Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 10th February 2026

By Callum Ludwig

A building has been lost after a fire broke out at Colchester Nursery and Garden Supplies in Kilsyth South on Wednesday 4 February.

Colchester Road was temporarily closed as firefighters worked tirelessly to battle the blaze.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesperson said 11 CFA units alongside Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a structure fire on Colchester Road in Kilsyth South at around 1.12pm on Wednesday 4 February.

The Basin CFA Captain Corey Schmutter said upon arrival, the structure was fully alight.

“All staff were out upon arrival but there was two staff members who were taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation,” he said.

The fire appears to have originated in a larger structure on the site alongside the fence line, and firefighters largely restricted the damage to the building, with a number of nearby plants appearing unharmed.

The building could not be saved however, collapsing in on itself.

Major quarry test

By Callum Ludwig

Minister for Transport and Planning Sonya Kilkenny has announced an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) will be required to approve any expansion of Boral’s quarry in Montrose.

The proposed expansion, which has prompted significant opposition from community members, will now be subject to significant public review and assessment before any approval is granted.

The Stop Montrose Quarry Expansion group said they welcome the Minister’s decision to require a full Environmental Effects Statement for

the proposed Montrose Quarry expansion.

“This confirms that the concerns raised by residents, experts, and the wider community are serious, legitimate, and warrant comprehensive and transparent assessment,” it reads.

“A project of this scale and duration must be subject to the highest level of environmental scrutiny, and we will continue to engage constructively throughout the EES process to ensure community health, environmental values, and planning integrity are properly protected.”

In the reasons for the decision, the minister identified the expansions as having potential for

significant environmental effects of the project on surface water and groundwater, native vegetation and listed species of flora and fauna, noise and amenity, and the landscape, including those associated with the nearby Dandenong Ranges National Park.

A Boral spokesperson said they respect the Minister’s recent determination on Boral’s referral and welcome a decision on the approval pathway for this important state-significant project.

“We are confident we have developed robust environmental mitigation strategies and look forward to reviewing the full scoping requirements

once issued and finalising an Environment Effects Statement for the Government’s consideration,” they said.

“In the meantime, our teams are getting on with the job, for nearly 70 years, Montrose Quarry has helped build Melbourne and contributed to a stronger Victoria, the quarry continues to play its role in supplying essential construction materials and aggregates to support key infrastructure projects and residential development.

“We’re committed to protecting Victoria’s future by extending the life of this quarry.”

Volunteering in decline

By Oliver Winn

The decline in volunteering among Australians has highlighted the need for volunteer clubs to adapt in order to stay alive.

Rotary Club of Upper Yarra vice president Janice Burney said a rapidly changing world was impacting the way how people connect and as a result, meant a decline in volunteerism.

“Rotary had begun at the start of last cen-

tury so let’s face it - the world we were living in has changed.

“I do believe that it has declined somewhat over the years,” Ms Burney said.

An ABC article reported 92 Rotary clubs to have closed between 2020 and 2025 with an average membership at 22 members.

The national peak body for volunteering, Volunteering Australia, said clubs were adapting to provide more flexible arrangements and niching down to cater to special interests.

“People are just grabbing the opportunity, grabbing some friends and going and doing things that they are either interested in or need to be done without going through organisations,” Volunteering Australia chief executive Mark Pearce said.

Ms Burney echoed the sentiment and said clubs were offering more non-committal opportunities.

“You don’t necessarily have to attend meetings. You don’t necessarily have to be committed on a monthly slash weekly scenario.

“It could be, ‘This is a job I can help with. This is something I’m good at. I’ll do that this afternoon and maybe not reconnect for another six months or so.’”

Ms Burney is also a member of the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) and said the change in approach had seen some success.

“We’ve been able to put a call out for people who would like to do a particular role and have had some really good responses and it’s been obviously positive to get somebody to help out with the job, but also the gains that current members have had just by listening to a person’s different view on something is huge.”

Though Rotary saw a lot of clubs fold after Covid-19, it’s also seen 21 new clubs start since 2020.

Rotary South Pacific public image chair Liz McDougall said these new clubs were better at attracting younger members.

“Many smaller clubs have seen their members age out or, sadly, pass away, but in recent years, the development of new-style clubs are attracting younger members,” Ms McDougall said.

Ms Burney said there was potentially a correlation between the rise of the internet and the decline in volunteering.

“People saw Rotary as a club to of course have friendship and fellowship but also to to be able to discuss problems,” Ms Burney said.

“Now, for young people… they think that they’re engaging with the world [on social media].

“To a certain extent, I guess you are - with social media, you can speak to anybody anywhere.”

“But we’re pack animals, we’re born to be connected and socialised, and you just won’t get the same feeling from an electronic interaction”

She said the gains of volunteering were “immense” and that people who’ve never tried it should give it a go.

“The value that you can bring and the reward you get from when you volunteer is immense.

“There’s so many studies about how it’s good for self-esteem, self-worth. Having that sense of being a rounded person moving about in your life with a balanced perspective to the hours in your day.

“Now you’re clearly not getting paid because you’re a volunteer and you may not get praise or rewards but in your heart or in your soul or in your being, it feels good.”

Mr Pearce said the future of volunteering was dependent on clubs adapting to meet the change of volunteering behaviours.

“In order for volunteering to survive and thrive into the future, we need to engage with volunteers in a way that makes sense to them,” he said.

“We need to look really closely at improving the volunteer experience.”

Fire guts nursery

By Callum Ludwig

Colchester Road was temporarily closed as firefighters worked tirelessly after a blaze broke out at Colchester Nursery and Garden Supplies in Kilsyth South.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) spokesperson said 11 CFA units alongside Fire Rescue Victoria responded to a structure fire on Colchester Road in Kilsyth South at around 1.12pm on Wednesday 4 February.

“Crews discovered a structure fully involved in fire,” they said.

“Victoria Police, the relevant power company and Ambulance Victoria were called to the scene.

“Incident is ongoing.”

Police acted to close Colchester Road at Wonthulong Drive, with motorists either turning around or detouring via Chandra Avenue.

The fire appears to have originated in a larger structure on the site alongside the fence line, and firefighters largely restricted the damage to the building, with a number of nearby plants appearing unharmed.

The building could not be saved however, collapsing in on itself. Firefighters worked throughout the afternoon to quench the blaze, with flames visibly reappearing through the sheet metal periodically.

It is believed that everyone on site escaped safely.

An alert issued at 2.39pm advised people in the vicinity that smoke would be visible but there was no immediate threat to the community and by 3.20pm the fire was deemed under control.

The Basin CFA Captain Corey Schmutter was the incident controller for the fire said upon arrival, the structure was fully alight.

“All staff were out upon arrival but there was two staff members who were taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation,” he said.

“The fire was probably under control within the hour.

“The loss was contained to the structure of origin but as to the costs or damage, I’m not privy to that information.”

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

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IN BRIEF

Boy stabbed during Croydon aggravated burglary

A 17-year-old boy has been stabbed during an aggravated burglary in Croydon in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the circumstances and it is understood offenders entered a property about 3.45am.

“A 17-year-old boy was stabbed during the incident. He was taken to hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries,” a spokesperson said.

“The offenders fled the scene, and no arrests have been made at this stage.

“A crime scene is in place.”

Investigators are looking into whether the people involved are known to each other.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics attended the scene.

“A teenage boy was transported by road ambulance to hospital in a stable condition with upper body injuries.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au Car fire in Lilydale

A car fire in Lilydale has affected traffic on a busy road during the morning peak hours.

A CFA spokesperson said they responded to reports of a car fire at around 6.32am on Swansea Road in Lilydale.

“Two CFA units attended the scene alongside Victoria Police,” they said.

“Upon arrival, crews found a vehicle fully involved with fire and immediately began suppression efforts.

“The incident was declared safe at 7.00am. Crews also managed a diesel spill which was affecting the roadway.”

One lane of Swansea Road between Birmingham Road and Hull Road remained closed for over two hours while the scene was cleared.

Resident evacuated after Croydon house fire

A resident had to be evacuated by firefighters after a house in Croydon set on fire.

A Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) spokesperson said they responded to an incident on Henry Road, Croydon at 8:42am on Thursday 5 February following multiple calls to Triple Zero (000) reporting a house fire.

“Firefighters arrived on scene in two minutes to find a 10m by 10m single-storey weatherboard home involved in flames and worked quickly to safely evacuate a person from the home, who is now being assessed by Ambulance Victoria,” they said.

“Crews attacked the fire bringing the incident under control at 9.06am and remain on scene to make the scene safe.”

Two CFA units, Ambulance Victoria and Victoria Police personnel were also on scene to assist. Ambulance Victoria was called to the fire incident in Croydon at around 8.45am.

“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics attended the scene and assessed one patient,” a spokesperson said

“No emergency treatment or transport was provided.

“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic crews remain on scene to support our emergency service partners by providing health monitoring.”

Yarra Valley under scrutiny

By Callum Ludwig

Alongside the Labour Hire Authority (LHA), the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has put the Yarra Valley’s horticulture industry under heavy scrutiny.

The FWO revealed in June 2025 that the horticulture industry in the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley region had the highest rate of overall non-compliance, with 83 per cent of targeted employers found to have failed to meet obligations under the Fair Work Act.

An FWO spokesperson said their horticulture compliance report showed the non-compliance rates for employers targeted for surprise inspections in 15 regional hotspots under the regulator’s Horticulture Strategy 2021-2024.

“Having identified the nation’s five least-compliant hotspots, the FWO announced a fresh campaign of horticulture sector inspections in the ‘troublespots’, these regions are Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley; Sunraysia; Shepparton, and NSW’s Riverina region and Coffs Harbour/Grafton,” they said.

“The troublespots inspections, which roll out across two years, have a focus on labour hire operators as such operators had notably higher breach rates than growers in every region where both were investigated, if we receive intelligence however, about notable suspected non-compliance by growers we will act.

“The regulator hopes for improvement since the Horticulture Strategy inspections and the deterrent effect of non-compliant employers having faced penalties, back-payments and other enforcement action from us and/or other regulators.”

The FWO targets employers for inspection on its own intelligence, such as a history of non-compliance (including the outcomes of the Horticulture Strategy 2021-2024), as well as anonymous reports, advice of government departments and agencies and more.

The spokesperson said the Horticulture Strat-

egy 2021-2024 found that non-compliance with workplace laws was significantly higher among labour hire providers than growers who employ workers directly.

“For example, 91 per cent of Infringement Notices were issued to labour hire providers. In the top five worst-performing regions, 80 per cent of non-compliant employers were labour hire providers,” they said.

“In the worst-performing region, Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley, 100 per cent of the 23 labour hire providers inspected were non-compliant (compared with 54 per cent of the 13 growers targeted).

“As mentioned above, labour hire providers are a focus of the fresh inspections because of their higher rate of non-compliance.”

Between 74 per cent and 83 per cent of labour hire providers in the other worst-performing regions were found to be non-compliant.

Common themes identified with labour hire providers included:

A lack of record-keeping (leading to difficulty for Fair Work Inspectors in determining workers’ correct pay) .

Cash in hand payments (including allegations involving non-payment of taxation obligations and superannuation guarantee).

Contracted workers not knowing who their employer is.

Workers not wanting to engage with the FWO (including workers deliberately avoiding Fair Work Inspectors undertaking site inspections).

Use of ‘straw directors’ who are not involved in the operation of an entity.

Use of ‘supervisors’ who act as intermediaries (making identification of the ‘true employer’ difficult to determine at times).

Provision of false or misleading records.

Use of social media and group communication applications to interact with the workforce (making it difficult for Fair Work Inspectors to trace or recall communications to workers in the absence of records).

Fraudulent claims of holding a labour hire licence.

Misrepresenting the true employer of labour.

Fraudulent use of ABNs.

The spokesperson said improving compliance in the agriculture sector including horticulture is a priority for the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), as the sector often involves manual-intensive, often low-skilled, seasonal work, commonly relies on vulnerable visa holders, and often engages with complex supply chains and labour hire arrangements.

“Many workers in horticulture are visa holders, including young backpackers, and these workers are more vulnerable to exploitation, as they are less likely to be aware of their rights and Australian workplace laws,” they said.

“Visa holders may also be reluctant to speak up because of language barriers, or be worried about repercussions for their visas if they speak up about workplace issues.

“However, it is crucial that migrant workers in Australia know that they the same rights and protections under the Fair Work Act as other employees. The FWO does not tolerate the exploitation of any worker, especially vulnerable or ‘at risk’ workers such as migrant workers.”

The FWO has filed 171 litigations against employers involving visa holder workers, resulting in $39 million in penalties, in the eight financial years to June 2025.

Information is available for employees and employers at our visa holders and migrants webpages and it is important that visa holders are aware they can’t get into trouble or have their visa cancelled for contacting the FWO: fairwork.gov. au/find-help-for/visa-holders-migrants.

To address workplace exploitation of visa workers, the Australian Government is also conducting two pilot initiatives, the Strengthening Reporting Protections Pilot and Workplace Justice Visa Pilot.

The FWO spokesperson said one of the best defences for any worker against being underpaid

Group cements stance on e-bikes

By Oliver Winn

The Yarra Ranges Mountain Biking Club’s (YRMBC) stance on e-bikes was set in stone on 29 January when it adopted its e-bike policy.

With an aim of formalising what was already an existing rule, the policy firmly rejects the use of any e-bike that is not legally compliant.

“I think what’s important to make clear is that this is the formalisation of what was an existing policy really,” YRMBC vice president Paul Larkin said.

“So that’s in writing now, but it’s always been a policy at a club that bikes that come on our rides or that we take into the forest whenever we go in need to be safe, and that includes being legally compliant.”

He said the fire along the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail spurred the group to put the rule into writing in order to make its rules crystal clear.

“What’s kind of spurred it was there’s been a lot of concern about e-bikes out in the area with the Warburton trail development.

“I think a lot of that is people are invested in the communities and no one wants a fire or any kind of risk.”

It gave the group’s ride leaders a reference point for whenever they needed to enforce the policy on their rides.

The policy itself states e-bikes must comply with applicable Australian safety standards, be unmodified from their original compliant configuration, and be maintained in a safe and serviceable condition at all times.

The club reserves the right to exclude a rider from a club activity if their e-bike does not meet this policy, or require a rider to withdraw from a ride if safety concerns arise during an activity.

Mr Larkin said the club supported the proper enforcement of existing standards around e-bikes.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily easy or fair for local authorities to do, like it’s pretty hard to be checking e-bikes, they shouldn’t really be coming into the country if they’re not safe,” he said.

He pointed out how Australian based

companies are more likely to sell higher quality e-bikes.

“It’s just actually quality assurance, quality control where they’ve been made. If somebody sends a bike over the border and they’ve got no responsibility.”

“That probably indicates that they’re not too worried about it whereas if you

is an awareness of their workplace rights and entitlements.

“Workers can go to fairwork.gov.au and use the Pay Calculator to help determine their minimum wage rates and entitlements, they can familiarise themselves with sector-specific information in our Horticulture Showcase,” they said.

“The FWO has a range of resources including a step-by-step guide to help employees when their pay doesn’t seem right and a free online course to help with difficult conversations in the workplace.

“We’re conscious that some workers may be reluctant to come forward for a range of reasons – so we also have an area on our website where workers can leave anonymous tip-offs about non-compliance issues. The online anonymous report tool includes options to report in languages other than English.”

Any worker who is concerned they have been underpaid and would like some assistance can lodge a request for assistance via the FWO website – or by calling Fair Work Infoline (13 13 94). There is also a free interpreter service on 13 14 50. The spokesperson said the FWO is committed to building a culture of compliance across the horticulture sector through education and enforcement.

“We know we can’t do this alone, and we’re continuing to work closely with employer groups and unions to highlight how employers can get it right in the first place,” they said.

We encourage horticulture businesses who wish to engage a labour hire operator to familiarise themselves with the information we provide… employers who think they may have underpaid their workers can see our step-by-step guide on how to fix an underpayment.

“When businesses are looking to contract out labour, the FWO expects them to understand the cost of employment. If the price of a proposed contract seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Employers can find more at horticulture.fairwork.gov.au/sourcing-labour.

RBA hikes rates

By Jacob Shteyman, AAP

The Reserve Bank of Australia has hiked interest rates by 25 basis points, becoming the first major central bank to go from rate cuts to rate hikesfollowingthepost-Covidinflationspike.

In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, the RBA’s monetary policy board lifted the cash rate to 3.85 per cent.

The move was tipped by most economists and expected by financial markets, which attributed a three-quarter chance of a rateriseaheadofthedecision,afterinflation surgedbackabovetheRBA’s2-3percenttarget band.

Labour force data and consumer spending was also above RBA forecasts, heightening fears that the economy was running abovecapacityandcontributingtoinflationary pressures.

Butthedecisionwasadifficultoneforthe Reserve Bank nonetheless, having only last cut interest rates in August.

look at the bikes that are sold in Australia, all of the e-bikes those sold by companies that have a presence here, they’re invested in the community in different ways and they’ve got insurance as well which means that they’ve got liability so that that’s a real incentive for them to be selling things that are safe,” Mr Larkin said.

After bucking the trend of peer economies by intentionally keeping rates lower for longer to prevent a spike in unemployment, the RBA becomes the first major central bank to return to interest rate rises since the pandemic. Some economists had predicted theRBAwouldprefertowaitforfurtherdata, givenrecentmonthlyinflationdatahadbeen softening and strength in the Australian dollar would take some heat out of the economy. Domain chief economist Nicola Powell said while it would reduce homebuyers’ borrowing power, the hike would take some momentum out of the housing market. A borrower with a $600,000 mortgage would see their monthly repayments increase by about $90, assuming lenders pass on the increase in full. Attention now turns to what tone governor Michele Bullock strikes in her post-meeting press conference, with economists less sure about whether the RBA will follow the hike with further rises or make it a one-and-done affair.

Inupdatedeconomicforecasts,RBAstaff revised up their inflation assumptions, with core inflation expected to come in at 3.2 per cent by the end of 2026, up from their November prediction of 2.7 per cent.

Quarry battle ongoing

By Callum Ludwig

Transport and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has announced an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) will be required to approve any expansion of Boral’s quarry in Montrose.

The proposed expansion, which has prompted significant opposition from community members, will now be subject to significant public review and assessment before any approval is granted.

In a statement on the ‘Stop Montrose Quarry Expansion’ group’s Facebook page, they said they welcome the Minister’s decision to require a full Environmental Effects Statement for the proposed Montrose Quarry expansion.

“This confirms that the concerns raised by residents, experts, and the wider community are serious, legitimate, and warrant comprehensive and transparent assessment,” it reads.

“A project of this scale and duration must be subject to the highest level of environmental scrutiny, and we will continue to engage constructively throughout the EES process to ensure community health, environmental values, and planning integrity are properly protected.”

In the reasons for the decision, the minister identified the expansions as having potential for significant environmental effects of the project on surface water and groundwater, native vegetation and listed species of flora and fauna, noise and amenity, and the landscape, including those associated with the nearby Dandenong Ranges National Park.

A Boral spokesperson said they respect the Minister’s recent determination on Boral’s referral and welcome a decision on the approval pathway for this important state-significant project.

“We are confident we have developed robust environmental mitigation strategies and look forward to reviewing the full scoping requirements once issued and finalising an Environment Ef-

with the job, for nearly 70 years, Montrose Quarry has helped build Melbourne and contributed to a stronger Victoria, the quarry continues to play its role in supplying essential construction materials and aggregates to support key infrastructure projects and residential development.

“We’re committed to protecting Victoria’s future by extending the life of this quarry.”

Once the EES is filed by Boral, public submissions can be put forward in response before a final assessment is made.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said this project will require an EES before any decision can be made to ensure a thorough assessment of all potential impacts.

“As part of the process, the proponent must consult with the community and stakeholders to ensure they can have their say while the EES is prepared,” they said.

The last EES in the Yarra Ranges was for the Warburton Bike Park, with the referral accepted on 18 December 2019, an EES required on 13 March 2020 and first exhibited in December 2021. An inquiry hearing was then held over four weeks to the start of April and by October, it was concluded that most of the project could proceed with modifications and an environmental management plan.

Member for Monbulk Daniela De Martino said the Minister’s decision requiring an Environmental Effects Statement is a great outcome and what she and the community have consistently advocated for - a comprehensive, thorough and transparent assessment process.

“The Montrose community has been clear about the impacts they are already experiencing and their fears about a larger quarry footprint,” she said.

“An EES is the right decision - it ensures that every environmental and community consideration is assessed in detail, and that the public has a genuine opportunity to participate in the pro-

sion in a post on Facebook.

Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures at Yarra Ranges Council Kath McClusky said the council welcomes the Victorian Government’s confirmation that an extensive environmental assessment will be undertaken before any decision is made on the proposed expansion of the Mon-

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trose Quarry.

“Importantly, consultation is a key aspect of this State Government process, so all stakeholders, including our community, environmental group and advocacy organisations will have opportunities to share their feedback and concerns,” she said.

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Honouring 75 years since Nashos start

By Callum Ludwig

With the world on edge as the Cold War rumbled on and fears festered over a third world war only a few short years after the last, the Menzies government acted to shore up Australia’s defences.

By 1951, national service was implemented and for eight years, young men were called up for basic military training whether they liked it or not.

2026 marks the 75th anniversary of the National Servicemen, or the ‘Nashos’, and two Yarra Ranges locals, Les Hutchinson and Don Ingram, shared their memories ahead of commemorative services being held around the country on 14 and 15 February.

Local historian Anthony McAleer OAM said with tensions growing due to the Cold War and the Korean War having already started, the government believed something significant was going to happen.

“We didn’t have the men in our defence forces so they decided to bring in National Service… you would be compulsorily brought in to undertake military service during that period and every 18-year-old was conscripted,” he said.

“The only way that you got out of it was if you didn’t pass the medical or for some other valid reason, but there were very few reasons they would allow.

“These two men as 18-year-olds were called up, they had to go and do basic army training at Puckapunyal, then from there, they had to spend the rest of their time in a CMF (Citizen Military Forces) unit, which nowadays, we would call the reserves, but in those days, it was a unit made up of part-time soldiers, guys who had volunteered to undertake military training and service parttime.”

Les Hutchinson, from the Hutchinson family with a long history in Lilydale, would have been one of the first in the town to be called up.

Mr Hutchinson said it was in early January when he got the notice, while he was at a church camp.

“When I was to finish the camp, two days later, I was to go to camp for national service so I didn’t have long to think about it.

“I went by train up, they took off my ‘civvy’ clothes, gave me army clothes and I marched out.”

National Servicemen were required to undergo training with either the Army, the Navy, or the Air Force, for an active standard training obligation of 176 days.

Mr Hutchinson said he was glad to do it because his Dad was in the army.

“I liked to see the soldiers marching and I wanted to march and so I enjoyed it but some hated it,” he said.

“There was one in our hut and he had a calendar and he’d put a big cross in it every day waiting for the three months to move on.

“But the best part was my girlfriend liked the uniform, and we got engaged.”

Mr Hutchinson had also stated working at a bank when he was called up, and despite missing time at work, he luckily received the same promotions as everyone else when he got back, while earning better money with the military.

Mr Ingram wasn’t as pleased with his call-up and said he was playing footy at Yarra Glen and they’d just won the last game to make into the finals when he got the call-up and had to miss the finals series.

“I wasn’t very happy about it, I can tell you that, especially afterwards in the CMF, I was chasing a girl that lived at Yarra Glen, and it was Fri-

From teen meet-up to lives changed

Local not-for-profit, Different Journeys is celebrating 10 years since its first community event, marking a decade of walking alongside autistic people, carers and families whose support needs are often overlooked by mainstreamsystems.

Founded by two Victorian mothers of autistic children, Different Journeys was created to address the systemic gaps that leave many families without support. Today, the peer-led organisation supports more than 10,000 autistic people, carers and families, providing inclusive social connection, education and practicalhelpnavigatingcomplexsystems.

day night that we had to go to train at East but the pictures and dances were on Friday night at Yarra Glen and I wasn’t happy about missing all that,” he said.

“At the time I wasn’t too keen on it, I didn’t like it, because we had a very good corporal and sergeant to start with, but then somebody decided our outfit wasn’t up to scratch, so they sent our sergeant packing and sent a new one in, and he was a real mongrel, he gave us a hard time but looking back, it was a good experience.

“Once I got over the initial part of everything, I did enjoy it.”

Those in the Army could not be sent abroad, since they had not volunteered for overseas service, but anyone who served in the navy or the air force may have been asked to serve overseas, though not in an active war zone.

For over six years from 1951, 33,000 youths were trained annually under national service, and in 1957 it dropped from 33,000 to 12,000 youths trained annually.

A favourite memory of Mr Ingram’s time in training he said was when they put on a concert in the hall and the whole camp attended, with two or three hundred there.

“After it was all finished, of course, there was two girls at the time that were on the television, Heather Horwood and Gaynor Bunning, and when they came on stage, the whole place erupted after not seeing girls for a couple of months,” he said.

“When we got back to out hut, the sergeant came in and he said ‘Alright everybody, full-battle gear on’ so put everything on, that we had to go down the parade ground, march from one end to the other, take our gear off, stand there for two minutes, put everything back on, march up the other end, and this went on until right after midnight.

“Until the guy who actually arranged all the concerts, the acts and everything, he was the first one to crack it, he took his bayonet’s gabbard ff and tried to tie it up in knots and the sergeant decided we’d had enough.”

Mr McAleer estimates that between 1951 to 1959 there were possibly about 50 local eighteenyear-olds in the district that underwent the compulsory National Service Training.

More about National Service and how it impacted the local area will be found in a book released later this year, sponsored by the Lilydale RSL and written by Mr McAleer, that will deal with the military history of the area from 1945 to 1995.

Since its founding in 2016, Different Journeyshasoftenheldandorganisedvariousopportunities for people with autism, carers and families, such as playing lawn bowls, as well as being advocates for the autistic community andtheirfamilies.

For co-founder, chief executive and Croydon resident Mel Spencer OAM, who is autistic and a carer to three autistic children, lived experience is the organisation’s greatest strength.

“We don’t just understand the system, we’vesurvivedit,”MsSpencersaid.

“Our staff are autistic people and carers who have had to navigate these supports for theirownfamilies.

“That shared experience means families don’t have to explain or justify themselves –wealreadygetit,”saidMsSpencer.

Over the past year, Different Journeys delivered support across 59 metropolitan and rural local government areas, hosting 280 events and connecting with 6258 Victorians, including more than 3500 carers. Co-founder MerrinAyton,whocaresfortwoautisticadults and leads the Carer Peer Support program saidcarersareoftentheinvisibleones.

“Carers come looking for support for their lovedones,butit’softenthecarersthemselves who are exhausted and close to breaking point,”saidMsAyton.

“Being seen, heard and supported can be lifechanging.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics(2022),oneineightAustraliansprovides unpaid care for someone with additional support needs. Without adequate support, many carers are forced to reduce hours or leave the workforce, impacting their wellbeing and costing employers valuable skills and experience. In response, Different Journeys developed CARE@WORK, a program helping organisations better support employees with caring responsibilities. Early adopters, including State Library Victoria, report improvedstaffretention,increasedflexibilityand reducedabsenteeism.

Mrs Annette White, a parent of two autistic children, has attended Different Journeys eventssince2016.

“From our first teens event, we knew we’d foundourpeople,”MrsWhitesaid.

“There was no judgement, just understanding. We could finally relax and be ourselves. “One-on-one peer support helped me access financial and home assistance I didn’t even know existed and gave me the confidencetoreturntowork.”

Workplace injuries wrap up

By Oliver Winn

A number of workplace incidents occurred in the Yarra Ranges over the past year.

These incidents reveal the consequences of when safety procedures aren’t followed. From horror injuries to unsafe workplaces, here is a list of incidents which took place in 2025.

A Ferntree Gully based concrete supply business, Congy Pty Ltd, copped a $45,000 fine after an employee sustained nerve damage when his hand was entangled in a dosing machine.

When the employee was cleaning the dosing machine it had multiple safety features removed and was powered on, despite the operation manual stating no maintenance should be carried out on the machine while it is in operation.

The employer also failed to provide their employees with the necessary information, instruction and training.

Congy Pty Ltd pleaded guilty on 15 December 2025 and was forced to pay $4365 in costs.

In September, a principal contractor from building company Initial Homes Victoria Pty Ltd was given an $8000 fine after a visit from WorkSafe identified no protection was installed to prevent fall from at height.

The workplace was a building site in Kilsyth, where a lack of guard railings and stair void protection was observed.

The offender engaged LBR Frames Pty Ltd to complete framing works, and they too were convicted alongside the offender.

Shortly after being issued improvement notices, the offender installed the required safety features and compliance was achieved.

The offender had been previously put on notice about the risk of falls from height.

In September 2020, WorkSafe attended a workplace under the offender’s control in Warranwood where six double storey domestic dwellings were under construction.

An improvement notice was issued after three workers were observed working on the

first floors of two units, in close proximity to live edges.

An employee of a Bayswater glass supplier, Tomlinson Glass Pty Ltd, suffered severe injuries after a two tonne glass pack pinned him to the wall of a shipping container.

The injured employee suffered a broken nose, a broken wrist, a severed tendon in his left hand, a broken sternum, broken shoulders blades, a large laceration to the neck, collapsed lungs, and a number of broken ribs.

A crane had to be used to remove the glass pack from the employee, and he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Tomlinson Glass Pty Ltd pleaded guilty and on 27 August was forced to pay a $50,000 fine and $5626 in costs.

If it weren’t for the guilty plea, the offender would’ve been sentenced with conviction and a fine of $80,000.

When sentencing, the Magistrate noted the seriousness of the incident and the significant

departure from health and safety standards.

The offender also had no prior convictions and entered an early plea.

Over in Mooroolbark, VBD & C Pty Ltd was the principal contractor for 26 townhouses and two basement car parks when it failed to provide a safe workplace.

Carpenters were observed working at height with no adequate protections.

VBD & C Pty Ltd was fined $25,000 and paid $5802 in costs.

Closures create headache

By Tanya Steele

Local families in Cardinia and the Yarra Ranges were both confused and upset by sudden school closures on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 February.

A statewide policy that informs what is known as the bushfire at-risk register (BARR) in the school system has affected schools across the outer east region last week, with more closures possible before summer’s end.

Community across Emerald and Cockatoo questioned the decision by the Department of Education to close some schools in their area but not others last week, with confusion around fire danger ratings, while a Yarra Valley primary school now has to relocate on days forecast as high because of it’s BARR rating.

A department of education spokesperson said that Emerald Secondary College’s local government areas’ fire danger rating for Tuesday 3 February had increased to extreme.

“All relevant Bushfire At-Risk Register schools were contacted immediately to communicate the need to close or relocate in line with their pre-approved plan,” they said.

“The local fire danger rating for the following day is released by the Bureau of Meteorology twice daily at 5.30am and at 4pm, which determines what actions schools on the Bushfire AtRisk Register (BARR) take.”

All schools across Victoria are ranked annually on the BARR register, and under the Department of Education’s policy, all category two services are required to close or relocate when the LGA fire danger rating reaches extreme.

The BARR can place a school or kinder into Category zero, one, two or three with category zero having the highest bushfire risk profile.

To determine a school’s BARR rating the CSIRO considers the site’s terrain, fuel and vegetation type, its Bushfire Prone Area designation and Shelter-in-Place (SIP) building.

The BARR ratings on a school are then used to decide if the school will operate, shut down or move to a partnered school on extreme fire days.

The issue? The Fire Weather District Fire Rating is public. The LGA fire rating is not public. Community have to wait for late afternoon or evening communications from their schools for their LGA rating.

While the system is all about safety for students and the staff across these schools, it has appeared to create major headaches for families and schools when the forecast is different for the LGA over the district.

Department of Education’s Bushfire and Grassfire Preparedness Policy has been created by expert advice from across the emergency sector and the CSIRO, and schools, kindergartens and childcare facilities deemed to be at the highest risk of fire are placed on the department’s BARR.

“The safety of students and staff is always our highest priority, particularly on days of elevated fire danger when the safest action for some schools is to relocate,” said the Department of Education.

The year in Cardinia, Emerald, and Cockatoo have schools that are now classed as both two and three in their suburbs.

This means families with kids attending across schools will have some children required to stay home or relocate, while others attend as normal.

Cardinia Council released a list of BARR category two schools and after-school services on their website on 2 February that also closed for the two days, which included Beaconsfield Upper Primary School, Beaconsfield Upper Primary School TheirCare, Cockatoo Primary School, Cockatoo Primary School Council OSHC, Emerald Secondary College, Upper Beaconsfield Community Early Learning Centre, Upper Beaconsfield Kindergarten and Upper Beaconsfield McBride Road Kindergarten.

The night before social media notice boards flooded with people questing how the decision was made and expressed frustrations over it.

“We recognise the impact this may have on families, particularly at short notice, and appreciate the community’s understanding as agen-

cies work to prioritise the safety of children, staff and the wider community,” read the website post.

Some schools in the Yarra Ranges were completely closed, like Chum Creek Primary and its OSCH, relocating to Healesville Primary on those days.

The school as of 2026 has a BARR ranking of zero on the register and now has to relocate classes on LGA high days as well as extreme days.

The primary school faces a similar challenge that Selby Primary School in the Dandenong Ranges did last year, with it’s shelter in place building on its site that is no longer meeting required building codes.

Ranges Ward Councillor David Nickells took to social media last week with the issue and said he’d consulted the shire’s emergency management team, who had explained that the Tuesday LGA rating for Cardinia was 50, extreme.

“While the public fire weather district fire danger rating of 46 was High,” he said on social media.

“This disconnect regarding school closure thresholds is really disruptive and confusing - and doesn’t help create clear and consistent public messaging, around which we can all create and follow our bushfire plans with our families.”

School OSHC, Cire Community School | Cire Training, Cire Community School in Monbulk, Ferny Creek Primary School, Ferny Creek PS TheirCare, Hills Community Childcare, Kallista Kindergarten, Kallista OSHClub, Kallista Primary School, Macclesfield Primary School, Macclesfield PS TheirCare. Melbourne High School - Millgrove Outdoor Education Centre, Menzies Creek Primary School, Menzies Creek PS TheirCare, Monbulk College, Mount Dandenong Primary School and their OSCH, Mt Dandenong Preschool, Olinda Primary School, Sassafras Preschool, Sassafras Primary School Sassafras PS TheirCare, Scotch College - Chum Creek Campus, Selby Community House, Selby Preschool, Selby Primary School, Sherbrooke Community School, St Joseph’s School, The Patch Kindergarten, The Patch OSHClub, The Patch Primary School, Toolangi Primary School Council, Warburton Preschool, Warburton Primary School, Warburton Primary School Combined OSHC, Wesburn Primary School, Wesburn Primary School OSHC and Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School. In Cardinia, at a ‘One’ Rating is the Outdoor Education Camp, Garfield North Outdoor Education Centre in Garfield North.

“I will discuss this week’s events with our Emergency Management Team at Council and with my Councillor colleagues, to find the best way Council might escalate this situation,” he wrote on social media.

In the Yarra Ranges, at a ‘Zero’ rating, Chum Creek Primary and its OSCH,

At a ‘One’ is Outdoor Education Camp, Ashwood School in Chum Creek.

At a ‘Two’ is Camp Australia, Selby Primary

At a ‘Two’ Rating is Beaconsfield Upper Primary School, Beaconsfield Upper PS TheirCare, Cockatoo Primary School, Cockatoo Primary School Council OSHC, Emerald Secondary College, Upper Beaconsfield Community Early Learning Centre, Upper Beaconsfield Kindergarten and Upper Beaconsfield McBride Road Kindergarten. For a full list of the schools on the BARR, community can head to the Department of Education’s website at: vic.gov.au/bushfire-risk-register-barr

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Love and perseverance

Chicago-born Max Van Scott describes his journey to Ambulance Victoria (AV) as a tale of perseverance and a love story.

It took him well over a decade to achieve his goal of working as a paramedic, but Max said it was all worth it once he hit the road as a graduate paramedic at AV’s Montrose branch last year.

“I feel like I hit the lottery,” he said.

“Montrose is beautiful, and my clinical instructors have been so supportive and dedicated to my growth. Being a paramedic is the hardest job I’ve ever had, and you can’t come in excellent. But I’m improving every day.”

Max grew up in the United States of America and studied a biological science degree at college, with the goal of becoming an Emergency Medical Technician or EMT, the US equivalent of a paramedic, in Chicago.

When applications opened for Chicago EMT

positions, Max put his name in alongside 20,000 other hopeful candidates.

Over the next five years, Max slowly progressed through testing and waited for his application number to be reached. At the same time, he worked and volunteered at Foodbank – a turning point in his life.

That was where he met his wife, an Australian woman named Karen, who was in the US for a few years for work. They fell in love, got married and had a baby.

“We were pregnant again in 2019, but we lost our pregnancy in January of 2020, really late,” Max said.

“It was a really rough time. When I came home from hospital, there was a letter in my mailbox saying that my Australian citizenship had been approved. I showed my wife and she said ‘I’m buying the tickets tonight, let’s go’.”

Two months later, Max had packed up his life and was ready to fly across the world for love.

“I was about to leave for the airport and was dropping my rental keys in my mailbox. There was one letter in there and it was from the Chicago Fire Department, saying my number had finally come up for an EMT role,” he said.

“I put it back in the mailbox and I flew to Australia. It was very symbolic to me, that I was choosing my wife and family over this dream I’d had for the last nine years.”

As Max and his family set up their new life in Melbourne, Karen urged him to not give up on his dream.

It meant Max had to go back to university and study a paramedicine degree. With his wife’s support, he did just that and a few years later he was in a position to again apply for a job as a paramedic.

“The day I was sworn in as a citizen to Australia, just two hours before the ceremony, I got an email from AV saying they would be contacting me with a job offer. That was one of the best days of my life,” Max said.

“It was funny how these huge moments – moving to Australia and getting my offer from AV – all happened in conjunction with something else huge.”

At the age of 35, in July last year, Max finally achieved his goal and began his career as a paramedic.

“Every day when I open my closet and see those AV shirts, it makes me so proud,” he said.

“I think my story is one of perseverance. I never gave up and I kept my eye on the prize. And everyone loves a good love story. I made a little sacrifice for love and persevered through, and I got there in the end.”

Museum’s I Connect program funded again

By Callum Ludwig

A successful program is set to return to the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum after a recent funding announcement.

Funding was received from the Department of Education and Training’s Strategic Partnerships Program (SPP) for 2026 and 2027 which will enable the continuation and expansion of the museum’s ‘I Connect’ program.

Exhibitions curator Maddie Reece said the museum is thrilled to be able to continue the delivery of the I Connect program for another two years.

“The Strategic Partnerships Program funding offered through the Department of Education allows us to continue to work with the amazing First Nations educators who have invested so much in the I Connect program over the last 18 months and enhance the education offerings across the region,” she said.

“We have seen increased confidence in students’ cultural literacy and greater understanding of the role of Museums, as well as the history and heritage of Yarra Ranges region, a place many students call home.

“Key successes that teachers have shared with us post visit, is the increased pride and confidence for First Nations students, teachers commented that the students leave feeling prouder of their culture and themselves.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll announced grants to almost 90 organisations as part of the program.

Ms Reece said the SPP funding allows the museum to offer the I Connect program free to all Victorian Government-run schools, not just our local schools.

“Importantly, this funding also allows us to offer assistance with the hiring of buses to bring

students to the museum, we have heard directly that transport is often the biggest barrier for schools to secure their attendance.

“With the current cost of living crisis, we hope that by being able to reduce this cost attendance from more regional and remote locations becomes more achievable.

“We hope this eases the pressures on families too, as often excursion costs are passed on to them which currently can add more stress to already stretched family incomes.”

The I Connect program was developed and delivered with SPP funding over the 2024/25 period and delivered onsite at the museum on Wurundjeri Country in Lilydale by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program facilitators, like Melissa Jones, providing students with a meaningful and authentic learning experience.

Ms Jones, a Yorta Yorta woman and Upper Yarra Secondary College teacher, said she thinks the first iteration of the program was very successful and is very excited to see it returning.

“The kids that I had that came in with their groups, we even had letters and pictures back from some of the schools, so they went away and actually thought about what we were talking about and continued the sessions at their schools, which was great engagement with the community,” she said.

“Absolutely (it’s important) for them to come and hear the stories of the connection with Coranderrk and the Koori family, and to see the artifacts there and the pictures to make those connections, it’s a place that they might have driven past or they’ve been to the Healesville Sanctuary, so they’ve made that connection with something local that’s our history.

“I think some educators, not being Aboriginal, don’t like to talk about truth-telling or they feel like they’re not going to do it the right way, there’s

this fear around talking about our history… talking about our history is better than not doing it at all, and I think when they see me talking about it and we have those conversations with the little kids, they feel more comfortable to go back into the classroom and have more conversations.”

For returning schools and students, Ms Jones and other facilitators will have new and different stories to share and Ms Jones hopes to encourage more connection to Country through time outside with her groups.

Ms Reece said their hope for the I Connect program is that it doesn’t just offer learning beyond the classroom by attending the Museum on an excursion.

“The program and lesson plan structure has been intentionally designed to deliver hands-on, engaging, and inclusive activities that incorporate object-based learning methodologies, that

extend students understanding of what a Museum is and their relationship to the Yarra Ranges,” she said.

“We hope that having the students actively involved in each activity will help them to further develop their own critical thinking and practical learning skills.”

Museum staff are looking to forward to more students visiting and sharing the new ways in which they see the collection, objects and stories in new ways over the next two years.

Ms Reece said they feel it is important to create a culturally safe space for students and teachers to explore and hopefully develop a deeper understanding of local and regional history, First Contacts history and the impact of that history on First Nations people in this area.

“As with any museum visit, people bring their own stories and understanding to that visit or experience, we hope that the students do this tooand that by the end of the lesson, after engaging with the First Nation educators and the activities, they have added something to their own story and understanding,” she said.

“When students arrive at the Museum, we often let them know that we don’t have dinosaur fossils which is always disappointing for them, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum is a place-based museum focused on highlighting the people and stories from across the Yarra Ranges, the students really embrace uncovering the stories about the region and then connecting objects in the displays to those stories and visa-versa.

“On a number of occasions, students have brought their families back into the Museum on weekends to share what they learnt during their excursion. We love that this is a place they want to come back to. We want them to feel proud of the place they are from, proud of their shared heritage and proud of what they have learnt.”

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Skills ready to shine

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A

Ferntree

Gully apprentice jeweller Claire Bextream is preparing to take her skills to the global stage after being selected to compete in the 48th WorldSkills International Competition in Shanghai, China.

The 20-year-old apprentice jeweller from Mount Evelyn, who works at Precious Repairs, said she was overwhelmed when she first found out she had been selected.

“I was in shock, and then after I got over the shock, I was very excited and filled with a lot of emotion,” Ms Bextream said.

Ms Bextream began her journey into jewellery while still at school, after choosing a vocational pathway.

“When I was in high school, I had to choose either VCAL or VCE, and I wanted to do VCAL,” she said.

“That meant I had to pick a trade, and I liked wearing jewellery, so then I just thought, what if I just try making it?”

Her employer, Precious Repairs owner and jeweller Ms Rene McCarthy, said the selection was a proud moment for the small Ferntree Gully business.

“It makes us really proud to think that we’ve been able to contribute to the training of Claire to get her to be able to compete for this,” she said.

Ms McCarthy said Ms Bextream first joined the business through work experience before starting as a school-based apprentice in 2022, later transitioning into a full-time apprenticeship.

“From the time she started with us just doing work experience, we could see she had a natural flair for jewellery,” she said.

“That was what got us to pick her up as an apprentice.”

Ms McCarthy said Ms Bextream’s selection was particularly special as she is the business’s first apprentice.

“I have to be honest, Claire is my first apprentice,” she said.

“To have my first apprentice heading to the WorldSkills competition is incredibly special.”

The WorldSkills competition brings together apprentices and trainees from around the world to test their abilities across a range of trades.

Ms McCarthy said Ms Bextream had already progressed through a state-level competition and would undertake further training before heading overseas in September.

“There’s a lot of training involved prior to actually going,” she said.

“There’s some interstate training to do and some training back at Melbourne Polytechnic with the teachers there as well.”

Ms Bextream said her apprenticeship had helped her build both technical skills and confidence.

“It’s taught me all the skills that I would need,” she said.

“It’s also taught me how to think differently. If something’s challenging, I’ll think of it in a differ-

ent way of how to tackle it.”

Representing her trade on an international stage is something Ms Bextream said she does not take lightly.

“It means a lot to me, because I’m only 20, so I’m so young representing the trade,” she said.

“I hope it will make other people want to be in the trade.”

Looking ahead, Ms Bextream said the experience could open doors, even if her long-term plans are still taking shape.

“I’m not quite sure, I’m still doing jewellery, but I don’t really know,” she said.

“There are so many things I could do. This will bring me lots of opportunity to be able to do more things.”

Ms McCarthy said she hoped Ms Bextream’s achievement would show what small businesses in the suburbs can accomplish.

“It’s good promotion for us,” she said.

“It’s nice to see a little business out in the south-east suburbs being able to help contribute towards someone doing something like this.”

She also encouraged other small businesses to support apprentices when opportunities arise.

“If you’ve got the opportunity to let them compete in competitions, you should give them the freedom and the backing and all the support they need to be able to compete in any competition they’re offered,” Ms McCarthy said.

Ms Bextream will travel to Shanghai in September to compete against participants from around the world in the jewellery category at the 48th WorldSkills International Competition.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Game’s Afoot in Lilydale

By Callum Ludwig

A ‘comedic who-done-it’ is coming to the stage of the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company (LATC) this month, sure to have the audience guessing and laughing along the way.

Directed by Lucia Morris, attendees can look forward to the tale of Ken Ludwig’s ‘The Game’s Afoot’, set in December 1936 in Connecticut, USA.

Ms Morris said the story is about William Gillette, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on the Broadway and London stages, who invites his ensemble cast to his Connecticut castle for Christmas eve dinner.

“During the evening, a murder occurs and Gillette channels his famous detective character to find the killer, it’s a very fast-paced play with hilarious physical comedy and filled with classic mystery themes and surprising twists,” she said.

“When you set out to make a production, you need to start 10 to 12 months beforehand.

“I started in May last year; researching the era, the costumes and the music, watching lots of Sherlock Holmes TV shows, thinking about the set and the way the actors will need to move around it, thinking of how to block (the actors’ movements), preparing a rehearsal schedule, thinking of the sound effects and lighting effects that are needed.”

William Gillette was a real playwright/actor/ producer during the late 1890s to 1930s, famous for converting Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels into plays for the Broadway and London stages and used his resulting wealth and fame to buy a castle in Connecticut, though a murder never occurred within it.

After auditions in September, a final cast of three men and four women, a set-building team of six, a production manager, stage manager and two backstage crew, a costume designer and maker, a lighting and sound designer and a team of three set painters and two prop makers have worked diligently to prepare for the show.

Ms Morris said a number of the cast will be very familiar to their regular audience.

“Mark Cluning, Audrey-Maeve Barker and Francesca Carl were all in shows at Lilydale Athe-

naeum Theatre last year, Kim Edwards and Genevieve Ryan have both been in past productions at Lilydale, Rosemary Buchanan, Lindsay Fletcher and Alexander Ingham are all new actors to LATC,” she said.

“And then there’s my Stage Manager, Fiona Carter, who will be familiar to our audience – she is the Theatre Manager at LATC, has performed on our stage numerous times, and appeared in the ABC’s TV series, ‘The Piano’ last year.

“So, as you can see, the behind-the-scenes organisation is run in a very professional manner and that’s the level that we aim for…

when you add up the number of people (25 so far and that doesn’t include Front of House and Box Office volunteers) and the many hours/days/ weeks involved, it would surprise most people.”

The play runs from Thursday 12 February to Saturday 28 February at Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella Street, Lilydale.

Ms Morris said attendees can expect a really good belly laugh.

“The antics on stage are a hoot and the mystery of ‘who-done-it’ will keep you guessing throughout the show,” she said.

The long way back to Mamma Mia

By Gabriella Vukman

Former Yarra Ranges local Luke Stephens has found himself back on the Melbourne stage for the return of a well-loved musical theatre classic, and he is carrying the valley with him.

The Yarra Ranges-raised thespian will be returning to Mamma Mia The Musical, having performed in the original production when it first came to Melbourne 25 years ago.

Now staged by Melbourne’s new independent company AG Theatre, Mamma Mia opens at The National Theatre from 7 February.

Set on a sun-drenched Greek island, the musical follows 20-year-old Sophie as she secretly invites three men from her mother Donna’s past to her wedding, hoping to finally uncover her father’s identity.

Chaos, confessions and a lot of ABBA inevitably follow.

Despite Mr Stephens’ excitement at his full-circle Mamma Mia moment, the performer told Star Mail that his love for the musical in the early days was not immediate.

“I didn’t like ABBA before I started Mamma Mia,” Mr Stephens confessed.

“But then I started learning the music, and I was like, ‘Wow, this stuff is awesome. These guys are geniuses,’ and I have loved their music ever since,” Mr Stephens said.

“The actual story of Mamma Mia in itself is terrific and so clever. Some of it is cheeky and quite tongue-in-cheek, but there are also some songs that really have an impact.”

Mr Stephens’ first appearance in Mamma Mia was somewhat unexpected.

“I was doing Shout the musical, and then before the end of it, someone from Mamma Mia got injured, and then I was asked to go in for them,” Mr Stephens said.

“I was in the show for two years after that, and I really loved it,” he said.

“I really think it is the best jukebox musical ever.”

This time around, Mr Stephens is playing the role of Bill Austin, one of Sophie’s three possible fathers at the heart of the story.

For Stephens, stepping into Bill’s well-worn sandals brings both nostalgia and a new perspec-

tive.

“He’s a bit of a dag, which I can relate to. I think I’m a bit of a dag,” Mr Stephens said.

“Bill’s relationship with Sophie is what anchors the role, and I think that is my favourite part about the character. He is very fun to play,” Mr Stephens said.

“He is completely moved by the fact that he might be standing in front of his daughter, and when Bill talks to Sophie, they are really levelling with one another. It matters.”

Growing up in the Yarra Valley, Stephens attended Mount Lilydale Mercy College, a place he credits with shaping both his work ethic and his creative life.

“It wasn’t like a prestigious private school or anything like that,” Mr Stephens said.

“Everyone was pretty working class… it was a very earthy place.”

Despite Musical theatre being a new territory for the school at the time, it stuck with Stephens.

“I got my first taste for musicals, and I loved it, and years later here I am still doing them,” Mr Stephens said.

“Musiclas give me life. They have the ability to move people and I love the fact that people can walk into a theatre in one state and then walk out feeling a completely different way,” he said.

“You will leave the theatre at the end of the performance with a smile on your face that will stay with you for days.

“You can have the city theatre experience right here in Lilydale but without the parking problems and the expensive ticket prices.” To find out more or buy your tickets, visit lilydaleatc.com.

“I think the beautiful thing about working in theatre is that you can change people for the better.”

Stephens’ career has spanned children’s performance, musical theatre, straight plays, and an extensive list of television credits, including City Homicide, Home & Away, Underbelly Files: Chopper, My Brother Jack, The Heckler and Monday Dump with Roy & HG.

These days, he also juggles teaching work and parenting his children.

“My kids know that I performed, but they have never actually seen me perform,” Mr Stephens said.

“This is a good opportunity in a fun show for them to see what I do,” he said.

Offstage, Stephens is also working on a very different project, and this one is deeply tied to his Yarra Valley roots.

He is producing a documentary titled The Endless Bend, centred on Mr Stephens own experience of a school trip to Uluru that ended in tragedy when their bus crashed in 1993.

“One of our friends died during the crash, and so we were approached by Mount Lilydale to put together something to mark the 30-year anniversary,” Mr Stephens said.

“We have been working on that for the last, probably three years now and we are chasing funding,” he said.

What began as a commemorative project has become something larger.

Mr Stephens said, “We started interviewing our fellow schoolmates and all the first responders and we just went, ‘wow, this is huge’.”

The film, now several years in development, focuses on trauma, survival and the power of community.

“We feel that there’s a lot that people can learn from our accident,” Mr Stephens said.

“We were in the middle of a desert without any help, digging one another out with spoons and forks… we didn’t even know if anyone knew we’d crashed,” he said.

“We are trying to tell that story, all stories, because we feel it’s really important for people dealing with trauma because it impacts everyone at some point in their life.”

With the township of Coober Pedy coming to

their rescue, and the Yarra Ranges community rallying around the students and their families at home, Mr Stephen emphasised that the documentary is also about celebrating community.

“Everyone came together to help us out, and I think that is one of the best things about community,” Mr Stephens said.

Beyond the township of Coober Pedy, which came to his rescue so many years ago, Mr Stephens noted that his valley upbringing has kept him down to earth and made him who he is.

“I’ll never forget my roots, and where I have come from, because living in the valley was a great period of time, and it was such a great place to grow up,” Mr Stephens said.

“Growing up in the Valley “gets me down to earth… people really appreciate that you’re sincere, that you’re real,” Mr Stephens said.

“I’m very grateful that I also had such great teachers. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have gone into performing.

With ABBA in the air, Lycra not far away, and a story that somehow keeps growing with him, Mr Stephens’ return to Mamma Mia is a quiet totem of a life shaped by experience, carrying with it his upbringing, his hard-earned craft, and an unmistakable slice of the Yarra Valley, from where it all began.

Don’t get stuffed at pub!

By Becki Vandenboom and Ross Polkinghorne, Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society

The Upper Yarra has been home to at least 20 different hotels and wine halls. As the occupation and population of the land fluctuated, so did the opportunity for commercial ventures. Some of these hotels are still well loved by locals and visitors alike. Part of the charm of these hotels are their fascinating stories, folklores and traditions.

This Upper Yarra hotel story is about an establishment that no longer exists. The ‘Worri Yallach Creek Hotel’, its name known only through an article that appeared in the Australasian Newspaper (Melbourne) in 1865, by a ‘recent visitor’ who was

traveling the Yarra Valley route to the tin mines. The visitor, upon leaving the home of his host Mr. Mitchell (Dame Nellie Melba’s father), recalls that he came to the end of Mitchell’s run and was met by a ‘respectable-looking weatherboard house, built for a hotel’. At the time a ‘dismantled’, sign proudly demonstrated the name and occupation of the house.

The location (but not the building) of the 1865 “Worri Yallach Creek Hotel” is now the Woori Yallock Creek Bushland Reserve, approximately 1km along the Old Warburton Highway from Woori Yallock. Maps from both 1865 and 1899 indicate the existence of both Williams place and an ‘Old Hotel’ respectively, in this location by the creek.

The power of storytelling PASSION FOR PROSE

The United Kingdom recently concluded the National Storytelling Week. Established in 2000 by the Society of Storytelling, the annual event celebrates the power of stories. The theme for 2026 is “Speaking Stories into the Darkness”. “We encourage everyone – storytellers, story lovers, story enthusiasts and those of you who are new to story – to take this week to immerse yourselves in telling, sharing and listening to stories,” stated the event’s official website. Meanwhile, the National Literacy Trust designated this year’s theme as “Soundtrack your story”, highlighting artistic and community programs that explored “the magic of storytelling through sound, lyrics and rhythm”.

Specifically, the organisation’s research on children and young people’s reading shows that exploring stories through lyrics “can be an effective way to re-engage young people with reading for enjoyment and writing for pleasure”.

The National Storytelling Week marked a great start for the National Year of Reading 2026, a major initiative in the United Kingdom led by the Department of Education and the aforementioned National Literacy Trust. Launched in January, the campaign aims to reconnect people of all ages with reading as a relevant and rewarding activity.

“The campaign asks the nation to Go All In on their passions and interests and discover how reading can unlock the things they already love – be that music, football, baking, family-time, sci-fi, or… anything,” announced the official website.

The initiative could not be more timely. As The Guardian reports, reading is in crisis in the United Kingdom, with reading for pleasure among children and young adults being at its lowest level in 20 years. “Half of adults in the UK don’t read regularly themselves, and

research shows that many parents don’t enjoy reading to their children.”

Other countries are experiencing the same profound decline in reading enjoyment. In Australia, recent data reveal that more than a quarter of Australians have not read or listened to a single book in the space of a year. One in three Australian children cannot read proficiently, and 29% of Australian teenagers are choosing not to read for pleasure at all.

In the United States, 40% of adult citizens did not read any book last year, compared to the median American who only read two books. It prompted ThriftBooks – one of the largest sellers of used books in that country – to launch the “500 Billion Page Challenge”, hoping to “help America fall back in love with reading”.

As ThriftBooks suggests: “Three pages a day is how a movement starts. If we all read just a little more, only a few pages a day, or a chapter before bed, we don’t just slow the decline. We reverse it.”

Particularly in these unusual and uncertain times, it is vital that we “speak stories into the darkness”. Let us connect with each other through stories and storytelling. Let us remain hopeful that open-mindedness and empathy can prevail over prejudice, bigotry and wilful ignorance.

The tenant publican, a Mr. TJ Williams was an innovative and flexible businessman. He was a publican, taxidermist and local natural history expert. Further, at the time of the visit, Mr. Williams had been ‘summoned…for ‘“sly-grog” selling’ being ‘fined by the very magistrates’ who had previously been perfectly happy indulging in his unlicensed alcohol.

Despite the ‘respectable-looking’ nature of the outside, the visitor likened the interior of the hotel to a laboratory. ‘Every description of birds and beast indigenous to the district’ were crowded into the bar. ‘Skins in various stages of perfection, stuffed and unstuffed, hung upon the walls and covered the seats’ moving them aside to gain a

seat was the discretion of a wary patron. The visitor lists ‘tiger cats, water rats, wombats, bears and wallabies’ in place of the ‘usual bar adornments’. It can’t have been an easy place to relax, surrounded by all those dead bodies and I wonder what the visitor could have been referring to in his representation of a ‘tiger cat’ indigenous to the Upper Yarra. Surely the taxidermist’s laboratory bar must have served as a precaution against over-imbibing! The Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society and Museum is full of stories like this, some more fantastical than others. If you are interested or have stories of your own to share, come visit us on Wednesdays and Sundays 10-4 or contact us via our website.

Those sad Tasmanian zombies...

We Bury The Dead Starring Daisy Ridley, Brandon Thwaites and Mark Coles Smith MA15+ 4/5

Directed by Zak Hilditch, We Bury The Dead is a lean, well-paced, beautifully-shot survival horror film that uses zombies as a backdrop to examine the human condition.After an experimental pulse weapon wipes out Tasmania, some of the victims start coming back to life, and Ava (Daisy Ridley) joins a body retrieval team in the hope of finding her husband Mitch (Matt Whelan) in the ruins.

Ridley conveys dignified sorrow and resolve as Ava, and has fun chemistry with Brandon Thwaites as Clay, a noble larrikin who helps her on her journey. The film has a lilting, otherworldly score by British musician Clark, and the starkly beautiful cinematography captures vast rural vistas and melancholic suburban scenes of everyday life caught in decomposing stasis after the pulse.

Some viewers may be disappointed with the lack of zombie action (even with several unnerving, grisly scenes) or the minimal world-building on how the undead work. However, We Bury The Dead is far more concerned with grief, hope and our need for closure. The second act takes a disturbing detour into psychological thriller territory with Mark Coles Smith as Riley, a kind soldier with shady

motives who can’t move on from a lost loved one.

We Bury The Dead is reminiscent of the 2005 bestselling Swedish novel Handling The Undead by Jon Ajvide Lindqvist, which is also about a disturbing but largely non-violent undead uprising. We Bury The Dead’s backstory for Ava and her husband, coupled with musings on how the pulse changes its victims, also feels slightly derivative of Alex Garland’s 2018 film Annihilation. The hopeful ending also stretches credibility a little too far.

A swift, poignant zombie drama with a powerful performance from Daisy Ridley, We Bury The Dead is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

Seth Lukas Hynes

What’s coming up

The 1812 Theatre

Cue on Stage

Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game , Clue is a hilarious farce-meetsmurder mystery.

The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests, each disguised as characters from the board game, assemble for an unusual dinner party; only to find themselves embroiled in murder, blackmail, and mayhem, as they try to uncover the killer among them,.

• Season: February 19 – March 14.

• Bookings: 9758 3964

The round

Good Lovin; and More – David Vampbell

Features David Vampbel’e album in full – a thundering collection of classic 60s blue-eyed so will be bought to the stage with David’s larrikin charm and incredible voice.

David and his seven-piece band will also perform material from his multi-platinum Swing Sessions albums, so expect class Johnny O’Keefem some Dream lover Bobby Darin chart toppers and so much more!

• Season: Saturday March 14 – 1.30pm & 7.30pm.

The Eagles Greatest Hits

A two-hour performance of songs that defined an era, take It To The Limit, Desperado, Lyn Eyes and the world famous Hotel California. A six-piece band led by Walen Hughes and David Thomson as Con Henley and Glenn Frey,

arguably the best sounding anywhere in the world.

• Season: Friday February 26 at 7.30pm. Karralyka Swan Lake

Presented by Victorian State Ballet With a cast of internationally recognised artists. Swan Lake will bring the superb ballet technique of Petipa’s original choreography to the stage. This stunning production is also beautifully choreographed and re-staged by Victorian State Ballet’s director Michelle Sierra. Don’t miss the unforgettable White Swan pas de deux, the thrilling 32 fouettes of the Black Swan and the world-famous ACT II –Four Cygnets Dance!

• Season: Friday February 27 at 7.3pm, Saturday February 18 at 2pm and 7.30pm and Sunday March 1 at 2pm.

The importance of virtues

By Maria Millers

Modern life throws situations at us that no rulebook covers well: wars, natural disasters, social media call-outs, messy relationships, workplace power dynamics and cultural pluralism

In a less complicated world such as Ancient Greece, philosophers promoted developing virtues.

A virtue is a positive character trait that is considered a foundation for living well, and a key ingredient to greatness

In daily terms, virtues are habits of character — the qualities we admire in people because they make life more liveable and relationships work better.

They’re not just beliefs; they’re ways of behaving consistently. Amongst them were honesty, courage, kindness, justice, wisdom…

In Greek myths virtues are dangerous when taken to extremes, heroes are admired and then destroyed by their virtues.

Moral clarity is rare; tragedy is common.

So Achilles’ courage becomes rage and Odysseus’ cleverness becomes deception.

Hubris is the great anti-virtue — not because ambition is wrong, but because forgetting human limits invites ruin.

Something we still have not learnt.

Contemporary societies are deeply pluralistic: culturally, religiously and politically.

Today we’re more likely talk a lot about values rather than virtues.

Virtues sound old-fashioned, moralising, even religious; values sound personal and negotiable.

In everyday life, we usually notice virtues when they’re tested: during conflict, stress, temptation, or loss.

A virtue isn’t proven on an easy day.

Aristotle would say a virtue is a practice — something you acquire by doing it repeatedly, not something you’re born with fully formed.

And while in the past philosophers like Plato and Aristotle and others were able to assume shared moral context, today in a pluralistic society such as ours and in US, Canada, UK and Europe we cannot expect that.to hold.

Virtues implied shared moral standards; values imply individual or group priorities.

Just think of the current visit of the Israeli President to meet with the Jewish diaspora post Bondi.

For many his visit is anticipated as moral support following tragedy, but not for all.

Even among the Jewish community there is

Dear Mr Violi,

I am writing as a constituent of Casey to express my deep disappointment and anger at your complete silence regarding President Donald Trump’s false claim that America’s allies did not fight and die alongside US forces on the front line.

This statement is not only incorrect — it is an insult to the memory of the 47 Australians who gave their lives fighting alongside our allies, and to every ANZAC who has served in conflicts

A terrible disease

Blood cancer… the single biggest tragedy impacting Aussie kids and forcing them out of classrooms

As Australian children return to school, hundreds will not.

Their desks sit empty as they fight blood cancer – the single biggest disease threatening the lives of school-aged children in Australia today.

This year alone, around 350 children will be diagnosed with blood cancer. It now accounts for more than one in three childhood cancers, yet remains a largely hidden national tragedy.

A blood cancer diagnosis is sudden and brutal.

Children are forced out of classrooms and into hospital wards, enduring aggressive treatment that can last years.

Many miss 40 to 60 per cent of school in their first year alone, with some absent for up to 18 months.

The impacts on learning, wellbeing and so-

WOORILLA WORDS

concern about his visit and those Palestinians with relatives still in Gaza feel betrayed.

There are other social divisions over immigration, housing affordability, cost of living crisis, indigenous issues and the list goes on.

Youth crime constantly dominates, not that it’s not a major social problem, but that the response never digs deeply into the causes of youth disaffection, and alienation settling on tightening existing laws of criminal responsibility and bail.

As a result our governments look increasingly evasive and wary of declaring one set of virtues as universal, though when politically expedient the concept of shared values is often evoked.

So instead of courage we now talk about being authentic or even speaking your truth.

And instead of the Victorian era sounding virtue of temperance we talk of self-care or setting boundaries.

And that exalted notion of justice becomes equity or accountability: public outrage replacing justice, visibility replacing courage and signalling replacing sacrifice. Now they even sound strange to the modern ear, not being words we frequently use.

A virtue, traditionally, is quiet and consistent. Today algorithms reward the opposite. Developing virtues is not about being better than others, but about developing our own potential.

Being seen to care can matter more than actually doing the difficult, hard yards work of caring.

This is why people talk about virtue signalling — not because virtue is bad, but because appearance has become easier than action.

The point is: we need to focus on our strengths, but we also need to pay attention to the virtues we lack the most.

We end up looking for ways to get us through the minor and ethical dilemmas of modern everyday life.

Sometimes it is easier to avoid making sense of the confronting news on our screens and there are many diversions to help us: endless sport,

overseas.

You have spoken publicly about the importance of honouring the ANZAC legacy. Yet when that legacy is directly undermined on the world stage by a demonstrably false statement, you have said nothing.

Frankly, silence is not leadership.

As our elected representative, I expect you to:

Publicly call out this falsehood.

Raise the matter in Parliament.

cial development are profound and long-lasting. Over the past two decades, blood cancer incidence among children aged five to 14 has risen by almost 30 per cent.

If this trend continues, more than 400 children a year could face this devastating diagnosis within the next decade.

At the Leukaemia Foundation, we see the toll this takes on children and families every day – emotionally, financially and socially.

While we provide vital accommodation, transport, education and support services, and invest in life-saving research, we cannot do it alone.

As the World’s Greatest Shave launches nationally, I urge Australians to stand with these children and all Australians impacted by blood cancer. Participating by shaving, cutting or colouring your hair helps ensure no person faces blood cancer without support.

Register to participate in the World’s Greatest Shave at worldsgreatestshave.com or call 1800 500 088.

Chris Tanti CEO, Leukaemia Foundation

vacuous gameshows and salacious reality shows.

A virtue can be looked at as a personal asset and as something which can be developed through habit.

Take courage, which can be described as the willingness to act despite fear.

This could be a heroic act like the young WA boy who swam for hours to help save his family from drowning.

But it also takes courage to speak up for something you strongly believe, to expose yourself, to risk alienating friends or even family.

To go against the group for what you believe in.

Equally courageous is to admit and own a mistake.

To default the easy way to the path of least resistance might feel comfortable in the moment, but in the long term it doesn’t make you happy.

Contemporary society has complicated relationship with virtues.

We talk about them constantly, but often without naming them, and sometimes while quietly distrusting them.

We retreat to the less rigorous comfort of wellness practitioners or filter them through psychology.

Modern culture often re-frames virtues in therapeutic terms.

Patience becomes emotional regulation, humility self-awareness, courage resilience and wisdom emotional intelligence.

And while the aim of classical virtues was about how to live well together; therapeutic virtues often focus on how to cope, shifting the emphasis to private rather than communal.

Two American poets illustrate how especially good poets are in exposing the gap between what we say, value and how we actually behave, because poetry lives in the space between intention and action.

For Mary Oliver the world becomes moral when we learn humility, how to look and be human without apology.

And to pay attention, however discomforting it can be.

Though never naming the virtue directly, for her attention is the root of ethics: “Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination. The world consoles you. Nature holds you You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves and Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Use your platform and social media to defend Australian service personnel.

Demand that the statement be withdrawn and an apology issued.

Anything less suggests that references to honouring ANZACs are simply symbolic words with no substance behind them.

People in the electorate of Casey expect our MP to stand up for Australians who served and died in defence of shared values and alliances — not to remain quiet when their sacrifice is

On the other hand for Ocean Vuong courage is to speak the unspeakable:

“I write because they told me not to.

For him bravery is naming what history tries to silence and

Tell me how to survive, not as a lie.”

Attention here is sharp, desperate, necessary. Missing details can mean erasure.

Ocean Vuong believes the world becomes moral when we dare to speak from where it hurt us.

Let no one mistake us for the fruit of violence—but that violence, having passed through the fruit, failed to spoil it.

Compassion means seeing damage clearly without denying beauty.

Unlike the other virtues listed so far, wisdom it is not something that you can directly practice.

Rather, it is the result of contemplation, introspection, study, and experience.

It unveils the other virtues, informs them, and makes their practice easier.

It points out the truth behind the surface, and the connection among things.

So do virtue ethics have any relevance today?

Algorithms, anonymity, and speed reward impulsiveness and cruelty.

Virtue ethics pushes back by training for patience, practical wisdom and restraint.

The risk: flourishing becomes private rather than communal.

Virtues however struggle today because we don’t share one vision of the good life. This is because we live in a multicultural society with contested norms.

Virtues need supportive social conditions or else they sound hollow judgemental or nostalgic. They also work best as a lifelong practice and in crises like bushfires, pandemics, floods, wars, climate anxiety where we embrace courage, solidarity, self-sacrifice and leadership.

The Mower by Philip Larkin:

“The mower stalled, twice; kneeling, I found A hedgehog jammed up against the blades, Killed. It had been in the long grass. I had seen it before, and even fed it, once. Now I had mauled its unobtrusive world Unmendably. Burial was no help: Next morning I got up and it did not. The first day after a death, the new absence Is always the same; we should be careful Of each other, we should be kind While there is still time.”

dismissed.

If you truly believe in respecting the ANZAC spirit, now is the time to demonstrate it through action.

I look forward to your response and to seeing you publicly defend the truth and the honour of Australian service members.

Sincerely,

Deane Morley

A constituent of Casey.

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

Skin on the head (5)

Relying on or exploiting others (9)

Poland’s longest river (7)

Try (7)

Long pasta (9)

Uncomplaining (5)

Container (3)

Energy (11)

The signatory (11)

Male sheep (3) 20 Fastening (5) 22 Having a disease of the joints (9) 25 Make better (7)

Adorable (7)

Pleases (9)

Glossy (5)

Nations (9)

Flagrantly bad (9)

Grumpy (9)

17 Resident of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv (7)

18 Mildly irritates (7)

21 Opinions (5)

23 Shifts (5)

24 Small river (5)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many

Crushing for 60 years

QUEENSLAND’S Granite Belt comes alive this month for the long-running Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Harvest Festival - a celebration of food, wine and community.

The event, starting on Friday 27 February and running through to Sunday 8 March, marks its 60th anniversary this year, making it one of Queensland’s longest-running and most successful festivals.

For 60 years, the festival has celebrated what makes Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt so special – cool-climate wines, apples at their peak, passionate growers and producers, and a community that knows how to welcome visitors and put on a proper celebration.

The biennial event is a celebration of the Granite Belt region’s produce and booming wine industry, which attracts an average of 70,000 people, making it arguably Australia’s leading harvest festival.

The Diamond Jubilee honours that history while inviting people to experience it first-hand.

The main festival weekend brings the energy to the streets of Stanthorpe, with the town buzzing from morning to night.

The Queensland Country Bank three-day Food and Wine Fiesta fills the park with Granite Belt flavours, 18 local wineries, breweries and meaderies, local producers and live music, while the streets host the much-loved Grand Parade, a vibrant street carnival, bustling markets, and the challenge of the Ergon Energy Mt Marlay Run.

As the sun sets, the weekend is capped off with crowd-favourite fireworks, lighting up the Stanthorpe sky.

Across the full 10 days, festival-goers can also

enjoy live music, Open Gardens brought to by Braeside Homestead, cooking demonstrations, creative experiences like Bubbles and Brushes, orchard and farm tours, and hands-on harvest moments.

The festival has something for everyone, including things you might not expect – like the

Australian National Busking Championships.

Buskers will be dotted along the street on Saturday 28 Feburary with “Busking Tokens” available to drop in a favourite performers bucket and judges wandering the main street.

This all culminates in the Winners Concert at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre for announcement of

the Grand Open Champion and all the other winners and a chance to enjoy more fabulous entertainment.

Then there’s the iconic Balancing Heart Grape Crush. This event is already nearly sold out, with only limited places remaining for those keen to take part in one of the festival’s most memorable experiences.

The foot stomping, grape crushing fun is an iconic highlight of the Stanthorpe Apple and Grape Festival with the community grape crush on Friday 6 March and Celebrity Crush just after the main parade in the main street near the Stanthorpe Post Office on Saturday 7 March just after the big Grand Parade.

Sponsors are Balancing Heart Vineyard – voted Best Small Cellar Door by Gourmet Traveller Wine – just one of the many Vineyards worth a visit while in the area for the festival.

The 60th anniversary is a significant milestone for both the festival and the region, according to the event’s president, Russell Wantling.

“This festival has been shaped by generations of volunteers, growers and community members, and reaching 60 years is something we’re incredibly proud of,” he said.

“The Diamond Jubilee is about celebrating our history, our harvest and the people who continue to make this festival what it is.”

With accommodation filling quickly and ticketed events close to capacity, visitors are encouraged to plan now.

Many experiences have limited availability and will sell out. Tickets, program details and the full festival calendar are available at www.appleandgrape.org.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS USD$200 per person Onboard Credit plus Free Bottle of Champagne on select expeditions with Atlas Ocean Voyages.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxury expedition cruise line offering highly curated journeys to some of the world’s most captivating destinations, including Antarctica, the Arctic, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and the Caribbean.

Sail aboard a fleet of state-of-the-art expedition yachts, each featuring fewer than 100 elegantly appointed suites and staterooms to ensure an intimate, highly personalised, all-inclusive onboard experience.

Your expedition aboard an Atlas Ocean Voyages yacht includes enriching experiences, cultural immersion, gourmet dining, unlimited beverages, including fine wines, spirits and craft beers, gratuities and more.

Epicurean Expedition Cruise – Riviera Marvels

Your Epicurean Expedition includes onboard beverages, onboard culinary demonstrations, cuisine and wine tastings, enrichment programs and workshops, a gourmet Josper Grill charcoal grill dining experience in the ship’s 7AFT Grill restaurant and special culinary experiences such as market-to-table experiences and shoreside tastings.

Aboard your Riviera Marvels voyage you can experience the treasures of the French Riviera, Italy, and Spain with overnights that let you savour each destination fully. In Livorno, explore Florence, Pisa, and Lucca or venture into the Tuscan countryside for a truffle-hunting adventure. Portofino invites kayaking and views from Castle Brown, while Nice offers medieval Èze and scenic drives to Grasse.

Cultural Expedition Cruise – Nordic Ice & Isles

On a Cultural Expedition cruise, engage with communities, explore cultural icons and marvel at natural beauty with local experts who join you on board and ashore to lend insight to your discoveries.

Enchanting isles and sweeping fjords spark the imagination on your immersive Nordic Ice & Isles adventure. Staying overnight in the picturesque village of Seyðisfjörður, there’s time to explore the beautiful Skalanes Nature reserve. On Grímsey Island, look for the puffins that call

it home and make your way to the Arctic Circle demarcation stone.

Polar Expedition Cruise to Antarctica –Crossing the Antarctic Circle

Atlas is a perfect fit for Australians who want to explore the far ends of the Earth like the Antarctic and the Arctic in affordable and inclusive comfort with other like-minded travellers who also value refined adventures free of fuss and formality. You’ll be accompanied by an expert team of up to 13 seasoned professionals, from naturalists and biologists to mountaineers and conser-

vationists, who help guests gain a deeper understanding of the polar environments they visit.

On your Crossing the Antarctic Circle Expedition, penguin chicks hatch along rocky shores, seals bask on floating floes, and whales rise from icy depths. Your expert expedition team guides you deeper into the Peninsula’s wild heart. Book one of the above expeditions with Exclusively Cruising and you will receive BONUS USD$200PPOnboardCredit+FreeBottleofChampagne. Call on 03 9762 2799 , or email cruise@exclusivelycruising.com.au to find out more.

7 Nights

Iconic Experiences, Expertly Escorted

Full day Barossa Valley tour with lunch and wine tastings including: Saltram wine estate, lunch and wine tasting at Lambert Estate, visit to Barossa Valley Chocolate Company, photo stop at Menglers Hill Lookout, vineyard tour & wine tasting at Jacob’s Creek visitor centre, stop at Beerenberg Farm, and free time in Hahndorf to explore the historic German settlement

2 day Kangaroo Island tour including: Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Clifford’s Honey Farm, In-Flight Birds of Prey Display at Raptor Domain, Seal Bay

Conservation Park guided beach walk, lunch at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park, and Flinders Chase National Park

Full-Board River Elegance

3 night Murray River cruise on board PS Murray Princess with all meals and sightseeing

Tour of Murray River Bridge and historic Roundhouse

Guided nature walk of Salt Bush Flat

Taste Riverland food and wine

Dragon-Fly flat-bottomed boat wildlife tour

Hand-Picked Hotel Stays

3 nights four-star hotel stay in Adelaide with breakfast

1 night four-star hotel stay in Kangaroo Island with breakfast, lunch and dinner

All Flights, Taxes & Transfers

MEDITERRANEAN’S ICONIC SHORES

Barcelona to Istanbul or vice versa

29 DAYS • 8 COUNTRIES • 23 GUIDED TOURS

SET SAIL • JUL, AUG 2026; FEB-MAY, JUL SEPT 2027; MAR, APR, JUL, AUG 2028

From $24,595pp in Veranda Stateroom

From $30,295pp in Penthouse Veranda

ANCIENT ADRIATIC TREASURES

Venice (Chioggia) to Istanbul or vice versa

15 DAYS • 5 COUNTRIES • 12 GUIDED TOURS

SET SAIL • MAR, APR, JUN, AUG 2026; MAR-MAY, JUL-OCT 2027; MAR, APR, AUG 2028

From $12,995pp in Veranda Stateroom From $15,795pp in Penthouse Veranda

MEDITERRANEAN ODYSSEY

Barcelona to Venice (Chioggia) or vice versa

13 DAYS • 6 COUNTRIES • 10 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • MAR-OCT 2026; FEB-NOV 2027; APR-SEP 2028

From $10,995pp in Deluxe Veranda From $12,295pp

THE LIGHT AND BRIGHT HOUSETREE TOP VIEWS

THE LIGHT AND BRIGHT HOUSE - TREE TOP VIEWS

IF you’re looking for that tree change but still want today’s luxuries, then this architecturally inspired property should tick ALL your boxes!

A transformation into a stunning work of art that highlights walls of glass (double glazing), vaulted timber ceilings that all flow over three distinct levels. The home incorporates four bedrooms, two bathrooms (full ensuite), two separate living rooms- one to snuggle up to the combustion wood fire yet also has the convenience of a state-of-the-art Mitsubishi heat pump central heating throughout.

Timber benchtops feature in the central kitchen with induction cooking and a handy dishwasher.

Brilliant outdoor entertaining decks front and rear capture the privacy and tranquility that is Wembley Road Kallista.

You can even take the shortcut walk at the end of the street into the village or up to the beautiful Nicholas Gardens; it’s all very handy. Now is your chance to secure your ‘Tree Change’ by calling. ●

REAL HILLS CHARACTER - ON A PRIVATE ACRE

IF you have been searching for all the charm of yesteryear, you have just found it. With pride and perfection, this brick home has been lovingly maintained and boasts all of the comforts of today’s living.

The appeal is timeless, as is the welcoming facade of traditional design with striking wraparound verandahs,12’ ceilings throughout, limestone sills, feature leadlight windows and feature French Doors in some rooms.

The generous floor plan meets the needs of a large modern family with its 4 lavish bedrooms, (main with substantial spa ensuite and dressing room) plus two further period bathrooms.

The fireside formal lounge is a standout of the living rooms that have 12’ ceilings above and wide hand-cut skirting boards below. The adjacent formal dining is set just off the showpiece granite kitchen with popular central

island bench, built-in Miele espresso machine, Ilve cooktop/oven and intricate cabinetry.

The windows from the adjoining family room frame a ‘soul-restoring outlook’ towards the fenced rear yard looking over treetops - NOT ROOFTOPS. Cosy combustion wood fire and central heating keeps the comfort year round.

A brilliant outdoor entertaining deck with bar/kitchen, ideal for those family gatherings. Other features include solar and generator stand by, oversized garage-workshop, sealed driveway ,extra garaging ,shedding and parking for additional cars /trailers/vans/boat/plant and equipment plus a host of features only an inspection will reveal.

All of this in a prime location handy to Wellington Road, (city arterial access) and Aura Vale Lake Park that makes this one worthy of your immediate attention and inspection!

HOME FOCUS

THIS IS HILLS LIVING WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

PERCHED above it all, this striking split-level residence reimagines the indoor–outdoor lifestyle with confidence and calm. Framed by sweeping valley views that roll out to the bay and beyond, the home is a front-row seat to golden sunrises, slow sunsets, and birds drifting past walls of glass.

Classic hills architecture sets the tone, reworked with a bold, contemporary edge. Inside, vaulted ceilings, expansive living zones, and light-filled interiors create a sense of space that feels both elevated and laid-back. It’s a home that knows how to host — and just as easily lets you retreat. Spaces to connect, and spaces perfectly designed for switching off.

At the heart of the home, the central kitchen delivers on both style and substance: generous storage, premium appliances, and a seamless bifold servery opening to the bar — ideal for long lunches that turn into late nights. The dining and lounge zones flow effortlessly outdoors through bifold doors, making entertaining feel intuitive and unforced.

Accommodation is generous and well considered. Four bedrooms all feature built-in robes, while the main suite levels up with a walk-in robe and a beautifully on-trend ensuite — think barn door, boutique finishes, and serious style points.

The main bathroom is a standout: lux, custom, and undeniably indulgent, with a frameless shower, claw-foot bath, and bespoke vanity that feels straight out of a design magazine.

Outside, the massive deck is the ultimate social zone. With a built-in bar, BBQ area, and uninterrupted views, it’s made for sunset drinks, weekend gatherings, and memorable parties. A separate studio adds flexibility — perfect for working from home, a creative space, or teenage retreat — while the terraced yard smartly maximises usability on the allotment. You also have rear access at Dunstan Crescent, this may be the perfect spot for a shed (subject to council approval).

A calming water feature welcomes you at the front door, setting the tone from the moment you arrive.

Practical touches include off-street parking and excellent connectivity: the bus stop nearby, ice creams at the local service station, and easy access to trains with Upper Ferntree Gully or Belgrave just 10 minutes away. Knox City Shopping Centre is around 20 minutes, alongside a range of schools, William Angliss Hospital, and some of the region’s most beautiful national parks — including the iconic 1000 Steps — all within easy reach.

Where every detail invites you to slow down, soak it in, and live inspired.

* PLEASE PARK IN HUGHES STREET - Offers closing Tuesday 10 February at 4pm unless sold prior. ●

LOCATEDINTHEHEARTOFMONBULk

****OffersclosingWednesday18thofFebruaryat4pm,unlesssoldprior**** Sethightocapturerollinghillviews,thisunique &thoughtfullydesignedhomeoffersthe perfectbalanceofcomfort,convenience& relaxedcountryliving.Offeringexcellent separationofspaces &aneasy,single-level flow.Featuringopenplanliving& diningwith seamlessindoor/outdoorconnection,GDH,wood fire,A/C’s,ceilingfansinall bedrooms, butler’spantry,solarpower,fullyfencedlandscapedgardens&alargesealeddriveway

MickDolphin 0429684522

CaitiEllis 0493136937

Thiscutecottageoffersa delightfulblendofcharacter,comfort& flexibilityastheversatile floor canadapteffortlesslytoyour lifestyleneeds.Soakupstunningcityviewsfrominside orfromthedeck,perfectforrelaxedmornings& evenings or entertaining. Private,lowmaintenancegardens providea peaceful retreatwithouttheupkeep.Closetoshops, transport,cafés& amenities. Atrulyspecialhomethat’sboth practicalandenchanting

JanBrewster 0409558805

STyLISHFAMILyLIVING

****OffersclosingTuesday17thofFebruaryat4pm,unlesssoldprior****

Positionedon a1165sqmblock,thisexceptionalresidenceoffersrefinedfinishes,space &a seamlessconnectionbetweenindoor &outdoorliving.Otherfeaturesinclude a grandentry/hall& stairway,hardwood flooring,newrollerblinds,freshlypaintedinteriors soaringceilings,a stunningkitchenshowcasinga substantialCaesarstoneislandbench, entertainingareawithbluestonepaving&outdoorblinds,fruittrees &a sealeddriveway

MickDolphin 0429684522

THEPErFECTFAMILYBASE

ErinDavies 0494175410

JUSTMINUETSFROMTOWN

Positionedon agenerous2,200sqmblock,thisbeautifullyrefreshedfamilyresidenceoffers thespace,potential &lifestylegrowingfamiliesaresearchingfor.Designedwithfamily livinginmind,thehomefeaturesa privatemasterbedroom,multipleA/C’s,wood fire undercoverentertaining,ampleoff-streetparking, agardenshed,dualaccessalongwith servicesalreadyconnectedatthetopoftheblockand asolar-poweredrooftopsprinkler systemallsetin apeaceful,family-friendlylocationclosetoschoolsandamenities.

CaitiEllis 0493136937

SERENITY AND NATURE ON OVER 9 ACRES

WELCOME home, immerse yourself in nature and meander the driveway and feel the outside world fade away as you arrive at this private sanctuary of calm and seclusion. Surrounded by birdsong and the gentle movement of the forest, this property offers a rare sense of peace and connection to nature.

Set on approx. 9.1 acres, (3.69ha) the family home is thoughtfully positioned well back from the road, framed by open paddocks to the front and rear, creating an exceptional level of privacy. With the added benefit of backing directly onto state forest, the setting is as tranquil as it is picturesque.

Inside, the home features a modern kitchen with generous bench space, electric oven, and a well designed butler’s pantry, ideal for keeping appliances neatly out of sight. The kitchen flows effortlessly into the dining and living areas, where a cosy wood fire provides warmth in the cooler months, complemented by a split system for year round comfort.

Three well-proportioned bedrooms, all with built-in robes, enjoying peaceful views across the surrounding forest and paddocks. A large modern bathroom, and the bonus of an additional toilet off the laundry add practicality and comfort for family living.

Outdoor living is a standout, with the front deck capturing sweeping views across open land and treetops perfect for quiet mornings or sunset relaxation. To the rear, a shaded alfresco area invites outdoor dining while overlooking the serene landscape beyond.

Completing the property is a large powered shed offering ample space for vehicles, storage, and recreational equipment, along with water tanks and established vegetable gardens.

This is a rare opportunity to escape the everyday and embrace a lifestyle of peace, privacy, and natural beauty in the heart of the Yarra Valley. ●

YarraValleyacreagelivingatit’sbest, astunninglocationandanexceptionalpropertyinallaspects offeringtheidealrelaxedsemirurallifestyle.Thewarmcountryhomeboastsperiodcharmwith moderncomfortoffering 4largebedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesincluding awalkinrobeandensuite inthemainbedroom.Thekitcheniswellappointedwithqualityappliancesandplentyofbench andcupboardspace,entertaininstyleallyearroundwith ahugeundercoverentertainingarea overlookingthesprawlingacreageandpanoramicvista.Headoutsideandyouarespoiltforchoice withapprox.30gloriousacrestoenjoyandexplore,forthehorseenthusiasttherearemultiplefenced paddocks,stables,roundyard,hayshedandcattleyards,loadsofextrasheddingtosuitlarge trailers,trucks,floatsandcaravans. Aspectacularpropertywithpremiumfacilities.

beautifulviewsfromthefrontbalcony.Wellsuitedtoanarrayofbuyersgiventhefantasticlocation andpotential.Thehomefeaturestwowellproportionedbedroomsand acentralbathroom, alongwitha functionalkitchenthatincludesa dedicateddiningarea.Thelightfilledlivingspaceis equippedwitha split-systemforyearroundcomfort.Additionalhighlightsinclude asinglelockup garagewithinternalaccessto aprivaterearcourtyard,providinga secureandlowmaintenance outdoorspace.Setina peacefulpocketofWarburton,thishomeoffers alovelybalanceofserenity andconvenience.Anexcellentopportunitytodownsizeoradd asolidinvestmenttoyourportfolio.

FantasticValueThreeBedroomHomeinWesburn Setina quietno-throughroadina highlydesirablelocation,thisinvitinghomeoffers arelaxedYarra Valleylifestyle.Thesunny,wellsizedbackyardincludes abungalow,maybe asuitable4thbedroom orgreatforstorage,carportandgardenshed,allseton agenerousflat919sq.m,fullyfencedblock. Thehomefeaturesthreewell-proportionedbedroomswithbuilt-inrobes,including acharmingmain bedroom.A well-appointedkitchenofferinggenerousbenchspace,amplecupboardsandopento thediningarea.Centraloriginalbathroomanda additionaltoiletforconvenience.Justafive-minute drivetotheshopsandfacilitiesofYarraJunction,andaneasywalktothelocalpub,patisserieand bakery.Plentyofparkingandhorseshoedrivewaywillappealto adownsizerorsuperbfirsthome, offeringoutstandingvaluein asoughtafterlocation.

RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068

PositionedprominentlyonthebustlingmainstreetofWarburton,3381WarburtonHighwaypresents arareandexcitingcommercialopportunityinoneoftheYarraValley’smostloveddestinations.Set ontwotitlesofapprox.602sq.m,thisiconicCommercial1 zonedbuildingenjoysprominentdouble shopfrontexposuretotheWarburtonHighway,whileattherearitoffersaccessfromThomasAvenue andadjacenttothebeautifulYarraRiver.Withthepotentialtoreturntotwoseparateretailshops orutiliseasonecommercialspace,thechoiceisyours!Inside,you’llfindanimpressiveamountof openfloorspaceofapprox.188squaremetreswith afunctionalmixofstoreroom/kitchenareas, allservicedbyfoursplitsystemheatingandcoolingunitsandthebonusofa solarinverter.Practical featuresincludea toiletandbasin,handykitchenetteareaandevena quirkylaundrychute.

A RARE EMERALD RETREAT FOR HORSES, FAMILY AND LIFESTYLE

IDEALLY located just moments from the heart of Emerald village with easy access to Wellington Road, the property delivers the best of both worlds, peaceful country living without sacrificing proximity to cafes, schools, shops and transport. It’s a setting that allows you to slow down, breathe deeply and enjoy the freedom that acreage living provides. Perfectly suited to horses and a range of rural pursuits, it is a home where lifestyle, convenience and tranquillity come together effortlessly.

Set across five acres, the land is a standout feature: open, usable and thoughtfully configured to accommodate horses, hobby farming or space for children and animals to roam. Seven well-fenced paddocks, most electric and each with water access, are complemented by a 40 x 20 sand arena, tack room (or home office), feed room, vehicle or quad/tractor access to all paddocks and the rare ability to watch your horses graze while you relax inside. A hot wash bay and undercover tie up area complete the added extras for your horses. A picturesque, trickling creek winds through the bottom of the property, adding to the sense of calm, while a charming bridge provides direct access to the furthest paddock and the iconic Puffing Billy walking track, perfect for weekend adventures and daily walks.

For storage, you will be pleased to discover multiple sheds that include a machinery shed, workshop off the double carport, hay shed and a cute as a button cubby house – The perfect playground for children or new home for your chickens!

Positioned to capture beautiful garden outlooks from every angle, the home is filled with natural light thanks to expansive windows that blur the line between indoors and out. Comprises four bedrooms (or three and a study), two bathrooms and two generous living areas, there is so much flexibility for families of all sizes. A separate dining space and an open-plan kitchen, meals and lounge area make everyday living and entertaining easy and enjoyable, particularly for relaxed weeknight dinners.

Comfort is assured year-round with a wood fire creating warmth and ambience through the cooler months, complemented by split system heating and cooling for effortless climate control. For parking, there is a double carport and extra parking for up to five cars.

Surrounded by established greenery and enjoying a peaceful, private outlook in every direction, this is a property that offers a true sense of escape while remaining firmly connected to community. Rarely does a lifestyle opportunity of this calibre present itself in such a convenient and family-friendly Emerald location.

A magical acreage retreat where horses, hobbies and nature become part of everyday life, 9A Edenmont Road is an opportunity not to be missed. ●

CHARACTER HOME - LIVE IN OR INVEST IN STYLE

THIS gorgeous, original 1950s home, lovingly renovated to modern standards, sits proudly within walking distance to everything Kooweerup has to offer and delivers a comfortable, elegant lifestyle from start to finish. Step inside to soaring ceilings, a blend of polished floorboards and floating floors, wide hallways, and beautifully proportioned bedrooms that instantly set the tone.

The expansive master suite is positioned at the front of the home and opens to a spectacular dressing room/walk in robe and a stylish ensuite featuring an oversized shower and abundant natural light. Across the hall, the generous second bedroom includes builtin robes, while the third bedroom is zoned privately at the rear of the home, also with built-in robes, garden views, and direct access to the elegant family bathroom complete with a claw foot bath and separate shower.

The kitchen is truly the heart of the home, showcasing a large stone island bench with breakfast bar, a 1200mm gas/electric Falcon stove, and a striking skylight that floods the space with natural light. A fully equipped scullery offers abundant storage and bench space, a second sink, dishwasher, and space for the fridge, keeping the main kitchen effortlessly uncluttered.

Open-plan living brings together the kitchen, dining zone with toasty wood fire, and lounge featuring a gas wall heater, split system, and direct outdoor access via two sets of French doors — perfect for year-round entertaining.

Outside, the fully fenced rear yard offers a deck for entertaining, a low-maintenance lawn for kids and pets, and a large undercover decked area with cafe blinds and ceiling fan — ideal for movie nights and relaxed summer evenings.

Currently tenanted and returning $570/wk.

This property has it all so don’t miss out. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

LeafyLivingJustStepsfromMonbulkTownship. Seton1,202sqm &tuckedawayina private,elevatedposition,this3-bedroomhomeoffersleafy treetopviews &walk-to-townlifestyleintheheartofMonbulk.Shops,schools,publictransport& everydayessentialsarejustmomentsaway.Stepsleadtoanundercoverentry& into awarm, welcominginteriorwithfloatingfloors& gasductedheatingthroughout.Thekitchenfeaturingtimber benchtops,gascooktop,dishwasher &excellentstorage,overlookingthelight-filledloungeroom. Skylights, aceilingfan,splitsystem &woodfireheaterensureyear-roundcomfort.Privatelypositioned, themasterbedroomincludes awalk-throughrobe& ensuite-stylebathroomaccess. 2further bedroomswithBIRsitattheoppositeend,alongsidethelaundrywithrearaccess.Outside,thefully fencedgardenprovidesspacetoenjoy,completewitha 22,500-litrewatertank& off-streetparking.

AaronDay M 0407365994

BrennanMileto M 0422996451 3 A 1 BC

Acres

acreswith2 streetfrontages, acirculardriveway& viewsfromeverywindow,this exceptionalpropertyblendsspace,flexibility& tranquillity.Themainhomefeatures3 bedrooms (masterwithensuite &walk-inrobe)a brightopen-plankitchenwithstonebenchtops &900mm gasstove &split-levellivingwitha loungewarmedby awoodfire &splitsystem.Stepontothe expansivedecktoenjoydistanthillviews, aspabath &overheadheaters —perfectforyear-round entertaining.A separatestudiowithbathroom,Juliettebalcony& workshopbelowaddsdual-living orguestpotential.Additionalhighlightsinclude a4-carpoweredgarage,extensiveveggiegarden,2 fencedpaddocks,anorchardof27fruittrees &an8.5KVAdieselgeneratorwithautomaticcut-in.

ArchitecturalElegancewithPanoramicViews! Perchedon2,671sqminpeacefulAvonsleigh,momentsfromEmerald’stownship,schools& shops, thisstriking4-bedroom,2-bathroomhomeblendsarchitecturalflairwitheverydaycomfort &breath takingtreetop &valleyviews.A wideverandahwrapsaroundthehome,leadinginsidetosoaring ceilings,timberfloors&astunningcentralatriumthatfillsthespacewithnaturallightbyday& frames thestarsbynight.Thestylishkitchenfeaturesstonebenchtops,integratedappliances &a serene outlook —perfectforrelaxedliving& entertaining.Themastersuiteenjoysverandahaccess,walk-in robe &ensuite,while 3furtherbedroomsareservicedby afamilybathroom.Freshlypainted& fitted withgasductedheating &evaporativecooling,thehomealsoincludesanundercoverentertaining area,doublegarage,carport& leafygardens —a trueHillssanctuary.

ALight-FilledHomeina Private,Walk-to-TownSetting. Tuckedwithina quiet,gatedcommunityon alow-maintenance195sqm,thiswell-presented7-yearold2-bedroomunitdeliverseasylivingina locationthattrulyworks.Gembrooktownship,schools &everydayamenitiesarejusta shortwalkaway.Thelight-filledmasterbedroomsitsatthefrontof thehome,featuringlargewindows,walk-inrobe& ensuite. Asecondbedroomwithbuilt-inrobesis positionedalongside.Atthecentreofthehome,theopen-plankitchen,dining& livingzoneoffers apracticallayoutwithgascooktop,dishwasher,breakfastbar,generousbenchspace &excellent storage.Thesecondbathroomwithseparatetoiletispositionedoffthelivingarea.Slidingdoors opentoanundercoverentertainingarea &fullyfencedrearyard,whileinternalaccesstothesingle garage &amplehallwaystoragecompletethiscomfortable,secure& well-locatedhome.

Jones and Yates star

After a long season of toil, the cricket finals are just around the corner, and for the cricketers at Mt Evelyn they are desperately trying to book their place in March action. Four of the six senior teams are well in the mix for the finals.

The Community Bank – Mt Evelyn 1st XI have had a torrid season and have pride on the line over the final couple of rounds of the season. This round they travel to Wonga Park, who are pushing for finals action and will be a tough proposition. Wonga Park would ask Mt Evelyn to bat first in a bid to force a chance of outright points with a quick wrap up of the visitors. Things couldn’t have scripted out better for the Parkers.

Wonga would be quick to dismantle a faltering Mt Evelyn batting line up, quickly having the visitors in trouble at 4/21. In his return to the top grade, Adam Smith continued his good form and repaid the faith selectors had shown in him keeping things from totally falling apart making a face-saving 37 under intense pressure. Malinga De Silva would do his best to continue Smith’s resistance in the back half of the innings with 36, but there was nothing in between as the Mounters were bundled out for a disappointing 105. Wonga Park, sensing the opportunity to force an opportunity for outright put the foot down. Mt Evelyn would hold their nerve in the onslaught as the medium pacers showed discipline, particularly recruit Dasun Senevirathna who captured 3/39 in his first hit out for the club. Countryman De Silva would pitch in with three wickets of his own with only a late flurry pushing the score to 6/189 before the hosts declared leaving the Mt Evelyn openers ten overs to survive.

Saving face after a tough day, openers Smith and Brad Westaway were able to successfully navigate their way to stumps. The Mounters will be up against it next week, but it is a prime opportunity for the faltering batting line up to step up and find something to play for. Even if it is just pride.

The Professionals Outer East 2nd XI are in a tight tussle for finals positions in a tight Beatty Shield competition. Win their last two games and they are an outside chance of securing a home final, lose either and they may be on the sidelines come March. First up, a tricky assignment against Bayswater Park.

An early wicket to Kynan Yates had the Mounters humming, but that was soon snuffed out courtesy of a 109-run second-wicket partnership

from the Sharks. The visitors dominated the first session, and with the score on 2/128 at the tea adjournment, they were well set to attack a total beyond 300. Yates has quietly been a mainstay of the 2nd XI attack and has rarely let his team down, but this weekend his extended spell either side of tea turned the innings on it’s head. Yates would capture the first five wickets of the innings, and when Billie Laird took the reins to give Yates a much-needed break, he would capture a wicket off the second ball of his spell to reduce the Sharks to 6/154 and lamenting their return to the crease after the break.

The rest of the innings would be a real arm wrestle as Luke Jones’ marathon spell of 28 overs would be matched by a dogged performance from the Sharks’ tail. Eventually Jones’ figures of 4/68 would win the day, and the Mounters would be well pleased to contain their opponents to 228 particularly in the position they found themselves. Should the Mounters find the discipline and resolve with the bat, they should pass this total and have one foot in the finals’ door.

The Rhead Group 3rd XI travelled to Kilsyth and the time is now for the Mounters to secure their place in the top four as they find themselves outside for the first time in many weeks. On paper, the last two games against the bottom two teams looks to be a dream draw, however both are within arms reach of both finals so will take some beating. Mt Evelyn would bat first and would be in a spot of bother with the score on 2/28, but with Jamie Shaw joining Luke Paterson at the wicket, the pair would work diligently to restore the innings. The pair would compile a century partnership with Paterson posting a half century, whilst Shaw would fall desperately close on 46. The only dampener on the pairs’ efforts is that neither would be at the wicket when the Mounters’ first split would be closed with the score on 4/168. Kilsyth would match the hosts and would soon have the Mounters under pressure from some free scoring and hot conditions. At times it looked as if the Redbacks would put themselves in a commanding position after day one with their top order looking strong. The Mounters would stick to their task, and by the end of the day would have the damaging top order back in the sheds as the hosts closed the day at 3/145.

Both teams would be disappointed to lose their dominant top orders and it leaves the contest on a

knife’s edge. It’ll be a matter of whose batting line up flows deepest. One thing you can be guaranteed, both teams will be clawing for this crucial victory.

The Hop Hen Brewing 4th XI entered this round inside the top four, but with a point to prove after suffering a heartbreaking loss last round. This round they host Wonga Park, a fourth versus fifth match up where a victory to Mt Evelyn will secure their place in the finals. Mt Evelyn would make a blistering start with the bat courtesy of openers Kadyn Newport and Campbell Manser. Both would take full advantage of a quick Gruyere Reserve outfield posting a century partnership and picking up half centuries along the way. Like the 3rd XI, the only blemish would be that neither would kick on to be there at the end of their split. What transpired was a mid-innings stumble as the score would slip from 0/107 to 5/155. The fate of the final chase, whatever that may be, will come down to the experienced pairing of Chris Doyle and Leighton Joyce who currently occupy the crease.

Wonga Park would be unfazed by rate in which their hosts scored and would quietly go about their business accumulating the runs whist keeping wickets in hand. The Mt Evelyn bowlers would keep things tight but would struggle to make significant inroads into a stout batting line up. When stumps were drawn, Wonga Park would sit at 2/96. 74 runs in arrears of Mt Evelyn’s score but with eight wickets in hand. It makes for an interesting day two with Wonga Park to build on their total. How long will it take them to pick up the 74 runs? Will they have enough time to extend the lead enough to force a result in their favour? Time will tell.

The Lilydale Tyres 5th XI have all but booked

their place in finals action with just one win in the last two rounds to secure their place. The challenge this week would be no bigger than a road trip to take on top of the table Boronia. Unfortunately for the Mounters, they would bring their best. A run-a-ball opening partnership of 186 would have the Mounters scrambling against an accomplished top order. Despite the Mounters best efforts, the Hawks would run up an imposing total of 1/206 from their first split. A commanding position no matter the situation left for them after Mt Evelyn’s innings.

The Mounters would do their best to keep themselves in the contest with most of their batters spending time at the wicket. They couldn’t quite muster the same scoring venom as their opponents, but they wouldn’t be disgraced as they would push the score to 5/92 at stumps. On paper a bleak situation, but in reality, a brave performance against a much more accomplished team. The starting goal for the Mounters will be to force the Hawks to bat again next week.

The Flowtec 6th XI needed to find some more fortitude this week after being dismissed for 28 last round, and despite finding the going tough once again, this time against Wonga Park, they would walk away with a much more competitive effort. Wonga Park would start with the bat, and after the first ten overs, things looked bleak as the Parkers blasted their way to 0/100. A brace of wickets from Jamie Lee-Archer in the 12th over would inject some much-needed hope and enthusiasm to a weary team, and they would respond with both bat and ball. Considering the projected total looked ominous, the Mounters would battle on bravely to restrict the final total to 6/298. Bruce Smith would capture two wickets, whilst Elisha Whitelaw and Jacob Glover would show great skill despite their inexperience to rein in the total. Not much was expected with the bat after last week’s efforts, but a solid 44-run partnership between Smith and Matt Bell would ensure they would at least make an improvement. The brakes were applied by a talented young bowling attack, and the inexperienced middle order of the Mounters wilted under the pressure and the hot afternoon sun. Despite some late order hitting, the team would be consigned to another total below 100, with 82 on the board.

Daniel Caton breaks record

By Les Hutchings

Kilsyth Cricket Club’s top four men’s teams commenced two-day matches on the weekend, whilst the Fifth XI and the Women’s First XI played oneday games. Daniel Caton scored his third century for the season, 100 off 183 balls (12 fours) playing for the Second XI. It was his eleventh senior century, and he has now made the most hundreds ever scored by a Kilsyth CC player. Kilsyth Captain Coach Andy Solomons was unlucky not to score a ton, making a scintillating 98 of 103 balls (11 fours and 5 sixes). Another highlight was the third wicket partnership of 128 for the Women’s First XI between Captain Ashleigh Katoa (66) and Serena Gibbs (45). Additionally, Kyan Harper scored 58 in his 50th senior game for the Club.

The First XI played against Bayswater Park at Guy Turner Reserve, Bayswater in a two-day Wilkins Cup match. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat but lost two early wickets to be 2/13 after 1.3 overs. The loss of two more wickets saw the Redbacks on 4/51 in the 13th over with Kolitha Hapuarachchi the third batsman out for 15 off 23 balls (2 fours).

By tea, Kilsyth had consolidated the situation, reaching 4/128 off 37 overs, with Captain Andy Solomons on 77* off 85 balls, and Pasan Ganegoda 16* off 75 balls. However, on the second ball after the tea break, Pasan was unfortunately caught at point by Noah Parraga in the first over bowled by spinner Jordan Rutherford. Andy Solomons and Isuru Umesh then took the score to 153, but this is when the game changed. Andy Solomons, who had batted superbly, was bowled by Troy Gstrein for 98 off 103 balls (11 fours and 5 sixes), two runs short of what would have been a brilliant century. From there, Kilsyth collapsed to be all out for 163 in 48.3 overs. Opening bowler Troy Gstrein took 4/40 off 13 overs (3 maidens), Jordan Rutherford 4/20 off 6 overs (1 maiden) and Devon Gabriel-Brown 1/36 off 10.3 overs (2 maidens).

In a sensational start, on the first ball of Bayswater Park’s innings, Nuwan Sampath took a great catch at deep backward square leg off the

bowling of Isuru Umesh and the score was 1/0. Umesh then had James Court caught behind by Andy Solomons for 13 (2 fours) and the Sharks were now 2/14 off 4.3 overs. After opener Spencer Petrie retired hurt on 5, Troy Gstrein 34* (4 fours) and Jordan Rutherford 8* (1 four) saw Bayswater Park safely through to stumps on 2/66 after 31 overs. Isuru Umesh was Kilsyth’s wicket taker with 2/19 off 7 overs (2 maidens).

Playing at home on Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve in the Meehan Shield competition, Kilsyth Second XI won the toss and elected to bat against Croydon Ranges. However, they were soon 2/16 but a 98-run third wicket partnership between Max Wills and Daniel Caton steadied the innings before Wills was out for 39 off 135 balls (1 four). Then, a fourth wicket partnership of 112 between Caton and Kyan Harper put Kilsyth in the strong position of 4/226 off 67.1 overs. This is when Daniel Caton was caught by Aston Buffy off the bowling of Nicholas Schulties for a magnificent 100 (12 fours). In the same over, Kilsyth lost another wicket to be 5/227. The score continued to mount but the Redbacks also lost wickets to be 6/245 off 70.1 overs and 7/248 off 73.1 overs when Kyan Harper was out for his highest senior score of 58 after facing 83 balls, including four boundaries. Eventually, the Redbacks finished on the healthy score of 9/280cc off the 80 allotted overs, with Tait Harper 13* off 17 balls. The main wicket takers for Croydon Ranges were Nicholas Schulties, 4/61 off 18 overs (4 maidens), and Lachlan Torney 2/14 off 3 overs. The Third XI (second) travelled to Gracedale Park, East Ringwood to play Ainslie Park who were fifth on the Don Smith Shield ladder. Ainslie Park won the toss and had a day out scoring 2/431cc off 80 overs. Trent Sier batted all day to be 221* off 266 balls (28 fours and 2 sixes), Nathan Croot 103* off 104 balls (12 fours and 2 sixes), and Darren Walles 62 off 77 balls (8 fours and 3 sixes).

The first wicket partnership between Siers and Walles added 128 whist the third wicket unbroken partnership between Siers and Croot contributed 260! The wicket takers for Kilsyth were Robert

Hutchings, 1/31 off 7 overs, and Trent Potter 1/42 off 7 overs.

In B Grade, the Fourth XI played Mount Evelyn Third XI at Roy Baldwin Oval, Pinks Reserve. Kilsyth won the toss and elected to bat. Former First XI premiership players and brothers, Jarrod and Josh McPhee, opened the batting. Jarrod is currently on holiday in Australia after having last batted for Kilsyth in the 2022/23 Wilkins Cup Grand Final when he made 109 not out in the premiership win. He now lives in England, but it was wonderful that the two brothers could get together for a game for the club. Unfortunately, Josh was out with score on 20 but Jarrod went on to score 43 off 65 balls (6 fours). At that stage, Kilsyth were 2/81 off 22 overs. With the score on 134 in the 34th over, Ryan Kaal was the third wicket to fall for 60 off 96 balls (7 fours and 1 six). Consequently, at the end of the first split the Redbacks were 3/145 off 36 overs with Geoff Kennedy 15* and Greg Gommers 8*. For Mount Evelyn, the single wicket takers were Samuel Vanhoogstraten 1/21, Jamie Shaw 1/28 and Alex Whiting 1/30. In reply, Mount Evelyn were 4/168 after their 36 overs. The main run scorers were Luke Paterson, 57 off 91 balls (9 fours and 1 six), Jamie Shaw 46 off 56 balls (1 four and 4 sixes), and Ian Hawkey 17* (3 fours). For Kilsyth the wickets were shared between Jordan Relf, 1/23 off 8 overs (1 maiden), Ryan Kaal 1/16 off 6 overs (2 maidens), Jarrod McPhee 1/15 off 7 overs (1 maiden), and Josh McPhee 1/14 off 2 overs.

The Fifth XI played Bayswater Park Third XI at Sasses Avenue Reserve, Bayswater. Bayswater Park won the toss and elected to bowl. Kilsyth lost wickets steadily throughout the innings and were dismissed for 114 after 28.5 overs. The top scorers were Serena Gibbs, 32 off 47 balls (6 fours), Pat Moilanen 28 off 45 balls (6 fours), and Mark Sfiligoj 19 off 18 balls (4 fours). The multiple wicket takers for Bayswater Park were Martin Nellin, 4/2 off 2.5 overs (1 maiden), and Peter Eagles 2/6 off 6 overs (2 maidens). In reply, Bayswater Park, had a comfortable win scoring 0/120 off 15.3 overs with Brendan Trump 45 retired not out off 48 balls (8

fours), and Ryan Toye 50* off 34 balls (8 fours and 1 six).

On Sunday, the Women’s First XI (third) played Canterbury Second XI at Lynden Park (Lower East Oval), Camberwell. Canterbury won the toss and elected to bowl. Kilsyth lost a wicket in the second over (1/6) and third over (2/8), before a magnificent third wicket partnership of 128 between Ashleigh Katoa and Serena Gibbs set the innings up. After making an impressive 66 off 71 balls (12 fours), Katoa was the third wicket to fall, bowled by Holly Walsh with her first ball of the match. In her next over, Walsh bowled Serena Gibbs, who had scored a classy 45 off 62 balls (5 fours), to see Kilsyth now 4/141 off 25.3 overs. From there, Kilsyth lost regular wickets and were all out for 184 in 34.5 overs. Stephanie Gibbs made a quickfire 13 off 10 balls (1 four and 1 six), and Lecia Baldry was 12* off 16 balls (2 fours). Holly Walsh was the standout bowler for Canterbury, capturing 5/17 off 5 overs (1 maiden), whilst Sophie Vlahos took 2/28 off 3.5 overs, and Imogen Davison 1/8 off 2 overs. In the run chase, Canterbury lost their first wicket with the score on 14, LBW to Lecia Baldry. Then a 44-run second-wicket partnership between Johanna Bailey and Melissa Hay was looking threatening. However, with the score on 58 in the 14th over, Sarah Gibbs broke the partnership in her first over when she had Johanna Bailey well caught by Stephanie Gibbs from a skied catch to square leg. Bailey played a fine innings, scoring 43 off 45 balls, including six fours. From there, Kilsyth kept the run rate under control with wickets falling as follows: 3/73, 4/75 and 5/101 after 23.3 overs. Captain Melissa Hay was the sixth wicket to fall, bowled by Sarah Gibbs, for a solid 33 off 76 balls (3 fours), with the score now on 116 after 31.1 overs. In the end, Canterbury finished on 6/140cc after 36 overs. Holly Walsh had a good all-round match scoring 17* off 38 balls

For

Social croquet continues

While the croquet season has not yet arrived, members of the Lilydale Croquet Club can still be found preparing for the season ahead.

Social croquet continues at the club throughout the year and any interested are welcome to come along and have a go.

Boxing on at Box Hill for golfers

By David Waters

The second round of the season’s pennant for the old golfers was held at Box Hill on Friday 6 February as the host club for the day, they were blessed with perfect weather.

A mild start, rising to comfortably warm and cloudless skies had all players hopeful of a good game.

The practice putting green was well utilized. It looked like seagulls descending on chips as the players tried to gauge the speed of the green. Team managers seemed nervous as hit off time approached, waiting for last team members to arrive and register.

All things finally in order, directions to tees issued, groups headed out. First strokes made at 7.30am. Out of bed, into golf gear, waking with stiff joints, it became apparent youth had passed by long ago. Blurry vision had all sets of eyes searching for good shots and bad. Those who had their ‘weeties’ showed out with strong hits off the tee.

The Box Hill course was in immaculate condition. How the ground staff keep the fairways green is a miracle. particularly as other venues struggle to keep a tinge of green. The bunkers were almost a pleasure to land in as the sand was fluffy and well raked. The greens were very different to the one practised on before the game. Seemingly soft to land on, but lightning fast. Many short putts after touching the edge of the cup, rolled and rolled, to make the return difficult. The seventeenth hole was spoken about often after the game. A short uphill par three, sloping green, protected low by a bunker and high by trees and steep slopes. Putts uphill stopped, then rolled backwards, to finish off the green. The same result for very short downhill putts that didn’t fall in the hole. Ground staff and the Box Hill team captain all said that was the most difficult hole on the course. This week only one tied game, compared to last week with three. With Heritage on bye, Churchill/Waverley entered the fray. A very mixed result with gold outstanding with a huge win and green with a big loss. While ten individual matches were completed with four or five holes to play, the late finishes went the whole 18 holes. Only three of the late ones ended square.

Groups finishing outback finally arrived with scores just after 12.30pm. The presentation room, excellent lunch, helpful catering staff, and preparation for the day by James Woight was recognised with applause from the participants. Announcements made included the

closure of Victoria Road affecting Yarra Valley games, Box Hill Charity Day on February 20, and advertising results in the Star Mail were completed. Then the results were read before everyone departed with wishes for safe driving and better golf.

Results for the day: Gold group. Churchill/Waverley 7 def Yering Meadows 1. Box Hill 6 def Eastwood 2. Eastern 5 def Gardiners Run 3. Green group. Yering Meadows 5 ½. def Churchill/Waverley 2 ½. Eastern 5 def Gardiners Run 3. Box Hill 4 tied with Eastwood 4. Happy golfing.

Tuesday 17th of February 2026, 11am to 3pm