Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 14th April 2026

Opposition’s Valley visit

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor touched down in the Yarra Valley on Thursday 9 April making a pit stop at a local strawberry grower.

The topic of discussion was rising costs and uncertainty around diesel supply.

Coldstream’s Australian Strawberry Distributors, owned and run by the multigenerational Ripepi family, hosted the visit, providing insight in to the challenges being faced as a primary producer.

“People have got to realise that the primary industry feeds Australia and other parts of the world as well,” director Joe Ripepi said.

To read the full story, turn to page 4

By Mikayla van Loon

median house price to $950,000.

REIV CEO Toby Balazs characterised the spike

as a “strong rebound” following a sluggish end to 2025, noting that the suburb is now on par with neighbours Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark.

Overall, the metropolitan median reached $991,500, its highest point since late 2022. The REIV attributes this outer-ring strength to two primary factors: accessibility, with high-performing suburbs typically within 10 minutes of a train station, and affordability, with 11 of the 13 top outer suburbs holding medians under $1 million, and seven qualifying for first-home buyer conces-

sions.

While Lilydale’s housing market thrives, its unit market saw a 5.2 per cent quarterly dip.

However, Mr Balazs noted that units in outer areas typically experience slower growth and that Lilydale’s 4.1 per cent annual growth suggests underlying stability.

Despite the growth in Lilydale, results across the Yarra Ranges were mixed; Woori Yallock and Warburton saw declines of nine and 12 per cent,

while some Dandenong Ranges suburbs grew by nearly 10 per cent.

Mr Balazs cautioned that low transaction volumes in semi-rural areas often trigger such volatility.

Looking ahead, the REIV predicts steady prices with minor fluctuations as interest rates and cost-of-living pressures lead to more cautious buyer sentiment.

Turn to page 3 to read more

Educator strain a key theme

By Callum Ludwig

An interim report into the Victorian early childhood education and care sector, released at the end of last month, has highlighted the rapidly-implemented reforms in the wake of child abuse allegations against former early childhood educator Joshua Brown.

While the report from the Inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in Victoria admits the Brown case is an “outlier” , it posits it had been allowed to develop through “inadequate support, oversight and accountability” in the sector.

99 submissions were received and five days of public hearings have already been held, with further engagement and hearings to be held before a final report is tabled by 30 July.

Lilydale resident and general manager of harm prevention charity ChildSafe Australia Neil Milton said the reforms are an important step forward, particularly in strengthening accountability and making child safety the primary consideration.

“However, they are largely reactive, and the real test will be how consistently they are implemented and enforced across the sector,” he said.

“We can’t regulate our way out of this alone, real child safety is built through culture, where every adult understands their responsibility and acts on it every day.

“Reform is critical, but without strong leadership and accountability on the ground, it won’t deliver the change children need and we will keep seeing children abused and impacted for life.

One of the 99 submitters was the Mount Evelyn Christian School (MECS) Kindergarten, which outlined increasingly diverse needs in children, educator retention and morale, poor implementation of the Best Start, Best Life program, the enormous pressure of ensuring child safety compliance, working conditions and the difficulties of accessing kindergarten inclusion support (KIS) as areas for improvement.

Mr Milton said we must start from impact rather than just compliance.

“The national worker register and faster incident reporting are strong reforms that improve transparency and reduce risk but screening processes and workforce conditions remain weak points, and both are directly linked to child safe-

ty outcomes,” he said.

“The biggest gap is that some of the systems we are relying on, particularly screening and information sharing, have already proven they can fail.

“We need a stronger focus on real-time oversight, better intelligence sharing, and building a genuine culture of child safety within organisations, not just compliance.”

Consistent themes in the report included educator shortages, staff working under sustained pressure, and inadequate resources, support and training to meet children’s complex needs. These factors can combine to create a lack of adequate supervision and oversight, particularly a concern in the increasing number of privately-owned childcare centres, where submitters expressed fears of profit being prioritised over safety.

“These deeply distressing allegations, most acutely felt by the children affected and their families, exposed critical systemic failures that enabled an individual to work across multiple early childhood education services while posing an unacceptable risk. This should never have been possible,” said Committee Chair Anasina Gray-Barberio.

“This Inquiry has heard unequivocal evidence that stronger stewardship is required at both the Victorian and national levels to ensure that safety, quality and accountability are not optional, but guaranteed, across the sector.

“Addressing these gaps will require a coordinated, compassionate and sustained response from both the Victorian and national governments.”

A raft of national and state reforms have been implemented since the Brown allegations came to light, including improvements to working with children checks, the establishment of the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA), a national early childhood worker register, new offences and penalties, and a CCTV trial in certain centres.

Mr Milton said rising reports of child abuse incidents in the sector are deeply concerning, but also complex.

“Increased reporting can reflect improved awareness and systems, but it also highlights the scale of risk that has always existed,” he said.

“Either way, it reinforces that child safety must be treated as a systemic issue, not isolated incidents.”

Free help for Victorians feeling the pinch of rising costs

With the cost of weekly essentials like petrol on the rise, Anglicare Victoria is reminding households that free help is available to make sure they are paying as little as possible for their power –freeing up money for other things.

Anglicare Victoria is the key provider of the phone line for the Victorian Government’s Energy Assistance Program (EAP), a free service for households experiencing energy bill stress.

Since launching in 2023, the EAP has helped over 17,000 Victorians save more than $3 million in estimated energy bill savings, offering a critical lifeline to people in tough times.

Anglicare Victoria EAP Team Leader Swati Kakkar said the team had noticed an increasing need for support as living costs continue to surge.

“Managing energy bills on top of other essential costs like petrol, rent, or a mortgage, can create real anxiety for people who are already doing their best to make ends meet,” she said.

“Our team can talk to you about options such as switching to a more affordable offer, applying for eligible concessions, and practical ways to lower your energy consumption.”

This financial year, Anglicare Victoria’s EAP team has helped close to 80 per cent of participants find a better energy offer.

More than half (54 per cent) of participants were supported with debt and hardship matters, with EAP team members available to speak to energy companies alongside participants.

“It’s very common for people to feel overwhelmed by their energy bills. For many households already dealing with financial pressure, the idea of calling their energy company or trying to navigate different offers can be stressful,” Ms Kakkar said.

Steven* contacted Anglicare Victoria’s EAP team about an upcoming bill and said the expert support was a huge help.

“I cannot thank the team enough for their brilliant help and understanding with my gas bill. The payment has gone through and is all paid up, which is such a relief,” he said.

“We want people to know we’re here to support them,” Ms Kakkar said.

“If bills are causing you stress, you definitely aren’t alone. Help is available and you should never be worried about asking for it.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

Double digit growth recorded in Lilydale

By Mikayla van Loon

The outer suburbs of Melbourne remain a draw card in the housing market with Lilydale named as one of these metropolitan areas dominating the quarterly house price growth.

Lilydale saw near 15 per cent growth in REIV’s latest median price data for the March 2026 quarter, reaching a median sale price of $950,000.

This growth, however, REIV CEO Toby Balazs said was “a strong rebound following a period of weaker results” in the last two quarters of 2025 and brought Lilydale back on par with neighbouring suburbs like Chirnside Park and Mooroolbark.

House prices across the Yarra Ranges varied, with places like Woori Yallock and Warburton, dropping by nine and 12 per cent respectively, while growth in some Dandenong Ranges suburbs rose by just under 10 per cent.

Mr Balazs said for these areas it was better to consider the longer term price trends because housing stock and sales were relatively low in any given quarter.

“The contrasting price movements are driven by low transaction volumes, which result in high volatility,” he said.

“These outer and semi-rural suburbs recorded only a small number of house sales in the most recent quarter, which leads to sharp apparent increases or decreases, not because of demand or property quality.”

Across the board, the metropolitan median hit $991,500, the highest level since September 2022, signalling continued stability in Melbourne’s housing market.

The outer Melbourne growth, Mr Balazs put down to two factors: accessibility and affordability.

Access to train stations within 10-minutes was a key characteristic of high performing suburbs, like Carrum Downs, the top annual performer for median house price.

“Affordability is another key factor. Of the 13 outer suburbs identified, 11 have a median house price below $1 million. Seven of these fall within the price range eligible for first home buyer (FHB) exemptions and concessions.”

Mr Balazs said recent quarterly trends indicate that median house prices in the outer ring were likely to stay relatively steady, predicting “some minor fluctuations”

This was based on the moderate price growth overall since the December 2024 quarter, ranging

approximately between one and three per cent, with only a slight decline in the most recent quarter (-0.2 per cent).

Houses continue to dominate the sought after market in Lilydale particularly. Unit sale prices dropped 5.2 per cent, the lowest median price recorded in 12 months for the suburb.

But Mr Balazs said this was not uncommon for this type of housing.

“Units and apartments in outer suburbs typically experience slower and more stable price growth compared to houses, as houses tend to be the more commonly transacted property type in the area,” he said.

“The quarterly decline is likely influenced by low transaction volumes. Despite the recent quarterly drop, Lilydale still recorded 4.1 per cent annual growth, suggesting underlying stability.”

Despite uncertainty in international markets, rising interest rates and general cost of living pressures, Mr Balazs said the data shows the stability of Victoria’s property market, but these would reduce buyer confidence moving forward.

“There is no doubt that interest rates and general market sentiment impacts property prices. Current factors are most likely leading to more cautious buyers and moderate price movements.”

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Car theft warning

Outer east locals have been warned to double check their cars as tech-enabled car thefts rise.

Yarra Ranges Eyewatch alerted residents on 7 April that police are seeing an increase in vehicle thefts using signal jammers in the Knox, Yarra Ranges and Maroondah areas.

Signal jammers are used to prevent cars from locking when drivers walk away.

These devices block the signal from your key fob, making your car to appear locked, when it actually isn’t. Thieves can then access and steal the vehicle later. To protect yourself, always manually check your doors are locked.

You can also use physical deterrents like steering wheel locks.

Vehicle owners should park off street or in well lit areas where possible and store keys away from doors and windows at home.

Seasonal flu vaccinations available

The Yarra Ranges Council has seasonal flu vaccines on offer ahead of 2026’s winter season.

Yearly vaccinations are recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

The vaccine is free for people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, children aged six months to under five years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with certain medical conditions.

If you’re not eligible for a free vaccine, it can still be purchased at the council’s sessions.

Bookings are required. Find out more and book via the council’s immunisation service: yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Our-services/Immunisation.

Police crack down over Easter

Police have detected over 7500 traffic offences during a major five-day Easter road safety operation in Victoria. Operation Nexus saw police targeting high-risk driving behaviour across the state’s roads, in an effort to reduce road trauma.

The uplift in enforcement also saw a 23 per cent increase in the number of infringements issued over Easter this year.

Almost half of all offences detected during Operation Nexus were for speeding, with police issuing over 3500 speeding infringements.

Concerningly, one in every 464 drivers tested for alcohol were caught over the limit.

A further 178 drivers returned a positive roadside drug test.

“The majority of these drivers acknowledge they’ve done the wrong thing, but have chosen to take a risk anyway – whether that’s speeding a few kilometres over the speed limit, or getting behind the wheel after a few drinks,” road policing acting assistant commissioner, Justin Goldsmith said.

“Ultimately, all traffic penalties are completely avoidable if motorists stick to the rules.”

Counterfeit notes in circulation

The Community Bank Wandin-Seville warned its customers of counterfeit banknotes currently circulating in the community.

A guide on how to identify these notes can be found here: shorturl.at/GwaP7.

The guide covers key security features to look out for and quick checks that can make all the difference.

The Community Bank Wandin-Seville also has printed copies available in branch.

If you’re ever unsure about a note, don’t hesitate to speak with their team.

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Angus Taylor in town

By Gabriella Vukman

In a visit to Coldstream on Thursday 9 April, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor called on the federal government to introduce a national ‘fuel dashboard’ and scrap what he described as a ‘carbon tax’ on Australia’s fuel production.

Touring the Yarra Ranges-based operation known as ASD Strawberries alongside local MP Aaron Violi, Mr Taylor met with the Ripepi family, owners of the multi-generational farming business grappling with rising costs and uncertainty around diesel supply.

Thursday’s formalities included a press conference opened by Mr Violi who spoke to both the challenges and resilience within the sector.

Mr Violi pointed to fuel availability as the most immediate concern for growers and said, “The biggest challenge is availability of fuel, and that’s why we need a dashboard and transparency from this government.”

“When farmers like Jimmy and others across the country are making decisions on whether they’re going to plant crops, they need as much information as possible to make the best decisions for their businesses and to feed our nation,” he said.

Despite the pressures, Mr Violi noted technological advances helping farms remain productive, including hothouse systems and drones improving yields and efficiency.

Mr Taylor, who served as Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction from 2018 to 2022 under the Morrison Government, said the visit reinforced the urgency of action.

Mr Taylor said, “I come from a farming background and I know how hard it can be to manage the rising costs, the challenges of running a business in this day and age and it’s got too hard with costs continuing to rise.”

“Over time those costs pass through to consumers, the households, and the hard-working Australians who are struggling to pay their bills,” he said.

The proposed “fuel dashboard” is a real-time system that would publicly track national fuel stocks, shipments and supply chain gaps.

Mr Taylor said, “We need to know exactly how much fuel we have, not just in service stations.”

“We need to know what stocks are on hand in Australia beyond the service stations and what vessels we’ve got, what ships we’ve got coming to Australia by fuel type, by origin, so we can know exactly where we sit and how that’s going to play out over the coming months,” he said.

“The Ripepi family, like so many other businesses across Australia, rely on diesel and they need to know what we’ve got coming to the country and if we have a shortage in prospect in the coming months.”

The Australian federal government under Labor has currently implemented a suite of measures aimed at stabilising fuel supply and easing cost pressures during the 2026 crisis.

Key among them is a temporary cut to the fuel excise, halving the tax on petrol and diesel for three months from April to June, alongside reducing the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero over the same period to lower freight costs.

The government has also moved to release emergency domestic fuel reserves into the market, while underwriting additional fuel imports from international partners to shore up supply.

These actions sit within a broader National Fuel Security Plan agreed by the National Cabinet, designed to coordinate responses across federal, state and territory governments.

According to the plan, “global conflict is causing an unprecedented shock to global oil and gas supply, pushing up fuel prices for Australian consumers and businesses,” with the outlook described as “unpredictable and volatile.”

While noting Australia remains “in a secure position currently,” the plan emphasises that governments are preparing for all scenarios, with a staged, flexible framework that can escalate if conditions worsen.

The strategy operates across four levels from normal monitoring through to protecting critical services, and includes measures such as prioritising essential industries, managing reserves, securing international supply, and encouraging voluntary reductions in fuel use.

According to the government at its current setting, the focus remains on “keeping Australia moving,” with governments working alongside industry to monitor supply chains, redirect fuel where needed, and maintain continuity for businesses and households.

When asked what additional measures the opposition would pursue beyond existing initiatives such as halving the fuel excise, Mr Taylor’s response returned to transparency.

“The first thing is to make it absolutely transparent where the fuel is in the supply chain and where the gaps are,” Mr Taylor said.

“We just need a dashboard with the information there available to farmers like the Ropepi family, so they know what they’re facing in the coming months,” he said.

Mr Taylor also called for the immediate removal of emissions-related costs imposed on refineries, describing them as a carbon tax.

“This Government has imposed a carbon tax on our refineries and they should remove that

carbon tax immediately,” Mr Taylor said.

“Our refineries need to be able to produce the fuel we need without that kind of constraint.”

“They should remove that carbon tax straight away,” he said.

The opposition’s push comes amid ongoing global supply pressures, including disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for fuel.

“We are concerned,” Taylor said.

“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had an impact on fuel prices at the bowser for all Australians and we want to see it opened up again,” he said.

After discussing with the Ripepi family, Mr Taylor noted the effects of the fuel crisis in Coldstream are similar to others across the nation.

For Director at Australian Strawberry Distributors (ASD) Joe Ripepi, the pressures are already being felt on the ground, with rising costs and structural challenges reshaping how the business operates.

Mr Ripepi said, “The current fuel crisis will affect every single person in the primary industry, across the board.”

“People have got to realise that the primary industry feeds Australia and other parts of the world as well,” he said.

“The biggest problem with the fuel crisis is transportation of goods. The nation stops with our trucks.”

According to Mr Ripepi, freight costs have doubled, affecting the farm’s profit margins.

Where ASD were previously paying $2.50 to $3.00 per tray of freight, costs are now up to $6.00 and $7.00 per tray.

Mr Ripepi said, “We supply strawberries along the east coast of Australia into Adelaide and Tasmania and we have to wear the freight cost.”

Ripepi also argued that rising input costs were fuelling inflation and called for greater government support for primary producers.

“If the primary industry was subsidised, food at the supermarkets or at your greengrocer would not go up,” Mr Ripepi said.

“We’ve actually cut back because we were going to put in another 400,000 plants this year but

Mr Ripepi said the impact of fuel extended across nearly every input on the farm.

“Freight, fertiliser, plastics, punnets, it all has a domino effect across the board,” Mr Ripepi said.

“We’re going to pay more for it all and it’s just going to be extremely hard.”

The issue of fuel supply and pricing remains under active policy consideration, with both government and opposition continuing to advance approaches to addressing the crisis.

Youth unite

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young mob need safe and caring spaces to create strength-based pathways to thrive and shape their futures.

Victoria’s largest annual young mob gathering is hosted by the Koorie Youth Council (KYC) and returns to Boonwurrung Bunurong Country at Bunjil Place, Narre Warren, 13 to 15 May. Young people aged 18 to 28 from across the state will come together to connect, learn, and feel inspired.

This year’s theme, Together, We’re Staunch: Our Culture, Our Power, calls on young mob across Victoria to remember their community’s strength. Guided by KYC’s youth-led approach, the Summit Working Group shaped this statewide event for knowledge-sharing and engagement opportunities.

The Working Group highlights that young people possess an inner power that is amplified by community. Young mob in Victoria bring diverse lived experiences and interests; one constant remains: our strength from culture, lore, law, Country, and the teachings of Elders and ancestors.

“Young mob possess powerful strength passed down from their Old People. Right now, young people are often ignored in decision-making that directly affects them. This exclusion shuts them out of vital conversations,” KYC CEO Bonnie Dukakis said.

“The Summit offers a crucial platform to develop skills, speak out, and be heard by experts and leaders within the Koorie community.”

KYC is excited to announce its keynote speaker, Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, and National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter. Sue-Anne brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, having served as a previous Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and as the National Sector Development Manager at SNAICC –National Voice for our Children.

Her significant work has seen Sue-Anne shape policy and practice in Victoria, particularly in Aboriginal guardianship laws.

For 13 years, the Koorie Youth Summit has provided a critical space for pride and solidarity.

This year, KYC will deliver a jam-packed program co-designed by the working group to challenge and broaden the brilliant minds of young delegates.

Panels will include conversations centring on art practices and caring for Country, and workshops will centre on healing and wellbeing, healthy relationships, and improving important life skills. Participants can look forward to sessions such as writing and storytelling, Gellung Warl Treaty conversations, and workshops grounded in culture and career pathways.

“The Koorie Youth Summit is an event groundedinconnectionandsharingknowledge. The Summit offers young mob opportunities to build skills, grow confidence and access support,” KYC’s Community Engagement Facilitator Jye Charles said.

“With our Working Group, KYC has set this year’s theme: Together We’re Staunch, Our Culture, Our Power. The Summit builds enduring connections, led by young mob for young mob.

“If you want to be a part of this inspiring gathering and help shape our future, register now to join us at the 2026 Koorie Youth Summit. We invite all interested young Blakfullas to attend and make your voice heard.”

The Summit is a unique event that is designed and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people for their peers. KYC is committed to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of dreamers, thinkers, and change-makers.

This critical event is a safe space to celebrate culture, open discussion, and collective learning, where the young mob can share their experiences, strengthen connections, and drive positive change together.

Register to attend the 2026 Koorie Youth Summit on the Koorie Youth Council website or follow KYC on social media for updates. Spots are limited, so register early. Registration link: events.humanitix.com/ koorie-youth-summit-2026

To find out more, visit koorieyouthcouncil.org.au

Council amps up transport advocacy amid challenges

By Gabriella Vukman

For many residents in the Yarra Ranges, getting from A to B has remained a daily challenge.

A challenge that local leaders say is long overdue for change.

While much of Melbourne benefits from dense public transport networks, communities further out in the Upper Yarra and Healesville regions have continued to rely heavily on cars.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics census data, more than 90 per cent of Yarra Ranges residents commute by car, compared to 68 per cent across Greater Melbourne.

This data was also highlighted in the Yarra Ranges Council’s long-term transport strategy in efforts to ramp up the council’s advocacy efforts, pushing for improvements to bus services, connectivity and overall transport reliability.

In a recent post on its Facebook page, the Yarra Ranges Council stated, “While public transport planning and funding sit with the Victorian Government, we have an important role in advocating for better outcomes on behalf of our community.”

According to the council, this advocacy for better transport options has taken many forms, such as regular meetings with local Members of Parliament, government departments and ministers.

Executive Strategic Advisor at Yarra Ranges Council Amee Cooper said, “Council uses many different channels and opportunities to advocate on behalf of our community.”

“For example, staff and Councillors meet regularly and directly with local Members of Parliament and seek meetings with government Ministers or departments on specific issues,” Ms Cooper said.

Yarra Ranges Council is also part of several advocacy groups, including the Eastern Transport Coalition, the Eastern Region Group of Councils and the Outer Melbourne Councils group, which all campaign for better public transport across Melbourne’s outer regions.

Ms Cooper said, “We regularly join with other councils in different groupings to jointly raise specific issues with the government, or undertake advocacy campaigns to highlight areas of mutual interest.”

More recently, Council brought those concerns directly to decision-makers at a breakfast meeting attended by local MPs, where transport priorities were formally presented.

Ms Cooper said, “The Mayor and CEO also meet regularly with local MPs where these issues are discussed.”

But while the advocacy continues, the challenges on the ground remain significant particularly when it comes to buses, which are the only form of public transport available beyond Lilydale.

For many residents, those bus services are limited, infrequent and often inconvenient.

Ms Cooper said, “Beyond Lilydale, the only available public transport in the Yarra Valley is buses.”

“There are many areas that lack frequent services, for example, many bus services run only hourly, and there are other areas that have no available routes at all,” Ms Cooper said.

“Often there are no connections or routes off the main arterial highways.”

Even travelling across the region can be unnecessarily complicated.

“There are no services that connect across the Yarra Valley from the Warburton Highway to Maroondah Highway, unless you travel into Lilydale and back out again,”Ms Cooper said.

Long travel times are another major barrier. Council pointed to recent changes to Route 685, where all services now travel via Yarra Glen, adding more than 30 per cent to journey times and reducing the appeal of public transport.

Ms Cooper said, “Long journey times lowers incentive travellers compared to the benefits of using a private car.”

To address this, Council is advocating for more direct and efficient routes, particularly during peak periods.

“There is a need for direct services, particularly during peak periods between Healesville and Lilydale to promote the viability of public transport use,” Ms Cooper said.

“Providing buses that only stop at key townships during peak periods would enable public transport to be more viable,” she said.

Late-night travel is another gap frequently raised by the community, especially for workers and those attending events in Melbourne with the last 683 bus leaving Warburton at 8:25pm, and leaving Chrinside for Warburton at 9:40pm.

These limitations make it difficult for people to rely on public transport outside standard hours.

Ms Cooper said, “It is particularly an issue for young people and older residents who are no longer driving.”

In response, Council is calling for a broad review of the bus network, including more frequent services, extended operating hours and improved route design.

“We will also strongly advocate to the Department of Transport for a wholesale review of the bus network to ensure that bus routes and timetables match contemporary needs,” Ms Cooper said.

“This includes greater evening and weekend frequencies and expansion of tele-bus services,” she said.

Flexible, on-demand transport is also part of the solution being proposed.

Council has put forward several pilot programs, including a FlexiRide service for Healesville and Chum Creek to improve access for residents and support key local developments.

“We will seek to work with the State Government, local community groups, and private transport operators to provide on-demand bus services in areas not currently serviced by public transport,” Ms Cooper said,

A similar proposal has been developed for Mount Dandenong, where an on-demand service could help both residents and tourists travel between townships and access popular walking trails, reducing congestion and parking pressures in the process.

Council has also highlighted the success of bike racks on buses, which were introduced on key routes following earlier trials.

Ms Cooper said, “New customers used the service to access employment, using their bike to connect with a bus stop that was not easily accessible by walking.”

The initiative has made it easier for commuters to bridge the “first and last mile” of their journey, and Council is now advocating for its expansion to other areas.

Looking ahead, growth in areas like Lilydale is expected to place even greater demand on transport infrastructure, further reinforcing the need for improvements.

“More transport options will be needed and more demand on the trainline,” Ms Cooper said.

Ultimately, while responsibility for funding and delivery sits with the Victorian Govern-

ment, Council says it will continue to push for change on behalf of its residents.

“Our advocacy seeks to highlight the issues our community faces with current transport options available to them and to propose solutions to improve the connectivity and services,”

Ms Cooper said.

Latest works on transport in Healesville and the Upper Yarra consist of a review of the Yarra Ranges bus network which was completed in 2023, and a new network which was implemented in November that year.

Following this review, Route 687 was discontinued due to low usage, with additional trips and better frequency implemented on the key Route 685 from Healesville to Lilydale.

Weekend patronage improved dramatically following these uplifts, with a 35 per cent increase in passenger numbers on Saturdays and 40 per cent on Sundays in the first 11 months of the new timetable.

A spokesperson from the Department of Transport and Planning told Star Mail, “We are focused on improving public transport services across Victoria, enhancing access, connectivity and reliability for local communities.”

“The updated timetable, developed from our 2023 review of the Yarra Ranges bus network, continues to benefit local passengers with more frequent services and streamlined routes,” they said.

According to the Department, since launching Victoria’s Bus Plan, more than 128 local bus networks have been improved, giving Victorian communities access to more than 11,000 extra services each week.

For now, many of these proposals remain in the advocacy stage, but momentum is building.

The true test will come in the months and years ahead, whether funding is secured, services expand and residents begin to feel a real difference in their day-to-day lives.

Until then, Council’s message remains firm: the need is clear, the community has spoken, and the work to improve transport across the Yarra Ranges is not over.

Traffic counting questions

By Callum Ludwig

Residents have questioned the ongoing traffic monitoring near the site of the proposed development at 65 Quarry Road, Lilydale.

Meanwhile, Yarra Ranges Council has confirmed its stance on the project which bypassed them in the hopes of direct approval from the state government.

Acting Director of Planning and Sustainable Futures at Yarra Ranges Nathan Islip said the council is aware of an application with the State Government to develop vacant land at 65 Quarry Road, Lilydale.

“The application has been submitted directly to the State Government on the basis that it is deemed a significant economic project and unfortunately this means Council has no formal role in the decision-making process,” he said.

“Council has heard from community members who have expressed concerns about the proposed development and we share these concerns.

“Council will be making a submission and formally objecting to the application on the basis that it has the potential to impact nearby community members and the road network.”

Over the Easter long weekend, pneumatic road tubes used to count cars were back over Quarry Road. These tubes were stationed at the very far end of Quarry Road, beyond the right turn for Trafalgar Crescent.

Only a few metres away is a locked gate which leads onto the proposed site, Mount Lilydale Mercy College’s outdoor classroom (with a path through it that some people use as a thoroughfare to the Yarra Valley Trail) and the back of resident Kristy Thomsen’s property, who helped initially raise concerns about the development with neighbours and the college.

Both Ms Thomsen and another nearby resident contacted the Star Mail about the appearance of the traffic counting tubes.

Traffic is one of the key concerns of the development, due to the plans for 106 separate ware-

houses and the traffic assessment estimating in the order of 1400 two-way vehicle movements on Quarry Road each day, including up to 112 turn-

ing left or right onto Nelson Road at peak hours, just under two vehicles a minute.

A recommendation was made to widen the pavement of Quarry Road to seven metres, up from the current 5.8 metres but no on-street parking, drainage or footpath formalisation was expected to be triggered.

Initial car counting to identify current levels of vehicle movements took place between Wednesday 26 March and Tuesday 1 April 2025 and was limited to Quarry Road, just north of Nelson Road, and in front of 47 Trafalgar Crescent.

20 vehicles on average entered Quarry Road from Nelson Road between the peak hours of 8am to 9am, with 25 entering in the afternoon peak hour of 3pm to 4pm. 16 exited Quarry Road onto Nelson Road in the morning peak and 29 in the afternoon peak. An average of 413 vehicle movements, 96.8 per cent of those light vehicles

up to five and a half metres, used Quarry Road in both directions on weekdays.

Seven vehicles exited Trafalgar Crescent onto Quarry Road in the morning peak and the same in the afternoon, while seven would enter Trafalgar Crescent in the morning peak and 15 in the afternoon peak. A weekday average of 222 vehicle movements was recorded on Trafalgar Crescent.

No traffic data was included in the assessment from Nelson Road itself or Anderson Street, which provides essential access for vehicles to Nelson Road coming from Main Street. Yarra Ranges Council encourages the community to read more about the application on the State Government website, and to make a submission if they have concerns with the proposed development: planning.vic.gov.au/planning-approvals/ministerial-permits-register/ ministerial-permits/e09b0825-89dc-f011-85447ced8da2b527.

Outer east CFAs raise $28k

By Oliver Winn

CFAs across the outer east were out rattling their donation tins on Friday 3 April, playing their part in a record breaking year for the Good Friday Appeal.

A whopping $25,268,485 was raised for 2026’s Good Friday Appeal - a true testament to the power of community fundraising.

Hillcrest CFA member Steph Peros led her brigade’s coin collecting efforts and she said it was a successful year of fundraising.

“It’s a great charity to support, people were really generous and really happy to see our faces going around and obviously doing it for a good cause,” Ms Peros said.

CFAs from the Dandenong Ranges collected just under $1500, the Yarra Valley group’s tally hit an impressive $25,129, and brigades from the Knox group raised $1337.

With Mooroolbark and Chirnside Park’s contributions added to the mix, CFAs within the Star Mail’s catchment areas hit a final figure of $28,334.

Good Friday Appeal executive director Rebecca Cowan said she was continually inspired by the dedication of regional Victorians.

“This year’s incredible total is a reflection of the passion and commitment of these communities. From creative fundraising initiatives to tireless tin rattlers to 75 years of the CFA, every effort has made a real difference for sick children and their families,” Ms Cowan said.

Every year, the Good Friday Appeal raises money to fund lifesaving procedures at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

This year’s donations will support a range of important projects including the GEMStone study, which conducts state-of-the-art genomic testing to address genetic conditions, which are the leading cause of death in children in high-income countries.

The funding will also go toward MRI-compat-

ible Neonatal Transport Ventilations, which will reduce the risk of transport and allow improved management of intubated babies in the hospital.

Even if someone isn’t personally connected to the Royal Children’s Hospital, chances are there’s another close by who is.

Ms Peros said she held the cause close to her heart.

“My son had a liver transplant at 14-monthsold. He’s now three. So for me to be involved in it... I’m just proud to be a part of it, to be honest.

“We spent a lot of time from when he was born

up until that 14 month mark in and out of the Children’s Hospital. So for us, that was a big part of our lives and it still is. That’s something we will always cherish and obviously hold close to our hearts,” Ms Peros said.

Hillcrest CFA were joined by the Hoddles Creek CFA juniors on Friday, going from door to door throughout Woori Yallock, Launching Place and Don Valley.

Ms Peros said their support was always appreciated.

“It was really good because they’re going to

be the face of our community in a few years time. They really enjoyed the day, and you know, it’s a big commitment from them as well,” she said.

Hillcrest received just over $4400 cash donations and $735 in online donations, pulling a total of roughly $5140 this year.

“We thank the volunteers and also the members of the community for donating and we appreciate their support,” Ms Peros said.

The CFA has been a huge supporter of the Good Friday Appeal with the Donald Fire Brigade first fundraising back in 1951.

An incredible $2,150,000 was raised by the CFA this year with over 225 Brigades fundraising, bringing their total to $43,150,000 this year.

Good Friday Appeal chairman Penny Fowler said from regional towns to metropolitan Melbourne, communities always united to make a difference on Good Friday.

“Every donation, big or small, helps ensure children receive the world-class care they deserve regardless of where they live. We extend our heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, donor, fundraiser and supporter who made this possible,” Mr Fowler said.

Success and disaster at Warburton Bike Park stage two opening

By Oliver Winn

The opening of Warburton Bike Park’s newest trails and the launch of shuttle services will be one to remember, for reasons both good and bad.

Taking place across the weekend of 4 April, the opening was no doubt a success across a few fronts.

Shuttle services were booked out, mountain bike enthusiasts tore up the new trails and feedback from riders was overwhelmingly positive.

But, the mood was soured by a serious incident on the Mad Max trail which saw a major emergency services response in the early afternoon.

Upper Yarra SES unit controller Hannah Brunton said before the incident, it was nothing but smiles from everyone at the opening.

“It was very chilled out, very positive vibes. The community was great. The Bulldog Cafe was open, they were fantastic. Everyone was mingling and chatting.

“Then we received word that there was an injured patient up on the mountain,” she said.

An Ambulance Victoria (AV) spokesperson said an Air Ambulance Victoria helicopter crew and paramedic crews assessed and treated one patient at the scene.

“A male teenager was airlifted to The Royal Children’s Hospital with upper and lower body injuries in a serious but stable condition,” an AV spokesperson said.

SES members responded rapidly to the incident, but the steep terrain saw them escalate the response to a high angle rescue.

“We commenced our walk-in with the mule, which we got probably 100 meters in and decided that, based on the information that we had about the patient, and the terrain that we were walking through, that it would be safer if we had District 13 rope rescue involved,” Ms Brunton said.

This saw Monbulk CFA’s District 13 Rope Rescue Team paged to assist, with the Marysville SES also attending.

Requiring an estimated 40 emergency personnel across the SES, CFA and Ambulance Victoria, it was a resource intensive response.

Yarra Ranges Council mayor Richard Higgins praised the swift and well-coordinated response from emergency services.

“The extraction was complex, and the skill and commitment of the emergency services were evident throughout,” he said.

Despite the incident, the rest of the opening weekend ran smoothly.

“It was wonderful to see the wide smiles of rid-

ers experiencing the new trails for the first time. We welcomed locals and visitors, men and women, young riders and the young at heart,” Cr Higgins said.

Ms Brunton said the Upper Yarra SES had a marquee set up, which got great engagement from the riding community.

“We had a really good turnout from our members. I think we had about 15 people there at one point,” she said.

Ride Time Bikes manager Matt Swann said the Warburton Bike Park was “the biggest thing to happen to mountain biking ever, in the history of

Australian mountain biking”

“There must’ve been thousands of people riding the trails over the weekends, the weather was fantastic, and the trails held up really well.”

But, he said there was “virtually no inclusion” of local bike businesses in the opening event and it left him feeling “passed over and ignored”

“There was never a discussion around how to include relevant local businesses in an opening weekend situation.

“We would probably like to have more involvement in the discussion around how the bike park is implemented and how it’s promoted as well,

took advantage of

how it gets promoted to the riders that are interacting with it,” Mr Swann said.

With the new opening of the trails, Warburton Bike Park now offers more than 70 kilometres of trails and 650 metres of elevation. Additional trails will open throughout the year, with the full 125km Southern Network expected to be completed by 2027.

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COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE

Come along for Term Two

Come along and join Lilydale Community House for Term Two.

On Mondays, we offer our popular Paint, Draw, Create, Explore from 10.30am-12.30pm, Soup and Stories from 11am-1pm, and Creative Arts from 1-3pm. Mondays also means the return of the “Women’s Repair Room”, a free skills group for women to build practical skills to manage everyday conflict, set healthy boundaries and respond with confidence to build healthier relationships, 6.30-9pm.

On Tuesdays, we have our regular Table Tennis session from 1-3pm. Also new is two external programs – Pop Pilates from 6.30-7.30pm and Drumming Circle Gathering, from 7.45-9pm both of which you can contact the facilitators directly. Details are on our website.

On Wednesdays, we have a new program starting called “Change” , a free skills group for men. 6.30-8.30pm. These workshops are for men who have wanted to “change” and improve their communications styles with their loved ones, bringing a healthier balance to life and positive change. We also have the return of our Nervous System Workshop on 29 April, 7-8.30pm.

On Thursdays is our regular Step and Connect Women’s Social Walk, 9.30-11am, Cooking for One 11am-1pm and Singing Circle 1.30-3pm.

On Fridays is our every popular Exercise for Older Adults – with two sessions, 10am and 11am.

On Saturdays, Beginners Watercolour returns for 4 weeks, starting 6 June from 9.30am-12pm. Hearing Australia will be offering free hearing tests on Monday 4 May, 10am-1pm which must be booked through us on the phone. The Lilydale & District Historical Society will be conducting another walk this term with “Pubs of the Main Street” on Thursday 28 May, 10am12pm, and Bunnings Lilydale will be offering a free workshop on mini Zen Gardens on May 7 at 10am.

We offer a variety of classes, workshops and social activities at low cost or no cost

Our activities for TERM 2, 2026 starting Monday 20 April

MONDAYS

Paint, Draw, Create, Explore

10.30–12.30pm Gold coin donation

Soup & Stories

11am–1pm Cost: Free

Make soup together and eat together

Creative Arts (4 weeks)

27 April–18 May, 1-3pm Cost: $100

Join Leigh to learn different media as well as her popular oil painting. Materials supplied.

Womens Repair Room - NEW

4 May–22 June, 6.30-9pm Cost: Free

A 7 week women’s group focused on building practical skills ot manage everyday conflict, set healthy boundaries and respond with confidence.

TUESDAYS

Table Tennis 1-3pm. Gold coin donation

Pop Pilates - NEW

An upbeat full body toning session with easy to follow moves and fun music. 6.30-7.30pm

Contact 0457 008 627 directly.

Drumming Circle Gathering - NEW

Experience the power of drumming in a group. No experience necessary. 7.45-9pm Contact 0492 920 280 directly.

WEDNESDAYS

Nervous System Workshop - NEW 29 April 7-8.30pm Cost: $10

Understanding the nervous system and how it impacts your body and its regulation.

Change - NEW

6 May–24 June; 6.30-8.30pm Cost: Free

These workshops are for men who have wanted to ‘change’ and improve their communication styles with their loved ones.

THURSDAYS

Step & Connect Women’s Social Walks Group leaves the House 9.30am sharp. Return for a cuppa. Cost: Free Cooking for One 23 April–21 May. 11am-1pm Cost: $50 for 5 weeks.

The Singing Circle Join Barb for singing and laughter each week. 1.30-3.00pm. $10 per session. Pay on the day.

FRIDAYS

Exercise for Older Adults (Class 1) 10-10.45am. $10 a session.

Exercise for Older Adults (Class 2) 11-11.45am. $10 a session.

SATURDAYS

Beginner’s Watercolour (4 weeks)

June 6, 13, 20, 27 9.30am-12pm Cost: $110

SESSIONS

Hearing Australia

Monday 4 May Get your hearing check for free. Bookings only by phone –7036 6813

Build a Mini Zen Garden with Bunnings

Thursday 7 May

Time: 10.00-12pm Cost: Free

History Walk – Pubs of Main St

Thursday 28 May $15 (all proceeds go to the Historical Society) Meet: Lilydale Community House Time: 10.00am.

7 Hardy Street Lilydale | Ph: 7036 6813

Website: www.lilydalech.org.au | Email: enquiries@lilydalech.org.au

‘Invisible migrants’ stories in focus

By Mikayla van Loon

Often referred to as the invisible migrants, the wave of Dutch folk to Australia in both post-war eras helped establish some of the most wellknown businesses and institutions in the Yarra Ranges today.

In celebration of these stories, the Lilydale and Monbulk Historical Societies are collaborating to host an exhibition titled From the Lowlands to the Ranges.

Launching on Sunday 3 May, the exhibition tells the stories of 30 families who migrated to Australia from the Netherlands, primarily after both World Wars.

From flower farms to sporting clubs, churches to schools, the Dutch were keen to establish roots in the region and did so on a great scale.

People like 17-year-old John Koolmees, who travelled to Australia solo in 1937, established himself as one of the earliest flower growers in Mount Evelyn with his two young daughters and wife in tow in 1950.

“John set to work, applying the skills he had learned in the Netherlands as an apprentice horticultural worker,” his story reads.

“He expanded the area under cultivation, imported new varieties and hybridised his own varieties.”

It was flower farms like this that provided opportunities for later arrivals to find work and connect with fellow migrants so far away from home.

Toon (Tony) and Truus (Trudy) Hanegraaf and their children, John, Wilma and Anne, left the Netherlands in 1956, first calling Koo Wee Rup home but moving 12 times in 11 years, eventually landing in Monbulk in 1967.

“Tony and Trudy both worked for John van Graas on the Blue Dandenongs Bulb Farm. John had a very positive influence on their lives.”

Piet (Peter) and Dora van Horick packed up their nine children and set sail for Australia in 1963.

Starting their journey in Australia as many did at the Bonegilla Migrant Centre, Piet left to find work, initially at Tesselaar’s Tulip Farm in Silvan, while the family moved to Burleigh (a former suburb near Silvan).

Within six months, Piet became foreman at the van Berkel Brothers’ bulb farm in Monbulk, and the family moved closer after being offered a house on the van Berkel property.

Similarly, exhibition committee member Helen Darvell’s father was a flower grower in the

area, and she said this exhibition was recognition for the contribution he and others made to the community.

“(They) really contributed to the community a lot. And I think that’s overlooked by a lot of people, the contribution all these businesses and farms and everything have made to the community,” she said.

Lilydale and District Historical Society president Maria McCarthy said the exhibition aims to acknowledge the challenges faced by these 30 families, but also the positive opportunities they grasped.

Many of these families flourished in the decades after arriving and, to this day, remain stalwarts in the community, but the exhibition shines a light on the hardship and origin stories of how that came to be.

“Like other Europeans, the Dutch came with very little, with no other connection here, maybe other than a friend or another family member who made the courageous effort to come first,” Ms McCarthy said.

New accessible PC station launches at Realm Library

Ringwood’s Realm Library has become the first in the suite of Your Library locations to install a new accessible computer.

The computer station is designed to ensure all members of the community can navigate the digital world with ease and independence.

Your Library partnered with La Trobe Community Health Service’s Community Capacity Building Team, whose expert guidance ensured Realm’s new station is tailored to the accessibility needs of our community.

“They’ve created an opportunity for themselves, their own family, through hard work and determination to keep their family going.”

Providing insights and artefacts for the exhibition, Dutch Australian Heritage Centre director Michael Gijsberts joined the committee as a guest.

For him, the exhibition will bring Dutch culture and stories out of the shadows.

“The Dutch were always called invisible migrants, because they integrated so well, language-wise, culture-wise, and all that. That’s why we started this Heritage Centre in fear of losing our culture,” he said.

“This exhibition here will not make us invisible, but very visible.”

Gerry van Horick, son of Piet and Dora, said the Dutch, of course, congregated in familiar settings, like church and sports with other Dutch people, but were eager to be “more Aussie than the Aussies” outside these circles.

“Out there in the world, you wouldn’t know they were Dutch because they were more Aussie than the Aussies. They were so keen to integrate and make her go of it,” he said.

Collecting these stories was a task Gerry and Anne van Horick undertook, with Ms van Horick saying the majority of people were more than willing to share their story, and it helped ignite an interest in their family history.

“Talking to these people, we were actually filling in parts of their history with Jill’s (A’Vard) help. Some people we talked to weren’t quite sure what year their parents came, what ship they were on,” Mr van Horick said.

“One thing we have to look at, our parents left a country, left all their family behind, just to give us a better life,” Ms van Horick, daughter of Tony and Trudy Hanegraaf, said.

Receiving a $10,000 grant from the Dutch embassy, alongside local support, these stories and hopefully many more will be bound in a book to celebrate Dutch migrants in the region.

The whole community is invited to the launch at the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre, where traditional Dutch food will be sold, a Dutch choir will sing, and a display of artefacts will be on show.

The event will begin at 10.30am, with the official opening at 1pm, concluding at 3pm.

The exhibition will remain at Monbulk until 30 June 2026 and will then be relocated to the Old Lilydale Court House, home of the Lilydale and District Historical Society, by 11 July 2026.

The new station features a suite of specialised hardware and software tailored to meet diverse mobility and sensory needs.

Key enhancements include a wider, accessible desk with height adjustment, specifically designed to accommodate mobility scooters and provide ample space for carers. To support ambulant patrons with mobility requirements, the station is also equipped with a specialised desk chair with arms.

“At Your Library, we are committed to ensuring everyone in our community can access information and technology with confidence and independence,” Your Library’s CEO Dr Karina Lamb said.

“This new accessible PC station at Realm Library is an important step in removing barriers and creating inclusive spaces where all people feel supported to connect, learn and participate.”

Realm Library Manager, Sally Fonaro said, “We are hopeful that having a more accessible PC at Realm will help to address some of the digital divide, allow more patrons to engage with online services, access online resources and participate in activities they find enriching.”

The accessible PC features include:

Enhanced Visibility: A high-contrast keyboard and integrated Microsoft Accessibility features, including text-size adjustment, magnifiers, and screen narration.

Specialised Peripherals: Patrons can borrow a trackball mouse or specialised earphones for use with the screen narrator (available for four hours within the branch). An optional wrist rest is also available.

Increased Privacy: Frosted perspex privacy screens to ensure a comfortable environment while using magnification tools.

This initiative is part of a broader effort across the Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges regions to remove barriers to information and technology.

Members of the community are invited to visit Realm Library at Ringwood Town Square, to try out the new equipment. The friendly staff are available to assist with any questions regarding the new features.

Push to prevent falls

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

A renewed focus on preventing falls from height has been reinforced in Victoria, alongside increased enforcement action against employers who fail to manage workplace risks.

The push comes as WorkSafe continues to pursue compliance outcomes linked to serious incidents, including the death of a 66-year-old maintenance worker at a Monbulk plant nursery in June 2022.

The man fell through a polycarbonate roof panel on a shed while attempting to replace roofing sheets, he was working alone on the roof without fall protection when he fell 3.3 metres to the floor below.

He was taken to hospital with serious head injuries, underwent brain surgery, and died a few days later.

Van Berkel Distributors Pty Ltd, associated with the incident, was later sentenced without conviction in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to failing to reduce the risk of a fall by using a fall arrest system.

The Monbulk nursery and horticulture supplier was fined $65,000 and ordered to pay $8000 in costs over the fatal incident.

The court heard it was reasonably practicable to reduce the risk of a fall using a fall arrest system such as a safety harness.

WorkSafe’s investigation found the worker did not have a qualification in roofing and that a Safe Work Method Statement had not been prepared for the task.

The enforcement action forms part of broader regulatory activity targeting falls from height.

According to a state government media release, WorkSafe charged 67 employers with falls-related breaches last year and issued $3.75 million in fines and penalties.

The figures represent more than double the number of charges and penalties compared with 2024.

The release also stated 11 workers were killed in falls from height last year, with most fatalities occurring in the construction industry.

Deputy Premier and WorkSafe and the TAC minister, Ben Carroll said preventing falls was essential.

“Fall prevention is essential when someone is working at heights, not an optional extra –because it saves lives,” Mr Carroll said.

“Labor will always back Victorian workers – because they shouldn’t have to risk life and limb just to get the job done.”

WorkSafe chief health and safety officer, Sam Jenkin said falls remain a key priority for inspectors and enforcement teams.

“Falls from height is a priority hazard for WorkSafe, particularly in the construction industry, where it continues to cause significant harm,” he said.

Mr Jenkin said inspectors are conducting thousands of site visits each year.

“WorkSafe inspectors are out visiting construction sites every day – including more than 3200 visits to construction sites so far this year – with falls hazards a priority at every single inspection.”

Mr Jenkin said many incidents are preventable.

“We know how to prevent falls and so do the vast majority of duty holders, but tragically many don’t believe a fall will happen to them until it’s too late.”

“WorkSafe inspectors have heard all the excuses, from ‘it was just a five-minute job’ to ‘we’ve done it this way before’.”

He said enforcement action is increasingly being taken before serious harm occurs.

“Tough enforcement action isn’t just about responding after someone is killed or injured in a fall. In the past few years WorkSafe has charged and prosecuted an increasing number of duty holders for breaching falls safety –even when no fall has eventuated – with more employers facing significant legal and financial consequences before a worker is injured or killed.”

Mr Jenkin said WorkSafe is also investing in education and awareness programs.

“WorkSafe is investing in falls education and awareness through programs such as

Falls Basics, campaigns that target bosses, workers and the community, and providing guidance and resources – including through regular proactive inspections, online resources and stakeholder networks,” he said.

“While ultimately, duty holders are responsible for addressing falls hazards, we’re doing everything we can to support them.”

WorkSafe data shows 1452 injury claims were accepted from workers injured in falls from height in 2025.

It also shows there were 52 successful outcomes in falls-related prosecutions, enforceable undertakings and charges in 2025, involving 67 duty holders and $3.75 million in penalties.

In 2024, there were 36 outcomes worth $1.66 million, involving 32 duty holders.

Professor Sharon Newnam, a systems-thinking workplace safety researcher, said workplace safety needs to be understood as a system-wide issue rather than the result of individual actions alone.

“Safety outcomes depend on how governments, regulators, leaders, managers and workers interact, and how information flows between those levels,” she said.

She said breakdowns in communication and feedback can increase risk, particularly when senior decision-making does not reflect operational conditions or when frontline concerns are not escalated.

Professor Newnam said workplaces are constantly adapting to changing conditions, and small incremental changes in behaviour can gradually erode safety margins over time.

“Investigation approaches are critical, as they determine what is identified and what solutions are ultimately recommended,” she said.

She said systems-based approaches tend to produce system-level solutions, rather than focusing solely on individual blame.

Professor Newnam said effective safety systems rely on strong leadership, two-way communication, and ongoing monitoring to ensure controls remain effective over time.

Exploring Asian conflicts

By Callum Ludwig

“Asian Encounters - From Hiroshima to Ho Chi Minh” is the latest in a series of books which tells the tales of how conflicts in Asia affected our local communities.

Historian Anthony McAleer OAM has been working on the series ‘The Shire of Lillydale & its Military Heritage’ since 1994, and the fifth volume covers the period from 1945 to 1970.

Mr McAleer said it’s quite a significant period because Australia was involved in a lot of campaigns, wars and military encounters in Asia during that time.

“On the home front, it’s quite significant in regard to looking at the fight against communism so people were arguing against communism on the home front,” she said.

“At the same time, they were also putting on a uniform and going to either suppress or fight communism overseas in certain wars like the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and Indonesian Confrontation,” he said.

“The main aspect with the series is I wanted to see how Australia’s military heritage had affected the one area and also the role that that area had played in Australia’s military history.”

Over 100 people who were on the home front or were in uniform during this post-World War Two period were interviewed for the latest addition to the series.

Mr McAleer said a lot is uncovered in the book, including the stories of the last local Korean War veteran and two hard-to-track locals who were involved in the Malayan Emergency.

“It is looking at the serious debates that happened in regards to communism, because certainly the government ramped up and there was great fear that communists would take over,” he said.

“The Domino Theory was quite prevalent during that time, that communism would take over those countries and they’d make their way down to Australia, it looked fairly serious and on the home front.

“There was a Mount Evelyn branch of the Australian Communist Party, there was also the Kilsyth branch and there were communist candidates for local government putting their hand up to go on to council, none ever won a seat on council, but still, it’s interesting that the communists had certainly had enough support in certain areas in the Shire that they were able to form these groups and push their cause locally.”

There was significant pressure on the rise of communism globally at the time, with the Cold War ensuing after World War Two and international involvement in the Korean War between the communist forces of the Soviet Union and China supporting North Korea and the United Nations supporting South Korea. Back home, Liberal leader Sir Robert Menzies tried and failed three times to ban the Australian Communist Party, through legislation, referred powers from the states and a referendum, despite widespread anti-communist sentiment.

Even Lilydale RSL Sub-Branch president Bill Dobson remembers that after the nuns at school

and certainly with the United Nations, so many different nations, involved in the fight to save South Korea from the Communists, it was certainly a significant war,” he said.

“The Korean War is known as the forgotten war, and you could call this whole period the forgotten period, because at either end you’ve got such a huge war in World War Two that had such an impact everywhere, and then you’ve got Vietnam, which went on for over 10 years and had such a huge impact on the home front and sort of militarily.

“Even the Malayan emergency, very few people know about that and our involvement there, the same with Indonesian confrontation… it was a significant period in our military history, and it certainly had an impact on this region.”

“I grew up in a fairly peaceful time…nothing compared to what these guys had to go through, National Service and the regular army with what they had to give up in order to sustain our defence forces, but also a lot of the home front stories and how people really feared Communism and a communist takeover,” he said.

“There was one fellow his name was Ken Briggs, Ken was was wounded in Korea with the army and he was left a paraplegic and he was in his 20s he had a young wife who was also in her 20s and they had a young daughter…for a long time he wasn’t able to get out of a bed and he lived the the rest of his life as paraplegic which certainly had a great impact on his young family.

spoke to them as kids and they were running around in the yard with sticks, they weren’t pretending to be cowboys, they were shooting communists.

Mr McAleer said a Mount Evelyn State School teacher at the time and another local man faced retribution after they were named by a member of parliament as communists despite the teacher having left the party years prior and the other man being mistaken for his brother.

“There were really grave concerns that the Korean War could bring upon a World War Three

Having begun just before the now-defunct Shire of Lillydale amalgamated into the Shire of Yarra Ranges, the series focuses on the townships of Wonga Park, Lilydale, Coldstream, Yering, Gruyere, Wandin, Seville, Silvan, Monbulk, Olinda, Kalorama, Mt Dandenong, Montrose, Kilsyth, Mooroolbark and Mt Evelyn.

Mr McAleer said he has been researching the book while researching the others over the last 30 years, but after sitting down and doing some serious research solely for this book he had been blown away by some of the stories.

“The other one was a fellow called Harold Giddens, Harold was injured during the Battle of Kapyong where he was accidentally napalmed by the American Air Force…he was so severely burnt that his skin was falling off him and he lived the rest of his life operation to operation.”

A launch event for Asian Encounters - From Hiroshima to Ho Chi Minh will be held on Sunday 17 May, with more details to be confirmed. The book will be available for purchases at sites in Lilydale and Chirnside Park, including Bunnings, Coles and the Lilydale Marketplace shopping centre, from the week beginning Monday 13 April.

Twilight service returns to honour servicemen and women

What has become an annual tradition in Lilydale to remember and commemorate local servicemen and women returns to Lilydale Memorial Park on 16 April.

The twilight Anzac service has become a fixture in the lead-up to Anzac Day, hosted by the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (GMCT), to highlight the remarkable histories of those interred at GMCT sites.

Stories of soldiers and medical personnel who left Australia for other parts of the world during wartime have been told each year since the inaugural service in 2023, showcasing the sacrifice of locals.

A display of hand-knitted poppies, which began in 2017, has always accompanied this.

Made from 8000 poppies, the display changes slightly to tell a new story, but the same elements of a soldier, a nurse and the Australian Flag remain.

These were crafted over many hours by community volunteers, including the Rotary Club of Lilydale, Friends of Rotary and residents of the Evelyn Ridge Retirement Village.

All the traditional elements of an Anzac service will close the evening, including The Last Post, the playing of the Australian national anthem and a wreath-laying ceremony.

says this event is a meaningful opportunity for the community to come together and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Following the service, attendees are encouraged to view the handmade poppy display, this year arranged in the shape of a cross to recognise the courageous medical men and women who provided vital aid to Anzac troops. GMCT chief executive officer, Andrew Eriksen,

“The Lilydale Memorial Park Anzac service has always been a powerful and moving ceremony, reminding us of not only the bravery of men and women who have served, but also of the lasting impact of war.

“It is an honour for us to host this important event and to remember and reflect alongside our local community.” Lilydale Memorial Park is located on Victoria Road in Lilydale. The ceremony will begin at 4.45pm with the flag lowered to half-mast. The service will begin at 5pm, concluding at 6pm.

Atomic bomb simulation

By Oliver Winn

Healesville’s fine history is a story well documented, but there’s one lesser-known event that many may find interesting.

On the afternoon of 28 October, 1954, an atomic bomb was dropped on the School of Army Health in Healesville, cutting a swathe of damage in its wake.

Charred bodies littered the immediate area of the explosion and flattened gum trees lay like dominos in the fields.

But this grim scene of death and destruction was actually an elaborate simulation.

Known officially as Exercise Alphabet, the scenario was designed to give army personnel an idea of what to expect in the aftermath of an atomic bomb attack.

Healesville and District Historical Society member Luke Steenhuis said following the aftermath of World War Two, the threat of atomic warfare was something the army was concerned about.

“It was only six years after the end of World War Two, and there was still ongoing friction around the world, so it was something that the government was concerned about.

“In 1954, they launched this particular exercise with the atomic blast, and they had realistic scenes propped up around their property as to what might occur if there was a real atomic blast and how to go about handling the medical emergencies,” Mr Steenhuis said.

An article in The Argus a day after the blast depicted how heat, blast, and radiation had flattened a giant gum tree, 830 yards from the explosion.

“The tree had been used to protect a weapon pit, but one man in the pit was ‘dead’ and another was ‘blinded and badly charred,’” the article read.

Army medical officers travelled from all over Australia to take part in the exercise. Some were actors who had fake wounds, others formed the medical response to the blast.

The blast was made by a concoction of chemicals and a generous amount of magnesium metal was touched off to simulate the blinding rays emanating from the atomic bomb. Shortly after, engineers set fire to a large pile of wood to create the mushroom cloud.

Mr Steenhuis said it wasn’t a big blast.

“It might have just gone 20 metres in the air or something like that. But it was just symbolic of an atomic blast, so they could start procedures.”

The exercise was led by Major-General Kingsley Norris who sought to allay the public’s anxiety about atomic warfare. He attempted to demonstrate that if prepared for, a nuclear bomb’s damage can be mitigated.

The army kept a firm hold over what was given to the press about the exercise, with controlled press releases provided to three major Melbourne newspapers at the time.

Mr Steenhuis said this was a reason why many aren’t aware of this interesting point in Healesville’s history.

“The army kept things pretty close to their own internal affairs in that they put out very controlled press releases, and all we know about what happened there is what they released to the Melbourne press.

“Even the local Healesville Press didn’t cover the event.”

But, a research article published last year revealed that the army’s forays into public relations weren’t just for show.

Published in the Australian Historical Studies journal by Daniel Leach, he argued the army were using the exercises as a way to pressure the Commonwealth to establish better civil defence.

“The objectives of Exercise Alphabet were

significant for Australia of the mid-1950s, aiming to influence not only public opinion but Commonwealth policy as well.

“Most importantly, the exercise’s principal aim was to goad Canberra into establishing effective civil defence,” Mr Leach wrote.

Mr Steenhuis said even some of Healesville Historical Society’s members were around at the time of the exercise, yet had no idea of its existence.

“A few months beforehand the local press did mention that there was going to be some sort of exercises on the army land, but at the time there was nothing reported and it may be that the army didn’t want local people to come and have a look.”

All aboard underground trip

By Tanya Steele

A day out in the city could scratch the itch of any train travel lover as the five new underground stations kicked into full swing this year.

With a week to go of the school holidays and travel free at the moment, checking out the new stations can make for a fun day out.

Part of the Metro Tunnel project, the Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac stations are up and running and connect the Sunbury, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines.

Travelling around the city has now become a different beast and a huge change to the overall system as doubles the size of Melbourne’s underground rail with a new 97-kilometre route beneath the city.

A friend of mine joined her entire family, who are mixed ages and abilities and trundled around for the day last week, intending to visit all five of the new stations.

Victoria announced free public transport across the state from 31 March to 30 April to help

with the cost of living, encouraging residents to explore the city and suburban attractions.

The Yarra Ranges family I know said they had a blast and started their day with Town Hall. Located right near Swanston Street, it is expected to be one of the busiest new stations.

With a grand entry hall with a roof supported by huge columns shaped like tree branches, 25 meters below sits Town Hall Station’s main area and according to a special newspaper style print edition on the project that was released the “Metro Tunnel Newspaper” - the architect’s dubbed the station “the crypt” because of chow close it is to St Paul’s Cathedral.

25 metres? It sounds pretty good if you like an escalator or elevator ride and the station has an amazing ten-metre high ceiling with chandelier lights. The artwork Tracks by First Nations artist Maree Clarke displays native fauna found across the Kulin Nation.

There is also a direct underground pedestrian link to Flinders Street Station, with a ninemetre-wide island platform.

Started in 2017, the Metro Tunnel project made two new nine kilometre-long railway tunnels that now connect Melbourne’s western and eastern suburbs and uses a new high-capacity signalling system that allows trains to travel closer together.

Heading to Anzac Station, the new stop has three entrances and is located near The Shrine and the Botanic Gardens, sitting under St Kilda Road.

Also, people get excited– not just a train station, it is also a tram/train interchange, with a timber canopy feature overhead and quite serene apparently, even with it’s busy location.

Five Australian artists were commissioned to create works as part of the new Melbourne Metro Tunnel stations, and the Anzac site has artworks by Melbourne artists Raafat Ishak and Fiona Hall.

Beneath Swanston Street, at a whopping 42 meters underground, sits The State Library station, which has 12-meter-high columns with the artwork Forever at the entrance, by artist Danie

Mellor.

North in Arden, this station features giant brick arches, designed to reflect North Melbourne’s industrial history, and the facade has an artwork by Abdul Abdullah, Come Together. Arden also has a little acoustic phenomenon attached to the design, with a “whispering wall” for people to experience if they stand in the right place.

Parkville Station’s Grattan Street entrance has a 54-meter-long glass and steel canopy, and skylights, along with the artwork Vernal Glade in the station concourse by artist Patricia Piccinini.

The Metro Tunnel project, love or hate, is huge change to the train system overall and there’s more on the horizon as movements begin towards creating a rail connection to the Airport.

My friend said it was a really fun day out across the board for her and her family, so if you are on the hunt for a wallet-friendly entertainment, why not go check out the new underground stations in Melbourne?

Rookies and retirees of the Wildlife Detection Dog Squad

There is a changing of the guard in Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Detection Dog Squad.

Two seasoned pooches are retiring, and two young pups are stepping up to continue vital conservation work sniffing out threatened species.

Based at Healesville Sanctuary, these best noses in the biz help field biologists track the tiniest and most cryptic creatures, to those buried with barely a scent.

Each breed brings its own superpower to the fight against extinction, and it’s the bond between dogs and humans that’s been driving big wins for wildlife.

Kelpie-cross Kip: Rescued from the pound, Kip became the squad’s first recruit in 2019. At 11, he’s the team’s big brother and unofficial motivational barker, helping the new pups settle in.

His love of sharing a tennis ball has made him a crowd favourite, engaging people of all ages in conversation.

As Kip hangs up the harness, he will relax into family life with Naomi.

Kip’s career highlights include;

Being the first Platypus detection dog, locating 30-plus active burrows, learning to paddleboard to access hard-to-reach burrows, being the first to detect wild Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons, finding over 15 of the Critically Endangered reptiles, and pioneering Baw Baw Frog detection, locating nearly 30 Critically Endangered amphibians since 2021.

Wildlife Detection Dog Officer Naomi Hodgens is grateful to have worked with Kip for his entire career.

“Honestly, he has taught me more than I have taught him! He has been such a pleasure to train with and was always eager to learn a new target together. Now we get to spend quality R&R time together, although he still demands his daily activities,” Ms Hodgens said.

Labrador Moss is the squad’s cheeky character, who joined in 2020 after proving too energetic as a pet.

His ultra-precise nose means when he

alerts, you can trust he’s found the target.

Moss’ Career Highlights include discovering a new Broad-toothed Rat population right under our noses next to Healesville Sanctuary, and he detected the Endangered species at 80 plus sites, including Wilsons Promontory, Mt Baw Baw and Yellingbo.

Moss also detected Critically Endangered Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon scat smaller than a grain of rice.

Wildlife Detection Dog Officer Dr La Toya Jamieson admits Moss has a gift for defying expectations.

Dr Jamieson said, “His nose always knew best! He is such a clown outside of work, but he did incredible things once his search jacket was on.”

“I am excited for our future adventures together, which will of course include his favourite paddle board,” she said.

At seven years old, Moss has decided he’s ready for retirement, so he will live with La Toya watching re-runs of McLeod’s Daughters on the couch with doggy sister Arwen.

No doubt there are big paw prints to fill, and the new recruits are up to the task, joining squad mates Finn, Daisy and Sugar.

Labrador, Beatrix, or Bea is a five-year-old black Lab with previous experience at K9 Bellator detecting explosives before a conservation career change.

Bea is searching for Plains-wanderers, Baw Baw frogs and Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons.

Her favourite things are squeaky tennis balls and going swimming.

Border Collie, Yabby, at only three years old, what she lacks in experience she makes up for in willingness to work with humans. Yabby will be sniffing out Victorian Grassland Earless Dragons.

The Detection Dog Squad is supported by many partners, including the National Environmental Science Program (NESP) and Royal Canin. The team is grateful for the generosity of the philanthropic donors who support this program.

Let me play among the stars

By Maria Millers

As the four Artemis 2 astronauts safely splashed down off the coast in California on Saturday, they had achieved the goal as spoken by the narrator in the opening of the film Star Trek: To boldly go where no one has gone before.

And this they did by travelling over 406,000 kilometres into space, further than anyone before.

Four intrepid astronauts achieving this in a nine metre Orion capsule, about the size of the interior of a large SUV or a small camper van.

The Moon, that golden globe in our night sky has fascinated humans through the ages.

From childhood stories of the moon being made of green cheese to the widespread mythological figure of The Man in the Moon found in various cultures to feelings of romance captured in so many songs, like Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon:

Fly me to the moon

Let me play among the stars

And let me see what spring is like on

A-Jupiter and Mars

Writers like Jules Verne had predicted humans travelling to the Moon.

And more recently Arthur C Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey envisioned space stations and commercial space travel.

Similarly Robert A Heinlein in The Moon is a Harsh Mistress imagined a permanent presence on the Moon, something the Artemis project is aiming towards.

This expedition, part of a threefold program focused on returning humans to the Moon was deliberately named Artemis for symbolic reasons.

NASA’s earlier Moon missions were called Apollo programs. Naming the new program Artemis creates a poetic continuation of that legacy.

In Greek mythology Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo the Sun God, as she roamed around wild and unexplored places symbolising ventures into new frontiers Together, they represent a balance between Moon and Sun.

Despite previous Apollo landings on the Moon and those first steps taken by Neil Armstrong with words we all know so well (“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”), the astronauts of Artemis 2 have not only gone further than anybody else into space but have reached the far side of the moon.

It’s seen as a bridge mission before any further moon landings and its objectives are to test life support systems, navigation and safety. And be a step closer to reaching Mars.

From poet Wyn Cooper there’s a warning of the gap between fantasy and reality:

Mars is beautiful— until you try to live there.

This project much supported by President Trump is expected to cost $90–100 billion plus overall by the mid–late 2020s.

With wars raging and the world facing a myriad of unsolved, intractable problems many are asking how can the cost be justified?

And who ultimately benefits? Interestingly this week the Artemis story took second place in the media to the ongoing carnage in the Middle East. And the price of petrol.

Despite some limited collaboration, earlier space programs had the underlying aim of winning the Cold War.

As in the words of President Kennedy, “Because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”

Some limited collaboration did emerge and the groundwork was laid for future major joint projects.

Some may also remember the irony of a plaque signed by President Nixon that Apollo 11 took to the Moon which read “We come in peace for all mankind” just as the United States was dropping seven and a half megatons of conventional explosives on small nations in Southeast Asia.

Those who have been part of space programs have often been moved by their first sighting of our beautiful fragile planet seen from afar.

As was the reaction of astronaut Edgar Mitchell who in 1971 spent nine hours working on the lunar surface:

“You develop an instant global consciousness, a people orientation, an intense dissatisfaction with the state of the world, and a compulsion to do something about it. From out there on the moon, international politics look so petty. You want to grab a politician by the scruff of the neck and drag him a quarter of a million miles out and say, ‘Look at that, you son of a bitch’.”

Kim Hyesoon — After Earth Dies, Who Will Moon Orbit?

When the earth is gone, what loneliness will the moon inherit?

Today space exploration has evolved from a government funded geopolitical race into a billion dollar global industry.

Though governments still play a crucial role they now share the stage with private companies and international collaborations.

You can say that space is now an economy not

just a government project, Aerospace companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin and Boeing receive huge contracts to launch satellites.

It’s undeniable that there have been enormous direct benefits from space exploration. Without space infrastructure, we’d be far less equipped to understand or address environmental crises, weather forecasting, precision agriculture. NASA estimates its programs have saved hundreds of thousands of lives and generated billions in economic activity through spin-off technologies: water purification systems, medical imaging, solar panels to name just a few.

Experiments on the International Space Station advanced pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering, and materials science in ways impossible under Earth’s gravity.

Some of this work targets diseases that affect millions of people.

Big space programs drive innovation. The earlier Apollo program helped accelerate computing, materials science, and engineering. Artemis could do the same for advanced robotics, life-support systems and much more

The money isn’t just ‘spent in space’ it goes to engineers, manufacturers, and companies on Earth, supporting jobs and industries.

Human spaceflight inspires education and scientific careers. Some see this as an investment in humanity’s long-term survival and expansion. Others see space as an escape from the burden of being human

Tracy K. Smith — Life on Mars: Do we simply want to float, free of the weight of us?

If you see space exploration as essential for the future and innovation, then yes—it’s a worthwhile investment.

If you prioritise immediate problems on Earth and cost efficiency, then it can look like too much money for limited return.

So perhaps the question we should be asking

is How can we make sure space investment keep delivering benefits for all of us rather than Why bother at all?

What should be guarded against is what happened to Africa between 1880 and 1914 when European countries claimed and colonised almost the entire African continent.

It was the period (roughly 1880s–1914) when European countries rapidly claimed and colonized almost the entire African continent.

Commodities like gold, rubber, diamonds were looted as countries competed for power, prestige and trade.

Problems that plague the continent today date back to that time.

Similar dangers exist in exploring space with powerful billionaires at the forefront and new tensions between major powers vying for the same resources.

As poet Adrian Matejka hints at who gets to control the future in his Stardate 8809.2:

Space is a place where we rewrite the rules…

Mars used to be more Earth-like but lost most of its atmosphere.

Studying it helps scientists understand climate change, planetary evolution, and what might happen to Earth over time.

Organisations like NASA and companies like SpaceX want humans to eventually live on Mars. The idea is to become a ‘multi-planetary species’ , reducing the risk of extinction from global catastrophes on Earth.

But Poet Yona Harvey reminds us that space travel doesn’t erase human failings and frailties: We leave the earth carrying its history in our skin…

The rivalry between powers is moderate but growing—not as intense as the Cold War-era space race, but still significant.

The Artemis Program is not just a scientific mission to return humans to the Moon—it also has clear economic and political goals.

Exploration is a big part of human nature. Just like past explorers crossed oceans, space agencies see space as the next frontier, but there needs to be mindfulness about how we go about it: peacefully, cooperatively and with human betterment foremost as an end.

As Anais Nin wrote:

We are going to the moon that is not very far. Man has so much farther to go within himself. The four astronauts are to be admired for their courage and I look forward to hear them speaking and hopefully reflecting on their experience and what they have learnt from it.

Intrigue on every floor: Iconic Nicholas Building in the city

By Tanya Steele

A rainy morning a few weeks ago, a friend and I decided to take a wander through the renowned Nicholas Building in the city.

Unassuming, you may have walked past this iconic building many times on adventures through Melbourne’s CBD.

Meandering through each floor and wondering at the doors, many closed and some open, the place has a definite weight to it.

Haunted? I’ve heard it said. Something about twins, although my memory is fuzzy.

I spent a summer doing improv somewhere around the fifth floor in it before I moved to the Hills. Visiting regularly was very special and fun, even if I did almost lose my mind trying to learn improv comedy. (No more detail needed here, let’s get back to architecture.)

Built in 1926 by the Nicholas family of Melbourne and designed by architect Harry Norris, the building has Gothic and Renaissance features and tales to tell on every one of its 11 storeys.

It turned 100 years old in March, and for now, the Nicholas Building still houses a bevy of creatives that live and work there.

There is a laundry list of famous art, people and moments attributed to it, along with songs and and it also apparently employed the last known working elevator operators in Australia.

Dancers, authors, dalliances and who knows what has happened behind the many doors of the building over its decades, coming a long way from housing a Coles store and some offices.

(I encourage people to go research this; it’s endlessly fascinating.)

At the bottom rests the Cathedral Arcade, with its amazing leadlight high glass ceiling, which is simply too stunning to pass up.

Creative art therapy of all kinds seems to exist everywhere you look – you can even get your por-

trait done (naked, covered in glitter at the top).

Millinery, tattoos, vintage clothing, books, an art gallery, art, theatre classes and more, the building was put on the market by its owners in 2021.

A call to action followed, and the Nicholas Building Association was formed and later reported folded.

This tenant-led group worked to keep the building true to its founding purpose, the arts,

and a petition to save the building collected thousands of signatures across Melbourne and beyond.

In 2023, after reports of an 80 million dollar sale fell through, rent hikes followed and studios emptied.

What was supposed to be a three-way arrangement that included the State Government saw potential plans for a pavilion, a green space and even the revival of an alleged ballroom contained within stalled and faltered.

Out in the Yarra Ranges, the Burnham Beeches property, also once owned by the Nicholas family, is also waiting.

Set to receive a transformation from the Trenerry Consortium after receiving go-ahead for the $120m landmark redevelopment in mid-2023, the construction of the years-abandoned Art Deco mansion seems greenlit to go ahead at this point.

An essential part of Melbourne’s creative universe, the Nicholas Building remains ever-changing, and in my recent wanderings, I noticed a few places I remembered had gone by the wayside.

My friend and I chatted with some tattoo artists, a tutor about to run a quite special style of live drawing class and towards the bottom, a final surprise, a wine bar styled in the manner of a French cave à vin. We picked up some wine for dinner and chatted with one of the owners about the new bar, which is quite niche and I would say go check that one our yourself.

Also, a few birds.

The building looks like it needs a bit of love and seems forgotten in time in places, although heritage listed, the interior is suffering.

That said, it still holds a magic and mystery to it; it would be hard to imagine it as anything but a trove of intrigue. I always enjoy visiting the Nicholas building and love its connection to the Alfred Nicholas gardens out in the Yarra Ranges.

While not officially tourism activity, having a wander through the building to see some of the artists at work and get a feel for the history of the place is worth it if you are heading through the area.

Recent renovations in the CBD mean the once more bohemian, but still ever creative heart of Melbourne Nicholas building also has the new Town Hall Station as its direct neighbour. Change is most certainly afoot.

It’s a must for any curious history-minded folk who like a little urban adventure sometimes.

Get fuel where it’s needed

It’s been a tough few weeks at the bowser for Australian families, farmers and small businesses who keep our country moving.

The reality of this national fuel crisis hit home when local service stations had no choice but to display signs that read: “diesel sold out”

When Australians turned to the Albanese Labor Government for leadership, they were instead met with mixed messages.

While the government initially claimed there was no issue, the stories I was hearing on the ground in our community told a different story.

Like the single mum on the verge of tears at the local service station, who told me how she had to make $30 of fuel stretch the fortnight, or the Yarra Valley farmers who need certainty that they’ll have diesel to harvest and plant crops to keep our nation fed.

From my From my desk

Federal Member for Casey

During global uncertainty, Australians need transparency and leadership from their government.

Unfortunately, they’ve received neither.

I was proud to lead calls, alongside Liberal Leader Angus Taylor, for a cut to the fuel tax to alleviate cost pressures on Australians. We wel-

come the government’s delayed decision to follow our lead.

But now, as we enter the seventh week of this crisis, the government must prioritise getting the fuel where it is needed most – and they must rule out heavy handed mandates that Australians do not want to see.

There is also an important role for the government to play in the Federal Budget set to be handed down next month.

The reality is, this fuel crisis has come at a time when many Australians were already struggling to keep the lights on and put food on the table.

Families are paying around $27,000 more a year on a typical mortgage despite working harder, and new data from energy regulators shows there are more than 230,000 households on hardship arrangements with their energy provider.

Undertone review: Podcast horror with spectacular sound

Undertone

Starring Nina Kiri and Adam Di Marco MA15+ 4.75/5

Undertone is a gripping minimalist horror film about two friends hosting a paranormal podcast, skeptic Evy (Nina Kiri) and believer Justin (Adam DiMarco), who try to make sense of an increasingly disturbing series of audio recordings.

A nail-biting slow-burn shot entirely in writerdirector Ian Tuason’s childhood home, Undertone’s best aspect is by far its Oscar-worthy sound design.

The richly-textured audio immerses us in Evy’s eerie environment, amplifying her (and our) unease.

Evy’s headphones instantly block any external sound once she puts them on, but even with them off, as the camera roams through her spacious but oppressive home, Undertone masterfully traps us in Evy’s head.

Normal household creaks and thumps take on an unsettling tone, her dying mother’s laboured breathing is a deeply distressing motif, and Evy’s worry, frustration and intrusive thoughts grow with the overt terror in the recordings.

You share Evy’s rising dread and her equal urge to know more, which is a balance only the best horror films achieve.

As the sole on-screen actor (save for Michèle Duquet as the comatose Mama), Kiri ably carries

the film on her sombre shoulders.

Undertone’s inventive narrative combines modern podcasting and true crime culture with older influences such as demonic possession panic, haunted email creepypastas (horror stories you copy and paste into spam emails) and backmasking (hiding reversed messages in songs; an infamous example is the supposed Satanic screed hidden in Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven).

The dialogue strikes the perfect note of showy in the podcasting segments and natural as things get serious, and while some of the exposition is a little inorganic, the plot has several details that culminate in clever ways.

A chilling, compelling bottle movie (a film with a small single location) featuring transcendent sound design, Undertone is playing in select Victorian cinemas.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Eltham Little Theatre

A Tomb With a View

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

Inflation in Australia is higher than every major advanced economy, and when inflation stays high, so do interest rates.

The government must deliver a budget focused on rebuilding our economy, reducing waste and bringing down inflation for all Australians.

As our community’s representative, my focus remains on being a strong, local voice for our region.

I want our country to be one of opportunity and aspiration, of freedom and safety.

That’s why the Liberals and I are focused on restoring Australians’ standard of living and protecting our way of life. Because our community –and our country – is worth fighting for.

From A Tomb With a View to Summer of the Aliens Kemp’s urtain call curtain

There, a dusty, lower 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 and a third member is a gentle old lady who plans more than seeds in her flowerbed.

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, or more than they seem to be?

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

• Season: Friday 1 May – Saturday 16 May. Karralyka Theatre

Arthur Hull’s Flop

Join award-winning Arthur Hull for Flop, an award-winning musical theatre show celebrating brilliant songs from Broadway disasters.

Experience an unforgettable night of musical theatre redemption with, Arthur Hull.

We invite you to discover the hidden gems trapped inside spectacular stage disasters.

In his award-winning solo show, Flop, Arthur rescues brilliant songs from commercial failures and breathes new life into them.

• Season: Friday 22 May at 7pm.

The 1812 Theatre

Summer of the Aliens

A play set in a housing commission area in Melbourne’s northern suburb looking across towards flat land extending all the way to Sydney.

The production took place in the bakery at 1812 with a backdrop of the aforementioned flat land.

On each side of the were two sides of housing commission houses, very alike.

The play is set in the 1969s and the cast and scenery certainly gave the audience the feel of the era.

It is about Lewis who is 14 and only interest is in flying saucers, his friend Duclie, however has other things on her mind and his mate Brian has only one wish, to lose his virginity.

Just a warning there is plenty of bad language and sexual overtones.

Lewis was played by Colin McIntosh, who really caught the character of the lad only interested in UFO’s much to the disgust of his friends.

A good performance.

Duclie, his best friend was given an outstanding performance by Michelle Drinnan. She captured the essence of being Lewis’s friend but thought he was too much involved with UFO’s when she had other ideas in mind.

The production had a narrator who was Lewis as a grown up.

This role was performed by Stephen McPhai who gave a exemplary performance. Grandma, played by Ann-Marree Eastman , giving a good interpretation of a grandma trying to teach Lewis something of England’s past and then slowly losing her mind.

Norma, Lewis’s mother was played by Ange Ellis.

A good portrayal particularly when her errant husband turns up after three years away and unheard off all that time.

Bev, Lewis’s sister and Beatrice a Dutch girl from the nearby migrant Nissen hut was splayed by Sarah Sundstrom giving a good performance in the two roles.

It is hard for an actor to take more than one role in a play.

Stan and Richard were played by Jason Triggs, a great portrayal of the two roles and as said before not an easy task for one actor playing more than one role/Jason handled the two roles with aplomb with the audience thinking it was so easy.

Mrs Irvin, Dulcie’s mother who was performed by Rosalind Mackay.

Another goods performance living up to the standard of the 1812 theatre.

Mr Pisano, the postman was given an amusing and an example of losing his mind by James Anderson.

Brian, Lewis’s friend, who was only interested in losing his virginity, was played by Daniel Parton.

Daniel caught the character to perfection and gave a good performance Eric played by Brett Hyland also added to the high standard set by the other actors.

The Japanese woman, a non-speaking role, was performed by Yien Ingamellis, the costume she wore added to the role she portrayed.

A warning, there is bad language and sexual overtones plus bigotry from the Australians, this is set in the 60s near a migrant camp where at that time people thought like that.

GRAND ACREAGE LIVING WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS ON

10 ACRES

GRAND ACREAGE LIVING WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS ON 10 ACRES

SET privately behind electric front gates on approximately 10 picturesque acres in sought-after Pakenham Upper, this exceptional lifestyle property combines architectural scale, modern comfort and breathtaking rural views to create a truly impressive family retreat.

Only nine years old and thoughtfully designed, the residence makes a striking first impression. An undercover entry leads to an oversized timber front door that opens into a spacious foyer, revealing polished concrete flooring and soaring 12ft ceilings through the open-plan living domain, complemented by 9ft ceilings throughout the remainder of the home. Ducted reverse-cycle heating and cooling ensures year-round comfort.

The expansive kitchen, living and dining area forms the heart of the home, where floor-to-ceiling glass doors frame spectacular outlooks and flood the space with natural light. The beautifully appointed kitchen features a large reclaimed messmate island bench with breakfast bar, stone benchtops, integrated wall oven, gas cooktop, dishwasher, fridge recess and an impressive butler’s pantry with direct access to the garage.

Designed for entertaining and everyday living, the main living zone flows seamlessly to a covered outdoor entertaining area complete with a woodfire heater—perfect for gatherings while enjoying the sweeping countryside views. A separate formal dining room provides an elegant space for hosting family and friends.

The spacious master suite offers a private retreat with a large walk-in robe and an ensuite featuring a floating vanity and oversized shower. A nearby bedroom with built-in robes sits alongside a powder room, ideal for guests. At the opposite end of the home, three further bedrooms with built-in robes are serviced by a central family bathroom, an additional powder room and a generous second living area—perfect as a teenage retreat or guest wing.

Outdoors, the property continues to impress with outstanding infrastructure and lifestyle features. A separate studio with polished concrete flooring, power and toilet provides flexible space for a home office, creative studio or guest accommodation. Shedding is exceptional, including a substantial 9m x 18m shed with concrete floor and power, along with a 6m x 8m machinery or wood storage shed.

The land itself is beautifully suited to hobby farming or relaxed country living, with two fenced paddocks with water, a spring-fed dam and creek, an enclosed dog run area, and approximately 70,000 litres of water storage across several tanks. A 6.6kW solar system further enhances efficiency and sustainability. Delivering privacy, scale and an exceptional standard of living within easy reach of townships, schools and everyday conveniences, this remarkable acreage offers an enviable country lifestyle without compromise.

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.

A HIDDEN HAVEN DESIGNED FOR FAMILY LIVING

OFFERED for the first time in nearly 40 years, this exceptional lifestyle property presents a rare opportunity to secure a peaceful family retreat on a stunning 4.1-acre allotment. Nestled amongst established gardens and framed by natural beauty, the home delivers an enviable sense of space, privacy and flexibility.

Designed with family living in mind, the well-considered floorplan showcases multiple living zones, including a generous central living room with fireplace, a separate family room, and a dedicated dining area adjoining the well-appointed kitchen-ideal for both everyday living and entertaining.

The accommodation is thoughtfully zoned, with a privately positioned main bedroom featuring a walk-in robe and ensuite, while three additional bedrooms, all with built-in robes, are serviced by a central bathroom. A separate office provides the perfect workfrom-home space, complemented by a large laundry and the convenience of a double carport under the roofline. Year-round comfort is assured with two split-system units.

Outdoor living is a true highlight, with decking and a full-length verandah offering seamless indoor-outdoor connection and multiple spaces to relax or entertain while taking in the tranquil surrounds. The securely fenced backyard is perfect for pets, while a charming garden path leads to a private gazebo complete with a wood fire making it an inviting space to gather with family and friends.

For those needing extra storage or workspace, the substantial garage/workshop caters perfectly to trades, hobbies or additional vehicle accommodation. Ample offstreet parking allows room for a boat, trailer or caravan, all easily accessed via the sealed driveway.

Perfectly positioned within walking distance to public transport and shops at the Kallista township and only a short drive to Monbulk and Belgrave, everything you need is at your fingertips. Surrounded by established trees and beautifully landscaped grounds, this is a property that offers both comfort and lifestyle in equal measure-an idyllic sanctuary for families seeking space, serenity and a connection to nature. ●

4

4 A 2 B 2 D JUSTINBARROT 0438683781

5 A 3 B 4 D LANAMAHER 0408535075

59684522

3 A 2 B 1 C 4 D LANAMAHER 0408535075

HOME FOCUS

CHARMING CHARACTER HOME IN A PARKLIKE SETTING WITH DUAL ACCESS

PERFECTLY positioned on a picturesque corner allotment in a lush, parklike setting, this beautifully updated character home offers space, flexibility and lifestyle convenience just a short stroll to Belgrave Township, train station, cafes, restaurants and both primary and secondary schools.

Framed by established gardens and specimen trees, the home immediately impresses with its timeless charm, warmth and inviting feel. Inside, a light-filled layout unfolds, enhanced by a desirable northerly orientation that floods the interiors with natural light and highlights the quality finishes throughout.

The home offers four bedrooms plus a dedicated study, complemented by two stylishly updated bathrooms featuring elegant French tapware. At its heart, the hostess kitchen is both functional and striking, complete with stone benchtops, a central island bench and a feature fireplace creating a true focal point for everyday living and entertaining.

The open plan lounge and dining domain flows effortlessly to the covered rear verandah, where you can relax or entertain while taking in the picturesque garden surrounds and elevated outlooks. Downstairs, a versatile fourth bedroom/rumpus provides the perfect teenagers’ retreat, guest accommodation or work-from-home space.

Comfort is assured year-round with ducted heating, split system heating and cooling, along with the ambience of an open fireplace. Character details such as leadlight features, timber floorboards and cedar blinds further enhance the home’s charm, while practical additions including extensive under-house and attic storage with separate garden shed add to its appeal.

Outdoors, dual driveway access offers exceptional convenience and abundant offstreet parking-ideal for families, guests or those with multiple vehicles.

Property Highlights:

• Four bedrooms plus study, including flexible lower-level retreat

• Two beautifully updated bathrooms with French tapware

Open plan lounge and dining filled with natural light

• Hostess kitchen with stone benches, island & feature fireplace

• Covered rear verandah ideal for entertaining

Ducted heating, split system & open fireplace

Character features: leadlight, timber floors & cedar blinds

• Extensive attic and under-house storage

• Landscaped gardens with specimen trees and shrubs

Dual driveway access with ample off-street parking Walk to Belgrave Village, train station, cafes & schools

• Lots of birds/wildlife in the garden (king parrots, kookaburra, rosellas, echidna). ●

HOME ESSENTIALS

HOME FOCUS

SUNSETS, SPACE AND CHARM ON OVER AN ACRE

SET on an expansive 4,927sqm in the peaceful, leafy surrounds of Selby, this inviting three-bedroom, two-bathroom home blends warm mid-century design with the relaxed lifestyle the Hills are known for, all while remaining conveniently close to Belgrave, local schools and public transport.

Inside, the home immediately feels welcoming. The open-plan kitchen and dining area forms the heart of everyday living, featuring beautiful hardwood benchtops, a breakfast bar, electric induction stovetop and integrated wall oven, with plenty of space for family meals or entertaining with ease.

Steps down lead to the lounge where a woodfire creates the perfect Hills atmosphere, complemented by a split system for year-round comfort. A glass door invites natural light into the space and opens to the rear verandah, creating a lovely spot to step outside and take in the surrounds.

Two well-proportioned bedrooms with built-in robes and fresh new carpets underfoot are serviced by the central family bathroom, while the master suite enjoys its own private retreat complete with walk-in robe and freshly renovated ensuite.

Outside, the terraced garden features native plantings and a selection of fruit trees, while the outer portion of the property enjoys a meandering private walking trail that adds another layer of charm and connection to the landscape. Elevated to capture beautiful outlooks and spectacular sunsets stretching toward the bay, this is a setting that feels wonderfully removed from the everyday. A separate undercover entertaining area provides the perfect place to gather with family and friends while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

Additional features include a double garage with concrete floor and power, a wood storage shed, approximately 25,000 litres of water storage across two tanks, and a freshly stained exterior that enhances the home’s inviting Hills character.

A wonderful lifestyle property offering space, comfort and breathtaking outlooks in a truly picturesque setting.

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. ●

Sunsets,SpaceandHillsideCharmonOveranAcre. Seton4,927sqminthepeaceful,leafysurroundsofSelby,thisinviting3-bedroom,2-bathroomhome blendsmid-centurycharmwiththerelaxedHillslifestyle,whileremainingclosetoBelgrave,schools& publictransport.Inside,theopen-plankitchen&diningareaformstheheartofthehome,featuring hardwoodbenchtops,breakfastbar,electricinductionstovetop&integratedwalloven.Stepsdown totheloungewhereawoodfire&splitsystemprovideyear-roundcomfort,whileaglassdooropens totherearverandah.2bedroomswithbuilt-inrobes&newcarpetsareservicedbythecentral bathroom,whilethemasterenjoysawalk-inrobe&renovatedensuite.Outside,terracedgardens, nativeplantings&fruittreescreateabeautifulsetting,complementedbyawalkingtrail,undercover entertainingarea,doublegaragewithpower,woodshed&25,000Lofwaterstorage.

ARare40-AcreHoldingwithWater,Views&EndlessPotential. Spanning40gentlyundulatingacres,thissun-filledruralholdingdeliversspace,watersecurity& 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.

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.

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.

PUZZLES

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. No. 285

ACROSS

1 Melodious (7)

5 Sketch (7)

9 Agile (9)

10 Spanish for 'coast' (5)

11 Greek god of music, poetry, etc. (6)

12 Person who deserts a party to join another one (8)

14 Electronic novels (1-5)

15 Teaching period (4)

19 Slender support (4)

20 Dog with a curly coat (6)

24 Stressed (8)

25 Japanese robe (6)

27 'Well done!' (5)

28 Childish (9)

29 Ritual (7)

30 Unity (7) DOWN

1 Zany (6)

2 Church caretaker (6)

3 Scientific workrooms  (coll) (4,4)

4 Be ominously close (4)

5 Discourse (10)

6 Go up; climb (6)

7 Put back (8)

8 Interim period (8)

13 Intricateness (10)

16 A major city in Türkiye (8)

17 Trader (8)

18 League (8)

21 Situated within the building (6)

22 Beginner (6)

23 Roy or Ginger (6)

26 Curly hairdo (4)

9-LETTER WORD

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”.

•

Bosaid Gilian Lee

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

Tightly contested croquet

By John Thomson

Due to the Easter Monday public holiday there was no Level Play competition this week for the Lilydale Croquet Club.

On Thursday 9 April, the Lilydale CC Handicap Team made the short journey down Maroondah Highway to play against the Ringwood Croquet Club. In the past these matches have always been very close and keenly contested. The day started out fine but windy with the threat of rain later in the day.

The Lilydale team for this week was Murray McLean, Mark Edgell, Liz Stewart and Scott Bradbury.

Scott Bradbury played in the first singles game. Neither player had any advantage in this game. The Ringwood player started well winning the first couple of hoops, Scott then got going and tried hard but the initial break that the Ringwood player had was telling in the end with Ringwood winning 7 hoops to Lilydale 4 hoops.

In the first doubles game Liz Stewart and Murray McLean paired up. Again, in this game neither team had any handicap advantage. This game was a close affair between the two teams, with Lilydale just being able to win a couple more crucial hoops and were able to win 7 hoops to Ringwood 5 hoops.

Murray McLean played in the next singles game. Murray was starting with a one hoop disadvantage. Murray got off to a great start and made up his one hoop disadvantage straight away and from then on it was just a level play game. Murray’s steady and consistent play allowed him to control most of the game and win 7 hoops to Ringwood 3 hoops.

Mark Edgell and Liz Stewart played in the next doubles game. Neither team had any handicap advantage in this game. This was a very close game with both teams making the most of their opportunities to run hoops and clear their opponent’s balls, and after the twelfth hoop it was six

hoops all with the thirteenth hoop to be played to decide the winner. Both teams set up reasonably well and after a short struggle it was the Ringwood team that was able to run the hoop and win the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

At the break it was Ringwood 2 games 22 hoops to Lilydale 2 games 24 hoops. With two games to play the final score could go either way.

After the break the rain started and the games were punctuated by stops so the players could shelter from the heavier showers.

Mark Edgel played in the next singles game. Again, neither player had any handicap advantage. This game was similar to the last doubles game with both players playing well and not giving an inch, and at the twelfth hoop the score was six hoops each with the thirteenth hoop to play. The Ringwood player was first to the hoop and set up very well and from there was able to win the game 7 hoops to Lilydale 6 hoops.

This win gave Ringwood a one game lead.

Liz Stewart and Scott Bradbury played in the last game. Again, neither team had a handicap advantage. Liz and Scott paired up beautifully in this game and controlled the game from the start playing some inspired croquet, and went on to have a comfortable 7 hoops to Ringwood 2 hoops win.

The final scores were Lilydale 3 games 37 hoops to Ringwood 3 games 31 hoops. Another close match between these two clubs.

edges thriller; Olinda-Ferny Creek too strong

By Armin Richter

Football

Premier Division

Seniors: Olinda-Ferny Creek 9.11.65 def Monbulk 5.6.36; Officer 6.15.51 def Upwey-Tecoma 6.6.42; Healesville 17.12.114 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 6.4.40; Woori Yallock 13.9.87 def Warburton-Millgrove 6.10.46; Wandin 16.14.110 def Mt. Evelyn 9.11.65

Reserves: Warburton-Millgrove 6.8.44 def Woori Yallock 5.10.40; Monbulk 14.7.91 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 4.3.27; Officer 7.5.47 def Upwey-Tecoma 6.7.43; Healesville 5.9.39 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 4.8.32; Mt. Evelyn 17.13.115 def Wandin 1.8.14

Under 18 (combined): Seville 18.16.124 def Alexandra 0.2.2; Upwey-Tecoma 15.7.97 def Pakenham 7.11.53; Woori Yallock 18.14.122 def Warburton-Millgrove 1.5.11; Olinda-Ferny Creek 10.8.68 def Monbulk 6.10.46; Healesville 14.15.99 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 1.4.10; Officer 21.16.142 def Yarra Glen 0.1; Mt. Evelyn 10.12.72 def Wandin 4.7.31 Division 1

Seniors: Powelltown 6.15.51 def Yarra Junction 5.10.40; Belgrave 10.15.75 def Yea 6.7.43; Pakenham 8.15.63 def Emerald 6.9.45; Seville 12.17.89 def Alexandra 3.12.30; Yarra Glen bye

Reserves: Yarra Junction 7.17.59 def Powelltown 6.5.41; Belgrave 18.7.115 def Yea 4.6.30; Pakenham 7.13.55 def Emerald 3.6.24; Seville 11.6.72 def Alexandra 10.8.68; Yarra Glen bye

Women (Div 1): Warburton-Wesburn 17.16.118 def Belgrave 1.2.8; Healesville 4.5.29 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 3.2.20; Upwey-Tecoma 12.17.89 def Pakenham 1.3.9; Mt. Evelyn bye Women (Div 2): Wandin 3.7.25 def Woori Yallock 0.2.2; Seville 14.23.107 def Thornton-Eildon 0.0.0; Yea 13.7.85 def Gembrook-Cockatoo 0.0.0; Officer 4.4.28 def Emerald 1.5.11 Netball

Premier Division

A Grade: Woori Yallock 37 def Warburton-Millgrove 36; ROC 80 def Upwey-Tecoma 13; Monbulk 59 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 31; Gembrook-Cockatoo 40 def Healesville 38; Mt. Evelyn 51 def Wandin 36 B Grade: Woori Yallock 61 def Warburton-Millgrove 37; ROC 80 def Upwey-Tecoma 17; Monbulk 46 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 34; Gembrook-Cockatoo 28 def Healesville 16; Mt. Evelyn 56 def Wandin 35

C Grade: Warburton-Millgrove 39 def Woori Yallock 35; Olinda-Ferny Creek 37 def Monbulk 36; Gembrook-Cockatoo 56 def Healesville 11; Mt. Evelyn 40 def Wandin 30; ROC bye

D Grade: Warburton-Millgrove 26 def Woori Yallock 21; Monbulk 25 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 22; Gembrook-Cockatoo 33 def Healesville 16; Mt. Evelyn 36 def Wandin 30; ROC bye Under 17: Woori Yallock 53 def Warburton-Millgrove 15; Monbulk Gold 66 def Olinda-Ferny Creek 10; ROC Blue 27 def ROC White

Emphatic win for the Eagles

By Callum Ludwig

Weather conditions weren’t great for flying but the Lilydale Eagles were soaring to start the season on Saturday 11 April.

Competing in VCFA’s Division One for 2026, the Senior side travelled away to Blackburn to take on the Wolfpack, while the Masters won’t be in action until Anzac Day weekend.

The early stages of the game were symbolic of the weather and the round one rust, with both sides a little rusty in both defence in attack, with a few forays forward for each side able to beat defences but lacking a quality final ball.

Blackburn got some joy out of some good hold up play from target forward Jared Cameron, bringing his wingers into play while Lilydale were able to switch play nicely and open up the ground.

Christian ‘Flik’ Lindner-Mark did well to fashion a chance but his shot from a tight angle was wayward and went out for a throw-in.

Not long into the game, the heavens opened up, putting paid to any good intentions of beautiful football and it was a matter of which team would take their chances and get stuck in when the moment called for it.

There was a hairy moment when the ball skidded off the wet surface and up off goalkeeper Callum Ludwig’s chest but trusty full back Dylan Donovan was on hand to deal with the danger.

It was the Eagles who would get the breakthrough in the 35th minute after winning a free kick on the left wing. Marcus Salvitti put it long to the back post where playing coach Daniel ‘Dicko’ Dickson chased it down. His pass found defensive general Kaiden Smith whose goalscoring form of last year went missing as he scuffed his shot. However, it fell to Mark Vanderkolk and he was able to slam it home for the go-ahead goal. 1-0 would be the scoreline at halftime and the Eagles were pleased but knew there was room to improve.

Improve they did as the boys in red doubled their lead early in the second half as Lucas ‘Big Cheese’ Cordedda pressed the Blackburn backline who coughed up the ball. Cordedda was able to lob the bouncing ball over the onrushing goalkeeper and double the Eagles’ advantage.

Not long after Flik isolated his full back and anyone familiar with the Lilydale Eagles knows that is an ideal scenario. Flik cut inside and finished coolly into the bottom corner to put the Ea-

gles three goals to the good. Blackburn stabilised and got back into the game for the next 20 minutes, putting some balls across the box that the Eagles were able to deal with or which flashed harmlessly away from the goal.

In the 81st minute after staying up from a corner, Salvitti demanded the ball from Ludwig who went long over the back of the defence. After Blackburn failed to deal with it, it fell to Salvitti who similarly volleyed over the goalkeeper to make it 4-0.

Within the next minute, a bit of complacency perhaps crept in for Lilydale, as an errant back-

pass from Smith after a call from Ludwig was latched onto but Cameron for the Wolfpack and he was able to take a touch past Ludwig and finish into the empty net.

There was still to be another goal in the game however, coming from another long ball from Ludwig into the path of Dicko. Dicko mistimed an flick around the corner to Tom Gilman but instead played himself into a dangerous position at the top of the box and he unleashed a lovely sliced finish to make it 5-1, which would remain the final score in an emphatic Eagles’ win.

Next up is a local grudge match against the Ralph Alps at home on Saturday 18 April.

Mooroolbark Mustangs disappointing in the season opener

By Geoff

After a long pre-season the Mooroolbark Mustangs hosted Wantirna South at the Heights Reserve in Round One of the 2026 EFNL season. With many changes occurring in the off season at all levels, all were eager to see how the teams would perform.

The Reserves started proceedings under new coach Troy Harkness and had a number of new faces take to the field. Ollie Arthur stepped up from the Under 17s and acquitted himself well and Ethan Filliponi, who only arrived at the club last week, also put in a good performance. Jacko Gilbee and Robbie Swan, who both have a lot of Senior experience, also played in the Ressies as they are overcoming pre-season injuries. The boys put up a solid performance but couldn’t beat the strong Wanny Sth team, eventually going down by 35 points.

■Final Score: Wantirna South 7 – 9 – 51 d Mooroolbark 2 – 4 – 16

■Goals: Gilbee 1, Wyss 1

■Best Players: Gilbee, Graham, Arthur, Filliponi, M. Sheedy, Swan

By the time the Seniors ran out the weather had deteriorated significantly with bursts of sunshine followed by heavy rain which made conditions difficult for the players. After a solid pre-season new coach, David Gallagher, was keen to see the boys in action. With five of our VFL listed players pulling on the Green and Gold jumper, expectations were high. The first term was fairly even with two goals apiece. Skipper, Kane Noonan, continued on from his great form of last season, gathering many possessions and ruckman, Harrison Coe, was winning the ruck contests in his first game for the Mustangs. The second term saw Wanny Sth take control, booting two unanswered goals. Rhys Crossley was solid in defence and Jarrod Gilbee was also showing his

class. The Mustangs fought back in the third term and trailed by 11 points at the final break. The boys battled it out right to the end but a four goal to one final term saw Wanny Sth pull away for a 25 point win. Next week we make the short trip to Montrose where hopefully the Mustangs can bring home the points.

■Final Score: Wantirna South 9 – 10 – 64 d Mooroolbark 5 = 9 = 39

■Goals: Wright 2, Noonan, Beasley, Barker 1 each

■Best Player: Noonan, Coe, Crossley, Bates, Monteath, Gilbee

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