Tuesday, 28 October, 2025
Wildlife Act under lens, pros, cons and in-between
Outer East community heroes celebrated
Local concert to celebrate peace, and community
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Aus rocks By Tanya Steele Upwey musician and 3MDR radio show host Brett ‘Freo’ Freeman has launched the Local Australian Music Platform (LAMP) to play exclusively Aussie music. As a musician with a passion for local talent, Freo launched the not-for-profit after noticing a lack of exposure for Australian artists and decided to do something about it. “There’s nowhere else for people to get Australian music - so why aren’t we championing it?” he said. “What if your local barbershop didn’t have a Spotify playlist, what if they were playing 100 per cent Australian music all the time?” LAMP aims to work in partnership with Australian businesses to broadcast Australian music in places where it can be discovered by new listeners. Read more on page 12 Brett ‘Freo’ Freeman has decided to level the playing field for Aussie music exposure. (Stewart Chambers: 510848)
Disaster hotspot By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Ferntree Gully has been named Victoria’s top severe weather hotspot over the past three years, according to new data from insurer AAMI, which analysed natural disaster claims from July 2022 to June 2025. The suburb, postcode 3156, was hit hardest by wind, hail, and storms, leading the state’s rankings ahead of Rochester, Shepparton, Mulgrave, and Mornington.
Knox SES Unit Controller, Kristian Schouten, attributed Ferntree Gully’s vulnerability to its geography at the base of the Dandenong Ranges, where weather systems intensify. This location, combined with dense vegetation, steep terrain, and older housing surrounded by large trees, exposes the area to damaging winds, falling branches, and flash flooding. Key drivers for claims were three major weather events, including the October and November 2022 rain and floods, and the February
2024 storms. While flooding severely affected Rochester and Shepparton, Ferntree Gully saw high volumes of wind, hail, and food spoilage claims due to power outages. Mr Schouten stressed that many issues contributing to storm damage are preventable, such as residents failing to maintain trees and gutters. Knox SES is proactive, running community awareness campaigns urging residents to clear
drains, secure loose items, trim branches, and prepare an emergency plan and kit. AAMI’s Josh Kelland advised all Victorians to prepare for the summer disaster season now, stating that simple preventative steps like tree trimming and gutter clearing could prevent a total loss. Mr Schouten urged the Ferntree Gully community to take warnings seriously, emphasizing that a prepared community is the best defence. Read the full story on page 3
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