Tuesday, 3 June, 2025
Local pleads for the vulnerable
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Determined Fernlea opens new chapter in Emerald By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Emerald locals and nearby residents gathered on Saturday, 31 May, to celebrate the official opening of Fernlea Community House – a space rebuilt with care, community spirit, and pure determination. Once a small respite centre for people with cancer, Fernlea has grown to include flexible respite services, a centre in Pakenham, and a beloved op shop in Emerald. Now, it’s stepped in to revive the local community house after its closure left a gap. “When I heard Emerald Community House was closing, I was really concerned,” Fernlea Community House’s chief executive officer, Sarah Cole said. “Community houses offer more than just services – they’re places where people feel at home.” With support from Cardinia Shire Council, volunteers, and countless donations, the centre now offers workshops, a food pantry, and a safe, welcoming space for all. “This is one of the proudest moments of my career, it’s truly a community-built space,” she said. To continue reading, turn to page 14
L-R: Jack Kowarzik (Mayor), Kerry McGregor (House manager), Daniela De Martino MP, and Sarah Cole (Fernlea CEO) at the official opening of Fernlea Community House in Emerald. (Supplied)
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“Imagine coming out to the Dandenongs and seeing treeless slopes,” Mr Pergl said. He’s calling for evidence-based fire management, better data on fuel reduction, and more community involvement in forest care. He urges authorities to act proactively, establishing longterm monitoring and easing pressure on the landscape before further damage is done.
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system. Its decline could drastically alter the forest structure, affecting the understorey, wildlife, and overall biodiversity. Mr Pergl said that while fire is natural in Australian bushland, the increasing intensity and frequency, driven by climate change, are proving too much for some species to withstand. Beyond environmental damage, the visual and emotional impact on the community is significant.
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Residents and bushwalkers in the Dandenong Ranges are increasingly concerned about widespread tree dieback, particularly east of the popular Thousand Steps and near Devil’s Elbow in the Ferntree Gully section of the national park. The browning trees, many burnt multiple times over the past 40 years, are showing signs of stress, especially following repeated bushfires
and planned burns. Southern Dandenongs Landcare Group president, Robert Pergl, said the combination of hotter, drier weather and frequent fire is overwhelming the forest. “Every time a fire goes through, the trees use their energy stores to push out new growth… eventually, they just don’t recover,” he said. A major concern is the Tremont Bundy, a dominant canopy species and key part of the eco-
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By Shamsiya Hussainpoor