Mount Evelyn
Tuesday, 19 March, 2024
Council advocates for flood mitigation
Bridge Builders’ prepared for next venture
Celebrate Mooroolbark enjoyed by many
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
PR OP ER TY
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
A decade of good company The Montrose Men’s Shed celebrated its 10th birthday last week after being officially opened on 14 March 2014. Since that time it has provided men of the foothills suburb with friendship, conversation and place to put their hands to work. It was a joyous day reminiscing of where the Shed started and thinking about where it’s going. The Men’s Shed has developed over the years from just woodworking to more offering more social activities to ensure all men have something to take part in, with it growing every day. To read more, see page 10
The Montrose Men’s Shed has seen four presidents over its 10 years, with Daryl Couch (far left) the current and Lee Kirkby, Reg Wright and Max Lamb former presidents. Picture: MIKAYLA VAN LOON
Childcare woes While a childcare centre is being built in Mount Evelyn, as well as one in Montrose, childcare advocates and ministers are worried about the inaccessibility. Founder of the Mums of the Hills group Belinda Young said she has heard stories of people calling childcare centres as soon as they find out they are pregnant because of the waitlist times.
“It’s a really difficult situation because we are in a very tough financial situation at the moment and people are looking to go back to work earlier or do additional hours just to cover the cost of their mortgages and daily expenses and when they can’t find childcare they are unable to do that,” she said. Casey MP Aaron Violi said a lack of availability is something affecting his entire elec-
torate but is more prominent in the regional and rural parts. Ms Young said the lack of available spots is also being compounded by some parents having to travel to two different centres if they have multiple children who cannot attend the same childcare facility. More of this story can be found on page 3
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Despite the urban parts of the Yarra Ranges moving forward with the building of new childcare centres the situation still remains dire for parents trying to access places. A report in 2022 found that parents in the Yarra Ranges were competing with 10 to 15 other children for a place in local childcare facilities, with waitlists now pushing out to two years.