Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
Liberal pledge lands for The Heights
Medicinal cannabis farm launches TAFE partnership
Scouts flock to local camp for Cuboree
See Real Estate liftout inside
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Season kicks off Kilsyth Cricket Club’s season opened on Sunday 4 October with the Women’s First XI claiming a decisive home victory over Wandin, despite wet weather washing out all men’s and junior matches. After restricting Wandin to 7/119, Kilsyth comfortably chased down the target, finishing 2/123. The highlight of the opening round was a brilliant 110-run second-wicket partnership between Serena Gibbs (51) and Tegan Unternahrer (39 not out), capping a standout performance to kick off the Redbacks’ campaign. Read the full report on page 39
The highlight of Kilsyth Women’s Round One match was a brilliant second wicket partnership of 110 between Serena Gibbs (right) and Tegan Unternahrer. (Supplied)
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small businesses, and called for the guarantee to extend to all communities. With Westpac, ANZ, and NAB having already shuttered or relocated their local shopfronts, Bendigo Bank will remain the sole physical branch operating in Lilydale. CommBank confirmed affected staff will be offered roles at nearby locations, while local customers can access over-the-counter services via Bank@Post at the Lilydale Post Office. Read the full story on page 3
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alarms over anticipated queue times at the remaining branches. The decision comes amid broader scrutiny of banking accessibility. While CommBank recently pledged $140 million to upgrade its network and guaranteed that regional branches would remain open until 2030, metropolitan branches remain exempt from the moratorium. Finance Sector Union national secretary Julia Angrisano criticised the distinction, arguing that metro closures hurt vulnerable residents and
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The Commonwealth Bank will permanently close its Lilydale Marketplace branch on Friday 6 November, consolidating operations into its nearby Chirnside Park location. The move continues a growing trend of major financial institutions withdrawing physical branches from Melbourne’s outer east. To accommodate the shift, CommBank is completing a $2 million expansion of its Chirnside Park branch, upgrading facilities, staffing,
and self-service technology. Area manager Daniel Dang noted that nearby hubs like Chirnside Park, located 3.9 kilometres away, and Croydon have become primary locations for local customers. Despite these upgrades, the announcement has sparked frustration among residents and traders. Local business owners expressed concerns over reduced convenience and cash accessibility, with Reiss Emporium Lilydale taking to social media to urge customers to use cash to help maintain register floats. Others raised
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By Mikayla van Loon
NEWS
Pledge for The Heights redevelopment By Mikayla van Loon The Heights Reserve in Mooroolbark has yet again been on the receiving end of a Liberal Party pledge if elected in the November election. Croydon’s Liberal candidate Grant Hutchinson announced at the Mooroolbark Cricket Club’s season launch on 1 October that if successful in the state election, a Liberal government would contribute $6.5 million to redevelop the outdated pavilion. Star Mail met with the cricket club’s co-president Briony Polkinghorne in January last year, when the poor state of the facilities was exposed. A decaying roof, water leaks and inadequate storage were just some of the challenges they faced. At the time, the Federal election was looming, and Casey MP Aaron Violi made an early
pledge to fund a $4 million upgrade if the Liberals were elected to govern. Unsuccessful at forming a majority, the Coalition’s promise was not acted on. It was not the first time Mr Violi pledged an amount to upgrade the Mooroolbark pavilion, having, in the 2022 election, promised $2.5 million. The vision in early 2025 was to build something similar to Kilsyth, catering to the change room needs, expanding the bar, kitchen, club room and storage facilities, and hopefully adding in the “nice to haves” like a fitted-out gymnasium and ice bath facility. Ms Polkinghorne said it would also be nice to relocate the building slightly to make the car park more easily accessible and at the entrance to the building, as well as improving lighting for safety.
Liberal candidate for Croydon, Grant Hutchinson, pledged $6.5 million to upgrade the pavilion at Mooroolbark Heights Reserve if successful in November. (Mikayla van Loon: 453121) Mooroolbark’s football and cricket club have battled inadequate, “small and dirty” change rooms for quite some time, particularly when trying to coordinate umpires, players and the opposition. Mr Hutchinson said the Mooroolbark com-
munity, players and their families deserved modern facilities. “We want to ensure local clubs have an inclusive, accessible facility where people of all ages and abilities can come together and participate in sport for decades to come,” he said.
Doctors strike as dispute over pay, conditions drags on By Allanah Sciberras, AAP
AMA Victoria president Dr Simon Judkins speaks to media ahead of a Victorian doctors protest outside the Victorian Parliament on 1 October. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
As well as better pay, Victorian doctors want shift limits and guarantees of days off. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) crowd. Conditions outside were difficult, with rain pouring down, but it was clear that what doctors faced inside hospitals were even tougher. “This won’t be the last strike. Be ready,” one union speaker said. Zak Doherty, who works at a major metropolitan hospital, told AAP conditions needed to improve im-
mediately. “Instead of having to do 14 hours straight shifts, we want to do 12 and a half hours,” he said. He has been working as a doctor for six years and is often on call for multiple nights in a row, during which he gets only two or three hours of sleep each night. “I’m expected to care for patients Monday morn-
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ing. It’s unfair for that patient that looks at me in the clinic room, and they can tell I’m exhausted,” he said. “We know how to manage fatigue, we know how to call on our colleagues to help us when we need, but we shouldn’t have to do that.” Emergency departments were exempt from the strike on Thursday and emergency surgeries also went ahead, with hospitals staffed above Saturday levels. Alongside increased pay, doctors are demanding at least three guaranteed days off every fortnight to support proper rest and recovery. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier told reporters that, if elected in November, the coalition would enter into good faith negotiations with the union. “This government hasn’t understood the complexity of our whole system and hasn’t understood the needs of what is going on,” she said. “The system is at breaking point.”
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Exhausted doctors may be close to their first “meaningful” offer for improved pay and conditions after ditching their scrubs and walking off the job. Thousands of doctors across Victoria united in solidarity on Thursday 1 October, many braving the rain and gathering on the steps of Melbourne’s Parliament House calling for improvements to their working conditions. Eastern Health confirmed with Star Mail on Tuesday that it was planning for the stop-work action and “determining staffing impacts” across its facilities. “We acknowledge and respect each employee’s right to participate in protected industrial action and are working collaboratively with medical staff to ensure safe patient care is maintained across our services,” a spokesperson said. Union members have been locked in fractured negotiations with the state government for more than a year. A deal is yet to be reached, despite Health Minister Ingrid Stitt remaining hopeful a resolution is not far off. “My message to doctors is we are listening and absolutely committed to continuing discussions with your union to make sure that we come to a settlement,” she said. The government met with union representatives on Thursday, with hopes of the “first meaningful offer that we can take to our members”, AMA Victoria president Simon Judkins said. Chants of “shame” could be heard as the lack of a pay deal was raised. Signs reading “Keep our mum safe” and “Tired doctors = patients suffer” could be seen among the
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Lilydale CommBank to shut the doors By Mikayla van Loon Lilydale’s Commonwealth Bank branch is set to close at the start of November, as the big four bank consolidates its services with Chirnside Park. The Lilydale Marketplace branch will shut its doors for the final time on Friday 6 November. The next nearest branches are at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre (3.9 kilometres away) and Croydon (9.5 kilometres away), with Healesville, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction still operating with limited hours of service. Commonwealth Bank area manager Daniel Dang said the Chirnside Park and Croydon branches had become “popular banking centres” for people in Lilydale. “As a result, we’ve invested $2 million to expand our services for customers in the area. These are larger branches, with more staff, including home lending specialists and access to convenient self-service technology,” he said. “We remain committed to maintaining the largest branch network in the country and warmly welcome our Lilydale customers to our nearby branches.” The $2 million upgrade to Chirnside Park’s branch is scheduled to be completed in line with Lilydale’s 6 November closure. Branch closures have plagued the local area in recent years. Westpac was the first to pull the pin on a brickand-mortar branch in 2022, followed by Bank of Melbourne withdrawing from Chirnside Park in 2023. Mooroolbark’s Commonwealth Bank also closed its shopfront in December 2023. ANZ closed its Lilydale Marketplace branch in 2024, while NAB relocated to Chirnside Park in the same year. It leaves Mooroolbark, Mount Evelyn and now Lilydale with only Bendigo Bank as a physical branch location. In contrast, CommBank announced on 1 October that it would guarantee that regional branches remain open until at least 2030. Alongside that was a commitment of $140 million to deliver upgrades across the branch network to refresh layouts, accessibility, technology, staffing and reduce wait times. But regular Marketplace and CommBank users are concerned the wait times will only increase with everyone forced to bank at Chirnside Park. Comments like “can only imagine the queue in the Chirnside one” and “there’s always a line of people to speak to a bank person” and “surprising, it’s always been very busy in that branch” sprouted on a social media post about the closure. Local business owners also commented on the impact the closure would have on everyday operations and banking. “This will be very inconvenient for customers and businesses in Lilydale. So please, if you can
School zone reminder Police will be out enforcing speed limits in school zones following a horror month on the state’s roads. There were 40 deaths statewide in September compared with 28 for the same month last year. It means September was the deadliest month so far this year, ahead of April, which had 26 deaths. Thirty-eight pedestrians have died on Victoria’s roads this year, the latest figures show, with twice the number of pedestrian fatalities on a Monday than any other day of the week. For pedestrians aged zero to 17, there were 305 recorded collisions in the last recordable 12-month period, with most collisions between the hours of 8-9am and 3-4pm. The shocking data comes today as Victoria Police urge everyone to take extra care when travelling around school zones as children return to school this week. Children are amongst our most vulnerable road users. They’re less developed physically and cognitively and have less experience around traffic, and it’s up to all of us to ensure kids are protected. “We have a collective responsibility to ensure kids are protected,” Road Policing Operations and Investigations Division Supt Michael Kelly said. “Each of us needs to do all we can to make sure children are safe around roads, particularly when travelling to and from school. “For motorists, this means slowing down and being more alert around schools.”
Operation Scoreboard stats
Lilydale Marketplace will lose the Commonwealth Bank after Friday 6 November with the branch confirmed to be closing. (Stewart Chambers: 582016) pay by cash, it will really help our float for the register drawer!! The smaller, the better, even in $2 coins,” Reiss Emporium Lilydale posted to social media. “Making things even tougher for small business in Lilydale. I will now have to drive to Chirnside Park to do our banking - congratulations CBA, providing services to who?” another person commented. Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn said, however, the bank will give customers, local businesses and communities long-term certainty that the banking they trust will remain in place. “We understand how important access to inperson services is for our customers, along with mobile, phone and online banking,” Mr Comyn said. “We believe this importantly provides certainty for our people and our customers in the near term, while we remain committed to working constructively with the banking industry on a long-term sustainable solution.” While welcoming the regional commitment, Finance Sector Union (FSU) national secretary Julia Angrisano said that, although boasting record profits, 29 CBA metro branches are due to
shut or have already closed. “For older Australians, people with disability, small businesses and anyone who struggles with online banking, local branches are a lifeline and an essential service, and all banks should be required to provide that service,” she said. “Closing metro branches clearly isn’t about necessity - it’s about squeezing even more profits at the expense of customers and workers. “If CBA can guarantee regional branches until 2030, it can guarantee every branch. We’re calling on CBA to extend the moratorium to all communities, not just some.” In the outer eastern suburbs, Boronia and Belgrave were also due to close in coming weeks. The CBA said customers continue to have the widest range of cash access options available at nearby branches, ATMs, EFTPOS at participating retailers and via Bank@Post outlets of Australia Post. The closest Bank@Post option is the Lilydale Post Office at 266 Main Street. CommBank confirmed it would work with staff from the Lilydale branch to find suitable relocation options at nearby branches or secure them appropriate comparable roles.
More than 6500 traffic offences were detected by Victoria Police during the statewide Operation Scoreboard over the AFL Grand Final long weekend. The four-day road policing blitz, which focused on roadside alcohol and drug testing, saw a rise of almost 1500 offences against the same operation last year as police looked to clamp down on high-risk driving behaviour. Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Mick Hermans said it was a busy weekend on our roads and while many Victorians were enjoying the long weekend, school holidays and a Grand Final epic, police were saddened by the tragic loss of life on our roads. “With this firmly etched in our minds, Victoria Police continue to prioritise road policing enforcement and doing all we can to prevent further trauma on our roads this year,” he said. “Our members detected over 6500 offences in four days during Operation Scoreboard. “We had a major focus on drink and drug drivers this weekend, and concerningly, despite our warnings to motorists, we have again seen incredibly high strike rates for those caught over the legal limit for alcohol and drugs.” One in every 491 drivers who were breath tested were caught over the legal blood alcohol limit, with 246 drink driving offences detected from 120,995 preliminary breath tests. This was a rise of 28 per cent compared with last year. A further 127 drug driving offences were detected from 3136 roadside drug tests – a strike rate of one in every 24 drivers testing positive to drugs.
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Cannabis cultivation course By Oliver Winn TAFE students are learning to cultivate crops of cannabis at a Yarra Valley farm as part of an Australia-first course in medicinal cannabis production. Federation TAFE officially launched its Certificate III in Medicinal Cannabis Cultivation and Production at Cannai Farm on Tuesday 29 September. Licensed Australian medicinal cannabis cultivator Cannai Farm partnered with Federation TAFE to provide practical hands-on learning for the inaugural cohort of nine students. For two years, Cannai Farm owner Bryce Lawrence has cultivated and produced medicinal cannabis to supply a burgeoning market as taboos around the plant begin to break down. Mr Lawrence said Australians were finally recognising the legitimate medicinal benefits of cannabis. “I think we’re finally getting to the point now where from a societal point of view and from a medical science point of view as well, we understand the benefit that the plants can have on a lot of different ailments in society,” he said. While red tape is slowly being cut, Mr Lawrence said Australia needs to remove more hurdles so it can “claim its stake” as a world leader in cannabis cultivation. “Still 80 per cent of the medicinal cannabis in Australia is imported from overseas. “So I think that’s a really big thing for us, trying to explain how important it is to have a domestic industry and be able to build a workforce like what we’re hopefully doing with Fed Uni,” he said. Federation TAFE pro vice-chancellor Darren Gray said Federation University Australia identified a skills gap in cannabis cultivation in the country. “Being able to identify where a skills need will be now and into the future allows us to work with employers and peak bodies to co-design courses, and this is an example of that. “Working closely with Cannai to develop an Australian-first accredited program in medicinal
The launch was celebrated at Cannai Farm in the Yarra Valley. (Oliver Winn: 582471) cannabis cultivation and production is critical for the skills for new and emerging industries,” Mr Gray said. The inaugural course is a pilot program which only just begun after nearly three years of devel-
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opment. Constant regulatory change has made it difficult to design a course that reflects current needs in the industry. But the course received “well over 100” expressions of interest, indicating high demand from students. Student Isaiah was one of the lucky nine who were chosen for the pilot program. From the Surf Coast, he’s always been interested in environmentalism and the course immediately piqued his interest. He said he enjoys working with the plants and watching them grow. “We got to take some cuttings from some mother plants a couple of weeks ago, and so we’re getting to see the progress of the plant and see the different expressions of the phenotypes of the selected genetics that these guys have.” “We’re looking for this course to just push a bit of stigma out of the way about the plant and its benefits.” Medicinal Cannabis Council of Australia chief executive officer Fiona Patton said current regulations around the industry were “not fit for purpose”. “When this legislation was introduced 10 years ago, there wasn’t a single person growing medicinal cannabis in Australia. “The unnecessary hoops that they put cultiva-
Federation TAFE student Isaiah said the course immediately piqued his interest. (582471) tors and manufacturers through, hoops, I might add, that many of the imported products do not have to go through. She called for a “common sense approach” to reform, cutting unnecessary red tape and allowing farms like Cannai Farm to lead the way in a billion-dollar industry here in Australia. For Mr Lawrence, the partnership between Cannai Farm and Federation University was a great start to what could be a training site for many cohorts to come. “We’re loving the partnership and loving the energy that the students bring here, and hoping that we can have many more successful cohorts up here in the future.”
Tuesday, 2 February, 2021
Mail New Aussies welcomed
Sanders relives rally
Brown’s AFLW debut
PAGE 3
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SPORT
Tuesday, 2 February, 2021
Mail New Aussies welcomed
Sanders relives rally
Brown’s AFLW debut
PAGE 3
PAGE 8
SPORT
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Back to school!
School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony for Badger Creek Primary School students and staff. See page 7 for more back to school excitment.
Back to school! School students across Victoria made their return to school following summer holidays, while 2021’s preps got their first taste of primary school life. Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy By Jed Lanyon
Centre in the lead up to Christmas. Many locals far and wide were able to keep up their Christmas tradition in getting a family photo with ‘The Real Santa’ who they had grown to love. The unlikely tandem tallied upwards of $30,000 from their family Christmas photos and then selected four charities to each receive
$8400 to help make the lives of children better. The four recipients of the funds included: Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, A Better Life For Foster Kids, HeartKids and Chum Creek’s Good Life Farm. The organisations shared how the funds had already been put to good use. Backpacks 4 Vic Kids CEO and founder Sally Beard told Star Mail the donation came as a “delightful surprise”.
“We’re very, very grateful on behalf of the children, whose lives that it will impact,” she said. “We have absolutely put that money to good use.” Ms Beard shared that the $8400 donation from Branded is aiding 112 children in need with care packs filled with toiletries, spare changes of clothes, a toy and more. Continued page 2 12477022-SN06-21
It’s February, but Santa Claus’ gifts keep on coming for several charity organisations who benefited from a partnership between Saint Nick and Seville’s Branded Burger Bar. The burger bar came to the rescue when they partnered with Santa, who had seen his role replaced at Chirnside Park Shopping
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Cannai Farm has cultivated and produced medicinal cannabis for two years. (582471)
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Surcharge ban impact By Claudia Mather As of Thursday, 1 October, businesses are no longer able to charge customers a surcharge for paying by card. A surcharge in the context of card payments is an extra fee charged by a merchant to a consumer for using a card to pay for a transaction. Small businesses across the outer east share growing concerns about the merchant fees now falling back onto them. Absorbing these bank fees and raising prices is not something any small business wants to do in light of the ever-evolving rising costs. Assistant venue manager at Healesville Hotel, Roxy, said the surcharge ban is an additional struggle the business will have to take on. “We have to now absorb that ourselves, which is thousands of dollars,” she said. “Now we’re having to look at price increases on our food and on our beverages, just so that it doesn’t kill us as a business.” The Healesville Hotel currently has a card surcharge of 1.3 per cent to 1.7 per cent depending on the kind of card being used. As of the start of October, this cost will fall back onto the business. Roxy said that the team at Healesville Hotel are looking into ways they can encourage peo-
ple to use cash and steer away from card payments but are conscious that people are already struggling day to day as it is. “With the cost of living right now, people can’t afford anything anyway,” she explained. Roxy worries that the surcharge ban will drive a divide between customers and business owners for something that is out of their control. “It was the same when Covid happened; businesses were having to explain themselves over and over again, explaining that it wasn’t us and that we are just doing our jobs,” she said. The surcharge shift follows findings from earlier this year in March by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). RBA’s Payment Systems Board’s Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging drove the decision to act on the no-surcharge rules. “The RBA has concluded that it is in the public interest to remove surcharging for all designated card networks from 1 October 2026,” they wrote on their website. “These changes allow the designated card networks to impose a ban on surcharging for credit, debit and prepaid card payments on their networks.” Upwey Pizza shared their concerns in a re-
cent post on their Facebook Page. “Saying this isn’t frustrating would be a lie,” they wrote. “Across a year, those surcharges add up to tens of thousands of dollars for Upwey Pizza.” “From Thursday, that comes straight out of the bottom line, which is a significant hit for a business already absorbing rising costs on every front.” For the past few months, Upwey Pizza has been analysing how they can move forward with the new rule from October 1. “The cleanest way would be a 50c price increase across all products; that should get us pretty close to containing it,” they wrote. They insisted they do not wish to reduce the quality of the ingredients used or change their generous portions. Upwey Pizza also acknowledged that the 50c price increase across the board does not rule out the unfairness to customers who already pay cash to avoid these fees. “We’re sorry about that.” “If we can make it through all that, then we have a good shot at surviving what can only be described as the most relentless, brutal chapter in hospitality.” Similarly to Upwey Pizza, other Outer East small businesses like Yarra Junction Hardware
are taking to Facebook to update customers. “We wanted to share exactly what this means for our business and community,” they wrote. “The new law removes that fee from your view, but it doesn’t remove it from existence.” “Now for every single card transaction, the bank adds a processing fee that we are forced to pay.’ Yarra Junction Hardware estimates that these new bank fees will cost around $4,000 a month. “To put that into perspective, that is the equivalent of a full-time staff member’s wage gone every single month, straight into the bank’s pockets,” they shared. Like most small businesses, Yarra Junction Hardware emphasised the difference paying cash can make for them. “Processing cash takes just minutes of our day—nowhere near as costly or devastating as the thousands of dollars in new card fees we are now copping from the banks.” “We love our community and want to keep our doors open for a long time to come.” While this might appear as an exciting change for customers tapping their card for a morning coffee, fresh pizza, or a new tool, it presents a significant challenge for small business owners navigating an already murky costof-living crisis.
New roundabout opens at Chirnside Park intersection
The roundabout was constructed to improve safety at the intersection. (582020)
The intersection at Edward and Paynes Roads in Chirnside Park has had a makeover, with the road fully reopened to commuters. (Stewart Chambers: 582020) improvements to this busy and dangerous intersection, which has been the site of some terrible crashes,” Cr Higgins said. “I’m pleased that we’ve secured funding to completely redevelop it, replacing the existing T-intersection with a roundabout which will help to manage traffic flow, particularly in peak periods and, most importantly, improving road
safety.” To keep vehicles moving throughout construction, the project was delivered in phased stages, utilising single-lane traffic management and targeted detours to avoid full intersection closures. Emergency services maintained full access across all construction phases. While the roundabout is now fully opera-
tional, the council noted that one final 24-hour closure will be required in late October to allow electricity providers to relocate a power pole and complete street lighting installations. Nearby residents will be notified directly once the exact date is confirmed. The council thanked the community, local businesses, and drivers for their patience and cooperation throughout the construction period. Further details and project updates remain available on the Yarra Ranges Council website at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Our-services/Planning-building-and-development/Council-projects-works/Edward-Road-and-Paynes-RoadRoundabout-Construction.
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Commuters and residents in Chirnside Park can get back to using a key traffic route, with the newly constructed roundabout at the intersection of Paynes Road and Edward Road officially open to traffic. The well-used intersection reopened ahead of the AFL Grand Final long weekend as planned. The completion of the primary works marks a major milestone for the $2.2 million redevelopment project, designed to improve safety, ease congestion, and deliver smoother journeys across the region. Funded by the Australian Government through its Black Spot and Roads to Recovery Programs, the upgrade targets a crucial transit node on the fringe of Chirnside Park. Close to 10,000 motorists pass through the intersection daily, using it as a vital thoroughfare connecting areas such as Wonga Park, Yering, and Eltham with Lilydale, Yarra Glen, and the broader Yarra Valley. The project replaced a historically hazardous T-intersection that local residents had long flagged as a site for serious crashes. Initial planning and scope began with a $768,000 allocation in Yarra Ranges Council’s 2024–25 budget, with subsequent funding rolled out across 2025–26. Construction officially kicked off in early July following complex site preparation, which included land acquisitions and service relocations by AusNet, Telstra, Optus, and NBN. Yarra Ranges Mayor and Chirnside Ward Councillor Richard Higgins highlighted, at the time, the importance of the transformation for local road users. “We’ve heard from locals that they wanted
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‘Things are getting better’ By Oliver Winn Long-term platypus surveys suggest numbers are “bouncing back” in the Yarra River after declining over the past two decades. Melbourne Water’s 2024 Urban Platypus Program survey revealed a strong recovery in larger river systems like the Yarra River. Australian Platypus Conservancy (ACP) founder Geoff Williams said though 2025’s results were yet to come out, the preliminary numbers were looking positive. “We very strongly feel that most of the indicators currently available suggest that things are getting better, not worse,” Mr Williams said. Melbourne Water waterways and wetlands research manager Dr Rhys Coleman agreed with Mr Williams. He said the Urban Platypus Program was one of the longest-running programs of its kind in Australia, measuring populations in Victoria. “Numbers vary from year to year, so it’s the long-term trend that matters. That trend shows declines from the mid-1990s and through the Millennium Drought, with signs of recovery in larger river systems like the Yarra,” Dr Coleman said. But Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) and University of New South Wales (UNSW) called on the Federal government to urgently fund Australia’s first national platypus survey earlier in September. UNSW platypus researcher Associate Professor Gilad Bino said a national survey would help accurately measure platypus numbers into the future. “We need a national survey so we can ensure our assessment is accurate and that the species is adequately protected long into the future,” he said. The platypus was classified as Near Threatened in Australia in 2014, an assessment that Mr Williams believes is still appropriate 12 years after the designation was made.
Platypus populations suffered during the Millennium Drought. (ARI/Jarod Lyon) “We fully supported that decision at the time and basically still do.” He said a Near Threatened classification meant platypus populations had declined in some places due to identifiable causes, such as the Millennium Drought from 1996-2010. “Platypus are very sensitive to drought in a way they don’t seem to be sensitive to floods or bushfires. “Populations did go down during the Millennium Drought, but all the indications, certainly in the Melbourne area, are that they have now bounced back to previous levels,” Mr Williams said. Each year specialist ecologists carry out night trapping surveys for Melbourne Water’s Urban Platypus Program at sites across Melbourne’s creeks and rivers. Trapping remains the most reliable way of gathering data on population size, breeding and body condition. Melbourne Water recently added environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect where platypus are present. Currently, the platypus is not protected
Platypuses most often active at dawn and dusk. (Ian Wilson) under national environment law. It is listed as endangered in South Australia and vulnerable in Victoria The UNSW and ACF pushed to have the platypus reclassified as Threatened under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act in order to guarantee more protections for the iconic species.
But the federal Threatened Species Scientific Committee, which each year publishes a Proposed Priority Assessment List, rejected the call, stating that “there is no evidence to demonstrate declines across the species range or impacts on its national population”. But Mr Williams said the Near Threatened category was the right assessment. “If the platypus was relisted, obviously there are benefits that flow in terms of extra protection for the species. But being honest about it, I think the Near Threatened category is correct at this point in time.” Dog attacks, rubbish and illegal fishing nets remain the biggest threats to platypuses. Recent figures from Healesville Sanctuary’s wildlife hospital highlight just how real the threat is. Last year alone, six platypuses were brought in after dog attacks; heartbreakingly, four of them did not survive. But Melbourne Water’s community programs area lead Leesa Riley warned the impact extends well beyond these tragic attacks. “Platypuses are usually most active at dawn and dusk, coinciding with when many people are out and about taking their dog for a walk,” Ms Riley said. “We’re particularly concerned that repeated disturbances from dogs - whether they’re off-leash or not properly controlled - can disrupt crucial behaviours like feeding, resting and breeding.” Illegal fishing nets like the banned opera house net claimed the lives of four platypuses in the Upper Yarra last year. Mr Williams said unfortunately people were still using opera house nets. “In the Upper Yarra in particular, there’s been illegal usage over the last couple of years that has killed platypuses. So we again urge people to be aware of opera house traps and the options for nets you can use instead,” he said.
When you move to a Summerset village, you’re not just moving house - you’re joining a warm and vibrant community of likeminded people. Experience this first-hand at Summerset Chirnside Park’s Spring open day, Thursday 8 October from 10am to 2pm. Enjoy live music, free gelato, and take the opportunity to explore the stunning display homes. Plus, you’ll meet some of the residents already living in the village. Come and see what your life could be like at Summerset Chirnside Park and secure your preferred home today.* Love the life you choose.
Join us at our Spring open day Thursday 8 October, 10am to 2pm Summerset Chirnside Park 10 East Ridge Drive, Chirnside Park 03 8777 4242 | chirnsidepark.sales@summerset.com.au
*Homes are secured by purchase of the licence to occupy and are subject to availability and eligibility criteria. Rental options are not available. Images and facilities are indicative.
6 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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NEWS
$1.7M to feral deer control The Victorian government has allocated an additional $1.7 million to tackle the state’s expanding feral deer population, focusing on vulnerable habitats, farmlands, and outer-suburban communities. The new funding targets high-priority regions where invasive deer cause significant damage to native vegetation, agricultural land, and local ecosystems. Of the total package, $1 million is earmarked for Melbourne’s eastern fringe, including the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Yarra Ranges, Knox, and Cardinia, to prevent deer from encroaching on urban neighbourhoods and private land. A further $500,000 will go toward sambar and hog deer management at Wilsons Promontory, complementing an ongoing project to construct a pest-exclusion fence. Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes emphasised the practical focus of the expanded operations. “Deer damage forests, farms and native habitat – we’re stepping up control where they’re doing the most harm,” Ms Symes said. “Whether it’s controlling deer at Wilsons Prom, protecting the Dandenong Ranges or getting better data on where they are – we’re taking practical action to reduce their impact across the state.” The control measures will be managed by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, local councils, and private landholders, prioritising public safety alongside environmental recovery. Additionally, $200,000 has been granted to the Arthur Rylah Institute to update Victoria’s official deer population estimates to better direct future culling efforts. Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino highlighted the regional relief the funds aim to bring to affected communities. “This funding is a welcome recognition of the unique challenges we face in the hills and
A funding announcement of $1.7 million by the Victorian Government will target high-priority regions like the Yarra Ranges to control feral deer populations. (Supplied) will help tackle a problem that affects our environment, growers, road users and the broader community,” Ms De Martino said. While the Invasive Species Council welcomed the funding boost, the conservation group warned that a short-term financial injection is insufficient given the massive scale of the infestation across Victoria. “This new funding is a welcome investment,
but it needs to be the start of sustained action on Victoria’s growing feral deer problem - not just a plan for the election,” Invasive Species Council Advocacy Director Reece Pianta said. “But $1.7 million is still tiny compared with the scale of Victoria’s feral deer problem. Victoria needs a much bigger and longer-term commitment to bring deer numbers under control.” Under current Victorian regulations, land-
holders are permitted to manage pest deer on private property without prior authorisation, except for protected hog deer. However, the Invasive Species Council argues that regulatory hurdles and lack of long-term support continue to hinder effective regional management. “Communities and land managers have been calling for stronger action on feral deer for years. It’s good to see the Victorian government responding to those concerns,” Mr Pianta said. “Feral deer don’t disappear after election day. Victoria needs ongoing funding that gives communities and land managers certainty that control will continue year after year.” Mr Pianta urged the government to reinstate dedicated support roles and focus on prevention in areas where deer populations remain small. “The government should restore community deer coordinator roles to help land managers coordinate control and navigate the complexities created by Victoria continuing to protect feral deer as game,” he said. “We also need renewed investment in eradication in western Victoria, where deer numbers are still relatively low and eradication remains achievable. This is our chance to stop deer becoming the enormous problem in the west that they already are in eastern Victoria. Waiting until deer are widespread across western Victoria will make the problem far more difficult and expensive to deal with, while allowing more damage to native vegetation, waterways and wildlife habitat.” The $1.7 million package builds on $4.4 million in existing annual funding under the Victorian Deer Control Strategy. Conservation groups maintain that transforming this strategy into a permanent, statewide eradication program remains vital. “This announcement is a good step. Now we need to turn it into lasting action - ongoing investment, restored community coordinators, regulatory reform and eradication in western Victoria,” Mr Pianta said.
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Many of us are feeling under cost-of-living pressure, so what’s causing the inflation the RBA acknowledges is making Australians “furious”? Households have been dealing with years of higher prices. Consumer confidence is weak, house prices have fallen and the economy is slowing. Yet inflation remains stubbornly above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 2% to 3% target range. RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser acknowledged the frustration in a recent interview with the ABC’s 7.30 program. “People want inflation down. People are furious about inflation. I understand why. It’s unfair. It hits people on low incomes. It damages price signals. It makes the job of companies difficult. What they want us to do is our job and bring inflation down,” Hauser said. The latest ABS inflation figures show annual inflation rose to 4.0% in August from 3.5% in July. Trimmed mean inflation, which strips out some of the more volatile price movements to give a better sense of the underlying trend, remained at 3.6% for the third consecutive month. The first thing to understand is that inflation doesn’t measure how much we’re buying. It measures how much prices are changing. It also doesn’t tell you how high prices have already become. Imagine something that cost $100 rises to $110 one year and then $113 the next. The rate of inflation has slowed considerably, but you’re still paying $13 more than you were before. So where is the inflation actually coming from? The short answer is: from several places at once. Some of it is coming from prices Australians can’t easily avoid. Housing was the biggest
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contributor to inflation in August, rising 5.7% over the year. Some of the pressure is also coming from overseas. Higher oil, diesel, fertiliser and other costs linked to the Middle East conflict don’t always reach consumers immediately. Businesses can absorb those costs for a while before eventually putting up their own prices and passing them through to customers. Then there’s a more structural problem: how much the Australian economy can produce. The RBA’s August Statement on Monetary Policy says the economy is still operating with capacity constraints. In other words, demand for some workers, goods and services remains stronger than the economy can comfortably supply without pushing up prices. So inflation can keep running even while parts of the economy are clearly slowing. CommBank Household Spending Insights data showed spending among Australians aged 65 and over was 10.1% higher in June than a year earlier. Spending growth among 25 to 34year-olds was just 4.2%, while 35 to 44 and 45 to 54-year-olds recorded growth of 4.5%. “Household consumption patterns diverge by age. Shifts in interest rates, inflation and wealth affect age cohorts differently, which can lead to varying rates of spending growth,” CommBank Head of Australian Economics Belinda Allen said. One obvious reason is housing debt. “These groups are more likely to have a mortgage, making them more sensitive to higher interest rates,” Allen said of the younger and middleaged groups. Higher rates can’t build more houses, lift productivity overnight or bring down the global oil price. What they can do is cool demand.
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If everyone’s feeling the squeeze, where’s all this inflation coming from?
Australians cutting back and inflation remaining too high aren’t contradictory. The squeeze
What matters most now is whether those pressures fade as the economy slows, or whether
is landing very differently across households, and many of the prices still rising are for
inflation remains persistent enough for the RBA to decide that more rate rises are needed.
things people can’t easily avoid.
Find out more at CommBank Newsroom
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 7
Sharing safety advice today, protects your family legacy tomorrow.
Safety, it does more than keep you safe.
Scan for farm safety support.
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Passing down accurate safety advice today, protects your family legacy. To learn more about loading tractors safely visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/tractors
8 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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Health-led response adopted By Callum Ludwig New guidance for paramedics, police and mental health support personnel is set to prioritise a health-led approach when responding to mental health crises. Mental health minister Ingrid Stitt announced the new Mental Health Crisis Response Protocols on Monday 28 September. “When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, they deserve a response that puts their health and wellbeing first while keeping them and the community safe,” Ms Stitt said. “We’re making sure our paramedics, mental health workers and police are in step to deliver a health-led response that is patient centred.” The protocols affect how police, protective services officers (PSOs), mental health clinicians, paramedics and authorised health professionals respond to a mental health crisis, with the Victorian government announcing that the changes will ensure ‘better care is delivered faster and more effectively’ while also ‘freeing up police’. An Outer East paramedic, speaking anonymously, said they think it’s a very good thing that we are moving to a health-led response, especially if it means the police will be freed up. “We can’t section (take a patient for compulsory mental health treatment) someone in Victoria without police being present to do the paperwork, which is what we can do in New South Wales…you (the patient) have to be assessed by a mental health clinician and if you don’t come, then I have to call the police and take you there by force, ” they said. “For a lot of people, having the autonomy or having that option meant that they would just come into the ambulance voluntarily, still under a section, and come to hospital so it meant we weren’t using two services but it also meant that we were the ones making the decisions that whether someone could be sectioned or not. “I can’t tell you how many times we’ve taken a patient into hospital that police have sectioned that I disagree with, we don’t have much more training with them, we do one mental health subject in uni, but we have a lot more exposure to mental health patients than they do.” The state health department outlines that police transport should only be considered where a person cannot be safely transported by
any other means, while less restrictive alternatives to police transport could include an ambulance with an accompanying mental health practitioner or police member in the ambulance to support safe transport. The paramedic said they will still go in with police when necessary, but it should be better for patient autonomy and they are really excited for the change. “We probably get the most training and support in regard to safety within the workplace, we have the ability to walk away from a patient if there is any threat and we can refuse to attend a patient until police arrive, we’re very protected in the space,” they said. “We probably need a training day on how we implement the restructure but otherwise I think we have the capability. “I may be biased considering I do have experience doing it, I have spoken to paramedics who feel nervous about it.” The protocols were signed off on by the Department of Health, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police, however the relevant unions have publicly expressed disappointment at not being included in the discussions. The Health and Community Services Union, which represents mental health workers, issued a statement expressing their ‘emphatic’ support for a health-led response but disappointment at having been ‘left out of the conversation.’ The Victorian Ambulance Union secretary Danny Hill told the ABC he only heard more about the protocols through the media and expected that the ‘vast majority’ of cases would still be co-responses with police and paramedics, especially given the potential risk to paramedics. The VAU was contacted for comment. An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said Ambulance Victoria welcomes the work led by the Department of Health to provide clear guidance and reinforce the roles of emergency agencies responding to mental health crises in the community. “The protocols reinforce the importance of a health-led response to provide patients with the care they need, while still ensuring the support of other agencies depending on each patient’s particular needs,” they said. “The agreement puts patient care and welfare first and provides clarity to our paramedics and first responders attending mental health
Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt announced the new protocols on Monday 28 September. (File: 376468) calls, to ensure patients are supported in the least restrictive way that is safe and reasonably practicable. “Ambulance Victoria is developing further resources to support our paramedics and first responders, which will complement existing clinical practice guidelines and other procedures.” Ambulance Victoria teams respond to more than 65,000 calls per year either through an ambulance dispatch or telehealth support with a mental health clinician via the Triage Services
team. A Victoria Police spokesperson said Victoria Police recently signed a protocol which clarifies the role of police when responding to mental health crises. “This reinforces the preference for a healthled response wherever possible, with police involvement only to be requested as a last resort,” they said. “Victoria Police continues to be responsible for public safety, preserving the peace and responding to immediate risks. Police and protective services officers retain power to take a person into care and control during a mental health crisis to prevent imminent and serious harm to the person or others. “Health agencies will continue to be the primary response option where patients have absconded from mental health units or while subject to compulsory treatment orders with police providing support only in circumstances where police powers are necessary.” In 2025, Victoria Police responded to 59,014 total mental health related callouts. Mental Health Victoria (MHV) chief executive Phillipa Thomas said this is something that mental health services have been eager to have resolved because it matters a lot in terms of a person’s care, with MHV welcoming the agreement being reached. “These situations are really hard and often distressing – ambiguity amplifies that exponentially, so having this clarified is an important step forward,” she said. “When it comes to situations where you are limiting a person’s freedom any professional with a role in that process is going to feel really cautious about getting it right, so a lack of clarity in this space has been really hard for everyone. “The absence of the protocol has meant there has been an absence of that clarity… it has had an impact on the timeliness and quality of people’s care.” Ms Thomas highlighted delays in urgent treatment, distress for staff, families and carers, unhelpful tensions between frontline services and the gradual decline of the PACER (Police, Ambulance, Clinician, Early Response) as issues continuing to plague the response to mental health crises in Victoria, and the reason why MHV has called for an urgent reset of the mental health reform agenda.
Is one mental health ‘front door’ enough for the Yarra Ranges? By Gabriella Vukman The addition of a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Local site in Ringwood on Wednesday 16 September has raised questions over the reach and capacity of services available to people across the Yarra Ranges. Where Cardinia Shire has two Mental Health Local facilities in Pakenham and Cockatoo, the Yarra Ranges’ Lilydale Mental Health and Wellbeing Local services the entire shire. The Lilydale Mental Health and Wellbeing Local provides free mental health and wellbeing treatment, care and support without a GP referral or Medicare card. But with the Yarra Ranges being the largest metropolitan council area in Victoria, questions are now being raised about whether one main service is enough for the municipality where locals may have to drive upwards of 40 minutes to receive care. Yarra Ranges Council acting communities director Anne Blakeway said the Lilydale service had been a welcome addition, but that significant gaps remain, particularly for residents outside the urban area and for young people. Ms Blakeway said the current model, which is available to people aged 26 and over, should be expanded to include children and young people. “Given that current service is only available to those aged 26 and over, Council is calling for an expansion of the model to also support the mental health needs of children and young people in our region,” she said. “This critical life stage is marked by identity formation, mental health vulnerability and pivotal life choices and can alleviate experiences of mental ill health later in life. “Outreach to Upper Yarra and wider Yarra Valley areas is also a priority, as this area is extremely under-serviced and geographi-
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cally isolated for young people.” The issue is particularly relevant as Victoria continues its broader mental health reforms, which are intended to provide treatment and support closer to where people live. The Victorian Government’s Statewide Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and Capital Plan 2024–2037 includes modelling of future demand and says population needs, growth and changing demographics should inform mental health service planning. The Government says Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are designed to make it easier for people to access support without some of the traditional barriers associated with the mental health system. The 2021 Census recorded 15,974 Yarra Ranges residents reporting a long-term mental health condition, including depression or anxiety. This figure amounted to 10.3 per cent of the population, compared with 8.8 per cent across Victoria. The Government’s mental health reform framework says the redesigned system is intended to provide services locally and in the community, close to people’s families, carers, supporters and networks. Victorian Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt pointed to the Lilydale Local and its satellite and outreach arrangements. “Our Lilydale Mental Health and Wellbeing Local is making it easier for the Yarra Ranges community to access free treatment, care and support where they need it - no need for a GP referral or Medicare card, just care that’s close to home.” “The service is supporting people across the Yarra Ranges with satellite sites in Healesville, Warburton, Belgrave and Yarra Junction, with Yarra Glen also used as an
outreach base to make sure the region has the mental health support they need.” The Government’s description suggests the Lilydale service is not intended to mean every resident must travel to Lilydale for face-to-face support. However, figures showing how many residents use those satellite or outreach arrangements, how frequently they operate, or whether they are sufficient to meet demand in those communities have not been provided. The council said community feedback and its own research pointed to transport, distance, affordability and a shortage of services as ongoing barriers to accessing health and mental health care. According to a 2023 Human Services Needs Analysis, the main service gaps and challenges for young people relate to mental health issues, including eating disorders, and the lack of mental health services. Ms Blakeway said, “Service issues include waiting lists, affordability, counselling for vulnerable young people, and the impact of the Lilydale Youth Hub closure. “Public transport limitations outside of the urban area exacerbate service access issues for young people.” Eastern Health, which is a partner in delivering the Lilydale Local, said the service was part of a broader network of inpatient, community and crisis-response services. A spokesperson for the provider said “Eastern Health is committed to providing accessible, high-quality mental health and wellbeing services across the eastern metropolitan region, including the Yarra Ranges.” “Services are delivered through a range of inpatient, community, and crisis response services, as well as in partnership with community-based organisations to deliver the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals.”
Eastern Health said the establishment of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Lilydale and, more recently, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Local Maroondah, has expanded access to free, community-based mental health support and reflects the Victorian Government’s broader reform agenda of providing care closer to where people live. “These services complement existing community and acute mental health services operating across the region,” the spokesperson said. “Like many health services across Victoria, Eastern Health continues to experience strong demand for mental health services.” “Ongoing monitoring of demand, access, outcomes, consumer feedback and other measures assists in identifying opportunities for improvement and informs future planning.” The provider said it continues to work closely with the Victorian Department of Health, local communities, and partner organisations to understand current and future service needs across the eastern region. The spokesperson said, “This cooperation includes consideration of population growth, changing patterns of demand, accessibility, service utilisation and opportunities to strengthen partnerships and service integration.” Eastern Health did not provide figures on the number of Yarra Ranges residents using the Lilydale Local, waiting times, referrals or unmet demand in its response. The new Maroondah Mental Health and Wellbeing Local in Ringwood is operated by Wellways in partnership with Eastern Health, Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation and AccessHC.
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 9
Get Fire Ready and meet your brigade. Every fire season is different. Is your household prepared? Attend a Get Fire Ready event near you to prepare for the fire season ahead. Learn: • What the fire risk is in your area • How to prepare your home, property or farm • How to create a bushfire plan • Where to get emergency information
Find an event near you visit cfa.vic.gov.au/getfireready 12902040-CV41-26
10 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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Human cost of Silvan Dam By Shamsiya Hussainpoor As we say goodbye to a dry, cold winter and head into summer, let’s turn our attention to the city’s falling water storages and the history behind it - and one part of that history is the Silvan Dam, built between 1926 and 1932 following the state’s severe drought of 1914-15. Melbourne’s water storages are now at 75.1 per cent, down from 86 per cent at the same time last year, with storages holding about 239 billion litres less than they did a year ago. Nearly a century earlier, Silvan was selected for its role in Melbourne’s expanding water network. Construction ran from 1926 to 1932, with an aerial ropeway stretching about five-kilometres from Mt Evelyn railway station to the reservoir site, carrying sand and cement in buckets to the dam wall. For Mt Evelyn, the project brought a dramatic inrush of workers and their families. Research by the Mt Evelyn History Group described Mt Evelyn as growing from an area focused on woodcutting and small fruit farms into “a base for the Sylvan Dam labour force and a bush holiday destination for many”. Mt Evelyn History Group president, Paula Herlihy said the 1920s marked a lively period in the town’s history. “Many of the local businesses were sustained by the population influx from Silvan Dam workers and the weekend holiday makers,” she said. The influx also helped boost the local school population and changed the character of the town entirely. The workforce itself was diverse. A February 1930 feature in the Argus described an “astonishingly cosmopolitan population”, including Australians, English, Germans, Norwegians, Swedes, Finns, Italians and Yugoslavs. Most workers received free accommodation in huts, at night, workers played cards, wrote letters home, played accordions and strummed banjos. But the work was dangerous, according to The Eastern Melbournian, at least seven workers died during construction. In September 1927, 20-year-old Italian migrant Angelo Condello was thrown from a pony into a tree and suffered fatal skull and neck injuries. A year later, 40-year-old Luigi Longo died after an earth collapse, while 28-year-old Salvatore Migliorino was killed by falling timber six months later. In April 1929, 70-year-old Henry Glen died in a tunnel collapse about 86 feet below the surface. Then, in June 1930, three men died in what became known as the “Silvan tunnel tragedy”. Walter Crosby, 35, Patrick Walsh, 33, and Frederick Scales, 40, were reported to have been
Silvan Dam, pictured today. (On file) trapped by an “almost impenetrable wall of sodden clay”. Two others escaped. For Ms Herlihy, the deaths have been overshadowed by the importance of the dam itself. “Without a doubt, you can almost not find any information about these people,” she said. “As far as I know, there’s no memorial to them, and their names aren’t mentioned. You might expect some acknowledgement that we remember them with sadness, but you don’t see that in the records. So, I’m assuming it wasn’t considered important enough.” Historical researchers Karen Leadbeater Phillips and Dr Janice Newton said much remains unknown about the men who came to work on the dam, including what motivated them to migrate. Ms Leadbeater Phillips said the Silvan State School history recorded that many workers found jobs on farms after the dam was completed and later bought land of their own - suggesting that Australia became a land of opportunity for some, although whether they had that motivation before migrating was difficult to establish. For Mt Evelyn, however, their arrival left a last-
ing mark. Workers and holidaymakers brought new people into the town, businesses benefited from the influx and the school population grew. Ms Herlihy said their group’s research also records women buying holiday land and becoming involved in local organisations like the CFA, guides, and scouts. She said the legacy of the Silvan Dam “cannot” be separated from the people who built it. “I don’t think I can balance a building with a life because each life has so many people around it, and the influences not just them, but the children and grandchildren,” Ms Herlihy said. “And when they’re told their grandfather died in X and Y, you can’t help. And many boys, I think, suffer if they don’t have a male role model.” According to Melbourne Water, inflows to Melbourne’s storages from July 2024 to June 2025 were 36 per cent below the 30-year average, including the lowest January-to-June inflows on record. Hotter and drier weather also pushed daily household use to 169 litres per person, up from
163 litres the previous year, while almost 38,000 new households joined the city’s water network. Despite the decline, water restrictions are not planned for this summer, with a 50-billion-litre desalinated water order supplementing supplies and slowing the fall in storages. Melbourne’s Annual Water Outlook is prepared jointly by Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water, in partnership with the State Government. Today, Melbourne’s water system is again under pressure. According to Melbourne Water, the western region is facing increased pressure from population growth and dry conditions and Melbournians are being urged to follow Victoria’s permanent water saving rules and reduce household consumption, with a target of no more than 150 litres per person per day. That includes keeping showers to four minutes, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, running full loads in washing machines, choosing drought-tolerant native plants and mulching gardens.
Join a council advisory committee Yarra Ranges Council is encouraging residents with diverse lived experience to join one of four advisory committees currently seeking members. Expressions of Interest are now open for the council’s Disability Advisory Committee, Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee, Positive Ageing Advisory Committee and Sustainable Environment Advisory Committee, with places available for between two and four years. Yarra Ranges Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward reinforced the important role its advisory committees play and the value the council places on hearing the perspectives of people with different lived experiences. “Joining an advisory committee gives you the opportunity to provide feedback on a range of Council plans, programs and policies before they’re released to the public. It’s an important and valuable part of our process, and helps to shape the work we do for
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The Yarra Ranges Disability Advisory Committee. (Supplied) the community,” Cr Ward said. “We have countless projects that have benefitted from advice from our DAC and other committees, from our drinking fountains through to the road crossings on the Warburton Trail. “For example, we received feedback from a Disability Advisory Committee member that the chicane road barriers on the Warburton Trail were too narrow for someone using a hand-cycle, making it inaccessible for many people with disabilities. As a result, we
redesigned every road crossing on the trail to ensure people of all abilities could navigate the entire 40km stretch. “This is a great, and rare, opportunity to get involved. All you need is time to participate in the meetings, your own unique views, and a willingness to provide us with honest feedback based on your own lived experience.” Applying is easy, and while the council can’t guarantee a place for every applicant, it’s a great opportu-
nity to flag that you’re interested in getting involved. “There may be a place on another committee that’s also relevant to your situation, and we may also be able to connect you with interesting volunteering opportunities.” Committees meet regularly, for up to two hours. Meeting frequency and lengths vary for each committee and can be found on the Shaping Yarra Ranges page. Expressions of interest close 28 October.
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 11
HEALTH & WELLNESS 12882428-AD28-26
Top approach to better health Weight gain isn’t simply about eating too much or moving too little. Genetics, age, sleep, medications, menopause, medical conditions and mental health can all play a role. A personalised, medically supervised approach can help identify what’s affecting your weight and provide practical support that is tailored to your health, goals and circumstances. At Lilydale Doctors and Mount Evelyn Doctors, our Weight Management Clinic helps you understand the factors contributing to weight gain and develop a realistic plan for sustainable progress — not a one-size-fits-all program. GP and director Dr Binay Kumar said weight management is about more than the number on the scale. “It’s about understanding what’s driving your weight and giving you the right support for sustainable change — including how weight and metabolic health affect your heart, so risks are identified and managed early,” he said. Weight Management: Assessment may include a review of your medical history, medications, eating patterns, activity, sleep, mental health and previous weight-loss attempts. We may also check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, waist measurement and body composition. These checks can identify health risks associated with excess weight, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and increased cardiovascular risk. Where appropriate, your doctor will discuss nutrition, activity, behavioural support and medical treatment options inc injectables. Ongoing reviews allow your plan to adapt as your health, circumstances and goals change — helping you stay supported and make progress over time. Weight and Your Heart: Weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and
Dr Anuj Bohra, Donna, Alannah, Vanessa, Nurse Kirsten, Dr Sadia Chowdhury, Kate, Dr Tina Zhong and Dr Binay Kumar. (Stewart Chambers: 574362) blood sugar are closely linked to heart health. Carrying excess weight — particularly around the waist — can increase the risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol and heart disease. A Heart Health Check is recommended if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholester-
ol, smoking, excess weight or a family history of heart disease. It doesn’t diagnose blocked arteries directly — it estimates your overall cardiovascular risk and helps guide the next step, whether that involves lifestyle changes, medication or further testing. Having an assessment can help you under-
stand your current risk and identify opportunities to protect your health before problems become more serious. Our clinics offer cardiovascular risk assessment, ECGs and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, with echocardiograms, Holter monitoring and visiting cardiologist review available where clinically indicated.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS 12882428-AD28-26
All female dental clinic Valley Dental Family Clinic is an all female clinic based in Lilydale. The clinic is owned by Dr Rupali Prabhu and Dr Sonali Prabhu. Rupali graduated from dental school in 1999. She has worked in private and public community clinics both in, and around Melbourne. She has also lived out of the city, spending a period of time in Benalla in rural Victoria. Rupali is passionate about providing high quality dental care and takes pleasure in sharing a story and a laugh with her patients. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry and always strives to provide dental treatment in a relaxing and comfortable environment. Rupali believes her practice and approach to dentistry creates an experience that will change your notion of what a trip to the dentist is. Outside of work she loves to spend time with family and her young children, sharing her passion for reading and travelling with them at every opportunity. Sonali graduated from dental school in 2003. She has worked as a dentist in both community and private practices. She has also worked various roles within the dental industry. Sonali believes that your mouth is the gateway to better wellbeing, and that a great healthy smile will leave a great lasting impression on people. Sonali loves interacting with patients and ensuring they are comfortable and at-ease. She enjoys all aspects of dentistry. She particularly loves working with older clients. In her spare time, she loves cooking delicious Indian dishes and enjoying time with her family and friends.
Come see the team at Valley Dental. (Supplied) The third dentist joined the Valley Dental team two years ago and has been an integral part of the team ever since. With over 10 years of experience, Merhaz believes that world-class dentistry should be delivered to each and every patient. Mehraz has a keen interest in aesthetic dentistry and is studying a certificate of Cosmetic Dentistry to introduce lip and cheek fillers to the clinic for Valley Dental patients. Rupali said being an all-female team, patients were treated with care and compas-
sion. “Staff are very approachable and compassionate making everyone feel at ease coming to the dentist,“ she said. The clinic offers a wide range of dental services, including general dentistry, fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers. Take advantage of current specials, including a check up, clean and three X-rays for just $227 and in-chair whitening $500. For an appointment phone 9737 6453
Get the best care and treatment at Valley Dental. (Stewart Chambers: 471210)
Now has an Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor
Menopause Health Assessments Mens & Womens Health
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Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 13
Builders must now purchase new Home Warranty Insurance for eligible projects, giving homeowners greater protection to resolve issues. It’s one of the ways the Building and Plumbing Commission is helping to give Victorian homeowners peace of mind when building or renovating their home. Learn more at vic.gov.au/openingdoors
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Retirement living with heart Where the Yarra Valley meets the Dandenong Ranges, Lilydale Valley Views offers more than a place to live, it’s a vibrant community where retirement is enjoyed to the fullest. For over 15 years, the village has grown into a welcoming environment where residents feel at home. With 139 residences, including semi attached two and three bedroom units and cosy terraces, there is a style to suit every preference. Whether it’s sweeping valley views or the ease of low maintenance living, each home is designed for comfort and connection. Lifestyle is at the heart of Lilydale Valley Views. A heated indoor pool and spa provide year round relaxation, while Tai Chi, dancercise, and other group activities keep minds and bodies active. A strong sense of community sets the village apart. The resident social committee organises a calendar filled with outings, celebrations, and casual get togethers, ensuring there are always opportunities to connect. Friendships form quickly and newcomers are warmly welcomed, making it easy to feel part of the community from day one. The location adds to the appeal. Doctors, supermarkets, and the train station are all within walking distance, while the nearby Warburton Trail offers scenic walks and bike rides. On site, a thriving veggie and flower garden brings people together in the simple pleasure of growing and sharing. It is this blend of convenience, activity, and companionship that makes Lilydale Valley Views such a special place. Here, retirement is not about slowing down, but about enjoying life surrounded by people who value the same. We invite you to experience it for yourself. Discover the comfort of terrace living, the
beauty of the views, and the warmth of a truly connected community. For more information, visit us at 471 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale, email manager@ lilydalevalleyviews.com.au, or call 03 9735 5944 to speak with our manager, Rosemary Seymour. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
Lilydale Valley Views has built a strong sense of community over 15 years. (Supplied) Come see if Lilydale Valley Views is the place for you or your loved ones. (Supplied)
A better retirement lifestyle 9735 5944
Be part of a vibrant Community and enjoy the Facilities Monthly calendar of events 24 Hour Emergency Assistance Fully equipped gym Heated indoor pool
Hairdresser, Massage & Podiatry services 4-rink Bowling Green Entertainment Lounge Library and Computer Room
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Close to all amenities - health professionals, Supermarkets, public transport Village volunteers can assists you around the house
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Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 15
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John and the Tudor Buggy. (Supplied)
Heartbeat of Tudor Village Tudor Village is much more than a collection of homes. It is a genuine community, built on friendships, shared experiences and people looking out for one another. What makes this community truly special is not the distinctive Tudor-style buildings, gardens or facilities, but the willingness of residents to contribute their time, skills and energy for the benefit of others. One of the most remarkable aspects of Tudor Village life is the spirit of volunteering that exists behind the scenes. Every day, residents step forward to support activities, organise events, maintain services and create opportunities that enrich the lives of their neighbours. This willingness to give back transforms an ordinary neighbourhood into a vibrant and caring community. The Tudor Village Residents’ Association plays an important role in this process. Residents take responsibility for managing activities, organising social events and making decisions about projects that benefit everyone. This creates a sense of ownership and pride, and collaboration with the Village owners. Whether it is planning happy hours, supporting the Men’s Shed, coordinating social activities or overseeing resident initiatives such as the Tudor Buggy Service, Community members ensure that village life remains active and engaging. “Sponsorship programs and community partnerships can generate valuable resources that help fund events, improve facilities and support village projects,” according to resident Russ. New gardens, kitchen upgrades, activity programs and community services often become possible because dedicated residents are willing to invest time building relationships with local businesses and organisations. These partnerships also create benefits for residents through discounts, services and connections with local providers, strengthening the relationship between the village and the wider community. At the Men’s Shed, under President Paul, residents offer practical assistance with small repairs, maintenance jobs and everyday tasks that can become difficult as people age. 16 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
The resident-driven, locally sponsored Tudor Buggy service transports anyone needing a lift around the village for free. Likewise, community-led initiatives such as a medical aid library run by Fran ensures that items such as walkers, crutches and shower chairs can be borrowed when needed. Additionally, Happy Hour on a Friday afternoon gives everyone an opportunity to meet in the Community Centre, to share a laugh, a drink and a story or two. At Tudor Village, retirement is not a withdrawal from community life but an opportunity to participate in new and meaningful ways. Ultimately, the strength of any village lies in its people. Buildings can provide shelter and facilities can create convenience, but it is community spirit that creates belonging. When Tudor Village residents support one another and work together toward common goals, they create a place where people do not simply live, they truly flourish. The Men’s Shed Committee meeting. (Supplied)
The centre is the perfect place to meet and mingle with fellow residents. (Supplied)
Fran and the Medical Aid Library. (Supplied)
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Spring Opportunities Now Open Spring Into Your New Chapter Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start, and Tudor Village is where it begins. Stay active, stay connected, and live the life you deserve in a community built for independence and wellbeing. Take a dip in the indoor pool, work out in the gym, or join a game on the bowling green — with a calendar full of activities, there’s always something to look forward to. Make new friends easily in a neighbourhood with real community spirit, where support is always close by. Limited opportunities available this spring — make your move to a lifestyle you’ll love.
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247 GROSVENOR WALK, LILYDALE $930,000
302 LUDLOW CRESCENT, LILYDALE $930,000
Spacious and Beautifully Appointed
Space, Style, Yarra Valley Views
Spacious and beautifully appointed, you’ll love the two generous bedrooms plus separate study, ideal for working from home. The home offers a formal lounge, separate dining area, and light-filled meals space for easy everyday living and entertaining. The master suite features walk-through robes and a stylish ensuite with stone benchtops. A powder room, large laundry with storage, single garage, and ducted heating and cooling add convenience, while the pergola, courtyard, and established garden beds are perfect for relaxing outdoors.
You’ll love this beautifully presented home, offering generous proportions and quality finishes. Featuring three spacious bedrooms, the master includes a walk-in robe and private ensuite, while the light-filled open-plan living and dining flows from the well-appointed kitchen. A central bathroom/laundry and oversized single garage with storage add convenience. Enjoy the expansive balcony with Yarra Valley views, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, delivering comfort and lowmaintenance living, with no Stamp Duty payable.
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TO DISCOVER TUDOR VILLAGE, CALL NARELLE KING ON 0417 001 577 TO ARRANGE A VILLAGE TOUR. 520 Maroondah Hwy, Lilydale | www.tudorvillage.com.au When purchasing a property within our retirement village, the buyer must also enter into a separate contract with our retirement village.
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Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 17
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A living room to be shared Hamlet is building the clubhouse alongside its first homes, so there’s a sundowner on the terrace awaiting every new homeowner. When co-founders Cecelia Hund and James Kelly first started sketching out Hamlet Lilydale, they kept coming back to the same thought: a community is so much more than the house you live in. It’s the neighbour you wave to on a morning walk, the friend who drops by with lemons from their tree, the place to go for company, and the place to come back to for solitude. At Hamlet, community is as important to the idea of home as the houses are. And that means the Lodge. Olinda Lodge is the clubhouse at the heart of Hamlet Lilydale, a boutique over 50s community at 375 Swansea Road. The founders have never thought of it as a showpiece for sales, but as an extended living room for their homeowners. Why it’s called Olinda Lodge The name comes from Olinda Creek, which the Lodge overlooks. And “lodge” because that’s exactly how the team hopes it feels - like a ski lodge homeowners can pop in and out of all day long. Cecelia and James picture a morning coffee at the kitchen bar, the paper spread out on the bench. A Pilates class, or a workout in the cardio room. A seat in a tucked-away corner of the lounge to get some work done or get lost in a book. Then, as the afternoon wears on, friends drifting in to catch up over a glass of Giant Steps Pinot Noir. No one ever needs a reason to be there. Made for Lilydale Working closely with their architects and interior designers, the founders chose every amenity in the Lodge and the community around it with the people of the Yarra Ranges in mind. They didn’t want a checklist of features that could be found anywhere in Victoria, that look great in a brochure but never get used. They wanted a place that belongs here, made for the people who call this part of the world home. That’s why there’s a pickleball court, not a lawn bowls green - Hamlet would much rather see its homeowners bowling at Lilydale Bowls Club just up the road. It’s why there are Hamlet e-bikes for the lake trails, and a nature play space for when the grandkids visit, not a golf simulator. And it’s why there’s a chicken coop, vegetable gardens and a dog run, not a cinema. The thinking is simple: create a neighbourhood where people who already love this part of the world feel instantly at home. Built alongside the first homes Too often, the clubhouse comes last. People move in, and the heart of the place is still a fenced-off promise months down the track. Hamlet didn’t want that for its homeowners. Olinda Lodge is being built at the same time as the first homes. The people who move in first - the pioneers, as the Hamlet team has come to know them - will be able to enjoy it first. They’re the ones who’ll set the tone for everyone who follows, and they deserve somewhere to gather from the beginning. Warming by the fire If there’s one thing the team is most excited about, it’s the fireplace. It’s the real heart of the Lodge. On a cool Yarra Valley evening, it’s easy to picture people pulling their chairs a little closer, warming their hands and letting the conversation run over 18 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
Residents are ready to enjoy Olinda Lodge at Hamlet Lilydale (Supplied)
Hamlet’s sauna and spa will be the perfect way to end your day. (Supplied) See inside Olinda Lodge, the Hamlet Lilydale Clubhouse. (Supplied) dinner. Long summer days When the weather warms up, life spills out onto the terrace. There’s a BBQ and a firepit, and plenty of room for the long lunches, sunset drinks and birthday gatherings that make summer feel like summer. Homeowners can bring the kids, the grandkids and their oldest friends. It’s their place to host, just as they would at home. Evenings to unwind And at the end of the day, there’s the sauna and spa, tucked into a secluded walled
garden. It’s a small indulgence just a few steps from home, and Cecelia suspects it’ll become a ritual for many. Surrounded by gardens The Lodge sits within beautiful gardens that flow out into the wider community, where more than 65 per cent of the site is kept as open, green space, including a 2 hectare creekside habitat. There’s a shared vegetable garden and a chicken coop for anyone who’d like to get their hands dirty, or simply enjoy what’s growing. And Bellbird Park and Lillydale Lake are right next door. Shaping a community, together
Hamlet isn’t just delivering homes, it’s shaping a community - alongside the people who choose to live here. “We’re excited about our new home, but it’s the Lodge we can’t stop talking about,” said Paul and Kaye, who will be among the first to move in. “We can picture Sunday afternoons by the fire and the family visiting us on the terrace in summer. Plus great neighbours to share it with - what could be better?” That’s exactly what the founders hoped for. Olinda Lodge belongs to the people who live here, and the Hamlet team can’t wait to see them make it their own.
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Live among friends, not a crowd A boutique over 50s community in Lilydale. Just 10 homes left at Pioneer pricing, from $845,000.
We chose the name Hamlet because it reflects something special: a small, close-knit community where neighbours become friends. With just 50 homes, Hamlet Lilydale offers a genuine sense of belonging. Olinda Lodge, our thoughtfully designed clubhouse, is the heart of our community. A welcoming place to meet friends over coffee, enjoy a workout, or simply unwind with a good book. It’s a space you’ll naturally return to, day after day.
Book your personal consultation today with Marion. Visit hamletliving.com.au or call 0482 672 325.
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Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 19
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NEWS
1st Casey Scout Group and 1st Narre Warren North Scout Group after the mud run (Stewart Chambers: 581623)
Manny from Warrandyte Scout Group on the rock climbing wall. (Stewart Chambers: 581623)
Members of Carrum Downs and Ballam Park Scout Group with Emerald as a dragon. (Stewart Chambers: 581623)
Emmett (First Aid) and Brittany (Well-being Team) (Stewart Chambers: 581623)
Nate and Will having fun with the bubbles at The Bubble and Well-Being Station. (Stewart Chambers: 581623)
Scouts gather in Gembrook By Claudia Mather Imagine the biggest campsite you’ve ever seen and multiply it by 10; that is what Cuboree at Gilwell Park in Gembrook looked like this past week. From Monday 28 September to Friday 2 October, over 3000 Cub Scouts, aged eight to 11, packed their bags and jumped on a bus to spend five days and four nights at Scouts Australia’s biggest campsite. This year marks the 12th Victorian Cuboree, held every three years, welcoming young people since 1926. Volunteers planned and ran the Cuboree entirely. This included 1,446 adult leaders and 243 older youth members aged 15 to 25 from the Venturer and Rover sections. Most of the volunteers dedicated their time by using annual leave from work to care for the Cubs. Rover and Bubble Team member Brittany joined Scouts as an adult and is grateful for the opportunities and endless support the experience has given her. She has enjoyed passing the same on to the younger Cubs.
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“Being able to be a part of making sure the kids get that same experience is a really nice way to give back,” she said. The Bubble, where Brittany was stationed, was set up on site at Cuboree as a short-term wellbeing space for Cub Scouts to visit when they were feeling overwhelmed and needed a break from activities. “It’s been fantastic from the moment I got here on Sunday for set up; we’ve just been having a really fun time,” she smiled. “It’s a big adventure for the Cubs; they get to have a taste of being out in the world and having a go at things, learning something new.” Brittany’s experience as part of the Bubble Team meant she was able to support Cubs when they needed it most. For many of the thousands of Cubs attending Cuboree, this is the longest time they’ve spent away from their homes. “Just to be able to get those kids to a point where they feel like they’ve got it in themselves to make it through is massive,” Brittany said. From Tuesday to Thursday at Cuboree, the kids rotated through numerous activity bases, completing two each day.
Each base catered to 500 to 600 Cubs at a time. Activities ranged from obstacle courses to survival cooking and stagecraft skills, and the Cuboree-famous mud run. The consensus across the large number of Cubs was that the mud run was a highlight. “The mud run was pretty fun,” Sharna from 1st Narre Warrn North Scout group said, covered head to toe in mud. “I’m still drenched,” she laughed. “Where we are, the kids walk past us on the way back from the mud run,” Brittany explained from the Bubble site. “Seeing them walk back to their camp, covered in mud with the biggest smile on their faces, is really fun.” At Cuboree, campsites were divided into each Scout Group. Each unit became a small village of its own with up to 36 Cubs in six different patrols. Colourful, imaginative arch gateways welcomed Cubs to their temporary home bases, adding a touch of magic to each unit. These campsites are where the Cubs slept, ate, and spent time together when they weren’t
participating in Cuboree activities. Each night, after the sun went down, the fun continued with a different show, including comedy and live music performances from an array of local artists. Wednesday night was the Cubs Got Talent show where Cubs with a hidden talent could step on stage and perform. “Some of it was pretty funny,” Sharna said. Cubs could choose to perform through singing, dancing, magic, comedy, and storytelling. The sheer scale of Cuboree meant every tiny detail had to be planned for the week to be a success, and volunteers spent the last two years planning and coordinating Cuboree. Across the five days, up to 70,000 meals were served, and the campers celebrated 68 birthdays. From two years of meticulous planning to smiling muddy faces, the success of Cuboree stands as a testament to the dedication of its volunteers and everyone involved. The thousands of young Cubs returned home in need of a warm shower and an abundance of newly learnt life lessons, skills, and friendships that will be carried for life.
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NEWS
Candidate withdraws By Callum Ludwig One Nation’s Eastern Victoria candidate Greg Hansford has left the running for Victoria’s upper house. The retired school teacher and small business owner from the Latrobe Valley has pulled out of being top of One Nation’s ticket in the region due to a serious health concern. A One Nation spokesperson said it is with great sadness that One Nation Victoria announces the withdrawal of Greg Hansford from the state election contest. “Greg has a serious health matter that requires ongoing treatment,” they said. “One Nation’s primary priority is Greg’s health and wellbeing, and we ask that you respect his privacy at this time. “We continue to support Greg and his family in any way we can and are deeply saddened by this news.” Neil Davison is also listed as a One Nation candidate for Eastern Victoria. One Nation did not clarify if he will assume the top spot on their ticket for Eastern Victoria. The One Nation spokesperson said Greg has always fought for Gippsland and the Latrobe Valley, and his work for the betterment of the region is unrivalled. “We have big shoes to fill, and we ask everyone to remain patient and respectful as we select a candidate for our first position in Eastern Victoria in the Legislative Council,” they said. “As Greg wishes, we remain focused on the election at hand. “For the sake of Greg and his family, we will not be taking any questions on this matter.” In a profile article for the Star Mail in August, Mr Hansford identified supporting local industries in the region, boosting apprenticeship training, restoring police numbers and locations, the state debt and fulfilling promises like an upgrade for the Warragul hospital as key priorities. One Nation has been contacted for a profile article on Mr Davison or whoever assumes the top seat on the Eastern Victoria once it is announced.
One Nation’s Greg Hansford has withdrawn from the Eastern Victoria race due to a serious health concern. (File)
Welch returns as Liberals’ North-Eastern Metropolitan candidate By Callum Ludwig Re-election in the North-Eastern Metropolitan region is the goal for the Liberal Party’s Richard Welch at this year’s election. Mr Welch ran unsuccessfully for the state seat of Yan Yean and federal seats of McEwen and Jagajaga before replacing the resigning Matthew Bach in state parliament in 2024. Mr Welch said he lives in the northern part of the electorate, his kids attend school in the area and he’s been a member of various sports clubs. “Over the last six years have built up a really strong connection across the community, the RSLs, the sports clubs, a lot of the community houses and groups like that,” he said. “But interestingly for me, and my office is further into the middle of the electorate in Blackburn, so I’ve now had the pleasure over the last three years of really getting to know this half of the electorate better as well.” Prior to election, Mr Welch worked in financial services before becoming the founding chief executive of a sports technology business which created AI motion tracking technology for cricket. Mr Welch said the key issues are things that every part of the electorate and the rest of the state have in common. “That’s people’s concern about cost of living, people’s concern about the state of roads and people’s concern about emergency services, particularly ambulance, um, and police are going to be there when they’re needed in time and whether they’re resourced properly,” he said. “The concern about crime is real across the whole electorate, we’ve had police stations closed or had their hours reduced, across the electorate, and we’ve had PSOs taken off a number of our train stations as well. “The statistics show that where those PSOs left train stations, crime around the station spiked almost immediately… the sense that it’s not entirely safe sending your kid to a shopping mall or heading out, that really does permeate the whole of the electorate.” Mr Welch also currently holds shadow ministership for industry, manufacturing and innovation and AI and the digital economy. 22 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
Richard Welch, Liberal for North-Eastern Metropolitan region. (Supplied) He said the thing that really worries him for the state and for the next generation is that Victoria has become a deeply uncompetitive state in terms of business and investment. “We’re ranked at the last bottom quartile or the last across just about every metric of wheth-
er it’s taxes, regulation, planning delays, costs of doing business,” he said. “That’s a really poor state because Victoria is not Western Australia, Western Australia gets to dig its wealth out of the ground, in Victoria, our state’s wealth and everything we enjoy from it
comes from what we make, what we can export and what we can produce so if we’re not competitive, that is a very bad sign for the future. “At the moment, we’re taxing our businesses into uncompetitiveness because they’ve got to pay higher land tax and payroll tax than anywhere else in the country… you need to have an inviting environment that will invite investment, you need to have a competitive tax structure that will allow businesses to grow and invest back in themselves and we need to encourage the adoption of new technologies so that the state as a whole remains competitive.” For the North-Eastern Metropolitan region specifically, managing the densification of the area is a priority for Mr Welch. Mr Welch said at the end of the day, when getting new housing, you have to marry that with good urban design. “Our electorate, particularly if you’re looking around Box Hill and Glen Waverley, a lot of densification is planned for that area, so their populations are more or less due to double over the next fifteen years or so and there hasn’t been any matching plan to add to the social infrastructure of the area, no more schools, no more parking, no more doctors, none of the things that would actually maintain the quality of life in a more dense community,” he said. “The best example of that is the lack of new open space, one of the really important, uh, issues for us is that there’s an area called the Box Hill Brickworks, which is a landfill site and it’s currently an open grass area, but it’s all fenced off because the Labor government want to build ten and twenty-story towers on this last piece of really significant open space in Box Hill. “We think it should be more like every other piece of landfill in Melbourne that generally gets turned into a park… we support the idea that we need to provide housing and we can accept further densification, but it’s gotta be matched with social infrastructure and open space that maintains quality of living.” Mr Welch’s office can be reached at (03) 9878 4113, richard.welch@parliament.vic.gov.au, on Facebook as ‘RichardWelchMP’ or Instagram ‘richardwelchmlc’ and his office is located at 1-10/12 Blackburn Road, Blackburn.
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NEWS
Official grass pollen season runs from 1 October to 31 December. (Shutterstock)
Health authorities and medical experts are urging Victorians to prepare for a potentially severe grass pollen season, as the state marks a decade since the world’s most catastrophic epidemic thunderstorm asthma event. The warning comes as Victoria enters its official grass pollen season, which runs from 1 October to 31 December. Experts warn that a combination of record-breaking weather patterns and high grass growth could create a challenging spring for millions of allergy sufferers across south-eastern Australia. The year 2026 marks 10 years since 21 November 2016, when a catastrophic thunderstorm asthma event struck Melbourne. The disaster caused severe breathing difficulties for thousands of people and tragically claimed the lives of 10 Victorians. Epidemic thunderstorm asthma occurs when high levels of grass pollen combine with specific storm conditions. Moisture and rain cause pollen grains to burst into tiny, microscopic particles. Strong wind gusts then carry these fine particles deep into the lungs, triggering sudden and severe asthma attacks, even in people with no prior asthma diagnosis. Experts are warning that environmental conditions this year closely resemble those preceding the 2016 tragedy. Dr Edwin Lampugnani, AirHealth chief executive and operator of the Melbourne Pollen service, noted that Victoria experienced its wettest winter since 2016 alongside its warmest winter on record. Stronger green growth and high soil moisture across major pasture districts point to a significantly more active pollen season than last year, particularly across western and central Victoria, as well as parts of southern New South Wales. Dr Hao Wang, a Research Fellow at RMIT University, explained that Melbourne’s status as the world’s hay fever capital is driven by a “perfect storm” of tree and grass pollen,
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prevailing winds, and unpredictable spring weather. “This year’s warm, wet winter has encouraged grass growth and could mean more pollen days when those grasses flower,” Dr Wang said. To protect the community, the Victorian Government continues to deploy its Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma Risk Forecast System. Utilising seven advanced pollen counters spread across the state, the system provides faster, more accurate data. Daily three-day risk forecasts (rated low, moderate, or high) across Victoria’s nine weather districts are accessible via the VicEmergency website and app. “Our high-tech pollen counters give Victoria a nation-leading tool to keep Victorians healthy and safe,” Health Minister Ingrid Stitt said. Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay emphasised that thunderstorm asthma can be life-threatening. She advised those at risk to stay indoors during storms, close windows, and avoid outdoor exposure when gusty winds arrive. The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) has also highlighted recent updates to national asthma management guidelines. NAC spokesperson Professor Peter Wark urged adults and adolescents with asthma to ensure they are on an anti-inflammatory inhaled regimen rather than relying solely on blue reliever puffers. “Relying only on a blue puffer, or needing it often, means you are at risk of severe asthma attacks, emergency department visits and hospital stays,” Professor Wark cautioned, urging everyone with asthma or hay fever to consult their GP and update their written asthma action plan. For daily pollen levels and thunderstorm asthma forecasts, visit emergency.vic.gov.au or melbournepollen.com.au.
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OPINION
Real plan for state In just 50 days’ time, Victorians can change the direction of our state and vote for a Fresh Start. Real change needs a plan and a strong team that can deliver. Together with leader Jess Wilson, our Liberal Team has a plan to deliver for Victorians – to reduce crime, lower costs, and deliver a government that works. After 12 years in power, the Andrews-AllanCarroll Labor Government has left Victoria in a worse condition than they found it, and Victorians are paying the price. Crime is at record highs, with a crime committed every 50 seconds. Victoria is the country’s car theft capital with a car stolen or broken into every 43 minutes. Retail crime in the Yarra Ranges increased a staggering 33 per cent. Violent youth criminals exploit Labor’s revolving-door bail system, repeatedly reoffending, terrorising innocent people on the streets and in homes. Our Liberal plan will reduce crime by recruiting 3000 more police, returning PSOs to train stations, re-opening police stations closed by Labor including Mooroolbark Police Station, implementing Break Bail Face Jail with a one-strike rule
Digger review
State of
Affairs Bridget Vallence Evelyn MP
for Bail, and proper Adult Crime Adult Time laws including carjacking and arson, to break the cycle of crime so communities can thrive once again. Victoria’s economy has deteriorated and unemployment is rising; youth unemployment is now 12 per cent. Debt is soaring to $200 billion leaving taxpayers paying $32 million a day in interest. In a cost-of-living crisis, Labor has added 71 new or increased taxes, with Victorians paying the highest taxes in the country. $15 billion lost to corruption and bikie gangs on Labor’s Big Build means less for the essentials. Our Liberal plan will repair Victoria’s bud-
get ensuring a stronger economy that prioritises frontline essential services, drives investment and jobs, and lowers taxes to provide cost-ofliving relief. We’ll scrap the Emergency Services Tax and lower payroll and land tax saving money for hundreds of thousands of Victorians. We’ll help first home buyers by scrapping stamp duty on homes valued up to $1 million. Victoria’s road network is crumbling with the Auditor-General rating nearly half the state’s roads in poor condition. Potholes are costing Victorians thousands with blown tyres and cracked rims, putting safety at risk. Our Liberal plan will fix degraded roads by investing $5 billion to eliminate potholes and reestablish preventative maintenance. Additionally, only our Liberal Team will finally fix the dangerous Maroondah Highway and Killara Road Coldstream intersection making it safer for motorists and pedestrians. Fixing Victoria will not be easy, but our Liberal Team is ready to make the disciplined decisions, restore confidence, and deliver the fresh start Victoria needs. For more visit OurPlan.au.
CARTOON
Digger Starring Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed and John Goodman MA15+ 3.75/5 Digger, a political dark comedy directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, is the most frustrating film I’ve seen this year so far, and follows tycoon Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise) as he faces the cataclysmic consequences of a disaster at his Greenland oil rig. Digger’s hilarious first act had me rapt with its earth-shaking egos and ruthless political spin, as it satirises the chummy but self-serving relationship between government and big business. Cruise is clearly having fun playing a repulsive anti-hero, Riz Ahmed is riveting as a climate scientist who Digger respects for telling the brutal, insulting truth, and John Goodman is a loud, bug-eyed caricature in the best way as President Compson. Digger distinguishes itself with arresting imagery, lavish set design and phenomenal monologues. I love how the washedout colour palette makes Rockwell and his ghoulish entourage look like corpses. Digger’s best scene is a nightmarish circuslike UN hearing full of contorted faces and bellowed recriminations, as a swaggering Rockwell confesses to his company’s crimes but brands his audience hypocrites for preaching progressive action while reluctant to give up their oily comforts. Where Digger nearly lost me is the reveal that Rockwell’s whole story is a play called Fossil Fools, with Cruise playing actor Curtis Markson. You know me – I usually hate when films do this, but I could (mostly) forgive this immersion-shattering reveal on the style and strength of Rockwell’s narrative. Still, these backstage interludes with Markson are uninteresting diversions that hurt the flow and closure of Rockwell’s story and say very little (save for a moving speech from Jesse Plemons about the value of absurd satire), and Digger would be much better if they were removed. Digger is a witty, visually lush oil-black comedy that loses focus and breaks the fourth wall to its near-fatal detriment. - Seth Lukas Hynes
24 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
Frozen a fan favourite Karralyka Theatre You’re My World – The Vilia Black Story Cilla Black was one of the most authentic pop-culture personalities in contemporary history. With eleven top hits throughout the sixties and seventies and several hits on the revision. Shoes, Cilla carved a name for herself as an impressive singer with relatable personality and a wicked sense of humour. And now Cilla Black is back. This hugely successful show is full of the powerhouse vocals and self-deprecatinghumour that made Cillia Black one of the UK’s most beloved stars. Season: Tuesday 13 October at 10.30 am and 1.30pm. The 1812 Theatre Switzerland – A Review A young man travels from New York to Switzerland to try to persuade acclaimed thriller writer Patricia Highsmith to write one final instalment of her Tom Ripley series, with his efforts gradually turning more sinister. The 1812 held the play in The Bakery at 1812 as it is a two-hander. The players were Patricia Highsmith as AudreyMaeve Barker, her agent from America was Edward Ridgway, played by Mark Channing. The set was well done with a two-seater couch and matching chair centre stage, on audience right there was a desk where Patricia did her writing, on the audience’s left there was a bookshelf on which she kept books and souvenirs of guns used in her stories. Centre rear was an opening to a movie of snails, as the writer was a keen viewer of snails; then it changed to a view of the Swiss Alps, but as the show grew darker, the window view grew smaller. Audrey-Maeve Barker gave a good acting performance, but her voice was not clear, and the audience missed some of the fine nuances which
Kemp’s curtain call contributed to the plot. Mark Channing was also a good actor but again was not too clear voice-wise and instead of facing the audience when he spoke, he spoke away from the audience. There was a surprising twist at the end. Overall, not a bad production, but the two actors had quiet voices, which left the audience wondering what was happening. The Round Frozen Produced by Babirra Musical Theatre An extraordinary production from Babirra. The settings were magnificent, the lighting was amazing, the costumes were absolutely wonderful, and the puppetry was excellent. All in all, a show not to be missed. Designed primarily for the younger generation, adults would have trouble enjoying such a production. The production opened with the chorus and then it moved to the young princesses playing together. Elsa, the older of the two was given an amazing performance by Marina Martin, an excellent performance of the young queen who brought winter to everything. On opening night, a young girl played Elsa who did a good performance. The older Anna, Lisa’s sister, was played by Lisa Capon, a remarkable performance, and Lisa was
Inspiring PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN Our readers may member Penguin the Magpie, who became a global social media sensation after her adventures with her human family were shared online. Boasting 176,000 followers on Instagram, Penguin’s story began in 2013, when the abandoned, injured chick was found by the Bloom family. Cameron and Sam and their three young sons nursed her back to health, and she became one of their own. But there’s far more to Penguin’s story than meets the eye. The book Penguin Bloom: The odd little bird who saved a family is more about Sam, a fan of sports and outdoor activities who became paraplegic after a near-fatal injury. Sam’s recovery was long, frustrating and deeply depressing. “Every day presented her with a battle she couldn’t win. No longer able to follow her heart or commit her restless energy to immediate purpose. She sat at the edge of family life, watching, wishing. Sam quietly mourned the loss of her former self; she would cry herself to sleep and cry herself awake,” Cameron writes. “I saw the light in her eyes grow dim. I knew she was withdrawing from the world. That such a fiercely free and passionate spirit could now be anchored beyond our love by pain and a steel chair was too much for us to bear.” Like many other true stories celebrating human strength and resilience, Penguin Bloom is remarkable and inspiring. We cheer for Sam who survived her injuries and went on to become a four-time World Para Surf Champion while advocating for mental health and adapting to change. But the book feels even more heartwarming as it presents a perfect parallel between human and nature, how they bond with and support each other through adversity and pain, until both can triumph over tragedy and trauma. Sam and Penguin show us that, however lost and/or damaged we feel, there will always be compassion, friendship and better days ahead. Particularly worth reading is Sam’s personal message in the book, where she gives “brutally honest” advice to those who have suffered a serious spinal cord injury and been paralysed, and to those whose loved ones have endured a similar fate. To all of us, really, she has this to say: “It’s up to you to choose how you will face the challenges and hard times ahead, and how you will seize the opportunities for creativity, productivity and happiness.” Penguin Bloom has a film adaptation. One of the scriptwriters, Shaun Grant, will discuss writing for TV and film for the “From Page to Screen” panel at the forthcoming 2026 Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival. Fellow panelists include Kelly Lefever and Tadji Ulrich, and a screening of Penguin Bloom is keenly expected. More details: dandyrangeslitfest.net. on stage practically the whole evening. Her younger self on opening night did a terrific performance and did a terrific performance in her role and has a great future on the stage. There was a stag with fully mounted horns and a very good costume. He did a wonderful job of acting in the character. His master gave a great performance and a good acting role added to by a great singing voice. Elise Stevens was the girl’s mother, Queen Uduna, and Jack Lear was the girl’s father, King Agnaar. Both played their roles expertly which added to the high standard of the evening. Olaf the snowman was a puppet about kneehigh and was manipulated by Darcy Harris, a remarkable voice and great manipulation of the puppet. The balance of the cast kept the very high standard set by the main cast and it was an evening to be remembered.
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NEWS
Short history of coffee craze By Maria Millers Last week we learnt that Australian businesses could no longer add a surcharge when you pay with eftpos, Mastercard or Visa card, though weekend and holiday surcharges, booking and service fees would still remain. This has led to a feeling that traders would inevitably be increasing their prices. Therefore, not surprisingly, the following day on morning radio the consuming topic was the price of a cup of coffee, as coffee drinkers from across the city were calling in to voice concern about the possible impact on their daily ritual and shared with listeners what they were presently paying for their daily hit. If I remember correctly, a cup of soya latte in Daylesford had cost an eye-watering nine dollars something. For many, coffee is what kick starts their day, for some, it’s a way of catching up with friends over brunch. There’s no doubt that we now have a distinctive coffee culture. Walk down any street, shopping mall or strip and you’re bound to smell the seductive aroma of freshly brewed coffee. For this writer, that seductive aroma never seems to be matched by the taste. The reason I’m told why coffee can smell sweeter than it tastes is because many of its sweet-suggesting aromas don’t actually contain sugar. Your brain interprets certain aromatic molecules as vanilla, caramel, or chocolate-like even though the coffee itself may have very little sweetness. That’s why adding a little sugar or milk can make coffee taste much closer to what it smells like: you’re changing the actual taste, not just the aroma. Perhaps that is why the coffees we enjoy most are milk based. Expectation also plays a role. The smell of freshly brewed coffee signals pleasant things, your brain may anticipate a richer flavour than your tongue actually receives. In the poem Happiness, Raymond Carver stands at his window early in the morning, coffee in hand as he watches two young newspaper boys doing their rounds and feels a sense of happiness to see the young boys so amicable and happy with what they’re doing: So early it’s still almost dark out. I’m near the window with coffee,
and the usual early morning stuff that passes for thought. When I see the boy and his friend walking up the road to deliver the newspaper. They wear caps and sweaters, and one boy has a bag over his shoulder. They are so happy Judging from the number of callers it’s obvious there has been a shift from when tea was culturally dominant to now when in Melbourne every nook and cranny in our streets and laneways, every suburban shopping centre and strip offers good quality coffee. Unlike the US, these are not chains but independent cafes who often offer house roasted beans and the expertise of trained baristas. But we were not always a coffee drinking nation. Australia’s British connections meant that tea had been an everyday household drink and also a drink of choice in social situations. Coffee on the other hand had a more intermittent history, was more often something that marked a particular setting or social identity. A shopping trip into the city would include visiting tea rooms of the big department stores like Myers and Georges, the Hopetoun Tea Rooms in the Block Arcade or the Coles Cafeteria where a pot of freshly brewed tea, sandwiches and cake was almost a ritual. Our literature talks more about tea than of coffee. Coffee occurred in Australian literature but simply didn’t have that same repertoire of meanings. Coffee signals sophistication, European influence, urban life, middle-class tastes. Think about how tea used to be part of our social vocabulary: Someone puts the kettle on for a cuppa, afternoon tea rituals features strongly in Australian novels and of course tea is anticipated in the words of our national song: Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong Under the shade of a Coolabah tree And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled “Who’ll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?” Before WWII, Australia’s everyday coffee was largely instant or very basic, captured by Ron Padgett in Morning Coffee: The morning coffee. I’m not sure why I drink it. Maybe it’s the ritual of the cup, the spoon, the hot water, the milk, and the little heap of
brown grit, the way they come together to form a nail I can hang the day on. It’s something to do between being asleep and being awake. Surely there’s something better to do, though, than to drink a cup of instant coffee So when did the change start to happen? In 1958/59 Lipton introduced tea bags, a crime in my opinion, against the enjoyment of a freshly brewed pot of leaf tea. Today, go into any supermarket and see how the space allocated to tea has shrunk in comparison to coffee and how loose leaf tea choices have been supplanted by packets of tea bags. Australia’s shift from tea to coffee happened from the 1950s–1990s, intricately tied to our migration history and the surge of migrants from Italy, Greece and other European countries. It was also the time when espresso technology was a major turning point in coffee culture and advertising began recasting coffee as modern and glamorous The first coffee cafes were in inner-city areas such as Carlton, Lygon Street and surrounds. By the 1970s and 1980s, Espresso culture developed in both Sydney and Melbourne, and Sydney had some very early and influential cafes. In Sydney, the city of my childhood, Ivan Repin’s Sydney coffee shops brought a degree of sophistication to a city that was predominantly tea-drinking; his shops eventually becoming precursors of the Italian espresso bars. I also recall a place in the then, as now, affluent Double Bay to where people travelled from all over the city for a cappuccino From 2000 onwards, the rise of independent cafes, better beans and burgeoning barista culture turned coffee into a daily ritual—and Aus-
tralia developed an unusually sophisticated coffee culture. Tea never disappeared, but coffee shifted from being an immigrant specialty to an everyday Australian habit. The coffees that we liked to drink were cappuccino, cafe latte and eventually the flat white. These drinks were approachable for people accustomed to drinking tea with milk. Today, many variations are on offer, based not just around taste but dietary needs and preferences. Once your local shopping strip had a cafe, coffee became part of everyday suburban life rather than something you went into the city to experience. Some people may be confused by reading about the Coffee Palaces, which were built in Melbourne during its boom time years in the 1880s. These were built specifically as part of the Temperance Movement. The Windsor Hotel is the big survivor. Altogether, there were over 50 such palaces in Melbourne. But these were not merely for coffee drinking but provided food, entertainment and a variety of beverages In both Melbourne and Sydney, cafes evolved into places that served food as well as coffee and created unique social spaces. The culture of coffee began to resemble wine culture as cafes became increasingly interested in bean origin, roasting, extraction, latte art, and alternative brewing. Australian baristas and cafe operators also became influential internationally. In short: Europeans brought the tradition, Australian cities turned it into a daily social ritual, and the specialty-coffee movement turned that ritual into a highly competitive craft. Today, with migrants from the Middle East and Africa, a new type of coffee is on offer, though mostly in cafes that serve those communities. But perhaps we will soon see the Arabic, Turkish or African coffee often flavoured with saffron, cardamom, cloves and other spices added to the coffee types we enjoy today. At a time of cost of living pressures, it will be interesting to see if coffee prices rise and whether this will result in people foregoing their daily coffee ritual. Somehow I think not. The Woorilla Poetry Prize for 2026 has now closed. Mark November 22 in your diaries for the Awards – afternoon of great entertainment.
Wandin North students deliver amazing performance for 3MDR By Oliver Winn Two young musicians kickstarted their musical career with a fantastic live 3MDR performance on 28 September. Wandin North Primary School students Shae and Tahlee played a two-song set which showed off their guitar and vocal chops to the Yarra Ranges. It was an amazing experience for the Grade Six students, topping off an excellent performance at the Hilltop Music Festival earlier in September. Shae said it was “really, really fun” to play with her best friend live on radio. “I think that it’s really important that we get to show what we can do. A lot of kids would love to be able to do that… Hopefully other students and other kids and children are able to have the same opportunity as us,” Shae said. Shae was on the vocals while Tahlee provided the backing track with her acoustic guitar. While there were some nerves to begin with, the duo stuck it out and gave a solid performance. You wouldn’t have guessed that they were nervous though. Shae had excellent control over her vocals, singing with strength and conviction. Tahlee’s steady strumming gave the guitar a sound that was full of nuance and brightness. The duo performed a cover, Cowboy by Lily Meola, and an original, titled Daffodils and Roses. They both thanked their music teacher, Tim Ireland, for his encouragement throughout the years. “It’s just really nice to have a good music teacher like him, he just does so much for us, especially me and Tahlee at our school,” Shae said. “It’s just really nice to have a music teacher
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like him.” 3MDR presenter Kaye said it was a delight having Shae and Tahlee on the show. “They were so excited to even be in the studio, let alone be live on air. It feels great to give lovely, talented kids a great experience.” She said having an original song at such a young age was an impressive feat that deserved recognition. “Young musicians are so easily discounted but Tahlee and Shae are already writing great original songs and they’re only in Grade Six,” Kaye said. Shae said they both loved to make their own music. “With our original song, we just thought it would be really nice to be able to make a song of our own instead of playing all other creators’ songs. Even though we really enjoy that too, we love to make our own,” she said. The pair’s songwriting ability is immediately apparent in their song, Daffodils and Roses. The folk-pop singer-songwriter tune has an earwormy chorus that you’ll find yourself singing along to time and time again. Tahlee’s mum, Jess, said she was so proud of the girls after 3MDR presenter Kaye approached the duo after they put on a fantastic show at the Hilltop Music Festival. “They were gobsmacked to even get the praise that they got from that performance at the time. “Then, to be approached by someone afterwards to come and do it again and do it on the radio is amazing. They were very nervous but then very, very excited,” Jess said. Tahlee said she enjoyed sharing their love for music with the rest of the Yarra Ranges. “My favourite part was getting to share our passion for music and our own song, getting it across and some people getting to hear it and enjoy it,” she said.
Tahlee and Shae were invited to play live on 3MDR after an excellent performance at the Hilltop Music Festival. (Supplied)
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 25
PUZZLES To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS
easy
6 2 5 7 1 4 1 5 5 8 1 2 6 5 4 1 7 6 4 9 1 9 3 2 5 6 4 7 6 3 9 1 medium
4 5 9 3
2
5 1 2 3 1 2
6 7
5
1 4
7 2
13 14 15 18 20 21 23 26 27 28 29
6 6 4 7 3 2 6
15
25
R
10
2
9
1 5 4 5 7
9 3 3
2
9
Pontiff (4) Disputed Spanish region (9) Ancient Roman aristocrat (9) Bygone (5) Feudal Japanese warrior (7) Boredom (5) Preceding day (9) Individual from Belgrade, say (4) Written declaration under oath (9) Father, as head of family (9) Travelling (2,7) Latter part of the day (7) Rundown (5) Musical drama (5) Data (coll) (4) Shortened form of boulevard (4)
1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 24 25
12
7 3
21
12
2
15
3
22
13
23
26
22
1
19
R
24
3
N
R
13
12
19
4
4
2
4
14
26
N
12
12 16
12
22
2
10
23
26
N
25
R
12
18
22 2
26
N
25
R
15
4 23
22
1
R
2 4
22
25
26
2
R
26 15
8
N
12
N
17
4
21
22
6
6
22
24
4
25
4
1
1
9
18
6
22
15
4
13
5
20
25
22
11
4
12
3
5
24
25
18
26
9
N
4
N
3
4
4
16
4 24
No. 342
10
4
4
15
10
4
5
15
1
2
3
4
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6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
R
R N
W S K Q U B J F A O Y R N 15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
D G C E M L Z V X T P I H 9
10
11
12
13
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'.
R
Today’s Aim: 14 words: Good 21 words: Very good 28 words: Excellent
G
I
P
E
N L
I
F
elfin, feign, fern, filing, fine, finer, finger, firing, fling, fringe, genii, glen, grin, infer, lien, line, liner, linger, PILFERING, piling, pine, ping, reign, rein, rifling, riling, ring, ripen
3 6 2 5 7 1 8 4 9 9 7 1 8 2 4 3 5 6 5 8 4 3 9 6 1 2 7 1 2 7 6 5 8 4 9 3 4 9 5 1 3 7 2 6 8 8 3 6 2 4 9 5 7 1 6 1 9 4 8 5 7 3 2 7 5 3 9 1 2 6 8 4 2 4 8 7 6 3 9 1 5
8 7 2 3 4 9 5 1 6 1 5 9 8 6 2 3 4 7 3 4 6 5 7 1 9 8 2 4 6 1 2 5 3 7 9 8 9 8 3 7 1 4 6 2 5 5 2 7 9 8 6 4 3 1 6 9 8 4 2 7 1 5 3 7 3 5 1 9 8 2 6 4 2 1 4 6 3 5 8 7 9
2 7 5 9 4 8 3 1 6 3 6 9 2 7 1 5 4 8 8 1 4 3 6 5 2 7 9 5 9 7 4 1 3 6 8 2 4 8 3 6 2 7 9 5 1 6 2 1 5 8 9 4 3 7 7 4 2 1 3 6 8 9 5 9 3 8 7 5 2 1 6 4 1 5 6 8 9 4 7 2 3 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
8
hard
7
medium
6
easy
5
3
4
4
3
1
2
6
3
4
5
6
7
10
8
11
12
13
14
15
18
16
17
19
21
22
20
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24 25 27
26
28
29
WORDFIT 3 LETTERS ACT AGE AIL ALL ASK ASS EAR EAT EBB EEL FLU IFS INS ION KEG LAD LEE LET NEE OHS ONE PEA TAG TEE
1
4 1 3 8 5
14
4 6
13
26
25
2 1
22
12
10
hard
15
5
4
15
3
22
12 10
9
6
2 9
DECODER 15
1
DOWN
Strike with the beak (4) Furniture covering (10) Long-suffering (7) Requirements (7) Ancient Roman lower classman (8) Elevate (5) Adolescent skin problem (4) Made easy (10) Brotherhood (10) Abide (4) Mournful song (5) Fresh (8) Inocculation (7) Turndown (7) Study of surface features (10) Ladies’ man (4)
1 3 10 11 12
No. 310
4 LETTERS ADDS ARMS ASKS FLUX GENE GIGS MASS NOTE ODDS SCAB SETS SIPS SKIS THEE 5 LETTERS ABLER AIRED AMBER AMUSE
No. 310
T H E E
ANNEX ARENA CAROL CHIPS EDGES ELDER ELUDE ERASE FIRST GLEAM HARSH HERDS IDLER IMAGE INLET LOATH MATTE NEEDS NESTS NOISE PALED PAPAS PEACE
PIANO RAILS RATIO REIGN RENEW ROMPS SAUNA SECTS SHIES SLANT SLEWS SLING SOARS STAMP STARS STATE STEAK STEMS STINT TENET THESE TRITE UNTIE
6 LETTERS HIKERS MISSES ORDEAL SERIAL
8 LETTERS ESTIMATE RECOURSE STRADDLE TONNAGES
7 LETTERS ALARMED BLUNDER CREATES HAPPIER HASSLES RANSOMS
P A P A S S O A R S M A T T E I N L E T A I R E D I M A G E A B L E R P E A C E S L I N G N E E I F S R O M P S T E E O R D E A L A M U S E S E T S B L U N D E R A C T S C A B O D D S H A R S H S K I S E S T I M A T E E A R C R E A T E S H A P P I E R T O N N A G E S G I G S L A D T H E E A S K S S L A N T E E L R A N S O M S F L U X E R A S E H I K E R S I O N N E E D S A S S L E T I D L E R S A U N A R A T I O S T I N T G L E A M E L D E R N E S T S S L E W S T H E S E
No. 310
P E C K U P H O L S T E R Y A S A L A N E O D E M A N D S P A T I E N T A R R E U U T E P L E B E I A N R A I S E O C A R S I M P L I F I E D A C N E I A A N A F F R A T E R N I T Y S T A Y V R R I D I R G E O R I G I N A L A E N P A N N B V A C C I N E R E F U S A L A N R C O I V I S T U D T O P O G R A P H Y
SUDOKU
09-10-26
Robbie, Gavan and Janet
www.heritagefunerals.com.au • Wantirna, Lilydale, Woori Yallock • 9800 3000 26 MAIL | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
12711905-KG37-24
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RURAL LIFESTYLE EQUINE FACILITIES WITH MASSIVE SHEDDING ON 18 ACRES mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 27
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
RURAL LIFESTYLE - EQUINE FACILITIES WITH MASSIVE SHEDDING ON 18 ACRES AS the remote entrance gates open, they reveal a private sweeping driveway leading to a true country style homestead. All crowning the ridge and combines RARE usable acreage with tranquil rural views. Step inside to reveal vaulted timber ceilings, steep gabled roof lines and lots of natural light through cute pyramid windows. Open plan kitchen/dining/family room is the hub of the home overlooking alfresco entertaining area and in ground pool. There are three living rooms for everyone to have their own space to spread out. Four spacious bedrooms, including a huge master bedroom, walk-in robe and a truly stunning ensuite bathroom. Need to work from home? There is even a large study, just for that. Yearround comfort is provided with ducted gas heating, cosy wood fire Coonara heater plus split and evaporative cooling. Stepping outside the land is divided into 7 paddocks, 2 shelters and concrete water troughs. A dressage arena of 60mx20m stables, tack room and wash facilities. A large 4 bay garage/work room is well fitted out and a massive 7 bay work shed for the car enthusiast or contractor plus hard stand parking. Indoor and outdoor spaces combine here for absolute lifestyle pleasure. Offering options for even a few sheep or some cows (or whatever takes your fancy!) This is a rare opportunity to secure a substantial acreage holding in a tightly held location. So, is it now time for your family’s ‘Tree Change?’ ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 25 Chapman Road, SILVAN Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 11 garage Price: $1,950,000 - $2,145,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE, 9754 6111
28 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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HOME FOCUS
“FERNDALE” WARBURTON RETREAT THIS beautiful home really is the complete package, offering this delightful opportunity as a stunning forever home, luxurious Bed & Breakfast, peaceful weekender or simply your own private Yarra Valley escape. Superbly positioned just outside the Warburton township, with the Yarra River and Warburton Rail Trail right across the road, this is a property where location and lifestyle come together beautifully. Inside, the home offers three generous bedrooms, all with built-in robes and plenty of space to accommodate multiple beds if desired. Whether you’re welcoming family and friends or creating a cosy retreat for guests, there is room to make the home work beautifully for your needs. The spacious open plan living area is made for gathering. The dining room provides a wonderful setting for long lunches, dinner parties or an afternoon of board games after feasting on goodies prepared in the gorgeous kitchen. When the day winds down, settle in beside the stunning bluestone enclosed wood fire, pour yourself a glass of Yarra Valley wine and soak up the warmth and ambience of this very special home. The kitchen blends modern convenience with plenty of charm, featuring a Smeg oven, generous bench space and a neutral, contemporary palette. Stunning timber floorboards and exposed beams add warmth and character, while updated bathroom completes the home’s effortless combination of style and comfort. Every window frames a delightful garden outlook, making it just as enjoyable to sit inside and gaze outside as it is to wander through the established surrounds. The gardens have created a beautiful, low maintenance wonderland, allowing you
to enjoy the serenity without spending every weekend tending to it. The rear fern garden a completely different, wonderfully tranquil part of the property and the ideal spot to sit, reflect or meditate. In these surrounds, even the least
experienced gardener might start feeling like a bit of a green thumb. Set on just over half an acre, the property also offers a lock-up garage, woodshed, 8.7kW solar system and excellent fencing throughout.
A truly special property in an enviable location, where the garden, the home and the surrounding Yarra Valley lifestyle come together to create something very hard to leave. This is one you won’t want to miss. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 187 Woods Point Road, EAST WARBURTON Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 2 garage Price: $840,000 - $890,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Rebecca Doolan 0401 832 068, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277 mailcommunity.com.au Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 29
HOME FOCUS
PRIVATE FAMILY LIVING WITH SWEEPING VIEWS PRIVATELY positioned below the road on a beautiful 2,311sqm, this inviting threebedroom, two-bathroom home offers space, privacy and a flexible floorplan ideal for family living. Inside, timber floors add warmth and character throughout the main living areas. The open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge create a welcoming central hub, with the kitchen featuring a gas cooktop, wall oven, dishwasher and plenty of storage. A woodfire adds warmth and ambience, while large windows allow natural light to fill the home and frame impressive views across the surrounding landscape. Split systems throughout provide year-round comfort. The thoughtful floorplan provides excellent separation between the bedrooms. One bedroom is positioned near the front of the home, while the master suite features a walk-in robe and private ensuite. The third bedroom is located at the opposite end of the home, with two of the three bedrooms offering excellent robe storage. A highlight of the home is the generous rear deck, perfectly positioned to take full advantage of the beautiful outlook. With sweeping views stretching into the distance, this is an inviting space for summer entertaining, weekend barbecues or simply relaxing at the end of the day and taking in the peaceful surrounds. Downstairs adds another dimension to the home, featuring a spacious second living or rumpus room with a split system and direct access outside. A separate study provides an ideal work-from-home space, while the generous laundry offers excellent functionality with dual ovens, adding further versatility to this level. The rear garden is fully fenced, providing a secure space for children and pets to enjoy, with convenient gated access from the front of the property. Completing the property is an impressive 11kW solar system, sealed driveway and double carport, bringing together privacy, flexibility and plenty of space in a picturesque setting. Call to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 26 Nobelius Street, EMERALD Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $980,000 - $1,078,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451 or Aaron Day 0407 365 994, BELL REAL ESTATE - EMERALD
30 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald
12 Innes Road Gembrook
$730,000 - $800,000
380 Jameson Road Hoddles Creek
$1,375,000 - $1,475,000
Spacious Family Living Just Moments from Gembrook.
37 Acres of Opportunity with Two Fully Self-Contained Homes.
Set on 853sqm & within walking distance of Gembrook’s main street, this inviting 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers space, natural light & everyday convenience. The open-plan kitchen, living & dining area features large windows overlooking the back garden, while the kitchen includes electric cooking, dishwasher, generous bench space & ample storage. A split system & gas ducted heating ensure year-round comfort. Down the hallway, all 4 bedrooms create a dedicated accommodation zone. 3 bedrooms include built-in robes & share the central family bathroom, while the master features built-in robes, ensuite & direct access to a private deck. Outside, the spacious semi-fenced backyard offers plenty of room for children & pets. A laundry with additional storage, under-house storage & single garage complete this Gembrook property.
Set across approximately 37 acres of predominantly cleared land, this exceptional property offers two separate homes, outstanding infrastructure & endless lifestyle possibilities. Perfect for multigenerational living, guest accommodation or additional income. The main residence features 12ft ceilings, timber floors, three bedrooms, two bathrooms & an inviting lounge with woodfire. A countrystyle kitchen & beautifully appointed bathroom with clawfoot bath & underfloor heating. Privately positioned, the freshly painted second home offers open-plan living, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, split systems & a welcoming front verandah overlooking the rural surrounds. Completing the property are six fenced paddocks, two dams, an ornamental vineyard, chook house, double garage with workshop & games room, 4.5kW solar system & approximately 95,000 litres of water storage.
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
4
751 Woori Yallock Road Nangana
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
A
2
B 1 C
$2,100,000 - $2,300,000
5
53 Second Avenue Cockatoo
A
4
B 2 C
$940,000-$1,030,000
A Landmark Lifestyle Estate of Grand Scale & Prestige on 11 Acres!
Space, Character & Lifestyle on a Beautiful Block.
Set across an exceptional 11-acre estate with creek frontage, this magnificent American Ranchinspired residence delivers luxury, privacy & outstanding family living. Behind grand stone & wrought iron gates, a circular driveway winds through beautifully landscaped gardens to the impressive home. Inside, the gourmet granite kitchen with walk-in pantry flows to formal & informal dining, while a theatre room, open-plan living with soaring timber-beamed ceilings, stone fireplace, bar & wine cellar create an outstanding entertaining environment. Upstairs, 4 oversized bedrooms include a luxurious main suite with walk-in robe & ensuite. Premium finishes include polished hardwood floors, double glazing, hydronic heating, split systems & ducted vacuum. Outside, a 25m x 10m shed with high bay access, barn, fenced paddocks & dam with bridge & rotunda.
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.
Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
5
A
2
B 10 C
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
4
A
2
B 2 C
bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 31
HOME FOCUS
LARGE FAMILY HOME IN JUST THE RIGHT LOCATION SIMPLY stunning from start to finish, this meticulously cared for family home offers extensive living options, a versatile floorplan and a wonderfully convenient position within a welcoming community. Situated on a no-through road and only 450 metres (approx.) from Belgrave South Primary School, local shops and public transport, the home is perfectly placed for everyday convenience and easy family life. Built in 2004 and spanning over two levels, the home offers five generous bedrooms along with flexible living options ideal for growing families, older children, guests or those needing a dedicated work-from-home space. The main level features a sun filled, spacious open-plan living zone with soaring cathedral ceilings over 16ft high, four well sized bedrooms, kitchen and dining area while downstairs an oversized rumpus room, fifth bedroom / home office and bathroom provides the perfect second living area or extended accommodation option. At the heart of the home, the impressive kitchen combines style and practicality with a large island bench, breakfast bar, stone benchtops, walk-in pantry, stainless steel Fisher & Paykel cooktop and oven, plus an LG dishwasher. Thoughtful finishes throughout include striking hardwood timber floors and highlight clerestory windows, adding touches of character and practicality. Ducted heating and split system heating/cooling provide yearround comfort. Outside, the large rear decking offers a beautiful place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner while taking in the colourful, tiered gardens and surrounding treetops. A sealed driveway leads to a double carport, with additional space available for trailers or extra vehicles and there is excellent workshop space and storage under the house with internal access. A true testament to quality and craftsmanship, 11 Lyndall Road won't be beaten on design or desire. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 11 Lyndall Road, BELGRAVE SOUTH Description: 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,300,000 - $1,395,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE, 9754 6888
32 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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Real Estate you can trust! We’re here to help.
62oldWarburtonroad,Sevilleeast
128Belgrave-Gembrookrd,Selby
1GlenHarrowHeightsrd,Belgrave
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 2 Car | 1126m2
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 2 Car | 1449m2
5 Bed | 2 Bath | 2096m2
For Sale $650,000 - $710,000
For Sale $690,000 - $745,000
For Sale $780,000 - $830,000
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
290Glenfernroad,Upwey
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
131MtMortonrd,BelgraveHeights
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
11lyndallroad,BelgraveSouth
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Car | 981m2
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 3 Car | 7.6 Acres
5 Bed | 3 Bath | 2 Car | 1003m2
For Sale $940,000 - $1,030,000
For Sale $1,250,000 - $1,375,000
For Sale $1,300,000 - $1,395,000
Daniel Steen 0434 979 142
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
03 9754 6888 office@chandlerandco.com.au 1689 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Vic 3160 mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 33
HOME FOCUS
SPACIOUS RANCH-STYLE LIVING WITH SUSTAINABLE CREDENTIALS, MINUTES TO TOWN THIS appealing ranch-style four-bedroom home offers generous space, excellent indooroutdoor living and a strong focus on comfort and sustainable living. The private main suite provides a peaceful retreat, complete with walk-in robe and full ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are serviced by a spacious family bathroom. Multiple large living areas provide plenty of room for the whole family, with one featuring a cosy wood fire for relaxed evenings. At the heart of the home, the wellappointed central kitchen offers abundant cupboard and bench space, making everyday living and entertaining a breeze. A separate laundry adds further practicality. Full-length verandahs wrap around the home, creating an effortless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The covered pergola provides the perfect setting for year-round outdoor entertaining, overlooking the established gardens and productive vegetable beds. Designed with sustainable living in mind, the property features several vegetable gardens, water tanks, 12kW solar panels and a 13.5kW Tesla Powerwall battery. Double glazing with Magnetite, split systems x 4, further contribute to year-round comfort and energy efficiency. Outside, the fully fenced 2828 m2 allotment provides a secure environment for the family, while dual access, ample parking, a double garage and carport provide plenty of space for vehicles, trailers and guests. Offering generous accommodation, wonderful outdoor spaces and an impressive range of energy-efficient features, this is a home designed for comfortable family living with room to enjoy the lifestyle. You are minutes to Cockatoo Township, walks through Wright Forest, 15 mins to rail connections in Pakenham, bus nearby and a wonderful community to be part of. Offers Closing Tuesday October 13 at 4pm, unless sold prior. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 31 Bailey Road, COCKATOO Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 garage Price: $975,000 - $1,072,500. Offers Closing Tuesday October 13 at 4pm, unless sold prior Inspect: By appointment Contact: Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522 and Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937, RANGES FIRST NATIONAL REAL ESTATE, 9754 6111 mailcommunity.com.au 34 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
Ranges CONVENIENT & PRIVATE LOCATION
SUSTAINABLE CREDENTIALS
SELbY 5 JOHNS ROAD
$745,000 - $815,000
HOME SWEET HOME
3A 2B C
‘Mirra Brae’- Discover a unique earthy home with a warm ambience and a relaxed Hills lifestyle in this convenient and private location only moments from all desirable amenities. you’ll find a multi-level design featuring treed views, unique kitchen with a butler’s pantry, dining area with a cosy wood heater, deluxe ensuite to the master, timber features, massive picture windows, multi point central split system heating, a spacious undercover decking, 1/4 acre with dual street access with ample off-street parking.
Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102
SET IN A QUIET COMMUNITY
9754 6111
rangesfn.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
$975,000 - $1,072,500
SPACIOUS RANCH-STYLE LIVING
4A 2B 6C
****Offers Closing Tuesday October 13th at 4pm, unless sold prior**** This appealing home offers generous space, excellent indoor-outdoor living & a strong focus on sustainable living. Features a private master retreat, multiple large living, wood fire, full-length wrap around verandahs, covered pergola, established gardens, vegetable beds, water tanks, 12kW solar panels & a 13.5kW Tesla Powerwall battery, double glazing, S/Systems x 4, dual access and ample parking on a fully fenced 2828 m2 allotment.
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
PERFECT FIRST HOME
$495,000 - $530,000 2A 1B 1C
This over-55s unit sits on a manageable 179m² allotment and delivers an easy, lowmaintenance lifestyle in a quiet setting. The layout has been designed with practicality in mind, offering a centrally positioned bathroom with ensuite effect to master bedroom, open plan living, kitchen with plenty of storage, second toilet and separate laundry. The courtyard provides a private spot to enjoy some fresh air, a single garage with remote access and direct entry into the home adds convenience. Includes visitor parking.
Erin Davies 0494 175 410
COCkATOO 31 BAILEy ROAD
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
SHORT WALK INTO TOWN
GEMbROOk 6/13 VISTA COURT
We put you first
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
AVONSLEIGH 475 BELgRAVE-gEMBROOK RD CHARMING COTTAGE LIVING
$650,000 - $715,000 2A 1B 1C
Full of character and warmth, this charming cottage is the perfect place to begin your homeownership journey. Set on a generous 791sqm (approx.) block, it offers a relaxed, easy lifestyle with just the right mix of original charm and thoughtful updates. Featuring warm timber floorboards throughout, renovated bathroom with double vanities, cosy light-filled living space and bedrooms. All of this in a convenient location, just a short drive to both Emerald and Cockatoo shops, cafés, and local amenities.
Mick Dolphin 0429 684 522
‘We Put You First’
Caiti Ellis 0493 136 937
1660 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Shop 2/24 McBride St, Cockatoo Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 35
HOME FOCUS
FAMILY COMFORT AND STYLE CLOSE TO TOWN JUST a few years old and ready and waiting for a new family to enjoy. A functional and flexible floorplan offering 4 bedrooms all with built in robes including an ensuite and walk in robe in the main bedroom. Ideally spread over 2 levels offering spacious living and lounge areas with ample space to accommodate the growing family. Sit back relax and enjoy the colourful surrounds from the covered balcony - it’s the ideal spot to unwind and recharge. Fantastic kitchen area with a breakfast bar, big walk in pantry and quality appliances with loads of bench and cupboard space. A separate meals/dining area and an under cover entertaining/alfresco area opens up more living space to make the most of outdoor living. The kids and pets will love the back yard sitting on approx. 1048sqm with loads of space to run around and enjoy. A fantastic property in a great location and conveniently located just a short stroll to local schools, transport and Seville’s busy shopping hub and with the walking trail just down the road - it’s a great place to call home.
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 45 English Street, SEVILLE Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,250,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: David Carroll 0419 539 320, BELL REAL ESTATE - YARRA JUNCTION, 5967 1277
36 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 6 October, 2026
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P 5966 2530
3407 Warburton Highway, Warburton
3372 Warburton Highway, Warburton
$750,000-$795,000
55 Surrey Road, Warburton
P 5967 1277
2457 Warburton Highway, Yarra Junction
$550,000-$600,000
Woongarra - A Beautiful Warburton Property
A Magnificent Block backing onto the golf course with Mountain Views
Woongarra, a classic and unique Warburton residence prominently positioned and proudly overlooking Warburton’s main street and enjoying glorious mountain views. Ideally positioned opposite the Yarra River, swing bridge and just metres from the Warburton Trail and mountain bike tracks you couldn’t find a more handy location! Charming in all areas and offering 3 large bedrooms and reflecting all the warmth and ambience of the decades gone by. Sit back, relax and admire the ever changing outlook from the family size lounge and living areas with colourful established gardens, fruit trees and great size front and rear yards. Exceptionally well maintained in all areas, this property is the ideal family home or weekender and with an extremely rare commercial zoning and main street location - the potential is endless.
Set in the exclusive Surrey Road precinct, this magnificent property offers a combination of spectacular mountain views, established gardens and an exceptional location. Inside, the home is original yet neat providing an opportunity for its next owners to bring their vision to life. Spacious open-plan lounge and dining area is filled with natural light, while large windows frame the stunning mountain outlook. Outside, there is plenty to enjoy, including a generous deck ideal for entertaining, a garden shed and carport, all surrounded by the established gardens and peaceful natural setting. An absolute treasure in one of Warburton’s most sought after locations come and explore the possibilities.
David Carroll M 0419 539 320 Inspection: By Appointment
187 Woods Point Road, East Warburton
3
A
1
B 1 C
$840,000 - $890,000
Rebecca Doolan M 0401 832 068 Inspection: By Appointment
3
38 Wellington Road, Warburton
A
1
B 1 C
$700,000 - $770,000
“Ferndale” Warburton Retreat
‘White Rabbit Cottage’ - A private garden sanctuary with timeless charm
Superbly positioned just outside the Warburton township, this is a property where location and lifestyle come together beautifully. Inside, the home offers three generous bedrooms, all with built-in robes and plenty of space to accommodate multiple beds if desired. The spacious open plan living area is made for gathering. The kitchen blends modern convenience with plenty of charm, featuring a Smeg oven, generous bench space and a neutral, contemporary palette. Stunning timber floorboards and exposed beams add warmth and character, while updated bathroom completes the home’s effortless combination of style and comfort. The rear fern garden is a wonderfully tranquil part of the property and the ideal spot to sit, reflect or meditate. Set on just over half an acre, the property also offers a lock-up garage, woodshed, 8.7kW solar system and excellent fencing.
Tucked away and set amongst lush, established gardens, this charming home feels like a world of its own. Inside, soaring ceilings create an incredible sense of space, while timber features flowing throughout the home add warmth and timeless appeal. The inviting lounge provides a cosy place to unwind, while the stunning separate dining room is bathed in natural sunlight and enjoys picturesque garden views. The lower level offers two generous bedrooms, both with built-in robes, complemented by excellent storage throughout the home. The original kitchen and bathroom have been lovingly maintained, with the bathroom featuring a separate bath for a touch of old-world charm. Beyond this, the spacious master bedroom is a peaceful retreat, with picture-perfect windows drawing in beautiful natural light throughout the day. Come and discover the magic for yourself.
Rebecca Doolan M 0401 832 068 Inspection: By Appointment
3
A
1
B 2 C
Rebecca Doolan M 0401 832 068 Inspection: By Appointment
3
A
1
B 1 C
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Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 37
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The amendment implements the Lilydale Major Activity Centre Structure Plan (Mesh Planning, June 2022) and the Yarra Ranges Neighbourhood Character Study (Hansen Partnership, May 2024) by introducing a new planning framework for the Lilydale Major Activity Centre. It does this by rezoning land in the central commercial area of Lilydale and surrounding residential land to an Activity Centre Zone, applying a General Residential Zone to residential land surrounding the activity centre, applying the Environmental Audit Overlay to land being rezoned from Commercial 2 Zone to Activity Centre Zone and making other consequential changes. You may inspect the amendment, any documents that support the amendment and the explanatory report about the amendment, free of charge, at:
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PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987 YARRA RANGES PLANNING SCHEME NOTICE OF THE PREPARATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO A PLANNING SCHEME AMENDMENT C218YRAN Overview The amendment implements the Lilydale Major Activity Centre Structure Plan (Mesh Planning, June 2022) and the Yarra Ranges Neighbourhood Character Study (Hansen Partnership, May 2024) by introducing a new planning framework for the Lilydale Major Activity Centre. For further details, refer to the explanatory report about the amendment. Details of the amendment The Yarra Ranges Shire Council planning authority has prepared Amendment C218yran to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme. The land affected by the amendment is land within the blue line shown on the map below.
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Any person may make a submission to the planning authority about the amendment. Submissions must be made in writing giving the submitter’s name and contact address, clearly stating the grounds on which the amendment is supported or opposed and indicating what changes (if any) the submitter wishes to make. Name and contact details of submitters are required for the planning authority to consider submissions and to notify such persons of the opportunity to attend planning authority meetings and any public hearing held to consider submissions. The closing date for submissions is Monday, 9 November 2026. A submission must be sent to Design and Place, Yarra Ranges Shire Council, PO Box 105, Lilydale, VIC 3140 or made online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/C218. Please quote Amendment C218yran. The planning authority must make a copy of every submission available at its office and/or on its website for any person to inspect free of charge until the end of the two months after the amendment comes into operation or lapses. ALISON FOWLER Executive Officer Strategic Planning
12904776-GC41-26
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SPORT
Irene Busst smiles during a game of social croquet. (Stewart Chambers: 573383)
Smiles aplenty at social croquet There were laughs and smiles aplenty at a game of social croquet in Lilydale a few weeks ago as some close shots drew excellent reactions from the players. Star Mail photographer Stewart Chambers was there to capture some of the fun and action.
Back (L-R): Russell Hutchings (Co Coach), Sarah Gibbs, Belinda Hutchings, Kaylen Tilney, Stepanie Gibbs, Serena Gibbs (Co Captain), Tegan Unternahrer, Rhiley Unternahrer. Front: Nisansala Hettiarachchi, Nicole Woolhouse, Keavy Brain, Monique Maassen, Hoang Huynh and Lecia Baldry (Co Captain). (Supplied)
Kilsyth CC Women’s First XI debutant Kaylen Tilney. (Supplied)
Kilsyth CC Women’s First XI debutant Keavy Brain. (Supplied)
Century partnership seals the victory By Les Hutchings The cricket season got underway for Kilsyth Cricket Club on Sunday 4 October, with the Women’s First XI having a good win at home against Wandin. On Saturday, all Junior and Senior Men’s matches were abandoned with no play due to the wet weather. The highlight of the Women’s match was a brilliant second wicket partnership of 110 between Serena Gibbs, 51 off 76 balls (7 fours), and Tegan Unternahrer 39 not out off 51 balls (1 four). Both players had good all-round games, with Tegan capturing 3/28 off 6 overs (1 maiden), and Serena 1/8 off 3 overs, together with two catches: one caught and bowled, and the other caught behind the stumps as wicketkeeper. Before the match, the Club welcomed two new players, Kaylen Tilney (Cap Number 44) and Keavy Brain (Cap Number 45). Kilsyth Co Captains Lecia Baldry and Serena Gibbs won the toss and elected to bowl at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve. A solid opening partnership of 18 between Maddy Bennett and Audrey Lyons was broken on the last ball of the seventh over when Tegan Unternahrer bowled Maddy Bennett for 6 (1 four). Then Wandin lost
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Rod Busst takes a shot. (573383)
four quick wickets to be 2/22, 3/22, 4/29 and 5/30 after 14 overs. At that stage, Tegan Unternahrer had captured 3/4 off 3 overs, and new recruit Kaylen Tilney 1/7 off 2 overs (1 maiden). Opener Audrey Lyons was the fourth wicket to fall, bowled by Kaylen Tilney for 14 off 41 balls, including one boundary. However, Wandin fought back with an excellent partnership of 70 for the sixth wicket between Kim Kennedy, playing her first game for Wandin CC, and Captain Olivia Edwards. Then Serena Gibbs came back on to bowl and, with her second ball, caught and bowled Olivia Edwards for a sparkling 35 off 47 balls (3 fours), to see Wandin 6/100 after 31.2 overs. It became 7/109 when Kaylen Tilney threw accurately to Lecia Baldry at the bowler’s end to achieve a good run out. In the end, Wandin finished on 7/119 cc from their allotted 36 overs, with Kim Kennedy remaining 40 not out off 79 balls (2 fours). She had batted well to hold the innings together after coming in with the score on 2/22. All Kilsyth’s bowlers were effective, with Tegan Unternahrer taking the honours with 3/28 off 6 overs (1 maiden), Serena Gibbs 1/8 off 3 overs, Kaylen Tilney 1/16 off 6 overs (2 maidens), Sarah Gibbs 1/17 off 6 overs (1 maiden), Stephanie Gibbs 0/14 off 6 overs (1 maiden), Le-
cia Baldry 0/15 off 6 overs and Rhiley Unternahrer 0/14 off 3 overs. After the tea break, Kilsyth set about the run chase but lost an early wicket at the start of the fifth over when Belinda Hutchings was bowled by Olivia Edwards for 6 off 19 balls, with the score now 1/9. Tegan Unternahrer then joined Serena Gibbs and after an excellent century partnership with good rotation of the strike, Serena brought up her half-century with a boundary in the 25th over and levelled the scores. She then tried to finish the match with a big hit off the next ball but was well caught by Maddy Bennett at mid-wicket off the bowling of Ellie Craddock. It was then left to her sister Stephanie Gibbs, who hit a boundary off the first ball she faced to give Kilsyth a comfortable victory. The Redbacks finished on 2/123 off 25 overs to win the match with 11 overs to spare. The wicket takers for Wandin were Olivia Edwards, who took 1/8 off 4 overs and Ellie Craddock 1/25 off 3 overs. Opening bowler Tilly Pearce was also impressive with 0/10 off 4 overs, Charlotte Edwards 0/12 off 3 overs and Lisa Vanderzee 0/19 off 4 overs. Kilsyth Women play their next match at home against North Ringwood.
Mark Edgell lines up his play. (573383)
Trish Halliwell watches a close shot. (573383)
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 | MAIL 39
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