Mail - Lilydale Star Mail - 4th August 2026

Lilydale Heights College pupils front

Students

By Mikayla van Loon

Multi-generational community service was on full display on Tuesday 28 July, as students from Lilydale Heights College delivered essential nonperishable food items and vital supplies to local homelessness support organisation Holy Fools.

Members of the school’s Student Interact Representative Council (SIRC), backed by funding and support from the Lilydale Rotary Club, donated trays of tinned beans, cereal, long-life milk, and 16 slabs of bottled water to the organisation’s

Felix House drop-in centre.

SIRC representatives Gracie (Year 12), Anastasia (Year 10), and Emily (Year 8) hand-delivered the items.

Gracie noted that the drive targeted specific necessities listed by Holy Fools, adding that Rotary funding allowed the students to fulfil a custom grocery order. Hydration was highlighted as a top priority ahead of the warmer months for those sleeping rough and for Holy Fools’ weekly Street Angels community lunch program.

Holy Fools founder and chief executive officer

Neal Taylor expressed deep gratitude for the donation, particularly the record delivery of bottled water. Most supplies will be stored at the ARC in Chirnside Park, while items at Felix House remain immediately available for visitors.

During the visit, Mr Taylor gave the students a tour of Felix House, highlighting its accessible showers, laundry facilities, and new kitchenette. He revealed the facility had supported 25 dropin visitors, three shower users, and five laundry loads in just a single day, serving local rough sleepers and shelter guests.

Fifty years and still flourishing

Fifty years of friendship, fun, and fabulous adventures! On 30 July, a grand high tea at Chirnside Park Country Club brought 154 enthusiastic Probus members together from 16 Victorian clubs to celebrate half a century of community connection.

The festive bash featured games, raffles, plenty of laughter, and a special civic certificate presented by Maroondah Mayor Linda Hancock.

Keynote speakers urged members to keep the magic alive by sparking fresh ideas, organising exciting tours, and welcoming new faces.

See more of the golden jubilee celebration on page 11

The collaboration reflects the core ethos of Interact, a Rotary-sponsored program for youth aged 12 to 18 centred on leadership and service. Featuring members from every year level, the Lilydale Heights SIRC leverages diverse student perspectives to address local issues.

Following the successful donation drive, the students are now exploring further hands-on volunteering opportunities, including helping cook and serve upcoming Street Angels lunches.

Read the full story on page 9

Fires funding for schools

Schools across the foothills and urban areas of the Yarra Ranges will share in over $169,000 to clear surrounding vegetation and strengthen their defences ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.

The funding is part of a broader $8 million Victorian Government initiative benefiting 330 highrisk schools across 344 campuses statewide, primarily targeted at regional and peri-urban areas listed on the Bushfire at Risk Register.

Six local schools across the Yarra Ranges re-

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gion received targeted grants, including Birmingham Primary School: $31,034.37, Montrose Primary School: $30,606.24, Billanook Primary School: $30,075.10, Yarra Ranges Special Developmental School: $30,109.68, Mount Evelyn Primary School: $28,273.48 and Croydon Community School: $19,684.58.

The funding allows schools to remove hazardous trees, clear undergrowth, and maintain defendable space around key campus buildings well before high-risk weather arrives.

“This funding gives peri-urban and regional families peace of mind that their local school is prepared for bushfire season well before it begins,” Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward said.

Beyond immediate land clearing, participating schools will also receive long-term expert guidance. Over the next three years, each school will receive two visits from an accredited Bushfire Planning and Design expert to develop and maintain a tailored Vegetation Management Plan.

This ongoing assessment ensures safety measures adapt as surrounding environments change. Schools requiring specialised assessments, such as Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) reviews, will also receive direct support.

“It’s never too early to prepare for bushfire season,” Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll said.

“We’re not just protecting school communities this bushfire season, we’re giving them ongoing support for years to come.”

Regular maintenance of school grounds remains one of the most effective measures to slow the spread of fire and protect infrastructure during an emergency.

A full list of funded schools across the state is available at schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/plannedmaintenance-program.

Residents are reminded that staying informed is critical during emergency situations. Emergency management authorities advise using multiple channels for warnings, including official apps like VicEmergency and emergency broadcasters such as ABC Local Radio.

Rego boost

Victorian drivers have been given extra time to claim a 20 per cent rebate on their vehicle registration, with the application deadline extended to 31 August.

“More than 3.6 million Victorians have already benefited from this rebate – now we’re making sure even more families and workers can access it,” Government Services Minister Ingrid Stitt said.

The program provides direct savings based on the number of personal vehicles registered:

• Single vehicle: Up to $186 back

• Two vehicles: Up to $372 back

The full rebate applies regardless of whether vehicle registration is paid annually or in quarterly instalments.

“We know the rego rebate is helping people with cost of living pressures, but some are still unaware or haven’t got around to claiming theirs yet,” Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said.

“So it’s great we’re extending the opportunity for people to get 20 per cent off their rego.”

To be eligible, Victorians need to have paid their registration for a light vehicle for personal use between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. You can claim for up to two vehicles in your name.

“We’re focused on real, practical help that puts money back in people’s pockets, and I encourage all Victorians to take five minutes from their day to access it,” Cost of Living Minister Paul Edbrooke said.

To submit a claim or check eligibility, drivers can download the Service Victoria app or visit service.vic.gov.au/rego-rebate before the 31 August deadline.

Rare land sale close

By Mikayla van Loon

A unique 5.6-hectare landholding in Chirnside Park is close to being sold after it was identified for potential rezoning, garnering strong interest for residential redevelopment.

The site at 270 Maroondah Highway, currently owned by Malaysian conglomerate JoinLand Group, sits wedged between the Chirnside Homemaker Centre and Hedwig Drive.

Ray White Wollert real estate agent Garvit Mediratta, who is handling the sale, said the owner had been looking to sell for around six to seven years due to the increase in land tax.

Zoned for industrial use, Yarra Ranges Council identified four “large vacant or underused sites” in its Chirnside Park Structure Plan Issues and Opportunities Paper from August 2025 that offered “valuable opportunities for redevelopment”

That included the 270 Maroondah Highway site, which it said offered “a strategic opportunity for transitional uses such as medium density housing, commercial activities, or community facilities”.

Mr Mediratta said the potential rezoning for residential use drew most of the appeal from prospective buyers during the month-long expression of interest period, which closed on 17 July.

“There was more (interest) for the residential part of it than the industrial because the industrial access issues are going to be pretty major,” he said.

“Bunnings has a covenant on the property that no one from the building industry could purchase a warehouse if there was an industrial subdivision there. It doesn’t really make sense for anyone to do anything there unless that

covenant is modified.”

Speaking with Star Mail on Friday 24 July, Mr Mediratta said two offers had been received, and he was working through negotiations.

“When we got appointed, we were, I think, the fourth or fifth agent in the last 24 months, and we just said, ‘it’s better to put it across to the market rather than trying to do an off-market sale’,” he said.

“That’s what we did. We did a four-week campaign. We got a really good inquiry, and we did two or three rounds of negotiations.

“We’re in round three at the moment, and one of the two offers that have made it to round three will likely be accepted.”

The attractiveness of this site stems from the rare availability of such a location and parcel of land of this scale.

Aside from “its narrow four-metre frontage on Maroondah Highway, creating challenges for vehicle entry and exit” as mentioned in the council papers, the site is relatively set up with easy access to local shops and public transport.

Mr Mediratta said it was uncommon to find a vacant site in the middle of an already developed area.

“It’s a very infill sort of site. Everything around it is really already developed. You don’t really find many parcels of this scale that are available for sale in locations like this.

“Either side of the property is already developed, and this is just vacant land. You don’t usually find that. That’s what was the most attractive part, as well as the dual-use option.

“A lot of the industrial developers were also looking at it. There were a few bidders from an

industrial point of view. However, they were going to be much lower because obviously that covenant was there.”

Based in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Mr Mediratta said while there weren’t many differences between the north and east when it came to selling, the east was certainly better developed but harder to get into.

“Developers really look all across Victoria, wherever there’s a dollar to be made. Eastern is a lot more desirable, I’ll be honest. Northern has a lot more serviceability issues at the moment, whereas Eastern is pretty well done.”

Because the site has been identified as underutilised and the council is actively investigating future use, the successful buyer would have a pathway to advocate for rezoning approval.

The council’s Issues and Opportunities Paper forms part of its draft structure plan process, which is currently underway.

An objective of Yarra Ranges Council in the 2010 Chirnside Park Masterplan, which has been reincluded in the Issues and Opportunities paper, was to acquire “additional land for the expansion of Hedwig Park…as part of the development of the Joinland site (270 Maroondah Highway)” to deliver better open space outcomes for residents.

A new Chirnside Park Structure Plan would guide the next 15 to 20 years of growth and key community needs, like housing, transport, open space and infrastructure, drawing on the 2006 Structure Plan and 2010 Masterplan while adapting to social, environmental and economic changes.

The structure plan and its progress can be followed by visiting shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ chirnside-park-structure-plan

Unrelated business burglaries

Yarra Ranges detectives are appealing to the public for help following two separate commercial burglaries at local businesses in Lilydale in June.

Police are urging anyone with information or recognition of the suspects to come forward.

The first break-in occurred in the early hours of Wednesday 10 June at approximately 1.45am. Investigators say an offender arrived at a Lilydale business on a motorbike before forcing entry into the building and stealing several items.

Police are seeking assistance to identify the rider and the motorcycle involved in the crime.

In a separate incident weeks later, a different offender targeted a Lilydale business twice in a single day on Tuesday 30 June. At around 5am, the suspect arrived on foot, forced entry into the premises, and fled with a toolbox containing power tools.

Later that evening, at approximately 8pm, the same offender returned to the scene and forced entry again, but left empty-handed.

Detectives have released images of the suspects from both incidents in hopes that members of the community can help identify them.

Anyone with information regarding either incident is urged to contact Senior Constable Justin Smith on (03) 9739 2461. Anonymous reports can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or visiting their website. The police report reference for the 30 June incidents is 260272677.

Single vehicle collision

A major response to a single vehicle collision was required on Friday 31 July, after a call came through for a road rescue on Maroondah Highway in Chirnside Park.

Just after 7.30pm, crews from Lilydale SES along with CFA volunteers and Ambulance Victoria paramedics responded to a report of a single vehicle incident.

VicEmergency noted that 10 vehicles responded to the collision.

Outbound lanes of Maroondah Highway, near the intersection of Landscape Drive, were closed with diversions in place.

Jacinta Allan allies to quit politics after Labor coup

By Eleanor Wilson, AAP

Key allies of former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan will quit politics as a make-or-break cabinet reshuffle looms.

Eastern Region MP and Health Minister Harriet Shing and Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio on Thursday 30 July announced they would not contest their seats at the November state election and would step down from cabinet.

The exit of the pair, who are prominent allies of Ms Allan’s socialist left faction, creates room for new Premier Ben Carroll to reshuffle cabinet in coming days.

Ms Shing said she met with Mr Carroll on Tuesday afternoon, hours after he was sworn in as premier, to notify him of her decision.

The upper house MP, who represented much of the Yarra Ranges, was elevated to cabinet in 2022 and promoted to health minister in April

after Mary-Anne Thomas flagged her retirement alongside fellow Labor stalwarts Danny Pearson and Gayle Tierney.

The first openly lesbian member of Victorian parliament after her election in 2014, Ms Shing thanked her partner, former premiers Daniel Andrews and Ms Allan, as well as Mr Carroll and her caucus colleagues.

“It has always been my view that we are custodians of these roles for the time that we have them, and it is now time for me to pass these opportunities and obligations on to the next person,” Shing said.

Representing the seat of Mill Park since 2002, Ms D’Ambrosio was the longest-serving energy minister in Australia after her appointment to the role in the first iteration of the Andrews government.

“Back in 2014 not a lot of people thought about energy too much. Of course, the decade that followed changed all that,” Ms D’Ambrosio said in a statement.

She informed Mr Carroll she would stand

down from the cabinet on Thursday.

“I hope that my life in public service shows all girls what is possible for them no matter their faith, what they look like or the way they speak,” Ms D’Ambrosio said in a statement.

“Always back yourselves and each other.”

Mr Carroll thanked Ms Shing and Ms D’Ambrosio for their “many years of dedicated service”

He will reshuffle his frontbench following a caucus meeting on Monday and vowed to run a “strong, disciplined and united cabinet”

On Thursday, Mr Carroll hinted he could keep the education portfolio, telling reporters it had always been close to his heart.

“I will have more to say on portfolios,” he said.

“I value this portfolio, and this will be a matter for me and discussion with my colleagues.”

Libs pledge over violence

By Callum Ludwig

The Victorian Liberals have promised to implement a domestic violence disclosure scheme, similar to Clare’s Law adopted in the United Kingdom (UK) and South Australia, if successful at this year’s state election.

The party also adopted the policy position ahead of the 2022 election, while shadow minister for the prevention of family violence and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish previously attempted to introduce it to parliament through a private member’s bill in 2024.

Ms McLeish said it just reaffirms their position on Clare’s Law as something further that can be done to make a difference in the prevention of family and domestic violence.

“People can hide identities easily, much more easily online, and this is a way of bringing that out into the open.

“It may be someone that you may be involved with, or it could be my sister going and asking because I’ve got a dodgy partner and things don’t quite seem quite right… it could be a family member, it could be a best friend, but it doesn’t need to just be in heterosexual relationships either.

“You’d lodge your application online, and then they (police) do the background work and come back to you.”

The scheme as it operates in South Australia and the UK entitles you to the ‘right to ask’ and the ‘right to know’ about their own partner or that of a close friend, neighbour or family member.

The right to ask entitles people to make an application about a current or ex-partner to the police if they are worried that the person may have been abusive in the past. In South Australia, this information can include convictions for relevant offences (including interstate), relevant reports made to police and charges laid, current and historical intervention orders, breaches of intervention orders and other information relevant to the safety of the person at risk that police may hold.

The right to know also allows the police to proactively share information with someone whose current or ex-partner has a record of violent or abusive behaviour and they believe that they may be at risk.

Ms McLeish said police won’t just do this out of the blue and have got procedures and processes in place to make sure that it’s done delicately.

“The police are trained up, and the police are very good already at delivering bad news… they don’t do it with you on your own, they’d often have a support person, one of your family members or friends there with you,” she said.

“The stats are incredible, in the UK in the 24/25 financial year, they had almost 90,000 applications to find out. In 38,000 of those, they made a disclosure, they had to provide informa-

tion where people are a little bit suspicious or the history doesn’t add up.

“The number of applicants has been really quite surprising and frightening almost… in South Australia, since its inception there’s been just over two and a half thousand applications with over 1000 disclosures.”

Clare’s Law is named in the memory of Clare Wood, whose parents campaigned for the change after she was killed by her ex-boyfriend in the UK in 2009

A Victorian Government spokesperson said women deserve to be safe and free from abuse and violence – and when women are still dying at the hands of men, we must do more.

“Labor will introduce legislation to criminalise coercive control, ban good character evidence as a mitigating factor in sentencing, and deliver

further reforms to better protect victim-survivors and hold perpetrators to account,” they said.

The Victorian Government has not pledged to implement a domestic violence disclosure scheme, but other family and domestic violence measures recently implemented include:

Banning accused persons who are self-represented from cross-examining protected witnesses like victims and family members, in sexual offence, family violence and stalking proceedings.

Banning committal hearings for all sexual offence complainants.

Allowing sexual complainants to give evidence via remote video link, or having a support person present when giving evidence.

Restricting when victims’ counselling notes and health information can be accessed for evidence.

Cults ‘watershed moment’

By Oliver Winn

A Yarra Ranges cult awareness advocate welcomed recommendations from the Australiafirst parliamentary inquiry into cults and fringe groups, calling it a “policy and personal win”

Renee Spencer, who has lost contact with her daughter Ellicia to an infamous cult known as the Jesus Christians, said the outcome was “hard to put into words”

“For so long, people like me have struggled to be heard, let alone believed that things have been as bad as we said they were.

“To finally have our painful experience recognised, by a parliamentary inquiry is not just a policy win, it’s personal. It’s validation for every survivor who was told it wasn’t that bad or that it was just a group they could choose to leave.”

It came after the inquiry’s report was handed down on 29 July, which made 98 findings and 39 recommendations. The State Government has six months to respond to the report.

Clare Heath-McIvor from Survivors of Coercive Cults and High-Control Groups said the report offered hope to survivors.

“This is a vitally important recommendation that we fully support. No victim should have to prove their group is a cult before proving that group-based coercive control and abuse occurred, or that it mattered,” Ms Heath-McIvor said.

The inquiry’s report, Crossing the Line: Coercion and Harm in High-Control Groups, calls for “group-based coercion” to become a criminal offence, for the experiences of survivors to shape legal reforms, and for the law to recognise that “consent” cannot be relied on as a defence, given that these groups systematically erode a person’s ability to give it freely.

Ms Spencer’s daughter Ellicia was 22-yearsold and attending TAFE in Lilydale when a YouTube video changed the course of her life. It coaxed her to join the The Jesus Christians, also known as the Kidney Cult for encouraging its members to donate their organs to strangers.

“That’s where she found the Kidney Cult’s videos, and she reached out to them through an email that they advertised and then they came to see her, presenting themselves as Christians, hiding their past as the Kidney Cult,” Ms Spencer said to the Star Mail last year.

Within an instant, Ellicia was whipped away: she quit her job, moved out of home, gave away all her possessions. The matter was complicated further by the fact she had fallen in love with (and then married) one of the members.

The Star Mail heard from Ellicia last year, and she denied her mother’s claims. She denied the Star Mail’s requests for a phone call interview.

Ms Spencer’s experience led her to become the president of the Cult Information and Family Support (CIFS) group.

“CIFS looks forward to continuing the work of supporting victim-survivors and their families, and advocating for these recommendations to be implemented in full.”

A key detail of the inquiry is that it defines cults not based on their beliefs, but on the way they control, dominate and restrict members.

Ms Heath-McIvor said any group could be a cult.

“Multi-level marketing cults, yoga cults, political cults and more all exist. Cults are not a phenomenon of belief, but coercive control and domination across multiple domains of life,” she said.

A long list of recruitment methods commonly employed by cults was included in the inquiry, which included love bombing, controlling time and information, manipulating emotions and

targeting the vulnerable, and many more coercive tactics. Cults then isolate members from family, friends and alternative sources of information to control them, and use fear and guilt to limit their ability to make informed decisions.

The inquiry stated the loaded connotations associated with the word cult was wrongly applied to faiths which may seem strange to outsiders even if they were practising their beliefs in good faith.

“Some small or lesser-known religious groups, including minor yet mainstream faiths that may seem unfamiliar or strange to outsiders, have at times been inaccurately labelled as cults— despite lacking the harmful behaviours typically associated with that term,” the inquiry stated.

Ms Spencer said the inquiry recognised the significant gaps in a system that hasn’t had the tools to deal with the abuse that occurs within cults.

“For decades they’ve operated in the gaps the law simply didn’t reach. Seeing those gaps finally being closed means the next person won’t have to go through what we did before anyone believed them.”

She said she was grateful to have worked with many other cult survivors and advocates.

“I’ve felt honoured to work alongside Ryan and Catherine Carey, whose determination got this inquiry off the ground in the first place, and alongside advocates I deeply admire: Clare McIvor, Laura McConnell Conti, Elise Heerde, and Patrick McIvor. This outcome belongs to all of us, and to every survivor who spoke up,” Ms Spencer said.

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‘We ain’t letting go’: WAL

By Oliver Winn

The Warburton Advancement League (WAL) called upon council for actionable support to help progress a social housing project addressing homelessness in the Yarra Ranges.

In an impassioned speech at the 28 July council meeting, WAL vice president David Pratt said he needed council’s support to address a “heartbreaking” increase in the rates of homelessness.

“We are asking council to stand with us and use its influence so that this project, and others like it, can finally move from well-developed concepts into real homes for the people who urgently need them,” Mr Pratt said.

His speech represented the collective voice of WAL’s Cerini Centre Social Housing Project Taskforce, which is formed by members from Anchor Community Care, Stable One and ADRA Community Centre Redwood.

The Cerini Centre Social Housing Project would see at least 19 modular homes built at the former Cerini Centre site in Warburton to provide accommodation for those in need.

The taskforce’s plea comes as national Homelessness Week begins on 3 August.

O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said it was “fairly emotional” for him, having been mayor back when the project started in 2021.

“Looking back on those times that I was mayor when we really put this on our advocacy space… what I’m calling for tonight, councillors, again, is that we do that,” Cr Child said.

“We need a way out of this.”

A slideshow of testimonials from real people experiencing homelessness played while Mr Pratt delivered his speech.

As councillors read their experiences within the confines of the shire’s chambers, there’s no doubt that those behind the stories were weathering the blistering cold conditions outside.

The Cerini Centre Taskforce have already raised $110,000 to fund a range of key surveys, assessments, home concept designs and sale negotiations.

But Mr Pratt said the project remains “dead in the water” without a registered housing provider on board, as the Taskforce cannot access government funding without one.

“Not because the project lacks merit, but because the system requires a box to be ticked by a registered housing provider that we, as a community group, cannot tick ourselves.”

Yarra Ranges Council director of communities Leanne Hurst said council was supportive of the project.

“Our staff have been in conversation with David and the Warburton Advancement League, and are supportive of their proposed social and affordable housing development.

“We support the league’s position, that social housing programs from other levels of government are too heavily focused on large-scale projects, and that the Yarra Ranges being classified

TIMELINE OF THE

1952: Arrival of Fr Charles Cerini

as metropolitan Melbourne poses additional barriers for townships such as Warburton accessing grant funding.”

She emphasised that the council, as the planning authority that would review the proposal once submitted, would assess all applications on their merit, against the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme’s requirements.

Federal Casey MP Aaron Violi said he would continue to advocate on behalf of WAL for the Cerini Centre Social Housing Project in Parliament.

“I was proud to advocate on behalf of the project to the Minister for Housing in 2024, requesting funding to help the project proceed past planning stages,” Mr Violi said.

Ms Hurst said the Yarra Ranges had significantly lower social housing stock when compared to the rest of Greater Melbourne.

“This indicates a need for more social housing options to meet the growing demand in the area and council will continue to support and advocate for projects to address this shortage,” she said.

Mr Pratt said the derelict site was reasonable to repurpose.

“From a planning perspective, repurposing

CERINI CENTRE

Fr Charles Cerini arrives in Warburton to serve as the Parish Priest for the Upper Yarra Catholic Community. Recognising the need for a local Catholic school, he begins making bricks by hand to construct a convent for the Sisters of Saint Joseph, followed by work on a circular school building designed with help from local volunteers, Dam construction workers, and community members of all faiths.

1954: Opening of St Joseph’s Primary School St Joseph’s Primary School officially opens with an innovative circular design featuring a central hall and surrounding classrooms. Sister Gertrude Mills and Sister Jerome begin teaching 80 students ranging from Prep to Grade 6.

1966: The Ten-Day Protest Walk

After the High School relocates to Yarra Junction and transport assistance is rejected by the Education Department, Fr Cerini walks 35 students and parents just under 10 kilometres from Yarra Junction to Warburton and back for ten consecutive days. The public action leads the government to reach a compromise, allowing Catholic

school children onto the school bus.

1968: Fr Cerini dies of Leukemia.

1987: Opening of Yarra Junction Campus

A new Catholic Primary School opens in Yarra Junction, beginning a period of a few years where St Joseph’s Primary School operates across two campuses.

December 1994: Closure of Warburton Campus

The Warburton campus officially closes, and all remaining students are relocated to St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction.

Post-1994: Warburton Cerini Community Centre

Local Catholics rename the vacant building the Warburton Cerini Community Centre, and it hosts parish events, weddings, book sales, and other functions.

2015: Warburton Cerini Community Centre closes down

Unresolved issues regarding title boundaries (the building was partly constructed on land owned by the Education Department) eventu-

a derelict site for well-designed modular social housing seems entirely consistent with good land-use and risk-management practice,” he said.

He said the project was also financially viable as homes would be built as a Manufactured Home Estate.

“We also believe it could serve as a model for how other regional communities can help address the housing crisis in their own towns.”

WAL president Jeff Gill and ADRA Community Centre Redwood manager Kate Barratt attended the meeting alongside Mr Pratt.

Mr Gill said WAL’s historic commitment to improving Warburton was a testament to the group’s tenacity towards the Cerini Centre Social Housing Project.

“Everything in Warburton that’s happened, we’ve [WAL] had a hand in, but this is by far our biggest.”

“We, as a voluntary group, have put a lot of money into this… we haven’t asked anybody for anything. We’ve raised it ourselves. That just shows you the commitment we’ve got for this project.

“We ain’t letting go.”

ally force the volunteer group to disband after efforts to regularise the titles fail.

2021: Warburton Advancement League begin the Cerini Centre Social Housing Project

Members of the Warburton Advancement League—including personnel from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)— and the Sacred Heart Parish form a working group. Identifying an urgent need for social and affordable accommodation in the Upper Yarra, they begin developing a plan to establish 12 to 15 two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes on the vacant Cerini Centre site.

2022: Regulatory Framework Selection

The working group identifies that establishing a Manufactured Home Estate (MHE) provides the most cost-effective method to deliver affordable social housing without requiring land subdivisions or consolidations.

July 2023: Presentation of Project Proposal

Detailed project presentation materials are released, outlining the full scope of the proposed development. The plan covers approximately 13,000 m² of usable land across multi-titled

parcels owned by the Catholic Diocese, Department of Education, and Yarra Ranges Shire Council. Proposed features include:

Constructing 12–15 rental homes (with at least two reserved for short-term family crisis accommodation).

Creating a new access road from Riverside Drive.

Renovating the historic circular Cerini Centre building to serve as an on-site hub for an accredited Registered Housing Provider and a community centre.

December 2024: The Cerini Walk Community Event

On 4 December 2024, over 100 community members participate in the **Cerini Walk**, walking from Millgrove to the Cerini Centre in Warburton to raise public awareness, promote change, and support local initiatives addressing homelessness and social housing needs in the region.

July 2026: Call for support

David Pratt from WAL calls for council’s support in securing a registered housing provider.

Helping people be counted

By Callum Ludwig

As the countdown to the census draws nearer, hard work is underway to ensure all Australians have the opportunity to be counted.

Local homelessness support services like Anchor and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) are taking steps to ensure people experiencing homelessness are heard from.

Anchor chief executive Heidi Tucker says that the Census is crucial for understanding how widespread homelessness is in Australia.

“We can’t let people be invisible in our communities, it’s vital that Australia’s most vulnerable residents are captured in the count,” she said.

“The data captured in the Census will inform both services and the government for the next five years.

“For the sector, it is precious evidence of just how bad the homelessness crisis is, and can be the difference between an organisation receiving funding to support a particular region, or having to go without.”

In the Yarra Ranges area, the challenges of outreach are made all the more difficult by the 2468 square kilometres to cover across the region, including plenty of bushland where rough sleepers sometimes camp.

“Not everyone who is experiencing homelessness is known to a service. We’re worried that there will be people who are missed,” Ms Tucker said.

“We know that young people in particular can be couch surfing or living in scenarios associated with homelessness.”

Data from the 2021 Census estimated that 122,494 people were experiencing homelessness on Census night, 23 per cent of which were aged from 12 to 24 years.

The number of people experiencing homelessness has increased by 36 per cent (32,766 people) since 2006, rising from 45 per 100,000 people to 50 per 100,000.

An ABS spokesperson said the Census is the only national estimate of the prevalence of homelessness.

“Census data helps governments and service providers make informed decisions about funding allocation and deliver services where they are needed most,” they said.

“Census data informs a key homelessness measure in the Commonwealth’s National Agreement on Social Housing and Homelessness.

“It is also used to inform programs and services such as emergency shelters, domestic violence programs, transitional housing and programs for vulnerable Australians.”

“In the week of the Census (10-16 August),

Census staff will be in locations across Australia where people are known to sleep rough.

The ABS spokesperson said they are working closely with the homelessness sector to help people participate in the Census.

“This includes people sleeping rough, staying in crisis accommodation, transitional housing, boarding houses, shelters and supported accommodation,” they said.

“They will assist people experiencing homelessness to participate, including interviewing people sleeping rough using a shortened version of the Census form.”

“Where possible, the ABS recruits staff for this work who have experience in the homelessness sector, or with lived experience of homelessness.”

Information materials to support people experiencing homelessness will be circulated directly to the homelessness sector for sharing and are available on the Census website at census.abs.gov. au/homelessness.

Census data has helped spring initiatives like Street Side Medics, founded by Dr Daniel Nour, which has opened up fourteen pop-up clinics around the country to provide healthcare to people experiencing homelessness.

“We rely on Census data to give us a gauge of where to go,” Dr Nour said.

“The sorts of people that are living there, the different communities that live there, the cultures behind them.”

Urging the Outer East to donate life with their organs

By Callum Ludwig

For Australia’s annual DonateLife Week, Outer East residents are being urged to take up the simple steps required to register as an organ donor.

New data released by DonateLife reveals how many residents have registered as organ and tissue donors in Victorian local government areas (LGAs).

State medical director of DonateLife Victoria Dr Rohit D’Costa said a recent community survey shows 90 per cent of Victorians support organ donation, but less than one quarter have registered to be a donor.

“It doesn’t matter how old or healthy you are – you can still register as an organ and tissue donor, registering is quick, easy and only takes one minute,” he said.

“A recent community survey shows that 31 per cent of Victorians think they are registered, but in reality only 23 per cent are registered… it’s important to check you are registered at donatelife.gov.au or through Medicare.

“This DonateLife Week, I’m urging all Victorians to please register as an organ and tissue donor. Then, tell your family you want to be a donor - someone’s life depends on it.”

In the Outer East:

The Yarra Ranges had 828 new registrations in 2025, a decrease of 20 per cent, down from 1038 the year prior. In total, 41,433 Yarra Ranges residents are registered to donate, or 32 per cent of

the region’s population.

715 Knox residents registered in 2025, a decrease of 18 per cent from 869 the year prior. 32,521 Knox residents are registered to donate, which is 24 per cent of the region’s population.

589 people in Maroondah registered in 2025, 22 per cent less the 757 who did so in 2024. 17,735 Maroondah residents, 29 per cent of its local populace, are registered to donate.

In Cardinia, there were 536 new registrations in 2025, down 23 per cent from 694 the previous year. 25 per cent of the population is registered, accounting for 22,185 people.

Nikki Liebman can attest to the difference organ donation can make to people’s lives.

After she moved to Australia from South Africa in 2004, Ms Liebman was diagnosed with

primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune condition that affects the liver bowel ducts, getting by with medication which kept her condition stable and allowed her to start a family.

Ms Liebman said she got Covid in 2022 and her medication stopped working.

“My condition worsened, and the only option was to have a transplant, but before I could even go through that whole process, I ended up having an emergency,” she said.

“I had burst varices where my poor children, who were thirteen and probably eleven at the time, found me collapsed on the floor, and I was rushed to hospital, where I nearly died.

“I got put on the transplant list in early 2024 and the wait was probably about two and a half months, but quite excruciating.”

Just months after her donation, Ms Liebman and her partner Damien honoured her donor by completing the 80km ride along the LilydaleWarburton Rail Trail and back, something that would have been impossible due to her ailing health before the transplant.

Ms Liebman said it was a second chance at life, and without that transplant, she wouldn’t be here today.

“Obviously recovery is hard but I get the gift of being able to see my girls now grow up, when you have liver disease, it’s quite debilitating because you don’t have energy, you feel sick all the time, your body hurts, and you’re not really having a good quality of life,” she said.

“I’m so appreciative of my donor, the choice they made, and to their family because without that choice, many of us on the waiting list would not get the opportunity of a second chance of life.”

2000 Australians are currently awaiting an organ transplant, while there are a further 14,000 on dialysis who could benefit from a kidney transplant.

Ms Liebman said if it is something local residents are interested in, it’s a very simple process to sign up.

“I don’t think it’s something many people think about, you go through life not thinking about organ donation because it hasn’t happened to you or anyone close to you but being aware of it now, it’s even more important to spread the word,” she said.

“My daughters now want to become organ donors, and a few of my friends have signed up so this has impacted not just my life, but the life of a lot of people around me.

“It’s also important to let their families and friends know about their thoughts because at the end of the day, your family make that final decision, so the important part is to educate yourself on organ donation as well as let your family and friends know.”

To register or check if you are already registered, visit donatelife.gov.au/register-donortoday.

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College students deliver

By Mikayla van Loon

Multi-generational community service and collaboration were in fine form on Tuesday 28 July as a group of students delivered much-needed nonperishable food to Lilydale’s Holy Fools.

The Lilydale Heights College Student Interact Representative Council (SIRC), with support from the Lilydale Rotary Club, donated trays of tinned beans, cereal, long-life milk and more to the homelessness support organisation.

Year 12 student Gracie, Year 10 student Anastasia and Year 8 student Emily represented their larger SIRC group to hand-deliver the food to Felix House on Tuesday afternoon.

Gracie said the SIRC were “very specific in publicising what we wanted” when it came to the types of donations and how much, drawing from Holy Fools’ material donations list.

“It was very much just an ask, just to put it out there for our community, and they were very helpful in that and wanted to help,” she said.

“We made our own food order, that was supported by the Rotary as well. They gave us some money to put a shopping list together. That made up a brute force of what we have today, which is really wonderful.”

Holy Fools founder and chief executive officer Neal Taylor said the majority of the donated items would be taken and stored at the ARC in Chirnside Park, with some items remaining at Felix House to hand out as needed.

Among the bags of food, the SIRC, with Rotary support, was able to donate 16 slabs of bottled water.

Gracie said after speaking with Neal about what was needed, “water was a top priority”

Coming into the spring and summer, as it gets warmer, that delivery of water will be incredibly important to support people sleeping rough and for the Wednesday Street Angels lunch.

“The water alone is just going to be fantastic; that’s the most water we’ve ever had,” Neal said.

Choosing to donate to Holy Fools, Gracie said, stemmed from its local impact, community roots and a previously established relationship with Neal and the team.

But also, seeing the need internally, with students accessing programs like the breakfast club.

“It’s mainly because it’s local and you can see the impact. We have wellbeing people who make toasties for people who don’t come (to school) with lunch, and we notice those kinds of trends with the breakfast clubs and stuff like that.”

Visiting Felix House, Neal was able to show Gracie, Anastasia and Emily the accessible shower and toilet facilities, laundry and the new kitchenette.

He also explained what the drop-in centre is seeing in terms of access.

On Tuesday alone, three people had used the shower, five loads of washing had been done and 25 people had called in.

Throughout the week, Neal said Felix House might see 30 to 40 people, or more, some who might be repeat visitors or who they help regularly.

“We’re very busy at the moment for this time of year. I think people come in for a coffee first, and then usually have to shower or do their laundry,” he said.

“We’re getting a few from the Stable One Winter Shelter. They’ll come through and have showers and do their laundry, usually because the places they’re all staying don’t have either a good

shower or they don’t have laundry facilities, so they’ll just come here and do it.

“But on the whole, it’s all just the local rough sleepers.”

When asked about other support or opportunities there were to help Holy Fools, Neal said the SIRC students would be welcome to cook and serve a Street Angels lunch, something Gracie said would be well received.

“Not even just from a SIRC perspective, but I think there’d be other students that would probably really resonate with that type of thing, rather than being stuck in a classroom. I know that a lot of people would rather see the impact that they’re actually having,” she said.

The three students each had similar reasons for joining the young Rotary program, mainly to help others.

“I wanted to help around the community, and I’m really passionate about helping my community. It was really helpful to meet like-minded people who could expand on my ideas for activities or events we do around school,” Anastasia said.

“Since a young age, I’ve always really just wanted to help people; it’s a big thing of mine,” Emily said.

Anastasia said the SIRC has every year level represented, which means “we have a wide range of people who help us in ideas and what people

would like and would not really like, and very different opinions.”

“It helps us get a different perspective from different year levels because obviously I have a different experience of schooling life now than I would say to Emily or someone who’s in Year 7 or 10,” Gracie said.

“So it’s very different as a way to get our ideas across the board, see what we can do to change, make better, what should stay the same.”

Interact clubs provide young people aged 12 to 18 with opportunities to build their leadership skills while helping serve others, based on the Rotary principle of service above self.

Are your kids living in a world revolving around their passions? That’s a good thing.

It’s why the VCE’s new Vocational Major creates worlds where passions can be explored.

From agriculture to construction, health to renewable energy. Whatever world our kids are into, there’s a VCE program to help develop the skills they’ll need to land a job in Australia’s most in-demand industries.

Probus celebrates 50 years

By Mikayla van Loon

A grand celebration fit for a major milestone was held on Thursday 30 July to mark 50 years of Probus in Australia.

The Probus Association of Victoria (PAV) committee hosted an afternoon high tea at the Chirnside Park Country Club, bringing together 154 members to celebrate the occasion.

Probus club members travelled from near and far, with representatives from Blackburn Combined, Chisholm, Croydon Park, Emerald Ladies, Essendon, Heathmonth Ladies, Keysborough, Knoxfield Ladies, Mitcham-Nunawading, Monash, Mooroolbark, Olinda, Rowville-Lysterfield, Seymour, Tunstall Combined and Wheelers Hill.

Compere and delegate Anne Vick said while individual clubs have celebrated the 50-year milestone in their own ways, this was a wonderful way to bring people together.

“It’s 50 years that we’re celebrating with all these lovely people who come from far and wide,” she said.

Probus ambassador, Olinda Probus member, and keynote speaker for the event, Helen Holliday, spoke of the abundance in our lives in modern society compared to generations before, but also how it had led to complacency.

“We are so fortunate to live in a country where abundance is everywhere in our lives. We have everything, more or less at our fingertips, from love to lemons,” she said.

“We have so much abundance in our lives, and yet, we all seem to be time-poor…Complacency is something that seems to creep into societies that have abundance. We assume that the good things and good times will go on forever.”

Ms Holliday said this complacency could not be extended to the running of Probus clubs, especially when it comes to drawing new members.

She spoke of when her “bright idea” to start a Probus club in Olinda 21 years ago sparked, there was already a 120-member strong club in Monbulk.

But over time, committee members grew tired of their roles and new, younger members weren’t joining, seeing numbers dwindle to just 20 before the decision to shut was made.

“This is what we must all remember that if you want your club to survive, one thing is absolutely certain - you must continue to attract new, younger members,” she said.

Whether it’s joining the committee, organising a new activity like a dog walking group, or learning computer skills to share with the club, Ms Holliday said members should use their own curiosity, creativity and hobbies to drum up ideas for their clubs.

“Let your club be the abundant, thriving club in your area, and never let complacency and indolence take over,” she said.

“Probus clubs tick all the boxes for social abundance.”

Probus ambassador Anne Oughtibridge OAM joined her first ladies club after she retired in 1998. She served as president of Ringwood East Ladies Club in 2000, president of Melbourne Outer Eastern Region in 2003, foundation president and life member of Maroondah Combined, and foundation president and life member of Ringwood Clocktower.

As an ambassador for Probus clubs in the east and a member of Croydon Park Probus, Ms Oughtibridge said providing interesting activities

and opportunities for members was key to a club’s success.

“A lot of people say, ‘What’s Probus?’ They have no idea. I’m in Melbourne East Probus Club, and 32 clubs joined it,” she said.

“We mainly concentrate on the number of speakers we have, because if you get a good speaker, you get people at the meeting, and then the other one is tours.”

Promoting club collaboration to share speakers and organise tours together, Ms Oughtibridge said, was one of her biggest tasks.

In a previous role, Ms Oughtibridge was a tour leader, to which she said, “I’ve been overseas about 13 times, taking groups. It was magic.”

Within her own club in Croydon Park, Ms Oughtibridge said the array of activities was essential to draw in members. The club provides 27 different opportunities.

Everything from cards and bowls to dine-out lunches and theatre, each club offers something different to mould to their members’ interests.

The 50th anniversary celebration was filled with games and raffles, jokes and wonderful conversations.

Maroondah City Council Mayor Linda Hancock presented a certificate of gratitude and recognition to PAV president Cheryl Hunt to mark the formalities.

“As a council, we really value the support you

give our community: a place to be social, a place to belong, activities to keep the mind going, the laughter,” Cr Hancock said.

“It’s nice to be appreciated for what we do. I think we all enjoy these years when we retire. We don’t know what we’re going to do, but all of a sudden we join Probus and we make new friends, and it does a lot for your mental health,” Ms Hunt said.

The first Probus club in Australia was established in Hunters Hill in February 1976 and, for 50 years, clubs have encouraged older Australians to engage socially within their communities. Find your local Probus club by visiting probussouthpacific.org

SENIOR LIVING

Celebrate aged-care champs

All Australians are invited to join Ageing Australia and say a massive ‘thanks for caring’ to the dedicated and compassionate care workforce to mark Aged Care Employee Day on Friday 7 August. Their care is personal, selfless and often unsung – making a difference in the lives of older Australians every single day.

Aged care, retirement living and seniors housing providers, along with residents, clients, families and loved ones, are gearing up to show their appreciation with morning and afternoon teas, celebrations and heartfelt messages of thanks to the dedicated workers who care for their loved ones.

From leaders and nurses to personal care workers, allied health professionals, volunteers, cleaners, chefs, cooks, maintenance workers, gardeners, administrators, and more, every role contributes to the wellbeing of older Australians.

Currently there are around 456,000 aged care workers in Australia, with approximately 1.3 million Australians receiving aged care services.

Ageing Australia knows how essential the aged care workforce is in helping older Australians to age well. Aged Care Employee Day is an opportunity to recognise the skill, compassion and dedication of the people who make this possible every day.

It is an opportunity for communities, organisations and individuals across Australia to recognise these people who care for and support older Australians.

The winners of the Ageing Australia You are ACE! Awards will also be announced on the day, with finalists published on Thursday 30 July, as chosen from the over 470 You are ACE! nominations received throughout the year.

Thank an aged care employee this Friday 7 August. (File)

Village now open

Summerset Chirnside Park is officially open!

Find more time for what you love at this modern village, designed to help you get the most out of your retirement - now and in the future.

Book an appointment with our friendly team at our brand-new sales villa and explore our stunning display homes.

Our first release of homes is over 60% sold, and the next release of homes, including new floorplans, is now available to purchase off the plan.

Get in quick to secure your preferred home* and be a part of this vibrant community.

Love the life you choose.

Book an appointment today Now open 7 days, 9am to 5pm

Summerset Chirnside Park 10 East Ridge Drive, Chirnside Park 03 8777 4242 | chirnsidepark.sales@summerset.com.au

*Homes

SENIOR LIVING Retirement living with heart

Where the Yarra Valley meets the Dandenong Ranges, Lilydale Valley Views offers more than a place to live, it’s a vibrant community where retirement is enjoyed to the fullest.

For over 15 years, the village has grown into a welcoming environment where residents feel at home. With 139 residences, including semi attached two and three bedroom units and cosy terraces, there is a style to suit every preference.

Whether it’s sweeping valley views or the ease of low maintenance living, each home is designed for comfort and connection.

Lifestyle is at the heart of Lilydale Valley Views. A heated indoor pool and spa provide year round relaxation, while Tai Chi, dancercise, and other group activities keep minds and bodies active. The village bus makes shopping stress free with convenient door to door service.

A strong sense of community sets the village apart. The resident social committee organises a calendar filled with outings, celebrations, and casual get togethers, ensuring there are always opportunities to connect. Friendships form quickly and newcomers are warmly welcomed, making it

easy to feel part of the community from day one.

The location adds to the appeal. Doctors, supermarkets, and the train station are all within walking distance, while the nearby Warburton Trail offers scenic walks and bike rides. On site, a thriving veggie and flower garden brings people together in the simple pleasure of growing and sharing.

It is this blend of convenience, activity, and companionship that makes Lilydale Valley Views such a special place. Here, retirement is not about slowing down, but about enjoying life surround-

A better retirement lifestyle

ed by people who value the same. We invite you to experience it for yourself. Discover the comfort of terrace living, the beauty of the views, and the warmth of a truly connected community.

For more information, visit us at 471 Maroondah Highway, Lilydale, email manager@ lilydalevalleyviews.com.au, or call 03 9735 5944 to speak with our manager, Rosemary Seymour. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.

9735 5944

Be part of a vibrant Community and enjoy the Facilities

Close to all amenities - health professionals,

Supermarkets, public transport

Village volunteers can assists you around the house

Monthly calendar of events

24 Hour Emergency Assistance

Fully equipped gym

Heated indoor pool

Hairdresser, Massage & Podiatry services

4-rink Bowling Green

Entertainment Lounge Library and Computer Room

SENIOR LIVING

Home brings outdoors in

Hamlet Living now selling ‘The Hamilton’ from $905,000.

Beside Bellbird Park and Lillydale Lake, Hamlet Living has launched a boutique community for the over-50s.

With just 50 homes, a welcoming clubhouse, and more than three hectares of green space to wander, sit in, or simply look out over. It’s a different way to live, and there’s nothing quite like it in the region.

This ethos runs through every home, including the newest design to join the collection, the Hamilton. It started with one question: how can you make the outdoors something you use every day, not just look at?

The answer is a generous covered alfresco at the heart of the home, an extension of the living room itself. A suntrap for slow coffees in the morning, and for dinners that run long into the evening.

Inside, living areas and private spaces are thoughtfully separated, giving the home an easy, settled rhythm. Two well-proportioned bedrooms and a central bathroom sit away from the guest powder room and utility area, so nothing ever feels crowded or compromised. And a double garage means there’s room for whatever makes life rich; bikes, tools or the craft table. It features:

• Full-width rear alfresco for effortless indoor–outdoor living.

• Light-filled open plan kitchen, living and dining area.

• Generous and beautifully appointed kitchen including Fisher & Paykel appliances.

• Clever Jack and Jill bedroom arrangement with shared walk-in wardrobe and private ensuite access.

• Convenient separate powder room for guests.

• Direct garage access to both the laundry and kitchen for everyday convenience.

• Double glazing, underfloor, wall and ceiling insulation for comfort in every season.

• Spacious double car garage.

• Distinctive reverse gable roof design.

For more information on the Hamilton, or to book a conversation with the team, visit hamletliving.com.au, or call 0482 672 325. The

Parkside Living at Hamlet Lilydale

Lilydale is a boutique community of 50 homes, nestled beside Bellbird Park and Lillydale Lake. Step outside to 100 hectares of parkland for morning dog

When village life is what you’re after, your favourite café, a wander through the shops, a train into the city are just 2km away.

This is Lilydale living, the way it’s meant to be. An over 50s community set in Lilydale’s most desirable pocket. Limited selection of homes now selling from $845,000.

SENIOR LIVING

Good life at Tudor Village

Evol McLeod, a resident of Otterington Way in Tudor Village, describes village life as offering far more than simply a place to live. For her, the appeal lies in the sense of comfort, connection and community that has developed around everyday interactions with neighbours.

When asked what it is like to live at Tudor Village, Evol said it “feels like home in the truest sense of the word” . She said the village is “not just a collection of houses or units” , but a community where residents “know one another, look out for one another, and take pride” in the place they share.

That sense of belonging, she says, was clear from the time she settled in. Evol recalls being welcomed through simple gestures — “a wave across the garden, a quick chat on the path” , or someone stopping to ask how the day is going. These small acts, she says, “make a big difference” and help create the friendly atmosphere residents value.

One of the strongest features of Tudor Village, according to Evol, is the balance it provides. Residents can enjoy their own private space, independence and routines, while also having the reassurance of being part of a supportive village community. She describes the environment as “peaceful, well kept and pleasant to come home to” , with connection available when residents want it. The amenities on hand are fabulous, she says. They include the Community Centre – a place to join in social activities – the Book Club, Happy Hour, water aerobics or even the Writing Club. You can be busy all the time if you wish.

Remaining connected to the wider local area has also been important to Evol. She appreciates being able to stay part of a community she knows, while enjoying the comfort and security of village living. She says residents are respected as individuals, with “their own story, their own routines and their own interests” , and that this individuality is valued.

The setting itself adds to that feeling. Evol points to the “tidy street, cared-for gardens and a calm atmosphere” as part of what makes Tudor Village feel settled and welcoming. It is, she says, the kind of place where residents can enjoy a quiet morning, talk with a neighbour or simply feel confident they are in a good place.

Above all, Evol believes the village’s greatest strength is its people. “A community is only as good as the care shown within it,” she says, and at Tudor Village that care is evident in ordinary, neighbourly ways. To anyone considering a move, her advice is simple: “come and see it for yourself” . For Evol, Tudor Village has offered “comfort, connection and a genuine sense of community”

Live the Retirement You’ve Always Deserved.

Surrounded by bushland, close to wineries and the warm village feel of Lilydale, this is where retirement comes into its own. Whether it’s morning walks among the trees or shared afternoons with friends, every moment here feels purposeful and unhurried. And it’s more than just a feeling, studies show that living in a retirement village can help you live a longer, healthier, happier life. With homes available now, you can secure your new lifestyle today!

Spacious, Stylish Family Living Awaits

25 GROSVENOR WALK, LILYDALE

This spacious Grange home offers stylish family living from every angle. Three generous bedrooms include a master with walk-through robes, plus two with mirrored built-ins. A central bathroom, powder room and laundry add practicality, while ducted heating, cooling and ceiling fans ensure comfort, complemented by new carpet and fresh paint. The modern kitchen with gas cooking flows to open-plan living, plus a separate lounge. Outside, a covered pergola and landscaped courtyard suit entertaining, with an extra-large double garage.

A Peaceful Leafy Retreat

43A OTTERINGTON WAY, LILYDALE

Set on one of Tudor Village’s most picturesque streets, this lovely home welcomes you into a large open-plan lounge and dining area, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. The central kitchen with breakfast bar and meals area suits everyday living, while the updated bathroom’s frameless shower adds a contemporary feel. The master offers a walk-in robe, and outside, a deck and pergola overlook a private, tree-lined backyard — ideal for gardeners and entertainers alike, with split-system comfort year-round.

Contact Kate Abdulovski on (03) 9739 6122 to enquire about pricing or schedule a private viewing. Visit tudorvillage.com.au for more information.

RSV spiking across winter

By Tanya Steele

Winter is in full swing across Australia, and according to the Immunisation Foundation of Australia (IFA), RSV cases have surpassed both influenza and Covid-19 this winter.

Over 83,000 cases have been recorded, and the organisation is urging older adults to get vaccinated.

Locally in the outer east, healthcare staff have seen young babies and children presenting to their emergency departments, some quite unwell with RSV.

Brittany Gatt, a paediatric ED nurse and first aid educator, said that as winter has progressed, RSV has been making younger kids, especially those under the age of two, really unwell across the outer east.

“It can have such dramatic effects on the younger population, there have been some really unwell babies,” she said.

“It can also lead to a lot of secondary illnesses like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.”

RSV or respiratory syncytial virus is a common virus that causes respiratory infection in a person’s airways or lungs, and impacts people of all ages, but infants, young children and older adults in particular are at risk.

IFA founder and executive director Catherine Hughes AM said there is also still a massive gap in RSV vaccination coverage and an urgent need for older adults to get vaccinated.

“The RSV vaccine was unfortunately not available in April and early May when many older Australians receive their flu shot, so it’s clear there is some catching up to do,” she said.

IFA has collected data showing that despite a high number of RSV cases this year, infant admissions to paediatric hospitals during the early months (April-May) of the Australian RSV season are actually 70 per cent lower than in 2024, before the roll-out of the national RSV Mother and Infant Protection Program.

“Since the nationwide program began last year, more than 360,000 Australian babies have been protected against severe RSV,” Ms Hughes said.

“Early evidence shows the program is a resounding success, thousands of families are being spared the trauma of their baby being admitted to hospital and requiring oxygen support or intensive care due to RSV.”

The RSV vaccine is free to those at risk of catching the virus and includes infants, expectant mothers, adults aged 75 years and over, and

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 60 years and over.

Babies who catch RSV display symptoms like increased work of breathing and wheeziness, and Ms Gatt said parents can feel quite anxious when it comes to outbreaks of the virus in places like childcare settings.

“Some parents are getting quite anxious and bringing their children into ED to get them checked out when they may not necessarily be that unwell,” she said.

If parents are worried their child has RSV, Ms Gatt said a good option when worried about getting your child seen by a health professional, especially out of hours, is services like the virtual ED.

“If your baby has RSV and they’re starting to show wheezing, work of breathing and poor feeding, they’re all red flags and they need to be assessed by a health professional, whether it’s your GP or using resources like virtual ED if you’re unsure,” Ms Gatt said.

The free 24-hour service is available to all Victorians for non-emergency urgent care video calls and can help alleviate worries or get further care as required with a quick call from home.

Ms Gatt said it’s a good idea to sign up ahead of needing the service as well.

Studies show that vaccination is more than 85 per cent effective in keeping older adults out of hospital with severe RSV, and almost 80 per cent effective in reducing hospital admissions

for other conditions that can be made worse when people catch RSV, including chronic lung disease and heart disease.

Australian Medical Association president Dr Danielle McMullen said the RSV vaccine has the potential to prevent thousands of hospitalisations this winter.

“With so many Australians yet to be protected against RSV, it’s essential that people speak to a healthcare professional about RSV protection. Now is the time to act – winter is far from over,” Dr McMullen said.

“Getting protected against RSV is an incredibly simple yet effective way to help prevent serious illness and stay out of hospital.”

The community should always seek medical care if symptoms do not resolve or worsen.

For babies and young children, call an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if your child is turning blue, having trouble breathing, or is breathing very quickly.

For some tips to avoid spread and general prevention, Ms Gatt said it really comes down to your basics.

“Good hand hygiene,” she said.

Taking care to remove shoes from your kids before they come in the door from places like childcare and encouraging people not to kiss your baby’s face and hands can be a big preventative in the home.

“Especially hands, they go straight in the mouth,” said Ms Gatt.

Spread through droplets from coughing and sneezing, teaching kids and even reminding adults that if they sneeze they should cover their mouth and wash their hands afterwards can really help prevent the spread of RSV.

Ms Gatt also said that keeping unwell children home from daycare and school is essential.

“All those little things can really help prevent the spread,” she said.

Being outdoors in winter will not increase your chances of catching RSV, and Ms Gatt said being in close quarters inside is more likely to spread the infection.

“The reason why kids get more sick in winter is because they’re actually indoors closer to each other,” she said.

Other tips include cleaning toys, especially after a playdate and encouraging kids not to share their drink bottles and food.

“It really is just those little things that people don’t really think make an impact, but it really does,” Ms Gatt said.

Victoria bursts into bloom for Daffodil Day’s 40th

Cancer Council Victoria’s iconic fundraiser, Daffodil Day, will mark 40 years of hope this August with bunches of daffodils on sale across the state, helping to raise money for vital research and giving hope for a cancer-free future.

This year, Daffodil Day takes place on Thursday, 20 August, with Cancer Council aiming to raise more than $5.5 million across the country.

One Victorian who knows the importance of hope is Cheryl Priest, who is marking five years in remission this Daffodil Day.

Mrs Priest was shocked when what she thought was a change in her skin colour after a holiday turned out to be jaundice, leading to a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and, shortly after, lung cancer.

Despite feeling fit and healthy, Mrs Priest underwent emergency surgery, chemotherapy and further surgery to remove part of her lung. Before her diagnosis, Mrs Priest was active and walking five kilometres most days, but the intensive treatment left her needing a walking frame.

“But I was going to get off that frame as quickly as I possibly could,” she said.

She is now focused on making the most of every opportunity, travelling the world and ticking off bucket-list adventures.

“I walked 19 kilometres in one day in Norway, I drove around London and Scotland and I went to Antarctica,” she said.

This Daffodil Day, Mrs Priest is sharing her story of resilience and encouraging all Victorians to give strength and hope to people living

with cancer.

“Daffodil Day is about showing people affected by cancer that they’re not alone,” Mrs Priest said.

Lyrian Fleming-Parsley, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Cancer Council Victoria, urged the community to show its support this Daffodil Day and play an important part in helping drive world-class cancer research.

“For 40 years, Daffodil Day has united Australians in giving hope to those impacted by cancer,” Ms Fleming-Parsley said.

“Every donation helps fund world-class research, bringing us closer to better treatments and better outcomes for people facing cancer.”

As the only charity working across every area of every cancer, Cancer Council Victoria drives and supports life-saving research, prevention and support programs.

In the last five years alone, it has invested more than $138 million into cancer research, contributing to breakthroughs in prevention,

screening, early detection and treatment.

Ms Fleming-Parsley said recent data from the Victorian Cancer Registry highlighted both the progress being made and the work still to be done.

“Victoria recorded its highest-ever number of cancer diagnoses in 2024, but advances in screening, early detection and treatment are estimated to have saved 23,900 Victorian lives over the past five years,” she said.

“While research is helping more Victorians survive cancer than ever before, the record number of diagnoses shows there is still so much more work to do.”

Cancer remains the leading cause of death in the state, with 33 Victorians dying from the disease each day.

“Nearly all of us have been impacted by cancer, whether directly or through the experience of a loved one, and it’s incredibly sad that about one in two Victorians will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85,” Ms Fleming-Parsley said.

“That’s why every person who supports Daffodil Day this month, including buying daffodils on 20 August, can feel proud knowing they’re helping fund life-saving research and supporting Victorians affected by cancer at every stage of their journey.”

Go to daffodilday.com.au for more information.

AusNet opens traineeships

AusNet is supporting Victoria’s energy future through a targeted investment in regional jobs, launching nine three-year distribution traineeships: six in regional Victoria and three in Melbourne.

“This is a great opportunity to apply and play your part in Australia’s transition to net zero,” AusNet executive general manager distribution Andrew Linnie said.

“We are creating meaningful careers in our regional communities, building the skills needed for the energy transition and helping Victoria meet its renewable energy and emissions targets.”

AusNet is committing over $3 million to the program, offering an $80,000 annual salary, hands-on experience and the chance to live and work locally. This investment reflects AusNet’s ongoing commitment to supporting local communities and developing the workforce needed to power a renewable energy future. At the end of three years, trainees will graduate with a nationally recognised Advanced Diploma of ESI Power Systems and a clear pathway into a permanent role.

Network Connection Traineeship roles will be on offer in Lilydale, Wodonga and Beaconsfield. Traineeships in Access Planning will be available in Bairnsdale, Lilydale and Wodonga, and Distribution Control and Operations roles will be of-

fered in Melbourne.

Trainees will learn face-to-face alongside fellow trainees, building strong professional networks and shared knowledge. While everyone completes the same qualification, the learning will be tailored to one of three specialised technical streams.

To apply for these traineeships, you’ll need to have completed Year 12 by the end of 2026 with strong performances in maths/science, have unrestricted working rights in Australia, have access to a vehicle and a valid driver’s licence and be able to travel monthly for training if your role is based outside of Melbourne.

“We strongly encourage women, First Nations people and mature-aged candidates to apply,” Mr Linnie said.

After completing the program, trainees will be fully qualified and ready to apply for a permanent role within their chosen stream.

“This is a unique opportunity to work in the energy industry, make a difference in the communities we operate in, and leave a positive legacy,” Mr Linnie said.

Applications for the trainee program opened on 3 August and close on 30 August. The AusNet Traineeships will begin in February 2027. For more information, go to: ausnet.com.au/trainees.

Into The Wild Gardens in Kallista is helping local residents create and maintain outdoor spaces that reflect the natural beauty of the Dandenong Ranges. Led by Kye Gamgee, Into The Wild Gardens has built a reputation for quality workmanship, personalised service and a genuine passion for landscaping in the hills environment.

Specialising in landscape construction and garden maintenance, the team offers a range of services including retaining walls, drainage solutions, native plantings and complete garden transformations. Their experience with challenging hills properties ensures every project is designed to be both practical and visually appealing while complementing the surrounding landscape.

A key part of Into The Wild Gardens is its dedicated maintenance team, which provides professional garden services for clients receiving Support At Home, Home Care Packages, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, DVA, TAC, WorkCover and other government funded or insurance related services. The team understands the importance of keeping outdoor areas safe, accessible and enjoyable, helping people remain independent and comfortable in their own homes.

Into The Wild Gardens works closely with clients, families and service providers to deliver reliable maintenance solutions tailored to individual needs. This community focused approach has made the business a trusted choice for many residents throughout the region. With a strong commitment to sustainability, functionality and customer care, Into The Wild Gardens continues to enhance homes and gardens across the hills, creating spaces where people can connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of their local environment for years to come.

Tree a symbol of strength

By Mikayla van Loon

More than a century after the community of Montrose planted native trees to honour local soldiers lost in World War I, the township gathered once again on National Tree Day to carry forward a living tradition of remembrance.

On Sunday 26 July, approximately 80 residents, local leaders, and community representatives gathered in the Montrose Town Centre to witness the planting of a special grafted Red Flowering Gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia).

The tree, a direct genetic descendant of the township’s historical Honour Row, serves as a poignant bridge between Montrose’s pioneering past and its future.

The ceremony was led by Montrose Township Group chair Chelsey Cooper, with dignitaries in attendance, including Federal MP Aaron Violi, Evelyn MP Bridgett Vallence, and Yarra Ranges Councillor Jeff Marriott.

The physical planting was led by Montrose Historical Society member Jeanette Dodson alongside John Balcombe, who participated on behalf of his 98-year-old father, lifelong resident Jack Balcombe.

They were assisted by Montrose Primary School captains Pia Walton and Jack Hutchinson, underscoring the intergenerational spirit of the day.

Addressing the crowd, Montrose historian Eddie Tichelaar recounted the history of the original trees.

Exactly 108 years before the event, on Arbor Day, 26 July 1918, the Montrose community planted five Red Flowering Gums at 2pm to honour five former Montrose State School students who died overseas during World War I: Capt Harold Hughes, Pte Norman Hooke, Pte Leslie Tegart, Pte Charles Dorrington and Corp Fred Davies.

“Each tree represented an individual who had served, creating a permanent and visible reminder of their contribution,” Mr Tichelaar said.

Two years later, on 30 July 1920, five additional gums were planted for local servicemen who did not return: Sapper Fred Jeeves, Pte Gordon Ewart, Lt Alf Eades, Corp Robert Black, and Pte Frank Fester.

Mr Tichelaar said that unlike many Victorian towns that chose traditional European species like elms or oaks, Montrose selected the native Red Flowering Gum, giving the “memorial a uniquely local character”

Its vibrant crimson blossoms offered a striking visual symbol of sacrifice, strength, and rebirth.

Over decades of suburban development, road widenings, and natural decline, most of the original Honour Row trees were lost.

By early 2024, only a single surviving Red Flowering Gum remained on Mt Dandenong Road, outside the original site of the Montrose Historical Cottage.

When an intersection upgrade in March 2024 threatened the final tree, local historians moved quickly.

Consultations with regional nurseries confirmed that transplanting mature gums was unviable. Instead, in February 2024, specialists from Humphris Nursery harvested cuttings to graft onto new rootstock.

Two cloned saplings survived, cared for at the Yarra Ranges Council depot until they were ready to return home.

Mr Tichelaar said it was clear that the community of 1918 understood the power of symbols.

“A tree grows, changes with the seasons, and requires care and protection,” Mr Tichelaar said.

“In many ways, it reflects the continuing re-

sponsibility of each generation to remember those who came before them.

“The Pioneers who planted the Honour Row knew that they would not live forever. They planted not for themselves, but for future generations to see.”

The newly planted gum now stands in the Montrose Town Square, situated between the historical cottage and the Sister Edith Yeaman Memorial Garden.

Following the ceremonial soil turning, attendees moved into the Community Room at the Montrose Town Centre for afternoon tea catered by Anna’s European Kitchen. The event was made possible through sponsorship from the Commu-

‘Extraordinary police work’

By Oliver Winn

An 84-year-old man from Lilydale praised local police for their “extraordinary professional police work” after his stolen mobility scooter was recovered in hours on Tuesday 28 July.

Dieter was on his custom-made, $8000 mobility scooter at Lilydale Marketplace when his mobility scooter was stolen by a 17-year-old man.

Lilydale Police managed to locate the 17-yearold offender and arrested him two days later for theft and other charges relating to further incidents in the Lilydale CBD area. He was refused bail and remanded in custody to appear at court at a later date.

Dieter had left the key in his mobility scooter afte he suddenly had to use the toilets in Lilydale Marketplace.

But once he returned, the scooter was nowhere to be found.

“I went to the management office, and they immediately called the police… they were there within less than 10 minutes, had a look at the footage, and they said, ‘Don’t worry, we will get that back for you’.”

Dieter lives with a disability and is hard of hearing, making him reliant on his mobility scooter for transportation.

“Without that thing, I am handicapped, isolated,” he said.

After police obtained a photo of his scooter, the call was sent out to surrounding patrols.

“I had to ring my wife, she picked me up and we went home… Four hours later, I get a call: ‘We have got your scooter, come to the police station’.”

He went to the police station and recovered his mobility scooter, which had suffered some minor damage by the offender.

“Ten minutes later, one of the coppers came back to the police station with my scooter, slightly damaged here and there, and all my private belongings, they were gone. But it was still drivable.”

Lilydale Police sergeant Chris Moloney said

officers were “very pleased” to reunite Dieter with his scooter.

“It was a fine example of teamwork and persistence in order to recover it.

“The theft was a callous and opportunistic act that attempted to deprive an elderly gentleman of his primary means of independence and mobility,” Mr Moloney said.

Dieter said Lilydale Police Station was “the best in this area” , as Mooroolbark is only open on Wednesdays.

The next morning, he travelled on his mobility scooter to the Lilydale Police Station and pre-

sented them with a handmade gift.

“I’m a tradesmen, a blacksmith by trade. I do blacksmith artwork… and I gave the coppers one of them [an artwork] as a thank you yesterday.

“They were very happy and rapt with it,” he said.

Twenty years ago, Dieter suffered an injury and had four disks taken out of his spine. As a result, he can’t walk further than 100 metres.

“I’m taking that thing [his scooter] everywhere. It is very, very special.”

He said the mobility scooter grants him independence and allows him to travel all the way to

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the Alfred Hospital for his appointments.

“Doctor appointments, shopping, I went even to Victoria market in the city, to Southbank and the Docklands, had a great day out when it is warm.”

Dieter said he wanted everyone to know what a great job officers had performed in relocating his scooter.

“I just thought the public in Lilydale, they should be aware of the excellent job the coppers did. I’m very happy with that. The coppers have all my compliments and thank yous.”

Housing emerges as Australia’s biggest economic challenge

Australia’s economic growth is expected to slow as lower house price growth weighs on consumer spending and broader economic activity, with CommBank economists saying housing is now expected to be a bigger drag on the economy than higher oil prices.

Speaking on the latest episode of the CommBank View: Economics & Markets podcast, CommBank Head of Australian Economics Belinda Allen said the shape of Australia’s slowdown had changed over recent months.

“We’ve certainly seen a shift in what’s going to cause the Australian economy to slow,” Allen said.

“We still think that’s going to happen, but it’s really the housing market that’s going to create that slowdown in the Australian economy, rather than higher oil prices.”

The slowdown in home price growth that emerged in late 2025 has now spread across Australia’s housing market, with weaker conditions for sellers evident in most major capitals.

Allen said higher interest rates and policy changes had weighed on sentiment and prices.

“That combination of factors has seen the housing market pull back, and we’ve seen in past cycles that does impact the consumer through what economists call the wealth effect,” she said.

Falling home values typically make households feel less financially secure, encouraging them to save more and spend less. Allen said

that dynamic was now expected to be a key drag on economic growth throughout 2026.

Consumer spending is also showing signs of moderation.

Allen said CBA’s internal data suggested endof-financial-year sales activity had softened compared with the same period last year.

“There are signs that consumers are pulling back,” she said.

While household savings remain relatively healthy overall, Allen said weak sentiment and softer home prices were likely to keep consumers cautious through the remainder of the year.

Commonwealth Bank forecasts Australia’s economic growth will slow from 2.5 per cent in late 2025 to 1.5 per cent by late 2026, before improving to about 2 per cent by late 2027.

Despite the housing-led slowdown, Allen

said data centre development to fuel AI compute investment was creating important longer-term opportunities for the Australian economy. She cautioned that growth would be constrained by energy availability, water use and the time required to build new facilities, and that while it would help Australia’s economy, it was not going to fully make up for the slowdown in the consumer sector.

Species-saving effort feted

By Oliver Winn

A network of community-led conservation groups in the Yarra Valley is celebrating Landcare Week in early August, raising awareness around the crucial work done by volunteers to keep the environment healthy.

The Nangana Landcare Network consists of four local conservation groups who have teamed up to improve the environment across the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

Its vice president, Jenny Lyndon, said one of its member groups, the Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater (FOHH) was worth celebrating for its efforts to save the helmeted honeyeater from extinction.

“We’re not doing anything special because we just keep going… Everything we do is important and significant because we’re working on maintaining a critically threatened species that’s one bush fire away from extinction,” she said.

The story starts in 1983, when only a single helmeted honeyeater population remained in Yellingbo, due to years of habitat destruction by

humans and the Ash Wednesday

Community conservationists then formed FOHH in 1989 and their persistence to save this special species has paid off, with 200 birds on three sites in the wild.

In 2017, FOHH teamed up with three other landcare groups, Macclesfield Landcare, Johns Hill Landcare and Monbulk Landcare, to join an initiative called Beyond Yellingbo. It shifted focus from protecting a remnant land to rebuilding an entire landscape for the helmeted honeyeater to thrive in.

The Beyond Yellingbo initiative then led to the formation of the Nangana Landcare Network in 2021.

Ms Lyndon said Nangana Landcare Network’s goal was to manage conservation for the entire Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges through a project called C411 Country.

“We’re at the stage of doing a conservation action plan, which will provide us with the framework to manage conservation… over the whole of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges….

hectares.”

The national body for landcare, Landcare Australia, released its 2026 National Landcare Week Survey for Landcare Week, which revealed a growing movement of Australians embracing local environmental action.

Out of the nationally representative sample of 1200 people, 83 per cent of Australians said they regularly helped care for their local environment.

Landcare Australia Chair Peter Garrett AM said the findings showed how Australians who are a part of networks such as Nangana Landcare are ready to be part of the solution.

“This survey tells us Australians choose to volunteer because they care about nature and they value being part of their community.

“When you support landcare, you’re investing in healthier landscapes, stronger communities and thousands of Australians, including the next generation, who want to be part of the solution.”

But Mr Garrett said climate change was posing a growing challenge to the environment, landcare networks and their volunteers.

Ms Lyndon echoed the sentiment and said the impact of the climate crisis was “quite scary”

“In the wider scheme of things, the biodiversity loss across the globe… is just awful. I mean, you know, it’s all being held together with stringing band aids by little groups like us who are volunteer and unpaid,” Ms Lyndon said.

The survey highlighted exactly this, as 59 per cent of respondents said it is becoming harder to recruit volunteers.

Meanwhile, 66 per cent believed better funding would make the biggest difference to the work they can achieve.

Ms Lyndon said the State Government was not “supporting landcare sufficiently”

“It’s really important that Landcare networks get at least a slight bit of paid support.

“It’s just really hard to organise things, and if you have a paid facilitator, they can do a lot of the grunt work.”

She encouraged those who want to join the Nangana Landcare Network to get in touch with their local landcare group.

Friends of the Creek planting effort boosts environment

By Oliver Winn

A partnership between council and a local environmental friends group strengthened the ecological value of the Woori Yallock Creek on Sunday 19 July.

Taking place on National Tree Day, the community planting event saw 1000 plants installed by members from the Friends of the Creek group and the Yarra Ranges Council’s Bushland team.

The planting was completed with the help of 20 community members, and it will lead to healthier animal habitats, better protection for the creek, and improved ecological value.

The Friends of the Creek group is part of the Seville Community House and has been planting in the area since last year.

Seville Community House manager Stacie Adams said the group had a “real passion” for taking care of the area’s waterways.

“They have a real passion for the environment and for wanting to make the space a sustainable resource for the future,” Ms Adams said.

“Everybody seemed to have a really great time just getting involved and doing something for the environment, for the community, for everyone to be able to enjoy that space better.”

Yarra Ranges Council director of planning and sustainable futures, Kath McClusky, said the effort expanded on five years of active planting along the Woori Yallock Creek.

“Our efforts over five years to plant 16,000 native species are starting to pay off. Plants are now large enough to shade and cool the waterway, secure the creekbank to prevent erosion

during storm events and provide nutrients to and remove pollutants from storm water.

“We’re thankful that these community members came out on the crisp, but sunny, morning to get their hands dirty to help their local environment,” Ms McClusky said.

Though the planting area is fairly urbanised, the waterway is teeming with native wildlife, including the endangered Gang Gang Cockatoo and iconic platypus.

The area planted out includes an old billabong, which will help to retain water in the

landscape and provide a much-needed refuge for species during the drier months.

Ms Adams said the planting would also improve the area for use by the local community.

“They would like to see it be able to be used safely by the community for mental health reasons, for social reasons, you know, for people to be able to go out and enjoy walking along the creek, to be able to enjoy the nature, you know, all of those things, but also for the wildlife to enjoy that space,” Ms Adams said.

Ms McClusky said the creek will be further

20 community members helped with the planting.

enhanced as groups continue to plant in the area.

“In early August the final planting along the creek for the year will take place in partnership with the Mahameneva Buddhist Meditation Monastery, with joint plantings between Council and the monastery taking place each of the past five years,” Ms McClusky said.

Those who are interested in getting involved with the Friends of the Creek group can reach out to the Seville Community House via the link: sevillecommhouse.org.au.

Students shine again

By Ann Killian and Judith Shiel

Lilydale Rotary once again held its annual Primary Schools Speech Competition (PSSC) at Mt Evelyn Christian School (MECS) on Wednesday 29 July.

Sponsored by Bendigo Community Bank Mt Evelyn, the event was co-organised by Toastmasters International and the Rotary Club of Lilydale. This program gives Grade 5 and 6 students the opportunity to develop their skills in public speaking and to think creatively.

This year six local schools participated, including Lilydale Primary School, Mt Evelyn Christian School, Bimbadeen Heights Primary School, St Patrick’s Catholic School, Manchester Primary School, and Montrose Primary School.

Toastmasters International provided a wide range of topics, and two students from each school delivered three-minute speeches that were judged accordingly.

First place went to Montrose Primary School student Liam for his speech titled Competitive Sports can Teach us about Life.

Ellis, from Mt Evelyn Christian School, came second with If I could talk to the Animals.

Third place was awarded to Maddison from St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, whose speech focused on If I Could Travel Anywhere in the World.

Casey MP Aaron Violi presented each winner

with a certificate and book voucher. Congratulations to all students who participated, as each participant obtained a high level of calibre.

Thank you to the Toastmasters who judged the

competition: Judith Talanoa, Victoria Carruthers and Ronece Bobrowalski. The competition chair was Toastmaster Marlene Sinclair. And thank you to the Master of Ceremonies, Lilydale Rotary vice president Cheryl Mackay.

Gala to mark Ben’s 18th

By Shamsiya Hussainpoor

When Ben Austin’s family gathers with the community on Friday, 9 October 2026, it will be to celebrate a milestone he never got the chance to reach - his 18th birthday.

The Ben Austin Legacy Gala will bring together those who knew and loved Ben, honouring his memory, his kindness and the impact he had during his 17 years and 19 days of life.

For Ben’s parents, Jace Austin and Tracey Austin, the evening is about remembering their son for the person he was, not only for the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.

Ben was batting in the practice nets with his teammates at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully when he was struck in the neck by a cricket ball. He was rushed to hospital, where he was placed on life support, but sadly died two days later on 30 October, 2025.

Mr Austin said the family wanted Ben to be remembered for how he lived.

“He’s remembered as the kid that died at the cricket match, and we don’t want that to be his,” Mr Austin said.

“He’s a lot more than that, the way he lived is far more important than the way he left us.”

Ben is remembered by his family as a “kind” , “compassionate” and “calm” person who always made time for others.

“He was beautiful, he was kind, he was compassionate, he had time for everyone,” Ms Austin said.

“He was warm, he had a bit of humour and he’d always have a slight joke at people, but he always did everything by the rules.”

Ms Austin described Ben as the “calm” in their home, someone who avoided conflict and preferred spending his time playing sport and enjoying life.

Sport was a huge part of Ben’s world - he loved being active and was always looking for opportunities to improve and take part.

Mr Austin said Ben’s approach to life was something he hoped would remain part of his legacy.

“If you’re going to choose to be one thing, choose to be kind, because that’s what Ben did,” he said.

The Ben Austin Legacy was established to support families experiencing the loss of a child, with a particular focus on supporting siblings who are often navigating grief in the shadows.

Ben’s brothers, Cooper Austin, 16, and Zach Austin, 13, lost their older brother and best friend.

Mr Austin said the experience had highlighted the need for greater awareness and support for siblings grieving the death of a brother or sister.

“They’ve lost their best friend and their big brother,” he said.

Siblings can sometimes become the forgotten part of grief support, with much of the attention naturally focused on parents.

Mr Austin spoke about the close bond between Ben and Cooper, who were around 14 months apart and grew up sharing many memories together.

“They were more like best friends,” he said.

“They were competitive and fought and punched on a hell of a lot, but their bonding closeness is unmeasurable.”

Mr Austin said one of his biggest concerns was ensuring siblings had support, not only in the immediate aftermath of loss, but throughout the different stages of life they would face without their brother or sister.

He said future milestones, including weddings and having children, would bring moments when Ben’s absence would be felt again.

“When Cooper wants to have his wedding party, Ben would have been partying,” Mr Austin said.

“And then when they have kids, where’s uncle Benny?”

The Ben Austin Legacy supports organisations that assist grieving children and families, including Feel the Magic and The Compassionate Friends Victoria.

Mr and Ms Austin said the aim was not to remove grief, but to help families find connection,

understanding and support while learning how to live alongside it.

“We’re not going to take away all that grief, but how can we support it to make this journey easier for them and make it more accepted?” Mr Austin said.

The couple said grief is something many people struggle to talk about, and they want to create a space where families do not feel isolated.

“People don’t know what to say,” Ms Austin said.

“But it’s not about saying the right thing, it’s about being there, being present.”

The inaugural Ben Austin Legacy Gala will mark what would have been Ben’s 18th birthday with an evening of celebration and connection at The Glasshouse, Olympic Park Oval, Melbourne.

The event will be hosted by Livinia Nixon, while Hamish McLachlan will host a sports panel featuring sporting figures including former Australian men’s cricket team captain Ricky Ponting and Collingwood team members, among others.

The event will include a three-course sit-down

dinner, welcome canapes, drinks and entertainment and dancing.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to Feel the Magic, an organisation supporting grieving children and families across Australia.

For Mr Austin, the gala is another way to keep Ben’s memory alive while creating something meaningful from the loss his family will continue to carry.

He said he wanted people to leave the event understanding the person Ben was and the difference he made.

“Remember him for the way he lived and the kindness,” Mr Austin said.

Ben’s parents are hoping the legacy created in his name will help other families facing the loss of a child, while reminding the community that grief is not something people should face alone.

“Ben changed me the day he was born, and he changed me the day he died,” Mr Austin said.

“Both times, he made me better.”

Artisans pull a good crowd

By Oliver Winn

Budding Yarra Valley creatives flocked on down to the Rotary Club of Wandin’s Creative Artisans Village on Sunday 26 July, marking a successful second iteration of the event.

Taking place at the Wandin North Hall, the event once again platformed the works of proud artists from the Yarra Valley area.

Local stallholders offered a variety of handmade pieces, a performance was put on by young violinist Arielle, and Zumba classes got people moving.

At 50 metres long, the world’s largest crochet eel, Zoe, was out on display in all her colourful brilliance, surrounding the room and welcoming everyone to sit with her in her underwater house.

Rotary Club of Wandin member Jeanette Jensen said the second Creative Artisans Village was a “spectacular event”

“This candle-lit event brightened the winter and created a space for people to come together and for visitors to just enjoy and be inspired,” she said.

Young entrepreneur Lori pioneered her organic beeswax lip balm stall, the Wandin Crafting Group saw the old pass on crocheting skills to the young, and Marie from Casa Infinity ran her Zumba class.

Ms Jensen thanked friends of the Wandin Rotary: Monica, Allan, Claudie, Pauline and Francis, for helping set up Zoe the eel; Anne and Val from the Inner Wheel of Wandin for running the Mad Hatters Cafe.

Local artisans also made some sales at the event, offering high-quality pieces made with love and care.

“Local artisans’ stalls sold their magnificent homemade works, beautiful garments and home decor that you just don’t see in shops or made in mass production.

“When you buy a piece, you know it’s the only one in the world, it is yours. Our Artisans work with a vision to create something unique, a piece of art. From there, a person sees it and buys it because they can see it is for them, as they found enjoyment in its creation and materials,” Ms Jensen said.

The Rotary Club of Wandin’s Creative Artisans Village takes place on the last Sunday of each month at the Wandin North Hall.

Ms Jensen said she wanted to cultivate a thriving local arts scene to bring people together and address increasing rates of loneliness in the region.

According to the Yarra Ranges Council’s 2024/25 Profile of Mental Health and Wellbeing report, more than one in five adults are lonely in the region.

“Everyone sits at home, and all their friends are online, and I don’t call that friendship. I call that just occupying your time a little bit,” she said. By championing the local arts scene and attending the event, visitors also contributed to a great cause through a gold coin donation.

The event’s entry fees went towards Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), which delivers life-saving medical procedures to children in remote locations in the Oceania region.

Ms Jensen said this two-fold purpose of the Creative Artisans Village event embodied what Rotary is all about.

“Everything about Rotary is doing good in our communities and service above self, as we have fun working together as a team on many projects,” she said.

Family violence law changes

Victoria’s family violence laws are changing in 2026. The changes are part of the Women’s Safety Package, which was passed by the Victorian Parliament earlier this year.

Some changes started in April, and more are due to begin by November.

The reforms are designed to make family violence laws clearer, improve safety for people experiencing abuse, and help police and courts respond to the full picture of what is happening in a relationship.

The changes make it clearer that family violence includes stalking, systems abuse, and mistreating pets or other animals to frighten or control a person. Systems abuse can include misusing court processes, making false or misleading reports, or trying to influence services such as health providers to keep control over someone.

Legal matters

Anita Koochew Eastern Community Legal Centre

returned to the person who is the main carer.

These changes recognise that pets are often part of a person’s safety planning and emotional support, and that threats involving animals can be an extremely harmful form of control.

A parent who applies for an intervention order can ask for their children under 18 to be protected by the same order.

The reforms clarify that if the order continues after a child turns 18, that young person will stay protected until the order ends.

violence and community legal services.

From November, police and Magistrates will need to consider whether misidentification may have happened when an intervention order is being considered.

A stronger focus on the whole context of the relationship may lead to fairer decisions and better safety for victim-survivors.

This reform represents an important step towards a family violence intervention order system that better reflects the realities of abuse and provides stronger protections for victims.

The reforms specify new conditions that can be included in family violence intervention orders.

These may stop the person using violence from trying to find the protected person, using a pet to control them, or going near a listed pet. In some cases, an order may also require a pet to be

It is hoped the clarification of the definition will make it easier for police, courts and support services to identify controlling behaviour earlier and respond with stronger protections.

This gives families more continuity of safety and may reduce the need for young adults to start a new legal process at an already stressful time.

Misidentification happens when a victim-survivor is wrongly treated as the person using family violence.

This phenomenon has long been recognised by government agencies, Victoria Police, family

Music, pirates and comedy in our theatres

Burrinja Theatre

Always Was, Always Will Be …Funny – Dane Simpson

Get ready for guaranteed belly laughs with one of Australia’s most lovable comedians. For a limited time only, Dane Simpson’s new show Alway Was, Always Will Be … Funny.

Dane Simpson comes from a long line of funny comedians, from wisecracking parents and hilarious grandparents to generations of storytellers, pranksters and yarn spinners.

Now he’s putting the ‘rad into traditional’ with a comedy show packed full of outrageous stories, sharp observations and plenty of laughs.

Season: Saturday, 22 August at 7pm. Things of Stone and Wood It was 1989. The end of one decade and the start of something new.

Michael Allen, Mikey to his mates, appeared on the doorstep of Greg Arnold’s Carlton share house in Melbourne, Australia, with beers in hand and harmonies in his head.

There were no gig to hustle and no recordings to make, Greg says “We sang and drank for the fun of it”.

Nearly 40 years on, buoyed by their massive hit Happy Birthday Helen, Things of Stone and Wood have had two Top 10 albums, a Top 10 single and five Top 50 hits, plus a chart in Germany.

The band has also won an ARIA Award, and singer Greg Arnold was named Songwriter of the Year at the APRA Music Awards.

Season: Friday 7 August at 8pm.

The Round

Unplugged – Cosentino

In this bold new production, Australia’s greatest magician, Cosentino strips back the glitz and grandeur to reveal the raw essence of his craft. No smoke, no mirrors, no towering sets. Just Cosentino, uncovered and utterly spellbinding.

Now celebrated as a global superstar, Cosentino returns to his roots, reconnecting with audiences in the most intimate way possible.

Expect astonishing close-up magic, mindbending mentalism and sleight-of-hand you won’t believe until you see it.

Season: Thursday 22 October at 7pm.

The 1812 Theatre

Treasure Island

This isn’t your quiet dusty classic. This is Treasure Island at full throttle – packed with Ludwig’s trademark rapid fire humour, razor sharp dialogue, and the kind of theatrical spectacle that keeps you gripping the edge of your seat.

Follow Hawkins as he’s hurled into world of pirates, peril, and pulse-pounding twists, Long John Silver schemes in the shadows, tempers flare, swords clash, and the story races toward with the speed of a cannon blast.

It’s bold, it’s boisterous, it’s burning with wit. And it transforms the stage into high stakes, high energy adventure you won’t want to miss.

Season: 6 - 29 August. Bookings: 9758 3964.

Karralyka Theatre

Music of the Night

Australia’s premiere tribute to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber and the West End Musicals returns to Karralyka Centre.

Prepare for an unforgettable afternoon of music, magic, and breathtaking theatrical flair with Jey Fernando’s smash-hit production.

Experience the timeless brilliance of Andrew Lloyd Webber brought to life with iconic songs from The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Joseph and the amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Season: Sunday 9 August at 2pm.

ECLC CEO Michael Smith welcomed the reforms, saying “We welcome these reforms because they make the law clearer and strengthen protections for victims.

“Too often these forms of abuse have been overlooked, and this is an important step towards a safer and more effective family violence intervention order system.”

Film is best superhero tale of year

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Starring Tom Holland, Sadie Sink and Mark Ruffalo M

4.5/5

In Spider-Man: Brand New Day, a moving, fun and extremely well-written superhero flick, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), aka Spider-Man, must deal with a new bodysnatching threat while undergoing a disturbing genetic metamorphosis.

Holland is phenomenal as a kind, humble but more mature Peter Parker, and really sells Peter’s inner turmoil and painful physical transformation. Brand New Day features kinetic, thrilling action sequences, some exceptional shots and more natural humour than in most MCU movies (I’m glad Marvel has largely gotten over its quippy tendencies).

Watching the trailers, I was skeptical that Brand New Day could keep all its plates spinning, but the film effectively employs its legion of villains and side-characters as cool threats, red-herrings or engaging flavour. Exploring the need to accept your true self and make peace with the past, the plot has surprisingly great pacing, with a steady build of set-up, escalation, shock and culmination. Sadie Sink is compelling as Jean Grey, a scary yet sympathetic main antagonist driven by isolation and grief, and a scene of her telepathically hopping through a chain of bodies uses a really impressively-choreographed panning shot.

Mark Ruffalo has quite a small role as Bruce Banner, but casts a meaningful shadow over the rest of the film through his power-inhibiting device (and yields an awesome action scene as the Hulk). Peter and the vigilante Frank Castle, aka the Punisher (Jon Bernthal), develop a touching adversarial friendship (although some will object to the famously deadly Punisher being softened like this). The only weak link is Florence Pugh’s fun but extraneous cameo as Yelena, leader of the New Avengers. Playing in most Victorian cinemas, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is a rare modern blockbuster that commits to so many ideas and characters but pulls it all off magnificently.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Putting your health first

Good health is something many of us take for granted until it changes. Between work, family and the demands of everyday life, it’s easy to put our own health at the bottom of the list. Yet many of the conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity, develop quietly over many years, often long before symptoms appear. The encouraging news is that many of these risks can be identified early and treatment is available.

Heart disease remains one of Australia’s leading causes of illness and death. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes frequently cause no warning signs until a heart attack or stroke occurs. A Heart Health Check helps identify these risks early and provides an opportunity to discuss practical ways to reduce them. For some people, lifestyle changes are enough. For others, medication or further assessment may be appropriate.

At Lilydale Doctors and Mt Evelyn Doctors, we believe prevention is one of the most important parts of general practice.

“One of the most rewarding parts of general practice is helping people stay healthy, rather than simply treating illness after it develops,” clinical director Dr Binay Kumar said.

“Small conversations about heart health and weight today can make a real difference to longterm health.”

Our team offers comprehensive Heart Health Checks for eligible patients. When further assessment is needed, we also have access to visiting cardiologists and investigations including ECGs, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, Holter monitoring and echocardiography, helping many patients receive ongoing assessment close to home.

Obesity is another important health issue we see every day. It is closely linked to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnoea, arthritis and fatty liver disease. Even modest weight loss can

improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels while reducing future health risks.

Weight management is not just about willpower. Genetics, hormones, medications and underlying medical conditions all play a role.

Evidence-based treatments, together with healthy eating, regular physical activity and ongoing medical support, can help many people achieve lasting improvements. Through our doctor-led WaistWise Medical Weight Loss Clin-

ic, we can help patients acheive health goals and medical needs.

If you’ve been putting off a health check or would like to discuss your weight, now is a good time to start the conversation with your GP.

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.

1 Reason for doing or not doing something (6)

4 In very high spirits (8)

9 Recipe (7)

11 Former US First Lady, – 'Lady Bird' Johnson (7) 12 Flash of lightning (11)

13 Cover (3) 14 Gathers dimensions (8) 16 Governs (5) 19 Expel (5)

20 A form of pasta (8)

22 Hot beverage (3)

24 Great playwright (11)

26 Persecute (7) 27 Understanding of surroundings, – awareness (7)

29 Expenditure (8) 30 Abandon (6)

1 Santa's helper, say (3) 2 Distribute (9)

3 Small military unit (5) 5 Swathe (6) 6 Restaurant in Italy (9) 7 Relating to ocean movements (5)

8 Secret (11) 10 Were of the same opinion (6) 12 Stormy (11) 15 Fully informed; performing at the right rate (2,2,5)

17 Doppelganger (4-5)

18 Strata (6)

21 Holmes’ companion, Dr – (6)

23 Fruit (5)

25 Carpentry tool (5)

28 Tenanted (3)

CHARM AND CHARACTER IN THE HEART OF FOREST

CHARM AND CHARACTER BORDERING FOREST

STEEPED in history and lovingly transformed, ‘The Forrester’s Hut’ is far more than a home - it’s a remarkable piece of Hills heritage reimagined for today’s living. Set on a stunning, accessible 1,954m² fully fenced block bordering Sherbrooke Forest and walking distance from Kallista Village, Cooks Corner and local primary schools. This one of a kind property blends rustic character, thoughtful craftsmanship and modern convenience in a way that’s truly unique.

Originally built in the 1940s as a humble holiday shack, renovating the cottage has been a labour of love. Today, the result is an enchanting space filled with warmth, light and personality. Clerestory windows flood the open plan living spaces with natural sunlight while accentuating the soaring ceilings, creating an incredible sense of openness.

Every detail tells a story, from the live edge timber slab island bench to the repurposed beams salvaged from the original Barwon Heads timber bridge, recycled railway sleeper lintels, handcrafted roof trusses and the striking rustic steel feature walls, reclaimed from the property itself. Even the circular ensuite window has been creatively fashioned from a salvaged steel drum clamp. The result is a home that feels like it has grown from the forest.

The spacious kitchen has been designed with generous storage, expansive bench space and picturesque views across the rear gardens, while a cleverly integrated home office keeps work and family life effortlessly connected.

There are two generous bedrooms with the main bedroom featuring built in robes and a full ensuite, while the second bedroom enjoys dual windows framing the surrounding greenery.

Large glass sliding doors open to treehouse views into the forest and lead to the extended living space on the expansive undercover wraparound deck. A perfect setting for entertaining, or simply soaking in the tranquillity of the surrounding gardens and forest. Ducted heating and cooling combined with the ambience of the wood heater, ensure cosy comfort in every season.

Outside, the magic continues. A meandering pathway winds through a lush fernery and beautifully established gardens, creating a private sanctuary where children and pets can roam freely beneath the towering beauty of the mountain ash rainforest. The local wildlife and birds are daily visitors, being on the edge of the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Australia’s most well known lyrebird habitat.

A double garage with workshop and extensive under house storage offer exceptional practicality, with exciting potential to further expand the home or create a studio/ workshop (STCA).

Rich in history, crafted with creativity and designed for modern family living, ‘The Forrester’s Hut’ offers an opportunity to own not simply a home, but a truly unique piece of Hills history - a place where every timber has a story and every day feels just a little more special. ●

HOME FOCUS

A RARE DUAL OCCUPANCY LIFESTYLE ESTATE

ON 37 ACRES

RARELY does an opportunity arise to secure two separate homes on approximately 37 acres of predominantly cleared land in the heart of Hoddles Creek. Designed to accommodate multiple generations, generate additional income or provide private guest accommodation, this exceptional dual occupancy property combines outstanding versatility with picturesque rural living. With quality infrastructure and expansive usable acreage, it offers the complete country lifestyle package.

The main residence welcomes you with impressive 12ft ceilings and timber flooring throughout, creating a wonderful sense of warmth and character. Privately positioned at the front of the home, the main bedroom features built-in robes and a well-appointed ensuite, while the adjoining lounge is centred around a crackling woodfire, providing the perfect place to relax. The country-style kitchen is designed for everyday living, complete with a gas cooktop, electric oven, dishwasher, generous bench space and direct access outdoors. Two further bedrooms, one with built-in robes, are serviced by a beautifully appointed central bathroom featuring a clawfoot bath and luxurious underfloor heating.

Perfectly positioned away from the main residence, the freshly painted second home offers an ideal retreat for extended family, guests or short-stay accommodation. A charming front verandah provides the perfect spot to enjoy your morning coffee while taking in the peaceful rural outlook. Inside, the open plan kitchen, living and dining area is filled with natural light and finished with floating floors. The kitchen includes a gas cooktop, electric oven, dishwasher, excellent storage and ample bench space, while the living area is kept comfortable year-round with a split system. The ground floor also features a spacious bedroom with its own split system, family bathroom and separate toilet. Upstairs, the generous main suite enjoys a private ensuite with a relaxing bath positioned beneath a large picture window framing the surrounding landscape.

Outside, the property is equally impressive, with six fenced paddocks, two dams, an established ornamental vineyard and chook house creating the ideal lifestyle setting. A substantial double garage incorporating a workshop and games room provides exceptional versatility, while a 4.5kW solar system and approximately 95,000 litres of water storage add practicality and efficiency. Offering an exceptional blend of lifestyle, income potential and rural charm, this outstanding Hoddles Creek estate is a rare opportunity to secure a truly versatile acreage property in a magnificent setting.

This property has it all so don’t miss out - CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Aaron Day 0407 365 994 or Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451.

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. ●

YOUR CREATIVE, PRIVATE FAMILY RETREAT AWAITS

NESTLED amongst enchanting, meticulously maintained gardens, this charming three bedroom home offers a peaceful lifestyle where nature, comfort and character surround you on the forests edge.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll appreciate the exceptional vehicle accommodation, with a large double carport, single garage and additional parking bays providing ample space for family, guests, caravans and trailers.

Inside, the light filled open plan living area welcomes you with an abundance of windows that frame the stunning garden outlook, creating a seamless connection between indoors and out. The lounge flows effortlessly through to the kitchen and meals area, making everyday living and entertaining both comfortable and practical.

A dedicated home office nook provides the ideal space for those working from home or studying. All bedrooms come complete with excellent storage and space for quiet retreat. The bathroom is a little piece of luxury with floor to ceiling tiles, frameless walk in shower and quality fittings.

Year round comfort is assured with both gas ducted heating and split system heating and cooling, while the charming wood fire creates a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout the cooler months.

Step outside to discover a generous undercover deck that extends the length of the home, offering the perfect setting to entertain friends, enjoy family meals or simply unwind while taking in the beauty of the surrounding gardens in every season.

Beneath the home, you’ll find an impressive amount of under house storage along with a substantial workshop, ideal for tradies, hobbyists or anyone needing extra room for projects and equipment.

Offering space, serenity and timeless character in one of the Dandenong Ranges’ most picturesque settings, this delightful property is a place you’ll instantly feel at home. If the essentials on your wish list include privacy, beautiful gardens, practical spaces and undeniable charm, then look no further.

Welcome to your new home at 8 Clarkson Road, Kallista. ●

FAMILY SPACE, COUNTRY CHARM & LIFESTYLE

SET proudly on an elevated 2,996m² allotment, this welcoming family home delivers the perfect combination of space, comfort and relaxed Hills living in a peaceful, private setting.

Designed for effortless family living, the home centres around a spacious open-plan family and meals area, complemented by a well-appointed kitchen featuring a stainless steel oven, gas cooktop and excellent storage. A separate lounge and dining room offers additional living space, while the dedicated study provides the ideal work-from-home office or quiet retreat.

Accommodation comprises three generous bedrooms, including a spacious main suite with walk-in robe and ensuite. The remaining bedrooms are serviced by a central family bathroom and separate toilet, making the layout ideal for growing families.

Thoughtfully designed with passive solar principles, the home’s north-facing orientation fills the living areas with an abundance of natural light throughout the day. A gas heater and split system heating and cooling ensure year-round comfort.

Running the length of the rear of the home, the expansive verandah provides the perfect setting for entertaining family and friends or simply unwinding while enjoying the tranquil outlook. Established gardens create a private haven with plenty of space for children and pets to roam, while the patio and fire pit area offer even more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Completing the package is a substantial double garage, full-sized laundry, excellent storage and a highly functional floorplan designed to adapt to family life. Offering generous proportions, multiple living zones and the peaceful charm of a beautiful Hills setting, this is a wonderful opportunity to secure a lifestyle property just moments from local schools, shops and everyday conveniences. ●

WALK TO TOWN, LOVE THE LIFESTYLE

PERFECTLY positioned on a 983sqm (approx.) within easy walking distance of Emerald’s township, schools, shops and public transport, this well-presented three-bedroom, twobathroom home offers comfortable family living in a highly convenient location.

An undercover front verandah leads inside to the heart of the home, where the kitchen and dining area provide a functional and inviting space for everyday living. The kitchen features a gas cooktop, dishwasher, generous breakfast bar, ample bench space and excellent storage, while timber flooring enhances the dining area. A split system services this central space, with gas ducted heating throughout the home ensuring yearround comfort.

Privately positioned at the front of the home, the master bedroom includes a walkthrough robe leading to its own ensuite. Two additional bedrooms, both with built-in robes, are serviced by the central family bathroom.

Flowing from the dining area, the living room opens onto the undercover entertaining area, creating the perfect setting for family gatherings or relaxed outdoor dining.

Outside, the backyard offers plenty of room to enjoy, complete with a garden shed for additional storage and a double carport providing vehicle accommodation.

Offering a practical floorplan, and an unbeatable walk-to-town location, this is an outstanding opportunity for first-home buyers, downsizers, investors or families looking to enjoy the Emerald lifestyle.

This property has it all so don’t miss out - CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Aaron Day 0407 365 994 or Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451.

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. ●

ContemporaryAcreageLivingwithPremiumFamilyAppeal. Setonapproximately6,015sqm,thisbeautifullifestylepropertyofferstheperfectblendof contemporarycomfort&ruralfunctionality.Thestunningdesignerkitchenfeatureswaterfallstone benchtops,breakfastbar,gascooktop,Smegoven,abundantstorage&recentlyupdatedbutler’s pantry.Soaringceilings,hardwoodfloors&largedoubleglazedwindowsenhancetheopenplan living&diningarea,whileawoodfire,splitsystem&gasductedheatingprovideyear-roundcomfort. Asecondlivingareawithsoaringceilings&floor-to-ceilingwindowsoffersapeacefulretreat.The mainbedroomenjoysdeckaccess,awalk-inrobe&ensuite,whilethreeadditionalbedroomswith built-inrobesareservicedbyafamilybathroom.Outside,threepaddocks,achookhouse,a9mx 13mpoweredshedwithhoist&mezzanine,60,000Lwaterstorage&anauto-startgenerator.

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.

751WooriYallockRoadNangana$2,300,000-$2,500,000

ALandmarkLifestyleEstateofGrandScale&Prestigeon11Acres! Setacrossanexceptional11-acreestatewithcreekfrontage,thismagnificentAmericanRanchinspiredresidencedeliversluxury,privacy&outstandingfamilyliving.Behindgrandstone&wrought irongates,acirculardrivewaywindsthroughbeautifullylandscapedgardenstotheimpressive home.Inside,thegourmetgranitekitchenwithwalk-inpantryflowstoformal&informaldining,while atheatreroom,open-planlivingwithsoaringtimber-beamedceilings,stonefireplace,bar&wine cellarcreateanoutstandingentertainingenvironment.Upstairs,4oversizedbedroomsincludea luxuriousmainsuitewithwalk-inrobe&ensuite.Premiumfinishesincludepolishedhardwoodfloors, doubleglazing,hydronicheating,splitsystems&ductedvacuum.Outside,a25mx10mshedwith highbayaccess,barn,fencedpaddocks&damwithbridge&rotunda.

SpaciousHillsLivingwithDualAccessandFlexibleFamilyLayout. Seton6,236sqminasought-afterEmeraldpocketwithdualaccess&leafyviews,thisspacious double-storeyhomeoffersflexibilityforfamiliesofallstages.Twomastersuitesmakeitidealformultigenerationallivingorguests.Downstairsfeaturesaprivatezonewithamastersuite(ensuite,walk-in robe,splitsystem),plustwobedroomswithbuilt-inrobesservicedbyacentralbathroom.Upstairshas beenfullyrenovated,withlight-filledlivingcentredaroundastrikingdouble-sidedwoodfireshared withthemainmasterretreat,completewithwalk-inrobe&luxeensuitewithfreestandingbath& oversizedshower.Theopen-plankitchen&diningincludestimberbenchtops,farmhousesink,double ovens&alargeisland.Slidingdoorsopentoanundercoverentertainingarea.Freshpaint,new carpets&ampleparkingcompletethisprivate,lifestyle-focusedproperty.

by the granting of this application may object or make other submissions to Melbourne Water. Any objections must:

• be in writing,

• include reasons for the objection, • state how the objector will be affected and • be mailed to Melbourne Water, Diversions Team at P O Box 4342,

Vic, 3001. Any response is requested within 30 days from the date of this notification. Should a response not be received within this period, Melbourne Water may determine the application. Under the requirements of the Water Act you should consider the application and may advise that you:(a) do not object to the application(b) do not object to the application if it proceeds subject to conditions specified by you; or(c) object to the application on any specified grounds.Please note that if you object to this application you may be required to defend your views and decision at the Victorian Civil Administration Tribunal

Clubs focus on road safety

By Gabriella Vukman

Football and netball clubs across the Yarra Ranges joined a statewide push to improve road safety.

Players, coaches and volunteers were encouraged to start conversations about safer travel during the TAC’s annual Road Safety Round.

Held from July 23-26, the campaign saw footballers and netballers across Victoria wear blue armbands to honour lives lost on the roads and remind their communities that everyone has a role to play in preventing road trauma.

Yarra Glen and Healesville Football and Netball Clubs were among over 1000 AFL Victoriaaffiliated clubs that participated in the round.

For Yarra Glen Football Netball Club player Joaquim Gerovasilis, the message behind the Road Safety Round was deeply personal.

Mr Gerovasilis lost his brother Elias in a motorcycle crash two years ago and said the campaign was an important opportunity to encourage people to make safer decisions.

“No family deserves to have the emergency services knocking on their door saying that they’ve sadly lost a loved one,” Mr Gerovasilis said.

For Mr Gerovasilis, local sporting clubs provide an important platform to connect with people and encourage conversations around road safety.

“We all just get around each other and it doesn’t matter whether it’s for the breast cancer round that we do, MND round, road safety round, it’s all the same,” he said.

“We all get around and support each other.”

Mr Gerovasilis said the club wanted to make sure the road safety message reached as many people as possible.

“I’ve seen on the internet and from speaking with players and volunteers from other clubs, that they’ve shared the message as well.”

“It looks like the awareness is being widely spread, which is a good thing,” he said.

When it comes to the Yarra Ranges community, Mr Gerovasilis’ message was simple: make responsible decisions before every trip.

“Drive to the conditions, always wear your seatbelts, keep distractions away from arm’s reach and tell your friends and family you love them.”

“You never know when something bad is going to happen.”

Mr Gerovasilis’ mother, and Emerald resident Janine Gerovasilis, also shared her family’s experience with road trauma as part of the round.

Now a volunteer lived experience speaker with Amber Community, Ms Gerovalisis spoke to players at both Emerald and Yarra GLen football clubs during the round, encouraging members to focus on the choices they make every time they travel.

Ms Gerovalisis said the TAC round provided an opportunity to create awareness for road safety and support those affected by crashes.

“The TAC round was a great round to create awareness for road safety and for people affected by road trauma.”

Ms Gerovalisis told players that Elias was not speeding or affected by drugs or alcohol, and that every journey still required care and attention.

Her message focused on making safe decisions, removing distractions, adjusting driving to conditions and always wearing a seatbelt.

She said the response from players was emotional.

“It was quite overwhelming actually. I think my talk made an impact,” she said.

“All the team members came up and gave me a hug afterwards, which was lovely.”

This season’s Road Safety campaign comes after a challenging year on Victorian roads, with 291 people losing their lives in the 12 months to December 2025.

The Yarra Ranges recorded nine road fatalities during that period, placing the shire among Victorian local government areas with the highest number of lives lost according to TAC data.

A further 12 TAC claimants from the Yarra Ranges were admitted to hospital for more than 14 days following crashes during the latest reporting period, highlighting the ongoing impact of serious road trauma on local families and communities.

This year’s Road Safety Round focused on speeding, which contributes to around 30 per cent of fatal crashes and 25 per cent of serious in-

The

Club president Toby Millman said the club held a Drugs and Alcohol Awareness session for senior players as well as Healesville Junior Foot-

ball Club under-16 players in the lead-up to the round.

The session was delivered by Sports and Life Training (SALT) and focused on leadership, responsibility, positive influences and the consequences of alcohol and drug use.

Mr Millman said the club wanted players to understand that decisions made away from the field could affect many people.

“We don’t just want to influence our guys, we want to influence everyone in the community,” he said.

“It is about creating a better social environment and supporting teammates to make better decisions when they’re in situations.”

The session also gave younger players an opportunity to consider the wider impact of their choices.

Mr Millman said feedback from an under-16 player showed the message had resonated.

The player told him the session “gave me a different perspective” and helped them understand “how it affects the community and the wide-ranging impacts.”

Mr Millman said the program was another way the club could support its players and the wider Yarra Valley community.

For clubs across the Yarra Ranges, Road Safety Round was not only about acknowledging those lost on the roads, but also about creating conversations within their own communities.

With local players, families and volunteers sharing their experiences, the focus remained on the impact road trauma can have and the importance of supporting safer decisions on and off the field.

Eagles rue missed chances

By Callum Ludwig

All Eagles sides were back in action as the Masters took on Knox away while the Seniors welcomed Khangthak Warriors.

The Masters were forced to defend a dangerous free kick early after David ‘Chooch’ Chioda fouled the Knox attacker. Tim Wilson made first contact with his head but couldn’t put it out of play and after a scramble in the box, Knox attempted a flick goalwards that went out harmlessly.

The first big chance of the day fell to the Eagles after a lovely ball through from Daniel ‘Dicko’ Dickson to Byron Loveless, but he fired his shot across the face of goal.

Knox went down the other end and had a big chance of their own. Amin Fazl stepped across to stop any shot before attempting to clear but he only got it as far as Knox’s Claudio Lucuine, who tried to take a touch and volley but wasn’t able to catch it cleanly.

Knox won the ball back from a Wilson pass just inside the half and sprung a counter down the right which found its way to Bradley Sommers. Some nice footwork from the striker and the Eagles’ inability to get a tackle in saw him glide past the defence and dinking it over the onrushing Tom Gilman in goal to open the scoring.

Knox would have the next big chance after winning it back high up the pitch. The decently struck effort was straight at Gilman and he was able to parry it before Lachlan Dickson cleared to safety.

Dicko won the ball back from the resulting throw and charged up the pitch before misplacing his pass to Loveless. Knox countered again and an incisive pass from Anthony Voigt found Dario Vidackovic, who took a touch and rifled in his finish off the post and in.

Loveless would attempt to turn the game around, winning the ball back and attempting a shot from the edge of the box, but again he tugged it wide to the right.

Some desperate defending was required after Lilydale failed to clear their lines. Dicko threw himself in front of a shot from close range to keep the scoreline at 2-0.

Loveless would again try his luck from range and his curling effort was only just over the bar. The Eagles would be right back in the game in the 31st minute after winning a free kick wide on the left. Dicko floated the ball in, and the Knox keeper was only able to tip it onto the bar and over the line to make it 2-1.

Wilson had a crack from the edge of the box from didn’t catch it cleanly, with his looping shot easily claimed by the goalkeeper.

Loveless tried another curler after some nice hold-up play, causing the Knox keeper to scramble after the ball bounced up in front of him, but he was able to chase it down and claim it.

Knox had a big chance go begging after a nice pass caught the Lilydale defence napping after an offside player deliberately left it. Voigt got on the end of it but scuffed his shot to the left.

Peter Hodgkinson had the first shot of the second half for the Eagles but it was well wide of the post.

After some good pressing to win it back, Mark ‘The General’ Carrington let rip with a shot but it didn’t trouble the Knox keeper.

Knox’s first shot of the half came from a long throw but it was lashed wide.

The Eagles won the ball back high up the pitch

and Lachy Dickson raced through on goal but his toepoked effort went wide.

Loveless sent a Knox defender for a hot dog before firing a shot from the edge of the box but it lacked power.

There was a massive chance for Lilydale when Hodgkinson floated in a lovely cross from Piotr Swiatkiewicz but he couldn’t direct it goalwards.

Knox thought they had made it 3-1 in the 67th minute but it was ruled out for offside.

Swiatkiewicz did well to edge out a defender and tried to square it for Hodgkinson but his shot was blocked.

Swiatkiewicz had another decent chance after he was on the end of the pass across the box but the ball was just behind it and he was always going to find it tough to hook it back towards goal.

Some nice footwork from Dicko saw things open up for him on the edge of the Knox but his shot with his weaker left foot was wide.

Knox had a speculative attempt after a Lilydale goal kick fell short, but the scare was only brief for the Eagles.

There was a scramble in the box after a Knox corner but the Eagles won a foul to avert the danger.

Knox won the ball back after the Eagles went short from the free kick and let rip with a shot that stung the palms of Gilman but he held on. He launched it forward and Knox failed to clear. Hodginkson raced through on goal and shot but it was straight at the Knox keeper. Knox countered from the keeper’s throw and found Voight in a duel with Fazl.

Fazl tried to clear but couldn’t make clean contact and Voigt got back on the ball. His shot forced a good save from Gilman but Andrew Dean was on hand to tuck home the rebound in the 82nd minute and seal the 3-1 win.

The Masters play Blackburn at home next week.

In the Seniors, Khangthak had two early attempts from range but both were easy for Callum Ludwig.

The Warriors floated in a dangerous cross in the ninth minute that evaded everyone and again tried the spectacular from a long-range free kick in the 18th minute but it was straight at Ludwig.

On the smaller pitch, Lilydale were able to frustrate their opponents who dominated them on their large pitch in the reverse fixture.

The Eagles had a chance denied by desperate defending after Bailey Hone was slipped through. Sean O’Connor picked up the scraps and tried his luck from range but it was wide.

Khangthak hit the side netting after a long through ball on the right-hand side found Siam Kehn but he couldn’t get his shot on target.

The deadlock would be broken when the Warriors pumped a free kick long in the 39th minute. Dicko headed it away but it fell in front of Thawn Sektak. He took a touch past Marcus Salvitti before unleashing a powerful dipping volley into the roof of the net.

Lilydale lost the ball from kick-off but the resulting Khangthak shot was well over the bar.

Ludwig was called into action when Lal Khiangte raced through on goal but he couldn’t get his shot past the onrushing keeper.

Salvitti would try an audacious long-range effort before halftime but it never looked a danger.

After the break, Lilydale came out and started to get more on top of the game. An equaliser arrived in the 48th minute after a long Dicko throw found the head of Loveless, who flicked it on and caught the keeper out at his near post.

Hone would make a great block after the Eagles initially failed to clear a long free kic, throwing himself in front of what looked to be another good Khangthak volley.

Another Warriors long shot wasn’t hard for Ludwig to gather.

Some nice play down the left from the Eagles saw Sam Van line up a shot, but he dragged it left. Khangthak played a long through ball through the middle of the Lilydale defence in the 68th minute and the attacker tried to flick it past Ludwig who got in the way.

Keeper and player collided, and the ball fell back to the attacker’s feet, but his shot on the turn went wide.

The Warriors would restore their lead in the 70th minute after winning a free kick on the right flank. Dylan Donovan headed clear and Jake ‘Digga’ Dioguardi tried to chase it up but was beaten by the bounce before the Warriors lobbed it back in the box. The Eagles failed to clear and it fell back to the Warriors who tried a shot which looked to be going wide before Sang Pi Zahlang raced on to it. His shot just about bounced up off the surface over Ludwig’s outstretched foot and found the back of the net.

The Eagles called for offside in the build-up when the ball was lofted back in initially but to no avail.

The Warriors had efforts from distance but one was dragged well wide and the other didn’t have enough curl to threaten the goal.

Dicko tried his luck from afar but it was wide to the right.

Two more Khangthak shots went wide and were straight at Ludwig respectively.

The Eagles had one last roll of the dice after winning a free kick in a dangerous area but Salvitti was unable to keep his shot down.

Other than a hopeful drilled effort from the Warriors from a free kick, that would be all she wrote.

The Seniors take on rivals

this week.

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