Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 7th September 2021 by Star News Group

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Local hero nominated for award

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Olympic journey By Shelby Brooks Taking a chance on an advertisement in a primary school newsletter led Emerald’s Amy Lawton to wear the green and gold at the Tokyo Olympics. Amy’s parents spotted a notice in their daughter’s Upper Beaconsfield Primary School’s newsletter advertising the Berwickbased field hockey club The Casey Cannons. Amy, who moved to Australia from the UK when she was seven, said her parents decided she could give it a try. “I was eight the first time I picked up a hockey stick and gave it a go,” the now Hockeyroo said. “I went there and started and obviously really liked it.” She played in the under 10s for a year with Casey before it was suggested she transfer to a junior development program in Moorabbin. Trying a range of sporting activities, Amy soon realised she was excelling at hockey the most. “I was not one of the strongest players at all, I wasn’t just a natural talent at it as such either,” she said. “I just remember being that little striker that ran around and didn’t really do that much except run a lot. “I remember at one stage I guess I was having a discussion with my parents about my hockey, and they said if you want to actually do it [professionally] you could, you just need to try and work a bit harder.” So, Amy started performing 100 ball movements a day, dragging the ball left to right over and over again improving her touch and basic skills. “Slowly my touch got better and I got better

Amy Lawton in the finals match against India at the Olympics. at doing different elimination skills and now that is probably one of my strengths,” Amy said. Balancing Year 12 at Haileybury College

in Berwick with making her national debut meant Amy missed over a term’s worth of face to face learning in 2019.

Picture: HOCKEY AUSTRALIA A lot of time was spent studying in the car between tournaments and training. Continued page 3

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Local hero makes impact By Mikayla van Loon Meg Yates has been helping vulnerable young people for over 15 years in the counselling and youth work space, making a difference in their current lives and their future lives. She was recently nominated for a Westfield Local Hero award for her not-for-profit Trek Learning Centre in Olinda, a safe place for young people who have had a traumatic upbringing to re-engage with learning and with themselves. Although very humbled by the nomination, Ms Yates said she feels quite uncomfortable about it because it has been a team effort. “So it’s lovely for us organisationally and I think as a team and what we bring. I feel very privileged to work with the team that I’ve got, I’m really lucky.” Many of the young people Ms Yates meets have come through youth justice, social services, child protection or another support service, as well as those with disability. Ms Yates said most have had some sort of traumatic experience in their young life, which has perhaps prevented them from attending school at the ages of 10 through to 14. “Trauma impacts the brain enormously and impacts the way the brain develops and impacts the way the brain functions,” she said. “How the brain prioritises certain elements for survival in memory and regulation and things like that aren’t great for children and young people who’ve experienced trauma.” Trauma also brings a number of barriers, preventing them from having success in learning and often, without a program like Trek, TAFE is where these young people end up. “Quite often young people who maybe haven’t participated well in school or have been disengaged for long periods, or had lots of barriers, quite often get funnelled into the TAFE system,” Ms Yates said.

Meg Yates stands with Corey while he uses one of the hammocks at Trek Learning Centre’s 10 acre property in Olinda. 249457 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS “Only about 2 per cent of vulnerable learners actually complete a course and so it’s this really negative experience.” Trek Learning Centre is about thinking outside the box to allow young people to regain their confidence and to feel any emotions they might be feeling without judgement. “It’s the shame of, often, the lives they were born into and there’s no fault that lies with them but they carry a lot of that.

“A lot of the work we do is really around rebuilding them to have a sense of pride, to reignite curiosity, to calm the nervous system, to fill in some of those really functional gaps that allow them to be able to go forward with the basic foundational knowledge that they need to be successful.” Having 10 acres of farmland to grow vegie gardens, to do pottery and blacksmithing and to look after animals, gives these young people

the space to learn that not everything has to be right or perfect. “We do lots of things here on purpose that can’t be right to really try to reduce this attachment that ‘if you can’t do it right, then I won’t do it’ and that’s how a lot of school refusal happens.” Covid-19 has had a really large impact on these young people, many of whom couldn’t complete home learning because they didn’t have access to computers or internet. For others, it has been even more serious. “This year has been quite dire. So it always makes me feel very emotional. We’ve very, very nearly lost a couple of young people to quite serious suicide attempts this year,” Ms Yates said. But yet attendance throughout has remained at nearly 100 per cent, with some only missing days if they have been hospitalised or are sick. “I think that speaks volumes that they come and for whatever reason we do see the results. “We do see young people that we’ve had great fear for, go on and live really ‘normal’ lives where they’re having part time jobs, and re-engaging in school and have friendships. “That is really beautiful to witness that shift. That’s the right, you would think, of all our young people here in Australia, to have health and wellbeing and to be able to have friendships and be in the world.” Ms Yates said the intangible conversations that say ‘you will be alright’ and ‘Covid-19 will be over soon’ don’t help to release the fear these young people have around the current situation. That’s why through the Trek Program Ms Yates and her team are always looking for small ways they can move forward into the future, even if it is as simple as planting the next lot of vegetables.

RUNNY NOSE OR COVID? The only way to be sure is with a test at the first sign of any symptom.

For testing locations, visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne 12511477-CG37-21

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IN BRIEF Car parts stolen

No house allowed By Shelby Brooks A proposal to build a house only 100 metres away from an existing broiler farm in Emerald has been rejected by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The Tribunal upheld an earlier Cardinia Shire Council decision to reject an amendment to an existing planning permit for a single storey dwelling at 18 Bottomley Drive. VCAT member Frank Dawson said in his report the applicant Maria Lewis had originally received approval to build the house on the eastern side of the site on a steep slope 229

metres from the broiler farm. However, she then decided she wanted to relocate the build site to a more central position on higher ground, where the terrain is less steep and the bushfire risk is less because it was further from surrounding trees, Mr Dawson said. “In this context, the permit applicant’s desire to seek a less challenging site is understandable,” Mr Dawson said in the VCAT hearing on 25 August. Broiler farmer Mark Dell’Oglio was an objector at the VCAT hearing, with Mr Dawson’s report stating that Dell’Oglio’s lawyer revealed

Dell’Oglio had always been concerned about new primarily residential use dwellings unreasonably encroaching on his broiler farm and threatening his business and income. According to the report, the lawyer said Mr Dell’Oglio was concerned building the house closer to his broiler sheds could lead to the potential closure of his farm business. In the end, Mr Dawson agreed. “I find the proximity to the broiler farm exposes future occupants to a loss of amenity due to noise, and to a lesser degree odour, that may compromise the continuity of the broiler farm,” Mr Dawson said.

Amy’s journey from Emerald to Japan From page 1 “Haileybury and the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) were very accommodating,” Amy said. Now 19, Amy is the youngest player on the Hockeyroos. The postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a blessing for Amy who was only new to the Hockeyroos at that stage. “Before Covid postponed the Olympics, I knew I was on the brink of selection but it gave me an extra opportunity to try and sharpen up on different things to put myself in the best position for selection this year,” Amy said. “Opening the email and seeing my name on the list was a huge relief and so exciting to be going to pinnacle of our event but at the same time I felt so hurt for all the girls in our squad who didn’t make that list.” Being selected for the Olympic side meant Amy, along with her fellow teammates, did extensive heat training in Darwin to prepare them for the humid Japanese summer in what is traditionally a winter sport. Once in Japan, the Olympic Village was a highlight for Amy. “It was just so crazy,” she said. “You walk past so many athletes- you might not know who they are or what sport they are doing but you know they are elite at it. “It was a really cool feeling that the best athletes in the world are all living in this little village and seeing some of the Aussie legends like Sam Kerr and Ash Barty was awesome.” Despite the Hockeyroos having a roaring start by winning all five of their round matches, the first time in Olympic history for the Aussie girls, the team suffered a surprising and devastating loss against India in the finals. “Us being knocked out of the quarter finals was quite a shock because we felt so confident and proud of what we had achieved in the round games,” Amy said. “It was a weird feeling in the fact that once they scored their one goal which was quite early on in the game, I wasn’t feeling

Police presence on roads A 21-year-old male was detected driving whilst suspended in Ferntree Gully on Saturday 4 September. His vehicle was also unregistered and was being driven in contravention of a defect notice. His vehicle was immediately impounded for 30 days ($879) and he will face Court on numerous charges in due course.

Storm recovery update meetings

The Hockeyroos the night of the opening ceremony in Tokyo. worried or stressed that they had scored because I had so much trust in my team that we would come back from that. “So when the game finished we were all like ‘no there’s more, it can’t finish like this’ because we set ourselves up in such good stead in the lead up it was more like ‘this can’t be the end’. “As much as it was devastating, I never felt more connected to my team and to our staff and everyone within the Hockeyroos program until I was in that change room with everyone at the end.” Amy returned to Perth where she is based while playing for the Hockeyroos and has set her sights on next year’s Commonwealth Games and World Championships. She also is studying a Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics at La Trobe University, inspired by her love of the Paralympics, which keeps her busy. “I think this is the start of a new era for the Hockeyroos and we know this is such a great start for us as a program and we’re also

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216 Commercial Road, Morwell VIC 3840 P: 1300 103 199 E: harriet.shing@parliament.vic.gov.au harrietshingmp @ShingvWorld Authorised฀by฀H฀Shing,฀216฀Commercial฀Rd,฀Morwell.฀Funded฀from฀Parliamentary฀budget.

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Yarra Ranges Council is inviting residents impacted by the June storm and flood event to register to attend the first in a series of online community information meetings. The first meetings will be held online on Thursday 9 September from 7pm to 8.30pm, and Saturday 11 September from 10am to 11.30am. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from representatives of Yarra Ranges Council, Bushfire Recovery Victoria, the NBN and Telstra. Visit this link to register, yarraranges.vic. gov.au/storm-meetings

Active Covid-19 cases

Amy Lawton (red ring) exploring the Olympic Village with her fellow Hockeyroos. starting fresh with a new coach,” Amy said. “Hopefully the rest of Australia saw that we have improved and that this is the start of something awesome as a group. “The time in quarantine [after the Olympics] allowed for reflection individually. Hopefully I can have another couple of Olympics in me.”

The Yarra Ranges has recorded six active Covid-19 cases across the shire in the last week. According to the Victorian government’s case numbers by local government area, four postcodes in the region have been identified as having active cases. These postcodes include 3140 with one case, 3797 with one case, 3116 with three cases and and 3138 with one case. The main areas in these postcodes include Lilydale, Yarra Junction, Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark. While an active case being identified in these areas is concerning after being free from Covid-19 cases for much of the year, it does not mean they were infected in the local area or in that postcode. The Department of Health uses the residential address of an active case to provide this data. All active cases should be at home isolating until they receive a negative test result. To find out more information or to view the data, go to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov. au/victorian-coronavirus-covid-19-data

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Three men have been arrested over a string of car part thefts and attempted thefts at railway stations across Melbourne’s South East, including in the Yarra Ranges and Knox. Victoria Police allege 49 incidents involving 70 thefts from motor vehicles and five attempted thefts occurred between 5 May to 24 August 2021. Ten local government areas were targeted including one incident in Yarra Ranges and three in Knox The cars were targeted for parts to on sell, with police confirming exhaust parts were stolen. Four warrants were executed Thursday 26 August in Cranbourne North, Noble Park and Cranbourne, arresting the men and seizing property including tools, car jacks and clothing. A 20-year-old Cranbourne North man has been charged with 32 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle. A 24-year-old Noble Park man has been charged with 21 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle. A 21-year-old Cranbourne man has been charged with 37 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle. All three men were bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

For the latest information, please go to

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1800 675 398 (24 hours) James Merlino MP STATE MEMBER FOR MONBULK 1635 Burwood Highway, Belgrave Vic 3160 P: 9754 5401 E: james.merlino@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised by J Merlino, 1635 Burwood Highway, Belgrave. Funded from Parliamentary budget.

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Afghan troops honoured By Mikayla van Loon Tuesday 31 August marked the end of the two decade long involvement of Australian troops in Afghanistan and the Mount Evelyn RSL couldn’t let such a momentous day slip by without recognition. RSL president Matthew Crymble and local Afghanistan veteran Shane Bear visited the Mount Evelyn cenotaph to lay a wreath in honour of all Australian men and women who served in Afghanistan over the last 20 years. “I think it’s very important that we acknowledge all of our veterans and in particular, in recent days what’s happening in Afghanistan the withdrawal and all the rest of it,” Mr Crymble said. “I appreciate a lot of our Afghan veterans may be feeling sad about that and concerned, and Mount Evelyn RSL, myself included, just wanted to acknowledge our Afghan veterans, and let them know that we support them and we’re very proud of them.” Mr Bear served in the Australian Defence Force for five years in total, completing one tour in Afghanistan in 2012 with the 8/9 RAR Infantry Battalion. For Mr Bear, a day like 31 August allowed him to reflect on his time serving in the army and on all the people who continue to suffer from the trauma of war. “I’m a long time removed from it. I can separate myself a bit and I was lucky no one that I was there with, we lost or had any really bad injuries but I know so many people there that did,” he said. “So I think it’s important to always remember and never forget what people have done in the past but also what we’re doing now as well. “It’s not just what happened over there, people come back physically healthy but they don’t necessarily come back in a good mental state and it still affects them after that so it’s

Mount Evelyn RSL president Matthew Crymble and Afghanistan veteran Shane Bear honoured all service men and women by laying a wreath at the Mount Evelyn cenotaph. Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON important to remember and support them and do everything we can.” Watching the country return to such turmoil now that Australian and American troops have pulled out of Afghanistan, Mr Bear said is difficult but he needs to focus on what he was able to achieve during his tour. “There’s so much going on over there. You don’t know anything except for what we see but for me I just try to focus on my time there and what I did.

“I’m happy and I’m proud of what I did and what the people I was there with did when we went over there and obviously they’re going through a lot now but it’s disappointing probably to say the least.” Leaving Afghanistan in a similar fashion to Australia’s Vietnam veterans, Mount Evelyn RSL is conscious of not letting history repeat itself and has put a call out to the general public to welcome back our defence personnel with open arms.

“I think the Vietnam veterans were trailblazers in that sense, they didn’t have the support,” Mr Crymble said. “Our younger veterans now have the support of the Vietnam veterans, because they don’t want them to experience the same ill feelings that they received after returning from Vietnam. So I think the support will be better and I can only hope it is.” Having returned from his tour almost 10 years ago, Mr Bear is confident that his fellow veterans and service members will be given the support they need. “I can only speak from my experience, me personally, it’s been really good, I’ve been really supported. “Anyone who has ever asked me about it is really thankful and always asking questions and interested in supporting me so I think for me personally the thanks has been there and the support has been there.” Almost 39,000 Australian military service personnel served in Afghanistan, 41 of those men and women didn’t make it home to their families and many more have been left with physical and mental scars. Mr Bear was one of the lucky ones, he made it home and has been able to start a family with his partner and build a new life for himself. As Australia’s troops return to home soil, many of whom may return to the local area, Mount Evelyn RSL is ready and waiting to help anyone who may need it. “We want to throw our support behind efforts to assist veterans of the war in Afghanistan and their families at this time and if the Mount Evelyn RSL can be of assistance please contact us, we are there for you,” Mr Crymble said. The RSL upholds a legacy of supporting returned soldiers and has access to an array of services to help anyone who might be struggling. There are also a number of services including Beyond Blue, Lifeline and Open Arms.

Works continue near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re removing level crossings and continuing works on North East Link. Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Lilydale Line

Until 24 Oct

Mooroolbark Station closed

From 8.30pm 10 Sep to 24 Oct

Ringwood to Lilydale Lilydale Station closed

Road disruptions: Closed roads and lanes Bulleen Road

At times in Sep

Lanes closed

Greensborough Road

At times in Sep

Lanes closed between Lower Plenty and Watsonia roads

Eastern Freeway

Some nights in Sep

Lanes closed

Manchester Road, Mooroolbark

10 to 14 Sep 9pm to 6am each night, 23 to 30 Sep 4 to 17 Oct

Closed between Winyard Drive and Mount View Parade

Maroondah Highway, Lilydale

10 Sep to 9 Oct

Closed at the level crossing

John Street, Lilydale

10 Sep to 9 Oct

Closed between William Street East and William Street West

Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark

10 Sep to 24 Oct

Closed eastbound between Manchester Road and George Street

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These works are progressing with strict COVIDSafe Plans in place. The health and safety of our workforce and community remains our top priority. For more information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au

Find a detailed list of disruptions at bigbuild.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Lawyer puts hat in ring By Taylah Eastwell A prominent Ringwood lawyer has put his hand up for the newly-vacated seat of Casey. Grant Hutchinson, of Hutchinson Legal, is bidding to succeed longstanding MP Tony Smith as the candidate for the outer-eastern seat. Speaking to Yarra Valley FM recently, Mr Hutcinson expressed his concerns over telecommunications issues in the Dandenongs. “There are easements over land that allow for steps to be taken to allow power to be put underground, but we need political will,” Mr Hutchinson said. “There are telecommunications blackspots throughout and we need to address that. The

first role of government is to ensure the citizens can enjoy safety, can enjoy living in their homes and people shouldn’t be exposed to unnecessary risk - and not being connected is such a risk,” he said on air. Mr Hutchinson has raised a number of issues on local radio channels, such as infrastructure, bushfire preparedness, small business and aged care, and it can only be assumed these will form some of his agenda if he were to win the seat. “With the bushfire season coming up at Christmas, what are we doing to clean up all these trees that have fallen?,” he said on air. The Croydon Hills man was heard saying that in order to maintain safety in the Dan-

denongs and fire-prone communities “local council, state and federal government need to work together to achieve better connectivity”. Hutchinson has served on the board for Donwood Aged Care and established ElderCare Legal at his law firm to assist individuals and families with issues affecting the aged including the transition to a retirement home, elder abuse claims and powers of attorney. As reported in WA Today, Mr Hutchinson will run against barrister and City of Melbourne councillor Roshena Campbell,business executive Aaron Violi, management consultant Andrew Asten, Hills based environment activist Donalea Patman and prominent oncologist columnist Ranjana Srivastava.

Grant Hutchinson, founder of Hutchinson Legal is running for the seat of Casey.

Re-opened playgrounds provide relief in lockdown By Mikayla van Loon Taking your children to a playground seems like a simple activity that should be enjoyed by all but it has become quite a luxury in recent weeks and months, one that has been greatly missed. Parents and their children were delighted to be back at parks and playgrounds across the Yarra Ranges as soon as they could on Friday 3 September. For many parents, playgrounds provide a sense of escape, not only for their little ones but for them too. Being kept inside during the lockdown has been tough, especially coming up with new and inventive ways to keep children entertained. Making the most of the sunny morning on Friday, Alana said even though her house has quite a large backyard, heading to the playground was about changing the scenery for her son and daughter. “It’s just a change of scenery for them. They need to not be stuck at home all the time,” she said. Her son’s school even gave students a screen free day to encourage them to get outside as much as they could. Not only was it about getting to do something different for a change, instead of just making pillow forts, Alana said it gave her children a chance to see other people and faces. “It’s nice that they’ve got each other to play with and still do it but they kind of get over each other as well, so this fosters something new for them to do together or they can go and play by themselves rather than the same old stuff,” Alana said. For Gemma, she really tried throughout the closure of parks to allow her daughter to play in a more natural environment and said she was lucky to live somewhere that had so much open space to do so. “It’s a relief. It’s really nice. We still got out and about but you just have to answer ques-

William laughed and smiled as his mum Rachael pushed him on the rope swing for the first time in weeks.

Bethany took the first opportunity to take her children, Will and Annabelle, to the park on Friday, to meet up with Nanna Sam and play on the swings. tions all the time about why they can’t play on the playground but we still played on rocks and got out,” she said. Lauren, mum of Zali and Indi, said not having much of a backyard made it even

Zali, Indi and mum Lauren were happy to be back playing on the play equipment after what seemed like a really long time.

harder for her daughters to be stuck at home and playgrounds reopening was a godsend. “It’s so good, it’s a lifesaver. Both the kids have just been going stir crazy at home so it’s good to be able to get out and enjoy the

sun,” she said. “It’s been tough, especially not having kinder and stuff for the older one. So, it’s a bit of a stretch but it’s good to have a little bit of relief, we’re definitely enjoying it.”

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THE LOWDOWN Q&A Where does your love of the environment come from? When I was little I didn’t need fairies at the bottom of my garden because I has birds & frogs, lizards and tadpoles. My parents could always tell me a story or something about these animals. In my late teens and twenties I was able to travel to many far flung places and see and experience many of the wonders of the world. On my return I realised that some of the most unique animals live right here in Australia. On moving to Mount Evelyn in the eighties I was to have a chance encounter with a very large Powerful Owl right here along the Olinda Creek, his great big golden eyes watching me. This was the moment I fell in love. It has been my mission ever since to learn as much as I can about our beautiful native flora and fauna and share my knowledge with anyone patient enough to listen. How did you get involved with MEEPPA? In 1991, the State government tried to introduce an act by which they would acquire a number of properties throughout the Dandenongs for Fire Buffers. This would mean that these properties could not be renovated, improved or sold to anyone without giving their department first option to buy. This scheme did not give residents any certainty that they would get a fair and reasonable price for their homes. A group of us whose homes were earmarked for this zoning, banded together to get a better deal. It was at this time I approached MEEPPA for help. As they were so kind and helpful I joined MEEPPA. That was over 30 years ago. What is your favourite Animal? I love all animals, especially our Australian native animals, but it would be fair to say that I have a particular affection for owls. What is the best discovery you’ve made? Perhaps the most significant discoveries I have

with Clare Worsnop

THREE … things to do during lockdown Victoria’s Lockdown six is sadly continuing but there are still ways you can entertain yourself and the family at home. Here are three ideas to keep you busy over the next few weeks.

Clare Worsnop is the president of the Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association and has been involved with the organisation for 30 years. Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON made are, after 15 years of revegetation and rehabilitation work along the Olinda Creek and the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, the return of rare and elusive Yellow-bellied Gliders, absent for 50 years, our Long-nosed Bandicoots, absent for 60 years and more recently our Greater Sooty Owl, sometimes heard, occasionally seen, but rarely photographed. What do you love most about Mt. Evelyn? Mount Evelyn has a wonderful Community, interesting, eclectic and talented people and amazing flora and fauna. What more could I ask. What event, past, present, or future, would you like to witness? I would have liked to be on the first fleet but in-

stead of landing with hostility and bloodshed, to have been able to meet with care, respect and shared the knowledge with our First Nations People. Perhaps then we wouldn’t have caused so much heartache and been able to learn to live more sustainably with our unique environment. Which four guests, dead or alive, would you invite to a dinner party? My four guest would be - David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Julia Gillard and Leonard Cohen What is something people don’t know about you? I was once in a movie about football. It was partly filmed right here in Mount Evelyn.

Plant some seeds for spring It’s the perfect time to start planting some seeds for the upcoming season. Looking after a seedling can be very rewarding for yourself or the kids, as it grows daily to then later produce fruit or flowers.

Cook up a storm Search your cook books or the internet for one of the trickiest recipes you can find and put your skills to the test. You’ll enjoy learning new ways to make something delicious, or you’ll at least have fun making a mess experimenting.

Exercise your brain Find a short online course in something that you’ve always been interested in. There are many free short courses or online blogs and forums teaching ‘how tos’ across many areas.

UNSURE ABOUT ALL THE COVID-19 VACCINE TALK? TALK TO A PHARMACIST There’s a lot of talk out there about the COVID-19 vaccine. But when it comes to your health, the one talk you should have is with a doctor or pharmacist. They can answer any questions you have and give you the information you need.

Get informed and get vaccinated. GO TO CORONAVIRUS.VIC.GOV.AU OR CALL 1800 675 398 Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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Pfizer blitz for students By Renee Wood

Laws fire up community By Gabriella Payne The Cardinia Shire Council have proposed some new changes to local burning laws, which has left some community members feeling ‘fired’ up over the matter. The new plan, which is detailed in a 27 page public document on the council website, is currently open for community consultation until Friday 17 September and proposes a number of new changes to the laws, which are set to come into effect as of 1 February 2022. Some of the key major changes include a total ban of open-air fires during the months of July and August, no open-air fires on public holidays, no burning on Saturdays and no burning within 25 metres of any structure or fence. On top of that, the council is proposing to classify different areas into one of three new ‘zones’, which will replace the existing ‘bushfire prone area’ classification. These zones have been marked on a map of the shire for community consultation and include the ‘urban and township’ areas (red), ‘bushland and peri-urban’ (yellow) and ‘rural’ (neutral). In a public statement on Facebook, Cockatoo CFA Captain Chris White said that his brigade had been contacted by a number of hills residents about the matter and like them, he shared some “concerns”. “I have read the document and like many residents I have concerns,” he said. “If it goes through as is, there will be no burning at all in July and August, no burning on Saturday and no burning within 25 metres of any structure or fence. “This rules out the majority of Cockatoo town and only larger properties will be able to comply.

“There will be no green waste disposal alternatives provided either.” Mr White encouraged local residents to read the document and get in touch with the Cardinia Shire Council so that their worries and thoughts were heard before the consultation period was over. “The more noise that’s made, the more chance of changes being done,” he said. Mr White told Star Mail that he also planned to have a meeting with the Cardinia Shire Council in early September to voice his concerns. These proposed new changes were discussed by councillors at the most recent council meeting and Bunyip Ward Councillor Graeme Moore said that while this was a controversial topic within the community, it was important to hear what locals had to say as the new laws should cater to everyone. “I would encourage the community to put some thought into what they want in this policy,” Cr Moore said. “We want the community engaged and we want to hear what they want. “There’s a lot of controversy for and against this policy. “[Personally], I do like the idea of not burning in the July and August months… because burning green waste causes a lot more smoke and achieves very little,” he said. “But as councillors, we need to make sure our community knows what these policies mean. “Having a policy is one thing, but having awareness of those policies is another.” For more information about the proposed burning law changes and to have your say, head to https://creating.cardinia.vic.gov.au/ openairburningreview

A Pfizer vaccination blitz will run from Tuesday 7 September until Sunday 19 September for Year 12 students and Year 11s doing VCE subjects. Picture: UNSPLASH planning beyond the GAT. “Students in the Yarra Ranges, just like students across the state, deserve clarity on what they can expect in the coming weeks,” #VCEWhatsThePlanDan spokesperson Assoc. Professor Caroline Dowling said. “If we do not return to Covid-zero by exam time – and we all know that is looking unlikely – what measures is the government planning in order to address risks and allow these students to finish their schooling. “Exams must go ahead, we owe this to the students who have placed their faith in the education system and continued with their studies despite the remarkable challenges.” While no face to face learning will return in term three, Premier Daniel Andrews said a plan for term four will be announced this week. “We have some weeks of study and school holidays between now and the beginning of term four. We will take a little bit more time to finalise the work’s that being done and we will have more to say about what term four will look like for all of our students next week (week starting 6 September),” Mr Andrews said.

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Community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on the new changes before they are set in stone. Picture: UNSPLASH

A priority Pfizer vaccination program for senior secondary students has begun to prepare for upcoming exam schedules. The State Government announced the program last week to ensure year 12s and 11s who are taking senior VCE subjects will have had one dose by the GAT exam now marked for October 5. The blitz will run from Tuesday 7 September until Sunday 19 September at staterun clinics, with 50,000 bookings created across Victoria to meet the demand. Pop up school hubs will be established at Greater Dandenong, Hume, Melton, Moreland and Wyndam secondary schools but there was yet to be any pop ups announced for the Yarra Ranges at the time of print. State Member for Eildon Cindy McLeish said it’s critical a state hub is available and easily accessible for Yarra Ranges students. “The government needs to ensure it is a quick and seamless process for VCE students getting their vaccination,” Ms McLeish said. “Our senior students have done it so tough over the last two years, they need every opportunity to finish off their senior schooling in the best way possible.” Year twelves were invited to book an appointment from Monday 6 September, while Year 11 students sitting unit three and unit four exams can call and book from Wednesday 8 September. Schools will assist students and parents on making bookings for Pfizer vaccinations, with the DHHS assisting educators through the program. Jabs for teachers and examiners will also be part of the two week blitz. An Education advocacy group #VCEWhatsThePlanDan welcomed the announcement but is concerned there’s little

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Cardinia Shire Council’s Draft Local Law 20 – Open Air Fires is now on public exhibition. The local law will be on public exhibition until Friday 17 September and details the proposed local regulations for open air fires - commonly known as ‘burning off’ – outside of the fire danger period. To view the proposed Local Law 20 – Open Air Fires, visit www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay

Phone: 1300 787 624 Web: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 7

NEWS

Menzies Creek crossing

Mater Christi College has created an online viral video, sending a special ‘Hello’ to students and families.

Hello viral video By Renee Wood Belgrave’s Mater Christi College has put a smile on students and parents faces by taking a popular Adele song to a new lockdown level. Principal Maria Haggett created the video with teachers and school leaders and said they wanted to do something to cheer up the students. “These are tough times for everyone, it’s great to find something to laugh about and take our minds of all of the bad news,” she said. The team altered the words of the pop singer’s ‘Hello’ to be more in tune with the current climate. It begins, “Hello it’s me, I was wondering how lockdown six is going actually.. Vaccina-

tion, it’s the key, they say the Pfizer is the one to get but there’s no Pfizer to be seen.” And the chorus sure draws in the sorrow of ‘greeting’ restrictions, “Hello from our lockdown life.. we’ve done this now oh yeah six times. “Hello to you in lockdown life... we’re proud of you we know you’ve tried... reading, movies and yoga for fun, don’t forget your school work it has to be done..” Ms Haggett said the staff have been finding new ways to connect with students while they can’t be on site. “It can be hard to feel connected in these times, the physical space of a school is such a big part of the lives of students and staff. It’s

important to us that our students feel that they belong to a community that cares.” Social media comments on the post have thrown their support behind the parody. ‘Watching this as a Grandma I found it very emotional and I’m so glad my granddaughter is an MCC student’ ‘Just wonderful and joyous. Put a smile on my face, thank you. Thank you for everything you all do for our girls and MCC’ ‘This put a huge smile on my face! I Was a MCC student 10 years ago and it’s so nice to see some familiar faces in this video! All wonderful teachers – thank you MCC’ To watch the video visit https:// fb.watch/7KGFblIShq/

Pawfect donations for Guide Dogs Aus By Shelby Brooks An Emerald woman, along with her two kelpies, is aiming to raise $1,000 for Guide Dogs Australia this month. Tracy-Ann Eadie and her fur babies Frank and Dusty have walked for at least 30 minutes every day in August as part of the Pawgust challenge run by Guide Dogs Australia. “I read up about how much money it costs to raise a guide dog and its thousands and thousands of dollars,” Tracy-Ann said. “They’re such an important part of our community. “I don’t have anyone who needs one but if I did have a family member or friend I’d want them to be able to have one.” So rain, hail or shine, Tracy-Ann, Frank and Dusty set out for a walk around Emerald in the hope to raise some money. “It was a way to get out of the house during Covid-19,” Tracy-Ann said. “The dogs were loving it and I don’t think I’ll get out of not continuing.” So far, Tracy-Ann has raised $650 from friends, family and some local small businesses. “It’s a really worthy cause and it’s been great to have the community get behind it,” TracyAnn said. “The dogs have been wearing the Pawgust bandanas, so people have been stopping to ask about it so we’re raising community awareness as well.” Donations are open until 30 September at pawgust.com.au/fundraisers/tracy-anneadie.

Tracy-Ann Eadie walking Dusty and Frank in Emerald. 249451 8 MAIL

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

Tracy-Ann Eadie with Frank and Dusty. 249451

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Safety for passengers and motorists along the Puffing Billy tourist railway attraction has been increased following a rail crossing upgrade at Menzies Creek. The crossing at School Road along the 40-kilometre tourist railway route between Belgrave and Gembrook Stations is now safer following an upgrade to full booms, along with new road line marking and signage. “The Railway Crossing Program continues to improve safety on our road and rail network, while supporting the operation of our important tourist and heritage railways like the Puffing Billy Railway,” Monbulk MP James Merlino said. It is Victoria’s only railway crossing featuring full-closure booms with traffic sensors that hold the boom open if a vehicle enters the crossing when the booms have started descending. The heritage booms were designed to match the Puffing Billy Railway and surrounding buildings. The $810,000 railway crossing upgrade is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s annual $7.6 million Statewide Railway Crossing Program which supports safety improvements to regional and metropolitan rail crossings, with sites selected based on risk modelling and incident history. The School Road crossing at Menzies Creek, which had existing flashing lights, has had 36 near misses between vehicles and trains in the past five years. “Level crossing upgrades are an important part of rail and road safety, so we are pleased to have received generous funding support from the Victorian Government for the installation of new boom gates at the level crossing at Menzies Creek,” Puffing Billy Railway CEO Peter Abbott said. “As one of Victoria’s most-loved icons, this project will ensure Puffing Billy Railway continues to provide unforgettable memories for local families and visitors well into the future.” The crossing upgrade will improve safety for all when tourists return to the Puffing Billy Railway, which is temporarily closed in line with coronavirus restrictions. In another local safety initiative, work will soon begin on Mt Dandenong Tourist Road to create a safer riding space for cyclists, reduce congestion, and make it a more enjoyable experience for all road users on this scenic and iconic road. Crews will be working on selected uphill sections between Janiesleigh Road and Churchill Drive in Tremont, and between One Tree Hill Road and The Crescent in Sassafras until early next year. Works will include constructing an additional 1.5m wide sealed shoulder along sections of the road and rest areas for cyclists, road realignment and resurfacing, drainage improvements, and improvements to the Hilton Road and the Crescent bus stops.

Puffing Billy pulls into Lakeside Station Emerald in November 2020. 222622 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Helping students

Improving local health

By Mikayla van Loon Any student trying to complete school at home would be struggling to find motivation and remain engaged. But for students who were already struggling with this before lockdowns became a part of life, it has only made it harder to stay positive. The Cire Community School, which has three campuses across Mount Evelyn, Yarra Junction and Berwick, provides a hands-on learning experience for young people who are at risk of disengaging at school. Mount Evelyn campus principal Stephen Duke said this disengagement could present in a number of ways and be related to education, employment or social connectedness. Mr Duke said some of this comes from financial difficulties, trauma or a lack of social connectedness. Of the 226 students that attend Cire Community School some but not all would have experienced some kind of trauma in their lifetime, from family violence to neglect. “So that’s developmental trauma which is trauma that hasn’t happened recently but trauma that has occurred in those early years of development, which is incredibly important for the way a young person sees themselves and their narrative,” Mr Duke said. Mental health is also a huge barrier for students trying to learn, which can be exacerbated by the potential use of drugs or other substances, which Mr Duke said is just a cover for what is really going on underneath. “It’s a behaviour that young people can start to do to try to cope with the pain and suffering they’ve been part of,” he said. For these students it has been hard enough going through each of their own battles with learning, let alone adding a global pandemic into the mix as well. The school’s executive manager for education Peri Dix said teachers have pulled together some great online learning resources but the challenge has been engaging students. “Getting them engaged and getting them online, making sure that we, hopefully come into contact with each of them every day, whether it’s via online classrooms or those students that don’t come online, we phone, to make sure we’re touching base with them, just to make sure they’re all right, that’s been a real difficulty,” Ms Dix said. Mr Duke said for these students it’s not even just about keeping them motivated to learn but about making sure their social skills remain intact, which can be tough when students are isolated at home for a number of weeks. “The social emotional well being of the students, their mental health, these are young people and young people all crave that social

Victorians are being invited to have their say about the local mental health services they want to see as the Labor government delivers a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. The development of new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services is at the heart of the mental health reform - allowing Victorians to get the care they need much sooner, and closer to their families and communities. The new services will act as a “front door” to the reformed mental health system – connecting Victorians to the care they need in their own community, and focusing on prevention and early intervention for adults who are experiencing mental illness or psychological distress as well as treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. “Community care is at the heart of our mental health reform – and we want to hear from the community to help us create fit-for-purpose local mental health and wellbeing services that deliver for Victorians,” Mental Health minister James Merlino said. “These new local services will transform the way we deliver treatment, care and support for Victorians with mental illness and psychological distress – giving them easy-to-access local services and support within their community.” The Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recommended 50 to 60 new Local Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services be established across Victoria by the end of 2026. Creating community care starts within local communities – and Victorians are invited to share their thoughts on local services and the design of the treatment, care and support through the Engage Victoria website at engage.vic. gov.au. To build a new mental health and wellbeing system from the ground up that meets the needs of all Victorians, the Victorian Budget 2021/22 invested a record $3.8 billion in mental health and wellbeing services and support. The Victorian Budget 2021/22 included $263.8 million to start work on the first 20 of the new local services across Victoria, with six fast-tracked facilities to open in Benalla, Brimbank, Frankston, Greater Geelong, the Latrobe Valley and Whittlesea next year.

Peri Dix and Stephen Duke have been helping young people re-engage with learning, particularly during lockdowns. Picture: SUPPLIED interaction with their peers,” Ms Dix said. “But I think our students require that even more so, to keep that even keel, to know that they’re there with a group of people who support them and who have positive regard for them and losing that can be really tough for some of the kids.” Without social connectedness, mental health and wellbeing is a huge concern for these young people and young people all over. “Ultimately, you know we’re talking about making sure young people stay alive. We are driven by the academics to keep them moving forward and having a sense of purpose but really we’re also driven by making sure these kids are safe and well,” Mr Duke said. Having witnessed the return to on-campus learning a number of times now, Mr Duke and Ms Dix said initially students are quite excited to be back but the following few days the reality of school hits them. “Those next few days were quite hard with them trying to then work out their social setting, where they sit in the pecking order, how do I connect and work through problems and conflict,” Mr Duke said.

“Sometimes we’ve got kids that are coming in from where conflict hasn’t been great in the home over that period of time and the way that they treated each other hasn’t been respectful, and then they come in here, an environment we’re trying to keep super safe and super respectful.” While motivation to keep learning and keep moving forward in studies is low at the moment, Mr Duke said the fear of finishing school and not having anywhere to go is quite real for Year 12 students. “I feel like people are less ready. I was talking to a few people the other day that have fear about finishing here and part of the lockdown is also them feeling that way about themselves and lack of self confidence.” Cire Community School currently has places available at the Yarra Junction campus for Year 5 and 6, with enrollments open for all campuses for 2022. For students struggling with engagement, Mr Duke suggested contacting the Integrated Youth Health Hub for mental health and wellbeing support.

A reminder to stay fire safe throughout warmer season CFA is reminding Victorians that home fire risks remain prevalent and urged communities to continue practising fire safe behaviour around the house despite winter ending. Firefighters recommend keeping this front of mind by completing a Home Fire Safety Checklist which reinforces fire safe behaviour in the kitchen, bedrooms and living areas, and offers tips for clothes and laundry, electrical appliances and smoke alarm maintenance. On average, there are more than 3000 house fires in Victoria each year and most can be prevented by taking simple precautions. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said even though spring will present some warmer weather, house fires can happen at any time and the community must ensure their heaters, chimneys and electrical appliances are safe to use. “While the coldest months of the year are behind us, there may still be times when people are using heating devices such as gas heaters or open fireplaces and we want to ensure they do so safely,” he said. “The kitchen is the most common area of fire ignition so remember to never leave cooking unattended and keep tea towels away from the stove top. mailcommunity.com.au

If a fire does start inside your home, make sure you have a home fire escape plan. Get out, stay out and call Triple Zero (000). Visit the CFA website to use the Home Fire Safety Checklist, or to learn more about smoke alarms, visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/silenceisdeadly. Top home fire safety tips CFA recommend interconnected smoke alarms are installed in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas of your home. Check chimneys, flues and fire boxes for cracks, rust and debris. Check electric blankets for kinks in the wiring. Make sure heaters are off before going to bed or going out. Never leave cooking unattended. Clean the lint filter in your dryer (and continue to do this after every use). Check appliances for visibly frayed or damaged wiring. Complete the Home Fire Safety Checklist to see if you’ve done everything you can to protect you and your family. Prepare a home fire escape plan and practice escaping quickly and safely.

The CFA is urging locals to maintain their fire safety as we exit winter. “Clothes dryers are also a fire risk – make sure to regularly clean the lint filter and let the dryer complete its cool down cycle before stopping.” CFA also recommends interconnected smoke alarms are installed in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas of your home.

“Just this year, our firefighters have responded to many significant – and even fatal – house fires across the state,” he said. “Many of these incidents were preventable and we want people to ensure they are taking the necessary precautions inside their home year-round.

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Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 9

MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Helping heal naturally During these unprecedented times of lockdowns and restrictions, the Natural Healing Centre’s practitioners are seeing increasing numbers of patients needing help with Insomnia, grief, depression, fear anxiety and general adrenal depletion known as the burnout syndrome. This occurs in times of prolonged stress that builds up causing the above symptoms, which in turn causes lower stress tolerance, lowered serotonin and dopamine production and can encourage fatty liver, unstable blood sugar and increased menopausal symptoms and allergies and hormone imbalance. Adrenals give 20% of the total estrogen output. During menopause ovaries decrease the output of estrogen. The pituitary then sends signals to the adrenals to increase estrogen output. If there is adrenal depletion, this output can be either inhibited or fail leading to sudden and severe physical symptoms. Premenstrual syndrome is also a common factor with adrenal depletion. Stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, sugar are all foods we tend to go towards in times of stress. They can stimulate the adrenal glands to mobilise energy from out liver and muscles, thereby removing the bodies safeguard to deep blood sugar levels in balance. The subsequent hypoglycaemia increases

the adrenal stress burning up vitamin c and vitamin b complex, which is essential in the metabolism of carbohydrates. These vitamins are important to assist the body with stress and strengthen those adrenals. So here we have a downward spiral which makes the adrenal depletion worse which causes cravings of stimulants to be even stronger. The practitioners at the Natural Healing Centre can break that adrenal stress cycle and correct any nutritional deficiencies as well as use herbal medicine to support sleep and the over stressed or exhausted adrenal glands themselves. If you or a family member are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call the clinic 9755 1900 to book a zoom, phone, or emergency consultation.

Registered nutritionist Diana Newman.

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Emerald 1 Murphy’s Way

Open 6 days a week. 12505450-SN32-21

Phone:

prideplus.com.au Monbulk 1 Mt Pleasant Rd

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MEDICALLY SPEAKING

Mandala Clinic in Emerald is a family-friendly medical centre catering to all ages and conditions. 192307

Clinic welcomes new GP Established in 1980 by its principal, Dr Khai Mark, Mandala Clinic has developed a reputation of delivering personalised care plans to effectively treat patients’ medical conditions and maintain wellbeing in a professional, friendly and comfortable environment. Mandala Clinic in Emerald has recently

welcomed a new general practitioner, Dr Farhat Zia. With 20 years of experience treating patients, Dr Zia has a special interest in adult, child and adolescent mental health, men’s and women’s health, and skin cancer checks. In her work, Dr Zia enjoys all aspects of general practice family medicine and chronic

disease management. In her personal life, Dr Zia is a married mum of two boys and enjoys travelling and playing such as cricket, soccer and tennis. Providing high-quality medical care to residents of Emerald and surrounding areas, including mental health treatment plans and

chronic disease care plans, while offering bulkbilling to patients aged 16 years and under. Mandala Clinic is located at 360 BelgraveGembrook Road, Emerald. Inquiries: phone (03) 5968 3733 or email dmlar2@emeraldsuperclinic.com. Opening hours are Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-12pm.

Are you living with headaches and migraines? Our Chiropractor is now a qualified ‘Watson Headache’ practitioner and can offer a skilled assessment of the upper cervical spine to determine whether the neck is relevant in your headache or migraine. Book your initial consultation now to find out how we can help.

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X-rays if needed Rehab Spinal Health Classes HICAPS, TAC, EPC

Visit our website for more information and bookings 5968 2153 info@dctchiropractic.com.au

It is our great pleasure to welcome our new GP, Dr Farhat Zia, is now consulting at Mandala Clinic.

394 Belgrave-Gembrook Road Emerald www.dctchiropractic.com.au

Dr Zia enjoys all aspects of general practice family medicine and chronic disease management. Dr Zia has special interest in Adult, child & adolescence mental health, men’s & women’s health and skin cancer check. Dr Zia can perform some procedures such as removal of skin lesions, implanon insertion and removal.

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Doctors: Dr Khai Mark, MBBS Dr Mariam Estfanous, MBBS,

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Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 11

OPINION

Results achieved The past 18 months have been extremely challenging for students in our local area, however despite the challenges of the pandemic, Victorian kids have recorded the nation’s highest NAPLAN results and huge improvements on previous years. Victoria has achieved some truly extraordinary results and we should be exceptionally proud of our students and their teachers and educators. Victoria has not only maintained our ranking as the top performing jurisdiction in the primary sector, where we were the highest performing jurisdiction on seven out of the ten measures, we have actually improved our results since 2019. Highlights include significant improvements across the board for students in Reading, particularly for students in Years 3, 5 and 7. Victorian Year 5 students who began Prep when the Education State reforms commenced in 2016 achieved the strongest results across all domains in the country. This is a phenomenal achievement given how much

The state of

affairs James Merlino MP Member for Monbulk harder Victorian schools were hit by the consequences of the pandemic than schools in other jurisdictions. However, these phenomenal results are more than statistics – they represent thousands of Victorian kids who will be afforded better opportunities through education, no matter where they live or what their background. The Victorian Government has made major investments to support student learning and wellbeing throughout the coronavirus pan-

demic, including $250 million to deploy more than 6,400 tutors across Victorian schools and a $28.5 million boost to ensure students receive the health and wellbeing support they need. The $200 million Schools Mental Health Fund will support Victorian kids to help them succeed at school and through life, guided by an evidence-based range of mental health and wellbeing programs to be released this year. I would like to congratulate schools in the Yarra Ranges– amongst all the challenges of the past year, your hard work has paid off – and we’re so proud of all our students, teachers, principals and their families. We’re so proud to be building a world-class education system that gives every student the opportunity to shine – and I want to thank every educator, principal, family and school community across Victoria for helping us get here. As always, if my office can be of any assistance during this difficult time, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Oxygen is breathlessly suspenseful Oxygen is a deeply compelling French sci-fi thriller that makes outstanding use of a tiny setting. Elizabeth (Melanie Laurent) wakes up in a cryosleep pod with finite air and no memory of who she is. Oxygen offers very tactile suspense, highlighting the claustrophobic setting, the grounding effect of pain, the web of wires connected to Elizabeth’s body, and above all her breathing, which keeps her alive in the short term but may doom her in the long-term. Much of the film is shown through close-up shots of Laurent’s face; a performance can soar or crash under these conditions, but Laurent is utterly and unwaveringly convincing, convey-

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ing despair, tenacity and dry humour. The oxygen levels (and the obtuse AI managing the pod) form a stressful ticking clock,

but the narrative draws you in further with intriguing clues about Elizabeth’s life and the world beyond the pod (although Elizabeth’s past experimentation on animals is somewhat vague). Oxygen handles its big revelations with finesse, steadily building from light sci-fi to more exotic, disturbing concepts. The film’s themes of identity, self-doubt and fabrication, and Robin Coudert’s deep, flowing electronic score, are reminiscent of Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 classic Solaris. Oxygen joins Rear Window, Buried and The Guilty as another enthralling single-location thriller, and is available for streaming on Netflix.

Aus eyes on China PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN A review of The Beijing Bureau by Trevor Watson and Melissa Roberts (eds.) by Christine Yunn-Yu Sun China is arguably the biggest story of the 21st century. Presently Australia’s biggest trading partner, everything it does seems to have considerable impact on us. Managing our relations with China is as pivotal a task for our government as accommodating our biggest ally, the United States. As suggested by Trevor Watson and Melissa Roberts, editors of The Beijing Bureau: 25 Australian correspondents reporting China’s rise (2021), if Australia is to get China right, then we “must have an understanding of China delivered by journalists able to view the Middle Kingdom through a prism of Australian priorities, standards and values – and from an Australian perspective”. With Australia now being the only major power in the world not to have journalists on the ground in China, it may seem difficult to comprehend the mindset of our powerful and complicated northern neighbour. However, it does not and should not stop us from wanting to know more, about what happened, is happening and will happen in that country. The Beijing Bureau arrives at a good time as Australia struggles to walk a fine line between America as a superpower and its formidable Chinese counterpart. The journalists collected in this book offer valuable insights into the making of China from the 1970s up to the present day. These journalists share their hardwon knowledge of China and bittersweet stories of life as a correspondent. Among them are household names such as Chris Buckley, Helene Chung, Stan Grant, Jane Hutcheon, Hamish McDonald, Stephen McDonell, Uli Schmetzer and Mark Smith, just to name a few. It’s exciting to read the first Australian journalists in China in 1973, soon after the Whitlam Government shifted its formal recognition from Chiang Kai-Shek’s Nationalists in Taiwan to Mao Zedong’s communist regime as the legitimate government of all of China. While a section of the book is dedicated to coverage of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, there’s also in-depth and detailed analysis of the treatment of Uyghurs of Xinjiang and the legacy of democracy movement in Hong Kong. Equally informative is Part Four, where eight journalists from renowned Australian and international news organisations explain how China managed to alleviate millions from poverty while rising as a global economic powerhouse in merely two decades. In the words of Ali Moore: “In the early 1990s there was a clear, if unspoken, pact with the people: to get rich is glorious, as long as it’s accompanied by unquestioning loyalty to the Party.” That, and Richard McGregor’s quote – “The Party is like God. He is everywhere. You just can’t see him” – shed ample light on how Beijing maintains control of the hearts and minds of nearly 1.4 billion people. The Beijing Bureau is an essential and entertaining read for all who care about Australia China relations. Not only because it chronicles the history of Australian journalism in China, but it also enhances our understanding of that country, the lives of its people, its government and culture, and what its ambition means to Australia and the world. mailcommunity.com.au

NEWS

Acacia Verticillata (Prickly Moses). 249503

Acacia Leprosa (Scarlet Blaze). 249503

Ferntree Gully Quarry Recreation Reserve. 248851

Wattle day bright delight By Renee Wood It’s a plant that draws out a big grin on many onlookers as the humble bright wattle grows strong roadside, in the bush and in home gardens. There’s a reason it’s so prolific, with over a 1000 species blooming throughout the country - the largest genus of plant in Australia. Growing everywhere, it’s seen as a ‘unifying symbol of Australians’ and in turn has been given it’s very own national day on September first. National Wattle Day was proclaimed by the Governor-General of Australia in 1992 and Karwarra Native Botanical Gardens’ leading gardener Aaron Roberts has provided Star Mail with some insight into the popular native. “Acacias do vary from tall trees, large shrubs, down to the smallest shrubs and ground covers,” he said. “There’s quite a few indigenous to Victoria, the ones that we use in our indigenous plantings is Acacia verticillata, which is commonly called prickly moses. “And going back in time Acacias have been widely used for food and medicine and making tools by indigenous people for 1000s of years in Australia.” Low prickly shrubs provide habitat for wildlife, while the seeds are eaten by birds and insects, they’re also a team player in the soil. “Another lesser known fact about acacias is that the roots actually fix nitrogen out of the Earth’s atmosphere and so then they make nitrogen more accessible in the soil for themselves and other plants. “They’re definitely a really good one to have obviously out in the bush, but in the home garden as well for those benefits.” Acacias are typically known to bloom from late winter through spring but Aaron said you can find one that shines in every season. “If you had a big enough garden, you could have an Acacia that flowered in each month of the year, they’re not just confined to now. “There is an Acacia that grows in all climates and growth in all soil, so there is one suitable for everyone’s garden. There’s no excuse not to have a wattle in your garden because they are iconically Australian.” Iconically so, it’s where our Australian green and gold homage bloomed from, thanks to the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) our national floral emblem. The flowers are predominately yellow but there is one special lady that has a crimson tone. “If you want one that really grabs your attention and one your neighbour probably mailcommunity.com.au

Watts river Healesville. 248849 won’t have in their garden, it’s the Acacia Scarlet blaze with a bright red flower - it is certainly something special.” Aaron’s best tip for green thumbs looking to plant the Australian icon is to do your research. “Purely because they can grow from tall trees down to sort of the smallest shrubs and ground covers so it depends on what you want it for.” To get some ideas, visitors are welcomed to Karwarra (when lockdown ends) to see a collection of native plantings. “The ones that are flowering now are Acacia boormanii which is the ‘Snowy River wattle’ that’s a large shrub. Very much bright yellow flowers and dense fine foliage, another good for the habitat plant.” “It’s worthwhile coming to Karwarra almost each month of the year to see which plants are in flower and what’s really out and about. “It gives you a good picture as to how they will perform in your garden, so you can take away your ideas to implement at your place. “We also collect some rare and threatened species as well. It’s our job to keep those in cultivation and keep them alive, that’s our main aim up here and we hope to see everyone back as soon as possible.”

Leading Gardener Aaron Roberts with Acacia Leprosa (Scarlet Blaze) and Acacia Boormanii (Snowy River Wattle). 249503 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 13

1000

SHOPPING SPREE

Bounce into Spring with the chance to

WIN a $1000 Woolworth’s gift card! But, you must be in it to win it! Scan the QR Code for more details or go to mailcommunity.com.au/competitions NOW! Entries close Noon Tuesday September 28, 2021 Spring into action and invite your friends to enter too! 12508436-AV35-21

14 MAIL

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LUXURY LIFESTYLE 2 ON 7,321M TUCKED away in a private court location this stunning brick family home sits proudly on 7,321m2 and is perfect for those who appreciate quality and style. When you arrive through the electric gates (with intercom), your eyes are drawn to the magnificent landscaped gardens. Stepping inside the vaulted ceilings give an incredible sense of volume. Natural light pours through large windows and brings the outdoors in. The substantial timber kitchen boasts beautiful granite benchtops as well as new Siemans and Bosch appliances. The open plan living flows through the dining room and down to an expansive living area with the luxury of the coonara, perfect for those cool nights. Sliding doors lead out onto the balcony. There are three bedrooms, the enormous master bedroom with ensuite, split system and its very own private deck. The secondary bedrooms both with built in robes are serviced by the family bathroom. There is also a studio with the potential to be bedroom four, home office or perfect accommodation for extended family. The laundry with drying cupboards completes the residence. All with the added bonus of gas ducted heating, evaporative cooling and three split systems. Outside, there is a massive covered entertaining area that even has its very own bar – perfectly complemented by your very own wine cellar! A stone pathway leads to a

sitting area which would be ideal for a pizza oven or firepit. There is more than enough room for all the toys with a three car garage under roofline (with internal access), plus an additional four car workshop and other sundry shedding. For the green thumb there is raised vegetable gardens. The property is connected to mains electricity, water and gas, plus a 6kw solar system and the added bonus of sealed road frontage and driveway. Located just a short drive from the Emerald township and all it has to offer, this property will be sure to tick all of the boxes! ●

HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 3 Messmate Court, EMERALD Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 garage Price: $1,500,000 - $1,600,000 Inspect: CONTACT AGENT Contact: Justin Barrot, 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry, 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT, EMERALD, 5968 4522

SUBURBAN, COUNTRY & LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES ACROSS THE REGION mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 15

HOME FOCUS

IT DOESN’T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS LOCATED in a quiet street, on a completely usable allotment of over 2/3 of an acre of stunning established gardens, this picturesque property will tick all the boxes on your ‘must have’ list. The perfectly presented home features beautiful picture windows that allow plenty of natural light. Featuring both formal and informal living areas the lounge boasts exquisite fittings and fixtures including Axminister carpet and tailored curtains and pelmets. The dining room also has Axminister carpets and is the perfect space to entertain. The stunning modern kitchen boasts commercial grade benchtops, plenty of cupboard space, 900mm stainless steel Falcon oven and a Baumatic dishwasher and is a chef’s dream. Adjoining the kitchen, the family room has a welcoming wood fire and large windows that offer a delightful view of an abundance of colourful native birds that frequent the rear yard. A sliding door from this area leads to the outdoor entertaining section. You also have the luxury of ducted heating throughout, two split systems and ceiling fans that ensure your comfort year-round. There are three bedrooms, the master with full ensuite and walk in wardrobe and the remaining rooms both have built in robes and are serviced by the family bathroom. Entertaining and relaxed family living are at a premium here with large covered decked and a stunning heritage brick paved courtyard plus plenty of lawn areas for children or four legged friends to romp around. The yard is fully fenced and there

are two garden sheds, double carport and extra off-street parking. Just a short walk to Emerald Lake Park where water sports and our iconic Puffing Billy can be enjoyed (post lockdown!) and

there is a vast variety of walking trails that can take you for kilometres through our forest to Emerald or, in the other direction, to Gembrook. A short drive will have you in the centre of our friendly village shops,

at our highly regarded Primary School, kindergarten, child care or public transport. If you are looking for a property that sets the standard in country living, don’t let this opportunity pass you by! ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

12511898-SN37-21

Address: 53 Fernglade Drive, EMERALD Price: $870,000 - $930,000 Inspect: CONTACT AGENT Contact: Justin Barrot, 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry, 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT, EMERALD, 5968 4522

16 MAIL

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

53 Fernglade Drive, Emerald

3 Messmate Court, Emerald

15/11 Westlands Road, Emerald

IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS ON 2764m2

Luxury Lifestyle on 7,321m2!

LOW MAINTENANCE LIVING IN THE HEART OF TOWN

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4 T

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6 T

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FOR SALE.

GUIDE $870,000 - $930,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,500,000 - $1,600,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $500,000 - $550,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Lana Maher 0408 535 075 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

10 First Avenue, Cockatoo

262 Belgrave Gembrook Road, Menzies Creek

11 Mulhalls Road, Macclesfield

Great Beginnings On 1/4 Acre

HOLMLEIGH - POSITION PERFECT ON 4293m2

Stunning Views, Sanctuary & Observatory on 13.5ac

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FOR SALE.

GUIDE $600,000 - $650,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $750,000 - $790,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,900,000 - $2,090,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

10/11 Westlands Road, Emerald

6 Emerald Lake Road, Emerald

34 Bayview Avenue, Upwey

FULLY RENOVATED LIFESTYLE UNIT

Perfect Family Home with Development Potential

SENSATIONAL STYLE IN A DRESS CIRCLE LOCATION

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FOR SALE.

GUIDE $510,000-$560,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Riley Nicholas 0488 501 218 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $865,000-$950,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Denise McKay 0479 184 147 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

GUIDE $1,100,000- $1,200,000 INSPECT By Appointment CONTACT Gayle Barrot 0408 195 767 Barry Plant Emerald 5968 4522

mailcommunity.com.au

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 17

Real Estate you can trust! We ’ r e h e r e t o h e l p FOR SALE

36 Mahony Street, UPWEY WONDERFUL FAMILY HOME

$1,100,000 - $1,200,000 4A 2B 4C

FOR SALE

52 Hazel Grove, TECOMA

$1,100,000 - $1,200,000

A BALANCED LIFESTYLE IN A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

4A 2B

Certain to impress “Emerwey” is an outstanding family oasis situated only a short stroll from thriving Upwey township. Conveniently positioned close to schools, train station, restaurants and cafes fortunate owners will find a fantastic lifestyle here. Resting upon its large, lovely block with double carport and double garage, this gorgeous weatherboard home makes a lasting impression. The interior is rich with quality finishes throughout its family-friendly floorplan.

With picture-perfect presentation and a premier position between Sherbrooke Forest and Tecoma township, this property promises to secure significant attention. Offering a balanced way of life in a beautiful location, fortunate new owners will find a fabulous lifestyle here. The interior of this impressive residence is a fusion of period charm and modern creature comforts.

Sam Adamson

M 0421 023 760 | E sam@chandlerandco.com.au

FOR SALE

635 Warrigal Road, BENTLEIGH EAST CORNER BLOCK READY FOR DEVELOPMENT!

$1,200,000 - $1,320,000 3A 1B

Situated on a generous 719m2 approx. corner block, this property offers the perfect opportunity for a multi-unit development or the perfect site to build your luxury family home (STCA). With access via Bessie Street, the option are endless for developers and home owners alike. In a great location, close to local schools and only minutes from Chadstone Shopping Centre, Moorabbin Hospital and Yarra Yarra Golf Club , this is a must see for developers and families looking to start their next project.

FOR SALE

378 Glenfern Road, UPWEY

$780,000 - $850,000

STUNNING STARTER OR DOWNSIZER IN SPECTACULAR LIFESTYLE LOCATION If you’re starting out, scaling down, or expanding your property portfolio, this impressive home is the ideal investment. Situated central to Upwey and Tecoma townships and stunning national park and reserves, a wonderful lifestyle awaits new owners here. This single-level dwelling with ample off-street parking secures a spot-on sought-after Glenfern Road. The highly useable block that surrounds this home creates picturesque outlooks from every window.

Sam Adamson M 0421 023 760 | E sam@chandlerandco.com.au

Sharyn Chandler

M 0439 882 442 | E sharyn@chandlerandco.com.au

9754 6888 1689 Burwood Highway, Belgrave VIC 3160 www.chandlerandco.com.au of fice@chandlerandco.com.au 18 MAIL

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

mailcommunity.com.au

14 Majestic Drive Emerald

$845,000 - $910,000

35 Station Road Gembrook

$650,000 - $710,000

Space & Privacy!

Entertaining Views!

Situated on almost 1/2 acre in a convenient Emerald location is this great brick veneer family home with 4 bedrooms, sunken lounge with wood heater & ceiling fan, kitchen adjoining the dining area, plus a second informal living area with direct access to the outdoor entertaining area. The master bedroom features a walk in robe and ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are serviced by the main bathroom. Outside, the entertaining deck looks over the rear yard and into the back of Wrights Forest, meaning you will never have neighbours and the serenity will be all yours to enjoy. There is a large double garage for car accommodation, plus a double carport and huge machinery garage with a mezzanine level. Additionally the home features evaporative cooling, ducted heating and 6 kW solar with micro inverters.

Beautifully styled, this 3 bedroom home on ¼ acre in a quiet Gembrook location features formal entry with front entertaining deck capturing outstanding views of Gembrook’s rolling hills. The main living zone features timber floors and a spacious lounge with huge windows and a wood heater to cozy up next to while taking in the glorious views. Adjoining is the dining area and kitchen featuring dark bench tops with breakfast bar, white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. The 3 bedrooms have new carpet and are serviced by the main bathroom. Outside, the rear yard has another entertaining area plus a double garage with a concrete floor. Please note that there is a shared driveway to the block at the rear, as demonstrated in the site plan online.

Contact: Aaron Day 0407 365 994 Anna Peake 0450 669 723

Contact: Bethany Day 0438 844 968 Aaron Day 0407 365 994

54 Avon Road Avonsleigh

$950,000 - $1,040,000

Lot 1 Orchard Road Gembrook

Asking $2,000,000

Ticks All The Boxes!

Land Opportunity!

This immaculate brick veneer home on a sunny acre in sought after Avonsleigh features a gorgeous outdoor entertaining deck, spacious kitchen with white cabinetry & stainless steel appliances, plenty of bench space with a breakfast bar, & an adjoining meals area with large windows overlooking the deck & established gardens. Beyond is the formal lounge & dining rooms, separated by a stone chimney with inset wood heater. The other end of the house comprises 3 secondary bedrooms serviced by the main bathroom & the master bedroom which has a walk-through robe to ensuite plus split system air conditioning. The acre of land features an almost flat rear yard with a wood storage area & a large cleared area to the side of the home, plus a large 2 car garage with concrete & power, a double carport & an additional carport for the boat or van!

Here’s your opportunity to purchase substantial acreage close to town!

Contact: Samantha Scott 0438 680 032 Declan Palmer 0427 062 148

Contact: Bethany Day 0438 844 968 Grant Day 0417 565 745

bellrealestate.com.au mailcommunity.com.au

The property is over 39 acres of fertile land with gorgeous views of green rolling hills and a small dam, close to sporting facilities, The Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail, and the Gembrook township. This stunning piece of Residential Land is the place you will want to build your forever home (STCA)! Inquire today!

5968 6222

311-313 Main St, Emerald Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 19

PUZZLES SUDOKU

No. 045

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

easy

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

7 9 2 3 6 8 3

5 7

medium

3 2

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

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS

DOWN

Constable (9) Matures (4) Eggs (3) Booking (11) Pseudonyms (3-5) Project (6) Wildcat (4) Teased (7) Expresses disapproval (7) Tract (4) Come back (6) NY theatre district (8) Bases (11) Bedridden (3) Artist, — Ono (4) Adorn with glitter (9)

1 6 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 25 26 28 29 30 31

No. 045

Punctually (8) Studying (8) Grain (6) Be naughty (9) Benchmark (4) Ushered (6) Did wrong (6) Axe (7) Infamous (9) Gatecrash (7) Surfing (the web) (8) Colour (4,4) Sly (6) Hit (6) R&R spot (3,3) 27 Wound with a knife (4)

1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 22 23 24

DECODER

No. 045

5 1 4

9 5 4 9 8 9 2 5 1

6 hard

6 3

3 2 7

7 3

1 5 7 9

10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Q J

9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim: 20 words: Good 30 words: Very good

2 5 1 4 7 6 8 3 9

1 7 2 3 9 6 4 5 8

5 9 3 4 1 8 7 6 2

40 words: Excellent

9 4 1 6 8 7 3 2 5

8 3 7 1 5 2 6 9 4

6 2 5 9 3 4 8 7 1

3 8 6 5 2 1 9 4 7

7 5 9 8 4 3 2 1 6

2 1 4 7 6 9 5 8 3

3 4 9 8 2 5 1 6 7

6 8 7 9 3 1 4 5 2

8 7 2 1 5 9 6 4 3

4 9 6 3 8 2 5 7 1

5 1 3 6 4 7 2 9 8

1 6 8 7 9 4 3 2 5

9 2 4 5 1 3 7 8 6

7 3 5 2 6 8 9 1 4

8 9 2 4 5 7 3 6 1

5 3 7 6 8 1 2 9 4

6 1 4 3 9 2 5 8 7

3 5 9 8 1 4 6 7 2

2 6 8 5 7 9 4 1 3

7 4 1 2 6 3 9 5 8

4 8 5 1 2 6 7 3 9

1 7 3 9 4 5 8 2 6

9 2 6 7 3 8 1 4 5

Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com

Y R

3 LETTERS ACE ADO ADS AGE ALE ARE ATE AXE BOA COO DIE DOE EEL ERA EWE HER NIP ODE OLD RAM RUM SAC SAT TEE TEN VIP 4 LETTERS ARTS BABE CAPE DYES FAME GATE HERO INNS LADS ONCE ONES RIDE ROOK SARI SECT

SOME TALC VAST 5 LETTERS ADULT ALLAH ALONE ASSET AWAIT CAMPS DELTA DEPTH EDICT ENSUE ERODE FELTS GASES GASPS HEELS IDEAL

No. 045

IDIOM IDLER INLET LADEN LINER MANOR METRE MULTI NAMES NOSED PLIED PLODS POLIO RADIO SAVER SEEMS SLIDE SMITE SOLAR SORRY STEAL

STONE TEASE TERSE TILDE VEILS VILLA YESES 6 LETTERS ELEVEN ENTITY 7 LETTERS ERRATIC EXPANSE

FALSITY LATTICE ORDERED TYPESET 8 LETTERS CHASTISE DIABETIC STOCKADE TIRELESS 10 LETTERS HENCEFORTH PRINCESSES

airy, angry, baying, betray, BETRAYING, binary, brainy, bray, braying, briny, byre, byte, entry, eying, gaiety, gantry, gayer, gentry, grainy, grey, gyrate, gyre, nary, nearby, rainy, raying, retying, tangy, teary, tiny, tray, trey, trying, tying, tyre, yarn, yean, year, yearn, yeti

4 6 8 2 7 5 1 3 9

hard

medium

easy

8 9

8 1 2

2 9

C UD Y E BWKN R GX H

T S Z L F I VMAO PQ J

WORDFIT

10-09-21

William Matthews Funerals FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED

24 HOUR SERVICE ALL AREAS

9739 6868 45 Cave Hill Rd, Lilydale www.williammatthewsfunerals.com.au 20 MAIL

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Phone Mike 0419 887 499 www.mjbathroomrenovations.com.au

Plumbing Contractor Reg No. 15348

• Domestic • Commercial • Installation & Maintenance • Sewerage Connections • Septic Tanks & Stormwater Drains • Drain Blockages • Burst Pipes • LPG to Natural Gas Conversions • Hot Water Service Repairs & Renewals • Spouting, Roofing Repairs & Installation

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Phone Steve Ph: 5968 2508 Mobile: 0417 723 745

Call Steve 0417 192 009

Email: daniel@topcatdriveways.com.au Visit our website at: www.topcatdriveways.com.au

9988 9159

• Excavator 5 Tonne and 15 Tonne • Bobcat Hire • Tip Truck Hire • All Types of Excavation Work • Holes Augered • Site Cuts • Driveways • Blocks Levelled and Shaped • Retaining Walls • Trenching • Free Quotes • No Jobs Too Big or Too Small

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RWH SOUND FOUNDATIONS PTY LTD

808667

ABN 19 625 260 737 ACN 625 260 737 House Restumping REGISTERED BUILDER & Reblocking Specialist DB-L 59996 CBD-L 60480 Robert Hubbard Mobile: 0419 539 402 | Email: ofﬁce@rwhsoundfoundations.com.au

Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

MAIL 21

NEWS

Pumped full of kindness By Gabriella Payne We’ve all been running on empty lately but despite these challenging times, a few good samaritans are doing their bit to ensure everyone in the community has something to smile about. It’s one thing for a stranger to pay for your coffee or a meal, but when Emerald local Louisa Crosby went to pay for her full tank of fuel recently and discovered that someone else had already covered the cost, she was left speechless. “I’d just gone to the fuel station on Sunday morning to top up for going to work on Monday, and I walked in and the lady behind the counter said, ’oh that guy has just paid for your

fuel already’,” Ms Crosby explained. “I thought ’what? I don’t know him’ and so she said ’go check, make sure it’s not a mistake’, so I went up to the guy as he was getting into his car and I asked if he had paid for my fuel and he said ’yes, you’re welcome and have a wonderful weekend’.” “I was just blown away and said thank you, but I didn’t quite know what to say! I just got back in the car with a big smile on my face,” Ms Crosby said. Being a nurse who is still able to work throughout Covid lockdowns, Ms Crosby said that she felt slightly guilty, as she knew there were people in the community worse off than

her - but the gesture in itself absolutely made her day and she couldn’t thank the kind stranger enough. “The fact that someone would do this for no other reason than to spread a bit of joy and happiness in such difficult times blew me away... what a beautiful gesture,” Ms Crosby said. “It was such a nice feeling. It really put a smile on my face and was just so nice for my mental wellbeing as well.” “Being a nurse, part of our philosophy is to share an act of kindness whenever we can, and I think even just a small act of kindness as you’re going about your day to day business and shar-

ing a bit of joy with other people is really understated, but just a really nice thing to do.” It seems what goes around really does come around, as Ms Crosby’s free, full tank of fuel has inspired her to spread her own bit of joy through the community. “I definitely will be paying it forward; I actually just went to the local cafe and put some money to one side for someone doing it tough - not that I want that public gratification for myself, but I thought if someone did it for me then I can do it for someone else,” she said. “It’s just great to see that there are still people out there that will go that extra mile for others.”

Mater Christi captain scores scholarship Ms Gerber’s experience as a leader and school captain helped her tick all the boxes. “I’m involved in leadership as school captain and I try to get involved as much as I possibly can. It has been really amazing because my Co-Captain and I have put together a student voice forum to have more communication between students and representatives to make sure everyone’s voices are heard in the school,” she said. She was also involved in music for a number of years, playing the cello. Ms Gerber plans to go on to study a Bachelor of Science, although she is not yet 100% on which career avenue she wants to pursue. “The best part is I get to make the connections at Melbourne University that will help me work out what it is that I want to do,” she said. “It’s really just such a privilege,” she said.

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Mater Christi College’s Emma Gerber has been awarded a life-changing scholarship to Melbourne University. Friday 13 wasn’t so unlucky for the year 12 college captain who received the exciting call letting her know she had been chosen for the Hansen Scholarship to the prestigious uni, worth a total of $108,000. Speaking to the Star Mail, Ms Gerber described the scholarship as “a dream come true”. “Attending Melbourne University has always been my dream, I remember in year 10 when I first read about it and since then it was always a goal I was working towards, but I never expected to actually get it. It was a shock and a dream come true,” she said. The scholarship offers three years free accommodation at Little Hall, a $4,000 per year

allowance and $4,000 for an internship or overseas exchange. “It basically removes any financial burden of going to uni and prevents me having to commute into uni every single day which will allow me to dedicate more of my life to school,” she said. Ms Gerber applied in March through a written application followed by a videorecorded assessment and a Zoom interview with a panel of five Melbourne University representatives. The strict selection criteria required Ms Gerber to demonstrate a track record of academic excellence, demonstrated ability to achieve success in the face of adversity and overcome obstacles, the ability to apply skills and strengths towards activities that benefit others, the ability to work in a team as a leader and a likelihood of thriving at Melbourne University.

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Gary bids for greatness By Mikayla van Loon Montrose Football Club will be welcoming AFL royalty to its coaching team for 2022, with the announcement that Gary Ayres will fill the position of senior coach. The legend of the game started his AFL career at 17 with the Hawthorn Football Club in 1978 and went on to play in five premierships in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. He was the recipient of two Norm Smith medals and captained the Hawks in his final two years with the team. Making the transition from player to coach, Ayres jumped on as the coach of Geelong in 1995 and then Adelaide in 2000, before taking up the role of senior coach at VFL club Port Melbourne. Parting ways with Port Melbourne earlier this year, Ayres said he wanted to remain a senior coach at some level but it was about finding the right fit. “It was a case of just trying to make the decision in my own mind as to the best fit for me. What I could possibly offer the football club, where I saw them now and clearly where we would like to see ourselves in the future,” Ayres told Star Mail. Living in Mount Evelyn for eight years now, seeing the list of players signed on at Montrose and with the club having a clear goal of wanting to get Montrose back into Premier Division, Ayres said these were all deciding factors for coming on as senior coach. For Ayres, he’s not worried about the adjustment from VFL coach to local football coach but said there may be times where he has to temper his expectations. “Clearly, there is some sort of difference, although with the way I believe a standalone VFL club operates, there’s probably not that much difference in relation to what [local] clubs do to operate,” he said. “Everyone that I know, and being involved in footy for a long time, we’re all chasing that one thing, and that’s to be successful. “It’s really about the culture. It’s really about the emergence of young talents and trying to nurture that.” Ayres has started speaking with the team and coaches, just reaching out to introduce himself and say hello.

These, for him, are important foundations for building a good chance at success next year and he plans on spending the next few weeks understanding who has what role both on and off the field. “Getting an understanding of how the football club operates, I think that’s really, really important. That’s why I probably call it a real fact finding mission I’m on at the moment. “The players have always been, in my mind anyway, the most valuable assets any organisation can have.” Although not a true indication of what Montrose Football Club could achieve, Ayres was confident 2021 showed potential to be a real contender in the competition. “There’s certainly some growth there but they had a really good run with injuries and were able to have most of their better players playing. “So I think we need to improve our depth and certainly that depth needs to come from our junior program, those that are showing some sort of talent, and we would hopefully get them to blossom into really, really good players.” Ayres’ aims for the side seem quite simple: lay good foundations, get better at football and win some of those smaller margin losses but he believes that is the key to success and eventually making it to Premier Division. “I guess the long term goal is to hopefully get back into Premier Division but we know a lot of things will have to happen before that,” he said. “It’s about the growth that we can have as a club and we would like to make the club a destination club and you need to have respect within the community, you need to engage the community, you need to become very credible, and that players want to come to the club because they see that it’s a good fit for them.” Having always loved being involved in football and having a passion for the game ever since he started playing, Ayres just wants to see his players enjoy some of the success he had. “I’ve always been one to roll my sleeves up and certainly try and get in and make, I guess, a difference in how you can help young men and the overriding thing for me is to see young men achieve some of the successes that I achieved in my time as a player and a coach.”

Hawthorn great Gary Ayres has signed on as senior head coach of Montrose Football Club for 2022. Picture: SUPPLIED

Lockdown forces local competitions to pull the pin By Nick Creely It was inevitable, but now it’s official. There will be no more local football and netball in 2021, with the latest lockdown extension until at least the 23rd of September dispelling all hopes that a finals series could be possible, with leagues now set to turn their attentions to 2022, and hopefully no more disruptions after two Covid-riddled seasons. After no competitions in 2020, and just half a season in 2021, it’s a bitter blow for sport-starved communities. On Thursday 2 September, the Metropolitan Melbourne leagues - Eastern Football Netball League, Essendon District, Northern Football League, Southern Football League, Riddell District, VAFA, Western Region and South Metro Juniors issued a joint statement to get the ball rolling, confirming that they have mutually agreed to end all 2021 competitions. “This decision is an extremely difficult one and has not been made lightly,” the statement read. “All leagues have been working diligently in the hope of enabling the remaining games in the 2021 season to be played. “However, it is now apparent this will not be possible in the current environment.” The Metro leagues said it was now time to focus on a return to play next year. “All leagues are committed to working closely with their member clubs, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to manage the associated issues related to the cancellation of mailcommunity.com.au

all 2021 competitions and working towards a return to play next season,” the statement read. “We wish to take this opportunity to thank all clubs, players, parents, volunteers, officials, umpires and league partners for your patience, support and cooperation throughout the 2021 season. “We urge all associated with our respective communities to heed the advice and regulations in place by order of the State Government.

“We all have a role to play in ensuring our community remains safe and healthy so we can all return to football and netball next season.” The AFL Outer East announced on Friday morning that its senior and junior competitions are cancelled for 2021, informing clubs on Thursday night. “While we understand this is an extremely disappointing decision, which was not made lightly, Outer East has exhausted all avenues possible in the hope of enabling the remain-

ing games in the 2021 season to be played,” the league said. “Across September, we will be releasing and announcing our players awards for season 2021 to recognise the achievements of players across our various competitions. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all clubs, players, parents, volunteers, officials, umpires and league partners for your patience, support, and cooperation throughout the 2021 season.” The AFL has also announced that the VFL season will officially be called off. Despite trying valiantly to find a way to navigate a finals series, ongoing lockdown and state border closures have made it impossible for football to find a way through. Footscray has been recognised as the 2021 minor premiers, but there will be no premier or Liston Medal awarded. “The 2021 season saw multiple schedule changes, several match cancellations, postponements and weeks of hiatus for many clubs, and all clubs, players, officials and umpires should be congratulated for their relentless pursuit to play matches,” AFL Head of Talent Pathways and State League Competitions Tristan Salter said. “All levels of the game across Australia have been impacted by the health pandemic this year and it has been another challenging year for everyone connected to football. “Footy clubs are the heartbeat of many local communities and the identity of our clubs and our league will not be defined by the outcome of the 2020 and 2021 season. Tuesday, 7 September, 2021

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