Tuesday, 3 February, 2026
Yarra Valley a hotspot for dodgy labour hire
Playlunch’s Keith lands number four on Hottest 100
See the best pics from Wandin Family Fun Day
See Real Estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Praise for new mural By Oliver Winn The drab brick walls of Wandin’s Marigold Way was given new life by a local mural artist, stopping taggers and celebrating wildlife. Using spray paints, Brad Colling transformed the wall into a canvas of bright colours with large, eye-catching animals and plants. An echidna sits front-on against a backdrop of flouro green, while nearby a sugar glider grips onto a branch. The big, wise eyes of an owl makes you question who’s looking at who. The idea of a mural came to Mr Colling after a “game of cat and mouse” between taggers graffiting walls and the Rotary Club of Wandin cleaning it off. Community Bank Wandin-Seville funded the mural and locals have already been praising Mr Colling’s also known by the name Buzzart, work. “People really love it, so that’s the best part, that people stop and say how good it looks,” Mr Colling said. Read more on page 11
The mural features the beautiful native wildlife of the Yarra Ranges. (Oliver Winn: 531737)
Push for amenity By Gabriella Vukman Football Victoria is making the most of the countdown to the state election with the launch of its ‘Level the Playing Field’ programme. Calling on local politicians to prioritise the growth of soccer throughout the state, Football Victoria aims to keep the game’s infrastructure up to date with its steadily growing popularity.
Advocating for new change rooms, lighting and female-friendly facilities, the Yarra Ranges Shire’s own Don Road Sporting Complex in Healeseville and Esther Park in Mooroolbark feature in Football Victoria’s list of priority projects across the state. President of the Healesville Soccer Club Suzanne Tyzack was surprised that the club was featured on Football Victoria’s list at all, consider-
ing Healesville’s teams play in a private Church’s League and have little to do with the organisation. Ms Tyzack said, “We were totally unaware of the whole thing.” “We called the council to see if it had come from them, but it is a total Football Victoria initiative,” Ms Tyzack said. “We haven’t played in the FFV League in six years, so we were surprised to be on the list.”
Healesville Soccer Club was already in the process of applying to play in Football Victoria’s FFV League in 2027. Ms Tyzack said, “Whether Football Victoria knows that we are applying for next year or not, we are really happy to be on the list.” Having launched their 10-year facilities strategy in October, 2025, Football Victoria is keen to make moves on the project in 2026.
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