Tuesday, 23 September, 2025
Emerald residents want bird-feeding signs
Monbulk College hosts Hilltop Festival
Probus Club of Ferntree Gully opens
Real estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
RSL’s lifeline A heartfelt donation from a local business owner has brought new hope to Upwey RSL and the veterans it serves. John O’Connor, moved by a friendship with Vietnam veteran Iain Findlay, donated a lump sum of $76,000, with a further $4000 pledged each month for the next two years, this generous contribution has been described by the club as nothing short of a lifeline. “This one donation has put us 18 years ahead of where we thought we’d be,” treasurer Graeme Tuplin said, reflecting on the RSL’s long financial recovery following past setbacks. The funding will allow Upwey RSL to relaunch its monthly veteran lunches, providing much-needed social connection and support, particularly for older veterans. It will also help expand programs to reach younger veterans returning from more recent deployments. President Fred Schmager said the donation couldn’t have come at a better time. “It’s a game-changer for our veteran community,” he said. See page 6 for more
L-R: John O’Connor, Ian Finlay and Fred Schmager. (Stewart Chambers: 504438)
Urgent action call Ferntree Gully
State member Daniela De Martino MP said that the one-off grant funding helped identify and address issues of local concern and that she would continue working to advocate for continued support from all levels of government. On the ground in Ferntree Gully, Mr Smith said not continuing the funding in 2024 has put the gains from it at risk. “Without ongoing support, rough sleepers and boarding house residents face renewed challenges, including isolation and reduced access to critical resources,” he said. Read more on page 3
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tionships or respect and trust, and where possible supporting them to address challenges they are facing,” he said. The Victorian Government’s Building Safer Communities program in Knox ran for 16 months from April 2023 to 2024, and Foothills received just over 200 thousand dollars for it. A spokesperson from Knox Council said Knox secured the grant funding in 2023. “As part of this initiative, Council awarded $465,545 to local community groups and organisations across six projects to enhance community safety in Ferntree Gully,” they said.
12330988-RC46-16
Community groups are pleading for renewed funding to a crucial support program in Fertnree Gully. The Ferntree Gully Community Safety Outreach Project has supported vulnerable members of the township’s community until August 2024. It’s been described as a “transformative” program which decreased antisocial behaviours and improved wellbeing and community participation. With the gains from the program slipping
away, Village Township Group president Seamus Smith advocated for renewed funding to keep two outreach workers from Foothills Community Care working in the area. “These workers connected our most vulnerable community members to essential services, including food, medicine, medical appointments, and opportunities for social connection. Foothills Community Care chief executive officer Stephen Barrington said employing the workers, especially for the project, supported locals in need of an extra hand-up. “This happens through the building of rela-
FERNTREE GULLY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Hwy (towards Belgrave)
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By Tanya Steele