Tuesday, 11 November, 2025
Yarra Valley gets Monopoly
Quarry Lake unsafe for recreation
Yarra Ranges women honoured
See real estate liftout
PAGE 6
PAGE 9
PAGE 16
INSIDE
A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Runner Elliot’s going the extra mile for Mountain Men By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Dandenong Ranges resident and Bell Real Estate director, Elliot Bell, has been testing his boundaries to prepare for the epic Grampians Peak Trail (GPT) 100 Mile that took place from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 November. Mr Bell attempted to run 162km through the Grampians National Park, climbing 7700 metres, to challenge himself and raise funds for the Dandenong Ranges Mountain Men, a group supporting men’s connection and wellbeing. “I’m always looking for ways to challenge myself, and this run scared me witless so it was perfect,” he said. After years of marathons and ultra runs, including the Buffalo Stampede 100k, he trained five to six days a week for the GPT 100 Miler. Running has been transformative for Mr Bell, who lost 40kg in eight months and discovered a renewed sense of purpose. “Help is always out there judgement judgment-free, so don’t talk yourself out of speaking to someone,” he said. Read the full article on page 12
Elliot Bell conquered 85.7km of the Grampians Peak Trail in 22 hours, raising funds and awareness for Mountain Men. (Stewart Chambers: 515548)
‘Voice of veterans’ By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Emerald songwriter Ian Whitehead brought his deeply personal song ‘Nobody Wins a War’ to a live audience at the Mulgrave Country Club on Sunday, 9 November. The performance came just before Remembrance Day, when Australians pause to remember those affected by war, conflict, and peacekeeping missions.
The song, inspired by the Polish humanitarian and nurse Irina Sendler, who saved 2000 children during World War II, draws on Mr Whitehead’s conversations with veterans over the years. “This particular song voices the things I’ve been told by veterans…every single one of them says war is a horrible thing and everybody agrees on that, and hence the title, Nobody Wins a War,” he said.
His own family history, including his father who served as a Captain in World War II and his uncle who fought on the Kokoda Trail, also shaped the song. Mr Whitehead spent two years bringing the song to life with producer Benjamin McCarthy, known for his work with Paul Kelly and Voice Australia, and his friend John Pallozzi, with additional lyrical input from Peter Russo.
He hopes the song encourages reflection on the trauma of war and offers support to veterans. “I see myself not as creating anything, just as a conduit to express the feelings of people and veterans,” he said. The song has been warmly supported by Mulgrave Country Club, Kallista Market, 3MDR radio, and Anita Monk of Vids That Rok. Nobody Wins a War is now available on YouTube.
Over 209 years of experience combined. Experience = Expertise = A Great Result. We Put You First. 9754 6111
Widetread
•TYRES•WHEELS•SUSPENSION•
UV 4&S the4x ialsts c e Sp
!
nuff said
Approved Dealer for
F E R N T R E E G U L LY 9758 9288 1158 Burwood Highway (towards Belgrave) www.widetread.net.au
12394728-ACM32-18
12793271-JV33-25