Tuesday, 6 August, 2024
Paramedic response times blow out
Outer east missing person hotspot
New CEO for Burrinja
REAL ESTATE LIFTOUT INSIDE
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A Star News Group Publication
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All aboard! Ferntree Gully resident and Puffing Billy enthusiast 12 year old Heath has taken out the coveted title of ‘Hard Quiz Kids Champion’. Appearing on the ABC’s ‘Hard Quiz Kids’ tv show on Saturday July 27, 12-year-old Heath took home the title and got to sign off with the well know phase “Thanks for playing, hard!” with host Tom Gleeson right by his side. Heath said it felt really good to be a hard quiz champion and he was really proud of himself. “I’ve been watching ‘Hard Quiz’ for years and when I was younger, I never dreamed that I’d become an actual hard quiz champion but now I actually have the big brass mug,” he said. More on page 8
Convinced he inherited his love for trains through genetics, Heath’s passion for the legendary local steam engine was ignited from his first ride on the train as a toddler. (Supplied)
Will the new Yarra Ranges Council have gender balance?
Equality question By Tanya Steele It’s local election time and by the end of October this year the Yarra Ranges will see a freshly votedin group of councillors - but will it be closer to the 50/50 gender representation that state government is striving for? In 2020 the Yarra Ranges elected its highest number of female councillors – the highest since the council was formed in 1997, improving the gender balance from 11 per cent to 44 per cent. That year 272 women were elected to local councils around Victoria – the highest amount
Lyster ward and current Mayor Sopie Todorov for Melba ward, Cr Todorov said that in 2020 the Yarra Ranges council was one of the 13 ‘fragile councils’ in Victoria, with only one or no women representation in the councillor group. “I happened to come across a small ad in the local newspaper, seeking mentors for a program led by ‘Voices of Women’ in the Yarra Ranges,” she said. Cr Todorov said that the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (ALGWA) has also
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greatly supported her over the years with her role. “Having more women in local council builds diversity and different perspectives, thus reflecting community,” she said. “Having raised children, worked, and volunteered in the Yarra Ranges for many years, I took up the opportunity and soon became involved in the VLGA’s ‘Local Democracy in Action’ sessions, learning more about local Council and building confidence around my skills.” Continued page 4
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ever at 43.8 per cent. Councillor Fiona McAllister has held firmly onto her seat In Ryrie Ward, serving now for four terms and Cr McAllister said that in terms of diversity, Yarra Ranges has made some steps forward. “For one term, four years ago, I was the only woman and youngest councillor,” she said. “We ended up with a great and much more diverse group of councillors in this term so I am hoping the same following the next election.” Fresh in 2020 Johanna Skelton was elected for