Tuesday, 11 November, 2025
Mr Monopoly touches down in Yarra Valley
Students make rad rhymes at workshop
Smoke Stack Rhino success
See Real Estate Liftout inside
PAGE 4
PAGE 16
PAGE 17
PAGE 21
A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Praying for Charlie By Oliver Winn Four-year-old Charlie Fraser was just getting her eyes checked when a horrible discovery was made. A tennis ball-size cancerous growth was putting pressure against her eye and she was rushed immediately to hospital for surgery. Now, the Fraser family have reached out for support, and the response from the community is nothing short of inspiring. Their plea for support has seen over $100,000 raised in two weeks to help offset the cost of specialised treatment only available in Florida, USA. Charlie’s father, Daniel Fraser said the support shown by the community was incredible and the money donated will help pay for the expensive treatment overseas Turn to page three to read more
Charlie and her mother Kate Fraser. (Supplied)
Hope for school By Callum Ludwig There may be life yet in the quiet and unused grounds of Gruyere Primary School yet, provided enough enrolments and support can be drummed up from within the community. The Department of Education held drop-in sessions for the community to attend throughout October with a view to drumming up awareness and understanding community sentiment regarding the future of Gruyere Primary School. A Department of Education spokesperson said every student has the right to attend their local Victorian government school.
“We are continually planning for and responding to changes in enrolment trends so all students can be accommodated in fit for purpose teaching spaces,” they said. “The community were informed at the consultation meetings that any families interested in enrolling students for 2026 or 2027 are invited to contact the Department of Education.” Gruyere Primary School has had no students or staff since the start of 2024 due to a lack of student enrolments. A minimum of 11 new enrolments from the Gruyere catchment area would be required for
the school to reopen. If the school fails to receive any interest, or if it doesn’t reach the required amount of enrolments, then it would officially close and the department will manage the site’s disposal. Assets and memorabilia of local historical interest from the school would be handed over. In 2025, there are 15 primary school students residing in Gruyere that attend other local government schools, spanning from Badger Creek to Mt Evelyn and Woori Yallock to Wonga Park. It is unknown how many school-aged children are attending Catholic or other independent schools, or children aged up to four years old liv-
ing in the area that could add to a future cohort at Gruyere Primary School. Gruyere resident Andrea Bigham said the meeting was very productive and cleared up a lot of unknowns. The Department of Education definitely clarified some issues that were confusing to people and it was good to hear that in the Department of Education’s eyes, they agree Gruyere Primary School is not closed,” she said. “They are now looking for expressions of interest to get students back hopefully in 2026 or 2027.” Turn to page 5 for more
ADVERTISEMENT
For all your residential and commercial property needs
AARON VIOLI Federal Member for Casey
Proudly Local. Working for You.
T: 0488 179 767 | E: ian.vine@eview.com | W: healesville.eview.com.au
9727 0799 | www.AaronVioli.com.au Authorised by A Violi, Liberal Party, 110 Main Street, Lilydale VIC 3140. 12739397-MC02-25
12790022-EB33-25
CALL NOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH US AT YOUR HOME, WORKPLACE, OR AT OUR OFFICE WE COME TO YOU!
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
(03) 5929 7010
info@yarravalleylegal.com.au
12764670-JD16-25
NOW OFFERING CONVEYANCING & PROPERTY LAW SERVICES 301 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (03) 5929 7010
• Wills • Drafting Powers of Attorney •VCAT Guardianship and Administration • Property Law • Probate and letters of administration • Contesting estates • Conveyancing Services