Tuesday, 21 July, 2026
School libraries face funding challenges
Expos deliver services, support in one place
Mooroolbark grabs seven point victory
See Real Estate liftout inside
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Their best foot forward At the Yarra Glen Racecourse, young athletes ran with pride and determination for School Sports Victoria’s annual State Championships Cross Country competition. The Yarra Ranges venue became a hub of excitement and competitive spirit on 16 July as students from across Victoria raced against the best young cross-country runners in the state. The event produced strong performances from local schools, with students from across the Yarra Valley and Outer East making their mark among Victoria’s best young runners. In the SSV State Combined Primary and Secondary Girls 9-10 Years event, Alma H from Tecoma Primary School finished ninth overall in race 243 while Sadie E from Croydon Hills Primary School placed sixth in race 250. Meanwhile, Lilydale High School student Zoe C finished third in the Girls 17-20 Years category and Upwey High School student Spencer J recorded a time of 12:59.963 in the Multi-Class Boys 13-15 Years event. Read more on page 14
The boys race on. (Stewart Chambers: 565898)
Full site retained By Mikayla van Loon Yarra Ranges Council has approved a masterplan to redevelop the McDermott Avenue Reserve, securing the full 1.726-hectare site for recreational use following years of community advocacy. The majority vote on Tuesday 14 July overrode a previous draft proposal to sell off the reserve’s southwest corner for housing. Instead, the area will feature a kick-about lawn, playspace, climbing area, multipurpose court, sensory garden, walking paths, and upgraded amenities. Mark Sheedy, representing the McDermott
Netball Court Parkland Redevelopment group, praised the decision to preserve the site, which currently sits underutilised and littered with asphalt and disused infrastructure. “This is a significant outcome for Mooroolbark and a testament to the many residents who have advocated for the reserve over the past decade,” he said. Mr Sheedt urged the council to prioritise early works to address long-standing safety and vandalism concerns. The projected cost of the staged project has
risen from $4.4 million to just under $6.2 million, which includes 15 years of maintenance. Stage one will allocate $2.5 million for site preparation and grassing, followed by $1 million for drainage and parking upgrades in stage two, and $2.2 million for social infrastructure in stage three. No funding has been assigned. Moving the motion, Cr Mitch Mazzarella said the plan reflected a decade of community patience. “We’ve heard loud and clear that the community wants a site which is usable and green... and
this project will deliver that,” he said. Mayor Richard Higgins cast the sole opposing vote, citing concerns over long-term maintenance costs. Specifically, Cr Higgins pointed to the inclusion of an $18,000 barbecue, costing $21,600 to install and nearly $17,000 annually to clean, which he argued breached standard park hierarchy guidelines during a tight budget cycle. Ultimately, councillors voted to approve the plan. Read more on page 3
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