Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 26th August 2025

Sprung!

By Tanya Steele

Spring has sprung, and the vibrant yellow colours of the season are peeping through trees and across

The distinctive golden daffodil, a firm favourite in the horticultural world, is the permanent subject of great care at a longstanding farm in the Yarra Ranges.

Cross-breeding and selecting varieties that they hope will hold up to the Australian climate in years to come, Will and Christine Ashburner are in full swing tending their daffodil farm Hancocks on a little corner in Menzies Creek.

With records going back over a hundred years, Will said they have noticed the flowering time trending earlier in the last few seasons.

“They’re definitely getting earlier,” he said.

A highly experienced horticulturist, Will has been working the farm with Christine, who worked in botany at Monash University, for over 20 years.

Read more on Page 10

Bushfire resilience

Resilience to bushfires comes in all shapes and forms. It’s not only embedded in the practices of preparedness but in the learnings from recovery and healing.

The Yarra Ranges knows the risks when it comes to bushfires, with many parts of the shire impacted by Ash Wednesday and having been on the cusp of the Black Saturday fires.

Only this year was Montrose the site of a late-

season bushfire that caused extensive damage to a key environmental reserve.

Despite this, every day, researchers, community members, Indigenous leaders, and environmental agencies work to reduce harm, find solutions and build resilience, not only in the land but in communities.

The Star Mail this week kicks off a project called Fire Resilient Communities - an explora-

tion of the initiatives being undertaken across the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and urban parts of the shire to protect from and predict the risk of bushfires.

Funded through the Walkley Solutions Journalism Fund, this project will produce a series of six articles, each looking at the different aspects of fire preparedness and resilience.

To begin, this edition features a two-page

spread on the role of controlled burns, both planned and cultural, among the initiatives that coincide with pre-summer burning.

From there, articles will look at the grassroots impact of community groups, the role of social recovery, environmental regeneration and predictions for the upcoming fire season.

See pages 8 and 9

Autistic kids taken off NDIS

By Rachel Jackson and Andrew Brown, AAP

Children with autism who rely on the NDIS for support will be diverted to a new program, touted by disability groups as a “once-in-a-generation” reform.

Disability Minister Mark Butler used a speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday 20 August to say the NDIS was not the right fit for the growing number of children on the autism spectrum or with development delays.

A separate program called Thriving Kids will be set up to focus on those children previously covered by the NDIS.

It will begin rolling out from July 2026 and be fully implemented by July 2027.

Children with autism on the NDIS would not be steered from the scheme until supports were fully rolled out, the minister said.

“I know this will be hard for some parents to hear and I don’t say it lightly,” Mr Butler said in the speech.

“We need as a matter of some urgency to create a better system that will enable our children to thrive.

“Diverting this group of kids over time from the NDIS is an important element of making the scheme sustainable and returning it to its original intent.”

Medicare items for occupational therapy, speech pathology and psychosocial therapy would be considered for the program, including a bulk-billed check-up for three-year-olds, Mr Butler said.

The government would start by making a $2 billion contribution, matched by states and territories.

Early intervention strategies were key for ensuring children received the right support, Autism Awareness chief executive Nicole Rogerson said.

“(Thriving Kids) potentially has the opportunity to be a once-in-a-generation change in how we look at developmental paediatrics,” she told AAP.

She said what Mr Butler was doing was “pretty rare for a politician” because he was “owning what the problem is”.

Ensuring the program was in place before children were moved from the scheme was reassuring, People with Disability acting chief executive Megan Spindler-Smith told AAP.

The minister said while one-in-50 people had a significant disability which would be covered by the NDIS, one-in-five young children were on the autism spectrum or had a developmental delay.

Parents had little choice but to put their children with autism on a scheme designed for per-

manent disability, Mr Butler said.

“Families who were looking for additional supports in mainstream services can’t find them because they largely don’t exist anymore and in that, all governments have failed them,” he said.

Mr Butler said the changes would help to bring down the cost of the NDIS, with taxpayers set to fork out more than $52 billion for the scheme in 2025/26.

Laws passed in 2024 put in place a cap on

spending growth of eight per cent per year.

But the minister said the existing level of growth was unsustainable and a cap of between five and six per cent would be more effective.

“After we achieve our current target, a further wave of reform will be needed to get growth down to a more sustainable position,” he said.

“There’s no significant change in disability prevalence in the community and the scheme is now fully rolled out. So growth should really

reflect unit price inflation plus growth in Australia’s population.”

Autism peak body Aspect said families needed the right level of support.

“Given the number of autistic children we support through our schools and therapy programs, families must have confidence there will be continuity of supports, real choice and control, and no gaps during the transition,” chief executive Jacqui Borland said.

Autism advocacy bodies respond to NDIS changes

Advocates want certainty on supports provided to children with autism under a major overhaul of the NDIS, as the minister overseeing the scheme tries to reassure parents about the changes.

Children with mild to moderate autism and those with developmental delays will be moved off the National Disability Insurance Scheme and into a separate $2 billion program called Thriving Kids.

It will begin rolling out from July 2026 and be fully implemented by July 2027.

The outer east’s Different Journeys joined Amaze, Aspergers Victoria, Yellow Ladybugs, and I Can on Thursday 21 August to release a statement to say that, as a collective, they would work with families and the State Government to deliver a “Victorian-friendly roll out”.

“We acknowledge autism is a whole-of-life experience in which support needs change. We recognise the role of families in supporting our autistic individuals to allow them to be the best they can,” the statement read.

“We understand the uncertainty and fear this announcement may have created and we will work together to ensure community is supported and understood.”

The organisations said they welcomed the opportunity to work with the government “to understand Minister Butler’s announcement”.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday her government was

Autism organisations and advocates have responded to the Federal Government’s overhaul of the NDIS. (Unsplash)

caught off guard about the changes.

“Like many states and territories, we heard about the proposed changes from the federal government when the minister made his address yesterday,” she said. “There are many families, particularly many parents, today who have got many questions and I hope that the federal government can move quickly to answer the questions that families are asking.”

But Mr Butler said on Friday 22 August, that this shift had been discussed with States and Territories for two years.

The Victorian autism awareness and support organisations congratulated the State on its initiatives to improve and empower the autistic and autistic community.

“We support the extension of the State Disability Plan and Victorian Autism Plan, both until June 2027,” the statement read.

“We are proud of Victoria’s achievements with autistic children, including the State-wide roll out of the Disability Inclusion Reform in Victorian government schools, which has been positive for our families.”

The statement also cautioned the Federal Government in its approach to discussing autism.

“We can understand that there are opportunities from bringing health and disability together at a federal level.

“However, we would caution the Federal Government to avoid discussing autism in a medical

model, given the gains by all jurisdictions to discuss autism in the social model of disability.” Autism peak body Aspect says families must have confidence there will be continuity of support for children.

“Autism is a lifelong developmental condition and it’s vital that children and their families have access to the right supports early on so they can grow and thrive,” chief executive Jacqui Borland said.

Opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston wants more details on the changes.

“There are probably very many parents who will be distressed about the uncertainty that yesterday has created for them,” she told ABC Radio on Thursday.

“The thing that concerns me most is the lack of detail and the impact that’s likely to have on many parents, many families.”

Half of new entrants to the NDIS are children under nine, with the majority of them on the autism spectrum or having a developmental delay. The new program has been welcomed from many child and family organisations, including The Front Project Government investment in Thriving Kids represented a fundamental shift towards holistic care for children with mild autism or development delay, chief executive Caroline Croser-Barlow said.

“For too long, children with development delay or mild autism have had to wait for diagnosis to access supports that are too often in clinical settings,” she said.

New CFA program in Emerald, Cockatoo

By Tanya Steele

Local CFA units in Cockatoo and Emerald are now operating in a new way in their areas, so if you are a local calling Triple Zero, it might just be a CFA truck who arrives on your doorstep.

New training and equipment has thoroughly prepped the local volunteers from both units, who are excited to be part of the new program, which launched Thursday 21 August.

Among 26 other CFA brigades across Victoria selected and trained to respond to specific medical Triple Zero calls, the Emerald CFA and Cockatoo CFA are proud to be among the first units in the State to operate in this way.

This new and lifesaving program launched officially last week and the new Fire Medical Response program is set to enhance emergency response callouts in Emerald, Cockatoo and Avonsleigh.

How does it work?

The program is a joint initiative of CFA and Ambulance Victoria that will see CFA brigades and Ambulance Victoria dispatched simultaneously to cardiac arrests.

So when a community member dials Triple Zero, if they meet certain criteria, the operator will send both services to them.

Every minute counts in a cardiac arrest and the sooner a trained responder with the right equipment is there to help, the better.

Emerald CFA Captain Klaus Brodeck and Cockatoo CFA Captain Marcus Harris said the decision to join the program was a clear and straightforward one, given the significant benefits it will deliver to the communities of Emerald, Cockatoo, and Avonsleigh.

“Many brigade members were already active GoodSAM responders independent from their CFA involvement,” he said. (GoodSAM is app that alerts registered responders to help before the ambulance arrives, giving precious minutes of CPR to those that need it).

The teams at both Emerald and Cockatoo have completed their training and prepped their trucks with new specialised equipment in readiness for the new initiative. .

Every minute without CPR or defibrillation lowers the chance of survival of a person by 10 per cent and early help from the newly trained CFA can greatly increase survival rates.

“Now, with a structured process, enhanced training, and better equipment, we’re well-positioned to assist ambulance crews - and proud to play a role in protecting our community.” said Captain Brodeck.

Ambulance Victoria has had highly skilled paramedic trainers working with Emerald and Cockatoo CFA volunteers for months to thoroughly equip and support the teams when there is a threatening medical emergency in the local area.

“What this program means is that community members who call for an ambulance may receive both a fire truck and an ambulance. There is no specific order in which the services arrive to the incident.” said Captain Harris.

The Fire Medical Response Program kicked off last year in December in other parts of Victoria, with nine brigades in Euroa, Tatura, Numurkah, Yarrawonga, Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Bairnsdale, Huntly and Kyneton participating, with Emerald and Cockatoo CFA part of the next wave.

By the time rollout completes, 50 CFA brigades across Victoria will participate and Ambulance Victoria will have another supportive first responder program in place to further improve patient outcomes in the community.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook said the program was a natural fit for CFA because of the 52,000 volunteers across the state.

“CFA has more than 1,100 volunteer fire stations with more than 52,000 members,” Deputy Chief Officer Cook said.

“This puts CFA in a unique position to complement the Ambulance Victoria response in 50 locations across Victoria to help deliver early intervention to cardiac arrests,” he said.

Ambulance Victoria Executive Director of Regional Operations, Danielle North, said Victoria’s cardiac survival rates are one of the best in the world, thanks to high rates of early intervention.

“The Fire Medical Response program will improve survival rates for people in rural and regional Victoria,” Executive Director North said.

“Quick intervention with CPR and a defibrillator has the greatest impact on improving a patient’s chances of surviving a cardiac arrest,” she said.

Vehicle smashes through Monbulk store

A vehicle crashed through the front of the ‘Neat N Clean Dry Cleaners’ on Main Road, in Monbulk around 12.15pm on Thursday, 21 August.

Police Media confirmed the crash was accidental and confirmed that no one was injured. The incident drew the attention of nearby businesses and passers-by, though emergency services quickly responded to the scene. The extent of the damage to the building has not yet been confirmed.

Truck rolled over Monbulk

Monbulk was shaken by two separate incidents occurring around the same time just after midday Thursday, 21 August.

At about 12.15pm, a truck carrying logs rolled on Invermay Road near Monbulk Road. Police confirmed the driver was not injured. Around the same time, a car crashed through a shopfront on Main Road in Monbulk. Fortunately, no one was injured. Emergency services responded to both scenes. Both incidents are currently under investigation.

Drug trafficking arrests

Belgrave members arrested one male and one female yesterday for trafficking drugs after executing two separate search warrants at Columbo Road, Belgrave and Glenfern Rd, Upwey. Police located approx. 94g ecstasy, 70g cannabis and lesser amounts of Dexamphetamine, MDMA, Methylamphetamine, Diazepam, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Mushrooms and Ketamine.

A large amount of cash to the total of $16,990 also found at the house. The female was charged and bailed to appear at the Melbourne’s children court at a later date. The male was remanded overnight to attend the Ringwood Magistrates court.

Monbulk hosts safe driving event

Recently Monbulk Football Netball Club, in partnership with Monbulk CFA, Ambulance Victoria , Victoria Police and the Community Bank of Monbulk , hosted a powerful Safe Driving event for their club and broader community.

The evening was moving, confronting, and incredibly eye-opening for the 120+ members in attendance, and was a timely reminder that the responsibility of road safety belongs to all of us. It also presented a significant challenge to the younger drivers who are among our most vulnerable and highest risk on the road. Thanks to the Monbulk Football Netball Club for their permission to repost this video on our page. Together, we’re driving change.

Popular yoghurt recalled

The popular range of Cocobella yoghurts have been recalled due to the presence of milk, an undeclared allergen. The date markings for the recalled products are:

Cocobella Banana Coconut Yoghurt Pouch 110g - 12/09/2025 and 13/09/2025.

Cocobella Mango Coconut Yoghurt Pouch 110g - 13/09/2025.

Cocobella Strawberry Coconut Yoghurt Pouch 110g - 12/09/2025.

The products have been available for sale in Woolworths in NSW, ACT, VIC, SA, QLD, NT and online. The products have also been sold at independent retailers including IGA in QLD and VIC.

Any consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the product is consumed.

Solar sign for Upper FTG CFA

By Tanya Steele

Community kindness is in full swing for spring as a local businesses has stepped forward to support the CFA in Upper Ferntree Gully with the donation of an iconic sign known to many.

Arthur Daley’s has recently kindly donated their solar powered sign to a local fire brigade in the foothills, giving the unit another little asset for it’s day to day operations.

Captain Peter Smith of the Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade said that that the owner of Arthur Daley’s Peter Ferne has always been a great supporter of the unit.

“He’s been a fantastic supporter of us and other brigades in the area,” he said.

The Famous Arthur Daley’s began as a pop-up shop on Swanston Street in Melbourne’s Central Business District in 1992 and opened a another store in Upper Ferntree Gully in December of 2012. The store moved a bit further along the highway recently after 12 years and has been operating in Ferntree Gully since January this year.

Once known for advertising things five for a dollar, the sign is now hard at work letting passer-bys know what’s happening at their local CFA.

The new sign was installed a few weeks ago and can now help the Upper Gully unit with messages to the public as they drive past along Burwood Highway.

“The flexibility of a mobile, programmable sign is a great asset to the Brigade and the community,” read Upper Ferntree Gully’s social media this week.

“As a 100 per cent volunteer Brigade, every little bit helps!” it said.

“Our young technicians at the unit change the sign message over,” said Captain Smith.

Captain Smith said the sign will be a great asset, especially around public messaging and getting the call out for volunteers.

“We’re doing a big recruiting drive at the moment and it will come in handy for that,” he said.

“Anyone interested, come down and get in touch with us,” he said.

Major community health investment urged in report

By Callum Ludwig

A new report by Infrastructure Victoria has found that investment in community health organisations could play a pivotal role in saving government funds and relieving pressure on hospitals.

Chief executive Dr Jonathan Spear said community health organisations are there for vulnerable Victorians, keeping them well and out of hospital for longer.

“For people who cannot otherwise access affordable healthcare, community health organisations provide a single entry-point into the broader healthcare and social support system,” he said.

“By 2036, organisations in growth areas will have to cater for more than double the number of people living there now, wait times are likely to increase even further without investment in the infrastructure needed to support additional community health services,”

“We recommend the Victorian Government increase annual funding from $5.2 million to between $30 million and $60 million – just 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent of the $2 billion the government spends on average each year on health infrastructure.”

Infrastructure Victoria also advised that funding could be sought from the Australian Government, due to the provision of Commonwealth-funded programs like primary care, NDIS, home care and aged care services which are often offered at community health organisations.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said community health organisations have an important role in the healthcare system by delivering a range of state and federally funded health services - which is why they invested $188 million in community health in the last year alone.

“Grant programs like our Regional Health Infrastructure Fund and the Metropolitan Health Infrastructure Fund are also supporting community health services across the state to provide the very best care with funding to upgrade facilities and medical equipment,” they said.

“We will carefully review the recommendations in this report and continue to work with community health services to understand how best to support them and their vital work.”

The Star Mail reached out to the providers of community health services in the Outer East for their thoughts on the report and what needs to be addressed most at their facilities.

Chief executive officer of Access Health and Community, which merged with Inspiro Health on 1 May 2025, Anna Robinson said they would strongly welcome an increase in community health infrastructure funding.

“As a community health provider in the Yarra Ranges and Inner East, we provide free or lowcost health care for the most vulnerable mem-

Community health infrastructure has been singled out by Infrastructure Victoria for more investment. (Towfiqu Barbhuiya/Unsplash)

bers of our community, and support people with complex needs to stay well and out of hospital,” she said.

“Our Lilydale facility at 17 Clarke Street has had some upgrades to parts of the building, however, more work is needed to allow us to deliver the services that the community needs,”

“Currently, we’re limited in what we can to deliver; further funding would reduce the need to deliver services off-site and would potentially allow us to expand our services onsite and beyond our existing locations at Lilydale and Belgrave.”

Access Health and Community are now responsible for community health services in the Yarra Ranges, Yarra, Manningham and Booroondara areas. Eastern Health’s Healesville facility is the other provider of community health services in the Yarra Ranges, while they also have a facility in Ringwood East.

EACH is responsible for two community health services in Maroondah (Ringwood East) and Knox (Ferntree Gully), and podiatrist at the Ringwood East facility Tracy Tibballs said she thinks it would make a huge difference to how they deliver services.

“Community health here in Victoria is a really integral part of the health system and as you can appreciate with the current cost of living increases, many people are finding it really hard to afford

health care and community health receives state and federal funding so we can provide quality but subsidised services to these individuals where they probably can’t get that anywhere else,” she said.

“It would give us the opportunity to upgrade our services, we’d increase our space, so we would have more clinical spaces to provide more services, really we’re at capacity at the moment here at Ringwood,”

“I work in podiatry, and I know in the podiatry and physiotherapy space, we have six-month waiting lists and if we had an investment in our infrastructure, we could add another clinic room to be able to see more people.”

Monash Health, which is responsible for community health services in Cardinia, was also contacted for comment.

Ms Robinson said the research found that community health could help more people, but in many cases, our organisations have to operate out of old or not fit-for-purpose buildings that don’t meet our clients’ needs.

“It’s particularly difficult for Yarra Ranges residents to access services, compared to those in metropolitan areas, due to more limited infrastructure and services, and difficulties with travel from regional locations.” she said.

“An increased investment in community health infrastructure could mean more invest-

ment in the Yarra Ranges region, to help connect people to the services they need to stay healthy, our services in Lilydale and Belgrave are deeply embedded in the Yarra Ranges community, and we provide a wide range of high-quality, integrated services to meet a range of needs,”

“Access Health and Community and Inspiro’s community health services are a one-stop shop for everyone, with services ranging from allied health and dental care, to mental health and alcohol and other drug support, our teams work together to provide tailored care and support for each client.”

Infrastructure Victoria’s three recommendations were for the government to conduct an asset assessment of all community health facilities, consult community health organisations on longterm infrastructure planning (establishing priorities along the way) and invest in facilities in the next five years.

Ms Tibballs said being able to receive a service similar to what they would get in the outpatient setting is really important for people.

“With our current allied health services, our podiatry and physiotherapy services work closely with Eastern Health to provide additional services to reduce the demand on their outpatient services,” she said. “Our physiotherapy team here provide treatment to customers who are on the waiting list for hip and knee replacements and the evidence has shown that regular physiotherapy can actually reduce the need for hip or knee replacements or it can improve their clinical outcomes as well,”

“In podiatry, with our clients who are seeing vascular and their high-risk foot clinics, we actually provide a service that we will see them in between their appointments, reducing their need to go into the hospital, and sometimes our regular care can reduce the need for an operation or an amputation.”

The Victorian Healthcare Association and Community Health First are among others to have come out in support of the report, but it is not only infrastructure posing a problem for community health.

Ms Robinson said while infrastructure funding is a critical enabler of community health, investment needs to be matched with an increase in operational funding to make sure that the services we deliver at the facilities are funded.

“While we welcome an increase in infrastructure funding, it is unacceptable that there has been no substantial increase to Community Health funding beyond indexation for over 20 years, despite population growth and increasing community needs,” she said. “We need to see an increase in investment for infrastructure and services, to support vulnerable people from the Yarra Ranges to manage their care in the community and keep them out of hospital for longer.”

Library welcomes program

Emerald Library hosted a special event to announce the opening of the 2025–26 Living Libraries Infrastructure Program funding round on Wednesday, 20 August.

A few familiar names and special guests also attended the event, including minister Nick Staikos, Local Government minister, alongside a group of local leaders, such as Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino MP, Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik, and Public Libraries Victoria Ambassador Andrea Rowe.

The event, which started around 2pm, showcased how the State Government is continuing its commitment to enhancing library spaces for the communities that rely on them.

Following minister Staikos’ remarks, attendees were given a tour of Emerald Library, which highlighted the recent upgrades funded by the Victorian Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.

These included an expanded children’s area, a new purpose-built study room, and additional lounge spaces for the community.

Myli Interim chief executive officer, Bernadette Kennedy spoke about the role libraries play in local communities, emphasising their importance as spaces for connection and learning.

“At Myli, our libraries are at the heart of our local communities. They are welcoming spaces where people can explore new ideas and access resources that enrich everyday life,” she said.

The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program offers councils and regional library corporations the opportunity to apply for grants ranging from $10,000 to $1 million to support library upgrades, refurbishments, and new facilities.

Applications for the 2025–26 funding round are now open and will close on 19 September 2025.

Monbulk Member Daniela De Martino sail-

ibraries are much more than just places to borrow books.

“They contribute to the connections that strengthen and enrich Victorian communities and support a culture that values reading, learning, and social connection,” she said.

Public Libraries Victoria Ambassador

Andrea Rowe expressed her excitement about the timing of the announcement, coinciding with Children’s Book Week.

“There’s no better time than Children’s Book Week to work towards creating inspiring spaces to produce the next generation of authors,” she said.

The Living Libraries Infrastructure Program is part of the Allan Labor Government’s broader effort to invest in library infrastructure across the state, with over 150 projects planned and a combined total project cost of nearly $400 million.

For more information about the program or to apply, visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au/ grants

Supporting employers to back up carers at work

By Mikayla van Loon

Meeting carers where they work to offer support and guidance to not only them, but their employer, is the purpose of Different Journeys’ new program, Care@Work.

Identifying that the greatest gap is support for unpaid carers, across all caring domains, has meant they either don’t have the choice to work or are working and struggling in silence.

Different Journeys chief executive officer Mel Spencer OAM said between appointments, engaging with government services, and potentially being interrupted at work to pick up a child from school, it can mean work is the first thing to fall.

“(They feel) shame of disclosing to work colleagues about what’s going on at home in their caring roles, they won’t tell anyone, because they think it’s going to impact them for promotion. They think it’s going to impact them, even with keeping their jobs,” she said.

“I want to change the landscape, to make it supportive, for an employer to become an employer of choice and to recognise all of the soft skills carers bring to the workplace, like empathy, emotional intelligence, resilience, time management, self-reliance, adaptability and flexibility.”

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates nearly 12 per cent, or one in eight people, are unpaid carers.

After trialling Care@Work at both the State Library Victoria and a rural health service, it confirmed much of what Different Journeys knew and understood to be true.

“Loneliness for the average Australian is about 15 per cent, and for unpaid carers, it’s 40 per cent,” Ms Spencer said.

“We had these carers coming in to these focus groups that we were running, and one per-

son was in tears and said, ‘I didn’t know there was another carer in the building’.

“So it’s that sense of connection and belonging that an employer can help create. It’s a sense of being able to brainstorm together.”

Ms Spencer said for the most part, the initiatives Different Journeys help implement are relatively simple.

The program helped the State Library add a new intranet page specifically for carers to find

tailored resources. A Bendigo business now includes an ‘Are you a carer?’ question on its registration form, providing those employees with two extra employee assistance program (EAP) sessions.

Some workplaces, Ms Spencer said, might be able to shift to a task-driven approach rather than the typical Monday to Friday to allow carers to work the hours when they can.

“What we’re hoping to do is come in and

work with businesses, get them to identify carers in the workplace first and foremost, and it can be tailored to be as big or as small as you want.

“It could just be us coming in and hosting a carers cuppa in the workplace. Or it could be that we do surveys, focus groups, training and recommendations and look at policies.

“We don’t have a one-size-fits-all, and that’s quite deliberate, because everyone, every business is different, and it’s about adapting to the needs of those specific businesses.”

Ms Spencer said when it comes to most policies, like diversity and inclusion, and equality, they’re not always framed through an unpaid carer lens, especially when 70 per cent of carers are women.

When carers are supported at work, Ms Spencer said, performance is better, meaning employers don’t have to replace that staff member for one and a half times their salary.

The flow-on effect to the family unit is also significant, potentially alleviating pressure on the primary income earner.

The Different Journeys team all have their lived-experience knowledge to share as well, something Ms Spencer said is incredibly important to give carers in the thick of it a sense of hope that things can change.

It also helps people ask questions and seek advice on NDIS or My Aged Care processes, or applying for a carer’s allowance.

The State Library Victoria is the first business to employ Different Journeys for its Care@Work program.

Financial outlay from businesses to hire the Different Journeys team ensures its work as a charity, supporting people with autism and their families, can continue.

For more information, visit: differentjourneysautism.com or contact Ms Spencer at mel@differentjourneysautism.com

‘No silver bullet’: Review calls for childcare shake-up

By Callum Godde, AAP

Childcare workers should be able to have their clearances pulled based on unproven allegations, a snap review has found.

The sweeping review of Victoria’s childcare sector, led by former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill and veteran public servant Pamela White, was released on Wednesday 20 August.

Chief among its 22 recommendations was for working with children checks to be overhauled so they can be suspended or refused when there are “credible allegations or patterns of behaviour” with children.

The review was set up in early-July after authorities lifted the lid on Melbourne childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown being charged with more than 70 sexual abuse offences.

He had a valid working with children check.

The review said the state’s permit regime, along with the reportable conduct scheme, should no longer sit within the separate entities of the Department of Government Services and Commission for Children and Young People.

The systems should be brought together under the same roof of the social services regulator as the trail of information that can identify a predator’s behaviour sits in “too many places”.

Limitations on the commission’s ability to share information on unsubstantiated allegations must also be removed, the review said.

“The review heard repeatedly about the ‘breadcrumbs’ that can be missed by the failure to piece information together,” the 103-page document reads.

The changes to the schemes should be implemented in concert with harsher penalties to match the seriousness of breaches, as well as more frequent unannounced compliance visits.

“No matter how hard we try to keep predators out, some will get through,” the review said.

“The system needs to be able to spot them and act quickly.”

However, the review stopped short of calling for mandatory CCTV in all childcare state facilities and instead recommended a national trial.

A national review should also be set up to consider introducing a “four eyes” rule of two adults visible to each other while with children and a federal funding program to improve sight lines in centres.

A parent told the review families’ distress stemmed from childcare being a necessity rather than a lifestyle choice.

“We live in a society and an economy now where it is very rare for a household to stay afloat on one income,” they said.

The review found the sector has undergone rapid growth over the past decade without a “coherent plan”.

Long day care services in Victoria have grown from 1280 to 2049 since 2015, with 94 per cent of new centres for-profit providers.

At the same time, the sector is facing significant workforce challenges from shortages, casualisation and high turnover rates.

The review called for a national Early Childhood Reform Commission to be established to support a “fundamental reset” of the sector.

“Removing bad actors from the system cannot wait for this longer-term work to occur,” the 103-page document read.

“There is no silver bullet.”

The Victorian government will release its formal response later on Wednesday but previously committed to enact all recommendations.

Many of the recommendations are directed at the federal government, with the state urged to share the review with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions as soon as possible. Federal, state and territory education ministers are due to meet on Friday.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support

Fergie feted for 25 years

By Tanya Steele

A dedicated community volunteer has been honoured for his time recently in Emerald, as he continues to tend the gardens and gravesides at the local cemetery.

The Greater Metropolitan Cemetery Trust honoured local volunteer Graham Ferguson, known by many as ‘Fergie’, for his contributions to the Friends and Carers Emerald Section group (F.A.C.E.S) over the last 25 years on Monday 4 August.

A simple tea with representatives from the Trust, along with family, friends and volunteers, came together to mark the occasion on Monday, 4 August and to honour Fergie for his time with the group.

Fergie was proud to receive the award and is proud of the time he’s spent volunteering.

“I’d like to say a big thank you, it’s much appreciated,” he said.

The group began after Fergie, who is turning 80 in February and his late wife, Shireen, visited the Emerald cemetery for a burial and noticed several plots were quite overgrown with blackberries and weeds.

“I thought, oh, that’s bloody awful. You can’t even read the headstone,” he said.

Fergie decided to visit the cemetery the very next day and thus began his journey as a volunteer there, cleaning up and tending to the plots and gravesites.

For a few years, he volunteered his time along with Shireen, who later advertised locally and began to draw more people to help out.

From there, a group formed, and Fergie said he named it F.A.C.E.S.- Friends and Carers of the Emerald Section and the group have been working ever since, quietly attending to the gardens

and plots that need attention.

“I said to the group when we first started, try not to touch any plot that you think might be attended by somebody,” he said. “We’re pretty observant and pretty respectful

of that.”

Emerald Cemetery was originally known as Nangana or Macclesfield Cemetery and sits amongst the greenery of the local area.

“The founders of Emerald are there, and there’s some very, very old tombstones there,” Fergie said.

The grave he uncovered all those years ago was that of a pioneer amongst the nursing community - Myrtle Quicke, who was a founding member of the Cockatoo Bush Nursing Foundation and who drove nursing to nurse training in Australia to be broader in scope and not just exist in the hospital setting.

In her time, Quicke explored the possibility of setting up a Bush Nursing Centre, and a building was erected and equipped in 1964, she passed away in 1979.

After a news story ran on Myrtle around 13 years ago, Fergie said he had noticed more people visiting that particular plot.

Fergie has continued with the group, only taking a break from the work after his wife passed away nine years ago.

“I sort of didn’t want to go near the cemetery for quite a while,” he said.

Another volunteer, Faye, stepped up to help while Fergie took a break and was among those

onsite to honour Fergie earlier in August.

“She came and helped, and she’s still here today,” said Fergie.

Fergie said he enjoys the work with F.A.C.E.S., and the history of the area is always interesting.

“Around five years ago, I found another grave down down the other side of the cemetery, which was covered up,” he said.

“When I uncovered the headstone, it was for Russell Mockridge, who was an Olympic cyclist, and he was killed in a road accident in Oakley.”

Describing himself as ‘almost a local’ of Avonsleigh, with almost 40 years clocked in the area, Fergie is proud of the time he has spent with F.A.C.E.S.

“I think the group is really lovely,” he said.

Fergie said he’s still keen for more volunteers to join him and the other volunteers every Monday for a bit of garden work and a cup of tea.

“We would love some more help, some of us are getting on.”

The Friends and Carers of the Emerald Section (F.A.C.E.S.) meet at the cemetery every Monday from 10 am to 11.30 am during school termsthere are no meetings on public holidays and Total Fire Ban days.

Interested community members are always welcome to drop by.

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A tool for fire resilience

FIRE RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

By Gabriella Vukman, Andrew Kwon and Oliver Winn

While the bursts of yellow wattle through the canopy signal the steady awakening of a dormant landscape, the Yarra Ranges community has been alive with action, working throughout the colder months to prepare for fire season.

With a history that is so deeply intertwined with fire, the management of one of Australia’s most crucial elements must be handled with the utmost care.

Managing Victoria’s landscape requires heavy handed and regular intervention. From fuel reduction to the facilitation of biodiversity, fire and planned burning play crucial roles in the management and protection of Victoria’s landscapes.

From managing the landscape with slashers and choppers, to the incorporation of cultural fire practices, here is a guide to the many initiatives that take place in the Yarra Ranges to combat the threat of bushfires and to promote the health of the land.

CULTURAL BURNS

“When Aboriginal people cared for the landscapes, they built in natural bushfire mitigation.”

“There’s no recorded evidence of a major bushfire over the last 6000 years before colonisation.

None that we are aware of anyway.”

Yarra Ranges Council Indigenous development coordinator Garry Detez squinted against a tendril of smoke that had temporarily drifted into his face.

He paused, waiting for it to drift away and then continued talking.

“On the back of the Black Saturday fires, the council was looking at better ways to build natural mitigation into the landscape, to provide healing but also to build resilience into communities as well,” Mr Detez said.

“We came across the ancient Aboriginal practice of cultural burning and it’s been a long journey, probably about nine or 10 years but we are implementing it now.”

For the past 60,000 years, Australia’s First Nations People have been performing cultural burns to promote growth, manage the landscape and improve the health of the land and its people. Since 2024, this process has been incorporated into the Yarra Ranges Council’s planned burning program.

The first cultural burn was led at Spadonis Reserve in Yering.

Cultural burns are conducted intentionally by traditional owners of Country and have many purposes, ranging from healing to ceremonial. Also known as ‘cool burns’, cultural burns are gentle and do not penetrate through the top layer of soil.

Instead of predominantly pre-burning to eliminate potential fire fuel, cultural burns are also used to encourage biodiversity.

Wurundjeri man and Indigenous Development Officer at the Yarra Ranges Council, Darren Wandin said, “Fuel reduction isn’t the name of the game. What we’re looking at is reintroducing and revitalising existing species.”

The soil layer is seen as a seed or ‘memory’ bank that stores the identity of the burn site. Noxious weed species such as Philaris grass are burned off and the seedbank is left to regenerate native species.

“Timing is critical for a landscape like this. It’s about working with those elements, making sure that they’re favourable,” Mr Wandin said.

“It really is about going out and reading the country, understanding what’s there and what’s present, touching the soil and touching the grass.”

Due to their ‘cool’ nature, cultural burns are relatively low risk.

The addition of Cultural burning to the Yarra Ranges Council’s 2024-2034 Nature Plan and Fire as Land Management Tool is supported by the Firesticks Program - a national Indigenous network dedicated to reviving Cultural knowledge practices.

Seeing as much knowledge of the Wurundjeri people’s burning practices has been lost, the Firesticks program and the council have drawn upon the burning practices from other nations across Australia in efforts to combine and revive these cultural practices.

“In reconciliation, where you’ve got Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people applying traditional knowledge systems on the landscape together…” Mr Detez said as the last whisps of smoke began to peter out, -

“We can protect our community and work hard to bring that ancient healing back into our landscapes.”

PLANNED BURNS

An essential land management tool in Victoria, planned burns are used to reduce the risk of bushfires and promote the health of the environment.

These controlled fires are carried out under specific conditions and are heavily monitored by trained firefighters and other specialists to manage fuel loads such as grass, leaves and fallen branches and to protect communities.

Planned burns reduce bushfire size and severity, aid bushfire suppression efforts, reduce bushfire risk, reduce the ignition likelihood in areas where large bushfires are predicted to occur, and facilitate ecological diversity and regeneration.

Part of forest fire management, planned burns in the Yarra Ranges are managed collectively by the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Forest Fire Management Victoria and the Yarra Ranges Council.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Director Forest and Fire Operations for Port Phillip Region, Tamara Beckett, confirmed that there are many facets to planned burning, ranging from slashing to creating breaks between fuel areas.

“We have a long-term plan about areas where we can undertake planned burning to reduce fuel loads and slow or stop the spread of a fire once it

gets up and going. It’s a really big program,” Ms Beckett said.

“In partnership with the fuel management program, we also do a whole range of mechanical fuel treatment. So mulching, slashing and mowing along tracks to create those breaks in the fuel.

“We have a whole range of people who are really highly trained and use a whole range of different plants and equipment, as well as aircraft, in order to respond to fires when they start.”

Some individual burns are higher priority than others due to their greater ability to reduce fire risk than in other areas.

The process for planned burning is a long one that involves many resources and much planning. Victoria’s Joint Fuel Management Program manages fuel on both public and private land in accordance with a three-year plan.

Each year, the plan is updated to showcase future planned burns and high-risk areas.

Planned burning and the ‘Planned Burning Program’ are umbrella terms that cover all kinds of processes.

“As part of the Planned Burning Program, we undertake risk reduction burns, ecological burns and cultural burns, so we refer to the whole lot as the planned burning program,” Ms Beckett said.

THE EFFECTS OF PLANNED BURNING/ PLANNED BURNING AND THE LANDSCAPE

“If we leave fire out of many of our ecosystems, we start to lose plant and animal species from those systems. If we put the wrong fire into those environments, we will also lose species.”

“It is about finding the right mix of fire, in order to maintain and promote our country’s biodiversity.”

Professor in Bushfire Behaviour and Leader of the fire research team at the University of Melbourne, Dr Trent Penman is passionate about fire management.

He knows that burning is a fine art that requires precision.

An art that when conducted at the wrong

times, may have serious consequences for flora and fauna alike. Dr Penman knows just how integral burning is to the preservation and functioning of our environment. And he knows just how planned burning is supposed to function. Despite the secluded nature of the Yarra Ranges, the practices that are implemented by fire agencies in our own community are not too different from those that are facilitated across Australia, and even the globe.

Despite planned burning not being a new concept, its present day application in the Yarra Ranges looks very different to what it did a century ago. Now incorporating slashing, mulching, the creation of land breaks and the reintroduction of cultural burning, planned burning schemes are tailored to the needs of different regions.

Dr Penman, noted the divergent planned burning protocols for different areas.

“Over in the eastern part of the state where we have quite dissected terrain, in the form of very steep slopes and wet gullies, prescribed burning, can occur on the drier ridge tops with the burn running down into the gullies and the natural moisture gradient will act as a barrier for the fire to spread,” he said.

“Prescribed burning strategies across the region involves burning in different places in different ways, so for example, near houses, they will burn more intensely and more frequently to lower fuels so that if a fire does come near those houses, there is a higher chance of suppression crews being able to protect those houses.

“The first goal of fire management in Victoria and across Australia is to change fire behaviour to get a suppression advantage in order to protect life and property.”

Although most Planned burns can be effective at mitigating fire risk for approximately eight years after they are implemented, a single burn itself will not necessarily change the effects of larger fires.

Continued Page 9

From Page 8

Dr Penman said, “Planned burns have little effect when it comes to larger scale fire events such as the Black Saturday fires, however even under extreme conditions, planned burns are useful for around eight years, which is quite a long time, relative to the treatment.”

Albeit having limited effects on large scale fires, planned burning at a higher intensity around built-up areas has “high chances of fire suppression” according to Dr Penman.

The new code of practice for bushfire management on public land released by Victoria earlier this year, includes four elements; the protection of life and property, the protection of infrastructure, the promotion of resilient ecosystems, and space to allow self determination of indigenous communities for land management.

In developing their fire management plans, agencies must therefore, allow space for all of these elements, while serving their primary purpose of protecting life and property.

Burning in the landscape is conducted for the joint reason of trying to moderate fire behaviour as well as to promote ecological values.

“Some landscapes might need fire every thirty to fifty years, and different areas need different types of fires as well,” Dr Penman said.

One of the areas Australia excels in is fire detection.

Dr Penman said, “We know that the detection rate in most areas of Australia, particularly around the urban and the semi rural setting is extremely fast and we are also sending crews to these fires extremely quickly.”

In terms of improvements that need to be made to Victoria’s Fire Management system, Dr Penman emphasises the importance of ongoing public engagement.

“The biggest change I have seen over the last 20 to 25 years in fire management is the extent to which community conversations are being included, and it’s a very good thing,” Dr Penman said.

“So if there’s anything they can do more of, it’s probably about engaging with the communities to provide information on why they’ve made the decisions they are making and what, those conversations determine whether fire management plans are realistic or, no longer feasible,” he said.

While many of Victoria’s Planned Burning initiatives have been developed over years of application, a new investment in and incorporation of mulching into the state’s fire management scheme is making headway.

Dr Penman said, “Mulching is a non-fire way of changing fuel structure, and it is used primarily for asset protection zones.”

“Victoria has been having some success with mulching, in terms of increasing the longevity of the fuel reduction effect, and also reducing smoke load on human populations because we know smoke is a major issue,” he said.

Mulching noxious weeds and leaving the remainders on the ground improves suppression abilities, as the mulch-bed curbs flame heights limiting the travel speed of the fire.

Further, mulching increases biodiversity, encouraging native species to flourish where foreign species once dominated.

Dr Penman said, “Mulch beds take a while to break down with the bigger fuels. They’ll retain a lot of moisture in the soil, so it will allow species to regenerate.”

“Early results are suggesting the plant communities are coming back more like a natural community rather than the wheat infested sim-

plified community before, and the bird communities are more diverse in the mulched areas than they are in these dense weed infested areas as well, so there’s both biodiversity benefit and a fire risk benefit.

“The mulch will still burn, but it will burn slower.”

While the mulch fuels can take up to two and a half hours to cover, one and a half meters, whereas the leaf litter that you’d have in a forest might only take a few minutes.

“It means that those communities right behind those mulched areas may have a little bit longer to safely evacuate,” Dr Penman said.

Due to it being a relatively new mode of fire control, further impacts of mulching, such as its effect on microbial communities and other biodiversity values are yet to be discovered.

Another fire management initiative that is being rolled out is the ‘bushfire map moderation zone’ which is a series of burns that are put in place to reduce either the intensity or behaviour and positioning of a fire.

Dr Penman said, “Most houses in Australia are lost from embers, so if we can reduce the embers

that are coming into our urban areas, that can make a big difference.

“Bushfire map moderation zones try to reduce embers and can be situated in strategic places in the landscape.”

In accompaniment to the fire management initiatives mentioned above, there is new research being conducted on ‘refugia’ - areas of the landscape that are less likely to burn.

With increasing identification of refugia, efforts are being made to protect these unburned areas, to encourage biodiversity and maintain safe havens for wildlife.

Despite the rigorous fire management action that is being taken by local, state and federal agencies, Dr Penman elicited that climate change remains a threat to fire safety and therefore, the livelihood and security of Australia’s people, biodiversity and climate.

Dr Penman said, “All the models that we’ve been looking at and others have been looking at all tell us that the frequency of big fires is going to increase.”

“As things are changing and we’re seeing shifting fire patterns for climate change and a host of

other reasons, we need to be able to look forward, game the system and actually look at what the potential outcomes are and what risks agencies will be able to mitigate.”

According to Dr Penman, the ways that individuals can take action involve recycling, reducing the use of vehicles and limiting the use of soft plastics among other items.

“As individuals, we can take actions, but, unfortunately, it’s very much in the hands of the world leaders at the moment to actually make serious climate change action. But we’re not going to see fundamental change until the globe is on board and actually make some hard decisions,” Dr Penman said.

“If we wait another 20 years, it’s going to be harder because things are already changing now and will continue to change into the future. Everyone has to come together, but nobody really is in the driving seat at the moment.

“It’s not just one government agency, it’s not just one community. Everybody is affected by this.”

Spring has sprung and Hancocks is alive with daffodils

By Tanya Steele

Spring has sprung, and the vibrant yellow colours of the season are peeping through trees and across the hills.

The distinctive golden daffodil, a firm favourite in the horticultural world, is the permanent subject of great care at a longstanding farm in the Yarra Ranges.

Cross-breeding and selecting varieties that they hope will hold up to the Australian climate in years to come, Will and Christine Ashburner, are in full swing tending their daffodil farm Hancocks on a little corner in Menzies Creek.

Tending a patch of new varieties, they have personally grown, Will has a diligent and thorough process which produces an array of distinctive and hardy flowers that flourish under the Australian sun.

“I’ve been breeding specifically for the suitability of the climate, I go around and select the ones I think are good – we want to breed ones that are going to grow,” said Will.

“If they multiply and do well here, we know they will do well in our climate,” said Christine.

With records going back over a hundred years, Will said they have noticed the flowering time trending earlier in the last few seasons.

“They’re definitely getting earlier,” he said.

“This year we had daffodils flowering in May, June, July and August and September is usually the main peak,” he said.

There are thousands of varieties available on the flower farm, and the duo grow tonnes of bulbs every year and work hard to collate bulbs of the daffodils that perform well.

“It takes around three or four years to grow them from seed,” said Will.

Different varieties also flower at different

times,” said Christine.

“In another three weeks, the fields will be full, that will just be solid daffodils – this is just the beginning,” she said.

With a little roadside store available for the public, Christine said the farm focuses on their work with bulbs, producing a huge variety to mail order across Australia.

“We’re mostly bulb growers, they multiply and then we dig them up - there’s a lot of work in harvesting,” she said.

Planting happens in the early part of the year, and later on throughout the summer, the harder work of retrieving bulbs takes place across the property.

Height, strength and flowering ability of the daffodil varieties are important and Will is always honing the collection on the farm, growing everything from hoop petticoats to tazettas.

“We will see how strong growing they are, how tall and big,” he said.

Daffodils are one of the first flowers to bloom, usually starting in late winter and continuing through spring, and the duo both love the flowers for their hardiness.

Also appearing in shades of white, pink and oranges, with multi flowering stems and large and small sizes, the varieties of the daffodils are seemingly endless.

Describing the new varieties as ‘clean stock’, Will said that breeding new varieties is important as older ones don’t have as much vigour as they age.

A highly experienced horticulturist, Will has been working the farm with Christine, who worked in botany at Monash University, for over 20 years.

“I’ve always bred plants,” said Will.

Founded by Harry Brown in 1917, the 35acre site has been a daffodil farm for over 100 years now, and the Ashburner family is the fourth family to own the farm, which sits on the edge of the eucalyptus forest in the Dandenong Ranges.

“We’ve got lots of lovely return customers who come and buy flowers,” said Christine.

The duo were also featured recently on a My Garden Path segment on ABC’s Gardening Australia last year in August, breaking down some nuances behind their growing process for

the media team, filming in the year before and feature often in local and metropolitan flower shows. .

Brought to Australia during the first days of European colonisation, daffodils remain popular and can still be found growing wild across the country, although now there are less growers that focus solely on the distinctive bloom.

Popping up across the hills, daffodils will continue their spring show in splashes of yellow, while the native wattle takes care of the sky.

With the cheeky yellow flower popping up earlier every year, the couple remain focused on cross-breeding varieties on the farm that are unlike any other in Australia and designed to last.

“They are grown here, they’re totally unique,” said Will.

With new varieties always on the horizon, the daffodil famers of Menzies Creek have no plans to slow down just yet.

“You can just plant them and forget them,” Will said.

“I do like some of the frilly varieties, although they are all so different,” said Christine.

EVA kits out the region

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

With fire season just around the corner, a volunteer group from Emerald has been busy packing and delivering thousands of emergency information kits to households across the the hills and all in the name of helping neighbours be better prepared when the next storm or power outage hits.

The long-standing community group, Emerald Village Association Inc. (EVA) has taken the lead on this project to give residents practical tools and knowledge to stay safe and self-reliant in times of crisis.

EVA’s secretary and the leader of the team behind the kits, Heather Bishop said these kinds of project brings people together.

“We want people to feel supported, informed and ready,” she said.

“The last few years have shown how vulnerable we are in these hills, storms, fires, long blackouts. The more we know and plan ahead, the better we’ll cope when something happens again.”

The idea for the kits grew out of the community’s experience following the severe storm in February 2024.

In response, EVA formed a dedicated Resilience and Emergency Management subcommittee and secured a $17,000 grant from AusNet to create and distribute the ‘Hills and Upper Beac Community Information Kit’.

Each kit includes details that many new residents might not know, like how power outages affect the local sewer system, or how heavily we rely on electricity for even the basics like clean water and phone reception.

There’s also a “First 72 Hours” emergency plan for families to fill in at home.

By the end of September, EVA plans to deliver

1500 ‘Go Bags’ through kindergartens and primary schools, and another 1500 kits through real estate agents and community houses.

Ms Bishop said deliveries have already started, a bit ahead of schedule.

“These kits are especially important for people

who are new to the area, older residents, families with young kids, and those living with disability, it’s about making sure no one’s left behind,” she said.

The kits have already made a real impact.

Staff at Emerald Preschool said they’d love to be part of more projects like this, and other com-

munity houses are asking to include the materials in food aid packages.

And local residents have also shown strong support, one EVA member even surveyed their whole street and got nothing but positive feedback.

It’s not just about handing out bags, though.

When school kids bring the kits home, they’re encouraged to ask their parents, “What’s our emergency plan?” EVA hopes these conversations will lead to more households taking action and maybe even returning the included feedback form so the project can improve and grow.

This project has also helped bring the hills townships closer together.

For the first time, volunteers from Emerald, Cockatoo, Gembrook, Macclesfield and Upper Beaconsfield all worked side by side.

Ms Bishop said this type of collaboration is new and powerful.

“There’s been a real shift, people are seeing the value in working together across the district.

‘‘This is bigger than any one town, it’s about the whole region being stronger together,” she said.

EVA will also have a presence at the upcoming Community Safety Expo at the Hills Hub on 11 October, with simplified versions of the kits available.

That event, coordinated by Cardinia Shire Council, brings together emergency services and local organisations to kick off the fire danger period with practical advice and demonstrations.

While the kit project is still in its early stages, the response so far suggests it’s already making a difference.

“It’s a really simple idea, but sometimes, that’s all it takes to help people feel more prepared and less alone when things go wrong,” Ms Bishop said.

FERNY CREEK SPRING SHOW Showtime around corner

By Tanya Steele

Sassafras will be the site of the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society’s beloved annual Spring Show on the weekend of 6 and 7 September.

The Spring Show is full to the brim of a huge variety of plants and more, with a band of volunteers busy prepping for the big event.

“Our flower hall will be a breathtaking experience,“ said FCHS Secretary Emma Moysey.

With a floor garden, stunning daffodils, camellias, natives, hanging and indoor plants, rock garden and alpine plants, bonsai, rhododendrons, along with a wonderful children’s section, the show is set to be a fun weekend outing for spring in the Dandenongs.

“We also have our craft group stall, and so much more,” said Ms Moysey.

Judges are preparing to view the best flower exhibits on the day, looking for form, condition, colour and quality in the entries.

“Hundreds of entries will adorn the show benches,” said Ms Moysey.

With a hall full of flowers and perfume, the visually stunning and sweet-smelling show hall is set to impress, and receives hundreds of visitors from near and far every year.

Running for 93 years, the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society holds three flower shows and a plant collector’s sale each year and operates from a beautifully tended 10-acre ornamental garden in Sassafras.

“We have over 350 members from a wide range of backgrounds and demographics, our youngest member is seven years old, and our most mature - 90 years old, all our welcome,” said Ms Moysey.

The group meet each Monday and Thursday morning to work in the garden, but also on less energetic activities.

“We maintain our extensive library, and are

writing up the History of the FCHS, which in 2032 will be 100 years old,” said Mr Moysey.

The group have regular meetings on specific topics, but also generalist talks.

“Like our new Bonsai Group, and the wonderful Ikebana Study Group, and there is even talk of a new Butterfly Collective Group with local Monbulk icon Yvonne Duke,” said Ms Moysey.

“We also make regular excursions to wonderful gardens and nurseries. Come along to a meeting, you don’t have to join up straight away - just

see how you would fit in with such a friendly and welcoming group,” she said.

The upcoming spring show is a family-friendly day set to impress, with garden tours by Don Teese and Keith Ross, a lovely lot of lunch options from BBQ, to fresh sandwiches, homemade soup, or Devonshire tea.

Handmade craft, stunning plants from plant stalls, and lovely bouquets of cut flowers created by our florists will be available for purchase and a number of vendors from near and far will be there

for the show.

There will be peonies from Freshbrook Peony Farm, tree, itoh and herbaceous with Marie Jordan, botanipedia succulents and rare treasures with Jin Xi, along with Ferns from Silvan Fern Nursery with Glen and Karen, and lovely daffodil varieties will be available from Hancock’s Daffodils duo Will and Christine Ashburner.

The show is $7 entry for Non-Members with children under 14 years old free, on Saturday from 12pm to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 4pm at 100 Hilton Rd Sassafras.

• For more information, head to the Ferny Creek Horticultural Society website at: http://www. fchs.org.au/

Children draw on inspiration

Emerald Library had an incredible visit from an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator on Thursday 21 August to help celebrate Book Week.

Nicky Johnston stopped into the library to read some books, talk about her illustrations, and help participants try their hand at drawing their own illustrations.

Having authored and illustrated of over 40 picture books, Nicky was the perfect person to lead this class of young, inspiring artists.

They were all intrigued and enthralled to watch and learn, and had many questions for Nicky.

Star News photographer Ljubica Vrankovic captured all the fun, excitement and the finished products.

Huge Expo collaboration brings 1200 students together

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Knox City Council in collaboration with Maroondah City Council, and Yarra Ranges Council and the Outer Eastern Local Learning and Employment Network (OELLEN) brought together over 1200 students from more than 25 schools for the 2025 Career Expo on Thursday, 21 August, at Caribbean Gardens.

The event was designed to provide young people with a unique opportunity to explore a wide variety of career, training, and education pathways.

With over 70 stallholders, including local businesses, education providers, and community groups, the Career Expo gave students and jobseekers a firsthand look at the diverse opportunities available to them across the region and beyond.

Students were able to connect directly with industry experts, ranging from healthcare and engineering to the creative arts and emerging technologies.

OELLEN’s community engagement advisor, Chloe Williams said the scale of the event was an intentional move to engage as many young people as possible.

“We wanted to engage with young people across the region, and a large event allowed us to work with schools from public, private, Catholic, and independent sectors,” Ms Williams said.

“Getting so many training organisations, businesses, and educators in one space was amazing.”

The goal was to inspire and empower students by giving them the tools and knowledge to make informed decisions about their futures.

“We hope they walk away having learned about a new career or education pathway that excites them,” Ms Williams said.

“The exhibitors we worked with are excellent at what they do. They take the time to talk to young people as equals, ask questions, and get to know them, to make the process approachable and empowering.”

For many young people, career decisions can be overwhelming, however, the expo aimed to take some of the pressure off by creating a relaxed environment where students could explore without feeling rushed.

“Having knowledgeable, practical experts in the room makes all the difference,” Ms Williams said.

A key theme of the day was the idea of “future pathways”, a vision for today’s students and jobseekers.

“It’s about helping young people understand

how they can build a career right here in our region,” Ms Williams said.

“We want them to be excited about their future and the opportunities they can take advantage of.”

The success of the event was made possible through the strong support of local businesses, schools, and community groups.

“We had a number of small businesses, community organisations, and non-profits dedicate their entire day to host stalls and engage with attendees,” Ms Williams said.

“Additionally, the support from Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges councils, Workforce Australia, and KIOSC at Swinburne University was crucial in making the event a reality.”

For students who attended, the day was not just about discovering potential career paths but about connecting with their community and feeling empowered to take the next steps toward a bright future.

Ms Williams said the expo has paved the way for even greater opportunities in the future, ensuring that young people in the Outer East are well-equipped to build successful careers and play an active role in shaping the region’s future.

REV IT UP

It’s a one-stop workshop

tyres and suspension repairs, it’s a one-stop workshop.

Business owner Simon offers free Engine Scanning to vehicles when the engine management warning light comes on the dash.

“The customer is generally concerned and worried when that dreaded orange engine management warning light symbol comes on the dash so the last thing I want to do is stress them out more by charging them to scan the vehicle only to tell them that they have to spend more money on the vehicle to repair the fault,” he said.

Belwey Motors has been servicing the wider local community for 30 years. Geoff has finally started his retirement process last year and his son Simon who has been working alongside his dad for 35 years has taken over the business.

“The workshop is flying - we need a bigger car park,” Simon said.

“I’m going to miss coming in and working with my best mate each day, but Dad and Mum have worked hard building up the business’s good reputation and now it’s their time to enjoy the next phase of their lives in retirement.”

Simon and his wife Belinda plan on working hard to maintain the high standards set by Belwey Motors serving the customers’ cars’ needs.

Simon and the team have collectively 100 years’ experience in the industry and they pride themselves on good workmanship with the aim to ‘Do it once and Do it Right’. All of their work is warranted. One of the special features of this small business is we can offer personal interaction with our customers in regard to their motor vehicle repairs and maintenance requirements.

Simon along with team members, Liam, Ken, Dave and Matt speak to customers and take into account their individual circumstances and vehicle requirements prior to and after services.

Often in the Dandenong Ranges we are dealing with steep, bumpy dirt roads therefore creating the need to be extra vigilant in checking brakes,

tyres and suspension and to check filters more often than logbook service guidelines.

All of the parts they use are warranted and covered in new car warranty guidelines so from new to used cars they can work on them all!

Belwey Motors are able to offer a high standard of workmanship given the staff

they have and are focussed on individual customer needs as opposed to a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

Belwey Motors is located at 1B Mahony Street, Upwey, Phone 9754 5024 or find them on Facebook. Business hours Monday to Friday 7. 30am to 6.30pm.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Power of crafting change

By Mikayla van Loon

The power of craft to bring about change and awareness on the issues and challenges facing society is not new but craftivist Tal Fitzpatrick brings a new lens to this old concept.

Her touring collection of textile banners landed at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum in early August, exploring themes of gender-based inequality.

Changemakers: Crafting a difference forms part of the Museum of Australian Democracy’s (MoAD) larger exhibition in Canberra highlighting women’s contributions to Australia’s democracy and development.

The broader exhibition, Tal said highlights the “significant women who made a big impact on our society” but her vision was to look beyond individuals.

“My project, which was done in collaboration with a few artists, involved making a series of banners that celebrated not just individuals, but movements that have reshaped our world, and in Australia in particular,” she said.

“So thinking not just about those individual stories, but all those people who participated in everything from women’s suffrage to addressing gender-based violence to queer rights to environmental issues, all the people involved in those community driven grassroots change making projects.

“These banners are really about celebrating people-power and the way people can make a difference when they speak up for what they believe in and for what’s right.”

The touring component specifically looks at issues like gender-based violence, financial abuse and the housing crisis, “things that are really impacting people and their capacity to thrive in the everyday”, through a lens of women’s rights.

Tal views her work as “storytelling devices” that can not only ignite conversations but allow people to find their own voice.

This has and always will be an essential purpose of craft, which has transformed over time as technology evolved but remains rooted in change making.

“Craft has always really been used as part of people’s modes of resistance and self-advocacy, and we can see that all around the world, all through history,” she said.

Yarra Ranges Regional Museum curator Mad-

die Reece said Tal’s work projects “a contemporary political activist angle” onto the medium of quilts and textile art, traditionally seen as women’s work.

“You make a banner or a plaque when you’re protesting something, but also it’s very much considered a women’s art form,” she said.

“Historically, when women were trying to get the right to vote with the suffrage movement at the turn of the 20th century, they created banners, really fighting for the women’s cause.

“It’s really interesting to reflect on that, 120 years, 130 years on from those first conversations. We’ve had a lot of people come through the museum so far and comment that it really does speak to women’s experience in contemporary Australia, and not just historically.”

Maddie said the museum space itself provides a sense of quiet that allows people to reflect and “absorb their beauty and the talent (and) appreciate them for their complexities”.

“There’s something about the materiality in

my work, it’s quilting and embroidery and applique that I think is inherently familiar and comforting to audiences, and that makes it a little easier to bring up difficult subject matters,” Tal said.

Craftivism, the act of using craft for activism, Tal said, was something she stumbled on during her PhD research, and the term and practice combined her work in community development, her activism and her art.

The textile artist blends two fundamental practices into her work: a voice and the community.

“I’m a socially engaged artist, so I was looking at ways to make art in and with community in a way that was engaging and didn’t have some of those barriers to entry that sometimes come up with more traditional ‘fine art’ mediums,” she said.

“There’s an amazing skill set within the community that relates to craft and particularly textiles. So it’s a really good way to do work that is collaborative and participatory and invites social

participation.”

Encouraging people to have a voice through craft, whether big or small, Tal will be hosting two workshops at the Museum on Saturday 30 August, after an artist talk.

The first workshop will be dedicated to young people aged 16 to 24, with an all-ages workshop later in the day; both are free.

Maddie said this idea of community engagement and activism is strongly entwined with the Yarra Ranges.

“This region, if we don’t look at just the women’s aspect, does have a really rich history of protest and activism,” she said.

“People fighting McDonald’s, protesting to protect the forest. Uncle William Barak was the first civil rights activist, and Lin and Bill Onus out in Belgrave as well.”

To find out more, and to book, visit: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Explore-Yarra-Ranges/Events/ Changemakers-Crafting-a-difference-Artist-Talkand-Workshops

Cockatoo mums empower parents with reading tips

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Just in time for Book Week, a couple of local mums from Cockatoo have quietly launched something that’s already making waves in how families think about early literacy.

Meet the co-hosts of Prepping Parents, Danielle O’Leary and Jessica Dean where they’ve created a free podcast designed to help parents feel more confident supporting their children’s early reading journey.

The idea for Prepping Parents emerged from a shared realisation, while Victorian schools are shifting to a phonics-based approach grounded in the Science of Reading, many parents, though eager to help, aren’t equipped with the tools or knowledge to do so.

With literacy teaching changing since the days when parents were in school themselves, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when kids come home with “decodable readers” or unfamiliar word lists.

Danielle O’Leary, a teacher and mum of two, said it became clear to her when her son started Prep this year.

Despite being an experienced educator, she found herself struggling to bridge the gap between what was being taught in the classroom and how to support it at home.

Conversations with other parents revealed she wasn’t alone.

Many felt unsure about how to support their children with early reading tasks, like blending or segmenting words, or even how to tackle tricky high-frequency words.

“Parents were Googling, searching for help,

but most of the resources out there were either too technical or tailored for American homeschooling parents,” Ms O’Leary said.

“That’s when I thought, ‘We need something specifically for Australian parents, something practical, something local.’”

She approached a fellow parent at her son’s school, Jess Dean who had her own experience in the field of education.

Ms Dean who’s a qualified teacher and homeschool parent, brought a real-life, hands-

on perspective to the podcast, particularly in teaching early literacy and from there, Prepping Parents was born.

With no sponsorship and no hidden agenda, the podcast is 100 per cent free and created out of a shared passion for empowering parents.

The episodes, each lasting just 10 minutes, are straightforward and jargon-free, making complex concepts like phonics and phonological awareness easier to grasp.

“We wanted to take the pressure off parents,” Ms Dean said.

“It’s about helping them understand what’s going on in the classroom and showing them simple ways to support their child’s literacy at home. It’s not about being the teacher, it’s about reinforcing what’s already happening at school.”

The feedback from listeners has been overwhelmingly positive.

Parents appreciate the bite-sized episodes, which are packed with practical tips and noprep activities that can be integrated into daily routines, whether in the car, at the shops, or during bedtime stories.

The podcast also helps parents decode the language of phonics, understand the importance of vocabulary and comprehension, and tackle those tricky reading tasks with confidence.

“We’ve had some amazing feedback, especially from local parents who come up to us at school drop-off,” Ms O’Leary said.

“It’s really rewarding when someone tells us that something we’ve shared has made a difference for them or their child.”

Beyond the podcast, Prepping Parents also

has a growing Instagram presence, offering additional tips and fun ways for parents to integrate phonics into their daily lives.

Whether it’s rhyming games, I-spy, or tongue twisters, the podcast and its social media content aim to make early literacy engaging and stress-free.

With Book Week just behind us, the timing couldn’t be better for Prepping Parents to offer its practical support to families.

Book Week is a time to celebrate reading, but it can also highlight how tricky the process can be for some kids.

Early reading skills are crucial, shaping everything from future academic success to a child’s sense of confidence and well-being.

Ms O’Leary said that phonological awareness, children’s ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken language is the foundation for all future reading and writing success.

“That’s where our podcast really steps in, we focus on building that essential foundation with parents so they can help their children read with confidence, not stress,” she said.

For anyone interested in learning more or tuning into the Prepping Parents podcast, it’s available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

You can also connect with the team via their Instagram page or reach out with questions and feedback.

“We believe every parent deserves to feel empowered to support their child’s literacy journey,” Ms O’Leary said.

“It’s all about making it a shared, positive experience, one that we hope lasts long after Book Week has passed.”

Fail the young, weaken future

By Maria Millers

The Child is father of the Man. - William Wordsworth

It is a sad reflection on our society that the welfare of our young has not been forefront in government policy.

The welfare of our youth is essential because they are not only our present responsibility but our future foundation.

Ensuring their health, education, and wellbeing not only helps them reach full potential but also builds a more resilient, fair, safe and prosperous society for all.

To neglect our youth is to weaken the future; to invest in them is to secure it.

Children and young people don’t choose the circumstances they are born into.

Looking after their welfare is a moral duty to ensure fairness across generations.

Daily headlines of disaffected youth terrorizing innocent people are surely telling us that we are failing them.

Youth who feel included and supported are less likely to disengage, fall into cycles of poverty, or turn to crime.

Protecting their welfare strengthens community bonds.

How we care for our youth should be a national priority.

As Kahlil Gibran’s take on parenthood and legacy suggests children are the embodiment of the future:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.”

Last week a group of 30 handpicked attendees including leaders from business, unions, civil society, government, and academia met at the invitation of Jim Chalmers at the Economic Reform Roundtable to tackle what was described as Australia’s productivity problem, designed to drive reform in Australia.

The summit succeeded in building goodwill and generating momentum in areas like housing regulation reform, super fund investment, tariff reduction, and skills development.

But it stopped short of delivering binding policy commitments — especially on tax reform, an area where the young bear the brunt of a system that rewards older people.

Using very strong language Ken Henry, a former Secretary of the Department of the Treasury has been calling out what is happening to our youth.

He’s called it: “Reckless indifference, perhaps. Wilful acts of bastardry, more likely.”

This phrase was used to describe how governments and vested interests have allowed intergenerational inequality to flourish.

Think of the current generation of 20 something who have not only had their education disrupted by Covid, but are also being “robbed” by a system increasingly reliant on taxing young wage earners and sustaining benefits for older generations and entrenched interests.

If they aspire to higher education, they are punished with a crippling debt.

And on top of everything, they will be the ones left to face environmental and climate costs.

It was evident that the bold measures proposed by Bill Shorten and roundly defeated at the 2019 election were not going to be revisited at this stage.

Long before the summit, the media has been

WOORILLA WORDS

running with dire warnings of the drop in Australians’ standard of living and how people were ‘doing it tough’ reflected in the downturns experienced by retail and other small businesses.

And indeed many household have been experiencing mortgage stress and cost of living pressures.

Others have faced the uncertainties and rising costs of renting and the unsettling effect of this on children. our neighbours face appears above the fence –hello. …

our neighbours are told to leave. …

our neighbours try to buy their house at an exorbitant price to keep their kids in the school zone.

our neighbours are denied.

Our Neighbours” by Ender Ba?kan (2023)

The increase in the number of homeless, particularly young people, in a rich country is unfathomable and distressing.

Nowhere is the injustice more visible than in the policy failure that limits young people’s ability to buy homes as a basis to form stable relationships and raise families.

In Dream Deferred” poet Langston Hughes poses a powerful reflection on what happens when youthful dreams are postponed or denied:

What happens to a dream deferred? /

… Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

The summit avoided any discussions of bold reforms and the tough questions have been left blowing in the wind.

Though there has been much talk about falling standard of living, few talk about quality of life.

These two terms have often been used interchangeably in casual conversation but in economics and social policy they are two different things.

While standard of living measures what people have, quality of life measures how people feel about their lives.

It is depressing to listen to the often sense of disaffection among the young.

The question for Australia in the 21st century is not just how we can become richer: it is how we can build a flourishing society — one devoted to improving the wellbeing of all, particularly our youth rather than just expanding the economy for the few.

O what is youth?

It is a shining star, It is a fleeting thing,

A flame that burns so bright

Youth by Christina Rossetti

Christina Rossetti’s Youth reflects on the brightness and briefness of youth. Rossetti personifies youth as a shining star, a metaphor for the energy, brilliance, and vitality that come with being young.

We must harness this energy.

We’re looking to hear from dog owners and park users alike over the next few weeks, as we work on finalising our draft People and Dogs in Parks Plan for the Yarra Ranges.

From my From my desk Council needs feedback

The plan, quite simply, outlines how Council will manage off-leash areas on land that we own or manage, using research and feedback from the community.

I know this is an area that people are extremely passionate about. We’ve had many conversations over the years about off-leash areas – where they should be and, in particular, how we manage to keep pets and people safe through things like guidelines and fencing.

We recently released our draft plan, which we created using feedback from the community.

Jim Child

In this plan, we’re proposing fully-enclosing some dog off-leash areas, in particular: Belgrave Lake Park, Coronation Park in Healesville, Elizabeth Bridge Reserve in Kilsyth, Kimberley Reserve in Chirnside Park and a partial fence at Wesburn Park.

The real Taken Two

The Naked Gun Starring Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson and Danny Huston M 4/5

A soft reboot of the Naked Gun series, The Naked Gun is a blast from the past that puts a remarkable amount of effort and smarts into its slapstick fun.

Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson), the son of Leslie Nielsen’s character from the original Naked Gun movies, investigates a hightech conspiracy after thwarting a bank robbery.

It’s rare to see a modern big-budget comedy so unashamedly silly, featuring wonderfully stupid moments mixed with ingenious sight gags and wordplay.

There are a few clunkers here and there, but most of the comedy lands perfectly.

We believe this will offer a good balance – we want to help keep pets safe from running away, while also encouraging people to keep control over their animals to avoid poor behaviour.

There are some off-leash areas that we’ll be reviewing, to see if they should be changed to onleash areas. For example – Cherlynne Crescent Easement in Kilsyth, Elizabeth Bridge Reserve’s oval in Kilsyth, Hickman Place Reserve in Seville, Hull Road Drainage Reserve in Mooroolbark, Minak Reserve in Selby, Summerhill Park Drive Reserve in Mooroolbark and Wandin East Recreation Reserve.

Importantly, no final decisions have been made on these areas – we’re only suggesting to review them.

And, crucially, we want to hear from the community to see if we’ve got the balance right. When we drafted the plan, we got a significant amount of feedback from people who own dogs – who are the people more likely to be invested in the plan. But the reality is, we all use our parks and reserves.

We’d love to hear from people who don’t have pets and who use local parks, along with dog owners, to make sure we can fine tune our plan before it gets endorsed.

Visit shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au before 14 September to read the plan and leave your thoughts.

Cr Jim Child, Mayor of Yarra Ranges

Support Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival

The inaugural Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival will take place in Belgrave on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October.

The organising committee, consisting of enthusiastic locals and friends, are now busy finalising the program, which will be launched on Thursday 11 September.

As our readers would know, the Dandenong Ranges have always been home to artists, writers and poets of diverse backgrounds.

For the Festival, local authors already confirmed include Lia Hills, Sue Smethurst, Kate Mildenhall, Elle McFadzean, Kylie Orr, Alison Goodman and Paul Kennedy.

These and other authors will gather at the Festival as panelists and workshop hosts to cover a wide range of genres and topics, including but not limited to: historical fiction, crime, romance, biography/autobiography, young adult fiction and junior fiction, as well as tips on self-publishing and approaching traditional publishers.

But the Festival is much more than just literary exchanges.

Rather, with this year’s theme being “A Sense of Place”, the Festival offers ample opportunity for speakers and audiences alike to explore what place means to them.

As the Festival website declares: “The Festival will showcase the Dandenong Ranges as a place of inspiration and creativity, its history and the writers and readers who have and continue to live and work here.”

And this is why the Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival deserves our support.

bours, colleagues, business partners and social acquaintances about the Festival and invite their participation.

Sign up to the Festival newsletter to receive the latest updates.

Use your preferred social media to help promote the relevant events.

Please also consider making a one-off donation or an in-kind contribution.

Businesses around the Dandenong Ranges and nearby regions can offer services that help promote the Festival (e.g. printing), or provide goods to be used as giveaways during the Festival’s many events (e.g. tote bags or vouchers).

Meanwhile, cafes, restaurants and pubs can consider allocating deals that can be advertised to Festival attendees, such as discounts on drinks, meals and/or desserts when presenting an event ticket during the Festival. Last but not the least, whether yours is an organisation or a business, please consider becoming a Community Partner, a Panel Sponsor, or a Foundation Sponsor.

For sponsorship details, visit the Festival website: dandyrangeslitfest.net

Plus, The Naked Gun is far better than the second and third Taken movies.

Pamela Anderson gets to riff on her own Baywatch-based sex symbol legacy as the hilarious femme fatale Beth Davenport, and matches Neeson’s deadpan wit at every turn.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Neeson ably fills Nielsen’s bumbling shoes as Lt. Drebin, his charisma brings believability to even the most absurd moments, and he is clearly having a blast spoofing his own old man action hero image.

Not only because all participants will benefit from the literary conversations and community events, but the Festival will also have a positive impact on local businesses by boosting sales and building reputation and profile.

Our readers can make a difference by spreading the word.

Please tell your families and friends, neigh-

All the local entertainment coming up

Eltham Little Theatre

The Adams Family musical

The Adams Family -a New Musical features an original story, and it’s every father’s nightmare.

Wednesday Adams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met.

And if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father.

Stuck in the middle of his daughter and wife, Gomez and Morticia, must figure out what they’re doing before their guests show up for dinner.

Full of laughter, nostalgia and music you can sing along to.

Season: 5 – 20 September.

The Round Theatre

The Elton John Story

Get ready to sing, dance and be dazzled as Music Legends Productions proudly presents a spectacular celebration of the unforgettable hits of Elton John!

From the soaring melodies of Rocket Man and Tiny Dancer to the electrifying music en-

ergy of Crocodile Rock and I’m Still Standing, this performance is an homage to one of music’s most iconic entertainers.

Featuring powerhouse vocals and virtuous piano playing, this show is pure musical magic.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the magic of Elton John for the first time, this high-energy, feel-good event will leave you singing along and wanting more.

Season: Saturday 23 August at 7.30pm.

The Princess theatre

A Beautiful Noise – he Nel Diamond Musical

To make its Australian Premiere Exclusively in Melbourne.

Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise is the uplifting story of how a kid from Brooklyn became a chartbust-

As former world champion and three-time Olympic medalist Steve Backley once said: “The first step is the most important. It is the most crucial and the most effective as it will initiate the direction you have chosen.”

Please help bring OUR OWN VERY FIRST LITERARY FESTIVAL to life and make it a success.

ing, show-stopping American rock icon, selling, and sold-out concerts around the world that made him bigger than Elvis.

Neil Diamond’s story was made to shine on Broadway and the world.

Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond’s bond with Australia has been nothing short of extraordinary, spanning decades of musical brilliance and heartfelt connections.

He has undertaken seven major concert tours across the country – beginning with the iconic Thank You Australia in 1976 and followed by memorable returns in 1992, 1006, 1999, 2005, 2011 and 2015 – his anthems resonating deeply with audience securing his place as a cherished figure in Australian music history for nearly half a century.

Season: Opens August 1026.

LIFESTYLE, SPACE AND FLEXIBILITY

PERFECTLY positioned in Belgrave South, just moments from local shops and with easy access to Wellington Road for an effortless commute, this recently renovated 6.4-acre property delivers the ideal blend of comfort, versatility, and lifestyle appeal.

An oversized front door opens to a welcoming foyer, where fully zoned, electric, reverse cycle refrigerated ducted heating and cooling (My Air) ensures year-round comfort.

The carpeted lounge and formal dining room set a warm, inviting tone, while the open-plan kitchen/dining showcases stone benchtops, an abundance of storage and workspace, walk-in pantry, gas cooktop, dishwasher, and large windows framing leafy views to the deck.

A second living and dining area is bathed in natural light, with doors opening to the large deck for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining.

The privately zoned master suite offers a walk-through robe to a stylish ensuite, while two further bedrooms with built-in robes share a central bathroom with a large shower and separate toilet. There is also a Study/4th Bedroom and a walk-through laundry with a dream walk-in storage area to add practicality.

Attached to the home, a large selfcontained one-bedroom unit with kitchenette, bathroom, laundry, and split system provides perfect guest or extended family accommodation.

You have your own private Park-Like front garden to relax and enjoy with an abundance of grass, established trees and wildlife.

Well established mature gardens to add to the serenity and beautiful outlook of this property.

Property is Private and Peaceful.

Outdoors, a three-car lock-up garage plus a single carport with a workshop/storage area at the rear and plenty of off-street parking complete this exceptional property.

This property has it all so don’t miss out, it will not last long - call to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office.

HOME FOCUS

ELEVATED LIVING WITH TREETOP VIEWS

OVERLOOKING lush treetops and only a short distance to the eclectic township of Belgrave, this family sized home presents an exceptional opportunity to own a beautifully maintained, elevated home with all the comforts of modern living and a connection to nature that is hard to match.

Set high off the ground like a tranquil treehouse, with expansive timber deckings both front and rear, this stunning split level, three bedroom home impresses with soaring cathedral ceilings, a flexible open plan layout and abundant natural light. Whether you’re relaxing in the spacious living and dining zone, setting up a home office or creating a second sitting area, the large interior adapts effortlessly to your lifestyle needs.

The kitchen is a true standout-sleek, expansive and expertly updated to meet the needs of home cooks and entertainers alike. With a brand new oven, Miele dishwasher and an abundance of bench space, preparing meals will be a pleasure.

Upstairs, all three bedrooms enjoy views of the sloped, colourful rear yard, bursting with native and indigenous plantings that attract a large assortment of colourful birdlife. The updated bathroom is fresh, modern and ready for daily enjoyment. Environmentally conscious buyers will appreciate the investment in premium sustainable living:

• 6.8 kW SunPower Maxeon solar system with Enphase microinverters (the best on the market, 40-year warranty)

• 10 kWh Sonnen battery

• Fujitsu 9.4 kW reverse cycle airconditioning and heat pump for year-round

HOME ESSENTIALS

Chicken Coop with run – Well built and pegged down for security

• Elevated position offering privacy and leafy outlooks in every direction Located close to Belgrave’s charming township, public transport, schools and

walking tracks, this home is the perfect fusion of comfort, design and eco conscious living. Whether you’re starting a family, upsizing, or looking for a tree change, this one is not to be missed. ●

Address: 76 Belgrave Hallam Road, BELGRAVE Description: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom

Contact: Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442 and Kate Johnson 0434 670 177, CHANDLER & CO

PEACE, PRIVACY AND DIRECT ACCESS TO EMERALD LAKE PARK

TUCKED away on just under an acre at the end of a quiet no-through road, this charming three-bedroom two-bathroom home offers a truly rare opportunity – with gated access to the much-loved Emerald Lake Park. Surrounded by nature and filled with character, it combines the best of hills living with modern comfort.

An undercover entry leads into the main lounge and dining area, where high ceilings and floating floors set the tone, block out blinds, gas ducted heating throughout, a corner wood fire and split system heating/ cooling ensure comfort in every season, while creating a warm and welcoming heart of the home. The recently updated kitchen is both stylish and practical, featuring stone benchtops, gas cooktop, dishwasher, plenty of storage space and a garden outlook. This level also includes two bedrooms, a central bathroom with separate toilet, and clever under-stair storage.

Upstairs, the entire level is devoted to the master retreat – a private haven with walk-in robe, ensuite, and a generous balcony. Here, you can step outside to take in sweeping treetop views, savour the morning sun with a coffee, or unwind at dusk while listening to the sounds of native birds and watching wildlife wander.

Outdoors, entertaining is made effortless with a brand-new 7m x 7m deck, complete with built-in speakers and lighting, making it the perfect spot for weekend gatherings or quiet evenings under the stars. Fully fenced garden areas provide secure spaces for pets, while a concrete-floored shed and water tanks connected to the toilet add extra convenience.

With a setting that feels private and serene, yet with direct access into one of the area’s most popular parklands, this is a property that captures everything special about living in the hills.

This property has it all so don’t miss outcall to arrange a private inspection today. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

$840,000-$880,000

“Lou-Mar”– QuietCountryLivingwithGreatShed! Tuckedawayattheendof ano-throughroad,“Lou-Mar”offerspeaceful,practicallivingonjust underanacreinGembrook.Thischarmingthree-bedroom,two-bathroomhomefeaturesTassieOak floors,gasductedheating,a woodfire,and alight-filledkitchenwith900mmgasstovetop,island bench,skylight,andamplestorage.Themasterenjoysgardenviews,built-inrobes,and arenovated ensuite,whiletwoadditionalbedroomsshare acentralbathroomandEuropeanlaundry.Outdoors is atradie’sdream,witha huge9m x9mshedcompletewithpower,mezzanine,hoist,andconcrete floor,plusdoublecarport,hothouse,garden/woodshedsandplentyofparkingforcaravansor trailers.Whetheryou’retinkeringintheshedorrelaxinginthegarden,“Lou-Mar”deliversspace, lifestyleanda wholelotofcharmjustmomentsfromtheheartoftown. 16BondLaneGembrook

SamanthaScott M 0438680032 3 A 2 B 4 C

Family,GuestsorIncome,DualHomesonIdyllicAcres Justunder15minutesfromPakenhamon aquietno-throughroad,thisremarkablepropertyoffers twohomes,horsefacilitiesandseriousshedding.Themainhomefeaturespolishedhardwood floors,anopenplankitchenwithvalleyviews,spaciousloungewithwoodfire,splitsystem,updated bathroom,threebedrooms,masterwithensuiteandwalk-throughrobe,plus alargecovereddeck totakeintheoutlook.Betweenthehomesis ahugegarageandworkshopwithhoist,rackingand power,plus adoublecarport.Thesecondresidencehasitsowndrivewayandpower —perfectfor family,guestsorrental— withtwobedrooms,modernkitchen,light-filledliving,bigbathroomanda sunnydeck.Enjoy10fencedpaddocks,a roundyard,dayyardsonapprox.two-thirdsclearedland, fullyfencedandreadyforyouandyourhorses.

FamilyLivingon aQuarterAcreintheHeartofGembrook. Setona 1/4-acrein aprimeGembrooklocation,thisspaciousfamilyhomeisjust ashortstrollto shops,school &town.Featuringfloatingfloors& gasductedheating,itoffersthreelivingzones,four bedrooms,twobathrooms, &laundrywithstorage.Themasterenjoysa walk-inrobe& ensuite,while aprivatewingsuitsteensorguests.Theopen-plankitchenincludesstonebenchtops,walk-inpantry, gascooktop& dishwasher,flowingtoa coveredentertainingarea& fullyfencedbackyard.Extras includetwosheds(onepowered &tiled),doublegaragewithinternalentry& sideaccess. 9KookaburraCourtGembrook

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BrennanMileto M

$850,000-$930,000

HistoricCharminGembrook.

Thischarming2-bedroom,1-bathroomweatherboardhome,builtintheearly1900s,isoneof thefewremainingoriginalhomesinGembrook.Seton aspacious1239sqmblock,itcombines periodcharacterwithmoderncomfort.Theloungefeaturesoriginaltimberfloors,10-footceilings &baywindow,whilethesecondlivingareaoffers awoodfire &split-systemairconditioning.The masterbedroomhasa BIR& thekitchenincludestiledbenchtops,a gasstovetop&adoublesink overlookingthebackgarden.A sunroomconnectstothebathroom &separatetoilet.Thefully fencedbackyardisperfectforkids &pets,with apavedentertainingarea &undercoverstorage. Alargesinglegarage,3-phasepower& proximitytothePuffingBillytrainstationcompletethe package. Apeaceful,well-appointedhomewitha uniquehillslifestyle.

0407365994

2 A 1 B 1 C

COSY HILLS COTTAGE WITH GARDEN OASIS AND STUDIO RETREAT

TUCKED away in the tranquil heart of the Upwey hills, this charming three-bedroom home is the perfect entry into the market for first-home buyers or anyone seeking the peaceful Hills lifestyle.

Set on a lush block surrounded by established gardens, ferns, and calming treetop views from every window, this home is full of warmth and character. Inside, enjoy the comfort of ducted heating throughout and the charm of a crackling wood fire—perfect for those cosy Hills evenings.

The spacious open-plan living area flows effortlessly onto a large entertaining deck, ideal for hosting friends or simply unwinding in your own private green sanctuary. A separate studio/teenage retreat at the rear of the property offers flexibility for creative space, a home office, or guest accommodation.

From the beautiful garden setting to the inviting interior and versatile layout, 40 Acacia Avenue delivers the quintessential Hills lifestyle with comfort and convenience. Just moments from local cafes, schools, and public transport, this is an exceptional opportunity to secure your slice of Upwey.

Key Features:

3 generous bedrooms

Ducted heating + wood fire

• Large entertaining deck

• Separate studio/teenage retreat

• Leafy gardens with ferns, native flora and lots of potential

• Peaceful views from every room

• Ideal for first-home buyers ●

FAMILY RETREAT ON 2 ACRES WITH A SERENE COUNTRY ATMOSPHERE

SET on a private 2-acre allotment of terraced lawns that gently sweep down to a tranquil creek, this contemporary 4-bedroom plus study residence combines modern comfort with a serene country atmosphere—all just minutes from Belgrave Central. Step inside to discover beautiful timber floorboards flowing throughout the open plan lounge, dining, and kitchen areas. A soaring cathedral ceiling with highlight windows fills the home with natural light, enhancing the sense of space and warmth.

The stunning hostess kitchen is bathed in sunlight and offers sweeping views over rolling hills, while the inviting lounge, complete with a cozy Coonarra fireplace, overlooks a private courtyard—ideal for relaxed entertaining.

Accommodation is thoughtfully designed, master bedroom with walk in robe and ensuite three of the four bedrooms have direct access to a fabulous balcony with uninterrupted

views. The fourth bedroom enjoys its own private entrance, perfect for guests or extended family, with all bedrooms serviced by an updated main bathroom.

Downstairs, a substantial multipurpose area currently serves as a gym with bathroom facilities, alongside a wine cellar workshop and excellent storage options. This adaptable space can easily be reimagined as a rumpus room, retreat, or converted back into a garage depending on lifestyle needs. Practicality is matched with convenience, with sealed road access, double carport and garage and an easy drive into Belgrave Central, schools and public transport, ensuring the best of both lifestyle and location.

This unique home offers space, privacy, and flexibility in a picturesque setting—perfect for those seeking a contemporary hills escape. Contact the agent Jan Brewster 0409 558 805 for details. ●

ACRES

Setona private2-acreallotmentofterracedlawnsthatgentlysweepdownto atranquil creek,thiscontemporary4-bedroomplusstudyresidencecombinesmoderncomfort with aserenecountryatmosphere—alljustminutesfromBelgraveCentral.Stepinsideto discoverbeautifultimberfloorboards flowingthroughouttheopenplanlounge,dining, andkitchenareas. Asoaringcathedralceilingwithhighlightwindowsfillsthehomewith naturallight,enhancingthesenseofspaceandwarmth.

JanBrewster 0409558805

ENTERTAINER’SDELIGHT

ModernCharacterHomeona

Sittingproudlyinthemiddleoftheblockandsetamongst asublimeacre(approx)of exquisitegardens,lawnsandMannagums,thisresidenceoffersthecharmofyesteryear butwiththereassuranceofcontemporaryinclusionsthroughout.Thebedroomsallhave builtinrobes,themainbedroomwithanensuite,anda familybathroomservicingthe remainingtwo.Thereis afurtheroptionfora 4thbedroom/teenagerspace– or a‘work fromhome’scenariowithseparateaccess.

MickDolphin 0429684522

CaitiEllis 0493136937

****OFFERSCLOSINGTuesday9thofSeptember @4pm(unlesssoldprior)

More likeahome thanaunit,thisdelightfulhome offers lightfilled spaces, amodern interiorwithgleamingpolishedtimberfloors largewindows –neatand well maintained,it ismoveinready.

Inafantastic location,walkingdistancetoschools, MountainGateShoppingarea,bike tracks, parks, and 15minutesto KnoxShoppingCentre

JanetHawkins 0409117432

SEPARATEBUNGALOW

JanBrewster 0409558805

LOCATEDINONEOFTHEBESTSTREETSINUPWEY?

Such ararefind intheheartoftownwiththisbrickandcedarhomethathasundergonea totalfaceliftandnowoffers avery spaciousfamily home withallwell-proportionedrooms. Thehighly soughtafterallotmentof1,796sqmtr(almosthalfanacre)offersrareNRZ2 zoningandwiththehomebeingsetbackapprox.30meters( theoldhomeatthefront wasremoved),sothere ispotentialfora multi-dwellingdevelopment(STCA)

GrantSkipsey 0418528102

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Sudden divergence (7)

5 Strong emotion (7)

9 Tempting (9)

10 Coronet (5)

11 Hark! (6)

12 Representative (8)

14 Rue (6)

15 New information (4)

19 Atop (4)

20 Taken illegally (6)

24 Situation (8)

25 Traduce (6)

27 Circular (5)

28 Evening entertainment (9)

29 Go before (7)

30 Follow (7)

DOWN

1 Rough struggle (6)

2 Naturist (6)

3 Abstained from (8)

4 Slender shoot (4)

5 Avoidance (10)

6 Disgust (6)

7 Solitary (8)

8 Rubbish (8)

13 Forethought (10)

16 Move faster and then overtake (8)

17 Water is one (8)

18 Fussy (8)

21 Dilly-dally (6)

22 Resembling instance (6)

23 Aim (6)

26 Ova (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes

Chasing a dream in Japan

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

When Knox Kyokushin Karate’s dedicated instructor, Keelan Lang found out he’d been selected to represent Australia at the 6th World Kyokushin Karate Tournament in Maebashi, Japan this November, his first reaction was one of disbelief.

“I honestly couldn’t believe it at first,” Mr Lang said.

“Then it hit me, I’m going to Japan. And I’m going to be up against some of the best fighters in the world. It was a mix of excitement and nerves, but mostly just pure stoke for the opportunity to compete on a global stage.”

Mr Lang’s journey to this international stage has been far from easy, and it’s taken dedication, discipline, and a deep passion for Kyokushin and alongside the intense physical training, the sport has taught him invaluable life lessons both inside and outside the dojo.

“Through Kyokushin, I’ve learned that every day is different,” Mr Lang said.

“There are ups and downs, and sometimes setbacks like injuries or personal challenges. But making the decision to improve, even in small ways every day, has a compounding effect not just in training, but in life.”

The phrase “If it is to be, it’s up to me” has been a guiding principle for Mr Lang throughout his career.

He learned it from his first instructor, Shihan Penita Davies, and it resonates with his approach to training and life.

“It’s about holding yourself accountable for your actions, whether it’s training, working, or even taking time to rest – everything is a choice. It’s up to me to show up and put in the work,” Mr Lang said.

As he prepares for the challenge of competing on the world stage, Mr Lang draws strength from the support of his community, which he calls his “whanau” (family).

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Whether it’s his own family, his partner, friends, or the wider Kyokushin Australia community, their encouragement has been key in keeping him motivated on the toughest days.

“When I’m not feeling 110 per cent motivated, it’s the people around me that help me get back on track,” he said.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the ones who are there in the sweat with me.”

Mr Lang also expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from his community as he prepares for the tournament.

Knox Kyokushin Karate has set up a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of the

trip to Japan.

Mr Lang said that donations, product contributions for a silent auction, and even support through attending classes or lending a hand at community events all make a difference.

“We’re all in this together, and the support has been humbling, whether it’s a donation or simply showing up, it all counts,” he said.

The 6th World Tournament will be held in Maebashi from 26 November, where Mr Lang will spend the first week competing, followed by a week of experiencing Japan’s culture and sights.

While he is the only Melbourne representative at this stage, he is looking forward to the experi-

ence of sparring against fighters from around the world and bringing that knowledge back to his students.

“I’m excited to test my skills against the world’s best and see how fighters from other countries approach kumite (sparring),” he said.

“It’s invaluable for me as a competitor and for what I can pass on to my students.”

Mr Lang’s trip is not just a personal milestone but an opportunity to represent Australia and Knox Kyokushin Karate on the global stage.

As he heads to Japan, he is grateful for every bit of support he’s received and looks forward to sharing this journey with his community.

“It’s surreal, but it means the world,” he said.

“I’m so thankful to everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

For those wishing to support Keelan Lang’s journey, donations can be made through the GoFundMe campaign: Help Australia Compete at Kyokushin Karate Worlds in Japan

• For sponsorship inquiries, contact: teamkeelan.kyokushin@gmail.com

• Knox Fundraising and Support: knoxkyokushin@gmail.com

Around the region’s football ovals and netball courts

By Armin Richter Football

Premier Division (Round 18)

• Seniors: Monbulk 13.4.82 def Officer 5.6.36; Healesville 13.13.91 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 12.10.82; Wandin 12.19.91 def Upwey-Tecoma 9.11.65; Olinda-Ferny Creek 18.8.116 def Emerald 11.5.71; Mt. Evelyn 14.11.95 def Woori Yallock 12.11.83

• Reserves: Officer 6.12.48 def Monbulk 6.5.41; Gembrook-Cockatoo 8.9.57 def Healesville 3.6.24; Upwey-Tecoma 9.10.64 def Wandin 2.7.19; Olinda-Ferny Creek 11.6.72 def Emerald 8.10.58; Mt. Evelyn 12.11.83 def Woori Yallock 6.2.38

• Under 18: Officer 14.13.97 def Monbulk 2.6.18; Healesville 11.12.78 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 3.8.26; Wandin 14.9.93 def Upwey-Tecoma 7.9.51; Mt. Evelyn 30.11.191 def Woori Yallock 2.1.13; Olinda-Ferny Creek bye Division 1 (Finals Week 1)

• Seniors: QF Seville 15.10.100 def Pakenham 11.10.76, EF Alexandra 11.9.75 def Belgrave

SPORT Hawks record a solid win

By Armin Richter FOOTBALL Seniors

The final round of home and away matches by Monbulk’s football and netball teams was played on the weekend in ideal conditions. The Hawks travelled to Officer to take on the improved Kangaroos, who had beaten Woori Yallock, Healesville and Mt. Evelyn in recent times. The Hawks were assured of a finals place after winning five of their last six matches but wanted to continue their surge into September. The welcome return of captain Patty Barge from his broken jaw gave them additional fight around the packs. Ben Grimes played his first senior match in two years after a horror run with injuries.

The first half was an arm wrestle with Officer kicking a goal after the siren to hold a one point lead at the long break. Monbulk’s run and spread, along with clean disposal and unusual accuracy in front of goals, saw them control the second half. The Hawks kicked 8.2 to the Kangaroos 3 points to run out the match and record a solid win by 46 points. As usual the goals were spread around with their leading goal kicker for the year being midfielder Lochie Beecroft with 24. Josh Wentworth celebrated his 50th senior grade match with the club by securing three goals.

Monbulk 13.4.82 def Officer 5.6.36

• Best: Max Thornton, Lochlan Beecroft, Campbell Evans, Johnathon Hevern, Lachlan Sheppard, Ben Grimes

• Goals: Josh Wentworth 3, Johnathon Hevern 3, Kai Linde 1, Pat Barge 1, Bailey Rutherford 1, Ziggy Hatherley 1, Adam Banks 1, Campbell Evans 1, Ben Grimes 1 Reserves

Fifth placed Monbulk took it right up to Officer, who are second, and were leading by two to three goals for much of the match, aided by Officer’s wayward kicking. The Kangaroos kicked three goals in the last term to grab a narrow seven point win. The return of Nic Wall from a depressed fracture of the cheek was offset by a knee injury to Hamish Emmett. Steven Shankly finished seventh in the goalkicking with 22 goals.

Monbulk 6.5.41 def by Officer 6.12.48

• Best: Lewis Oliver, Harry Fleming, Tim Rickard, Kieren Galloway, Coby Passingham, Lachlan Smith

• Goals: Kieren Galloway 2, Brodie Emmett 2, Hamish Emmett 1, Steven Shankly 1 Under 18s

The Under 18s finished their year with another loss but there are plenty of green shoots in this team to carry forward into next season. Being composed of entirely bottom aged players, predominantly from last year’s Under 16s premiership, they have improved significantly and will be better for the experience.

Monbulk

2.6.18 def by Officer 14.13.97

• Best: Brock Downey, Eamon Dawson, Blake Nicholson, Ryder Koelewyn, Finn Horsfall, Wil-

10.11.71

• Reserves: QF Alexandra 10.7.67 def Seville 6.8.44; EF Warburton-Millgrove 9.13.67 def Belgrave 5.5.35

• Under 18: QF Seville 22.17.149 def Warburton-Millgrove 4.1.25; EF Yarra Glen 15.10.100 def Alexandra 1.1.7

• Women (Div 1): GF Mt. Evelyn 6.11.47 def Upwey-Tecoma 1.4.10

• Women (Div 2): GF Warburton-Wesburn 14.10.94 def Emerald 3.3.21

• Veterans (Over 35): GF Gembrook-Cockatoo 6.3.39 def Belgrave 5.7.37 Netball

Premier Division (Round 18)

• A Grade: Monbulk 80 def ROC 45; Healesville 66 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 45; Emerald 64 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 34; Mt. Evelyn 84 def Woori Yallock 20; Wandin 69 def UpweyTecoma 44

• B Grade: ROC 54 def Monbulk 53; GembrookCockatoo 88 def Healesville 15; Olinda-Ferny Creek 46 def Emerald 45; Woori Yallock 56 def Mt. Evelyn 54; Wandin 68 def Upwey-Tecoma 33

• C Grade: Mt. Evelyn 61 def Woori Yallock 28; ROC 33 def Monbulk 23; Emerald 39 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 24; Wandin 50 def UpweyTecoma 18; Gembrook-Cockatoo bye

• D Grade: Monbulk 33 def ROC 30; OlindaFerny Creek 36 def Emerald 23; Wandin 33 def

Upwey-Tecoma 29; Mt. Evelyn 39 def Woori Yallock 30; Gembrook-Cockatoo bye

• Under 17: Wandin 33 def Emerald 25; Mt. Evelyn 42 def Woori Yallock 30; ROC Blue 43 def Monbulk 15; ROC White bye

• Under 15: Pakenham Maroon 27 def Pakenham Gold 15; ROC Blue 47 def Woori Yallock 10; Monbulk Gold 35 def ROC White 21; Monbulk Maroon bye Division 1 (Finals Week 1)

• A Grade: QF Pakenham 48 def WarburtonMillgrove 42; EF Yarra Glen 52 def Yarra Junction 39

• B Grade: QF Pakenham 54 def WarburtonMillgrove 28; EF Yarra Glen 45 def Belgrave 30

• C Grade: QF Pakenham 32 def WarburtonMillgrove 24; EF Yarra Glen 43 def Yarra Junction 32

• D Grade: QF Pakenham 38 def WarburtonMillgrove 34; EF Yarra Glen 27 def Alexandra 23

• Under 17: QF Pakenham Gold 37 def Warburton-Millgrove 17; EF Alexandra 24 def Pakenham Maroon 22

liam Hughson

• Goals: Ben Pratt 1, Finley Ede 1

NETBALL

A Grade

Monbulk put in a clinical performance to secure a strong win over ROC. For the fourth consecutive match against ROC, Monbulk have posted a new club record score against that team. They shot 80 goals on Saturday, surpassing the 78 from earlier this year, which are the two highest scores ROC have conceded this year. Monbulk lead the head to head count 8-2 with the Kangaroos since first meeting them in 2019. The win ensured that Monbulk retained the double chance. Peri Reid finished the year runner-up in the goal shooting on 799, 21 behind Wandin’s Emmalia Blake. Monbulk 80 def ROC 45

• Best: Nicole Macdowell, Paige Whitworth, Peri Reid

• Goals: Peri Reid 60, Stephanie Ferguson 15, Sophie Stubbs 5 B Grade

It was an epic struggle between minor premiers ROC, who had lost just once this season, and fifth placed Monbulk. The Hawks had gained an early break, before the game swung towards the Kangaroos. A late rally by Monbulk just fell short of the desired result but knowing that they left some goals on the court through missed passes and shots that failed to score gives them the knowledge they can match it with anyone. Jorja Wragg’s League record score of 106 lasted just 3 weeks after ROC’s Kaelah O’Shannassy scored 115 against

Healesville last week. Jorja finished runner up to Kaelah in the B Grade League shooting with 695 but has been rewarded for her excellent form and ability by making the Victorian 19 and Under squad of 25.

Monbulk 53 def by ROC 54

• Best: Alice McCormick, Jorja Wragg, Elizabeth Cutting

• Goals: Jorja Wragg 42, Dayna Walsham 6, Olivia Crook 5

C Grade

Earlier this year Monbulk lost the corresponding match by 22 goals however this week they matched their finals bound opponents much better to go down by 10 in the end.

Monbulk 23 def by ROC 33

• Best: Courtney Witt, Grace Sands, Sammi Kelly

• Goals: Grace Sands 11, Maddy Buckland 9, Chloe Carmichael 3

D Grade

The ladder leading ROC got off to a flyer and had a 7 goal lead by quarter time. Still trailing by six at half time, the Hawks dug deep to produce their best second half for the year and overran ROC to claim a meritorious 3 goal win. The result knocked the Kangaroos off the top of the ladder and they will again meet Monbulk in Saturday’s Qualifying Final. Jamie Sands finished third in the goal shooting with 320.

Monbulk 33 def ROC 30

• Best: Beth Sands, Macy Giling, Simone Beattie

• Goals: Jamie Sands 21, Macy Giling 12

Under 17

After a promising opening term the match against the ladder leaders slowly drifted out of reach as the Under 17s played their final game of the season.

Monbulk 15 def by ROC Blue 43

• Best: Kaitlyn Summers, Chelsea Borkowski, Isabelle Cross

• Goals: Isabelle Cross 8, Chelsea Borkowski 3, Ella Flynn 2, Mackenzie Bedet 1, Ella Longo 1 Under 15

Monbulk Maroon had a bye and slipped one spot on the ladder as a result, from second to third, but will still be in the Qualifying Final this week. Isla Stubbs finished third in the goal shooting with 222 and Stella Dunstan fifth with 162.

Monbulk Gold fine tuned their game against ROC White, who they will meet again this week in the Elimination Final. After a close first half the Hawks were too accomplished as they registered a comfortable 14 goal win. Eden Murphy has won the Under 15s goal shooting with 248 for the year with team mate Amelia Magarry 8th with 130. Monbulk 35 def ROC White 21

• Best: Sophie Pringle, Olivia Leonard, Eden Murphy

• Goals: Eden Murphy 25, Amelia Magarry 10 Seven of Monbulk’s 10 teams have made the finals and all will play at Yarra Junction this Saturday for Qualifying Finals (A Grade, D Grade and Under 15 Maroon) and Sunday for Elimination Finals (Seniors, Reserves, B Grade, Under 15 Gold).

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