Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 15th September 2026

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

Emerald SES prepare for a busy season

Gully Market donation supports nurses

Wild Wanderings walks return

Real estate liftout inside

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A Star News Group Publication

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Hero Graeme feted Emerald CFA stalwart Graeme Legge OAM has been honoured with a CFA Life Member Medal and a 75-year clasp, celebrating decades of dedicated service to his community.

The former Emerald captain has attended more than 2,000 fire calls, including major disasters such as Ash Wednesday, and is credited with helping save hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property.

During his leadership, Mr Legge introduced a professional training program, boosted membership, led the brigade to regional fire prevention titles, and co-authored a primary school fire safety publication.

His contribution extended beyond firefighting to ambulance services. As a foundation member of the local auxiliary formed in 1983, Mr Legge stored a fire vehicle at his home for nearly four years to accommodate the new ambulance branch.

CFA operations manager Greg Flynn said Mr Legge’s service was enhanced by leadership, personal example and courage.

Read more on page 9 Graeme Legge holding the Country Fire Authority Life Member Medal with a 75 Year Clasp (Stewart Chambers: 577815)

Erosion overhaul

By Callum Ludwig Yarra Ranges Council has approved an amendment to the Erosion Management Overlay (EMO) following a review by an independent planning panel, despite objections from a prominent planning expert.

The decision, made at the Tuesday 8 September council meeting, will see fewer properties predicted to be at risk of landslip than initially forecast.

Revised mapping reduced the overall area susceptible to landslides from 137 square kilometres to 117 square kilometres.

Under the changes, 1702 properties will have the EMO deleted, 9362 properties will have the EMO replaced with EMO1, and 1869 new properties will be introduced to EMO1. No changes were made to the EMO2 debris flow mapping.

Objector Michael Buxton urged councillors to reject the panel report, arguing it relied heavily on surface-level LiDAR technology rather than subsurface soil testing.

He said the mapping method was unreliable for landslide susceptibility and criticised the costly requirement for landowners to provide their

own soil tests during development applications.

Council’s manager of design and place Nathan Islip defended the methodology, calling LiDAR industry best practice that adds quality and accuracy.

He said council had the report peer-reviewed by a highly-regarded geotechnical engineer and warned that failing to update the controls could breach council’s duty of care under the Planning and Environment Act. Councillors Jim Child, Gareth Ward, Peter McIlwain, Jeff Marriott, and Mayor Richard Higgins

spoke in support of the motion.

Cr Child said the overlay provided peace of mind for future developments, while Cr Ward expressed confidence in the consultants despite his own property being affected. Cr McIlwain said the overlay acts as a preventative measure to avoid future risk.

Cr Tim Heenan and Cr Len Cox OAM raised reservations regarding Mr Buxton’s concerns about underlying geology. The motion was carried, with Cr Cox as the sole vote against.

Read more on page 4

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NEWS

Four-month disruption ends

By Gabriella Vukman The end of months of industrial action by Parks Victoria workers is set to bring an end to the repeated disruptions experienced by visitors, residents and businesses around Maroondah Reservoir Park.

Parks Victoria workers have reached an inprinciple agreement on pay and conditions after more than 12 months of negotiations and industrial action, with all industrial action scheduled to cease by the end of Friday 11 September.

Repeated closures of Maroondah Reservoir Park have caused disruption for visitors, local residents, the weekly Maroondah Dam parkrun and businesses in Healesville, with concerns also raised about emergency access.

The agreement means the 24-hour strikes, park closures and work bans that have affected parks across Victoria will now come to an end, after workers fought for improved pay and conditions.

The closures have occurred as Parks Victoria staff undertook protected industrial action over pay and conditions, with the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) previously warning that entrance gates at a number of parks and reserves could remain locked as part of work bans.

The CPSU said the offer accepted by Parks Victoria workers includes a 3 per cent pay rise, a $5000 one-off payment and a structural wages uplift that will boost base-level pay.

A spokesperson from Parks Victoria told Star Mail measures had been taken to maintain visitor access to Maroondah Reservoir Park.

“Contingencies have ensured visitors can still access Maroondah Reservoir Park via the main entrance at Maroondah Highway and at McKenzie Road,” they said.

“24 hour access for emergency services and Melbourne Water has not been affected.”

“Parks Victoria respects the right of its employees to take lawful protected industrial action.”

For Healesville resident and regular Maroondah Dam parkrun participant Chris Gander, however, the repeated closures have highlighted the broader impact that industrial disputes can have on communities and local tourism.

Mr Gander said his concerns were not about the right of Parks Victoria staff to take industrial action, rather about the effect of the closures on people using the park and businesses in the surrounding area.

“I don’t have any problem with people protesting, it is more the poor communication and the fact that this has gone on for so long,” he said.

“There was uncertainty as to which parks were open, which parks weren’t and when.”

Mr Gander said the Maroondah Dam parkrun typically attracts between 40 and 50 people each Saturday, including visitors from outside the immediate area.

He said visitors who travel to the area for the park can also contribute to the local economy.

“The Park Run itself not only locals but it brings visitors who come out here and often go to the sanctuary and to local cafes, so it really does have an ongoing effect on the

Maroondah Reservoir is one of the parks that has been subject to closures due to protected industrial action taken by Parks Victoria staff.

(Gabriella Vukman: 578162) town” he said.

“Visitors come here and they come into Healesville and they spend money with the retailers and all the rest of it.”

For Mr Gander, one of the difficulties for parkrun organisers has been communicating unexpected cancellations to participants, given the event is run entirely by volunteers and attracts people travelling from different locations.

“Fortunately we were notified each time Marroondah Reservoir was going to be closed but the difficulty is getting the word out through our volunteers,” he said.

Mr Gander also raised questions about emergency access when the vehicle gates were closed while members of the public could still enter the park on foot.

He said the issue became particularly concerning when considering the possibility of someone requiring urgent assistance inside the park.

“I was riding my bike up there and thought ‘Gee if something happened to me, how would an ambulance or the SES or fire department access the park to help me’.”

Mr Gander told Star Mail vehicle access had been restricted on several occasions, including July 18, July 25 and August 29.

He said that while pedestrian access might remain available, the closure of vehicle access could make the park difficult to use for some members of the community, including older visitors, families and people with mobility limitations.

He also questioned whether weekend vehicle access could be maintained, particularly when Parks Victoria staff were not normally present at the park.

The CPSU had previously said the protected industrial action was part of a long-running campaign for improved pay and conditions for Parks Victoria employees.

In July, CPSU Victoria Secretary Jiselle Hanna said, “These actions are unfortunately the result of management’s continued failure to put for-

ward a fair deal for PV staff.”

“These people represent the very best of our public services, but are paid as the worst. This could all be resolved with the Minister and Parks Vic exec choosing to do the right thing by their staff, and commit to a fair pay deal.”

The union also said its members provide important firefighting and emergency response capacity during fire seasons.

The CPSU said it was the first time in 15 years that Parks Victoria staff had taken industrial action, with workers undertaking 24-hour strikes, park closures and bans on administrative tasks as part of the campaign.

CPSU Victoria Secretary Jiselle Hanna said the agreement was a result of the determination shown by Parks Victoria workers throughout the dispute.

“This win is a direct result of the sheer determination of Parks Vic workers who didn’t back down without a fight,” Ms Hanna said.

“Anyone who thinks that worker solidarity isn’t effective should speak with a Parks Victoria worker today.”

The union said Parks Victoria workers were among the lowest-paid public servants in the state, with many earning close to minimum wage, and said the new pay offer would help retain experienced staff in their roles.

Ms Hanna said the decision to take industrial action had not been made lightly.

“These workers are incredibly dedicated to their jobs and to the Victorian community – the decision to take industrial action was not made lightly. But sometimes the risk is worth the reward,” she said.

With the industrial action now over, the immediate disruption to parks and reserves caused by the work bans has come to an end, although the impact of the prolonged dispute remains evident for communities that rely on the parks for recreation, tourism and local events.

For Mr Gander, the experience has nevertheless demonstrated the need to consider how the public impact of future industrial action can be minimised.

Mr Gander said he wanted the dispute settled, while stressing that his concerns were about the impact on people who were not involved in the dispute.

“If they’re going to take action in future, they need to do something that doesn’t affect the innocent bystanders that have nothing to do with it.”

“It has been impacting the public and indirectly impacting all those who benefit from people going to those parks that are closed.”

For a community that relies heavily on its parks for recreation, tourism and local events, the repeated closures have been a reminder of how access to public spaces can have consequences well beyond the gates of a park.

The CPSU’s advice on protected industrial action listed the following parks, reserves and facilities across the Yarra Ranges and surrounding region as locations that may be affected: Alfred Nicolas memorial gardens Bunyip State Park - Nash Creek Camping

•

Ground, Bunyip Weir, Freemans Mill Camping Area, Dyers Camping and Picnic Ground, Mortimer Camping and Picnic Area, Lawson Falls Picnic Ground, Forest Road Unloading Area and Cannibal Creek Horse Unloading Area Cardinia Creek Parklands – Grasmere picnic area Cardinia Reservoir Park Dandenong Ranges - Grants Picnic Ground Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens Dandenong Ranges National Park - One Tree Hill Dandenong Ranges National Park – Doongalla Picnic Ground, Eagles Nest Picnic Ground, Ferntree Gully Dandenong Ranges National Park – Valley Picnic Ground Gembrook G203 Bushland Reserve Kinglake National Park – biolink area Kurth Kiln Regional Park – Ure Road, Toms Track Lysterfield Park – Horswood Rd entrance Maroondah Reservoir Park Silvan Reservoir Park – picnic area Upper Yarra Reservoir - campground Warby-Ovens Yarra Ranges National Park – Badger Weir, Donnellys Weir Yarra Valley Parklands - Westerfolds Park, Montpelier Reserve, Birrarrung Park, Yarra Flats, Banyule Flats (Parks Victoria), Banksia Park, Yarook Tambore Wetland, Glynn’s Reserve and Murundaka Swamp Yarra Valley Parklands – Longridge Campground, Yarra Flats, Birrarung Park The CPSU said the industrial action could affect entrance gates, bins, toilets and other access at public parks and reserves across Victoria.

The list indicates that the potential impact extended well beyond Maroondah Reservoir Park, with a range of recreational and visitor facilities across the region identified as potentially affected.

Parks Victoria has since advised that all industrial action has ceased and that contingencies have ensured visitors can still access Maroondah Reservoir Park via the main entrance at Maroondah Highway and at McKenzie Road.

With Parks Victoria confirming that emergency services and Melbourne Water access has not been affected, and that visitor access to Maroondah Reservoir Park remains available via Maroondah Highway and McKenzie Road, the focus now shifts from the disruption caused by the industrial action to whether the new agreement will deliver the stability and staffing levels the union says are needed across Victoria’s parks.

For local residents, parkrun participants and businesses, the end of the industrial action should also bring an end to the uncertainty that accompanied the repeated closures, although the experience has highlighted how decisions made during industrial disputes can have flowon effects well beyond the workplace.

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

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NEWS

IN BRIEF Selby man one of nine arrested

The Forge Institute offers young people social support through arts-based workshops. (Supplied)

Shock spike in youth suicide in outer east

By Oliver Winn Trigger warning: this article includes mentions of suicide.

As an alarming spike in youth suicides across the outer east raises questions about the availability of mental health services, the lack of supportive community spaces has also received attention.

After the deaths of six people, aged 13 to 22, in September 2025, and a further four, aged 13 to 18, in May this year, an article in The Age exposed a lack of review into Victoria’s failing youth mental health system.

While the spotlight raised the alarm around the capacity of Victoria’s mental health services, a father whose daughter died by suicide in September 2025 said young people also needed community organisations where they can feel safe and supported.

When Brent Dakis’ 13-year-old daughter Ivy took her life in September 2025, it came as a complete shock.

“When Ivy passed away, it was so out of the blue for us. There was no history of any kind of mental health or self-harm or anything for her, just a long string of bullying that was unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Mr Dakis said.

The increased rates of youth suicide didn’t come as a surprise to Mr Dakis.

“Unfortunately for me, I’m entirely unsurprised.

When we had to sit down with detectives… I said to them, ‘I’m really concerned that you are going to start seeing more of this’.”

He said the increasing rates of poor mental health were “symptomatic” of an environment where social media was fracturing today’s youth while promoting negative content that encouraged cyberbullying.

“It’s an environment that online… seems to promote negative self-talk, criticism, self-criticism, all of that. And then because that has become the norm online for the younger teens, that’s then becoming the norm offline.

Brent Dakis started The Forge Institute for young people to feel safe, connected and supported. (Supplied) “So instead of it being a supportive environment and growing up and cheering on your friends, people just rag on each other and tear each other down,” he said.

Ivy’s passing prompted Mr Dakis to start the Forge Institute: a not-for-profit social enterprise providing safe, welcoming spaces for young people to connect while exploring the arts.

The Forge aims to provide young people with a “third place” where they can feel safe, connected, and supported by peers, outside of school or home.

“My vision for The Forge is very much art class and art education as a front for social connection and social education, and the mental health support of peer support and belonging. That’s actually the intention: an underlying social support network that is using art as a vessel to do that,” Mr Dakis said.

While the outer east needed more mental health care services for at-risk youth, community organisations like The Forge would help support young people dealing with mental health struggles and give them a space to feel safe.

Youth mental health and suicide is a complex phenomenon, and there’s no single solution that

immediately fixes the issue. Youth mental health expert Magenta Simmons said a holistic approach would be needed to address mental health concerns in the outer east.

“One part of that will be mental health services, and one part of that will be community-based programs which are fantastic and are really important to allow young people to have a place to feel socially connected and feel a sense of belonging.”

Young people traditionally flock to sporting clubs for community in the outer east. But for those who aren’t into sports, it can be hard to feel like they’re a part of a community. Ms Simmons said organisations like The Forge were “filling a gap” in creative and arts-based offerings for young people in the outer east.

“It’s an arts-based offer, and that’s really important, too. These creative opportunities for young people to engage in are not just social, but they’re also creative and potentially therapeutic activities.”

Meanwhile, community organisations can also help connect young people to mental health services.

“Community-based organisations can be a great connector to help young people get the services that they need. But we can’t expect community organisations to fix a broken mental health system. They shouldn’t be doing it alone. They should be doing it with support,” she said.

Mr Dakis was also nominated for the Westfield Knox Local Heroes, a recognition, grants and partnerships program that shines the spotlight on individuals in Australia and New Zealand who make a positive impact to their local community or environment. You can vote for him here: shorturl.at/ OAlp4. For more information or to get involved, visit theforgeinstitute.au or follow them on Instagram @theforgeinstitute.inc.

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available: Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800, kidshelpline.com.au.

Headspace: 1800 650 890, headspace.org.au.

ReachOut: ReachOut.com.

• • • •

Taskforce Echo detectives have arrested nine men connected to the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) following a series of early morning warrants on 9 September.

The raids stem from an ongoing investigation into an August assault at a venue on York Street in Sale, which left several people injured, including one victim who suffered a fractured jaw.

Among those taken into custody was a 35-year-old Selby man, who was questioned by police alongside eight other suspects before being released pending further enquiries.

Warrants were executed across nine residential addresses—including Safety Beach, Carrum Downs, Doncaster East, Lynbrook, Ringwood, Selby, Metung, and Sale—as well as the Finks OMCG clubhouse in Cranbourne West.

Five of the arrested men face formal charges and have been bailed to appear at Sale Magistrates’ Court on 9 February.

A 34-year-old Safety Beach man, a 35-year-old Carrum Downs man, and a 29-year-old Lynbrook man were charged with intentionally causing injury and affray.

A 24-year-old Doncaster East man was charged with affray, public display of prohibited insignia, possession of imitation firearms, possession of prohibited weapons, and possession of steroids.

A 25-year-old Sale man was charged with affray.

Along with the Selby resident, three other men—a 23-year-old from Blackburn North, a 37-year-old from Ringwood, and a 29-year-old from Metung—were interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

During the searches, police seized two gel blaster assault rifles, two gel blaster handguns, prohibited weapons, and steroids from the Doncaster East property.

Police will allege that around 5.15pm on 15 August, the group approached five men at the Sale premises and began harassing them, initiating the violent altercation.

The multi-unit operation involved the Southern Metro, Eastern Region, Frankston, Manningham, Yarra Ranges, Wellington, and East Gippsland Crime Investigation Units, along with the Croydon Divisional Response Unit, Vehicle Crime Squad, and Taskforce VIPER. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com. au.

Police patrol footy finals Yarra Ranges Police units were out and about across the region on 12 to 13 September, keeping a watchful eye on both the roads and footy ground sidelines. The bumper weekend saw police in force in Healesville for the Outer East Football Netball Div One Grand Finals.

Members kept things under wraps at the Don Road Sporting Complex, engaging with passionate crowds and monitoring a designated Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) site to guarantee footy and netball fans made it home safely.

In addition to the grand final action, police were actively stationed across the Dandenong Ranges for the iconic Puffing Billy Running Festival, managing traffic, keeping watch over key road intersections, and supporting thousands of runners as they raced the steam train from Belgrave to Emerald Lake Park.

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NEWS

Erosion objections ignored

By Callum Ludwig Yarra Ranges councillors have approved an amendment to the Erosion Management Overlay (EMO) after it was reviewed by an independent planning panel.

Councillors approved the amendment, which will see fewer properties predicted to be at risk of landslip than initially forecast, at the Tuesday 8 September council meeting.

Michael Buxton was invited to speak in objection to the motion and said he believes the panel report is grossly inadequate, and it needs to be thoroughly assessed by the council.

“The initial concern I have with this report is that it relies on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), that’s a very useful tool, of course, but it only shows to the surface, including contours, it shows below vegetation, but it doesn’t show what’s underneath,” he said.

“So we need other information on soil type to provide inflections for stability, and it’s otherwise unreliable and the report actually recognizes this, it says the geological mapping doesn’t provide information about the geomechanical properties of the ground, for example, how hard the soil is, the depth of rock and so on.

“They’re all factors for landslide susceptibility yet then the panel contradicts itself by stating that the mapping method that it uses through LiDAR is based on sufficient criteria, and it mentions underlying geology, slope angle, known history of instability and what LiDAR actually does.”

Mr Buxton sought soil testing by Dominic Lopes of Universal Soil Laboratories for his own property, He had tests done at three locations on his property and told councillors the tests reinforced what he said about the mapping.

Mr Buxton said the soil type affecting his land is the most stable soil type in the list of soil types that they provide and that information is already mapped.

“The expert providing you with advice didn’t have to go and do thorough geological tests on the soil, he could just look at maps, and the maps are available,” he said.

“The panel then goes on and says that this doesn’t really matter because whenever anybody applies for a housing development, they can provide their own soil test and it’ll be approved but that’s a very costly process, it’s time-consuming.

“It’s unfair to require an applicant to actually then provide the evidence when it’s clear that the evidence shows that this mapping should not have been applied.”

When questioned by the councillors, Mr Buxton clarified that he didn’t believe the panel report adequately showed that they had assessed the submissions received in their responses and that his property was already in the EMO from previous mapping.

Yarra Ranges Council’s manager of design and place Nathan Islip said the use of LiDAR is considered best practice in the industry at the moment.

“In fact, numerous councils have been observing with interest and waiting to apply the same methodology,” he said.

“It was approved by the Minister for Plan-

Erosion management remains a hot topic in the Yarra Ranges. (File: 420079) ning in the early stages, and we’ve applied the same technique throughout the whole process so we are of the view that the LiDAR adds a layer of quality and accuracy that was not in previous mapping that was done.

“We have far more confidence in this proposed EMO mapping than what was currently in the scheme.”

The members of the planning panel were engineers, rather than geotechnical engineers, but the council had the report peer-reviewed by a ‘highly-regarded geotechnical engineer’.

Mr Islip said the important thing is that this is helping the community.

“You will know upfront when you buy a property whether it is susceptible to the landslip or whether it’s the movement of the actual soil… if we don’t have that clearly defined, that’s a risk to landowners who don’t know that when they buy their property,” he said.

“There is an interim amendment currently in place, which we sought the minister to put into place, but that has a sunset clause on it to try and give us time to get this amendment into place, and we don’t want that to lapse.”

“Council under the Planning and Environment Act are responsible for the mapping of these hazards and must make sure that our plan-

ning controls are current so we do carry a responsibility under the act to make sure this accurate information is acted on, and we could be seen as failing in our duty of care if we hadn’t done something about this.”

The council completed some revised mapping which reduced the overall area susceptible to landslide at 117km squared compared to 137 km squared and subsequently reducing the number of properties affected by EMO1 as summarised below: Deleting the EMO where it is no longer required – 1702 properties (previously 937).

Replacing the EMO with EMO1 – 9362 properties (previously 10,168).

Introducing EMO1 to new properties impacted by landslip susceptibility – 1869 properties (previously 3259).

No change to the EMO2 (debris flow) mapping was recommended.

During the discussion by councillors, O’Shannassy ward councillor Jim Child, Chandler ward councillor Gareth Ward, Lyster ward councillor Peter McIlwain, Streeton ward councillor Jeff Marriott and mayor Richard Higgins spoke of their support for the amendment.

“Those properties that are in that particular overlay, they will have to have some consultancy

work done but wouldn’t you rather that, wouldn’t you rather have that done so there’s peace of mind when you do a development on a property in one of these areas, you’ve done the proper analysis before you go to build,” Cr Child said.

“The overlay will now affect my own property as well but I’m satisfied that we have put in the work and hired the right consultants, I trust the reports that have come back to us fully, it’s been an immense amount of work to come to this decision,” Cr Ward said.

“What we’re actually doing here with this overlay is a preventative measure, we’re not in the process of identifying risk per se, it’s about preventing risk in the future,” Cr McIlwain said.

Billanook ward councillor Tim Heenan and Walling ward councillor Len Cox OAM had some reservations.

“Michael Buxton has standing over many decades of substantial planning in the whole of the city of Melbourne… it concerns me greatly that he submitted samples of rock and soil and explaining that LiDAR doesn’t understand the underlying geology in the ground, it concerns me greatly that it was obviously brushed off with his submission to the panel,” Cr Heenan said.

The motion was carried with only Cr Cox voting against.

Powerlines bolstered to reduce animal-related outages The Dandenong Ranges and foothills, areas prone to power line damage and outages, have been bolstered by animal-proofing improvements.

AusNet, the electricity provider for the region, has completed a $1.8 million wildlife protection program. This program aimed to reduce power outages and protect Victoria’s native possums.

The program delivered animal-proofing upgrades at 260 sites across Belgrave, Montrose, Warrandyte, Nilma, and Upwey. This targeted one of the leading causes of electricity outages on AusNet’s network.

AusNet’s Head of Fault Delivery, Michael Walton, explained that the sites were identified by analysing areas with higher-than-average levels of animal-related faults.

“By targeting these high-impact locations, we’re improving reliability and reducing outages for customers in communities most affected by animal-related faults,” he said.

4 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

Data shows animals are responsible for more than 10 per cent of power outages across AusNet’s network.

“These incidents can damage equipment and often require extensive repairs before power can be safely restored,” Mr Walton said.

The program included: Protective plastic guards to prevent animals from accessing power lines.

Rotating spinners that stop animals gaining a foothold on power lines.

New transformer equipment designed to discourage possums from nesting.

“This activity highlighted how smart infrastructure investments can benefit customers and create a safer environment for one of Victoria’s most recognisable native species,” Mr Walton said.

AusNet will continue monitoring network performance to measure the long-term impact of the upgrades on reliability and wildlife safety.

• • •

Animal-proofing upgrades across Belgrave, Montrose and Upwey were part of an AusNet program to reduce outages. (AusNet)

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NEWS

Emerald SES gets ready

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor As Victoria’s high risk weather season approaches, the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is making preparations to ensure its volunteers, vehicles and equipment are ready to respond to severe weather events across the state.

Among those preparing are SES units across the Yarra Ranges and Yarra Valley, including the Emerald SES unit.

The season runs from October 2026 through to April 2027, a period when communities can face a range of severe weather, including storms, floods, extreme heat and fire.

Emerald SES unit deputy controller of community engagement, Olinka Edwards said preparedness is already well underway.

“We’re always training every Monday night,” Ms Edwards said.

“We do weekly training in order to ensure that we are ready for any event that takes place.”

Ms Edwards said the unit had also completed additional checks of its equipment and met deadlines set to ensure its operational readiness.

For the Emerald unit, storms can bring a range of challenges across the Hills, from fallen trees and blocked roads to damage to homes and restricted access to properties.

Ms Edwards said the unit’s most common callouts were for trees down on roads, with incidents affecting major roads given a higher priority.

“Obviously, it’s a priority to ensure that anybody hasn’t got restricted access, that be in or out,” she said.

The unit can also respond to trees falling on structures, restricted access and motor vehicle accidents as part of its road crash rescue role.

Emerald SES is also working with partner agencies including the CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) to help keep roads as clear as possible during periods of high fire danger and storm activity.

But preparing for the season is not just about

the work of emergency service volunteers, households have a role to play too.

Ms Edwards said households should also take steps before severe weather arrives, including having an emergency evacuation plan, preparing an evacuation kit and having the VicEmergency app available on their phones.

She also stressed the importance of not relying on a single source of emergency information.

Residents can monitor the ABC local radio on 774 AM in Melbourne and most regional areas, as well as the VicEmergency website and the Bureau of Meteorology for warnings and updates.

VICSES guidance also encourages residents to prepare their properties by trimming trees and branches around homes, cleaning gutters, downpipes and drains, securing outdoor furniture and trampolines, and parking vehicles undercover or away from trees when stormy weather is expected.

An emergency kit should include essentials such as first aid supplies, medications, non-perishable food and drinking water, batteries and chargers, a portable radio and important documents.

The focus on preparedness comes as the high risk weather season approaches, with Victoria expected to experience hotter and drier than average conditions, alongside an increased risk of heatwave, drought and bushfire activity as the season progresses.

Storms and floods, however, can occur at any time of the year.

For the volunteers at Emerald SES, preparation is about being ready before the call comes.

Ms Edwards said the main message for the community was simple, “be ready for preparedness.”

“Whether that be cleaning your gutters, ensuring your downpipes are clear, trimming your trees, and parking your car under cover to prevent it from being damaged,” she said.

Husband and wife, Kevin and Joanna are members of the Emerald and Officer SES units. (Supplied)

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Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 5

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6 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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NEWS

Staggering new roads report

By Mikayla van Loon and Ethan Henson A staggering new road report released by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) about the conditions of Victoria’s roads shows an overall deterioration of the network.

Despite 48 per cent of the state’s roads receiving a poor or very poor condition report, the Yarra Ranges fell below the average, with 31.38 per cent gaining the same rating.

This was again lower than the 42.15 per cent recorded in 2021 for the shire.

The same could not be said for neighbouring council areas of Knox, Maroondah and Cardinia, with the proportion of state roads in poor or very poor condition reaching 41.21 per cent in Knox and over 50 per cent in Maroondah and Cardinia.

This was a significant rise for the Cardinia network, up from 31.76 per cent in 2021.

Of the four regions that make up metropolitan Melbourne, the proportion of roads in overall poor and very poor was highest in the Metro Eastern region, the report stated.

Key arterial roads across the state’s network that weave through the Yarra Ranges, including Maroondah Highway, Warburton Highway, Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Burwood Highway and Wellington Road, saw significant increases in worsening condition.

In 2021, Maroondah Highway’s condition report recorded just 25.37 per cent as very poor.

This increased to 54.71 per cent in 2024.

Similarly, Warburton Highway increased from 37.5 per cent in 2021 to 58.72 per cent in 2024.

Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road rose to 55.49 per cent, while Burwood Highway increased from 16 per cent to 34.7 per cent in the very poor category.

Wellington Road saw a staggering increase from just over one per cent in very poor condition to now rating at 68.89 per cent.

Melba Highway stayed relatively unchanged,

VAGO said road conditions in Victoria have worsened. (File: 562287) with a one per cent decrease in very poor condition, from 56 per cent to 55 per cent.

In total, 23,000 kilometres of the state road network were analysed, indicating a nine per cent increase in poor and very poor road conditions since 2021.

The report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday 9 September included six recommendations to the Department of Transport and Planning.

These include improving transparency around the condition, maintenance and cost of addressing backlog; defining criteria for prioritis-

ing maintenance or renewal work; better coordination of maintenance; improving data use; and strengthening oversight of maintenance contractors.

Roads Minister Paul Hamer told reporters on Wednesday that he thanked VAGO for the report, but he didn’t need the report to tell him roads need to be fixed.

“That’s why last week, we announced a $352 million boost to our road maintenance funding in this financial year,” Mr Hamer said.

“We also announced that a re-elected Carroll Labor Government will fix the way that we fix our roads.

“That includes bringing road maintenance back in-house; it means higher standards, more accountability, more transparency, more local delivery and more local expertise.

“The recommendations that are in the report have been accepted, and they have already started to be implemented by the department.”

Roads and Road Safety opposition spokesperson Danny O’Brien released a statement regarding the newly released audit.

He said the report was a devastating indictment of more than a decade of state government neglect.

“Victorians already know our roads are an appalling mess, but the Auditor-General has now revealed why,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Plans to cut it again next year after the election and has failed to deliver the preventative maintenance that will stop potholes forming in the first place.

“Ben Carroll cut $214 million from the roads maintenance budget over two years while he was Roads Minister.

“His election-eve promises to fix the roads won’t be believed by Victorians who are sick of his potholes.”

Council provides major boost for 13 Yarra Ranges clubs

By Oliver Winn

The Yarra Valley Waterwheel committee asked Eildon MP Cindy McLeish to secure maintenance funding in August. (Oliver Winn: 573261)

Warby Waterwheel adapts

By Oliver Winn Today, travellers use the internet to plan their holidays, finding their destination’s best offerings through trending social media videos and AI-generated overviews.

But it hasn’t always been this way. Visitor information centres once held the local knowledge of the best sightseeing spots, the highest quality restaurants and where to stay.

As visitor information centres continue to close around the country, the Yarra Valley Waterwheel in Warburton is adapting to the growing economic pressures to stay open.

Yarra Valley Waterwheel president Nicole Murray said visitor information centres needed to be appealing and welcoming spaces to stay relevant.

“The visitor centres are going into shops, they’re going to galleries… when you have them at the back of the shop on the way to the toilet, and the lighting’s really bad… it pushes people towards looking online.”

But while the internet can offer plenty of information, Ms Murray said it couldn’t provide the personal touch of in-person service offered at a visitor centre.

“It’s better if people actually come out and talk to people, because it’s the people who have actually been there, who actually live in the space, who can talk about the stories and the history. Not everyone wants to go online.

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It’s very 2D and boring.”

She said visitor information centres could also encourage travellers to experience the lesser-known places in between the tourist hotspots.

“Mostly what you see online are the places where they can make money. People come in and they want to see the big trees, they want to know where the seasonal places are. We wanna put people into the big trees where the sawdust mills used to be. Where all the places where history is. Put them up to the reservoir where the actual McVeigh’s Water Wheel is.”

There’s also the struggle to stay commercially viable. “It’s difficult. So we have to put the prices up for the gallery. We have to put prices up for the handmakers,” Ms Murray said.

When the new committee took control and secured the lease to the waterwheel building in July, they were hit with costs that saw the leftover funds “shrink considerably”.

The annual $50,000 provided by the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (UYCE) ceased this year, forcing the new committee to find new ways to source income. But the organisation doesn’t want to rely on external grants.

Ms Murray said the committee wanted to become financially sustainable.

“We need to run in our own shoes, not keep getting borrowed sneakers.”

A $189,000 investment will help fund major infrastructure upgrades for 13 sporting clubs in the Yarra Ranges.

The funding was allocated under the sporting grant stream of the Yarra Ranges Council’s 2026/27 Capital Development Grants.

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said it was great to see local clubs supported to fund what matters to them.

“We’re actually seeing thirteen pieces of work being completed by groups run by community volunteers who put in huge hours, especially for fundraising, usually to match these grants to continue to ensure their clubs can run,” she said.at the 8 September council meeting The money will fund roughly half of the cost for a particular project, with the club matching the funding with their own contribution.

Woori Yallock Football Netball Club managed to secure $13,160 to install netball shelters for players, coaches and officials. Around $22,500 was allocated to the Silvan Football Netball Club for the development of its storage shed. Meanwhile, $16,475 was allocated to the Kilsyth Cricket Club to upgrade its cricket nets.

But Cr McAllister said it’s not only football, netball and cricket clubs receiving funding.

“Again, a great diversity of sporting groups as well. So while cricket, netball, and footy are certainly present as traditional, increasingly we do see other groups: BMX, bowls, pony club, basketball, and a range of other groups in there as well,” she said. This included clubs like the Kilsyth Basketball Club, which will receive $25,000 to fund the replacement of carpet in the foyer.

At the Croydon and Districts Table Tennis Association, $14,000 will help fund costs to give the club’s stadium a fresh coat of paint.

The Melbourne Gun Club will receive $30,000 to fund flood mitigation and levee bank infrastructure works. Cr McAllister said the flood mitigation development was one of the first she’d seen funded through the sporting grant program.

“From small grants for shade, carpet, shelters, a new green, but in one instance for a levee well

Kilsyth Basketball will receive $25,000 from council. (Mikayla van Loon: 495145) for flood mitigation, which again is probably, I think, one of the first times that I’ve seen that come through this particular grant program,” she said.

Wailing Ward councillor Len Cox said the sporting grant stream was “one of the better things council does”.

“It’s very greatly received every year, and hopefully we can continue doing that into the far future,” Cr Cox said. But he pointed out how club still had a lot of fundraising work to do in order to match the council’s contributions.

“This is only half of what they’re going to need.

So there’s a lot of work to be done by the various clubs to raise that extra money to be able to finish the job that we’re funding part of,” Cr Cox said.

Over in the Yarra Valley, the Healesville Tennis Club will get $4420 towards court seating upgrade costs, while the Yarra Glen Bowls Club will receive $30,000 for clubhouse renovations.

The council allocated $9300 to the Yarra Junction Bowling Club to part-fund the creation of an additional rink, with seating and shade, on the existing green to accommodate extra players.

Mooroolbark Cricket Club’s training nets will be part-funded by a $12,180 contribution from council. The council also allocated $4290 to Lilydale BMX Club’s track surface and sustainability upgrades. A new horse tie up area at the Seville Pony Club will be part-funded by a $3000 council contribution.

Cr McAllister said it was “wonderful” to see sporting clubs taking advantage of the council’s grant streams each year.

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 7

NEWS

Market pays, again Feedback

sought over draft plan

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor The Gully Market has made another generous donation to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA), contributing $2500 to its Specialist Care Prostate Cancer Nurses program.

The latest contribution brings the market’s total donations to the program since 2024 to $8500.

Gully Market president Ian Rice said the market, which operates from the Upper Ferntree Gully station car park on Burwood Highway, was proud to continue supporting the specialist nursing service.

“I know first hand, the value of having a care nurse assigned,” he said.

Mr Rice said nurses Mel and Emelia at Box Hill Hospital were dedicated to patient wellbeing and heavily involved in training new specialist care nurses.

“They are always available to help and guide you through your journey, dealing with prostate cancer,” he said.

The market is able to contribute because its running costs are low, with the bulk of its $15 stall fees going towards donations.

Mr Rice urged the public and stallholders to support the community market so it could continue contributing to causes such as the PCFA nursing program.

PCFA chief executive officer Anne Savage said the Gully Market’s donation helped provide expert nursing support to men and families who needed care.

“We are very grateful to the organisers, stallholders and everyone who has contributed,” she said.

PCFA specialist nurses support men and their families through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, working alongside clinicians and helping patients manage issues including incontinence, sexual difficulties and the emotional impact of cancer.

Ms Savage said demand for the service was substantial, with PCFA nurses supporting more than 22,000 new patients and delivering nearly 150,000 patient consultations in the past year.

L-R: Tony, PCFA support; Mel, specialist care nurse; Ian, Gully Market president; and Amelia, specialist care nurse. (Supplied) She said the Commonwealth funding supporting 96 PCFA Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses would end when the current agreement expires on 30 June, 2027.

“That puts specialist care and continuity of support at risk for thousands of men and families,” Ms Savage said.

The PCFA is calling on the government to reverse the decision and secure the future of its specialist nursing service.

Mr Rice said the funding decision made community support for the program even more important.

A PCFA stand will be at the Gully Market on Saturday, 19 September, giving community members the opportunity to learn more about the program.

Ms Savage said prostate cancer could develop without obvious symptoms and encouraged men

to speak with their GP about their individual risks and the benefits and possible harms of PSA testing.

“Detecting it before it spreads gives men a better chance of successful treatment,” she said.

Ms Savage said community fundraising had helped build PCFA’s nursing service and remained essential to its work.

“The Gully Market also creates an opportunity for conversations that might otherwise never happen, about getting tested, asking for help or supporting someone through treatment,” she said.

The Gully Market operates on Saturdays and Sundays, 50 weeks of the year, weather permitting.

Mr Rice encouraged the community to support the market and its fundraising efforts.

“Remember being detected early saves lives, being detected late may be too late,” he said.

Safer backyards for wildlife with net swaps Residents across the Yarra Ranges will be able to swap dangerous, non-compliant fruit tree netting for safe, legal alternatives at no cost, as a statewide animal welfare initiative expands its reach this spring.

The Conservation Regulator’s Net Swap program has broadened from its five-council pilot to cover 18 local government areas across Melbourne, Greater Geelong, the Yarra Ranges, and the Macedon Ranges.

The expansion comes as ripening seasonal fruit prompts backyards to become potential hazard zones for local fauna, with Wildlife Victoria recording 320 wildlife rescues linked to net entanglements over the past 12 months.

Under Victorian law, household fruit tree netting must feature a fine mesh size of 5mm x 5mm or smaller at full stretch. Coarser netting acts as a deadly trap for native animals, carrying on-thespot fines of $395 for non-compliance.

“If your finger fits through the mesh in a fruit net, it is unsafe and can trap and injure native animals,” RSPCA Victoria head of prevention Rebecca Cook said.

“Using legal netting is one of the easiest ways Victorians can help protect wildlife in their own backyard.”

During the initial pilot, residents surrendered 614 illegal fruit nets and received 359 compliant nets in return. Surrendered netting is collected and recycled to ensure it is permanently removed from circulation while minimising landfill waste.

“After the success of the pilot program, we’re pleased to expand Net Swap to more councils, helping even more Victorians make the switch to legal fruit tree netting,” Chief Conservation Regulator Callie Donaldson said.

“Every illegal net removed from circulation is one less risk to birds, possums and threatened grey-headed flying-foxes.”

The initiative forms part of a broader educational partnership involving the Conservation Regulator, RSPCA Victoria, Zoos Victoria, Wildlife Victoria, and Animal Welfare Victoria aimed at reducing urban wildlife casualties.

“We see the devastating impacts of illegal fruit tree netting on wildlife every year, particularly for

8 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

Community members are being invited to share their thoughts on the council’s new draft Climate and Environment Strategy.

The Climate and Environment Strategy 2026-36 outlines the council’s goals for the coming decade, how it will respond to climate change and protect the natural environment while managing the challenges of population growth, pressure on water systems and biodiversity decline.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Richard Higgins said it was the council’s responsibility to ensure future generations of Yarra Ranges residents can live and thrive in the region.

“It is beyond question that the climate is changing as a result of human behaviour, and we’re already beginning to experience what that means locally, with the incidence and intensity of extreme weather events increasing,” Cr Higgins said.

“Every record-breaking summer to every extreme flood event is an important reminder that we need to act now.

“Council has a responsibility to the future generations who will inherit our beautiful and nature-filled region to act decisively and responsibly on climate change.

“Informed by science, community feedback and an ongoing partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people, the strategy outlines our environmental and climate goals.”

The goals of the draft Climate and Environment Strategy 2026-36 are: Yarra Ranges is a climate-ready and netzero emissions community Yarra Ranges has protected, healthy water systems Yarra Ranges has a thriving natural environment Yarra Ranges has resilient, connected and inspiring places Yarra Ranges is leading the transition to a circular economy The strategy notes key environmental and climate challenges facing the community, including: climate change, including the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, declining ecosystem health and biodiversity loss, pressure on water systems from climate variability, population growth and other issues, and land use change, pollution and population growth.

Cr Higgins encouraged community members to read the draft and provide feedback before 11 October.

“We’ve had fantastic, passionate, informed feedback throughout our first round of community engagement, which helped us shape the draft we’ve now released,” Cr Higgins said.

“Now it’s time to hear from you. We want to hear what you think about our goals and the draft.

Once final, the strategy will be presented to Council for adoption in the coming months.

Find out more, read the document and provide feedback on Shaping Yarra Ranges.

• • • • • • • • •

Rebecca Cook, Callie Donaldson and Dr Sally Sherwen with illegal and legal netting. (Supplied)

Fruit netting check.

A Grey-headed Flying-fox entanglement.

grey-headed flying-foxes moving through urban areas in search of food,” Dr Sally Sherwen, wildlife conservation and science director at Zoos Victoria, said.

“Choosing the right netting for backyard fruit trees is a simple action that can prevent significant wildlife suffering and help protect vulnerable species.”

A complete list of the 18 participating council exchange locations is available at rspcavic.org/ grey-headed-flying-fox-spring-netting/.

Residents who discover entangled wildlife

are urged not to attempt a rescue themselves, as improper handling can worsen injuries. Reports should be made directly to qualified rescuers via 136 186 or through the online Help for Injured Wildlife Tool.

The Net Swap Program will run from October 2026 to March 2027.

To access the Yarra Ranges Council Net Swap, keep an eye on this page: yarraranges.vic.gov. au/Our-services/Climate-and-environment/ Sustainable-communities/Gardens-for-Harvest/ Fruit-Tree-Netting

Trees down on Monbulk Road, Monbulk, after the June 2021 storm. (File: 240519)

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Graeme’s incredible journey For Graeme Legge OAM, being a part of the CFA is more than just a volunteer role, it is part of life. Mr Legge was presented with a CFA Life Member Medal, 75-year clasp, earlier this month. Star Mail delves into his incredible life of giving back through Emerald CFA. During his early days with the brigade, Graeme recalled tankers being refilled from creeks and Emerald Lake.

When rising through the ranks to be elected captain, Graeme described training matters as ‘shaky’ with low attendance.

Graeme decided to examine sources of membership, which ultimately led to a professionally devised and developed ‘brigade training program’ with boosted attendance.

From there, the brigade began winning fire prevention competitions, even winning the Region 13 fire prevention competition in 1977.

With 20 fire regions in Victoria at the time, Graeme highlighted the Emerald brigade was in the top 20 of the near 800 rural brigades for fire prevention.

“As for the Junior Brigade, I twice nominated Emerald juniors and twice won recognition for their activities in the highly regarded ‘Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Trust for Young Australians’. One of those presentations took place at Government House,“ he said.

“Nor were inter-brigade competitions neglected. The brigade won events at district and region levels. But there’s more. I won the CFA Rope Climbing Event on Royal Melbourne Showgrounds arena in 1962 before a crowd of thousands in the grandstand and around the arena.“ At the recognition of his 50 years of firefighting service, CFA operations manager for Region 13, Greg Flynn, noted that Graeme’s contribution had been valuable to the brigade and the community. “He has experienced a vast array of disasters and rescues, his service has been enhanced by leadership, personal example and courage.”

It was estimated that Graeme had attended more than 2000 fire calls and helped save hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property.

Of those callouts, a fair share have been to major fires and tragedies including Ash

Graeme Legge holding the Country Fire Authority Life Member Medal with a 75 Year Clasp. (577815)

Wednesday.

Graeme also joined an ambulance auxiliary which was determined to establish a new branch in Emerald.

When the branch was established in 1983, Graeme became a foundation member of the auxiliary, with the new branch being temporarily located at the fire station.

This would extend to almost 4 years, with Graeme having to store the brigade fire vehicle at his personal residence.

“There was a considerable amount of time and effort to maintain the vehicle’s readiness to respond to duty calls; to continue its reputational fire-service polished appearance and to ensure its regular servicing – is also ‘beyond the norm’ of an ordinary member’s service.

These additional responsibilities lasted 3 years and 9 months.

“I have now supported our local Ambulance Branch for 43 years – even adapting my fire truck driving skills to becoming an ambulance driver and driving to Dandenong Hospital with the ambulance officer attending his patient in the back of the ambulance,” he said.

Graeme has also co-authored a CFA publication - Captain Koala’s Call to Kids - a 12page, coloured flipchart that helped primary school children learn about fire safety.

He chaired the Cardinia Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee for 15 years, receiving the honorary title of ‘Mayor Emeritus’ from the Municipal Association Victoria, was Cardinia Shire’s ‘Senior Citizen of the Year’ in 2015, the Emerald Village Committee Emerald Citizen of the Year in 2017 and was even awarded an OAM for ‘service to the community’ in 2003.

Graeme Legge with his 10 years as captain award. (577815)

Menzies Creek Primary’s kids stand tall with the trees

By Claudia Mather The Menzies Creek Primary students stood tall in solidarity with the trees in this year’s school production, We Speak for the Trees.

Tree sprites, endangered owls and wildlife warriors took the stage at the Emerald Performing Arts Centre on 10 September to defend their beloved forests.

Rehearsals were well under way since halfway through term two, with a final dress rehearsal taking place just a few hours before curtain call.

The nature focused performance gave all 36 students a chance to shine through an array of musical numbers, acting and dancing.

Being such a small school means that each student got to be on stage for the entire duration of the performance.

We Speak for the Trees was written and directed by former teacher Anne Matheson.

Menzies Creek Primary’s principal Brooke Kogelman said that though Anne is a former teacher, she still plays a vital part in the school community.

“She comes back every year to write our school production,” she explained.

“We’ve been doing the productions with her since we all started school,” Grade 6 school captain Maya added.

The students appreciate the time and effort that Anne goes to each year to bring the production to life.

Grade 6 school captain Thomas, who played a Wildlife Warrior, said the story was ultimately

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The stage is set for Menzies Creek Primary’s production. (Claudia Mather: 577936)

Menzies Creek Primary students in costume for their production. (Claudia Mather: 577936) about protecting the forest.

“My character is Steve, based off Steve Irwin.

I’m just there to help,” he said.

Another school captain, Maya, played a character called Jane who is inspired by English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall.

The production was a fun experience for the

students, but also a compelling way to learn about the importance of the environment and impactful role models such as Steve Irwin and Jane Goodall.

For Grade 6 school captain Jasmine, a highlight of the production was being able to do big dance numbers as a school.

“When we get to do all the dances, I think

that’s really fun because we all get to do it together,” she said.

“I really liked doing the whole school rehearsals and the dress rehearsals, they were all really fun.”

Thomas, Maya and Jasmine are in their final year of primary school and have enjoyed playing a part in the production each year.

“It’s kind of emotional but it’s nice that this is the last performance and it’s so good for our last one,” Jasmine smiled.

One of the many advantages for the students at Menzies Creek Primary is that through being a part of the production each year, they continue to learn real-life skills through the characters they play.

The kids shared their learning and creativity in We Speak for the Trees on the evening of 10 September, sharing the values they’ve cultivated together in caring for the environment.

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 9

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10 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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Together, apart, in love ...

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor For 30 years, Alex Ruschanow from Ferntree Gully and Judy Wolff from Upwey have shared a relationship, holidays, dinners, friendships and the ups and downs of growing older, there is just one thing they have never shared: a home.

The retired tradesman and community photographer and the former librarian and public relations officer have lived separately throughout their relationship, with their homes about 10 minutes apart by road.

For them, it was never a grand decision to live apart, they simply kept dating.

“There was no decision,” Ms Wolff said.

“We just dated and dated more and more until I think I sort of realised, hey, I think we’re a couple.”

It all began when a journalist put a post on Facebook asking if anyone knew a romantic couple who lived apart, Ms Wolff’s daughter happened to know the journalist and replied: “Yes, my mum.”

Since then, their story has attracted attention from outlets including SBS, The Sydney Morning Herald and That’s Life! magazine, as well as several others.

The attention was never something the couple sought, and they are keen to make that clear.

“We have never asked for this, we’ve never sought attention, and we’re a bit amused by the fact that everyone is so interested,” Ms Wolff said.

The couple met in their 50s, when both were already established in their careers and had their own lives, Ms Wolff had children who were young at the time, while Mr Ruschanow had his own home and routines.

Rather than combining their lives under one roof, they maintained their separate homes, friends and identities.

“We’re very different people,” Ms Wolff said.

“It’s allowed us to have our joint friends, but also our separate friends and separate identity to some extent.”

Mr Ruschanow was a tradesman, while Ms Wolff was a librarian, their personalities are different too.

Ms Wolff describes herself as more “pensive”, while Mr Ruschanow is more “extroverted and upbeat”.

But their differences have become part of what works.

“I was very happy in my home, and Alex has things arranged in his home,” Ms Wolff said.

Ms Wolff describes her house as her “nest”, a place she has decorated with art she loves and where she feels calm.

“I have relationship with my home,” she said.

“It’s my nest. It calms me down.”

The couple have each sold and bought homes during their 30 years together, and on those occasions they considered whether it was time to move in together and each time, they reached the same conclusion.

For Mr Ruschanow, keeping their assets separate has also been important - they have their own houses and separate bank accounts, and make their own financial decisions.

“If I make a decision on getting something, it’s easier. I don’t have to consult Judy. I’d tell her, and she’s the same - she’d say what she’s getting done or buying something,” he said.

Their arrangement also gives them room to pursue their own interests.

They spend time together two or three times a week, and sometimes more, while maintaining separate social circles and activities.

Ms Wolff has been involved in circus for about 20 years, and Mr Ruschanow always turns up to her shows.

“He grumbles every time, but he always comes,” Ms Wolff said.

Their relationship has also meant being there for each other when circumstances require it.

When Ms Wolff had a new hip and could not drive for six weeks, she stayed with Mr Ruschanow, he took care of the driving and cooking.

“If Alex needed help, I would move in with him,” she said.

They both recognise that health and mobility could eventually change the arrangement.

Mr Ruschanow has had health issues, while the couple are now facing more medical appointments as they grow older.

“If one of us had to stop driving, then we would consider living together,” Ms Wolff said.

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Mr Ruschanow and Ms Wolff pictured doing what they love. (Supplied)

Separate homes, shared life: a symbol of their relationship.

The couple have no plans to move in together anytime soon.

Alex and Judy at a concert.

Judy and Alex have been dating for three decades while living apart.

For now, however, neither is seeking that change.

“We don’t have plans to move in,” Ms Wolff said.

Their separate homes have not meant a lack of closeness.

They go on holidays and drives together, share activities and have quiet dinners at home.

During the Covid lockdowns, when they were within the permitted five-kilometre range of each other, they particularly enjoyed slow dinners together.

“It was just lovely,” Ms Wolff said.

“The phone didn’t ring, we had no commitments.”

Mr Ruschanow said the arrangement gives them the freedom to enjoy each other’s company without feeling they have to do everything together.

The couple say one of the things they value most is reliability.

Mr Ruschanow described Ms Wolff as his

“backstop” - someone who will be there when needed.

Ms Wolff sees Mr Ruschanow as a sounding board and credits his upbeat personality with helping her become more outgoing.

“I’ve grown into him,” she said.

“Although we’re very different.”

That sense of security has become increasingly important as they have aged.

When Ms Wolff travels to Sydney, Mr Ruschanow calls to make sure she arrived safely.

“It’s just really nice to have someone who’s ready for you, and got your back,” she said.

And while they enjoy their independence, neither pretends they could simply do without the other.

Mr Ruschanow said there are times when they might think they do not need each other, only to find themselves calling the next day to ask what the other has been doing.

“After 30 years, there’s just that real emotional bond,” he said.

Ms Wolff takes a slightly different view of the time apart.

“I just love to have a spare day on my own at home,” she said.

For her, that is not loneliness, it is space.

“I’ve got the best of both,” Mr Ruschanow said.

The couple believe living apart can work for others, too, although they urge people to be cautious about moving in together, particularly when children or separate assets are involved.

Ms Wolff’s advice is simple.

“You can still have a really good relationship, a terrific relationship without having to cohabit,” she said.

“You just don’t have to, unless you want to.”

After three decades together, the couple have no immediate plans to change the arrangement that has become so natural to them.

As Mr Ruschanow puts it, there is comfort in knowing someone is there without the pressure of having to share every part of life.

“You can do whatever works,” he said.

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 11

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NEWS

Wild Wanderings walks back

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor A popular series of nature journaling walks is returning to the Dandenong Ranges this spring, after its inaugural season sold out in 2025.

Wild Wanderings will return with three guided walks at the Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden, presented by ngurrak barring as part of the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale #4.

The series is designed to help participants slow down, immerse themselves in the local environment and develop a deeper connection with the natural world.

Each two-hour walk will be led by a local artist and an expert in native ecosystems, bringing together art and environmental knowledge as a way of encouraging participants to observe, draw, listen and engage with their surroundings.

Upper Ferntree Gully writer and illustrator Amandine Thomas, who is behind the Wild Wanderings, said the response to the first season showed there was “a strong appetite” for opportunities to spend time in nature.

“The opportunity to slow down and spend time in nature” was the main reason participants said they would return, Ms Thomas said.

For Ms Thomas, that feedback showed the program had achieved its aim of helping people connect with and immerse themselves in the local environment through art, knowledge and community.

The first season held in spring 2025 sold out all four walks.

Participants rated the events 9 out of 10 for satisfaction, while more than 90 per cent said they would attend another Wild Wanderings walk.

Ms Thomas said people could find it difficult to truly disconnect from the pressures of everyday life, even when they were out walking.

Wild Wanderings offered participants the chance to dedicate two hours to simply experiencing the landscape, she said.

Last year’s walks included a silent stroll through the Birdsland wetland track, where participants listened for frogs and birds and spotted possum dreys.

On one walk, the group followed a platypus as it swam in the Monbulk Creek retarding basin.

Ms Thomas said the combination of a welcoming space for creativity and access to knowledgeable local guides helped participants leave with a greater appreciation for the natural environment on their doorstep.

This year’s program will bring together four returning guides and two new guides, with all three artist and expert pairings being new.

Ms Thomas will join expert Emily Cox for the first walk on Sunday, 20 September; Martha Iserman will be paired with expert Annette Muir on 27 September, while artist Rain White and expert Kerry Press will lead the final walk on 4 October.

All three walks will take place at Karwarra Australian Native Botanic Garden, but Ms Thomas said each would offer a different experience.

Different plants will be flowering, the guides will bring their own personal connections to the environment, and each group will develop its own dynamic.

Participants can also expect the elements that made the first season successful: artists and scientists in open conversation, new ways of viewing the local environment and an invitation to deeply immerse themselves in nature.

For Ms Thomas, nature journaling is about noticing the details often missed.

“By paying close attention to small details such as the shape of a leaf, the patterns on a tree’s bark or the colour of a flower, we are forced to slow down,” she said.

What might initially appear to be a wall of greenery can become a collection of recognisable indigenous species or weeds.

By recording those observations in a nature journal, Ms Thomas said, people can begin to form a relationship with the land based on understanding and care.

“You don’t need to be an artist or a scientist to begin nature journaling,” Ms Thomas said.

“Instead, it starts with slowing down, paying attention and using the senses to connect with the world around you.”

She hopes time spent at Karwarra will also leave participants with a greater appreciation for Australia’s native ecosystems.

Ms Thomas described the garden as a “beautiful ode to native plants”, offering a chance to notice the shapes, colours, scents and edible plants

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The 2025 Wild Wanderings participants sketching their observations. (Supplied)

Wild Wanderings walk 2025. found along its paths.

She said its design also offered opportunities for sketching, from sweeping views to minute flowers and native orchids.

“It truly is a magical place, and a wealth of inspiration for artists and gardeners alike,” Ms Thomas said.

The return of Wild Wanderings also forms part of a broader conversation about climate through the Burrinja Climate Change Biennale #4.

Ms Thomas said she preferred to engage with climate issues through art, community and empowerment rather than “doom and gloom”, which she said could be paralysing.

For her, connecting with the environment can open the door to hope and encourage small, tangible actions, from planting an indigenous plant to identifying weeds or becoming involved with a local Friends of group or nursery.

“Protecting them starts with connection,” Ms Thomas said.

“It starts with care.”

“I hope Wild Wanderings can be a place for conversations about climate during the biennale, and that the series can return every year.”

The three Wild Wanderings walks will run from 10am to noon on 20 September, 27 September and 4 October.

Tickets are available via Burrinja.

The 2025 Wild Wanderings participants sketching their observations.

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 13

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 firsttimers 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 spac-

Skye is ready to pour you a refreshingly cold drink of your choice at Monbulk Bowls Club. (File) es and a dedicated team ensure every occasion is enjoyable and runs smoothly, allowing guests to simply relax and enjoy 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.

Burger Beer h u r s d a y s and

$

25

T

Your choice of burger paired with a pot of Carlton Draught, Great Northern, House Wine or Soft Drink.

All burgers served with chips.

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T&C’s APPLY

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SHOP LOCAL — MONBULK

‘Do it — you won’t regret it’ Here on Monbulk’s Main Road, the Open Door Community Care Op Shop has been a treasure trove of second-hand items for over 20 years, including homewares, books, toys, craft, linen, and everything in-between. Situated just next door, the Laneway Nursery is a gardener’s paradise of plants, including many Australian natives. Just across the road is the newest shop, Wardrobe on Main, which offers a wonderful selection of preloved fashion and accessories.

Not only do the Open Door Community Care (ODCCare) shops provide a cheaper and more sustainable way to shop, but with each person who comes through the shops, the team can make a real difference in the community. The proceeds from sales go towards supporting things such as local sports clubs, local schools, the CFA, and Monbulk’s food pantry.

There is currently an exciting opportunity for the community... the chance for you to join the team of volunteers! There are limited spaces available within the team, so there’s no time to waste. But what’s it like to be part of the Open Door Community Care (ODCCare) team? Here’s what some of the volunteers have to say about it: “Do it. You won’t regret it,” said Cheryl, a local Justice of the Peace and retired bank manager.

Cheryl has been volunteering for 10 years and is the leader of the homewares department at 61-63 Main Road. The best things about op shops are their value for money and the support it provides to the community, according to Cheryl. Cheryl loves meeting and talking with people and as a part of the ODCCare team, she gets to interact with visitors and locals alike and make a real difference. When in the ODCCare op shops, her favourite things to buy are matching china sets of cups, saucers, and plates. When asked about the most unusual item Cheryl’s seen in the shops, she answered ‘a lovely timber

commode that someone had brought with them from England and donated to us’.

“Just do it. It’s good to be part of the community,” said Jamie, who has been volunteering since January 2026 and currently works at Wardrobe on Main. Jamie said the best things about op shops are sustainability, knowing it saves items from ending up in landfill. Jamie appreciates that the ODCCare volunteers all genuinely want to provide a good experience for the customers. Like all the volunteers, Jamie loves seeing the joy on people’s faces when they find a bargain. When browsing in the op shops, Jamie’s favourite things to buy are books, particularly detective fiction. When asked about the most unusual item he’s seen, his answer was ‘a belly dancing outfit’.

“Go for it! ...It doesn’t matter if you have not worked before, in the end you will learn new skills,” said Bianca, who has been volunteering for nearly a year at Wardrobe on Main. Bianca loves the people she gets to meet through the ODCCare op shops, and she thoroughly enjoys the company of her fellow friendly volunteers.

To Bianca, the best things about op shops are their great bargains, their variety of items, and their sustainability. Bianca said that when in the ODCCare op shops, she has to resist buying everything! When asked about the most unusual item she’s seen, Bianca’s answer was also “a belly dancing outfit”.

If giving back to the community, learning new skills, and working with a team of likeminded individuals interests you, then contact Open Door Community Caee via the details listed below. But hurry, there are limited places available!

Email - info@opendoorcommunitycare.org. au.

Phone - 9756 7800.

• •

Cheryl loves her time volunteering. (Supplied)

WHAT S ON

WHAT’S ’ ON

At Monbulk At Monbulk Bowling Bowling Club Club

MONDAY MONDAY

KIDS KIDS EAT EAT FREE FREE WITH WITH THE THE PURCHASE PURCHASE OF OF A A MAIN MAIN MEAL MEAL

FREE FREE

TU SDAY

TUESDAY CURRY NIGHT CURRY NIGHT SERVED WITH WITH RICE RICE SERVED AND ROTI ROTI BREAD BREAD AND

$20 $20

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY

PARMA AND PARMA AND POT POT SERVED SERVED WITH WITH CHIPS CHIPS AND AND SALAD SALAD & &A A HOUSE HOUSE DRINK 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

FRIDAY FRIDAY PASTA NIGHT NIGHT PASTA 44 SELECTIONS 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 12899692-MS38-26

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ADVERTORIAL

Staying connected to the life you love: the vision behind VerSo Place by Keyton

For many people, home is more than just a place. It’s the neighbourhood you know by heart, the familiar faces you greet each day, and the connections built over a lifetime. Now taking shape in the heart of Vermont South, VerSo Place by Keyton has been created for those who want to embrace their next chapter while staying close to everything and everyone they love.

Located at 500 Burwood Highway, Vermont South, VerSo Place is a thoughtfully designed retirement village that reflects the character, warmth and community spirit that have made the suburb such a sought-after place to live.

At its heart, VerSo Place is about helping people stay connected to the life they’ve built. It offers local residents the opportunity to downsize without compromise, remaining close to family, friends and familiar surroundings while enjoying the freedom, confidence and ease of a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Offering a selection of premium one, two and three-bedroom apartments, VerSo Place has been designed to help residents focus less on home maintenance and more on the moments that matter most, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing new interests or simply enjoying everyday life.

Designed in collaboration with renowned architects Hayball and landscape architects OCULUS, the development embraces a landscape-led approach that celebrates Vermont South’s natural character through generous green spaces, mature trees and walkable connections. Complementing the homes

will be resort-style amenities and welcoming shared spaces that support wellbeing, meaningful friendships and a genuine sense of belonging.

With construction now underway and the first residents expected from mid-2028, VerSo Place represents an exciting new retirement living opportunity for Vermont South.

A dedicated display suite will open in the coming months, giving prospective residents an opportunity to explore the vision, view apartment designs and discover what life at VerSo Place could look like.

To stay informed about display suite updates and future apartment releases, register your interest at versoplace.com.au or call 1800 550 550.

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Country fun comes to city Get ready for a spectacular celebration of country life, family fun and entertainment as the Melbourne Country Show returns, bringing the best of the countryside to Melbourne.

The Melbourne Country Show is set to be an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, packed with exciting attractions, hands-on activities, entertainment and plenty of opportunities to get up close with animals. Whether you are a family looking for a fun day out during the school holidays, an animal lover, or simply someone wanting to experience the charm of a traditional country show, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

One of the biggest highlights of the event is the opportunity for visitors to meet and interact with a wonderful variety of farm animals. Children can experience the joy of getting up close to animals they may not normally encounter, while learning more about life on the farm and the important role animals play in Australia’s rural communities.

The show is designed to bring together the best elements of a traditional country fair in a fun, accessible and family-friendly setting. From live entertainment and exciting demonstrations to interactive displays and activities, visitors can spend the day exploring everything the event has to offer.

Country shows have long been a much loved part of Australian culture, bringing communities together to celebrate agriculture, animals, local talent and family fun. The Melbourne Country Show continues this tradition by creating an experience where people of all ages can come together and enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of a classic country show.

Whether it is watching an entertaining perfor-

The Monster Truck show is set to be a hit on Friday and Saturday afternoons. (Supplied) mance, meeting friendly farm animals, enjoying delicious food or simply soaking up the lively atmosphere, there will be plenty of memorable moments throughout the day.

Easy to Get There Getting to the Melbourne Country Show is easy, with a range of transport options available for visitors. Those travelling by car will have convenient parking options available at Caribbean Park, making it simple for families to arrive and enjoy a full day at the event.

Public transport is a great way to reach the Melbourne Country Show, with options available from across Melbourne and beyond. Convenient local bus routes, including the 693, 753, and 901

SmartBus, stop on Ferntree Gully Road near Caribbean Drive, providing easy access to the Caribbean Gardens and Business Park area in Scoresby for a stress-free travel experience.

Make a Weekend of It Visitors travelling to experience the Melbourne Country Show can also take advantage of a special accommodation offer at Hyatt Place Melbourne Caribbean Park.

The hotel is offering 20 per cent off the standard rate for guests staying during the Melbourne Country Show event period. This special offer is valid for stays between 25 September and 4 October, giving visitors the perfect opportunity to turn their visit to the show into a relaxing getaway.

Conveniently located at Caribbean Park, Hyatt Place Melbourne Caribbean Park provides a comfortable and convenient base for families and visitors attending the event. Whether planning a short staycation or travelling from further afield, the special accommodation offer makes it even easier to enjoy everything the Melbourne Country Show has to offer.

Your Chance to Win Hyatt Place Melbourne Caribbean Park has also teamed up with the Melbourne Country Show to give one lucky family an unforgettable getaway.

Enter to win an overnight accommodation package for two adults and two children, as well as a VIP family pass to the Melbourne Country Show.

It includes free parking, VIP seats for the Monster Truck Show, two free show bags per person, unlimited ride wristbands and food vouchers.

To enter: Follow both social media accounts @ hyattplacecaribbeanpark and @melbournecountryshow and comment on why your family would love to win!

Entries open on Friday 11 September and close on Sunday 20 September. The winner will be contacted on 21 September.

The Melbourne Country Show is the perfect school holiday outing for families looking for something different to do. So gather the family, invite your friends and get ready for a fantastic day of country style fun.

With something to appeal to visitors of every age, it is the perfect opportunity to experience the excitement and charm of a country show right here in Melbourne.

For event information, tickets, transport details and updates, visit the Melbourne Country Show website.

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Zambezi earning his stripes There is a very exciting new arrival at Mansfield Zoo, and visitors now have the chance to meet one of the zoo’s newest and most striking residents.

Zambezi, the zoo’s new zebra, has recently joined the Mansfield Zoo family and has been settling into his new surroundings.

With his unmistakable black and white stripes and fascinating nature, Zambezi is already attracting plenty of attention and is set to become a favourite with visitors of all ages. His arrival is an exciting addition to Mansfield Zoo and gives families another wonderful animal to discover during their visit.

As Zambezi becomes familiar with his new home, visitors can enjoy watching him explore his surroundings and settle into life at the zoo.

For children especially, seeing a zebra up close is a memorable experience and a fantastic opportunity to learn more about these beautiful African animals.

And Zambezi is just one of the many reasons to visit Mansfield Zoo. Set on a stunning 30 hectare property with sweeping views towards Mt Buller and beyond, Mansfield Zoo is one of the best kept secrets of Victoria’s High Country. It is a fabulous day out for the whole family, with an impressive collection of Australian and exotic animals. Once through the gates, visitors can discover a special place where children can interact with and hand feed a large variety of animals. Kangaroos, deer and guinea pigs roam freely, creating wonderful opportunities for close encounters.

The zoo is also home to a colony of meerkats, marmosets and capuchin monkeys, llamas and alpacas, wombats, water buffalo, antelope and a variety of birds including red tailed black cocka-

Zambezi alongside his new neighbours. (Supplied) toos and peacocks.

Another major highlight is the zoo’s magnificent African lions. Mansfield Zoo is home to two rare white lions, and visitors can experience the thrill of seeing these majestic animals during the daily feeding tour.

Animal feeding is a highlight of the Mansfield Zoo experience, with visitors able to hand feed animals including kangaroos, deer, wallabies, emus, ostriches and llamas throughout the day.

Feed buckets are available at the zoo, making it an interactive experience that children love.

The main zookeeper feeding takes place at 1.30pm on weekends, Victorian public holidays and Victorian school holidays, with the meerkat feeding following the lion feeding. It is a great opportunity to watch the animals at feeding time while learning more about them from the dedicated zookeepers.

Mansfield Zoo is also perfect for family gatherings, with undercover picnic and barbecue areas where visitors can relax and enjoy lunch. For an unforgettable family adventure, gorgeous campsites are also available, allowing guests to spend the night under the stars and wake up surround-

ed by the sounds of nature.

Bronwyn and Dave, along with their dedicated team, welcome visitors every day from 10am to 6pm, except Christmas Day. With the exciting arrival of Zambezi the zebra, alongside an incredible variety of Australian and exotic animals, Mansfield Zoo is the perfect place to get closer to wildlife and enjoy a memorable day in the beautiful Victorian High Country.

Make sure you keep an eye out for Zambezi on your next visit and be among the first to welcome him to his new home at Mansfield Zoo.

Meet Zambezi Our Newest Arrival Enquire about our ‘Unforgettable Over Night Camping Experience’ Watch out for Zambezi, our Zebra coming soon to Mansfield Zoo Phone 03 5777 3576 1064 Mansfield Woods Point Road, Mansfield www.mansfieldzoo.com.au 12892787-KF38-26

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Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 19

OPINION

Insurance issues ongoing When I speak with local residents and small business owners, two things are front of mind. They want to feel like the government has got their back through meaningful cost-of-living relief, and they want to feel safe in our community.

Cost-of-living pressures take many forms, but one of the most common issues raised with me is insurance.

Our region is one of the most beautiful places to call home, but our unique landscape leaves us uniquely exposed to natural disasters.

The skyrocketing cost of insurance premiums, as well as challenges in finding suitable coverage, are felt across the region.

To help locals address these challenges, I recently hosted a roundtable and community insurance information webinar alongside the In-

From my

desk Federal Member for Casey surance Council of Australia.

This was a great way to begin the conversation on how we can work together as a community to address these challenges, focusing on reducing cost pressures and under-insurance, boosting emergency resilience and ensuring our small businesses and local groups have the coverage

they need to continue supporting our region.

The reality is, small business owners in Victoria are doing it tough. Not only are they dealing with increasing costs and the burden of red tape, they are facing an escalating law and order crisis driven by the illicit tobacco trade.

We’ve seen news headline after headline of the almost 200-tobacco related arsons and six homicides linked to organised crime syndicates.

Innocent small businesses are being impacted by this senseless crime that is lining the pockets of criminals.

We saw this in our own community when Branded Burgers & Bar in Seville was forced to close for 10 months following the firebombing of the neighbouring tobacconist in February 2024.

The Coalition have said enough is enough.

We will cut the tobacco excise by 80 per cent, stripping away the huge price advantage that has driven smokers to the black market.

We will back this up with a $200 million nationwide law enforcement surge, delivering more raids, seizures and arrests, shutting these illegal shops and stopping shipments at the border.

Our plan includes regulating adult vapes and nicotine products and committing $60 million to a public advertising campaign focusing on the harms of tobacco. This will focus on reminding Australians of the dangers of smoking, as well as how the illicit tobacco trade fuels organised crime.

We have a responsibility to protect kids from illegal tobacco and vaping products and to restore safety to local communities. That’s exactly what the Coalition’s plan will do.

Hope review: Top action

CARTOON

By Hope Starring Hwang Jung-min, Jung Ho-yeon and Zo In-sung MA15+ 4.25/5 In Hope, a riveting South Korean action movie, police chief Ko Bum-seok (Hwang Jung-min) and his community must contend with ferocious alien creatures rampaging through their village.

Hope has some of the most enthralling action in years, and the opening action sequence in particular showcases writer-director Na Hong-jin’s mastery of concussive impact, white-knuckle speed, tense pauses and clean, easy-to-follow composition.

The punchy sound design, powerful score

by Michael Abels and especially the intricate rubble-strewn sets are incredible, and I predict Hope will be nominated for Best Production Design at the Oscars next year (and Wicker will be nominated for Makeup and Hairstyling).

As Chief Bum-seok, Jung-min is an extremely expressive, committed actor, and succeeds in playing a jerk who you still root for. Hope contains a distinctly Korean blend of dark themes and carnage with stylised characters and quirky comedy: the humour is overall very funny but doesn’t detract from the dire situation, though a scatological flashback with an old man may

be too goofy for some viewers.

The CGI for the aliens looks noticeably fake, but I’m not too bothered by unreal effects as long as there is clear artistry behind them (and the aliens are immensely intimidating, especially in the panic-inducing way they gallop and hurtle after their prey). Hope’s plot, including its efforts to humanise the aliens, is a little thin and the film ends on an abrupt sequelhook, but these are only minor issues when the characters are engaging, the humour is well-handled and the action is so off-the-charts awesome.

Hope is a tense, amusing and tremendously exciting action movie, and further affirms South Korea’s status as a source of outstanding genre cinema.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Complex and atmospheric outback thriller Hello Dolly review This reviewer was living under a rock and only recently discovered bestselling Australian author Chris Hammer, after the ABC started showing the TV adaptation of his book Treasure and Dirt in July 2026.

With that said, perhaps you want to read the book before watching the TV series. he choice can be quite rewarding, as the novel is atmospheric, complex and gripping, and very, very Australian.

It cannot be set anywhere else in the world!

The book tells the story of DS Ivan Lucic, who is sent from Sydney to the outback town of Finnegan’s Gap to investigate the death and crucifixion of an opal miner.

His partner is DC Nell Buchanan, a local cop highly ambitious yet rather inexperienced – at one stage, the mistake she makes is rather bizarre and inexcusable.

Ivan has his own problems as well, so the two flawed heroes have to prove themselves as proper police officers not just to each other and the townspeople but also to Professional Standards at headquarters. This creates some conflict of interest and a good deal of tension, and the dynamics between them reads well.

The constant switch of POV allows readers to glimpse every side of this intricate case.

As the plot thickens, many shades of humanity are revealed – the pitifully hapless, the bewilderingly quirky, the evils who are well connected and/or greased, and the rich and powerful who are brutally ruthless.

Not to mention those good honest folks just trying to survive. Those still chasing their dreams.

Those whose dreams have died. Perhaps crime novels are less about the investigations of assaults, murders, corruptions and cover-ups.

Rather, they are stories of a few individuals whose

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PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN ambitions and greed have led to a range of despicable acts that impacted and even destroyed the lives and livelihoods of many ordinary and innocent people.

Hammer explores these issues by weaving together multiple storylines showcasing an expansive ensemble of characters. One of the truly outstanding characters is the town itself, which is gritty, merciless and occasionally deadly, and that is not just because of the challenging landscape and unbearable heat.

More importantly, in contrast to other fictional small towns that are often portrayed as chess boards for big criminal and/or corporate players, the Aussies in Finnegan’s Gap unite and fight back in their own unique ways.

Perhaps that is why Treasure and Dirt is so well received by Australian readers.

Chris Hammer will deliver the opening address for the 2026 Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival at Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave on Friday 9 October.

He will also be part of a Crime Fiction panel on Saturday 10 October, where he will discuss his forthcoming novel Full Circle.

Find more details here: dandyrangeslitfest.net/ tickets/.

•

The Round Hello Dolly A Tony Award-winning Broadway musical bursting with charm, wit and unforgettable songs.

The story follows the irrepressible Dolly Levi, a clever matchmaker in 1890s New York, who sets out to find a wife for the wealthy and grumpy Horace Vangelder, while secretly plotting to win his heart instead.

Production finishes on Sunday, 20 September.

REVIEW: Friday, 11 September was the opening night of Hello Dolly, a delightful musical starring Susan Warner as Dolly Gallagher Levi, a matchmaker with her eyes on the half-millionaire Horace Vangelder.

Warner was a delight to behold, a good strong voice with a good diction making it easy to understand the lyrics.

Not only a good singer but also a good actress.

An overall good interpretation of the character.

John Leahy was Horace Vongelser, a grumpy Hay and Feed Store owner who worked his clerks too hard. His scenes with Dolly were amazing, and the way she twisted his remarks about not marrying her was a delight to behold. An excellent voice and a great interpretation of the character.

His clerks were Cornelius Hackl played by Patrick Cottin and the young junior Barnaby Tucker was played by Nathaniel Calleja.

Cornelius Hackl was Chief Clerk, having just been promoted for the second time to the same position. He was definitely a conman and decided to take the day off with Barnaby and go to New York and stay there till they got their first kiss.

Barnaby went along with this because he would do whatever Cornelius said.

Cottin as Cornelius handled the role with ex-

Kemp’s curtain call pertise and added to it with a good singing voice.

Calleja as Barnaby had one thought in mind: to see the whale in the New York Museum, regardless of what Cornelius wanted.

One good scene with the two of them with their ladies was in the scene in the Harmonia Gardens Restaurant when the two young clerks realised that they did not have enough money to entertain their friends.

The two friends were from the Hat Shop for Ladies, Irene Molloy who owned the shop and her assistant Minnie Fay. Irene was played by Rafaela Cleeve Greens, a remarkable actress and a voice of an angel. Her voice was outstanding and her acting lived up to her voice.

An amusing scene was when the girls decided to have the most expensive meal on the menu, but they did not realise that the boys only had a dollar between them. Minnie Fay was played by Hayley Wootten, another remarkable actress with a good future ahead of her. A fine voice and good acting skills.

Some of the scenes were terrific, the dancing was excellent, and this correspondent’s congratulations must go to the choreographer, Wayne Robinson. PHD, CJF. Also, congratulations to the Director, Noel Browne, for a particularly good production.

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PRIVATE HALF-ACRE RETREAT IN THE HEART OF EMERALD

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK

PRIVATE HALF-ACRE RETREAT IN THE HEART OF EMERALD SET on a generous 2,177m² allotment in a beautiful Emerald setting, this wonderfully presented home offers an appealing combination of comfort, space and relaxed Hills living. Surrounded by established gardens and leafy privacy, it provides an ideal opportunity for families seeking room to grow without sacrificing convenience.

Cleverly designed with multi-generational living in mind, the versatile floorplan provides separately zoned living spaces to comfortably accommodate extended family. At the heart of the home, the well-appointed kitchen and dining area connect seamlessly with two separate living rooms, creating plenty of space for everyone to come together while still enjoying their own space.

Four bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned throughout the home, with three bedrooms sharing the cosy family room, while the fourth enjoys its own private living room and bathroom - an ideal arrangement for extended family accommodation, guests or teenagers seeking additional independence.

Comfort is assured throughout the seasons with ducted heating and split-system cooling, while the practical laundry and excellent storage further enhance the home’s everyday functionality.

Outside, the generous half-acre allotment is where this property truly comes into its own.

Established gardens create a peaceful and private setting, with plenty of space for children and pets to play, keen gardeners to indulge their passion or simply relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. A great shed and chicken coop add further versatility and appeal to this wonderful lifestyle property.

Ideally positioned within easy reach of Emerald’s shops, cafes, schools, public transport and sought-after community amenities, this is a rare opportunity to secure a spacious and versatile Hills home offering privacy, flexibility and genuine lifestyle appeal. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 433-437 Belgrave Gembrook, EMERALD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT EMERALD, 5968 4522

22 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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HOME FOCUS

PEACEFUL LIVING MOMENTS FROM MONBULK SET on a generous 1,538m2 and an easy 600 metre walk (approx.) from Monbulk’s Main Street, 29 Menin Road offers a wonderful blend of country charm, privacy and everyday convenience as well as being within walking distance to both primary and secondary schools and also public transport.

Colourful established gardens guide you towards the front door upon arrival, setting the tone for the welcoming atmosphere found throughout. Inside, a spacious main living area provides plenty of room for the whole family and boasts natural light and warm timber shelving that adds character and charm.

Split system heating/cooling, exterior roller shutters, and solar panels with battery storage provide year round climate control, improve energy efficiency and offer backup power protection during blackouts.

The dining space and kitchen adjoin the living room and allow you to gaze out over the large decking towards the rear of the property. Enjoy space to cook and create whilst remaining connected to the rest of the home. From here, enjoy a secondary dining space on the rear decking which is a peaceful spot to unwind, entertain or simply take in the surrounding greenery and enjoy the tranquil Monbulk setting.

Three comfortable bedrooms, two of which are equipped with built in robes, can be found at the other end of the home, creating a peaceful space away from the living zones. The central bathroom is neat and tidy and features tiled walls, full bath with shower and vanity, bringing both practicality and character to the home. A separate toilet is ideal for busy family mornings!

Downstairs, a large under house room adds another layer of flexibility, accompanied by an additional powder room. Whether used as a hobby area, home office or teenagers retreat, this versatile zone provides valuable space to adapt to your needs. There is also a well sized workshop / storage room that is perfect for all your extra bits and pieces, camping gear or trade tools and equipment.

Outside, the fantastic block offers a wonderful sense of seclusion, with established gardens and greenery along with a rear paddock area that is ideal for childhood adventures whilst still keeping you close to everything Monbulk has to offer.

Warm, inviting and surrounded by nature, 29 Menin Road is an ideal choice for those wanting a relaxed country lifestyle without giving up the convenience of shops, cafes and local amenities just a short walk away. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 29 Menin Road, MONBULK Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Price: $730,000 - $790,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328m CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888 mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 23

HOME FOCUS

TWO HOMES, ONE EXCEPTIONAL GEMBROOK SETTING TUCKED away at the end of a quiet no-through road just minutes from Gembrook township, 25 Agnes Street offers a rare combination of space, privacy and genuine dual-living flexibility, with two separate homes enjoying beautiful outlooks across the surrounding countryside.

The main residence is a spacious ranchstyle home with a flexible four-bedroom layout, including a generous main suite with walk-through robe and ensuite. The openplan kitchen and dining area forms the heart of the home, with a large island bench, excellent storage and quality appliances, while a separate lounge with fireplace provides another inviting place to relax. A versatile rumpus room with its own access adds further flexibility as a home office, games room, studio or additional living space. Ducted heating and refrigerated cooling ensure yearround comfort.

The separate cottage is light-filled, welcoming and well suited to extended family, guests or independent living. A front verandah overlooks the peaceful surrounds, while inside, the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area creates an easy sense of space. Three bedrooms with built-in robes are complemented by a large bathroom, separate toilet and dedicated laundry, with gas heating and split-system comfort.

Set across approximately 3,990m² of usable land, the property also includes a double garage, substantial farm shedding, an above-ground pool and an impressive 14.1kW solar system with 20kW battery storage.

Adding to the charm of the setting, Puffing Billy can be seen and heard winding its way through the nearby hills, bringing a distinctly Gembrook touch to the landscape.

With two distinct residences and plenty of room to spread out, this is a particularly appealing option for multi-generational families, those seeking independent accommodation for loved ones, or buyers simply wanting a property with more flexibility for the future.

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 25 Agnes Street, GEMBROOK Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sue Colic 0421 772 610, BARRY PLANT EMERALD, 5968 4522

24 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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25 AGNES STREET GEMBROOK

38-40 Belgrave gemBrook road COCKATOO

433-437 Belgrave gemBrook rd EMERALD

2 HOMES, 1 EXCEPTIONAL SETTING.

PRIVATE HILLS SANCTUARY ON 2 ACRES

PRIVATE HALF-ACRE RETREAT

7A

4A

6D

4A

LANA MAHER 0408 535 075

FOR SALE $1,000,000 - $1,100,000 OFI By appointment

3B

1D

FOR SALE $1,100,000 - $1,150,000 OFI

By Appointment

SUE COLIC 0421 772 610 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

2B

1C

FOR SALE $975,000-$1,070,000 OFI By appointment

BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

2B JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

16 QUINN ROAD GEMBROOK

80 BEDFORD ROAD COCKATOO

181 RAINY HILL ROAD COCKATOO

COUNTRY CHARM, MODERN COMFORT

PEACEFUL COUNTRY LIVING

BUILD THE LIFE YOU’VE BEEN DREAMING OF

4A

3D

3A

JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781

FOR SALE $950,000-$1,045,000 OFI

By Appointment

2B

1C

FOR SALE $1,350,000 - $1,450,000 OFI

By Appointment

BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

1B

1D

8505m2 JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

$530,000-$580,000 OFI

By Appointment

JACQUI RYDER 0433 095 278 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522

MAXIMISE YOUR SPRING SALE

LIST WITH US & GET $500 FOR YOUR SPRING CLEAN* *Terms & Conditions Apply

• Valid for new listings signed 01/09/2026 – 30/11/2026.

SCAN TO VIEW OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Up to $500 toward approved trades, cleaning, repairs etc.

• Paid directly to service providers upon valid invoice.

• 1 per property; no cash redemptions and non-transferable.

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BARRY PLANT EMERALD 03 5968 4522

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 25

HOME FOCUS

HOW TO CREATE SOMETHING UNIQUE BUILD ABOVE A FLOODPLAIN THERE’S a version of the Hamlet Lilydale story where we found a flat, dry, forgettable paddock, put a fence around it, and called it a community. Easier to approve, easier to build - and it would have looked like every other development on every cleared site. That is not the story of Hamlet Lilydale.

The land we chose is bordered by Olinda Creek, Bellbird Park and Lillydale Lake. The creek at the bottom of our site carries a history of flood risk. We are building above it, not in spite of that risk, but because of it.

Building at the edge of that floodplain is how we’ve secured something we couldn’t otherwise promise: that the parkland outside our homeowners’ windows will still be parkland in a hundred years. You can’t manufacture forty-year-old Manna Gums, a creek lined with Silver Wattle, a local platypus population, or a lake with walking trails already worn in by decades of Lilydale residents. 375 Swansea Road came with all of that in place. Our job was building fifty homes that enjoy everything unique about this location, without inheriting its risk.

What we’re doing to protect what’s already here None of that is a reason to be careless with what’s here. We’ve held an average of a 100-metre buffer between the creek and our building pad. Mature canopy trees are being retained, not cleared, and we’re replanting more than we remove. A Construction Management Plan governs run-off and sediment control to protect water quality downstream, for the platypus and everything else in the corridor. And 65% of our site stays open, green space - a fraction of the site coverage a standard subdivision would use.

How we manage flood waters The flood engineering is the least visible part of this project, and the part we’ve spent the most time getting right. Melbourne Water’s standard requirement is 600mm home clearance above a 1-in-100-year flood event. Hamlet Lilydale was designed for a 1-in-2,000-year event twenty times rarer and to ensure that the site will never flood The community sits on a raised, engineered fill platform, tested layer by layer to Australian

Standard AS3798, with homes 3-4 metres above where the land currently sits.

Meanwhile, the western portion, alongside the creek, is being lowered rather than filled - kept as open habitat, so the floodplain keeps the room it needs, and no home here comes at a downstream neighbour’s expense.

Why 375 Swansea Road is worth every bit of engineering A creek that floods sometimes is also a creek that carries platypus, waters forty-year-old gums, and has kept this pocket of Lilydale from ever being over-built. We think that’s a fair trade - and when the last home is handed over, this will be some of the most carefully

engineered, best-protected ground in Lilydale.

If you’d like to see this unique site, Marion, our sales lead, would love to walk you through it. Visit hamletliving.com.au or call Marion on 0482 672 325.

Hamlet Lilydale - grounded, elevated, here to stay. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 375 Swansea Road, LILYDALE Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: VISIT HAMLETLIVING.COM.AU OR CALL MARION ON 0482 672 325

26 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

mailcommunity.com.au

Come see the view that can never be built out.

Ready to have a conversation?

Visit hamletliving.com.au or call 0482 672 325.

A boutique over 50s downsizer community above Olinda Creek.

Only 45 homes remain.

Now selling from $845,000.

375 Swansea Road sits at the edge of a floodplain, wrapped by Bellbird Park and Lillydale Lake. That’s how we’ve secured what a cleared paddock never could: parkland that stays parkland in 100 years.

Fifty homes, on a building pad raised 3-4 metres a view without the flood risk.

12884025-EA38-26

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 27

HOME FOCUS

SPACE, FLEXIBILITY AND CONVENIENCE OFFERING plenty of space both inside and out, 34 McAllister Road presents a comfortable three-bedroom home with an impressive collection of outdoor entertaining, workshop and additional living spaces.

At the heart of the home is a generous open lounge, providing plenty of room for the family to relax and unwind. Large windows and doors bring in natural light while opening out to the covered front verandah, with ducted heating, split-system cooling and ceiling fans helping keep the home comfortable throughout the seasons.

The kitchen and dining area is practical and well equipped, featuring excellent cabinetry and bench space, dishwasher and freestanding cooking, with direct access outside. Three comfortable bedrooms complete the accommodation, including a spacious main bedroom with built-in robes, while the central bathroom offers both a bath and separate shower alongside a separate toilet and laundry.

Outdoor living is a major feature of the property. A substantial covered deck stretches across the rear of the home, creating a fantastic all-weather space for entertaining, relaxing or enjoying the established gardens beyond.

The additional spaces outside add a huge amount of flexibility to the property. A large shed/workshop provides excellent room for tradies, storage or weekend projects, while the adjoining covered pergola creates even more usable space. A separate studio offers further versatility and could suit a home office, creative studio, hobby room, teenager’s retreat or simply valuable additional space to adapt to your lifestyle.

Solar panels, established gardens, paved outdoor areas and a generous covered carport add even more practicality, while the location keeps you conveniently close to Monbulk Main Street, local shops, cafes, schools, transport and everyday amenities.

With flexible additional spaces, excellent shedding, multiple covered outdoor areas and everything Monbulk has to offer close by, 34 McAllister Road is a great opportunity for families, tradies, hobbyists or anyone simply looking for more room to spread out. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 34 McAllister Road, MONBULK Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 garage Price: $770,000 - $820,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115 and Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888

28 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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Real Estate you can trust!

We’re here to help.

4/83Sandellsroad,Tecoma

29Meninroad,Monbulk

34Mcallisterroad,Monbulk

2 Bed | 1 Bath | 1 Car | 147m2

3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1538m2

3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1 Car | 1154m2

For Sale $550,000 - $590,000

For Sale $730,000 - $790,000

For Sale $770,000 - $820,000

Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442

Brad Conder 0422 639 115

Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442

Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328

1470aBurwoodHighway,Upwey

48Ternesroad,Upwey

Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554

43Brankinsroad,Monbulk

3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Car | 546m2

4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2123m2

4 Bed | 3 Bath | 4 Car | 2641m2

For Sale $850,000- $920,000

For Sale $950,000 - $1,040,000

For Sale $1,050,000 - $1,125,000

Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442

Brad Conder 0422 639 115

Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554

Brad Conder 0422 639 115

Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554

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

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 29

HOME FOCUS

SPACIOUS AND STUNNING FAMILY LIVING SET on a generous, useable 4,053sqm in a peaceful Gembrook location, this beautifully presented four-bedroom, two-bathroom brick home offers an impressive combination of space, functionality and relaxed country living. With multiple living areas, excellent entertaining spaces and a picturesque rural outlook, there is plenty here for the whole family to enjoy, and all under a 2km walk to town and with a school bus stop at the end of the street.

An undercover entry welcomes you inside, where the home opens into a light-filled, spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining area. At the heart of the home, the impressive kitchen has been designed with both everyday family life and entertaining in mind.

An expansive island bench with Stone benchtops provides plenty of preparation and gathering space, while an electric stove, dishwasher and generous storage add practicality. Large windows above the double farmhouse sink overlook the backyard and distant views, while a convenient servery window opens directly to the outdoor entertaining area, creating an effortless connection between inside and out. Adding another layer of functionality is the walkthrough butler’s pantry/ laundry, complete with a second sink, additional storage and convenient access directly to the outdoor entertaining area.

The adjoining lounge and dining zone

is centred around a woodfire, creating a welcoming place to gather throughout the cooler months. A separate second living area provides valuable flexibility for families, whether used as a kids’ retreat, media room or additional lounge, and to ensure year-round comfort & convenience there is ducted heating and cooling throughout the home.

Down the hallway are three wellproportioned bedrooms, each featuring new carpet and built-in robes, serviced by the central family bathroom and separate toilet.

Privately positioned at the end of the home, the generous master suite creates its own peaceful retreat. Large windows capture the surrounding outlook, while an ensuite and private lounge area provide a wonderful sense of space and separation from the rest of the home Outside, the undercover rear verandah and entertaining area provide the perfect setting for weekend barbecues, family gatherings or simply relaxing while taking in the lovely rural surrounds and distant views. A single garage and solar system complete this appealing property.

Offering space to spread out, a versatile family-friendly floorplan and over an acre of land, this inviting Gembrook home presents an excellent opportunity to embrace a quieter lifestyle without compromising on everyday comfort. ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 14 Agnes Street, GEMBROOK Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE EMERALD, 5968 6222

30 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald

12 Arthur Road Cockatoo

$980,000 -$1,080,000

5 Vincent Street Cockatoo

$800,000 - $860,000

A Much-Loved Family Home, Offered for the First Time.

Character, Space & Family Living on Half an Acre.

Offered for sale for the very first time, this much-loved 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home sits on 9,416sqm in a peaceful Cockatoo location, within walking distance of town, schools & public transport.

Freshly painted throughout with 9ft ceilings, the home features a spacious lounge & dining area with woodfire, plus gas ducted heating throughout. The timber kitchen includes a gas cooktop, wall oven, dishwasher, walk-in pantry & excellent storage, while a second living area with split system provides additional family space. The light-filled master includes walk-in & built-in robes plus ensuite, while 3 further bedrooms with built-in robes share the family bathroom. Outside, manicured gardens, a large usable backyard, double garage, under-house storage, powered hothouse with concrete floor, garden shed & rotunda, all combining to create a wonderful family lifestyle with space & privacy.

Set on a generous 2,023sqm in Cockatoo, this character-filled 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers flexible family living with plenty of space inside & out. The lounge features high ceilings, exposed beams, a large bay window, open fireplace & split system, complemented by gas ducted heating & new carpets throughout. Adjoining dining & kitchen with gas cooktop, dishwasher, excellent storage & bench space complete the central living zone. Two bedrooms, one with built-in robes, are serviced by the family bathroom, separate toilet & laundry, while a second lounge opens directly to the backyard. Upstairs, the impressive master suite provides a private retreat with large windows, walk-in robe & ensuite. Outside, enjoy half an acre of space with a fenced dog run, multiple garden sheds & a welcoming front deck, perfect for a morning cuppa or afternoon wine.

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

4

250 Phillip Road Cockatoo

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

A

2

B 2 C

$1,950,000 -$2,100,000

An Alistair Knox Design - A Legacy Estate of Architectural Significance, Income Potential and Endless Possibilities!

A rare 25-acre lifestyle property combining architectural character, breathtaking Warburton Ranges views & income potential. Inspired by Alistair Knox design, the 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom residence showcases stonework, timber features & natural light, complemented by slab heating, a woodfire & double-sided open fireplace. Fully fenced & ready for farming, fertile volcanic red soils are ideal for an orchard, vineyard or hobby farm, supported by approximately 100,000 litres of tank storage & additional Cockatoo Creek water entitlements. “The Cottage” offers an established B&B income stream or multi-generational living, featuring a bluestone fireplace, wraparound verandah, cathedral ceilings & stained glass. A 22m x 14m shed, full-sized tennis court & established gardens.

Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032

3

53 Second Avenue Cockatoo

A

3

B 10 C

2

B

$940,000-$1,030,000

Space, Character & Lifestyle on a Beautiful Block.

Set on 3,035sqm in Cockatoo, this 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers generous family living surrounded by established gardens. A welcoming front verandah leads to a carpeted lounge with vaulted ceilings, flowing through to the open-plan kitchen, dining & living zone. The kitchen features slate flooring, stone benchtops, a timber-topped island, SMEG oven with gas cooktop, dishwasher & excellent storage. Large windows fill the living area with natural light, while a woodfire, split system & gas ducted heating provide year-round comfort. Three bedrooms with built-in robes, a central bathroom with leadlight window & European laundry complete the lower level. Upstairs, the master retreat features vaulted ceilings, his-&-hers walk-in robes & ensuite. Outside, enjoy undercover entertaining, a fire pit, vegetable garden, water tank, double garage with powered workshop.

Aaron Day M 0407 365 994

5

A

Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451

4

A

2

B 2 C

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 31

PUZZLES

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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'.

U

A

X

Today’s Aim: 7 words: Good 11 words: Very good 15 words: Excellent

N

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4 LETTERS ANTS AVOS BALD CEDE CITY FART HILT HISS OPTS STAY TOSS VASE WINS WOOS

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3 LETTERS ADO APE AVO BET DOT EGO ERA GEE GNU GOO IDS INN IRE LAW NAG OPT RED REV RID SEC SET SHE TIE VET

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hard

ante, attune, eaten, exeat, extant, extent, EXTENUATE, neat, next, tauten, teat, tenet, tent, text, tune

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

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No. 339

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B K F S Q G D H Z U W P E

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No. 307

L O S E R

5 LETTERS ABACK AFTER ALIBI ALIGN AVERT BARDS BARNS CARGO COMMA DRESS DRIVE EAVES EDGES ENSUE ERRED EVADE EVENT HABIT HEATH HOIST HORSE

HOSTS IGLOO IRATE LEVEE LOINS LOSER MATTE OLIVE OMEGA OPENS OPERA OTHER PIANO PROBE RAVEN RINGS ROSES SLUSH START STRUM SWEET TAUNT

TEARS TEASE TENET TENTS THESE TONES TOTEM

7 LETTERS ESTATES HANDLER LEOTARD ONGOING RESTORE VENEERS

6 LETTERS ESKIES POODLE ROTORS STEREO

8 LETTERS DREAMERS ENTRUSTS SALESMAN SHINGLED

T H E S E O T H E R T O T E M P I A N O O P E R A E A V E S A B A C K T E N T S S T A R T R I D I D S D R E S S S E T S T E R E O S L U S H C E D E E S T A T E S E R A B A L D F A R T I R A T E C I T Y S H I N G L E D A V O R E S T O R E O N G O I N G D R E A M E R S W I N S G E E A V O S A N T S S T R U M N A G L E O T A R D H I L T O P E N S P O O D L E E G O H O R S E V E T R E V O M E G A O L I V E A L I B I T O N E S B A R N S R A V E N E N S U E S W E E T H O S T S

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Bare skin (coll) (4) Big classical music ensemble (9) Partner; colleague (9) Public auctions (5) French resort town (7) Musician,– Urban (5) Gracefully (9) Young horse (4) Planned (9) Natural disaster (9) Elusively (9) A Jewish language (7) Become liable to (5) Pushes (5) Unusual (4) Surrender (4)

1 2

DECODER

16

medium

2

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

Floating marker (4) Rundown (10) Components (7) Crossed strips structure (7) Mirrors (8) State of Brazil (5) Location (4) Vexation (10) Hard rock music (5,5) Umpteen (4) Removed moisture (5) Intrepid (8) Bolting (7) Retinue (7) County town of Dorset (10) Wood heap for burning (4)

1 3 10 11 12 13 14 15 18 20 21 23 26 27 28 29

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ACROSS

No. 307

1

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.

QUICK CROSSWORD

14

No. 307

B U O Y R A M S H A C K L E U R F S A N E L L A T T I C E F A C T O R S H A O E I T G F R E F L E C T S B A H I A S I E N H A R A S S M E N T S I T E R T V V L C M A N Y H E A V Y M E T A L E I L S D R I E D U N A F R A I D U N D R N A V C C O R T E G E L O C K I N G U S E H E L D E D O R C H E S T E R P Y R E

SUDOKU

18-09-26

William Matthews Funerals 24 HOUR SERVICE - ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 12567433-SN37-22

32 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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SPORT

Mt. Evelyn and Upwey-Tecoma contest the ball on the goal line in the Reserves Preliminary Final.

Action from the Pakenham v Seville Seniors Grand Final. (Armin Richter)

Seville attempt to block a Pakenham shot in A Grade.

Lions return to top flight

By Armin Richter Pakenham is back with the big shots after two seasons in the lower tier.

The Division 1 Grand Final day on Saturday at Healesville was about as close to ideal as could be hoped for, with warm sunny conditions and just a slight breeze. The two dominant clubs, Pakenham and Seville, had a mortgage on the day with at least one in each of the nine Grand Finals and six of the showdowns featuring a direct head to head clash between the Lions and Blues.

The most significant match would be the Senior football encounter with the winner to return to the top-flight, taking the rest of their respec-

tive clubs with them. Pakenham had spent the last two seasons in Division 1 while for Seville it hadn’t been in the top division since 2001 but with a redeveloped oval and a magnificent new clubrooms to be open by next year they will have among the best facilities in the valley and are ready for the challenge.

Seville started strongly with the first two goals before the Lions scored three majors to hit the first change with a one goal lead. It was a well contested game but Pakenham always seemed to have an answer to anything that Seville could throw at them. The Lions eventually won by 30 points to remain undefeated champions and premiers for 2026.

The Pakenham Reserves were also undefeated and had a remarkable home and away percentage of 956, on the back of scoring 2209 points for and conceding just 231. They came up against a Belgrave team who had fought their way up from the Elimination Final. While the Magpies might have lost the Grand Final they gained much respect for their fight against such a dominant force to only go down by 15 points in the end.

Seville did claim the Under 18s premiership with a solid display where they were too good for their Pakenham opponents.

The Blues also met Pakenham in all four senior grade netball matches and made it a clean

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34 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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The Menzies Creek Community Hall Committee Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 23 September 2026 at 7.00pm at the Menzies Creek Hall.

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A public meeting is to be held at 4.00pm on Thursday 15th October at Gembrook Community Centre, 4 Gembrook Rd, Gembrook for the purpose of forming a committee.

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Piero (also known as Peter) Capaldi, son of the late Agostino Capaldi (date of death: 23 June 2025), is requested to contact Burton Morley Naughton in relation to the Estate of the late Agostino Capaldi.

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Biennial General Meeting 2026 A public meeting is to be held at 7.00pm on Tuesday 13th October at Garfield Community Centre, 2B Beswick St, Garfield Vic 3814 for the purpose of forming a committee.

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For further information contact Lara Canty, 0421 150 855

sweep against the Lions. Seville won a total of six premierships, two-thirds of those on offer, with their Under 17s also claiming ultimate honours.

The Premier Division Preliminary Finals at Yarra Glen on Sunday were played under cloudy skies and a strong wind, which gradually abated as the afternoon progressed. It turned out to be a good day for Mt. Evelyn who qualified their Seniors, Reserves and three netball sides for Grand Finals this week. The Rovers’ Senior footballers looked to be in control for most of the match and appeared home when they were leading by just on five goals early in the final term before Olinda mounted a late challenge to fall just three points shy of a place in the finale.

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SPORT

Rangers fall short in finale On Saturday night, Monbulk Rangers Senior Men travelled to the Home of the Matildas in Bundoora for a massive promotion play-off clash against Darebin United.

Having finished fourth in State League 5 South East, Monbulk faced a Darebin United side that had also finished fourth in State League 5 North West.

With a place in State League 4 on the line, there was plenty at stake, with the winner earning promotion for the 2027 season.

The atmosphere around the Home of the Matildas was buzzing, with a number of championship and play-off matches taking place across the venue.

A strong crowd gathered ahead of kick-off, adding to the anticipation and tension surrounding the match.

For Monbulk, the occasion represented a significant opportunity. After battling relegation in each of the previous four seasons, the Rangers had transformed their fortunes in 2026 and found themselves just one win away from promotion.

The match was played on a quality hybrid grass pitch. While the surface was in excellent condition overall, it proved slippery at times, making conditions challenging for both sides.

When the whistle blew, Monbulk came flying out of the gates. The Rangers created several promising attacking opportunities in the opening stages, putting the Darebin defence under early pressure. However, they were unable to capitalise on their chances, allowing Darebin to gradually find their way into the contest.

Darebin opened the scoring after 20 minutes when their forward struck a long-range effort along the ground and into the bottom corner, giving the home side a 1–0 lead.

The goal gave Darebin confidence, and they began to demonstrate their quality, producing fast-flowing attacks and putting the Rangers under increasing pressure. Their dominance eventually paid off again, with Darebin doubling their advantage shortly before half-time.

Heading into the break 2–0 down, Monbulk

faced a huge challenge to turn the match around and keep their promotion hopes alive.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, Darebin continued their momentum after the restart. They added a third goal in the 50th minute before finding the back of the net again in the 60th minute to establish a commanding 4–0 lead.

Monbulk’s task became even more difficult in the 65th minute when the Rangers were reduced to 10 men following a red card.

Despite the setback, the Rangers continued to show plenty of grit and determination. Playing a man down, Monbulk created several more opportunities and continued to fight until the final whistle, while their defensive efforts ensured Darebin could not extend their lead any further.

The final whistle confirmed a 4–0 victory for Darebin United, bringing Monbulk’s promotion hopes to an end.

While the result was disappointing, the Rangers can hold their heads high after what has been an outstanding season. Darebin proved to be an excellent side and were simply the better team on the night.

Monbulk’s fourth-place finish capped off a remarkable turnaround from previous seasons. The Rangers recorded 12 league wins and three draws throughout the season, a significant improvement from the four wins recorded the previous season.

The memorable eight-game winning streak to start the season was a major highlight, with Monbulk enjoying a strong campaign and pushing for promotion for the first time in several years.

Although the season has ended one step short of State League 4, the Rangers have laid an excellent foundation to build upon.

With the lessons and experience gained throughout 2026, Monbulk will be looking to return next season stronger than ever, with their sights firmly set on going one step further and securing promotion to State League 4.

Luke Baker drives forward. (Supplied)

Around the region’s football Finals bound at Ferntree Gully after busy week at club ovals and netball courts

By Armin Richter

It has been another busy week at Ferntree Gully Tennis Club, with senior and junior teams heading into finals and plenty of strong performances across several competitions.

In the Waverley Tennis Association competition, Ferntree Gully’s Section A1 team faced Narre Warren in its semi-final. The team put up a great fight but went down 5–3, bringing its season to an end just one step short of the grand final.

There was better news in Tennis Victoria Men’s Pennant, with both Ferntree Gully’s Grade 3 and Grade 19 teams winning their semi-finals. Both teams will now head into their respective grand finals, and we wish all players the very best as they represent the club.

Our Eastern Region Tennis junior teams also wrapped up the home-and-away season, with several teams earning places in the semifinals. Rubbers 25 went down to Nunawading 4–3 but still finished on top of the ladder and will progress to the semi-finals, while Rubbers 31 was narrowly defeated by Healesville 3–2 and will also continue into finals.

Rubbers 34 had an incredibly close encounter with Emerald, with the teams finishing level at three sets apiece. Emerald took the match by just two games, 24–22, but Ferntree Gully will have another opportunity when the team heads into the semi-finals.

JOSD 8 finished strongly with a convincing 5–1 win over Miller Park and will now contest a semi-final.

JDC 2 was defeated by Montrose 2–1 and finished the season fifth on the ladder, narrowly missing a finals berth. JDC 3 enjoyed an excellent finish to the season, defeating Burnt Bridge 3–0 and finishing on top of the ladder.

The team will now head into the semi-finals.

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Bonnie Johnson (centre) with Mary Doyle MP. (Supplied) Away from competition, the club was also proud to see volunteer assistant coach Bonnie Johnson named a finalist in the Tilly Aston Outstanding Young Achiever Award, presented by Mary Doyle MP. Bonnie is a familiar face around Ferntree Gully Tennis Club as both a player and volunteer with the All Abilities Tennis program. She competes in mainstream and Special Olympics tennis and has been selected to compete at the upcoming Special Olympics National Games.

After completing a community coaching course, Bonnie became a volunteer assistant coach with the club’s weekly All Abilities program, where she helps players with their tennis skills, scoring and rules while providing plenty of encouragement along the way.

She also assists with administration tasks that keep the program running each week.

Being named a finalist is wonderful recognition of Bonnie’s contribution to tennis and her community, and everyone at Ferntree Gully Tennis Club is very proud of her achievement.

Football Premier Division (Preliminary Finals) Seniors: Mt. Evelyn 9.8.62 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 8.11.59 Reserves: Mt. Evelyn 8.7.55 def Upwey-Tecoma 5.5.35 Under 18: Officer 10.9.69 def Mt. Evelyn 3.4.22 Division 1 (Grand Finals) Seniors: Pakenham 11.13.79 def Seville 7.7.49 Reserves: Pakenham 9.10.64 def Belgrave 7.7.49 Under 18: Seville 14.12.96 def Pakenham 6.5.41 Netball Premier Division (Preliminary Finals) A Grade: Mt. Evelyn 63 def Woori Yallock 36 B Grade: Mt. Evelyn 54 def ROC 37 C Grade: Wandin 40 def Woori Yallock 21 D Grade: Mt. Evelyn 27 def ROC 23 Under 17: ROC 35 def Woori Yallock 24 Under 15: Pakenham Maroon 28 def ROC Blue 24 Division 1 (Grand Finals) A Grade: Seville 49 def Pakenham 36 B Grade: Seville 40 def Pakenham 27 C Grade: Seville 31 def Pakenham 22 D Grade: Seville 34 def Pakenham 29 Under 17: Seville 42 def Emerald 29 Under 15: Wandin Red 30 def Pakenham Gold 17

• • • • • •

Seville’s goal shooter takes a pass in A Grade.

(Armin Richter)

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Olinda’s Noah Desta takes a well judged mark in the Senior Preliminary Final. (Armin Richter)

Belgrave vice-captain Daniel Noy marks in the Reserves Grand Final against Pakenham. (Armin Richter)

Tuesday, 15 September, 2026 | MAIL 35

Ring Terry Miller direct for the the best best prices prices

BEST PRICE, BEST TANKS WITH A LIFETIME GUARANTEE It’s time to catch it, order and build your concrete tank NOW!!!

Ph. 0419 462 814 Concrete tanks built correctly will last a lifetime!

Terry Miller from Terry Miller Concrete Tanks has been in the concrete tank building business for nearly 30 years. Being from country Victoria himself, Terry realises the importance of good water storage systems.

Concrete water tanks built correctly will last a lifetime. They keep your water cool, clean and algae free. This is because our tanks have 130mm walls and a 300mm base, and are poured with 40-mpa strength concrete not 25 or 30 mpa. We also use plasticiser to keep up the strength in the tanks instead of water. And after 28 days of curing the strength of the concrete will be between 48 and 52 mpa. And each tank is poured individually on site. These tanks come out white, which is a sign of the strength in the tanks. The MPA is a measure of how much concrete there is as parts per 1000. The walls of the tank are vibrated all around to ensure that there are no air bubbles and that the concrete is compacted down. Terry generally builds tanks in three sizes, 50,000, 105,000 and 120,000 either with a silo (metal) roof, concrete top or open top tanks.

The tanks will not blow away or fall apart, and this is particularly important in areas where there is high wind, or in fire prone districts. In the event of a fire, a large tank (120,000 litres) can supply water back up to the main house. By setting up a petrol powered generator and pumping water up onto the house directly, via a reverse water sprinkler system, you will keep your home cool and wet. Or if need be, you can jump into the tank to keep cool and be protected from flames and radiant heat.

Water is our most important resource, and we cannot have too much of it! So for all your water storage needs when you are thinking of installing your next tank, please call Terry for a quote on 0419 462 814 or 02 6026 7021 or check out our website, www.terrymillerconcretetanks.com.au.

Nearly four years ago, we suffered our own fire here, in Barnawartha, and we were lucky. But it made me realise how important good water storage is. We are in for a long, hot, dry summer, and fire restrictions are in. Having an ample supply of safely stored water is imperative. So why not contact Terry now about your water supply needs, BEFORE, the heat builds up and water scarce. There is nothing more refreshing than your own cool, clear, clean water!

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Sizes from 22,000 to 120,000 litres 36 MAIL | Tuesday, 15 September, 2026

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www.terrymillerconcretetanks.com.au www.terrymillerconcretetanks.com.au Concrete 40 mpa fully vibrated Concrete 40 mpa & &fully vibrated

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