Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
Woman’s soccer change criticised
Blue light disco history celebrated
Fox control overhaul welcomed
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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All ready to hit the jumps By Mikayla van Loon Mount Evelyn’s new multi-track bike park at Morrison Reserve officially opened on Wednesday 7 October, welcoming eager local riders as temporary fencing was removed. The facility features flow trails, jump lines, an asphalt snake run, and a pump track designed for all skill levels. The project was delivered under the Morrison Reserve Master Plan, following a renewed playspace completed early last year. It was funded through a dual contribution of $2.6 million from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and $1.2 million from the Yarra Ranges Council. Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing, Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins, and Councillor Tim Heenan officially opened the site. Ms Shing said the park would be a major drawcard for riders across the region. Cr Heenan said the centrepiece space aimed to foster community connection and encourage young people to get active outdoors. Read more on page 9
An eager and experienced bike rider was waiting as the temporary fencing came down to test out the course. (Mikayla van Loon: 583722)
Heritage restored By Mikayla van Loon The Lilydale Community House have a new home in the restored 112-year-old Lilydale heritage station building, five years after it was replaced with the new skyrail platform. Community house members, councillors and politicians turned up at the Lilydale heritage station on 7 October to celebrate the reopening and reflect on its histroy. Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins reflected
on the decades that commuters would come and go from the station and the well-loved refreshments room. “This station is a key part of Lilydale’s history. Many of us will remember catching trains from the old station, and some of us may even remember stopping in at the refreshments room, which operated for about 60 years,” he said. “I’m pleased to see the station brought back to life and used by our community again.” Cr Higgins said he was really happy to see the
Lilydale Community House have its own dedicated space, in such a beautifully restored building. Design and place manager Nathan Islip, who led much of the project, said all the original features and fixtures, like the pressed tin, the mouldings on the wall, the dado, the light fittings and the joinery remain and tell a story. “(They are) all these fingerprints of time gone by, it’s still here and still telling the same story, except we’re adding another chapter to it,” he said. Extensive refurbishment was required to not
only ensure a safe and usable space, but also to meet the heritage requirements. Lilydale Community House will now host its full range of public programs from the heritage building. The project was delivered through a multi-agency partnership between VicTrack, the Victorian Government, and Yarra Ranges Council. Cr Higgins said he was pleased to see the station brought back to life and used by the community again. Read more on page 7
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Safer crossings are key By Callum Ludwig Knox City Council’s Safer School Crossings initiative is showing itself to be a significant improvement for safety during pick up and drop off times. The program has expanded to three schools in Knox already, with Victoria Police Highway Patrol officers and Knox council staff at Templeton Primary School in Wantirna for the start of Term Three on Monday 5 October. Eastern Division Two Senior Sergeant Brendon De Schwartz said school crossings are an area where a lot of vulnerable road users gather, primarily young children, so the initiative should be rolled out across more councils and schools. “Young children don’t have street sense, they rely on having safety measures put in place for them, being school crossing supervisors, but we also rely on parents and drivers to do the right thing,” he said. “What we’ve achieved through the two schools initially, is going from having a lot of incidents reported weekly to going to zero, we’re changing attitudes and driver behavior within those areas, and I think that in itself is enough for other councils to look at and go, ‘Knox Council isn’t isolated in this problem.’ “What I implore people to do is to slow down and focus on safety, there’s a lot of houses in the areas where schools are these days as well, so it impacts the residents around the schools, but it impacts the kids mostly.” The initiative involves having cameras that can be set up by crossing supervisors which can capture any incidents. Instead of having to file a report, the supervisor simply check the time and pass the information back to the council team, who can decide if it warrants a referral to police. Knox City Council’s school crossings team lead Bec Bone said the pilot at Holy Trinity Primary School in Wantirna had also been expanded to Wantirna South Primary School, as well as Templeton. “Last term, we rolled out the program to Wantirna South Primary School in Tyner Road after a lot of challenging driver behaviors at that site and it improved the safety for the community and for the (crossing) supervisor, we had zero incidents at that site after having at least one or two a day,” she said. “It has been really good to keep the community safe and the supervisor as well, but we really want to improve safety for the students and the whole community. “Schools need to encourage and speak to their councils and ask about implementing the program, if we get more of the schools on board and get them to increase the safety of their community and ask their councils if this is something that they could take on, it will just improve safety for everyone.” Common incidents include drivers travelling straight through the crossing without stopping, failing to stop at the crossing line, queuing over the crossing or parking in no standing/stopping zones around the crossings. Templeton Primary School crossing supervisor Karen said she thinks it’s a fantastic scheme and it’s a great backup to have as a supervisor. “Parents do some really strange things around the school, especially when they’re running late on time and things like that… they don’t realize
The Knox City Council school crossings team and Highway Patrol officers are celebrating the improvements in driver behaviour already seen so far. (Callum Ludwig: 583541) how dangerous it is just to park over a yellow line or something like that, it’s something that’s been really needed I think,” she said. “I’ve seen people stop just in the middle of the road and get their kids running out to the car to jump into the car, with other cars try to get around them and things like that, it’s just crazy…I’ve come here and there’s cars parked over the crossing. “I would suspect that people would abuse supervisors less too, thinking that there are cameras …I wouldn’t hesitate if I got abused to let my supervisor know and say that it’s all on camera.” Even with multiple highway patrols vehicles on site on Monday 5 October, a number of parents were warned for pulling up and dropping children off too close to the crossing. Snr Sgt De Schwartz said we’ve gone from an area of harm to an area of safety and encouraged other regions to get on board. “It’s now captured on camera, and that is irrefutable, indisputable evidence in court that we will rely on heavily and which will afford us greater chances at successful prosecutions,” he said. “Going faster to get to work five minutes earlier isn’t the right thing to do, the focus is on children’s safety and the safety of all road users and going at a faster speed than the 40 zone is
not going to get you to work any quicker. “There’s two things that other councils can do, they can reach out to me to discuss the program that we’ve implemented with Bec and her team from Knox, or reach out to Bec herself.” The trial has been closely monitored by other councils, including Yarra Ranges, who have been following it since the pilot launched. Yarra Ranges Council’s acting director of communities Anne Blakeway said they are aware of the Knox Safer School Crossings initiative and have been following the trial and its reported outcomes closely. “Representatives from Yarra Ranges Council attended the launch earlier this year, and Council has continued to monitor the program as it has developed, including discussions with a range of relevant stakeholders,” she said. “Yarra Ranges Council is committed to supporting the safety of school crossing supervisors, students and the broader community at 99 staffed crossings in the region. “Council has undertaken some preliminary work to better understand potential safety initiatives within the school crossing environment. While this work is continuing, Council has not yet made any decisions regarding the introduction of a similar program within the municipality.”
Electronic signs are set up near the crossings when the cameras are first implemented to give drivers plenty of warning. (Callum Ludwig: 583541)
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NEWS
Five arrested during lab raids Five people have been charged following the discovery of two clandestine drug laboratories, firearms, and tens of litres of liquid MDMA in coordinated police raids across Melbourne’s north and eastern suburbs. Detectives from the Clandestine Laboratory Squad, backed by the Major Drug Squad and Mill Park Divisional Response Unit, executed warrants at a Bundoora residence, a Mill Park hotel room, and a Croydon storage facility on 2 October. A search of a storage unit on Lusher Road in Croydon yielded MDMA powder, raw chemicals, and additional laboratory equipment. An active laboratory was uncovered at the Bundoora address, where police seized 35 litres of liquid MDMA, two handguns, four imitation longarms, ammunition, cannabis, suspected liquid methylamphetamine, 1.5 litres of 1,4-Butanediol, and specialised manufacturing equipment. Detective Inspector Carlie Kohler of the Clandestine Laboratory Squad said the police action successfully disrupted a major syndicate. “This investigation has disrupted a significant illicit drug manufacturing operation and removed a substantial quantity of dangerous drugs, firearms, chemicals and laboratory equipment from the community,” Det Insp Kohler said. “Our investigations indicate these activities were linked to an organised criminal network seeking to profit from the manufacture and dis-
A Croydon storage facility was raided as part of a Clandestine Laboratory Squad investigation. (File) tribution of illicit drugs.” Three people were arrested at the Bundoora property. A 53-year-old Bundoora man was charged with trafficking a commercial quantity of MDMA, trafficking MDMA, and possessing articles to manufacture illicit drugs. He was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 8 February 2027. A 43-year-old woman and a 44-year-old man, both from Bundoora, were interviewed and are expected to be charged on summons.
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Officers also raided a hotel room in Mill Park, seizing further quantities of MDMA, methylamphetamine, and electronic devices. A 31-yearold Nicholson man was charged with two counts of trafficking a large commercial quantity of MDMA, two counts of possessing articles to manufacture, vehicle theft, and two counts of possessing precursor chemicals. He was also remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 8 February 2027. A 28-year-old Nicholson woman arrested alongside him was released pending further enquiries. Follow-up warrants executed on 6 October at two properties in Nicholson and a storage unit in Bairnsdale uncovered small drug quantities, a pill press, and an allegedly stolen vehicle. Det Insp Kohler highlighted the broader target of the enforcement action, noting the financial driver behind such criminal enterprises. “The illicit drug market continues to be a key driver of organised crime in Victoria, generating significant profits that enable criminal networks to expand their offending and perpetuate harm across the community,” she said. “Operations such as this are designed to dismantle those networks at every opportunity and degrade their ability to operate.” Police are appealing for assistance. Anyone with information on drug importation, manufacturing, or trafficking is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Ambulance flipped in Chirnside Park collision Paramedics and a driver escaped a scary collision in Chirnside Park with minor injuries on Wednesday 7 October. An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said an ambulance was involved in a collision in Chirnside Park at around 9.20pm. “The crew was responding lights and sirens and was not transporting a patient at the time,” they said. “The Ambulance Victoria employees and the male driver of the second vehicle were transported to hospital, all with minor injuries in a stable condition. “Ambulance Victoria is supporting our team members and will continue to do so. The circumstances surrounding the collision are being investigated by Victoria Police.” The incident occurred on Maroondah Highway at the intersection with Edward Road. A witness who was waiting at the intersection in the turning lane told Star Mail, “There was a really loud bang, and it was re-
ally frightening”. A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed they are investigating the collision. “It is understood an ambulance vehicle, which was heading to an incident, collided with a Mazda BT-50 at the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Edward Road about 9.20pm,” they said. “The two paramedics inside the ambulance and 59-year-old male driver of the Mazda were transported to hospital for assessment. “The investigation into the circumstances of the collision is ongoing.” Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at crimestoppersvic. com.au. An ambulance was flipped on its roof after a collision on Maroondah Highway in Chirnside Park. (Supplied)
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Police increase presence at Chirnside Shopping Centre Victoria Police officers have introduced a Mobile Police Facility at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre to give shoppers and retail staff a direct access point to police officers when needed. It came as outer east police officers increase their visible presence at the shopping precinct. Common issues such as opportunistic shoplifting, property damage and public disturbances have prompted the move by police. Shoppers and retail staff can speak directly to a police officer, report non-urgent matters or share community safety concerns without leaving the centre. Be aware of motorcyclists Police in the outer east are asked to watch out for motorcycle riders this October for Motorcycle Awareness Month. Victoria Police’s road policing acting inspector for the Eastern Region, Jill McBain, said it was important to watch out for those riding on two wheels as the weather starts to warm up. “[Motorcycle riders are] a really vulnerable road user due to their lack of protection they’ve got around them. So, really important time to form some good habits and be really conscious of our surrounds,“ Ms McBain said. She pointed out some simple habits both drivers and riders can adopt to keep themselves safe on the road. “Drivers, please make sure you are checking your mirrors, checking your blind spots and looking twice as you move through intersections. “Riders, please make sure you’re wearing all your right protective gear, monitor your fatigue and be really highly visible on the roads. “Really important time for us to look after one another, particularly as we’re moving into the summer period and Christmas when the roads are going to start being a lot busier.“ Police investigate incidents in the outer east Lilydale Police have been investigating recent incidents involving a male who had been approaching females and making inappropriate comments at Chirnside Park Shopping Centre, Lilydale Marketplace, Lilydale Lake and surrounding areas. Investigators have successfully identified the individual, and the matter has been dealt with through police and Eastern Health. Local police thank the community for their awareness and cooperation. As always please continue to report these incidents via 000, your local police station or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Community award nominations open Yarra Ranges locals are encouraged to vote for deserving community leaders for the Australia Day 2027 Yarra Ranges Community Awards. Nominations are now open and will close on 13 November 2026. The awards champion community members who dedicate themselves to making the region a great place to live. Vote here: shorturl.at/P0gok.
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NEWS
Surcharge ban brings change By Gabriella Vukman The removal of credit and debit card surcharges has brought a change to the checkout for many consumers, with some Yarra Ranges businesses continuing to absorb payment processing costs, while others increase prices and encourage customers to use cash. Since the new no-surcharge rules took effect on 1 October, some local business owners have raised concerns about the financial pressure of absorbing payment processing fees, the impact on employment and whether customers fully understand the changes. The Federal Government says the reforms are designed to ease cost-of-living pressures for consumers while reducing payment costs for businesses. However, local operators say they are having to find ways to cover costs they can no longer pass on as a separate card surcharge, with some adjusting prices across selected products. Mike Emmett, owner of Barrique Wine Store in Healesville, said the business had anticipated the changes but questioned whether consumers understood that payment processing costs had not disappeared. “Many consumers don’t know that only a small portion of the surcharge fee is related to bank fees. The rest is the EFTPOS provider fee.” For Barrique, the change represents the equivalent of 0.6 of a staff member. “That equates to three days a week of work that we can’t give to somebody because we are fronting those fees,” Mr Emmett said. “Businesses all across Australia have to wear these extra fees at a time when we’re really struggling anyway.” The store has selectively increased prices to help offset the additional costs, while keeping tap beers and most local wines unchanged. Mr Emmett said customers had generally been understanding, particularly after the business spent months explaining the changes. “Now that $0.30 has been given back, but we’ve taken three days of work away from somebody else if we don’t raise our prices.”
Local businesses harbour mixed feelings on surcharge changes. (Nathana Reboucas, unsplash). “It’s ostensibly a reasonable policy, but it does have an impact on business, and those fee costs will be passed on,” he said. Where customers could previously avoid card surcharges through paying cash, Mr Emmett said customers paying cash would now pay the same raised prices as everyone else. “We are not going to offer a discount for cash, because we would have to start recovering those fees from more parts of the business,”
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he said. Brendan Cavanagh, who operates Cavanagh’s Whisky and Alehouse in Healesville, said the timing of the changes had added pressure to an already difficult operating environment, with businesses facing increased fuel costs, interest rates and other rising expenses. Having already increased prices earlier in the year, Mr Cavanagh said the changes had forced him to reconsider pricing across the business, with an estimated $11,000 a year in additional costs to cover. “I am lucky that I have a diverse product range to be able to spread out the cost absorption.” “Fortunately, being operating for four or five years now, I have got enough data to go back and look at what I can change,” he said. Mr Cavanagh said he was determined to keep prices reasonable for local customers. “We’re not businesses that just try to screw over tourists, with $20 coffees. We won’t be charging $18 bucks for a pint. I refuse to,” he said. “There are levers that I am pulling now to keep those prices reasonable, but any other pressure that comes my way will make it very hard to keep it that way.” Faith Samuel, owner of Nature’s Cakes in Healesville, said the changes had added to an already difficult operating environment for small businesses. The cumulative effect of payment costs was particularly challenging for a business making products from raw ingredients. “This new legislation is going to cost me another ten or fifteen thousand dollars a year, depending on takings.” “All of the costs accumulate and it’s really hard.” “Things need to change, otherwise, all of us small businesses are going to disappear.” While the surcharge changes mean higher costs for some businesses, others are benefiting. Nina Sturgess, owner of Verso Books and president of Healesville Traders Incorporation, said the removal of surcharges had created an opportunity to save on her own business purchases. “At Verso we have never on-charged our credit card fees so for me personally, the new policy has had an upside that I can now pay my suppliers with a debit or credit card without incurring a surcharge.” Ms Sturgess encouraged businesses to compare payment providers. “We have recently changed our merchant provider to get more attractive rates so it’s definitely worth shopping around and putting the pressure on the banks to lower their rates.” She said businesses could also consider other ways to manage overheads. “Communicating with your customers that you prefer cash is also a good option - we are definitely seeing more cash recently,” she said.
The changes took effect on 1 October 2026, ending separate surcharges on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard payments, with American Express also adopting the change. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) found surcharging had become increasingly complex and was no longer achieving its intended purpose of encouraging customers to use cheaper payment methods. The reforms also reduce interchange fee caps and increase transparency around payment processing costs. The maximum interchange fee on a consumer credit card transaction paid by a small business has fallen from 0.8 per cent to 0.3 per cent. However, interchange fees are only one component of card processing costs. Businesses may also pay fees to card networks and payment providers. The RBA estimates the broader reforms will save businesses about $910 million annually, with small businesses expected to benefit particularly from lower interchange fees. An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) spokesperson said businesses remained free to set their own prices and choose which payment methods they accepted. “Businesses can continue to recover the cost of accepting card payments by incorporating that cost into their overall pricing for the products or services they sell, just as they do with all their other costs of doing business.” “Businesses must not mislead customers about their prices or the reasons for any price changes,” they said. Businesses must also clearly display the minimum total price, including mandatory fees that can be quantified in advance. Consumers who believe they have been misled can report concerns to the ACCC or their state consumer protection agency. The new rules do not prohibit other charges, such as permitted weekend or public holiday surcharges. While the surcharge ban is designed to ease cost-of-living pressures, local businesses’ plans to adjust prices raise questions about whether the reforms could contribute to inflation in the short term. The impact will depend on how many businesses raise prices, the size of those increases and whether they absorb costs or secure lower processing fees. For consumers, the changes mean greater certainty at the checkout, but not necessarily lower prices across the board. Across the Yarra Ranges, the responses from Barrique Wine Store, Cavanagh’s Whisky and Alehouse, Nature’s Cakes and Verso demonstrate that there is no single solution for small businesses facing the change. The longer-term question is whether the removal of visible card surcharges will deliver meaningful savings for consumers while allowing local businesses to remain financially sustainable.
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League changes spark concern By Gabriella Vukman Football Victoria’s decision to limit most clubs to one team in its senior women’s State League pyramid from 2027 has sparked concerns about the future of competitive opportunities for women. Under the changes announced in September, the National Premier League Women, Victorian Premier League Women and State League 1-4 competitions will retain promotion and relegation, but clubs will generally be limited to one team in the pyramid, with an exemption for university teams. A new Community League will run alongside the competitive structure, offering football without promotion and relegation. Clubs will be able to enter multiple teams, with four geographic zones intended to reduce travel. Yarra Ranges resident Gabriella Grande, who has played football for almost 20 years, fears the changes could force players out of teams they have spent years building and leave them searching for somewhere else to play. “I thought the whole point of these updates was to support women’s soccer, not make it harder,” Ms Grande said. In a media release announcing the changes, Football Victoria (FV) said its restructure followed eight months of consultation, including a survey of more than 400 senior women’s players, consultation with clubs and input from its Football Development Committee and Football Advisory Panel. FV said feedback included concerns about one-sided results, forfeits, travel requirements and the need for a competition catering to players more interested in the social and health benefits of sport than promotion and relegation. The governing body said the new Community League would provide a more flexible option for women wanting to play football, with grading to help ensure teams compete at an appropriate level. Community League clubs will also remain eligible for cup competitions such as the Nike FC
Cup, while the Women’s Metropolitan League would become part of the new structure. Ms Grande said the changes could affect the pathways her club’s three senior women’s teams provided for juniors and women returning to football. “Our division four team is a bridge for players who still want to play serious and competitive soccer, that aren’t quite at the League One level yet,” she said. Ms Grande said the changes overlooked the reasons many women continued to play competitive football, beyond simply winning games. “I play soccer because of the friendships, and health benefits, but I also want that strong competition.” “There seems to be an assumption from Football Victoria that these women are more than happy and willing to just go to the community league,” she said. “It feels like Football Victoria is asking women to walk away from the game entirely and join another sport.” Ms Grande said a transition period or exemptions for clubs with multiple established women’s teams would help protect existing opportunities. She questioned whether the consultation had adequately reached players who would be directly affected by the changes, saying she became aware of the restructure through teammates. Seasoned State League women’s football coach”. Craig Clark also questioned the impact of the changes, saying his club’s lower State League team helped develop younger players and supported its broader women’s program. “By dropping the State 4 team down to the Community Leagues, we’re going to lose quality players that our junior and CPL girls rely on to progress,” he said. He said four players from the club’s College Player League cohort made their senior debuts last year, while two under-15 players had also debuted in senior football during the current season. Mr Clark also questioned whether changing the competition structure was the best way to ad-
Each club will be limited to one team in the Women’s State League in 2027. (File: 402824). dress concerns about clubs using stronger players in lower divisions. The university exemption has also prompted questions from players and club representatives about why some organisations can field multiple teams while others cannot. “Clubs that have demonstrated over a long period that they have invested heavily into girls’ and women’s programs and have therefore got two teams in the higher leagues, shouldn’t have to forfeit their hard work,” Mr Clark said. The debate has also played out on FV’s Facebook page, where commenters questioned the consistency of the one-team rule and why university clubs should be exempt. Commenter Luke Flood argued the issue was about consistent application rather than the skill levels of individual teams. Other commenters raised concerns about the affordability of community football and the barriers faced by women who want to play socially but cannot commit to a full season. While some supported the general direction of
the changes, others questioned whether reserves and development pathways should extend further down the State League system. Concerns were also raised about the flow-on effects if a club’s top team is relegated, potentially affecting its reserves and other senior sides. The restructure has prompted debate about its impact on players and clubs, while its implications for Football Victoria’s governance and constitutional requirements remain unclear. Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said the government supported efforts to ensure women and girls had fair and inclusive opportunities to participate in sport. “Victoria is proud to lead the nation in creating a level playing field for women and girls in sport,” Ms Spence said. “We encourage Football Victoria to continue working with all parties to find a solution to support fair and inclusive competition and participation.” It is not yet clear whether the 2027 restructure raises any constitutional or other governance issues for Football Victoria, and no breach has been established. The Star Mail contacted Football Victoria for comment on the restructure, including the consultation process, the one-team-per-club rule and the university exemption, player pathways, fees and whether financial or operational considerations influenced the changes. They declined to comment. A spokesperson for Football Australia said, “Football Australia is the national governing body responsible for establishing and overseeing the regulatory framework for football in Australia. “Member Federations are responsible for administering their respective state competitions, including competition structures and formats, in accordance with Football Australia’s Constitution and applicable national regulations.” The new senior women’s competition structure is due to take effect in 2027. Further details about how teams will be graded and placed in the Community League are yet to be confirmed.
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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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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 5
NEWS
Volunteers are needed By Callum Ludwig Holy Fools is looking for more volunteers to help out at Felix House, making sure there are always welcoming faces at the door. The primary goal of any volunteer is to make sure people experiencing homelessness or insecure housing who stop by the site feel seen, respected, welcomed and safe. Holy Fools founder Neal Taylor said they are looking to implement a more structured roster at Felix House. “Holy Fools has always been very organic, but we’re trying to move into a more structured and more professional system of volunteering with us,” he said. “We’ve got some spaces to fill and are looking for people who might be interested in coming and working here. “Generally it’s for people who aren’t afraid of meeting people, who can relate to others, are a bit of an empathetic person and who can give us a hand keeping the place clean and functioning.” Volunteers are asked to be available for one or more four-hour shifts per week, according to the volunteer roster with current openings on weekdays 10am to 2pm, 2pm to 6pm and on Saturdays 11am to 3pm. Mr Taylor said the volunteers are the key face of Felix House, making a dramatic impact on each person who walks through the door. “As soon as someone walks through the door, they’re the ones that they’re engaging people straight away just to say hi and see how they’re doing,” he said. “We would see anywhere from ten to fifteen people a day and maybe more but a lot of the time we get to know people, so it’s a role that will grow and as long as you’re open to meet people and have a bit of an understanding of people, I think people would be perfect for that role.” Holy Fools will provide induction, training, and a supportive team to help any volunteers bed into the role.
Felix House is seeking volunteers to ensure there’s always a friendly face when someone walks through the door. (Stewart Chambers: 583333) The role includes meeting and greeting at the door, providing food or drinks to visitors, offering a shower or to do some laundry, engaging in conversation with those who walk through the door and providing any aid or resources available to help. General tasks centred on keeping Felix House clean and functioning will also be involved.
Volunteers will be required to have a police check done and to hold a Working with Children’s Check. Mr Taylor said this work broadens your view of humans. “A lot of the guys that have volunteered here with us, they say that it has opened their eyes to the situation about homelessness and about the
community,” he said. “It is remarkable to hear people’s stories, to meet people and share some joys and some lows with them, just connecting with other people is a major insight to the whole thing.” To find out more or enquire about volunteering, visit holyfools.org.au/get-involved/volunteer.
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The refurbished heritage station building and Lilydale Community House were officially launched on Wednesday 7 October. (Mikayla van Loon: 583756)
Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins remembered stopping by the refreshments room. (583756)
The fixtures and fittings are all original. (583756)
Design and place manager Nathan Islip led and oversaw much of the project. (583756)
The station building’s exterior needed refreshing. (Supplied)
Railway building reopens By Mikayla van Loon Lilydale’s heritage railway building has had new life breathed into it, with the 112-year-old structure officially entering its next chapter. The reopening of the repaired and restored building happened on Wednesday 7 October, showcasing the new home of the Lilydale Community House. It comes five years after works began on Lilydale’s level crossing removal project, and the heritage station was replaced with the new skyrail platform. Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins reflected on the decades that commuters would come and go from the station and the well-loved refreshments room. “This station is a key part of Lilydale’s history. Many of us will remember catching trains from the old station, and some of us may even remember stopping in at the refreshments room, which operated for about 60 years,” he said.
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“I’m pleased to see the station brought back to life and used by our community again.” Cr Higgins said he was really happy to see the Lilydale Community House have its own dedicated space, in such a beautifully restored building. “Our community houses punch above their weight throughout the whole Yarra Ranges. They are seriously good contributors. Good places for our community; people learn, make friendships, grow together, and what better outcome than something like this for a place like this,” he said. Originally opened in 1914, the historic building had faced periods of neglect, break-ins, and deterioration in recent years. Extensive refurbishment was required to not only ensure a safe and usable space, but also to meet the heritage requirements. The project was delivered through a multi-agency partnership between VicTrack, the Victorian Government, and Yarra Ranges Council.
Under the arrangement, the council leases the heritage-listed precinct from VicTrack and sub-leases the facility to Lilydale Community House, which will manage and operate the space in conjunction with the Victorian Railways Institute (VRI). The refurbishment initially gained funding from the Lilydale Suburban Revitalisation Board, chaired by Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing, which kick-started the project. Ms Shing said the conversation around the preservation and restoration of the station building was had in the very early stages of the level crossing removal project. “We realised that we needed to do something about this beautiful jewel in Lilydale’s crown, which was a little dusty and a little unloved, but which deserved absolutely to be brought back to life and celebrated,” she said. Ms Shing said what has been achieved was beyond what was expected in 2020 and that the building not only provides for now but well into
the future. “If these walls could talk, they would probably have hedged a bet that there would, in no way, shape, or form, 110 plus years ago, or into the future, be given the funding and the momentum and the support and the love and the care by so many people needed to support, preserve, and celebrate everything that this building has meant to Lilydale and surrounds,” she said. Design and place manager Nathan Islip, who led much of the project, said all the original features and fixtures, like the pressed tin, the mouldings on the wall, the dado, the light fittings and the joinery remain and tell a story. “(They are) all these fingerprints of time gone by, it’s still here and still telling the same story, except we’re adding another chapter to it,” he said. Lilydale Community House will now host its full range of public programs from the heritage building. Details on upcoming programs and class registrations are available at lilydalech.org.au.
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 7
NEWS
Next stage of pump track begins By Gabriella Vukman Coldstream’s popular pump track is set for further improvements, with new shade, seating and barbecue facilities planned following feedback from local riders and families. Yarra Ranges Council has secured $39,720 from the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund for the second stage of the Coldstream Station Activation project, which will also in-
clude improvements to the pump track and surrounding car park entry. Council Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure Anita Curnow said the track had received positive feedback since opening in November 2023, prompting further consultation on how the facility could better serve the community. “Since opening in November 2023, the pump track has received overwhelmingly positive
feedback from users of all ages.” “We surveyed riders and families at the site shortly after it opened, and again in late 2025, to seek their feedback and suggestions for further improvements.” Ms Curnow said the consultation helped identify practical additions that would make the site more comfortable for families and visitors spending time at the track. “The community told us it would be great if
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Locals have expressed concerns about the intersection across from the pump track. (File: 371187) there were more shade options on hot days, as well as additional seating and BBQ facilities so they could make a day of their visit.” “With this grant funding, we’re delighted to be able to deliver these outcomes for the community,” Ms Curnow said. Council received 49 contributions from 44 contributors during consultation, with feedback highlighting the need for facilities catering to different skill levels, more seating and shade, and a track suitable for BMX riders, mountain bikers, scooter riders and skateboarders. However, the surrounding road network has also raised safety concerns, particularly for families accessing the facility. In a Facebook post on 3 January 2023, local resident Lea Forbes praised the new pump track but questioned the safety of crossing Maroondah Highway with children. “Went down to the pump track today and it was fabulous.. so much fun to be had by everyone..” “My only concern is, kids and families crossing the highway… it’s so bloody dangerous.” Ms Forbes raised questions of whether the new pump track would mean a renewed push for traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at the intersection. “Something needs to be there for the kids, and families to make it safer.” Concerns about crossing the highway come amid a broader, longstanding campaign for an upgrade to the intersection of Maroondah Highway and Killara Road. Residents have previously reported near misses and difficulties navigating the busy intersection, particularly during weekends when visitor and tourist traffic increases. Coldstream residents John and Mary Grant, who moved to the suburb in 2010, previously told Star Mail they regularly witnessed dangerous situations at the intersection. Mrs Grant said people were taking risks when attempting to cross or turn through traffic, while Mr Grant raised concerns about trucks parked along the road restricting visibility. The intersection has remained a priority for local campaigners, with plans for an upgrade subject to ongoing discussions about costs and funding. The pump track improvements are focused on facilities within the station precinct, and Council has not confirmed whether the latest project includes any changes to pedestrian crossing arrangements on Maroondah Highway. The second stage will deliver a trackside shelter, public barbecue facilities and new furniture, alongside improvements to the pump track and car park entry. Ms Curnow said stage two had been part of the broader vision for the site since the original project was developed, with Council already committing funding to improvements including the pump track and surrounding car parking. “By combining the State Government grant with Council’s contribution, we’ve been able to significantly expand the scope of works and deliver even greater benefits for the community.” The upgrades are intended to create a more welcoming space for local families while also providing a convenient rest stop for users of the nearby Yarra Valley Trail. Ms Curnow said Council continued to pursue external funding where grant opportunities aligned with community needs and its priorities. “With 55 towns in our municipality, there are many worthy projects in our municipality,” she said. “This project was identified as a strong fit for the fund’s eligibility requirements and objectives, and we’re delighted it has secured funding. We’re excited to see this project move forward.” She said ongoing maintenance of the upgraded facilities would be managed through Council’s regular asset management and budget processes. The improvements are also expected to encourage visitors to spend more time in Coldstream and support nearby businesses, while making the station precinct a more functional destination for residents and trail users. Construction timing is subject to final project planning and contractor availability.
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The urban bike park project at Morrison Reserve officially opened on Wednesday 7 October. (Mikayla van Loon: 583722)
An eager and experienced bike rider was waiting as the temporary fencing came down around the Morrison Reserve bike park. (Mikayla van Loon: 583722)
School students who had finished for the day were eager to test out the new track. (583722)
Young riders were quick to show off their tricks. (583722)
Smiles were wide as the first young riders took to the track. (583722)
All set to ride new bike park By Mikayla van Loon The newest bike park in the Yarra Ranges was quick to get a workout on Wednesday 7 October as the temporary fencing came down at Mount Evelyn’s Morrison Reserve. Eager riders took to the flow trails, jump lines and an asphalt snake run as soon as the official proceedings were completed. Formally opened by Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing, Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins and Councillor Tim Heenan, all expressed their excitement for local young people. The bike park was part of the larger Morrison Reserve Master Plan, which delivered a renewed playspace last year and sought to provide youth-specific spaces. Ms Shing said witnessing children get-
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ting active and connected at the playground launch in early 2025 was wonderful to see. As the fences came down around the newest development, Ms Shing said it would be “a draw card, not just for riders, skaters, and scooters around the shire, but also from further afield”. “In a growing part of the shire, where again population continues to become dense, we need to make sure there are places for people of all ages and abilities to actually find somewhere to connect,” she said. “It really is about making sure that people can enjoy what they do locally and closer to home. And I can’t think of a more beautiful location for a track.” The project was made possible through the dual contribution of $2.6 million from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund
and $1.2 million from the council. Cr Heenan said the project was guided by the principle of building better spaces for community, based on extensive feedback following the pandemic. “While the new bike path is the centrepiece, this space is about much more than riding bikes. We know how important it is to have welcoming public spaces,” he said. “It’s somewhere to ride, to socialise, to relax, and just spend time together. “Whether it’s young people meeting up after school, family spending time together, with a beautiful playground…what’s really important about the project is creating a stronger sense of community, giving people more opportunities to get outside, particularly young people, to get outside and enjoy the space.” The construction of the multi-track bike
park was delivered by Warrandale Industries, with design input from Emerge Associates and Common Ground Trails. The various track options cater to a diverse age range and skill level, ensuring everyone can get out and have a go. It features a pump track, snake run, jump park and trail elements incorporating jumps, berms and drops, as well as a three-level jump park catering for riders from beginners through to advanced. Complementary seating, landscaping and viewing areas rounded out the broader Morrison Reserve Youth Activation Project. “This is a substantial, most important addition to Mount Evelyn,” Cr Heenan said. “This will be a great cornerstone for them now.”
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 9
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The story behind the disco The 1970s: a decade of change and selfdiscovery, of politics and protest. Fashion, photography and music became instrumental for self-expression. Women’s liberation, gay rights and Aboriginal land rights gained footing. By Mikayla van Loon But as much as it was an era of freedom, police were noticing a general consensus of boredom among young people and decided to do something about it. It started with a simple conversation in the mess room at Mooroolbark Police Station, as the afternoon Div Van Crew and then a Detective Senior Constable, Ivan Ray, spoke about the state of young people in the area. Constables Bob Le-Guire, Glynn Withey, Bob Craig, Barry Hellings and Bill Entwistel, with the support and encouragement of then Station Commander Senior Sergeant Barry Hansen, turned the idea into reality. About a month later, on 12 July 1976, the first iteration of the Blue Light Disco was hosted in Mooroolbark with 83 kids in attendance. Not long after, Blue Light Discos would become synonymous with an early teenage experience for several decades. Fifty years later, founder and former chair, Mr Ray, still believes in the value of Blue Light Discos and the importance of giving young people positive interactions with police and each other. The Kilsyth resident recalled the $50 budget, the Mooroolbark Lions Club’s help and the discussion that led to the first dance. “The troops were grizzling about the fact that every time they spoke to a kid in the street, ‘oh, we’ve got nothing to do, we’ve got nothing to do’, and the conversation went on,” Mr Ray said. “Well, let’s find something for them to do and see what happens. So that’s when we decided to have a dance. It was what we called it. We advertised it through the schools, and we formed a committee, of which I chaired, and started planning how we were going to start this dance.” Sourcing two bands, one as the main attraction and one as the supporting act, King Rat, Mr Ray said that when the night rolled around, they thought they’d made an error. “Us being all knowledgeable as cops, we’re watching the kids, their responses, and when King Rat came on and started, they were all dancing, and we thought they were having a wow of a time. “The main band came on. They just stood around. They stood around the stage. They didn’t do anything. They didn’t show any emotion. They were just like zombies, I suppose. We thought, ‘we’ve made a big blue here. We’ve done the wrong thing’.” A fortnight later, the second dance was held at the Kilsyth Memorial Hall, “packed to the rafters” with 130 kids, with King Rat as the main band. “All they did was grizzle and groan at the second disco,” Mr Ray said. The committee later discovered that “if it’s a good band, you just listen to the music”. The kids told them, “We’re dancing because we’re bored with them”. That first month was a learning curve, but the popularity of the event only grew, and so too did the size of the venue. Moving to Pembroke High School, between 300 and 400 kids showed up to the next Saturday night dance. Volunteers from the Mooroolbark Lions Club supported the events and offered their time, as well as many of the police officers’ wives. The positive effect was almost immediate for police officers in the community, seeing the change in behaviour and comfort young
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Retired Victoria Police Inspector Ivan Ray founded the Blue Light Disco in 1976. (Stewart Chambers: 581928)
Blue Light Discos became a rite of passage for young people not only across Australia but around the world. (Supplied) people had in speaking with authoritative figures. “I said to the crew, ‘I think we’ve got something here’. These kids are off the street, and those in the group, people with a role in the community, said, ‘it’s terrific, you go down the street now and kids come up and talk to you’,” Mr Ray said. Mr Ray said the connections and friendships that sparked between the young people were also a positive outcome. “The kids would be talking about what happened at last disco, so they had a new conversation to work with. Then they’d spend the next two weeks and saying, ‘Oh, I saw this, and I saw that’. “The two weeks preceding the next disco, they’d be all doing the planning, who should go with them. “So it created a whole new level, which was the kids’ own space. It wasn’t parents, or any leader trying to force a view onto these kids. That was what they developed, and that’s what made it so bloody successful.” A similar concept had also been established in Essendon, run by Senior Sergeant Gerry O’Toole, a former colleague and friend of Mr Ray.
They came to an agreement that Essendon’s dance would be renamed to Blue Light. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mick Miller “thoroughly supported the idea” and backed Mr Ray’s suggestion of giving officers time in lieu for volunteering at the dances. It meant they gained a day off every two months. “What you have to remember, of course, is that for police, our Saturday nights are pretty special personally because we work shift work a lot of the time, and do work on weekends, so having a Saturday night off is important,” he said. “That was the real start. Police started to accept it, there were discos popping up everywhere.” Soon the initiative would take off not only across Victoria, but throughout Australia, New Zealand, America and the UK. “America had a couple, and the UK had a couple, but they never took off big time in those countries. But that was the size of it; at one stage, there were about four or 500 discos operating worldwide.” The largest disco in Australia was hosted in Ringwood, where 4000 kids regularly attended the underground car park at Target
Square. As Blue Light grew, so too did the interest from music luminaries like the Young Talent Time team and Jonny Young, who regularly visited discos, as did Molly Meldrum. “Seared in my memory was the diminutive Tina Arena visiting Diamond Creek Disco way back when,” Mr Ray said. “This very friendly little girl was not that interested in the Disco but wanted desperately to get in a police car and operate the siren.” Mr Ray said that while each disco catered to its own demographic, the initial target audience was Grade 5 and 6 students. “Each committee was given a lot of leeway to make their own rules but I used to push them and say, ‘Look, if they start going along to a disco in Grade 3 and 4, they’ve got nothing to aspire to’, and kids need aspirations, something to aim for in life, and we tend to try and take all that away from them. “It’s a big move to go from Grade 6 to secondary school; mind you, they’re all very keen to do it. “It’s aspirational, but the changes in their life and the relationships and all the rest of that stuff is going to be quite significant and can be quite daunting for them. So it’s great to have something there for them at that age group.” In the current “crime tsunami”, as Mr Ray called it, he said, “What concerns me the greatest is that there’s no plan”. “There is no strategic plan that I’m aware of that I’ve ever seen that’s designed to deal with these problem kids. “There has never, in history, been a situation where you can arrest your way out of these problems because then you rely on the courts that are unreliable. “The two fundamental functions of policing are proactive and reactive, and there should be a balance between the two. Over the last two decades, it’s been imbalanced.” Although Blue Light Victoria has taken on a different form, with only a few discos still operating, Mr Ray said he still sees the same value in what they were trying to achieve all those years ago. “Everybody forgets. They all make excuses to say, ‘it’s all different’. No, you’re making it different. Kids are still kids. “Kids spend the whole time wanting to be older than what they really are. This is giving kids a grown-up something to do. It’s theirs.” Mr Ray retired from the force as an inspector after a career in uniform policing, highway patrol, crime investigation and as editor of Police Life. He chaired the Blue Light Foundation for 13 years.
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 11
Would you check if she’s ok?
If you bring empathy to everything you do, you could make a real difference with Victoria Police.
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Lilydale Probus Club president Lorelle Walton. (583005)
Yarra Ranges Mayor Richard Higgins, Gill Tasker, Cliff Abbott and Pat Peterken. (583005)
Lilydale Probus Club members Brigitte Jung, Margaret Williamson, Marion Mackie, Lorelle Walton, Merle Brown and Dave Tasker. (Stewart Chambers: 583005)
Gill Tasker with her O.B.E (Over Bloody Eigthy) medal. (583005)
Lilydale Probus proud to mark 50 years By Mikayla van Loon The Lilydale Probus Club joined nationwide celebrations marking 50 years of Probus in Australia on Thursday 8 October, bringing together more than 60 local seniors for a special anniversary luncheon. The milestone event at the Lillydale Lake Community Room followed the club’s regular monthly meeting, which featured a guest presentation on forestry and bushfire safety by Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) regulatory operations manager Nathan Stamkos. Club president Lorelle Walton said celebrating 50 years of the movement highlighted the essential role Probus plays in keeping older Australians active and connected. “Older people deserve some fun in their lives. We have a lot of fun, and it’s important to celebrate,” Ms Walton said. She added that hosting an extended luncheon was a deliberate effort to include members who might struggle to attend regular field trips or out-
ings due to mobility or accessibility needs. “It’s a way of people being able to talk to different people, not just their friends. If someone’s by themselves, just go and sit with them and talk,” Ms Walton said. Founded in 1983, the Lilydale chapter has seen interest surge in recent years. While membership previously hovered between 30 and 40 people, the club now boasts 81 members and a growing waiting list. “We’ve got about five new members wanting to become members but we can’t go much higher than 100 in here because the (Lillydale Lake Community Room) won’t take it,” Ms Walton said. Despite capacity constraints, the group plans to stay active in the region, with community stalls planned for the upcoming Lilydale Street Fair and Lilydale Show. “Mostly, it’s word of mouth because people say it’s a good club, come and have fun, do lots of good things, and not many other organisations do it. They might have knitting or crochet, but we have a lot of outings.” To find out more, visit: lilydaleprobus.club
Rhonda Stone, Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence, Lorelle Walton and Bee Herry. (583005)
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The luncheon was enjoyed by more than 60 of the club’s members. (583005)
Bill Sutherland and Stephen enjoying the celebration. (583005)
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 13
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Sue Thompson, Glenys Godkin, Gloria Reade, Margaret Tull and Beryl Turner. (583331)
A century of kindness By Mikayla van Loon She’s lived by her grandfather’s mantra for 100 years, adopting the golden rule: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. It has carried Gloria Reade in good stead for those 10 decades, as proven by the room full of people at Mooroolbark Bowls Club who joined to celebrate her birthday on 8 October. “If you like the way you want to be treated, you treat everybody else the same way. Be kind to people. It’s a philosophy,” she said. Born in Lilydale on 4 October 1926, Ms Reade grew up on her grandparents’ farm in Yarra Glen. From a young age, she loved all things sports-related, something Ms Reade has carried with her to this day. “I love Collingwood. I’ve followed Collingwood since I was four years old. Until I hurt my leg, we’d go everywhere,” she said. “I played sport all my life. I was a golfer. I started to play golf when I left work in the ‘80s.” After finishing school, Ms Reade and her sister went to college in Melbourne, but her first job was cut short because of the impacts of World War II. “We went to business college learning typing and shorthand. I had a job for about six months during the war. So my sister and I, we both worked in the city, and we came home and worked on the farm and stayed there until the war finished.” She recalled the fuel rationing during the war and using petrol to start the farm’s machinery, but switching to kerosene to power the equipment. Despite this, Ms Reade said, “I lived through the war, and that was tough. There was no money around, but we were on the farm. We had our food. There were no real hardships.” The memories of those harder times were outweighed by the positive, because Yarra Glen was also where Ms Reade met her husband. “I met my husband Bill at the dance in Yarra Glen,” she said. “It was a small community. Everybody knew who lived over the river. My husband came from a farm next door to Madame Melba’s. He used to play with Pamela Vestey as kids.” In March 1946, Miss Gloria Ethel Hubbard of Yarra Glen and Mr James William Reade of Coldstream were announced in The Argus newspaper as engaged. They married in 1947. Once they’d welcomed their daughters and they both had gone to school, Ms Reade turned her attention to finding work.
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Gloria Reade celebrated her 100th birthday with her friends and former teammates at Mooroolbark Bowls Club on Thursday 8 October. (Stewart Chambers: 583331) “I went back to work, but then I was starting from scratch,” she said. As a VFL enthusiast, the perfect role presented itself, and Ms Reade became secretary to Denis Cordner, former Melbourne Football Club ruckman and captain, who was at the time working at Fibremakers. “When I first went back to work, I hadn’t done shorthand for years and years and years, and the terms they used over at Fibremakers when they spun the yarn were cakes and biscuits. I’d never heard of the terms they used,” Ms Reade said.
“So I did a draft, gave it to Denis, and the second month came along, and I had to do another monthly report. I said to him, ‘Well, if this isn’t any good, I don’t think I’ll make the grade’. And he came in, and he said, ‘Congratulations. You made it’, and I was with him for five years.” Doubting herself and her ability until that point, Ms Reade said, “once he gave me the assurance and the encouragement”, her confidence returned. Her next passion came from working at Kenworth Trucks Australia on Canterbury Road in
Bayswater as secretary to the chief engineer for 10 years. “I loved it, right down to the last nut and bolt that goes in.” Finishing her time there in 1985, Ms Reade said she would always keep an eye out for Kenworth trucks when travelling, pointing out “that’s a Kenny”. As a self-confessed “tomboy”, Ms Reade was gifted a tour of Kenworth Trucks for her 99th birthday by her grandson. She was overjoyed. “They took us all round the plants, and oh, how it’s grown since I was there. Knowing that I had worked there, they took us into places that they don’t normally. “We went into the holding yard where they keep the trucks that are built, sold and ready to go out. Just lovely. I enjoyed that.” Travelling around Australia was a huge part of her and Bill’s life, as he worked for Keith Fraser’s Mount Dandenong Bus Service. “He used to take kids from the high school on holidays, and somebody said to him, ‘Well, if you can do it for the kids, why can’t you do it for the adults?’ So he started doing trips for the adults, and we would do three-week camping trips. “The first one we did was up to Cairns. Then we did Western Australia. We did the centre and up to Darwin. That’s how we started our travel. Then we had a lot of bus trips from here.” With friends and family scattered around Australia from the Gold Coast to Adelaide, Ms Reade said “we’ve seen most of Australia”. But she was quick to highlight her favourite spot. “The Kimberley. When we did our first trip with Keith up to up through Catherine, I thought Catherine Gorge was the most beautiful place I’d ever seen until I saw the Kimberley. “The colours are amazing. I can’t even explain it. If anybody hasn’t been around Australia, they’ve got to do it. Australia’s a wonderful place.” It was their love of travel that led Bill and Gloria to lawn bowls. “We were going to do a caravan trip with my sister. She’d already been round Australia, and we were going to do the last leg with her. “They were bowlers and had been for years. I looked up my husband. I said, ‘Well, listen, we have to learn to play bowls, otherwise we’ll be sitting in the caravan looking at each other’. So that’s how I came to get into bowls.” Ms Reade played bowls for 30 years at the Mooroolbark Bowls Club, until the age of 96.
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 15
NEWS
Join Place Plan workshops Mooroolbark community members are invited to join a series of Community Workshops to help shape the town’s future. Expressions of interest are now open for community members who want to attend two collaborative workshops in late October and provide input, feedback, and expertise to shape the draft Mooroolbark Place Plan. Melba Ward Councillor Mitch Mazzarella said the sessions were an important next step, and encouraged community members to sign up. “A Place Plan helps to articulate what residents, businesses and visitors love about the township and set priorities for the future, ensuring that decisions we make as a Council about developments, projects and infrastruc-
ture respect and improve on those qualities,” he said. “It will guide our decision-making for the next 20 years, ensuring the Mooroolbark of the future continues to meet the evolving needs of the community, while retaining the qualities the community like about it today. “There will be plenty of opportunity for the wider community to get involved as the draft progresses but, for now, we’re looking for 30 passionate locals with a variety of life experience, to help us create and shape the draft.” Cr Mazzarella said that previous community feedback provided to the council will be used as a starting point and conversation topics at the workshops. “At these workshops, we will review what
we’ve heard from the community previously, explore key themes and priorities and create some actions to address that past feedback. We will then develop a shared vision for the town, refine those actions and help shape the draft Place Plan, which will go to the wider community for feedback in 2027,” he said. Community members interested in joining the workshops can register their interest at Shaping Yarra Ranges, Council’s community engagement platform, or by requesting a hard copy of the sign-up form from any Council Community Link. The workshops will be held from 5.30 to 8.30pm on 21 October and 28 October at the Mooroolbark Community Centre at 125 Brice Avenue. The second workshop will build on
the discussions from the first, so participants must be available to attend both sessions. An Engagement and Opportunities paper has also been prepared for these sessions, which outlines key community findings to date, explains place planning concepts, and includes analysis of local issues. Community members can read the paper and submit an expression of interest on Council’s Shaping Yarra Ranges website, shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/mooroolbark-place-plan There will be more opportunities for community members to have their say as part of the wider community engagement on the draft Mooroolbark Place Plan in early 2027. The council encourages all community members to keep up to date on the Mooroolbark Place Plan.
Soon-to-be Hamlet Living resident Kaye Williams plants a tree with co-founders Cecelia Hund and James Kelly. (Stewart Chambers: 577650)
Ground officially broken at Swansea Road retirement village By Mikayla van Loon Work is officially underway on Hamlet Living’s retirement development in Lilydale following a ground breaking ceremony that marked the start of construction. Despite excavation already underway at the 375 Swansea Road property, co-founders Cecelia Hund and James Kelly launched the project on Thursday 8 October. Developers, local council representatives, community leaders, and future residents gathered under blue skies at the site to celebrate the milestone. Instead of turning the sod in a traditional sense, Ms Hund and Mr Kelly, alongside the founding residents, planted trees as a symbol of Hamlet’s vision to work with the land, not against it. “As part of our land management plan, we will re-wild the site with native vegetation and permanently protect more than two hectares of open space within the community,” Mr Kelly said. “So instead of the usual sod turning, we put our shovels to better use and planted manna gums. We’re building a place to live alongside this environment and look after it for the long term, so it made sense to start with something that grows.” Ms Hund said Hamlet was a deliberate name choice, describing a small, connected settlement within a broader community. 16 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
Cecelia Hund, future residents George and Lorraine Miller, Paul and Kaye Williams and James Kelly at the site. (577650) Hamlet Living co-founders James Kelly and Cecelia Hund turn the sod at 375 Swansea Road. (577650) “We started Hamlet to create smaller, more thoughtful communities, and Lilydale, with its warmth and strong community spirit, is the perfect place to begin,” she said. “We can bring together the right ingredients, but it’s the people who make a community their own. With our first homeowners planting trees alongside us today, we couldn’t have hoped for a better start.” Ms Hund said one way Hamlet was working with the community was by sponsoring the Lilydale Bowls Club instead of building a bowling green within the village. The village will instead feature a pickleball court, a chicken coop, a dog run, and direct access to nearby Lillydale Lake.
“We’ve really put a lot of thought and attention into making sure that this is right for not only the environment that it’s in, but the people who live here,” she said. “We take the responsibility of that really seriously. We want to make sure that we are protecting what’s here, adding to what’s here, and creating something that will really enrich our community.” The Lilydale development will comprise just 50 homes set across a sprawling site where more than 65 per cent of the land will be preserved as green space. The property also sits directly adjacent to 100 hectares of local parkland. Healesville residents Paul and Kaye were some of the first buyers and will make the move to Lilydale after 12 years living in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Although they “love it up there”, they’ve de-
cided to downsize and were attracted by the closeness to the Lilydale township and Lillydale Lake, admitting they’re often in Lilydale at least three times a week anyway. The pair are expecting their new home will be ready at the end of 2027. The development comes after a lengthy planning process, after an initial 2018 planning application was rejected by both Yarra Ranges Council and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) in 2020. A revisited and reduced planning application, with greater drainage and environmental protections, was approved by Yarra Ranges Council in May 2024. It still received community objections relating to the environmental impact on Olinda Creek, the near-threatened platypus population and flood risk. Traffic impacts were also highlighted as concerns. Major civil works on the site will continue over the coming months as bulk earthworks get underway to prepare the foundations for the 50 new homes. Construction of two display homes will begin in November, with completion expected in April. Rowe Construction and Todd Devine Homes are leading the civil works and build, respectively, with support from KLM Spatial and Urbis, which led the engineering and planning.
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COMEDY IN THE VINES 2026
Comedy in the Vines returns Get ready for four days of comedy, music, wine and plenty of the unexpected when Comedy in the Vines returns to the Yarra Valley this October. Held at the iconic Cherry Hill Orchards from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 25 October, Comedy in the Vines brings together some of the best ingredients for a great spring weekend, with world class comedy, live music, local wine and a relaxed festival atmosphere all set among the beautiful surrounds of the Yarra Valley. At the heart of the festival is the comedy, with a major outdoor stage hosting a line up of top Australian comedians alongside exclusive international acts. Whether you are a dedicated comedy fan or simply looking for a good laugh with friends, there will be plenty happening across the four days, with big names and plenty of surprises along the way. But Comedy in the Vines is about more than just taking your seat and watching a show. The festival has been designed as a social, roaming experience where you can wander between the different areas, catch up with friends, discover something new and enjoy the atmosphere at your own pace. Music plays a big part too, providing the soundtrack throughout the day. Expect chilled DJ sets as the afternoon gets underway, gradually building into higher energy live music and evening vibes. It is the kind of festival where you can settle in for the afternoon and find yourself staying well into the evening. And, of course, being in the Yarra Valley, wine is very much part of the experience. Visitors can explore a curated selection of premium Yarra Valley wines, with tastings offering the chance to discover local varieties and meet the people behind them. For those wanting to learn a little more, interactive masterclasses led by experienced winemakers provide a relaxed and approachable way to explore the region’s wine. The festival format makes it ideal for all
Comedy in the Vines is back for 2026 at CherryHill Orchards. (Supplied) sorts of groups, whether it is a weekend catch up with friends, a couples getaway or a long table gathering with a larger crew. There is no need to stick to one spot, with plenty of opportunity to move around, grab a drink, listen to some music and soak up the spring atmosphere. And there is a special offer for the locals. Yarra Valley residents can enjoy 20 per cent off tickets to Comedy in the Vines. To re-
deem the local discount, simply head to the QR code on the advertisement and follow the link to purchase your tickets. Set among the orchards at Cherry Hill, Comedy in the Vines offers a chance to enjoy one of the Yarra Valley’s most picturesque settings while experiencing something a little different. With four days of laughs, music, wine and the unexpected, Comedy in the Vines is
Merrick Watts performing at Comedy in the Vines 2025. (Supplied) shaping up as one of the regions must visit spring events. Gather your favourite people, make a weekend of it and get ready to laugh your way through the vines from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 25 October.
SINGLE-DAY TICKETS FROM $56 12905885-JV42-26
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NEWS
Improve ‘death literacy’ By Callum Ludwig A new study from La Trobe University has revealed just how few Australians are prepared for the deaths of themselves and those around them. Researchers from La Trobe’s Public Health Palliative Care Unit and the Death Literacy Institute surveyed more than 3000 people to create the 2026 National Death Literacy and Readiness Report. Acting head of La Trobe’s public health Palliative Care Unit and Director of the Death Literacy Institute Dr Kerrie Noonan said death happens to everyone but it’s surprising how few people are actually prepared. “About two-thirds of Australians haven’t discussed their end-of-life wishes with their families,” she said “Understanding your options is critical to planning for a better death. “Knowledge empowers us to take meaningful action like finalising our will, appointing an enduring guardian or simply having a conversation about end of life with our family and friends.” According to the survey, 48 per cent of people have not prepared a will, 54 per cent don’t know where to access palliative care, 58 per cent don’t know about end-of-life paperwork and almost 63 per cent don’t know what to do when someone dies at home. Death is around us, with 53 per cent report keeping company of someone close to death; 42 per cent said they had witnessed someone’s death and 30 per cent had been appointed as an enduring guardian/decision maker for someone else. However, only 23 per cent had written down their end-of-life wishes in an advance care directive and only 11 per cent had documented how they would like their online assets to be managed after their death. In the east, local organisations came together for the Circle of Care Expo to help address local levels of death literacy with face-to-face conversations and speeches from local services and providers earlier this year. Ahead of the event, home care provider Dovida’s community engagement officer Shona Ash-
The Circle of Care expo earlier this year helped improve death literacy in the east. (Callum Ludwig: 566084) worth told the Star Mail that events like Circle of Care create a safe, welcoming space to ask questions and learn from people who understand these topics deeply and accessibility matters just as much as the information itself. “These are conversations many people put off, often because they’re not sure how to start them or where to turn for trusted information,” she said. “Families often want to support their loved one at home, but without the right knowledge they can feel frightened and underprepared when symptoms change quickly. “The more people understand what to expect and where to turn, the more confident and capable they feel, that knowledge can be the difference between a family feeling alone and a family feeling genuinely supported.”
Researchers have developed an online tool called READYConnect which gives people a short digital quiz to assess their death literacy in response to this. “There is an increasing urgency to understand death literacy when we look at the scale of the demographic change in Australia’s near future,” Senior Project Officer Holly Smith said. “We are facing a lasting demographic shift, not a temporary surge in demand for end-oflife care. “As Australia’s population ages, strengthening our capacity to care for one another must become a national priority. READYConnect can help activate communities to care for each other.” READYConnect provides personalised insights to help people start conversations with
relatives and carers about dying, then links them to trusted sector resources. It can be accessed independently but researchers hope to see GPs, palliative care and aged care services referring patients and families to the platform. Chelsea Menchin, National Projects and Operations Director of Palliative Care Australia, said READYConnect had significant potential to strengthen Australia’s national approach to end-of-life care by building understanding of how prepared communities plan for ageing, dying, death and grief. “READYConnect will help identify gaps in community knowledge and preparedness and inform how health and community services can better support individuals and families to plan for the end of life,” she said. Take the quiz yourself at readyconnect.org.
New fox management plan a win By Oliver Winn Conservationists have welcomed the Federal Government’s new draft strategy to tackle feral foxes. The new draft Threat Abatement Plan for predation by European red foxes is now up for feedback and will replace the existing plan dating back to 2008. Victorian National Parks Association parks and nature campaigner said native species in the Yarra Valley would benefit from better control of foxes in the area. “The impact of feral foxes is huge and widespread across public and private land. “So, the better we can control them and test new theories and new methods, that’s probably one of the great things to come out of this rewriting of the plan,” he said. Foxes impact local populations by commonly hunting long-nosed and southern brown bandicoots and ground-nesting birds. Mr Crook said they also impact some of the state’s most threatened species. “Even like Leadbeater’s possum and the helmeted honeyeater, both our state emblems would be impacted by foxes, so they’re a shocker.” Invasive Species Council rewilding manager Rob Brewster said the draft strategy was an important opportunity to ensure Australia’s approach to fox control reflected nearly two decades of advances in conservation science and invasive species management. “Australia’s current national fox strategy was written 18 years ago. Since then, our understanding of the devastating impact foxes are having on Australian wildlife has grown enormously.” Mr Brewster said foxes were often the difference between threatened species recovering or disappearing altogether. 18 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
Foxes have a big impact on native species in Australia. (File: 210772) But the plan would need to be met with sustained funding from the government to ensure action would be delivered. “It is good to finally see a new national strategy on the table, but the final plan needs to be ambitious and backed by the funding needed to deliver real action on the ground. “A strategy sitting on a shelf won’t protect wildlife. Governments need to invest in coordinated, sustained fox control across the landscapes where our most vulnerable native animals still survive,” Mr Brewster said. Mr Crook agreed with the sentiment and said there were new technologies that could also use some funding. “There’s also new technologies like gene drive, which is getting more spoken about lately, but needs better investment to really get the best out of it,” he said.
Gene drives are a collection of genes that rapidly spread from one generation to another. They’ve been used to reduce the number of mosquitoes that transmit malaria. For foxes, a gene drive that renders females infertile could help eliminate fox populations. But, the technology is still a long way off. “But it’s sitting in dire need of not just funding, but sustained funding over like five to ten year blocks where scientists can really get in there and do the work and not have things cut two years in when a government changes,” Mr Crook said. Foxes are also known to hunt lambs and spread diseases which impact farmers and landowners. Mr Brewster said there was evidence to show that when foxes and other introduced predators are removed or effectively controlled, threatened native animals can recover.
“The final strategy should set a clear ambition not simply to manage the damage caused by foxes, but to dramatically reduce their impact and give native wildlife the opportunity to recover,” he said. But Mr Crooks said more sustained funding would help more animals come back and repopulate. “If we really get on top of this issue and we take it seriously and give it the sustained funding that it needs, we will see animals come back. “But to do that we need the sustained funding and the real commitment from all levels of government to keep that money secure and keep it long-term,” he said. The draft Threat Abatement Plan for predation by European red foxes is currently open for public consultation. You can read it here: shorturl.at/BE6WY.
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DISC VER Mount Evelyn
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Creativity at the heart Formerly known to many locals as Jodee Creations, Jodie’s small business has been part of the Mt Evelyn community for more than 10 years. Two and a half years ago, Jodie moved into her current, more open-plan space next door, allowing her to expand her studio, gallery and teaching space while following her passion as an artist and tutor. While the focus has evolved, the gallery remains home to a beautiful selection of handmade and artisan products from both Australia and overseas, including leather handbags, Japanese pottery, locally made candles and unique gifts. HER UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION – A Traveller’s Tale Jodie warmly invites you to her next exhibition, A Traveller’s Tale, opening at the gallery at 6.30pm on Friday 20 November 2027. The exhibition will showcase a collection of new paintings inspired by her travels around the world and the people, places and experiences she has encountered along the way. Everyone is welcome, so be sure to save the date! The evening will also support a cause close to Jodie’s heart, with 10 per cent of the evening’s profits being donated to @ AussieActionAbroad, a local not-for-profit organisation working alongside Nepali communities on humanitarian projects that change lives. Aussie Action Abroad helps empower communities in Nepal to create positive change within their own communities. Jodie has personally volunteered with and supported the organisation since its beginnings 26 years ago, making this a particularly meaningful connection for her and a wonderful way to give back through her art. To find out how you can get involved visit: aussieactionabroad. org.au. Jodie is a self-taught watercolour and mixed media artist and tutor, inspired by her travels, the natural world and the connections she forms with people and places. Her work celebrates the
Classes and pieces to purchases are all available at Jodie Westall Art Gallery + Gifts. (Supplied)
Jodie Westall also has an upcoming solo exhibition to see ‘A Traveller’s Tale’. (Stewart Chambers: 574241) beauty found in everyday moments. Working predominantly in watercolour, she embraces the medium’s fluidity and spontaneity, balancing expressive washes with intricate detail. Her diverse subjects include florals, wildlife, architecture, portraiture and landscapes, with each piece reflecting a wonderful sense of atmosphere, light and emotion. The gallery is a destination for those searching for a unique and meaningful gift, an original artwork for their home, or even the opportunity to commission a personalised piece. Alongside her original artwork, Jodie creates her own range of locally printed, archival-quality prints and greeting cards. Her designs are now stocked wholesale in more than 60 stores across Australia, while her original works are held in private collections throughout Australia and over-
seas. The gallery is also home to Jodee Jewellery, Jodie’s own signature jewellery brand. Designed by Jodie and ethically handcrafted by a family of skilled artisans in Bangkok, Thailand, whom she has proudly worked with for more than 10 years, each piece is inspired by nature, travel and meaningful connections, with storytelling and personal meaning at the heart of every design. Creativity at the Heart of Everything Teaching is another important part of Jodie’s creative journey. Proudly tutoring at Mt Evelyn Community House for more than seven years, she also runs her own regular in-studio watercolour classes and workshops, sharing her love of painting with students of all levels and ages. Tuesdays are dedicated to watercolour classes in the studio — a relaxed and welcoming space
where a wonderful mix of men and women come together to share their passion for art. Through her personalised approach to teaching, students are encouraged to explore their creativity, develop their skills and build confidence in their own artistic journey. Mondays and Wednesdays are dedicated to studio time and workshops held with art groups around Australia, with the studio also available by appointment. The gallery is open to the public Thursday to Saturday, offering locals and visitors the opportunity to discover something truly special while supporting a local artist, small business and other independent makers and artisans, both locally and in Bangkok. Whether you’re an art lover, searching for a meaningful gift, looking for a unique piece for your home, or wanting to explore your own creative side, Jodie Westall Art Gallery + Gifts is a colourful and inspiring destination well worth discovering. 6 York Road, Mt Evelyn Open Thursday–Saturday Visit online: jodiewestallart.com.
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just up from Mt Evelyn Bakery and Bowens 0411 788 534 for more information 12891232-EB42-26
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WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS
Welcome from president In 2026, Wandin Silvan Field Days proudly celebrates the 57th year of the event, an impressive milestone that reflects the dedication, hard work and community spirit of the many people who have contributed to this much loved event over the years. As a not-for-profit organisation, the Field Days continue to be run by a committee of local volunteers who are passionate about supporting our agricultural industry and bringing the community together. Set in the heart of the beautiful Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, the Wandin Silvan Farm Field Days are held at the picturesque Wandin East Recreation Reserve. Each year, we welcome exhibitors, industry representatives and visitors from across Victoria and interstate, creating avaluable meeting place for those involved in farming, horticulture and related industries. The team remain committed to the event’s distinctive horticultural and farm machinery focus, encouraging exhibitors to showcase the products, equipment and services that support these important sectors. The Field Days offer visitors an excellent opportunity to explore the latest machinery, technology and industry innovations, compare products and prices, speak directly with dealers and suppliers, and catch up with fellow farmers, businesses and local residents. Alongside the extensive machinery and equipment displays, the Field Days provide an opportunity to discover more about the region’s agricultural heritage and the people and organisations supporting the industry. Visitors can connect with local community groups, learn about rural services and enjoy the variety of displays and activities that help make the event a popular annual gathering. The Information and Lifestyle Pavilion, to-
Wandin Silvan Field Days president Brad Finger. (File) gether with General Interest Alley, adds another dimension to the event, showcasing a diverse range of exhibitors and products. Visitors can browse regional food and wine, locally produced beverages, gin, safety wear, homecrafts, nursery products, clothing, jewellery and much more.
As the event marks its 57th year, the team look forward to welcoming everyone back for another successful Field Days. The community’s continued support helps to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage, showcase local businesses and strengthen the community connections that
make this event so special. On behalf of the committee, thank you to the exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers and visitors for being part of the Wandin Silvan Farm Field Days story. The committee look forward to seeing you there.
CELEBRATING
57
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Friday 16 & Saturday 17 OCTOBER 2026 Wandin East Recreation Reserve info@wandinsilvanfielddays.com.au | www.WandinSilvanFieldDays.com.au wandinsilvanfielddays 12901970-JO42-26
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WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS
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Aaron Violi will again have a stall at Wandin Silvan Field Days. (Supplied)
Violi MP will be there The Wandin Silvan Field Days celebrate their 57th year in 2026, continuing a proud tradition that generations of farmers, growers and exhibitors have looked forward to each year. Agriculture has long been part of Aaron Violi’s family story. His grandparents arrived in Australia from Italy in 1953, where they settled and built their new life on a farm in Silvan. Their story reflects the hard work, determination and passion that continues to define our local farming community today. While Mr Violi doesn’t believe his grandparents could have imagined their grandson becoming a Member of Parliament in their new home of Australia, he is proud to serve as the Federal Member for
Casey, representing the place he calls home and the communities that make the region so special. The strong sense of community that defines the region is always on full display at the Wandin Silvan Field Days, which continue to bring together farmers, growers, exhibitors and local families year after year. The Field Days are so much more than an agricultural event. They are a celebration of the people, families and industries that have shaped the community for generations and continue to drive it forward. They recognise the strong contribution of the farmers, with more than 11,000 hectares of land in Casey dedicated to agricultural produc-
tion - growing everything from wine grapes and strawberries to cherries, apples and vegetables that help feed Australians from the rich soils of the Yarra Valley. And while you can usually count on those two days in October to be wet and muddy, the weather has never stopped the crowds from getting out to support local industry and see firsthand the latest technology, machinery and equipment driving their work. Whether you’re interested in farming, local produce, machinery, livestock or simply spending a day out with the family, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Mr Violi will once again have a stall at this year’s Wandin Silvan Field Days and looks forward to speaking with locals.
Celebrating and supporting the agricultural heritage of Casey is important to Aaron Violi. (Supplied)
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AARON VIOLI Federal Member for Casey
See you at the Wandin Silvan Field Days www.AaronVioli.com.au | 9727 0799 Authorised by A.Violi, Liberal Party, 110 Main St, Lilydale VIC 3140. 12803645-GS41-25
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WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS
Vallence proud to support Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence is thrilled to again support and celebrate the annual Wandin Silvan Field Days. A fantastic showcase for our agricultural, horticultural and farm machinery sector, now in its 57th year of operation. Rain, hail or shine, Wandin Silvan Field Days’ volunteer committee do an exceptional job ensuring a wonderful event year after year supporting Yarra Valley farmers – our world-class producers. Field Days is held in the heart of the Yarra Valley in the scenic and welcoming Wandin East in my local community. What sets Fields Days apart from other events across the state is the breadth of exhibits that are available to see and its welcoming family friendly atmosphere. At Field Days, you can see the latest in agricultural machinery, technology, tools, irrigation systems, pest management, automotives, work gear, and much more. There are always good deals on offer! Ms Vallence loves the display of machinery of yesteryear, presented by the Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society, which will once again feature a working display of their lovingly restored machinery. Another important feature of Field Days is the focus on biosecurity measures to help protect farmers and growers from invasive diseases and pests, such as the work done by Bronwyn and Agribusiness Yarra Valley on managing Queensland Fruit Fly. The vegetable and native plants produced by students at Yarra Ranges Tech School are always popular. And, Gruyere, Seville and Wandin CFA Fire Brigades are available to assist families with bushfire preparedness – and of course for the kids (and some adults) there’s the opportunity to sit in the ‘little fire truck’. There’s plenty more for the family. Whether it’s the baby animal nursery or reptiles, or the incredible live wood carvings, or the great variety of food options with Wandin Yallock Primary School hamburgers Ms Vallence’s favourite! And, for something sweet, you can’t go past the Wandin CWA’s delicious cakes, conserves and biscuits, which always sell early! Like all community events, Field Days does not happen without a team of dedicated volunteers behind the scenes who put in a considerable amount of time over many months preparing. Ms Vallence wants to acknowledge and congratulate the Wandin Silvan Field Day Committee, amazing contributors to our local community, for their professionalism and work ethic in making the Field Days a success. Thanks in particular to President Brad Finger, Treasurer Chris Manders and all volunteer members of the Committee for their tireless efforts to ensure Wandin Silvan Field Days is a premiere event for our region and the state. Over many years, whether in my boots in the rain and mud, or in glorious spring sunshine, attending Wandin Silvan Field Days is a highlight for Ms Vallence and her family, and she encourages everyone – from farmers to those who support our important agricultural sector – to come along to Field Days. Drop by her stall for a chat, she looks forward to seeing you there.
Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence will be out to support the 2026 Wandin Silvan Field Days. (Supplied)
Bridget
VALLENCE MP
BridgetVallenceMP
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Authorised by Bridget Vallence, 143 Main Street Lilydale VIC 3140 22 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
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Delivering for our Community
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WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS
Here for the locals For more than five decades, Yarra Valley Toyota has been part of the local landscape, with its history in the region dating back to 1968. Over the years, the dealership has grown alongside the Yarra Valley community, becoming a familiar name for generations of local families, businesses and industries. Being a local dealership is about more than providing vehicles and servicing. It is about understanding the people who rely on their vehicles every day and the important role those vehicles play in keeping the region moving. From families and small businesses to tradies, growers and primary producers, Yarra Valley Toyota has built its reputation around supporting the people who live and work locally. That commitment to the community is shared by Croydon Toyota, which has also maintained a long standing presence in Melbourne’s east. Together, the two dealerships have developed strong relationships with generations of customers, many of whom have returned over the years as their vehicle needs have changed. Today, both Yarra Valley Toyota and Croydon Toyota are part of the family owned Peter Kittle Motor Company. While being part of a larger automotive group brings additional resources and experience, both dealerships continue to maintain their strong local identities and, importantly, the relationships they have developed within their communities over many years. Supporting the local community has always been an important part of that relationship. From involvement with sporting clubs and community groups to supporting local events and initiatives, Yarra Valley Toyota understands that strong communities are built by people supporting one another. The Wandin Silvan Field Days are a great example of that community spirit. For more than
Yarra Valley Toyota, like the Field Days event, has been part of the community for over five decades. (Supplied) 50 years, the Field Days have brought together people from across the Yarra Valley and beyond, providing an opportunity for local businesses, agricultural and horticultural industries, primary producers, families and visitors to connect, share ideas and showcase what the region has to offer. For Yarra Valley Toyota, being part of the Field Days is a natural extension of its long standing connection to the region. It is an opportunity to get out from behind the dealership,
meet local customers and members of the community, and celebrate the industries and people that make the Yarra Valley such a special place to live and work. After more than five decades in the region, Yarra Valley Toyota remains proud of its local roots and the relationships that have been built along the way. Because when you have been part of a community for generations, being here for the locals is more than a slogan. It is simply part of who you are.
Croydon Toyota will be joining the Yarra Valley Toyota team at the 2026 Wandin Silvan Field Days event. (Supplied)
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WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS
A Queensland Fruit Fly laying eggs on an apple. (Supplied)
Bronwyn Koll will be at Wandin Silvan Field Days to help all growers prepare to protect themselves form the Queensland Fruit Fly. (Agribusiness Yarra Valley)
A trap with Queensland Fruit Flies caught on the sticky card. (Supplied)
All the top tips ready Thanks to some interim funding from the state government for 2026, Bron will be outside on the main oval at site G6, Drop in and check over your Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) preparedness plans and check out some insect netting displays. Is QFF really in the Yarra Valley? Yes, QFF is here in the region. Since the first detections in Seville, Healesville and East Warburton in 2018, QFF have shown up in about 30 townships in the Yarra Ranges. The highest QFF trap detections have occurred in Lilydale, where limited action is a likely issue, and where there are many unmanaged blackberry weeds. Other areas such as Silvan, Yellingbo, Monbulk, Yering, Coldstream, Yarra Glen, Gruyere and Kilsyth, have experienced QFF at varying levels – indicating that QFF shows up randomly, but it can be managed if detected early and multiple land managers actively contribute to the control. Why is so much being invested in pre24 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
venting QFF? QFF has changed from “exotic pest’ status to “established pest” in Victoria. QFF can affect individual fruit growers fruit harvest quality, it can disrupt Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, and it can impact interstate and international fruit trade. If QFF is detected, controls are required to prevent the QFF from damaging the fruit. Treatments can be expensive, including labour, machinery and chemicals. Early intervention is the best option for QFF management, keeping the treatment minimal and targeted to just QFF, reducing the interference to beneficial insects used in fruit production. If QFF is missed or not treated promptly, treatment involves broad spectrum insecticide applications. Unfortunately, this can also wipe out the beneficial insects, which is a lost asset for fruit growers in the management of other pests and in pollination, plus beneficial insect programs are expensive to reestablish.
When QFF is a possible threat to fruit production, either fumigation or irradiation of the fruit is required to ensure that no QFF risk is transported to the destination region that does not currently have QFF e.g. Western Australia, Tasmania, or other parts of the world. This is an additional cost for fruit growers, and the treatments are not ideal for fruit longevity and quality. Who needs to act? The QFF cannot survive the Yarra Valley Winter months in dormant fruit trees and berry plants. Researchers have determined the QFF female is apt at overwinter survival in home gardens, where evergreen trees (such as citrus) and buildings provide shelter and warmth. The QFF female can carry her fertilised eggs, and as soon as the warm weather comes, she can lay her eggs in the first fruit of the season – typically lemons and loquats. Everyone needs to prevent and manage
QFF. Home gardeners, hobby fruit growers and community gardens typically need to control QFF because their fruit is growing year-round. In many area-wide studies, it is proven that QFF populations move from small ‘fruit salad’ gardens and hobby farms into larger commercial production orchards just as the fruit are starting to ripen – and the QFF cause destruction everywhere they are left unattended. Some properties host weeds that fruit (like Blackberries and Wild Tobacco). These weeds can allow QFF to move from infested areas to commercial orchards. Agencies, local council and state government are also a part of the equation when it comes to area wide management of QFF. Any property that hosts fruiting weeds (private or publicly managed) needs to concentrate on removing the QFF host risk as a part of the landscape management of this destructive pest.
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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 25
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WANDIN SILVAN FIELD DAYS
B.W. Machinery returns Following a hugely successful exhibition in 2025, B.W. Machinery is excited to return to the Wandin Silvan Field Days in 2026, bringing an even bigger showcase of outdoor power equipment, machinery and leading brands for homeowners, acreage owners, farmers, contractors and professional operators. This year, you can find the team at Sites G1–G3 on the Front Oval, in the same location as last year. Last year’s Field Days gave the team a fantastic opportunity to meet customers from across Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and regional Victoria, demonstrate machinery and talk directly with people about finding the right equipment for their property or business. After the strong response received, B.W. Machinery are delighted to be returning again this year. Discover the extensive BWM Products Range A major focus of the 2026 display will once again be the BWM Products brand. Over the years, BWM Products has grown into an extensive range of outdoor power equipment and machinery designed to provide a strong combination of performance, reliability, practical features and value for money. Whether you are maintaining a suburban property, several acres, a farm, commercial site or contracting business, the BWM Products range offers machinery for a wide variety of applications. The range includes ride-on mowers and mini riders designed to make lawn and acreage maintenance faster, easier and more efficient. With options suited to everything from larger residential blocks through to acreage properties, customers can choose from compact mini riders for tighter areas through to larger ride-on mowers offering greater cutting widths, power and comfort for bigger mowing jobs. Different deck sizes, transmission options and engine configurations are available to suit a wide range of property sizes, terrain and mowing requirements. For firewood and property maintenance, BWM Products offers an extensive selection of log splitters, ranging from entry-level models through to larger heavy-duty machines for customers processing significant quantities of timber. With a choice of engines from Honda, Briggs & Stratton and Loncin, along with different splitting capacities and machine configurations, customers can select a log splitter that best suits their individual workload and requirements. The wood chippers and mulchers are another popular part of the range, providing practical solutions for branches, garden waste, pruning material and general property clean-up. Models are available for both residential acreage and more demanding applications. The BWM Products range also includes a comprehensive selection of petrol high-pressure washers, designed for everything from general property cleaning through to demanding commercial work. With a variety of pressure ratings, Honda-powered options and professional accessories available, there are models suited to cleaning machinery, vehicles, concrete, workshops, farms and commercial facilities. Visitors will also be able to discover blower vacs, providing convenient solutions for leaves and garden debris, as well as our range of plate compactors for landscaping, construction, paving and ground preparation work. Across the BWM Products range, the aim is to offer customers practical machinery that performs well, is supported locally and represents excellent value. At the Field Days, customers will have the opportunity to see many of these machines up close, compare different models and speak directly with the experienced team about which machine is best suited to their property, workload and budget. B.W. Machinery also be offering exclusive Field Days specials, package deals and discounts across selected products — available only to customers who visit the display during the event. Don’t miss the chance to secure a great deal while seeing the machines in person. STIHL, Honda and Other Leading Brands Alongside BWM Products, there will also be a showcase equipment from two of the most recognised names in outdoor power equipment —
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BWM Products ride-on mowers — built for reliable performance and effortless mowing. (Supplied)
The Ringwood store is conveniently located on Maroondah Highway. STIHL and Honda. Visitors will be able to explore a selection of STIHL equipment including chainsaws, brushcutters, blowers, battery equipment and other professional outdoor power tools. Honda is also an important part of the B.W. Machinery range, with Honda engines powering many of the machines supplied. Honda’s reputation for reliability makes it a popular choice across pressure washers, log splitters, chippers, compactors and other professional equipment. The team will be available throughout the event to discuss the differences between models, engine options and applications, helping customers choose equipment that best suits the work they need to complete. Meet the Ringwood Mowers Team This year, B.W. Machinery will also be proudly promoting Ringwood Mowers, part of the B.W. Machinery group and conveniently located at 50 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood. Ringwood Mowers provides sales, service and spare parts for a wide range of leading outdoor power equipment brands. For customers throughout Ringwood, the Yarra Valley and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the store provides
convenient local support backed by the wider B.W. Machinery team. B.W. Machinery’s experienced staff understand that buying machinery is about more than simply choosing a model. Whether it is a chainsaw for property maintenance, a log splitter for firewood, a ride-on mower for acreage or commercial equipment for everyday work, the team can help customers compare options and select equipment suited to the job. See the Machines Up Close One of the great advantages of the Wandin Silvan Field Days is the opportunity to see machinery in person. Customers can inspect the build quality, compare different machines, discuss their individual requirements with our team and get a better understanding of which equipment will work best for their property or business. After such a successful event last year, the team are looking forward to returning in 2026, catching up with existing customers and meeting plenty of new ones. Come and visit B.W. Machinery and Ringwood Mowers at Sites G1–G3 on the Front Oval at the 2026 Wandin Silvan Field Days, and discover the extensive range from BWM Products, STIHL, Honda and other leading brands.
B.W. Machinery is excited to showcase its products at Wandin Silvan Field Days.
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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 27
OPINION
Getting to centre of debate WOORILLA WORDS By Maria Millers Once again we are seeing the current immigration debate become a lightning rod for grievances and wider anxieties that fundamentally are not about immigration at all. Concerns about housing, jobs, cost of living, youth crime, and the impact of artificial intelligence dominate discussions. National identity and social cohesion arguments are also canvassed by some. Of course immigration can have real effects on population growth, can intensify pressure on housing, infrastructure like schools, hospitals, transport and the environment but also delivers economic and labour force benefits. What is clear is that anti-immigration becomes an issue at times when people feel unsettled and concerned about changes taking place and the impact on their lives. In a globalised world these events can be on the other side of the world as we daily feel the effects of the war in the Middle East and other events such as climate change. Throughout our history, immigration has been the most visible sign of change when the real causes were much broader and more complex. It is tempting for politicians of all stripes to look at solutions to problems by conflating them into an argument about the number of people entering the country and in some cases, regrettably playing the race/values card. Suddenly the acronym NOM is on everyone’s lips, and the major parties are involved in an unedifying numbers game in a race to the bottom to see how much migrant intake they can cut. There is nothing new about this current debate; it has a long lineage, and while a particular migrant group may bear the brunt of public finger-pointing at a point in time, grievances may change considerably from one era to another, but anxieties are often similar. In the 1850 -1890 gold rushes, Victoria’s population exploded in ten years from 77,000 in 1851 to 539,000 in 1861, including roughly 25,000 Chinese arrivals. Many were leaving southern China, where civil war had disrupted farming and staying was unsafe for many. Home by Warsan Shire: No one leaves unless Home is the mouth of a shark You only run for the border When you see the whole city running as well. Very quickly they became targets of resentment centred on their practices of working the less profitable claims and doing it cooperatively. Their appearance was confronting with hair braded into traditional long queues and topped with conical hats. Outright violence erupted at Lambing Flats in
The debate around immigration isn’t a novel one. (File) NSW and the Buckland River in Victoria. Then the issue expanded beyond the goldfields. By the 1880s, opposition to Chinese immigration had become a national political question, and was joined by opposition to Pacific Islander workers in Queensland’s sugar industry. Again, white workers and trade unionists saw indentured Pacific Island labour as a cheap source of labour that could undermine their wages and working conditions. So came the passing of the Racial Discrimination Act of 1901, known as the White Australia Policy. The message was clear: Australia was British in culture, European in population, politically secure but geographically in an overwhelmingly Asian region. To safeguard that security, government policy became “to populate or perish.” Of course, the preferred migrant initially was British, but to meet the desired goal after WW2 Australia began accepting large numbers from southern and eastern Europe. They formed the backbone of the major post-WW2 infrastructure and major building programs. Although there were undoubtedly areas of tension, Australians began discovering that migrants could be successfully incorporated into Australian society. Terms like wog and dago, initially insults, eventually became terms of endearment. As poet Komninos Zervos wrote: And, Australia, Whilst I’ve got your attention I’m a poet That’s right A poet I write, I read, I perform, I entertain I earn my living by poeting No. no other job No. not unemployment benefits A full time writer A poet with a mortgage And a wife, and kids And gas bills, and a tax file number Just like you New cultural practices from food, music and sport began transforming the once British dominant culture. By 1971, roughly one-third of Australians were either post-war migrants or the children
of migrants. But while European immigration became increasingly acceptable, the idea of large-scale Asian immigration remained unpopular. The abolition of the White Australia policy in the 1960s–70s fundamentally altered the demographic trajectory of Australia. By 1983 Australia had accepted about 70,000 Vietnamese refugees. Still it wasn’t without anxiety and fear that a substantial numbers of Asian migrants would challenge the concept of Australian identity. What should be remembered is that the 1980s saw rising unemployment, particularly youth unemployment and just as in the past concern about immigration came to the fore again. When, in 1984, historian Geoffrey Blainey publicly attacked the scale of Asian immigration his intervention triggered a major national debate and opened up a platform for politicians with similar views. Australia experienced a severe early-1990s recession, accompanied by unemployment and job insecurity. This was also one of the major periods of anti-immigration sentiment: more than 70% of Australians at one point regarded migration levels as too high. We began asking questions like: What does it mean to be Australian? Questions around multiculturalism, national identity and aboriginal policy can be seen as socially disruptive. Immigration, particularly Asian immigration becomes a lightning rod for those looking for easy solutions to these questions. In the years after 9/11 border protection became central in immigration debates and a hot election issue. Arrivals from the Middle East were ‘othered’ the burqa becoming the sign of an alien culture just as the conical hat and long queue of the Chinese gold diggers had once been. Migrant Woman on a Melbourne Tram by Jennifer Strauss: Impossibly black Amid the impudence of summer thighs Long arms and painted toenails And the voices Impossibly obscure She hunches sweltering Twists in sweating hands A scrap of paper – address, destination, Clue to the labyrinth Where voices not understood Echo Confusing directions.
The target of unrest was no longer primarily the settled migrant community. It was increasingly aimed at unauthorised arrivals and asylum seekers, particularly people arriving by boat. Many came from war torn areas of the Middle East and Africa and the sub-continent of Asia Today migration is again front, centre and focus of everything that is perceived wrong in our society. Migrants are blamed for congestion, youth crime housing and rental shortages, a medical system showing signs of stress, an education system needing an overhaul. Ironically it’s the migrants that keep our hospitals and aged care homes functioning from doctors to cleaners. The pattern of blaming immigration for problems is as visible today as it was in the 1850s, 1980s, 1990s and again in 2001 Business leaders warn that services and industries would falter and our daily lives would be affected if there were severe cutbacks in migration. Today we are a contemporary population in which roughly one third of people were born overseas The question of identity is also once again at the fore and the recent and not so recent fears of being swamped by newcomers perhaps reflects the fact that Australian identity has an unusually complex foundation. We have 60,000 years of Indigenous histories and cultures and a history of dispossession, and have never completely resolved the tension between being a settler nation and accepting that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have an ancient and continuing connection to this continent. Also, a stubborn resistance to acknowledging and owning the difficult history of our past, which creates a paradox that a population whose presence here derives from colonisation can nevertheless develop a strong sense of ownership and exclusion. Bora Ring by Judith Wright: The song is gone; the dance is secret with the dancers in the earth, the ritual useless, and the tribal story lost in an alien tale. Only the grass stands up to mark the dancing-ring; the apple-gums posture and mime a past corroboree, murmur a broken chant. The hunter is gone; the spear is splintered underground; the painted bodies a dream the world breathed sleeping and forgot. The nomad feet are still. In 2025, the Scanlon Foundation’s research found that concerns about immigration being too high were much more strongly associated with economic and housing concerns than with opposition to multiculturalism itself. We should be wary of conflating discussions on Australian identity, race history and other social issues with attacks on levels of immigration. Discussions should be about which problems are genuinely amplified by immigration and what grievances are merely being expressed through the immigration lens. Make an early booking for the Woorilla Awards on 22 November at the Emerald Hub. Entertainment and refreshments. A great afternoon - www. woorilla.org.
COMMUNITY DIARY Senior Citizens Club hosts community open day The Lilydale Senior Citizens Club is opening its doors to the local community for a special Open Day on Wednesday 28 October. Residents are invited to enjoy a complimentary morning tea from 10am to 12pm. Following the morning tea, attendees are welcome to stick around for an afternoon of bingo and social connection. It’s a wonderful opportunity for local seniors to meet neighbours, tour the facilities, and discover the club’s regular activities. All community members are welcome to attend. The Senior Citizens Club is located at 7 Hardy Street in Lilydale.
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munity to a feature-filled day of tennis, food, and club milestones on Sunday 18 October. The event is open to everyone, with no club membership required.
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The schedule for the day includes:
WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY
Community celebration at Montrose Tennis Club Montrose Tennis Club is inviting the local com-
11am: Tennis Victoria 1-Point Slam tournament
• 12pm: Community sausage sizzle • 1pm: Official opening of the club’s new grounds • 1.15pm: Annual General Meeting (AGM) • 2pm: 1-Point Slam presentation
Whether you are looking to play, grab a bite, or check out the updated facilities, all locals, families, and supporters are welcome to join in the festivities.
Two comedies by Wandin Players The Wandin Players are bringing two comedies to the Wandin Baptist Church this October. On 16 October at 7.30pm, catch Mischief in the Magnolias, an interactive melodrama featuring a hero, a villain, and plenty of audience participation. On 17 October at 1.30pm, enjoy He Said She Said, a matinee performance exploring timeless township gossip. Both shows feature music, singing, and tea, coffee, and famous scones during the interval. The local group welcomes new members, both on stage and backstage. For tickets or to join, call 0466 156 835 or email wandinplayers.comedy@ gmail.com.
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NEWS
Minela Krupic allows the landscape to inspire her artistic creations. (Supplied)
By Claudia Mather Spanning two decades, numerous exhibitions and a career deeply rooted in the landscape surrounding her home, visual artist Minela Krupic continues to let her surroundings guide her evolution across clay sculpture, water colour and oil painting, and print. Over the weekend, Ms Krupic exhibited her work at fellow artist Jodie Westall’s studio and gallery in Mt Evelyn, alongside Alesh Macak, allowing locals to immerse themselves in her creations. Marking her debut in the Yarra Valley Open Studios, the event also offered her a first-time experience collaborating alongside other artists in a shared space. “We all work in different mediums, but the imagery we’re drawn to is very much a reflection of the environment around us,” she said. “Sharing the space brings those different approaches together, and you can see how a similar subject matter can be interpreted in different ways.” Ms Krupic studied printmaking at the Victorian College of Art at Melbourne University and has continued to expand her practice across a range of mediums ever since. “I like to experiment with various mediums depending on what I’m into at the time, but I tend to come back to drawing, painting and clay.” “The most recent medium I’ve gotten into is water colour, because I found it genuinely challenging to use,” she explained. “When I moved to Mt Evelyn, I started watercolour classes with Jodie Westall, and she inspired me to stick with it.” Rather than working from a single studio, Ms Minela prefers to make her art out in the world, taking her practice wherever it leads and letting
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each place shape what she creates. “Working on location, you get to experiment on site and work with what you have on the day. A sketchbook, taking photos for research, or doing smaller painting,” she said. “In a controlled space, it’s quite different. For an etching print, for example, I need to be in a printmaking studio that’s well set up with all the equipment and space for inking up copper plates.” “You still get to experiment, but it’s more controlled in a way that working outside isn’t.” Ms Krupic said her art can often tell a personal story while simultaneously hoping people can find their own meaning in it. “For me, it’s about creating a moment where someone can walk away with an emotion, whether that’s quiet, nostalgia, or connection to a place. If it stays with them after they’ve left, then it’s done its job,” she said. Working outdoors introduces unpredictable factors like shifting light, weather, and public encounters, which can actively shape a piece as it evolves. “The mural we did on the stairs in Mt Evelyn was interesting in that way. I hadn’t realised how challenging it would be to get the lines and shapes lined up and even, because the stairs distort the image as you move along. I had to constantly step back and reassess.” “Interacting with everyone walking past on the Warburton Trail has been lovely. Getting feedback and having chats along the way made it a really enjoyable process,” she said. “It became a community piece as much as a landscape piece.” For Ms Krupic, the true heart of being an artist lies not in the final result, but in the process and the pure enjoyment of mark-making.
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Capturing the landscape...
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 29
OPINION
Strike up the band By Joy Gothe In April 1888, a new sound echoed through the township of Lilydale. It began with the formation of the Baptist Church brass band, a modest ensemble that quickly kindled a strong enthusiasm among the residents. This musical spark proved contagious; the townspeople soon desired a band that belonged to the broader community. By 1893, the church group was officially reconstructed into the Lilydale Brass Band. Within three years, their public performances had become so popular that the musicians began lobbying for a permanent open-air “Band Stand” to host regular weeknight and Sunday concerts. That ambition materialised in August 1900 with the grand opening of the band rotunda. Standing proudly as the centrepiece of Main Street, it instantly became the beating heart of Lilydale and the hub of local life. It was here, just a year later in 1901, that a wave of local pride washed over the town. Standing beneath its shelter, the community officially welcomed home Dame Nellie Melba and her family, celebrating a local girl who had conquered the global operatic stage.
Dame Nellie Melba made a visit to Lilydale in 1907 to open the Lilydale Brass Band’s Bazaar. (Lilydale and District Historical Society) By 1902 the band boasted nearly twenty dedicated members who faithfully gathered to practise every Monday and Friday evening. That’s a lot of puffing, polishing and practising! While the band survived many financial hardships, global events took a heavier toll. The outbreak of World War I led to a temporary demise, though the musicians successfully reformed in 1918. When the Great Depression hit, they went into recess once more, rallying back in the 1930s
before costs and dwindling support forced them to stop playing in 1938. Surviving the loss of the rotunda there was a temporary revival in the late 1950’s when they played at some sporting events, finally disappearing into permanent recess. Through it all, the rotunda still remained a town landmark. It had served as the official backdrop where dignitaries were welcomed and farewelled, where locals were entertained during Friday night shopping, and where weekend visitors were greeted. But by March 1951, the weathered and dilapidated structure was finally demolished. Its brick base survived until the 1970s, when it was removed to make way for additional car parking. Today, a replica crafted from those original red bricks stands at the Lilydale Memorial Park on Victoria Road. While the monument preserves a vital piece of local heritage, the historic centre of Main Street sadly remains altered forever and empty without its original centrepiece, leaving the rich, mellow tones of the town’s brass band era to drift away as a distant memory. If you are interested in discovering more stories about the history of Lilydale visit our Website at www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or think about becoming a volunteer.
CARTOON
Strong entry
Pinocchio: Unstrung Starring Richard Brake, Cameron Bell and Robert Englund MA15+ 3.5/5 In Pinocchio: Unstrung, the fifth film in the Twisted Childhood Universe franchise, Gepetto (Richard Brake) makes a living wooden doll named Pinocchio as a friend for his grandson James (Cameron Bell), but Pinocchio soon takes his duty to protect James too far with grisly results. Visceral, suspenseful and weirdly endearing, Pinocchio: Unstrung has buckets of bloody fun with its absurd premise. Brought to life with extremely impressive puppets and animatronics, Pinocchio is both sweet and scary, with plenty of hilarious lines, and his naive urge to defend James from bad people fuels several wild kills with great gore effects. Brake is warm yet subtly sinister as Gepetto (with some Jack Torrance in the mix by the end), and Freddie Krueger himself Robert Englund has a memorably slimy voice role as Pinocchio’s Cricket friend. Despite the clear throughline of Pinocchio protecting James and his desire to be a real boy, the pacing is somewhat erratic and meandering (a recurring issue in the TCU), and James and his friends learning of Gepetto’s macabre early experiments through recorded film reels is extremely inorganic exposition. The TCU is also reusing ideas: this and Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood And Honey both have a sledgehammer kill in a swimming pool, and Unstrung’s brutal chase climax feels too similar to the climax of Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare. Pinocchio: Unstrung is the first TCU film with a mostly positive reception (76 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes), but my favourite is still Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, which is creepier, smarter and blew me away with its cinematography and Martin Portlock and Kit Green’s performances. Still, Pinocchio: Unstrung is another highly satisfying watch for those who enjoy gory horror-comedies, and I had a wonderful time seeing it as part of Monsterfest at Cinema Nova. Seth Lukas Hynes
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What’s coming up Gemco Players Community Theatre Ordinary Days Heartfelt, witty and beautifully layered, this contemporary musical is full of humour and heart - a reminder that even in life’s rush, the smallest moments can be beautiful. From one of musical theatre’s most exciting new composers comes Ordinary Days, a refreshingly honest and funny musical about making connections in the city that never sleeps (but probably should at some point. Ordinary Days tells the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfilment, happiness, love and cabs. Through a score of vibrant and memorable songs, their experiences ring startlingly true to life. Ordinary Days is an original musical for anyone who ever struggled to appreciate the simple things in a complex place. With equal doses of humour and poignancy, it celebrates how three million individual stories combine in unexpected ways to make New York a unique and extraordinary home. Season: 6 - 15 November. The 1812 theatre Closer Set in London at the end of the 20th century, Closer explores the fragile intersections of love, desire, truth and betrayal through the intertwined lives of four strangers whose relationships evolve through attraction, manipulation and emotional confrontation. With razor-sharp dialogue and unflinching honesty, the play examines the complexities of intimacy and the emotional consequences of human
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Kemp’s curtain call connection. Season: 28 October – 8 November. A joint production by Avid Theatre and The 1812 Theatre. A Murder is Announced – Agatha Christie. An announcement in the local paper states the time and place when a murder is to occur in Miss Blacklock’s Victorian house. The victim is not one of the house’s several occupants, but an unexpected and unknown visitor. What follows is a classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death and a determined inspector grimly following the case’s twists and turns. Fortunately, Miss Marple is on hand to provide the solution – at some risk to herself – in a dramatic final confrontation. Season: 12 November – 5 December. Eltham Little Theatre THE Play – Bernnet’s Bride Mr Bennet’s Bride is an original period comedy, based on the characters of Mr and Mrs Bennet from Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’. It explores how this ill-matched couple met and married twenty-five years before the novel’s opening.
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Well worth the read PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN The Sinister Booksellers of Bath is the sequel to Australian author Garth Nix’s bestselling urban fantasy novel The Left-Handed Booksellers of London. Set in a slightly alternate version of England in 1983, the story follows Susan, Merlin and Vivien as they enter a different time and space through a sorcerous translocation map. From this riveting start, the heroic protagonists and their fellow booksellers proceed to investigate mysterious ancient entities, monstrous living statues, centuries of disappearances and deaths, WW2 military depots, and how Susan should deal with her recently discovered magical inheritance while trying to stay alive. Writing a sequel is always difficult, as those readers beguiled by the dazzling first book often have high expectations for the follow-up to be equally if not more luminous and thrilling. This is certainly the case with fantasy series, where all the worldbuilding and character crafting tends to be done in book one. With the sequel, readers now demand something fresh but familiar, a comfortable yet somehow confronting plot. In this book, for example, we meet new booksellers and police officers who are quirky and charming. The new Ancient Sovereigns are majestic and powerful, each with their own unique characteristics and traits. As with its predecessor, throughout the pages there are mentions of a great diversity of books, art works, fashion styles, cars, weapons, mythical creatures, historical figures, buildings and locales, and lores and legends that are worth exploring, which makes a fun reading experience. There are also new villains, both divine and mortal, but with more devastating consequences to their crimes. The story’s scale is grander, the writing more serious and sober, the investigation process and relevant research more complex and intense, and the major characters more balanced in terms of their actions and responses to adversaries. Merlin, in particular, appears to have matured a great deal. However, the story’s focus is always Susan, who knows she is fighting a losing battle in her desperate attempt to remain an ordinary human. Her growth as a character is significant, developing from an innocent, wide-eyed girl to an independent young woman with a strong voice, a clear head and a strategic mind. Yet she can be emotionally fragile, which makes her transformation at the end of the book particularly awe-inspiring. Finally, in this story, the powers and moral responsibilities of the booksellers are challenged as they police the mythical Old World of England when it intrudes on the modern world. Sometimes the safest and/or easiest course is not the most ethically sound, which is perhaps why the word “sinister” is used in the book title. (That is, apart from the author’s assertion: “Of course [the word] only refers to left-handedness. Nothing else. Honest.”) Highly recommended. In the late eighteenth century, marriage was more a business transaction than a love affair. As the play opens, pressure is mounting on the young Mr Bennet to find a suitable match, but his refusal to play by the rules sets in motion a series of events that are both comic and moving. This play was written by amazing local playwright Emma Wood and debuts in London in 2026. Season runs for nine shows from 12 - 27 February with Sunday matinees and one Saturday matinee.
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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 31
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
PREMIUM CONTEMPORARY LIVING WITH SPACE, STYLE AND QULITY SHOWCASING quality, space and modern sophistication, 386 Glenfern Road presents a premium opportunity in one of Upwey’s most convenient locations. Only around five years old and finished to an impressive standard throughout, this beautifully presented home combines contemporary design, generous proportions and effortless family living on a fantastic flat block. From the moment you step inside, there is an immediate sense of space and quality. High ceilings, timber flooring and a light contemporary palette flow throughout the main living areas, while the thoughtfully designed single-level floorplan provides excellent separation between the bedrooms and living zones. At the heart of the home is the expansive open-plan kitchen, dining and family area, designed with both everyday living and entertaining in mind. The beautifully appointed kitchen features stone benchtops, extensive cabinetry, quality appliances, a large central island and a separate butler’s pantry, providing excellent preparation and storage space. The adjoining living and dining zones open through wide sliding doors to the covered alfresco area, creating a seamless connection between indoors and out. Overlooking the private rear garden, the flat and highly useable backyard offers established greenery, a generous lawn area and plenty of space for children, pets and entertaining. A separate front lounge adds another valuable living zone, complete with a feature fireplace and enough space to incorporate a home office or study area if required. Accommodation is equally impressive, with four generous bedrooms and two stylish bathrooms. The standout master suite is exceptional in scale, offering a true sense of luxury and privacy with a walk-in robe and beautifully finished ensuite featuring twin vanities and a large walk-in shower. The remaining bedrooms are privately positioned and serviced by a stylish family bathroom. Further highlights include a well-appointed laundry, excellent storage throughout, ducted heating and cooling, quality window furnishings, landscaped gardens and an oversized double garage with internal access. Modern, beautifully finished and completely move-in ready, 386 Glenfern Road represents a premium offering for buyers seeking space, style and quality without compromise. Positioned within easy reach of Upwey’s township, schools, cafes, train station and everything the Dandenong Ranges lifestyle has to offer, this is an exceptional family home in a highly regarded location. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 386 Glenfern Road, UPWEY Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,395,000-$1,534,500 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115 and Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
32 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
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HOME FOCUS
WHERE COUNTRY CHARM MEETS CONTEMPORARY COMFORT TUCKED away at the end of a peaceful no-through road, this beautifully presented property offers an idyllic Hills lifestyle surrounded by nature. Set on approximately half an acre, the home enjoys a wonderful outlook across lush green pasture, magnificent established trees and distant ranges, while an abundance of native birdlife adds to the sense of tranquillity. At the heart of the home, the Caesarstone kitchen is perfectly equipped for both everyday living and entertaining, featuring an abundance of bench space, soft-close cabinetry, a Bosch dishwasher and quality cooking appliances. The north-facing living and dining areas are filled with natural light, while a set of double doors opens seamlessly onto the full-length deck. Whether enjoying your morning coffee surrounded by birdsong or unwinding in the evening with a glass of wine, this is a space designed to embrace the beauty and privacy of its surroundings. Thoughtfully updated throughout, the home is ready to move straight in and enjoy. Character features including timber floorboards and double glazed double-hung windows are complemented by contemporary fittings, downlights and quality finishes, creating a stylish yet welcoming environment. Comfort is assured with split-system heating and cooling. Three well-appointed bedrooms each feature built-in robes, with the master bedroom enjoying ensuite-style access to the central bathroom. Outside, the beautifully landscaped gardens have been carefully designed, offering a wonderful mix of native gums and deciduous trees to create a picturesque setting. Perfectly positioned for a peaceful Hills lifestyle without sacrificing convenience, this is an exceptional opportunity to secure your own private slice of country living, while remaining within easy reach of major arterial roads and just a short drive from the centre of Emerald. Enjoy the area’s welcoming community, schools, local shops, cafes and renowned eateries, all while coming home to your own private sanctuary. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 5 Duke Street, EMERALD Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Justin Barrot – 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry – 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT EMERALD – 5968 4522 mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 33
HOME FOCUS
NEAT, COMFY AND LOW MAINTENANCE LIVING PERFECTLY positioned on a low-maintenance 419sqm block within walking distance of Gembrook’s vibrant Main Street, this inviting three-bedroom, two-bathroom home combines a practical floorplan, quality finishes and everyday convenience. An undercover verandah welcomes you inside to the carpeted formal lounge, providing a comfortable second living space away from the main hub of the home. Two bedrooms are positioned at the front, each featuring built-in robes and easy access to the family bathroom and separate toilet. Privately located at the rear, the master bedroom includes a walk-in robe and ensuite. The heart of the home is the spacious open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, enhanced by beautiful Ironbark timber flooring and 9ft ceilings. The well-appointed kitchen features a gas stovetop, dishwasher, walk-in pantry, excellent bench space and plenty of storage, while the adjoining lounge is warmed by a woodfire heater. From the dining area, doors open directly to the enclosed rear yard, creating an easy connection between indoor and outdoor living. Plantation shutters add a stylish finishing touch, while gas ducted heating and evaporative cooling throughout provide yearround comfort. Outside, the low-maintenance fully enclosed backyard offers a private space to relax, while residents can also enjoy access to a communal fruit and vegetable patch, adding a lovely community element. Downstairs, a double garage with workshop space provides secure parking, complemented by valuable under-house storage for tools, garden equipment and those extra household items you want neatly out of the way. There is also 5+ immediate off street parks for family & friends. With Gembrook’s shops, cafes, schools and local amenities all within easy walking distance, this is an appealing opportunity for families, downsizers or anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed Hills lifestyle with convenience close at hand. This property has it all so don’t miss out call to arrange a prive 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: 1B/3 Banks Smith Drive, GEMBROOK Description: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $700,000 - $770,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032, BELL REAL ESTATE, EMERALD
34 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
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P 5968 6222 311-313 Main Street Emerald
18 Lenne Street Upper Beaconsfield
$895,000 - $970,000
15 Hazel Street Cockatoo
$700,000 - $770,000
Charming, Light-Filled & Full of Character.
Easy Family Living in Cockatoo.
Set on 1,144sqm in Beaconsfield Upper, this light-filled 3-bedroom home offers comfortable living, character & a welcoming backyard. The lounge features timber flooring & a woodfire, while the adjoining dining area includes a split system & direct garden access. The charming kitchen offers timber benchtops, a farmhouse sink, electric cooking, dishwasher, large pantry, skylight & ample storage, with an incorporated laundry. Down the hall, 2 carpeted bedrooms with built-in robes are serviced by the central bathroom & separate toilet, while the master bedroom is privately positioned at the end. Outside, the fully fenced backyard provides room for children & pets, complemented by an undercover entertaining area & separate home office/study. A single garage with workshop, front & rear access, double carport & enclosed garden shed complete this appealing property.
Set on a flat 1,012sqm block along a sealed road, within easy walking distance of town, this wellpresented 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers comfortable living & a practical floorplan. Floating floors flow throughout, with a separate lounge featuring a split system & gas ducted heating throughout. The kitchen & dining area includes gas cooking, dishwasher, ample storage & bench space, plus an internal servery window connecting to the lounge. 2 bedrooms feature built-in robes & share the central bathroom, while the master bedroom is privately positioned at the end of the hall, complete with built-in robes & ensuite. Outside, the fully fenced, level backyard provides plenty of room for children & pets, complemented by an undercover entertaining area. A 6m x 6m powered shed with concrete floor offers excellent storage or workshop space.
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
3
71 Ambrose Street Emerald
A
1
4113m2 Clear land 878m2 Approved Building Envelope Endless views Gas, electricity, water & NBN available for connection Private, sealed court location Front gates installed Design your home and you’re are ready to go! Samantha Scott M 0438 680 032
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B 3 C
$850,000 - $935,000
Emerald’s Highest Point – 1 Acre, Stunning Views & Approved Building Envelope! • • • • • • • •
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
3
25 Rainy Hill Road Cockatoo
A
2
B 2 C
$750,000 - $820,000
52 Acres to Dream, Design & Discover - 52 Acres (approx) - Mains Services Available - Privacy - Wildlife Haven -Build Your Dream Home (STCA)
Aaron Day M 0407 365 994
Brennan Mileto M 0422 996 451
B
bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 35
HOME FOCUS
A TRULY SPECIAL LIFESTYLE PROPERTY SET in what could be seen as one of the most idyllic settings throughout the Dandenong Ranges, this much loved, large family home sits on over half an acre of fully useable land and looks out onto the nearby valley, offering stunning views and a very special lifestyle. Spacious and versatile, the floorplan has been well created to accommodate extended family, growing families, work from home options etc with each room being generously proportioned to allow each family member a bit more peace and privacy. With four living zones plus dedicated formal dining room, the layout is one to be desired. Spanning over two levels, there are four bedrooms (two acting as master suites if needed), three bathrooms, open plan kitchen with meals area, lounge and a sun drenched sitting space adjoined: perfect to take in the surrounding garden colour. Year round comfort is assured with gas ducted heating along with a charming wood fire. Add to this a large decking, a Juliet balcony on the second level and a pretty paved courtyard, all allowing separate, scenic spaces where you can feel the breeze of the warmer weather that’s to come. Outdoor storage has been well considered also with great shedding, a double carport and dual driveway access to the property. Combining space, flexibility, breathtaking surrounds and an unbeatable location, this is a truly special lifestyle property and a dream opportunity for the next lucky family. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 12 Georges Road, THE PATCH Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,030,000 - $1,130,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
36 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
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Real Estate you can trust! We’re here to help.
69Kallista-emeraldrd,ThePatch
4/12Bayviewave,Upwey
20Belgrave-Gembrookrd,Belgrave
3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1545m2
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 2 Car | 519m2
3 Bed | 1 Bath | 1 Car | 1655m2
For Sale $690,000 - $740,000
For Sale $696,000 - $730,000
For Sale $720,000 - $780,000
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
12Georgesrd,ThePatch
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
11lyndallroad,BelgraveSouth
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
386Glenfernrd,Upwey
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2 Car | 2023m2
5 Bed | 3 Bath | 2 Car | 1003m2
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Car | 965m2
For Sale $1,030,000 - $1,130,000
For Sale $1,300,000 - $1,395,000
For Sale $1,395,000-$1,534,500
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
03 9754 6888 office@chandlerandco.com.au 1689 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Vic 3160 mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 37
HOME FOCUS
ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED WITH A PEACEFUL OUTLOOK SET on a generous 2,025m² allotment, this architecturally designed residence offers a unique Hills lifestyle where thoughtful design, generous living spaces and a peaceful outlook come together beautifully. Spread across two levels, the home has been cleverly considered to embrace its natural surroundings, with an abundance of decks and outdoor spaces providing the perfect places to sit back and relax, entertain or simply enjoy the tranquillity of the setting. The lower level forms the heart of the home, featuring a generous living room with a feature fireplace, adjoining dining area and well-appointed kitchen with walk-in pantry. Large windows flood the home with natural light and create a strong connection with the surrounding landscape. A spacious bedroom with built-in robes, ensuite and private deck provides a peaceful retreat. Upstairs, a second bedroom also enjoys its own private deck and peaceful outlook, accompanied by a family bathroom, laundry and spacious sitting area. A carport and a garden shed provide practical storage and parking, while the established grounds create a wonderfully private and calming setting. With its distinctive architectural design, generous half an acre allotment, multiple living zones and abundance of outdoor spaces, this is a home that offers something truly special - a private Hills sanctuary designed to be enjoyed throughout every season. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 32 Seaview Road, COCKATOO Description: 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 garage Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Justin Barrot - 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry – 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT EMERALD – 5968 4522
38 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
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Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 39
PUZZLES
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Today’s Aim: 12 words: Good 18 words: Very good 24 words: Excellent
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Volume (4) Helper (9) Conical tent (5) Revenge (11) Backside (3) Falls on the US-Canadian border (7) Sound (5) Obstinate (10) Great playwright (11) In peril (10) Tradesperson (9) Pariah (7) Citified (5) Combine (5) Frozen flakes (4) Deity (3)
DECODER
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No. 311
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5 LETTERS ABATE ALONE ALTAR ALTER APRIL AROMA ATONE AWARE BACON BASTE BROOM CHEEP CLING CLOCK COLIC COVET CURES EATER EERIE ERASE GENII
ICIER IDEAL INCUR LARVA LOOSE MELTS OATHS PANDA PETAL PLEAS PORTS PRICE REALS RENTS RHINO RURAL SEARS SEEDS SLITS SNOWY SPARS SPATS
SPECK TAINT TELLS TEMPO TILDE TOKEN WRENS
7 LETTERS BLATANT FERTILE FORELEG PANCAKE STIMULI TOTALLY
6 LETTERS CRAFTY OTTERS PIGEON ROASTS
8 LETTERS ALLOCATE HONOURED HYGIENIC LOADABLE
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Agricultural aid (7) Under (7) Ancient Middle East (11) Biological blueprint (1,1,1) Too (2,4) Times of the year (7) Close (4) Island nation east of Mozambique (10) Permitted (10) Stern (4) Chowhound (7) Very poor person (6) Chest bone (3) Mountainous Islamic country (11) Gave away (7) Hair above the eye (7)
2
easy
ACROSS 1 5 9
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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
1
No. 311
14
SUDOKU
16-10-26
Robbie, Gavan and Janet
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H-Bomb set for Bendigo By Oliver Winn A local fighter will compete for a major Victorian boxing title while honouring one of Australia’s most respected boxing legends on Saturday 14 November. Yarra Valley’s Hayden “H-Bomb” Wright will take on Jono Stewart for the Victorian Amateur Boxing League (VABL) heavyweight championships in Bendigo. Wright said the event, titled Showdown at the Allies Two, will be a tribute to influential Australian boxer, Colin Wilson, who died from cancer on 5 October. “I feel proud. I had a lot to do with Colin, especially over the last year with our conversations and just talking about his history. “I grew up watching him as a kid on TV, and I always aspired to do what he’d done around the world,” Wright said. With both fighters ranked in Victoria’s top ten, the matchup is expected to produce a highly entertaining bout. At six foot four and 110 kilograms, Stewart will look to rack up the points during the two-minute rounds with solid jabs and good footwork, in a style Wright compared to Muhammad Ali. “[Bendigo fighters] come really ready and prepared. They’re known for their reputation of being fit and ready.” But Wright said he’ll close down the space quickly and “take the fight to him”, using his smaller size and high-pressure style to get up close and personal. “As long as I can get my fitness up, keep my weight down through the next five weeks of hard training, stick to my plan and diet, my sort of style will make for a great fight,” Wright said. The fight takes place at the Allies Hotel in Bendigo and it’s expected to draw in crowds far and wide. Alongside honouring Colin Wilson, Wright
Victorian heavyweight boxing champion Hayden Wright. (Gabriella Vukman: 547793). said he hoped the bout would motivate Yarra Valley’s youth to achieve their goals in life. For Wright, inspiring younger generations is a personal cause, working as a disability and youth support worker and running the Coldstream Boxing Club. Wright said winning the fight would cement his name in Australian boxing and could lead him on to “big things” like the world title. “Bringing the world title back and having that at the Melbourne viewing under Big Time Boxing Promotion, they would want me to go for the world title under their banner.
“It’s all a matter of getting past this one and getting this one first,” Wright said. Wright thanked his coach Zac Thompson for working him hard during their training sessions. “We often train together, spar together, and he wants the best for me, so he’s always by my side giving me advice and motivating me,” he said. He hoped the fight would make Colin Wilson proud. “I think it’s a little token if we can give him something back, remember him, fight for the night,” Wright said.
Wright with his son Sonny after he won heavyweight championship of Melbourne on 22 June, 2024. (MARTY’S KNOCKOUT PHOTOGRAPHY)
Lilydale’s Croquet Club wins division one By Scott Bradbury Division 1 Lilydale had the two highest-ranked players in Murray Howlett (1) and Craig McCracken (4), who started the day with a doubles match against Sandringham’s David Budge (2) and Andrew White (5). Try as they may, the game was extremely close and was won by Sandringham at the very last hoop, Sandringham 7 vs Lilydale 6. First Singles – Murray Howlett played Andrew White with a similar result, Sandringham 7 vs Lilydale 6, so Sandringham 2 to Lilydale 0. Second Singles – Michael “Mick” Crawley (5) against David Budge (2), and the tables were turned. Even though it was yet another extremely close game, Mick came out on top, winning 7 to 5. It was two games to one. Lilydale must win the next two singles games to win the day. Murray Howlett took on David Budge in a clash of truly skilled players; however, Murray won solidly with the first decisive result of the day, 7 to 3. So it was all up to Mick Crawley to beat Andrew White to clinch the victory for the match, and beat him he did, 7 to 3, another decisive win. Game and Match to Lilydale’s Division 1 team. Well done, guys. Division 2 Lilydale vs Sandringham - Lilydale got off to a solid start in a doubles match between Kerri McCracken (8) and Scott Bradbury (10) against Meg Thorley (9) and Rob Carter (6) of Sandringham winning 7 hoops to 4. Mark Edgell (10) kicked off the first singles match, taking on the higher-ranked Tony Brand. Given the difference in rankings, Mark acquitted himself well and at different stages the game could have gone either way; however, Tony took control and closed out the game 7 hoops to 4. One game each. Next up was Scott Bradbury against Meg Thorley in a game where Scott struggled to find form and lost 7 hoops to 2. Third singles game was Kerri McCracken against Tony Brand, which started promising some hope for Lilydale until Tony took control yet again, winning 7 to 4. Sandringham 3 games to Lilydale 2. So we had one last game to win back a little respect and dignity. Mark Edgell played Rob Carter. It was a cat-and-mouse game full of tactical play, but Lilydale’s Mark Edgell came out on top, winning 7 hoops to 6. Well done, Mark. The day ended up with Sandring42 MAIL | Tuesday, 13 October, 2026
Lilydale’s Liz Stewart, Murray McLean, Mark Edgell and Simon Brown. (Supplied)
Craig McCracken and Murray Howlett. (Supplied) ham 3 games to Lilydale 2. Advantage Play Thursday 8 October saw Lilydale versus Mornington in a best of six games in total, three singles and three doubles. First Singles - Murray McLean (7) against Max Bonner (9). This was a relatively close game given Murray’s higher ranking but Murray closed the game out with a comfortable win, 7 hoops to 5 hoops. First Doubles – Liz Stewart (10) and Simon (10) played Daphne Ferguson (10) and Max Bonner (9). The game started out well for Lilydale, with Liz and Simon combining their individual skills well; however, Mornington were not giving up and clawed their way back to a onehoop shootout at the thirteenth hoop. Thankfully, Lilydale made the critical shot, 7 hoops to 6. Lilydale were two from two and three hoops ahead. Why does the hoop count make a difference? Well, at the end of the day, if both teams have won three games each, then it is the total number of hoops that decides the winner on the day. Second Singles - Mark Edgell (10) vs Daph-
ne Ferguson. Mark started really well, sprinting away from Daphne, but Daphne is a seasoned competitor, and with her level head and determination she mounted a challenge; however, it was just a bit late, and Mark won 7 hoops to 4, giving Lilydale a further three hoops in the bag. Second Doubles – Murray McLean and Liz Stewart played Max Bonner and Anthea Amos (9) again. A well-contested game with ups and downs but well controlled by Lilydale, emerging on top with 7 hoops to 5 hoops. First Round Singles – The two most experienced players on the day, Murray McLean for Lilydale vs Anthea Amos from Mornington. The game had its moments where it could have gone either way, but Murray stayed focused, controlled the game and won 7 hoops to 5 hoops. Doubles – Liz Stewart and Mark Edgell played Daphne Ferguson and Max Bonner. With Lilydale having already won the day convincingly, the pressure was off, and Liz and Mark relaxed a little too much, opening the door for a Mornington win, which they did, 3 hoops to 7. What a great day for Lilydale’s Advantage Team, not just a solid performance winning 4
Lilydale’s Murray Howlett and Craig McCracken played Sandringham’s David Budge and Andrew White. (Supplied)
Mark Edgell watches Rob Carter. (Supplied) games to 1 but, more importantly, banking 6 extra hoops on the overall ladder. Well done to all involved.
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Women go down to wire By Les Hutchings Kilsyth Cricket Club’s senior men’s teams played their first game for the season in Round 2, with only the Second XI tasting victory. On Sunday, the Women’s First XI snuck over the line after a tense ending that went right down to the wire. Junior cricket also started last weekend with the Club fielding an U14 team, two U12s and an U10 Mini Bash team. After being U16 premiers last season, the Club unfortunately couldn’t field an U16 team this season, but we have seven U16 players playing across two U16 teams with Ainslie Park. Aiden Nicoll starred with the ball in the U12-3 competition, capturing 5/5 off 3.2 overs to help his team to a good win. Robert Hutchings’ 45 for the Third XI was Kilsyth’s highest score for the round, closely followed by Chris Pahi 43* and Daniel Caton 42*, both playing for the Second XI. Ashleigh Katoa took 3/16 off 6 overs for the Women’s First XI to return the best bowling figures, whilst the Men’s Second XI’s Hayden Monds captured 3/19 off 6.3 overs. Men’s First XI Playing East Ringwood at Pinks Reserve in the Wilkins Cup, Kilsyth fielded four debutants, Head Coach Dasun (Dash) Mabogodage, Agampodi Udara de Silva, and U16 premiership players Max Wills and Rhys Kearney, alongside returning player Joel Harris. Batting first, Kilsyth built an opening stand of 37 before Jack Childs (13) fell. Dasun Mabogodage top-scored with 24, while Nuwan Sampath (18), Joel Harris (21), Max Wills (12), and Lahiru Randeepa (15) offered support. Kilsyth were dismissed for 137 off 38.1 overs. East Ringwood’s Nick Kearney took 3/17, while Bailey Anderson and Jason Kilby claimed two wickets each. In reply, East Ringwood lost an early wicket to Kilsyth Captain Andy Solomons (1/15) before a 61-run stand between Bailey Anderson (35) and Taylor Gibson (29) anchored the chase. Debutant Max Wills (1/26) claimed his first top-grade wicket by removing Gibson, and Dylan Smith (1/33) dismissed Anderson. However, Jason Kilby (19*) and Matt Kershaw (35*) saw East Ringwood home at 3/139 off 31.5 overs. Men’s Second XI The Second XI secured an eight-wicket win against the Seville Burras at Seville Recreation Reserve in the Ian Spencer Shield. Seville elected to bat but quickly crumbled under pressure from open bowling pair Joel Gibb (3/28) and Hayden Monds (3/19), falling to 5/39. Seville Captain Macca Hardy top-scored with a quickfire 36 off 25 balls, but support from Kasun Ekanayake (2/12), Mark Unternahrer (1/13), and Matthew Young (1/26) wrapped up the innings for 112 in 37.3 overs. After losing two early wickets, Captain Chris Pahi (43*) and Daniel Caton (42*) compiled an unbroken 81-run third-wicket partnership to reach 2/113 in 31.1 overs. Darcy Tilney (2/30) was Seville’s sole wicket-taker. Men’s Third XI
Aiden Nicoll took 5 for 5 off 3.2 overs for Kilsyth’s U12s against East Ringwood in Division 3 and played his 50th game for the Club. (Supplied) Kilsyth CC Men’s First XI, Round 2 versus East Ringwood. (Supplied) The Third XI travelled to Gracedale Park to face Ainslie Park, welcoming debutant Troy Winters. Kilsyth reached 5/121 after 30 overs but lost quick wickets to be bowled out for 157 in 38.1 overs. Opener Robert Hutchings top-scored with 45, backed by Winters (18) and Trent Potter (17). Darren Walles took 3/13 for Ainslie Park. Ainslie Park’s openers posted a 97-run stand, led by Trent Sier (52). Marcus Allan (59*) and Joshua Hood (29*) guided Ainslie Park to 1/158 in 37 overs to claim victory. Men’s Fourth XI Hosting St Andrews on Roy Baldwin Oval, Kilsyth celebrated two major milestones: Ryan Kaal’s 100th senior club game and Matthew Burgess claiming his 400th senior wicket (1/40). St Andrews compiled 3/198 off 36 overs behind Clint Honeysett (66*), Vinay Chauhan (49), and Adam Rixham (40*). Louis Potter (1/31) and Ravin Mehra (1/43) claimed the other wickets. Kilsyth fell for 128 in 29 overs, despite efforts from Mehra (32), Captain Shane Smith (26), and debutant Peter Joy (24). Men’s Fifth XI At Elizabeth Bridge Reserve, Warranwood posted 4/202cc off 36 overs against Kilsyth, led by retired half-centurions Simon Groube (50*) and Matt Scott (51*). U14 player Tate Lindsay took 2/26, with Captain Anthony Cook (1/10) and Ben Nicoll (1/26) taking single wickets. Kilsyth were dismissed for 69 in 25.3 overs, with Cook top-scoring on 27. Women’s First XI The Women’s First XI won a nail-biter against North Ringwood at Alan Smith Oval in B Grade. North Ringwood started strong with an opening stand of 56 between Anna Janssen (30) and Emma Peter-Budge (22), before Nisansala Hettiarachchi and Serena Gibbs made breakthroughs.
Abbie Pou struck 36 off 42 balls before Ashleigh Katoa (3/16) turned momentum by taking three key wickets. Lecia Baldry (2/14) struck late to restrict North Ringwood to 7/136cc. Kilsyth’s chase hit trouble early when Rianna Sandhu (4/11) reduced them to 4/36. Serena Gibbs held the innings together with 35 off 61 balls alongside Sarah Gibbs (28). Following late wickets, Kilsyth found themselves at 9/125, needing 12 runs off 17 balls. Co-Captain Lecia Baldry (10* off 7) struck key boundaries, pushing Kilsyth to 9/135 facing the final over. Baldry drove the first ball of the last over for two runs to secure victory at 9/137. Junior Competition U14-4: Bayswater Park posted 2/152cc off 25 overs, led by Lucas Brown (42*) and Samarth Kohli (38). Angus Bright took 2/8. Kilsyth fell narrowly short at 5/144cc, with contributions from Noah Stirling (25), Tate Lindsay (24*), Cooper Nankervis (20), and Zack Mellerick (18). Aiden Nicoll marked his 50th club game. U12-3: East Ringwood were bowled out for 100 after Aiden Nicoll produced exceptional bowling figures of 5/5 off 3.2 overs. Ashton Mehra (2/12) also contributed. Kilsyth reached the target at 4/105 off 20 overs thanks to retired unbeaten scores from Nicoll (19*), Dylan Ekanayake (15*), and Harrison Sfiligoj (10*). U12-9: Seville Burras made 5/112cc against Kilsyth, led by Smith vanderKlift (30*). Wickets were shared by Connor Robertson (1/9), Yuvin Rana (1/13), and Axel Gotz (1/16). In reply, Kilsyth were held to 8/49, with Robertson remaining 11 not out. U16s: While unable to field a standalone U16 team after last season’s premiership, Kilsyth has seven U16 players competing across two joint teams with Ainslie Park.
Robert Hutchings made the highest Kilsyth score for the round, 45 off 77 balls (6 fours) for the Third XI against Ainslie Park. (Supplied)
Ashleigh Katoa had the best Kilsyth senior bowling figures for the round, capturing 3/16 off 6 overs for the Women’s First XI against North Ringwood. (Supplied)
Croydon club turns focus to off-season training Fresh from being named the 2026 EFNL Gordon Parker Best Conducted Club, Croydon Junior Football Club is investing back into its local football community with the launch of a new off-season Training Academy. The eight-session Academy is a Croydon Football Netball Club initiative, designed to give local young footballers access to high-quality coaching and development throughout the off-season. The initiative follows a standout year for Croydon JFC, with the club recognised for its conduct and culture, Under 8 Girls coach Courtney Bird named Junior Coach of the Year, and the Under 11s claiming a premiership. Croydon JFC Co-President Marc Oettinger said the Academy was about continuing to invest in the people who make the club and local football community strong. “We might be a smaller club, but we feel we punch above our weight in the way we support our players and families,” Mr Oettinger said. “Being recognised as the Best Conducted Club was something we were incredibly proud of because it reflects the culture we have worked hard to build. “Now we want to keep building on that. We’re investing in our kids and giving them more opportunities to develop their skills, confidence and love of footy throughout the off-season.
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“We want Croydon to be a place where families feel welcome and where every child, regardless of their ability or experience, has an opportunity to develop and enjoy their football.” The Academy will be led by Dean Jones of Future Footy Performance, whose experience includes roles as a VFL Senior and Development Coach, Talent Pathway Coach and Head Coach of multiple Interleague Programs. “This is an opportunity to connect, inspire and positively influence a generation of players for many years to come,” Mr Jones said. “I’m incredibly honoured to be appointed the inaugural leader of the Croydon JFC Academy and can’t wait to make a difference both on and off the field.” The Academy will run across eight fortnightly Sunday sessions, catering for all junior age groups and abilities, with a focus on skills, confidence, game sense and footy IQ. Registrations are open to current Croydon players as well as young footballers aged from Under 8s up to 17.5s, interested in getting involved with the club. Registrations for the 2027 season are also now open, with special offers available for new players joining Croydon JFC. Academy places are limited. To register or find out more, contact Co-President Marc Oettinger on croydonjnr@efnl.org.au.
The Croydon Junior Football Club is shifting its attention to the off-season with a training academy. (Supplied)
Tuesday, 13 October, 2026 | MAIL 43
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