Mail - Mt Evelyn Star Mail - 31st March 2026

Games and festival merge

It was a display of Scottish and Celtic heritage in Croydon on Sunday as the 2026 Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival returned for another year.

The hum of bagpipes and the beat of drums could be heard throughout Eastfield Park, the background music to the heavy games.

Dancers showed skill and talent, while clans helped people trace their family history.

Turn to page 14 to see more highlights from the day

Pipe bands warmed up as they prepared for the championships at the Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival. (Cath Odgers)

By Mikayla Van Loon

On Tuesday 24 March, Lilydale High School’s principal Wendy Powson, and 30,000 other teachers, principals and public school educators walked off the job in a 24-hour stop-work action. During the strike, teachers marched through the city, rallying for better working conditions and pay.

“It would be good if we were brought up to the other states’ level in terms of a pay deal, for starters, because we’re quite a way behind what teachers in all other states actually get,” she said.

“So that’s the first thing, just to be on equal footing.”

Ms Powson said Victorian “teachers are the worst paid in the country” and for the effort, the hours and the care shown by teachers, it was not financially recognised.

The strike and march through the city of Melbourne is Victoria’s first in more than 13 years and comes eight months out from the state election.

Describing what goes on behind the scenes as akin to a duck paddling in water, Ms Powson said her staff go above and beyond to keep everything on “an even keel” and “provide a great education, a great environment”

“All looks calm on the surface, but underneath, there’s a lot of movement happening to make sure

that we can do what we have to do.”

Of the 103 staff who would have typically been at work, Ms Powson said 73 decided to attend the rally.

All 1600 Victorian public schools were open, but 500 were significantly disrupted, with parents told classes wouldn’t run and asked to keep their children home if possible.

Read more on page five

Drainage solution wanes for locals

By Mikayla van Loon

The conversation surrounding stormwater drainage and the impacts of flooding has returned to the public forum, with a Mount Evelyn resident pleading for a solution.

Darryn Fisher lives on Bramwell Street in Mount Evelyn and spoke passionately at the 24 March council meeting, highlighting the over seven-year battle of seeking better drainage.

Despite several members of the Yarra Ranges Council’s planning team conducting site visits and assessing the drainage, Mr Fisher said it “still hasn’t been addressed”

“It’s flooding the house across the road from me. The property beside them, that’s flooding. My property. It’s flooding the property to my left, the property to my right,” he said.

During the last flooding event, a photo presented to the council showed his lounge room covered in ankle-deep water.

Mr Fisher said his home was rendered unliveable because of it.

“I’ve been moved out. It was unliveable for 12 months. We had mould in it, and so we moved out for a big chunk of time.

“My insurance premiums have gone through the roof. I’ve done everything I can on my property.”

Mr Fisher said much of the issue stems from Fortune Avenue, with two-thirds of the catchment running into a 450 millimetre pipe.

He said that was alongside one barrel drain that collects half, if not more, of the water from Fortune Avenue, which discharges into a pit outside his property.

“(The water is) expected to turn right angles and then go down to a 600 mil pit. Every single point along that line fails. It’s blown lids off in both of the major flood events we’ve had.

“The drainage system that’s in place is way, way inadequate to cope with the rainfall in the area.”

In three years, Mr Fisher said he’d experienced three minor floods and two major floods that impacted his house.

Adding blue stone retaining walls to the front of his house to “try and divert water”, among other expensive and semi-productive solutions, Mr Fisher said it was still not enough.

“I cannot contain the water that’s coming from the stormwater pits when we have heavy rain.”

It’s not the first time flooding in this area has been raised, with residents of Bristol Crescent

and Valencia Road speaking with Star Mail in 2023 and 2024 about drainage issues.

They too had spent thousands of dollars attempting to divert water from their properties, and replace driveways or fences.

Councillor Tim Heenan said he would organise a site visit to Bramwell Street, as he had done with Valencia Road only the week before, to understand the challenges.

“I want to understand, obviously on site, of what you’ve been going through, and then get a further understanding from council as to what hasn’t been done, what could be done, and what will be done in either the short term or the long term,” he said.

“It’s tragic what you’ve gone through.”

Mr Fisher said a larger pipe was required in the easement, and he suggested that flood mitigation works, like a small basin or dam, be considered alongside the rail trail.

The frustration of not having a solution or even a timeline was grating on Mr Fisher, and he stated at the meeting that he was contemplating taking the matter to VCAT.

Corporate services director Vincenzo Lombardi said the first port of call was an on-site meeting to “establish a timeline” and “what’s reasonable around what we can do to work a solution in that area”

Cr Fiona McAllister said there was “a sense of urgency…given we’re in autumn now, and the weather will change very quickly”

Croydon intersection earmarked for upgrade

Frequent travellers of Maroondah Highway in Croydon are being asked to share their thoughts on a major intersection’s potential upgrade.

The Yarra Road and Maroondah Highway intersection has been earmarked for a future upgrade under the State and Federal governments’ billion-dollar road blitz.

“This planning work is part of the Allan and Albanese Labor Governments’ $1.2 billion Road Blitz, delivering safer roads and cutting congestion for families and businesses in Melbourne’s east,” North-Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Sonja Terpstra said.

From 23 March to 12 April, Big Build Roads is seeking feedback from the community to help inform planning.

Big Build Roads will use the feedback to better understand how the community uses the intersection, their views on safety, traffic flow, and what should be considered during the planning process.

“We want to hear from the people who use this intersection to help ensure the upgrade delivers the best outcome for the community,” VIDA Roads program director - development Michael McClean said.

Residents and local businesses can have their say at engage.vic.gov.au/ maroondah-hwy-yarra-rd by Sunday 12 April. They can also chat to the project team at McAdam Square Shops, 44 McAdam Square, Croydon, on Saturday 28 March between 10am and 3pm.

Planning work is underway and key activities include developing a project design, traffic analysis and modelling and on-site investigations to gather a clear picture of the area.

At times during site investigations, traffic control measures, including temporary lane closures and reduced speed limits, may be in place.

Traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum, and busy periods will be avoided where possible.

Planning work for the upgrade will be used to inform government decisions on future funding.

Big Build Roads expects to complete initial planning in 2027.

More information about the Maroondah Highway and Yarra Road Intersection Upgrade is available at bigbuild. vic.gov.au/maroondah-hwy-yarra-rd

Daring fire rescue

A man was pulled from his burning home in Lilydale after firefighters heard calls for help from the front room.

Firefighters from Lilydale CFA were returning to the station after an evening training session on Monday 23 March when the emergency call came through around 8.20pm.

Arriving at the Kidgell Street property to find smoke emitting from the house and the doors locked, captain Warren Davis said the heat of the windows indicated active fire was in the house.

“We banged on the door, and then we heard somebody screaming out for help in the front room, so we forced entry through the door,” he said.

The man, said to be in his forties, was “suffering severe smoke inhalation” and was found on the floor of his bedroom by two firefighters.

“He was disoriented and didn’t know how to exit the building. So if we weren’t doing training and weren’t in the vicinity of that building last night, there was a very good chance that he would have passed away in the fire,” Mr Davis said.

Placing him on the front lawn, firefighters began first-aid treatment, connecting him to oxygen.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said

“Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics responded to the scene” at around 8.30pm, but “no emergency transport was required”

Smoke inhalation, left untreated, can be fatal as it can restrict oxygen from circulating through

the bloodstream and through major organs.

Mr Davis said the man was extremely lucky that his neighbour noticed smoke coming from his chimney and called Triple Zero.

“If he hadn’t put the call in, no one would have noticed it.”

Because the trucks were already on the road, Mr Davis said the brigade was able to respond within a minute of getting the call and bring the fire under control within 10 minutes.

Despite the quick response, around 35 per cent of the home was damaged in the fire.

Mr Davis believed the fire started in the kitchen, most likely due to an unattended stove and said it was a reminder to all households to never leave cooking unattended.

53 firefighters tackle Croydon blaze

A major fire response was required on Saturday afternoon as a house in Croydon burned out of control.

The Dorset Road property saw 53 firefighters from CFA and FRV attend, in 16 appliances, on 28 March at around 2.50pm.

“Triple Zero received multiple calls advising (of a) fire burning in (a) single story timber and brick building approximately 30 x 20mts. First arriving FRV appliance (was) on scene in three minutes (and) escalated blaze to second alarm,” an FRV spokesperson said.

“FRV crews confirmed rear of structure fully involved with fire on arrival.”

No one was home at the time of the blaze, with the cause yet to be determined.

Dorset Road was closed in both directions as firefighters worked to bring the fire under control.

It was deemed under control at 4.14pm but firefighters remained on scene to monitor hot spots.

Power and gas companies were requested to isolate the resources.

Police and Ambulance were on scene to assist FRV in operations. A Maroondah Council Building Surveyor was attending to assess the structure.

Multiple vehicle recalls

Recalls were made for multiple vehicles in late March.

Polaris Sales Australia’s 2026 RANGER XP 1000 was recalled for software issues which may lead to the vehicle being able to be operated while the handbrake is on.

Risk of serious injury or death and property damage if the parking brake overheats and fails or catches fire.

If you own this vehicle, stop using the vehicle immediately. Do not attempt to repair the ECU yourself.

Contact your authorised Polaris dealer to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle repaired free of charge.

Call Polaris Australia on 03 9394 5610 to arrange a repair.

The vehicle was available for sale from 21 January 2026 - 13 March 2026.

Meanwhile, just under 7300 units of the Hyundai i30N (PD) 2017 - 2022 were also recalled.

Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel control valve in the high-pressure fuel pump could allow excess fuel to enter the pump. If this occurs, the engine could stall resulting in a sudden loss of motive power whilst driving.

A sudden loss of motive power whilst driving may increase the risk of an accident causing injury or death to vehicle occupants.

Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted in writing by Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA), asking them to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have the fuel pump impeller inspected and replaced, free of charge. They can be contacted here: 1800 186 306 or visit their website: hyundai.com/au/en/owning/safety-recallsopens.

Fire danger period ends

The Fire Danger Period (FDP) has officially ended for several local government areas.

As of 1am on Monday 30 March, Knox City Council, Maroondah City Council, Manningham Council and Yarra Ranges Shire Council, among others, exited the FDP.

It has been a long and challenging fire season and as we head into autumn, there is still heightened fire risk, with dry weather expected for many more months.

As fire restrictions begin to lift, CFA is urging residents to remain alert as the current and continued conditions can still lead to fast-moving grassfires even in cooler weather.

Heritage bridge repair refused

By Mikayla van Loon

A tussle between a state government department and Yarra Ranges Council over who funds repairs of a heritage bridge in Lilydale has come to a head.

Councillors voted in favour of not taking responsibility for a 2500 square metre section of Crown land adjacent to the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail on Tuesday 24 March.

The historic bridge, on the corner of Anderson Street and Nelson Road, was once an overpass of the former railway line but has fallen into disrepair, the council citing recent complaints of its “poor condition” in the agenda.

The council’s infrastructure maintenance team estimated a price tag of $60,000 to repair the bridge, with Councillor Tim Heenan describing it as “another handball job from state government with our money, not theirs”.

Yarra Ranges Council has acted as the Committee of Management (CoM) for the Rail Trail since its appointment in 2007.

It partially maintained two sections of Crown land not included in the agreement, one of which houses the bridge, because parts of the trail, footpaths and seating were under the council’s jurisdiction.

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) requested the council form a Committee of Management for these two parcels of land.

It comes as DEECA prepares to sell part of the former railway corridor to Mount Lilydale Mercy College.

Council officers recommended that the smallest parcel of land under DEECA’s request be adopted into council management because there would be no financial burden associated with it.

“Becoming CoM for this parcel will not have any impact to current operational requirements,” the agenda reads.

But the same could not be said for the land containing the bridge.

“DEECA has indicated that no funding will be provided to repair the bridge, which would place financial and operational burden on Council.”

Councillors Tim Heenan and Gareth Ward pushed the recommended motion through council on Tuesday night.

“The recommendation in front of us is a common-sense approach. It’s a 24 square

metre parcel of land that we are already maintaining, and formalising that responsibility will cost council nothing, and clarifies our government’s position,” Cr Ward said of the smaller parcel of land in question.

In relation to the heritage bridge and maintenance of the land, Cr Ward said he thought it was “equally sensible” not to accept responsibility until clarification over funding could be sought.

“I don’t believe we should be accepting the responsibility for a deteriorating heritage bridge and a large repair bill when the State Government hasn’t yet committed to funding,” he said.

“It’s the right decision to decline a committee of management before the bridge funding question is actually resolved.”

The motion passed unanimously. DEECA was contacted for comment.

Inaugural Yarra Ranges heritage strategy drafted

The first-ever heritage policy and strategy for the Yarra Ranges has been drafted after two decades of advocacy from community groups.

Cited as “a strategic roadmap for how (the) council will understand, protect and celebrate the region’s diverse heritage”, the drafted strategy and policy puts focus not only on places, but also on people, environments, collections of art and significant attractions.

Yarra Ranges councillors voted unanimously in support of releasing the documents for community consultation on Tuesday 24 March.

The moment was strongly supported by the Yarra Ranges Heritage Network, a collective of 16 groups, mostly volunteers, from the region, who champion heritage and its protection.

Chair Maria McCarthy spoke on behalf of the network, emphasising the importance of these documents to guide the future preservation of these sites and artefacts.

“Heritage is much more than buildings. It is a collective memory of our communities,

our homes, our halls, our farms, our businesses, our landscapes that reflect the lives of the people who built and shaped this region,” she said.

“These places contribute greatly to the character of our towns and create a strong sense of identity and belonging.”

Ms McCarthy said having a strategy ensures that as communities “grow and evolve”, it “respects and protects the heritage that makes our communities unique”.

It was also an important acknowledgement, Ms McCarthy said, of the work and many hours volunteers spend collating and telling stories, as well as safeguarding them for future generations.

Using the example of Herman’s Trough in Menzies Creek, an artefact that was removed by the council because its heritage status was unknown, Ms McCarthy said the policy would ensure a similar scenario did not occur again.

“Situations like this highlight why clear heritage strategy and policy are so important.

will be better recognised and protected in the future, saving the council costly mistakes.

“This will also help avoid unnecessary distress and frustration for the many volunteers who work tirelessly to care for and protect the history of our local areas.”

The 10-year strategy shifts the response and management of heritage from ad hoc to a structured framework.

Working with the Heritage Network and the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, alongside council teams and other groups, the policy and strategy documents aim to draw on “First Peoples, European and other diverse cultural knowledge systems…(to) promote a holistic and inclusive approach to heritage”.

The Yarra Ranges is home to 443 local heritage places and precincts cited in the Heritage Overlay, 26 places are on the Victorian Heritage Register, and Coranderrk Aboriginal Station is on the National Heritage Register.

100,000 items. RSLs, sporting clubs and other organisations also house memorabilia and historic items of significance.

Councillor Fiona McAllister pushed the motion through and said that while it took her some time to understand the need for direct policy and a strategy, it became clear as she read the documents.

“Whilst I am a huge believer in capturing the stories and the meaning of place, I didn't completely understand the need for a heritage strategy initially, but I do now,” she said.

With significant places like Coranderrk and Powelltown, the largest timber mill in the state in 1912, and people like Dame Nellie Melba, as well as migrant journeys, agriculture, viticulture, tourism, artists, and gardens, Cr McAllister said there was much to celebrate.

“Our incredible history needs to be protected, and shared, and celebrated. Labelled, signposted in so many ways,” she said.

The motion was seconded by Cr Tim Heenan.

“With the guidance and triggers that this strategy will introduce, community heritage

The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum has a permanent collection of over 14,000 items, and history groups hold a collection of over

Both the strategy and policy will be released for community consultation for six weeks.

Principal joins 30,000

The principal of one of the outer east’s biggest secondary schools joined thousands of teachers in a rally outside Victoria’s parliament, calling for better remuneration and conditions.

Lilydale High School’s principal Wendy Powson, and 30,000 other teachers, principals and public school educators walked off the job on Tuesday 24 March in a 24-hour stop-work action.

Unionised teachers voted to reject an 18 per cent pay rise offer from the government, well below the requested 35 per cent increase, with the Australian Education Union Victoria Branch stating it did not reflect the level of work teachers were tasked with.

Ms Powson said Victorian “teachers are the worst paid in the country” and for the effort, the hours and the care shown by teachers, it was not financially recognised.

“It would be good if we were brought up to the other states’ level in terms of a pay deal, for starters, because we’re quite a way behind what teachers in all other states actually get,” she said.

“So that’s the first thing, just to be on equal footing.”

Describing what goes on behind the scenes as

akin to a duck paddling in water, Ms Powson said her staff go above and beyond to keep everything on “an even keel” and “provide a great education, a great environment”

“All looks calm on the surface, but underneath, there’s a lot of movement happening to make sure that we can do what we have to do.”

Of the 103 staff who would have typically been at work, Ms Powson said 73 decided to attend the rally.

All 1600 Victorian public schools were open, but 500 were significantly disrupted, with parents told classes wouldn’t run and asked to keep their children home if possible.

At Lilydale High School, the Year 7s and most of the Year 8s attended classes, covered by the remaining teachers, while Year 11s attended for a major assessment.

As a principal, Ms Powson said, “it’s always challenging to step away” , but with a trusted team and hours of coordination, much of which was done over the weekend, she felt confident being part of the strike action.

“I’ve got a great assistant principal team, and a couple of them were in today, and they were able to steer the ship,” she said.

Meeting, talking and being part of the action,

Ms Powson said there was a sense of solidarity among teachers.

“There was a lot of passion, and the conversation was all around better funding for schools, better pay for teachers,” she said.

“The complex environments in which we work now, it does need to be recognised and remunerated.

“The complexity of the work has gone up significantly since I started teaching. It’s not an easy job. It’s a great job. One of the best jobs you can do is being involved with the future. But it’s not an easy gig these days.”

The 24-hour teachers’ strike is Victoria’s first in more than 13 years and comes eight months out from the state election.

Ms Powson was an assistant principal in 2013 and said the two strikes cannot be compared.

“This one is bigger in terms of expectations from staff in regards to getting a good deal.”

Entry-level teachers in Victoria can expect to be paid $16,500 less than those in the Northern Territory, the best-paid jurisdiction.

The union and state Labor government remain far apart on a new pay deal after an offer of 18.5 per cent increase over four years was rejected.

The union is demanding a 35 per cent increase over the same period, along with measures to address excessive workloads and ongoing staffing shortages.

Education Minister Ben Carroll said the government’s initial offer equated to $2.6 billion in extra wages and would immediately lift educators’ pay by up to $11,000.

“This is a very strong offer,” Mr Carroll told reporters on Tuesday.

But chronic staff-recruitment and retention issues across the sector, the education union’s state branch president Justin Mullaly said, needed to be addressed alongside pay.

“We shouldn’t be out here today,” Mr Mullaly said.

“Victoria, today at least, is not the education state.”

For Ms Powson, her belief in the value of a state education system remains, but she said it would become harder to provide the level of work and output without changes.

“I think state education is a really good deal, and we need to be able to keep doing the things that we do, without the burnout that occurs, and again, be remunerated appropriately for the complexity of the work.”

Objectives are on track

By Callum Ludwig

The first progress report for the Yarra Ranges Council Plan has come in, with half of the 16 objectives on target for the four-year plan.

Six further objectives require monitoring while two have been delayed.

Deputy Mayor and Chandler Ward councillor Gareth Ward said at the Tuesday 24 March council meeting that it’s really great to see that this plan is tracking well.

“It’s one of our most important documents, if not the most important document, over our four-year term,” he said.

“Considering that this Council plan was adopted not all that long ago, after a real investment of time and energy from Councillors and officers, we’re here already with the first progress report showing that the large majority of the initiatives are on track.

“I think that’s a really great foundation for the rest of the plan.”

Both of the delayed objectives fall under the category of Protected and Enhanced Natural Environment.

The council set out to develop a placebased action plan that informs energy and resilient buildings and improvement works but this was delayed due to resourcing constraints, though progress has still been made to finalise the action plan and develop or strengthen related plans.

Yarra Ranges Council also aimed to undertake a gap analysis of climate adaptation and net zero initiatives, which included developing an Energy Transition Plan and the continued rollout of ‘The Adaptation Game’ (TAG). Resourcing constraints were also the reason for this being delayed, but the Council is reviewing the Liveable Climate Plan and the Draft Energy Transition Plan and confirming resourcing to try and get it back on track.

“Of the two items showing as delayed, officers have flagged that they’re addressing

the resourcing pressures and developing recovery plans, and I’m comfortable that Council will keep us kept across the progress on those as we move throughout the year,” Cr Ward said.

“It’s also good to see that we now have baseline indicators introduced for the first time in this report, and that gives us something really concrete to measure against going forward.”

All of the Council’s Healthy Connected Communities objectives are on track, which included preparing three twon centre plans, preparing budget submissions and advocacy plans, delivering and enhancing community pavilions in Seville and Healesville and planning for an urban aquatic and leisure facility.

Of the other environmental initiatives, the Council is on track in using nature-based

solutions to increase resilience of the natural landscape and will continue to monitor progress on increasing and protecting biodiversity links and tree canopy connections.

All of the Council’s Quality Infrastructure and Liveable Places projects are on track bar a goal to diversify housing options, which being monitored. This means the Ridges and Rivers plan, storm and floodwater risk management and improved road safety and maintenance goals are progressing well.

All of the Council’s Prosperous Community and Vibrant Economy objectives are continuing to be monitored, which are enhancing local amenity and walkability, strengthening tourism destination management, establishing an Agri-Food Futures Centre of Excellence and Innovation and developing a new Green Wedge Management Plan.

Apology over recent article

Star Mail apologises for the use of defamatory language in an article published in the Tuesday 24 March edition.

The article, titled ‘Report claims genuine reasons for firearms are being exploited’, relating to concern over firearm loopholes, was printed on page 6 and published online. It included a reference to alleged death threats, which has now been removed. We apologise to the affected parties for the oversight.

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Budget open for feedback

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Ranges Council’s draft 2026-27 Budget is open for feedback for the next month after being put forward at the Tuesday 24 March council meeting.

The budget is headed by another rate rise of 2.75 per cent and almost $50 million in spending on roads, footpaths, drains, trails, recreational facilities and the natural environment of the Yarra Ranges.

Yarra Ranges Mayor and Chirnside Ward councillor Richard Higgins said it is a challenging economic environment at the moment and they’ve been forced to be responsible financially and to maintain long-term sustainability.

“The budget has been developed carefully to balance intermediate financial pressures and with the need to plan for future demands and services and infrastructure that our community do demand,” he said.

“This budget demonstrates that services and assets in the community are very valued and throughout the Council Plan 25-29, we heard very loud and clear about the services and the needs in our community and what they wanted to do.

“These include drainage... improvements in maintaining and renewing existing infrastructure, progressing multi-year capital projects and delivering essential community programs and support.”

Other key spending in the budget includes $6 million for sustainability projects and responding to climate change, including emergency management, as well as $17 million for programs and activities that “support the community through all stages of life.”

Ryrie Ward Councillor Fiona McAllister said it’s a pretty difficult task to manage a budget with so many moving parts and so many uncertainties.

“Financially we look at our debt levels, we look at our future financial position, it’s not okay to make short-term decisions like not putting rates up when it actually has a generational impact on those that come after us,” she said.

“We are operating within the rate cap in spite of costs increasing way beyond, at a much greater speed, than what the rate cap set by the state government would suggest, with many pressures emerging all the time, including probably the impact of fuel prices which will continue to play out for us as a council.”

The council estimates it will bring in $266.3 million in the next financial year, spending $260.4 million to come to a $5.9 million surplus. The Council estimates a cash balance of $38.2 million by the end of June 2027.

Lyster Ward councillor Peter McIlwain said shortfalls in funding for councils is a great concern of his over time.

“Just at the time when climate change is real-

ly kicking in and biting at our heels, we are facing ongoing shortages with respect to our funds from grants, from our federal funding… we must devote as much resources as we can to winning this argument that the Council is not just a service wing,” he said.

“We’re not just a garbage service, we’re not just a service for registering dogs or doing drainage, we’re actually a third tier of government.

“If we look at, for example, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) comparators, we’re the lowest level of local government funding in the OECD, the closest comparator to Australia is Canada which is funded about three to four times what we’re funded in Australia.”

A better retirement lifestyle

$46.7 million will be spent on the Capital Works Program, which will be funded through:

$21.4 million from Council operations (rates funded).

$10 million sourced from borrowings.

$200,000 from contributions from various sporting clubs.

$15.1 million from external grants.

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child said there are three pillars of this draft; service continuity, infrastructure investment and policy compliance.

“The draft budget guarantees the ongoing delivery of the essential council services that our residents rely on daily, and that’s probably the most important thing for us to do,” he said.

“The draft budget allocates significant resources to both the development of new assets and the critical maintenance of existing infrastructure, ensuring our municipality remains safe and modern, and that’s paramount.

“The draft budget fully adheres to the Local Government Act, our community engagement policy and maintaining the highest standards of transparency and governance, and that’s what makes a good council, and that’s what we are.”

An opportunity for ratepayers to present submissions to Councillors will take place during a special meeting on 13 May 2026 before the final budget is considered in June.

Walling Ward councillor Len Cox OAM said the council and the staff have put in a lot of work over weeks and months for this budget.

“I think it’s a pretty good budget, actually, but we’re very, very keen to write in here what the public also thinks,” he said.

“This is where the true democracy of local government comes in, that we’re certainly happy to get feedback from any or all of our public as to what they think of this budget we’ve drawn up.”

To read it yourself and provide feedback on the draft budget before 26 April, visit shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/draft-council-budget-2026-27.

Read more in the Star Mail’s breakdown of the budget in the Tuesday 7 April edition.

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Monthly calendar of events

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4-rink Bowling Green

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Locals left in lurch

By Gabriella Vukman

Locals are voicing their concerns over the Council’s updated pet registration charges.

Rate increases and the absence of a pension rate on the council pet registration bills are among key concerns.

Healesville local Sandra Thom-Jones noticed the pensioner’s rate option was missing from her son’s pet registration renewal notice.

“My son is on a disability pension and he has a dog and a cat,” Ms Thom-Jones said.

“I help him with his banking, so I was looking at his paperwork and I noticed that the amount seemed quite high compared to previous years,” she said.

Upon looking up the amounts on the Council’s website, Ms Thom-Jones found that her son had been charged the full rate.

Ms Thom-Jones said she rang them and explained the situation.

“They said my son needed to take his pension concession card into a council building and show them, before they charge him the pension concession rate,” she said.

“The council said they are updating everyone’s pension cards to check that they are still valid.

“I thought it was weird because in previous years, they have just billed him the concession rate.”

According to Ms Thom-Jones, the absence of the information telling residents to update their pension card status from the pet registration renewal notices had prompted many dismayed residents to contact the council.

“I think it’s actually quite deceptive to not have the information on the renewal notices, and have no accompanying correspondence or documentation,” Ms Thom-Jones said.

“People who receive these notices will look at the amount and pay it, and the reason we have discounted rates for people on pensions is that we know that they can’t afford the full rate.

“It’s not just my son receiving this notice; it is a large number of people, and many of those people are on pensions and will just pay it if they don’t have someone advocating for them.”

Ms Thom-Jones’s son was charged $64 for his dog, which should have cost him $23, and $60 for his cat, which should have been $20.

“It is really important that people know not to pay the full rate if they have a pension,” Ms ThomJones said.

“These people love their pets and try and do the right thing and pay.”

Beyond the absence of information surrounding pensioners’ rates in the issued pet registration notices, the fees themselves have caused a ruckus in the community.

Lilydale local John Annison was shocked to find that the registration for a neutered cat had risen by 20 per cent since last year.

“I went to pay the bill, and it was $60 per cat, and when I looked at my bank statements, I found last year’s payment was only $50,” he said.

“If they keep hiking the rates like that, in about three years it will cost $100 per cat.

“It is just outrageous that people have to pay this, especially when we are all struggling with the cost of living.”

Mr Annison has owned his two cats for twelve years and relies on them for companionship.

“Our cats are good company, and we have always had them,” Mr Annison said.

“We can afford to pay the fees, but I am worried about people who can’t.

“There are a lot of people living on their own, who like to come home to their pet, or who rely on animals for companionship.”

Mr Annison voiced concerns about people abandoning their pets.

“If the rates keep going up, people will think ‘oh my pet is getting too expensive,’ and by the time they pay pet bills and feed the thing, and everything else, they might end up getting rid of the thing, because it is all too expensive,” Mr Annison said.

“Inflation has taken off, but it is nowhere near 20 per cent,” he said.

“I think the Council’s increase in rates is simply boosting inflation.”

In 2019, it cost $26 to register a neutered cat, and in 2023 it cost $33.50.

Director of Communities at the Yarra Ranges Council Leanne Hurst said council fees and charges, including pet registration fees, are subject to an annual review.

“Pet registrations fees help offset the cost of providing vital animal management services to the community, such as collecting and returning lost animals and managing nuisance issues,” she said.

“The fee review process includes assessing inflation indexation and considering the rising costs of delivering animal management services.”

According to Ms Hurst, this year, the Council

New plan, higher rates

By Gabriella Vukman

The Yarra Ranges Council’s new waste management plan will see an $8 increase in waste service charges for residential properties, and an $11 increase for non-residential properties. These additional costs are based on the inclusion of illegal dumping, litter collection, and closed landfill management as well as waste service education, litter management at events and festivals, and community waste management activities, into the Council’s waste management budget.

Before the introduction of the new plan, the waste service charge included only a portion of illegal dumping costs, including those linked to hard waste collections.

Tuesday’s Council meeting on 24 March saw the motion to support the adoption of the new plan passed unanimously. Changes in state government regulations were a partial reason for the changes in the new plan. Operatingonafull-cost-recoverymodelinlinewith the Victorian Government’s 2026 Guidelines, the waste service rates of the new plan will not be higher than the costs incurred by the council for providing the service. In Tuesday’s meeting, Councillor Jim Child noted: “The Councildoesnotintendtoprofitfromthenew waste model, rather break even.”

“This policy is a transparent framework designedtoalignwiththeadministrativegood practice guidelines of 2026, while ensuring that our community receives high-quality waste management,” Councillor Child said.

According to the new plan, any surplus in funding will be filtered into the Council’s Waste Reserve fund.

Councillor Child said in Tuesday’s meeting, “The Waste Reserve’s purpose is to manage the natural variation in costs and budget, like landfill levies and fluctuation in recycling commodity prices.”

also needed to factor in scheduled increases to the State Government’s mandatory levy, which doubled from around $4.51 to around $9 per animal.

Ms Hurst said this is a mandatory fee that councils must pay to the State Government for each cat and dog registration they collect.

“We also monitor fees at comparable Victorian councils during reviews to ensure we remain broadly aligned and continue delivering appropriate, cost-effective services,” she said.

“We are conscious of cost of living pressures and do not take any decision to increase fees lightly and we are committed to keeping fees fair and consistent with comparable councils, while continuing to support responsive services across the municipality.”

Ms Hurst confirmed that the Council undertakes annual reviews of their fees and charges prior to making any changes and takes multiple factors into consideration, including the ongoing cost of delivering the service, any changes to relevant legislative or State Government fees, and benchmarking with neighbouring and similar local government areas.

Regarding the absence of the option of a pensioner’s fee from the pet registration renewal forms issued by the council, Ms Hurst said this was an unfortunate error and they sincerely apologise to affected residents.”

“We reassure pet owners with a Pension Concession that they remain entitled to the discounted rate and we are taking steps to rectify the mistake,” Ms Hurst said.

“The error affected around 50 per cent of residents with a pension concession card and was the result of a system changeover, which was not detected in our testing.”

Ms Hurst confirmed the Council is contacting affected residents to outline the steps being taken to resolve the issue. This includes reissuing corrected notices, offering additional time to make payment where needed, and processing refunds for residents who have already paid their registration in full without the discount being applied.

Ms Hurst said affected residents who notice that their pension discount has not been applied are asked to disregard the notice and refrain from making payment at this time.

“A corrected registration notice will be issued within the coming weeks, and due dates will be extended so residents impacted by this error will not be disadvantaged further,” she said.

“This model ensures that any surplus generated in a high efficiency year is reinvested into future waste services,” Councillor Child said.

The new plan also sets the default bin allocation to 80 litres, which is the lowest cost service, and envelopes the previously standalone tip pass policy through incorporating the requirements into a new community waste voucher program.

Acting Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures at the Yarra Ranges Council Nathan Islip told Stat Mail, “Waste collection is one of our most fundamental services in local government, and one we take extremely seriously. “

“We work constructively and collaboratively with the State Government to deliver this service, which includes making submissions on how we believe it should be delivered, representing the views of our community,” he told Star Mail.

“Arecentexampleofthiswasouradvocacy to the State Government against the implementation of glass recycling bins, in favour of expanding the Container Deposit Scheme to reduce contamination and provide community members with the opportunity to collect container refunds.”

In the face of the current fuel crisis, the Yarra Ranges Council confirmed their waste management contractor has not experienced reduced allocation of fuel.

According to Mr Islip, the Council is acutelyawareoftheglobalfuelcrisis,andhavebeen working through the impact on our operations.

Mr Islip confirmed the Waste Service Charge is calculated separately to rates, and varies by household based on the waste service packages residential and non-residential ratepayers opt into. Mr Islip told Star Mail, “We carefully forecast and calculate our Waste Charge for the year, with the goal of fully covering the cost of the service, and running our service as cost-efficiently as possible.”

“The charge is influenced by external factors,suchastheVictorianGovernment’slandfill levy. We do not anticipate a surplus from the proposed Waste Service Charge in this year’s budget,” he said.

Scheduled for final adoption in June 2026, the Council’s draft waste policy and annual budget have been released to the community for consultation.

Forum won’t be attended

By Callum Ludwig

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is taking proactive action to halt corruption before it occurs, getting out to local councils to discuss best practice.

Yarra Ranges Council were one of a number of councils invited to a forum in May in Mansfield Shire to “learn how to identify, prevent and manage integrity risks.”

Yarra Ranges Council’s Acting Director Corporate Services Jarrod Reid said while they encourage these conversations across the local government sector, Yarra Ranges Council will not be sending staff to this event.

“Yarra Ranges Council has a well-established Fraud Control Policy that outlines our approach to preventing, detecting and managing fraud and corruption involving Councillors, employees, volunteers and contractors,” he said.

“This policy reflects our strong stance on integrity and our ongoing commitment to maintaining community confidence in our systems and processes.

“We are aware of the upcoming Fraud Forum and recognise the value of sector-wide collaboration, particularly for smaller councils that may benefit from shared experiences and good practice.”

The upcoming forum is focused on helping these councils to understand and collaborate on managing conflicts of interest, misuse of information and resources, improper influence and vulnerabilities in procurement.

IBAC Deputy Commissioner Colleen Bell, who will be speaking at the forum, said integrity in government, including local government, is on the forefront of people’s minds now more than ever before.

“I think it’s really important to start with preventing public sector corruption and misconduct, and that comes from awareness and education and of course it’s important, I think, for rural and regional councils to work togeth-

er,” she said.

“We found in the most recent parliamentary inquiry, which really did shine a light on the fact that there are systemic barriers for rural and regional councils in terms of numbers of staff and limited resources so it’s about pulling together and implementing best practice fraud and corruption controls as a collective.

“As far as IBAC’s goal, at the end of the day, it’s to have a public sector and police trusted by the community to act with integrity.”

Deputy ombudsman Kerryn Ellis from the office of the Victorian Ombudsman, chief

Secure your preferred home today

municipal inspector Michael Stefanovic and manager of investigations David Walker from the Local Government Inspectorate will be the other speakers at the event.

Ms Bell said the forum is about ensuring councils lead with and understand the importance of a culture of integrity and getting new councillors and staff on board about “speak up culture.”

“We have to start with looking at an understanding what corruption risk looks like for local government, we’ve got new staff members and a lot of new councillors so it’s about iden-

tifying what the risks look like and we can do that through looking at our data,” she said.

“One of the main key risks that we find in local government in the regional areas is conflicts of interest and not so much having a conflict of interest but it’s about failing to declare and manage a conflict of interest.

“One of the important practices in place would be about having a firm policy in place, a conflict of interest register, declaration forms, personal interest disclosures, it’s about being able to have really firm and robust systems in place, which then is a first line of defence to combating corruption.”

When IBAC asked local councillors for their “Perceptions of corruption 2025” survey, 57 per cent of respondents believed their organisation was moderately or highly vulnerable to corruption.

Ms Bell said it’s incredibly important to have proactive measures in place and they see a great value in the work that they do.

“We have done 23 engagement events over the past 18 months with local government stakeholders, and about nine in the last 12 months…that includes presentations to individual councils as part of their mandatory councillor induction programs, but also participating in events such as this forum and other roundtables for local government staff and events hosted by peak bodies as well.

“In the last financial year, 2024/25, we delivered 161 corruption and misconduct prevention initiatives, including events like this one, but also putting out reports, resources, campaigns, and speaking at local events and internal events as well as forums.

“I think it’s also important to recognise the great work and commitment from within the local government sector to implement integrity practices and to seek advice, proactively seek advice and engage with IBAC, whether that be during sessions, webinars, or reaching out to us individually as a council so I’d really like to applaud those who have been so engaged.”

Summerset Chirnside Park has officially launched and our first release of homes are selling off the plan now.* Offering a choice of 2, 2.5 and 3 bedroom homes.

Summerset Chirnside Park is a modern village with resort-style facilities that will redefine retirement living, with the reassurance that there will be a residential aged care home onsite.^

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Tree policy changes delayed

By Tanya Steele

An updated policy for tree works and removal has been slowed for approval by a majority vote by councillors in the Yarra Ranges.

A last-minute notice of motion saw changes to the Yarra Ranges Council’s Tree Policy delayed until 9 June to allow “further consideration” on the matter.

Mayor Richard Higgins said at the meeting on Tuesday 24 March, that it was quite evident there were several questions that were still outstanding and that there was a bit of concern about things missing within the policy.

“That’s the reason behind the deferral,” he said.

The tree policy details how the council deals with tree inspections and works across the Yarra Ranges and how trees are dealt with both reactively and proactively.

It takes into account other council policies and strategies for the Yarra Ranges particular environment, such as the tree canopy strategy.

Last updated in 2017, the current tree policy was up for the community to weigh in on for an engagement between 15 January and 8 February this year.

Councillors were not permitted to comment on the document that evening, but several changes had been drafted into the newer document.

Updated changes to the legislature had been made and a lot of operational detail was streamlined and stated to have moved into the Council’s Tree Management Plan and Tree Risk Assessment Framework.

As these are internal operational documents, they were not included in the council’s engagement draft policy.

Tree risk classification was stated to be based on information provided by the International Society of Arboriculture through a link and more detail said to be within the council’s tree risk framework.

A bigger change involved the approach to customer complaints and escalations.

The updated draft for 2024 to 2028 would see the tree policy follow the same approach as the Council’s four-tiered customer complaints policy in aid of creating a fairer and more just process for residents.

Applying to trees on council land, this fresh tree policy draft will also remove the old deci-

sion removal process.

In the supporting documents for the new draft, the old process was acknowledged to have been successful at times in providing decisions on tree retention/removal that fell outside the normal arboricultural assessment framework.

“It does, however, mean that the process

may not be equitable for all residents,” read the document.

In the engagement information on the Yarra Ranges website, it was explained that the proposed process will result in more consistent, equitable and timely decisions for residents about trees on Council land.

Coming out against the motion to delay the update, Cr Fiona McAllister, Cr Peter McIlwain and Cr Jim Child OAM said they were prepared to vote on the policy that evening.

“I know a huge body of work has gone into this... and there have been several conversations with us as a councillor group... it’s not great governance for us to be doing this at the last minute,” said Cr McAllister.

“We were briefed very well,” said Cr Child. Cr Len Cox said he would support the motion, with the rest of the council also supporting.

“I don’t think we’re quite ready to vote on it tonight. I think we need a little bit more work on it, and council motions are important,” he said.

Come June, the policy change for tree management will again be up for endorsement.

“I think we need to see a broader understanding,” said Cr Tim Heenan.

REV IT UP

Expert advice and service

Right in the heart of Lilydale, Treadworx is a proudly family-owned business that’s been keeping locals rolling for more than seven years. Known for friendly service and genuine expertise, the team at Treadworx specialises in 4x4 vehicles, as well as everything from everyday cars to wheelbarrows!

With an extensive selection of tyres from

trusted brands like Maxxis, Yokohama, Falken, Kumho and more, Treadworx has the perfect option for every vehicle — whether you’re after durability, high performance, or a balance of both. Their wheel collection is equally impressive, featuring favourites such as ROH, PDW, Lenso, Extreme 4x4, Dynamic, Sniper, and many others, ensuring your ride combines both style

and strength.

As an authorised Fulcrum Suspensions and Tough Dog Suspension dealer, Treadworx also offers a complete range of suspension upgrades and products, expertly fitted to suit your driving needs, especially for off-road adventures.

Owner Nathan Hawkless sums it up best: “With over 25 years of experience and a knowl-

edgeable team, we’re committed to providing top-quality products and honest service at competitive prices.”

For expert advice, reliable service, and a team that truly cares, Treadworx Lilydale is your local destination. Drop by and see why so many drivers, especially 4x4 enthusiasts, trust them for tyres, wheels, and suspension.

HAD YOUR DAMAGED?

UPLOAD YOUR EVIDENCE NOW HAD YOUR BURGLED?

REGISTER YOUR AND STAY SAFE HAD YOUR GO MISSING? HAD YOUR STOLEN? KEEP YOUR WHILE AWAY

Dancers put on a spectacular display of talent and skill. (Cath Odgers)

Festival puts on a show

It was an incredibly

Scottish and Celtic heritage on Sunday 29 March. From the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Championships to dancing and the impressive heavy games, the full scale of Scottish/Celtic culture was on show. Here’s a selection of photos from the day.

HEALTHY OPTIONS Main Street has

At Main Street Medical and Main Street Cosmetic & Skin in Lilydale, preventive care is a core part of what we do—helping patients stay well through the right checks, screening and practical plans at the right time. Menopause and perimenopause are a good example of where early, structured care can make a meaningful difference.

For many women, this stage of life begins quietly and builds over time. Sleep disruption, hot flushes, mood changes, brain fog, fatigue, changes in periods, weight changes and joint aches are common, but they’re not always recognised early—especially when life is busy and symptoms are easy to dismiss.

To support women more effectively, Medicare introduced dedicated menopause and perimenopause health assessment services (from 1 July 2025). These longer, structured appointments are designed for people experiencing premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, perimenopause or menopause. The purpose is simple: to create the time and space for a proper, whole-person review—rather than trying to cover everything in a standard consultation.

A menopause/perimenopause health assessment allows your GP to take a thorough history, check key physical measures such as blood pressure and weight, and—where appropriate—arrange relevant investigations or referrals. Just as importantly, it’s an opportunity to review preventive health needs that matter in midlife, such as cervical screening, breast screening and bone health, and to discuss treatment options in a balanced, individualised way. The outcome is a clear plan that suits your symptoms, your health risks and your goals.

In many cases, these Medicare services can be bulk billed for eligible patients (meaning no outof-pocket cost). If cost is a concern, our reception team can guide you on eligibility and fees when booking.

We’re also pleased to welcome Dr Maanasa Bandla, our new female GP registrar, now seeing patients at Main Street as part of our supervised training program. Dr Bandla works closely with our experienced team and shares our strong focus on preventive care and women’s wellbeing,

helping patients feel heard, informed and supported.

If you’ve been meaning to book a check-in but haven’t known where to start, a menopause or perimenopause health assessment can be a practical first step.

To learn more or to book an appointment, visit msmedical.com.au, book via HotDoc, or phone the clinic.

Main Street Medical & Main Street Cosmetic & Skin 285–289 Main Street, Lilydale.

Three-year project done

Kilsyth’s Kirkbrae Presbyterian Homes unveiled the long-awaited renewed community hall and church on Thursday 26 March, with residents gathering to launch the refreshed space.

The old community hall was over 60 years old, built when the village first opened and had become tired.

Embarking on the three-year project, from planning to the handover, retirement living manager Melanie Tielen said the $3 million project marked the beginning of change for the retirement and aged care home.

As the only Presbyterian aged care facility in the outer east, and with the closest Presbyterian churches being in Croydon and Mount Evelyn, the Kilsyth facility means a great deal to the residents.

Iconic owls a delight in cooler months

By Tanya Steele

The Yarra Ranges are a stronghold for some amazing birdlife, including many different types of owl, and the colder months can be a great time to listen to and maybe even spot local owls.

As the chill settles into the evening air, the region’s nocturnal birds begin to make themselves known, and their solemn soundtrack takes shape, echoing across the night.

From the Australian Boobook to the Powerful Owl, the largest in Australia, Life Sciences Manager from Healesville Sanctuary, Falk Wicker, said this time of year is particularly interesting for owl enthusiasts.

“The Yarra Ranges is a really important part of their distribution, although they do move around a little bit,” he said, talking about the Powerful Owl in particular.

Young owls that have recently left the nest are on the move, learning the landscape and gradually searching for territories of their own.

“They’re old enough to move around,” said Mr Wicker.

Adult birds, too, can be more flexible outside the breeding season, sometimes turning up in unexpected places.

Both iconic apex night hunters and a quiet icon of the Yarra Ranges, the Powerful Owl is endemic to Australia and found mainly in the south-east.

The amazing birds have a wingspan pushing well over a metre and a diet that is often almost entirely possums, usually ringtail.

Powerful Owl are both elusive and surprisingly close to home for many visitors and residents across the region.

The calls in the night most often heard in the

Yarra Ranges can be credited to the common owl species, the Australian Boobook, whose classic “boo-book” call carries clearly through the night air.

Not random, owl calls can be heard for many reasons andthe males can be heard calling to defend territory and attract mates.

“Boobook comes in different subspecies as well, so they’re not always looking the same in different parts of Australia,” said Mr Wicker.

Local owls depend on one thing the modern landscape often lacks: old trees with natural hollows.

Essential nesting sites, finding a suitable hollow, can be one of the biggest challenges facing owl populations.

Another less visible threat comes from rodent poisons and secondary poisoning occurs when owls eat rats or mice that have consumed anticoagulant rodenticides.

The rodents become easy prey as the poison affects their nervous systems, but the toxin then accumulates in the owl.

Wildlife carers say one of the simplest ways residents can help owls is to carefully choose rodent control products and avoid second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR) where possible.

“Rodenticides eventually kill the owls,” said Mr Wicker.

Young owls learning to navigate the world can also sometimes end up in awkward places, including on the ground.

In bushland, this may be part of their learning process, but in suburban areas, it can put them at risk from dogs, cars and people.

If an owl appears injured or unable to move away, people are encouraged to contact the wildlife team at Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian Wildlife Health Centre for advice or head to contact their local wildlife rescuer.

Drivers in known owl areas are also urged to slow down at night, particularly during the later months of the year when young birds are dispersing.

Local environmental groups occasionally run guided night walks for all types of nighttime fauna, offering a chance to hear and sometimes see the region’s owl species in the wild.

Getting too close may halt breeding, so people should never get too close or stand under a roosting owl, stick to the tracks and observe the animal quietly.

For those who prefer a guaranteed sighting, visitors can learn more about owls up close at Healesville Sanctuary’s “Spirits of the Sky” presentation, where Barking Owls are part of the daily program.

“We have two Barking Owls here at the Sanctuary,” said Mr Wicker.

If people are outside at night and hear the owls calling, they can record the sound using the iNaturalist phone app, and this becomes a scientific record which helps further research.

Birds like the Powerful Owl, rarely seen, and the regular hooting of the Boobook owl add another layer of wonder to living in the Yarra Ranges.

So next time you hear a call in the night, pause and listen. The forest might be talking back.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Go wild and visit the zoo

On a stunning 12 ha property with sweeping views to Mt Buller and beyond is a very special place where Dr Doolittle dreams of talking to the animals regularly come true.

A fabulous day out for the whole family, and one of the best kept secrets of Victoria’s High Country, the Mansfield Zoo is home to all kinds of Australian and exotic animals.

Once inside the gates, discover a surprising and magical place where kids can interact with and hand feed a large variety of animals like the kangaroos and deer and guinea pigs that roam freely.

The zoo is also home to a colony of Meerkats as well as Marmosets and Capuchin monkeys, llamas and alpacas, wombats, a variety of birds including red tail black cockatoos and peacocks, water buffalo and antelope.

There are also three magnificent African lions,

including two, rare white lions (of only 100 in the world!), and visitors of all ages can experience the thrill of being up close to these majestic creatures on a daily feeding tour of these as well as other animals at the zoo. Don’t forget to watch out for Zambezi, our Zebra, coming soon to Mansfield Zoo.

It’s an ideal place for large family gatherings with lovely, undercover places to picnic and barbecue. And for a truly unique family experience, there are gorgeous campsites to spend the whole night under the stars and literally wake up to the sounds of the jungle.

Mansfield Zoo’s Bronwyn and Dave and their dedicated team welcome visitors every day from 10am to 6pm, except for Christmas Day. It’s a perfect way to introduce children to the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom in a safe, relaxed and picturesque environment.

Come

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Holiday fun at Blue Lotus

As autumn settles across the Yarra Valley, the breathtaking Blue Lotus Water Garden bursts into life with a spectacular seasonal display and an exciting program of school holiday activities designed for the whole family. With thousands of vibrant blooms creating a kaleidoscope of colour, this much-loved destination offers the perfect mixofnaturalbeautyandoutdoorfunjustashort drive from Melbourne.

During the April school holidays, the gardens transform into a lively hub of entertainment where children can explore, play, and immerse themselves in nature. Wide open spaces invite kids to run freely in the fresh country air, while winding paths lead families through stunning floral displays and tranquil water features. It is

an experience that feels both relaxing and full of discovery.

One of the standout features of the Blue Lotus Water Garden is its incredible value for families. Children under 16 receive free garden entry throughout the season, making it an affordable day out, with only selected events such as the EasterEggHuntsandDinosaurShowsrequiringa smalladditionalticket.Itisathoughtfulapproach that ensures families can enjoy the gardens without stretching the budget.

There is no shortage of entertainment across the holiday period. From meeting the Easter Bunny and joining in the ever-popular Easter egg hunts, to stepping back in time during the thrill-

ing Dinosaur Weekends, there is something to capture every child’s imagination. Fairy Weeks add a touch of magic to the gardens, while live magic shows and face painting bring extra excitement to selected days, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere that runs throughout the break.

Beyond the activities, the garden itself is designed with families in mind. Dozens of picnic shelters and free BBQ facilities make it easy to settle in for a relaxed lunch, while expansive grassy areas provide plenty of room for games and downtime. For those who prefer to travel light, the onsite cafe and ice cream kiosk offer a wide range of meals, snacks, drinks, and sweet treats to suit all tastes.

Special seasonal pricing also adds to the appeal. During Fairy Weeks, families can take advantage of discounted Autumn Saver tickets, making it even easier to plan a memorable outing. With a variety of ticket options available for different events, visitors are encouraged to book online in advance, particularly for weekends and public holidays when sessions can sell out.

Open daily throughout the season, with extended hours on weekends and over Easter, the Blue Lotus Water Garden offers a flexible and rewarding escape for families seeking something a littledifferenttheseschoolholidays.Whetheryou are there for the flowers, the festivities, or simply the chance to unwind outdoors, it is a destination that promises colour, joy, and lasting memories.

Issue must be addressed

The latest crime statistics show police responded to more than 100,000 callouts for domestic violence in 2025 – almost 2,000 each week, more than 10 every hour.

Domestic violence incidents in the Yarra Valley alone have risen more than 15 per cent in five years.

Worryingly, in the December crime stats, ‘Breach of Family Violence Order’ in the council area was the number one offence.

Yet one of the most insidious and largely unrecognised forms is blind to the law.

Coercive control takes many forms – constant criticism, humiliation and gaslighting; some people are cut off from their friends, family, or support networks, while others have their every move tracked by a partner who also checks phones or controls their social media.

The state state of

affairs

Cindy McLeish MP Member for Eildon

NSW and Queensland do, the United Kingdom have had such laws for more than a decade.

That’s why, in December last year, I introduced legislation in Parliament to criminalise coercive control as an independent offence.

It was immediately rejected by the Allan Labor Government; however, by the afternoon just six hours later, the government had backflipped, promising to criminalise coercive control in early 2026.

strengthen protections for victims by recognising patterns of power and control and helping to stop them earlier.

This won’t be without challenges. Coercive control can look different for everyone, particularly across diverse communities, which can make it harder to identify and report.

But putting the right legal framework and support systems in place is a critical first step.

Victims can suffer for years at the hands of a controlling partner, yet here in Victoria, there are no stand-alone laws to protect people from this wicked behaviour.

Embarrassingly Victoria has no laws for coercive control.

It can dictate what someone wears, where they go, who they see or restrict access to and ultimately threaten harm, self-harm or take children.

Bits of burlesque

The Round

Euphoric

Looking for a night out that’s a little different? Don’t miss Euphoric, a modern day variety show like no other.

This unique show brings together burlesque, comedy, cabaret, dance and more in the fast-paced, high-energy night.

It’s bold, cheeky, and guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

And don’t forget… dress to impress. We’ll be awarding a Best Dressed prize, so bring on the sequins, feathers, boas and your favourite.

The more extra, the better. Come to laugh, cheer, and be blown away.

• Season: Sunday 3 May at 7.30pm. Burrinja Theatre

One Mississippi World Tour 2026. Three-time nominated Grammy-nominated blues legend Eric Bibb returns to Australia with his first full-band tour since early 2023, celebrating his groundbreaking new album One Mississippi (out January 2026).

Expect the complete live experience: Bibb’s unmistakable voice and storytelling, backed by a powerhouse trio featuring Staffen Astner on guitar, Ray Charles Glen Scott (musical director and bass) and former “forever drummer” for Nina Simone, Paul Robinson. Together, they bring One Mississippi to life in all it’s soulful, socially conscious and musically adventurous glory adventurous glory.

The aet blends new material, including the infectious first dingle This One Don’t, with beloved songs from bob’s rich catalogue and a few surprises cavesson.

• Season: Tuesday 21 April at 7.30pm for Australian audiences.

Kemp’s urtain call curtain

Eltham Little Theatre

A tomb with a View

Set in a sinister old library as one likely to come across, presided over by a portrait of a grim faced, mad eyed old man.

There, a dusty lawyer reads a will (involving some millions of pounds) to an equally sinister family.

One member of which has Werewolf tendencies, another wanders around in a toga of Julius Caesar and a third ember is a gentle old lady who plants more than seeds in her flower beds.

By the third act, there are more corpses than live members left in the show with no two dying alike.

And what about the sympathetic nurse and the author of romantic novels? Are they all more than they seem to be?

All is revealed as the plot twists and turns to its surprising conclusion.

• Season: 1-16 May.

Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre

The Female of the Species- A Reminder

Margot Mason is a feminist writer suffer from writer’s block. Molly Rivers, her former student, arrives unexpectedly at her country home with a gun, blaming Margo for warping her mother’s mind with her best-selling book.

• Season: 10 May.

As we enter the final week of the first sitting session of the year there is still no legislation in the Parliament.

Victoria needs to catch up with other states that are already leading on this issue.

Right now, it’s falling behind New South Wales and Queensland, both of which have criminalised coercive control as a standalone offence. Bringing Victoria into line would significantly

More needs to be done to protect people from coercive control, just as much as we need to protect from physical domestic violence. This change needs to happen sooner than later.

Labor needs to make good on its promise.

As Shadow Minister for Prevention of Family Violence, I will keep pushing to criminalise coercive control as a stand-alone offence.

Does what it says on tin

They Will Kill You

Starring Zazie Beetz, Myha’la and Patricia Arquette MA15+ 4.5/5

Directed by Kirill Sokolov, They Will Kill You is a bloody good action-horror film that you could describe as a reverse-slasher movie of sorts.

After a lengthy prison sentence, Asia Reaves (Zazie Beetz) accepts a maid job at the prestigious Virgil hotel in New York to rescue her estranged sister Maria (Myha’la) from its Satanic owners.

Beetz proves a poignant but feisty lead and an action powerhouse as Asia. The creative, bloodsoaked action scenes are cleanly-shot (ironically) and easy to follow, with plenty of wide shots and long cuts to show off the choreography. With its high-rise setting and brutal combat, They Will Kill You often feels like a supernatural Blaxploitation version of The Raid: Redemption, but the highlight action scene involving a burning axe in a dark room could be a tribute to Bong Joon-ho’s 2014 film Snowpiercer. Much of They Will Kill You’s deliciously dark humour stems from its strong clashing personalities (which makes up for their thin writing) and the absurdity of Asia,

a small black woman, beating and slicing up serial killers only for them to constantly come back (and there is a brilliant thread of body horror-comedy involving a roving eyeball). With the villains effectively unkillable and Asia hitting back as hard as she gets, a film like this could easily lack any suspense. However, They Will Kill You still draws solid tension from Asia and Maria’s turbulent relationship, the well-defined rules of the hotel owners’ immortality and how Asia uses this pact against them. Plus, the plot makes economical use of its swift 94 minutes, building to a hilariously deranged climax.

A short, grisly-sweet, incredibly fun horroraction movie, They Will Kill You is playing at most Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

A future that can be now

The Dream Hotel, by Moroccan-American author Laila Lalami, was long-listed for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Set in a near-future America, it is a finalist to the 2026 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel.

ThestoryfollowsSaraHussein,amuseumarchivist who is returning from London to her family in California.

ArrivingattheLosAngelesInternationalAirport, SaraisinterceptedbytheRiskAssessmentAdministrationbecauseitsAIalgorithmhasdeterminedshe is at imminent risk of committing a crime.

Here, readers are reminded of the Precrime Division in Philip K Dick’s 1956 sci-fi novelette “The Minority Report”

However, compared to Dick’s “precogs” , the AI algorithm in Lalami’s dystopian story is much scarier because it takes a “holistic” approach and observes more than 200 types of data connected to each individual. That data is then calculated into a “risk score” – if one’s score reaches above a certain threshold, then many of their privileges can be taken away, including their freedom.

In Sara’s case, using data collected from her dreams, the AI algorithm determines she will harm her husband. As a result, she is detained for observation for 21 days – or so she is told.

Tosaytheleast,Sara’sstayatthe“dreamhotel”is both horrendous and terrifying.

As weeks become months, every tiny infraction is deemed a reason to extend her detention period. Worse, the “retainees” are constantly monitored through cameras and other devices, including and especially their “Dreamsavers” , a widely used skull implant that is supposed to ensure better sleep.

The product’s fine print allows its manufacturer to share the user’s dreams with the government –

PASSION FOR PROSE

and people are fine with this, because data mining of the kind by big tech companies not only enables law enforcement agencies to identify and detain potentialmurderersandotherviolentcriminalsbut also helps prevent suicides.

Indeed, in that near-future America: “Entire generations have never known life without surveillance. Watched from the womb to the grave, they take corporate ownership of their personal data to beafactoflife,asnaturalasleavesgrowingontrees.”

“That they have committed no crime is beside the point.” Who cares if the government surveillance is pervasive? It is OK for a minority to suffer some inconvenience, as long as the majority can live in safety and peace…right?

To this reviewer, what makes The Dream Hotel such a compelling read is its plausibility – that “near future” can be NOW, with our world being increasingly algorithmic, with advanced technologies constantly used to monitor our behaviours and influence our views, and, in some cases, with state-sanctioned abuse of power allowed and even encouragedinordertoservespecificpoliticalagendas.

Finding a balance

By Maria Millers

Amanda Gorman – The Hill We Climb:

For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.

As we enter the last week before Easter, known by Christians as Holy Week, many are unsettled and concerned about the seemingly escalating Middle East conflict and its inevitable effects on us.

It’s also the traditional time for many to make most of the long Easter break before the cold weather settles in.

However, there’ll be those this year thinking twice about a long weekend escape with the rising prices of both fuel and airline tickets undoubtedly playing a big part in their decisions.

It’s natural to feel disturbed by what’s happening in the Middle East right now and those who have been closely following the unfolding events feel for those affected.

But can we really feel what it’s really like to have your home and neighbourhoods destroyed, family or friends killed or injured and find yourself homeless with only the clothes you’re wearing?

As American Palestinian poet Naomi Shihab Nye points out:

Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things, feel the future dissolve in a moment like salt in a weakened broth. What you held in your hand, what you counted and carefully saved, all this must go so you know how desolate the landscape can be between the regions of kindness.

But humans are remarkably adaptive. History shows that even in prolonged, frightening situations, most people don’t stay in a constant state of panic—they find ways to function, connect, and even rebuild.

In Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur reminds us of human resilience:

what is stronger than the human heart which shatters over and over and still lives

That is of course not saying that we should feel no empathy for the suffering we see daily with an estimated eight million displaced across the Middle East, the many killed and the destruction to rubble of whole towns.

And as citizens we have a right to question any involvements our government undertakes and voice our concerns.

With so many left homeless there will again be a new wave of refugees as Warsan Shire so starkly captures displacement in her poem, Home: No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark…

And as hard as it has been for many Australians lately with high inflation, rising interest rates and cost of living pressures we cannot compare it to the suffering in places affected by the war.

Yet you can care deeply about the world without carrying the full emotional weight of it every moment.

Staying informed and staying well are both important—and they need to be balanced As Mary Oliver reminds us in her calming and reflective poem The Summer Day that gently pulls your focus away from global stress and back to your own life and choices.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life

You will not be able to end the conflicts in the Middle East but you may be able to give a hand to an overwhelmed with work neighbour or relative.

But the war is still impacting on our daily lives and distance does not protect us.

We are a society whose economy depends so heavily on the energy and by products from oil.

From the petrol that fills our cars to the fertilizers our farmers rely on to grow our food to the numerous applications of plastic.

And not just plumbers or similar trades but vital in areas such as medicine.

Without it, IV fluids, blood storage, and countless medical devices wouldn’t be possible.

Plastics are used in critical equipment that keeps people alive: and without plastics many modern treatments simply wouldn’t exist.

Think ventilators, blood bags, dialysis machines, heart valves and stents.

Anywhere you turn there is a dependence on oil in one way or another.

Our weaning from this dependence may take a long time to achieve.

Those disturbed and affected by the news should acknowledge what’s happening but take care to avoid sensational content and choose long form factual reporting over social media out of context snippets.

Doom scrolling only increases anxiety but delivers no answers.

Poetry can be a really powerful way to steady yourself when the world feels overwhelming—it doesn’t deny the tension, but it helps you hold it differently.

It’s often read in times of crisis because it emphasizes inner control, even when external events are harsh.

That has over time been the function of Poet Laureates who have served during periods of war, crisis, or national upheaval—and their role often becomes especially meaningful in those moments.

Lord Alfred Ternnyson captured both heroism and tragedy of the Crimean War shaping public memory of a disastrous military event.

More recently Carol Ann Duffy was Laureate during the Iraq War, bringing modern conflict and marginalized voices to the public and similarly American Laureate, Billy Collins memorialized the victims of September 11 attacks in his poem The Names.

Though promised for 2026 regrettably we still have no Poet Laureate to guide us through difficult times.

However you end up spending the Easter break hopefully it leaves you grounded and calm.

The news shouts from the edges of the room, but the kettle still hums, and light falls the same across the table. Somewhere, the world is breaking— but here, your breath arrives and leaves without asking permission.

Step outside.

The sky has not changed its mind about you.

Saturday, 18April 2026 7:30- 9:30PM

Advocacy for transport key

The Yarra Ranges Council announced it will ramp up advocacy to the State Government for better public transport.

The Yarra Ranges has some of the highest car dependence in metropolitan Melbourne, and its public transport options infrequent and unreliable, leaving residents challenged as they try to get from A to B.

More than 90 per cent of residents commute to work by car and only 41 per cent of our households are within walking distance of public transport.

Yarra Ranges mayor Richard Higgins said this distance makes it harder for people to access the community.

“For many people, this makes it harder to get to work, school and limits access to health services, particularly for young people, older residents and those on lower incomes,” he said.

“It also adds pressure to our roads, increases emissions and can leave people feeling isolated. For some people, particularly older adults and people with disabilities, lack of good public transport can mean they cannot access their communities.

“These challenges are set to grow as areas including Lilydale, Mooroolbark and Chirnside Park continue to develop, with more than 20,000 new residents expected by 2041. Without improvements to public transport, congestion and accessibility issues will worsen.”

Cr Higgins said that in regions of the Yarra Ranges, such as the Dandenongs and the Upper Yarra area, bus services don’t connect

well, are infrequent and miss crucial areas.

“Better bus services would also support tourists and visitors to our area to access our major attractions without travelling by car,” Cr Higgins said.

“While public transport planning and funding sit with the Victorian Government, Yarra Ranges Council plays an important role in advocating for better outcomes on behalf of the community.

“Council is calling on the Victorian Government to prioritise funding and review key transport projects that improve connectivity, safety and service reliability across the region.”

These projects include improvements to bus services, including better connections to trains and between key townships, increasing service frequency and hours, and expanding on-demand services.

“We’re also advocating for the duplication of the Lilydale rail line and for major upgrades to the Belgrave Station. Together, these projects will help create a more connected and sustainable transport network for Yarra Ranges,” Cr Higgins said.

“As we approach the Victorian State Election, Council is outlining its key advocacy priorities on behalf of the Yarra Ranges community.”

Visit yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/Advocacy to learn more about the issues Councilis advocating for, why they matter, and how you can add your voice.

PUZZLES

No. 283

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 State of bliss (5,4)

6 Impartial (4)

10 Append (3)

11 Decked out in decorative coverings, as a horse (11)

12 Casanova (8)

13 Marketplace (6)

14 Visage (4)

15 Secure (7)

20 Eurasian country (7)

21 Sport (4)

25 Incarnation (6)

26 Altered (8)

28 Unkempt (11)

29 Business abbreviation (3)

30 Merit (4)

31 Invaluable (9)

DOWN

1 Categorise (8)

2 Heavy artillery (8)

3 Tractable (6)

4 Contrive in emergency (9)

5 Corn spikes (4)

7 Yearly (6)

8 Horsemen (6)

9 Chagrined (7)

16 The masses, according to the Greeks (3,6)

17 Bigger (7)

18 Definite (8)

19 Leads an orchestra (8)

22 It might provide light at a vigil (6)

23 Former Roman consul, Julius – (6)

24 Provoke (6)

27 Sub (4)

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”.

A GRAND STORYBOOK ESTATE ON OVER ONE ACRE

A GRAND STORYBOOK ESTATE ON OVER 1 ACRE

WITH PLENTY OF SHEDDING AND VIEWS

COMMANDING attention from the moment you arrive, this beautiful storybook residence offers a rare blend of grandeur, warmth and lifestyle on one of the most desirable flat acre blocks you’ll find in the hills.

Standing proudly on over an acre of sunsoaked land with wonderful views, the home is surrounded by space, light and room to pursue all of your interests. A circular driveway leads you to this striking residence, where vaulted timber ceilings and expansive windows create a spectacular sense of space while allowing natural light to stream through every corner of the home.

Thoughtfully designed for both family living and entertaining, the expansive floorplan offers three separate living zones, providing flexibility for family gatherings, relaxing or working from home. The luxurious master retreat is a haven of its own, with generous proportions and space to lounge and unwind in total privacy.

The home offers 5 spacious bedrooms, all fitted with built-in robes, master with walk in robe & separate store cupboard plus there are 3 bathrooms. A huge laundry with its own dedicated drying room also offers the versatility to convert into an additional study or creative workspace should you desire.

At the heart of the home, the beautifully renovated kitchen is a true showstopper. Featuring premium Ilve appliances, elegant porcelain benchtops, an integrated fridge and freezer, dishwasher and abundant preparation space, it’s perfectly designed for both everyday living and impressive entertaining. Comfort and practicality are assured with extensive features including a cosy wood heater, ducted heating, refrigerated cooling, and direct internal access to a double remote garage. For tradespeople, hobbyists or car enthusiasts, the property also boasts a double garage plus separate workshop complete with hoist.

Outdoors, the property truly shines. The low maintenance, incredibly flat acre block is a rare find in the hills – a pristine blank canvas for gardens, outdoor entertaining, or the lifestyle retreat you’ve always imagined. Tradies and those needing extra space will appreciate the circular driveway, generous parking and ample room for additional storage for large vehicles, boats or caravans!

Perfectly positioned just minutes from Emerald Village, local schools and public transport, this address offers the best of both worlds – a peaceful semi-rural sanctuary with everyday convenience close at hand.

A grand family home, a lifestyle property, and a rare opportunity in one exceptional package.

Call us and inspect today. ●

STUNNING 10ACRE LIFESTYLE PROPERTY

SET within a tightly held pocket of Macclesfield, this exceptional lifestyle property spans approximately 10 picturesque acres, offering the perfect blend of space, comfort and breathtaking surrounds. Elevated to capture sweeping views across rolling countryside, it provides a peaceful and private retreat.

The home features a thoughtfully designed floorplan, with a light-filled central living area that flows seamlessly into a well-appointed kitchen complete with excellent storage, freestanding oven and dishwasher. Three generous bedrooms are positioned off a separate family room, serviced by a central bathroom.

Outdoor living is a standout, with an expansive deck perfect for entertaining while taking in the stunning outlook. A substantial 12.3m x 9.4m shed offers the ultimate entertaining space, complete with wood fire, ceiling fans, polished concrete floors and double doors that open to the view. Additional shedding and ample off-street parking provide excellent storage for vehicles, equipment and tools.

The land is well-suited to a variety of lifestyle pursuits, featuring secure electric fencing, established shade trees and two dams, making it ideal for your choice of livestock. A rare opportunity to secure a scenic acreage lifestyle just moments from Macclesfield Pony Club and a network of riding and walking trails—delivering space, serenity and versatility in equal measure. ●

PICTUREPERFECT CHARACTER HOME

IMMACULATELY presented, this charming brick residence is privately set amongst beautifully established gardens that deliver colour and interest throughout every season.

From the moment you arrive, the home’s warmth and timeless character welcome you to this wonderful low maintenance lifestyle.

Framed by inviting verandahs that create wonderful outdoor living spaces - perfect for relaxing with a morning coffee or entertaining family and friends while enjoying the peaceful garden surround. Inside, the home continues to impress with 9-foot ceilings, polished timber floorboards, double-hung windows and gas ducted heating.

At the heart of the home sits a spacious timber kitchen, thoughtfully designed with an island bench, excellent bench space and storage, a dishwasher, wall oven and gas cooktop - perfectly positioned to service the 2 separate living zones with ease.

The generous master retreat is privately positioned and includes a dressing room and ensuite, creating a peaceful sanctuary within the home.

Two additional bedrooms each feature triple built-in robes and are serviced by a central bathroom and separate toilet.

The lush surrounds attract abundant birdlife and provide a peaceful setting that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The fully fenced rear yard offers a safe and secure space for children and pets, while the covered outdoor entertaining area is ideal for family gatherings or relaxed afternoons.

In addition there is a circular driveway, double garage with remote door, concrete floor and power, along with a high carport perfectly suited for storing a caravan, boat or additional vehicles.

A beautifully maintained home offering charm, comfort and a peaceful garden lifestyle. Call us & inspect today.

67BEACONSFIELDEMERALDROAD

5 A 2 B 4 D

JUSTINBARROT 0438683781

BARRYPLANTEMERALD 59684522

AtBarryPlantEmeraldwebelieveyour investmentdeservesmorethanmanagement, itdeservesexpertcareandattention.

LedbySeniorPropertyManager,KrystelleRush ourlocalteamoffersunrivalledknowledgeof theEmeraldandDandenongRangesmarket, ensuringyourpropertyisalwaysintrustedhands.

KRYSTELLERUSH 0359684522

Fromrenterselectionandmaintenancetorent reviewsandcompliance,wetakecareofevery detail,includingfreeappraisals,ensuringyour peaceofmindandgreatreturns.

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BARRYPLANTEMERALD

THE ULTIMATE UPWEY FAMILY RETREAT WITH ROOM FOR EVERYONE

SET on a rare, flat and sun-drenched block in a highly sought-after Upwey location, this spacious and versatile family home offers exceptional flexibility for growing or multigenerational families.

Boasting five bedrooms and three bathrooms, the thoughtfully designed floorplan caters to a range of living arrangements. Downstairs features a generous main bedroom complete with ensuite and walk-in robe, alongside a large study that can easily function as a sixth bedroom. An additional well-sized room on this level adds even more versatility for guests, work-from-home needs or a second living space.

At the heart of the home, the open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area seamlessly connects to the outdoor entertaining zone via expansive bifold doors, creating a perfect indoor-outdoor flow for hosting family and friends. The sunny backyard offers plenty of space for kids and pets, along with a substantial garden shed equipped with threephase power-ideal for tradies, hobbyists or extra storage.

Upstairs is perfectly designed for the rest of the family, featuring three large bedrooms and a huge rumpus room-an ideal retreat for kids or teenagers. The upstairs balcony provides a fantastic chill-out space, overlooking the backyard and adding another layer of relaxed family living.

Comfort is assured year-round with a cosy wood fire, ducted heating and split system cooling throughout the home. With ample parking via a circular driveway and positioned within walking distance to everything Upwey and Tecoma have to offer, this is an opportunity not to be missed. ●

EASY FAMILY LIVING WITH PLENTY OF ROOM

SET on 1052sqm in beautiful Gembrook, this double-storey brick home delivers flexibility, comfort and family-friendly living with plenty of room to spread out both inside and out.

Welcomed by a circular driveway, the home is thoughtfully designed across two levels.

Upstairs, the kitchen and dining area forms the hub of everyday living, complete with a wall oven, gas stovetop, dishwasher and excellent storage. The dining space extends out to the balcony, offering a lovely spot to step outside and enjoy the surrounds. The adjoining lounge is filled with natural light from large windows and offers split system heating and cooling, along with sliding doors opening to the undercover entertaining area. Also on the upper level, the master bedroom is privately positioned and includes a walk-in robe and ensuite.

Downstairs, three carpeted bedrooms, serviced by a central bathroom with separate toilet, while a second living area with split system and access to the undercover double tandem carport adds extra versatility for families, guests or growing teenagers.

Outside, a decked entertaining area, garden shed and 5000-litre water tank complete this appealing Gembrook package. This property has it all so don’t miss outcall 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.

AProvenHillsBNBinPrimeGembrookLocation!

SetintheDandenongRangesjustoveranhourfromMelbourne’sCBD,theestablished&well-loved GembrookCottagespresentacharmingaccommodationbusinessopportunityintheheartof Gembrook.WithineasywalkingdistanceofPuffingBilly,Gembrook–EmeraldWalkingTrail,cafés, restaurants&thelocalbar,thelocationattractsvisitorsseekingarelaxingHillsescape.Theproperty comprisesthreebeautifullystyledcottages,eachfeaturingfour-posterbeds,leatherlounges, kitchenettes,Wi-Fi&woodheaters.BluebellCottageofferscalmingbluetones&aprivatedeckwith spa.HaremCottagefeaturesearthyinteriors&sunkenovalspaindoors,whileKookaburraCottage showcasessoftpastelhues&tranquilatmosphere.Withaloyalrepeatclientele&strongreputation, thebusinessenjoysconsistentdemand,supportedbynearbyparks,wildlife&walkingtrails.

ArchitecturalElegancewithPanoramicViews! Perchedon2,671sqminpeacefulAvonsleigh,momentsfromEmerald’stownship,schools&shops, 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.

M

EasyLivingintheHeartofEmerald. Perfectlypositionedonalow-maintenance246sqm,thiswell-designeddouble-storeyhome offersmoderncomfort&everydayconveniencejustashortstrollfromEmerald’sschools,kinder, supermarket&vibrantmainstreet.Filledwithnaturallight,theopen-plankitchen,living&diningarea formstheheartofthehome.Thekitchenfeaturesstonebenchtops,breakfastbar,gasstovetop, dishwasher&excellentstorage,whiletheadjoininglounge&diningareaincludesasplitsystem, gasductedheating&ceilingfanforyear-roundcomfort.Slidingdoorsopentothereargarden. Themasterbedroomwithwalk-inrobe&ensuiteisprivatelypositionedatthefront.Upstairsoffers twofurtherbedroomswithbuilt-inrobes,acentralbathroom&secondlivingarea.Outside,thefully fencedyardincludesagardenshed,watertank&5kWsolarsystem. 3/35KingsRoadEmerald $850,000-$935,000

189SwalesRoadMacclesfield$1,750,000-$1,900,000

seriouspotential.Awindingcreek,3dams&avaluable2-megalitrewaterlicenceprovidearocksolidfoundationforlifestyleliving,livestockorfuturevision.Elevatedpointsacrossthelandcapture sweeping360-degreeviews,creatingthosepostcardmomentswherethecountrysiderollsawayin everydirection.Atthecentresitsaneat&original2-bedroomhome,comfortablenow&readyfor renovation,extensionorreinventionovertime.Practicalinfrastructureincludesamachineryshed, garage&establishedcattlerace&yards,makingthepropertyimmediatelyusableforfarmingor hobbystock.Withsunnypaddocks,naturalwatersources&multipleaccesspoints,everythingisin placeforeasyruralliving.

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PUBLIC NOTICES AND EVENT MASSAGE THERAPISTS

CLASSIFIEDS EARLY DEADLINES EASTER

Thursday, 2nd April at 4pm

PROPOSAL TO CO-LOCATE WORKS AT AN EXISTING MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION AT MOUNT EVELYN

1.Optus is proposing to co-locate works at an existing mobile phone base station at 138 York Road, Mount Evelyn VIC 3796.

2.The proposed upgrade will consist of:

• One (1) new Optus headframe mounted on the existing Telstra 30m monopole at an elevation of 25m;

• Three (3) new panel antennas (each not more than 2.8m in length) mounted on the new headframe at an elevation of 25.50m.

• Three (3) new Antenna Integrated Radio Units (AIR) mounted on the new headframe at an elevation of 26.45m.

• Three (3) new Antenna Integrated Radio Units (AIR) mounted on the new headframe at an elevation of 25.38m.

• Six (6) new Remote Radio Units (RRU) mounted behind the proposed new antennas at an elevation of 25.50m;

• One (1) new two bay outdoor cabinet installed on an elevated platform at ground level adjacent to the existing monopole in the Telstra compound area; and

• Ancillary equipment including, but not limited to, GPS antenna, cabling, cable trays, electrical works, and other associated equipment.

3.In accordance with Section 7 of the Industry Code C564:2025 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment, we invite you to make comments about the proposal.

4.Please direct comments to Vanessa Wan at 0447 240 015 or via email at Optus.submissions@servicestream.com.au or via post at Level 3, Tower B, Zenith Centre, 821 Pacific Highway, Chatswood NSW 2067 by 5pm, Friday 17 April 2026.

For more information about the proposal, scan the QR Code or visit www.rfnsa.com.au/3796003.

12856516-FR14-26

Wednesday 13 May 2026

Please note: A previous advertisement listed the special committee date as Wednesday, 6 May. This was incorrect, and we apologise for the error. Notice is hereby given that a Special Committee of Council be established for the purpose of hearing public submissions relating to the Draft Budget FY2026-2027. The Special Committee Meeting to hear public submissions will be held on Wednesday 13 May 2026, commencing at 4.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Civic Centre, Anderson Street, Lilydale and via videoconference.

Members of the community that wish to attend and observe the meeting are required to register via Council’s website. Tammi Rose Chief Executive Officer

12856236-RV14-26

ADVERTISERS in this section are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexualservices.

Employment

Join Our Team as a Casual or Part-Time Telephone Sales Representative at Network Classifieds!

Are you a persuasive communicator with a passion for sales? Are you looking for a flexible, casual, or part-time role that allows you to showcase your skills and earn some extra income? Look no further! Network Classifieds, a leading online and print classified advertising platform serving multiple mastheads across Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and NT, is seeking enthusiastic Telephone Sales Representatives to join our dynamic team.

About Network Classifieds

Based in Pakenham Network Classifieds is at the forefront of connecting buyers and sellers across multiple regions in Australia. With a strong online and print presence, we help communities find the perfect deals, services, and opportunities. As a Telephone Sales Representative, you'll play a crucial role in driving our sales efforts and expanding our network.

What You'll Do

•Engage with potential customers over the phone to promote our advertising solutions.

• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.

•Understand customer needs and provide tailored advertising solutions.

•Meet and exceed sales targets and performance goals.

• Collaborate with a motivated and supportive team.

Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Confidence in making outbound sales calls.

• Motivated, goal-oriented, and results-driven.

•Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

•Previous sales or customer service experience is a plus, but not required.

How to Apply

If you're ready to take on this exciting role with the flexibility you desire, we want to hear from you! Please send your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant skills and why you're interested in joining Network Classifieds as a Telephone Sales Representative to Sue Hall, Classified Advertising Manager, at sales@networkclassifieds.com.au.

Join us in helping our diverse communities connect, buy, and sell through effective advertising solutions. Be a part of the Network Classifieds team and make a difference in the world of classifieds!

12725558-KG43-24

EDITOR SUNRAYSIA DAILY

Location: Mildura, Victoria

Position: Full-time

Lead two important regional news brands and help shape trusted local journalism across print, digital and social.

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and energetic Editor to lead the editorial direction of the Sunraysia Daily and Broken Hill Times, based from our Mildura office.

This is a hands-on leadership role overseeing the Sunraysia Daily’s three-times-a-week printed edition, the Broken Hill Times, daily online publishing, and support for content across the company’s social channels.

You will lead the reporting team in Mildura and work closely with the small team in Broken Hill, while being supported by the Group Editor and our production hub team.

This is a strong role for someone who understands the importance of local journalism, can drive quality and consistency across platforms, and is committed to building audience and community impact.

About the role

In this role, you will:

•edit and oversee the Sunraysia Daily print editions published three times a week

•oversee editorial output for Broken Hill Times

•manage daily digital publishing across both brands

•assist with editorial content for the company’s social media channels

•lead, mentor and manage the team of reporters in Mildura and the small team in Broken Hill

•help drive strong news judgment, story generation, planning and follow-through

•work with the Group Editor and production hub team to ensure deadlines are met and quality standards maintained

•help grow audience engagement across print, online and social platforms

•maintain high standards of accuracy, fairness, balance and community relevance

•connect with the community, attend events and meet with key members of the community

About you

To succeed in this role, you will ideally have:

•experience in editing, newsroom leadership or senior reporting

•strong news sense and a passion for regional and community journalism

•excellent writing, editing and headline skills

•the ability to manage competing deadlines across print and digital

•strong people leadership skills and a collaborative approach

•confidence working across websites, digital publishing systems and social platforms

•an understanding of how to build audience through digital content and social distribution

•a commitment to accuracy, ethics and high editorial standards

•a great sense of community

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone who can:

•lead from the front

•support and develop reporters

•produce strong, relevant and engaging local content

•balance the demands of print, digital and social

•work positively with editorial, production and management teams across the group

Why join us

This is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in two important regional news mastheads and make a genuine difference in the communities they serve.

You will join a business that values trusted local journalism and supports its editors with experienced group leadership and central production resources, while still giving you the chance to have real editorial impact at the local level.

To apply

Please submit your application, including a cover letter and resume, outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in this role to paul.thomas@starnewsgroup.com.au

A trip to the peninsula

By John Thomson

On Monday 23 March, the Lilydale Division One team made the journey down the Peninsula to Mornington Croquet Club. This week’s team was Craig McCracken and John Thomson.

The first game was the doubles. Mornington ran the first two hoops before Lilydale got on the board.

The rest of the game was fairly even, but Lilydale just could not make up for those first two hoops. Mornington 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops. John Thomson played in the first singles game.

The level of play was fairly even between both players; the main difference was that John was unable to run the hoops when he had the chance, which gave Mornington the win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

Craig McCracken played in the next single game. Craig was playing well, and after the fourth hoop, the game was even, and then Craig missed a couple of hoops he normally would have run, giving Mornington the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

At the break, the scores were Mornington 3 games 21 hoops to Lilydale zero games 14 hoops. John played in the first singles after the break. The Mornington player played a near faultless game, and John struggled to make any ground and was under pressure right from the start.

The score was Mornington 7 hoops to Lilydale 1 hoop.

Craig played in the last singles game. This game was even all the way, and it wasn’t until they played the twelfth hoop that they noticed a mix-up in the scoring.

Once this had been sorted out, it was Mornington 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

Final scores for the day, Mornington 5 games 35 hoops to Lilydale 0 games 20 hoops.

The Lilydale Division Two team played at home this week against the Kew Croquet Club.

The Lilydale team consisted of Kerri McCracken, Scott Bradbury, Mark Edgell and Graham Rhodes.

Kerri McCracken and Graham Rhodes played in the doubles. Lilydale started well and got a break on the players from Kew. Kew fought back, but Lilydale was able to hang on to their lead and win 7 hoops to Kew 5 hoops.

Scott Bradbury played in the first singles game. The game was close with both players running some nice hoops but in the end, it was just a bit more experience from the Kew player that made the difference. Kew 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

Mark Edgell played in the next singles game. This game was an epic struggle with both players playing some very good croquet and after the twelfth hoop the score was six hoops each with the 13th hoop to be played.

This hoop was no different to the rest of the game but in the end it was Mark who was able to run the hoop. Lilydale 7 hoops to Kew 6 hoops.

At the break the scores were Lilydale 2 games 19 hoops to Kew 1 game 18 hoops.

With two games to play the match could still go either way.

Kerri McCracken played in the next singles game. The Kew player ran the first couple of hoops, Kerri tried to work her way back into the game but the Kew player was able to hang on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

This win by Kew gave them the lead on the day by one hoop with one game to play.

Mark Edgell played in the last game. The Kew player got off to a great start and was able to control the game and go onto win 7 hoops to Lilydale 2 hoops.

The final scores were Kew 3 games 32 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 26 hoops.

The Lilydale Handicap team played at home this week and hosted the Mornington Croquet Club.

This weeks team comprised of Kerri McCracken, Mick Crawley, Mark Edgell and Scott Bradbury.

Mark Edgell played in the first singles game. Neither player had any handicap advantage in this game.

The game was close all the way through with both players setting up their approach shots well, and making the most of their chances to run a hoop when they were able to.

After the twelfth hoop the scores were six hoops each with the thirteenth hoop to play, again, both players set up well but it was Sandringham who made the most of their opportunity and ran the hoop to win 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

Kerri McCracken and Scott Bradbury played

in the first doubles game.

Lilydale were starting with a one hoop advantage. This game was almost a carbon copy of the first game with both sides playing at their best and going hoop for hoop but, in the end, it came down to the one hoop handicap advantage that Lilydale had that made the difference.

The score was Lilydale 7 hoops to Mornington 6 hoops.

Kerri McCracken played in the next singles game. Kerri started with a two hoop advantage while the Mornington player started with a one hoop disadvantage.

The Mornington player started strongly and had made up the one hoop disadvantage straight away and then continued on with some very good

play to go on and win 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

Mick Crawley and Mark Edgell played in the next doubles game.

Mornington were starting with a one hoop advantage. Mornington started well and were able to build on their one hoop advantage, Lilydale tried to work back into the game late but by then it was all over.

The score was Mornington 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

At the lunch break it was Mornington three games 27 hoops to Lilydale one game 21 hoops with two games to play.

Mick Crawley played in the first game after lunch.

The Sandringham player had a two-hoop ad-

vantage. Mick got off to a quick start and had soon made up the two hoop advantage that the Mornington player started with, from there it was just like a level play game and Mick’s experience was the telling difference and he went on to win 7 hoops to Mornington 5 hoops.

In the last game Mark Edgell and Scott Bradbury played. Mornington were starting with a two-hoop disadvantage.

The game started fairly evenly but the further it went the more experienced Mornington pair were able to get on top and go on to have a good win 7 hoops to Lilydale 5 hoops.

The final scores were Mornington 4 games 39 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 33 hoops.

Sanders wins in Portugal

By Oliver Winn

ThreeBridges’motocrosslegendDaniel“Chucky” Sanders bounced back from his Dakar-ending crash earlier this year to win the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal.

He crossed the line on 23 March winning the overall rally in spectacular fashion, only two months after suffering collarbone, sternum and leg injuries.

From the outset, Sanders showed his competitiveness, dominating the prologue in Grândola and beating runner up Tosha Schareina by one10th of a second on his KTM.

Chucky then powered through rain and river crossings in Stage One, extending his lead to two minutes, continuing the excellent form.

“Because I caught the boys in front and was then opening, I even had to park the bike to walk across one water crossing to make sure it wouldn’t be too deep to flood my bike. This cost me a a good chunk of time here,” Sanders said in a Facebook post.

Stage Two saw Sanders have a dip in the rankings, finishing in fourth after he was forced to take it slow in the slippery conditions.

Sanders said navigating while riding in the mud proved to be tricky.

“Today I opened and it was a balance of not letting the bike slip in the mud and still navigating. We lost some time in the morning because I was being too conservative, but hammered hard on the way home.”

But, Sanders said finishing in fourth had its advantages.

“Tomorrow I start in 4th which will leave lots of tracks to follow and also I can assess how slippery it is based on their marks,” Sanders said.

Sanders ramped up the pace in Stage Three, following the tracks laid out by the riders ahead of him. He ended the stage in first place once again, increasing his overall lead to three minutes.

Come Stage Four, and Sanders dropped to second position after another day of rain and mud.

He said two costly mistakes were the cause for falling to second place.

“I made two navigation mistakes which cost a

decent chunk of time,” Sanders said.

But, Sanders showed off his skills in Stage Five where he clinched the win for the Portugal Rally, concluding a “crazy” six days of racing in the rain.

“Today I crossed the line to not only win the stage, but also to win the overall Rally. What a crazy six days of racing it has been in the rain and

coming back from my collarbone and leg injury. It’s nice to be back on the bike,” Sanders said. Sanders finished with a time of 11:03’ 53” , prevailing over Honda’s Tosha Schareina by 1’ 56” The victory put Sanders into third position in the overall World Rally-Raid Championship, marking his 29th career W2RC stage win and

back-to-back triumphs in Portugal.

He said the victory proved crucial in recovering the lost time from the Dakar disaster earlier this year.

“Delivering this result here at Rally-Raid Portugal was important, not just for my confidence, but for the whole team.

“Although I was able to complete the Dakar, we lost a fair few points, so to get things back on track here, gives us a big boost as we fight for back-to-back championships, which is the ultimate goal this season.”

The FIM World Rally-Raid Championship continues with the Desafio Ruta 40 in Argentina from 24-29 May.

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