more about the College’s role in supporting local young people and building strong community connections.
can be YOU.
Open Day Boronia: 19th August Croydon: 20th August 4:30pm - 6:30pm 2027 Enrolment | Employment | Community 12889456-AF33-26
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NEWS
Phoebe, Jeremy, Roxy and Tammy from Bayswater’s Graman Support. (Stewart Chambers: 566072)
Sacha Hammond and Kylie Harris from The Bridge with Tunga (centre) from Life Without Barriers. (566072)
Positive energy shines through By Mikayla van Loon A disability support expo was buzzing with energy on Thursday 6 August as people from all over the outer east came to connect, chat and learn. The Disability Events Community’s (DEC) Melbourne East Disability Expo, hosted in Croydon, brought region-specific and state and national providers together under one roof. For Bayswater-based mental health and disability support organisation Graman Support, it was the first time attending an expo. “We’ve been operating for six years, and we’re lucky to have a good referral base based on word of mouth, which is great for us,” founder Jeremy said. “But we wanted to try something different and get into the community and meet some of the people and other providers.” Graman Support even jumped on as the coffee sponsor for the event, helping provide free hot beverages to attendees. Specialising in psychosocial disabilities, with all staff holding some level of mental health training, Jeremy said a big part of Graman Support was providing safe, meaningful group programs. “We run groups like art groups and social groups and things that can connect people, and have people feel a sense of a friend group and community,” he said. Primarily based in the eastern suburbs, Jeremy said a team was currently being established in the western suburbs of Melbourne to provide support out there, too. Being able to attend an event with such high positivity levels, where people get to connect, Jeremy said, was a success in itself, but also facilitating conversations about the NDIS changes was quite important. “We’re also there to help people because there’s a lot of worry around the NDIS at the moment. We pay a lot of attention to lots of changes that are coming up, and we try to ease people’s minds on things. “There’s a lot of anxiety around it, so that’s what we’re there for as well. Coming here today, we spoke about people asking us about those things and how we can ease their minds and help them to understand it a bit better, and know what changes are coming through, and how it may affect them, but how it also may not affect them too.” For NDSP plan manager Chris Shearer, the beauty of the expo was having a room full of providers and services who could ease worries and help find stability in the uncertainty. “There is a lot of uncertainty out there at this
stage, but it’s about the village. You’ve got to bring the village together,” she said. “We don’t have the answers. The powers that be have the answers. You hear snippets here and there, but it’s just all hearsay until they make an announcement. “But my thing is, I say to them, ‘we’ve got your back, we’re here to support you’. Just take today as today. We’ve got no control over tomorrow. Let’s just work out what we can do for you today and put your arms around each other and just support each other.” Chris said it was important for these kinds of events to reach local communities, for participants and their families to engage with the providers in one room and see what is available to them. This was particularly important for people with a disability, as getting into the larger, citybased expos may not always be possible. “Running these events still puts faith in families, participants, and providers that we’re all here to support,” she said. As a plan manager, Chris’ role ensures invoices are paid and providers aren’t overcharging, making a family’s interaction with the NDIS easier. “What I love probably the most of all is when a young family have just got a diagnosis for their child, and you can imagine what they’re going through. If I can take a little bit of that away from them and help them…I’ve done my job.” GRP Speech Pathology’s Zara and her family’s assistance dog Sox attended Thursday’s event, marking one of several DEC expos they’ve been to. Zara said it was a wonderful opportunity to meet and connect with others in the industry and, of course, to support participants. As a community-based speech pathology clinic, Zara said that instead of clients coming to them, GRP’s speech pathologists meet them where they are, whether at school, at home, or in aged care. “We’re there for them. We also cover the whole age span, so anywhere from two to over 100, we can support them with communication, speech, swallowing, and mealtime management,” she said. “When you can support people to communicate with the world, when we see our clients grow up, and then all of a sudden we’re helping them build a Tinder profile and working on how they can access that type of lifestyle because that’s what they’re looking for is so powerful. “Then you’re helping children develop friendships. We’re helping adults eat and drink safely, and it’s really a wonderful thing to be able to do.”
Sonya from CPSN with Quinn. (566072)
Zara from GRP Speech Pathology with assistance dog Sox. (566072)
Emily, Ivy, Lexi and Carolyn from Melba Support Services, Lilydale. (566072) 12 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Rachael from Ability Action. (566072)
NDSP plan manager Chris Shearer. (566072)
Lena Zuzic from My Plan Manager with Disability Events Community’s Micharla Russell. (566072)
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12891657-CV33-26
SHOP LOCAL MONBULK
More than just a bowls club Nestled in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges, Monbulk Bowling Club is much more than a place to enjoy a game of bowls. It is a vibrant community destination where locals and visitors come together to enjoy great food, good company, and a welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back. Open seven nights a week, the club offers the perfect setting to catch up with family and friends over dinner, enjoy a relaxed drink, or become part of a friendly local community. From the moment you arrive, you are greeted with genuine hospitality and a relaxed country charm that makes everyone feel at home. One of the club’s most popular attractions is barefoot bowls, offering a fun and easy way for people of all ages to get out on the green. At just $15 per person, participants receive all the equipment and guidance they need from experienced club members, making it ideal for first-timers as well as those looking to enjoy a little friendly competition. It is a fantastic activity for families, social groups, sporting clubs and work colleagues. With the festive season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your Christmas celebration. Monbulk Bowling Club is an outstanding venue for Christmas functions, combining delicious catering with the fun and laughter of barefoot bowls. Whether you are organising a workplace Christmas party, a family gathering, or an end-of-year celebration with friends or a sporting club, the team can tailor a memorable event that everyone will enjoy. The relaxed atmosphere, scenic surrounds and unique barefoot bowls experience make for a Christmas function that is a little different from the ordinary. The club also caters for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate events and community celebrations throughout the year. Flexible function spaces and a dedicated team ensure every occasion is enjoyable and runs smoothly, allowing guests to simply relax and enjoy
Skye is ready to pour you a refreshingly cold drink of your choice at Monbulk Bowls Club. (File) the experience. For those interested in taking up the sport, Monbulk Bowling Club provides a supportive and inclusive environment where new members are always welcome. Many members first discovered bowls through a casual game of barefoot bowls before deciding to become part of the club. With experienced players happy to share their knowledge and a strong sense of
friendship throughout the club, it is easy to see why so many people stay involved. Bowls offers gentle physical activity, social connection and enjoyment for people of all ages. No visit would be complete without sampling the club’s family-friendly menu. Offering a range of hearty meals and lighter options, there is something to suit every appetite. It is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxed dinner
while taking in the friendly atmosphere that Monbulk Bowling Club is renowned for. At its heart, Monbulk Bowling Club is all about bringing people together. Whether you are enjoying a meal, celebrating a special occasion, booking a Christmas function with barefoot bowls, or simply stopping in for a casual visit, you will discover a welcoming community where great memories are made.
WHAT S ON
WHAT’S ’ ON
At Monbulk At Monbulk Bowling Bowling Club Club
MONDAY MONDAY
KIDS KIDS EAT EAT FREE FREE WITH THE THE PURCHASE PURCHASE WITH OF A A MAIN MAIN MEAL MEAL OF
FREE FREE
TU SDAY
TUESDAY CURRY NIGHT CURRY NIGHT SERVED WITH SERVED WITH RICE RICE AND ROTI AND ROTI BREAD BREAD
$20 $20
WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY
PARMA AND PARMA AND POT POT SERVED SERVED WITH WITH CHIPS CHIPS AND AND SALAD SALAD & &A A HOUSE DRINK HOUSE DRINK
$25 $2t
THURSDAY THURSDAY BURGER AND BURGER AND BEER BEER SERVED WITH SERVED WITH CHIPS CHIPS AND A AND A HOUSE HOUSE DRINK DRINK
$25 $2t
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FRIDAY FRIDAY PASTA NIGHT NIGHT PASTA SELECTIONS 44 SELECTIONS TO CHOOSE CHOOSE FROM FROM TO
$20 $20
MONBULK BOWLING CLUB | 11 MOORES ROAD MONBULK | PH: 9756 6183 | OPEN MON- SUN FROM 5:30PM | T&C’s APPLY 12776023-JV23-25
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NEWS
Mason from the 1st The Basin Scouts trying the plastic axe throwing. (Gary Sissons: 569009)
Ethan from Heany Park Scouts resetting the ten-pin bowling. (569009)
Global celebration of Scouts By Mikayla van Loon Scouts across Victoria were out and about on Saturday 1 August, from city-based quests to local festivals and activities as part of a worldwide celebration. Thousands of scouts donned their uniforms and ventured out into the community to mark World Scout Day, doing what they do best but for everyone to see. The Knox District had a full day of games and activities planned at the Arcadia Reserve Playground in Rowville, seeing them have a go at ten-pin bowling, archery and rock climbing. It brought together scouting groups from The Basin, Ferntree Gully and Heany Park, among others. Knox District’s Kieron Younger said ScoutFest was an opportunity for families to engage with their local scout group and perhaps join the fold. “From a Scout festival at our hall to a quest in the city, our District is showing what Scouting has to offer,” he said. In the CBD, Cub Scouts from the Maroondah District tested their navigation skills during a high-energy Cub City Quest. “The Cub City Quest lets our young people choose their own adventure to explore Melbourne, working as a team to complete activities at famous and lesser-known public destinations,” Maroondah District Cubs’ Michael Blowfield said. “It (was) a fantastic way to mark World Scout Day.” 1st Croydon Hills constructed a custom playground using traditional timber and rope pioneering skills for younger members. The 1st Healesville Scouts joined an estimated 200 riders from various scout groups to ride the Yarra Valley’s prized possession: the Warburton Rail Trail. The group set off from Seville and wound their way to Yarra Junction. “What an amazing ride it was. We rode 17kms through our beautiful Yarra Valley,” the group posted to social media. “To say we are proud of our kids is an understatement. Well done to all. What (an) amazing achievement.” Pakenham’s Joeys celebrated by heading into the beautifully forested area of the Dandenong Ranges for an adventure hike. “With scarves proudly on display, our Joeys explored the trails, connected with nature, chal-
lenged themselves, supported each other, and enjoyed the friendships and experiences that make Scouting so special,” the Pakenham Scout Group posted. World Scout Day honours the first experimental camp held in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell on Brownsea Island. From there, the movement grew, and a year later it arrived in Australia. “It is a day to remember that more than a century ago, a small group of young people gathered around a campfire with a man we call BP, who believed the world could be better if young people were given the chance to lead it,” Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Brendan Watson OAM said in his message to scouting groups. Mr Watson said that current Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts, and, of course, adult volunteers, join a collective of 60 million people who have participated in the Scout movement over 118 years. “You are connected to millions of Scouts who have done exactly the same thing before you. You belong to something extraordinary,” he said. “In a world that can sometimes feel divided, Scouting brings people together. In a world where many people wonder where they belong, Scouting gives us a place. In a world that often tells young people what they cannot do, Scouting shows you what you can become.” Scouts Victoria chief commissioner Daniella Taglieri said at a time when volunteering across the country has not returned to pre-pandemic levels and youth organisations are competing for shrinking hours, the Scouts are thriving with over 23,000 members. “We are told constantly that young people won’t commit to anything and that nobody volunteers any more,” she said. “Our numbers say otherwise. What we offer is not complicated. It is young people running their own program, outdoors, with real responsibility and real consequences, and adults who step back far enough to let them do it. It turns out there is enormous appetite for that.” The Venturer Scouts across Victoria also celebrated 80 years since the Section began in 1946, from country towns to the Melbourne CBD. “People hear Scouts and think knots and camping. What it actually is, is teenagers getting handed a budget, a map and a deadline and being trusted to sort it out ourselves,” Victoria’s State Youth Leader for Venturer Scouts Jem Lewis, 17, said. “Saturday (was) just us doing that somewhere people can see it.”
A group of Scouts from Knox. (569009)
1st Ferntree Gully Scouts’ Isaac giving archery a go. (569009)
14 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Gwen ringing the bell after trying out the climbing wall and making it to the top. (569009)
Joshua from 1st The Basin Scouts all smiles at ScoutFest on Saturday 1 August. (569009)
Gwen was looking to join Scouting and got to try rock climbing at the same time. (Gary Sissons: 569009)
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NEWS
Remembering the 1934 floods By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
The aftermath of the 1934 floods on Gembrook’s timber industry. (570798)
93-year-old Gembrook resident Norm Smith. (Shamsiya Hussainpoor: 570798) Resilience records, torrential rain began falling in Central Victoria and Gippsland on 29 November 1934, with 140 millimetres falling in Melbourne during the 48 hours to 1 December - more than 350 millimetres fell in South Gippsland. Roads were submerged, houses inundated and bridges, train and tram railway lines washed out. The Yarra and other rivers burst their banks, flooding and, in some cases, isolating towns. The Yarra Valley, Latrobe River District and South Gippsland were also among the areas affected. The floods and storms resulted in 36 fatalities, including 18 people who drowned, while 6000 people were left homeless - as many as 400 houses and buildings were damaged. For Mr Smith, however, the story is also about what happened in the timber industry around Gembrook. He recalled mill workers lived in huts near the mill, while his father had a hut near the siding where he worked. Timber was moved down the Hill using hors-
es, tractors or what they called a “loco” - it was then transported into Gembrook, where it was loaded onto the Puffing Billy. When the flood washed away the lines, the timber operations had to be repaired and rebuilt. Mr Smith said the wider Gembrook community did not necessarily see all of the damage because much of it was happening around the mills. “The general community wouldn’t know anything about it much because it was all happening at the mill,” he said. For the 93-year-old, the photographs help bring those memories back. He said he could remember things more clearly when he had photographs to look at, while some memories were harder to place without them. “Sharing stories keeps me going, it keeps my mind active,” Mr Smith said. After 93 years in Gembrook, he has plenty of stories to tell and for him, passing those memories on is a way of making sure the story of Gembrook’s past is not forgotten.
Norm Smith’s mother (in white) at the family home, which was impacted by the 1934 floods. (570798)
The aftermath of the 1934 floods on Gembrook’s timber industry. (570798)
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At 93, Norm Smith is helping preserve a piece of Gembrook’s history. Mr Smith was just six months old when the 1934 floods hit, so his knowledge of the event comes largely from stories his parents told him as he grew up. He said he did not always pay attention to the stories older people shared when he was young, but later began asking older residents about their memories while they were still alive. Now, he believes those stories should continue to be shared, particularly with newer residents of Gembrook and people across the Hill, so they can understand what life was like for earlier generations. Mr Smith has shared photographs and memories documenting the flood and its impact on Gembrook’s timber industry. In Mr Smith’s recollection, the flooding brought dirt, sawdust and even a black snake into his family home. His mother had never had a snake in the house before the floods. Mr Smith recalled her saying she “would rather have been burnt out than flooded out” because of what remained after the water receded. “You get flood and the smell stays for years,” Mr Smith said, referring to the mould left behind. An account by Mr Frederick Woods, which Mr Smith specifically wanted included, describes the scale of the flooding in Gembrook. “In 1934, we had record floods, and our little creek became a raging torrent, washing away tramlines and bridges,” Mr Woods wrote. He described the flooding as “another setback” for Dyer Bros., who had already struggled through the Depression and bushfires. “They had kept the mill going when many others had closed down,” Mr Woods wrote, describing Dyer Bros. as pioneers in the Gembrook sawmills and highly respected in the industry. The flooding in Gembrook was part of a much wider event across Victoria. According to Australian Institute for Disaster
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NEWS
Double trouble in clubs By Tanya Steele Locals may have thought they were seeing double recently as NSW comedians The Nelson Twins made a few appearances across the Yarra Ranges. The Gembrook Cockatoo Football Netball Club and Monbulk Senior Football Club members had the Aussie comedians performing for them in late July and early August. Justin, or twin number one as he referred to himself via a chat with Star News reporter Tanya Steele, said the clubs were an absolute delight to perform for. “Country crowds are the best, we grew up in the country ourselves, so we feel right at home,” he said. Gigging across 27 July and 4 August, Justin said country crowds are always more relaxed, and they met with locals after the show, posing for photos. “That’s why they fall asleep during the middle of our show,” he said. On the twin thing? Justin said they meet twins everywhere they go, that’s nothing unusual. “It’s when you meet triplets you think, these guys are just showing off,” he said. “They’re like twins with a spare parts department.” Posting across social media, Chris (twin number two) said when they arrived early for the gig at Gembrook FNC, he took the chance to nip out for a quick meat pie and vanilla slice at a local baker, leaving ‘Juzzo’ to set up. “Coincidentally, when I returned everything was done, and Juzzo was exhausted,” read the post. “To cap the day off, I announced to the crowd that the president has extended the free booze for another two hours and we got the hell out of there!” The Nelson Twins have been performing together since 2006 and were raised in the small rural town of Walbundrie in New South Wales. The duo have performed out this way before, and Justin said they were a little hesitant to hit the roads again after a nasty accident near Pakenham. “Earlier in the year we were driving home after a gig in Pakenham, and we hit a wombat,” he said. “The front of the car was destroyed, and we had to get a tow truck - we are slowly making our money back!” Both are qualified school teachers by trade but don’t do much teaching these days. “We didn’t really do much teaching, it was mostly crowd work,” said Justin. “It’s way harder dealing with a heckler at a high school than it is at a comedy club,” he said. The twins do have a serious side, and Justin said that they also run a driving program through secondary schools called “ Drive About Schools”, both advocates for safe driving, especially when young teens are learning. “Chris and I are passionate about road safety
Gigging at Monbulk FNC, the Nelson Twins had a great time. (Supplied) as we’re losing over 1300 people per year across Australia on our roads,” he said. The program, which has a five-lesson curriculum, animated videos, a learning management system for students to complete online modules, road maps and toy cars so students can practice and learn how to tackle all kinds of situations on the road. “Most importantly, Drive About comes with an app that gives young people all the information and education they need to become competent and safe drivers,” said Justin. “We’d love to hear from any secondary schools that would be interested in the program.” Justin said people often say to us that it must be so much fun travelling around the countryside with each other, but in reality the shine has worn off. “We spend hours in the car together, we don’t have anything new to talk about,” he said. “Listening to the same stories for the last 45 years is starting to wear a little thin.” The twins, at last glance, were in Tasmania but are always happy to pop back to the hills.
The duo often find other twins when out at performances.
Gembrook Cockatoo hosted the comedians recently, along with Monblk FNC.
Outer-east band comment on Australia’s rock music rise By Oliver Winn Rock music became Australia’s largest streaming genre in 2025, but Aussie rock bands might be missing out on the surge in popularity, an RMIT expert explained. It came as new data from analytics platform Luminate revealed that rock music generated 26.1 billion streams, surpassing pop and hiphop. PhD candidate Charlotte Markowitsch said despite an upswing in listeners, Australia’s most streamed rock artists are international. “Australia has a rich rock history and vibrant contemporary output, including artists such as Amyl and the Sniffers and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. “Yet local and emerging acts compete with an internationally dominant canon that has defined rock greatness for decades,” she said. But while Australian acts have always struggled to penetrate a US-dominated global music industry, local Yarra Ranges band Tudor Club pointed to how the Aussie rock vibe isn’t in demand right now. Tudor Club drummer James Dryden said Australian audiences are listening to art and alternative rock subgenres, pointing to bands like
16 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Geese, which exploded to fame in late 2025. “There’s been a lot of up-and-coming bands outside of Australia, particularly, that have skyrocketed in popularity and are reaching an Australian audience. At this current point in time, the demand is for that more alternative sound,” he said. “Australian rock to me still feels like that surf rock, Ocean Alley typical sound,” he said. Lead singer Rory Say said Australia’s signature style of “jangly surf rock” – think bands like Ocean Alley, Lime Cordiale and Spacey Jane – didn’t enjoy the same excitement they used to. “There isn’t that underground hype, I’d say. I think there is a growing interest; it’s just interesting how the Australian rock sound kind of fits in with all of it,” Mr Say said. Tudor Club are an alternative rock band based in Melbourne’s outer east suburbs, playing local live venues since their formation in 2020. Live music venues play a central role in Tudor Club’s appeal, Mr Say said, as the band focuses on delivering a memorable live performance for listeners. “It’s also never really been our focus to try and get streams and online listeners.
“The majority of our focus as a band since we’ve been together is always just trying to have a tight live set and just making songs that we’re proud of,” he said. Ms Markowitsch agreed and said her research identified local live music as one of the main ways Australians engage with rock music. “Liveness is particularly important to rock culture, as the energy and authenticity of a gig remain central to how audiences assess a band.” But live discovery can be “uneven”, Ms Markowitsch said. Going to gigs costs money and time, live music spaces are historically maledominated and venues haven’t got the best track record for accessibility. Live music exposure doesn’t tend to translate well into streaming numbers either. Mr Dryden said there were bands from the inner-Melbourne scene making the in-demand “artsy alternative rock sound” that has exploded recently, but they haven’t necessarily gained much traction outside of the scene – though that might be by choice. “It’s a lot more niche. They’re not trying to push themselves or break out of that scene to go international because they don’t want to,” he said.
L-R: Tudor Club lead singer Rory Say and drummer James Dryden. (Sophy Jin)
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Vietnam from many angles By Mikayla van Loon
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Author and historian Anthony McAleer, Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson, Ken Mackenzie OAM and Mike Pearce. (Stewart Chambers: 569991) ly stemmed from universities, changed the ideology. “When you’re away fighting for your country or in a combat zone serving your country, then you would expect that even those that don’t agree with you being there would at least back you up because you’re an Australian,” Mr Mackenzie said. “We didn’t go there because we decided it was a good idea. We went there because the Australian voting population had voted for the government’s policy at the time, which was to be there. So we were there on behalf of everybody.” Mr McAleer said speaking with people who participated in marches and protests was integral to understanding how the community was feeling and how it was impacting the Lillydale Shire. “I interviewed a lot of people who were here on the home front, people who were involved in the protest movement, who went to the moratorium marches, and people just telling us what their views and experiences were, and what they witnessed,” he said. “Some felt that it may not have been helpful, and on the other hand there were Vietnam veterans who now feel that being involved in the war wasn’t the right thing, and for how it all ended, with the fall of Saigon in 1975, certainly left a lot of those fellows saying, ‘What was it for?’” That feeling was probably exacerbated by the need to reintegrate into civilian life almost instantly after returning home and essentially being shunned by the RSL. “They said ‘you can’t be a service member because it’s only conflict’,” Mr Dobson said. “Even though three million people died, it’s not a war. That was it. That was the thinking of the time. They didn’t understand the totality of what took place.” Mr Mackenzie, although he had served in Vietnam and heard the chatter, was a regular army soldier, not a Nasho, making his experience different again. “For guys like me, we were pretty good because we were still in our same environment, except nobody was trying to kill us. So we still had our daily regimen. We had our jobs. We were doing our jobs. We just weren’t in combat. So we were still in the family. “The poor buggers that were national servicemen had come from a civilian environment straight into a military that was fighting. “Then they came back, and they were put out again into the community and expected to pick up where they left off, and they were totally different people.” It wasn’t uncommon, Mr Mackenzie said, for national servicemen to join the regular army upon returning because it was familiar and comfortable. In 1983, while living in Seville, Mr Dobson was actively involved in exposing the Lillydale Shire for using the main chemical from Agent Orange, 245T, as a weed spray on sporting ovals. The use was eventually banned statewide, which forced the shire to find an alternative. Mr Dobson said, “Anthony’s book fills a gap in history because you hear from the veterans, the people that lived here, the whole thing”. “This is probably the first time that the Vietnam War was looked at from a regional perspective… Telling the story in their words about what happened to them, it also records a lot of feelings and emotions and attitudes and sentiments,” Mr McAleer said.
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. Both Jarrad and Chris are family men with young families of their own, giving them a strong appreciation for the importance of community, local connections and supporting other families and businesses across the region. Their extensive knowledge and passion for the trade place Mountain Timbers in strong hands as they continue the tradition of providing outstanding service to local builders, tradespeople and home renovators. Both Jarrad and Chris understand the importance of quality products, reliable advice and building lasting relationships with customers and the wider community. 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 large 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 valuable part of the Kilsyth community for many years to come. The dedicated team at Mountain Timbers continues to be one of the company’s greatest strengths. With years of experience and a strong understanding of the industry, staff members work closely with customers to recommend the right products and solutions for every project, no matter the size or complexity. As the industry continues to evolve, Mountain Timbers is embracing new opportunities while staying true to its local roots. Reliable delivery services, a comprehensive product range and a commitment to customer satisfaction ensure the business remains a trusted partner for builders and renovators alike. With Jarrad Peters and Chris Shambrook at the helm, and a combined 40 years of industry experience behind them, Mountain Timbers is well positioned to build on its proud legacy and continue serving the community with the quality and service it has become known for.
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The first-hand accounts of how the Vietnam War shaped the Shire of Lillydale, its residents and soldiers have been permanently documented. The Lilydale RSL and historian Anthony McAleer are preparing to launch his newest book entitled Vietnam - Long Hard Years Not Forgotten, a compilation of stories from veterans, residents and former protesters against the war. “The book is similar to Vietnam in the fact that it’s a journey. When you see a lot of the documentaries and the shows, and even some of the books, it’s easy to assume that Vietnam went for a couple of years and everybody had the same experiences,” Mr McAleer said. “It wasn’t the case. It certainly developed over a long period, and it’s a story of people being dropped into that journey and then taken out after 12 months, constantly happening all the way through.” The book will launch on Sunday 16 August as part of a broader Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration, with a gathering at Japara House in Kilsyth at 2pm. From the district, 137 men and four civilians, including the first Australian woman to go to Vietnam during the conflict, served in the Vietnam War, 40 of whom are quoted in the book. Five local soldiers never returned home. In total, over 100 people contributed to the book, giving various perspectives on how the war changed lives and ideologies. Of the people interviewed, Lilydale RSL president Bill Dobson and fellow veterans Mike Pearce and Ken Mackenzie OAM told their varying stories of serving in the war. Mr Pearce signed up as a young man. He waited two years to be sent over to Vietnam, but the day never came. Asked to extend his service by a further 12 months, he eventually served 107 days in the jungle conflict. He landed in Saigon during one of the biggest battles to occur in Vietnam, and said he only knew what he was told, but “You didn’t know what the hell you were going into”. Mr Pearce celebrated his 21st birthday overseas. Returning home, however, he was met with disdain, bearing the brunt of criticism for going to Vietnam. Walking out of church one day, Mr Pearce was asked about his medals, but as soon as he said they were from Vietnam, the insult “baby killer” was hurled at him from a woman who he once thought of as an acquaintance. “I said, ‘Dad, it’s your church. From here on out, it’s your church, not mine. I won’t go back’,” Mr Pearce said. Friends he’d grown up with changed and moved on; Mr Pearce said they could no longer relate to each other. “I had a good group of boys that we grew up with, but by the time I got back, I’d finished two years plus overseas. They’d moved on. They weren’t the same people. They weren’t talking the same language, or I wasn’t talking the same language,” he said. “I finished up for a long time very, very much a loner. I didn’t want to talk about it. I didn’t want to listen to anyone talk about it. “I came home in ‘68, and it was close enough to ‘70 before I got to feel like I was home.” Mr McAleer said the Vietnam War was different to the First and Second World Wars because it was the first time people could watch what was happening on the nightly news. “It played a big part in the way that people treated us or looked at us; you could have a battle 10 o’clock in the morning and watch it on watch it on 6 o’clock news,” Mr Pearce said. Mr Dobson said they’d often listen to ABC National, mostly to hear the football commentary, but they too would hear the news of the day. “You’d hear about the demonstrations and all that sort of thing, so that was off-putting to think so many people demonstrated, particularly carrying the red flags down the street, and we’re supposed to be fighting communists,” he said. Support to send Australian servicemen to Vietnam was initially widespread but over time, the sentiment changed and protests, which most-
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Here’s some food for thought By Maria Millers From Pablo Neruda’s Ode to Tomatoes: The tomato, star of earth, recurrent and fertile star, displays its convolutions, its canals, its remarkable amplitude and abundance, no pit, no husk, no leaves or thorns, the tomato offers its gift of fiery colour and cool completeness. Food is the most fundamental political issue. A government can debate taxation, productivity or immigration, but if people can’t afford to eat properly, those debates become secondary. Nothing is more fundamental than access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. The recent ABC Four Corners investigation, Duped: Food Exposed, raises a profound question: Can Australians trust the food they buy? Rather than focusing on nutrition alone, it examined the integrity, authenticity and regulation of our food supply. Increasingly we often do not know where our food comes from or how it is produced. The program shows how long, complex global supply chains can make it easier for fraud and unethical practices to appear. Consumers often pay premium prices for products that may not be what they claim to be. Not just the origin of the product with misleading labelling as in tomatoes, fish, olive oil or freerange eggs but also adulteration as in spices, honey. Also products promoted as healthy, organic, or 100 per cent natural often don’t live up to what’s on the label. Food is more than a product on a supermarket shelf. It is part of our health, culture, environment and identity. Many of us do not question the safety, nutrition and the ethics behind the growing or manufacturing of food we forage for on our supermarket shelves. Indeed we have become increasingly disconnected from the sources and the long journey many products now take before they reach our plates. People have believed food affects health since ancient times. Greek physicians like Hippocrates argued that diet mattered in preventing and treating illness. Traditional medical systems in many cultures also treated food as part of health care Food has been linked to health problems for a very long time - not just recently. What changed is that modern medicine got much better at explaining how food affects the body and brain. Modern diets now include far more ultra-processed foods, and those changes may amplify health risks. Most recently studies have looked at the part food plays in chronic physical diseases such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension to more recent research on the gut microbiome, blood sugar regulation and brain function. In the recent 4 Corners program Duped, we were confronted with uncomfortable and disturbing facts about the food we eat, the possible
A recent ABC Four Corners episode scrutinised where our food comes from, and if it’s really what it claims to be. (Unsplash) impact on our health and the realisation that often the real cost of our food is out of sight and borne by those living and working under inhumane conditions in far-away underdeveloped countries, conveniently out of sight. But as we also saw the terrible conditions under which pickers in Australia live we should not think that mistreatment of agricultural workers only happens in other countries. Products are sometimes not what their labels claim, including misleading country-of-origin labels and adulterated ingredients. Your supposedly immune-boosting morning turmeric latte may be laced with lead chromate, an industrial yellow pigment and iron oxide. Other spices had unidentified plant material used to bulk out the spices, Or that tin of tomatoes, a staple pantry item in most homes with its eye-catching image of Roma tomatoes and a Made in Italy label, has in fact travelled thousands of kilometres from China to be processed in Italy, Just one of many examples of misleading labelling. The beans for that hot chocolate on a cold winter night may have been picked by a child forced to work to support family at the cost of education, health and a normal childhood. In the past when the quarter-acre suburban block was still the norm and when working lives allowed time to nurture a vegetable plot and a few fruit trees, our reliance on supermarkets was not as great. It was also a time of sharing the backyard bounty and many may also remember driving out
to areas where farms had roadside stalls offering freshly picked produce from eggs to strawberries. Today, lack of space and time and the loss of gardening knowledge led to almost total dependence on supermarkets and as the program showed, this may lead to health problems and to supporting a system which is ethically untenable. But lack of a large backyard does not have to be a deterrent in growing at least some of your food and reducing reliance on supermarket. During COVID people rediscovered pleasure in tending their gardens. While the program Duped focused on the failures of the modern food system, MIT Professor Kate Brown’s Little Gardens Everywhere offers practical ways individuals and communities can respond. Brown encourages people to grow vegetables, herbs, and fruit in even the smallest spaces. This gives people confidence about where their food comes from. She gives a historical perspective of how and when ordinary people were forced to stop producing food with the coming of industry and the closures of the commons land which traditionally had been left for peasants to farm. She shows how today small urban gardens can help feed communities and reduce reliance on global supply chains as well as playing a part in reducing waste. Gardening helps people understand how food is grown and therefore they are less likely to be misled by fraudulent food marketing Marge Piercy To be of Use: I want to be with people who submerge in the task, who go into the fields to harvest and work in a row and pass the bags along, who are not parlour generals and field deserters but move in a common rhythm Brown highlights the historical significance and potential of urban gardening as a sustainable solution to food production in cities and a means of strengthening community. In Paris circa 1900, 5,000 urban farmers grew fruits and vegetables and fresh produce for 2 million Parisians with a surplus left over to sell to London. In this most readable book there are other examples where communities survived and prospered by growing food and selling the surplus. Tiny Gardens Everywhere is a hymn to the most fertile agriculture in recorded human history, showing that it occurred not on farms – the product of gigantic exertions of fossil fuels and technology – but with little effort in small garden beds And with a third of the world’s fertilisers held up in the Strait of Hormuz, and global heating accelerating, re-thinking how we grow our food might be just the thing we need right now. In The Edible Balcony, Australian media personality Indira Naidoo has written how she transformed an inner Sydney 13th-floor balcony into a
flourishing garden of fruit and vegetables, growing a range of seasonal produce in containers. Naidoo later expanded these ideas in The Edible City, which explores community gardens and urban food growing ways as to strengthen communities and access to fresh food. Our migrant communities like the Italians and Vietnamese led the way in turning lawns into productive food growing spaces sometimes to the consternation of disapproving neighbours. Grandchildren of these migrants often reminisce about the many fruits and fresh vegetables they ate at Nonna’s. Community gardens are also another way to not only grow food but as a way to socialize with people over a shared interest. Gardening also teaches us to know what’s in season and move away from expecting to have unseasonable produce available all year round. To have grapes, cherries and other fruit, freighted from across the world is a great cost to the environment. By growing at least some of your food reminds us how food is connected to identity, culture, labour, belonging and justice. It also reminds us that food security begins at home, as both books emphasise Programs like Duped warn us about the risks of disconnected food systems, writers such as Kate Brown and Indira Naidoo remind us that even a small garden can restore our relationship with the food we eat. Growing a few vegetables in a pot or a plot will not solve global hunger or food fraud, but it is a step towards a more resilient and sustainable future. And it gives people greater control over the quality, freshness, and origin of some of the food they eat. Poets can capture the gorgeousness and comfort of food. Pablo Neruda wrote about everyday foods: salt, lemons, wines, artichokes, onions, tomatoes, oranges. These everyday products represent comfort, familiarity and memory. From Ode to the Onion: Onion you make us cry without hurting us. I have praised everything that exists, but to me, onion, you are more beautiful than a bird of dazzling feathers, heavenly globe, platinum goblet, unmoving dance of the snowy anemone and the fragrance of the earth lives in your crystalline nature.
Book preserves Dutch heritage for future generations By Monbulk Historical Society From the Lowlands to the Ranges: Celebrating Dutch Heritage in the Monbulk District is a newly launched Yarra Ranges book that will preserve the Dutch heritage of families across the region for future generations to come. The Monbulk Living and Learning Centre was filled with families, friends and members of the community on Sunday 2 August as the Monbulk Historical Society celebrated the launch of the new book devoted to the Dutch migrant community of the area. From the Lowlands to the Ranges: Celebrating Dutch Heritage in the Monbulk District brings together the stories of 55 Dutch migrant families who settled in Monbulk and the district area between the late 1930s and the late 1960s. The book captures an important chapter of local history while honouring the resilience, determination and community spirit of those who left the Netherlands to build new lives in Australia. At the launch, Monbulk Historical Society member Jill A’Vard thanked the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Bendigo Bank Monbulk and District, Broersen Bulbs and the many volunteers whose support made the publication possible. Ms A’Avard also welcomed special guest Yarra Ranges Council Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward and acknowledged the Dutch families who generously shared their photographs and personal histories. “The project’s purpose is to celebrate, honour 18 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Celebrating the launch of From the Lowlands to the Ranges: Celebrating Dutch Heritage in the Monbulk District. (Monbulk Historical Society). and preserve Dutch heritage in the Monbulk and district areas,” she said. At the gathering, the book was officially launched by Michael Gijsberts, a long-time advocate for Dutch heritage in Australia and recipient of the Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau from the Dutch government. He congratulated the Monbulk Historical Society on transforming a successful exhibition into a permanent historical record. Mr Gijsberts said the title From the Lowlands to the Ranges perfectly reflected the journey from the low-lying Netherlands to the hills and mountain ranges of Monbulk and districts.
“The book is an engaging collection that highlights the important contribution Dutch migrants made to the area’s economic, cultural and social development through farming, skilled trades, businesses, sporting clubs and community organisations,” he said. Mr Gijsberts said during the launch that the Dutch may once have been considered “the invisible migrants”, but through this publication their contribution to the community has been firmly placed in the spotlight. The project to create the history book came into being after a local history exhibition for the region was held earlier this year. The highly successful From the Lowlands to the Ranges exhibition was held at the Centre in May, and told the stories of 30 local families on storyboards alongside displays about the Monbulk Soccer Club, Mount Evelyn Christian School, Mount Evelyn Reformed Church and DutchCare, now known as MiCare. The exhibition has to date attracted an estimated 750 to 800+ visitors and inspired the collection of a further 25 family stories, which then led to the publication of the latest book. Many Dutch migrants became known as the “invisible migrants” of the region’s history, and they worked hard to learn English, embrace the Australian way of life and integrate quickly into their new communities. While they became Australian in public, they maintained their Dutch traditions through churches, sporting clubs and social organisations. At the same time, many families even stopped
The room was full on Sunday, 2 August, at the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre. (Monbulk Historical Society). speaking Dutch at home, making the preservation of these stories especially significant. The book launch attracted many of the families featured in its pages, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and for many, it was a special opportunity to read the stories of parents and grandparents whose experiences may otherwise have been lost. Just as importantly, the event became a reunion, with many people catching up with friends and neighbours they had not seen for years. From the Lowlands to the Ranges is more than a collection of family stories; it is a book that belongs to the community. It is now a lasting tribute to the Dutch families whose hard work, courage and community spirit helped shape the Monbulk district and ensure that their legacy will not be forgotten and will be preserved for generations to come.
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Lifestyle key to your health Despite all the advances in modern medicine, one of the most powerful influences on our longterm health is still the way we live each day. In fact, as medical science progresses, we are learning more and more about the influence lifestyle factors have on preventing and managing many of the diseases we see today. We all know that to be healthy we need to exercise regularly and eat well, but I’m not convinced that everyone truly understands the dramatic impact our lifestyle choices have on our long-term health. And even if we do understand the importance of lifestyle health, making good choices and avoiding temptation can be hard work. Being healthy doesn’t have to be complex and there are simple changes we can all make that generate substantial long-term benefits and help us to reclaim control of our health:
Healthy
living Ben Croxford
Physiotherapist, Leads the team at Form & Practice Mount Evelyn and Olinda Get some regular exercise. Exercise is the wonder-drug. It helps in some way to prevent or treat almost every health condition we know – that’s no exaggeration. Exercise looks after your heart, your lungs, your bones, your muscles, your immune system and your brain function. It reduces your risk of
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tion and good sleep all play an important role in supporting mental wellbeing. And finally, don’t leave it too late to seek help with your health. Chances are, there are solutions for your health concern and it’s far easier to manage it early. Trust me. Of course, creating healthy habits looks different for everyone because we are all built differently. Health professionals can help you explore the detail of how to best implement good lifestyle health for you and your specific circumstances – and I promise you that we don’t judge! Ben Croxford is a Physiotherapist and leads the team at Form & Practice Mt Evelyn, Olinda, Chirnside Park and Boronia. His writings explore his favourite health topics, challenge common myths and aim to empower you to take control of your own health. Find out more at formandpractice.com.au.
A lesser-known Taiwan
Shrek the Musical in theatres CPP Community Theatre Shrek the Musical Everyone’s favourite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation Film. Packed with heart, humour and all the fairytale chaos you remember, Shrek the Musical brings the beloved characters from the movie to life on stage. “Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek.”… And so begins the journey of an unlikely hero who teams up with a wisecracking Donkey and a princess who’s anything but traditional. Add a short-tempered villain, a cookie with attitude and a whole crowd of fairytale-tale misfits, and you’ve got a swamp-sized adventure only a true hero can untangle. Season: Friday, 25 September – Saturday, 3 October. Karralyka Theatre Giselle presented by Victorian State Ballet Giselle, featuring internationally recognised artists, is the perfect ballet for lovers of classical dance. Considered one of the greatest romantic ballets, its beauty and romance have captivated for centuries. Season: 21 August, at 7.20pm. 22 August at 2pm and at 7.30pm. 23 August at 2pm. The Big Band Swing Show Performed by the acclaimed Big City Beat Show Band featuring an outstanding live brass section and sensational vocalists. This high-energy production brings to life the music of some of the greatest artists of all time, including Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Shirley Bassey, Harry Connick Jr, Natalie Cole, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Frankie Valli, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis Presley. Featuring powerful vocals, dazzling musicianship and timeless classics, audiences will be transported through an afternoon of unforgettable entertainment, from smooth swing standards and jazz favourites to the iconic songs that have filled concert halls and captivated audiences for
osteoarthritis, diabetes, back pain, mental health issues, most chronic diseases and even lowers your risk of getting some types of cancer. Imagine if a doctor could prescribe a drug that powerful? You are what you eat, literally. Nutrition advice can be confusing, with experts often debating the finer details. Fortunately, the basics are simple, like avoiding highly processed, sugary and fatty foods and making sure you eat more vegetables. Aim for good quality sleep. Sleep is immensely powerful in helping your body regenerate and repair. It’s also important to note that quantity doesn’t always replace quality when it comes to sleep. Don’t ignore your mental health. Like your physical health, mental health is not simply “good” or “bad” – it fluctuates daily and we need to look after it just like we need to look after our physical bodies. Physical activity, social connec-
Kemp’s curtain call generations. Season: Sunday, 7 February 2027 at 2pm. Atheneum theatre/Collins Dt. Melbourne Menopause The Musical Inspired by a hot flush and a glass of (okay… bottle) of wine, this hilarious, taboo-breaking musical follows four women who meet while shopping. As they swap stories of hormonal heatwaves, memory meltdowns, and midnight swears, they belt out parodied hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s – including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, What’s Love Got To Do With It, and We Are Family - and discover that menopause isn’t the end, but a bold new beginning. Lived with honesty, humour and a new attitude. Since the premiere, Menopause the Musical has played to over 17 million women (and brave men) in more than 500 cities and nine languages. It’s the longest-running musical in the city’s history, thanks to a record-breaking 17 year run – and counting. Australia’s love affair with the show began in 2005, when it opened at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre. Originally slated for just two months, the season extended again and again, closing after even months. Since then, the production has played to more than 1.5 million people across 200-plus cities and towns nationwide – and holds the title as the longest-running musical ever to play Brisbane. Season: 2 - 6 September.
Taiwan Travelogue, written by Taiwanese author Yáng Shuang-zi and translated into English by Lin King, is winner of the 2026 International Booker Prize. It also won the 2024 National Book Award for Translated Literature in the U.S. The novel tells the story of Aoyama Chizuko, a Japanese novelist who travels from her hometown Nagasaki to Taiwan in 1938 to experience the life and authentic cuisine in that “Southern Island” as a colony of the Japanese Empire. Chizuko soon meets her local guide and interpreter Ông Tshian-hóh, or O Chizuru in Japanese, whom she nicknames Chi-chan. Together, the pair travels by train and samples a great variety of delicacies across Taiwan, exchanging notes on food, people, literature and culture. Chizuko becomes increasingly infatuated with Chi-chan, who is knowledgeable, efficient, meticulous and highly capable. However, as much as the Japanese woman wants to befriend her Taiwanese counterpart, she is unable to detect the blind spot in her own perspective – that the power imbalance between the pair will always exist and it is impossible to achieve any true equality between the coloniser and the colonised. Disguised as a faux translation of a rediscovered Japanese text, the novel comes with a researcher’s preface/introduction and various afterwords by its Chinese and English translators, and even footnotes by Chizuko herself. While this scholarly apparatus adds a sense of “authority” and “authenticity” to the novel, its aim is to interrogate the power dynamics between history and memory, as well as the truths behind any “official” or “grand” narrative. This is a novel that demands readers to do the work – to observe how the coloniser develops a colony but also exploits and extracts from it, how
PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN their attempt to “modernise” that colony’s economy, society, language and culture ends up irrevocably altering the local people’s lives and denying the latter’s rights and dignity to make their own choices. Worse, the coloniser is unable to see all the harm done to the colonised, as they see themselves as being benevolent and helpful, hence the aforementioned “blind spot”. As described by one of the book’s characters: “There is nothing in the world more difficult to refuse than selfrighteous goodwill.” For those who just want to enjoy the story, it features a delicate yet heart-wrenching romance between two women of distinct intellectual and cultural backgrounds. There are detailed descriptions of social and economic activities and customs across Japaneseoccupied Taiwan of the 1930s, as well as breathtaking sceneries and mouth-watering Taiwanese foods. Each dish tells a story of fusion of unique ingredients, flavours and cooking methods, revealing a lesser known aspect of Taiwan as a vibrant multilingual, multicultural and multiethnic society. Taiwan Travelogue deserves all the hype it gets. Highly recommended.
A scoop of mediocre gore Ice Cream Man Starring Ari Millen, Charlie Zeltzer and Shiloh O’Reilly R18+ Fail/5 In Ice Cream Man, a horror-comedy directed by Eli Roth, the schoolchildren in the town of Bayleen Bay become homicidal maniacs after eating ice cream from a shady vendor. Ice Cream Man features clunky dialogue and dated humour, but the child actors give solid performances and the film has some wellexecuted rising unease early on. When the kids burst into sugary violence in the second act, it’s hard not to get swept up in the gleeful, creatively absurd butchery. Still, with a nighttime scene of slaughter before the school massacre, the tension is somewhat diluted and the violence (while ramped up) is less shocking, and even at a short 86 minutes, the comedic gore and stopand-start chases grow tiresome. Other critics have compared Ice Cream Man to the unrelated 1995 slasher film Ice Cream Man, the 2014 zombie film Cooties and last year’s horror hit Weapons, but Roth’s Ice Cream Man reminds me of the 1990 so-bad-it’s-good classic Troll 2, which has vegetarian goblins and possessed townsfolk use poisoned vegetables to turn their victims into plants.
Ice Cream Man’s ending has a well-seeded, grisly gut-punch of a twist that left me kinda impressed, but I don’t feel like giving it any credit, given Roth’s use of generative AI. Roth confirmed the use of AI for only a few brief animated scenes and flashbacks, but any amount of generative AI is an ethical failure that taints the rest of the project. Playing in select Victorian cinemas, Ice Cream is a middlingly entertaining but poorlypaced gorefest with a devastating ending, and would have earned a 2.75 or 3 out of 5, but the use of AI leaves a rotten taste in my mouth, and I can’t in good conscience give it anything other than a fail. - Seth Lukas Hynes
Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL 19
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.
easy
2 8 4 9
6 8 2 3 7 6 1 8 9 1 5 7 6 2 5 3 8 7 2 8 3 9 medium
5 4 8 3 9 7 6
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9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in 's'.
B
Today’s Aim: 19 words: Good 28 words: Very good 38 words: Excellent
A
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4 1 9 2 8 6 3 7 5 2 6 3 7 9 5 8 1 4 5 8 7 3 1 4 9 2 6 8 2 1 4 5 7 6 9 3 7 5 6 9 3 2 1 4 8 9 3 4 8 6 1 2 5 7 6 9 2 5 4 3 7 8 1 3 4 8 1 7 9 5 6 2 1 7 5 6 2 8 4 3 9
6 3 8 2 9 5 1 4 7 4 1 7 6 8 3 9 5 2 9 2 5 1 7 4 6 8 3 5 4 9 3 6 1 2 7 8 1 8 2 5 4 7 3 9 6 7 6 3 8 2 9 5 1 4 2 9 6 7 1 8 4 3 5 3 7 4 9 5 2 8 6 1 8 5 1 4 3 6 7 2 9
F
hard
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bake, baker, bakes, bark, barks, bask, basket, beak, brake, brakes, break, BREAKFAST, breaks, fake, fakes, freak, karat, karate, kerb, kerf, kraft, rake, rakes, sake, sark, skate, skater, stake, stark, steak, streak, take, taker, takes, task, teak, trek, treks
4 2 7 6 1 5 8 3 9 1 8 6 4 9 3 5 2 7 3 5 9 2 7 8 6 1 4 2 7 3 5 4 1 9 8 6 9 4 8 7 3 6 1 5 2 5 6 1 9 8 2 7 4 3 7 1 5 3 2 9 4 6 8 6 9 2 8 5 4 3 7 1 8 3 4 1 6 7 2 9 5 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
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4 LETTERS BASE BLOC CAGE CYST GIRL ISN’T LETS LOVE NEST SECT SEWS THEN TOSS WEAN
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3 LETTERS ADO AGE ALL APE APT ARE ATE CRY EEL ERA GEL GNU HEW LAG NEE NET ONE PEA RAP SIP SOD SPA TNT TOP
U D
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Y L X Q A E V C P G J W Z
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No. 334
R H N T F M S K O B I U D
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DECODER
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Pithy (8) Shorten (7) Foul language (9) Exceptional; illusory (9) Astray (5) Mountain range (5) Life-form category (7) Gas vital to life (6) English side, – pudding (9) Build (9) Giving (8) Organise (7) Mouths of volcanoes (7) Emblematic person, animal or thing supposedly bringing good luck (6) Pursue (5) Ballroom dance (5)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 18 20 21
23 24
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3 4
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DOWN
Rascal (5) US city, San – (9) Comic strip (7) Visuals (7) Hoosier State of the USA (7) Dawn (7) A physical science (9) Ready money (4) Simple (4) Recorded history (9) Stone fruit (7) Gorge (7) Include (7) Before birth (2,5) Consequently (9) Jobs undertaken (5)
1
9
ACROSS 1 4 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 19 22 25 26 27 28 29
No. 302
14
4 1 2
QUICK CROSSWORD
No. 302
L O V E
5 LETTERS ALERT ALOUD ALTOS APRIL ARVOS ATONE BASIC BATHS CARGO CHEWS DINGO EASES EDITS GARBS GATES GLUED GREET HEART IDEAL IOTAS NERVE
NEWSY NINNY ODDER ONSET OPERA PAPAS PASTA PEEPS PIECE RENEW REUSE ROUSE SEEDS SHELL SLEET SLEPT SLICE SNARL SNORE STATE STEER SWAYS
7 LETTERS INTENTS LESSONS PLUSHER ROUGHER SEVERER TRASHES
TEENS TERSE TESTS THESE THETA TORSO WHIRR 6 LETTERS ANYONE ASSAIL ENACTS STRAIN
8 LETTERS ABSENTEE GUERILLA HITHERTO OPTICIAN
P A S T A B A T H S G A R B S A P R I L I D E A L A L T O S P E E P S S T A T E R O U S E A R E A G E S H E L L S I P S T R A I N T H E T A S E C T P L U S H E R G E L C A G E N E S T D I N G O W E A N O P T I C I A N A L L R O U G H E R I N T E N T S G U E R I L L A L E T S N E E B L O C C Y S T O D D E R E R A S E V E R E R I S N T T H E S E A N Y O N E O N E T E E N S S P A P E A A T O N E C H E W S T O R S O A R V O S R E N E W T E R S E T E S T S S WA Y S S E E D S
No. 302
S C A M P F R A N C I S C O B R A M H P X U I M A G E R Y C A R T O O N I F T S I C G C S U N R I S E I N D I A N A G N S E N N C A S H C H E M I S T R Y T T I O O G E A S Y C H R O N I C L E R K S R N M S A T I A T E A P R I C O T A H A H R T R S C O N T A I N I N U T E R O G S G R C R U O T A S K S T H E R E F O R E
SUDOKU
14-08-26
William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS
9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22
20 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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A PRIVATE LIFESTYLE ESTATE
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
A PRIVATE LIFESTYLE ESTATE ON 15 ACRES BEAUTIFUL mornings and sensational sunsets, views from every window. Beyond a secure gated entrance and sweeping sealed driveway lies an exceptional lifestyle estate where luxury, privacy and breathtaking natural beauty converge. Set amidst approximately 15 pristine acres with picturesque views across rolling countryside, this remarkable residence offers an unparalleled opportunity to embrace refined country living without compromising convenience. Designed on a grand scale and crafted for both sophisticated entertaining and relaxed family living, the home immediately impresses with its soaring 10-foot ceilings, expansive proportions and an abundance of natural light. Elegant formal and informal living zones provide exceptional versatility, including a gracious formal lounge and dining room centred around an inviting fireplace, a substantial family and meals domain warmed by a fireplace, an impressive rumpus/games room, and a dedicated executive office for those working from home. At the centre, the beautifully appointed timber and granite kitchen has been designed to inspire. Featuring, expansive stone preparation surfaces, extensive cabinetry, quality appliances and a generous walk-in pantry, it effortlessly caters to everyday family life as well as large-scale entertaining. Flowing seamlessly outdoors, the kitchen and living spaces open onto an expansive covered Merbau entertaining deck, complete with outdoor cafe blinds, overlooking the secure rear gardens and spectacular rural vistas beyond—creating an idyllic setting for yearround gatherings with family and friends. The thoughtfully designed accommodation comprises four generous bedrooms, each offering exceptional comfort and privacy. The luxurious primary suite occupies its own private wing, complete with a spacious walkin robe and elegant ensuite. A beautifully appointed guest suite also enjoys a walk-in robe and private ensuite, while two further oversized bedrooms with built-in robes are serviced by a stylish central family bathroom.
Adding further practicality is an oversized laundry and mudroom, ideal for busy family living and country pursuits, while the substantial four-car garage with internal access, additional carport and extensive parking ensure ample space for vehicles, trailers and recreational equipment. The estate has been thoughtfully enhanced with every modern convenience, 3 phase heating and cooling, a security alarm system, CCTV surveillance, extensive outdoor lighting, mains water, gas supply, and a 4.7kW solar system with a 5.3kW inverter, delivering energy efficiency without compromise. Perfectly equipped for equestrian enthusiasts, hobby farmers or grazing livestock, the property offers exceptional infrastructure with four well-fenced paddocks, electric fencing to the perimeter, the water supply to the three large paddocks via mains or storm water tank with pump, a livestock loading ramp and holding yard, machinery and tack shed with its own independent entrance, plus undercover storage for hay and firewood. The established gardens, complete with mature shade trees and productive fruit trees, further enhance the estate’s picturesque setting. Despite its peaceful rural atmosphere, this outstanding property enjoys an enviable level of convenience. Located just 1.1 kilometres from the heart of Belgrave South, the estate is moments from quality schools, local shopping, cafes and sporting facilities, while Belgrave Railway Station, Wellington Road, EastLink and the M1 freeway provide effortless access to Melbourne and surrounding regions. For horse lovers, the location is second to none, with the local pony club within walking distance and direct access to scenic riding trails from the property itself. Offering a rare combination of timeless elegance, exceptional infrastructure and an idyllic lifestyle setting, this is a property of remarkable scale and substance where every element has been carefully considered. A truly distinguished country estate, ready to be enjoyed for generations to come. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 17 Bellany Road, BELGRAVE SOUTH Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 garage Price: $3,500,00 - $3,800,00 Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522, Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE 9754 6111
22 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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HOME FOCUS
STYLISH FAMILY LIVING WITH EXCEPTIONAL FLEXIBILITY PERFECTLY positioned within easy walking distance of everything Upwey has to offer, this beautifully presented family home combines modern style, generous proportions and exceptional versatility on a low maintenance block. Beautifully constructed with a brick and weatherboard exterior, the home has been thoughtfully designed to cater to growing families, multi-generational living, home based professionals or those simply seeking extra space. A light filled, open plan living and dining area is complemented by the contemporary kitchen that features quality stainless steel appliances. From here, sliding doors open onto a generous balcony where you can relax and enjoy peaceful treetop views, whilst the lower level second outdoor entertaining deck overlooks the beautifully landscaped rear gardens. Accommodation includes three spacious bedrooms with built in robes, whilst the impressive master suite boasts a walk-in robe and stylish full ensuite. Upstairs also offers a dedicated study area plus a modern family bathroom. Downstairs provides outstanding flexibility with an enormous fourth bedroom or second living zone complete with its own wet bar and separate entrance -ideal for extended family, teenagers, guest accommodation or a home office. Location is everything, and this home delivers. Enjoy the convenience of being just a short stroll from Upwey Village, cafes, shops, train station, primary and secondary schools, local parks and the Upwey Reserve, making everyday family living effortless. Offering an exceptional combination of space, flexibility and lifestyle, this is a home that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. An inspection is essential to fully appreciate everything on offer. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 1470A Burwood Hwy, UPWEY Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $895,000 - $965,000 Inspect: Contact Agent Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 23
HOME FOCUS
COMFORTABLE FAMILY LIVING IN MONBULK 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 ESSENTIALS Address: 20 McAllister Road, MONBULK Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 3 garage Price: $780,000 - $849,000 Inspect: Contact Agent Contact: BRAD CONDER 0422 639 115 / JERLYN ARRADAZA 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
24 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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Real Estate you can trust! We’re here to help.
1506 Burwood Highway, TECOMA 3
1
2
61 Kooringal Road, UPWEY
896m2
1301m2
20 McAllister Road, MONBULK 3
1
3
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
$575,000 - $630,000
$595,000 - $654,000
$780,000 - $849,000
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Daniel Steen 0434 979 142
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
1470A Burwood Highway, UPWEY 3
2
2
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
3 Toorourrong Road, UPWEY
546m2
4
3
6
4826m2
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
1188m2
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
64-68 Monbulk Road, BELGRAVE 2884m2
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
FOR SALE - FREEHOLD
$895,000 - $965,000
$1,200,000 - $1,295,000
$1,250,000 - $1,350,000
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Daniel Steen 0434 979 142
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Glenn Chandler 0418 410 689
03 9754 6888 office@chandlerandco.com.au 1689 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Vic 3160 mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 25
HOME FOCUS
SOPHISTICATED FAMILY LIVING IN THE PRESTIGIOUS WAVERLEY PARK ESTATE *** AUCTION – SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 11AM (Unless Sold Prior)*** POSITIONED within the highly regarded Waverley Park Estate, this impeccably presented residence delivers an exceptional blend of style, comfort and low-maintenance living in one of Mulgrave’s most sought-after communities. Recently refreshed with brand-new carpet and flooring, along with a fresh coat of paint throughout, the home offers a move-in-ready lifestyle with nothing left to do. Thoughtfully designed to maximise space and natural light, the expansive open-plan living and dining domain is complemented by a contemporary kitchen featuring granite benchtops, quality stainless steel appliances and ample storage - creating the perfect setting for both relaxed family living and effortless entertaining. The spacious master suite provides a peaceful retreat, complete with a walk-in robe and private ensuite, while two further bedrooms with built-in robes are serviced by
a stylish central bathroom, making the home equally suited to families, professionals or discerning downsizers. Step outside to a private, low-maintenance courtyard, ideal for entertaining guests or enjoying a quiet morning coffee. A secure double garage with valuable rear lane access enhances both convenience and functionality. Enjoy the outstanding lifestyle that Waverley Park is renowned for, with parklands, walking and cycling trails, cafes, playgrounds and open green spaces all just moments from your door. Conveniently located within easy reach of Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, public transport, EastLink and the Monash Freeway, this is a location that perfectly balances connectivity with community. Offering premium presentation, modern finishes and an enviable address, this is an outstanding opportunity to secure a quality home in one of Mulgrave’s most tightly held estates. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 24 Stadium Circuit, MULGRAVE Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,100,000 - $1,210,000 Inspect: Contact agent Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Jackson Acott 0494 142 438, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE 9754 6111
26 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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Ranges ENTERTAINERS PARADISE
EMErALD 45 KIlVINGToN DRIVE MINuTES FroM ToWN
15 MAGNIFICENT ACRES
$1,460,000-$1,606,000 4 A 3 B 10 C 1 E
***Closing date for offers Tuesday 18th August @ 4pm (unless sold prior)*** Tucked away in an impeccable location, this inviting home is all about space & lifestyle, set on a fully usable 1.2 acres (approx.) Featuring an elevated deck with beautiful views, saltwater solar-heated pool, seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining area, plumbed-in bar, floorboards throughout, study, separate downstairs living zone, GDH, wood fire, underhouse accessible storage, asphalt driveway & large shed with kitchenette & laundry.
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
We put you first
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
PRIME loCATIoN
BELGrAVE SouTH 17 BEllANy RoAD
$3,500,000-$3,800,000
LIFESTYLE ESTATE WITH MAGNIFICENT VIEWS!
4A 2B 6C 1E
Beautiful mornings, sensational sunsets & views from every window. Beyond a secure gated entrance & sweeping sealed driveway lies this exceptional estate where luxury, privacy & breathtaking natural beauty converge. Designed on a sophisticated grand scale & features 10-foot ceilings, expansive proportions throughout, abundance of natural light, elegant formal & informal living zones, timber & granite kitchen, covered Merbau deck with outdoor café blinds, CCTV surveillance, 4.7kW solar with a 5.3kW inverter.
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
PEACEFUl lAKESIDE ESCAPE
TECoMA 1578 BURWooD HIGHWAy
Contact Agent
EMErALD 6 DURBAN RoAD
CHArACTEr HoME
4A 2B 5C
DESIGNED For FAMILY LIVING
Perfectly positioned within an easy stroll of Tecoma’s vibrant township, this charming home offers an enviable lifestyle with schools, shops, cafés & public transport all just moments away. Set on a sunny corner allotment, the property boasts valuable side access to a flat usable backyard. Inside, the home retains its timeless character while offering comforts such as a wood fire, split system, floorboards and deck. Downstairs is a spacious rumpus that can, with modifications (STCA) be used for many options.
Jan Brewster 0409 558 805
9754 6111
rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
$1,150,000-$1,250,000 4A 2B 2C
****offers Closing 4pm, Monday 17th of August, unless sold prior**** this exceptional residence offers a rare combination of privacy, space & effortless luxury. Surrounded by a tranquil treed outlook, it’s a home that feels like a private retreat while remaining close to everything Emerald has to offer. Features include multiple living areas, dedicated pool room, deck and enclosed alfresco, pool & spa, hydronic heating, gas fireplace & split systems, ducted vacuum, water tank, veggie patch & shed.
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
‘We Put You First’
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
1660 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Shop 2/24 McBride St, Cockatoo Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 27
HOME FOCUS
A STUNNING MUDBRICK HOME ON 50 ACRES SET across an exceptional, privately located 50-acre holding in the heart of Macclesfield, this remarkable mudbrick residence and acreage deliver a rare combination of timeless craftsmanship, refined family living and equestrian infrastructure. Surrounded by rolling paddocks and picturesque rural vistas, this is a property where lifestyle, privacy and functionality exist in perfect harmony. A wrap-around undercover verandah welcomes you inside, where expansive open plan living has been thoughtfully designed to embrace the surrounding landscape. Large windows flood the home with natural light, while floating floors add warmth and character throughout the central living spaces. At the heart of the home, the beautifully appointed country kitchen with new cabinetry is designed for both everyday living and entertaining, featuring an oversized island bench with breakfast bar, 900mm free standing gas / electric stove, huge walk-in pantry / storeroom and an abundance of bench space. The adjoining dining and living area creates a welcoming atmosphere, centred around a crackling wood fire that brings warmth and ambience throughout the cooler months. Completing the ground floor is a versatile and generous bedroom, a spacious rumpus room that could easily serve as a 6th bedroom or guest accommodation, a family bathroom and a separate toilet. Upstairs has been thoughtfully designed to provide a peaceful retreat for the whole family. The impressive main suite enjoys its own private balcony overlooking the property, a stylish ensuite and dual built-in robes + a walkin robe. Two further bedrooms, each complete with built-in robes and private balconies, offer generous accommodation, while a spacious lounge provides another inviting living zone. 2 study nooks create dedicated work or study spaces, while a 4th bedroom / study features its own shower and vanity offering exceptional flexibility. A powder room completes the upper level. Outside, the estate is exceptionally equipped for horse enthusiasts, hobby farmers or those seeking an enviable country lifestyle. Four fenced paddocks are complemented by a professionally sized 40m x 20m arena, tack room, hay shed, float shed, woodshed and chicken coop, while an established orchard enhances the property’s self-sufficient appeal. An impressive 24m x 12m high-bay shed with concrete floor and power provides extensive storage for machinery, vehicles, caravans or business equipment, alongside a separate machinery shed offering even more versatility. Rarely does a property combine architectural warmth, generous family accommodation and premium rural infrastructure on such a grand scale. Offering complete privacy while remaining within easy reach of local amenities, this is an extraordinary lifestyle opportunity that will appeal to discerning buyers seeking one of Macclesfield’s finest country estates. This property has it all so don’t miss out - CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Samantha Scott 0438 680 032 or Bethany Sullivan 0438 844 968. 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. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 80 Jardine Road, MACCLESFIELD Price: $1,750,000 - $1,850,000 Inspection: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032 or Bethany Sullivan 0438 844 968, BELL REAL ESTATE EMERALD
28 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald
32 Ferres Road Emerald
$780,000 - $850,000
3 Sunnyside Terrace Emerald
$450,000 - $490,000
Walk to Town, Love the Lifestyle.
Build-Ready with Space, Services & Scenic Views
Positioned on 983sqm (approx.) just a short walk from Emerald’s township, schools, shops & public transport, this well-presented 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers comfort & convenience for families, first-home buyers or investors. An undercover front verandah welcomes you inside to the kitchen & dining area, featuring a gas cooktop, dishwasher, breakfast bar, ample storage & timber flooring. A split system & gas ducted heating provide year-round comfort. The privately positioned main bedroom includes a walk-through robe & ensuite, while 2 additional bedrooms with builtin robes are serviced by the central family bathroom. The adjoining living room opens onto the undercover entertaining area, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Outside, the spacious backyard provides room for children & pets to enjoy, a garden shed & double carport.
Everything’s already in place for your dream build — an approved planning permit, water connection, and a concrete driveway ready to welcome you home. Set on over half an acre, there’s plenty of room to create the lifestyle you’ve envisioned, all while enjoying beautiful views that make every day feel a little more special.
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
3
91 Main Street Gembrook
A
2
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
B 2 C
$950,000- $1,040,000
JL Automatics Kilvington Drive Emerald
$165,000
A Proven Hills BNB in Prime Gembrook Location!
Established & Profitable Local Mechanic Business.
Set in the Dandenong Ranges just over an hour from Melbourne’s CBD, the established & well-loved Gembrook Cottages present a charming accommodation business opportunity in the heart of Gembrook. Within easy walking distance of Puffing Billy, Gembrook–Emerald Walking Trail, cafés, restaurants & the local bar, the location attracts visitors seeking a relaxing Hills escape. The property comprises three beautifully styled cottages, each featuring four-poster beds, leather lounges, kitchenettes, Wi-Fi & wood heaters. Bluebell Cottage offers calming blue tones & a private deck with spa. Harem Cottage features earthy interiors & sunken oval spa indoors, while Kookaburra Cottage showcases soft pastel hues & tranquil atmosphere. With a loyal repeat clientele & strong reputation, the business enjoys consistent demand, supported by nearby parks, wildlife & walking trails.
Originally established in 1979, JL Automatics has been providing the highest quality automotive repairs to Emerald & the surrounding areas ever since. JL Automatics is your one-stop shop for repairs & services for all makes & models, which currently provides a wide range of services, including: general repairs & service, power steering repairs, manual & automatic transmission repairs, tunes on all makes & models, brake inspections & repairs, air conditioning repairs, EFI diagnosis, injector cleaning & road worthy reports. Priced to walk in & start working this business includes: • 2 x hoists • Workshop tools • Spare parts • An extensive database of clients • The website • Historical average gross yearly turnover of $400,000+ Access is from Heroes Avenue, Emerald
Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
3
A
3
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
B 3 C
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Mark and Andy take part in the All Abilities program. (Supplied) Away from competition, the club’s popular All Abilities Tennis program enjoyed another funfilled Thursday evening. The inclusive program welcomes players of
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Ferntree Gully Tennis Club enjoyed another successful week across a number of competitions, with several strong performances despite rain disrupting some Tuesday night matches. In the Knox District Night Tennis Association, wet weather washed out all three Tuesday fixtures in Sections 1 (AI), 1 (DP) and 3. However, Section 4 managed to complete its match, recording a 2-0 victory over Eildon Park. Thursday night brought plenty of success for the club. Section 1 edged out Wantirna 3-2, Section 4 also claimed a hard-fought 3-2 win over Knox Gardens, and the Section 5 (JB) team defeated Parker Reserve by 3-2. Section 5 (AS) team went down 4-1 to Miller Park. The Ferntree Gully and District Ladies’ Tennis Association Section 3 side produced another competitive performance but fell just short against Seville Gold. The match finished three sets all, with Seville Gold taking the honours on games, 36-33. The club’s Midweek Eastern Metropolitan Region Ladies’ Tennis Association Section 6 team has wrapped up its season, finishing sixth on the ladder and unfortunately missing out on finals after another competitive year. In the Waverley Tennis Association, Section A1 received a welcome forfeit win from Cranbourne, Section A7 was defeated 6-1 by Knox City, while Section A8 enjoyed the bye. Ferntree Gully’s juniors continued their excellent form in the Eastern Region Tennis competition. Rubbers 25 defeated Koonung Park Green 5-0, Rubbers 34 also recorded a convincing 5-0 win over Ferny Creek, JDC 2 defeated Healesville 2-0 and JDC 3 continued its impressive season with a 3-0 victory over Montrose Purple. Rubbers 31 was defeated 4-2 by Wantirna Green, while JOSD 8 forfeited its match to Yarra Glen.
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL 31
SPORT
Finals venues are decided Finals for the junior, veterans and women’s footballers of the Outer East Football Netball League (OEFN) will be played across a number of venues over three weeks, with clubs, players and supporters set for an exciting conclusion to the season. Week One of the Junior Finals was held on Sunday 2 August between the Upwey Tecoma Football Netball Club, Belgrave Recreation Reserve, Olinda Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve and Worrell Reserve, Emerald. On Sunday 9 August, Queens Park Oval in Healesville hosted the Preliminary Finals for the Under 14 Girls, Under 16 Girls, Under 16 Boys Yarra and Under 16 Boys Ranges competitions, with free entry. On the same date, Grand Finals for the Under 11, Under 12 Girls, Under 14 Yarra and Under 14 Ranges competitions were held at Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve. Entry for adults is $15, $7.50 for pensioners and free for people under 18. The Grand Finals for the Under 14 Girls, Under 16 Girls, Under 16 Boys Yarra and Under 16 Boys Ranges will be held at Yarra Junction Recreation Reserve on Sunday 16 August. Entry for adults is $15, $7.50 for pensioners and free for people under 18. No spectators are permitted on the playing
surface at any time, no pets are permitted and no alcohol is permitted at any Junior Football Finals venue. The Veterans’ finals commenced on Friday 7 August and Women’s finals on Saturday 8 August. The Women’s Division One Qualifying and Elimination Finals were held at Olinda Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve, while the Division Two Qualifying Final will be at Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve and Division Two Elimination Final at Chandler Reserve, Emerald. The standard $10 entry applies. The Preliminary Finals on Saturday 15 August for both divisions will be held at Yarra Junction Memorial Reserve with $10 entry. Veterans semi-finals will take place at Yarra Glen Recreation Reserve and Monbulk Recreation Reserve with free entry. The Women’s Division One and Two and the Veterans’ Grand Finals will all take place at Monbulk Recreation Reserve on Sunday 23 August. Entry for adults will be $15, $7.50 for pensioners and free for people under 18. For these fixtures, no alcohol can be brought into venues, no pets other than service dogs will be premitted into venues and all attendees are expected to treat everyone with respect and be a role model.
Finals venues have been decided for the Outer East’s junior, veteran and women’s footballers. (File)
Olinda-Ferny Creek, Woori Yallock celebrate junior flags By Armin Richter Football Premier Division (round 16) Seniors: Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.4.52 def Healesville 4.11.35; Woori Yallock 28.18.186 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.6.30; Wandin 18.12.120 def Monbulk 10.10.70; Officer 25.13.163 def Warburton-Millgrove 5.7.37; Mt. Evelyn 10.14.74 def Upwey-Tecoma 4.9.33 Reserves: Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.10.64 def Healesville 4.5.29; Woori Yallock 10.17.77 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 2.2.14; Wandin 11.9.75 def Monbulk 7.5.47; Officer 23.7.145 def Warburton-Millgrove 2.5.17; Mt. Evelyn 18.11.119 def Upwey-Tecoma 2.4.16 Under 18 (combined): Wandin 5.13.43 def Monbulk 3.2.20; Seville 13.8.86 def Mt. Evelyn 6.4.40; Healesville 15.16.106 def GembrookCockatoo 3.5.23; Woori Yallock 12.20.92 def Pakenham 6.6.42; Officer 20.16.136 def Warburton-Millgrove 0.1.1; Olinda-Ferny Creek 10.4.64 def Alexandra 8.9.57; Upwey-Tecoma 14.8.92 def Yarra Glen 6.5.41 Women (Div 1 - Finals Week 1): QF Mt. Evelyn 4.7.31 def Warburton-Wesburn 3.8.26; EF Upwey-Tecoma 6.8.44 def Healesville 2.4.16 Veterans (Over 35 - Finals Week 1): 2SF Gembrook-Cockatoo 12.10.82 def Yarra Glen 5.4.34; 1SF Monbulk 3.5.23 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 2.1.13 Division 1 (round 17) Seniors: Alexandra 16.18.114 def Belgrave 7.6.48; Pakenham 40.16.256 def Powelltown 2.3.15; Yarra Glen 17.9.111 def Yea 9.6.60; Seville 20.15.135 def Emerald 9.8.62; Yarra Junction bye Reserves: Alexandra 11.11.77 def Belgrave 10.5.65; Pakenham 38.9.237 def Powelltown 1.2.8; Yea 16.10.106 def Yarra Glen 8.12.60; Emerald 11.14.80 def Seville 7.9.51; Yarra Junction bye Women (Div 2 - Finals Week 1): QF Yea 4.10.34 def Seville 0.6.6; EF Officer 2.5.17 def Wandin 1.3.9 Netball Premier Division (round 16) A Grade: Wandin 70 def Monbulk 52; ROC 41 def Warburton-Millgrove 39; Mt. Evelyn 70 def Upwey-Tecoma 29; Healesville 50 drew Olinda-Ferny Creek 50; Woori Yallock 73 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 33 B Grade: ROC 51 def Warburton-Millgrove 26; Mt. Evelyn 62 def Upwey-Tecoma 35; OlindaFerny Creek 41 def Healesville 38; Woori Yallock 91 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 44; Monbulk 51 def Wandin 47 C Grade: ROC 48 def Warburton-Millgrove 30; Olinda-Ferny Creek 39 def Healesville 24; Woori Yallock 57 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 22;
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32 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
Will Henderson weaves his way through Wandin opponents in the seniors. (Anthea Heagney) Wandin 44 def Monbulk 12; Mt. Evelyn bye D Grade: Olinda-Ferny Creek 40 def Healesville 16; Woori Yallock 39 def GembrookCockatoo 12; Monbulk 36 def Wandin 28; ROC 34 def Warburton-Millgrove 14; Mt. Evelyn bye Under 17: Monbulk Maroon 64 def OlindaFerny Creek 9; Woori Yallock 65 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 12; Wandin 36 def Monbulk Gold 31; ROC Blue 42 def Warburton-Millgrove 19; Mt. Evelyn 37 def ROC White 18 Under 15: Monbulk Maroon 26 drew Wandin Blue 26; Pakenham Gold 24 drew Woori Yallock 24; Pakenham Maroon 34 def ROC White 7; Monbulk Gold 44 def Wandin Red 13; ROC Blue bye Division 1 (round 17) A Grade: Belgrave 61 def Alexandra 56; Pakenham 62 def Powelltown 13; Yarra Glen 70 def
• • •
•
Yea 30; Emerald 43 def Seville 40; Yarra Junction bye B Grade: Belgrave 51 def Alexandra 32; Pakenham 100 def Powelltown 15; Yarra Glen 61 def Yea 32; Seville 67 def Emerald 24; Yarra Junction bye C Grade: Belgrave 47 def Alexandra 25; Pakenham 67 def Powelltown 12; Yarra Glen 47 def Yea 31; Seville 41 def Emerald 27; Yarra Junction bye D Grade: Pakenham 53 def Powelltown 18; Yarra Glen 28 def Yea 22; Seville 52 def Emerald 19; Belgrave + Yarra Junction bye Under 17: Pakenham Gold 59 def Seville White 8; Alexandra 32 def Pakenham Maroon 28; Seville 35 def Emerald 27; Yarra Junction bye Junior Football Finals (Week 2) Under 16 Boys Yarra: PF Olinda-Ferny Creek
• • • • •
• • • • • • • •
16.11.107 def Healesville Red 7.7.49 Under 16 Boys Ranges: PF Upwey-Tecoma Black 6.10.46 def Belgrave 4.13.67 Under 16 Girls: PF Healesville 2.5.17 def Emerald 1.1.7 Under 14 Mixed Yarra: GF Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.9.63 def Healesville Red 2.2.14 Under 14 Mixed Ranges: GF Woori Yallock 5.7.37 def Wesburn 3.3.21 Under 14 Girls: PF Monbulk 6.1.37 def Wesburn 5.6.36 Under 12 Mixed: GF Upwey-Tecoma 7.1.43 def Mt. Evelyn 5.10.40 Under 12 Girls: GF Mt. Evelyn 3.3.21 def Monbulk 1.1.7 Under 11 Mixed: GF Mt. Evelyn 4.5.29 def Healesville 2.3.15
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SPORT
Catherine Braniska on the attack for Monbulk in B Grade. (Armin Richter)
Asha Jones receives a pass in A Grade. (Armin Richter)
Monbulk veterans reach finale By Armin Richter Football Seniors Monbulk was excited by the prospect of playing the best team in the competition as a challenge for themselves while they try to snare a spot of the September action. In the 60 year history of the YVMDFL/OEFNL, Wandin have compiled a recent record that would compare favourably against any other combination, having won 34 of their last 35 matches heading into Saturday. Their one loss in the last two years had been to the Hawks last season. On Saturday Monbulk put together many strong passages of play but the overall consistency of the Bulldogs play overwhelmed them. After trailing by 41 points at the long break, the second half was a fairly even battle as the Hawks never gave up. Young Finn Horsfall, who only made his senior debut last week, showed that he belongs at this level. To make finals, Monbulk need to win their final two matches against Gembrook and Healesville while hoping that other results go their way. If matches go according to current ladder positions then they would sneak in at the conclusion of the final round however a win over Gembrook is vital this week to stay alive. ■ Monbulk 10.10.70 def by Wandin 18.12.120 ■ Best: Lochlan Beecroft, Joshua Spencer, Caleb Quirk, Ben Hughson, Riley Finlay, Finn Horsfall ■ Goals: Lochlan Beecroft 3, Joel Wensley 2, Caleb Quirk 2, Joshua Dawson 2, Lachlan Sheppard 1 Reserves When Wandin slammed on 7 goals to 1 in the opening term it looked to be a long day for the depleted Hawks. Monbulk rallied after quarter time and played the type of game that they are capable of, outscoring their finals bound opponents but were unable to reel in the deficit. ■ Monbulk 7.5.47 def by Wandin 11.9.75 ■ Best: Karl Ravenhorst, Dale Ross, Matthew
James, Trent Purcell, Abel Teese, Brock Downey ■ Goals: Lachlan Smith 2, Matthew James 1, Thijs Koelewyn 1, Nicholas Heron 1, Karl Ravenhorst 1, Charlie Seamer 1 Under 18s The Hawks again put in a strong performance, this time against the fourth placed Wandin. The overall improvement of this side during the second half of the year has been a credit to themselves and their coach Chris Hughson and assistant Chris Mitchell. ■ Monbulk 3.2.20 def by Wandin 5.13.43 ■ Best: Isaac Mullinder, Eamon Dawson, Finley Ede, Myles Koelewyn, Arley Gray, Blake Nicholson ■ Goals: Riley Broadbent, Eamon Dawson, Thomas Hill Veterans It was semi-final time at Monbulk on Friday night as minor premiers Monbulk hosted Olinda-Ferny Creek, the team that had given them their hardest match of the season. The excitement and enthusiasm that the revived veterans have generated this year was seen by the large crowd which gathered to witness the game. Monbulk opened with a goal minutes after commencement, which was matched in the closing moments of the first quarter by the Bloods’ playing coach George Azzam. George badly injured his knee in the process and the second term was lost while an ambulance was called. In the second half Monbulk controlled much of the play but poor entries into the forward line meant that they didn’t capitalise on their dominance. The Hawks finally sealed the game and won a spot in the Grand Final when Tim Wragg kicked truly from 40 metres with just minutes remaining. The Grand Final will be played at Monbulk at 12.50pm on August 23. ■ Monbulk 3.5.23 def Olinda Ferny Creek 2.1.13 ■ Best: Bradley Condor, Shannon Koole, Dean White, Jarrett Anderson, Chris Mitchell ■ Goals: Tim Wragg 1, Michael Langworthy 1, Chris Mitchell 1 Netball
A Grade The biggest challenge in A Grade is playing either of the two ladder leaders, Mt. Evelyn and Wandin, which Monbulk have faced in consecutive weeks. In a fast and well contested match the Bulldogs proved to be a hard nut to crack and deservedly won the encounter while Monbulk displayed more than enough to show why they are also very likely to see finals action if they win their remaining matches. ■ Monbulk 52 def by Wandin 70 ■ Best: Alice Nicholas, Sophie Stubbs, Peri Reid ■ Goals: Jorja Wragg 26, Peri Reid 25, Chloe Baker 1 B Grade This match was a celebration of Bonnie Munday who played her 250th match and has achieved and done so much since her 2011 debut that she became the youngest ever Life Member of the club in 2024. Her teammate Liz Cutting also played her 100th game. Wandin (fourth) and Monbulk (fifth) played an early Elimination Final preview as they will meet again in three weeks when finals begin. The game did not go to script early as the Bulldogs raced out to a 15-7 lead in the opening quarter and maintained that advantage by half time. The Hawks then threw caution to the wind and played an attacking game which yielded results. They scored 31 goals to 19 in the second half to overrun Wandin and snatch a morale boosting win. ■ Monbulk 51 def Wandin 47 ■ Best: Catherine Braniska, Siobhan Munday, Chloe Baker ■ Goals: Chloe Baker 36, Dayna Walsham 11, Chloe Carmichael 4 C Grade Eighth placed Monbulk took on top side Wandin and battled hard against a well drilled unit. They will look to finish the season strongly and climb a few rungs on the ladder as they meet teams around them. Maddy Buckland played game number 50. ■ Monbulk 12 def by Wandin 44
■ Best: Zali Utting, Laura Del Biondo, Shiloh Koole ■ Goals: Grace Sands 7, Maddy Buckland 3, Laura Del Biondo 2 D Grade After falling behind early, Monbulk played a strong final three quarters to power to a convincing win over third placed Wandin and now be just percentage off claiming a double chance leading into finals. ■ Monbulk 36 def Wandin 28 ■ Best: Katrina Wragg, Jamie Sands, Ella Flynn ■ Goals: Jamie Sands 24, Emiley Asling 12 Under 17s The Maroon girls just about secured their finals spot with a big win over Olinda. The Gold team let the game slip early against Wandin before going down narrowly, scoring 21 to 15 after half time. ■ Monbulk Gold 31 def by Wandin 36 ■ Best: Bridie McCormick, Stevie Mullinder, Ruby Dean ■ Goals: Isabelle Kos 16, Kaitlyn Summers 12, Bridie McCormick 2, Ruby Dean 1 ■ Monbulk Maroon 64 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 9 ■ Best: Isla Stubbs, Milla Puddy, Chelsea Ferguson ■ Goals: Chelsea Ferguson 44, Ahliya Wragg 17; Isla Stubbs 3 Under 15s Monbulk Gold were largely untroubled in posting a comfortable win over fourth placed Wandin Red. Ella Longo also played in her 50th game for the club. The Maroon girls are striving hard to make finals and played a nail-biter against Wandin Blue which ended in a draw. The result leaves them with a favourable run home to nab a finals spot. ■ Monbulk Gold 44 def Wandin Red 13 ■ Best: Daphne Mitchell, Ruby Irwin, Ella Longo ■ Goals: Eden Murphy 29, Amelia Magarry 15 ■ Monbulk Maroon 26 drew Wandin Blue 26 ■ Best: Olivia Dalman, Isabelle Kos, Hayden Brady ■ Goals: Isabelle Kos 24, Grace Gaunt 2
570947_05
Patrick Snoxell marks for Monbulk. (Anthea Heagney)
Monbulk’s Aaron Hoare and Wandin’s Macauley Beckwith contest a mark. (Anthea Heagney)
Lochie Beecroft (3) and Charlie Barge fly for a mark against Wandin’s Angus Strachan. (Anthea Heagney)
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Ken Hunt .............................................................................................................129
Journalist - Star Mail
Fremantle St Kilda Geelong Brisbane Hawthorn
Melbourne GWS Western Bulldogs Sydney
Micah Calheiros............................................................................................... 127 Aaron Violi MP .................................................................................................126 Michael Robinson ...........................................................................................126
Phone: 5957 3700
Mark Jolley .........................................................................................................123 Sam Failla ...........................................................................................................123 Michael Robinson
5
Bell Real Estate Yarra Valley
Fremantle St Kilda Geelong Brisbane Hawthorn
Melbourne GWS Carlton Sydney
Phone: 5967 1277
Nicole Kerley .....................................................................................................122 Mick Dolphin ......................................................................................................121 Clint Rose ............................................................................................................119 Ashleigh Skillern ..............................................................................................115
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Warburton | 03 5966 2800
12886187-LD30-26
Tuesday, 11 August, 2026 | MAIL 35
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36 MAIL | Tuesday, 11 August, 2026
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