Tuesday, 18 February, 2025
Cockatoo gardening group seeks new home
Wildlife Victoria animal rescue troubles
Ferny Creek PS relocates for safety
Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Brush strokes, flowing thoughts By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Olinda-based artist Jamie Saxe is exhibiting his latest works at Round Bird Art Space in Lilydale, in an exhibition called ‘Flow’. The collection features a mix of recent and older pieces, exploring aerial landscapes, clouds, nebulae, and the movement of water through abstract art. Mr Saxe, who has spent the last 15 years experimenting with alternative methods said he’s trying to work on the idea of flowing movement - it’s his main focus at the moment. His new approach involves using natural materials like soil and turmeric, as well as manufactured products such as gauze, to bring texture and colour to his work. “The thing I love about this is that it offers the most immediate sense of being in the present moment,” he said. The exhibition runs until March 12 at Round Bird Art Space, Lilydale.
Jamie Saxe next to his artwork Opal Void. (Stewart Chambers: 458879)
Slowdown on pines By Tanya Steele The pine tree removal planned for Koolunga Native Reserve was the subject of urgent business at a recent Knox City Council meeting and one local councillor dove in heart first for her community, trying to find a solution for all. Now excluding trees behind residences on Daffodil Road and Sassafras Court, work will start to remove 14 pine trees from Koolunga Native Reserve in Ferntree Gully this month. A slowed-down approach has been taken to the pine tree removal project planned for the
area after concerns were raised by community, and Chandler Ward Councillor Paige Kennett brought the issue into the spotlight at the latest meeting. Carried unanimously, Cr Kennett brought the urgent notice of motion to alter the amount of trees removed along with other changes at the recent council meeting on Monday 10 February. Cr Kennett said at the meeting that Koolunga is a big, complex, sensitive issue and she appreciates this. “I’ve done my own research, independent of previous council decisions because as your rep-
resentative, I want to satisfy myself that we can make a good decision of consideration,” she said. According to Cr Kennett’s social media, a letterbox drop was completed across 2,500 homes around Koolunga on Thursday 6 February, to let residents know of upcoming pine removal works due to start on Monday 17 February, in accordance with the Knox City Council amended Future Directions Plan from June 2023. Following this Cr Kennett met with around 30 concerned community members at Koolunga on Monday 10 February before the regular scheduled council meeting after hearing feeding from
residents late last week. “I understand that people were not happy about this last-minute decision to meet, this was my decision and my action,” said Cr Kennett at the council meeting. Cr Kennett spoke with Star Mail after the meeting on Thursday 13 February and said the original staged removal for the pines was decided on due to several criteria. “Rather than one by one, which was what was written in the directions plan,” she said. Read more on page 5
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