Mail - Ferntree Gully Star Mail - 10th February 2026

Legend visits

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Monbulk Aquatic Centre welcomed Australian Paralympic swimmer, Col Pearse on Wednesday, 4 February, for a free community event celebrating participation, inclusion, and the future of swimming.

From 4pm to 7pm, local children met Mr Pearse, asked questions, took photos, and watched him race alongside Monbulk Marlins Swim Club members.

Mr Pearse, born in regional Victoria, had his right foot amputated below the ankle at age two, yet he has reached the highest levels of international swimming.

“It means a lot because I grew up in a small community with very few people swimming,” Mr Pearse said.

“It’s about more than performance - it’s building the next generation of athletes.”

Monbulk Aquatic Centre venue manager Rachel Scott said the visit highlighted the centre’s role as a welcoming community hub and reinforced the importance of accessible swimming programs for all, including young people with disability.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE, TURN TO PAGE 14

Closure confusion

By Tanya Steele

Sudden school closures in Cardinia and Yarra Ranges on February 3 and 4 left local families confused and frustrated last week.

Due to the statewide Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) policy that applies across all schools, the policy triggers closures LGA fire danger ratings for certain schools depending on their ranking on the register.

Schools like Emerald Secondary College and others across Cardinia Shire were closed because of an increased local fire danger, but the system’s

seemed inconsistent to locals as others schools in the region stayed open.

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 preapproved 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.”

The local LGA fire danger ratings are not public information and don’t always match district forecasts that are for larger areas and released by BOM.

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.

Category 0 is classed as having the highest bushfire risk profile and in the Yarra Ranges some schools, like Chum Creek Primary and their OSCH have had to relocate partner school Healesville Primary on high-risk days because their BARR rating currently sits at a zero.

While the State policy is created with extensive consultation with emergency management groups and the CSIRO, this years BARR ratings have created a headache for many families across the region. READ MORE ON PAGE 4

Volunteering is 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 century 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.”

Nursery hit by fire

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.

IN BRIEF

The Patch crash

The Patch Primary School has had a shocking end to their first week back at school after an empty car crashed into the frontage of one of their classrooms.

The car rolled and crashed headlong into the front area of a local primary school on Friday 6 February, and very luckily, no one at the scene was hurt or injured.

A police media spokesperson said that police were called to a school on Kallista-Emerald Road, The Patch, about 9.30am on 6 February after reports that an unattended car had rolled into an empty classroom.

Ambulance Victoria said they were also called into the incident.

Victoria Ambulance said that no emergency treatment or transport was required.

“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics attended the scene,” they said.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated by the police.

“Fortunately, no one was injured,” said the Police spokesperson.

Belgrave power pole collision

A women in her 60s was taken to The Angliss on Thursday afternoon after crashing her car into a pole in Belgrave, Thursday 5 January.

Local police confirmed the accident and said the road was cleared and power was restored to the area.

Ambulance Victoria media said they were called to the incident that day in Belgrave at around 2:35pm.

“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics assessed and treated one patient at the scene,” they said.

“A woman in her 60s was transported by road ambulance to Angliss Hospital.” Eastern Health was contacted for an update.

The road was closed both directions due to the collision as reported by Vic Traffic on the day.

Car explodes in Upwey

Community in Upwey may have heard a loud bang on Wednesday 4 February, as a car caught alight and exploded on a residential street, with fortunately no one seriously hurt in the process.

Captured in real time by resident and photographer John Weeks, the CFA were on scene to put out the blaze at close to 5pm, and Ambulance Victoria assessed one patient at the scene.

A CFA spokesperson said three CFA units responded to a car fire on View Street in Upwey at around 4.54pm, with units responding from Belgrave and Upwey.

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

“The incident was deemed under control at 5.02pm and safe at 5.26pm.”

Resident Mr Weeks said when the car exploded, it blew glass across the street.

“Myself and other neighbours saw the flames coming through the back seat of the car and began to move back,” he said.

Across social media, other community said they saw a butane canister in the back of the car when it exploded.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed that they were called to the emergency and said advanced life support (ALS) paramedics assessed one patient at the scene.

“No emergency treatment or transport was provided,” they said.

School bushfire confusion

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 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 agencies 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.”

“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 is Chum Creek Primary and its OSCH, At a ‘One’ are Outdoor Education Camp, Ashwood School in Chum Creek.

At a ‘Two’ are Camp Australia, Selby Primary 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 are the Outdoor Education Camp, Garfield North Outdoor Education Centre in Garfield North.

At a ‘Two’ Rating are 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

Quarry battle is 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 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.”

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.

Monbulk MP 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 assess-

ment process.

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

RBA hikes interest 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 hikes following the post-Covid inflation spike.

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 rate rise ahead of the

decision, after inflation surged back above the RBA’s 2-3 per cent target band.

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

But the decision was a difficult one for the Reserve Bank nonetheless, having only last cut interest rates in August.

After bucking the trend of peer economies by intentionally keeping rates lower for longer to prevent a spike in unemployment, the RBA be-

comes the first major central bank to return to interest rate rises since the pandemic.

Some economists had predicted the RBA would prefer to wait for further data, given recent monthly inflation data had been 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.

In updated economic forecasts, RBA staff 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.

Resident raises her ongoing safety fears on Monbulk road

“I’m concerned as we enter into peak tourist season, the risks for injury or death materially in-

“It would seem a death is the only thing that is

She said locals widely recognised how dangerous the roads were, with some choosing not to travel on roads frequented by visitors, tourists

“Personally, I can’t leave my driveway with

any view of oncoming traffic,” Ms Black said.

“If I am struck by a downhill vehicle, under the current law, I would be liable.”

Ms Black also described incidents of road rage, including one last year when a motorcyclist followed her to Upwey.

“His threatening behaviour forced me to call police and report his dangerous riding,” she said.

Ms Black said she contacted the Bicycling Network in April but was disappointed by the response she received three months later.

“This simply isn’t good enough,” she said.

Ms De Martino said road safety was a serious concern across the region.

“Road safety is a serious concern for all of us across the Dandenongs. Our roads present unique challenges due to their terrain, weather conditions, and traffic mix,” she said.

The Department of Transport and Planning’s spokesperson said there were no current plans to make changes at the location.

“We continually monitor the road network to identify where improvements are needed,” the spokesperson said.

“It’s essential that all motorists share the road responsibly so that everyone can reach their destination safely.”

The Cardinia Community Foundation Ltd is a philanthropic community foundation, raising funds for local community groups throughout the Cardinia Shire, with funds dispersed through an annual grants program. Established in 2003, the foundation aims to support the social, community and physical development of the Cardinia Shire.

Community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for a grant in this year’s program. The Community Grants Program aims to support projects aligned with the Cardinia Shire’s Liveability Plan that focuses on food security, housing, crisis support, health, education, social cohesion, the environment, the arts and men's health across the Cardinia Shire region.

How to apply:

Head to our website: cardiniafoundation.org/grants

Download the ‘Policy’ before starting the application. Follow the link to apply through our grant platform.

Applications will close at 3.00pm on Friday 20 March 2026. th

Get in touch for more information:

03 5945 0766

Fair Work targets labour hire

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 ‘trouble spots’, these regions are Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley; Sunraysia; Shepparton, and NSW’s Riverina region and Coffs Harbour/Grafton,” they said.

“The trouble spots 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.”

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 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

Selby House shut after major termite damage found

By Tanya Steele

A cherished community house has had a question mark placed on its future after major damages were discovered in its building late last year.

The Selby Community House site has been officially closed for term one this year, with its regular services and classes relocated and now in full swing in Monbulk and Menzies Creek.

Posting across social media and their website, the Selby House community have not let this setback halt their operations, but don’t expect to be back on site until term two this year - after Easter.

“Dear Community Members, to ensure our programs can continue, we have worked hard to source and book appropriate local venues for all Term 1 classes, workshops, and social groups, so there is minimal disruption to our Term 1 program,” the the House said via social media on 11 January.

New venues for each course or activity will be listed on the house’s website when people book in for their chosen programs.

The printed Term One brochure that was distributed earlier in the year did not reflect these venue changes, as it was printed before the temporary closure was discovered.

Yarra Ranges Director of Communities, Leanne Hurst said the Council is now continuing to assess the extent of the damage to the Selby Community House with engineers and building surveyors after an inspection in December uncovered extensive termite damage.

“In the meantime, the Community House continues to provide classes and programs for community members from the Monbulk Community Hub, with some services also relocated to the Menzies Creek Hall,” she said.

The Selby House is a small but mighty community house servicing it’s local population since early European settlement times in the Dandenong Ranges.

The house came into being after the small bush town of Selby began to understand its need and found its communal energy, taking up opportunities from a fresh new Gough Whitlam government.

In days of global social change, of the post-Vietnam era, women’s liberation, environment movement and the emergence of Aboriginal land rights, Selby House has been a local icon since 1975.

The new development comes on the back of a year of celebration as the house turned 50 and also

joined Neighbourhood Houses movement asking the State for an increase in funding of 25 per cent, to begin supporting houses which don’t currently receive funding and lastly to develop a fund to establish new houses in areas where there are currently none.

Supporting more than 185,000 Victorians with access to local services through the over 400 neighbourhood houses in the state, many sites are dealing with increased community need due to costof-living pressures, while having to deal with cost increases themselves.

Neighbourhood Houses have released information for their campaign stating that the current

level of funding is no longer adequate, and that in 2023 and 2024, nearly half of all Neighbourhood Houses operated at a loss.

Selby House runs a myriad of classes, as well as child care groups that benefit their local community.

“We appreciate this temporary arrangement is not ideal for the Community House staff and families who rely on its services, and are grateful for their patience and understanding, “ said Ms Hurst.

“We will continue to work closely with the Community House to assess a range of options and determine the best long-term solution for this important service,” she said.

“One of our House staff will be present at the first class of each activity to ensure everything runs smoothly and participants have what they need,” read the Selby House social media.

“Thank you for your patience and support during this unexpected and challenging time - it is greatly appreciated.”

People wishing to access Selby House classes and services should head to the house’s website for further information.

https://www.selbyhouse.org.au/

World stage beckons Claire

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 different 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.

Students lead on fire safety

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Upwey High School students are taking a leading role in bushfire safety, pushing for changes that could protect both their school and the wider community in one of southeast’s most fire-prone areas.

A group of five Year 10 students, Jack, Abby, Marli, Olivia, and Eleanor began a research project three years ago, investigating fire safety planning in schools.

It started with a focus group to assess what students already knew and what they wanted to learn, followed by two workshops offering information on fires in the Dandenong Ranges and how the local community responds to emergencies.

Upwey High staff, Elizabeth Lynch said the students’ growth has been remarkable.

“The most surprising change has been the students have gone from almost no knowledge at all to having a huge range of information,” Ms Lynch said.

After participating in school fire drills, the students offered practical suggestions on how the drills could be more efficient and how the procedures could be communicated more clearly to all students.

Ms Lynch said emergency services have been “extremely supportive in listening to students and taking on their ideas.”

While bushfire education can increase anxiety, being prepared helps reduce fear, and the students have also been considering ways to help other students feel safer during emergencies.

The project has also transformed how the students feel about bushfires.

Olivia said, before the project, bushfires were “still a vague topic for me,” despite family experience, but now she feels “much more comfortable with the idea of a bushfire, and I feel much more

three years, I have been educated on bushfire safety and how all the emergency services help work together during an emergency.”

Abby added that she used to only consider bushfires when there was a fire nearby, but now “when the thought of bushfires crosses my mind I feel calm at the thought that I understand my bushfire plans and the rules around bushfires.”

The students have also noticed things adults often overlook.

Olivia said young people understand “how people our age would respond…adults may overlook that kids still want to call their families instead of leaving, and may think we already know and forget how it feels for us.”

Marli said, “Adults often overlook how their emotions affect their children…if parents are stressed and yelling while trying to evacuate, it also makes their children feel stressed out at the same time.”

While Abby added that young people “think about these things a bit more” because they worry about risks shown in the news, which adults may underestimate.

The students’ learning has already influenced families.

Olivia said her family “tweaked our fire plans to suit our house with the information available from this project,” while Marli said fire safety is “talked about a lot more often than before.”

Abby said her family created a detailed bushfire plan after she shared what she had learnt in Year 7.

Beyond the school, the students have presented their findings widely.

They have spoken at the Emergency Management Conference, the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience panel, council meetings, and the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee.

Olivia said these opportunities “have empowered us to continue making positive change for

Connections to Country

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…talk-

ing 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.”

Colour Notes set to sing for Belgrave Library Lovers’ Day

By Tanya Steele

A colourful choir will come together to perform for the community this coming Valentine’s Day in honour of local libraries

The Belgrave Library will host a special live event to celebrate Library Lovers Day on Saturday 14 February at 11am.

Carole McKenzie, long-term choir leader at the Colour Notes Choir, said the group are looking forward to the performance and is busy rehearsing.

“When we all get together, we sound beautiful,” she said.

The group will have a definite love theme attached to the performance, with some beautiful classics being prepared.

“It’ll be a bit of ‘Love me tender’, and lots of love songs, with some other things thrown in,” said Ms McKenzie.

More recently supported by the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, Ms McKenzie said the group has been together for over 20 years.

“We are made up of people who think they can’t sing, but really everyone can sing,” she said.

“The joy that everyone gets, whether you’re singing in tune or just absolutely loving what you yourself, personally, are doing, nothing else brings you that joy and happiness.”

Possibly Valentine’s Day hard hitting cousin, Library Lovers’ Day honours all things libraries and is celebrated each year on 14 February internationally.

It celebrates librarians, library lovers, and the valuable roles that libraries play in our lives.

Colour Notes Choir is an inclusive group have performed all over the hills and have sung at the library before.

“When we’re singing to someone or people, the look on people’s faces and the smile, some

people start to sing along with us,” said Ms McKenzie

“We get just as much joy out of seeing that as what we hope they’re getting out of us singing,” she said.

The local group has a lot of fun rehearsing weekly on Thursdays at the Tecoma Uniting Church and and Ms McKenzie said that all of

their members are special.

“Some of us have been singing together for so long, so we’ve formed choir friendships; it’s like another family, really,” she said.

Belgrave Library on Reynolds Lane, Belgrave, will host the community choir on Saturday 14 February from 11am to 11.45, and the event is free and open to all.

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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 domes-

tic 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 shoul-

ders 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.

Love and perseverance brings a US paramedic recruit

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.”

MONBULK SHOP LOCAL

It’s more than just a game

Bowling enthusiasts and casual revellers alike, brace yourselves for an unforgettable experience at the Monbulk Bowling Club, located at 11 Moores Road, Monbulk. This vibrant establishment is not just your run-of-the-mill bowling club; it’s a haven for good times, delectable dining, and a variety of entertainment offerings that will keep you coming back for more.

The Monbulk Bowling Club welcomes guests with open arms and a host of exciting events throughout the week.

Families, mark your calendars for Monday because at Monbulk Bowling Club, kids eat free with the purchase of a main meal. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gather the family for a delicious feast without breaking the bank.

Dial up the fun on Wednesday nights with the much-anticipated Pot and Parma Night. Indulge in the classic combo of a traditional parma served with chips and salad with a pot all for an unbeatable $25. It’s the perfect midweek treat to share with friends or family.

The club opens its doors from 5.30pm from Monday through Sunday, ensuring that you have plenty of chances to enjoy these delightful specials.

And what’s a Friday without a bit of Happy Hour cheer? From 4pm to 6pm, the Monbulk Bowling Club treats you to discounted prices on selected drinks. Quench your thirst with $6 schooners, $7 basic spirits, and $5 house wine. The perfect way to toast the upcoming weekend with friends.

As the weather warms up, don’t miss out on the chance to try your hand at barefoot bowls for just $15 per person. This inclusive offer provides all the necessary equipment and guidance from an experienced bowler. Make sure to book in advance to secure your spot in the sunshine.

Stay in the loop with all the exciting happenings at the Monbulk Bowling Club by following them on Facebook. It’s the best way to catch wind of upcoming events, promotions, and exclusive offers that will make your visits even more enjoyable.

culinary delights, and good old-fashioned fun. Whether you’re a seasoned bowler or just looking for a memorable night out, this bowling club has it all. So, roll on over to 11 Moores Road,

Up to 10,000 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 mainstream systems.

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 practical help navigating complex systems.

Since its founding in 2016, Different Journeys has often held and organised various opportunities for people with autism, carers and families, such as playing lawn bowls, as well as being advocates for the autistic community and their families.

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’ve survived it,” Ms Spencer said.

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

“That shared experience means families don’t have to explain or justify themselves – we already get it,” said Ms Spencer.

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 Merrin Ayton, who cares for two autistic adults and leads the Carer Peer Support program said carers are often the invisible ones.

“Carers come looking for support for their loved ones, but it’s often the carers themselves who are exhausted and close to breaking point,” said Ms Ayton.

“Being seen, heard and supported can be life changing.”

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022), one in eight Australians provides 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 improved staff retention, in-

creased flexibility and reduced absenteeism.

Mrs Annette White, a parent of two autistic children, has attended Different Journeys events since 2016.

“From our first teens event, we knew we’d found our people,” Mrs White said.

“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 confidence to return to work.”

After 10 years, Different Journeys continues to grow, but its purpose remains the same: ensuring autistic people and carers are never left to navigate systems alone.

Monbulk hosts Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Monbulk Aquatic Centre hosted Australian Paralympic swimmer, Col Pearse on Wednesday, 4 February, where he spent the afternoon inspiring young swimmers and families during a free community event focused on participation, inclusion and the future of swimming.

The event which started from 4pm to 7pm gave local children the opportunity to meet Mr Pearse, ask questions, take photos and watch him race alongside members of the Monbulk Marlins Swim Club.

Mr Pearse was born in the small regional town of Echuca, Victoria, at the age of two, his right foot was amputated below the ankle following a collision with a ride-on lawnmower.

He still has his heel bone intact, which allows him to walk on his stump, though his right side is slightly shorter than his left, resulting in a pronounced limp.

Mr Pearse said returning to community pools and speaking directly with young swimmers was deeply meaningful to him.

“It means a lot because I myself grew up in a small community, in a small pool with very few people who actually swim,” Mr Pearse said.

“We come from a state where football and netball dominate, so having a sport like swimming supported by passionate people and being able to share my journey with these young kids in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Games is incredibly important to ensure as many of them as possible get into the water.”

He said the visit was about more than performance, focusing on participation and long-term opportunities.

“It’s not only about learning how to swim, but also building the next generation of athletes coming forward,” Mr Pearse said.

“It’s a special honour, as I don’t get the chance to do this often - it’s really rewarding to step out of my comfort zone and share my

journey with these kids, and show them what it takes to reach the highest level.”

Mr Pearse said the event was his first time taking part in a GOswim Australia community program and described the experience as enjoyable and welcoming.

“I’ve had a lot of fun so far,” he said.

“I’ve been walking around with Sam, who runs all the programs here, and seeing all the kids give him high-fives and wave - it’s fantastic, I’m absolutely loving it, and to be able to share my story with the kids and answer their questions about swimming in general is incredibly exciting.”

He said seeing a Paralympian in the pool could be particularly powerful for young people with disability.

“When I was growing up and going through the learn-to-swim program, I didn’t see anyone with a disability,” Mr Pearse said.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for these kids, even those without a disability to learn and be inspired, not just by what I say, but by how I swim and what I teach them in the water.”

“I hope they come away feeling inspired, but also motivated to work towards their goals both in and out of the water, I was just

speaking to them earlier about how important it is to write their goals down on paper.”

Mr Pearse also reflected on the importance of community pools and local clubs in shaping swimmers.

“Having the community behind me is an incredible feeling when competing at the international level,” he said.

“But more importantly, it helps create a culture of swimming, we’re surrounded by beaches and rivers, so it’s vital for communities to have places like this where people can learn to swim - it’s a life-saving skill.”

Monbulk Aquatic Centre venue manager Rachel Scott said hosting the event was important for both the centre and the broader Yarra Ranges community.

“It was important for Monbulk Aquatic Centre to host this event because it gave our community the chance to come together and be inspired by an elite athlete in a familiar and welcoming environment,” Ms Scott said.

“Our centre plays a big role as a community hub, and hosting events like this strengthens that connection.”

Ms Scott said Mr Pearse’s visit held particular meaning for swimmers with disability.

“Seeing a high-performance para-athlete in person provides genuine representation and helps break down barriers for swimmers who may not always see themselves reflected in sport,” she said.

“His presence shows that pathways in swimming are achievable regardless of ability and reinforces our commitment to creating inclusive spaces.”

She said the centre worked to ensure swimming was accessible for everyone.

“Our staff are trained to create a welcoming, flexible and safe environment, and our facility includes accessible entry points, equipment and spaces that help make participation comfortable for everyone,” Ms Scott said.

“We collaborate closely with families and support networks to ensure every individual has a positive and tailored experience.”

Ms Scott said she hoped the event would leave a lasting impression on young swimmers.

“I hope that watching Col in the pool inspires young swimmers to believe in their own potential and to stay passionate about their swimming journey,” she said.

“Seeing his dedication and enthusiasm up close can be incredibly motivating.”

Paralympian Col inspires

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Monbulk Aquatic Centre welcomed Australian Paralympic swimmer Col Pearse on Wednesday, 4 February, where he spent the afternoon inspiring young swimmers and families during a free community event focused on participation, inclusion, and the future of swimming.

At the age of two, Mr Pearse’s right foot was amputated below the ankle following a collision with a ride-on lawnmower.

“When I was growing up and going through the learn-to-swim program, I didn’t see anyone with a disability,” Mr Pearse said.

“It’s really rewarding to step out of my comfort zone and share my journey with these kids, showing them what it takes to reach the highest level.”

Monbulk Aquatic Centre’s manager, Rachel Scott said Mr Pearse’s visit inspired young swimmers and demonstrated that pathways in swimming are achievable for all.

Enjoy the photos!

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 Athenaeum 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.

“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.

Luke Stephens takes 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 perspective.

“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.

“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.

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.

Atlas Ocean Voyages

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.

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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

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What defines leadership?

WOORILLA WORDS

By Maria Millers

As we lean into the heat of summer with the dread that it brings in places prone to fires and health risks to the vulnerable, it’s also that time of year when we recognise and celebrate the special people in our communities showing what it truly means to be Australian and a leader in a chosen field.

All the nominees for Australian of the Year showed leadership in their particular field.

Astronaut and space engineer Katherine Benell-Pegg has been named Australian of the Year on Sunday.

Also honoured were: a pioneer in dementia treatment, Professor Henry Brodaty, an endurance runner raising money and awareness of homelessness and a First Nation construction leader.

Indeed the question of leadership has recently been dominating politics not only locally but also internationally.

And it raises the question whether leadership is innate or learnt: nature versus nurture?

Visiting me for a few weeks has been a grand - daughter with her two adorable fraternal twin girls, aged two and a half. Watching them at play, you could quickly see that at this stage one was definitely ‘in charge’.

Interestingly, at birth she had been the smaller of the two.

This of course may change as they grow older but whether leadership is innate or learned is still debated.

A lot of people argue that there’s a crisis in leadership today. Some of the concerns include political polarization, declining trust in institutions, and the rise of populism, which sometimes leads to more divisive or short-term focused leadership.

This has become a prominent political talking point following Bondi. I have already written about how unedifying it was to see the political point scoring and maneuvering at a time when so many were hurting and how it seemed there was no one picking up the mantle of leadership.

Which raises the question of how do we define leadership and how do we evaluate it?

One definition would be that leadership is essentially the ability to guide, influence, or inspire others toward achieving a common goal.

In this case it was the immediate response to ensure security and safety of the whole community and at the same time provide support to a traumatized group.

Overall, the definition and understanding of leadership have evolved over time and often depends on the cultural and historical context.

Ultimately, with the right combination of education, experience, and support, people can definitely grow into effective leaders So it’s a mixed bag, but definitely a topic of ongoing discussion and concern.

Today more and more collaborative and visionary leadership is needed, which many feel is

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

lacking. And in a liberal democracy a government is only as good as its opposition.

Philosophers have looked at leadership from many angles. Plato emphasized the idea of philosopher-kings, leaders who are wise and virtuous. Aristotle viewed leadership as a form of moral virtue and practical wisdom.

More modern thinkers have examined leadership in terms of authority types, such as charismatic, traditional, and legal-rational authority.

Leadership in literature and poetry is often depicted in a rich and nuanced way. In many classic works, leaders are portrayed as heroic figures, often facing moral dilemmas or embodying virtues like courage, wisdom, and sacrifice. Epic tales like Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey explore leadership through characters like Achilles and Odysseus, who demonstrate both strengths and flaws.

Poets like W.B. Yeats often reflect on power, complexities and failures of leadership in their works.

The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.

William Butler Yeats — The Second Coming A warning poem: when good people hesitate, destructive leaders rush in

Or Rudyard Kipling who frames leadership as calm under pressure showing integrity, and endurance. The leader here isn’t loud—just unshakeable:

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs…”

But what if as Shakespeare wrote in Twelfth Night: Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

One such leader was our wartime Prime Minister, John Curtin who came to power after the collapse of the then United Australia Party.

A deeply ethical man and always honest with the people, he led Australia through the war with courage and integrity. A trusted leader who battled his own demon of heavy drinking and died

exhausted before the end of the war.

Add to that Churchill, Roosevelt and Nelson Mandela all who were able to show outstanding leadership when called upon.

If we look at some contemporary leaders, we can see a mix of natural traits and developed skills.

For example, leaders like Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand is often noted for her empathy, communication skills, and emotional intelligence—qualities that are both innate and honed over time.

Her finest hour was extraordinary leadership following the Christchurch massacre.

Hope and history rhyme.

Seamus Heaney — From The Cure at Troy

That said today such a figure is yet to emerge. Because of the interconnected nature of today’s world it means that leadership often comes from multiple sources—international organisations, coalitions, and grassroots movements.

While a single world leader might seem like a solution, it’s often more about collective leadership and cooperation across nations and communities. Still, the idea of a unifying global leader is definitely a powerful and compelling vision.

Political leadership does have some distinct characteristics compared to other forms of leadership, like business or community leadership.. They often have to balance competing interests, manage public opinion, and maintain accountability to constituents and stakeholders.

Today’s leaders face what has been called a values transition period and it seems that politics hasn’t caught up.

Tensions exist about national identity, economic inequality, climate and cultural pluralism.

Leadership usually emerges when someone is unafraid to articulate what they stand for and offer solutions and own the consequences.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it: Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there

is no path and leave a trail.

Until that tension resolves, Australia is likely to keep producing leaders who feel underwhelming. Nor is this a uniquely Australian problem, but a global leadership malaise. But because of our strong institutions like courts and electoral system, it is easier for leaders to coast along. Politics becomes transactional rather than representative and independents flourish Australia remains a stable parliamentary democracy with functioning institutions.

What’s striking is not breakdown of the system, but widespread frustration that political leadership isn’t meeting public expectations. Contemporary poets also offer fascinating perspectives by exploring leadership through lenses of social justice, activism, and personal integrity. In essence, poetry often brings a more personal and socially aware dimension to the concept of leadership, inviting readers to reflect on both the power and the responsibility of leaders in today’s world.

Drive my dead thoughts over the universe

Like wither’d leaves to quicken a new birth! Shelley saw leadership as the ability to spread ideas that spark renewal. But in another poem he warns about arrogance, empire and how power collapses into dust

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair Percy Bysshe Shelley — Ozymandias

Ultimately, if we want better leaders we should engage more in the political process or suffer the consequences and leave ourselves open to authoritarian leaders, as Bertolt Brecht warned in his savage satire,

The Solution, blaming apathetic citizens for their own oppression: Would it not be easier

For the government

To dissolve the people And elect another?

Violi silence on Trump false claim disappoints voter

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 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.

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 dis-

missed.

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

Black Sunday in focus

By Ray Peace

The start of the year 2026 will be remembered as a bad fire season, one in which the volunteers of the Country Fire Authority were tested in their mission to protect the community from wildfire.

If we look back one hundred years, to the year 1926, we find the fire brigades of that era were also struggling to contain conflagrations that threatened their townships and localities, with far more primitive equipment than the sophisticated fire services of today.

The communities along the rail line at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges were little more than villages.

None had a population of more than 1,000, and none had an active fire brigade.

Yet the signs were there early in the new year that the surrounding bush could erupt in flames.

Rainfall for the preceding season was down; bark was flaking off the eucalypts, adding to the fuel load.

On 28 January 1926, the inevitable spark was struck at the corner of Emerald Road east of Belgrave and Monbulk Creek, spreading southward on a northerly wind.

The Age referred to teams of men arriving from Ferntree Gully and Upwey to fight the fire. But they were equipped with little more than flour sacks, rakes and shovels to control the blaze, and the newspaper noted what they faced:

“Many complaints have been made by the fire-

Those sad zombies...

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.

Stories and their power

aims to reconnect people of all ages with reading as a relevant and rewarding activity.

fighters at the neglect of absentee owners to make their places reasonably safe. Instances were found where the trees were growing right up to and touching the walls of dwellings, with spouts full of dry leaves, grass, and rubbish up to and under the home.”

This fire was controlled, but only Upwey had an organized brigade, established in 1918. And there was worse to come.

Less than a week later, on 4 February 1926, fire flared around the National Park in Ferntree Gully, prompting the Victorian Railways to run a special traintoUpperFerntreeGullycarryingfiftyvolunteers.

The fires were not reported as under control until 10 February.

In that week, huge areas of forest and farmland were devastated across the state, hundreds of homes, sawmills and public buildings destroyed, and thirtyone people died.

This type of catastrophe had occurred before.

The dates stood out like red exclamation marks in the state’s history: Black Thursday, 1851, Red Tuesday, 1898, along with un-named fires in 1892, 1896, 1902, 1905, 1913, and 1919.

But in Ferntree Gully, 1926 was different.

On 25 February 1926, a public meeting was held at the old Ferntree Gully Shire Hall, chaired by Cr George H Knox. A resolution was adopted:

“A district Bush Fire Brigade be formed and that it be designated the Ferntree Gully Bush Fire Brigade”

This was the origin of both the Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigades.

The Ferntree Gully Brigade became an Urban Brigade in 1942.

Upper Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade celebrates its one hundredth anniversary this month.

The hundred years following 1926 have seen the disasters of Black Friday, 1939; fires in Lysterfield and the Dandenongs in 1944; major fires in Ferntree Gully and The Basin in 1962 and 1968; Ash Wednesday in 1983; fire on One Tree Hill in 1997; the Black Saturday fire in Ferntree Gully in 2009.

On all these occasions, and many another, the community has given thanks, and rightly so, to the men and women volunteers who make up the Fire Brigades of Ferntree Gully.

What’s coming up

Kemp’s curtain call

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 7.3p[m, Saturday February 18 at 2pm and 7.30pm and Sunday March 1 at 2pm.

PASSION FOR PROSE WITH

“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.

CHRISTINE SUN

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 officialwebsite.Meanwhile,theNationalLiteracyTrust 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

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, recentdatarevealthatmorethanaquarterofAustralians have not read or listened to a single book in the space of a year. One in three Australian children cannotreadproficiently,and29%ofAustralianteenagers 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 inthatcountry–tolaunchthe“500BillionPageChallenge”, hoping to “help America fall back in love with reading”. AsThriftBookssuggests:“Threepagesaday is how a movement starts. If we all read just a little more,onlyafewpagesaday,orachapterbeforebed, we don’t just slow the decline. We reverse it.”

Particularlyintheseunusualanduncertaintimes, it is vital that we “speak stories into the darkness”. Let usconnectwitheachotherthroughstoriesandstorytelling.Letusremainhopefulthatopen-mindedness and empathy can prevail over prejudice, bigotry and wilful ignorance.

CARTOON

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

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.

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

Golfers turn on at Box Hill

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

Starring Jones and Yates

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.

• LOG BOOK SERVICE

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• BRAKE SERVICE AND REPAIR

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