Tuesday, 25 August, 2026
SkyHigh back open and up for sale
Book Week kicks off
Kinder kids plant garden thanks to Emerald Co-op
Real estate liftout inside
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A Star News Group Publication
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Youngest of book worms The Star Mail’s youngest reader, 14-month-old Mauve, joins in on the Book Week festivities, as her mother reveals Mauve’s thoughts about her favourite books. Little Mauve, at just 14 months old, is the youngest amongst the bookworms and the biggest fan of Mr McGee. Her mother - Gigi - takes time each day to read to Mauve, helping to develop lifelong foundations and fictional friends. Gigi talks about what Mauve loves about the story of McGee, how often she reads and how important it is to Gigi that Mauve begins reading from a young age. Mauve’s reading habits come alongside plenty of other avid readers in the Hills as Book Week kicks off. She is sure to feature again - if her current reading habits predict anything, then her future life will be filled with magical stories aplenty.
Mauve at The Patch Store with her favourite book Mr McGee (Stewart Chambers: 567420)
Isla legacy backed recognition of victims and their families, and greater opportunities for families to be heard before critical decisions affecting homicide matters are finalised. Ms Spokes also advocates for greater legal standing for victims in criminal proceedings and national trauma-informed media legislation to address victim blaming and sensationalised reporting. Television presenter Shelley Ware will MC the event. Although she has not yet met Isla’s family, Ms
Ware said she was honoured to be involved and hoped attendees would leave feeling empowered to contribute to change. The evening will feature live music from The Band Tambourine, Paper Daisy, Luke Bailey and Ishan Kala, alongside poetry from Fleassy Malay and Jamie McAvinue. Ms Ware said the event was an opportunity for people to stand with Isla’s family and support their campaign for meaningful change. Read the full story on page 6
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Belgrave’s Sooki Lounge will host a night of live music, poetry and community action on Wednesday, 26 August, supporting Isla Bell’s Legacy and its campaign for systemic reform. Justice for Isla and all Women and Children is the first official fundraiser held under Isla Bell’s Legacy, established by Isla’s mother, Justine Spokes, to ensure her daughter is remembered for who she was, rather than reduced to the circumstances of her death.
Isla Jane Bell was a 19-year-old woman who went missing in October 2024, with her remains later found at a waste facility in Dandenong. Ms Spokes described Isla as kind, generous, loyal and creative, and said she was “absolutely in awe of the natural world”. For the grieving mother, turning Isla’s legacy into a campaign for change has been “a matter of survival”. The campaign is calling for more transparent and trauma-informed legal systems, stronger
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By Shamsiya Hussainpoor