Your Yarra Ranges – Autumn 2025
A
word from the Mayor
We’re already a quarter of the way into the year, and there’s plenty happening at Council. With the new financial year just around the corner, we’re deep into Budget discussions.
We’re also working on the Council Plan, a crucial document that outlines what the community wants Council to achieve over the next four years. It lists the actions Council plans to complete within this period.
Make sure you keep an eye on Council’s community engagement website, Shaping Yarra Ranges, to get involved. This site has all the information about major projects, plans, and policies that affect your daily life. You can choose to be notified about projects happening in your area or those you’re specifically interested in.
While it may seem a while ago now, it’s important to celebrate the amazing people in our community who received Community Awards on Australia Day. These locals, with decades of experience, genuinely care for others and strive to make the world a better place. They willingly step up to make it happen.
There’s plenty happening around Yarra Ranges in the coming months. Reconciliation Week is at the end of May, and we’ll be hosting an event at Council to mark it. For something completely different, why not visit the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum and check out the Toast to Melba exhibition?
Our events calendar is packed with activities and events you can get involved in across the Yarra Ranges.
Stay updated by subscribing to our fortnightly e-newsletter, sent directly to your inbox. Find out more at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Your-YarraRanges
Cr. Jim Child,
Mayor of Yarra Ranges
2025-26 Council Budget
Council’s Budget details our plans and financial strategy for the year ahead with the aim of ensuring value-for-money for our community while balancing the demands of increasing costs and a reduction in grants from other levels of government.
The Budget covers everything from playgrounds and urban planning to community grants, footpaths, roadworks, and sustainability initiatives.
With the cost of living continuing to be a major concern for our residents, this budget focuses on maintaining and improving existing assets, continuing key multi-year projects, and delivering essential community services.
Have your say on the 2025-26 Council Budget by visiting shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/council-budget-2025-26. The final Budget will be presented to Council in June.
Australia Day 2025 Community Award winners
The Australia Day Community Awards celebrate outstanding contributions in volunteering, environmental protection, and advocacy for vulnerable community members. Each of these winners has gone above and beyond in their efforts to help others, demonstrating exceptional dedication and excellence. For more details about each of the award winners please scan the QR code at the bottom right of this page.
Citizen of the Year - Maureen Halit
Congratulations to our Citizen of the Year Maureen Halit. Maureen has a lengthy history of serving and engaging with the local community of Millgrove. Maureen has volunteered and been involved in her community for more than five decades, and she has led Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) for over two decades. Maureen works with Council, mentors other groups, contributes to the Yarra Ranges Township Group Network and Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee, and has successfully applied for grants for local projects and advocated for all-ability access throughout the town.
Young Citizen of the Year - Jarvis LewisJames Jarvis is a dedicated environmental volunteer, who has been instrumental in supporting a local community nursery. Currently studying a Diploma of Conservation and Ecosystem Management, he volunteers at Candlebark Community Nursery at every opportunity. Jarvis’ exciting work to locate, record and protect rare and threatened plant species in the Yarra Valley, make him a deserving recipient of Young Citizen of the year.
Mayor’s Lifetime Achiever - Sue Thompson
Sue Thompson is a keen historian and volunteer, and as a former local journalist, Sue was instrumental in the formation of the Lilydale Museum – now known as the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum. Sue’s work for the Museum ensured that local artifacts, photographs and items could be
catalogued, maintained and preserved for future generations. Sue has published history books, and created the only website dedicated to Dame Nellie Melba. Her work has resulted in buildings and street trees being included in Heritage Overlays, to ensure the history of the region perseveres.
Mayor’s Lifetime Achiever - Harry Moyle
Harry has dedicated almost three decades of his life to volunteering his financial expertise to assist Caladenia Dementia Care in Mooroolbark. Harry has been an instrumental figure in the organisation’s direction and financial governance, bringing his experience as a financial planner, accountant and small business owner. Now retired from the board, Harry has continued to offer fundraising support for the organisation – so from boardroom to sausage sizzle, Harry has truly shown commitment to helping the community around him and, by extension, providing sound support for people experiencing dementia.
Environmental Achiever of the YearDebbie Shaw (Millgrove)
Debbie Shaw was a founding member of the Candlebark Community Nursery. When re-joining the committee at the start of 2024 Debbie wasted no time in creating a positive culture and ushering in change. She now has a goal of meeting a demand of 120,000 local-native plants for revegetation and biodiversity works in 2025, which will have a positive impact on the environment. Debbie has made 2024 a positive year for so many others, while helping support our stunning natural environment.
Community Group - Holy Fools
For well over 15 years, and on a small budget, Holy Fools in Lilydale has been hosting community lunches, providing swags and blankets for people sleeping rough, offering information and a place to go for community members at risk of, and experiencing homelessness. In 2025 the team will be opening a homelessness resource centre,
which will no doubt have a positive impact on community members sleeping rough – or at risk of homelessness – for many years to come.
Ian De La Rue Award for Community Leadership - Eddie Tichelaar
Eddie has supported his community in Montrose for decades through multiple endeavours; including the Vic Roads Montrose intersection upgrade, the creation of a history room in the Montrose Community Cottage and the creation of a history-walk around the town. Being passionate about the local area, Eddie has hosted history talks with the local library with great attendance. Eddie is a CFA volunteer of more than 45 years, has contributed to the Resilience Committee and has established a broad network in the community through his work. A lifetime resident of Montrose, Eddie has truly dedicated himself to bettering his community.
Certificate of Recognition - Elizabeth Connolly
Elizabeth is a keen volunteer, arranging weeding and planting groups in many different sites through Selby and Belgrave South. According to her nominator, it was her late life partner, the environmental activist and botanist, Darcy Duggan, who was a significant inspiration to Elizabeth to carry-on his environmental work. Elizabeth has organised regular working bees for volunteers to weed bushland sites and plant native plants. She works hard to preserve pockets of Indigenous bushland and is an inspiration to environmentalists and future generations in the Dandenong Ranges and the Belgrave area.
Award winners with Mayor Jim Child (not present in photo: Harry Moyle, Elizabeth Connolly, Sue Thompson)
Culture and Events
A Toast to Melba is a Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Exhibition presented in partnership with Coombe Yarra Valley and Arts Centre Melbourne.
Uncover the untold stories of a global icon, Dame Nellie Melba. A Toast to Melba shares rarely seen objects, photographs, and personal treasures from Coombe Yarra Valley, Arts Centre Melbourne and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum—brought together for the first time in this dynamic new exhibition.
Beyond the international fame and behind Coombe’s iconic hedge lived a woman of complexity and charisma—a feminist, modernist, humanitarian and practical joker who defied expectations and made space as a modern woman and a proud Australian.
“I have built my Australian home, Coombe Cottage, almost within sight and sound of the same trees and vineyards in which I played as a child, under the same brilliant sunshine, facing the same sudden storms that sweep in … from the hills … If you wish
to understand me at all … you must understand first and foremost, that I am an Australian.”
—Dame Nellie Melba, 1925
Join us in exploring the modern life of Dame Nellie Melba—a woman who dared to live on her own terms.
Talks, tours, special events and more continue to be announced through until June.
Groups can book a self-guided or museum-led tour of the exhibition, find out more and make a booking via yarraranges.vic.gov.au/museum
15 February – 29 June 2025
National Reconciliation Week 2025
National Reconciliation Week 2025 will be observed 27 May – 3 June.
The theme is Bridging Now to Next, it reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
This year, National Reconciliation Week is more significant than ever before, as it is
25 years since ‘Corroboree 2000’ brought together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous leaders in a historic call for reconciliation.
Locally, we will be celebrating National Reconciliation Week with a special event at The Memo Healesville, on Thursday 29 May 2025. This will be your opportunity to
engage with Aboriginal heritage through inspiring presentations, performances and stories of identity, culture and country.
For more information on this event and Yarra Ranges Council’s ‘Innovate – Reconciliation Action Plan’ visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ reconciliation
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum Castella Street, Lilydale
From our Ridges to our Rivers
Warburton Mountain Bike Destination
With near-perfect trail building conditions, work is progressing steadily on the first stage of the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination. The first 30kms are set to open in mid 2025.
Construction partner World Trail is renowned in the Mountain Bike industry for crafting extraordinary trail experiences. The trail building teams are made up of both experienced builders and local riders, keen to be involved in a home-grown project from the ground up.
Local trail builders Camden McLean, Finian Goerke and Jarrah Street have all recently finished high school. Working on the trails is
their first full-time job.
“I grew up mountain biking,” said 19 year old Camden, from Belgrave. “To get to have this opportunity to build trails, to do something you’re passionate about for your first job is pretty cool.”
Jarrah, 18 from Millgrove, finished school in 2024. He deferred university for a year to work on the Warburton Mountain Bike project. “It’s cool to be involved in something like this so close to home. I think it will bring more people in, help the towns out.”
Finian, 19, agrees, ‘These trails will get the whole family out riding. We’re not just
The first of the permanent artworks for ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk to have been installed, are Storm Leaves, by Anton McMurray. The Storm Leaves sculptures are a series of five artworks commissioned to celebrate the natural beauty and resilience of the local environment. The first two Storm Leaves sit at the trailheads in Kallista and Birdsland Reserve, Belgrave Heights.
Created by renowned sculpture artist Anton McMurray, who grew up in the Dandenong Ranges, these sculptures will feature details inspired by the natural world, hand crafted in Cypress logs salvaged after the 2021 storms.
“Having grown up in these hills, it’s an honour and joy to be creating artwork to exist in a natural environment I have an affinity with, and a community I have a great fondness for.”
Mr McMurray said.
More artwork is being delivered along the trails in the coming months. Along Channel Ten track, above Doongalla Homestead Picnic Ground, walkers can discover The Reveal, a series of intricate visual artworks inspired by the forest surroundings. Follow shaping.yarraranges.vic. gov.au/ridgewalk for the latest updates.
building gnarly downhills. There’s plenty of great green trails, good for progression.”
All three started riding young and are passionate about the sport. It’s clear the opportunity to work with World Trail, on a world-class project close to home, has been a positive start to their employment history.
Most of all though, they’re excited about sharing their love for mountain biking.
“There’s nothing like it. When you’re riding, you’re so in the moment. Other riders understand that feeling. It’s not a team sport,” said Finian, “but it brings you together.”
Artwork by: Ash Firebrace is an Aboriginal artist who lives and works on Wurundjeri Country
Mooroolbark Community Garden
In less than two years the ‘pop up’ community garden in Mooroolbark has become a vibrant hub that cultivates community and companionship. Whilst growing food for the community is a key focus – anyone is welcome to harvest food from the garden for a gold coin donation or by lending a hand – the garden also hosts a market on the last Sunday of the month and a twilight picnic on the second Friday of the month.
The garden features a fruit tree grove and seasonal vegetables, and visitors can buy affordable seedlings to take home. Volunteers are on site weekday mornings ready to provide a tour of the garden or share advice on how to successfully grow your own veggies at home. Visitors are welcome to wander the gardens or sit and socialise with friends at any time.
Energetic and passionate volunteers propagate seedlings, plant, harvest, tend to compost, weed and water garden beds, and
engage with visitors. The garden hosts NDIS classes, has an early learning centre for children under eight, is visited by primary and high school classes and is a space for mutual obligation participants to learn new skills.
To find out more about this, and other, community gardens in the Yarra Ranges visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/communitygardens
State first to improve planning process for community
One of the hardest parts of the planning process is not knowing how to get started, what may be required, or even knowing when a planning permit is required.
We have begun utilising myLot, an AI-powered self-service planning enquiry tool, to help residents find out if they need a planning permit for their upcoming project.
Designed specifically for homeowners, myLot assists users by providing information about the residential planning controls on their property to assist in the early stages of the planning process and reduce delays in assessment.
The new tool uses artificial intelligence to explore residential development, including what the project is and what planning permit triggers there may be under Council’s planning scheme.
It’s important to note that there will continue to be human oversight with the planning process, as this tool just assists in helping quickly answer
those first few questions residents may have when planning to build or renovate.
In future there is scope for the tool to expand to more complex planning and building matters, such as subdivisions and multi-units.
The portal also recently received a commendation from Planning Institute Australia for ‘Technology & Digital Innovation’.
While feedback so far on the new platform has been positive, we’re encouraging those who use it to continue to provide feedback so it can be continuously improved.
This project was co-funded and developed in a collaborative partnership with myLot.
To find out more about myLot or to try it for yourself, visit yarraranges. vic.gov.au/Development/Planning
Future-proofing our towns: how local communities are redefining resilience
From bushfire mitigation plans to emergency hubs powered by solar and battery, Healesville residents and Yarra Ranges Council are taking proactive steps to strengthen resilience.
Community-led bushfire mitigation planning
A volunteer-run emergency hub for times of crisis
While fire preparedness helps mitigate risk, Healesville’s volunteer-run Community Emergency Group (HCEG) ensures the community has a safe space to turn to when disasters strike.
The group activates in the aftermath of weatherrelated emergencies, operating from the Healesville Community Link to provide vital support such as information, shelter, and phone charging. Venues in Badger Creek and Chum Creek can also be activated.
“When an emergency happens, we activate the hub,” said HCEG volunteer Michelle Zwagerman.
“In that hub, we provide information about what’s happening, a need-and-offers board, and, importantly, a safe place for people to charge their devices, talk, and connect with other community members who are also experiencing the emergency.”
For Healesville resident Graeme George, fire preparedness is an essential part of living in the Yarra Ranges.
Graeme and a group of passionate volunteers are leading a communitydriven effort to develop a Bushfire Impact Mitigation Plan for Healesville residents, aimed at reducing fire risk on properties.
Developed over three years in collaboration with Council, emergency services, and landowners, the plan provides practical strategies to help residents and rural land managers mitigate fire risk.
Graeme says it offers actionable steps for homeowners, rural land managers,
Solar and battery upgrades for emergency support
and conservationists, emphasising the importance of proactive fuel management, structural resilience, and ecological balance.
“I joined the bushfire mitigation group because of my interest in making Healesville a safer place to live. I live here, and I want to be safer—I understand the risks of living in this area,” Graeme said.
“This plan includes a range of measures that can be taken to alter the landscape, making it less fire-prone, reducing the risk of fire starting, intensifying, and spreading. Importantly, it’s based on the latest available science.”
Recognising the importance of community-led resilience, Yarra Ranges Council has upgraded the Healesville Community Link with a 100KWP solar panel system, a 108kWh battery, and a generator plug-in through the Preparing Australian Communities initiative.
The hub is one of many key locations that have received solar panels, batteries, LED lighting, or generator plug-in points.
For the Healesville Community Emergency Group, these upgrades mean they can continue supporting residents even when the power goes out.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Cr Jim Child says what’s happening in Healesville is more than just a series of local initiatives—it’s part of Yarra Ranges Council’s Resilient Yarra Ranges program, designed to strengthen community resilience across the region.
“By working alongside local groups, Council is helping communities proactively prepare for emergencies and build long-term strategies for safety and sustainability,” Cr Child said.
“We’re building something that will last—something that will support the community during times of emergency.”
“Resilience isn’t just about responding to disasters; it’s about planning ahead and making sure people have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to stay safe.
Find out more about the Healesville Community Emergency Group and their work in bushfire mitigation planning and the emergency hub model by visiting www.yarraranges.vic.gov. au/Environment/Emergencies/ Resilient-Yarra-Ranges/Place-basedResilience-Planning
Council has recently launched a new online rates payment platform.
This new, free and simple payment solution will assist you to pay your rates, view account balances, and provides flexibility and control over tailored payment plans - all conveniently accessible through your smart phone.
You can choose weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payments, smoothing out your bill
over 12 months. Plus, you can view your account balance anytime, receive reminders so you don’t miss a due date and easily update your account details.
If you are a ratepayer in Yarra Ranges, scan the QR code on your next notice, or visit our website pay.yarraranges.vic.gov.au to create an account and view your options.
Yarra Ranges Council
Paid Parking in Warburton Pilot Project from 3 May 2025 - July 2026
Yarra Ranges Council is introducing paid parking for visitors in Warburton on weekends and public holidays from 9am – 5pm at:
• Warburton Water World - $6 per hour
• Thomas Avenue - $3.50 per hour
• Warburton Highway by the shops - first hour free then $6 per hour
• Station Road - $3.50 per hour
Yarra Ranges residents: Apply for a free parking permit to park without charge. Register up to 3 vehicles per property. Required documents include proof of residency and vehicle ownership.
How to Apply:
• Online at www.epermits-yarraranges.orikan.tech/ssp
• In person at our Community Links
• Phone 1300 456 050
For more information
www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/paidparking
Scan the QR code to apply for your permit
Community Changemakers
Council’s Community Changemakers Program provides community members with the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills, confidence and networks required to create positive change in their communities. Below are two stories from previous graduates of the program talking about their experience. You can find more information on the Community Changemakers program by visiting shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ community-changemakers-program
Martina Eaton
After a traumatic experience, Martina found that writing was a really helpful tool in her healing process.
After enlisting the help of a friend, Martina set about in creating Healing Harmonies, a program that aims to help other women through their trauma, through the power of music and writing.
One of the factors in supporting Martina to create Healing Harmonies was her enrolment in Council’s 2021 Community Changemakers Program.
Martina said she found the program very useful in helping reflect on her values and instilling the importance to her of helping make her community a more inclusive and diverse place to live.
“I feel I gained confidence in developing ideas from scratch and putting them into action,” she said.
“Through the program I felt I was able to develop my skills in group work, public speaking, working with different groups of
Jackson Ellis
An Upwey local, Jackson was a part of the 2023 intake of the Community Changemakers Program.
Passionate about environmental and social issues that affect the wellbeing of people and the planet, Jackson joined the program wanting to be a more effective and engaged member of the communities that he’s a part of.
“Over the past five years since being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I’ve been learning how to manage my condition which has also led me down the path of health and disability advocacy,” he said.
‘Advocacy, reconciliation, project planning, community engagement and working with government were all areas that I could see I lacked confidence in managing.
“Acquiring skills in these areas and learning alongside other passionate locals has been an empowering experience.
‘Learning about First Nations cultures and how to engage with First Nations
people and listening actively to all voices and ideas.
“I really enjoyed watching everyone’s presentation of their ideas at the final session. To see how far we had all come in identifying projects we wanted to do in our local area, developing them and watching them be brought to life and then presenting them to the group, Mayor and other council staff was such a thrill.”
And Martina’s advice for any community members thinking about applying?
“Absolutely get onto it! It was so amazing to meet such incredibly inspiring people, to learn more about yourself and your community, to make our region a better place and to be the change you want to see!
“I still have my certificate on my wall at home to remind me that anyone can be a “changemaker” when you have passion and commitment!”
stakeholders has helped me overcome insecurities I had about respectfully speaking to First Nations people and sharing knowledges that are derived from their cultures.
“Sharing my MS with the Community Changemakers group and discussing it as a disability for the first time led me to participating in the Disability Advisory Committee - which I have been contributing to for over 12 months now.
“Through my role on the DAC, I have been able to contribute to discussions about infrastructure, amenities and events that effect people living with disabilities.
“The opportunity to sit with the team of people with lived experience and carers all committed to improving the wellbeing for those with disabilities has given me courage to speak about my experience in public such as at the International Day for People with a Disability event in 2024.”
New places to play!
New playspaces have opened across the region, with State Government representatives travelling out to celebrate renewed and upgraded spaces.
Through January and February, Council and the State Government opened playspaces at:
• Bluegum Reserve, Badger Creek
• Queen Road Reserve, Lilydale
• Morrison Reserve, Mount Evelyn
• Wright Avenue, Upwey
These playspaces have areas accessible for people of different ages and abilities, completely new equipment in some cases and improvements to what was already there.
We’ve already had positive feedback from community members and their families using these spaces. Why not go explore a new playspace in your backyard with your friends and loved ones?
For more information on parks near you, visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/play
Acknowledgement of Country Yarra Ranges Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri and other Kulin Nations as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of these lands and waterways.
We pay our respects to all Elders, past, present, and emerging, who have been, and always will be, integral to the story of our region.
We proudly share custodianship to care for Country together.
