Tuesday, 9 December, 2025
Mental health training in Ferntree Gully
Sooki Lounge calls for change
New Rotaract Club in the Foothills
Real estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Taking a bright stand By Tanya Steele Three women are standing up for gender based violence this week, creating a mural in Belgrave on ‘Respect’ as part of the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism. Locals around Belgrave may have noticed a bright mural emerging from the wall space next to the Woolworths, as Hillsbased parents Laura, Kate and Cat bring life to the project, often with family in tow in the afternoon hours. Star Mail caught up with them on Thursday 4 December, and Laura said the trio saw the chance to create a collaborative piece that would bring the issue to the limelight in Belgrave. “It’s a nice project that allows us to have a creative expression and make a statement about gender based violence,” she said. Community quotes will be incorporated into the public artwork, and the trio have been collecting them online via a survey. Read more on page 18
Local mums Cat, Kate and Laura are currently creating a mural in Belgrave on ‘Respect’ as a part of the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence. (Tanya Steele).
Cameo celebrates By Shamsiya Hussainpoor Belgrave’s Cameo Cinema is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. The beloved iconic is more than just a place to watch movies, it’s a cultural hub where memories are made, friendships are formed, and the magic of film thrives. The cinema’s manager, Danielle Burgess, credits its long-standing success to the deep love
the community has for it. The cinema faced a major threat in 1995 when it nearly faced demolition, but thanks to the efforts of passionate locals, it was saved and heritage-listed. Over the years, the venue has adapted to modern needs, it now has wheelchair access and hearing loops to ensure inclusivity for all movie lovers. For regular customers like Myra Camm from Ferntree Gully, Cameo is more than just a cine-
ma, it’s an important part of the community. She values the opportunity to enjoy films in a familiar, comfortable setting, and fears the loss of the cinema would strip Belgrave of its charm. Long-time patrons like Gerdina Jansen also feel the cinema is an essential gathering spot, while local business owner Alex Palmer of Little Hendrix Cafe stresses the impact Cameo has on the town’s economy.
Staff members, such as Tadji Ulrich, who grew up visiting Cameo, share the same deep connection to the cinema. For Ulrich, it’s not just about watching films, but being part of a community. To celebrate its 90th birthday, Cameo is hosting a week of special events, including discounted tickets and a 10-film retrospective to showcase memorable films from each decade.
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