Tuesday, 1 October, 2024
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Reviving the garden of the people Although in the early stages, Montrose’s somewhat hidden gem has been put on the agenda for some love and attention thanks to the formation of a new working party and the help of Yarra Ranges Council. The People’s Garden, a donated space which has been thriving out the back of Montrose’s shops since being handed over to the community in 2006, has required some planning to ensure it remains an integral part of the community. Getting started on Sunday 29 September members of the Montrose community leant a hand to help bring some shape and life back to the garden, spreading mulch and weeding. But grander plans are on the horizon, with a master plan in its infancy. To see more, turn to page 11
The People’s Garden working party committee members Sally Smith and Chris Dowling, with Yarra Ranges Council’s northern parks team leader Rohan Brown. (Mikayla van Loon: 434652)
George is missing A Montrose family’s heartbreaking search for their beloved dog George has been met with dead ends since he went missing in early September. Owner of the four-year-old Dogue De Bordeaux, Natalie Stevens, said the last they saw of him was the week of heavy winds in the Yarra Ranges earlier this month. “We live on acreage in Montrose and the week of the big winds through Melbourne on 6 Septem-
ber we had so many trees down, the wind blew our front door open and George has gone,” she said. “George knows the area very well and all our neighbours who have lots of dogs between us also know George. There has been not one sighting of George from our CCTV, neighbours, community. He is a 70kg dog who sticks out like a sore thumb.” Unsure whether George was taken or just escaped, Natalie said she and her family have reported him missing to every organisation
possible. From police to every local vet in a 50km radius, lost dogs homes, pounds, Animal Aid and local rangers. Natalie said her and her husband have also placed posters around the local area and at the start of a number of walking tracks, with running and trail walking clubs notified as well, in the hope someone will spot George. Despite his mastiff size, Natalie said “George is super friendly, gentle and loving and would never harm anyone”.
Having researched the breed extensively, Natalie said a French mastiff just seemed like the perfect fit for her family and George the name was a tribute to her grandfather. “George came home to us at age eight weeks and from eight weeks old he has been loved and spoiled rotten,” she said. “I cook his meals, I make him bone broth to go over his kibble, if he didn’t snore so loudly he would sleep on our bed but he retires at the end of each day on the couch.” Continued page 3
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By Mikayla van Loon