Mount Evelyn
Tuesday, 25 June, 2024
Yarra Ranges named a calamity hotspot
Volunteers, community groups recognised
McMahon hits 500 umpired games milestone
See Real Estate lifout inside
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A tale of war, love and family By 1943, Geoffrey Heath was 19-years-old and ready to embark, as many young men did, for the Asian islands in a feeling of duty to their country. The Royal Australian Air Force mechanic, flight engineer and, at the time of discharge, leading aircraftsman, lived through bomb raids and dense jungle environments, all so he could return home to the east of Melbourne and marry the love of his life. 81 years later, Mr Heath celebrated his 100th birthday earlier in June surrounded by his children, grand children, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. See a recount of Mr Heath’s 100 years on page 11
Mount Evelyn’s Geoff Heath celebrated his 100th birthday earlier in June. 414665 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Dirty on road cut With funding cuts to the road sealing program across the Yarra Ranges, the state of dirt roads throughout the shire remains a sore point for residents. For people living along The Crescent and Marshall Street in Mount Evelyn, who had been moved up the priority list for road sealing, the disappointment continues two years after the cuts. The Crescent resident of 30 years Gayle Schilke has been championing advocacy with Yarra Ranges Council and local members on
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behalf of a collective of residents calling for roads to be sealed. Ms Schilke said roads like The Crescent and Marshall Street are in a “unique” position because they form a cut through to factories on Clancys Road, the school and childcare centre on Monbulk Road and access for cars into the rest of the estate. “I’m doing this for all the dirt roads, there’s others that have got their needs as well but we have a few unique needs like we’ve got a special needs building and a DHS building. Marshall Street has a bakery and this just increases the safety need,” she said.
“And we have walkers, especially since Covid, because the Warby Trail is just at the end.” With high traffic movement at the moment, of both cars and trucks, Ms Schilke said she understands a made road might increase traffic use but “it needs to be safe” for drivers and walkers alike. Having been sent a letter confirming the works would be completed within the year, Ms Schilke said it was “heartbreaking” when the news of the funding cuts were announced in October 2022. This was a common sentiment expressed
by residents across the Yarra Ranges who had expected their road to be sealed. It has led to a number of petitions, like that for Beenak Road Yellingbo calling for special charge schemes to be explored, being submitted to Yarra Ranges Council. Seeking action and funding for previously allocated road sealing projects, residents from Mount Evelyn joined shadow assistant minister for infrastructure and transport Tony Pasin and Casey MP Aaron Violi to launch a national road survey. Continued page 4
Handcrafted Gifts, Local Produce, Food Trucks, Fun for the Kids
Winter Market 12697598-AP26-24
By Mikayla van Loon