Mail - Mt Evelyn Star Mail - 10th March 2026

Mark Martinaj has animal abuse sentence

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Another plaque pinched

By Callum Ludwig

Another year, another war memorial targeted in the Outer East.

A plaque at Lillydale Lake has recently been stolen, which enlightens locals about the history of the site as a military camp.

Local historian Anthony McAleer OAM said the Lilydale RSL were alerted to the theft by the Yarra Ranges Council’s gardening team.

“It’s extremely disappointing and really quite devastating, it’s one thing to have graffiti, it’s one thing to have damage; some of those things you can replace, but to have it actually stolen is probably the worst scenario that we’re dealing with,” he said.

“It’s well beyond a joke in regards to this area, I think this is probably about 10 or 11 attacks in regards to what’s happened locally with war memorials.”

The Lilydale Militia camp took place in February 1914, a few months before the First World War started, and was commanded by Colonel John Monash, a significant event

in his pre-war military career. The plaque was unveiled 100 years after the camp took place by Michael Bennett, great grandson of Sir John Monash.

Lilydale RSL President Bill Dobson said he regards it as dishonourable in the extreme to use war memorials as a platform for either protesting or the theft of plaques.

“Years ago this never would have happened, but there’s a lot of things happening today that wouldn’t happen years ago, so we can only hope that it would be the deterrent,” he said.

“It desecrates the memory of those who were served and sacrificed to protect the freedom of all Australians, it’s just so important that you just cannot destroy part of Australia’s history and they should pay the penalties for doing so.”

Turn to page 3 for more

Lilydale local’s message makes it to Matildas

By Callum Ludwig

Ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a number of inspiring messages were passed onto the Matildas from around the country, including one from a Lilydale local.

Neil Milton, whose daughter Grace is a huge Tillies fan, was one of 16 fans from across the country whose messages were written on a giant football to be read by the team, arranged by insurance company Allianz.

Mr Milton suffered from significant knee injuries, told by doctors he might not be able to play sport again, but said there were times he felt like giving up but wanted to see if he could get back to running and possibly play-

ing basketball.

“Sport has always been something I love doing and to be told it’s over completely, I felt destroyed,” he said.

“There were some dark moments in the gym, I can tell you that, the desire to keep going came from seeing little bits of progress, I felt like I had a team behind me.

“I knew I had it in me and now look at this, I have just done 260 Parkruns, I did a halfmarathon a few years ago and I am back playing basketball for two teams, and the most important privilege is playing basketball with my son.”

More on page 4

Mark Martinaj avoids jail term

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

Mark Martinaj has escaped jail for beating the two dogs of his neighbours, the Wood family, following sentencing in the County Court on Wednesday 5 March.

Having appealed a sentence of two months’ imprisonment in the Ringwood Magistrates Court last year, Mr Martinaj was instead sentenced to a 12-month adjourned undertaking with a $1000 donation to the RSPCA, along with an 18-month Community Correction Order requiring anger management programs and 50 hours of unpaid community work.

The Wood family’s Maltese Shih Tzu, Millie, and golden retriever, Brinny, entered Mr Martinaj’s property in December 2024. Court documents showed both dogs accessed the backyard, which contained chickens, before Mr Martinaj arrived home.

In the previous court hearing, a 13-minute segment of CCTV footage captured him arming himself with a pole-like implement and repeatedly striking the dogs over approximately five minutes with Millie receiving the majority of the abuse.

Both dogs attempted to escape but were trapped inside the property by chicken wire which Mr Martinaj had erected across his driveway upon returning home, alerted to the dogs chasing his chickens via CCTV.

A veterinarian later examined the Golden Retriever and found no physical injuries but Brinny appeared visibly distressed. Millie’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day, and a dead chicken was discovered on the property following the incident.

During Wednesday’s sentencing, Judge Diana Manova said the campaign of abuse and torment against Mr Martinaj and his family constituted a vigilante enterprise, where people take the law into their own hands, often affecting innocent parties.

These have included multiple attacks on vehicles on his property, an arson attack on his fence, spray painting, physical and verbal threats and online commentary threatening the lives of him and his family.

As recently as two weeks before the hearing, Marcus Wood erected in his front yard a sign facing Mr Martinaj’s house that referred to the latter as a ‘dog’ with a photo of his face on it.

Judge Manova expressed her concerns about children in the neighbourhood, saying, ‘encouraging or tolerating children to victimise others harms their development and may shape the type of adults they will become.’

There were a few brief disruptions from the audience as the sentence was delivered, but the judge quickly called for order and proceeded with the sentencing.

She acknowledged the personal toll on Mr Martinaj, saying anyone subjected to that kind of harassment would likely feel significant fear for their safety.

She described the punishment inflicted on Mr Martinaj and his family as “appalling, unjust and severe”, and said it warranted a significant reduction in his sentence from two months’ imprisonment.

The judge also said the Victorian community would not approve of the torment and abuse Mr Martinaj and his family had faced.

She said reasonable people expect offenders to serve their punishment without further harassment and with the opportunity for rehabilitation.

Plaque stolen from Lillydale Lake

By Callum Ludwig

Another year, another war memorial targeted in the Outer East.

A plaque at Lillydale Lake has recently been stolen, which enlightens locals about the history of the site as a military camp.

Local historian Anthony McAleer OAM said the Lilydale RSL were alerted to the theft by the Yarra Ranges Council’s gardening team.

“It’s extremely disappointing and really quite devastating, it’s one thing to have graffiti, it’s one thing to have damage; some of those things you can replace, but to have it actually stolen is probably the worst scenario that we’re dealing with,” he said.

“It’s well beyond a joke in regards to this area, I think this is probably about 10 or 11 attacks in regards to what’s happened locally with war memorials.

“The worst scenario was the Seville War Memorial, where the damage done there cost us over $20,000 to get repaired, and that’s $20,000 that could have been used for other community projects.”

The Lilydale Militia camp took place in February 1914, a few months before the First World War started, and was commanded by Colonel John Monash, a significant event in his pre-war military career. The plaque was unveiled 100 years after the camp took place by Michael Bennett, great grandson of Sir John Monash.

Mr McAleer said a lot of our memorials have a real local focus.

“This one does, but at the same time, this one is actually representative of a wider story, because the story of the militia pre-World War I is an important one, this camp was run by Sir John Monash and it’s been stated by historians as the most important event in his pre-war military career,” he said

“It’s certainly a significant event in regards to the John Monash story…and the fact that it had that Monash connection in regards to the unveiling means we may be able to get a replacement plaque, but it won’t be the same one that was unveiled.

“This vandalism and lack of respect for war memorials is a huge disappointment, especially as a lot of work went into these from community groups getting together and creating these memorials, not just for current generations, but hopefully for future generations.”

On Saturday February 7 1914, over 3000 citizen soldiers of the 13th Infantry Brigade arrived at the site of what would become Lillydale Lake for a week long ‘camp of instruction’ . The Commanding Officer for the camp was Colonel John Monash (later Major-General Sir John Monash).

During their time here the 13th Infantry Brigade undertook company and battalion drill training, musketry practice and performed a mock battle at Mt Mary near Coldstream. On Thursday 12 February 1914 the camp was visited by the Inspector General of Overseas Forces,

General Sir Ian Hamilton. A year after this event many of the men attending were on active service with the Australian Infantry Force.

Lilydale RSL President Bill Dobson said he regards it as dishonourable in the extreme to use war memorials as a platform for either protesting or the theft of plaques.

“RSL Australia President Peter Tinley said the New South Wales Parliament have recently passed legislation to significantly increase the penalties for those convicted of damaging war memorials in that state,” he said.

“We haven’t been as progressive here in Victoria, even though both Aaron Violi, the federal member for Casey and Bridget Vallence, the state member for Evelyn, have been pushing the case.

“They don’t seem to have had much success in convincing the Victorian government.”

New South Wales increased the maximum penalty from five to seven years’ imprisonment for intentionally or recklessly damaging a war memorial and amended the Summary Offences Act to allow the court to order a convicted person to pay up to $4400 in compensation for any loss or damage caused.

Mr Dobson said if they increase the penalties it might be a deterrent but you can’t guarantee it.

“Years ago this never would have happened, but there’s a lot of things happening today that wouldn’t happen years ago, so we can only hope that it would be the deterrent,” he said.

“It desecrates the memory of those who were served and sacrificed to protect the freedom of all Australians, it’s just so important that you just cannot destroy part of Australia’s history and they should pay the penalties for doing so.

“It comes down to education too at Lilydale RSL, we go out of our way to instruct kids at school

and at primary school level, they’re just fantastic, they really take it all in and they respect it… this might have been a bad outcome here, but there is a lot of respect out there in the school system.”

In October 2025, RSL Australia called for all states and territories to increase the penalties for desecrating war memorials while RSL Victoria state president Dr Mark Schröffel also condemned an incident at the Montmorency-Eltham RSL Sub-Branch in January this year.

Vandalism of war memorials is considered the same as other forms of property damage in Victoria under the Crimes Act 1958, and offenders can face up to 10 years’ imprisonment, or up to 15 years’ imprisonment in the most serious cases where lives are endangered. Theft also has a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

A Victorian Government spokesperson said vandalism and theft of war memorials is unacceptable and disrespects the service and sacrifice they represent for communities across Victoria.

“Anyone who damages or steals from a war memorial can face significant criminal penalties, and Victoria Police will continue to investigate these incidents and hold offenders to account,” they said.

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IN BRIEF

Road works along Victoria Road

Victoria Road, Lilydale will be temporarily closed to through traffic from Gardiners Run Golf Course to Coldstream West Road from 10 March 2026. Please follow the detours along Switchback, Edward and Coldstream West Roads.

Access to Gardners Run Golf Course, Lilydale Memorial Park and Gateway Estate remain open from the Switchback Road, Lilydale end of Victoria Road.

The team will rehabilitate and strengthen the road to improve safety, addressing damage caused by increasing traffic and prolonged wet weather. Outer east burglars charged

The Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit and Alexandra Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged five men following a series of burglaries, thefts and criminal damage incidents in the Eastern region of Victoria from 15 November 2025 and 12 January.

It is alleged thousands of dollars of equipment and property were damaged and stolen.

The burglaries took place in Narbethong, Buxton, Marysville, Taggerty, Devils River, Rubicon, Kinglake and Maintongoon, Chirnside Park, Healesville, Woori Yallock, and Launching Place.

One theft of particular note was of a $20,000 generator at Mount Gordon which ensures that local radio can transmit emergency information during power outages.

This theft occurred just days before the fire in Longwood.

Alexandra and Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested five men between 3 December 2025 and 10 February this year after executing several search warrants.

A 24-year-old Yellingbo man was charged with 35 offences including burglary, theft, handling stolen goods and trafficking a commercial quantity methylamphetamine.

He was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 26 March.

A 35-year-old Seville man and a 32-year-old man from Launching Place were both charged with burglary, theft and drug offences in January and were remanded into custody.

A 37-year-old Narbethong man was charged with handling stolen goods, possessing a drug of dependence, and theft.

He was bailed to appear at the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 30 April.

A 29-year-old Healesville man was charged with possessing methylamphetamine, prohibited weapons, committing criminal damage, and theft. He was bailed to appear at the Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on 1 April.

Various items of property, estimated at approximately $250,000, have been recovered and returned to their rightful owners.

The generator is one of the recovered items. Lost items

The Mooroolbark Police Station have called upon the public for a range of lost items handed in by Croydon Leisure Works from previous three months.

A range of keys, jewellery and three iPhones have been handed in.

Contact Mooroolbark Police Station if these items are yours on 9725 9999.

View the lost items at the link: facebook.com/ share/p/1HNmDM6LFs/

Reference Numbers:

Local inspires Matildas

By Callum Ludwig

Ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a number of inspiring messages were passed onto the Matildas from around the country, including one from a Lilydale local.

Neil Milton, whose daughter Grace is a huge Tillies fan, was one of 16 fans from across the country whose messages were written on a giant football to be read by the team, arranged by insurance company Allianz.

Mr Milton said when he saw this opportunity to share his comeback story with Allianz, he thought maybe he could encourage some people who might be struggling.

“I have always had knee issues from playing lots of sport when I was young and I had started running again because i was raising money for World Vision through a campaign called Run Far where I would need to walk and run 10km per day,” he said.

“After doing over 3100kms in a month my knees were very sore and the diagnosis was that I didn’t have hardly any cartilage in my knees left, I had a bursar on one of them and another grade tear in another part of my leg.

“One doctor told me that because of this I would never run again and not be able to play sport, I sought a second opinion and another doctor said the same thing pretty much and just be-

fore the injury I was thinking about going back to basketball as it had been a while.”

Mr Milton played basketball between the ages of 15 and 21 before suffering a knee injury that required surgery. He resumed for a year after moving to Victoria but stopped at the advice of doctors.

Mr Milton said he didn’t play for over seven years because of what doctors had said, which made him pretty miserable.

“Sport has always been something I love doing and to be told it’s over completely, I felt destroyed,” he said.

“Because I got told I couldn’t run I thought ‘Well I can still work out’ so I started going to the gym and that’s where I met a guy named Brian Curren who is an amazing personal trainer and he listened to me share my story and he said to me something I will never forget.

“‘I’ll get you back to running’.”

Working with Mr Curren, Mr Milton changed his running style from heel-toe to being on the balls of his feet, changed his shoes to a pair which offered more support and started doing Kinetic Link Training, which consisted of ‘weights, resistance bands and some bloody hard work’

Mr Milton said honestly there were times he felt like giving up but I wanted to see if I could get back to running and possibly playing basketball.

“There were some dark moments in the gym, I can tell you that, the desire to keep going came

from seeing little bits of progress, I felt like I had a team behind me,” he said.

“I knew I had it in me and now look at this, I have just done 260 Parkruns, I did a half-marathon a few years ago and I am back playing basketball for two teams, and the most important privilege is playing basketball with my son.

“Honestly, when I hit the court I just feltthankful, thankful that I get another moment to play the sport I love and with my son and with my mates in the other team, I have even played five tournaments for the Masters comps around Melbourne.”

Mr Milton has been part of the Parkrun Lilydale community for over 10 years now and hates missing a Saturday morning session, even looking for places with Parkruns when he travels.

MrMilton,sharingthesamemessagehesentto the Matildas to others in the community who may have battled injury, said he often thinks about if he just listened to the doctors, where would he be.

“What I’ve learnt in my comeback story is it’s never truly over, even when all odds are stacked against you, there is always an opportunity to rise and the community you surround yourself with gets you moving and they keep you motivated,” he said.

“If it is true are we really not able to do that which we loved anymore, we need to acknowledge that but then we might be able to pivot to move in a different direction, it’s kind of like in a

soccer game I saw the other night with the Tillies.

“Mary Fowler had the ball and was dribbling it down the pitch and the opposition player got in front, then another one and it looked like she was trapped and there was nowhere to go, but then she pivoted and found a way.

“Sometimes in life we need to just find a way.”

A survey by Allianz said 44 per cent of respondents said watching the Matildas reminds them that persistence can overcome adversity and more than half (56 per cent) of young Australians responded that they’re inspired by the players to want to keep trying, even if something is hard.

Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer, whose inspiring comeback story is the feature of a new campaign by Allianz, said the initiative reflects the values that have shaped the team’s journey.

“Throughout my career I’ve faced personal setbacks, including a recent ACL injury that had me in recovery for 457 days, and this activity with Allianz is a big reminder of why we keep pushing forward,” she said.

“Being a role model for Aussies young and old, and knowing people look to us for motivation gives extra meaning to what we do.

“It reminds me to keep going when I face my own mental challenges on fighting to return – especially heading into a major tournament.”

Labour Day safety blitz

Police targeted high-risk drivers across across the Labour Day long weekend to curb dangerous road users during the Yarra Ranges’ most deadly month for road trauma.

It came as police launched Operation Arid on Friday 6 March, which saw police calling on road users to take extra caution and increased enforcement efforts.

Although March is widely recognised for its packed calendar of major events, festivals and sporting fixtures across metropolitan and regional Victoria, it has also historically recorded the highest levels of road trauma in the state.

In March last year, the Yarra Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula topped the list for collisions in metropolitan Melbourne, while Warrnambool, Surf Coast, Bass Coast and East Gippsland recorded the highest number of collisions over Labour Day weekend in regional Victoria.

March has remained the worst month for injury collisions over the five-year average. In 2025, more than 1600 collisions resulted in injuries and 23 were fatal.

Victoria Police road policing acting assistant commissioner Justin Goldsmith said no one wanted to see another month with record numbers of collisions.

“March continues to be associated with road trauma – and we need to put a stop to it,” Mr Goldsmith said.

“However, enforcement is only one aspect, and we need all road users to consciously contribute to making the roads safer.”

Injury collisions involving drink or drug driving, and road users including heavy vehicles and pedestrians are also at increased risk during the month.

These high-risk behaviours and locations were key areas of focus during Operation Arid.

Injury collisions where speed or fatigue was a factor, or involving motorcyclists (both on and off-road riding), cyclists or e-rideables, have all historically peaked in March.

Police warned motorists there will be zero

“It only takes one second of distraction or to make a basic driving error that results in a collision, so we’re urging everyone to focus on their driving and remain alert behind the wheel,” Mr Goldsmith said.

tolerance for poor driving and dangerous behaviour, with state and local highway patrols to be highly visible and enforcing across the state’s roads.

Rear end collisions were the most common collision type over Labour Day weekend last year, with police urging motorists to avoid being

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complacent behind the wheel.

Operation Arid commenced at 12.01am on Friday 6 March and concluded at 11.59pm on Monday 9 March 2025.

For more information and tips for staying safe on the roads this long weekend, visit the Road Safety page on the Victoria Police website.

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Healesville rolls the reels

By Gabriella Vukman

From slow cinema to art horror, director of the Healesville Film Society, Keith Wade has brought his love for all things indie film to the local community.

For more than a decade, Keith Wade has been quietly building a space for thoughtful cinema in the Yarra Valley through his work with the Yarra Ranges Film Society.

A local to the Yarra Ranges, Wade has helped bring a steady program of independent and international films to local audiences who would not normally get the chance to see such films on regional screens.

“They’re not like the big American films that are taking over a lot of the market now,” Mr Wade said.

This month, Mr Wade’s passion for alternative cinema is coming to Healesville as part of the Yarra Ranges Film Society’s Healesville Mini Film Festival.

Held each year at The Memo, the festival has become a highlight for local film lovers and is a one-day event that brings together three films connected by a common theme.

The mini film festival will take place on 29 March from 10am to 5:30pm with a lunch and afternoon break in between the films.

Free Devonshire Tea will also be provided to all attendees.

This year’s festival opens with the thriller Lies We Tell, which is about an orphaned teenage heiress who must navigate jealous family plots when she inherits an ancient manor in Ireland.

The second film for the festival is a British drama titled, ‘The Old Oak,’ which is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ken Loach.

“Ken Loach is one of Britain’s best directors,” Mr Wade said.

“The film follows the story of a pub owner who is trying to keep his venue running in a little town that is disintegrating,” he said.

“There’s no big win, but it gives you a feeling of being glad you saw it,” Mr Wade said.

The mini film fest day concludes with the comedy And Mrs, chosen by Wade to have audiences leaving with a smile.

Toying with the concept of lifelong commitment, ‘And Mrs’ follows the story of a woman who navigates whether it is possible to marry a dead man after losing her fiance just before their wedding day.

“And Mrs is the comedy that sends people home happy,” Mr Wade said.

While the festival has become a popular fixture, Wade said the real reward has been seeing local audiences embrace independent cinema.

For Mr Wade, the goal has always been simple: to give people in the Yarra Valley access to the kind of cinema usually only found in the city.

“You only really get to see the more arthouse and alternative films down in the city, but never up here,” Mr Wade said.

“It’s a fair trip down there and back, so bringing the films here we think is a service for the community.”

The Healesville branch of the film society began after The Memo was rebuilt following its destruction during the Black Saturday bushfires.

Once the venue reopened, Mr Wade helped establish a local program of screenings.

“The local and state governments spent seven

million dollars fixing it up, so we thought ‘We had better use it’,” Mr Wade said.

“We then started an offshoot of the Film Society for Healesville,” he said.

Since then, the society has built a loyal audience of film lovers who come together each month to watch and discuss cinema that sits outside the mainstream.

Wade said his involvement grew quickly once the Healesville screenings began.

“Once we got things running in Healesville, I became obsessed with it,” Mr Wade said.

“That’s my reason for being at the moment, and it has been for the last 15 years.”

After more than 12 years organising the mini festival, Wade is now preparing to pass the responsibility on to another member of the society.

“I’ve got a new member who’s been following what I’m doing, and she’s going to take it over next year,” Mr Wade said.

“I’ll definitely still be around to help though,” he said.

Whether it is organising festivals or monthly screenings, Wade’s mission remains the same: to bring unique cinema to the community of the Yarra Valley.

“I think we’re doing a good thing bringing these films into this town for people to enjoy,” Mr Wade said.

The Yarra Ranges Film Society screens films monthly in Healesville and nearby in Warburton, with members able to attend screenings across the two venues.

Last year’s Mini Film Festival screening at The Memo drew more than 80 attendees, and Mr Wade is hoping for even more attendees in 2026.

Tickets for the upcoming Mini Film Festival cost $15 per film, or $39 for the whole festival pass and can be purchased on the Yarra Ranges website at: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ExploreYarra-Ranges/Events/Healesville-Mini-FilmFestival-2026

schools

By Oliver Winn

Two Yarra Valley schools scored hundreds of thousands of dollars from the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) on 4 March, kickstarting key upgrades to infrastructure.

Wandin Yallock Primary School received a whopping $865,400 while Millwarra Primary School was allocated over $370,000 to deliver crucial maintenance works.

Examples of this important maintenance work include fixing roofs, resurfacing floors, replacing windows, painting and installing outside lights and paths.

Millwarra Primary School will put its money towardsupgradedrampsaimedat providingan easily accessible experience across both Millwarra campuses.

Millwarra Primary School principal Melanie Hancock said six accessibility ramps were set to be upgraded.

“The upgraded ramps will improve accessibility and safety across both Millwarra campuses, making it easier for students, families and community members to access our school.” Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said the upgrades ensured Millwarra Primary School could be accessible to students of all abilities.

Wandin Yallock Primary School principal Judith Martin said she was most excited about the upgrades to the school’s shelter-in-place area.

““We are very pleased to see the announcement of this PMP funding and what it will mean for our school community.

“We’re especially looking forward to the commencement of works, particularly the upgrades to our shelter-in-place area and the replacement of the external steps to improve safety and functionality for our students and staff,” Ms Martin said.

Every school at risk of bushfire in Victoria has a designated shelter-in-place for emergency use.

These buildings are upgraded and maintained under the PMP to ensure the safety of the school community.

“By upgrading the ramps at Millwarra Primary School Campuses, we’re making sure our local schools are welcoming and inclusive spaces for local students of all abilities,” Ms Symes said.

The two schools have received funding various other grants in the past, including the recent August 2025 bushfire preparedness (vegetation) announcement.

This round of funding saw both schools receive over $20,000 to ensure fire prone vegetation wasn’t posing a threat to the area.

Other schools in the outer east were also successful in receiving a PMP grant.

The Patch Primary School ($50,372), Monbulk College ($1,373,836), Lilydale High School ($118,644) and Cockatoo Primary School ($1,346,718).

Vaccination push

Victorians are urged to make sure they are vaccinated against measles, with Victoria experiencing an increased risk of the highly infectious disease that can cause serious illness.

Measles has recently spread in Victoria among people who have not travelled overseas or visited known exposure sites – so vaccination is more important than ever.

The Department of Health has procured thousands of vaccines for local public health units to roll out local initiatives so more people can get vaccinated for free.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McElnay said there had been 17 notified cases of measles in Victoria this year and vaccination was the best protection.

“Measles can cause serious illness but can be easily avoided through vaccination so it’s important we take steps to stop the spread of this highly contagious disease,” she said.

“We are working with local public health units to make sure all eligible Victorians know how they can access the free vaccine.

“We urge Victorians to make sure they have had two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is required for immunity.”

The MMR vaccine is also widely available at GPs, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Health Services and some local councils. A Medicare card is not required to get this free vaccine.

“If you are unsure of your vaccination status, get a catch-up vaccine which is completely safe,” said Dr McElnay.

Free measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines are available to adults born during or after 1966 who haven’t had two doses of the vaccine or are unsure of their vaccination status. Many adults aged 20–59 years may have only had one dose of the MMR vaccine in line with Australian childhood vaccination schedules at the time.

Children are eligible for the free vaccine through under the National Immunisation Program. It is routinely administered at 12 months

and 18 months or through a free catch-up dose.

Parents can check a child’s vaccination status by using the Australian Immunisation Register.

Victorians travelling overseas are reminded that cases of measles are rising around the world including popular travel destinations such as Indonesia (including Bali), Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan and India.

“Victorians heading overseas should make sure their routine vaccinations, including mea-

sles, are up to date at least two weeks before departure,” Dr McElnay said.

“Vaccination against measles is safe, effective, and free – and the best way for you and your family to avoid serious illness.”

Infants in Victoria are also eligible for an additional measles vaccine from six months of age if they are travelling overseas, which is six months earlier than routinely scheduled. This state funded MMR vaccine is available through GPs, Aboriginal Health Services and Councils.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, sore or red eyes, runny nose, feeling generally unwell, followed by a red rash. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical advice immediately.

For more information about the measles outbreak in Victoria, including exposure sites, visit www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts. More information about where to get vaccinated in your local area, is available at local public health unit websites.

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Liberal candidate for Croydon

By Callum Ludwig

Grant Hutchinson has been named as the Liberal Party’s candidate for the Croydon district in the upcoming 2026 Victorian election.

Replacing the retiring David Hodgett, Mr Hutchinson will look to keep the seat in Liberal Party hands as it has been since it was created in 2014.

Mr Hutchson said he has lived in the Croydon district since he was a child, attending Croydon Central Primary School and later Melba Secondary College, then known as Maroondah High.

“My wife Wendy and I raised our family here, this is not just the electorate I am contesting, it is home,” he said.

“Croydon is the community I know and have served in various voluntary capacities, I am running because I want to continue that service at Spring Street.”

Mr Hutchinson is the founder, managing partner and a senior lawyer at Hutchinson Legal, based in Ringwood. According to his profile, his key areas of practice are commercial litigation, corporate governance and business law, while he also previously worked for the federal treasury while studying an economics and law degree.

Mr Hutchinson said the Liberal Party reflects the values and aspirations of families in regions like Croydon.

“Personal responsibility, enterprise, home ownership, and strong families and communities, those principles shape everyday life in our schools, businesses, sporting clubs and neighbourhoods,” he said.

“My role as a candidate is to articulate those

values clearly and ensure they are reflected in practical policy.”

Mr Hutchinson’s priorities in the district are health, infrastructure, housing and law and order:

Improved hospital services, particularly at Maroondah Hospital.

Improved road quality and reduced congestion as well as upgraded community facilities.

Stronger consequences for repeat offenders, as well as effective mentoring and rehabilitation for offenders ‘who genuinely want to turn their lives around’

Expanded home ownership opportunities, focused on ‘sensible regional development’ and increased supply in areas like the CBD instead of ‘forcing high-density development into established suburban streets.’

Mr Hutchinson said he wants to see responsible financial management, properly resourced services and strong local representation in Croydon.

“Ending waste, rorts and corruption, improving educational outcomes so every child has the opportunity to succeed, Victoria cannot deliver strong, consistent services without economic discipline,” he said.

“I want to ensure our schools and hospitals are properly resourced so that families can continue to enjoy the quality of life previous generations worked hard to build, aged care is also a priority. Families deserve greater flexibility and dignity in how older Victorians are supported, whether at home or in care settings.

“Our economic health underpins lots of what we hope to achieve, without disciplined financial management, promises mean little and break down over time.”

Yarra Ranges Tech School’s expertise on show

By Callum Ludwig

The Yarra Ranges Tech School (YRTS) are set to showcase how they are exploring sustainable technologies at this year’s Repower Festival.

YRTS is inviting anyone who attends the event to come along and find out what they have to offer and what students are exploring at the school.

Director of Yarra Ranges Tech School Travis Burroughs said they will be showcasing some components of their Clean Energies program, designed for year nine12 students.

“Festival attendees will be able to race hydrogen-powered cars and use VE to experience how wind turbines are serviced and maintained,” he said.

“We will also have our robotic dogs, which are used with our partners to survey clean energy sites in and around the Yarra Ranges.

“All of the equipment that we are bringing along to the festival has been supported by the Victorian Government’s Clean Energies Equipment Fund, which supports and improves Clean Energies education across the Tech School network.”

YRTS has programs that focus on clean energies, forensics, renewable futures, future transport and robotics programs that create smart energy systems or convert food waste to energy.

Mr Burroughs said the festival gives them such a great opportunity to show a glimpse of what they have to offer.

“While most of our programs cater to school-aged children, we’re here to empower the whole community through our programs and partnerships,” he said.

“One of our primary goals is to innovate with clean energies, supported by funding through the Victorian Government’s Clean Energies Equipment Fund.

“While we will have some exciting activities at the Repower Festival, we have a lot more to offer – covering programs in renewable and smart housing, clean energy technologies and potential career pathways into the sector.”

The Repower Festival will be held on Sunday 22 March from 10am to 4pm at the Lilydale Civic Centre at 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale.

Mr Burroughs said their team has knowledge on some of the latest and great-

est things happening in the clean energy space and they love to share.

“We are always happy to chat about things happening in the sector so encourage those wanting to learn more to come by for a chat,” he said.

“The clean energy space is continuing to grow, which means it will continue to become an even bigger part of the way we work and do business.

“We offer free programs to secondary schools in the Yarra Ranges so that the young people in our community begin to learn about the importance of this sector and the opportunities it holds for them.”

REPOWER FESTIVAL 2026

A Re-Powerful Festival

After a successful first edition in 2025, the Repower Festival is making a return in a new location this year, the Lilydale Civic Centre.

The event will be held from 10am to 4pm at the Lilydale Civic Centre at 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, on Sunday 22 March.

Combining family-friendly fun with an important initiative, the festival will be electric, both in entertainment and in informing attendees about the values of electrifying their lives.

President of the Repower the Dandenongs group Neil Evenden said said their job is to try and demystify the renewable energy and electrification movement.

“We’re now seeing a massive uptake of renewables, more recently with home batteries and also electric vehicles taking off which is making our job a bit easier,” he said.

“But there’s still a lot of people in the community that are either very sceptical or they just don’t know where to start so the festival is designed to be a one-stop shop where people can come along and either learn a bit more if they know a bit or get started if they really don’t know where to start.

“There’s something to be learned no matter where you are on your journey…I’ve electrified my home but I haven’t put in a battery so now I want to know about batteries, there’s always more to learn, and that’s why we’ve assembled a good speaker program because these guys are experts but they’re practical as well, they know how to make these things happen.”

The event will include local vendors selling solar, batteries, energy saving products and services, expert speakers, local community groups who are passionate about sustainability, entertainment and food in interactive activities, face painting, live music, free smoothies, examples of more sustainable transport like EVs and bikes and a schools showcase artwork competition.

Stalls were set up showing exactly what the region and beyond have to offer at last year’s event. (File)

Take your love of electrification out with and visit the Repower Festival for the largest display of EVs seen in the Dandenongs or Yarra Valley.

Hear from local experts on how to make the switch as Lucinda Flynn from Solar Savers and Trent Jones from All Electric Homes will explain where to start and what electrification looks like in practice.

Emerald resident Julian Soo can attest to the event after electrifying his home since last year’s event.

“I think I spoke to almost all the suppliers there,” he said.

“When the power goes out, we don’t even notice it, it just switches directly to battery, the only way that I know that there’s been a power outage is because I hear my neighbours powering up their generators.”

“We have very, very consistent power bills each month, which don’t change. Gas bill went down dramatically.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

“Raw and honest” in focus

By Oliver Winn

Warburton-based photographer Suzanne Phoenix delivered her 15th and final International Women’s Day photographic exhibition on 4 March, marking the end of an impactful, raw, and deeply important piece of culture.

On display at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, her exhibition features portraits of cis and trans women and gender diverse people in Melbourne (Naarm).

Her 2026 iteration sees 23 new subjects join the nearly 200 portraits spanning the entirety of the project.

Ms Phoenix is a queer artist whose work champions the many talented cis and trans women and gender diverse people in creative fields.

She said the exhibition had “meant the world” to her over the past 15 years.

“It’s given me a place where I can put my energies to respond to the horrible things that happen on a day-to-day basis, living in patriarchal society and with the misogyny and gender-based violence that exists,” Ms Phoenix said.

“It gives a platform to a diverse group of cis and trans women and gender diverse people in Melbourne and Australia, it is a mix of people who are very well known and people who are more emerging.”

The exhibition features a wide range of gifted individuals. It includes renowned musicians, such as Janet English from Spiderbait and singer-songwriter Candice Lorrae.

Alongside the many musicians, portraits of prominent artists such as Keely Wins and Carol Green and photographers such as Alex Zucco are also featured.

In her exhibition, Ms Phoenix asked each subject to give a written response to the question, “What International Women’s Day means to me”

In celebrated photojournalist Alex Zucco’s

response, she said being a transgender woman means she has to fight for her womanhood every day.

“I will continue to be the woman and the photojournalist that I want to be. It is an endless, often demeaning battle but it is one I will fight as long as I’m here.

“I hope that International Women’s Day is a reminder that being a woman is something worth fighting for every day. Women in the past fought for us today and it is our duty to fight for the women of tomorrow,” Ms Zucco said.

First Nations singer-songwriter Candice Lorrae is a Jawoyn and Torres Strait Islander woman, and she said IWD inspires her to lead with love for the next generation of women.

“It’s about legacy, access, and creating space for women to rise together. This day celebrates our shared journey as women — a time to amplify our voices and tell our stories.“

Ms Phoenix said it was time to wrap up the series and give space to other projects to arise.

“This takes a huge amount of my time and energy. And I think, yeah, there’s other things I’d like to do - not that I’m going to step away from this at all.”

She plans to release a book next year with all 200 portraits combined into one published piece.

Last year, Ms Phoenix announced her IWD series was acquired by the State Library of Victoria to be kept in the archives forever.

It was a big deal for Ms Phoenix, as it documents the lives of cis and trans women and gender diverse people, making sure it’s cemented into history.

“It has documented over those 15 years the things these people have shared, they’ll be there for history.

“They’ll be there for people to look back on and see how things were. They’ll see the changes in feminism and issues each year,” Ms Phoenix said.

Highways are ancient

The road movie has long been central to Australia’s cinematic identity. From the Ford Falcon tearing down the highway in Mad Max to the rugged journeys of The Man from Snowy River, these films have celebrated freedom, adventure and control over a vast landscape. But beneath these narratives and beneath the roads themselves lies a much older story.

For tens of thousands of years, the pathways now known as Australia’s highways and arterial roads were Aboriginal tracks and networks that connected communities, economies and knowledge systems across the continent - long before settlers arrived. Over time, these routes were appropriated for resource extraction, infrastructure and colonial expansion, with official histories reframing them as stock routes or surveyors’ lines, erasing First Peoples’ contributions.

Beneath Roads is an immersive three-channel moving-image work on loan to Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, that returns First Peoples’ knowledge to the centre of national storytelling by uncovering these hidden truths.

Museum Program Director Megan Sheehy said Beneath Roads is an exciting addition to Australia’s cultural consciousness.

“By reinserting First Peoples’ knowledge, history and agency into the road movie canon, Jenna Rain Warwick’s work provides an opportunity for all of us, and future generations, to see and experience Country more fully,” she said.

“Beneath Roads is of particular significance to Yarra Ranges as it highlights Uncle William Barak’s protest walk from Coranderrk to Melbourne, through the Southern Warriors road movie. As one of Victoria’s first civil rights activists, Barak bravely advocated for the rights of his people and home during a time of oppressive government policies.

“This incredible legacy has been acknowledged and honoured through Beneath Roads.”

Developed by Luritja artist and curator Jenna Rain Warwick and produced by ACMI, the work juxtaposes archival government footage, iconic Australian road movie imagery with a new film of the Aboriginal motorcycle club, the Southern Warriors.

Warwick explains that the project began with her long-held awareness that “the majority of Australia’s highways are far, far older than

colonisation. They’re Aboriginal walking tracks, trading roads, songlines, these are things blakfellas have always known.”

Growing up, she recalls stopping with her mother along the Sunshine Coast motorways, where caretakers of Country described the histories beneath the asphalt.

“There are so many stories like that — hospitals built on healing grounds, highways laid directly over old pathways. These are the bones beneath our society,” she said.

Drawing from ACMI’s collection, the National Film and Sound Archive and First Nations cinema, Beneath Roads weaves together material from the Country Roads Board (now VicRoads), iconic Australian road movie scenes and First Nations titles, including Beneath Clouds.

“What I’m trying to show is the void in Australian knowledge when it comes to who the true navigators of these roads really are,” Warwick said.

“This work is about restoring that truth and allowing audiences to see these pathways for what they have always been: the living legacy of First Peoples.”

Beneath Roads reimagines the national road narrative, reinserting Indigenous presence, innovation and continuity into Australia’s cultural canon and inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship to history, cinema and Country.

FULL LAUNDRY LOADS SAVE WATER

Smarter water use starts with everyday choices. Run full laundry loads, take shorter showers and turn the tap off when brushing your teeth.

Fifteen day luxury cruise

Imagine sailing down the Mississippi and the Ohio Rivers for 16 days taking in the sights of colourful New Orlean, musical Memphis and lovely Louisville.

Viking have announced their new itineraries for the region for 2027 and bookings are now open.

Sailing on board the Viking Mississippi, guests can choose the new fifteen day Bayous, Blues and Bluegrass itinerary, which operates between New Orleans and Louisville, with ports of call along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

A shorter option is the eight day Mississippi and Ohio River Explorer itinerary which offers a journey between Memphis and Louisville.

Viking Chairman and CEO Torstein Hagen believes wherever they are in the world, Viking guests are interested in the history, culture and culinary traditions of the destinations they visit.

“The towns and cities along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers are close to home for quite a few of our guests and are fantastic destinations that many have yet to discovering,” he said.

He believes the new itineraries expand the company’s destination-focused offerings on the Mississippi River.

The itineraries explore the rich heritage of the American South, birthplace of some of the country’s most beloved culinary and musical tradition with the 2027 Bayous, Blues and Bluegrass 15 day New Orleans to Louisville cruise.

Along the Mississippi River, grand homes preserve the South’s past. Step into Civil War history at Vicksburg and feel the rhythm of the blues in Greenville. Further north, sample smoky barbecue in Tennessee and discover Kentucky’s legacy of craftsmanship, from the powerful Louisville Slugger to smooth bourbon.

Also new for 2027 is the eight day Mississippi and Ohio River Explorer from Memphis to Louisville. Sail on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers as they wind past scenic wetlands, quaint towns and storied cities.

Classic American musical genres with the blues, rock ‘n’ roll and bluegrass arose along these waterways. Discover the legacies of icons such as BB King and Elvis Presley in Memphis, Tennessee. In Kentucky, Louisville’s baseball museum preserves the spirit of America’s favourite pastime while its bourbon distilleries honour generations of craftsmanship.

The 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey from New Orleans to St Paul gives guests the opportunity to revel in the charm of “America’s Great River” as the ship sets sail along the Mississippi.

Admire the historic mansions and grand homes atop its bluffs, and delve into America’s Civil War history.

Delight in the region’s famed Southern cuisine and sample Memphis’s renowned barbecue, alongside artisan beers. Birthplace of American music, blues, jazz and soul, the Mississippi cele-

brates its musical heritage in the towns and cities that line its legendary shores.

The eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer from New Orleans to Memphis allows guests to discover Darrow, the gateway to the grand homes of the Lower Mississippi and explore the fascinating towns along the banks of the Mississippi that preserve the memory of the American South’s early history.

Learn about Natchez’s French and Acadian heritage and pay respects at the Vicksburg battlefield. Savour delicious Cajun and creole cuisine, as well as Memphis’s famous barbecue, as you celebrate musical legends in the birthplace of rock ’n’ roll.

Discover the Heartland of America over eight days from St Louis to St Paul as guests journey along the Upper Mississippi and hear stories of intrepid pioneers and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Walk in the footsteps of famed writer Mark Twain and learn about the Norwegian migration to the Midwest.

Enjoy the view as the luxury ship navigates through the river’s intricate lock system and experience the region’s many cultural treasures from ragtime, polka and Norwegian folk music to Wisconsin cheese, craft beer and hearty stews.

On the eight day New Orleans and Southern Charms leaving New Orleans for a roundtrip, discover the Lower Mississippi’s rich charm, history and hospitality. Explore historic estates and visit notable Civil War sites.

Sample the bustling French-flavoured port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Sway to the tempos of Dixieland jazz, gospel and blues. Savour gourmet Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as traditional Southern fare. Join this special Vi-

king cruise and see why local Cajuns say, “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (Let the good times roll).

The Viking Mississippi hosts 386 guests in 193 all-outside staterooms. The state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by Viking’s awardwinning river and ocean ships and features elegant Scandinavian design, as well as public

spaces that are familiar to guests but reimagined for Mississippi River voyages. The ship’s cuttingedge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make the Viking Mississippi the first truly modern ship in the region.

For further information please phone 138 747 or visit www.viking.com.

Winter Wonderland 2026

Imagine standing beneath a velvet-black Arctic sky as shimmering ribbons of green light dance above you. Picture yourself gliding through a silent, snow-covered forest behind a team of eager huskies, or wrapped in warm blankets on areindeer sleigh as fresh snow falls gently around you.

This isn’t a scene from a movie — it was our reality on last year’s Winter Wonderland tour.

After the extraordinary success of our 2025 departure, I am delighted to announce that Winter Wonderland 2026 is now open — and I invite you to join us.

Departing 13 November 2026, this fully escorted 17-day journey travels from Oslo in Norway through to Helsinki in Finland. It is a beautifully crafted combination of spectacular scenery, immersive cultural experiences and unforgettable Arctic adventures.

We begin in vibrant Oslo before embarking on the breathtaking “Norway in a Nutshell” scenic rail journey — one of the most stunning train experiences in the world — travelling through dramatic mountain landscapes and majestic fjords to Bergen. From there, we board our six-night coastal voyage with Havila Voyages, sailing north along Norway’s extraordinary coastline.

We cross the Arctic Circle and visit charming ports including Alesund, Trondheim and Tromso, known as the “Gateway to the Arctic.” Snowdusted peaks, colourful fishing villages and crisp Arctic air create a constantly changing and utterly mesmerising backdrop.

Last year we were incredibly fortunate with heavy snowfall and spectacular displays of the Northern Lights — turning the entire journey into a true winter fairy tale. Guests described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and many are already asking where we are heading next.

With 16 nights’ accommodation, 38 meals,

In Finnish Lapland, the adventure truly comes alive. We stay in Aurora-style cabins designed for Northern Lights viewing, enjoy a thrilling husky safari, meet local reindeer herders and experience a traditional sleigh ride through snowy wilderness. We also visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and immerse ourselves in authentic Arctic culture.

cruising, rail, touring and transport included — and with me escorting the group from start to finish — this is boutique small-group travel at its very best.

Early Bird Bonus: Book and deposit by 31 March 2026 and save $1,000 per person off the tour price.

For further details, contact Julie O’Grady at Exclusively Cruising on 03 9762 2799 or visit www. exclusivelycruising.com.au

Let 2026 be the year you experience the magic of the Arctic.

Places are limited to maintain a personalised experience, and interest is already strong. If Scandinavia in winter has ever captured your imagination, this could be your moment.

8 DAYS IN EASTERN

EUROPE

$5,695* pp

Book now and choose your preferred offer valued up to $5,000 per couple: Free economy class flight offers, upgrade to business class with an airfare credit, or save on your cruise fare.

Available until sold out on select river, ocean and expedition voyages*.

ROMANTIC DANUBE

Budapest to Regensburg or vice versa

Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centres and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots.

8 DAYS • 3 COUNTRIES

5 GUIDED TOURS

JUN-NOV 2026; 2027; MAR-NOV 2028

From $5,695pp in Standard Stateroom From

in Veranda Stateroom

PASSAGE TO EASTERN EUROPE

Bucharest to Budapest or vice versa

Sail the Danube’s Iron Gate, witness Hungary’s Puszta horsemen, and behold Budapest’s grandeur—Eastern Europe unveiled.

11 DAYS • 5 COUNTRIES • 8 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • APR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $7,595pp in Standard Stateroom From $9,495pp in Veranda Stateroom

CAPITALS OF EASTERN EUROPE

Bucharest to Vienna or vice versa

Discover the “City of Waltzes,” Austria’s elegant capital and European centre of classical music. In Bratislava, view grand palaces from the Hapsburg era.

17 DAYS • 7 COUNTRIES • 12 GUIDED TOURS SET SAIL • APR-NOV 2026; MAR-NOV 2027; 2028

From $11,495pp in Standard Stateroom From $16,795pp in Veranda Stateroom

Introducing our 2026-2028 River Voyages brochure. Uncover the immersive experiences that await you along the world’s waterways with Viking.

OPINION

Compare the similarities

By Maria Millers

Now that Labor Day and the family friendly Moomba long weekend is behind us the next break for holiday loving Australians will be the Easter public holidays from Good Friday April 3 to Easter Monday April 6.

We live in a secular country where the number of people identifying as having no religion is growing and certain politicians remind us that we are a country that is underpinned by Christian values with which some religions are not compatible.

But Easter has become all about a break from work, Hot Cross buns and chocolate eggs. And a football match played on Good Friday.

But we are now in the pre-Easter period of Lent which began with Ash Wednesday, a symbolic reminder of human mortality and a call to spiritual change.

Teach us to care and not to care

Teach us to sit still.

Here, TS Eliot in Ash Wednesday is asking us to think about remaining compassionate, responsible and morally awake in this world and avoid being controlled and enslaved by ego, pride or fear and to aim for inner stillness, letting go of frenetic striving.

This is not just a Christian idea but appears in many spiritual traditions including Islam.

But that doesn’t mean turning away from the sufferings in war torn countries or the increasing inequalities emerging in our own.

This year Muslim Ramadan and Christian Lent began on the same day.

And while Ramadan will end on March 18 or 19 with the Festival of Eid, depending on the moon sighting, Christian Lent will continue till

Easter Thursday March 2.

That Ramadan and Lent start almost at the same time, is relatively uncommon.

Despite those in our community who like to portray the relationship between the Christian and Islamic culture and religion as good versus evil, it would do well to look how much common ground exists between the two, in the commonality underlying the two events.

There are of course basic differences in the revelation that grounds each faith.

Lent: focuses on reflecting on the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, especially his suffering before Easter.

Ramadan: commemorates the period when the Qur’an was first revealed.

But for both traditions fasting has meaning and a purpose.

For Muslims fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and a time of spiritual reflection, repentance, empathy for the less fortunate and cleansing the soul.

Christians fast to imitate Jesus Christ’s 40 day sacrifice in the desert and focus on spiritual growth through self-denial.

Its three pillars are prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Both traditions include going without food and drink at set times.

For Muslims this means having breakfast at dawn but then no food or water until the breaking of the fast at sunset.

Think how difficult that would be in certain work conditions, requiring incredible self-discipline.

In both traditions there are exemptions for the elderly, infirm, pregnant and children.

I remember being on jury duty during Rama-

dan with a young Muslim woman and how disciplined she was as we all ate and drank in her presence.

Fasting occurs less and less among the Christian tradition, but many do limit food or avoid certain foods seen as indulgences.

Christina Rossetti reminds us that true fasting is spiritual, not just dietary.

Is it a fast, to keep

The larder lean?

And clean

From fat of veals and sheep?

Is it to quit the dish

Of flesh, yet still

To fill

The platter high with fish?

So already there are obvious similarities in the traditions around Lent and Ramadan.

There are of course differences in the revelation that grounds each faith but to acknowledge the similarities is already a step forward in the right direction to understanding and acceptance.

And rejecting the unethical behaviour of some that creates divisions based on spurious claims.

In the words of 13th century mystic poet Rumi:

Why are you so busy with this or that or good or bad; pay attention to how things blend.

For most Australians Easter is a secular event and for most Lent is seldom observed. Lent and Ramadan come from different religions, but share several very similar spiritual aims.

These shared aims include becoming a better person, greater compassion and generosity towards people in need and strengthening community.

So already there are obvious similarities in the traditions around Lent and Ramadan.

Throughfastingparticipantspracticeself-control, reduce indulgences or give up bad habits.

The emphasis is on good deeds and giving to the needy.

Charity events are held such as the Good Friday Appeal which supports primarily the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.

Both are periods focused on deepening faith and improving personal character.

As Rumi put it:

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world.

Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

Thinking about these similarities between these two monotheistic religions brings to mind another great 13th century Persian poet, Saadi Shiraz. A moral verse about human unity and compassion, often quoted across the Muslim world:

Human beings are members of a whole. In creation of one essence and soul, If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain, If you have no sympathy for human pain , The name of human you cannot retain. This is not just a Christian idea but appears in many spiritual traditions including Islam.

Calls to support Yarra Valley winemakers

A Yarra Valley winemaker has joined calls for the Federal Government to invest more in Australia’s wine sector as it grapples with multiple market pressures.

It comes as the Australian wine industry grapples with ongoing market pressures, oversupply and plummeting grape prices impacting regional winemakers and jeopardising regional jobs.

Chief executive officer and winemaker at Yering Station Darren Rathbone said wine was central to the economy of regional areas.

“Wine is at the heart of our regional economy - supporting local jobs, driving tourism, and contributing significantly to Victoria’s prosperity. Backing the industry through this Federal Budget is an investment in regional communities like ours,” Mr Rathbone said His calls echoed demands made by Australia’s peak industry body, Australian Grape and Wine, which proposed a $139.25 million targeted rescue package to support regional growers and stabilise the national wine economy in its 2026–27 pre-budget submission.

The submission warns that financial impacts are resulting in abandoned vineyards and a severe mental health crisis across the industry.

Casey MP Aaron Violi joined Mr Rathbone’s calls and said the industry deserves Federal Government support.

“Australia’s wine sector is a huge driver of tourism in regional communities and an enormous contributor to local employment, including in my community of the Yarra Valley,” Mr Violi said.

“Money spent in our wine regions flows into local communities, benefiting small businesses, hospitality, accommodation, tourism and transport operators - supporting local jobs and contributing over $50 billion to the Australian economy.”

Australian Grape and Wine chairperson Helen Strachan said the data in the budget submission laid bare the issues in the wine sector.

“The latest independent data confirms what many regional communities are already experiencing: the industry is in deep structural distress,” Ms Strachan said in the report.

“This submission outlines a set of targeted, practical measures that can restore balance, reduce structural oversupply, support orderly transition, safeguard mental health, and protect the regional economies that depend on the wine sector.

“It also outlines potential approaches to boost our sector’s resilience to future shocks, by improving data for business decision-making, and find-

Australian Grape and Wine have put forward a pre-budget package calling for the Australian Government to support the wine

ing ways to boost productivity and efficiency for those working to find a way through the current challenges,” she said.

Mr Violi said the submission provides the groundwork for “future proofing” regional economies.

“Our wine regions are facing sustained economic pressure, and the Australian Grape and

Wine’s submission provides a practical framework for supporting regional jobs, businesses, and future proofing these local, regional economies.”

Mr Rathbone thanked Mr Violi’s calls to support the industry.

“I thank Aaron Violi for his strong and ongoing support for the wine industry and for recognising the critical role it plays in the Yarra Valley,” he said.

Ms Strachan said the wine industry was dependent on cooperation with the Federal Government.

“The need for partnership is urgent. And the time is now.”

Sweetside Motel

Mabel’s story

By Paula Herlihy

Mabel Ellen Young (nee Sawyer) was born in 1875 in Sussex, England, the youngest of two girls and five boys.

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

By Christine Sun

Sweetside Motel, by Canadian author EL Chen, is a mixture of psychological thriller and horror that packs a punch.

The novella begins with Sarah desperately fleeing from Toronto, until her car breaks down in a small, remote country town named Sweetside.

Unfortunately, Sarah’s plea for help is rejected by the townsfolk.

It is the early Covid-19 years when the world is swamped by anxiety, suspicion, paranoia and fear. Any outsider is required to quarantine, especially those from big cities. She is thus assigned a room in a deteriorating roadside inn nicknamed “Suicide Motel”

Worse, Sarah is ethnic Chinese and has endured racism and xenophobia all her life.

When the windows of her motel room are smashed and the poisonous phrase “chink virus” smeared across her door, she is forced to stay with the motel’s owners, brothers Caleb and Elijah.

They have her sleeping in their dead father’s old bedroom and constantly remind her to lock her door.

As Sarah’s sense of claustrophobia and entrapment grows, increasingly malicious shadows appear to be lurking around the house.

Soon, Sarah’s past is catching up to her.

The dark secrets behind Caleb’s and Elijah’s peculiar behaviours are also revealed...

To this reviewer, the major theme explored in this story is mask wearing.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, masks help limit the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

But they also conceal a person’s identity and facial expression, making it difficult to decipher their true intentions.

Meanwhile, being female and Asian, Sarah has to wear masks of a different kind.

The social “norm” here is that Asian people are expected to be quiet, friendly and polite, always pleasant and cooperative, always “work hard and blend in”, not to draw any attention or cause any trouble.

Indeed, “being nice” is how Sarah survives in a society dominated by white males.

“These are men who never have to think about how much space they take up because they’re used to people making room for them.”

Just like her ex-boyfriend Ben: “The breadth of his shoulders, the unapologetic way he cuts through a space. The way his anger uses up all the air in the room so there’s none left for her to breathe.”

Yet, in this story, “being nice” is further linked to basic survival in abusive relationships.

Particularly in cases of domestic violence, it is often the victims who need to “make nice, accept the apology, because otherwise, the storm will break again”

Finally, for the victims in this story, “being nice” as a form of mask wearing has a third and most profound meaning.

Focusing on how these victims work hard to act nice because they are afraid of becoming their abusers, the author alerts us of the notion that violence begets violence.

Such is the deep trauma that long-term domestic abuse can cause. In this sense, Sweetside Motel is a powerful story of social commentary.

Highly recommended.

Her father worked in New Zealand for twelve years to support the family, which suggests they were not wealthy.

Mabel Sawyer was an interior decorator, wood carver and metal worker.

Eleven examples of her work are held by the National Gallery of Victoria.

Mabel’s most striking legacy is probably the exquisite copper and iron fittings on newspaper magnate David Syme’s Mausoleum, near the entrance to Boroondara General Cemetery (commonly known as the Kew Cemetery).

Whilst a student at Herkomer’s Art School in Hertfordshire she met and married fellow student

William Blamire Young, a Cambridge graduate in Mathematics, who had returned to England to study Art after teaching for seven years in New South Wales.

The Youngs came to Australia in 1898.

Mabel worked as a wood carver and metal worker, often working ‘collaboratively’ with her visual artist husband.

Mabel carved fire surrounds and staircases, and William painted the ceilings, doorways and vignettes in carved pieces.

They had two daughters, Ida (b.1901) and Lalage (b.1902). A son, born 1899, died in infancy.

The Youngs returned to England in 1912 for twelve years, and on their return purchased a home on several acres on the corner of Edinburgh and Swansea Roads Montrose, named ‘Utamaro’ after a Japanese artist.

Heretheyenjoyedhorseriding,thegarden,and

CARTOON

a seven-hole golf course.

Mabel always rode side saddle, and competed in a Mooroolbark carnival.

The Youngs mixed with other artists in Melbourne, with William a respected water colourist and art critic for The Herald.

They were guests at the many parties that Melba staged at Coombe, and attended Melba’s farewell in 1928 with other distinguished guests.

William died in 1935. In 1943 Mabel and her daughter Ida sold ‘Utamaro’ and bought a doublestorey home on Greens Corner Montrose (the intersection of Canterbury and Mt Dandenong Roads), which still stands.

Later they moved to Mooroolbark.

Mabel died in 1956, and was buried with her husband in Lilydale Cemetery.

Local theatre wrap up

By Peter Kemp

CPP Committee Theatre

Cosi

A story filled with humour, warmth, and heart. Cosi is about friendship. Community, loyalty, and difference.

It’saplayaboutthetransformativenatureofthe performing arts.

It celebrates the individual and all that we each bring to the table.

It is a true epic tale that ranges from humble moments deeply personal in nature, to the soaring grandeur and spectacle of Minaret’s opera, Cosi Fan Tutti.

Set in a psychiatric facility in Melbourne, Cosi follows the story of Lewis, a recent university graduate, who is tasked with directing a theatre performance involving the residents.

It’s 1971 and Australia is protesting the war in Vietnam.But inside the hospital, residents are listening to Mozart, learning their lines, creating chaos and occasionally, skipping their medication.

It’s art, it’s mayhem, it’s heartwarming, it’s challenging, it’s a wonderful roller coaster ride all the way of opening night.

• Season: 10 to 18 April.

The Round Paul Tabone Salutes Andrea Bocelli

This unforgettable performance celebrates not only Andrea Bocelli’s remarkable repertoire but

The Bride a must see

4/5

Inspired by the 1933 film The Bride of Frankenstein, The Bride is Maggie Gyllenhaal’s second film as director and a defiant, electric horror-romance.

In 1930s Chicago, Frank (Christian Bale), aka Frankenstein’s monster, digs up and reanimates a woman named Ida (Jessie Buckley) to be his mate.

Buckley and Bale are fiendishly fun as an undead Bonnie and Clyde-type couple, and Buckley plays Ida with rebellious, feral energy. While Bale’s monster is a naively loving figure (even with some moments of supernatural brutality), there is a tense undercurrentofFrankdeceivingIda.TheBride is dripping with thirties glamour and debauchery, and the centrepiece is a deranged dance number with traces of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein and Michael Jackson’s Thriller, which shifts to a gun-toting rebuke as Ida gives a voice to the women the men around her killed and brutalised.

Unfortunately, The Bride doesn’t give its plot-points enough room to breathe. Detective Wiles (Peter Sarsgard) and his plucky assistant Myrna (Penelope Cruz) feel loosely-connected to Ida and Frank’s journey. There is an extraneous subplot involving a mob boss and his reluctant enforcer, and Ida’s need to break out from the role Frank imposed upon her reaches a rushed resolution.

There is also the strange choice of casting Buckley as both Ida and a spectral black-and-white Mary Shelley. The author of Frankenstein manifesting through Ida as florid Tourettes-like tics in a new accent is intriguing but also annoying. This storytelling device also shatters the fourth wall into a millionpiecesbyhighlightingthenarrative’s fictional nature.

The pacing is sloppy and Shelley’s immersion-testing presence may sink the film for you, but The Bride is a compelling, stylish, fun feminist spin on the Frankenstein mythos, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Kemp’s urtain

also Tabone’s extraordinary artistic journey.

From heartfelt ballads to soaring anthems, audiences will be taken on an emotional voyage through some of Bocelli’s most iconic hits and timeless ARIAs.

• Season: Friday 13 March at 2pm.

The Arcadians – Presented by Gilbert and Sullivan Opera.

The Edwardian’s era’s most successful Musical Comedy: the My Fair Lady of its day.

A London restaurateur crash lands his plane in Arcadia and is transformed from a wicked an toa guiles youth by the innocent rural idyll of the locals.

Horrified by the idea of city life, the magical Arcadians travel to London to convert the miserable city-dwellers.

Premiering in 1909, The Arcadians was so delightfully entertaining that it ran for more then two years in London’s West End.

In 2010, GOV commissioned a new book from Australian playwright, Melvyn Morrow, whose most recent hits include SHOUT and Dusty – The Original Pop Diva. Director Robert Ray’s production premiered in Melbourne and toured the K, where it was hailed the hit of The International G and S Festival for its stunning settings, costumes, movement and performances.

In 2026, the creative team from the sold-out season of Fledermaus (2026), directors Robert Ray and Naomi Tooby, restage this little gem with fresh new talent accompanied by a live quartet, with music specially re-scored by MD Geoffrey Urquhart and new gowns from Helen Ebsworthy.

• Season: Friday 13 March to Sunday 28 March. Lilydale Athenaeum, Theatre

The Female of the Species

Margot Mason is a feminist writer suffering from writer’s block.

Molly Rivers, her former student, arrives unexpectedly at her country home with a gun, blaming Margot for warping her mother’s mind with her best-selling book. Chaos ensues leading ot comic but tense encounter.

Margot’s daughter, her con-in-law, her publisher and a taxi driver also arrive to comment on Margot’s feminist failings and the expectations placed on female public figures.

The plot is based on an incident that happened to Germaine Greer/

• Season: 23 April to 9 May.

CROWNING THE RIDGE TO CAPTURE THE VIEW!

CROWNING THE RIDGE TO CAPTURE THE VIEW!

THIS is where functional family design meets mountainside magic. Beautifully renovated and reimagined with custom, handcrafted touches throughout, this Belgrave haven delivers an inspired lifestyle with spaces designed for all-season entertaining.

The open-concept kitchen, meals and living zone forms the beating heart of the home, and flows out to the covered BBQ deck that captures tranquil views over Lysterfield valley. Or lower the blinds and chill out by the TV in the comfort of the gas fire. Inside, you will find four bedrooms including privately zoned master, luxury ensuite, plus a huge home office.

Open the barn door to reveal a very comforting and quiet space - the lounge enjoys racked ceilings and a toe toasting gas log fire. For the tradie there is the dream triple remote garage workshop that are so hard to find. Plus an extra driveway for the caravan/ boat and or additional vehicles.

The easy care low maintenance garden (1,094sqm) is fully landscaped, secure dog friendly rear yard and yes it is a near level block! What a location - a quiet made road close to transport, footy oval or walk to the town centre.

You can’t be too early, but you can be too late so make your enquiry to: Grant Skipsey 0418 528 102. ●

THE ULTIMATE EQUINE AND LIFESTYLE PROPERTY WITH MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING

THIS beautiful equine property has outstanding horse facilities (10 stables), sweeping valley views, income earning potential, and all coupled with a quality, lovingly renovated, spacious 5 bedroom/4bathroom grand family home that offers dual accommodation. This property is the ultimate in equine facilities, comfort and lifestyle and truly one of a kind!

The primary features include:

Home:

• Stunning and solid home with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and 5 living areas, Amazing views and the ability to watch the arena, stables and paddocks from the comfort of your lounge, Freshly painted inside and out with new carpets,

• New European Double-Glazed windows and doors throughout,

• New internal lighting,

• Full size Snooker Room/Rumpus room,

• Large verandah with distant views, overlooking the new in-ground pool and property, Huge Master with stunning views, private balcony and walk in dressing room/ensuite, Self-contained apartment with split system heating and cooling, lounge, spacious bedroom, ensuite and huge walk-through robe,

• New reverse cycle, electric ducted heating and cooling, and built in Cast Wood Fire that supports the Hydronic Heating if that is your preference.

Equine Facilities:

23.6 acres offering a mix of clear land, bushland, a flowing creek and flower farm, Outstanding equine infrastructure, 10 stables including 2 inside and 8 external oversized (9x4.5m) undercover yards,

• Barn with 2 internal stables, hot wash, hay storage, tack room, feed room,

• Truck/float/boat parking inside barn + 3 x machinery bays,

• A 60 x 25m flood lit arena with composite sand and fibre surface and dressage mirrors, 9 paddocks with Shockcoat fencing and plenty of room for further paddocks & Separate electric gate access to the barn/ stables and all fully concreted with extensive drainage for year-round use.

Outside:

• Massive workshop/shed/hay shed – approx 30x12m + oversized, drive through carport,

• Commercial electric gate, providing secure access to the equine facilities,

• Gorgeous in ground pool with amazing views,

Operational income producing flower farm, New water tanks and rainwater system with filtration, New sewerage system pipework, complete with new treatment plant,

Large post and rail dog run adjacent to the home, Full security system with cameras, • Electric entry and exit gates at each end of the circular drive, • 2 x 2+ car carports for undercover entry to

Offering the ultimate in an equine lifestyle, this property really does have to be inspected to be fully appreciated. Call to arrange a private inspection today.

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. ●

Chandler & Co Leads the Way as Awards Season Celebrates Real Estate Standouts

It’s awards season in the real estate industry, and across Victoria the spotlight is shining brightly on agents and agencies who have gone above and beyond over the past 12 months.

Industry leaders realestate.com.au (REA) and RateMyAgent (RMA) have both announced their 2025 award winners, recognising outstanding performance in property sales and exceptional client satisfaction - a true measure of consistency, market presence and performance.

And here in the Dandenong Ranges, local agency Chandler & Co Real Estate has emerged as a standout performer — collecting an impressive bag of accolades across multiple suburbs.

This year, Chandler & Co agents dominated the local leaderboards:

• TOP AGENT – Belgrave: Sharyn Chandler

• TOP AGENT – Belgrave Heights / South: Sharyn Chandler

• TOP AGENT – Upwey: Brad Conder

• TOP AGENT – Tecoma: Daniel Steen

• TOP AGENT – Menzies Creek: Sharyn Chandler

• TOP AGENT – The Patch: Brad Conder

With multiple suburb wins and an exceptional 162 properties sold by

this dynamic team, Chandler & Co’s results stand as one of the most significant achievements in the Dandenong Ranges this year.

Recognition Beyond Sales Numbers

While the REA awards celebrate sales performance, the RateMyAgent awards focus on something equally important — client satisfaction.

RateMyAgent honours agents who consistently receive outstanding reviews from buyers and sellers. These awards reflect not just successful transactions, but positive client experiences, strong communication and trusted relationships.

For the 2025 year, both Sharyn Chandler and Brad Conder were winners across both the Belgrave and Upweys suburbs – Arguably the two highest turnover suburbs in the area.

For Chandler & Co, recognition across both platforms highlights a balanced formula: strong results backed by genuine service.

The flurry of awards is a positive sign for the local property market, showcasingboththestrengthofsalesactivityandtheprofessionalism of agents working across the Hills.

For Chandler & Co Real Estate, this awards season has cemented their position as the area’s top-performing agency, with the team setting the benchmark for both results and reputation.

IMMACULATE HIDDEN GARDEN HOME

TUCKED away in a peaceful garden setting of almost one-third of an acre, this double-storey brick home delivers classic charm, timeless character, and a wonderfully easy way of living. The undercover verandah wraps around three sides, giving the home a welcoming presence and plenty of sheltered outdoor spots to enjoy a cuppa, watch the gardens change with the seasons, or spot the native birdlife that regularly visits.

Inside, 9ft ceilings, polished floorboards, gas ducted heating, and double-hung windows create a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The spacious timber kitchen is perfectly placed at the heart of the home, offering an island bench, excellent bench space and storage, a dishwasher, wall oven, and gas stovetop. Formal and informal living areas spread out from either side, giving the whole family room to relax, gather, or find their own space.

Upstairs, The master suite is positioned privately and features a generous ensuite, large walk-in robe, and an adjoining study nook. Two further bedrooms each include triple built-in robes, serviced by a central bathroom and separate toilet, along with a large laundry.

Outdoors, the beautiful gardens wrap the home in colour and calm, attracting abundant birdlife and creating a sense of tranquillity that’s hard to beat. The fully fenced rear yard is ideal for children and pets, while the undercover entertaining area easily caters for weekend barbecues or peaceful afternoons in the shade. A circular driveway leads to a remote double garage with concrete floor and power, and the high single carport is perfect for storing a caravan or boat.

Call to arrange a private inspection today. 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. ●

TheUltimateLifestyleEscape–Pool,Sheds,Views&RoomforEveryone. Seton2.5lushacresinPakenhamUpper,thissuperb5-bedroom,3-bathroomhomeblendsluxury withcountrycharm.Builtin2010,itfeaturesslabheatingthroughout,awoodfire,ductedvacuum, andreverse-cyclecomfort.Thestunningkitchenoffersgranitebenches,gascooking,awalk-in pantrywithautolights,andabi-foldserverywindowtothesunroom.Enjoymultiplelivingareasand amastersuitewithdoublewalk-inrobesplusaspa-likeensuite.Outside,relaxunderthevastalfresco, diveintothesalt-chlorinepool,orunwindbythefirepit.Ahugepoweredshed,doublegarage,4-car carport,andgeneratorplughaveyousorted.There’salsoaseparatestudiowithkitchenette,dog run,veggiegardens,chookpen,twostables,haystorage,andpaddockswithwater—everything youneedforanidylliccountrylifestyle.

Stunning&ImmaculateHillsRetreatwithDualAccommodation&Beautiful ViewsonOver3Acres

Setonjustover3acreswith2streetfrontages,acirculardriveway&viewsfromeverywindow,this exceptionalpropertyblendsspace,flexibility&tranquillity.Themainhomefeatures3bedrooms (masterwithensuite&walk-inrobe)abrightopen-plankitchenwithstonebenchtops&900mm gasstove&split-levellivingwithaloungewarmedbyawoodfire&splitsystem.Stepontothe expansivedecktoenjoydistanthillviews,aspabath&overheadheaters—perfectforyear-round entertaining.Aseparatestudiowithbathroom,Juliettebalcony&workshopbelowaddsdual-living orguestpotential.Additionalhighlightsincludea4-carpoweredgarage,extensiveveggiegarden,2 fencedpaddocks,anorchardof27fruittrees&an8.5KVAdieselgeneratorwithautomaticcut-in.

AcreageFreedomwithSpacetoGrow–JustMinutesfromGembrook. Setonalmost15acresinGembrook,thisbrickhomeoffersthespace,infrastructure&self-sufficient lifestyleacreagebuyersarechasing.Anundercoverentryopenstoaformalloungewithtimber flooring,flowingthroughtotheopen-plankitchen,dining&secondlivingzone.Thekitchenis designedfordailyeasewithanelectriccooktop,dishwasher,expansivebenchspace&excellent storage,whiletheadjoininglivingareaiswarmedbyawoodfire&framedbylargewindows capturingthesurroundingoutlook.Themasterbedroom&twoadditionalbedroomsallincludebuiltinrobes,servicedbyacentralbathroom&separatetoilet,withafunctionallaundryofferingoutdoor access.Outdoorsa15mx8mshedwithconcretefloor,power&hot/coldwater,singlelock-up garage,twofencedpaddocks,woodshed,chickencoop,fruittrees,watertanks&5kWsolar.

BethanySullivan M 0438844968

AaronDay M 0438680032

3 A 1 B 6 C

thisstriking4-bedroom,2-bathroomhomeblendsarchitecturalflairwitheverydaycomfort&breath takingtreetop&valleyviews.Awideverandahwrapsaroundthehome,leadinginsidetosoaring ceilings,timberfloors&astunningcentralatriumthatfillsthespacewithnaturallightbyday&frames thestarsbynight.Thestylishkitchenfeaturesstonebenchtops,integratedappliances&aserene outlook—perfectforrelaxedliving&entertaining.Themastersuiteenjoysverandahaccess,walk-in robe&ensuite,while3furtherbedroomsareservicedbyafamilybathroom.Freshlypainted&fitted withgasductedheating&evaporativecooling,thehomealsoincludesanundercoverentertaining area,doublegarage,carport&leafygardens—atrueHillssanctuary. 15AAvonRoadAvonsleigh$1,250,000-$1,350,000

5 ACRE HOBBY FARM PLUS PLANS APPROVED

HERE is your chance to own a rare small acreage holding very close to Monbulk town centre yet ideally located down a quiet country road.

All cleared with views and open sunny aspects for growing or have your four-legged pets grazing.

Huge terraced site (70m x 20m approx.) with approved plans for a stunning 4-bedroom homestead and a stylish barn.

The W.B. farmhouse is simple yet functional, open plan with sliding glass

doors to a covered verandah, combustion wood heater and split system heating and cooling. Three bedrooms plus a self-contained bungalow.

Even includes a 7 Meg water pumping licence if needed.

The options are plenty: - live the farm life; lease the home for approx. $550wk + bungalow $310wk = $860wk, renovate, extend or build that dream home (STCA) higher up on the block to capture the views. The choice is yours but don’t miss this opportunity. ●

***CLOSINGDATEFOROFFERSTUESDAY17THMARCHAT4PM***

Setonafullyfencedblock,thiswarm&welcominghomeoffersthe kindofspaceand flexibilitythatgrowingordownsizingfamiliestrulyappreciate.Inside,thehomefeatures 2separatelivingareas,newhybridflooring,S/S’s,GDH,adownstairssemiself-contained area,outdoorentertaining,gardenshed,chook run,watertank,6.5kwsolarpanels, poweredworkshopwithageneratorpowerconnectionandbackyardvehicleaccess.

CaitiEllis 0493136937

MickDolphin 0429684522

ARARELIFESTYLEOPPORTUNITY

LOCATEDINTHEHEARTOFMONBULK

Sethightocapturerollinghillviews,thisunique&thoughtfullydesignedhomeoffersthe perfectbalanceofcomfort,convenience&relaxedcountryliving.Offeringexcellent separationofspaces&aneasy,single-levelflow.Featuringopenplanliving&diningwith sea lessindoor/outdoorconnection,GDH,woodfire,A/C’s,ceilingfansinall edroo s, utler’spantry,solarpower,fullyfencedlandscapedgardens&alarge,sealeddriveway.

WITHPLANSAPPROVEDFORA4BEDHOME&BARN AraresmallacreageholdingclosetoMonbulk towncentreyetideallylocateddowna quietcountryroad.Clearedwithviews,opensunnyaspects&includesahuge70mx20m approx.terracedsitewithapprovedplansfora4bed.homestead&astylishbarn.This farmhousefeaturesslidingglassdoorstoacoveredverandah,combustionwoodheater, S/Sheating&cooling,aself-containedbungalow&a7Megwaterpumpinglicence.The optionsareplenty,alternatively,leasethehomeandbungalowforapprox.$860p/w.

GrantSkipsey 0418528102

Beautifullyrenovated&reimaginedwithcustom,handcraftedtouches,thishaven deliversalifestyleforall-seasonentertaining,featuringanopen-concept kitchen,covered BBQdeck withtranquilviewsoverLysterfieldvalley,gasfire,masterwithluxuryensuite,a hugehomeoffice,rackedceilings,tripleremotegarage&workshop&anextradriveway forthecaravanoradditionalvehicles,allonaneasycarelowmaintenancenear LEVEL,1094sqmfullylandscaped&secureblock.Setinaquietstreet&walk toTown.

GrantSkipsey 0418528102

A STATEMENT IN STYLE AND SPACE

BURSTING with character and bathed in natural light, this beautifully renovated family residence blends warm timbers, soaring angled ceilings and expansive timber windows to create a home that feels both inviting and architecturally striking.

From the moment you step inside, the dramatic vaulted ceilings frame a stunning main lounge, delivering a memorable setting for everyday living and effortless entertaining. Open plan in design, the spacious living area flows seamlessly into the dining space and showpiece kitchen; completely designed for connection, comfort and appeal. Complete with a generous island bench, butler’s pantry and quality appliances, the kitchen is both highly functional and visually impressive.

Accommodation is abundant, offering four oversized bedrooms plus a substantial music room or second living zone that easily converts to a fifth bedroom if required. Bedrooms two and three are particularly generous in scale, creating ideal retreats for teenagers, younger children or guests. Two stylish bathrooms and a large, well-appointed laundry further enhance the home’s practicality, while the thoughtful renovation throughout ensures you can simply move in and enjoy.

Set on approximately 1,478m², the outdoor spaces are just as captivating. An undercover timber entertaining deck with spa provides the perfect place to unwind, while tiered garden beds, established surrounds, excellent parking, a shed and carport complete the lifestyle appeal.

Year-round comfort is assured with multiple split systems throughout the home, complemented by the ambience and warmth of a gas log fire in the main living area.

Positioned within easy walking distance to Belgrave Heights Christian School and only a short drive to Belgrave South, Belgrave and Tecoma townships, this exceptional property offers space, style and convenience in one impressive package.

A home of warmth, flexibility and undeniable presence, 6 Gumtree Grove is ready to welcome its next family. ●

CHARACTER, CHARM AND FAMILY LIVING

JUST moments from the Warburton township, this property blends charm with contemporary comfort, creating an inviting and versatile family home.

The original weatherboard cottage has been thoughtfully extended with a spacious modern addition yet retaining plenty of charm. Inside, you’ll find three generous sized bedrooms, including a private master complete with ensuite and walk in robe. High ceilings, classic sash windows and polished original timber floorboards highlight the character of the home.

The front section offers two welcoming living areas warmed by a wood fired heater and supported by air conditioning and ceiling fans for year round comfort. In total, the home provides three separate living zones, ensuring plenty of room for the whole family.

At the heart of the home is a spacious galley style kitchen with abundant storage and plenty of bench space, including a big breakfast bar. Equipped with a Euromaid cooker, gas cooktop and dishwasher, a delight for home chefs. Sliding glass doors open to an alfresco deck, ideal for entertaining and summer barbecues. A separate dining area with ample room for a large table, flowing seamlessly into the modern extension featuring floating floors, beautiful light fittings and double glazed windows.

Outdoors, magnificent established trees, fruit trees and flourishing gardens surround the home, ample parking in the carport plus a large powered shed with concrete flooring. Further additions include a outbuildings which include woodshed, trailer/mower shed and a bonus water tank servicing the veggie patch and orchard area.

With beautiful filtered mountain views, the Yarra river just minutes away, bus services at the door and amenities close by, this exceptional home offers the perfect balance of rural charm and modern convenience in the Yarra Valley. ●

CharacterCottagewithDirectAccesstotheYarraRiver “YarraRiverStay”presentsarareandenchantingopportunity.Currentlyoperatingasahighly recommendedAirbnb,thisbeautifullyrenovatedcottageofferstheflexibilitytocontinueasa successfulshort-stayaccommodationorbecomeyourownprivateriversideretreat.Inside,you’llfind twogenerouslysizedbedroomsfeaturingpolishedfloorboards,complementedbyastunningmain bathroomcompletewithaluxurioussoakingtubandanexpansiveopenshower.Thestylishkitchen isbeautifullyappointedwithamplebenchandcupboardspace,featuretiling,andgascooking. Setonjustover1,700sqmofpicturesqueland,theoutdoorsettingisnothingshortofmagical.Alarge poweredgarage/workshopwithaconcretefloorprovidesexcellentstorageorworkspaceoptions. Beyond,directaccesstotheYarraRiveroffersabreathtakingnaturalbackdrop.

AnExceptionalOfferingofApprox.5acresofTightlyHeld,VacantLand Firsttimeofferedforsaleinover30years,thisisararechancetosecurealongtimefamilyowned parcelofland.Thissuperbtwohectareallotment(approx.fiveacres)enjoysdualfrontageto BridgewaterRoadandtheWarburtonHighway,capturingarelaxingmountainoutlookalong theValleycorridoranddeliveringabeautifulYarraValleylifestylesooftensoughtafter.Recently surveyed,thepropertywillsoonincludeanewdividingfence,withwaterandelectricityavailable andseveralexcellentbuildingsitesprovidingtheidealcanvasforyourdreamhome(STCA).Gently undulatingandmostlycleared,thelandoffersanopengrassedpaddockareaidealforanimals, withscatteredshadetreesalongthenorthernboundary.Opportunitiesofthiscalibrearerare, combiningrurallivingwithaprimelocationandeasyhighwayaccessforcommutingtothesuburbs.

ClareMorse M 0400063055

CherishedFamilyHavenonOveranAcre–FirstTimeOfferedin40Years Setonwelloveranacreandimmersedintheserenebackdropofneighboringmountains,this character-filledresidenceissurroundedbyestablishedtrees,creatingapeacefulandprivateretreat. Inside,you’llfindawelcomingformalsittingroom,separatediningandlivingareas,andthree well-proportionedbedrooms.Themasterbedroomenjoysbathroomaccess,addingconvenience andfunctionality.Outdoorsiswherethispropertytrulyshines.Agenerousdeckflowsfromthe backverandah,providingtheperfectplacetosoakinthestunningmountainviews,listentothe abundantbirdlife,andunwindincompletetranquility.Establishedfruittrees,thrivingveggieboxes, andexpansiveopenspacesofferendlessopportunityforgardening,recreation,orsimplyroomto explore.Thisismorethanjustahome—it’salifestylepropertyrichinhistory,heart,andpossibility.

58SurreyRoad,Warburton $670,000-$730,000

Positionedonaprizedcornerallotment,thehomeenjoysawonderfulsenseofspace,while establishedtreesprovidenaturalprivacyandapeacefulsetting.Spreadacrosstwoversatilelevels, theupperfloorisbathedinnaturallightthankstoexpansivewindowsthatframebeautifulmountain vistas.Upstairscomprisesopenplanlivingwithawoodfire,twogenerousbedroomswithbuilt-in robes,anoriginalkitchen,acentralbathroom,andseparatetoilet.Downstairspresentsendless opportunity—idealasateenager’sretreat,guestaccommodation,ordual-livingoption.Here you’llfindtwoadditionalbedrooms,aspaciousrumpus/livingzone,alargeutilityroomwithlaundry facilities,andanadditionaltoilet.Outdoors,asinglecarportiscomplementedbyampleextraoffstreetparking.Anopportunitytosecurethislargehomeandlocationinoneimpressivepackage.

RebeccaDoolan

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.

ACROSS

1 Assimilate (6)

4 Leads an orchestra (8)

10 Complementary item (9)

11 Throw (5)

12 Chits (abbr) (4)

13 Message (4)

14 Colouring matter (5)

16 Humming sound (4)

17 Musician, Jim – (8)

20 Provided (8)

22 Declare (4)

25 Beautiful maiden in Muslim paradise (5)

26 Web addresses (abbr) (4)

28 Black mineral (4)

30 Hat (5)

31 Harmony (9)

32 Gifted (8)

33 Large rope (6)

3 LETTERS

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

Today’s Aim:

5 LETTERS ACING AGENT AGREE ALONE ANGLE AREN’T AROSE ASKEW ASSET ATONE BOARS BRIBE CHORE COCOA DOONA EDGES EERIE ELEGY FEARS

Two for three ain’t bad

By Chris Anderson

It was a case of ‘two out of three aint bad’ for the Mt Evelyn Cricket Club over the long weekend as the 2nd XI and 4th XI booked their place in next weekend’s Grand Final whilst the 5th XI were valiant in their Semi Final loss. Considering all three entered the weekend as the lower ranked team, it was a meritorious effort from the Mounters.

The Professionals Outer East Second XI entered their contest against Wandin with an air of confidence after finding form over the closing rounds of the season, including a victory at home against the Bulldogs. Captain Joseph Chamberlin won the toss and took the old adage of putting the runs on the board in a big game. Early on his decision would be justified as openers Adam Smith and Luke Jones gave the Mounters the perfect start with an imposing opening stand of 60 as they set the foundations for a big score. Smith would exit with a handy contribution of 35, whilst Jones (37) and Brisbane-Flynn (34) would give the score a boost.

The one failing was that the batsmen were making starts but not kicking on to match breaking scores. When the Mounters lost three wickets with the score on 132 it looked as if things were starting to unravel. Searching for the match winning surge, the Mounters found it in the form of a masterful partnership between Brad Westaway and Chris Morrow. Cautiously rebuilding the innings early, the pair timed the run to perfection. Westaway’s solid approach was complimented with some free flowing strokeplay from Morrow. The pair would peel off a 119-run partnership that would put the Mounters in a position of strength.

Club is ready

By John Thomson

After missing all of the 2025 Spring Shield competition due to renovation work on their one and only croquet court, Lilydale Croquet ClubreturntotheAutumnShieldcompetition for 2026.

Unfortunately, Westaway would fall short of a much deserved half century when he fell for 48, but this would be just a blip on the radar for the Mounters as young gun Billie Laird would join Morrow at the wicket and the pair would put the icing on the cake as they would blast 34 runs off the final three overs to boost the total to an imposing 6/285.

Although the total looked imposing on paper, both teams entered day two knowing full well that the Bulldogs only had to follow the day one blueprint to challenge the score. It turned out to be a day of missed opportunities for the Bulldogs as they were able to avoid any disastrous, but on the flip side, they couldn’t build a partnership north of 39-runs. Kynan Yates has been a consistent leader of the Mt Evelyn attack, and once again he was the pillar upon which the rest of the bowling unit worked around. 18 overs, 6 maidens, 2 for 51, a good days work from Yates. Luke Jones would be the other multiple wicket taker with 2/22, whilst four others chipped in with wickets of their own. When the dust settled, the Mounters had bowled the Bulldogs out for 147 to secure an impressive all round victory.

The team now travel up the Warburton Highway to their next stop, old foes Seville in what promises to be a hard fought Grand Final.

The Hop Hen Brewing 4th XI had the challenge of overturning a final round defeat to St Andrews as they faced the same opponents in their Semi Final. The Mounters entered the contest buoyed by their final round showing but fully aware that they would need to find another gear if they were to pass the classy Saints. Mt Evelyn would get first crack with the bat and would immediately be put under pressure with Campbell Manser falling early. When the reliable Lachie Robertson fell with the score on 11, the Mounters had to find their resilience if they were to turn the momentum. Brother Connor and Jarrod Hartman delivered the steadying salvo with a cautious partnership, but it was still nervous going as Connor Hartman would fall before the team score had reached 50.

Jarrod would start to establish himself at the wicket and the runs would begin to flow. 39 runs would flow off Hartman’s bay until he was inexplicably run out, still leaving the Mounters with work to do. Fortunately, Craig Steele and Ezra Joyce would nurse the team to the end of their first split with the score finishing on 4/97. Not a bad position, but one that could be a tad short depending on the score that St Andrews could muster.

Dwayne Paisley would be the thorn in Mt Evelyn’s side in their final round contest as his century would be the difference between the two teams. You can imagine the team’s delight when Campbell Manser disturbed his woodwork without him reaching double figures throwing a completely new complexion on the game. Unperturbed, the Saints regathered quickly and set about establishing themselves in the contest. Just as they were looking comfortable and on the verge of wrestling day one ascendancy,

Mike Leonard would breakthrough with a crucial caught and bowled chance, and when Luke Thomson captured a brace of wickets late in the day, honours would be even with the Saints finishing on 4/80.

The Saints made a strong start to day two and moved the score to 5/150 just after drinks were taken and they looked set to threaten a score that would take some chasing. Enter the partnership breaker, Mike Leonard. Just as he did on day one, Leonard broke the long standing partnership and the game opened up for the visitors. In the space of quick succession, the Mounters would blast their way through the remainder of the batting order to dismiss the Saints for 160, a long way short of what looked possible only a short time before. Leonard would finish with 3/17

The chase had become much more achievable in the blink of an eye and with calm heads at the wicket, Mt Evelyn had gained ascendency. The strokeplay of Craig Steele would be well complimented by the nerves of steel from the unflappable Ezra Joyce. The pair would continue their partnership in such a calm and assured way that the victory looked a certainty from the outset. Unperturbed by some probing bowling, the pair would tick the score over steadily. The only hiccup would be the wicket of Joyce who deserved to be there when the winning runs were scored. Steele would carry the side to victory with a fantastic unbeaten innings of 72. A match winning innings.

The Mounters challenges don’t get any easier as they now face an experienced and powerful Ainslie Park outfit in the Grand Final. One things for sure, the team are gaining momentum at the right time of the season and will relish the opportunity to claim another big scalp in consecutive weeks.

Like the 4th XI, the Lilydale Tyres 5th XI had the monumental task of taking down one of the dominant forces in the F Grade competition in Boronia. In their two previous clashes this season, the Hawks have completely outplayed, and dominated, the Mounters with relentless force. A task that would test the resolve of mere mortals, but one the Mounters were going to take on with full gusto.

Things couldn’t get off to a more precarious start for the Mounters as they lost key bat Craig Kenins early and when Ryan Doyle, Jason and Ben Dunstone fell soon after, it looked as if it was going to be a tall order for the Mounters as they fell to 4/39. Like his son in the 4th XI, Leighton Joyce would be the steady had that would help the Mounters back into the contest. With the support of Mark Kuhne, the pair went about rescuing the situation. A 54-run partnership would ensure the contest would be put to the Hawks and the Mounters wouldn’t be pushed aside.

Unfortunately, the late wickets of Kuhne and Paul Flavel as their first split came to a close would put a dint in proceedings for the Mounters and a score of 6/100 put them in a precarious position and a missed opportunity.

The Hawks looked in command early in their innings and at 1/49 looked to be in a dominant position. Captain Jason Dunstone would throw the ball to leg spinner Angus Van Hoogstraten and he was able to clinch the vital breakthrough. Jacdan Mikaelian would then throw the cat amongst the pigeons with two quick wickets and all of the sudden the contest was back on. Regaining their composure, the Hawks were again able to take the upper hand with a crucial partnership, with a late wicket to Ben Dunstone keeping the Mounters in the contest with the Hawks finishing day one at 5/115.

Mt Evelyn made a bright start to day two as a brace of wickets from Paul Flavel early reduced the hosts to 7/129 and it had the Mounters dreaming of a chase under 150. As had been the trend, the Hawks fought back and crucial late order runs proved decisive. Angus Van Hoogstraten would break the cycle again, but a 46-run 9th wicket partnership followed and the task was getting greater by the over. Andrew Frid would be the unlikely circuit breaker as his entry into the bowling attack would see the final two wickets fall swiftly to see the Hawks innings tucked away for 211 leaving the Mounters to chase another 112 runs if their season was to progress through to next week.

Joyce resumed his stay at the crease with Frid his partner as the pair were set the big task of getting the lion’s share of the remaining runs. With Joyce remaining calm and unmoved at one end, Frid injected some firepower to the innings with some flamboyant strokeplay as the pair complimented each other as they quickly ticked the score over. In quick time, the partnership had knocked 41 runs off the deficit and some harboured thoughts of an unlikely victory. When Joyce was inexplicably run out for 49, the end quickly arrived as the last four wickets fell for just 13 runs as the Mounters were dismissed for 154. Although disappointed with the final result, the team could be well pleased, and proud, of their efforts against a tough opponent, and the team has acquitted themselves admirably after stepping up a grade this season. All bodes well for the fuel tire of this team.

Lilydale’s Division One level play team this year consists of Craig McCracken (captain), John Thomson and Mick Crawley with Kerri McCracken as an emergency. The first round was Monday 2 March and Lilydale hosted the Kew Croquet Club, playing for Lilydale was Craig McCracken and John Thomson.

The first game was the doubles with the Kew team getting off to a good start. Lilydale were making too many defensiveerrorsandstruggledtocleartheiropponent’s balls when they had the opportunity. When Lilydale had their chance to run a hoop, they made the most of it but Kew were able to keep them at bay and go on and win the game seven hoops to Lilydale four hoops.

Craig McCracken played in the first of the singles games. Kew again got off to a good start, then Craig started to find some form and was working his way back into the game but the Kew player was able to hang on and take the win seven hoops to Lilydale four hoops.

In the second singles game John Thomson played. John won the first three hoops before his Kew opponent ran his first.

The Kew player then started to get into the game with some very good play assisted by a couple of bad defensive errors by John and Kew took the lead and went onto win seven hoops to Lilydale five hoops.

At lunch Kew had already won the day the scores were Kew three games 21 hoops to Lilydale 0 games 13 hoops with two singles games to play after lunch.

John Thomson played in the first of the reverse singles.

This was an epic game with Kew on top early then Lilydale came back and evened up the game and after twelve hoops had been played the scores were level at six apiece, so the thirteenth and deciding hoop had to be played.

Kew set up very well with their first ball John was able to clear it and then after a bad mistake by the Kew player John was able to run the hoop and win the game.

Lilydale seven hoops to Kew six hoops.

Craig McCracken played in the last singles game.

Craig was able to get a couple of hoops in front then the Kew player made a bad mistake and cleared his own ball which gave Craig an opportunity to open up the lead a bit further, the Kew player tried hard to get back into the game but Craig held onto his lead winning seven hoops to Kew four hoops. The final scores for the day, Kew three games 31 hoops to Lilydale two games 27 hoops.

Lilydale were able to restore some pride in the end only going down by one game and four hoops.

The Lilydale Division Two Level play side had a bye this week and the Handicap team will hit off their 2026 season on Thursday 12 March.

There is no Competition next Monday due to the Labour Day long weekend.

Kilsyth’s Mark Unternahrer broke the Club record for most senior runs in a season (752) after scoring 55 off 102 balls (7 fours) in the Third XI’s

Andrew Woolhouse played his 450th senior game for Kilsyth CC playing in the Third XI’s Semi Final against Warrandyte. (Supplied)

Kilsyth’s U16’s in the Semi Final against Koonung Heights. (Supplied)

Unternahrer breaks a club record

By Les Hutchings

Last weekend saw several excellent achievements for Kilsyth Cricket Club.

Mark Unternahrer broke the record for most senior runs in a season after scoring 55 off 102 balls (7 fours) in the Third XI’s Semi Final against Warrandyte.

It is interesting that Daniel Caton broke Mick Godfrey’s 1941/42 record of 726 runs in a season when he reached 729 runs in the last round of 2025/26.

Then, one week later, Mark Unternahrer established a new record of 752 runs. Mark also broke the Club record for most runs scored for the Third XI in a season (674) previously held by Nigel Foden (659). Another highlight was Andrew Woolhouse playing his 450th senior game for the Club in the Third XI’s Semi Final. This is the second most senior games ever played for Kilsyth CC. In the U16s, Rhys Kearney scored 100 retired not out off 97 balls and Will Beard 58 off 42 balls, to steer their team to victory and a place in next week’s Grand Final. Additionally, Kilsyth’s second U12 team were premiers, winning the U12-6 Grand Final against Heatherdale. Don Smith Shield Semi Final: Warrandyte Third XI v Kilsyth Third XI

On Saturday and Sunday, Kilsyth’s Third XI played Warrandyte in the Don Smith Shield Semi Final at Stintons Reserve, Park Orchards. Warrandyte won the toss and elected to bat. The first wicket fell on 43 in the 15th over when Steve Galea took a good catch at second slip in Mark Unternahrer’s second over. Opening bowler Hayden Monds had bowled a good first spell of 7 overs 0/7, including four maidens. At the drinks break, Warrandyte were 1/69 off 20 overs with opener Jack Poole 36* and Mason Trevena 17*. With the score on 96, Poole skied a catch to a deepish mid-on and was well caught by Ben Nicoll off medium pacer Michael Sturt. He had batted well to score 50 off 70 balls (5 fours). By the tea break, Warrandyte had accelerated the scoring rate and reached 2/185 after 42 overs with Mason Trevena on 39* and Captain Bailey Bowyer 69*. After the tea interval, Trevena was bowled by Ben Nicoll for 66 off 116 balls (7 fours) in the 52nd over with Warrandyte now 3/239. It’s fair to say that Kilsyth did not capitalise on the opportunities that came their way in the field. Consequently, by the second drinks break the Bloods were in the

commanding position of 2/294 off 60 overs with Bowyer 130* and Archie Andrew 18*. Immediately after drinks, Mark Unternahrer came back on to bowl his second spell and had Bowyer caught and bowled for an aggressive 130 off 96 balls (16 fours and 4 sixes). In the 75th over, Brad Valentine was brilliantly caught at deep mid-wicket by sub fielder Kyan Harper for 22 off 39 balls (2 fours) with Warrandyte now 5/370 and Archie Andrew on 65*. The score reached 5/402 with one over remaining and Andrew was on strike for the last over on 88*. With two balls remaining, Andrew had progressed to 95*. He played the second last ball through mid-on, and the batsmen attempted to run two to keep him on strike but there was a short run by the non-striker, so Andrew was on 96 with one ball left. In a dramatic finish, Andrew lofted the last ball over cover for four to bring up his century. Warrandyte finished on 5/415cc off 80 overs. For Kilsyth, Mark Unternahrer took 2/77 off 18 overs (2 maidens), Michael Sturt 2/63 off 8 overs, and Ben Nicoll 1/45 off 9 overs.

On Sunday, Kilsyth began their innings chasing the huge target of 416. With the score on 27 in the 6th over, the Redbacks lost their first wicket when Anthony Cook skied a hit to cover off the bowling of Aaron Boone and was well caught by Bailey Bowyer for 10 (2 fours). It was soon 2/34 in the 8th over when fellow opener Ben Nicoll was caught by Brad Valentine at first slip, bowled Aaron Boone for 13 (2 fours). Matt Harper and Robert Hutchings put on 43 for the third wicket at a good rate but unfortunately, on the first ball of the 20th over, Harper also skied a ball to the cover area and was caught by Mason Trevena for 23 off 53 balls (2 fours). So, at drinks after 20 overs, the score was 3/77 with Hutchings on 17*. After the drinks break in the 24th over, Robert Hutchings, attempting to cut a ball over the top of the fieldsman at backward point, was caught by Ross Damico from the bowling of Bailey Bowyer. Hutchings was out for 21 off 39 balls (1 four) and the score was now 4/88. At tea, Kilsyth were 4/116 off 40 overs with Mark Unternahrer on 18* and Andrew Woolhouse 12*. After tea, in the 43rd over with the score on 120, Kilsyth lost their fifth wicket when Woolhouse was caught at midwicket by Fergus Parrott in Patrick McAlary’s second over for 13 off 58 balls (1 four). Then, Steve Galea and Mark Unternahrer added 60 for the sixth wicket before Unternahrer was caught at mid-off by Bailey Bowyer for a solid 55 off

Finals hope hanging by a thread

By David Waters

Eastern golf course put on a show for round 6 of the Eastern Suburbs over 55s Senior Pennant.

A rosy sky as the sun rose, a slight breeze up high.

That was just enough for a few hot air balloons to take flight.

Pelicans on the lakes and ducks too.

Of course, out here at Eastern kangaroos were abundant and grazing peacefully.

The ground staff were working from early hours. Teams of tractors blowing dew off fairways and other men clipping and mowing greens.

All this in preparation for an excellent day golfing for a bunch of old guys who think they can play golf well.

The conditions excellent though they were, did help play, but certainly made for an enjoyable walk. (Eat your heart out Mark Twain).

Some precision shots down fairways and approaches to greens were applauded by opponents and partners.

The greens being true and quick were tested fully by a few players.

They could not judge the speed and allowed for borrow when there was none.

As the day progressed putts came closer and sportsmanship and generosity showed, as the two footers were conceded as in, no matter who putted.

102 balls (7 fours) to give Aaron Boone his third wicket with Kilsyth now 6/180 in the 52nd over. Then, in Boone’s next over, he took two wickets in consecutive balls, including Steve Galea for 18 off 24 balls (3 fours). Galea had been batting with a runner due to an ankle injury sustained whilst fielding on Saturday. After that, the end came fairly quickly with Kilsyth all out for 198 in 58.4 overs. For Warrandyte, Aaron Boone captured 5/38 off 10 overs, Bailey Bowyer 2/34 off 11 overs (2 maidens), Cohen Croft 2/41 off 11.4 overs (1 maiden), Jack Poole 1/20 off 5 overs (2 maidens), and Patrick McAlary 1/30 off 5 overs. Under 16-3 Semi Final: Kilsyth v Koonung Heights:

In the U16-3 Semi Final on Saturday morning, Kilsyth set about chasing Koonung Heights score of 9/225cc at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve. At the end of the sixth over, the Redbacks lost their first wicker with the score on 29 when Cooper Oliver took a good catch off the bowling of Giuliano Geronazzo. Then in the 8th over, an unfortunate run out saw Kilsyth 2/34 with a lot of work left to do with the bat. However, a valuable 85-run third wicket partnership between opener Rhys Kearney and Adriaan Van Gent steadied the situation with Kilsyth now 3/119 off 22.2 overs. Van Gent was trapped LBW by Thomas Christensen for 19 off 42 balls and the game was in the balance. At the end of the 29th over with the score on 3/164, Rhys Kearney retired after scoring a magnificent 100* off 97 balls (12 fours and 1 six).

It was only the third time in Kilsyth CC’s history that a junior player has made a century in a junior final, the last time being in 1977/78. The fourth wicket fell shortly after on 168 in the 31st over, caught by Mitchell Crooks off the bowling of Giuliano Geronazzo. Captain Will Beard was scoring freely, and he went on to make a superb 58 off 42 balls (7 fours) and when he was also caught by Mitchell Crooks off Giuliano Geronazzo’s bowling, Kilsyth were 5/211 from 36.1 overs. Although the Redbacks lost another wicket on 224, they chased down the target in 38 overs, finishing on 6/226 with Tait Harper 11* off 16 balls. For Koonung Heights, Giuliano Geronazzo captured 2/43 off 9 overs with single wickets to Muhammad Aashir 1/7, Thomas Christensen 1/14, and Gunvansh Yadav 1/17. The win put Kilsyth through to the Grand Final which commences next Saturday against Chirnside Park at Alan Smith Oval, Pinks Reserve.

All teams in this pennant system play against a home club. This week it was the turn of Churchill/Waverley. Playing Eastern the aspirants to top positions were well beaten. Outfoxed by the home teams, the green team suffered a 4 and a half to 3 and a half loss and the gold lost six to two.

Always next week they say.

The possibility of a finals berth is hanging by a thread.

Now the challenge is to defeat the top gold team by heaps and hold off the other teams.

Top team Box Hill in both green and gold groups might just play each other yet.

Nearby neighbours were drawn this week to play each other.

Bragging rights were at stake.

Both at the lower end of green and gold ladders, something to share with others although not a trophy.

GardinersRungolddefeatedYeringMeadows gold, and Yering Meadows green soundly walloped Gardiners Run green.

A little bit each way.

A draw for braggers.

In Heritage vs Eastwood, neither took a win tied at four to four in green, in the gold camp Heritage won the tussle to move up the ladder, but not to the top.

Golf is great but not everything.

Once all players were in, the noise level rose as the drinks were knocked back by the thirsty and garrulous golfers.

The red faces due to the warmth slowly came back to normal.

A delicious lunch was served.

All players appreciated the efforts of the catering and bar staff and admired the newly finished club rooms.

Asthescoreswerereadoutandannouncements made, the day concluded in time to miss school pick-up traffic.

Results for Gold Group.

Eastern Six def Churchill/Waverley 2.

Heritage 5 and a half, def Eastwood 2 and a half. Gardiners 4 and a half def Yering 3 and a half.

Results for Green Group.

Eastern 4 and a half def Churchill/Waverley 3 and a half.

Yering 6 def Gardiners 2.

Heritage 4 tied Eastwood 4.

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