Tuesday, 4 August, 2026
EACH organisation sued for damages
Liberals promise Domestic Violence disclosure scheme if elected
Bus incident prompts public transport safety discussion
See Real Estate liftout inside
PAGE 2
PAGE 5
PAGE 9
PAGE 29
A Star News Group Publication
Phone: 5957 3700 Trades and Classifieds: 1300 666 808
100 for Chumps By Gabriella Vukman Chum Creek Primary School celebrated 100 days of prep on Monday, July 27, marking a milestone of student growth. The joint classroom of seven Preps and seven Grade 1 students engaged in counting exercises, including interactive math routines using abaci, base-ten blocks, numeral tiles, and marble charts. Students brought paper bags containing 100 hidden household items, including paperclips, dried beans, stickers, and buttons, challenging classmates to guess the contents using clues. Prep teacher Samantha Holman highlighted the academic progress made by Preps in reading, writing, and mathematical thinking, noting the mentorship provided by Grade 1 peers. Students participated in beanbag games, board games, and hands-on activities, such as packing squishy balls and gathering colourful leaves around the school ground. Family members joined the afternoon activities to experience the classroom environment. With 89 instructional days remaining, teachers and students continue preparing for the transition into Grade 1 next year.
The “chums” prepare for Grade 1 next year. (Gabriella Vukman: 568235)
Housing plan plea By Oliver Winn On a rainy Tuesday night at the Yarra Ranges Council, the Warburton Advancement League (WAL) delivered a passionate plea for help to address a concerning rise in regional homelessness. At the centre of WAL vice president David Pratt’s speech was a proposal: 19 homes built at the former Cerini Centre site to house those in need. “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. The taskforce’s plea comes as national Homelessness Week begins on 3 August. 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 govern-
ment funding without one. O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child said it was “fairly emotional” for him, having been mayor back when the project started in 2021. “We need a way out of this,” Cr Child said. Mr Pratt’s 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. 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. “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.” Read more on page 6
&);*79.8*2*39
For all your residential and commercial property needs
(ȭSI^ McLEISH MP 2*2'*ȡ +4ȡ EILDON
8MTU ʦ 'JQQ 8YWJJYʦ >FWWF ,QJS ;.(Ɔ
T: 0488 179 767 | E: ian.vine@eview.com | W: healesville.eview.com.au
(NSI^2H1JNXM HTR FZ
HNSI^ RHQJNXM%UFWQNFRJSY [NH LT[ FZ
12870908-RV22-26
(NSI^2H1JNXM25
Authorised by C. McLeish MP, Shop 10, 38-40 Bell St, Yarra Glen VIC 3775 12739397-MC02-25
CALL NOW TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH US AT YOUR HOME, WORKPLACE, OR AT OUR OFFICE WE COME TO YOU!
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
(03) 5929 7010
info@yarravalleylegal.com.au
12764670-JD16-25
NOW OFFERING CONVEYANCING & PROPERTY LAW SERVICES 301 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (03) 5929 7010
• Wills • Drafting Powers of Attorney •VCAT Guardianship and Administration • Property Law • Probate and letters of administration • Contesting estates • Conveyancing Services