Tuesday, 23 September, 2025
SES crews responded tomultiple callouts
Seville Community House turns 40
Coldstream Juniors look to next season
See Real Estate Liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Wright wins, and retires By Dongyun Kwon Coldstream Boxing Club coach Hayden ‘H-Bomb’ Wright gained another title WBF Heavyweight Champion on Saturday 13 September. Wright took on Thai boxer Sunthon Pankhui at Melbourne Pavilion. Thanks to a lot of hard training with his mates, Zac Thompson and Chris Hume, Wright was able to push the opponent strongly from the first round. After hanging one more medal on his neck, the Coldstream-based boxer officially retired from professional boxing. “I am very proud of all the hard work and dedication; 25 professional fights over the past 10 years, to become the new heavyweight champion and bring it back to the Yarra Valley to inspire kids,” Wright said. “My next move is to train the young kids and hopefully, they can become a champion one day.” Turn to page 34 to read the full page
Wright pushes the opponent strongly from the first round. (Marty Camilleri/Marty’s Knockout Photography)
Animals starving By Oliver Winn With 108 animals seized by inspectors during the 2024/25 financial year, the RSPCA Victoria’s Animal Cruelty Report has ranked the Yarra Ranges at an unenviable second place. But, RSPCA north east region inspectorate team leader Belinda Dent said it was because owners were struggling to feed their animals. “The majority of what we deal with is not malicious cruelty, but neglect stemming from finan-
cial stress, poor access to feed, or personal challenges like mental health issues. “These situations are incredibly complex, and our job is to balance enforcing animal welfare laws with helping people do better by their pets,” Ms Dent said. This is evident through a 43 per cent increase in animal cruelty reports relating to insufficient food, water or shelter from 2023-24 to 2024-25. RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Green said there’d been an increase in cruelty cases for hors-
es as the cost of hay continued to rise amid a drier than usual winter. “We have seen a 32 per cent increase in cruelty reports involving horses and a 23 per cent increase in the number of horses seized or surrendered this year,” Ms Green said. Hay is becoming increasingly scarce in the Yarra Ranges, with only small bales of lucerne and teff hay available, according to Upper Yarra Pony Club district commissioner Anite Prowse. Meanwhile, a round bale of hay was priced at
roughly $300 - up by $180 since the start of the year. With only 28 inspectors to investigate more than 10,000 cruelty reports across the state, the RSPCA’s enforcement arm is severely limited and relies on community donations for it to run. The increase in neglected animals added more pressure onto rescues such as Forever Friends Animal Rescue and Ms Adams said they urgently needed more support. Turn to page three to read more
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