Mail - Mountain Views Star Mail - 17th March 2026

Crank it up

By Oliver Winn

Sounds of vintage machinery, woodchopping and blacksmithing permeated the town of Yarra Junction for the 2026 Crank Up festival.

Taking place across 14 and 15 March, the event proved popular once again, attracting bumper crowds on both days.

The event was hosted by the Upper Yarra Museum, with all proceeds going back into the organisation to ensure the history of the Yarra Valley is preserved.

Established in 1978 the festival all about showcasing history is also a piece of history itself, having delivered festivals every year, only stopping for Covid-19.

On Saturday, people battled it out in tug o’ war battles while others admired a fine selection of classic cars at The Mr Excited Show and Shine classic car show.

Sunday saw plenty turn up to watch the exciting wood chop competition while heritage commercial trucks fascinated onlookers.

Go to page 22 to see the top pics from the day

Market concerns

By Gabriella Vukman

The Healesville Community Market Incorporated (HCMI) expressed concerns after the open green space at 13 Green Street will be unavailable for three months from 13 April to the end of June.

Despite lease payments continuing throughout that time, no access will be allowed during the period. Another 13 weeks of landscaping works from the end of September will also impact access.

Members were also informed that there would

be no vehicle access during the liability period which continues from October until the end of June 2027.

HCMI president Tracy Leitch noted the Healesville community market has been operating in the carpark and green space for almost half a century.

Ms Leitch said, “The HCMI Market has been in operation for over 45yrs, and is a much needed community group.”

“We were not aware of the proposal put forth by the Council until late 2025, and the coun-

cil did not make us aware of the community engagement which was actually done in 2024” she said.

The council’s current plans for the upgrade include a concrete path, two picnic tables, an amphitheater with rock walls, lockable bollards, mulching and landscaping.

Acting director of planning and sustainable futures Nathan Islip told Star Mail, “We thank the many community members and groups that have provided feedback on the renewal of the Green Street site since we purchased it in 2023 and com-

mitted to retaining it permanently as public open space for the community.

According to Mr Islip, the market will be able to continue operating throughout the closure of the green space.

“Most of the land they use will remain available during the works, including the large asphalt carpark area, which accounts for around threequarters of the licensed space,” Mr Islip told Star Mail.

Turn to page 3 to read more

Warby encourages staying

By Oliver Winn

The Yarra Ranges Council voted to simplify parking fees in Warburton in order to address “frenzied time attacks” caused by the previous fee structure.

Councillors said the change will address rushed visits and reduced browsing times from visitors.

The Warburton paid parking trial began in May last year. Under the old fee structure, parking along Warburton Highway was free for the first hour, then $6 for each additional hour.

Now, parking on the Warburton Highway will cost $3 per hour for visitors on weekends and public holidays.

Chookhouse owner Francis McBride said though the change would “settle the issue to some degree”, the trial had still severely impacted business.

“We’re actually offering on weekends and public holidays to discount six dollars from any purchase over thirty dollars.

“It’s probably a last-ditch attempt to hold the stores open. Because our takings have gone down at least 40 per cent on all previous years. That’s 15 years since the paid parking came in May,” Ms McBride said.

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister said she believed the change will bring a better experience to the traders.

“I’m happy to support the slight change to effectively the same financial cost to someone at their park for two hours.”

“This is a trial … and it’s good to actually see feedback being taken on board and an adjustment being made and I know we’ll continue to track that feedback over time,” Cr McAllister said.

Traders told council in a December 2025 meeting that visitors were rushing to keep their visits within the first free hour, leading to reduced browsing time.

Parking data revealed 56 per cent of visitors stayed for around 45 minutes, supporting their claims.

In February, council contacted 16 traders most impacted by paid parking along the War-

burton Highway and 12 supported the $3 per hour change.

But, traders remain unhappy with the trial as a whole.

Three Sugars Cafe owner Lachlan Dickson said paid parking needed an overhaul if it’s to stay in Warburton.

“I 100 per cent think obviously during holidays and long weekends, they can cash in if money is being spent properly and the profits

are going to good causes, because there’s a lot of people in Warburton.

“But in the middle of winter, even autumn, it’s not very busy. There’s no one around. That is only going to hurt business owners in the main street,” Mr Dickson said.

Parking at Station St and Thomas Ave will remain at $3.50 per hour, while Water World will remain unchanged at $6 an hour.

Parking is free for Yarra Ranges residents if they apply for an exemption, which can be done online and in person.

But many locals are still unaware of the exemption and have stopped trading with local businesses in protest of the parking pilot.

Ms McBride said businesses had lost their regulars because of the misunderstanding.

“They’re so vexed by the paid parking, even though… they can apply to the council to get the freebie stickers for their cars, they’re just avoiding Warburton.

“The response to that is just abhorrent. They just vowed that they’re never coming back,” Ms McBride said.

Mr Dickson said locals weren’t aware of the exemption because there wasn’t enough community engagement from the council.

“Obviously at the very start they did not put out enough information that it was free during the week,” Mr Dickson said.

Upon the announcement of the paid parking pilot in February 2025, council reached out to Yarra Ranges locals via post, through the rates notice, local newspaper, social media, website and in Warburton itself about the pilot project.

There are also signs on the parking meters and around the town with QR codes so people can apply while in Warburton.

CFA preparedness essential

Victorians have taken steps to better prepare for fire risk following the inaugural Get Fire Ready initiative delivered by CFA last October with evaluation results showing strong behaviour change and increased community engagement across the state.

Delivered throughout October 2025, CFA brigades hosted events and engaged with their communities on local risk, property preparation, creating fire plans and knowing where to access emergency information before the fire season.

build confidence and take action to protect themselves and their families.

This summer we saw firsthand the life-saving impact of early preparedness. Communities didn’t just make fire plans, they enacted them. People left early, stayed informed and made proactive decisions that undoubtedly saved lives.”

More than 530 brigades hosted events across Victoria, with 60 per cent delivered in high firerisk areas, ensuring preparedness information reached communities most at risk.

Market research, conducted by EY Sweeney, shows the initiative moved communities beyond awareness and into action with 96 per cent of attendees reporting they had taken or intended to take steps to prepare their property, while 70 per cent said they learned something new. Post-event surveys also found 91 per cent of attendees surveyed had prepared their property or were likely to do so in the future.

CFA acting chief officer Alen Slijepcevic said these results highlight the impact of early preparedness conversations.

The initiative also drove strong digital engagement, including a 70,000 increase in active users of the VicEmergency app between September and October 2025, alongside a 300 per cent increase in visits to information about setting watch zones in the app. While the results were statewide, the program’s success was driven by local volunteers connecting directly with their communities through open days, pop-ups and information sessions.

“It shows that when communities understand their local fire risk, they take practical steps to get ready and the outcomes are safer for everyone,” Alen said.

“Preparedness starts well before summer and Get Fire Ready helped thousands of Victorians

“Our volunteers are trusted members of their communities, and those face-to-face conversations are what turn information into action,” Alen said.

Following the strong outcomes achieved in 2025, CFA plans to deliver Get Fire Ready again in October, continuing to build community preparedness across Victoria.

IN BRIEF

Market madness

By Gabriella Vukman

Planned works for the open green space at 13 Green Street have left members of Healesville Community Market Incorporated (HCMI) up in arms.

The unnamed space, located on the corner of Green Street and River Street, is set to be renewed from 13 April to the end of June, with an additional 13 week landscape establishment period at the end of September.

Members of the HCMI were notified there would be no access to the Green space during the renewal period, despite their lease payments for the use of Council land continuing throughout that time.

Members were also informed that there would be no vehicle access during the liability period which continues from October until the end of June 2027.

HCMI president Tracy Leitch noted the Healesville community market has been operating in the carpark and green space for almost half a century.

Ms Leitch said, “The HCMI Market has been in operation for over 45yrs, and is a much needed community group.”

“We were not aware of the proposal put forth by the Council until late 2025, and the council did not make us aware of the community engagement which was actually done in 2024” . she said.

“It was the Healesville Action Group who had been keeping their finger on the pulse of what was happening and they notified us about the renewal works.”

The market is seeking compensation for the absence of stallholder fees during the time of closure.

Ms Leitch said, “We are a non-for-profit organisation.”

“Since 2016 we have donated $100,000 back into the Yarra Ranges Community and this money is from donations and stallholder fees from the HCMI markets,” she said.

“I want to know if the Yarra Ranges Council is aware that all stallholder fees are donated back into the Healesville community, to community groups, schools, halls, choirs, school breakfast clubs, and the CFA, to name a few organisations.”

The HCMI market committee is also seeking compensation for the yearly lease agreement fee that the market pays.

Since finding out about the planned renewal, the HCMI committee has been in negotiations with the Yarra Ranges Council.

The committee agreed only to the addition of a drinking fountain for the dogs that attend the market, a crushed rock path, and no structures except for a picnic table at the high part of the grassed area.

The council’s current plans for the upgrade include a concrete path, two picnic tables, an amphitheater with rock walls, lockable bollards, mulching and landscaping.

Ms Leitch said, “The Council has gone behind our backs.

“Now that we have actually told them they can’t have the extra items, they’re going straight over our heads and doing it anyway,” Ms Leitch said.

“They’re not being transparent with us and we are getting all of our information through John Anwin from the Healesville Action Group.” Further, the proposed ampitheatre structure

may be in violation of the detriments of health, a code for the Council to follow to ensure that facilities are wheelchair-accessible, safe, and that community access is maintained, among other things.

According to HCMI committee members, the disability access provided is inadequate.

“When you look at the amphitheatre, they’ve got no access for disability,” Ms Leitch said.

“The proposed seating for that amphitheatre is going to be stone.”

“How is someone who is 86 years of age going to access that amphitheatre, and how do you expect them to sit on stone?”

The installation of lockable bollards was another concern for the HCMI committee.

Ms Leitch said, “Someone from the market will be given a key to unlock the bollards if there is an emergency so that cars can go in and out.”

“The fact that we have to find the person who has the key to unlock the bollards before the emergency services can go and attend to this person puts people’s health at risk,” she said.

“We have 87-year-old stallholders. You can’t expect them to carry their stuff over the bollards into the green space with no vehicle access.”

Another concern voiced by the HCMI was that the bollards would prevent people from freely walking between the market and the senior citizens’ hall.

Ms Leitch said, “The Healesville senior citizens also have their own market on the first Sunday of each month.”

“We are worried that people will not be able to walk across the green to the Senior Citizens Market and vice versa, as it will be fenced off,” she said.

The HCMI Committee is also concerned that the council’s reworks plans may be in violation of the lease agreement between itself and the market.

Under the lease agreement Council must use all reasonable endeavours to cause as little disruptions as possible to the licensee’s use of the licensed area in exercising the Council’s rights under this clause.

The Star received comments from the Yarra Ranges Council.

Acting director of planning and sustainable futures Nathan Islip told Star Mail, “We thank the many community members and groups that have provided feedback on the renewal of the Green Street site since we purchased it in 2023 and committed to retaining it permanently as public open space for the community.

“The renewal aims to create a welcoming and pleasant place for all community members to enjoy year-round, with seating, shelter and subtle landscaping to complement the open grassed area we know is deeply valued by locals,” Mr Islip said.

“In line with the final design, we’ll undertake minor landscaping works, introduce a picnic shelter and additional seating, and add a simple path to improve accessibility, while retaining open space for community members to use on a day-to-day basis, and to continue to host the monthly Healesville Community Markets.”

According to Mr Islip, the market will be able to continue operating throughout the closure of the green space.

“Most of the land they use will remain available during the works, including the large asphalt carpark area, which accounts for around three-quarters of the licensed space,” Mr Islip told Star Mail.

“We’ve also scheduled the works during the winter months, where the number of market stalls is historically much lower than other times of year,” he said.

“We will continue to work with representatives from the market to ensure that disruptions are minimised wherever possible, and look forward to finishing this long-anticipated community project.”

According to HCMI, while Councillor Fiona McAllistair attended the market for a visual presentation of the space, committee members are still concerned about whether their feedback will be taken seriously.

HCMI members will discuss the reworks again with Council on Tuesday 17 March.

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Millgrove safety improvements

The Warburton Highway in Millgrove received some safety upgrades with the installation of bollards to separate the road and the adjoining park. This improvement enhances safety for the community, particularly during busy events such as the local markets and ANZAC Day commemorations, while supporting the ongoing use of this important community space. Yellingbo road updates

The Yarra Ranges Council announced it has finished the Beenak, Old Beenak and Smiths Roads intersection upgrade on 12 March.

Yellingbo drivers and those passing through will now have a safer journey along the upgraded roads, while upgraded pipes and drains improves drainage.

“Following a road safety audit, the works were designed to improve safety and enhance the driving experience for the community,” the Yarra Ranges Council said in a Facebook post.

“The upgrade included new kerbs and drainage to help water flow away from the intersection, upgraded pipes and drains to better manage stormwater, and extending the sealed road surface on Smiths Road through the intersection and along the start of Beenak Road and Old Beenak Road.”

“These improvements mean better drainage, safer travel and a smoother journey for everyone who uses this road.”

Missing dog

A Launching Place family have called on the public for help in finding their missing dog Montana. Montana is a thee-year-old female rottweiler who went missing from Parrot Road in Launching Place on 21 January.

She has a black and tan coat, no collar and a microchip.

She may have wandered into the nearby state forests or surrounding properties. If you see her, please do not try to chase her as she may be scared.

Try to get a photo if possible and call, inbox or text the owners immediately with the time and location.

Call or text 0402 720 023.

Suspended driver loses car during Operation Arid

During Operation Arid, on Sunday 8 March at around 4:55 pm, members from the State Highway Patrol stopped an unregistered car in Bell Street, Yarra Glen.

This car was being driven by a 34-year-old woman from Christmas Hills, with a suspended licence, who also tested positive for drugs. The vehicle she was driving was impounded at a cost of $1225 and she will be summoned to court at a later date.

Car impounded in Coldstream

A 38-year-old female driver from Mitcham had her car impounded at a cost of $1060 after she was stopped by the State Highway Patrol on Maroondah Highway, Coldstream.

She was discovered she had been unlicensed for quite some time and will have to appear in court at a later date.

Removing high-risk and unauthorised drivers from the roads is a priority for Victoria Police.

Only Christ can solve the world’s many problems! He has promised to return and establish God’s Kingdom of peace for all. Send for free booklet

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Yarra Valley Christadelphians PO Box 516 YARRA GLEN 3775

Email: yvc.vic@gmail.com

Autumn on the grapevine

By Gabriella Vukman

There are a few things people associate with the Yarra Valley. Chief among those things is ‘wine region,’ - and for good reason.

From being a catalyst for tourism, to high-value premium exports, winemaking is a major economic driver for the Yarra Ranges in more ways than one.

It is therefore no surprise that the period between November and February is no small matter for the shire’s community.

As the sun sets on the end of another fruitful season in the vines, the dependence of the Yarra Ranges on both domestic and international interest in the region’s winemaking has been brought to the fore.

While the Yarra Ranges is ranked as a top wine contributor in Victoria, local wines are also making headlines on the international stage, boosting the region’s reputation.

In February, the Victorian Government announced that seven local wineries would be showcased at the world’s largest wine museum Cite du Vin in Bordeaux.

The museum is world-renowned and attracts over 400,000 visitors annually.

Of the seven Victorian producers that were selected, four were from the Yarra Ranges, including Oakedene Wines, Rathbone Wines (including Yering Station), De Bortoli, and Yeringberg.

Victorian Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson said the international exposure would strengthen the state’s global reputation.

“We are backing our regional growers and winemakers – supporting high-quality jobs in regional Victoria and driving the economy,” he said.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence said the recognition highlighted the skill of Victorian producers and the role they play in regional communities.

“Showcasing our wines on the world stage highlights the skill and dedication of our growers, and supports jobs and communities across Victoria,” he said.

The announcement aligns with the Victorian Wine Strategy 2025–30, which aims to grow the state’s $9 billion wine industry through export growth, tourism and international promotion.

For those working in the vineyards themselves, the summer months remain the most demanding time of year.

At Yeringberg vineyard in Coldstream, winemaker and owner Sandra de Pury can attest to the November-to-February period centring on preparing the vines and winery for harvest.

As winemaker and owner, Ms de Pury’s role includes deciding when to pick the grapes, looking after marketing and sales, and overseeing the wine-making process.

“Between November and February, we are busy managing the grape vines because that’s when they’re growing and setting the fruit for the harvest,” Ms de Pury said.

“Often in that same period, I’ll be bottling the wines from the year before to make some space in the winery for the new vintages coming in,” she said.

“Then get ready for harvest, which usual-

ly starts in about the middle of February and goes through till about the end of March.”

Ms De Pury was proud to have Yeringberg’s wines featured in Cite du Vin.

“It is really lovely to get that recognition now on the world stage, because in the modern era of the Yarra Valley, exports are also important,” she said.

“I think the selection just reinforces that the Yarra Valley is an important producer of high-quality premium wines on a world stage,” she added.

“It’s great to see Yarra Valley wines represented there alongside wines from all over the world.”

Ms de Pury also noted that playing a role on the international stage has always been a key element in the region’s wine industry.

“It has always been important for the Yarra Valley to export wines,” Ms de Pury said.

“Back in the pre-World War I period, Yeringberg, Yering Station, and St Hubert’s were all the big producers in the Yarra Valley, and the export market was really important,” she said.

“Yarra Valley wines won lots of international awards during that time.”

Despite the display of Yeringberg’s wines at Cite du Vin, De Pury said the weather has created challenges this season.

Ms De Pury said, “It’s been an interesting period weather-wise because it was very, very dry in the winter and then it got quite wet before becoming very dry again.”

“Winemaking is very much farming so you’re at the mercy of the weather every year,” she said.

The arrival of the autumn harvest season also brings a seasonal boost to employment.

“For most in the wine industry, all the production happens in this very short period of time in the autumn, which we call vintage,” Ms de Pury said.

“At that time, there are a lot of extra employees, and a lot of international people who come in to help with the harvest,” she said.

Ms Depury’s connection to Yeringberg vineyard stretches back more than 160 years.

“Yeringberg was started by my great-grandfather in 1863, so quite a long time ago,” Ms de Pury said.

“It’s always been a mixed farming and winemaking business, and it still is today,” she said.

“I’m the fourth generation of my family making wine at Yeringberg.”

Ms Depury noted the Yarra Ranges has built a reputation globally as a premium cool-climate wine region and said, “Our region is positioned internationally as one of Australia’s leading really cool climate wine regions.”

“As a region, we have a new positioning for wine in the Yarra Valley, and we’re calling it cool by nature, which is a sort of marketing umbrella to explain to the world that the Yarra Valley is a cool climate wine region,” she said.

“A lot of people on the other side of the world think about Australia as being a hot country, and actually, the Yarra Valley is a cool wine region.”

According to Ms de Pury, the Victorian Government’s investment in the state’s wine industry has helped the region’s wines reach

international markets.

“The Victorian government’s been very supportive of the Victorian wine industry, and they’ve been doing a lot of work and funding to promote exports for the whole of Victorian wines,” Ms de Pury said.

“There has been a rise in exports from Victoria as a result of that work. It’s definitely making a difference.”

“Funding for wineries to go and represent themselves and their wine regions at various international events is a big part of the scheme,” she said.

De Pury said tourism remains central to the region’s appeal.

“Wine is a really important part of the Yarra Ranges’ tourism package,” she said.

“There’s obviously also the nature, and people really like getting out and being able to see nature, but wine and food are really important parts of the tourism offering out here.”

According to Yarra Ranges Council, the region’s economy remained active through the recent summer months, although conditions were mixed for some businesses.

Director of Communities Leanne Hurst said the municipality has a diverse economy, reflected in its export industries which export goods both interstate and internationally.

According to Ms Hurst, the largest export sector in the Yarra Ranges is manufacturing, generating around $1.18 billion, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing at about $373 million.

The visitor economy also contributes around $219 million, reflecting spending by visitors travelling to the region.

Ms Hurst told Star Mail, “Wineries are a cornerstone of the Yarra Ranges agricultural identity and visitor economy.”

“The Yarra Valley is internationally recognised as a premium food and wine destination, and wine tourism plays a major role in attracting visitors to the region,” she said.

“Wineries often act as anchor attractions

for visitors who may come to the region for cellar doors, but their spend also typically extends to local hospitality venues, shops and attractions, particularly when they stay overnight.”

According to Ms Hurst, events, weddings and festivals hosted by wineries also bring people into the region and help extend visitor stay, further strengthening the visitor economy.

From bushfires to extreme weather events, this season’s weather patterns were a key characteristic for the region’s summer economic period.

Ms Hurst said, “While the Yarra Ranges itself was not directly impacted by the Longwood fires, road closures and disruption across the wider region reduced access to some areas and understandably made visitors cautious about travelling.”

“Weather conditions also led to the temporary closure of some attractions. or example, Waterworld in Warburton, a popular summer destination for families, was closed on some days during parts of the peak season,” she told star Mail.

“When key attractions close, there can be a noticeable flow-on effect for nearby cafes, retailers and accommodation providers who often feel that impact.”

I juxtaposition to the wet spring of 2025, Ms Hurst noted that low rainfall has helped attract visitors to the region and local events, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy the region’s food, wine, nature-based and adventure experiences.

According to Ms Hurst, Longer-term impacts of the season for agriculture will be clearer over coming months and may depend on rainfall patterns through autumn.

Ms Hurst told Star Mail, “Available spend data, indicates that spending across the Yarra Ranges was about $447 million in November 2025, and peaked at about $468 million in December, and was about $416 million in January 2026.”

Ms Hurst noted that this year’s spending is consistent with typical seasonal patterns.

Further, visitor spending alone accounted for around $170 million in November and almost $194 million in December, highlighting the importance of tourism to the region.

Ms Hurst said, “Due to the way industries and goods are classified in economic datasets, it can sometimes be difficult to isolate the contribution of a single sector.”

“For example, wineries may be captured within both agriculture and the visitor economy, depending on the activity being measured,” she said.

In 2023–24 visitors spent more than $1.24 billion in the Yarra Ranges, supporting thousands of local jobs and businesses across hospitality, accommodation, tour operators and local attractions and visitor experiences.

As the vintage season begins and autumn approaches, that mix of agriculture, tourism and international trade continues to shape the fortunes of Victoria’s wine regions.

And while global attention continues to grow, the rhythm of the industry still returns to the vineyard each year where the success of the next vintage ultimately begins.

NEWS Missing but never forgotten

By Gabriella Vukman

Tuesday 17 March would have been Healesville local Suzie Lawrance’s 56th birthday.

Instead, she is still missing, and to her friends, family and the township of Healesville, she will be forever 16.

On the cool evening of Saturday 7 February 1987, Suzie was last seen in Queens Park after leaving a 21st birthday party at the Healesville Memorial Hall.

Suzie had been in a car accident two months prior, in which she had broken her pelvis and sustained multiple other injuries.

Using a walking stick to aid her travel home from the memo, Suzie was last seen by two Healesville locals before she disappeared for over 39 years.

While the world has moved on around her absence, and the entrance to Queens Park has changed since the last time Suzie set foot in it, her memory lives on in her family, friends and members of the Healesville community, who are still seeking answers.

Close friend to Suzie, Sharon Chrastau still celebrates Suzie’s birthday every year.

“Myself and a few others always text each other on her birthday and on the anniversary of her disappearance,” Sharon said.

“We have been doing it for 39 years.

“She should still be here to celebrate her birthday with her family.”

Describing Suzie as a ‘multi-faceted’ and ‘bit of a grumpy girl’ , Sharon maintained that Suzie was “definitely not someone you wanted to argue with”.

“She certainly had some spunk about her,” Sharon said.

“You either loved her or you hated her.”

For Sharon, the question of whether Suzie is still out there is an emotional one.

“She wouldn’t just run away. She loved her family too much,” Sharon said.

“I feel there just was not enough done at all.

“Every person who is missing should always have a chance to be found, whether they are here still with us or not.”

Despite being declared a missing person, Suzie’s case did not make headlines.

She did not get a missing persons poster, and according to Kath Gannaway in her 2008 article on Suzie’s disappearance, her vanishing was reported as a search for ‘runaway’ among the local paper’s sports results.

Sharon noted the absurdity of the lack of publicity at the time and wants the Healesville community to step up.

“I just feel that there is someone out there who knows something and they need to come forward,” Sharon said.

“We have been saying this for 39 years, and someone does know something, and it is time to let it out.”

Almost 40 years later, the search for Suzie presses on.

Since the 39th anniversary of Suzie’s passing on 7 February 2026, a Healesville local has been cultivating a memorial for the missing woman.

“I first found out about Suzie’s disappearance about a year ago,” they said.

“I was a criminology student, so I naturally research in my spare time, and I came across Suzie’s case one day. I was really bewildered that I had never heard of her, even though I studied crime and have been so involved with the Healesville community.

“I just couldn’t believe there was a case that slipped under mine, and under many people’s radars.”

A combination of disheartenment at the absence of discussion around Suzie’s case and the proximity to the missing woman’s Healesville ties propelled them to continue their own search for Suzie.

“When I found out she lived only a few houses away from me and that I walked the same literal path as her, I immediately felt a sense of connection to her,” the Healesville resident said.

“Whenever someone asks me why I researched so heavily, I always respond, ‘I just can’t let her go’.”

After casually reaching out to Suzie’s family and friends, the resident began putting together Suzie’s memorial with the help and donations from local florists and the Healesville community.

“I thought flowers and awareness were really important, and I just wanted to softly bring more attention to Suzie’s case because, at times, it’s easy to be angry.

“It’s easy to want to be resentful of the town for not having kept her story more relevant, but I thought I should act with kindness and love first.

“She’s never had recognition that, beyond a missing person’s website, there was no dog search, there was no missing poster, so I just felt compelled to give her something.”

Tending to the memorial shrine frequently, the recent bouts of heavy rain have left some of the items worse for wear.

“I just keep wanting more for her. I want to advocate for something permanent.

“Due to the resources and police standards in 1987, and due to the stigma around women at the time, it has been a severely under-reported and misled case.

“I do believe it was intentional to have the story pursued as a runaway case, rather than a homicide, which feels like the most likely answer to her disappearance.”

“A lot of teenage girls were just considered to be promiscuous. Mental health wasn’t as profound and respected back then, and I think the police just immediately assumed it was a girl being silly, a girl nicking off, a girl just partying with her friends or being emotional.

“The idea of her being hurt is still something that people in their 50s today are struggling to grasp and even say out loud, I think, because of guilt, disbelief and fear.”

Reopening the discussion around Suzie’s disappearance is not only about closure, but “highlighting what’s happened in 1987 doesn’t need to be replicated today”

Cut poisons, save wildlife

By Callum Ludwig

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has recommended that any chemical products containing any second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) should be restricted.

The finding follows years of calls from wildlife scientists and advocates who have seen predators of rats and mice such as owls, eagles and hawks as well as other creatures like possums becoming sick or dying from the effects of rodenticides.

Associate Professor of the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University John Smith was the co-author of a paper called released in 2023 that highlighted the prevalence of these poisons in birds.

Assoc Prof Smith said he is very pleased as this is the first steps towards an outcome that scientists in the field have been calling for for a while.

“This announcement a couple of days ago of basically registering the particular type of rat poisons, second-generation anticoagulants, as restricted chemical products, effectively will take them out of the public’s hands, which is a really good thing,” he said.

“I know a lot of the public won’t see it that way, but probably most of the poisoning of wildlife we’re seeing from possums all the way up the food chain to powerful owls, wedge-tailed eagles and barn owls are largely coming out of people using these poisons in their house.

“Then rats, mice and possums and things like that are basically spreading that poison through the food chain and it’s having catastrophic impacts on our biodiversity.”

The paper, called ‘Silent killers? The widespread exposure of predatory nocturnal birds to anticoagulant rodenticides’ , identified that from five eastern barn owls, 12 southern boobooks, 19 tawny frogmouths and 24 powerful owls, anticoagulant rodenticides were found in 92 per cent of liver samples.

Assoc Prof Smith said the anticoagulants build to a level where an animal has enough of it and their blood clotting capacity stops working, meaning a fairly minor injury can result in fatal hemorrhaging and bleeding out over time.

“They’re slow to act so for say a rat eating the poison, they have them and they don’t know for several days…they get a super dose of the poison generally, well beyond what they need to kill them

and their behaviour is adjusted quite dramatically and they’ll often go out in the open and then they’ll get directly eaten by something such as a frogmouth which we know has very high levels of rat poison in their system so they’re exposed to it a lot,” he said.

“The poisons are actually held in the body for a very long time, generally if you get a dose of this stuff, it will take it up to a year to get rid of all of that toxin out of the animal but if you’re just constantly encountering it over the next year, you’re just accumulating a dose until eventually It’s a death by a thousand cuts.

“Some of the older rat poisons that have things like warfarin as their base, the body tends to get rid of them a lot quicker, most of it’s excreted and you almost have to have a couple of doses of warfarin over a week for it to have its full impact but the special properties of these poisons is they’re single feed and they are very hard for the to the animal to get it out of their body.”

A 2024 study for the journal Science of The Total Environment also found that 91 per cent of

brushtail possums and 40 per cent of ringtail possums observed had rodenticide in their systems.

Local owl observer Clare Worsnop, from the Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association (MEEPPA), said there are other alternatives for killing mice and vermin and she doesn’t have a problem with getting rid of them.

“But we do have to be responsible and care for our native wildlife as they’re very precious,” she said.

I have witnessed a powerful owl of a couple of years ago in Butterfield Reserve which fell out of a tree and powerful owls don’t fall out of the trees… we picked it up and we took it to a wildlife carer and it ultimately went to Healesville Sanctuary.

“There was no real cause, like no injuries or anything like that, which would suggest what was going on with it but the actual factor was rodenticides.”

The APVMA recommendation might mean that there are tighter controls on their purchase and use, including restricting access to individuals who meet specific training and licensing re-

quirements, such as professional pest controllers.

Assoc Prof Smith said we’ve become a society of convenience and quick responses, so really having such easy and open access to poison means that our first port of call is to use poison.

“But as a vertebrate pest person back in the day, we were always told to look to understand why you have a rat problem in the first place and try and take out those sorts of things,” he said.

“So sanitation, not festering compost heaps full of food and things exposed, not having trees up against your gutters where rats can easily climb in and out of your house and keeping things relatively clean in that sense was always the first step.

“Then, of course, the good old fashioned trap, which is what my approach to managing rats and mice around my place is, if I really get to a situation where it’s bad, I’ll use snap traps, I’ll put them out in places where only rats and mice are going to catch them and I’ll keep them running until I just stop catching them.”

SGAR products were first suspended by the APVMA in December 2025 and now the registration of all products containing SGARs will be suspended for one year from 24 March 2026.

Assoc Prof Smith said they will probably still continue to be sold over the coming months, but eventually the supply will stop.

“For many of our predators, they may still continue to be getting poisoned by this stuff that the public is putting out at this point for the next couple of years, I’d imagine, there’ll be poison sitting in people’s tablets that they continue to use, albeit at some point in time that would possibly be deemed illegal,” he said.

“The experience from overseas, when they’ve banned public use but left it with pest controllers, is that it’s still continued to poison native wildlife, but often because pest controllers start putting out a lot more rat poison, so a lot of the longer-term things will come down to how they decide in Victoria.

“Each state will probably have to decide on how they regulate the licensing and the conditions under which a pest controller can use these poisons but it’d be nice to think in the next couple of years we start to see the lowering of the amounts of rat poison we see going out and hopefully at that point, lowering of the amounts that start making it into our wildlife.”

Four new recycling hubs to be launched across the Ranges

By Tanya Steele

New waste disposal options are on the horizon for residents in the Yarra Ranges, with four new recycling hubs to be launched across the region.

Sustainability Victoria announced the plans on 10 March, and the hubs will give residents more places to safely dispose of batteries, electronics and more.

Funded by Sustainability Victoria and Yarra Ranges Council, the hubs will mean residents can drop off things like loose batteries and embedded batteries, including vapes, at four council locations yet to be announced.

Strategic education officer from waste management at Yarra Ranges Council, Lisa Loulier, said the hubs will hopefully be open as soon as May this year.

“We’re really happy and we’re looking forward to having these available for people,” she said.

The centres will allow residents to drop off an array of items that can be tricky to recycle safely, giving them more options.

“It’ll also be things like light globes, fluoro tubes, X-rays, CDs, DVDs, cassettes, that kind of thing will also be accepted in those recycling hubs as well,” said Ms Loulier.

The Yarra Ranges is a large region, and recycling can be tricky depending on where you live and finding places to recycle for free can be a massive chore for time-poor households.

Ms Loulier said that, at the moment, the introduction of the hubs will mean that the option to drop off small e-waste is something that will alleviate costs for residents and keep the waste out of household bins.

“At the moment, if people have something like a torch or an electric toothbrush, because that’s an electronic item, it can’t go into your rubbish bin or your recycling bin, and so you can take it to a transfer station, but then that incurs a fee for those small items,” she said.

“If it’s something that fits into the size of your hand, it doesn’t seem worth it.”

“Hopefully, by having these hubs, people can drop off the small handheld-size items.”

In particular, the hubs will provide another place to dispose of e-waste.

E-waste is defined by the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) in the Environment Protection Regulations 202 as waste from things that involve an electric current or an electromagnetic field.

This includes discarded electrical or electronic devices and equipment like batteries (including rechargeable batteries), computers, kitchen appliances, mobile phones, photovoltaic panels, televisions (flat panel and cathode ray), and white goods.

Products with minor electrical components, such as toys, are also e-waste.

Despite being banned from landfills since 2019, the safe and correct disposal of e-waste re-

mains a challenge and households still often incorrectly place things like batteries in their rubbish bins.

When these single-use batteries and electronics end up in kerbside bins or landfills, they can then pose serious risks to people and the environment as they travel through the waste disposal process.

Particularly, lithium-ion batteries can be very dangerous and can ignite when crushed in garbage trucks or recycling facilities.

They also cause dangerous fires that endanger waste workers and the community and leach toxic chemicals into the environment.

Ms Loulier said the Yarra Ranges council have had issues from battery fires in the last couple of months, and they’re unfortunately a fairly regular thing that occurs.

“We’re trying to keep making people aware that

batteries can’t go into any of your bins,” she said.

“They cause fires in the trucks and can be really dangerous for the truck drivers and the recycling centre staff.”

Across the state, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) estimates they attend one fire a day caused by rechargeable batteries.

Darren McQuade, Fire Rescue Victoria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer of Community Resilience said that when electronic items containing rechargeable batteries are crushed in collection or recycling trucks after being incorrectly disposed of in kerbside bins, they can catch alight.

“This puts the community at risk,” he said.

A fire in a rubbish truck can also mean that waste and recycling has to be dumped in public spaces to safely deal with the fire, creating a huge clean-up job for councils.

To help raise awareness about how to dispose of batteries and electronics safely, Sustainability Victoria began a campaign last year.

CEO of Sustainability Victoria, Matt Genever, said the campaign is about shining a light on the embedded batteries in everyday items and reminding Victorians that batteries and e-waste do not belong in kerbside bins.

“It’s a small act that has a big impact on the safety of our environment and community,” he said.

For now, residents can visit Sustainability Victoria’s website to use an interactive map to find safe disposal locations in their area, along with other websites like Recycle Mate and B-Cycle.

Back in the Yarra Ranges, Ms Loulier said that the hope is that through the install of the recycling hubs, the new locations will give people another option for those items that are really hard to recycle.

“The recycling hub will hopefully make it easier for people,” she said.

“If their local supermarket doesn’t have a drop-off point for batteries, they’ll be able to bring them into the recycling hubs.”

Small Scale, Big Impact: The

Model Railway Returns to Lilydale

Looking for something to do or see over easter?

The Lilydale Basketball Stadium is trading its courts for a world of miniature engineering.

On Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th of April the Yarra Valley Model Railway Club (YVMRC) is hosting its 2026 Easter Model Train Show an event that brings the history, artistry, and sheer fun of rail to life.

A Journey from a Drafty Shed

The show’s origins are as humble as a country siding. The YVMRC started in 1989 in a drafty building in Warrandyte before finally finding a permanent home in the historic Lilydale Railway Goods Shed in 2001. Over the decades, we’ve grown from a handful of enthusiasts into a community cornerstone, and this show is the culmination of thousands of hours of delicate work by local members who simply love the magic of the rails.

Layouts from Every Corner

While the club is local, the talent is national. We have exhibitors travelling from across the state and beyond to showcase layouts that differ wildly in scale and style. You’ll see everything from the tiny, fingernail-sized Z-scale trains that can fit in a briefcase to the robust G-scale locomotives. Whether it’s a hyper-realistic recreation of the 1920s Victorian countryside or a modern-day high-speed line, the level of craftsmanship arriving in Lilydale is world-class.

A Major Draw Card for Families

We know that for many families, the love of building starts with a plastic brick. That’s why a major highlight for our younger visitors is the massive, custom-built LEGO railway layout. Featuring bustling cityscape and moving trains made entirely of the iconic bricks, it’s a high-energy display that serves as the perfect “hook” to get kids interested in the wider world of modelling. It’s colourful, creative, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Your All-Access Pass to the Hobby

For those thinking about starting their own layout, this is the place to be. We have a dedicated zone of manufacturers and specialist retailers who are bringing the best of the industry directly to you. This is your chance to get face-to-face advice from the experts—no YouTube tutorial can replace a chat with a veteran builder. Plus, the show is famous for its exclusive bargains and “show specials,” making it the most affordable time to grab a starter kit or a rare locomotive at a price you won’t find anywhere else.

Join Us This Easter

With plenty of parking, full accessibility, and a snag from the bbq, it’s the ultimate family outing for the long weekend. Come for the LEGO, stay for the artistry, and leave with a new appreciation for the world in miniature.

Fast Facts for Your Visit:

Where: Lilydale Basketball Stadium, 26 Hutchinson Street, Lilydale.

When: Saturday, April 4 (9:30 AM – 5:00 PM) & Sunday, April 5 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM).

Family Attraction: Massive interactive LEGO train layout.

For Beginners: Retail zone with expert advice and exclusive show discounts.

Tickets: Adults $20, Children $5, Family $40. Available at the door.

April 4th & 5th

Saturday 9:30am until 5:00pm Sunday 10:00am until 4:00pm

On the role of Facebook mod

has an alternative opinion is happening more, and that does really make me worry.”

$40 for Family ( 2 Adults & 2 Children)

$20 per Adult

$5 per Child (15 & under)

For nearly two decades, the community Facebook noticeboard has become the main place of discussion for many townships - effectively becoming the virtual town square where local people can discuss local issues.

From local business advertising, to what’s on posts, to the classic “did anyone hear that loud bang” post, community Facebook groups keep us connected.

But behind every community group is the page’s administrators and moderators, composed of locals volunteering their time to keep the page clean.

Warburton local Derry Talvainn is the sole admin for the Warburton and Surrounds Residents group, which has 1700 members and averages at least a post a day.

Ms Talvainn said she’s been interested in the world of community Facebook groups for a while and has been involved with moderating on many groups.

“It started with me being on other Warburton groups and thinking, what a great resource these groups are, because you get so much local news,” Ms Talvainn said.

A key aspect of these groups is that they give people a feel of the different attitudes and opinions of those in the town.

“You get a lot more news from the actual groups, a wider set of news, plus a lot of opinion. I found myself really attracted to these groups, really loving being on them.”

Every day, she spends an hour or so approving posts made by members, skimming comments and making sure no spam gets through onto the page.

“I need to be there when people put posts up. I’m retired. So I do have the opportunity to have a look. It doesn’t take me long. I just have to read through the posts that have been put up.”

One of her main rules on the page is allowing people the right to express their views freely, to debate with one another.

Ms Talvainn said it’s vital people can “engage with the real issues”, especially as she felt people were becoming less tolerant of views that don’t align with their own.

“I’ve done my best to make sure that there is a wide range of opinions, factions, whatever, and that it encourages people to sort of really get in there and have a bit of wrestle with the local issues and talk to each other. Just talk to each other.

“I think it was always there but I think this thing of just completely blocking anyone who

She does have a few rules - for instance, she doesn’t allow buy, swap and sell listings as it often results in an influx of scam posts.

“I won’t let people buy and sell and one of the reasons why I won’t let advertising for paid stuff on it was because I find that at least nine out of every ten posts would be bad,” she said.

Though Ms Talvainn let through buy, swap and sell posts earlier, she made the decision to ban them altogether after she’d accidentally let through scam listings.

“I’m going to tell you, I’m not smart enough to tell which one’s a scam and which one’s not.

“You’ve got Yarra Valley [Noticeboard] and other ones that are buy, swap and sell you don’t need to put it on every group,” Ms Talvainn said.

But running a Facebook group comes with its risks. In 2023, Ms Talvainn received a legal letter threatening to sue for defamation after a Facebook user left a defamatory comment on her page.

In Australian law, liability for defamation isn’t limited to the author of defamatory publications.

Rather, those who voluntarily participate in the dissemination of defamatory publications can also be held liable.

This means that the admin of a Facebook group can be sued for defamation over a comment or post made by someone else, as the admin has the power to delete comments and posts.

“Recently an admin for a social media page on the Mornington Peninsula was sued $700,000 for a comment made by someone else that ‘defamed’ a property developer,” Ms Talvainn said when she received the legal letter.

“That would effectively make my partner and I homeless, living on the street. Not because of anything I have or would post or put in a comment, but for someone else’s comments.”

She made the call to block certain key words surrounding the subject that caused the defamation threat. It was a reluctant, but necessary decision.

The Star Mail will continue to interview admins of Facebook groups from the outer east. Admins who moderate community noticeboard groups from Lilydale, the Dandenong Ranges and Healesville will be interviewed.

Women in all roles in CFA

By Gabriella Vukman

With the recent celebrations of International Women’s Day across the Yarra Ranges, the Coldstream CFA sent out a thank you in recognition of all of its female members for their efforts over the years.

Adding a new female recruit to their team of 43 members, the Coldstream CFA wishes to spread the message that, from organising fundraising and maintaining equipment to responding to emergencies and training alongside fellow firefighters, there are many roles available for people of all genders to take part in.

While the brigade has long been supported by female volunteers, members say awareness and participation have steadily grown in recent years.

Members are calling for new volunteers and new perspectives to combat traditional standards and operations.

Today, around ten women are part of the Coldstream brigade, contributing across operational and support roles alongside their male colleagues.

For volunteer Nola Amos, joining the CFA nearly a decade ago began as a way to reconnect with the community after a difficult period in her life.

“My husband had passed away and I saw something about the CFA promoting that you don’t have to be a firefighter to join,” Ms Amos said.

“I didn’t know that there were other jobs and things to do within the CFA,” she said.

“I went down to see what goes on, and ended up joining up.”

Living locally, she decided to visit the brigade to see what was involved.

Soon Ms Amos found herself taking on more responsibility.

After a few years, she became the brigade’s fundraising officer, a role she has held for roughly seven years.

“That role involved looking after all the intersection collections that we do and all the permits that you have to get from the CFA, from the police, and from the council,” Ms Amos said.

Her volunteer work highlights how much of the organisation relies on people working behind the scenes.

Ms Amos said, “You automatically think CFA, everyone goes out with a fire hose and drives trucks.”

“You don’t put it in your head that there’s a lot of stuff that goes on in the background,” she said.

Despite not being operational due to a longstanding back injury, she says women are increasingly involved in frontline roles across the organisation.

“The perception has obviously dissipated that women can’t do the job,” Ms Amos said.

“About 90 per cent of the women can do exactly what the guys can do, it just depends on the physicality of things,” she said.

She said the number of female members across the CFA has noticeably increased since she joined.

“There’s a lot more women in CFA now than when I first joined up,” Amos said.

“There are a lot more avenues for women to get in and a lot more training available.”

At the local level, she says the brigade environ-

ment has always been supportive.

“There’s no difference between how the men and how the women are treated,” Ms Amos said.

“Everyone gets the same training,” she said.

“If I’m not there cleaning up or keeping the pantry going, one of the guys will do it. Everyone puts in.”

Ms Amos believes more women should consider volunteering with the CFA.

“Women should know they can join the CFA and do exactly the same as the blokes,” she said.

“It’s a big family, and they really do look after you.”

For Julie, another long-serving Coldstream volunteer, the brigade has been part of her life for almost a quarter of a century.

Originally from Box Hill, she joined the brigade in 2001 after moving to the area and wanting to contribute to the local community.

“I had friends at work who were members of their local brigade and they said you don’t necessarily have to take a really active role,” she said.

“You can have other roles depending on the size of your brigade.”

Over the years, she has taken on multiple positions, including fundraising officer and brigade secretary, a role she held for nearly nine years before stepping away temporarily due to work and family commitments.

Julie has also been deployed, serving as a firefighter on the frontlines.

After retiring, she returned to help again and recently resumed the secretary position when the previous officeholder stepped down.

“I have actually got more out of CFA than I think I’ve given it,” Julie said.

“I’ve made some great friends and had some great opportunities.”

She has also assisted with the brigade’s “Ateam” , a group of semi-retired members who conduct fire equipment maintenance for local businesses to raise funds for brigade operations.

The team travels around the Yarra Valley

checking fire extinguishers and blankets for businesses, helping bring additional income into the brigade.

Over the past two decades, Julie noted the culture of the Coldstream brigade has remained largely consistent.

“I don’t think it has changed a lot,” Julie said.

“We’re certainly working hard to bring more younger females in,” she said.

According to Julie, like many volunteer organisations, recruiting new members, particularly younger people, can be challenging as work and family commitments increase.

“People just don’t have the time anymore to volunteer when they’re balancing their job and their family,” Julie said.

Despite that challenge, she believes opportunities for women within the CFA remain equal.

“If you go on the ground as a firefighter, you’re a firefighter,” she said.

“We all do the same thing.”

However, she would like to see more women step into leadership roles in the future.

“I would like to see a young female back in a senior leadership role,” Julie said.

According to Julie, female leadership can help broaden perspectives within organisations.

“I just think it brings a more balanced point of view,” she said.

“A point of view that’s a bit more in tune with the times.”

While she described the brigade’s culture as somewhat traditional, Julie believes new voices, particularly younger volunteers, could help introduce fresh ideas.

“We’re kind of set in our ways,” Julie said.

“We need some new ideas.”

One of the newest recruits helping shape that future is Taylah, who joined the brigade just a few months ago.

Inspired by her father, who has been a member for several years, she decided to sign up after seeing him respond to a call.

“I’ve been at Coldstream CFA for about three months,” Taylah said.

“I saw him out at a call not too long ago and I said, ‘Oh, that looks cool,’ so I joined,” she said. For 19-year-old freshie, the environment has been welcoming from the start.

“It’s a really nice, friendly environment,” Taylah said.

“They’re all really patient in teaching me and keeping me up to date with everything,” she said.

Taylah confirmed the brigade is inclusive and supportive of its female members.

“Everyone’s really sweet, and no talks down to you,” Taylah said.

“It’s all really inclusive.”

Facilities and equipment have also improved to accommodate women more effectively.

“When I got my gear there were actually female sizes that fitted me, which was really nice,” Taylah said.

“There are separate areas for getting changed, and everything’s set up so we can reach the equipment on the trucks,” she said.

While firefighting can be physically demanding, Taylah noted the brigade ensures everyone is supported.

“Some of the heavier hoses can be a bit harder physically,” Taylah said.

“Apart from that, they’ve accommodated everything really well.”

For Taylah, joining the CFA has also revealed the level of preparation required behind the scenes.

“You’ve got to make sure everything goes back exactly how it was,” she said.

“If you practise with the hoses, you have to make sure they’re rolled back properly so they’re ready for the next call.”

Above all, she says, the sense of community has stood out.

“It’s just such a nice environment,” Taylah said.

“They really care about us and help us out if we’re struggling.”

Across generations of volunteers, the women of the Coldstream brigade say their motivation ultimately comes down to community.

Whether coordinating fundraising, maintaining equipment or responding to emergencies, their contributions help keep the brigade operating.

And while the number of female members continues to grow, volunteers say the message remains simple.

The CFA has a place for anyone willing to lend a hand.

Museum and 3MDR mark International Women’s Day

In a special end to the ON AIR: 40 years of 3MDR exhibition at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, a live broadcast closed out the display and helped celebrate International Women’s Day.

“International Women’s Day provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and genderdiverse people, particularly those whose voices are often underrepresented in mainstream media and culture,” 3MDR station manager Nat Grant said.

“It’s about acknowledging both the progress that has been made and the work still needed to achieve gender equality — whether that’s greater representation, respect, opportunity, or visibility.”

The Sunday 8 March broadcast featured live sets from Hannah Schmidli and Beck Sian, a true treat for the audience and was hosted by Michelle Perera and Sal Sparkles.

Celebrating Harmony Week...Because

Everyone Belongs

Harmony Week is upon us, March 16th to the 22nd. This is a week of celebration of our diversity, proclaiming that everyone belongs. The week incorporates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD), Saturday March the 21st. So, while we celebrate our multiculturalism we are also reminded of the urgency to address racism here in Australia and all around the world.

Harmony Week; “this is the celebration that recognizes our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.”

Hannah is a seven-year-old girl who recently declared to her mother that she had a solution for problems associated with immigration. She said she would build bridges between all the countries so that people everywhere could walk freely from one country to the other. She went on to say that if people in any country had a problem with that, they could walk to the middle of the bridge to meet people from the other country. They would talk and get to know each other and then the problems would be resolved. Oh, my goodness! Did you hear that? A seven-year-old girl and she’s hit on the solution to one of the most ingrained problems in our world today… they could meet together, and get to know each other, and then the problem would be over. That’s what Harmony Week is all about, and it’s what Good Neighbour Month in Yarra Junction is all about. I want to take the time to talk to someone different to me, to get to know that person, and to be reminded that we all belong. What a great week to take that journey over Hannah’s Bridge.

Community supporting each other

Glenn and Sue purchased their property 21 years ago and moved into free range egg farming around 12 years ago. More recently they undertook the container deposit recycling.

Glenn and Sue say that the Upper Yarra community has been a fantastic support to them and many of their customers have become firm friends. “This region has a way of banding together when needed and it is fantastic to be part of a community that looks out for one another” they said. They have had many challenges for their business such as back in 2022 they experienced extensive flooding on the farm and had to reduce their hen numbers to accommodate the limited dry ground they had. Says Glenn and Sue “After putting the call out we managed to re-home around a third of our flock in one weekend!” Such a great response was just the thing to make it easier for them to keep going.

We asked Glenn and Sue about their recent experience with the shutdown of their recycling business and trying to get re-opened. They were surprised at the amount of support the community offered. Visy received hundreds of calls and emails in relation to the closure and a petition received over 2,500 signatures. “We couldn’t be more pleased that we are surrounded by good people willing to stand up when things aren’t right. We always knew our community was full of amazing people, but sometimes it’s nice to have a reminder.”

Connecting at the Market

Geoff and Linda have been involved with the Yarra Junction Community market for many years as stall holders and for the last 12 months they have been managing the market. They have found the market to be a great place for community connection, a great place for locals to catch up and for visitors to the town to enjoy. Geoff says “You’ve got your regulars coming back and this is how they connect with each other… they come down for a chat and the happiness that seems to develop. It’s great. That’s beautiful.”

Being a regular event and running for so long, about 40 years, many people know about it and make it their regular catchup. We asked Geoff what he thinks about Good Neighbour month “It’s a fantastic initiative and I think it’s important to try and generate real community connection.” Geoff felt that the more the community can connect, the community glues, and people are looking out for each other.

You can stop by and say hello to Geoff and Linda and enjoy our Yarra Junction Community Market every 2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday of the month.

PM

It Takes a Community

It was 30 years ago that the building of the Yarra Centre started with community outrage at the closing of the original pool.  Built by the community in 1958 it was closed in 1991. The community did not take the closure lightly.  School children marched on council and a committee was formed opposing the closure.

Rosemary Crowley, a member of the Supporters and Workers for the Yarra Multipurpose Complex (SWYM) committee talked to us about that time. She remembers “An entire community striving towards one goal. And it was terrific.”

To build a new enclosed heated pool funds needed to be raised.  Of the fundraising efforts of the community the committee said the “support was phenomenal. Schools, clubs and businesses were all involved. Individuals and organisations.”  School kids did coin trails, lining up hundreds of coins for donation.   The community had massive working bees making apple pies from donated apples, and then selling them on the main street. There were rock and roll dances up at the high school to raise money for the stadium. A wheelchair exhibition.  There were also those who gave in kind, such as the teenagers who sealed the stadium floor.  Once the stadium was built they held dances in the stadium to raise money to build the pool.  The opening of the stadium was a concert with 2000 people in attendance.

When the SWYM committee started the building was supposed to take 4 years, but this turned into 14. The committee recalls the struggle, including the council amalgamation and building delays. It was hard to keep the momentum going, but “we never gave up. No, we never gave up.”

30 years on, we can take pride in the communities’ achievements and have a legitimate sense of ownership of this much-loved facility. The plaque erected at the centre says it all and pays tribute to the huge community effort that was undertaken to get the centre and the pool built.

Community Tribute Plaque at the Yarra Centre

Our community united in supporting this aquatic dream, Success depends on persistence and working as a team,

You baked cakes and pies, you manned a stall, You baled hay till dark then began the haul, You donated money, goods, time and labour, You bought raffle tickets, sold some to a neighbour, With your bid at auction and catering at dances, You built a house, polished floors till they shone, Filled show-bags, sold apples, the list goes on.

Sadly some supporters didn’t live to see the day, Of elderly in warm therapy, and littlies in play, The delight of our swimmers, a lap swimmers smile, Make ten years of hard work and waiting extremely worthwhile.

You can all stand with pride, you all played a part, In providing a pool that’s ‘State of the Art’ Names are too numerous, you came from afar, Our thanks to you all, you know who your are.

SWYM

“Supporter and Workers for the Yarra Multipupose Complex” COMMITTEE

Guy Nilsson

Bob Sanders

Paul Irvine

Jan Cains

Arthur Johnson

Marie McQuade

Sandra Allan Rosemary Crowley

Helen Nilsson

It was a not just a community effort for the town of Yarra Junction, but a neighbourly effort from all the towns around us as well.  “These things need a community behind them. The towns all around, we’re all a community. It was all together,” said the  committee.

Today the Yarra Centre is a hub for the Upper Yarra community. With a range of community groups, classes, gym and pool, and is well used by all ages.

It took 14 years to finally get the pool built, too late for the children of the SWYM committee and fundraisers. Rosemary says “A couple of my grandchildren have got there, but I would have loved to have taken my kids to the pool. But they were too old by that stage.  I didn’t get to do that. But everyone else gets to. And it’s just lovely”.

Good Neighbour Month at the Yarra Centre

Good Neighbour Month reminds us that strong communities don’t just happen—they’re built through everyday acts of connection. Few places embody that spirit more than the Yarra Centre in Yarra Junction, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to move, learn, laugh and belong.

Across the pool, gym and group exercise rooms, on the courts and in the stadium—alive with programs like Table Tennis, Little Movers, Youth and Adult Sport, Line Dancing , wellness sessions and senior activities—the Centre creates spaces where confidence grows and friendships form. Stepping beyond its four walls, Yarra Centre embraces its surroundings through Heart Foundation walking groups and kids’ and youth mountain-bike coaching at the bike park. These aren’t just programs; they’re catalysts for belonging.

Walk through the doors and you feel it instantly. The café hums with conversation, a daily meeting place rich with the history of a community whose resilience and determination brought the Yarra Centre to life. Staff greet you by name, volunteers give their time, and members look out for one another.

The impact of this spirit is widely recognised, with the Centre receiving multiple Community Impact Awards from Aquatic Recreation Victoria. This Good Neighbour Month, we celebrate the Yarra Centre —a place that strengthens our town every day and continues to shape Yarra Junction into a community we’re proud to call home.

What trap do I use ? How many do I need?

• Traps need to be in place before QFF movement and activity starts

• Hang traps 1.5 m high in a sparse leafy area that is warm, but is out of direct sunlight (and has easy access for you)

• Traps are the most useful when a part of a wider surveillance network

• Traps will only ever tell part of the QFF story - always check fruit for early damages, use local reports and historical data to plan your activity

Time to rediscover Kirra

By Kylie Mitchell-Smith, Travel Writer/podcaster Www.travellingsenorita.com

There’s something about Kirra, from the pristine open beach to the laidback community vibe to the latest restaurant openings - it’s a popular seaside destination.

Back in the day the Southern Gold Coast neighbourhood was known for its iconic surf break and swinging ’60s Hockey Pokey dance, where beach days blended into balmy nights.

Kirra has found its groove again, from the comeback of the famous right hand point break to the reimagined Kirra Beach Hotel - a local’s favourite.

We check into the Kirra Point Holiday Apartments, set high above the Kirra Beach Hotel. The expansive hotel style apartments are styled in neutral tones, with contemporary architectural lines and coastal touches that feature throughout.

We stay in a two-bedroom ocean front apartment, that captures stunning views across to Surfers Paradise. Take your pick from a one-, two- or three-bedroom layout, or maybe a penthouse with infinity pool is more your thing.

The Kirra Beach hotel on ground level is abuzz any day of the week, offering good pub style food in a relaxed, open-air venue, looking out to the sea. Keeping the locals happy, there’s a reimagined front bar, bottle shop and cafe.

Above the hotel is the super stylish and popular Kirra Beach House, billed as a seaside dining and drinking venue with DJs and sunsets - it’s all the rage. There’s a sumptuous menu designed to share packed with salad bowls, pizzas and fresh seafood, we enjoy in the outside cabanas with the dreamiest views across the point.

Walking along the esplanade, we pass the retro surf club, it’s like stepping back in time, where locals enjoy a coldie on the deck and counter meals are served in a modest dining area. It’s where old meets new, as next door is the popular Siblings restaurant in the reimagined pizza hut space.

The restaurant has been pumping since its opening, with good service, delicious food and cocktails served by the sea - it’s a recipe for success.

We wander just north of the surf club, to the dining and cafe precinct, stopping off for dinner at Hanks (Siblings’ baby brother).

Decked out in Mediterranean style with a menu to suit, we sip on a spritz and enjoy a share plate menu of local prawn linguini and burrata with caramelised honey and fennel seed.

We rise as the sun rises and take an early morning dip across the road, with a takeaway coffee and toasted Vegemite scroll in hand from Made cafe down below.

Lunch is served at Billy Chow, a Pan-Asian beauty by the sea. The food is simply delicious, from freshly made mushroom dumplings to fried rice with a twist.

For a spot of shopping, we head to Cotton Living for homewares, Love Street Store for local threads and Gypsy and the Muse for coastal clothes and jewellery. For relaxation, we book a recovery session at Native State, a luxury bathhouse and studio gym in the Kirra Surf building to the north.

Kirra Beach offers that quintessential coastal stay on the southern Gold Coast, with beach walks to Bilinga and Tugun to the north and Coolangatta and Rainbow Bay to the South.

Next door at Agave Rosa, it’s all about tacos and margaritas, with a happy hour that makes us happy. Kirra has nailed its global food offering, with an array of restaurants, bars and cafes on offer, and word on the street is there’s more to come, as stage two of Kirra Point begins.

EAT

• Billy Chow

• Siblings

• Hanks

• Made PLAY

• Sea Sounds, Kirra Beach

• Kirra Surf Club

• Native State STAY

• Kirra Point Holiday Apartments

Aurora Expeditions explorers

Founded in 1991 as a small Australian expedition operator, Aurora Expeditions has evolved into a global leader in expedition travel, now operating three purpose-built small ships: Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and the newest addition to the fleet, Douglas Mawson. Officially welcomed and christened in Sydney in November 2025, the Douglas Mawson represents an exciting new chapter for the Australian-founded company.

Purpose-built for exploration, Douglas Mawson accommodates 154 passengers in 86 cabins and suites, including dedicated single options for solo travellers, with numbers intentionally capped at around 130 expeditioners on polar voyages for an intimate experience. Her innovative X-BOW design enables her to cut smoothly through challenging seas while enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. During her epic inaugural season, Douglas Mawson ventured from Dunedin into some of Antarctica’s most remote and awe-inspiring frontiers, travelling through the Ross Sea and the wildliferich Subantarctic Islands.

Across its three-ship fleet, Aurora now operates itineraries across all seven continents and 26 countries. Alongside its established leadership in the polar regions, recent seasons have introduced a dedicated Small Ship Cruises program featuring voyages through the Mediterranean, British Isles and Atlantic Coast, bringing Aurora’s expedition style to new destinations.

Aurora’s growth has been deliberate. Rather than pursuing scale for its own sake, the company remains committed to small expedition groups, preserving the immersive and flexible nature of its voyages. Although the fleet can carry larger numbers, departures are typically capped at around 130 expeditioners. Combined with a

near one-to-one crew-to-expeditioner ratio, this ensures a personalised experience and allows for meaningful time ashore — often with multiple landings each day in remote environments. This intimate scale is matched by the depth of expertise on board.

Aurora’s voyages are led by seasoned expedition teams, scientists and subject-matter experts who enrich travellers’ understanding of the landscapes, wildlife and cultures encountered along the way.

Recognised for its world-leading activities

program, Aurora Expeditions offers one of the industry’s broadest range of adventure options — from sea kayaking and snorkelling to camping, diving, alpine trekking, climbing and skiing — allowing travellers to engage with the environment in deeply immersive ways.

Responsible travel is central to Aurora’s evolution. In 2024, the company became a Certified B Corporation, formalising long-held commitments to environmental and ethical standards. Initiatives such as its Ocean Regeneration Program, supporting marine restoration and the

removal of ocean-bound waste, reflect Aurora’s ambition to move beyond minimising impact and towards actively contributing to the health of the environments it visits.

To mark its 35th anniversary, Aurora is offering up to 35 per cent off selected future voyages, inviting both long-standing expeditioners and new travellers to discover a style of travel defined by smaller ships, deeper engagement and purposeful exploration. Contact Exclusively Cruising on 03 97622799 for more information or to make a booking.

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Sail the Mekong River, where silk towns and fishing villages preserve age-old customs. Visit Angkor Wat, the jewel of Khmer architecture, and Ta Prohm, where jungle vines embrace ancient ruins. Explore Phnom Penh by cyclo rickshaw, visit Hanoi’s UNESCOlisted Old Quarter markets and connect with local children at a Viking-sponsored school. Hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City frame your cruisetour through the heart of Southeast Asia.

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Eastern 80 hits it big with fundraisers

By

Thanks to thousands of community donations, the Eastern 80 raised over $11,660 for the Good Friday Appeal this year.

Despite a lower rider count than last year’s iteration, the 11th annual charity bike ride’s fundraising figure still clocked six digits.

It brings the total amount raised to around $125,000 which directly funds lifesaving procedures and care for young ones at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

Host, Launching Place local Norm Orr, he said this year’s figure came as a surprise considering the number of riders registered.

“I just can’t believe it because I thought it was a little bit down this year, but it just still seems to come in,” Mr Orr said.

“We had, I think 40 people, registered on the Friday night before that, so that’s 4,000 sort of guaranteed and then the rest comes when people sign up on the day.”

The Eastern 80 is an annual bike ride fundraiser which sees riders fill the Lilydale-Warburton Rail Trail one day of the year.

Every year the Eastern 80 has an ambassador and Warby Weapons coach and president Deni Walker was the face of the event for 2026. She said she was “a little speechless” at the amount raised this year as there’d been some concerns in the lead up.

“I think that is so incredible. I know there were lots of comments on the day, there were lots of concerns and lots of factors as the event was coming together, but it’s equally no surprise to see our incredible community rally around this event,” she said.

“I’m amazed, but I’m not surprised, it’s certainly the generosity that I think our community is capable of.”

Ms Walker holds the cause of the Eastern 80 close to her heart, having spent time in the Royal Children’s Hospital herself as a young girl due to being born with several holes in her heart.

“Because of how hard my heart had to work to kind of compensate for all of that, my heart became enlarged which meant that old blood and new blood would get mixed up with each other.”

She said she was extremely proud of the community for raising funds that will directly save

young people’s lives.

“My life has been saved by the people and the hospital that the money is going to, and to think about how that changes so many other young children’s lives is really quite insane actually.”

Mr Orr said Ms Walker’s ambassador role had brought many new faces to the bike ride this year.

“A very pleasing thing this year was because of our ambassador, Deni Walker, we did have some new families join us and that is really what it’s all about, the family.

“We’re very happy in that respect that, you know, we did have those new families joining us.”

Ms Walker said this year’s outcome was a testament to the power of the Upper Yarra community.

“We look at not only how much money is raised, but just the awareness and the sense of community and achievement that’s brought from events like these.

“You can’t help but realise that perhaps we definitely underestimate the power of community and the power of people coming together and what we’re actually capable of when we unite as one.”

Generations ride to help

By Oliver Winn

Three generations of the Orr family came together to ride in the 2026 Eastern 80 charity bike ride on Saturday 21 February.

Eastern 80 organiser Norm Orr’s grandchildren have watched the beginning of the past 10 rides. But finally, the young ones were pedalling alongside Mr Orr and his daughter Rebecca. He said it left him feeling immensely proud and that he was so lucky to have such a healthy family.

“It’s just lovely to see my grandkids ride. Now, they have been to the starts and the rides and that before, but they’re old enough now to do their personal best,” he said.

Mr Orr’s granddaughter, 12-year-old Keira, completed a mammoth effort for her first ever Eastern 80, riding 17 kilometres.

Meanwhile, his eight-year-old grandson Bodhi rode seven kilometres to Yarra Junction, and then continued to climb the steep hill in between Woori Yallock and Seville.

It was a milestone achievement for Mr Orr, who started the fundraiser bike ride back in 2015.

While he was a “little bit younger when [he] started” , he’s still got the support of his family to help him host the fundraiser event each year.

“My family has been helping all along, my girls, they’ve all been helping along.”

“I said to my girl last year, ‘Now, don’t forget, if I happen to cark it, don’t forget you’ve got to have at least one of these after I go.’”

“But that’s not in the plans at the minute fortunately,” Mr Orr said.

With three generations of the Orr family riding together this year, they’ve been privy to witness what a great success it was, having raised over $11,660 this year.

He said this year’s figure came as a surprise considering the number of riders registered.

“I just can’t believe it because I thought it was a little bit down this year, but it just still seems to come in,” Mr Orr said.

“We had, I think 40 people, registered on the Friday night before that, so that’s 4000 sort of guaranteed and then the rest comes when people sign up on the day.”

“I’d doubt that there would be a little, small event like ours that would consistently raise that amount of money every year.”

With nine grandchildren in his family, Mr Orr said he felt blessed to have so many healthy children.

“We are very lucky in my family that we have not had an illness as such. We’re very lucky when we see the other kids that are there and we just want to raise funds so other people can enjoy the good health we enjoy.”

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK

It’s where students thrive

Set on a stunning 17 acres of natural bushland, St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction offers students a unique environment where learning, wellbeing and community come together. As part of the celebrations for Catholic Education Week, the school is proud to highlight the values, opportunities and supportive culture that make St Joseph’s such a special place for families in the Yarra Valley.

St Joseph’s Primary School provides students with the space to explore, grow and develop in a nurturing environment. Surrounded by nature, the expansive grounds allow children to enjoy both indoor and outdoor learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity and active play.

The school features a wide range of modern facilities designed to support learning across all areas of the curriculum. Students have access to multiple indoor and outdoor learning spaces, including two outdoor basketball courts, a large oval, a stick area and an impressive indoor basketball court and performance centre. The campus also includes a dedicated science and art building, a wonderful library and spacious classrooms that create welcoming and engaging learning environments.

At the heart of St Joseph’s is a strong commitment to the values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. These guiding principles help shape not only the school culture but also the way students approach learning, friendships and personal growth.

St Joseph’s takes pride in developing the learner as a whole. A comprehensive wellbeing curriculum is embedded across the school, ensuring students feel supported, confident and ready to learn. This is complemented by a strong academic program, including the explicit teaching of phonics, literacy and numeracy to build solid foundations for future learning.

Physical health is also an important part of daily life at St Joseph’s, with students participating in a daily fitness program that encourages active lifestyles and positive habits from a young age. A key strength of the school is its welcoming and inclusive community. St Joseph’s values strong partnerships with families and works closely with parents to support every child’s learning journey. The school’s inclusive culture ensures that all students feel a sense of belonging

and connection.

Families interested in learning more about the school are warmly invited to book a tour or attend the upcoming Open Day on Tuesday 31 March.

For more information, contact St Joseph’s Primary School on 5967 1183 or visit sjyarrajunction. catholic.edu.au.

Education with purpose

What is the real purpose of education? For Catholic schools, the answer reaches far beyond academic achievement.

At Mount Lilydale Mercy College, education is about forming young people who not only strive for excellence in their studies, but who also understand their responsibility to help build a more just and compassionate world.

As Catholic Education Week is celebrated across the country, the College community is reflecting on the Mercy value of Justice — a value that calls students to recognise the dignity of every person and to act with fairness, courage and compassion in their everyday lives.

Justice is not simply something discussed in the classroom. It is lived out in the way students treat one another, the way they include those who may feel left out and the way they respond when they see unfairness around them.

As the College Principal recently reminded students, “Justice is love in action. It’s the courage to do the right thing when no one is watching.”

That message reflects the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, whose founder Catherine McAuley believed education should empower young people to serve others and respond to the needs of their communities.

At MLMC, students are encouraged to see their talents not simply as pathways to personal success, but as gifts that can be used for the good of others. Alongside strong academic programs, students engage in service initiatives, leadership opportunities and social justice activities that help them understand their role in the wider community.

One example is Catherine’s Cafe, the College’s outreach coffee van where students and staff volunteer their time to prepare and serve food and hot drinks to members of the community who may be experiencing hardship. The initiative takes students beyond the school gates and into the wider Yarra Valley commu-

nity, offering a practical way to live out the Mercy values of compassion, respect, hospitality, courage, service and justice.

Catholic Education Week offers an opportunity to reflect on the deeper purpose of Catholic schooling — not only educating the mind but also shaping the heart.

At MLMC, the goal is simple but powerful: to form young people who will use their gifts with compassion, integrity and a commitment to justice in the communities they will one day lead and serve.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Beauty between binaries

By Oliver Winn

A powerful and thought-provoking exhibition that stirs up the status quo is on at the Warburton Waterwheel until 31 March.

Titled A Gamut, the photographic exhibition showcases a series of portraits exploring gender ambiguity, interrogating viewers to look past the labels and recognise the beautiful space between the binaries.

Since 2014, Warburton photographer Anders McDonald has photographed individuals from various points of the gender gamut.

His work began after a photoshoot with a friend of Mr McDonald’s, who he described as a tall, strapping six foot two lawyer.

“He came along one weekend for a shoot in his suit and tie because he’s a lawyer… then next weekend came along in full drag,” Mr McDonald said.

From there, more individuals approached him for a photoshoot to explore their own self-expression and the result is the exhibition visitors see today.

“I’ve just been finding people they’ve been finding me and I’ve learnt their stories and I’ve learnt to step back and and kind of delabel if you like.

“I want people to come and look at these photos and and see an individual and see the person rather than the label,” Mr McDonald said.

Each portrait challenges our assumptions about gender and how we make meaning of the visual cues surrounding masculinity and femininity.

Mr McDonald wanted viewers to slow down and sit with the ambiguity and allow discomfort to soften into curiosity.

“It stops us making an initial judgment and then we have to engage with them as a person.”

“These are people who are stepping outside of what society expects them to be, they’re being true to themselves,” Mr McDonald said.

He said the overall reception to the exhibition had been “unbelievably positive” with praise from locals for its boldness, beauty and diversity.

Locals left messages in a comment book at the exhibition.

“Amazing images - good to take my time and ponder the world of others,” one person wrote.

“I see me, I see magnificent beings, souls, the spirit in everyone and their expression,” wrote another.

Mr McDonald said he was fine if the exhibition

“ruffled a few feathers”.

“Everybody is welcome to their opinion and I’m glad that it’s promoted a lot of conversation and a lot of discussion and a little bit of controversy and ruffled a few feathers.

“I’m fine with that. In fact, I’m very happy about that, because I don’t want people to come in here and go, ‘Oh yeah nice pictures,’ and then

walk out again.

“I want them to come out thinking, “Whoa okay, I’ll have to reassess some of the ways I think about it,’” Mr McDonald said.

Describing himself as a “white middle-aged male boomer” , Mr McDonald worked to establish trust and create a safe place with the individuals he’s photographed.

“People think that the job of a photographer is to get the lighting right, to press the button and do the exposure… Of course you need to know all of that.

“But I think my job as a photographer, as an artist, is to create an environment where someone feels comfortable.”

Mr McDonald said the exhibition was ex-

tremely diverse in that each individual eschews traditional labels and therefore there wasn’t any way to group the subjects.

“Their presence resists the reflex to define, label, or resolve. In photographing them, I am not attempting to answer the question of who they are, but rather to dwell in the complexity of how they are seen.”

But in the end, Mr McDonald’s goal is simple - to depict the overwhelming sense of humanity within each portrait.

“I wouldn’t care if they’re all people who’ve got one leg. I wouldn’t care if they’re all people who are from the moon. I don’t care.

“They’re just other people. They’re just other human beings.”

‘Creating community around art’: artist celebrates a year

By Oliver Winn

It’s been a year of successful exhibitions, positive encouragement and creative community connections for Mont De Lancey’s artist in residence, Donna Legg.

It’s Yarra Valley artist Ms Legg’s one year anniversary of being the artist in residence and she said it’s been a wonderful experience so far.

“It’s just been an amazing amount of people that come in from all sorts of areas. I’m blown away by the encouragement and praise for my art.

“It’s just been an amazing journey I never expected. Never would I have thought in a million years that this would have been happening,” Ms Legg said.

She said she looked forward to her upcoming Plein Air Art Painting Day, where people of all ages and painting abilities can come together for a day of creative endeavours and socialisation.

Taking place on Sunday 22 March from 9.30am to 3.30am, the painting day has returned upon popular demand after last year’s event left everyone wanting more.

Ms Legg said the goal of her Plein Air Art Painting Day was to create a conducive environment that will get the creative juices flowing.

“Basically that is to try and encourage yet again, creativity around art here at Mont De Lancey. The whole vibe here at Mont De Lancey opens itself up for people who are creative to paint or create art. There’s many buildings and things to paint. It’s just got the beautiful feel of Mont De Lancey.”

“We’re encouraging everyone to come, not just artists, but anyone who would like to have a go at creating art. So I don’t really want people who don’t know what they’re doing to be scared to come. I’d like everyone to feel they’re welcome.”

The Plein Air Art Painting Day establishes a relaxed vibe where attendees can set themselves up wherever they like and simply enjoy the day painting.

“They can go to the coffee shop here and have lunch, or they can bring their own lunch. It’s just a vibe.

“I don’t know if I can explain it well enough, but it’s just a vibe that gets created around like-minded people who enjoy the garden or the buildings, the mountains, anything that your eye

might look at,” she said.

Mont De Lancey president Jill Sebire said Ms Legg’s presence at Mont De Lancey is the past year has been wonderful.

“She’s a very nice person. She has done a lot for Mont De Lancey just in the short time that she’s been here. So I think that in itself is very important,” Ms Sebire said.

Since Ms Legg is often found at Mont De Lancey, Ms Sebire found it amusing at how much people enjoyed meeting the artist behind the art.

“It makes me laugh at the amount of people who actually like to see the artist. It’s amazing how many people are coming and thrilled to see the artist is actually here.”

Ms Legg is a watercolour and gouache painter who finds herself drawn to painting the Austra-

lian flora and fauna.

She’s also particularly fond of painting her highland cow, Winston.

“We were just talking about the cow and how they love the cow. And I said, ‘Yes, it’s got a lot of attention, this cow.’ So this cow, it’s on everything of mine lately.”

Her painting groups have grown from just three people to two groups of 12 over the past year, and watching people connect over painting has been a highlight for Ms Legg.

“It’s been the best part, not the best part, but one of the best parts, creating community around art.”

Those interested in attending Ms Legg’s Plein Air Art Painting Day can find out more at the link: montdelancey.org.au/event-calendar/

AI joins crime fight

Early copper

By Bryn Jones

Michael Tevlin – having arrived in Melbourne from Ireland in 1863 as a 17-year-old—was appointed in 1876 as the police constable-in-charge to Healesville.

Horror again

PASSION FOR PROSE

WITH CHRISTINE SUN

In the Blink of an Eye, by British novelist Jo Callaghan, is a highly informative and entertaining exploration of how AI technologies can positively impact and enhance the human workforce, especially in policing.

Set in England in the near future, the police procedural begins with this shocking note: “In the UK, someone is reported missing every 90 seconds.” (FYI: In Australia, approximately 38,000 to 50,000 plus missing persons reports are filed each year, with roughly 2600-2700 people remaining long-term, i.e. missing over 90 days.)

It is impossible for any police force to have sufficient manpower, resources and time to investigate all these missing persons cases, not to mention all those other crimes that urgently demand their attention.

To solve this problem, researchers have developed AIDEs – Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entities – “basically, some sort of glorified Alexa that can crunch data and allegedly solve more crimes at a fraction of the cost of a real copper” as described by one of the characters.

Having worked as a policewoman for 25 years, to say that DCS Kat Frank is unhappy to be paired with AIDE Lock is a massive understatement.

Particularly when Lock is a hologram that constantly challenges her “hunches” , which, as the AI determines, “are subject to errors and cognitive biases”

“Lock closed its eyes for a second. ‘I have just read 73,239 scholarly articles on the science of decision-making, and as human decision-making processes are clearly impaired by intellectual, social and emotional factors, I conclude that your “hunches” are merely reflections of your own prejudices and assumptions.’”

Readers can almost predict how this story will unfold – something dreadful is going to happen “with lives on the line” that leads to Kat and Lock working together “before someone else becomes another statistic” . Human experience versus AI. Instinct versus logic.

Surely human and machine will end up learning much from each other and becoming an excellent team.

But the interesting thing is, as much as the story reads endearingly familiar – with Kat behaving like Detective Del Spooner in I, Robot (2004) and Lock reminding us of Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation, and especially with Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) being a crucial plot device – it is not only full of engaging emotions, quirky humour, thrilling suspense and astonishing twists and turns, but also exceptionally thought-provoking.

Perhaps this is because, like Chadwick Boseman’s Wakanda in Black Panther (2018), the story portrays our future world as one full of positive and innovative possibilities.

Instead of SkyNet and other dystopian AI takeover scenarios including but not limited to The Matrix (1999), Ex Machina (2014), I Am Mother (2019), M3GAN (2022), Atlas (2024) and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025) – we see how AI technologies can be used adequately, progressively and comprehensively to help make our world a better place, without hindering, undermining or replacing the best part of humanity. Such is the power of storytelling.

He remained in that position for the next 18 years until he was promoted to sergeant at Seymour in 1894.

It was often an eventful period in Healesville’s history; among other things it included the construction of the railway.

At least 200 navvies working on its construction lived in camps on the outskirts of the town. Saturday nights were when the navvies flooded into town, spending their hard-earned money mainly on alcohol.

Thehotelswereopenuntil11pmbutthosewho were thirsty could find places where they could drink all night.

There were occasions when matters became aggressive; one time the constable assisting Tevlin was seriously hurt by a kick in the stomach, while Tevlin ended up with two black eyes.

But, in general, he managed to keep things under control, with some assistance from locals, and drunks were locked up in the cells for the night to sober up.

The lockups were referred to colloquially as ‘Hotel de Tevlin’!

So great was the community’s respect for Constable Michael Tevlin that before he left for Seymour, most of the town donated to his farewell present ‘a handsomely framed address, a silver tea

‘Hotel de Tevlin’, the old Healesville police cells are now part of the Healesville Historic Walk. (Supplied)

and coffee service, and a gold watch in a velvetlined case’

A moonlight picnic was held the night before his departure, and next day 200 people waited on a railway platform to bid him a fond farewell.

After his retirement from the police force, he returned to Healesville and established himself as an estate agent and auctioneer.

During his first ‘spell’ in Healesville in 1886, he built a two-storey brick structure which he named Rathrone House, which still occupies a prominent position in Healesville’s main commercial area.

Over the years it has served as a guest house, a coffee palace and the home of a variety of small businesses.

Michael Tevlin, was a popular and highly-respected member of the Healesville community.

Silent Hill and Return To Silent Hill MA15+

3.5/5, 2/5

Return To Silent Hill is French director Christophe Gans’s second, much less successful stab at bringing the iconic Silent Hill horrorvideogameseriestothesilverscreen.

Based on the 1999 original Silent Hill game, Gans’s first Silent Hill film from 2006, in which Rose Da Silva (Radha Mitchell) must rescue her daughter Sharon (Jodelle Ferland) from a doomsday cult in the abandoned town of the title, is a pretty decent horror movie.

The film has clunky dialogue and a meandering first act, the monster babies scene is more absurd than scary, and the subplot of Rose’s husband Christopher (Sean Bean) searching for his family is redundant filler. However, the eerie, dilapidated atmosphere is outstanding (wonky CGI notwithstanding), superbly recreating the feel of the games, and the film gets into gear in the second act with several exciting, chilling sequences (a couple with franchise mainstay Pyramid Head). Rose and policewoman Cybil(LaurieHolden)bothstriketherightnote of strength and vulnerability, Alice Krige conveys such tightly-controlled malice as the villain Christabella, and the carnagefilled church climax is awesome.

Based on Silent Hill 2 from 2001, Return To Silent Hill from this year sees painter James Sunderland (Jeremy Irvine) travel to Silent Hill after receiving a letter from his dead girlfriend Mary (Hannah Emily Anderson), and is a slow, drab, rarely scary slog. The characters are thinly-developed, the plot wanders along and progresses mostly through flashbacks, corny narration and flimsy symbolism, and the game’s themes of grief, regret and punishment are barely present.

Silent Hill from 2006 is a flawed but engrossing horror movie, but 2026’s Return To Silent Hill, which is available from iTunes, is an insubstantial waste of time, and I’d recommend Gans’s bonkers 2002 historical action movie Brotherhood Of The Wolf over either of them.

- Seth Lukas Hynes

Sound of Music heads local theatre wrap

The Round Theatre

The Sound of Music

Nova Musical Theatre is delighted to announce its upcoming production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s timeless musical The Sound of Music.

This year is the 60th anniversary of the release of the movie in 1965.

This enchanting production tells the inspiring true story of Maria Von Trapp, a spirited postulant who becomes governess to the seven von Trapp children in 1939s Austria.

As Maria brings music and joy back the the von Trapp household, she captures the heart of their widowed father, Captain von Trapp.

When the Nazi regime threatens their way of life, the family must find courage to escape to freedom, guided by the power of love and music.

• Season: Friday 20 March at 7.20pm – Sunday 23 March at 1.30pm.

Eltham Little Theatre

A Tomb with a View

Set in as sinister an old library as one is likely to come across presided over by a portrait of a grim faced. Mad eyed old man.

There, a dusty lawyer reads a will (involving some millions of pounds) to an equally sinister family, one member of which has werewolf tendencies, another wanders around in as toga of Julius Caesar and a third member is a gentle old lady who plants more than seeds in her flower beds.

• Season: 1 - 17 May.

Burrinja theatre

The Farmy Farm

Set in their favourite part of Australia Legend Farms, join Kenny and Jenny for a day in the life of getting their jobs done with a tractor-load of circus and farming tomfoolery.

It’s the Castle meets Babe with jaw-dropping acrobatics on tall towers of hay, giant juggling carrots, fair dinkum high flying farmers and loads of laughs for everyone.

Created by the team that brought you Children Are Stinky in collaboration with Stunned Mullet circus, this show has award-winning roots.

Performed by Josie Wardrope (By a Thread) and Sam Aldhem (Circus Oz), you can expect big tricks and even bigger laughs.

With jaw-dropping acrobatics, highflying carrots, three metre balancing bales of hay and so much more.

It’s all in a day’s work for our dead-set legends and all-round larrikins, Keeny and Junny – they’ve been doing this for years, still, you never know if they might need you to lend aa hand.

• Season: Tuesday 14 April

Gemco theatre

Open Stage Night

Welcome one and all to Gemco’s ongoing Open Stage Night.

Hosted by Carol, the popular open stage has been running for many decades.

Held in the cosy hall, you are welcome to perform anything you like of just come for entertainment.

Enjoy music, poetry, singing, monologues or anything you wish to show.

Runs the first Saturday of every month, now starting at 7pm.

Bring your own nibbles.

The next open night is 4 April, at 7pm to 10.30pm.

The 1812 Theatre Summer of the Aliens

The year is 1962 and the world is worrying about the Cuban missile crisis, except for Lewis, a youth onthecuspofmanhood,growingupinMelbourne housing commission suburb.

He is preoccupied with flying saucers, much to the disgust of his friend Brian who can think only of losing his virginity.

The play centres in relationships, especially the relationshipbetween14yearoldLewisand14year old Dulcie.

It is through Dulcie that Lewis begins to understand that the struggle to be adult is the struggle to understand the world around him.

• Season: 8 April – 2 May.

Yarra Junction Cranks Up

By Oliver Winn

Sounds of vintage machinery, woodchopping and blacksmithing permeated the town of Yarra Junction for the 2026 Crank Up festival.

Taking place across 14 and 15 March, the event proved popular once again, attracting bumper crowds on both days.

The event was hosted by the Upper Yarra Museum, with all proceeds going back into the organisation to ensure the history of the Yarra Valley is preserved.

On Saturday, people battled it out in tug o’ war battles while others admired a fine selection of classic cars.

Sunday saw plenty turn up to watch the exciting wood chop competition while heritage commercial trucks fascinated onlookers.

Communities connected for third year by big festival

By Gabriella Vukman

The Connecting Community Festival returned to Healesville last Friday and Saturday, celebrating the rich diversity, creativity and spirit of the local community.

Now in its third year, the festival brought together more than 20 community groups, organisations, performers and volunteers from across the Shire of Yarra Ranges, creating a vibrant weekend of music, workshops, performances and family activities.

Festivities began with a welcome and opening by councillor Fiona McAllister.

Throughout the day, locals gathered across venues in Healesville to enjoy a wide range of free activities.

At The Memo, the Writers & Rhythm Poets Breakfast hosted by Laurie Webb and Andrew Darling offered a relaxed start to the morning, while the U3A Uke Believers filled the foyer with joyful singing and ukulele music.

Main Street came alive with the stirring sounds of the Ringwood Highland Pipe Band, while families explored local stalls and activities around town.

Children enjoyed puppet-making with Drama Turkeys, face painting and crafts at the library, while workshops in belly dancing, theatre sports and zine making kept creative energy flowing.

Coordinator of the Connecting Community Festival, Catherine Nolan told Star Mail, “This is our third festival, and the exciting thing about this year is that we’re bringing back some of the events that occurred way back in Healesville between 1992 and 1999 during the Gateway Festival, which was really popular.”

Highlights included the lively street parade, a harp concert by Vasudha Harte, and the Threshold Youth Concert featuring nine talented local bands.

WIRE INDUSTRIES

Counts

The weekend concluded with the Marvellous March Masquerade Dance presented by the Rotary Club of Healesville, bringing the community together for a memorable celebration of connection and creativity.

Stallholder Michael Robertson runs a stall that helps children through a combination of teaching them farm skills, animal therapy and

life

“They get into farm interactions, they get involved with nature, and obviously outdoor physical activities. So the farm’s been going now for close to 21 years today, a long history, and has helped hundreds of kids in Victoria.”

Bagpipe player Kim Parisi performed with the Ringwood Highland Pipe Band at the festival upon popular demand from last year’s show.

She said it was great to see how the festival brought people together.

“I think any small town that can get together on days like this and just have a fun day, you know, just getting people together and sharing stories and having experiences and the kids having a great time is a great thing for the community.

Ms Nolan said community groups give anyone the chance to experience artistic and cultural experiences for free.

“I feel community groups play such an important role in our community and I want to support them by coordinating a festival which has community at its core. Community groups are constantly giving back to the community and the festival can give back to them,” she said.

“The Threshold Concert is definitely an example of that objective. Threshold provided a great platform for young bands as well as a role model for aspiring younger musicians within our community.”

A FIRSTTIME OFFERING OF SPACE, COMFORT AND LIFESTYLE

OFFERED to the market for the first time, this beautifully appointed residence delivers an exceptional lifestyle on approximately 1¼ acres in a peaceful Cockatoo setting, just moments from town, schools and everyday conveniences. Combining generous proportions, thoughtful design and inviting outdoor spaces, the home is perfectly suited to relaxed family living and effortless entertaining.

Inside, new solid polished timber flooring and soaring 9ft ceilings create an immediate sense of space and sophistication. The expansive open-plan living, dining and kitchen domain forms the centrepiece of the home, warmed by a woodfire and complemented by a split system and zoned gas ducted heating for year-round comfort.

The kitchen is both elegant and highly functional, featuring a substantial island bench, gas cooking, dishwasher, large pantry and an abundance of bench space and storage. Sliding doors open seamlessly to an impressive undercover deck that wraps around two sides of the home, creating a beautiful setting for entertaining while enjoying the peaceful surrounds.

Privately positioned at one end of the home, the master suite offers a calm and spacious retreat complete with walk-in wardrobe, ensuite with separate toilet, split system and direct access to the rear deck. Three further bedrooms with built-in robes are thoughtfully zoned along the hallway and serviced by a bright, generously sized family bathroom with separate toilet.

Downstairs adds further versatility with a carpeted theatre or rumpus room, cellar and internal access to the garage.

Outdoors, the property continues to impress with a separate entertaining area, double garage with rear workshop, dedicated carport ideal for a boat or caravan, woodshed, greenhouse, productive veggie patch, water tanks and a 6.6kW solar system.

Peacefully positioned yet conveniently close to Cockatoo’s vibrant township, this is a rare first-time offering that combines space, quality and the relaxed charm of Hills living.

This property has it all so don’t miss out - CALL TO ARRANGE A PRIVATE INSPECTION TODAY! Call Aaron Day 0407 365 994 or Brennan Mileto 0422 996 451. Please note: All property details shown are correct at time of publishing. Some properties may have been sold in the preceding 24 hours and we recommend that you confirm open for inspection times with the listing agent direct or the listing office. ●

IMMACULATE FAMILY LIVING

WELCOME to Ardestie, an immaculately presented four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home set on a gently sloping 4,698m² (approx.) parcel of fully fenced land which is bathed in natural sunlight. Offering privacy, space and modern comfort, this beautifully maintained property delivers the perfect blend of peaceful living and everyday convenience.

The updated kitchen forms the heart of the home, providing a stylish and functional space for family meals, entertaining and where you can watch children and pets alike enjoy the freedom to run and play. Quality carpets and hard flooring complete this home which presents as move-in ready.

Comfort is assured year-round with a wood fire for cosy winter evenings, 2 reverse cycle air-conditioning units for efficient heating and cooling, and the added luxury of gas ducted heating throughout the home.

Stepping outside, a new front deck offers the ideal place to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. The generous landholding provides ample off-street parking and features a large under-roofline carport, perfect for vehicles, trailers, or additional storage. The property is equipped with 2-phase power and is wired for a generator, ensuring added peace of mind and practicality.

Privately positioned in a quiet location, yet conveniently within walking distance to local high school and just moments from Monbulk Central, Ardestie offers an exceptional lifestyle opportunity for families seeking space, comfort, and convenience.

This fabulous family home is ready to welcome its next chapter. ●

ELEVATED FAMILY LIVING WITH STYLE AND SPACE

PROUDLY positioned in one of Cockatoo’s most desirable pockets, this beautifully appointed family residence delivers the perfect balance of modern luxury, relaxed hills living and exceptional space for the entire family. Set amongst a tranquil treetop backdrop, the home has been thoughtfully designed to maximise light, comfort and effortless entertaining.

At the heart of the home lies a stunning contemporary kitchen that will delight any home chef. Featuring striking polished concrete waterfall benchtops with breakfast bar seating, quality appliances, an abundance of storage and a well-appointed butler’s pantry, it is both functional and visually impressive. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the expansive open plan living and dining zone, complemented by an additional flexible space ideal as a children’s play area, reading nook or informal lounge.

Large windows frame beautiful leafy outlooks while allowing natural light to flood the home, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout. Sliding doors open effortlessly to a generous decked entertaining area, offering the perfect setting for yearround gatherings with family and friends while enjoying the peaceful surrounds.

Accommodation is equally impressive with four spacious bedrooms. The privately zoned master suite is positioned at one end of the home and features an oversized walk-in robe along with a luxurious ensuite complete with floor-to-ceiling tiles, excellent storage and a sophisticated, hotel-inspired finish. The remaining bedrooms all include built-in robes and are serviced by a beautifully designed family bathroom showcasing a floating timber vanity and oversized bathtub.

Additional comforts include gas ducted heating, split system heating and cooling, a cosy Coonara wood heater, timber flooring throughout and double-glazed windows ensuring year-round comfort.

Outside, the property continues to impress. From the striking front gates and quality fencing to the expansive lawn areas, every element has been carefully considered. A substantial shed adds incredible versatility and is sure to be the envy of friends, ideal for storage, workshop space, hobbies or additional vehicles.

Conveniently located just a short drive from the vibrant Cockatoo township with its cafes, schools, shops and community amenities, this exceptional property offers a lifestyle opportunity that is increasingly hard to find in the hills.

A home of this calibre will not last long. Enquire today to arrange your inspection. ●

CHARACTER HILLS LIVING ON A HUGE 1,744M² (APPROX.) BLOCK

SET on an expansive 1,744m² (approx.) allotment, this is a true hills home offering space, character, and flexibility for growing families. Nestled in a premium Upwey location, the property delivers the relaxed lifestyle the Dandenong Ranges are known for, while remaining close to local shops, schools, and public transport.

Warm and inviting, the home features four bedrooms plus a study and two spacious bathrooms, with a layout designed to suit modern family living.

Upstairs, the kitchen and dining area open out to a generous deck overlooking the huge rear yard, the perfect place to enjoy your morning coffee while taking in the leafy surrounds. The elevated position creates a peaceful outlook and a wonderful sense of connection to the outdoors.

Downstairs provides incredible versatility, feeling like its own private zone – ideal as a teenagers’ retreat, guest accommodation, or space for extended family. This level includes a large living area with bifold doors opening outside, a spacious bedroom, and an additional bathroom, creating a comfortable and private living environment.

The backyard is exceptionally large, offering endless potential for gardens, play space, or future enhancements.

Additional features include: Carport parking Solar power

Cosy wood heater

• Split system heating and cooling

• Flexible multi-level family layout

All located in a sought-after pocket of Upwey, just minutes from local cafes, shops, schools, and public transport.

A true hills lifestyle property with space, character, and versatility - ready to be enjoyed. ●

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.

ACROSS

1 Daze; stupor (6)

4 A gathering (4-2)

10 Hinge (5)

11 Social exclusion (9)

12 A large group of instrumentalists (9)

13 Strong thread (5)

14 Spice; kick the ball between an opponent’s legs (6)

15 Sole (4)

19 Formerly (4)

20 Movable shelter (6)

24 Stink (5)

25 Painting of the countryside (9)

27 Funeral or burial rites (9)

28 Barack – (5)

29 Burrow (6)

30 Land surrounded by water (6)

DOWN

1 Tropical storms (8)

2 Recommend (8)

3 Reflective road marker (3’1,3)

5 Precisely (7)

6 Inconsequential things (6)

7 Inflated (6)

8 Black deposit (4)

9 Struggles; filters (7)

17 Data about data (8)

18 Desired (2,6)

19 Slanting (7)

21 Traditions (7)

22 Accompany (6)

23 Logic (6)

26 Hatchlings (4)

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”.

YARRA RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL

PROPOSED ROAD DISCONTINUANCE

Yarra Ranges Shire Council (‘Council’), acting under Section 206 (1) and Clause 3 of Schedule 10 to the Local Government Act 1989 (‘the Act’), proposes to discontinue the unused 3m2 portion of road reserve abutting 14 Upalong Road, Mount Dandenong (‘the road’) shown hatched on the plan below (‘proposal’).

It is then proposed the portion of discontinued road reserve, be sold by private treaty to the abutting owner.

Further information regarding the proposal can be obtained from Melissa Lee 1300 368 333.

In accordance with Section 223 of the Act, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing by 15 April 2026. Submissions should be addressed to:

Public Submission

The Chief Executive Officer, Yarra Ranges Shire Council and can either be hand delivered to the mailbox outside 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, emailed to mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au or posted to PO Box 105, Lilydale, Vic. 3140.

Any person making a submission is entitled to request in the submission that the person wishes to appear in person, or to be represented by a person specified in the submission, at a meeting to be heard in support of that submission.

Any person requesting to appear in person or to be represented by a person specified in his or her submission will be notified of the day, time and place of the meeting of the Council or of a committee determined by the Council to hear submissions.

All submissions will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act.

Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.

Following consideration of submissions Council may resolve to discontinue the road, discontinue a part of the road or not discontinue the road.

Grant measures up

Another Upper Yarra sporting club has cashed in on the Sporting Clubs Grants Program, with the Warburton Bowls Club receiving $1000 on 26 February.

The grant will fund expensive specialty umpiring equipment such as callipers and measuring devices, replacing decades’-old gear in a much needed inventory refresh.

Warburton Bowls Club grants officer Aimee Dostie said the gear the club had was probably “20 to 30 years old”

“The umpire equipment that we have is so old, it’s kind of comical,” she said.

“That’s how most bowls clubs run - there’s what’s seemingly an old toolbox kicking around with some weird looking measures and callipers and things.”

The club will also purchase more measures for players to borrow, providing more opportunities to take advantage of the equipment.

“To have them available for people who might not be members, might not bowl all the time, but to get them introduced to that side of the competition... and to make them feel comfortable to use the equipment knowing that it’s there for their use.”

“[It provides] greater accessibility for members and makes it easier to educate them on the process. It reduces the nervousness or the insecurity around allowing this equipment to be used because it is so expensive,” Ms Dostie said.

She said because there was only a few items of umpiring equipment available, new members were often afraid of learning the ropes, in fear of potentially breaking the equipment.

“This equipment is very coveted in the club because you don’t just want anyone using it, since it is specialised and it’s expensive. And if you lose a part or a piece that you need you mightn’t have a replacement for it.”

But now, with an expanded offering of umpire equipment to choose from, she said it should help amateur players feel more comfortable in utilising the equipment.

“It just reduces that anxiety and that concern, and it should hopefully get people excited. Not that umpiring or the intricacies of the ins and outs of the rules is that exciting, but to get people excited or interested in that aspect of a sport.

“It is a specialised skill and is something that should be respected but also taught and not be afraid of,” she said.

The Warburton Bowls Club is excited to see new members walk through the door, and hopes for a fresh round of umpires to come into the game.

“Anything that we could do to reduce that anxiety and to bring more people into the sport is really good. It’s pretty exciting to be able to get some new equipment and also potentially new umpires.”

The State Government’s Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding for community sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria.

The Warburton Bowls Club isn’t the only club to have received a grant in the last couple of weeks.

Wesburn Junior Football Club also received a $4000 grant, which will enable the club to deliver modern coaching training to ensure its future coaches can lead with confidence and give its women players someone to look up to.

Applications for the next round of funding are open and they close on 7 April – find out more through the link: sport.vic.gov.au/funding/sporting-club-grants-program.

Horse Talk results

By

Winners were :

Adv - Leasa Clausing on

Medium - Miranda Darby on Ludovico

Elementary - Melissa Wheeler on Hollands Bend Formidable.

Novice - Grace Imrie on Lady Fiorente.

Prelim - Faye Hinchliffe on Neo.

Prep - Ava Dillon on Wynaru Foxy Lady. Well done everyone, look forward to next months Round Two.

Everyone looking forward to next weekend when Wandin International Horse Trials kicks off. Get along to watch and support local trade stands and your favourite local riders while they strut their stuff at this very much loved event.

Bowlers’ smiles and pride

By Garry Lewis

The Warburton Bowls Club celebrated the 202526 Season with its’ presentation night last Friday.

A good crowd attended as the club acknowledged the fine achievements and contributions from individuals and pennant teams.

The following awards were presented throughout the evening.

Congratulations to all these recipients and to all the members who participated during the year! 2025 Intra Club Winter Competitions - Singles 21 Up - Fred Wagenaar.

Pairs - Mat Stoessiger and Mark Smith.

2025/26 Intra Club Summer CompetitionsGeorge Saker 100 Up - Aimee Dostie.

President’s Handicap - Michelle Foord. Minor Club Champion - Mat Stoessiger.

Club Pairs Champions - Rodney McKail and Chris Neale.

Ladies’ Singles Champion - Aimee Dostie. Runner up: Michelle Foord.

Men’s Singles Champion - Christopher Lord. Runner up - Steve Freestone.

Club pennant player of the season - Steven Lord.

The match committee chairman, Paul McConachy, proudly presented the Most Improved Bowler Award to Michelle Foord following her vastly improved performances throughout the Pennant Season.

Finally, in recognition of his continued outstanding contribution around the club, Max Reynolds was awarded the Best Club Person Award.

The Warburton Bowls Club is extremely fortunate to have a large group of dedicated volunteers ensuring the smooth organisation of this wonderful club.

Club president, Tony Van Meurs, also acknowledged the improvements and successes of all the club pennant sides, particularly the Division Two Midweek Pennant Side winning their sectional premiership resulting in promotion to Division One for the next season.

The club also highlights the improvement of all the newer members throughout their first pennant season and the continued development of the young group of members, including April Key, Lawson Appleton, Harry and Noah Lord.

Special mention to April who has represented the Eastern Ranges Bowls Region in Junior Development Sides throughout the past couple of seasons.

Aimee Dostie participated in the Eastern Ranges Bowls Region Champion of Champions Competition last Saturday at Heathmont winning her first-round game 25/19 and followed up in the second round winning 25/15.

In the quarter final on the Sunday, she tried her hardest, coming back from 9/20 down to be defeated 16/25. A determined effort and fine performance overall.

The AGM will be held on Friday 17 April, 7pm at the clubrooms. Further details to follow.

The Wednesday Bingo Nights will continue this Wednesday 18 March through to 1 April following a good crowd being entertained last week. 6.30pm for a 7pm start. $10 per head. Bingo

with a difference including music bingo.

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.

The Warburton Bowls Club also wishes to sincerely thank the Upper Yarra Star Mail Newspaper, once again, for their continued support of the club and local community sport.

Top dogs keep challengers hungry in final round of pennant

By David Waters

The final round of pennant home and away was held at Eastwood on Friday the 13th- an omen for some.

The warm start so far this season changed slightly. A light overcast and cool breeze had an almost wintery feel. The dim light at 7am didn’t help managers find names on team sheets, and the breeze caused money and notes to temporarily escape custody. A short briefing about the finish time was made before the players were sent to their starting tees.

Underway right on time. A few wayward tee shots and some long and straight ones are the usual way to commence games at this level. This is exactly what occurred. After a couple of holes or about 40 minutes, windbreakers and jackets were removed as the sun peeked through the clouds. The temperature rose. Not to the heady 30s but to the very manageable low 20s. The rise in temperature did not make the ball go longer or straighter but it took the strain out of the big muscles between the ears. The psychological aspect of feet not slipping or the hands being cold changes the players’ feelings and expectations. Unfortunately, the transfer of theory and expectation to practice and execution rarely matches up.

That being said, the aim of this competition is to enjoy golf, meet other people and have some fun, trying to play as best as possible. The Eastwood course was presented in great condition. The well-grassed fairways were delightful to play

past the hole if the correct line was taken.

This round, being the last before the finals, drew plenty of interest. The home teams, as usual, had their winning ways over guests. Eastwood gold 6 ½ def Yering 1 ½ and green 4 ½ def Yering 3½. The green group finalist was known two weeks ago: Box Hill. The struggle remained to determine the final pecking order. The gold group had three contenders for the top spot and a finals berth. Box Hill, Eastern and Churchill/Waverley. Box Hill, with a win or tie, would remain on top. If Eastern and Churchill/Waverley both won, the percentage determined the top spot.

What happened? Eastern tied with Heritage and could win on percentage. Box Hill tied with Churchill /Waverley and went through as the gold finalist. It went to the last pairing for the tie to be declared. Congratulations to both Box Hill teams. The final will be next Friday at Yering Meadows. Teams other than Box Hill will play a 4BBB competition to determine the team’s championship.

The season finished as it started, with tied matches making ladder calculations tricky. Below are the results for the final round with ladders for both groups.

Green group: Eastwood 4 ½ def Yering 3 ½, Box Hill 4 ½ def Churchill/Waverley 3 ½, Eastern 5 ½ def Heritage 2 ½

Gold group: Eastwood 6 ½ def Yering 1 ½, Box Hill 4 tied with Churchill/Waverley 4, Eastern 4 tied with Heritage 4.

Green Ladder: Box Hill 22, Eastern 16, Eastwood 14, Churchill/Waverley 12, Yering 10, Heri-

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