Tuesday, 9 September, 2025
Solar power boost for Emerald
Upgrade funding for Menzies Creek PS
Montrose fire: The recovery begins
Real estate liftout Inside
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Hidden gem in Emerald back, briefly By Shamsiya Hussainpoor David Hoskin’s hillside garden in Emerald will open to the public for one weekend only, sharing almost 50 years of growth and change with the public. Telopea Gardens isn’t about manicured lawns or perfect borders, it’s a working garden, full of rare plants, winding paths, and sweeping views. “It’s a garden that’s grown with us, changed with us. It’s full of experiments and dead ends and little successes. It’s what happens when you live in a place, and you keep digging,” Mr Hoskin said. The open weekend includes plant sales, tea, coffee and birdsong, with proceeds supporting the SES. To read the full story, turn to page 16
David has turned a pine-covered land into a lively garden of flowers, plants and wildlife. (Stewart Chambers: 501289)
Jailed for child sex By Shamsiya Hussainpoor WARNING: This article contains descriptions of sexual assaults on minor, some readers may find distressing. A 31-year-old woman from the Gembrook and Macclesfield area has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to grooming and sexually offending against a 15-year-old boy. Veronica Bridge (a pseudonym) appeared in
the County Court of Victoria on 29 August, where she was sentenced on charges including grooming for sexual conduct with a child under 16, sexual assault, and sexual penetration of a child under 16. The court heard Ms Bridge met the boy while working at a hospitality venue in July 2024. Over two and a half weeks, she sent him over 500 messages on Instagram and Snapchat, many sexually explicit, and engaged in sexual contact including intercourse in her car.
Judge Robyn Harper described the conduct as “textbook grooming” and said Ms Bridge was fully aware her actions were illegal. Ms Bridge grew up locally, attended schools in Macclesfield and Box Hill, and disclosed childhood trauma, including sexual abuse and longterm mental health challenges. She worked as a nurse before her registration was suspended following unrelated workplace incidents.
Due to a deprived childhood, she later developed substance dependence and engaged in selfdestructive behaviour, including multiple suicide attempts. Her Honour said had Ms Bridge not pleaded guilty at an early stage, the sentence would have been four years and eight months. Ms Bridge would be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Read the full story on page 3
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