Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
US apples threaten Aussie farms
Millgrove woman honoured
Vic election candidates: The rundown
See Real Estate liftout inside
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Clay in motion By Gabriella Vukman Healesville ceramicist Diane Stirling will showcase her work in October’s Yarra Valley Arts Open Studios, marking her first time participating in the annual event. Ms Stirling began her pottery journey while raising young children in Darwin, eventually completing a ceramics diploma and earning selection for the 1987 National Craft Acquisition Award. After living in the Northern Territory and Queensland, Ms Stirling relocated to Healesville, where her grandparents were early Badger Creek pioneers. She quickly joined Yarra Valley Arts to connect with local creatives. Ms Stirling will display her pottery at the Healesville Living and Learning Centre during Open Studios to help visitors better understand the craft. “When they come and actually see what you do, you can connect with them,” she said. Turn to page 10 to read more Ms Stirling has recently got back into using a pottery wheel. (Gabriella Vukman: 580517)
Backpacker loss? By Gabriella Vukman Proposed changes to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program have drawn a mixed response across the Yarra Ranges, as regional leaders weigh potential workforce shortages against local visa exemptions. Under federal government changes announced on 17 September, second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas will move to a ballot system. The change replaces the current pathway where backpackers extend their stay by completing specified regional work.
The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) estimated Victoria could lose 8,700 backpackers, including 3,000 from regional areas. VTIC CEO Lisa Patroni said backpackers are visitors who stay longer and spend money in regional communities. “The current system gives young travellers a reason to get out of our capital cities and spend months living, working and travelling through regional Australia,” she said. Federal Member for Casey Aaron Violi said taking away the guaranteed incentive will leave
backpackers weighing up regional work for a slim chance of staying longer. However, Wine Yarra Valley Regional Operations Manager Nicole Esdaile said main vineyard areas like Coldstream and Healesville are classified as metropolitan and already excluded from the 88-day extension. Most harvest labour is supplied by Melbourne contractors using other visas. “Consequently the new ballot system probably won’t impact the Yarra Valley region as much as many other more distant regional areas,” she said.
Tourism East CEO Louise Scott said workforce availability remains a challenge regardless, with local operators struggling to staff peak periods, weekends, and public holidays. A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the reforms are designed to support a fairer allocation of visas and ensure program integrity. Department figures show 213,985 Working Holiday Makers were in Australia on 31 July 2026, up 5.7 per cent from July 2025. The spokesperson said the government will continue to monitor impacts on regional workforce availability. Full story on page 6
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IN BRIEF Road works in Millgrove Partial road closures in Millgrove will be in place to make way for embankment stabilisation works from 29 September to 20 October. One lane will be closed on River Road between 7.30am and 4pm while works are carried out by Yarra Ranges Council’s contractor State Plant Hire. The council advises that while works are scheduled to be completed in the specified period, unexpected circumstances may alter the current timeline. Emergency and priority access will be available. Delays will be kept to a minimum, with a maximum of 15 minutes with traffic control onsite.
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A supplied image obtained on Thursday 24 September 2026, shows a bus that crashed in Victoria’s North East near Glenburn. (PR Image/ABC News)
Woman killed in multi-vehicle crash A 52-year-old Ringwood East woman has been confirmed as the victim killed in a horrific multivehicle collision involving a scheduled V/Line coach on the Melba Highway on Thursday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the scene near Two Hills Road around 2.40pm on 24 September following a crash involving the charter bus—carrying 18 passengers on a route from Mansfield to Southern Cross—a white Toyota Yaris, and a blue Toyota Corolla. The driver of the white Yaris, the 52-year-old Ringwood East resident, died at the scene. Her passenger, a 16-year-old girl from the Maroondah area, was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
A specialist Air Ambulance Victoria helicopter crew, alongside multiple Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) and Advanced Life Support paramedic units, assessed 21 people at the crash site. Passengers aboard the bus also suffered severe injuries, including a 17-year-old boy from the Mansfield area who was airlifted to the hospital in a life-threatening condition. A 16-year-old from the Manningham area and a 50-year-old Windsor man were also hospitalised with serious injuries. The remaining bus passengers did not require emergency transport. The experienced bus driver, a 76-year-old Eltham man, and the driver of the third vehicle—a blue Toyota Corolla driven by a 27-year-old Wangaratta man—were uninjured.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll expressed his condolences in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “terrible incident.” “Our thoughts are with everyone involved, their families and loved ones.” Detectives from the Major Collision Investigation Unit processed the scene and continue to investigate the cause of the crash. No arrests or charges have been made at this stage. Police urge anyone who witnessed the collision, has CCTV/dashcam footage, or holds relevant information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online at www. crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Fatal collision on Melba Highway, Castella On Monday 21 September Emergency services responded to reports of a truck and a car colliding on Melba Highway at about 4.50 pm. The yet-to-be identified driver of the car died at the scene. The truck driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and stopped at the scene. The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and will be investigated. Police are investigating the fatal collision. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has CCTV/dashcam footage or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Police are searching for Dale Murphy who is wanted on warrant after he failed to appear at the Ringwood Magistrates Court on 4 September for deception, driving, stalking, burglary and theft offences. The 33-year-old is known to frequent the Healesville, Boronia, and Seville areas. Yarra Ranges locals with information on his whereabouts are urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Huge BYD recall Outer east locals who drive a BYD Shark 6 are warned that a recall is in place for the car due to a manufacturing defect. The recall applies to 2024-2026 models and affects 32,009 individual cars. Due to a manufacturing defect, the spare wheel tray or lifter may have been incorrectly positioned. This may cause the support cable to wear and fracture, resulting in the spare wheel detaching from the vehicle whilst driving. If the spare wheel detaches from the vehicle whilst driving, it could increase the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to other road users, bystanders and/or damage to property. Owners of affected vehicles should contact their preferred BYD Dealer to make an appointment to get the work carried out, free of charge. For further assistance, owners of affected vehicles can call BYD Customer Care Centres on 1800 888 293.
Bike owner sought Police are seeking the owner of a Giant Talon bike left at the Healesville Police Station. If you’re the owner, or know who is, please contact the Healesville Police Station on 5962 4422. Proof of ownership is required. Reference No: 202609-E-1245.
Please contact Healesville Police Station if this is your bike. (Yarra Ranges Eyewatch)
Police are investigating a fatal collision in Castella. (File: 526551)
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Holiday park granted appeal By Gabriella Vukman BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park will face a new trial after its conviction over workplace safety breaches linked to the death of a camper was overturned by the Victorian Court of Appeal. The appeal was allowed on September 21, with the holiday park’s 2024 conviction set aside and its $475,000 fine no longer standing. The case stems from the death of 44-year-old Benjamin Murphy, who was sleeping in his tent at the holiday park in Badger Creek when a tree branch fell onto it on March 13, 2021. The holiday park operator was convicted by a jury after being prosecuted by WorkSafe Victoria under section 26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. The charge alleged the company failed to ensure that the workplace was safe and without risks to health, due to the lack of regular expert arborist assessments of trees throughout the property. The Court of Appeal ordered the matter to return to the County Court for a new trial. The decision does not amount to an acquittal. WorkSafe’s original case centred on the management of trees across the park, with the prosecution arguing the operator should have engaged a qualified arborist to conduct annual inspections and follow any recommendations. Following the original trial, the County Court fined the company $475,000 and imposed an adverse publicity order requiring it to publicise the offence, its consequences and the penalty. The Court of Appeal found the original trial was affected by a substantial miscarriage of justice, including that evidence concerning the fatal accident, as it was presented to the jury, should have been excluded due to lack of relevance. After several inspections of the property conducted by expert arborists, it was concluded that the tree that killed Mr Murphy was unlikely to have been identified by an arborist as a risk. The appeal also challenged the original $475,000 fine on the basis that it was manifestly excessive in the circumstances.
The reception of the Big4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park. (File: 285838) Evidence in the original proceedings included an arborist assessment conducted after Mr Murphy’s death, which identified 137 of 277 trees at the park as requiring some form of risk mitigation. The prosecution argued the assessment demonstrated the need for a formal system of tree management, including professional in-
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spections. WorkSafe guidance recommends workplaces with trees consult qualified arborists about inspection areas and frequency, establish systems for regular inspections and have trained workers inspect trees and branches, including after severe weather. It also recommends excluding people from
the fall zone of a tree or branch where an inspection identifies an unacceptable risk. The case will now return to the County Court for a new trial. As of September 23, no date for the retrial had been publicly identified. The holiday park has not been acquitted and the charge remains to be determined.
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Concern amid apple talks By Oliver Winn A Yarra Valley-based apple farm warned of potential biosecurity risks posed by impending US apple imports as trade talks with Australia continue. Sanders Apples co-owner Bob Sanders said strict import conditions must be set to prevent US-grown apples carrying “devastating” foreign diseases like fire blight from entering the Australian market. His concerns follow the Federal Government’s approval for the US to export apples to Australia in 2022. Before the US can export apples into the country, the government has to outline the import conditions which determine biosecurity standards. But Australia’s peak apple industry body was concerned as these import conditions hadn’t been posted on the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s (DAFF) biosecurity website. Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) members rushed to meet with DAFF officials over the matter earlier in September. A DAFF spokesperson confirmed the Federal Government was still in talks with the US over biosecurity requirements. Mr Sanders said it would be “another kick in the guts” to the farming community if deadly diseases made it into Australia. “The last thing that the Australian public want is us to be spraying another chemical on the tree to produce a piece of fruit that they want to enjoy,” Mr Sanders said. Australia is free from fire blight, a bacterial disease that spreads rapidly and kills fruit crops. If fire blight were established in Australia, many of our pome fruit crops would be at risk, and many apple growers could close. Other diseases like apple maggot, apple leaf curling midge and plant canker would also devastate growers if they entered the country. “So why would they even think about bringing this stuff in if it’s going to upset our biosecurity of Australia?” Mr Sanders said. But a DAFF spokesperson said Australia would only accept imports when it is confident it can manage the biosecurity risk. “The Australian Government remains firmly committed to upholding Australia’s biosecurity status and protecting our agricultural industries from pest and disease threats,” the DAFF spokesperson said. Mr Sanders said shipments would have to store apples before leaving the US to exterminate deadly diseases. “They would have to store their shipments for 90 days, I reckon, before they shipped it. So whatever disease is eradicated, it has to be in a controlled atmosphere.” But he wasn’t too confident in Australia’s biosecurity to prevent diseases from entering the country. “We don’t even scrutinise 80 per cent of the stuff that comes through the wharf. We’re
Bob Sanders from Sanders Apples fears the biosecurity and economic impacts that US imports could bring. (Oliver Winn: 501529) hopeless,” he said. US apple imports would also threaten the viability of local apple growers due to their lower price. “We have as good an apple as anywhere else in the world. But if we’re not profitable, we will stop growing apples,” Mr Sanders said. “So then we’ll be totally dependent on imports.” Over ninety-nine per cent of the apples we eat in Australia are grown locally with less than one per cent imported from China and New Zealand. Existing fresh produce trade with the US is often counter-seasonal due to being in separate hemispheres, where we supply at opposite times of the year and export to each other in our respective off-season. Mr Sanders said it would be “trying times” for apple farmers if US apple imports brought deadly diseases into the country. “If we don’t make profit at any stage, then slowly but surely, the whole farming sector gets smaller and smaller until everyone just starts to bail out of farming, and we’ll have no farming in Australia.”
Australia is still in talks with the US over biosecurity standards. (File: 384081)
Flush new future with sewage treatment plant upgrade By Gabriella Vukman Work is underway on a major upgrade to Healesville’s sewage treatment plant, with Yarra Valley Water set to significantly increase the facility’s capacity and add new infrastructure to manage heavy rainfall. The upgraded plant will increase treatment capacity from about 1.4 million litres a day to 2.5 million litres, with the new facility designed to provide wastewater services to Healesville and surrounding areas through to 2056. Yarra Valley Water said the project would also improve the plant’s ability to manage wet-weather flows and strengthen environmental protections for the Yarra River. “Our investment in a new Sewage Treatment Plant for Healesville will increase treatment capacity, better manage high volumes of water from wet weather events, and strengthen environmental protections for the Yarra River”. “We’ve carefully planned construction work so the existing plant continues to operate throughout the build, to provide reliable sewerage services for our customers now and into the future.” A key addition will be wet-weather storage
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tanks capable of holding up to 1.6 million litres. Yarra Valley Water said the tanks would temporarily store additional flows during major rainfall events so they could be treated later. Combined with the increased treatment capacity, the new infrastructure will allow the facility to manage around five times more wet-weather flow than it can currently. The project is replacing the existing treatment plant, which has operated on Argoon Road since 1987. Early works began in July and include the construction of wet-weather storage tanks, access roads, site fencing and site offices. Yarra Valley Water has appointed BMD Constructions as its design and construction partner. The existing treatment plant will remain operational while the new facility is constructed. The new facility will also reuse some of its treated water on site, while Yarra Valley Water is investigating opportunities for local recycled water use in the future. The company said the project would include an on-site solar system and that it uses 100 per cent renewable electricity across its operations. The capacity increase is based on Yarra Val-
ley Water’s long-term planning and forecasting, which considers the level of wastewater services the plant will need to provide through to 2056. The project comes as Healesville continues to be considered within Yarra Ranges Council’s longer-term planning framework. The sewage treatment plant site is zoned Public Use Zone 1, which allows the use and development of public infrastructure without a planning permit. However, Yarra Valley Water required a planning permit under the Significant Landscape Overlay for buildings and works, construction of a fence and removal of vegetation. Yarra Ranges Council Acting Director Planning and Sustainable Futures Damian Closs said Yarra Valley Water, as the public land manager, was responsible for the design, construction, monitoring and performance of the facility. “Yarra Ranges Council notified the community of the application as part of its planning assessment process before issuing the permit on June 16, 2026.” “The permit includes a requirement for screen planting to help minimise the visual im-
pact of the development and respond to the objectives of the Significant Landscape Overlay.” “The application was also referred to the Environment Protection Authority as part of the planning process.” Council said the EPA reinforced that Yarra Valley Water is responsible for ensuring its obligations under the Environment Protection Act 2017 are met. Residents with questions about the upgrade have been directed to Yarra Valley Water. The project’s environmental regulation is also subject to the EPA’s licensing process. The EPA confirmed its licence application for the facility remains open and said it was unable to comment on the application while it is under assessment. The application was last updated as paused while the EPA sought further information. For Healesville, the project will mean a substantially larger sewage treatment facility, with additional storage and treatment capacity designed to cope with increased flows during wet weather. Construction is expected to take about two years, with the existing plant continuing to operate while the new facility is built.
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Zetta the horse rescued By Oliver Winn The Macclesfield CFA helped get a horse back on its hooves after it got stuck in its stable on 21 September. CFA volunteers were paged on Monday night when Zetta the horse had fallen over and it couldn’t get back up due to a leg injury. Macclesfield CFA captain Sharon Merrit said it was a “particularly complex” rescue procedure. “She had to have a splint on her hind leg, and that meant she couldn’t bend her hind leg. She was stabled so that she could recover, but she got a fright and went down in the stable,” Ms Merrit said. The 17-hand high, 5-year-old warmblood mare was lying on her injured leg so the firefighters attempted to move her over. “We tried turning her over in the stable to see if she could get up from lying on the other side. We tried that and she was able to move a bit more, but she still couldn’t get up.” Ms Merrit said the last option was to get Zetta out of the stable. But she was too big lying down to fit her through the stable door. “We actually had to dismantle the stable wall to make the entrance bigger so that we could then
Zetta the horse is a 17-hand high warmblood mare. (Supplied) sedate her, put her onto a rescue glide, and get her out of the stable into the open area,” she said. Once Zetta was outside, the team used a specialist harness and a tractor to perform a vertical lift to get her back on her feet. “And then she was fine.”
Macclesfield CFA are one of two brigades that can perform technical large animal rescues. Alongside Athurs Creek CFA, they’re the only brigades trained to respond to the callout, which involves horses, cows, camels and many other animals.
Ms Merrit said they occasionally travel halfway across Victoria to help large animals that get stuck and need rescuing. On Sunday 20 September, Macclesfield CFA did a presentation to CFA brigades from the Baw Baw Group to demonstrate their capabilities. “We do a bit of an awareness training with other brigades so that they know what equipment we’ve got and what we can do. So if they get called out and they need to call on us, they can,” she said. Large animal rescues can get quite technical, and sometimes a veterinarian has to attend to sedate the animal. “They can get pretty stressed if they don’t know what’s happening and we’re trying to do weird things to them. Also for our safety, because if they start to panic and react, we can get injured as well,” she said. In June this year, Ms Merrit oversaw the rescue of a large cow at a property in Bayles. She said large animal rescues were a “bit more complex than the cat out of the tree”. “Every job is different and every job has its own challenges. They’re always in a different predicament.”
Backpacker visa cuts raise concerns for tourism, hospitality By Gabriella Vukman Proposed changes to Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program have prompted a mixed response from Yarra Ranges tourism and industry representatives, with concerns about workforce shortages and the potential impact on regional tourism. Under changes announced by the Federal Government on 17 September, second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas will move to a ballot system, replacing the current pathway in which eligible backpackers can extend their stay by completing specified work. The changes have been criticised by the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), which estimates Victoria could lose around 8700 backpackers, including 3000 from regional areas. The industry analysis estimates this could result in 2.1 million fewer visitor nights, $129 million in lost tourism expenditure and potentially 1020 jobs. However, the impact on the Yarra Ranges could be different to more remote regional areas, according to Wine Yarra Valley Regional Operations Manager Nicole Esdaile. “Yarra Valley growers do indeed rely on seasonal workers throughout the busy parts of the season, but very few of those are actually backpackers on holiday visas. “Backpackers on holiday visas are noticeably absent from the scene compared to other regions, with most hand-crew labour being provided by contractors who bring other temporary (or permanent) visa holders out from Melbourne.” Ms Esdaile said several key vineyard and hospitality areas in the Yarra Valley are also excluded from the regional work incentive that allows Working Holiday Makers to extend their visas. “Many of the main vineyard and hospitality areas, including Coldstream and Healesville, are unfortunately not eligible postcodes for the 88-day working extension. “They are considered metropolitan. “Consequently, the new ballot system probably won’t impact the Yarra Valley region as much as many other more distant regional areas.” Despite this, Ms Esdaile said broader workforce pressures remained a concern for the region’s hospitality sector, as venues struggle to attract staff and close doors. “Anything that further reduces the supply of good quality hospitality workers - anywhere in Australia - is bad policy. “We expect the reduced opportunity for visa extension to impact the destination choice of valuable travellers.” She also pointed to the housing implications of backpacker workers. “Backpackers don’t buy and rarely even rent houses…so there is no advantage in making
6 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
The Federal Government is moving second and third-year Working Holiday Maker visas to a ballot system. (Tom Cleary: Unsplash) things difficult.” Tourism East CEO Louise Scott said Working Holiday Makers play a role in both the visitor economy and regional workforce, with the potential effects extending beyond the individual traveller. “They tend to stay longer, travel further and spend across accommodation, hospitality, food and wine, attractions and experiences, so any reduction in this market has implications well beyond the individual visitor.” Ms Scott said Tourism East does not currently have enough data to put a reliable percentage on the potential $129 million Victorian tourism impact that could fall within the Tourism East region. “Despite not having enough data, we can say the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are exposed because we have a large number of regional tourism, hospitality, wine and accommodation businesses that rely on both visitors and seasonal workers.” Ms Scott said the issue should be considered as both a tourism and workforce matter. “For regional tourism, this isn’t simply a migration issue. “The same people who are travelling through our region are often working in the businesses that deliver the visitor experience.”
She said businesses were already facing challenges finding workers at the times they were most needed. “The issue isn’t necessarily a lack of people wanting work, but finding people who are available when and where tourism businesses need them, particularly for weekends, evenings, public holidays and seasonal peaks. “Limited public transport and a shortage of affordable worker accommodation make that challenge harder in regional areas.” Ms Scott warned that workforce shortages could affect the capacity of tourism businesses to operate during busy periods, and therefore, “quality and consistency”. “If businesses can’t access the workforce they need, the risk is that they have to reduce operating hours or capacity at exactly the time visitors are arriving.” Tourism East is addressing the broader workforce challenges through its Destination Management Plan. The VTIC has taken a stronger position on the proposed changes, warning that regional Victoria could lose both workers and visitors. VTIC CEO Lisa Patroni said the consequences would extend beyond businesses directly employing backpackers.
“The current system gives young travellers a reason to get out of our capital cities and spend months living, working and travelling through regional Australia. “Australia absolutely deserves a migration system with strong integrity, but reform should not come at the expense of regional communities already facing significant workforce shortages.” Casey MP Aaron Violi said he had concerns about the proposed changes and their impact on regional communities, including the Yarra Valley. “As a general principle, the Coalition believes Australia’s overall migrant intake should be lower and more sustainable. “Under Labor, the numbers of people coming into our country have been too high, and the standards have been too low.” Mr Violi said backpackers currently choose to work in regional areas for the benefit of extending their visa and stay in Australia for a second or third year. “(It will leave) backpackers to weigh up spending six months of their time here away in the regions for the slim chance of being able to stay longer. “Around one in five will miss out on year two applications, and five in six will miss out on year three applications, which will have a detrimental impact on regional communities and businesses.” A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the Government recognised the important contribution Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) make to Australia’s tourism industry, regional communities and broader labour market. “The reforms to the Working Holiday Maker program are designed to manage demand, support a fairer allocation of visas and ensure the long-term sustainability and integrity of the program,” they said. “The Government recognises the importance of ensuring regional employers can access the workers they need and will continue to monitor impacts on workforce availability and tourism economies.” According to the department, there were 213,985 Working Holiday Makers in Australia at 31 July 2026, a 5.7 per cent increase from 202,298 at 31 July 2025 and a 66 per cent increase from 128,689 at 31 July 2019, before Covid. “According to the latest ABS data, Working Holiday Makers are the second-largest contributor to Net Overseas Migration after international students,” the spokesperson said. “The Government remains committed to supporting regional and tourism businesses through a range of migration and workforce programs while ensuring Australia’s migration system operates in the national interest, supporting productivity, economic resilience and the sustainability of the Working Holiday Maker program.”
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Health advocate honoured By Oliver Winn A Yarra Ranges local’s tireless efforts to improve healthcare access for a rare condition earned her a place on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women on 23 September. Millgrove-based patient advocate Jackie Murphy was among 27 women recognised at the Arts Centre Melbourne for their remarkable contributions to various fields. Ms Murphy is a strong supporter of Australians living with Primary Immune Deficiency (PID) – genetic disorders that weaken the immune system and leave people vulnerable to infections. In 2015 she co-founded advocacy organisation AusPIPS with some other patients and parents to give people living with PID a voice and improve representation for the immunodeficiency community. Diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) in 2006, Ms Murphy’s work is informed by her own experience with the emotional, practical and clinical challenges of navigating a lifelong condition. She said it was “really quite amazing” to have her work acknowledged and celebrated. “It’s been quite a busy ten years of advocacy. We’ve been recognised across the country by government, but to actually have it formally recognised in a public capacity is wonderful,” Ms Murphy said. With only around 3000 people who’ve been diagnosed living with PID in Australia, she said public recognition was a “validating” experience that helps shed light on the life-altering condition. “The reason why we started AusPIPS was because we wanted to have a voice. There was no voice. There wasn’t anyone engaging government on our behalf and advocating for significant change to work towards improving quality of life and outcomes,” she said. Ms Murphy’s work has led to significant national policy outcomes. In 2022, she played a central role in securing access to the Covid-19 treatment Evusheld, which helped protect immunocompromised people from infection, enabling them to safely leave isolation. She helped expand eligibility for Evusheld from an estimated 10,000 to more than 400,000 severely immunocompromised Australians. She was also pivotal in establishing the National Immunodeficiency Strategy and newborn screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. Meanwhile, her advocacy led to funding for a special type of therapy that injects antibodies into the skin to boost patients’ immune systems. The treatment, known as subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) therapy, was a game changer for many, as patients could use it at home instead of doing Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) every 21 to 28 days on average inat hospital. “It’s led to thousands of Australians now benefiting - not only our own cohort, but also cancer patients, neurology patients, and haematology patients. It’s more than just us that benefits,” she said. The Victorian Honour Roll of Women recognises the achievements and contributions of some of Victoria’s most remarkable women of
In times of crisis, you can give
Millgrove local Jackie Murphy has helped thousands of Australians access crucial health treatments. (Supplied)
We throw our weight behind other good causes. Flags are flying all the time. We are just trying to make things better and ease the suffering of others.” – Jackie Murphy all ages, experiences, backgrounds and fields. A pioneering television personality, an internationally recognised neurosurgeon and a local
volunteer striving for gender equality in their Country Fire Authority district are among 27 inductees in this year’s Victorian Honour Roll of Women. Ms Murphy said the achievements would never have been possible without her supportive team. “Without the support, especially from some of my deputies, our committee, our medical advisory panel, and all the bureaucrats we work with across the country, this wouldn’t be possible. It’s always a joint effort,” she said. Living with CVID has made life especially troubling for Ms Murphy. From the early 1990s, she’s suffered from snowballing infections that prevented her from being able to work. She said all formative experiences one goes through during their 20s were “stolen” from Ms Murphy. “I was sick like that for sixteen years before my GP finally referred me into the hospital
system to a specialist. I was quite quickly diagnosed, and that was twenty years ago in November this year. It’s a long time.” She likened having CVID to Newton’s Cradle. “You pull one, and it smacks into the others. CVID is the one that kicks it off, and it keeps banging and tapping at the other systems in your body and upsets the rest of them,” she said. That constant impact on her body’s systems has resulted in so many hospital admissions that she’s lost count of the total number. She estimates somewhere between 150 and 200. A friend of Ms Murphy’s, who is an immunologist, put it bluntly: “People with primary deficiency are stuffed.” But Ms Murphy’s incredible efforts show that a case for hope is still to be had. “We throw our weight behind other good causes. Flags are flying all the time. We are just trying to make things better and ease the suffering of others,” she said.
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www.mckenzies.com.au Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 7
NEWS
Emma-Rose Parsons is preparing to run 200km across the eastern suburbs for her Mountain to Melbourne challenge. (Stewart Chambers: 580424)
Extraordinary endurance By Callum Ludwig Local mum and psychologist Emma-Rose Parsons will be demonstrating her elite endurance as her Mountain to Melbourne run returns for 2026. Stepping up to a 200km total this year, Ms Parsons is again raising money for Eastern Health’s paediatric facilities, including at Maroondah Hospital, Angliss Hospital and Box Hill Hospital, which she will pass on her route. Ms Parsons said despite stepping up in distance from 170km last year, she is feeling hopeful and like it’s going to be a great year. “Hopefully, the weather holds and it sounds like we’re getting some nice momentum already with people getting on board the project of raising money, so that’s a nice start already,” she said. “200 K’s of road is hard, road and pavement is a lot of toll on a body and quite a lot of impact, but I’ve been training hard and I’m at that point now where you second-guess yourself with everything. “But I think that on the day, it’ll be a great day and we’ve got lots of amazing support.” Over the two days, Mazda has kindly donated crew cars which will be used to follow Ms Parson’s journey and ensure she also has the food, water and equipment she needs to keep running. Eastland will also be supporting the event, once again hosting a finish line party with a DJ, free fairy floss, free face painting, stalls, teddy bear hospital and food between 4pm and 7pm on Friday 16 October. Ms Parsons aims to cross the finish line there between 5.30pm and 6.30pm. Ms Parsons said she has learnt ways to help prepare from previous years. “The first year that I did it, it was really hard for lots of different reasons, including the fact I found it very difficult to get enough fuel in throughout the day to actually get through the run,” she said. “I’ve come a long way in my learning since that event, so hopefully I can fuel well this year and, hopefully, the weather’s kind and not too hot and we can have a really successful run. “(The finish line party) was really fun, and it 8 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
Ms Parson’s run is raising money for Eastern Health’s paediatric facilities. (580424) was a great way to bring the community together to sort of celebrate a really fun event, but also a very important event… and that wouldn’t happen without Eastland’s incredible support, so I’m incredibly grateful that they’ve come on board.” In previous years, Mountain to Melbourne has already raised funds to help purchase hospital-grade virtual-reality goggles which can help distract kids and reduce their fear during certain medical procedures, an ultrasound machine, sensory cards, as well as toys and other items for outpatient areas. Ms Parsons said one of the biggest challenges for a child going into hospital is that it can be really daunting and quite frightening. “We have the technology available to make going to hospital better for kids, but we don’t have the funds to provide that technology, and so we have a tricky situation in that there are so many
ways that we can make being in hospital better for kids,” she said. “We can reduce their pain, we can reduce their fear, we can reduce their anxiety, we can get them home faster, we can make their experience of being in hospital less painful, less scary and shorter… but we can’t do that without the funds that we need to raise in order to get that equipment happening. “We really need to be prioritising trying to get our children the best possible care, and then getting them back outside to be playing with their mates, rather than having to stay in hospital beds… I think that it makes a massive difference, not just to the children, but also to their families and their communities.” This year’s run will also create a GPS art piece, depicting a child on a tree swing. Ms Parson said seeing the money roll in is one
thing, being able to purchase the equipment is the next thing, but the thing that actually makes the biggest difference is when you get feedback from children or parents to say what an impact it’s had on that child. “That piece of feedback would never have come unless the funds came in the first place,” she said. “Everybody’s doing it tough at the moment. I recognise that as a community people are struggling and for lots of different reasons, and people have less spare cash available, and yet people are still prioritising our children in our local hospitals. “I think that just tells you how important people see this as, and I think it’s extraordinary that we’ve got such a community that believes in this.” Mountain to Melbourne was crowned the Maroondah City Council’s Community Event of the Year this year. Eastern Health Foundation’s community and events coordinator Sarah Bartels said they are so incredibly grateful that Ms Parsons came up with this amazing idea. “To help create not only awareness within the community, but this incredible event that’s now been running for three years that brings the community together, it brings our staff together, and it gives everyone this sense of purpose and belonging beyond, you know, that they can all contribute and be a part of something that benefits the kids when they’re coming to hospital,” she said. “We’ve been blown away the last two years ‘cause when Emma runs past the three main sites, Angliss, Maroondah, and Box Hill, the staff that have come out dressed up with signs, absolutely cheering, that’s been a really lovely thing from our perspective. “But we’re just extraordinarily grateful because the amount of grit and resilience and dedication and time and effort that it takes to not only train in preparation, but the amount of time that Emma Rose puts into getting so many people to support it and get people to help out on the days, the crew, to get sponsors involved, it’s a phenomenal amount of effort, and we’re extraordinarily grateful.”
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NEWS
Emergency services unite By Gabriella Vukman Local emergency services gathered at the Healesville RSL on Monday 21 September to deliver an information session on emergency preparedness and help residents understand how different organisations respond when disaster strikes. Hosted by Healesville Rotary, the evening brought together representatives from the Healesville SES, CFA and Community Emergency Hub to explain how their organisations work and what residents can do to prepare for emergencies. The September Rotary meeting also highlighted the importance of collaboration between local organisations. Healesville SES Unit Controller David Singleton told the meeting that community preparation was a key priority as the area moves through storm season and towards the fire season. He also spoke about the importance of residents understanding which emergency organisation to contact when they need assistance. For Rotary member Terry Hill, bringing the organisations together was an opportunity to help the community understand how the different services fit together. “Getting local groups together in a room where they can present themselves to another forum is a good idea for everybody,” he said. For Healesville Community Emergency Group member and SES volunteer Michelle Zwagerman, the evening reinforced the importance of connecting local organisations and making preparedness information accessible to the wider community. “As a community, we need to be aware of the risks in the area that we live in and have a plan,” Ms Zwagerman said. The message comes as the Yarra Ranges moves towards summer, with residents facing the combined risks of bushfire and severe storms. Ms Zwagerman said many long-term residents already had a strong understanding of the local risks, having lived through previous fires and storms.
Local emergency services delivered presentations on bushfire and storm preparedness. (File: 348863). But Healesville is also experiencing a steady stream of new residents, including young families, retirees and people working from home who may be less familiar with the area’s bushfire risks. She said she had experienced that herself after moving to the area six years ago. “Many people think if there is a threat, they should just go into the Healesville township, but it is actually not a safe place to be, even in a fire threat,” she said. “That is why we need to be thinking about the very important questions of whether to stay or go now.” “We need to be more self-aware about the fire season.” The Healesville Community Emergency Group is now taking the conversation further, with a trivia night planned for Sunday, 18 October at RACV Healesville Country Club. The event will combine a subsidised twocourse dinner with questions about bushfires,
storms and emergency preparedness, including what residents should know about preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies. “It is not normal trivia, rather more of an information session,” Ms Zwagerman said. “The aim is to educate the community.” The event is supported by the Yarra Ranges Council through their Annual Grant. Tickets are subsidized at $25 per person and include the two-course dinner. For Ms Zwagerman, turning preparedness into an interactive event is one way of encouraging people to think about emergencies before they happen. “Most people don’t want to think about emergencies until there is an emergency,” she said. “It is important we change that.” The trivia night is the first of three major initiatives planned by the Community Emergency Group, with Good Neighbour Week to follow in November and a fire preparedness workshop lat-
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er in the month. Good Neighbour Week will run from November 9 to 15 and focus on the role neighbours can play during an emergency. The group hopes every resident will have at least one neighbour they can contact if they need help or can offer assistance to. The fire preparedness workshop will use a simulated fire scenario to help selected community groups work through how they would respond as a fire threat develops. The Community Emergency Group hopes the upcoming events will continue that collaboration while giving residents practical information they can use before an emergency occurs. The trivia night will be held on Sunday, October 18 at RACV Healesville Country Club. Tickets cost $25 per person and include a subsidised twocourse dinner. For more information, head to the Healesville Community Emergency Group’s Facebook Page.
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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 9
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Sharing a love of craft By Gabriella Vukman From juggling young children and an Associate Diploma of Ceramics in the Top End, to showcasing her work in Yarra Valley Arts’ Open Studios this October, Healesville ceramicist Diane Stirling is up for anything pottery. Upon first meeting Ms Stirling, her love of her craft is immediately evident. If it is not the dust of dried clay on her tunic that gives her away, it is her wealth of knowledge and reverence with which she describes her art form that solidifies/characterises Ms Stirling as a pottery expert and enthusiast. The Healesville ceramicist’s introduction to pottery began in Darwin when she was a young mother to her eight-month-old and two-yearold children. “I needed to do something,” Ms Stirling said. “When you have little kids, sometimes you have to take a break, so I started to do pottery with the lady across the road.” It wasn’t long before Ms Stirling commenced an Associate Diploma of Ceramics at what is now Charles Darwin University. “At the time there were no childcare facilities at the college and my husband was working full time,” she said. “I had to do the course part-time instead of full-time.” After finishing her course, Ms Stirling soon became graduate in residence at the Northern Territory Crafts Council, and her pottery was
Diane Stirling in her home studio.(Gabriella Vukman: 580517). shortly selected for the 1987 National Craft Acquisition Award. Despite spending much of her career travelling between Nhulunbuy, Darwin and Bundaberg, Ms Stirling is originally from Victoria. “My grandparents were actually pioneers of
Hard rubbish turned whimsy by Healesville sculptor
Dots upon dots this October
By Claudia Mather
By Gabriella Vukman For Healesville artist Neilma McMillan, creating art is a process of patience, repetition and, above all, enjoyment. That is why she is showcasing her work at this year’s Yarra Valley Arts Open Studios in October. Working primarily with fine black pen, Ms McMillan creates intricate drawings through dot work, pointillism and stippling. Ms McMillan said her works are sometimes paired with a watercolour background, while others are created solely in black and white. “I mainly draw with a black fine liner.” “I usually start a subject with the dot work, and I continue to do that until I’ve had enough, basically.” The technique is one Ms McMillan arrived at after years of experimenting with different artistic mediums. “Drawing is actually something I really enjoy.” “It’s quite meditative.” This year marks Ms McMillan’s second time participating in Yarra Valley Open Studios, after she took part two years ago in 2024. Rather than opening her home studio this year, Ms McMillan was approached about taking part in a combined exhibition with several other artists at the Healesville Living and Learning Centre. “They called me and asked if I was interested and I wasn’t because I was unable to do it at home again,” she said. “When they asked if I was interested in doing a combined exhibition with a couple of other artists at the Living and Learning Centre I thought, ‘that’s a lot easier.’” For Ms McMillan, Open Studios is an opportunity for the community to discover the variety of artistic work being created locally. “It’s good for the community, to have people that are interested in art wander around all the different studios and look at all the different work that’s available.” “It’s a pleasant experience to go to people’s studios and see their work and learn about what they love and what gives them pleasure.” “The artists enjoy showing their work, and the visitors enjoy seeing it, so it is a win-win.” While the opportunity to exhibit is important, Ms McMillan is also looking forward to the social side of the event. For an artist whose work is built through 10 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
Badger Creek,” she said. “When I was leaving the Top End, my son, who lives in Eltham, was helping me look for somewhere to live.” “He said ‘You have got to go to Healesville mum. It is the place for you. It is all arty.’”
It wasn’t long after Ms Stirling had moved in, that she joined Yarra Valley Arts. “The community has been really welcoming here in Healesville,” Ms Stirling said. “I joined Yarra Valley Arts because I wanted to be a part of a group of like-minded people and it has been great.” “I am really enjoying Healesville as a community so far.” Her first time participating in Open Studios, Ms Stirling said she is hoping to get more exposure out of the experience. “Open Studios are really good for people to get to know the artists and what they do.” “I can tell people that I am a potter, but they won’t often know what that actually involves.” “But when they come and actually see what you do, you can connect with them.” While Ms Stirling’s works will be displayed at the Healesville Living and Learning Centre during Open Studios, she is preparing to open up her own home studio to locals. “I would like to open it up to people who already know how to pot, but don’t have anywhere to go from 10am until 2pm on Thursdays.” “They can come here to use the studio and they just pay a fee for what they use.” Ms Stirling’s artwork can also be found in Glenda’s gifts and candles. For more information about Open Studios head to www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/ E xplore-Yarra-Ranges/Events/Yarra-valley-open-studios
Ms McMillan specialises in fine lines. (Neilma McMillan).
Ms McMillan is most excited about the social aspect of Open Studios. (Neilma McMillan). countless small marks, Open Studios provides an opportunity for visitors to slow down and take a closer look while meeting the person behind the work. Open Studios will launch on Saturday 3 October from 2 to 4 pm at the Memo in Healesville, before officially kicking off its weekend studio tour on Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11 October, and Saturday and Sunday 24 and 25 October from 10am to 5pm. Studio locations include Badger Creek, Chum Creek, Dixons Creek, Don Valley, Healesville, Launching Place, Millgrove, Mount Evelyn, Silvan, Warburton, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction.
From old tables and chairs to colourful, imaginative sculptures, this Healesville artist is giving timber a second chance through his creative artwork. Savaad Felich is giving the community a chance to enjoy his whimsical creations at this year’s Yarra Valley Arts Open Studios. Collaborating with local artist Serafina Munn, the pair will showcase their artwork at her Chum Creek studio on October 10 and 11. Mr Felich began his artistic journey in the late 1970’s while working as a horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. “Students from Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) used to come across the road to source timber,” he explained. Being surrounded by remnants of cut wood and inspired by art students, Mr Felich’s fascination with sculptural art blossomed. “I got to know a few artists, one of them being Bruce Armstrong, who is a famous Melbourne sculptor,” he said. “So, I started whistling and then I moved on to chainsaws and chisels,” he laughed. Mr Felich primarily works with recycled timbers, often finding them in the piles of annual hard rubbish. This means his art is often furniture based. “I like finding old chairs and tables and I pull off the pieces and create my art.” Mr Felich’s artwork is a reflection of his imagination and the truest form of expressing himself. “It’s who I am and I like being creative and working with my hands,” he explained. Mr Felich has participated in Open Studios previously in his own studio, but this is the first time he will be sharing the studio space with a fellow artist. “Serafina and I know each other well and we are good friends.” “She is going to have an indoor space and mine will be outdoors, so it will work well,” he said. Both Mr Felich and Ms Munn work with found recycled materials. As well as his sculptures, Mr Felich will also be showing his abstract collages. “When I retired, I’d always been interested in abstract art and during Covid I started playing with collage and cutting out magazines,” he explained. “It reinvigorated my art, because it was something different.” Creating abstract art gave Mr Felich’s creativity a fresh perspective. While being a similar assemblage process to
Savaad Felich and his current favourite sculpture ‘Elephant in the room’. (Claudia Mather: 580535) sculpture, it was something new altogether. “It’s a process that I enjoy and I don’t need a large space,” he said. Mr Felich is looking forward to sharing his artistic rituals with the community and for people to see his way of working with recycled materials. “If a tradie or builder comes along, they get to see what I can do differently with materials they work with every day.” “I’m thankful that Serafina invited me, I thought that was a very nice gesture.” Yarra Valley Arts Open Studios will launch on Saturday 3 October from 2 to 4 pm at the Memo in Healesville, before artists studio doors open on 10 and 11 October and 24 and 25 October from 10am to 5pm. Studio locations include Badger Creek, Chum Creek, Dixons Creek, Don Valley, Healesville, Launching Place, Millgrove, Mount Evelyn, Silvan, Warburton, Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Stillness, stories through art By Claudia Mather A strong sense of wanderlust and an eye for the beauty of nature have led Mount Evelyn-based artist Jodie Westall to tell stories through watercolour painting for many years. Ms Westall is offering locals an opportunity to immerse themselves in her art at this year’s Yarra Valley Open Studios in her Mt Evelyn studio and gallery. Having participated in only one Open Studio thus far, Ms Westall is excited to collaborate with fellow artists Minela Krupic and Alesh Macak for the event on 10 and 11 October. “I’ve always painted, since I was a kid. When I was young, I drew a lot, I was very drawn to the architectural side,” she said. “Most of my art now is watercolour and I do a little bit of acrylic.” The subjects of her paintings depend on what is happening emotionally in her day-to-day life. “I definitely have more of an emotional connection to what I’m painting rather than just painting a dog or a cat or any particular thing.” Painting is where Ms Westall finds stillness. “There’s times when I have started a painting and didn’t realise there was a lot of emotion in it and as I’m painting, because I’m completely connected to what I’m doing, it might bring up a memory or tears might flow. I guess that’s what I love about watercolour,” she said. Before completely committing to her craft, Ms Westall worked in a corporate job and, for 15 years, ran her own graphic design business. “As the corporate world gets tricky with family life and deadlines and running a business, it just got so chaotic and it was quite stressful,” she said. “Then I decided I wanted to do more of my own things.” That was when Ms Westall took a leap of faith and moved into a new space, now her whimsical gallery and studio, to focus on her absolute passion.
Jodie Westall draws inspiration from her travels. (Supplied) “Moving here I was like, ‘I just want to be who I wanna be’. “Now with my paintings, I don’t think about what sells or what people want, I just think about what I want to do. It’s almost like I’ve given myself permission to just explore what’s inside of me.” Ms Westall chooses to paint directly from the heart. “If you just tap into what brings you joy and stop listening to the noise of everyone and
opinions of people, I think that’s just a good life to live by,” she smiled. Over the years, Ms Westall has found a lot of inspiration in the lotus flower, finding herself still inspired by its magic each day. “One of the reasons why I love the lotus flower is the subtle reminder to ourselves, that we all find ourselves in murky, muddy water where we can’t see clearly and we don’t know where we are heading, and as we stay and stand in that vulner-
ability and reach for the light, working through things, beauty comes. It’s just so beautiful and nature does it best,” she smiled. Ms Westall often feels privileged to be able to tell someone’s story through a painting. “That just feeds my soul.” During the Open Studio in October, Ms Westall will share the painting she is currently working on, and people will also be able to see more of her works and sketches. As well as her paintings, Ms Westall started designing jewellery several years ago after she found herself inspired by a lotus design she made. “I never intended to make jewellery,” she said. “It was after a bit of a challenging time in my life, and again, I loved the analogy of rising through the murky waters and blooming on the surface. Every time I looked at it, it reminded me of picking myself up.” She travelled to Thailand to visit her father and told him her inspiration to get a piece of jewellery made. When Ms Westall returned home, someone asked her to make them a similar piece. Surprised but excited, she returned to Thailand again to make more pieces. After many years of having pieces stolen out of customs and thousands of dollars spent on never-received shipments, Ms Westall created a collection of jewellery with each piece holding its own personal meaning. “There’s a little moment in each one of the pieces,” she said. “I wanted something that people could physically wear, touch and hold on to and think, ‘This is the strength I needed’.” As the Yarra Valley Open Studios weekend approaches, Ms Westall looks forward to opening her studio doors to the community and sharing her passion. For more information and studio locations, head to: yarravalleyarts.org.au/2026-yarra-valley-open-studios
Local artists prepare for Through Our Own Eyes exhibition By Mikayla van Loon Art, community, and personal expression take centre stage this October as 14 local artists prepare to showcase their work in the upcoming exhibition, Through Our Own Eyes. Marking its third iteration, the diverse showcase brings together artists spanning an extraordinary age range, from an 18-year-old high school graduate to a nearly 90-year-old veteran creator. Organised around an open theme designed to encourage individual interpretation, Through Our Own Eyes highlights the unique perspectives, mediums, and creative journeys of its participants. Launching at Mont De Lancey’s Ray Oliver Gallery on Saturday 3 October, it will showcase pieces from Donna Legg, Jackie Hart, Emma Hogden, Doreen Backway, Karen Soo, Leanne Savory, Wendy Harvard, Valerie Mayer, Linda McDermid, Jan Home, Mary Harper, Bob Deacon, Donna Artis and Bella Gilbert. Visitors to the exhibition can expect a rich visual experience featuring over 100 individual pieces. The display includes everything from traditional oil paintings, gouache, pastels, watercolours, and graphite work to dynamic abstracts
and landscapes of local places like Mt Buller and Healesville. Artist Bella is exhibiting with the group for the first time, bringing three-dimensional clay sculptures on pedestals. While this is her first time exhibiting at Mont De Lancey, she’s no stranger to exhibiting, having previously done so at Whitehorse Art, Ferntree Gully Art Society, and the Melbourne Royal Show. Unconventional mediums are also making an appearance. One of Bob’s featured paintings was created using instant coffee, a testament to the playful experimentation encouraged within the group. “It’s about appreciating everybody’s art,” Leanne said. “It’s amazing being part of something where everybody has a different view on whatever we’re painting.” At the heart of the exhibition is local art teacher and mentor Donna, whom participants credit with fostering a welcoming environment where artist growth and connection are valued above all else. The general consensus is that the best part about exhibiting together as a group is “the variety” and the “sense of community”. “You always come away feeling a bit more
Artists Emma Hogden, Bella Gilbert, Jackie Hart, Leanne Savory, Donna Legg, Linda McDermid, Jan Home, Bob Deacon and Valerie Mayer. (Mikayla van Loon: 581065) connected as a group,” Emma said. Mont De Lancey general manager Jen Johnson said having Donna as an artist-in-residence, but also seeing her curate group exhibitions with artists who paint together at the historic homestead, is a delight. “We are thrilled that we see more and more people joining these art groups after a visit, continuing to strengthen and build the art culture that is becoming synonymous with Mont De Lancey,” she said. “We look forward to welcoming everyone to this exhibition and to exploring the gallery and the various mediums from great local talent.” For several artists, Through Our Own Eyes
marks their first time exhibiting publicly. While some have spent the entire year refining their technique, others are stepping out of their comfort zone with pieces created early in their artistic journeys. “I’ve only just come to art and wouldn’t have joined an exhibition, but Donna encouraged us. It’s nice to be appreciated,” Linda said. For Leanne, she will be showing never-before-seen abstract landscapes. Donna emphasised that perfection is never the goal. “It’s all about creating connection for everyone, whether their artwork is a masterpiece or not. It’s about the fun, the journey, and coming together as a group.” Join the artists as they launch the exhibition and learn and engage in conversation. An artist can typically always be found in the gallery, too. For anyone wanting to try their hand at painting or find inspiration in the grounds of Mont De Lancey, a paint-out-day is scheduled for Saturday 24 October, where everyone is welcome to go and paint or draw. Through Our Own Eyes will be on show until Sunday 18 October. Visit Mont De Lancey Wednesday to Sunday between 10am and 4pm at 71 Wellington Road Wandin North.
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NEWS
Stepping up for a cause By Oliver Winn Members from the Upper Yarra SES unit have been out pounding the pavement this September to better their health and raise funds. Their efforts are part of VICSES’ Step It Up September, a challenge that encourages SES units from across the state to get their steps up and compete for prizes. Each week, members participate in teams and as individuals by recording their weekly steps and physical activity. Upper Yarra SES unit controller Hannah Brunton said the unit was running a fundraising campaign while members were out and about. “This year while our members are out pounding the pavement, we have decided to couple this with a fundraising campaign and have those members do a letterbox drop while they walk - just requesting low-level donations. “We figured if everybody in our area donated two dollars, that would be a huge financial contribution to our unit overall. Really embodies that message that every little bit counts,” she said. Members like Katy and Sarah were also participating in the newly-formed Warburton Run
Club to help get their steps up. A VICSES spokesperson said the initiative was becoming increasingly popular over the years. “Participation in the initiative has grown significantly since Step It Up’s debut in 2015, with almost 1000 members across 84 teams taking part in the 2025 iteration. “Together, VICSES members recorded around 272 million steps throughout last year’s challenge,” a VICSES spokesperson said. The program also provides an opportunity to connect VICSES members across the state, with teams encouraged to share their activities and achievements throughout the challenge Ms Brunton said as well as prizes for individuals and teams, Step It Up September also had other challenges on offer. “As well as prizes for step totals as individuals and teams, they have other challenges running simultaneously as part of the program to encourage overall wellness. “So it could be have your team participate in a dance class or a cooking class,” she said. If you see members out on a stroll and you have some spare change, feel free to make a small donation to help the volunteer-run unit purchase essential life-saving equipment.
Members from the Upper Yarra SES are getting out and about for this year’s Step It Up September challenge. (Supplied)
Reefton CFA captain Sue Jack welcomed the donations. (Callum Ludwig: 289853)
CFA bolsters brigade facilities thanks to three donations By Oliver Winn Three generous donations have helped secure vital safety and energy supply upgrades at Reefton CFA. The Warburton-Yarra Junction Community Bank and AusNet donated funds towards the installation of a backup generator and improvements to the station’s roller doors. Meanwhile, the Reefton Hotel donated $1000 with money raised from its meat raffle. Reefton CFA captain Sue Jack said the donation from the local community bank would make the station safer and more accessible for members. “The Reefton Fire Brigade were once again lucky to receive funding from the local Community Bank Warburton and Yarra Junction to enable the roller doors on our engine bay to become remote.” The brigade’s doors were operated manually, so after driving a truck out of the engine bay, a member was required to get out of the truck to close the doors. But because the station’s apron is on an angle, it made it difficult to climb in and out of the truck once it was off the level ground inside the engine bay. She said the automatic roller doors solved the issue of getting out of the truck once out of the garage. “Getting in and out of the truck can be a little bit problematic for some of us that are shorter in the leg. So it is a lot safer to get in the tanker when we’re on level ground inside the engine bay, and safer of course when we can get in and out using a remote,” Ms Jack said. The Warburton-Yarra Junction Community
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The brigade’s doors will be upgraded and a new generator installed. (Stewart Chambers: 543240) Bank contributed $3000 towards the new doors, and the brigade paid the remaining $500 for the upgrade. Ms Jack said the local community bank has helped the brigade “tremendously”. “They’ve actually funded a washing machine and a dishwasher that we put in. We’ve put in a big TV screen and soundbar so we can have training nights, and we’ve had other brigades come and have training there – they funded that as well. “The Bendigo Bank grants have enabled us to have all that, which to me is a huge benefit to the brigade from a training perspective, from a safety perspective, and just from having those facilities that we can use where we didn’t have before,” she said. AusNet donated just under $40,000 to fund a backup generator that will complete the brigade’s planned microgrid for Reefton and McMahons Creek. During outages, the station will provide charging, heating, emergency information and a safe place to connect. The project will strengthen brigade operations and resilience across both isolated communities.
CFA members from Upper Yarra brigades were blessed by members of the church. (Supplied)
St James Anglican Church blesses Upper Yarra CFAs The St James Anglican Church in Wandin celebrated the annual thanksgiving and prayer for four Upper Yarra CFAs on Sunday 20 September. CFAs from Wandin, Seville, Gruyere and Yellingbo were presented with donations and blessings from the church to strengthen their partnership. St James Anglican Church pastor Reverend Penny Charters said it was great to acknowledge the service and sacrifice firefighters give to keep the region safe.
“We appreciated updates from each fire brigade and presented our donation to affirm our partnership. Friends from Firefighters for Christ also shared their stories whilst serving in the CFA. Following the service, Mr Charters blessed all the fire trucks and crew. “St James church’s vision is to connect with our local communities in the Yarra Valley and you are welcome to join us on Sunday at 10am, 82-84 Beenak Road Wandin,” Mr Charters said.
The celebration took place on Sunday 20 September. (Supplied)
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 13
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14 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
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NEWS
The forest was known for its giant bird nests which pop up from time to time. (Clem Roberts)
The Redwood Forest as seen in Gemma Dearden’s award-winning photograph, Family of Four. (Gemma Dearden)
The Redwood Forest received some upgrades early this year with a new toilet block, expanded parking, visitor shelter and sealed roads. (Oliver Winn: 535517)
Redwood Forest among best By Oliver Winn Warburton’s iconic Redwood Forest was named a finalist for the 2026 Victorian Tree of the Year award in a testament to the local love for the historic plantation. From scientific experiment to a top tourist destination, the Redwood Forest attracts droves of visitors every year to witness the magical cathedral of towering trunks, the leafy carpet below, and everything in between. Californian Redwoods stand in rows like tall soldiers while visitors move about the quiet forest floor below as they take in the natural beauty of the landscape. Dedicated to celebrating some of the state’s most remarkable trees, the National Trust’s Victorian Tree of the Year highlights the importance of trees in our everyday lives and the urgent need for stronger policies to protect Victoria’s living heritage for future generations. National Trust environmental advocate Katherine Masiulanis encouraged locals to get behind the Redwood Forest if they want to see
the celebrated conifer take the top spot for this year’s competition. “Whether you’re backing a local landmark, a botanical rarity or a beloved community gathering place, voting is a chance to help recognise and protect these remarkable trees.” Yarra Ranges Council mayor Richard Higgins said he was “delighted” to learn that the Redwood Forest was nominated. “The natural beauty of the Yarra Ranges is one of our greatest assets. “We’re fortunate to call this region home, and we welcome visitors to explore and enjoy all the local experiences that make it such a remarkable place,” Cr Higgins said. The Redwood Forest was planted in the 1930s in straight rows to determine the ability of conifers to clean drinking water in a landscape which had been extensively cleared. Ms Masiulanis said the plantation was nominated because of the connection people have with the space. “I was speaking to somebody else who said one of the last times that they saw their mother,
they went out to the Redwood Forest, and that’s a really, really special memory for them,” she said. Meanwhile, being among the trees can be beneficial for one’s mental and physical health. “There’s all the amazing benefits they bring us in terms of wildlife and habitat and shade and cooling and oxygen. And then there’s all the historical stories and social significance tied to them,” Ms Masiulanis said. The competition also serves to highlight the limited protection trees have in Victoria. Ms Masiulanis said planning scheme rules meant trees often fall victim to property developers. “Within a certain distance from the front and back boundary, you have to seek a planning permit to remove a tree. But if the tree is, for instance, in the middle of the block, you don’t have to.” She also supported planting more trees today to sow the seed for significant trees in the future. But she said that we need to give the trees of today better protection before we can guarantee our future trees the same security.
“I guess that’s where this sort of argument around tree protection comes as well: where are our significant trees of the future if we’re not protecting the trees we have now? “The people who planted those redwoods had no idea what they were going to become and how important they were going to become to people,” she said. The National Trust has a significant tree register that aims to promote the importance of certain trees and provide protections for their wellbeing. Over 2500 significant trees are registered, and Ms Masiulanis encouraged people to register important trees near them. “There have definitely been cases in the past where being on the register or being Tree of the Year absolutely makes a difference when it comes to protecting these trees and celebrating these trees. “But you don’t have to be Tree of the Year to get some kind of protection from being on a register. So if you’ve got a great tree, please nominate it,” she said.
Upgrades on the horizon for Coldstream Station Pump Track Families and visitors to Coldstream can look forward to enhanced amenities at the Coldstream Station Pump Track and surrounding station precinct, thanks to a new grant secured by Yarra Ranges Council through the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns Fund. Built environment and infrastructure director Anita Curnow said the Coldstream Pump Track is a popular destination for Yarra Ranges families and visitors alike. “Since opening in November 2023, the pump track has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from users of all ages. We surveyed riders and families at the site shortly after it opened, and again in late 2025, to seek their feedback and suggestions for further improvements. “The community told us it would be great if there were more shade options on hot days, as well as additional seating and barbecue facilities so they could make a day of their visit. With this grant funding, we’re delighted to be able to deliver these outcomes for the community,” Ms Curnow said. The upcoming enhancements, which include a new shelter, extra seating, barbecue facilities, and upgraded landscaping, build upon the initial scope of Stage 2. The council had already earmarked funds for pump track enhancements and car park upgrades; integrating the state grant expands the project’s impact significantly. “By combining the State Government grant with Council’s contribution, we’ve been able to significantly expand the scope of works and deliver even greater benefits for the community,” Ms Curnow said.
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The next stage of development at the Coldstream Station Pump Track has secured funding from the State Government. (Dongyun Kwon) Once complete, the site will serve as a vibrant community hub, a well-equipped rest point for users of the Yarra Valley Trail, and an inviting space that encourages visitors to explore nearby local businesses.
“This project was identified as a strong fit for the Tiny Towns Fund and closely aligned with the program’s objectives. We’re grateful to have secured this funding and look forward to seeing the next stage of the project come to life,” Ms Curnow
said. Pending final project approvals and contractor scheduling, construction is slated to begin in August. Yarra Ranges Council will provide regular progress updates as works get underway.
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 15
NEWS
A fifth term for McLeish? By Callum Ludwig Cindy McLeish is seeking re-election in Eildon, representing the Liberal party in the district. Ms McLeish was first elected as the member for Seymour in 2010 before being re-elected in the new seat of Eildon from 2014 onwards. Ms McLeish said she is proud of her record and reputation as being willing to help her constituents, and at times those who reside elsewhere. “Too often people are wronged or the system is difficult to navigate and it is satisfying helping people at an individual level. I have always been a strong advocate for our area – calling out the government when things that need fixing aren’t – bridges, trails, roads,” she said. “As Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence, seeing new laws making coercive control a crime is a significant milestone, when I first introduced a Private Member’s Bill to criminalise coercive control, the Labor Minister dismissed it, rejected it and declared it ‘unfit for purpose’. Now Labor champions the very reform it once opposed. “For me, this was never about petty politics or who gets the credit. What matters is that coercive control is now recognised for what it is — a serious and dangerous form of family violence — and it is finally against the law.” Ms McLeish received 47.4 per cent of the first preference vote in Eildon in 2022 and recording a 5.9 per cent swing towards her despite the Liberal party’s unsuccessful attempts to win the election. Ms McLeish said emergency preparedness and roads are the key concerns in Eildon. “The Yarra Ranges are susceptible to fires, floods, freak storms and land slips that can devastate lives, destroy homes and properties, and wipe out livelihoods, we have fabulous volunteers in the CFA and SES and a council that can mobilise quickly however our equipment and processes aren’t always up to scratch and we are still seeing support measures fail the very people they are meant to help,” she said. “An 81-year-old man who lost his home was initially approved for assistance, only to have that support withdrawn because he used a different postal address. We must do better. We should have learned from past disasters and made the system easier for people to navigate, not harder. “From potholes that never seem to get fixed and crumbling surfaces to faded and dangerous line markings, the state of our roads is one of the biggest frustrations… I drive these roads every
week — from Healesville to Warburton and beyond, I know how bad they are, and I share the frustration of locals who have watched them deteriorate through years of inadequate maintenance and investment.” The Liberals and Nationals have promised $5 billion to repair and rebuild Victoria’s roads, eliminate one million potholes and restore ‘proper preventative maintenance’. Ms McLeish said cost of living is another enormous issue. “Groceries, electricity, rates, rent, insurance and fuel are stretching household budgets, the people in Spring Street, including me, need to understand that and find practical ways to reduce costs, not keep adding taxes, charges and fees,” she said. “There are enormous opportunities across the Eildon electorate and regional Victoria. Our communities are strong, our businesses and farmers are innovative and people want to invest and build their futures here. “The government’s job should be to back them, remove the barriers and deliver the basic services and infrastructure that allow regional communities to thrive.” Ms McLeish can be reached via 03 9730 1066, cindy.mcleish@parliament.vic.gov.au Or by visiting her electorate office at Shop 10, 38-40 Bell Street Yarra Glen. Ms McLeish said she never takes being re-elected for granted and it is an enormous privilege to represent such a wonderful area in State parliament, and if people put their trust in her again, she will keep working just as hard for them — hopefully this time as part of a government. “Locals can be confident that I will continue to assist those who need it on a personal level and provide strong support and advocacy to keep this community a great place to live,” she said. “I want us to get Victoria back on track, but I also want my office to keep being known as a place where people can come when they need help. Some of the things I am most proud of are the little wins along the way — helping someone get the assistance they were entitled to, having a decision reconsidered, getting a licence issued or simply cutting through bureaucracy when someone has nowhere else to turn. “I love that part of the job. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I want to keep delivering those wins for people while helping build a government that gives Victorians confidence and hope for the future.”
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish is contesting the seat again for the Liberal party. (File)
Symes seeking to continue Northern Vic representation By Callum Ludwig Jaclyn Symes is seeking another term representing Labor in Northern Victoria after the 2026 state election. Ms Symes and her family have grown up, lived and worked in Benalla. Ms Symes said she is so grateful for her country upbringing, including playing basketball at the Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre and the many fond memories of spending her youth in the region that she’s now proud to represent. “Our region covers some of the most diverse communities in Victoria, and each one deserves to be heard – I believe in everyone getting a ‘fair go’,” she said. “I hold a strong passion for standing up for workers and for people with disabilities, which stem from one of my first jobs as a carer for people with intellectual disabilities and my time as a lawyer for the Australian Services Union. I loved fighting for the underdog, but I became more interested in systemic change. “My values aligned with the Labor community, and I discovered where I belonged. Being in a government that can turn these values into real outcomes for local families, businesses, and communities is a privilege.” 16 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
Ms Symes is also currently the Minister for Energy and Resources, Climate Action, Environment, and the State Electricity Commission, having first been elected in 2014. Ms Symes said Northern Victoria has so much to offer – the forests, rivers, wetlands and wildlife, as well as enormous opportunities in renewable energy. “My focus is on protecting biodiversity, restoring habitat and making our landscapes more resilient to climate change, while delivering the clean energy transition and making sure regional communities share in the jobs and investment it creates,” she said. “I want to make life easier, safer and more affordable for regional people. Families in Northern Victoria deserve quality education, accessible and affordable healthcare, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering. “I am committed to working hard for Northern Victoria. My staff and I are always happy to help with State Government matters.” Northern Victoria voters can contact Ms Symes’ electorate office to discuss any queries on (03) 5783 2000 or email her at jaclyn. symes@parliament.vic.gov.au. You can also follow her on my socials @Jaclyn Symes MP or visit her website at jaclynsymes.com.au.
Jaclyn Symes is seeking a fourth term representing Northern Victoria. (Supplied)
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Monday the 12th October 2026, 11am to 3pm
Healesville Bowling Club 85 River St, Healesville VIC 3777 hqjgoldexchange.com.au 12893870-AM40-26
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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 17
NEWS
Daniel running for One Nation By Callum Ludwig Practicing psychologist and former combat engineer in the Australian Defence Force Daniel Killey is One Nation’s candidate for Evelyn. Mr Killey migrated to Australia at around nine years old from South Africa with his single mother, settling in the Outer East where he eventually established his psychology practice. Mr Killey said his practice had four clinics in Lilydale, Boronia, Croydon, and Mitcham. “We did a whole lot of community work in schools and as far as a private practice can do, it was pretty charitable, it was basically at no cost to the schools to give them a psychologist or a counselor, it was about twenty schools around the east that we worked in,” he said. “I’m a part of this foundation called CCC Foundation, I work as a board member for them, it was started by a great man Jetha (Devapura) but we have a program called Let’sTALK… when I got on board, we connected him with the twenty schools or however many we had. “The Let’sTALK program is basically about building mental health and helping conversation skills in kids in schools and that’s all throughout the east.” The CCC Foundation was started by Mr Devapura after he visited the National Cancer Institute in Maharagama, Sri Lanka. The foundation is based in Australia and Sri Lanka and runs the largest Cancer Transit Home and the first Lifeline Centre to prevent suicide in Sri Lanka. Mr Killey said he feels he has been pretty deeply engaged with Melbourne’s east for over a decade now. “I’ve engaged with a lot of people in the community on a daily basis, probably to a depth that most people never do and things haven’t been getting better,” he said. “What I find frustrating in my work is that it seems like I can only help people after the
problem has hurt them, so much of people’s struggles are directly or indirectly related to the mediocre governance of our leadership. “Finances shouldn’t be such a foundational pressure for so many people in a nation that is as prosperous as Australia and generally speaking, things like crime and security have been gradually improving globally since the 1990s, so why is crime and security worsening in Victoria over the last fifteen years, it doesn’t make sense.” The key issues for Mr Killey in Evelyn and across the state are ‘good governance’, the cost of living and sensible development. Mr Killey said if you’ve got good governance, everything else flows on from that. “I think that what we should be promising people to begin with is correcting our governance and making our leadership and our spending better before we start making big promises,” he said. “In terms of specific things that I think face not just Evelyn, but all of the state, the cost of living is just far too much, and the taxes just seem to go into this empty void and in the east,the infrastructure and the development, seem to prioritise the inner urban areas and our more rural areas seem to be forgotten quite a bit. “Lilydale is such an interesting area because it’s got your infrastructure, your businesses, your local hub, and then just a couple of kilometers further out and you’re in wine country and farmland so the experience and the lifestyle of people out here can vary quite differently, we need to have a blended approach to our development that sustains not only the urban development, but also the lifestyle that people have out here in the valley in the Green Wedge.” The best way to reach Mr Killey is via evelyn@vic.onenation.org.au. Mr Killey said if you see him out letterboxing or see him at events, just come and have a chat. “I haven’t met anybody yet in the party who’s
Daniel Killey is serving as One Nation’s candidate for Evelyn. (Supplied) a career politician, so we’re just the same as everyone else, we’re just tired of waiting for our career politicians to do something,” he said.
“So have a chat with us and get a sense of how we’re just the same as all the other punters out there.”
Jan Heald is back as Evelyn’s Animal Justice Party candidate By Callum Ludwig Jan Heald is contesting Evelyn again for the Animal Justice Party (AJP). The regular candidate from Mt Evelyn returns to put forward animals and the environment as priorities in this year’s state election. Ms Heald said she has lived in the district for 19 years having been drawn here by the leafy environment, open spaces and the sense of community of the region. “I love that I get to live in a treed environment and share my home with Australian wildlife, an added bonus is residing not too far from all aspects and amenities that living in Victoria has to offer. “I’ve joined community groups such as Mt Evelyn Environment Protection Progress Association and became President of the Friends of Mt Evelyn Aqueduct. “I’ve also helped out on community campaigns that threaten the character of Evelyn e.g. McDonalds wanting to build a drive-thru restaurant on residentially zoned land in Mt Evelyn.” Ms Heald has been a member of the AJP since its inception in 2009 and has previously stood as its candidate for Evelyn in 2022 Ms Heald said if you’re looking for a political party that works collaboratively to get things done Vote ‘1’ for the Animal Justice Party, as it offers kindness and integrity over vested interests. “I believe people expect more honesty and accountability from politicians, voters are tired of the same petty politics and countless excuses on promises that don’t get delivered, people expect a lot better from politicians and want more choice at the ballot box,” she said. “The cost of living, rental and housing affordability (are key concerns), also how Evelyn’s location sits geographically within Melbourne is an important area to defend against looming large, inappropriate developments, data centres are one example. “I want to discourage suburban sprawl as I believe most residents do not want this as it impacts their existing amenity, native wildlife habitats and environmental biodiversity.” You can find out more about Ms Heald on the 18 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
AJP’s website under ‘Jan Heald for Evelyn - Animal Justice Party Victoria’ and find her Facebook as ‘Jan Heald - Animal Justice Party for Evelyn’. Ms Heald highlighted roads, the management of bird flu, animal protection legislation and integrity in government spending as other key statewide issues for her. “Maintaining our roads, making them safer for people plus the development of measures to reduce wildlife road trauma through improved planning, better signage and wildlife crossings, as have been built overseas,” she said. “The H5N1 Bird Flu crisis threatening wildlife and livestock, not enough is being done by government in getting their staff on the ground to manage this threat. It is the unpaid volunteer carers and rescuers doing the hands on work to cope with this threat to wildlife. “Strengthening animal protection laws and modernising animal welfare legislation by implementing the Animal Care and Protection Bill that has been completed but ignored by the state government for 10 years, even though the current Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 is no longer fit for purpose.”Ms Heald wants to see increased penalties for animal cruelty, and a new offence of intentional cruelty, animal sentience legislated and a creation of a duty of care – meaning that authorities can intervene when care isn’t provided (not just when cruelty occurs, which is hard to prove/establish under existing laws). Ms Heald said native wildlife is also let down by the state’s failure to update the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975. “Victoria has had three different Environment Ministers in the last five months and none answer any communications sent to them, this has been affirmed by a multitude of interested parties and colleagues,” she said. “(We need) Critical oversight on what tax payer money is spent on e.g. subsidizing sometimes harmful lobby interests such as the recent Little Anglers program to supply 82,500 free fishing rods to children in fifth grade primary cost taxpayers millions. “Wildlife Victoria noted an 158 per cent increase in discarded hooks and line entanglement injuries in wildlife and logging our forests is still happening.”
Mt Evelyn’s Jan Heald is the Animal Justice Party candidate for Evelyn. (Supplied)
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REV IT UP
The trusted name in town Yarra Glen Automotive is a highly trusted local provider of mechanical services in Yarra Glen, offering a wide range of services including vehicle servicing, vehicle repairs, and vehicle certifications. What started as a small local business has quickly become a trusted name in the wider community, known for providing honest advice, reliable repairs, and a welcoming service every time. Owner Ashleigh Skillern is proud of the strong reputation the workshop has built and credits much of its success to the culture within the team. The culture, being as strong as a family, has even welcomed back a previous staff member, Oliver. “We’ve worked hard to create a workplace where staff know they are valued,” Ashleigh said. “That sense of care flows through to our customers, who can feel the difference when they bring their vehicles to us.” Ashleigh credits much of Yarra Glen Automotive’s success to the team and what they continually achieve together. Specialising in tyre and puncture repairs,
Maddy, Zoe with Teddy, Ash with Boston, Oliver and Brandon. (File: 535632) wheel alignments, logbook servicing, and general servicing, Yarra Glen Automotive has everything covered to keep you on the road with confidence. Their services also extend beyond cars, with caravan and trailer servicing and repairs available, ensuring your next trip is a safe one. For those important details that make all the
ball Club, ensuring they give back to the people who support them. Y ou can contact Yarra Glen Automotive online through their website, via email, or by calling the team to book in your vehicle. Their team is there to look after you and put an end to your automotive woes.
difference, the team can assist with air conditioning servicing, as well as brake and suspension repairs. Supporting the community is just as important to the business as serving it. Yarra Glen Automotive proudly sponsors the Yarra Glen Bowls Club, the Cricket Club, and the Football and Net-
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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 19
COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE
Check out what’s on offer There is always plenty happening at Seville Community House, and Term Four is shaping up to be another busy season of learning, connection and community activities for local families. The Community House offers a welcoming place for people of all ages to come together, learn something new, meet others and take part in activities close to home. Whether you are looking to develop new skills, find a regular activity or simply become more involved in the local community, the Term Four program has plenty to discover. A particularly exciting new initiative this term is Ready to Learn, a new school transition project made possible through funding from the Andrews Foundation. Developed following conversations with local educators, Ready to Learn recognises that starting Prep involves much more than learning to read and write. Children need to become familiar with the everyday routines of school, from opening their lunchbox and finding things in their bag to putting their jumper back on, asking for help, listening to instructions and moving from one activity to another. The free four week program gives children preparing to start Prep an opportunity to practise these practical skills in a small, relaxed group, helping build confidence and independence before their first day at school. Ready to Learn will run at Seville Community House on Mondays from 9 November to 30 November, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. Families will also receive practical resources to continue developing these skills at home. The project is being developed with specialist input and consultation with local schools and kindergartens, with another program planned for February and resources intended to continue supporting local families into the future. To find out more or book a place in Ready to Learn, contact Seville Community House on 5964 3987 or 0492 950 501.
Seville Community House is here to help with the stat to school. (File)
Spring Activity Guide
Wednesday
Thursday
Weekend
Seville Community House 590 Warburton Highway, Seville 9am - 4.30pm Mon- Wed
info@sevillecommhouse.org.au 5964 3987
0492 950 501
Monday
Monday
Tuesday
Drop in Playgroup
Knitting Circle
Parent Led Playgroup
Relaxed play session, where little ones can play and grown-ups can connect. Resources supplied
Come and knit beanies and blankets to donate to babies in hospital while enjoying good company.
Relaxed play session, where little ones can play and grown-ups can connect. Resources supplied.
12.00pm-3.00pm 3rd Monday of the month Oct 19, Nov 16
9.30am - 11.00am commencing Oct 6 $25 per family for the term
Self Worth Group
Community Lunch
Growing up can be tough, especially when self-doubt gets in the way. This group is a supportive space for young people to build confidence, challenge negative thoughts, and focus on their strengths. Join us to connect, grow, and discover your potential.
Enjoy a delicious two course lunch and lively conversations at our monthly community lunch. Newcomers welcome.
10.00am - 12.00pm commencing October 5 $5 per session
Cooking for Fun, Cooking for One All abilities social group. Join us to prepare and share a meal. Contact 0359643987 for more information and to book. 10.30am - 12.30pm $5 donation
Immunisations Community immunisation sessions are held at Seville Hall through Yarra Ranges Council. Vaccines on the Victorian schedule are free, with additional options available at a cost. Bookings via Council’s website. www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Ourservices/Immunisation/Book-animmunisation-appointment
Chair Yoga A gentle yoga class using a chair for support. Enjoy simple stretches and movements to improve flexibility, balance and wellbeing in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Suitable for all abilities. 12.30pm - 1.15pm Oct 19- Nov 30 (no class Nov 2) $10 per class or 6 for $50
Monday Crafters BYO craft project or join us to create sensory items for distribution to people with special needs. We chat and laugh while creating. 12.30pm - 3.00pm commencing Oct 5 Gold coin donation 12902130-KF40-26
9am - 3.00pm Fri
Printed by
4.00pm-5.00pm 2nd Monday of the month Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 14
Mental Health Day Wellbeing & Connection Week To mark World Mental Health Day, we’re taking a week to celebrate the simple things that support our wellbeing – connection, kindness and community. Drop in throughout the week, add to our community question board and explore some simple wellbeing activities and resources while you’re here. 5–9 October
Community Community Pantry Pantry
12.00pm - 2.00pm 2nd Tuesday of the month Oct 13, Nov 10, Dec 8 $5 per person
New Retirees Group A relaxed, fortnightly gathering for people adjusting to retirement and looking to stay connected, engaged, and involved in their community. Shaped by the interests and experiences of those who attend, the group offers opportunities for conversation, connection, and occasional guest speakers, activities, and outings. 2.00pm - 3.30pm every 2nd Tuesday Oct 13, 27, Nov 10, 24, Dec 8
Art Circle Join a group of friendly, likeminded people to share our creative space. Bring along your project to work on, whilst sharing skills with others. 6.30pm - 8.30pm commencing Oct 6 $5 per week
Our Community Pantry is a free, 24/7 resource offering essential groceries to support local people when they need it and keep food from going to waste. It is open and accessible to everyone in the community, helping ensure basic items are available outside of traditional service hours.
20 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
Sensory Playgroup
Dru Yoga
Friends of the Creek
A fun and welcoming playgroup for children aged 6 months to 3 years, featuring songs, play, exploration, and opportunities for families to connect.
This is a gentle and restorative class suitable for all ages and abilities
Come along for a relaxed morning helping to care for our local creek through weeding, tidying and other small jobs. A great way to lend a hand and connect with others.
10.00am - 11.00am 8 weeks starting October 14 $70 for the term (+$10 per additional child)
Seville Friendship Group Hosted at Seville Community House, this community-led friendship group brings together our young-at-heart locals for a relaxed morning of laughter. Bring a plate to share and chat about possible outings for the month. 10.00am - 12.00pm 2nd Wednesday of the Month Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9 Gold coin donation
Aged Care Information Session Come and hear about aged care from a Services Australia Specialist Officer. Presentation followed by question time. 1.00pm - 2.30pm Nov 11
Chronic Illness Support Group A space for people with chronic illnesses to gather information, connect with others and share their stories. 1.30pm - 2.30pm Last Wednesday of the Month Oct 28, Nov 25
Volunteers
10.30am - 12.00pm $25 per class- pay as you gobooking essential
Solo Diners Expand your social circle and enjoy dinner get-togethers. We try different venues each month. New people welcome. 6.30pm - 8.30pm 1st Thursday of the month Nov 5, Dec 3 RSVP for venue details
There are plenty of ways to get involved at Seville Community House. Help with our community lunch, pantry, carers group or events, or lend a hand with flexible jobs like set-up, pack-down and flyer distribution. Interested? Have a chat with our manager.
Carer’s Get Together Join our quarterly Carer’s group for a delightful afternoon. This space allows time for sharing stories, doing something creative, and of course some yummy food. 2.00pm - 4.00pm Sat Oct 17- Pamper Day Sat Dec 5- Christmas fun
Friday Tech Hub Bring along your smart devices and talk to our fabulous tech wizard. No question is a silly one. 9.30am - 12.00pm commencing Oct 16 $25 term
Strength & Balance A gentle, video-led exercise class to build strength, balance and confidence. Exercises include both seated and supported standing movements, so you can work at your own pace. Stay afterwards for a cuppa and a chat. 1.00pm-2.00pm commencing October 16
Volunteers
10.00am - 12.00 pm Sun Oct 11 Nov 15
Venue Hire
Venue Hire
Seville Community Hall is available for hire. Its a great space whatever your event. For bookings and inquiries, please contact us directly, or visit our website for more details.
Relaxed Family Afternoon Bring your family along for an afternoon of family connection. Spaces for quiet play, craft, games and parent hang out available. Snacks provided 1.00pm-4.00pm, Nov 15 Free - Booking essential
Christmas Christmas at the Community House Drop in and share a little Christmas cheer with us! Enjoy some Christmas crafts, morning tea and good company in a relaxed and welcoming space. Come for a cuppa, stay for a chat and connect with others before the Christmas break. Everyone welcome. No bookings needed. Tuesday 15 December
Inc: A0004911K ABN: 60641289309 Seville Community house is a registered charity with the Australia Charities and Not-for-Profits Commissions.
Seville Community House acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government and are proudly supported by Yarra Ranges Council and Community Bank Wandin-Seville.
Seville Community House acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which our community is based.
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COMMUNITY COURSE GUIDE
Plenty to discover at Woori
Mondays
Come see what’s on offer at Woori Community House this term. (File: 337348) time to get involved, learn something new or simply meet others locally. Woori Community House is always interested in hearing what
courses and activities the community would like to see. Enrolments are easy. Visit Woori Commu-
nity House, email info@wooricommhouse. org.au, enrol online or call 03 5964 6857.
Tuesdays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Fridays
MONDAY MIX
FINANCIAL CAPABILITY
12th October - 14th December No class 2nd November 10.00am - 12.00pm Cost: $2.00pp per week ZUMBA FITNESS CLASSES 12th October to 14th December No Classes - 2nd November & 7th December 6.30pm - 7.30pm Cost: $80 for 8 weeks Casual $15 per class LEARN HOW TO PLAY CHESS 19th October to 16th November No Classes - 2nd November 1.00pm - 3.00pm Cost: FREE BRAIN HEALTH & DEMENTIA INFORMATION SESSION 23rd November 1.00pm - 2.00pm Cost: FREE BREWERS CLUB First Monday of month 7.00pm Gold Coin Donation
INFORMATION SESSIONS
CO-NETWORKING/STUDY SPACE 13th October - 8th December No Classes - 3rd November, 10th November & 8th December 11.00am - 1.00pm
WOORI COMMUNITY HOUSE LIBRARY Mornings 10.00am - 1.00pm FINANCIAL CAPABILITY INFORMATION SESSIONS 11th November 10.00am - 11.15am Cost: FREE SOY CANDLES 9th December 10.00am - 11.00am Cost: $70.00 KNITTING/CROCHET DONATIONS Any weekday during Term 4 11.30am - 2.30pm
2026 YARRA RANGES LIBRARY FLEXI VEHICLE VISITS 12:30pm - 1:30pm 9th October, 23rd October, 6th November, 20th November, 4th December, 18th December PRIVATE EVENT DURING THE DAY 30th October, 13th November, 11th December TAX RETURNS By Appointment Only - FREE October 2026 BOOKCLUB MORNING 27th November 10.00am - 12.00pm Cost: FREE CREATE YOUR OWN WRITER'S TREASURE BOX 16th October, 23rd October, 6th November, 20th November, 4th December. 10.00am - 12.30pm Member's Christmas Morning Tea Tuesday 8th December 2026 10.30am to 12.00pm Woori Community House
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20th October 1.00pm - 2.15pm Cost: FREE CARE CONNECT INFORMATION SESSION 27th October 1.00pm - 2.00pm Cost: FREE HEARING AUSTRALIA HEARING CHECKS 10th November 10.00am to 12.30pm Cost: FREE BUNNINGS - HOW TO TAKE CUTTINGS 10th November 1.00pm - 2.00pm Cost: $5.00 MEDITATION 24th November 1.00pm -2.00pm Cost: $5.00
Wednesday VICTORIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION INFORMATION SESSION 21st October 11.00am - 12.00pm Cost: FREE TECH HELP 14th October - Tech Support 11th November - Online Shopping 18th November - Tech Support 2nd December - Passwords & Passkeys 1.30pm to 3.00pm Cost: FREE
Thursdays GOLDEN YEARS 8th October - 17th December 10.00am - 11.30am Cost: $2.00pp per week YOGA 15th October - 10th December 1.00pm - 2.00pm Cost: $144.00 for 9 weeks $129.60 for members Casual: $20 per class
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There is plenty happening at Woori Community House this Term Four, with a great mix of returning favourites, new classes, helpful information sessions and opportunities to connect with others in the local community. Returning to the program are Zumba classes on Monday nights and Yoga on Thursday afternoons, along with popular get together groups including Monday Mix, Golden Years and Brewers Club. There are also plenty of new opportunities to try something different. Learn how to play Chess, join a new Book Club morning, discover more about brain health and dementia with Caladenia, or take some time for yourself with Meditation. Creative options include Soy Candle making, while the Financial Capability sessions will cover practical topics such as how to do a budget. There is also plenty of useful information on offer. Bunnings will present a session on How to Take Cuttings, while Tech Help is introducing sessions covering Online Shopping and Passwords and Passkeys, alongside two Tech Support sessions. Hearing Australia will be visiting for free hearing checks, while the Victorian Electoral Commission will provide an information session about voting in the November 2026 election. Tax Help is also returning during October by appointment. Friday activities include the Yarra Ranges Flexi Vehicle Library and Create Your Own Writer’s Treasure Box, while Knitting and Crochet drop off continues. The community library is always available, and Tuesday’s Co Networking and Study Space provides a welcoming place to work or study. Care Connect will also visit to explain the services they provide and how they can support older people in the community. With so much on offer, Term Four is a great
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 21
NEWS
The power of a Poet Laureate By Maria Millers
Two people can read a poem and never agree on it. (Unsplash) any other literary form, poetry can express grief, loneliness, uncertainty and hope in a way that is free of political spin. Nor does it require everyone to agree. Two people can read the same poem and experience it differently. A poem does not have to provide a policy solution. It can simply say: This is what it feels like. Nor is the Poet Laureate envisaged as an office that tells Australians what to think. Part of the remit is to travel around the country and hear firsthand from communities, particularly those experiencing stress and bring people together: places like schools, libraries , hospitals, regional and remote communities, sporting venues, gyms, service organisations, book clubs, anywhere people can come together to share their concerns and dreams for the country. Of course, a Poet Laureate cannot solve problems besetting so many. But poetry can do something politics often cannot. It can give people the language for what they are experiencing, create space for reflection, and remind us of our shared humanity. A healthy society needs spaces and places where people can listen, reflect, grieve, imagine and speak to one another without everything becoming a political argument. A Poet Laureate for the People could help create these spaces. There are also limitations. A Poet Laureate can’t substitute for effective government, mental-health services, community organisations, or material solutions to social problems. And if the appointment became partisan or primarily ceremonial, it could lose the very thing that makes the idea attractive. It could however become something rather rare in public life: an official whose job is to help people express what they are experiencing, rather than tell them what they should believe. The UK model is older and more ceremonial. Its Poet Laureate has traditionally marked significant national moments, although the position is honorary and the poet has considerable discretion over what they produce
The position has a long lineage in England beginning with Dryden in 1667.The longest-serving Laureate was Alfred Lord Tennyson, 1850-1892, best remembered for The Charge of the Light Brigade Tennyson wrote the poem in response to the Crimean War. It commemorates the disastrous charge of British cavalry at Balaclava. Tennyson celebrates the soldiers’ courage while acknowledging that the military leadership made a mistake. So his role isn’t simply to produce unquestioning patriotism: he can commemorate national sacrifice while leaving room for criticism. Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. The repetition and rhythm make the poem sound almost like a military march. But there is an important complication: Someone had blunder’d. The current UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage wrote An Unexpected Guest for the coronation of Charles III, but instead of writing entirely from the perspective of royalty, he focused on an ordinary woman who has been invited to the ceremony in recognition of her community work. She crosses London and is amazed that she can enter Westminster Abbey: She’s taken her place with ambulance drivers and nurses and carers and charity workers The poem acknowledges the grandeur of the monarchy — “heads of heads of state”, bishops, crowns, ceremony but places ordinary citizens alongside it. Then the poem ends with her returning home: She’ll watch it again on the ten o’clock news So the huge national event is ultimately filtered through the experience of an ordinary individual. In 1888 though not an official Poet Laureate, Henry Lawson’s The Faces in the Street was published. They lie, the men who tell us in a loud decisive tone That want is here a stranger, and that misery’s unknown; For where the nearest suburb and the city
proper meet My window-sill is level with the faces in the street The poem grew out of Lawson’s experiences travelling through Sydney and observing the people around him. Wonder would the apathy of wealthy men endure Were all their windows level with the faces of the Poor? And finally: The dreadful everlasting strife For scarcely clothes and meat In that pent track of living death—the city’s cruel street. Lawson is warning that a society which ignores suffering creates its own instability. Something to bear in mind today. There was no Poet Laureate in Lawson’s time of writing but the above poem and many of his other works reflected the lives of people he met on his travels. The Poet Laureate, when appointed, would not be a political advocate supporting government policy or a representative of a particular ideology or community or a substitute for professional mental health, social or community services. Success should not be measured by political influence or the number of people who agree with the Laureate. Its success should be measured by the number and diversity of communities reached, the range of people participating, especially young people and creating opportunities for new voices to emerge. In a society increasingly dominated by argument, persuasion and outrage, creating a respected public space for reflection may itself have civic value. Especially since, with poets like Lawson and the many fine contemporary ones, there is a strong tradition of poets engaging with place, identity, indigenous culture, migration, war, environment and public life. A national Poet Laureate could bring them more to the centre of public awareness and also help create new poetry for the Australia of today. The inaugural National Poet Laureate has not yet been publicly announced, as far as the official information currently shows. Creative Australia’s Poet Laureate page still describes the appointment as forthcoming and says the inaugural Laureate will be announced in 2026. Though there has been no official shortlist literary gossip has circulated several potential names: among those, Indigenous poets Emily Araluen and Alli Cobby Eckerman, Judy Beveridge, John Kinsella and Sarah Holland –Batt. Last days for getting entries into the Woorilla Poetry Prize 2026: woorilla.org.au.
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Spring weather, though characteristically capricious, still brings a feeling of new beginnings. The days are longer and warmer, gardens are filling up with new growth, blossoms are everywhere. Good time to be alive. And yet many are experiencing feelings of being overwhelmed by the rifts emerging in our communities, the uncertainties about so many things and just the sheer volume of public debate. This is on top of the many pressure points in daily lives around housing, rising cost of living, wages that don’t keep up with expenses, and what seems to look like a society that’s fraying at the edges. Daily, we are confronted with crimes from domestic, blood chilling deaths of innocent children to alienated youth conscripted into gangs by organised crime to carry out arson, carjacking and murder. And add to this the news of disturbing events overseas. The often conflicting, misleading reports leave many confused, frightened and looking for answers. Public intellectuals no longer get a forum on mainstream media, while the internet is filled with loud voices preying on the insecurities of the vulnerable. Seems like there is an urgent need for someone who can listen to people’s concerns and their need to make sense of the world. Political leadership is always partisan and cannot fill this role with impartiality. What we need is a voice that speaks to all of us: an impartial lightning rod that can absorb some of the anger that fuels so much unrest, insecurity and anti-social behaviour. Some time ago, PM Albanese promised the appointment of a Poet Laureate as an independent nonpartisan cultural figure whose principal responsibility would be to listen and create opportunities for Australians to express and share their experiences and concerns and which would lead to a greater understanding of what people were thinking. The role is intended to be a public cultural role, with the Laureate supported to develop a program across a three-year term. The position also has practical resources behind it: an $80,000 annual honorarium, travel support, and support from the National Library of Australia. Creative Australia describes it as a three-year appointment intended to champion Australian poetry, with national events, public programming, collaborations and community engagement. A Poet Laureate would be offering something outside the political cycle and would provide the means to listen and help create opportunities for Australians across generations and different communities to express, share and understand their experiences. Many would perhaps scoff at what they perceive as a wokish gesture, dismissing it as a waste of taxpayers’ money better spent on schools, hospitals and fixing the potholes on our roads. Poetry is not part of daily experiences, as perhaps in other countries, though historically there is a strong body of poetry that spoke up for the underdog and the marginalised. Sometimes it’s hard to find the right language for difficult experiences, and better than
22 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
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OPINION
Preserving history By Becki Vandenboom At the Upper Yarra Museum our mission is to preserve fragments of Upper Yarra history. This includes historical artifacts, photographs and documents. One of the projects our archival team is currently working on is the preservation of Upper Yarra Shire correspondence from the years 1910 and 1911. It represents a small snapshot of the administrative reach of local government. It was not until I was researching Yarra Junction origins that I thought to wonder how the shire began. In the process of searching for evidence to answer one question I stumbled across a newspaper article that presented ten more. The author claimed that “much of the opposition” to the formation of a shire came from the Little Yarra settlers and accused them of “retarding the progress of their district”. I was intrigued to investigate the reason for their opposition, curious to see if there was any depth to the accusation. Newspaper reports suggest that the plan to form a shire had been in place for at least eighteen months. In early 1887 a Shire Formation Committee was established with the purpose of gathering support and signatures on a petition to take to ‘the Minister’ (public works) and ‘the Member’ (district). For eighteen months prior to formation, the Lilydale Express newspaper published numerous reports of landholder meetings regarding the for-
Mayday review time
The Upper Yarra Shire’s commemorative pin. (Supplied) mation of the shire. It seems that they could be divided into two groups. Those who wanted to delay the formation of a shire until the district was more settled and those who wanted the shire immediately. The biggest issues seem to revolve around the development of roads (on both sides) and the concern that the area was neither well enough settled nor wealthy enough to afford the rates, especially on top of fees already paid to the government by selectors. Those opposed to immediate shire formation clung to the promise previously given by the government in relation to making roads, while those
advocating for immediate formation insisted that the government had determined a no shire, no roads, policy. In addition, those advocating claimed that the district could raise some £500 in property rates and thereby control the construction and maintenance of Upper Yarra roads. In comparing the names of the reported opposed and cadastral maps of the time (where possible), there is no obvious link between those opposed and Little Yarra landholders. The Upper Yarra Shire was proclaimed by Government Gazette in October 1888. Its first election was held in February 1889 where nine councillors were elected from the twelve candidates. Polling took place at the state schools of Warburton East, Warburton, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek and Woori Yallock. During the history of the shire, municipal offices were located first at Millgrove (which was part of Warburton then), then in 1903 at Wesburn (when it was West Warburton) and finally in Yarra Junction (1912). The Upper Yarra Shire was absorbed by Yarra Ranges Shire in 1994. In describing the new West Warburton space, the Lilydale Express (1907) mentions a “neat oval extension table” being provided at which the councillors would hold the meetings. This table (and other shire history) is on display in one of the original station rooms at the Upper Yarra Museum. Drop by and visit the museum on Wednesdays and Sundays, 10 – 4, to experience Upper Yarra history.
CARTOON
Mayday Starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh M 4.5/5 In Mayday, American Navy fighter pilot Troy “Assassin” Kelly is shot down over Soviet airspace in 1987 and teams up with ex-KGB agent Nikolai Ustinov (Kenneth Branagh) to escape enemy territory. While still a bit of a wisecracker, Reynolds gives a more grounded, noble performance than usual as Troy (and the trailer does his performance a disservice, making Troy sound like much more of a motormouth smartass than he really is). Branagh plays Nikolai with understated comedy, burly warmth and an almost childlike naive admiration for American culture. Mayday is consistently compelling as Troy and Nikolai’s friendship deepens, their trust is stretched and the steely KGB agent Volkov (Marcin Doroci?ski) hunts them down. With themes of questioning authority and one’s narrow preconceptions about other cultures, Mayday avoids jingoism even as it uses the 1986 film Top Gun as something of a touchstone of modern American mythology. My only issue with Mayday’s pacing is how it jumps long distances a little abruptly and easily for two men on the run in the Soviet Union (though this bothers me more than most people). I’m impressed by the many technical flourishes throughout Mayday: certain shots make creative use of mirrors, a dinner scene with a scowling Russian boy hilariously employs the famous Jaws zoom, and Branagh leads a couple of cool fight scenes bookending the film. - Seth Lukas Hynes
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‘Frivolously felonious’ Hills Act Theatre Company Don’t Say Your Harry Written by Charles Derrimer and directed by Phillip Stephenson. Described as “frivolously felonious farce”, it observes the antics of a pair of aspiring thieves who gatecrash a memorial service, and the two undercover police tasked with apprehending them. The play will be presented at the Memo in Healesville. Season: Saturday 24 October 24 at 7.30pm and Sunday 25 October at 2pm. Victorian Opera The Turn of the Screw Mary James’s gothic novella has spooked generations of readers with this chilling tale of a governess, the children in her ward, and sinister forces that may – or may not – be tormenting them. Benjamin Britten’s 1854 adaptation dials up the suspense and leaves you questioning everything you have just witnessed. In a haunting production by Stuart Maunder, the scale of this chamber opera is both intimate and immense. Nothing is what it seems in the eerie setting
Kemp’s curtain call of an English motorhome, strikingly conjured by Tony Award-winning designer Roger Kirk. Season: Tuesday 29 September at 7.30pm, and Thursday 1 October at 7.30pm. CPP Community Theatre Shrek the Musical “Once upon a time there was a little ogre named Shrek” - And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad-up, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily there’s one on hand, and his name is Shrek.
Join author Zeno soon PASSION FOR PROSE WITH CHRISTINE SUN Lucky young readers and artists have the wonderful opportunity to join multiawardwinning author and illustrator Zeno Sworder for an interactive workshop at Belgrave Library at 11am on Friday 2 October. The “Bringing Stories to Life: Illustrating and Writing Children’s Books” workshop will be all about writing and drawing and imaginative fun. Sworder is the creator of the muchloved picture books This Small Blue Dot (2021) and My Strange Shrinking Parents (2023). His latest title, Once I Was a Giant (2025), won the 2026 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature. The beautiful picture book is also the winner of the Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA) Book of the Year Award 2026 and the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Picture Book of the Year Award 2026. At the inspiring workshop for children, Sworder will read some of his books and share his creative process. He will also lead a range of exciting art activities, and work with kids to create their own micro picture books. Children and adults alike will fall in love with Once I Was a Giant, which will be available for purchase on the day. This visually astonishing book begins with a pencil speaking to a picture-book maker about her past as a giant tree, having grown from a seed and experienced all the wonderful changes that took place in her forest. From the sunshine to the starlights, from the birds chirping upon her branches to the insects living among her barks and roots, the tree had seen it all. She also offered shelter to a tiny wanderer, and they soon became best friends. But, when the machines came and took the tree away, shaping her “into a thousand and one different things”, the wanderer started searching… Would the two dear friends ever be reunited? This is a deeply moving story, its words simple but subtle, its imagery soft, quiet, dreamy yet expressive, conveying a sense of nostalgia and yearning for something that was once beautiful and innocent, not unlike our youth... Kids may yet to learn how all things in nature are deeply connected, but they already know life is full of magic, just like a tree can transform into books that transport us to other brand new worlds. All that’s needed is a chance, for a pencil in an emerging artist’s hand to start telling the most amazing story. The “Bringing Stories to Life: Illustrating and Writing Children’s Books” workshop is suitable for kids aged 8-12. The event is hosted by the 2026 Dandenong Ranges Literary Festival. Bookings are essential via Your Library Ltd: events.yourlibrary.vic.gov.au/ event?id=82134. Season closes Saturday 3 October at 4pm. The 1812 Theatre Switzerland Patricia Highsmith, the author of the “Mr Ripley” novels. Now living as a recluse in the remote Swiss Alps, she is visited by Edward Ridgeway from her New York publishing company. Ridgeway attempts to coax her into writing a final edition of the famed novels. A high-stakes power struggle ensues, combined with an exploration of the author’s relationship with her famous creation, in which fiction begins to teeter dangerously on the cliff of reality. Season: 1 - 24 October.
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 23
PUZZLES To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
easy
8 3 2
1 4 7 8 6
7 3 8 8 5 7 2 6 3 1 8 2 7
4 5 2 4 7 6 9 4 4 5 3 medium
1
4
8 7 6 5 6 2 3 9 1 3 8 4
1 9
2
3 1 3 1 5 9 7 4 9 3 7
QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS
18 20 21 24 27 28 29 30
14
7
6 7 8 9 14 16 17 19 22 23 25 26
7
23
3
17
5
25
10
15
20
3
3
24
15
22
12
11
7
25
A 14
7
11
2
24
11
25
4
18
7
15
24
25
A 15
6
15
3
20
19
14 15
19
A 26
9
6
21
11
H 25
24
17
26
A
3
12
23
20
4
14
15
19
14
5
H 19
8
25
14
24
A 13
14
13
7
14
3
16
4
25
9
26
A 4
7
11
4
H
7
25
14
A 18
24
3
15
19
24
7
15
11
6
15
8
14
19
15
19
15
15
16
4
3
12
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
A H
3
17 4
18 5
19 6
20 7
21 8
22 9
23 10
24 11
25 12
26 13
9-LETTER WORD Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in 's'.
H
Today’s Aim: 10 words: Good 15 words: Very good 21 words: Excellent
D
C
O
I
M L
A
I
amid, calm, claim, clam, coma, domical, holm, HOMICIDAL, idiom, loam, macho, maid, mail, mica, midi, milch, mild, milo, mocha, modal, moil
5 6 8 3 2 9 1 4 7 7 3 9 4 6 1 2 5 8 2 4 1 8 5 7 9 3 6 4 8 5 7 9 3 6 1 2 9 7 2 6 1 4 5 8 3 6 1 3 5 8 2 4 7 9 3 9 4 1 7 6 8 2 5 1 5 6 2 3 8 7 9 4 8 2 7 9 4 5 3 6 1
9 3 1 2 4 5 6 8 7 5 8 4 6 7 1 9 2 3 2 7 6 8 3 9 5 4 1 7 5 8 1 9 2 3 6 4 6 2 3 7 8 4 1 5 9 4 1 9 5 6 3 8 7 2 1 6 2 3 5 7 4 9 8 8 9 7 4 1 6 2 3 5 3 4 5 9 2 8 7 1 6
1 3 7 2 9 6 5 8 4 9 8 2 7 5 4 6 3 1 6 5 4 8 3 1 2 7 9 4 9 5 3 2 7 8 1 6 3 1 6 4 8 9 7 5 2 7 2 8 1 6 5 9 4 3 5 4 1 6 7 2 3 9 8 8 6 9 5 4 3 1 2 7 2 7 3 9 1 8 4 6 5 Puzzles and pagination © Pagemasters | pagemasters.com
14
16
hard
15
2
medium
24
15
easy
14
1
8 2 5 3 7 5 3 8 1 5 8 5 9 4 7 9 8 1 2 2 3 9 8
4 1
16
A
I E G Y V S U Q X J N A H
6 5
25
8
K Z O R C D L M P F T W B
2
14
14
hard
6
7
8
4 LETTERS DYED EDGE FART ICES PUTT SAGA SECT SHED STEP STOW TAGS TOSS WAGE WAIF 5 LETTERS ADAPT ALIAS
13
14
15
16
17 18
19
21
20
22
23
24
25 26 28
27
29
30
3 LETTERS ADS AGO APT ATE BED BIG DOE DUG EGG END GET ICE NAG NAP NET OAF OFF OWL PEA PEP PIG ROE SHE WOO
19
A 16
1
5
12
15
A 24
4
11
WORDFIT
25
H 25
3
10
No. 341 A
26
2
9
Depression (coll) (4) Make reprisals (9) Roller (5) Any prominent feature in the terrain (8) Sloping type (7) Score (5) Major sale (9) Graceful bird (4) Multiply by four (9) Capital (9) Largest Jovian moon (8) One who seizes control or authority (7) Hawk (5) Grey (4) Improvise (2,3) Buddy (4)
1 2 3 4
DECODER 1
1
DOWN
Digital protection (8) Alfresco meal (6) Paris cathedral, – Dame (5) City north of Sydney (9) Downhill ski race (6) Not one nor the other (7) Dilemma (8) Towards the back of the boat (6) Approach (6) Extremely small piece (8) Echo (7) Annual (6) Biological chemical made by phosphorus (9) Parasite (5) Wide-spreading dominion (6) Word-for-word (8)
1 5 10 11 12 13 14 15
No. 309
No. 309
S A G A
ALIBI AORTA ARENA ARVOS AWING CLONE COOEE CRAFT DEARS DOONA EDITS ELUDE ERODE FACTS FARES FLUFF GRASS GREED GRITS GROWN GRUBS IGLOO
IMAGE IRATE LYMPH LYRIC NOSES OPIUM PEONY RESET REVEL ROUSE SAGES SALLY SCOFF SENSE SHRED SNEER SOAPS SPEAR STEWS TENDS TESTS THESE
TOMES TONAL USHER WEAVE
URANIUM USURPED VERSION
6 LETTERS CLASSY FIDGET GARGLE REPELS
8 LETTERS DEMUREST DETECTED HERRINGS RELEASES
7 LETTERS GULCHES ROOSTER SEAWEED A L I A S S H R E D F A C T S P E O N Y I G L O O L Y M P H I R A T E E R O D E D O O N A B I G D E A R S D U G N A P I C E S G R I T S R E P E L S N A G N E T A T E G R E E D G R OWN P U T T WA I F S H E R E L E A S E S U S U R P E D G U L C H E S B E D T A G S D E M U R E S T W E A V E F A R E S S T E P I C E G E T O F F G A R G L E A R E N A T O S S R O E A D S S C O F F P E A E D I T S AW I N G A R V O S S T E W S C O O E E R O U S E T E N D S T O M E S S A L L Y
No. 309
F I R E W A L L P I C N I C U E H A S T O L N E WC A S T L E N O T R E A E D A L C A K S L A L O M N E I T H E R I A C A A S T E R N Q U A N D A R Y T K G X C U P A R T I C L E A V E N U E D S N E R E S O U N D Y E A R L Y U W R R M D L C L E E C H P H O S P H A T E O E B D I N U L E M P I R E V E R B A T I M
SUDOKU
02-10-26
Robbie, Gavan and Janet
www.heritagefunerals.com.au • Wantirna, Lilydale, Woori Yallock • 9800 3000 24 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
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ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED MID-CENTURY LIVING
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED MID-CENTURY LIVING ON 3,129SQM SET on an impressive 3,129sqm allotment, 68 Hume Street, Upwey is an architecturally designed four-bedroom home showcasing distinctive mid-century character, generous proportions and a beautiful connection with its surrounding gardens. Timber-lined ceilings, exposed beams, warm timber finishes and large windows feature throughout, filling the home with natural light and framing garden outlooks from multiple rooms. The flexible floorplan includes several living zones, with a spacious lounge, separate family room with wood fire and splitsystem heating and cooling, dining area and additional meals space. The kitchen sits at the heart of the home and offers excellent storage, a central island bench and walk-in pantry, while connecting easily with the living and outdoor entertaining areas. Accommodation comprises three well-sized bedrooms plus a versatile office/bedroom. The oversized main bedroom features a walk-in robe and private ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are serviced by an updated central bathroom. Outside, multiple covered decks and entertaining spaces provide plenty of room to relax or host family and friends, all overlooking the established gardens and expansive lawn areas. The generous block offers plenty of room for children and pets to enjoy, while the surrounding trees and natural setting add to the sense of privacy. The lower level adds even more versatility, incorporating a gym, workshop and substantial under-house storage, ideal for those needing extra room for hobbies, tools, fitness equipment or general storage. A double garage and generous driveway parking add further everyday practicality. Adding to the appeal is the convenient location, with Upwey’s Main Street, train station, cafes, shops and everyday amenities all within easy reach. Families are also well catered for with local schools, parks, walking tracks and recreational facilities nearby, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful hills lifestyle without feeling removed from everything you need. Combining architectural character, impressive family space, extensive outdoor living and a substantial 3,129sqm setting, 68 Hume Street presents a unique opportunity to secure a distinctive home in a wonderfully convenient Upwey location.
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 68 Hume Street, Upwey Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 garage Price: $1,150,000 - $1,250,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: BRAD CONDER 0422 639 115 / JERLYN ARRADAZA 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
26 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
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HOME FOCUS
A PRIVATE COUNTRY RETREAT WITH VIEWS TO MOUNT CATHEDRAL AND THE BLACK RANGE FIVE acres. Superb views. Beautiful gardens. Native Wildlife. Absolute peace and privacy — truly a place to relax and call home. Set across 5 acres of peace and privacy, this exceptional architecturally designed lifestyle property offers a rare opportunity to embrace country living without compromising on modern comfort. This exquisite home features multiple light-filled living and entertaining spaces, 3 spacious bedrooms each with its own well appointed bathroom plus a huge study/4th bedroom or theatre room, ensuring ample space for family and guests alike. The beautifully established gardens blend seamlessly with the natural landscape and provide a picturesque backdrop for outdoor entertaining. The spectacular views towards Mount Cathedral and the Black Range provide a wonderfully peaceful setting where native wildlife is part of everyday life. The property has an inviting sense of space and seclusion, creating a private sanctuary in which to relax, entertain and enjoy the outdoors with its stunning views and abundant birdlife. The heart of the home is a light-filled kitchen that flows seamlessly into delightful meals and separate dining areas, all overlooking the stunning gardens. A variety of light-filled living and entertaining spaces provide flexibility for family life and hosting guests, while cosy snugs and quiet retreats offer perfect places to curl up, unwind and enjoy the serenity. The expansive floor-to-
ceiling windows invite an abundance of natural light and provide breathtaking views from all rooms. Enjoy the warmth of wood fires during cooler months and the comfort of split
systems for year-round climate control. Downstairs, there is also a bar room and large cellar/storage room for all your essentials, as well as a double garage.
With its combination of space, privacy, natural beauty, and contemporary comfort, this home is not just a property; it’s a lifestyle to savor. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 88 Seal Rock Road, BUXTON Description: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 8 garage Price: $1,395,000- $1,450,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Georgia Hester 0408 929 872 and 0419 881 845, PROFESSIONALS MURRINDINDI
A Private Country Retreat with Views to Mount Cathedral and the Black Range PRICE $1,395,000- $1,450,000 Five acres. ¾ Superb views. ¾ Beautiful gardens. ¾ Native wildlife. ¾
3 Bed | 3 Bath | 4 Car 1 Study | 5.35 Acres
OFI Saturday 3rd October 12noon-1pm
Absolute peace and privacy — truly a place to relax and call home. ¾ Architecturally designed home. ¾ Multiple living zones. ¾ Wine cellar and bar. ¾
With its combination of space, privacy, natural beauty, and contemporary comfort, this home is not just a property; it’s a lifestyle to savor. Georgia Hester - 0408 929 872 | Karla Poustie - 0419 881 845 Murrindindi 1/20 Murchinson Street Marysville professionalsmurrindindi.com.au 12904707-EB40-26
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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 27
HOME FOCUS
THE ULTIMATE HILLS LIFESTYLE ON 7.6 ACRES SET across an impressive 7.6 acres in the beautiful surrounds of Belgrave Heights, 131 Mt Morton Road offers an outstanding combination of space, privacy and versatility, with plenty of room for families, tradies, hobbyists and those simply wanting a little more breathing space. Inside, the home provides a generous and flexible floorplan with four bedrooms, including a spacious main bedroom with walk-in robe and ensuite. The remaining bedrooms are serviced by the central family bathroom, while multiple living zones provide plenty of room for the family to spread out. At the heart of the home, the kitchen overlooks the meals and family area, while the adjoining lounge and dining space enjoys large windows, natural outlooks and the warmth of a wood fireplace. A split-system heating and cooling unit provides additional yearround comfort, complemented by ceiling fans throughout. A major highlight is the impressive home cinema/rumpus room, providing an incredible space for movie nights, entertaining or simply relaxing with the family. An adjoining office offers further flexibility for anyone working from home, while the addition of solar panels helps support more efficient everyday living. Outside, the home continues to impress with an expansive covered entertaining deck, creating a fantastic space to enjoy throughout the seasons. Complete with a spa, outdoor fireplace and plenty of room for entertaining, it is an ideal place to unwind while taking in the peaceful surrounding landscape. For those needing serious storage or workspace, the property is exceptionally well equipped. A huge garage/workshop with mezzanine storage offers an enormous amount of flexibility for vehicles, tools, machinery or projects, while a three-car carport, separate studio and additional cubby/ shed add even more usable space. Surrounded by established gardens, native bushland and open areas across approximately 7.6 acres, this is a property that offers a genuine sense of escape without feeling disconnected. With generous family living, excellent heating and cooling, solar, multiple fireplaces, superb outdoor entertaining and outstanding shedding, 131 Mt Morton Road is a wonderfully versatile Belgrave Heights property with something for everyone. Positioned within easy reach of Belgrave township, local schools, shops, public transport and the many attractions of the Dandenong Ranges, the property delivers a peaceful acreage lifestyle while still keeping everyday conveniences within comfortable reach. ●
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 131 Mt Morton Road, BELGRAVE HEIGHTS Description: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 garage Price: $1,250,000 - $1,375,000 Inspect: By appointment Contact: Brad Conder 0422 639 115 and Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554, CHANDLER & CO REAL ESTATE 9754 6888
28 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
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Real Estate you can trust! We’re here to help.
4/83Sandellsroad,Tecoma
128Belgrave-Gembrookrd,Selby
1470aBurwoodHighway,Upwey
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 1 Car | 147m2
2 Bed | 1 Bath | Car | 1449m2
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Car | 546m2
For Sale $530,000 - $570,000
For Sale $700,000 - $760,000
For Sale $820,000- $895,000
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
290Glenfernroad,Upwey
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
68HumeStreet,Upwey
Sharyn Chandler 0439 882 442
Jonathan Arad 0490 393 328
131MtMortonrd,BelgraveHeights
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Car | 981m2
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 2 Car |
4 Bed | 2 Bath | 3 Car | 7.6 Acres
For Sale $980,000 - $1,075,000
For Sale $1,150,000-$1,250,000
For Sale $1,250,000 - $1,375,000
Daniel Steen 0434 979 142
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
Brad Conder 0422 639 115
Jerlyn Arradaza 0434 688 554
03 9754 6888 office@chandlerandco.com.au 1689 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Vic 3160 mailcommunity.com.au
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 29
HOME FOCUS
PRIVATE HALF-ACRE RETREAT IN THE HEART OF EMERALD SET on a generous 2,177m² allotment in a beautiful Emerald setting, this wonderfully presented home offers an appealing combination of comfort, space and relaxed Hills living. Surrounded by established gardens and leafy privacy, it provides an ideal opportunity for families seeking room to grow without sacrificing convenience. Cleverly designed with multi-generational living in mind, the versatile floorplan provides separately zoned living spaces to comfortably accommodate extended family. At the heart of the home, the well-appointed kitchen and dining area connect seamlessly with two separate living rooms, creating plenty of space for everyone to come together while still enjoying their own space. Four bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned throughout the home, with three bedrooms sharing the cosy family room, while the fourth enjoys its own private living room and bathroom - an ideal arrangement for extended family accommodation, guests or teenagers seeking additional independence. Comfort is assured throughout the seasons with ducted heating and split-system cooling, while the practical laundry and excellent storage further enhance the home’s everyday functionality. Outside, the generous half-acre allotment is where this property truly comes into its own. Established gardens create a peaceful and private setting, with plenty of space for children and pets to play, keen gardeners to indulge their passion or simply relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. A great shed and chicken coop add further versatility and appeal to this wonderful lifestyle property. Ideally positioned within easy reach of Emerald’s shops, cafes, schools, public transport and sought-after community amenities, this is a rare opportunity to secure a spacious and versatile Hills home offering privacy, flexibility and genuine lifestyle appeal. Set on a generous 2,177m² allotment in a beautiful Emerald setting, this wonderfully presented home offers an appealing combination of comfort, space and relaxed Hills living. Surrounded by established gardens and leafy privacy, it provides an ideal opportunity for families seeking room to grow without sacrificing convenience. Cleverly designed with multi-generational living in mind, the versatile floorplan provides separately zoned living spaces to comfortably accommodate extended family. At the heart of the home, the well-appointed kitchen and dining area connect seamlessly with two separate living rooms, creating plenty of space for everyone to come together while still enjoying their own space. Four bedrooms are thoughtfully positioned throughout the home, with three bedrooms sharing the cosy family room, while the fourth enjoys its own private living room and bathroom - an ideal arrangement for extended family accommodation, guests or teenagers seeking additional independence.
Comfort is assured throughout the seasons with ducted heating and split-system cooling, while the practical laundry and excellent storage further enhance the home’s everyday functionality. Outside, the generous half-acre allotment is where this property truly comes into its own.
Established gardens create a peaceful and private setting, with plenty of space for children and pets to play, keen gardeners to indulge their passion or simply relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. A great shed and chicken coop add further versatility and appeal to this wonderful lifestyle property.
Ideally positioned within easy reach of Emerald’s shops, cafes, schools, public transport and sought-after community amenities, this is a rare opportunity to secure a spacious and versatile Hills home offering privacy, flexibility and genuine lifestyle appeal.
HOME ESSENTIALS Address: 433-437 Belgrave Gembrook Road, EMERALD Description: 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms Price: On application Inspect: By appointment Contact: Justin Barrot 0438 683 781 and Brittany Barry 0412 861 094, BARRY PLANT EMERALD – 5968 4522
30 MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
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62 NEVILLE STREET COCKATOO
433-437 Belgrave gemBrook rd EMERALD
38-40 Belgrave gemBrook road COCKATOO
RENOVATE & REAP THE REWARDS
PRIVATE HALF-ACRE RETREAT
PRIVATE HILLS SANCTUARY ON 2 ACRES
2A
4A
4A
1B
1D JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781
FOR SALE $690,000 OFI By Appointment
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2B
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2B
1C
FOR SALE $1,350,000 - $1,450,000 OFI By Appointment
3D JUSTIN BARROT 0438 683 781 BARRY PLANT EMERALD 5968 4522
Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL PROPERTY GUIDE 31
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SPORT
Riding together Yarra Ranges Mountain Bikers (YRMTB) is giving riders across the Yarra Ranges a chance to get out on the trails, meet fellow mountain bikers and enjoy a social morning on the bike each month. The club’s social rides restarted in June this year and run every four weeks, following previous rides that had been held more sporadically. YRMTB’s social ride coordinator, Vasilios (Billy) Ladas, plans the calendar around other local club events so riders have the opportunity to take part in activities across the area. The latest ride was held at Silvan on 13 September, attracting eight riders who tackled the single-track in what the club described on Facebook as “picture-perfect weather”. Mr Ladas said the conditions helped make for an enjoyable morning, with the trails running well and riders enjoying the social side of the outing. “We had fantastic weather that day,” Mr Ladas said. “The trails were running beautifully. They weren’t too wet, nice and sticky, which everyone enjoys.” The approximately 17-kilometre ride also included a post-ride catch-up at a cafe in Mount Evelyn, with the club covering the cost of coffee and cakes for participants. Mr Ladas said the post-ride cafe catch-up was introduced for the first time and gave riders a chance to socialise after the ride. “Everyone was feeling that hint of spring and oncoming summer in the air, and everyone was happy to be there,” he said. “Everyone was energised. Lots of stopping and chatting, and socialising along the way.” For Mr Ladas, creating a welcoming environment is an important part of the rides. “It’s very important that we have diversity in
our community. That people feel welcome, no matter what age, gender, what their experience level is - everyone’s welcome,” he said. The rides are open to members of the club, with membership required for insurance purposes. Members must be 18 or over, or ride in the company of a guardian. Mr Ladas said riders do not need to have a particular level of experience or fitness to take part. “You just need a working bike, helmet, good attitude, and we basically cater for anyone,” he said. “We manage the rides based on who turns up and what they’re keen to do.” The distance and route can also change depending on the group, while Mr Ladas may set out a general idea of where the group will ride, the plan can be adjusted on the day according to riders’ comfort levels. The club currently has around 160 members, and Mr Ladas said the social rides provide an opportunity for people to find a community through mountain biking. “I think a lot of people find their community in mountain biking,” he said. “They make friends through mountain biking, share an interest, get to be outside in nature, do something that’s physically and mentally demanding.” The next social ride is scheduled for Saturday, 3 October at 9am, with the group heading to Buxton, further towards Marysville. Mr Ladas encouraged anyone considering joining to come along. “Don’t be afraid to come along,” he said. “Everyone is very welcoming. All skill levels are encouraged to come along and try out.” For more information, email YRMTB at info@ yrmtb.com.au or message the club on Facebook: www.facebook.com/yrmtb
YRMTB riders on the Silvan trails.
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YRMTB participant Michelle Young riding during the social ride.
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Eight riders took part in the YRMTB social ride at Silvan on Saturday, 13 September. (Supplied)
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SPORT
Encouraging start for club By Garry Lewis The Warburton Bowls Club continues to prepare for the start of the 2026/27 Summer Pennant Season. Pennant Training has commenced on Thursday evenings from 4.30pm. New players and interested beginners are most welcome to come along with free coaching available across all levels. Pennant Practice Matches have commenced with further games against Boronia (away on 3 October) and Upwey-Tecoma (away on 10 October) for the weekend sides. A Midweek Practice Match will be held at home on 13 October against Yarra Junction. Last weekend’s game at Ferntree Gully was a great practice opportunity. On a notoriously tricky green and in windy conditions, all rinks performed admirably and scores were close all day. With several first-choice players unavailable, it was an encouraging start to the pre-season. The annual open day was held at the club last Sunday. Interested club members were also given expert coaching from Adrian Goldsmith for Marker/ Measurer and Umpire Accreditations. The extremely popular Wednesday Night Barefoot Bowls Jack Attack Triples Competition commences on Wednesday 4 November from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. $10 per head. ($30 per team each week.) Snacks and entry into the weekly raffle included. All equipment provided. Drinks available from the Bar. This is open for all interested people, including beginners. All you need to do is put together a team of three people, think of a team name and enter a team.
Warburton Bowls Club had an encouraging start against Ferntree Gully. (Supplied) At the time of preparing this report, three more teams were required to ensure a full complement of sixteen. Contact the club by email or text a message to 0473 653 137 and someone will contact you accordingly.
A free Community Bingo Night will be held for Get Online Week on Wednesday 21 October at the clubrooms. Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Social bowls continues each Monday from 12 midday.
Warburton sweep the floor with Healesville
The club facilities are regularly utilised by outside groups, including families and businesses, for social activities and barefoot bowls. Contact the club for further information via email warbbowls@outlook.com or come along and visit the club and speak to a member.
Horse talk By Anita Prowse
By Ron Hottes Warburton Golf Club - September 2026: Well, folks, we must start this week’s report with the Donna Buang Junior Challenge, and what a terrific result for our boys! Our multi-talented juniors competed against Healesville RACV Juniors on Tuesday at Warburton and managed to win all six games, securing a fantastic 6–0 victory and retaining the Donna Buang Trophy. The Warburton boys certainly put on a show: ■ Charli Cochrane – 38 points. ■ Brady Withers – 37 points. ■ Zach Bower – 36 points. ■ Sam Hyndman – 36 points. ■ Jaiden Lever – 35 points. ■ Manny Humphris – 30 points. Every one of those scores was better than the corresponding Healesville players, so congratulations, boys! They’re not only very talented golfers, but a great bunch of young fellas as well. Well done to everyone involved. Monday Ladies: There was no ladies competition on Monday the 20th for a number of reasons. It is worth mentioning, though, that Suzanne Barrett and Michelle Jordan did get out and play, and both had pretty good rounds. Unfortunately, with only a twosome, there weren’t enough players for a competition. Wednesday Midweek – Garside Challenge: Wednesday saw the famous Garside Challenge, and a big thank you must go to brothers Ian and Phil Garside. These two great members are both busy men and aren’t able to get up to the club to help out as much as they’d like, so instead they put their hands in their pockets and provide competitions like this one. It’s a terrific way to support the club, and it’s very much appreciated. The competition was a two-person Ambrose, and Angus and Ash Hall combined beautifully to take the honours with an excellent net 57.5. It’s not every day you see a father and son combine so well, but these two certainly did--although word has it that Angus is the boss when important decisions need to be made. Tim Jones and Dave Wappett were runners up on 58, missing out by just half a shot, while the junior combination of Manny Humphris and Brady Withers showed their talent once again with a very handy 59.25. The Longest Drives went to Angus for the 34 MAIL | Tuesday, 29 September, 2026
The Warburton Golf Club juniors beat Healesville RACV juniors 6-0 in the Donna Buang challenge. (File) men and Meredith Nursey for the women. The Nearest the Pins went to: ■ 3rd – Tex VanDerKooi. ■ 5th – Chris Leighton. ■ 9th – Jaiden Lever. ■ 12th – Rob Hendy. ■ 15th – Tim Jones. Friday Public Holiday Competition: There was also an extra competition on Friday for the public holiday, and my old mate Des Ray finally showed a bit of form, putting together a magnificent 42 points to take the win. We won’t mention his handicap, but he certainly put it to good use. Peter Fox was runner-up with 41 points. The Nearest the Pins were: ■ 3rd – Dale Sund. ■ 5th – Jaiden Lever. ■ 9th – Dazza Ward. ■ 12th – Peter Fox. ■ 15th – No one! Saturday Saturday saw a smaller field, probably be-
cause plenty of people were busy watching the footy, but those who did make it out enjoyed some good golf. Another of our talented juniors, Sam Hyndman, continued his good form with an excellent 40 points to take the win - clearly proving once again where the talent lies in that family. Jeff Sharp was runner-up with 39 points. The Nearest the Pins went to: ■ 3rd – Dale Sund, who is just about starting to own the third! ■ 5th – Paul “Ozzie” Osborne. ■ 9th – Ben “Panda” Lever. ■ 12th – Troy Murphy. ■ 15th – No one! The 15th is becoming a very difficult par three to try and grab a nearest the pin on! Hopefully everyone enjoys their golf in the coming week. It’s back to a normal week for everyone, so let’s hope for some good weather, plenty of players and, of course, plenty of good scores. Until next time, good golfing!
Huge weekend at Shirley Heights for the International Horse Trials. The property looked amazing, and plenty were out to enjoy it all. Some of the placings were: EVA 80 – DIVISION A - Sponsored by Turfmate and Betavet: ■ 1st - Claudia Crossing and Mayfield Winter Sun. ■ 2nd - Mia Harris and Guilty Pleasure (OTT). ■ 3rd - Meryl Anker and Kaloona Beattie Bow. ■ 4th - Kirilee Hosier and Class E. ■ 5th - Simon Tainsh and Wassabi in the Morning. ■ 6th - Cassie Zimmer and Tanglewood Christmas Spirit. ■ 7th - Marcus Brousse and Twilight Saga (OTT). ■ 8th - Elisaveth Mistriotis and Heza Hollywood Tomcat. EVA 80 – DIVISION B - Sponsored by Turfmate and NRG Team: ■ 1st - Sophia Hill and Tulara Punchline. ■ 2nd - Erin Callahan and Poppy Boy. ■ 3rd - Meryl Anker and All Paid (OTT). ■ 4th - Lisa North and Riverview Tully. ■ 5th - Natasha Moody and APH Ashton. ■ 6th - James Pettigrew and Queenstown Fireball. ■ 7th - Illiana Way and La Princesse. ■ 8th - Katelyn Fakira and Callum Park Florentine. EVA 80 – DIVISION C - Sponsored by Kulad International: ■ 1st - Emily Dewing and Woodleigh Liszt. ■ 2nd - Courtney Fraser and Gold Illusion. ■ 3rd - Imogen Price and Marco The Smuck (OTT). ■ 4th - Samuel Jeffree and Whynfell Big Mac. ■ 5th - Jacqueline Nelson and WS Poncho Loco. ■ 6th - Jorja Clarke and Emzara Park Top Deck. ■ 7th - Sydney Wenn and Peanut Butter (OTT). ■ 8th - Sarah Sadler and Cosmic Field (OTT). FEI 3*. ■ 1st - Megan Jones and Grandview Halo. ■ 2nd - Emily Anker and Highfields Croatia. ■ 3rd - Molly Barry and Impulsive Ways (OTT) Molly was also our OTT winner! ■ 4th - Yona Lloyd and mischief managed to day. ■ 5th - Evie Kamevaar and MP Chevrolet. ■ 6th - Shashank Singh Kataria and HB Zara. ■ 7th - Christopher Height and Lucky Contender. ■ 8th - Yona Lloyd and Bellahowe Ayurvedic.
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Tuesday, 29 September, 2026 | MAIL 35
SALE 2026 PREMIUM HEATERS, EXCEPTIONAL OFFERS. STARTS 14TH OF SEPTEMBER.
Buller Pedestal Incl. HB, value $550 $5,999 $5,399 SAVE $1150
Buller Bench Incl. HB, value $550 $5,999 $5,399 SAVE $1150
Stirling WIFI & flue kit $8,897 $6,999 SAVE $1898
Milano Cook Top Incl. HB, value $200 $2,499 $2,199 SAVE $500
Augsburg Tunnel Incl. HB, value $500 $12,999 $11,499 SAVE $2000
Milano Brixen Incl. 180 kg. HB $3,499 $2,899 SAVE $600
Buller Box Incl. HB, value $550 $5,999 $5,399 SAVE $1150
Buller Insert Incl. HB, value $450 $4,699 $3,999 SAVE $1150
Buller Howqua Incl. HB, value $350 $12,999 $11,499 SAVE $1850
Augsburg Swing Door Incl. HB, value $500 $10,999 $9,899 SAVE $1600
Regensburg Tunnel Incl. HB, value $500 $16,999 $15,999 SAVE $1500
Wurzburg Vertical Door Incl. HB, value $500.00 $15,499 $13,999 SAVE $2000
Wurzburg Tunnel Incl. HB, value $500.00 $17,999 $15,999 SAVE $2500
Milano Top Flue Incl. HB, value $200 $2,499 $2,199 SAVE $500
Wellington - Incl. HB, WIFI, glass hearth & flue kit $8,497 $5,999 SAVE $2498
Milano Alpine Incl. HB, value $100 $2,999 $2,399 SAVE $700
Milano Rear Colorbond Incl. HB, value $200 $2,699 $2,199 SAVE $700
Helena - Incl. HB, WIFI, glass hearth & flue kit $8,497 $5,999 SAVE $2498
*HB stands for Heat Bank, a technology designed to improve heat retention, storing warmth and releasing it gradually for longer-lasting, more comfortable heat.
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MORE GREAT DEALS IN STORE! Visit your nearest Euro Fireplaces showroom for even more Alpine Sale offers.
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Modern fireplace technology offers considerably more efficiency than older heating systems. A Euro Fireplace can use up to three times less firewood than a traditional fan-forced heater, while burning cleanly to help minimise emissions. For anyone who heats with wood, that means less firewood to buy, collect and store over the course of the winter. There are also a wide range of options to suit different homes and heating requirements. The freestanding Milano models are available in a variety of colours, while the Buller range has been designed with the demands of the high country in mind. Euro Fireplaces also offers pellet heaters, open fireplace conversions and designer inbuilt fireplaces crafted by Brunner in Germany.
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For those planning a build or renovation, the Alpine Sale is a good opportunity to look at the range and consider models that may not normally be kept in stock. We can pre order what you know you want so it’s ready and waiting when the time comes. And it’s not only new fireplaces that deserve some attention at this time of year. Spring is arguably the best time to have an existing fireplace serviced. Once the weather turns cold, servicing bookings can quickly fill up as everyone gets their heaters ready for winter. Getting it done now means avoiding the seasonal queue and knowing your fireplace is ready for another winter. The Alpine Sale is now on at Euro Fireplace, with current specials available in-store. It’s a good time to drop in, have a look at what’s new and talk to the team about your heating plans for the season ahead.
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It’s Alpine Sale time again at Euro Fireplaces. Spring may have arrived early, but for those who heat their homes with a fire, now is the time to start thinking about the months ahead. Upgrading or maintaining your fireplace in spring gives you time to choose the right model, organise installation and be ready to go before the first really cold nights arrive.
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