Tuesday, 2 December, 2025
Sky sign rejected for visual bulk, clutter
Get moving and give back this Christmas
Lilydale Probus gather for Christmas lunch
See Real Estate liftout inside
PAGE 4
PAGE 7
PAGE 8
PAGE 21
A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
Rising to say no to violence From lighting up Parliament House in Canberra to hundreds turning out to walk around Lillydale Lake, the Yarra Ranges community has risen to say no to gendered violence in their communities. The launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence occurred on Tuesday 25 November, seeing the influence of an Inner Wheel Club of Wandin member reach the country’s Parliament. Closer to home, the Walk Against Family Violence returned for a third year, with some of the region’s services banding together to help put an end to violence. See the full coverage on pages 10 and 11
Fvree’s Lisa and Women’s Health East’s Avega joined the Walk Against Family Violence in Lilydale on Thursday 27 November. (Stewart Chambers: 520464)
Funding demands By Mikayla van Loon A two-month statewide campaign to secure crucial funding for Victoria’s 400 Neighbourhood Houses culminated last week, with hundreds of heartfelt postcards delivered to local Members of Parliament. Led by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria (NHVic), the ‘gentle petition’ demands an $11.7 million annual funding increase to avert the po-
O WE’ VE G
tential closure of up to 200 essential community hubs. Local houses, including Japara, Lilydale, Mt Evelyn, and Seville, participated, collecting signatures and powerful testimonials. Japara’s Mark Doubleday noted his house alone gathered 268 postcards, many expressing the profound value of the houses in providing everything from digital literacy and food relief to vital social connection.
Mt Evelyn coordinator Anna Griffith said houses are places people visit on their “best day, but they also come on their worst day,” highlighting their role in mental health and combating isolation. Local MPs David Hodgett and Bridget Vallence supported the push, underscoring the intangible benefits of inclusion and connection, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Furthermore, NHVic data provides a strong fi-
nancial argument, showing every dollar of ongoing funding returns $21.94 in verified community value. However, high inflation and rising costs mean the current funding model is insufficient. The campaign officially ends mid-December, pressing the government to include the necessary investment in the upcoming budget. Read the full story on page 6
TA Webuycopper,brass,aluminium,etc . . . WeBuySteel
ny rk of a ht wo ake lig mountains, m s le ic g ial veh movin ht mmerc g house to with the rig Our co ovin ute r m o m n ste. a job. Fro d a truck, v out any wa 2727 fin call 13 , with you’ll .au or space m f o o c t t. n amou w at budge no Book
12765522-JV40-25
Tel:97362853•ClancyRoad,MtEvelyn3796
12450347-LB23-20
TRUCK FOR THAT
www.evelynrecycling.com.au
24/4/2025 4:33 pm
AUTO BODY PERFECTION, PRECISION REPAIRS, PREMIUM RESULTS! 39 MONBULK RD, MOUNT EVELYN
8736 7819 12793922-FR35-25