By Callum Ludwig
A sudden rise in greyhound deaths has prompted calls for an independent inquiry into the greyhound racing industry.
Between 2 September and October, a total of 12 dogs died in Victoria, seven on-track and a further five from racing injuries away from the track.
Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) chief executive Trish Ennis demanded an independent inquiry into the racing industry.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol is launching two operations, apex and aero, over the next three months to target solo motorcyclists and reduce road trauma during warmer months.
Senior Sergeant Brendon De Schwartz noted a significant increase in serious injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists.
Police will use patrol vehicles, solo units, and pioneering drone technology, along with number plate recognition, to enforce the law.
Acting Sergeant Mick Pryor emphasised the goal is to flood the main thoroughfares with a police presence to deter high-risk riding behaviours, reminding riders that impounding their bikes is an option.
Full story on page 2
“We stand with the Animal Justice Party and Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds in demanding a full, independent inquiry.
“It’s time to end this cruelty once and for all.”
Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) data has also noted 23 serious injuries (stand down period of 60 days or more) at Healesville in 2025.
In 2024, there was a total of three deaths, all as a result of leg fractures either on the track or in the catching pen.
Out of the 94 greyhounds that have died nationwide in 2025, 38 deaths came from Victoria.
In comparison, the second-worst state when it comes to greyhound deaths is Queensland, which only has 23 on track deaths in comparison.
CPG Victorian director Steve Cook said the state has the worst greyhound tracks in Australia.
“This level of animal abuse in a taxpayer-funded industry cannot continue,” he said.
A policy costing from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), requested by Ms Purcell and
released in August, estimated that the Victorian government could save as much as $451.6 million over a decade if it chose to immediately ban greyhound racing.
A GRV spokesperson said racing fatalities in Victoria over the past four years have decreased by more than 10 per cent and total racing injury rates are also down over that same period.
“The rate of serious injuries was also down year-on-year in 2024-25,” they said.
Read more on page three
By Mikayla van Loon
Spring and summer present greater opportunities for motorcyclists to get out on the roads, but it also leaves them more vulnerable to collisions.
For the next three months, Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol will be running two operations, apex and aero, primarily targeting solo riders in an attempt to reduce road trauma.
Eastern Division Two Highway Patrol Station Commander Senior Sergeant Brendon De Schwartz said motorcyclists tend to be overrepresented in collisions come the warmer months.
“In the warmer weather, our serious injuries, collisions and fatalities increase quite significantly,” he said.
Using everything the police have at their disposal, including highway patrol vehicles and solo units, these operations will also be supported in the sky by way of drones.
“One of the aspects of the operation is the ability to use technology, like drones, to help us with law enforcement,” Snr Sgt De Schwartz said.
“The drone unit has been around for about five years, but it’s probably relatively new what we’re doing; we’re probably pioneering using drone technology in this operation.”
Number plate recognition technology will also be a key aspect of the operations.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Mick Pryor said state highway patrol officers will be assisting, the idea being to flood the area with a police presence.
“The more police they can see, the greater the perception is that they might be pulled over or caught for something,” he said.
Acting Sgt Pryor said the collision data in the region is up, especially for motorcyclists, so police will try anything to bring it down.
“The trauma that actually hurts us the most is all the motorcycle collisions we have,” he said.
While solo riders are the primary focus, Acting Sgt Pryor said that doesn’t mean other drivers can be complacent.
“We’re mainly concentrating on the main thoroughfares, the main highways. But that’s
not to say these guys won’t start targeting the inner areas as well, and we’ll also pick up drivers for phone offences and seatbelt offences.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”
Acting Sgt Pryor said this is “a first start in trying to reduce the collisions”, and should the operations be successful, highway patrol will look at further ways to combat road trauma.
Snr Sgt De Schwartz said for people who are tempted to do the wrong thing on the roads, they should also be aware of the consequences.
“This is about us trying to be proactive in our road safety strategy. Solo riders in the warmer
months become one of our highest-risk categories of drivers on the road,” he said.
“The enforcement options that we’re doing with this are trying to deter high-risk riding behaviours and reduce our serious collisions and fatalities.
“There’ll be education when the members intercept drivers, but I suppose the bottom line is, the riders also need to be mindful that, if it’s appropriate, we’ll be impounding their bikes and then they’ll be going to court facing those charges. So, understand that we will impound their motorcycles.”
Works begun on two landslips on a 130m section of the Melba Highway in Dixons Creek, approximately 3km south of the Healesville-Kinglake Road intersection on Monday 13 October.
The repairs are expected to be completed by the end of January 2026, with crews working between 7am and 6pm Mondays to Saturdays. Nightworks will not be permitted for the safety of work crews.
With an eye to ensuring both lanes on the Melba Highway will be open for the Melbourne Cup long weekend from 3pm Friday 31 October to 7am Wednesday 5 November, crews will spend early works setting up the site and carrying out excavation and drainage works.
One lane of the Melba Highway will be closed during work hours over approximately 100 metres between Healesville-Kinglake Road and Hunts Lane in Dixons Creek. Temporary traffic
lights and traffic controllers will be on-site to help maintain traffic flow in both directions, additional traffic signs will be installed in the area to advise drivers well in advance of the works area and there will be reduced speed limits at all times to keep crews and road users safe.
The Department of Transport and Planning’s traffic modelling shows drivers can typically expect delays of approximately 5 minutes. Longer delays may be experienced during peak times. The road will reopen to two lanes outside of working hours.
From Wednesday 5 November, crews will be repairing both landslips in the works area at the same time.
One lane of the Melba Highway will be closed at all times over approximately 200 between Healesville-Kinglake Road and Hunts Lane in Dixons Creek. Temporary traffic lights will be in
Melba Highway between Yarra Glen and Coldstream is set for a permanent 70km/h speed limit by the end of October. (Ljubica Vrankovic: 497416)
place 24/7 to manage two-way traffic, traffic controllers will be on-site during work hours to help keep traffic moving during busy periods and reduced speed limits will remain in place. Similar delays to the first stage are to be expected.
The two landslips are not immediately visible
from the road surface, but they have caused major damage to the ground that is supporting the highway.
Works will involve excavating and removing the road pavement, building retaining walls, reinstating and stabilising the road asphalt layers, improving drainage and reinstating safety barriers, signs and line marking.
By the end of October, there will also be a new 70km/h speed limit in place on approximately 7km of the Melba Highway between Healesville-Yarra Glen Road in Yarra Glen and Maroondah Highway in Coldstream. The 40km/h school speed zone will be maintained on the Melba Highway at Yering Primary School.
New speed signs will be installed by the end of October 2025, weather permitting and the new limit will become legally enforceable once signs are installed and uncovered.
By Callum Ludwig
Animal welfare groups Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds (CPG) and Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) are calling for an independent inquiry into the greyhound racing industry following a sharp surge in deaths over the last five weeks.
Between 2 September and October, a total of 12 dogs died in Victoria, seven on-track and a further five from racing injuries away from the track.
CANA chief executive Trish Ennis said the tragic deaths of greyhounds on Victorian racetracks aren’t isolated incidents.
“They’re a national disgrace that reflects a devastating welfare crisis,” she said.
“We stand with the Animal Justice Party and Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds in demanding a full, independent inquiry.
“It’s time to end this cruelty once and for all.”
At the time of writing, a total of 38 greyhounds have been killed on Victorian tracks this year with thesecond-worstrecordfordeathsinQueensland only recording 23 on-track deaths in comparison. More than 30 Victorian greyhounds have died off the tracks from their racing injuries and a total of 94 greyhounds have died nationwide in 2025 with 8450 suffering track injuries.
CPG’s Victorian director Steve Cook said Victoria has by far the deadliest greyhound tracks in Australia.
“This level of animal abuse in a taxpayer-funded industry cannot continue,” he said.
“Victoria has to follow the lead of other states and establish an independent inquiry into the high levels of death and suffering occurring on the state’s tracks.”
One of the 12 recent deaths occurred following a race at the Healesville track on 21 September, where Fernando Gomez suffered a hock (hindleg) fracture and has since been euthanised.
According to CPG, Fernando Gomez faltered at he 100m mark of race four and underwent a post-race veterinary examination where the fracture was discovered. Initially, the greyhound was supposed to stand down for 90 days before racing again.
“Greyhounds are gentle, social animals who deserve lives filled with care, not exploitation,” Ms Ennis said.
“When animals suffer, it erodes the human–animal bond that enriches our communities and our wellbeing.”
CPG data has also noted 23 serious injuries (stand down period of 60 days or more) at Healesville in 2025. In 2024, there was a total of three deaths, all as a result of leg fractures either on the track or in the catching pen.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) and the Victorian Government are prepared to accept that dead or injured greyhounds are just the inevitable cost of keeping this sickening industry alive.
“The continued support of this industry by the Victorian Government sends a clear message that economic interest is more important than animal suffering,” she said.
“It is shameful that the Victorian government continues to put taxpayer dollars from hardworking Victorians toward this brutal bloodsport.
“Tasmania and New Zealand have moved to shut down greyhound racing for good — it’s time that Victoria stops lagging behind and supports an immediate inquiry into the future of this industry.”
A policy costing from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), requested by Ms Purcell and released in August, estimated that the Victorian government could save as much as $451.6 million over a decade if it chose to immediately ban greyhound racing.
A GRV spokesperson said racing fatalities in Victoria over the past four years have decreased by more than 10 per cent and total racing injury rates are also down over that same period.
“The rate of serious injuries was also down year-on-year in 2024-25,” they said.
“With about 110,000 starters in over 14,500 races in Victoria annually, fatalities and serious injuries in racing are rare.
“The causes are multifaceted and unique to each situation and cannot be solely attributable to the track design, shape or surface.”
GRV launched a Greyhound Recovery Initiative (GRI) in February 2018 which provides financial support to owners to put towards recovery
when a greyhound is seriously injured during racing, with a view to a future beyond the track rather than facing euthanasia. In 2024-25, 295 greyhounds were supported through the GRI, amounting to $484,887 in funding.
Minister for Racing Anthony Carbines said they take the safety of racing animals very seriously. “It’s why we work closely with Greyhound Racing Victoria to implement significant safety improvements - including the $2 million we’ve delivered for the new Greyhound Whole of Life Digital Tracking Program,” he said
“Greyhound Racing Victoria investigates all reported fatalities and cases of euthanasia for Victorian-owned greyhounds.
“Greyhound racing supports 4,700 full-time Victorian jobs and generates $643 million for our economy. We will always back the industry with what it needs to protect dogs and uphold racing integrity.”
There are currently no plans to establish a Parliamentary or independent inquiry.
The Victorian Government’s Whole of Life Digital Tracking Program will take the location and health of registered greyhounds and record it on a digital platform from birth, throughout their racing career and into retirement and re-homing.
AusNet is undertaking aerial inspections from Monday 20 to Thursday 23 October in the Yarra Ranges and Cardinia local government areas. Helicopters will patrol the area to identify and repair any wear and tear on powerlines and poles as part of AusNet’s bushfire safety program.
Aerial inspections will also take place in the following areas: Hume, Knox, Whittlesea, Mitchell, Casey, Greater Dandenong and Bass Coast.
These inspections help support a reliable and safe electricity supply for Victorian communities and are being undertaken as Victorians are urged to prepare for an increased bushfire risk this summer.
Emergency services responded to a serious late night crash on Donnellys Weir Road in Healesville on 18 October.
The crash saw one person trapped in their vehicle and Ambulance Victoria (AV) treated them at the scene.
“Advanced Life Support (ALS) Paramedics assessed and treated one patient at the scene.
“One female patient in her 30s was transported by road ambulance to Royal Melbourne Hospital with upper body injuries in a stable condition,” an AV spokesperson said.
SES crews from Healesville and Lilydale, alongside CFA units from Wandin, Healesville and Badger Creek also attended to the scene.
An SES spokesperson said: “Upon arrival, crews found a single person mechanically trapped inside a vehicle.
“Volunteers worked to successfully extricate the patient, before transferring them into the care of paramedics.”
Bridge construction on Old Warburton Road
Works are underway to construct the Old Warburton Road bridge for the Warburton Bike Trail crossover.
If you’re travelling on the Old Warburton Road, please observe the traffic control systems in place.
There is only one lane open through the construction site.
Owners sought for 40 lost items
Detectives from the Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit are looking for the owners of various items.
These items are suspected of being stolen from vehicles throughout January and February this year.
There are over 40 items and they can be seen at the link: shorturl.at/Tltuc
If you think an item may belong to you, please contact Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit on 9739 2401.
Proof of ownership will be required.
Property Ref No: 202502-E-2054.
By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Ranges Council’s Annual Report for 2024/25 has been released, following a brief discussion and endorsement at the Tuesday 14 October council meeting.
The report details the council’s operational achievements and financial position following the end of the financial year.
In his ‘Mayor’s message’, Yarra Ranges Council mayor Jim Child said the year brought exciting progress and some challenges for our community.
“We continue to feel the impact of severe weather events, such as the Montrose fire in March, while the cost-of-living crisis has placed ongoing pressure on service delivery, energy and construction costs,” he said.
“Yet, despite these challenges, our Yarra Ranges communities have demonstrated their ongoing strength and resilience in navigating emergencies. Our energy resilience projects are helping transform facilities into reliable hubs during crises while reducing operating costs.
“Council teams are also working hard to improve infrastructure and plan for a changing climate, delivering projects identified in our budget and strategic plans.”
A number of key plans progressed:
A staged rollout of the 150 Cambridge Road Masterplan began, as well as adopting masterplans for Lillydale Lake, Morrisons Reserve and Kilsyth Recreation Reserve, the Yarra Junction Place Plan, and Innovate Reconciliation Plan 2024-2026 were adopted, and the Disability Action Plan 2025-2029 and Stormwater Management Plan 2024-2034 were developed.
Cr Child said the progress made is a testa-
benefit our community now and for generations to come,” he said.
“We know the work is never truly done however we remain committed, passionate and proud to serve this community.”
From a financial perspective, Yarra Ranges Council over doubled it’s surplus to $16,203,000 while also seeing cash reserves rise to $39,429,000, up over $20 million. However, for the first time in a number of years the Council’s debt increased substantially, from
their progress in the last 12 months and marks the completion of the 2021-25 Council Plan.
“As we reflect on the past year, there is a genuine sense of pride in what we’ve achieved together at Yarra Ranges,” she said.
“Our work continues to be shaped by a shared vision – to build a community where the people of Yarra Ranges can thrive, with services and support available at every stage of life.
“All the work we do is shaped by the 2021-25 Council Plan, which was developed in partnership with our community and outlines our strategic priorities.”
($11.7 million and another $7.7 million from the final Roads for Community projects). The council also spent $12.2 million on buildings projects, $10.2 million on parks, open spaces and trails, $3.7 million on community and recreation spaces and $3.6 million on computers and communication in other major expenditure areas.
Yarra Ranges Council delivered 257 capital works projects over the year, for a total investment of $61.4 million. The majority of the spending was on roads projects, totalling $19.4 million
Only one of the Council’s actions set out in the Council Plan wasn’t completed within the four-year period, with the development of a municipal-wide Development Contributions Plan intended to help fund infrastructure projects deferred.
A grand total of $145,655,000 was spent delivering the council’s services.
No councillor missed more than one council meeting over the course of the year.
By Gabriella Vukman
Residents along Arthurs Road, Chum Creek may soon see long-awaited improvements to
A motion to upgrade the road through levying a Special Charge was carried unanimously at the Yarra Ranges Council’s Tuesday meet-
The notion of upgrading Arthurs Road began in 2020 when residents petitioned the Yarra Ranges Council to upgrade the road, which is currently unsealed.
Following a 2021 survey that showed strong community support, the project was added to the council’s 10-year Capital Expenditure Program. Detailed design and drainage planning have since been completed, and the project is now ready to proceed in the 2025/26 financial
A Special Charge is a specific fee that the Council can elicit from landowners whose properties directly benefit from an improve-
Special Charges allow the cost of works to be shared between the local government and the affected landowners, rather than being paid entirely from Council rates.
In this case, under the Local Government Act, the council can only apply this Special Charge to properties along or accessing Ar-
The estimated cost of the Arthurs Road project is $503,903. The council will contribute approximately 38 per cent of the total, while landowners will contribute 62 per cent.
Each landowner’s contribution is proposed to be approximately $14,200 per property, consistent with estimates provided during the consultation period.
The Council will also cover an additional share to offset cost increases since the project
Landowners have the option of paying their $14,200 in a lump sum interest-free by 15 February, 2027, or via instalments over a ten-year period from 2026-36 with interest charged at
4.24 per cent per annum. The Arthurs Road works will include 500 metres of new asphalt pavement, improved drainage, and upgraded driveways. The surface will be sealed with the purpose of reducing dust, increasing road safety and creating better access for residents and service vehicles.
Written submissions can be sent in within 28 days of the council’s issuance of public notice of its intent to declare the Special Charge.
A meeting will be held on 9 December, 2025 wherein the council will decide whether to adopt, amend or abandon the scheme. Affected landowners may also request to speak at this meeting. If adopted, the Special Charge will take effect from 1 July, 2026 and remain in force until 30 June, 2036, or until fully paid.
The Yarra Ranges Council “reluctantly” voted to approve the unpopular Woolworths expansion in the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre.
The decision was made in the face of strong push back from business owners and community members, bolstered by a petition with 889 signatures and 54 formal objections made to council.
Council mayor Cr Jim Child said he felt for the community and that in an ideal world, the application would be refused.
“We can sit here as a council and refuse this application, everyone can go home happy, the mayor and ward councillors have done the right thing.
“But I can’t do that, because it would be against the planning scheme which we govern, it would be against the original strategy plan.”
The planning application, submitted by retail property service provider RetPro, would see the expansion of the Woolworths have a significant impact on existing businesses, including the closure of the Cortella discount store, encompassing all of the arcade and moving shopfronts to face the car park.
Yarra Junction Community Group member Monica Blanchfield spoke at the meeting and urged the council to reject the application as it was contrary to the Yarra Junction Place Plan’s vision, of which she helped curate.
“We clearly do not want to have our shops in the car park. We want to have a nice main street and we are disappointed that the place plan
was used against it to justify this whole design.”
But Yarra Ranges Council planning and sustainable futures director Kath McClusky said the Yarra Junction Place Plan “is not incorporated into the planning scheme”.
“We do rely on the planning controls that are set out in the local and state policy. As part of the application, the officers have looked at
the design outcomes and what we can do and what we can reasonably ask the developer to do in this instance,” Ms McClusky said.
The Yarra Junction Place Plan document states its purpose is to “work alongside existing planning rules to guide development decisions”, with one of its actions aiming to “develop township identity and character”.
Ms Blanchfield came up with an alternative plan, which would have the shopfronts face onto the main street and utilise the empty square next to the centre.
“We are aware that keeping the arcade is probably not possible. But there is another option. Face the shops to the main street and the currently empty square on the main street can become a new space to gather and connect.”
Paul Little, a planning consultant representing the owner of the Yarra Junction Shopping Centre from law firm Planning and Property Partners, agreed that Ms Monica’s idea was an “attractive proposition”.
“Our client would strongly support enhancement of that area as a feature, a gathering point for the community in the event that that emanates from this proposal,” Mr Little said.
But he said the planning application would improve retail offerings, provide additional employment and in turn enhance Yarra Junction.
“A new and improved retail offering will improve the activity centre. It will improve the quality of offering for local residents.”
Cr Child said this application “has weighed heavily” on himself and the other councillors.
“I feel for those tenants, their business has been disrupted.”
“As councillors, we’re between a rock and a hard place, we have to make a decision tonight in regards to what’s before us and what actually guides us, the planning scheme.
“That’s why I have to say I’m a reluctantly supporting this recommendation.”
The approval was moved unanimously.
By Mikayla van
By Oliver Winn Yarra
Ranges Council has an asset portfolio with a replacement value worth more than $2 billion, and $1 billion of that is located in the urban part of the shire.
A 10-year asset plan, outlining the cost and investment required to maintain and upgrade these assets, was considered for adoption on Tuesday 14 October and unanimously passed.
Assets in the Yarra Ranges include 1050km of sealed roads, 700km of unsealed roads, 50,000 drainage-related assets, 599 council-owned land sites, 53 halls, community hubs and buildings, and 35 community centres.
The largest replacement cost lies with buildings, aquatics and minor structures, totalling $840 million.
Roads, curbs, carparks and bridges are the second-highest cost at $550 million, followed by council-owned land at $454.7 million and drainage at $217.7 million.
The Urban area tops the total replacement cost value with $1,079.9 billion. The highest cost lies with $323.3 million for buildings, aquatics and minor structures, the second highest being $307.8 for council-owned land, followed by $231.5 million for roads, curbs, carparks and bridges.
Drainage in the Urban region also exceeded $100 million, with 528km of pipes and over 20,000 pits.
The Valley currently has a total asset replacement cost of $238.7 million but was the least costly area, with $100 million of that for buildings, aquatics and minor structures, $67 million for roads, curbs, carparks and bridges and $21.8 million for drainage.
In the Upper Yarra, the total asset replacement cost equals $420.5 million, divided into $181.6 million for buildings, aquatics and minor structures and $143.5 million for roads, curbs, carparks and bridges. The Upper Yarra still has 263km of unsealed roads.
The Hills region had a total replacement cost of $479.7 million, $234.3 million of that for buildings, aquatics and minor structures, $107.5 million for roads, curbs, carparks and bridges, $69.8
million for council-owned land and $40 million for drainage.
Some of the challenges identified in the plan include population growth over the next 10 to 20 years, with a further 13,000 residents expected to live in the Yarra Ranges. There was also an account for residents who are of retirement age or older.
Tourism visitation is also expected to double to nine million over the next 10 years.
The plan highlighted the challenges of extreme weather conditions and the “construction of climate resilient assets including rising costs, replacement of ageing assets and navigating the unique topography of Yarra Ranges”.
Yarra Ranges Council has four investment types, renewal, maintenance, operations and upgrade, expansion and new.
The report shows that renewal, maintenance and operations investment is primarily supported by rates and borrowings, while “upgrade, expansion and new investment is often leveraged from grants and proceeds from asset disposals”.
In the 2025/26 year, the council will spend $26 million on renewal, $32 million on upgrade, expansion and new, and $59 million on maintenance and operations.
Forecasted renewal investment is expected to rise to $32 million by 2034/35. Upgrade, expansion and new investment will decline over nine years, returning to $32 million by year 10.
Maintenance and operations investment
is also forecasted to increase to $64 million by 2034/35.
In total, over the next 10 years, the council estimates that it will spend a total of $520 million in capital expenditure and $621 million in operational expenditure.
“Council manages over $2 billion in community assets, from roads and buildings to playgrounds and open spaces. This asset plan ensures those assets are managed responsibly and maintained to serve our community now and into the future,” councillor Gareth Ward said at the meeting.
Seconding the motion to adopt the plan, Cr Jeff Marriott acknowledged “it’s a phenomenal effort for the amount of infrastructure we have now, the assets that we manage”.
By Callum Ludwig
The Yarra Ranges is renowned for its scenic routes and well-trodden walkways, and a new plan is in place to manage them going forward following the Tuesday 14 October council meeting.
The 10-year Paths and Trails Plan was adopted and is set to improve health, wellbeing and community connectivity as well as help promote popular tourist tracks.
Councillor Tim Heenan spoke to the motion and said it has been a fantastic concept and another great deal of hard work.
“I have to take us back to Covid, I have to take us back to those dim dark pandemic days that we had a few years ago, when local community and it didn’t matter where they were, be it in Belgrave, Lilydale, Warburton, Yellingbo, Seville, Silvan, Belgrave, anywhere, but they could only stay on their trails and their walking paths within that area,” he said.
“I think a lot of people, if they didn’t already appreciate what we have in Yarra Ranges, I think the message came home very loud and clear to them during those days of lockdown, when we were restricted in our movement.”
The implementation of the plan is currently unfunded and expected to cost about $55 million over the 10-year period it is in place, consisting of $10 million in upgrades, $5 million in upgrades and about $39.9 on new or missing links.
Ten proposed upgrades to existing trails, 34
upgrades to existing or construction of new road crossings and 45 new trails or missing links projects are slated in the plan. Cr Heenan said with a plan going forward,
By Tanya Steele
The strategic plan for the Yarra Ranges was officially adopted at the last council meeting.
The 2025-2029 Yarra Ranges Council plan, developed alongside an 18-month consultation from the public, is now available for public viewing online and was unanimously approved at the recent meeting.
Councillor Peter McIllwain said at the meeting on 14 October that the plan was inclusive, strategic and builds resilience.
“The plan responds to urgent challenges while building capacity to withstand future shocks,” he said.
The councillor also pointed to potential risks to the plan.
“Funding shortfalls from State and Federal government, unexpected costs from the climate change threat - the danger is that cost-cutting and maintenance will come to dominate,” he said.
Challenges discussed in the plan included impacts from extreme weather and the changing climate, residential population and visitor number growth, the ongoing challenges of community staying healthy and safe, impacts from policy and political changes from the state and federal governments and providing efficient and effective services that keep costs down to residents.
The plan is led by a four-pillar strategic approach focused on health and connection, environmental protection and enhancement, infrastructure quality and liveability and boosting the economy.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the new council plan reflects the community’s wishes from the 18-month consultation period.
“This is the most extensive consultation process we’ve ever undertaken for a council plan, and the feedback from the community was loud and clear,” he said.
“Planning for the future, transparent decision making, excellent customer service and getting
the basics right is what the community wants us to prioritise, and we feel like that has been well captured in this plan.”
The strategy informs several projects on the horizon, such as the Healesville and Seville community pavilions and plans to increase and protect biodiversity links and tree canopy connections, reducing stormwater and flood risks, and enhancing local amenity and walkability.
Community feedback included keeping the community informed and engaged, looking after the natural environment, planning for the future, community inclusion, and preparation for the impact of extreme weather.
Some of the lead strategies will see the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme updated and the introduction of place and structure plans, along with township design frameworks.
These will alter and implement other planning schemes and, in turn, affect stormwater management and flood mapping.
There will be a housing strategy introduced and a new green wedge management scheme. The strategy says that the council will ‘develop a new, contemporary Green Wedge Management Plan that addresses emerging agricultural practices and industry needs related to land use.’
The council plans to bolster economic development by supporting more local employment, business development and attracting appropriate investment into the region.
In the environment pillar, the council aims to ensure there is water resource improvement, native plant and animal protection, along with their habitats and build more community resilience in the face of climate changes and extreme events. Energy consumption in council will also be reduced in line with the Liveable Climate Plan, along with support by local government to assist the community to reduce theirs.
To see the full Yarra Ranges council plan, residents can read online via the website or visit the council’s community link locations.
something of which they’ve never had before, they can now look and prioritise where the funds are most important.
“There’s a lot in here that we know are very
important and there have been really great links, obviously, some of the biggies of the Warburton Rail Trail and we’ve got substantial walks now forecast to the future in the Dandenongs with the Ridgewalk,” he said.
“I think Mount Dandenong has needed substantial connectivity from one township to another for a very long time, now they’re going to get that.
“But all over the Yarra Ranges, we’ve got fantastic opportunity.”
Following the community consultation period, 70 per cent of contributors expressed support for the plan’s vision while the remaining 30 per cent of respondents cited concerns such as missing links and level crossings, safety issues, and limited walkability within townships for their lower satisfaction.
Cr Jeff Marriott seconded the motion and said the plan caters to all facets, for both tourism and general wellbeing for residents.
“When we’re looking at people coming into the area for tourism, there’s not much that we haven’t got, it blends well into their health and wellbeing plan,” he said.
“Looking at the combination of paths and trails, we’ve got walking, cycling, canoeing and horse trails. We’ve made a huge start with the Warburton Mountain Bike Park, and it’s something which will see some really good outcomes, not just for up to 2035, but I think even beyond that.”
By Tanya Steele
The newly adopted Health and Wellbeing Strategy document for 2025-2029 was endorsed at the council meeting on 14 October.
“This strategy is more than a document, it’s a commitment to creating a community where everyone feels safe, supported and empowered to live well,” Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said.
Yarra Ranges Council’s role in the community’s health and wellbeing is to plan, fund, and partner with community groups and service providers, provide some health-related services and advocate to other levels of government.
The document breaks down key demographics and statistics of concern to the health and wellbeing of people in the area. Consultations were done in two rounds, one from November to December in 2024 and one in July to August in 2025.
Main issues as reported by community health services were the need for healthy eating, adapting to the health impacts of climate change, family violence, alcohol and other drugs and hospital usage and access.
The motion to endorse the strategic document was carried unanimously and prioritised increasing community adaptation to climate-related health risks, improving mental wellbeing, supporting the community to lead healthy lives and towards creating safer and more inclusive communities.
It also addressed social determinants of health and acknowledged that factors like affordable housing, food security, and local job opportunities directly impact health and wellbeing.
The following is a snapshot of some of the information presented in the document.
Focus area one was on increasing community adaptation to climate-related health risks, as climate change impacts a person’s health both directly and indirectly, and the Yarra Ranges has been reported as having the highest bushfire risk in the country.
It is the second-highest risk level in Melbourne for properties at medium to high risk of being affected by climate change, and ranks third in Victoria for storm hotspots.
Community services anticipate climate-related disasters and extreme weather events to increase future demand. There were more than 450 hospital admissions for heat stroke among Yarra Ranges residents in 2022/23.
Poor mental health and loneliness were another focus, with more than one in five adults reporting as lonely and 26 per cent of adults reporting high or very high psychological distress - the third highest level in the state. Mental health hospital admissions have risen by 40 per cent among 15-24 year olds in the Yarra Ranges, a troubling statistic.
The health plan flagged that Yarra Ranges does not have enough local referral and treatment services, such as general practitioners and psychiatrists. Being unable to access these vital services can worsen conditions.
Avoidable deaths amongst men aged under 75 have been reported as on the rise, and the rates were relatively high for heart and lung disease, accidental falls, some cancers, influenza and pneumonia.
Lastly, the plan outlined a strategy for creating safety and inclusivity for all and working with the community on the prevention of violence. Yarra Ranges data shows that women and girls are disproportionately affected by family violence, and over the past four years, there has been a sharp rise in older victims, those aged 55 and over. There were standout changes in the age of perpetrators – the number of perpetrators aged over 55 more than doubled (up 103 per cent), while those aged zero-17 increased by 72 per cent.
Most victims of family violence were female, and most perpetrators were male. The family violence rate was reported as below average, at 1224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 1366 in Victoria for the year to September 2022/23. Community has also expressed a desire for safe, inclusive spaces for young people, women, LGBTIQA+ residents, and other groups in the community.
People can view the Health and Wellbeing Strategy on the Yarra Ranges Council website, or read a copy in person at any of the Community Links.
By Oliver Winn
An emergency fund of $10 million can now be activated by the Yarra Ranges Council during natural disasters as the region grapples with increasingly severe weather events.
The council unanimously approved the overdraft facility at the 14 October council meeting, which was established due to the delay in seeking financial support from other levels of government.
Cr Len Cox described the flexible credit arrangement as a “fallback position” which he hoped council would “never need to use”.
“This gives us the opportunity to immediately be able to find the money to put into writing anything that’s happened, any damage that’s occurred or anything that needs financing.”
He said it meant the council could fund disaster recovery efforts as they happen, rather than trying to “beg or borrow” money from the State Government.
“I think it’s an excellent idea, and hopefully we never need to use it,” Cr Cox said.
In the last five years, natural disasters drained a total of $44.7 million of the council’s funds, with the June 2021 storms accounting for roughly half of that figure.
Yarra Ranges Council is considered to be the second municipality nationwide to experience extreme weather events, having weathered 13 severe events in the last five years.
With the average cost of each of these events just under $9 million, the $10 million overdraft facility ensures the council can adequately cover these disasters.
The location of the Yarra Ranges means there aren’t as many revenue streams available, which impacts the council’s ability to sustain itself financially.
An overdraft facility is a line of credit which allows the council to make withdrawals up to an agreed limit. Repayments are only neces-
sary on the amount used, and no fixed monthly repayments are required.
Establishing the $10 million overdraft facility comes with an estimated fee of $20,000, with interest charges added on only when accessing the fund.
But, when compared to the estimated $280,000 annual interest charge for a fixed interest loan of $10 million, the overdraft facility fees are much more manageable.
Cr Tim Heenan was indignant at the lack of
support from other levels of government and said he felt “fairly angry” the council had to establish the emergency funding measures.
“I believe we were severely let down in the June storms of 21 when we had to go cap in hand to both state and federal government for the cleanup that we had to do and we had to compromise.”
“It’s been left to us to take care of these events… It should not be local government that has to think about doing the cleanup af-
ter what we’ve had to go through,” Cr Heenan said. The delay in receiving financial support from other levels of government meant the council has had to take on costs in the short term, significantly impacting its cashflow.
Since the overdraft facility is a line of credit and not a loan or borrowing, the cost is not included in the council’s budget.
No community consultation was undertaken when establishing the overdraft facility.
• Close to all amenities - health professionals, supermarkets, public transport
• Village volunteers can assist you around the house
• Monthly calendar of events
• 24 Hour Emergency Assistance
• Fully equipped gym
• Heated indoor pool
• Hairdresser, Massage & Podiatry services
• 4-rink Bowling Green
• Entertainment Lounge
• Library and Computer Room
By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Yarra Ranges Council has made a big move to secure the region’s financial future by releasing its draft Long-Term Financial Plan (2025-2035).
The draft plan, which was approved for release during the council’s meeting on Tuesday 14 October, is now open for public feedback.
In 2021, the council undertook its first longterm financial planning effort after two unprecedented events, being the pandemic and the storms. This plan replaces and updates what the council prepared four years ago.
This document details how the council plans to manage its money over the next decade, ensuring that the community continues to receive quality services and that the area remains financially sustainable in the long term.
Covering over 2500 square kilometres, the Yarra Ranges faces unique challenges.
The area is regularly impacted by natural disasters like floods, fires, and storms, which cause significant damage to roads, parks, and other infrastructure.
In the past two years alone, the council has had to spend $16 million to repair the damage, with $9 million of that coming straight from council funds.
Much of these costs are not covered by emergency funding, putting added pressure on the council’s budget.
To tackle these challenges, the long-term financial plan sets out a clear path for financial sustainability.
It takes into account the ongoing pressures of rising costs and the need to maintain and improve essential services.
With market conditions remaining unpredictable, the plan aims to balance financial responsibility with delivering quality services to the community.
A major challenge the council faces is its reliance on rates as the primary source of income.
Under the Fair Go Rates system, the state government sets a cap on how much rates can increase each year.
For 2026-27, this cap is expected to be 2.75 per cent. However, the cost of maintaining infrastructure and services continues to rise faster than income, making it harder for the council to keep up.
The plan highlights the need to secure more funding from state and federal governments, as well as explore opportunities to collaborate
with neighbouring councils to share resources.
The draft plan also focuses on maintaining Yarra Ranges’ $2 billion worth of assets, including roads, footpaths, community buildings, parks, and trails.
These are crucial to the region’s liveability. The plan outlines how these assets will be looked after over the long term, with key projects focused on improving drainage, upgrading infrastructure, and continuing multiyear projects that benefit the community.
The council is also committed to providing essential community services.
The Long-Term Financial Plan was developed with feedback from over 15 months of community consultations, including pop-up events, workshops, and online engagement through the Shaping Yarra Ranges website.
This input ensures the plan aligns with the needs and expectations of the people it serves.
Looking at the financial projections, the plan anticipates a 2.75 per cent annual increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2026-27, gradually dropping to 2.25 per cent by 2034-35.
The rate cap, which is tied to CPI, is expected to follow a similar trend.
The forecast for rates and charges shows a 4.75 per cent rise in 2026-27, but this will decrease to around 2.82 per cent by 2033-34.
Employee costs are expected to rise by 2.75 per cent annually in the first few years, while the cost of materials and services will increase more sharply, peaking at 7.38 per cent in 202627 before stabilising.
These assumptions are based on the latest data from sources like the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance.
The plan also aims to keep a steady surplus, helping to grow the council’s reserves for reinvestment in infrastructure and community priorities.
For example, in the 2025 forecast, the council expects a surplus of $12.46 million, which is projected to increase to $19.72 million by 2035. With the draft plan now available for community feedback, residents are encouraged to get involved and share their thoughts.
The council wants to know if the financial priorities and strategies are on track, and if there are other areas that need attention.
Feedback can be provided through the Shaping Yarra Ranges website or by attending the council’s pop-up events.
Casey MP Aaron Violi has been promoted to the Liberal Party’s shadow ministry as Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley reshuffled her front bench.
Mr Violi has been given the role of Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications, a portfolio he has taken great interest in since he was first elected in 2022.
Mr Violi said he was honoured to serve in the position in the Ley Shadow Ministry.
“Reliable and resilient communications are an essential service all Australians rely on, whether they are in the cities, the suburbs, or the regions,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the Albanese Labor Government is letting Australians down, like so many in my community of Casey, I have lived through telecommunications outages and seen firsthand the dangers of an unreliable network – especially during natural disasters.
“After two Ministers and countless review recommendations, the Albanese Labor Government has failed to deliver on key portfolio concerns.”
Mr Violi will serve in the role in addition to his responsibility as Chief Opposition Whip, with which he was entrusted following this year’s election.
Mr Violi said he looks forward to working with Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh and Shadow Minister for Regional Communications Dr Anne Webster as they hold the Albanese Labor Government to account and shape their policy platform.
“Labor’s Minister for Communications could have acted sooner to strengthen Triple Zero safeguards, but did not,” he said.
“Subsequent Labor Communications Ministers could have acted to address Murphy Report recommendations to reduce the influence of gambling advertising on children... after two years, no action has been taken.
“We also know that digital scams and fraud using a carriage service or social media is on the rise. Unlike the Labor Government, the Coalition is taking the communications portfolio seriously, which is why we are strengthening our shadow ministerial representation and focusing on the issues that matter to Australians.”
Mr Violi campaigned for the Casey community to receive funding after missing out on Improving Mobile Coverage Round grants in 2023, also inviting then Shadow Minister for Communications David Coleman to visit the Dandenong Ranges that year. In 2024, he advocated
By Oliver Winn
Warburton photographer Suzanne Phoenix has cemented the Yarra Ranges in Australian photography history after she won the woman music photographer of the year on 9 October.
As part of the Australian Woman in Music Awards (AWMA), the Hotel X music photographer award acknowledges a female or gender-diverse music photographer’s portfolio.
Ms Phoenix attributed her nomination to her International Women’s Day (IWD) photographic portrait series, What Does International Women’s Day Mean to Me, which has documented Melbourne’s leading cis and trans women, non-binary and gender diverse people for 14 years.
Despite her IWD portrait series featuring high-profile figures, Ms Phoenix had convinced herself she wouldn’t win.
“I had convinced myself that I wasn’t going to win… I just couldn’t think about it. It’s too long, it’s too nerve-wracking. So I hadn’t prepared anything.”
Acting on advice from a previous award winner, Ms Phoenix scribbled some last second napkin notes and shortly after, she was called up on stage.
The shock left her in a daze, and all she could focus on was making her way up to the stage.
“There’s a lot of big stairs and I was like, I just need to not fall up the stairs, get to the top and be given that award,” Ms Phoenix said.
During her speech she emphasised the importance of elevating women and gender diverse photographers and videographers.
“If you don’t want to look down in the music pit and see just blokes, then you all need to hire women and gender diverse photographers and videographers as a priority.
“It’s really important because we’re so often in the background. If you want to make a difference… then that’s what’s needed,” Ms Phoenix said.
She was also one of 20 finalists picked for the Martin Kantor Portrait Prize as part of the revered Ballarat International Foto Biennale.
2025 has been a breakthrough year for Ms Phoenix, as she has become a full time photographer - an incredibly hard feat in a world where the arts becomes increasingly less profitable.
But, cost of living pressures saw her reach a “breaking point” just a week before she won the award where she made the decision to find another job.
“I understand as a freelance worker, you have peaks and troughs. But the breaking point was realising that I’m not making enough of a living.
“There are very few music photographers I know that make a living from it.”
But, her courage and passion couldn’t be
stronger, and she continues with fierce independence to self fund the 15th iteration of her IWD portrait series with the help of sponsors.
Her first round of portraits have set the tone for an ambitious year, having photographed Australian music legends Kate Dillon of Full Flower Moon Band and Spiderbait’s Janet English.
Icons like Kate Dillon and Janet English embody the spirit of her IWD portrait series - they are “fierce and amazing” people who champion change and demand equality.
“I’m very excited about the people in it. I’m also really excited about the response, the momentum seems to be building quite a lot.”
23rd Oct 2025 3pm-6pm
Kids Fest is a FREE and FUN event to celebrate children and their families during Children’s Week.
FREE Activities, provided by Woori Community House and sponsors, in the WYTAG Reserve will include the opportunity to pet baby farm animals by Animals on the Move; Fire Truck and smoke house activities with Hillcrest CFA, learn and see Australian native animals by Animals of Oz, Environmental Education programs, skill climbing challenge by Woori Scouts, Bunnings Lilydale will have activities and information for a clean and safe Environment, mini games provided by Lusatia Park Cricket Club and information from YRC Departments.
Face Painting, by Wonderific Parties, is brought to you by Woori Yallock & District Community Bank.
Kids can get a FREE showbag from the Woori Community House stall. There will be limited market stalls with handmade and rustic crafts.
In case you have an appetite after all this activity, will be a range of food and drink options to purchase with Woori Community House BBQ Sausages, Valley Xpresso Barista Coffee, Clarkes Ice cream and homemade treats from the Yarra Valley Red Cross stall. For further information, or to be involved, please contact Woori Community House on 5964 6857 or email info@wooricommhouse.org.au
In the event of a Total Fire Ban or extreme weather, Kids Fest will be rescheduled
The Margaret Lawrence Bequest (MLB) has announced the distribution of more than $220,000 in grants to charities and community organisations in Healesville and the surrounding district.
This significant investment reflects MLB’s commitment to supporting local initiatives and strengthening the social fabric of the Yarra Valley.
Approximately half of the Bequest’s annual distributions—directed exclusively to Victorian not-for-profit organisations—were allocated this year to projects based in the Healesville area.
Beneficiaries include: The Good Life Farm, Chum Creek, supporting youth development programs; Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, preserving and promoting local Indigenous heritage; Tarrawarra Museum of Art, for its education program; Healesville Interchurch Community Care Inc (HICCI), assisting families in need; Healesville Living and Learning Centre, providing community education and training; and Yarra Valley Arts, including two artist-led projects auspiced by the organisation.
Local Trustee Jan Cochrane-Harry welcomed the opportunity to broaden the Bequest’s support across the community.
“I am delighted we, as trustees, decided to spread donations this year to a wider group of not-for-profit organisations doing important and inspiring work in serving the local community,”
Ms Cochrane-Harry said.
Ms Cochrane-Harry is also working with a group of community volunteers to help establish
the Healesville and District Community Foundation—a permanent endowment fund that will allow local people to invest in their own community’s future.
“I’m excited that many people are welcoming the idea and wanting to be involved in building a stronger community for the long-term future of all families and individuals in this place,” she said.
The Margaret Lawrence Bequest was established in 2001 by philanthropist Margaret Lawrence (1914–2005), with the assistance of Ms Cochrane-Harry and Perpetual as co-trustees. Since then, MLB has distributed more than $9 million to 70 not-for-profit organisations across Victoria, supporting a diverse range of projects in education, the arts, social services, and community development.
“We hope the Healesville community will succeed in establishing its own foundation, which MLB intends to support in its early years. This will provide a permanent source of resources to nurture growth and opportunity for decades to come,” Ms Cochrane-Harry said.
The Bequest honours Margaret Lawrence’s legacy of generosity and her vision of strengthening communities across Victoria. With this year’s grants and the prospect of a local foundation, Healesville is well-positioned to benefit from both immediate support and enduring investment.
Since 2006, the Yarra Valley Railway has been running the Ghost Train at Healesville. It is the only show of its kind in Victoria; a Halloweenthemed train ride and stage show mixed onto the venerable 1948-built Diesel Rail Motor.
This year, it is running on Friday 24 October and Saturday 25 October, with a gaggle of roaming characters ready to have you on the edge of your seat and giggling nervously as they take you through the night.
The 40-minute show is volunteer-run, with
the regular train crew accompanied by a cast of enthusiastic volunteers to take you on a ride to remember. They have characters lineside and onboard the train, with plenty of photo opportunities for the enthusiastic passengers following their lead and dressing up, although costumes are not mandatory. On return to the station, passengers who dare will walk through the Haunted Alley. Bookings are essential at www.yvr.org.au
By Callum Ludwig
The Healesville Probus Club celebrated its history on Thursday 16 October, marking the club’s 40th anniversary.
Probians and guests gathered at the hall on High Street to celebrate with cake and a captivating local guest speaker.
President Trish Crowley said it’s thrilling but it’s just a pity it’s been going for so long that there are none of the original members here.
“I think Ron (husband) is one of the longest ones here, he’s been here 28 years and one or two have been, I recognise the faces and they’ve been here as long if not a bit longer than Ron,” she said.
“Probus was actually started by the Rotarians because Rotarians were getting too old to raise money and that’s their ethos… it was for the men who were too old to roll the sleeves up and work but still wanted to maintain the friendships that they’d actually made in Rotary.
“I think quite a few of the original Probus members were actually ex-Rotarians.”
The historic connection between Probus and Rotary was reflected in Healesville Rotary Club president Sally Piper and vice president Terry Hill attending. A number of members from the Lilydale Probus Club also made the trip up the highway to join the festivities.
Mrs Crowley said they have a lot of outings, including some close to home for members whose knees might not be able to take a long coach ride.
“It’s all about friendship, it’s what Probus actually stands for, fun fellowship and friendship, which is what we have,” she said.
“It’s good for new people coming to the town, you get people looking up in the community group under clubs, we’ve had two people that have just seen Probus and followed it up, and from that they make small groups of their own for morning coffees, it’s a good way to meet people.”
The group meets in the hall next to St Brigid’s Catholic Church on High Street, Healesville every third Thursday of the month.
Next up was recognition for Ron Crowley, who received life membership for his almost three decades with Healesville Probus Club and
for his ‘loyalty, commitment, and excellence in support of the Probus ideas of fun, fellowship, and friendship.’
Mr Crowley said he was first introduced to the club by Derek Dean while playing bowls at the Healesville Bowling Club.
“I looked at him and I said ‘Probus, my mother had one of those, but the wheels fell off, what the hell is Probus’ and he then very briefly explained it and asked me for a visit,” he said.
“I went for the first visit and was very warmly welcomed, so then I went back for a second visit and again the welcome was just incredible so I decided I would join.
“That was what, nearly 29 years ago and ladies and gentlemen, I wouldn’t stay in a club that long for anybody, unless that was a positive, caring place and happy place.”
Founder and director of local acting group the Hills Act Theatre Company Phillip Stephenson was the guest speaker for the day, but it wasn’t his acting he got up to share with the audience.
Mr Stevenson was invited to share stories of his childhood growing up in New Britain, an is-
land of Papua New Guinea. He lived in the former capital of the island, Rabaul, where a significant population of British and Australian expats, Taiwanese refugees and the native people lived following the Japanese surrender of the island after World War Two.
Mr Stevenson said his childhood on the island was one full of wonder.
“I grew up in a mixture of cultures, learning about all cultures and enjoying the difference, I had many Chinese friends and when I came to Australia, I couldn’t figure out why there was this racial difference between people,”
“Because to me, living with the different races up there, we were all the same, it’s just a person was either nice or a person was nasty.”
Mr Stevenson entertained the crowd with many stories from his time there, from the threat of volcanic eruption (which eventually occurred in Rabaul in 1994), to large pythons eating a pet dog, discovering and returning the samurai sword of a Japanese soldier to his family and joining in the traditions of the Papuans and Chinese residents.
By Oliver Winn
The Wandin Silvan Field Days kicked off on Friday 17 October to sunny skies for another successful year of all things agriculture, horticulture and farming machinery.
In its 56th year, the iconic farming festival hosted many local businesses and provided plenty of entertainment.
Wandin Silvan Field Days committee president Brad Finger said there was something for everyone at the historical event.
“I think we’ve changed it a bit, traditionally it always has been farming and horticulture... but it’s a big family day too, so we’ve got to give them something as well.
“But at the same time you get people coming from downtown and they get to see tractors and machinery so it’s educational too,” Mr Finger said.
It’s Mr Finger’s fourth year organising the event and he said a lot of preparation goes into it.
“A lot of work went into the organisation of the event, it’s all volunteers, a lot of work goes in behind the scenes.”
There were a wide array of exhibitors this year, ranging from farm machinery, light industrial equipment, motor vehicles and much more.
AgPower sales manager Brad Storey said despite having a smaller site this year, it was a good turn out.
“This year is really good. There’s a few of us have taken a little bit smaller sites, but there’s a lot more here this year.”
“It is good to be here with all the local businesses and it’s good to see there’s a lot of them here.”
Though a lot of stalls were showing off new farming equipment, the Yarra Valley Machinery
Preservation Society focused on the old.
Yarra Valley Machinery Preservation Society promotions officer Phil Beveridge said the Wandin SIlvan Field Days were great supporters.
“We come pretty much every year. They’re great supporters of us and we love to support them as well and it’s a terrific community event.”
“It’s a terrific event and it sort of falls in line with what we do a little bit, because they’re promoting a lot of sales of new machinery in the area and we’re displaying old machinery.”
Four local car dealerships were also on site, and Yarra Valley Toyota dealer principal Ben Coleman said it was a great opportunity for community engagement.
“It’s not about selling cars for us today, it really is just that exposure for both Yarra Valley Toyota and Croydon Toyota.
“There’s just a great energy around the place, it’s really nice when the sun’s coming out. And you can just see everyone engaging with one another, which I think again just shows the power of the community,” Mr Coleman said.
Local CFA brigades were also on site to spread
awareness about the upcoming fire season. Wandin CFA community safety officer Claire Knowles said it was a great opportunity to get in touch with locals,
“It’s always fantastic to be at the field days. It’s a great event for the CFA, for all the local brigades.
“A number of brigades in the area who represented here to directly talk to the community about preparing for the summer ahead,” she said.
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By Callum Ludwig
A World War Two veteran living in Healesville is set to celebrate her centenary in style, spending the weekend with family and friends.
Marjorie Bradford lives at Estia Health in Healesville, close to her grandson Sid who she previously lived with, and where she can continue to tend to her potted garden outside or work on her crafts in her room.
Mrs Bradford said she never thought she’d make it to a hundred.
“But here I am, and I am looking forward to my birthday, I think it’s a good age to get to, but I’ve been very lucky I’ve had good health, which makes all the difference,” she said.
“I’ll have my family around me, your family is most important in life, I think there are quite a few of the girls that work here that have their day off and they’re coming in.”
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs shared that Mrs Bradford served in the Australian Army and achieved the rank of private, serving in the Australian Women’s Army Service, based in Sydney.
Mrs Bradford said she didn’t do a whole lot, but they were there to look after the soldiers’ equipment.
“We had to make sure that it was perfect for them and send it off to them, they’d ship a load in that needed repairing, so we’d have to see to get all that repaired and fixed up and sent back to them,” she said.
“That’s about my bit with the service but it was probably important because they had to have the equipment perfect.
“I made very good friends in those services, it’s wrong to say but it was the best days of my life in those services.”
The war meant everyone chipping in to help however they could but there was also a sense of adventure, Mrs Bradford’s journey up to Sydney to serve was her first ever train trip.
Even such, Mrs Bradford said they would only get a few hours leave and if it was possible, she’d hop on that train and go back home to see her family.
“Even if it was only for a couple of hours, I went once and I was only there five hours or something but I had to get on the train to come back just to see everyone,” she said.
“We had a very sick mother, she suffered with bronchial asthma and was bedridden for 10 years with it and she just loved to see me so I made it my business to go back as often as I could to see them,”
“I had a sister who looked after her, she was a martyr too, she had a wonderful job, but I had a fairly easy run through there that if I wanted sick leave, they immediately gave it to you.”
Another source of happy memories in Sydney was meeting her future husband Jack at a Marrickville Town Hall Dance, pointing to a photo of him on the wall of her room.
Mrs Bradford said Jack was a very wonderful man and the grandchildren all loved him.
“After we met, I didn’t think we’d end up together but the next day we went over to Manly and had a day at Manly, which is aovely spot, very special,” she said.
“He lived at Millers Point, right on the waterfront there, it probably didn’t have a good name going back many years, there were lots of fights there, but not while I was there, that’s where I started my married life.
“From there we bought a house at Kingsgrove, when we retired we went to the Central Coast and bought a house there and then from there, I came to here, though I was with Sid for a couple of years.”
Before the war, Mrs Bradford worked as a
dressmaker, becoming a housewife after marriage and the war and later worked as a lab technician at the University of NSW in Sydney.
Jack sadly died in 2014, though they had one son together, two grandsons and a granddaughter and now, great-grandchildren.
Mrs Bradford shared a few secrets to her longevity, and said the first was exercise.
“I played a lot of sports, played a lot of tennis, and then from tennis I went to bowls, my husband went to bowls, he said ‘Come and have a go’ and
I couldn’t leave it alone, it’s so interesting, and it looks a silly game, but it’s not,” she said.
“None of my grandchildren have played tennis, which I’m a bit disappointed with, they’ve played it, but not like I played every week.
“I eat well, lots of fruit and veg and I always have a glass of chardonnay made by my grandson and that’s what makes it so special.”
Mrs Bradford celebrated on Saturday 18 October with her loved ones, before her actual 100th birthday on Monday 20 October.
Healesville High School is excited to present its ground-breaking Creative Victoria Project: Art Factory Fusion – Nurture Nature.
This inspiring initiative brings together students and local artists for a unique artistic collaboration.
Through this project, students have had the opportunity to work closely with renowned local artists Paul Sonsie, Clare James, Renate Crow, Danny Zemp, and Peri Whitefield in a series of dynamic workshops.
These sessions have allowed students to explore a wide range of materials and techniques, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and fresh ideas centred around the themes of nature and nurture.
Over the weeks, the creative journey has blossomed, ideas have grown, friendships have strengthened, and skills have flourished.
This partnership has created a vibrant sense of community and purpose, transforming Healesville High School into more than just a school, but a thriving hub of artistic inspiration and empowerment.
The project will culminate in a special exhi-
bition on Monday 27 October, from 4pm to 7pm, where visitors can experience the vibrant artworks created throughout the program.
Attendees will also have the chance to meet and engage with resident artists whose expertise and insights will enrich the event.
This exhibition is a celebration of creativity, nature, and community spirit. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how Healesville High School’s Art Factory Fusion is fostering both artistic growth and meaningful connection. Join them on 27 October for an unforgettable experience!
By Oliver Winn
A luminous light installation at the old Warburton Sanitarium factory is on display until March 2026.
Warburton Advancement League (WAL) vice president David Pratt said the display gives the old building a face lift and cleverly avoids requiring a new permit while the Edgewater project awaits approvals.
“What we’re trying to do is simply create an artistic installation to benefit the Warburton community, locals and tourists, to give it a point of difference that our small community can have,” Mr Pratt said.
The dazzling display sees the building’s otherwise boring brick facade awash with vibrant colours and pretty patterns and will be on every night.
Unlike signage and images, which are permit triggers, lighting is not, and therefore means WAL can host the light display without requiring
a new permit.
“It’s done in such a way that doesn’t compromise any of the heritage requirements because it’s only lighting, there’s no physical attachments to any heritage aspect of the building.”
WAL committee member Leo Gester supplied the lighting equipment and lead the artistic direction of the display, while David Hockley from Millgrove business Phazed Electrics connected the equipment to the power supply.
“Leo supplied the artistic expertise which made it so spectacular… and Dave did all of the hard work hooking it up to the power supply,” Mr Pratt said.
Mr Gester also supplies the lighting for Millgrove Resident Action Group’s famous Millgrove Light Trail.
The WAL committee then got approval from the Warburton Sanitarium owner Garry Crockett, who was “thrilled” at the idea.
“While we’re going through our permit processes with the State Government, which is taking an extraordinarily long amount of time… lighting the building up like this is a positive, especially as we move into the nicer weather, we can do this for our tourist period,” Mr Pratt said.
Mr Pratt said Mr Crockett would cover the electricity costs “comfortably” while the WAL self-funded the installation of the equipment.
The Crockett group acquired the building in 1997 following the factory’s closure, having made Weet Bix at the factory since 1925.
A plan to create the $50 million Edgewater Spa and Resort in 2005, was never able to proceed due to a number of regulations, lapsed permits and the global financial crisis.
An estimated $8 million has been spent on planning and repairs due to vandalism since the project started 20 years ago.
In August 2022 after discussions with Mr Crockett, Yarra Ranges Council, WAL and local contractors conducted make safe works at the site, securing the building and conducting a variety of maintenance works.
Now, Mr Pratt said they were awaiting a final approval from the State Government.
“So DEECA (Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action) executives have to approve and ratify what the recommendation of the Upper Yarra River Reserves Committee is.
“Once that ratification is done, then we can lodge the planning permit or the program to start.”
In the meantime, the goal is to make sure the building isn’t an eyesore any longer.
“This lighting display was an ability to not just simply keep saying we’re waiting on the planning permit, but to do something physical, artistic, that showcased the facade of the building, but in a less fortress-like way.”
The Roses Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman
MA15+
4/5
Based on Warren Adler’s 1981 novel, The Roses is a fast-paced, sharply-written romantic dramedy about Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Ivy Rose (Olivia Colman), an architect and gifted chef (respectively), who fall violently out of love when their careers take different paths.
As Ivy and Theo struggle to restore the love they once had, Colman and Cumberbatch are utterly believable as a warring couple with in-
tense spite and dedication for each other. The masterful pacing generates the sense of a marital rut but never drags, features some brilliant
planting and pay-off (including Ivy’s raspberry allergy), and the lulls of compromise and attempted coexistence make the renewed hostility all the more devastating.
The dialogue is full of searing wit, the gorgeous cinematography revels in striking architecture and fine food, and Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon are endearing as Ivy and Theo’s more functional friends.
The third act, which builds to a literally explosive climax, is an effective culmination of the film’s bickering, boiling tension, but may go too far. Satire needs at least a toe in reality, but Ivy and Theo both do such reprehensible things to each other that your sympathy and suspension of disbelief may evaporate; mine held, but your
tolerance may vary.
The Roses pairs well with the recent Australian marital body horror movie Together, but would also make a solid double feature with Antichrist. A 2009 Danish horror film by scumbag Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier, Antichrist also concerns a married couple going through a rough patch in a wilderness abode. But while The Roses is frequently funny, Antichrist may drain your will to live.
The cruel ending might lose you, but The Roses is a superbly-written dramedy with the emotional intensity of a thriller, and is currently playing at the Healesville Memorial Hall.
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Seth Lukas Hynes
By Oliver Winn
The magic of Millgrove left its community feeling “fuzzy and beautiful” after around 500 people took part in this year’s Millgrove Open Day.
Organised by the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG), the Millgrove Open Day took place on Sunday 12 October where local organisations, businesses and emergency services held stalls, demonstrations and more.
MRAG vice president Phil Pomaroff said MRAG had “certainly upped the ante” this year, with the day bringing in lots of locals and outof-towners together.
“That’s one of the big things we’d like to emphasize is how it brought the community together, and helped people find out what’s going on in the community.
“The variety of community and the interactions were really good this year and I think people stayed longer and went and talked to peo-
ple,” Mr Pomaroff said.
The Upper Yarra SES’s Jaws of Life demonstration offered a unique insight into how the life-saving tool works while the Wesburn-Millgrove CFA got residents bushfire ready with the assistance of Captain Koala.
Many lauded the chai and scones from the Koha Community Cafe stall, the Upper Yarra Rotary’s sausage sizzle was a hit and coffee by Brewed Awakening Jacci came in clutch for those needing a caffeine hit.
With support from the Community Bank Warburton-Yarra Junction, Mr Pomaroff said there was little demand to spend lots of money.
“The funding just allows people to come and enjoy the day without having to put in their pockets, apart from maybe buying a sausage.
It enabled MRAG to host a variety of entertainment options for all ages on the day, including face painting, a snake stall, show bags, a jumping castle and much more.
Ms Halit said MRAG was thankful for the support from local organisations as it demonstrated the mutual trust between groups and businesses in the community.
“It’s very rewarding to feel that they have the trust in us. They keep supporting us year after year because we’re obviously doing a good job and advertising them and thanking them along the way,” Ms Halit said.
Local Millgrove cartoonist Nick Love also brought in many interested viewers with his caricature drawings.
Mr Pomaroff said Mr Love was very happy to be back in Millgrove and interacting with the community.
“He’s just so pleased to be back and helping Millgrove, it’s very heartfelt and he just loves helping the community.”
Ms Halit said showcasing the emergency services helped inform the community on what they do.
“It’s such a great thing for them to be there because you might drive past the CFA, you might drive past the SES, but you would never stop to ask what they actually do.”
AusNet were also at the event where they showcased one of their Emergency Management Mobile Assistance vehicles (EMMAs) which will be deployed to communities impacted by future large scale unplanned outages.
EMMAs are fitted with charging points for mobile devices, satellite internet access and crucial first aid.
The open day had been a year in the works for MRAG, but president Maureen Halit said the efforts paid off.
“It was a huge job, but then to bring it together at the last minute, it is major pressure but it’s all worth it when you see the connections made between all the different storeholders and community groups,” Ms Halit said.
By Oliver Winn
Warburton locals will get the opportunity to develop their digital literacy while enjoying a night of bowls and bingo on Wednesday 22 October.
The Warburton Bowls Club is hosting a bingo night for Get Online Week, an Australia-wide initiative which aims to close the digital divide and help Australians build practical online skills, with an emphasis on older Australians.
Get Online Week goes from 20 to 26 October and Warburton Bowls Club grants officer Aimee Dostie said the night was a “great opportunity” that acts as a way to connect members lacking in digital skills with those who are more tech savvy.
“This provides our members the chance to get out for a fun exciting night where they can get a little bit more information… as well as learn about the bowls club itself and the opportunities that they have directly here in the community,” Ms Dostie said.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Good Things Foundation, an organisation focused on creating a more digitally inclusive world.
Good Things Foundation chief executive officer Jess Wilson said Get Online Week supports
older Australians to build digital literacy through events which are local and familiar.
“It’s about supporting older Australians to build their digital literacy and skills at local places close to them, so that they do have the opportunity to be able to learn something new, but also to be doing that in the local community close to where they are,” Ms Wilson said.
Research commissioned by the Good Things Foundation revealed over half of Australians over 65 relied on friends and family for help with tech problems.
These problems are diverse and can include simple navigation, fixing glitches, identifying AI generated content and spotting scams.
The median age of someone living in Warburton is 50, and it’s this demographic that Ms Dostie hopes to attract with the bowls club’s bingo night, though the night is inclusive of all ages.
“Being a bowls club, it really is our demographic. We are happy and open to anyone, but probably the majority of members are over the age of 50 and this enables us to give them extra value,” Ms Dostie said.
The importance of digital literacy cannot be understated as scams become more prevalent,
with older Australians being particularly vulnerable.
In 2023, the Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club were victim to a malicious scam which cost them more than $100,000.
The club was paying for repairs to its front green when an elaborate business email compromise scam saw the money sent to a bank account in Uganda.
Ms Wilson said the threat of scams has been exacerbated by the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), with 43 per cent of Australian grandparents admitting they can’t always tell the difference between AI-generated and real content.
“AI is being used to exacerbate these scams to increase the ability for the scammers to get to people, and it’s also improving the kind of scams that they’re able to do.
“Before, you’d see a text come through, now you may hear your grandchild’s voice coming through on a phone.
In the more regional areas of the Yarra Ranges, some residents are isolated from family which can act as a barrier to them seeking help.
Ms Dostie said the point of the Warburton Bowls Club’s bingo night, was it could put people in touch with others and create connection.
“If they’re concerned about something… that might be an opportunity to ask questions, even if it’s just a family or friend,” Ms Dostie said.
“Nine times out of 10, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I got that last week. It’s a total scam.’ “
Ms Wilson also emphasised that a lot of older Australians are keen to stay connected and up to date, especially since a lot of older people today were the ones who invented the internet.
“We need to remember that they are also interested in staying connected and learning new things, and they have people in their lives that can support them to do that.”
By Gabriella Vukman
“Meet in Montrose at midday.”
The slogan was developed by the Montrose Township Group after the 2021 storms to ensure that locals know where to go and what to do in an emergency.
Township groups play an immense role in providing and organising resources, shelters, information and action plans as well as connecting local communities.
Often born from the occurrence of past emergency events, township groups reach beyond the scope of bushfires to form solutions such as emergency meeting places and community hubs, which are vital elements in ensuring the safety of local communities.
Chelsea Cooper is a part of the Montrose Resilience Committee, a subsect of the Montrose Township Group.
The Montrose Resilience Committee is a group of local volunteers all with different skill sets in natural disaster and other emergency preparation and recovery.
Ms Cooper said, “Our main role is to make sure the community is informed of potential weatherrelated risks and that there is enough information out there on what we can do as communities to support one another and prepare for disasters, especially prolonged power and telecommunication outages.”
“We try to bring the community together as much as possible so we’ll organise community group networking events where we invite people to come along and provide scenarios, like a high heat warning or a storm and explore what kind of assets we have in our community to combat these example scenarios.
“We recognise that there is a role in community, to make sure that we know each other, that we reach out to each other and that we care for one another, because when big events occur, emergency services might not be able to get to us quickly.”
It is not just physical assets, but also skills and connections that may help communities recover if and when emergency events occur.
Ms Cooper said, “We have recently received an AusNet ready and resilient education grant that has enabled us to engage a professional production company and bring together community groups and leaders to produce a series of small videos that talk through what kind of things we can do to prepare for events such as storms or high heat events, and what kind of things we need to do when we think about the potential for prolonged power outages.”
The Montrose Resilience Committee has a checklist of things locals can do during the occurrence of a natural disaster or emergency event.
Ms Cooper covered some of the items on the checklist and said, “It is about making sure that in the event of an upcoming natural disaster, we have our power banks, our batteries and our devices charged.”
“If locals have a generator, they can make sure it’s up and running. We also need to ensure we are all connected to the right information sources so we remain well informed,” she said.
“Such information sources include things like the VicEmergency App in particular, and the SES is another great space to get information updates in the middle of an emergency. The other thing that we’re really big about is making sure locals also check in on their neighbours, especially people who might be more vulnerable.”
The Montrose Resilience Committee also share updates from the VicEmergency App and Montrose fire brigade.
Ms Cooper said, “When something is happening, our role is to make sure that people are pointed to the right information sources so they know what to do.”
It is not just the major storms in 2020 and 2021 that prompted action from the Montrose Township Group and its branches. The fire that burned through Dr Ken Leversha Reserve earlier this year also taught the Group much about the local community’s needs when it comes to responding to fire.
Ms Cooper said, “Most of us didn’t get any sleep on the night of the fire, so emotions were very high during the community meeting that was held afterwards.”
“We were trying to figure out how things could have been different, because the fire really ramped up around midnight that night, and we think everyone went to bed, thinking it was contained, and people were still asleep, when really they needed to evacuate,” she said.
“There was a lot of discussion and many lessons learned after that fire event. Especially in terms of how we need to communicate in future. Locals did not know that when a fire is said to be contained, it does not mean that it is safe to stay
near it.”
Ms Cooper also outlined the importance of using one’s senses, rather than wholly relying on emergency apps and official messaging.
“If you can smell smoke, don’t wait for an authority to tell you to leave. How we support one another to recover from disastrous events is another important aspect,” Ms Cooper said.
Because the fire was contained in a specific part of our town, some people were far more impacted than others.
“We worked with the Council to make sure that there were support services like the Victorian Council of Churches and the Red Cross doorknocking in areas that were more likely impacted than others, just to check to make sure people are OK and to provide opportunities for us to come together and to be with one another.”
The October 2020 and 2021 storm events were a precursor to much of the Montrose Township Group’s actions.
Ms Cooper said, “A lot of us ran out of power
and we started hearing stories of people in the middle of the night took the risk of getting in their car to drive to their child’s house, such as elderly people that got in their car, drove to a different suburb because they weren’t safe enough to ask their neighbours for support.”
“Anytime anyone has the opportunity to get involved in any kind of group, it can be a group like a resilience committee or your local book club, those are the spaces where we start to get to know one another.
“It can be so hard sometimes when people are working or have busy lives, that we don’t focus on the fact that the people within our communities are going to be the ones that we draw on the most when times get really hard.”
Ms Cooper noted that any form of community participation leads to the development of stronger community connections.
The Montrose Resilience Committee has a resilience plan that was assembled in 2021. You can view this on their website.
Towards the Upper Yarra Valley, a longstanding group of local volunteers is working together to protect and prepare their local community for emergencies.
Following the 2009 fires, which devastated Marysville and its surrounds, the Yarra Ranges Council called for locals to attend a public meeting and discuss how the local area should be preparing for such catastrophic events.
From this meeting, a consultative group was formed from members of Warburton township. A council officer led the group for the first few meetings, but shortly branched off to become the Warburton Emergency Planning Group.
Member of the Warburton Emergency Planning Group Gordon Buller said, “Our group made a list of all of the biggest threats to Warburton and its residents and bushfires were voted as the area’s number one risk, trumping floods and storms.”
“We realised that we did not have access to good information on total fire bans, such as when and where they were occurring.
“This led to us appealing to get a Fire Danger Rating sign put in town. They had been put in every other major town, and we didn’t have one, even though we are rated as having the worst fire risk in Victoria.”
The sign is rotated and monitored by Mr Buller and other local volunteers who take time out of their days to change the sign at either six o’clock in the morning or ten o’clock at night, depending on when the latest fire rating comes through.
The work of the Warburton Emergency Group does not stop at Fire Danger Rating signs, but rather expands out to a wide variety of initiatives.
“Our old fire siren was still situated in the Warburton town, so we have helped that get set up so that it can be used by the incident control centre, which is a hub for people from many different agencies to come together and decide whether an event is deemed an emergency and if it will impact Warburton,” Mr Buller said.
“We also discovered that the emergency 774 radio signal doesn’t make it through to Warburton, so we got a government grant to have the signal be received and retransmitted to us from the top of Mount Victoria via the FM channel 96.1.”
Setting up a resilience centre where residents can go to seek information, charge their phones, eat, have a shower and meet other people is another key project of the Warburton Emergency Planning Group.
Mr Buller said, “Because our town is sort of strung out, we have selected multiple possible
places for a resilience centre. One of them is the bowling club because it has a battery backup for power that lasts for three days, so people can charge their phones and cook meals.”
“The resilience centre needs to be open 24 hours a day and have a battery radio, toilets, showers and a kitchen.”
The Yarra Ranges Council have now arranged a plug-in facility that is powered by a generator that can last for over three days.
Another location being considered for a resilience centre by the Warburton Emergency Group is the Redwood Centre.
Most of the Warburton Emergency Group’s discussion heavily involves community consultation, and Mr Buller encourages residents to participate in the group wherever possible, as well as attend their local CFA open days and have a backup plan for when emergencies occur.
Five minutes down the road, the Millgrove Residents Action Group has been established for 20 years.
Born out of a lack of community representation and some negative press about the safety and liveability of the township, the group’s primary goal is to promote Millgrove as a safe and enjoyable space for residents.
Vice president Phil Pomaroff said, “We have launched and combined three plans, the Resilience Plan, our Community Plan and our Future Vision Plan to come up with 46 projects that help us achieve what we want the Millgrove township to become.”
“Resilience is a key aspect for us, as Millgrove is the second most fire-prone place in Victoria, after Warburton,” he said.
“We are also vulnerable to floods and swelling of the Yarra River as well as damage from storms.”
Mr Pomaroff noted that the Millgrove township was without power for five days during the 2021 storms and that it was this outage that prompted one of the Group’s 46 projects to focus on energy preparedness.
“One of our bigger projects is having reliable local renewable power that consists of three programs, one of which has been achieved at the community centre,” Mr Pomaroff said.
“We have now installed a solar battery thanks to a $277,000 grant from AusNet. That facility can now run if we lose power, so it can be a recovery centre for after an event.”
The community hub provides a place residents can go to charge their phones, get some food, use a bathroom and come together after an
emergency event.
A program to help locals prepare their houses for fire season is another initiative of the Millgrove Residents Action Group.
Mr Pomaroff said, “One of the most important things is having fire guards in your guttering.”
“Most fires occur through ember attack, so having your roof protected and having guards to prevent embers from entering the house is vital.
“Making sure that the garden is not right up against the house and that trees are cut back from buildings is also important.”
On top of the above initiatives, the group also runs expos with the local CFA, has installed community defibrillators and has organised cleanups along the river to reduce fuel loads.
“We also have an annual light show where we
light up areas and incorporate history, performances, poetry, music and local entertainment.
In April each year,” Mr Pomaroff said.
“The art of being resilient is having your community connected together.”
When it comes to responding to emergencies, township groups situated throughout the Yarra Ranges reiterate the importance of coming together and preparing as a community in the face of difficulty.
Visit the above Township Groups’ pages below.
• Montrose Township Group: montrosetownshipgroup.org.au
• Warburton Emergency Planning Group: warburtonemergency.org.au
• Millgrove Residents Action Group: mrag.net.au
In a historic moment for Australia, the Statewide Treaty Bill was introduced to the Victorian Parliament on 9 September 2025. If it passes both Houses of Parliament, it will give effect to the first treaty in Australia between First Peoples and a state or territory government.
On 14 October 2025, the second anniversary of the Voice Referendum, a moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony was provided by Traditional Owners ahead of the address to the Lower House by First Peoples’ Assembly CoChairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.
The introduction of the Bill marks a defining moment in Victoria’s history, culminating generations of resistance, advocacy, and leadership by First Peoples, and nearly a decade of dedicated work since the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group was formed in 2016.
Anita Koochew
Eastern Community Legal Centre
After decades of resilience and activism, Australia’s first Treaty between the Victorian Government and First Peoples is now on the cusp of becoming law.
As a proud and unwavering ally, Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) wholeheartedly supports this historic Statewide Treaty Bill. The Centre believes that this legislation represents far more than policy, it is a profound step toward resetting the relationship between the Victorian state and First Peoples, grounded in fairness, respect, and truth.
CLOC Musical Theatre &Juliet
The story of what happened if Juliet decided not to suicide after Romeo’s so called death.
The production opened with William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway who wanted the story of Romeo & Juliet’s ending changed and what happened to Juliet.
A great interpretation of the original Shakespeare story with a normal for CLOC Theatre adding to their much-loved high standard of production.
The sets were absolutely amazing, solidly built and two-storied so one had two main sets and two staircases which were moved about the stage in different positions so they tied with each other to form different aspects of the story.
Costuming ranged from modern day to the period of time when Shakespeare set the play. The lighting was absolutely magnificent with laser type lights above the audience. I see by the program there were 200 people involved in this production. CLOC Theatre is to be congratulated for such a production.
Of course the cast do come into the show too.
Juliet was played by Guada Banez. An absolutely magnificent performance of the role plus a premium singing voice which added to her performance.
William Shakespeare was played by Sam Anderson. An impressive performance and a good rapport with Sharon Wills who had two roles, Anne Hathaway and April. Another impressive performance particularly in both roles added to by a good singing voice.
Romeo was portrayed by Tim Maguire who insisted he was still married to Juliet no matter what she thought. A good performance added again by a good voice.
Shaun Kingma was Lance. Another great addition to the CLOC production. May was played by Mak Russell Gill, a wonderful performance and the two, Francois, played by Will Woods, were wonderful together. Francois was threatened with being sent to the army unless he was to be married. But he was in love with May not Juliet who he was supposed to marry.
A large ensemble adding to the high standard of the production and a very successful evening by
CLOC Musical Theatre.
Lilydale Athenaeum theatre
Sister Amnesia’s Country Western Nunsense Jamboree
In Nunsense I, wacky nun Sister Mary Amnesia, regained her memory and recalled that she always wanted to be a country singer. In Nunsense II, her dream became one step closer to reality when Reverend Mother had a recording contract for her.
In this show, Nunsense Jamboree, Sister Amnesia’s dream is realised as she headlines a brandnew show promoting her debut album, I Could’ve Gone to Nashville.
• Season: 20 November – 6 December
The 1812 Theatre
Rhinestone Rex & Miss Monica
A Modern Romantic Comedy
It’s an age-old question: do opposites attract? More specifically, could you date someone who has completely different music tastes to you?
Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica explore this contested idea with oodles of wit and charm through the story of a very unlike pair.
It’s the beginning of a new friendship between Miss Monica and her contractor Gary. Miss Monica has taken leave from the Sydney Symphony due to tendonitis in her shoulder and decides to employ Gary to install her EA-designed decor.
Unbeknownst to the trained musician, Gary has an alter ego of Rhinestone Rex, a washed-up country music star who intends to convince Monica that country music is just as valid as her classical taste. both single and alone, a little spark forms between the two, but are they too dissimilar to match or do opposites attract?
• Season: 14 November – 6 December.
At the heart of the Treaty is a formal apology from the Victorian Government to the First Peoples of Victoria, alongside binding commitments to embed truth-telling and Aboriginal history into every public school curriculum. Critically, it empowers Aboriginal communities to design, develop, and deliver the solutions that will shape their futures because when First Peoples lead, their communities thrive.
The Treaty also establishes permanent structures for representation and accountability, including the First Peoples’ Assembly as a permanent democratic body and the new Nginma Ngainga Wara Outcomes and Justice Commission. These mechanisms ensure that government promises translate into real, measurable outcomes in health, education, housing, and justice.
ECLC stands firmly behind the principle that self-determination is not just a right, it is essential.
ECLC CEO Michael Smith said, “This monumental Treaty is more than just legislation, it’s a long-overdue act of justice. At ECLC, we stand
firmly with First Peoples in Victoria as they lead the way toward self-determination, truth-telling and real change.”
“Supporting this bill isn’t just the right thing to do, it is essential to building a fairer, more inclusive future for generations to come,” he added.
Victoria’s leadership in becoming the first Australian state to legislate a Treaty with First Peoples sets a powerful example for the rest of the nation. It strengthens our democracy, deepens our collective understanding of history, and paves the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and reconciled future, for all Victorians, and for generations to come.
• Read ECLC’s full Treaty pledge: eclc.org.au/ treatypledge
• Watch our Treaty Pledge video: vimeo. com/1125054107
• Learn more about Treaty here: firstpeoplesvic. org/treaty
Black Phone 2
Starring Madeleine McGraw, Mason Thames and Ethan Hawke MA15+ 4.5/5
In Black Phone 2, the more-than-worthy sequel to my film of the year for 2022, Finney (Mason Thames) and his sister Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) grapple with the vengeful spirit of the Grabber serial killer (Ethan Hawke) at a remote youth camp.
Like the first film, Black Phone 2 balances terror and intrigue for an entrancing experience, but has a wider scope, ramps up the gore and cleverly subverts some of the first film’s elements. The phone, once a medium for the Grabber’s victims to help Finney, is now also the Grabber’s mouthpiece, and Gwen’s dreams (ingeniously shown through grainy film stock), which once freed Finney, are now the Grabber’s window for terrorising them once more.
Director Scott Derrickson executes slow, nail-biting build-up yet again, this time in snowy expanses and dimly-lit halls instead of a basement prison, and the grisly, stressful scares always feel earned (with some impressive stunt-work). The fate of the Grabber’s first victims adds a fascinating investigative layer to the group’s struggle to stop him, and as Black Phone 2 explores the Grabber’s origins, any
mystique he loses as a villain is amply countered by his terrifying new power from beyond the grave. Black Phone 2 also breaks up the unease with well-observed moments of humour and amusingly awkward teen bonding.
Thames initially seems a little underdeveloped as Finney, but this is clearly Gwen’s movie. McGraw is magnetic as a young woman who has courage, cleverness and fear in all the right measures, and the scenes of her striking back in her dreams against the Grabber are triumphant without being outlandish.
Black Phone 2 is more fun and less psychologically scary than the first film, but still a compelling, profoundly unnerving horror film, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
- Seth Lukas Hynes
A review of The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories
The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories is a collection of Chinese science fiction and fantasy stories written, translated and edited and designed byfemaleandnon-binaryartists.Itwaspublished in March 2022 by Tordotcom, an imprint of Tor PublishingGroupthatpublishescuttingedgeand experimentalspeculativeshortfiction,collections and anthologies.
The collection features 17 short stories by 15 contemporary Chinese authors. Also included are five essays by translators and scholars covering themes such as the writing, translation, publishing and reading of science fiction and fantasy stories in China.
As can be expected, many of the stories in this collection are influenced by Chinese history and culture, especially myths and folklore. For example, “The Tale of Wude’s Heavenly Tribulation” is based on the notion that humans and animals canachieveimmortalitythroughspiritualcultivation, while “The Way Spring Arrives” is inspired by ancient tales of natural forces being seasonal change.
Other examples include “New Year Painting” and “The Portrait”, which are modern retellings of traditional ghost stories. In comparison, “The Name of the Dragon”, “To Procure Jade” and “The Mountain and the Secret of Their Names” are inspired by renowned fables and folktales.
A particularly outstanding story is “Dragonslaying”, which depicts the jiaoren, half-fish creatures that have long left their mark in mythology and folklores. Similar to the merpeople in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, the jiaoren in this
story are captured and forced through considerable physical modifications before being sold as playthings to the rich and powerful humans. It is quite a vivid and compelling read.
Meanwhile, those favouring science fiction stories will enjoy “The Restaurant at the End of the Universe: Tai-Chi Mashed Taro”, which pays tribute to Douglas Adams and leads a traditional Chinese artist through time travel. Also excellent are “Baby, I Love You” and “A Brief History of Beinakan Disasters”, which explore the universal themes of parenthood and climate change, respectively.
Those readers already familiar with Chinese science fiction through translation will be delighted by Xia Jia’s “What Does the Fox Say?”. It is the author’s second story specifically written for anglophonereadersthatinvestigatesthecomplex relationship between language/linguistics and artificial intelligence.
JUST five years young, this architecturally inspired residence is a striking modern retreat that captures breathtaking views across its 12-acre (approx.) setting. Designed for ultimate flexibility, the intelligently planned layout accommodates both single and multi-generational living. Whether enjoyed as one expansive family home or as two self-contained residences, every space reflects contemporary design and quality craftsmanship.
Polished concrete floors, square-edged cornices and double-glazed windows set the tone for modern luxury, complemented by hydronic heating and refrigerated cooling for year-round comfort. The kitchen forms the heart of the home, seamlessly connecting with the light-filled living area and framing scenic vistas of the distant hills. Featuring Caesarstone benchtops, a 900mm Falcon oven, dishwasher, and a hidden walk-in pantry behind a beautiful timber door, it’s a true entertainer’s delight.
The master suite evokes a sense of everyday indulgence, complete with a lavish ensuite featuring a freestanding bath positioned to take in 180-degree views. A second large bedroom also offers a full ensuite, with a nearby study nook providing the perfect space for those working from home. At the opposite end of the residence, a third bedroom with ensuite adjoins a spacious family room—ideal for privacy and relaxation.
Outdoors, a substantial 20m x 8m shed with three bays offers exceptional storage and versatility. It includes caretaker’s quarters with a bathroom and second toilet, along with a mezzanine level—perfect for a games room or studio. Accessed via a quiet, sealed road, the property provides abundant parking for cars, boats, trailers or caravans, ensuring space for every lifestyle need.
Sustainability and self-sufficiency are at the forefront, with 200,000 litres of water storage, 16kW of solar panels, fruit trees, six paddocks and a dam—all contributing to a low-cost, offgrid lifestyle.
Fresh, inviting, and ready for its next chapter, this exceptional property offers the best of modern country living in the heart of the Yarra Valley. Come and experience the tranquillity, space, and sophistication that make this home truly one of a kind.
TUCKED away on approx. ¼ acre block, this delightful split-level character home offers the perfect blend of charm, comfort, and functionality. Set back from the street for added privacy, the home sits behind a flat, usable front yard — ideal for families, hobbyists, or travellers, with ample off-street parking and room for a caravan or trailer.
Step inside and you’re greeted by the warmth of beautiful timber floorboards that flow seamlessly through the home, enhancing the sense of space and natural light. The open-plan living and dining area creates an inviting heart of the home — a place where family and friends can gather in comfort, surrounded by the gentle character of its thoughtful design.
The kitchen is practical, featuring a walk-in pantry with ample storage and workspace — perfect for those who love to cook or entertain.
Accommodation includes three generous
bedrooms, with the master suite offering a walk-in robe and private ensuite, providing a peaceful retreat from the day. A separate study or optional fourth bedroom adds flexibility, ideal for working from home, a guest room, or a creative space.
Comfort is assured year-round with splitsystem heating and cooling, ensuring the perfect climate whatever the season.
Outside, the tiered grounds invite imagination — a space for children to play freely, for gardens to flourish, or for relaxed outdoor living under the open sky. Every corner of this property reflects a sense of calm, and possibility.
Combining character, comfort, and an unbeatable location, this home embraces the best of Upwey’s village charm and the lifestyle of the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. ●
WELCOME to 8 Nolan Road – a beautifully renovated home offering timeless charm and contemporary comfort in a peaceful, leafy location. Just a flat 15-minute walk from Emerald’s vibrant township, this inviting property delivers the perfect balance of privacy and convenience.
Step inside to discover light-filled interiors with modern updates throughout, including solar, air conditioning, and an electric hot water system. A standout feature is the sunroom, bathed in natural light and framed by bay windows that showcase the picturesque backyard. Outdoors, enjoy manicured gardens designed for year-round beauty with minimal upkeep.
Key features:
• Renovated interiors blending character with modern style Bright sunroom with bay windows and garden views
• Beautiful, low-maintenance gardens
• Quiet, private location just 15 minutes’ walk to town
• Move-in ready with solar, air-conditioning and electric hot water
This is a rare opportunity to secure a peaceful retreat in the heart of Emerald. Ideal for downsizers, couples or anyone seeking lifestyle and location in one. ●
QuietSettingon2875m2.SteelFrameConstruction.
What asought-afterlandholdingof2875m2toenjoy,establishedgardensin apeaceful setting,thispropertyistheperfectplacetocallhome,especiallyifyouhavea boat/ caravan,asyouhavea seconddrivewaytostoreiton.
Insidethehouseoffersexcellentliving(onewithwood fire)anddiningspacescentred around aspaciousgalleykitchenwithgoodstorage,doublesink,wallovenand hotplates.
MickDolphin 0429684522
CaitiEllis 0493136937
PerfectlyPositionedtoWalktoEverything
Thisstunningcontemporarytownhouseiscompletelyturnkeyandreadyforyoutomove in,atjustovertwoyearsoldit isstillunderthebuilder’swarranty, Stepinsidetodiscover astylish,on-trendpalette,highceilings,andpolishedtimber floorscomplementedbyplushcarpetedbedrooms.Qualityfixturesandfittingsfeature throughout,creatinga senseofmoderncomfortandeffortlesssophistication
MickDolphin 0429684522
CaitiEllis 0493136937
ATimeless,PicturesquePieceofArton4.5Acres
Timeistheonethingyoucan’tbuy,andthisimmaculatelyrestoredhistorichomeprovides timelessappealwith agardentomatch!Offeringstunningviewsoverthegardentothe west,thisone-of-a-kindpropertyoffersspace,charmandversatilityforthewholefamily
Thehomeitselfisfullofcharacter,featuringpolishedtimber floorsandsoaringceilingsthat giveit atimelessappeal.Thereis achoiceoftwolivingareasplus astudy/sunroommakes itidealforbothfamilylivingandentertaining,withthespaciouscountry-sizedkitchen
CaitiEllis 0493136937
Charming,RenovatedRetreat
A 1 BC
Abeautifullyrenovatedhomeofferingtimelesscharmandcontemporarycomfortina peaceful,leafylocation.Justaflat 15-minutewalkfromEmerald’svibranttownship,this invitingpropertydeliverstheperfectbalanceofprivacyandconvenience. A standoutfeatureisthe sunroom,bathedinnaturallightandframed bybaywindows thatshowcasethepicturesquebackyard.Enjoymanicured gardens designedforyearround beautywithminimal upkeep.
AnthonyIorlano 0494142438
MickDolphin 0429684522
SURROUNDED by over half an acre of breathtaking, landscaped gardens, with winding pathways, fishpond and waterfall, this architecturally designed two-storey residence offers a seamless blend of mid-century modern design and serene natural beauty.
With a focus on clean lines, minimalism and timeless style, the home is flooded with natural light from expansive panes of thickened glass that frame stunning views in every direction. The lush, tiered gardens become a living artwork, visible from every room and thoughtfully integrated into the home’s open plan layout.
Upstairs, on the main floor, a spacious lounge and dining area flow effortlessly to two of several outdoor deckings-perfect for relaxed gatherings or tranquil evenings taking in the surrounding valley greenery. The contemporary kitchen is a chef’s delight, featuring stainless steel benchtops and appliances, Smeg oven, ample storage, and an outlook over the colourful gardens that adds a daily dose of inspiration.
Downstairs, the home delivers a peaceful retreat with all three bedrooms privately situated, each bedroom enjoying garden views. The master suite boasts a walk through robe and dressing area plus a luxurious ensuite, which is more like a wellness retreat, compete with heated floor, and a Juliet outdoor deck: ideal for morning coffee or evening wind-downs. Step outside and discover a true garden paradise. Fully landscaped with a rare level of care and detail, the grounds are designed for year-round enjoyment. At the heart of it all is a stunning, gas and solar-heated inground pool with self-cleaning system, promising endless summer enjoyment in a sanctuary like setting. Floodlit for evening swimming, this is an entertainer’s dream. You can look forward to enjoying dinners with friends on yet another spacious decking that comes complete with built in BBQ.
Additional features include ducted heating, multiple split systems for year-round comfort plus an enchanting gas log fire, not to mention an abundance of under house storage with full workshop.
Located just a short stroll from The Patch General Store, only moments from Monbulk township and just a quick drive to Belgrave, this is more than a home-it’s a lifestyle opportunity not to be missed. ●
WELCOME home to your private escape, nestled among the treetops with fresh country air and views of neighbouring mountains.
This inviting home that has been beautifully presented and offers the perfect blend of peace, space, and practicality—ideal for growing families, weekenders, or anyone seeking a quieter lifestyle without compromise.
Step inside to a welcoming entry that flows into a light-filled dining and kitchen area.
The kitchen features a gas cooktop, neat bench and cupboard space, complete with garden views that make cooking feel like a treat, not a chore. The open plan lounge is the heart of the home, complete with large picture windows, a crackling wood fire, and seamless connection to the outdoor entertaining decks.
Upstairs offers two freshly painted bedrooms and a main bathroom, with stylish floorboards and two split systems ensuring year-round comfort. Outside is a treat, with expansive decking the perfect spot for morning coffee or sunset drinks.
Downstairs, you’ll find two additional bedrooms with built-in robes, private deck access, and a second bathroom—ideal for teenagers, guests, or multi-generational living.
Set on a leafy, low-maintenance block with established gardens, this home also includes a carport and is just moments from local walking trails, offering both serenity and convenience. A peaceful lifestyle waiting for you to step in and enjoy.
64AcreswithFamilySpaceandFantasticViews
Theultimatebroadacreagelifestylepropertyon agrandscalesetonapprox.64sensationalacres.
Thesubstantialfamilyhomeconsistsof 6bedrooms, 4withbuiltinrobes, 2withwalkinrobesand2 withensuites -plusa mainbathroom.Plentyofspaceforthegrowingfamilywith alargelounge room,familyroomandlivingroom,plusa greatsizekitchen.Thislargeacreagelifestyleproperty isperfectfortheoutdoorsandnaturelovingfamilywith 4separatedams,biglockupcolourbond garage (approx13mx8m),freshcraysandtrout,a springfedcreek,andcattleyards.
MountainViews&aMassiveBlock– LifestyleLivinginWarburton EmbracethebestoftheWarburtonlifestylewiththisbeautifullyupdatedbrickhome,proudly positionedon agenerous1,924m²(approx.)allotment.Inside,thehomefeaturesthreebedrooms, includinga spaciousmastersuitecompletewithwalk-inrobeanda stylishprivateensuite.Themain bathroomhasbeentastefullyrenovated,boasting afreestandingbath,walk-inshower,anddesigner tilechoices.Theopen-planliving,dining,andkitchenareaislightfilledandwelcoming,withlarge picturewindowsthatperfectlycapturebreathtakingmountainvistas.Thisoneisnottobemissed!
RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068
2living/loungeareaswitha functional andflexiblefloorplan.Thefreshmodernkitchenboastsqualityappliancesandfittingsthroughout withamplebenchandcupboardspace.Headoutsideandenjoythefantasticoutdoors anytimeoftheyearfromthecoveredentertainingBBQareatotheingroundpool.Plentyofcar accommodationwith ahugelockupgarage/workshopplusloadsofextraspacefortrucks,trailers andcaravans, aseparatebungalow/studio,a greatplacetocallhome!
DavidCarroll M 0419539320
TranquilCountryRetreatAmongsttheTrees
Welcomehometoyourprivateescape!Thekitchenfeaturesa gascooktop,neatbenchand cupboardspace,completewithgardenviews.Theopenplanloungeistheheartofthehome, completewithlargepicturewindows, acracklingwoodfire,andseamlessconnectiontothe outdoorentertainingdecks.Upstairsofferstwofreshlypaintedbedroomsanda mainbathroom. Downstairs,you’llfindtwoadditionalbedroomswithbuilt-inrobes,privatedeckaccess,anda secondbathroom.Thishomealsoincludesa carport,offeringbothserenityandconvenience.
RebeccaDoolan M 0401832068
FantasticAcreageViews& CharmingHomein aPrivateLocation Thissuperbacreagelifestyleawaitsyou.Setonover19acreswith amixofclearedpastureandbush, it’stheidealplacetorelaxandenjoythescenery.Boasting4 bedroomsover 2levelsplusa large office/studyandworkfromhomesetup.Stepoutsideandenjoycovereddeckingandanalfresco/ BBQarea -justthespottorelaxandenjoytheYarraValleyviews.A largehighclearancecarport andbarnofferplentyofcar,truckandcaravanaccommodation.A propertyin agloriousand privatelocation,withfantasticviewsandscenery.
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.
1 Sucking action (7) 5 Encourages (7) 9 Shameless (11)
10 Australian bird (3)
Deep valley (6) 12 Australian desert (7) 14 Chances (4) 15 Comprehensible (10) 17 Mammals with pouches (10) 19 Quip (4) 20 Vie (7) 22 Ebb (6) 25 Curve (3) 26 Recur together (11) 28 Bright red (7) 29 Haunt (7)
1 Aspersion (4)
2 Plant with aromatic leaves and seeds (9)
3 Insinuate (5)
4 Type of medical procedure not requiring an incision (3-8)
5 Message broadcast in the public’s interest (1,1,1) 6 Perfect (7) 7 Lyric verses (5)
8 Wasted (10)
12 Learning (11)
13 Radiation travelling through space (6,4)
16 Ancestry (9)
18 Kitchen implement (7)
21 Type of coffee (5)
23 Cuts (wood) (5)
24 Bonds (4)
27 Egg of louse (3)
CHARGE SCHEME
ROAD, CHUM CREEK - ROAD
In accordance with Section 163 of the Local Government Act 1989, notice is hereby given that the Yarra Ranges Shire Council at its meeting of 14 October 2025 has resolved of its intention to declare special charges for Arthurs Road, Chum Creek road improvement works, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the provision by Council of road improvements carried out under Sections 8 and 10 of the Local Government Act 2020
The special charge is intended to be declared in respect of those properties having abuttal to or gaining primary access via, the above listed road.
Plans for the designated area, showing properties involved in the special charge scheme, can be viewed online by searching Council’s website for the Agenda of the 14 October 2025 Council meeting.
A copy of the proposal to levy is available for inspection at any of the Yarra Ranges Council Community Links: 15 Anderson Street, Lilydale, 110 River Street, Healesville, 21 Main Road, Monbulk, 40 Main Street, Upwey or 2442-2444 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction during office hours until 19 November 2025.
In accordance with Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1989, any person wishing to make a submission on the proposal must do so in writing by 19 November 2025 as follows:
Please address submissions to:
Public Submission – Special Charge Scheme
Attention: Infrastructure Delivery
Email: mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au
Post: Yarra Ranges Council PO Box 105 Lilydale Vic 3140
Hand Deliver: At any of Council’s Community Links
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 Local Government Act 1989
Copies of submissions (excluding submitter’s names and addresses) will be made available at the Council meeting when submissions are considered.
It is proposed to declare this special charge at the Council meeting held on 9 December 2025 or should this meeting not proceed then the next available meeting, after the consideration of the submissions received.
The proposed
relates is made.
By Ian Milgate
Sunday 19 October saw the traditional opening of the green where the ladies singles champion Rita Featherstone, and the mens singles champion Robert Ayres, rolled the first jack down the green followed by the first bowl for the season.
The members then sat down to a beautiful lunch prepared by our wonderful volunteers.
After lunch we had the Ron Patterson perceptual trophy presentation for the best bowlers on a Tuesday and Saturday.
Adrian Beales was presented with the Saturday trophy and Gerda Otta for Tuesday.
It was then followed up by the presentations of trophy winners and runners up from last season’s club championships.
It was a great day had by all and I must thank all of the club members who helped out on the day.
Bowls Pennant Season starts on 25 October and this will be a very busy time.
We have two teams playing Saturdays in division three and eight, and two teams playing on Tuesday in division two and five.
Over the past couple of weeks we have been playing practice matches against Warburton, Chirnside Park and Yarra Junction to refine our skills prior to the season start.
I would also like to welcome Gary Brousarrd back to Healesville after playing several years for Warburton.
Gary’s mother’s name is on our ladies championship honour board, so Gary now has the opportunity to be there too.
Every Thursday at 12.30pm we have a social day for bowls whereby you can come along, not feel pressured, and have a fun day learning to bowl with other like minded people.
Many of our social bowlers are there to show you the ropes and have some fun.
Contact Robyn Turville on 5962 4984 for further information.
By Anita Prowse
It was a big week in equestrian sports here in the Valley this week.
The Shirley Heights Midweek Dressage winners were -
Adv - Kylie Pedder on Dicavalli Dimitri.
Med - Tanya Grieve on Van Eyk Flume
Elementary - Katelan Elmpt on Primrose Park Lilly.
Novice - Emma Dalton on Keystone Total Quantum.
Prelim - Jessica Bolt on Ruby.
Prep - Jodie Barton.
Then Saturday saw the large animal rescue fundraiser dressage jackpot, with level winners as follows:
Adv - Pru Wood on Royal Percy from Just Riding EC Inc.
Level one - Heather Lindup on Aurum Lithium from South Eastern Dressage Club Inc.
Level two - Ildiko Vargo on Shadowfax from South Eastern Dressage Club Inc.
Level three - Belinda Micallef on Rosymoon Solid Gold from Amaroo RC.
Level four - Alex
By Peter Haddow
At 17, the world was there for Silvan local Caitlyn Redfern to take.
The previous year, she had won the Victorian Pony Club State Dressage Championship medal, and in March 2010, she was preparing for the next State championships, having just qualified. Caitlyn’s childhood dream was to compete at the Olympics, and she believed it was possible, until she had a fall from her horse, Sam, on her menage.
Caitlyn was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury to her left hip and leg.
However, something didn’t feel right. She could not feel her left leg properly, and it was cold and discoloured.
Several days later, Caitlyn returned to the hospital and was re-diagnosed with bilateral fractures to her pelvis. Still, that didn’t seem to be the correct diagnosis.
After seeing various doctors over a 12-week period, she was told, “We just don’t really know.”
Her ‘fractures’ turned out to be growth plates, but the pain continued and only got worse over time.
Later that same year, Caitlyn was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which, she says, marked the start of “15 years of the most traumatising time of my life.”
Since the accident, Caitlyn has undergone approximately 30 operations, including the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator with leads
placed in four spots along her spinal cord.
For nine years, it gave her minor relief, but it was never enough.
The continuous pain was unbearable, and she felt like she was going through hell.
In the last 12 months, Caitlyn had seven more surgeries, but none of them provided any relief.
With emotional and financial support from her parents, Lorraine and Geoff Redfern, her grandparents, Lynda and Archie, and good friends, along with a GoFundMe campaign, Caitlyn traveled to Atlanta in May for a costly treatment not available in Australia.
The chronic pain and physical limitations had reached the point where Caitlyn had considered taking her own life, there was only so much she could endure.
As a last resort, she spent three weeks receiving treatment at the Neurosolutions Centre of Atlanta.
This involved intensive brain-based functional neurology therapy. Caitlyn went from “severe, ten-out-of-ten pain to zero pain,” she said.
Back home, Caitlyn now follows a rigorous daily routine of up to four hours of physical therapy and various treatments.
Encouraged by the results in Atlanta, she set herself a goal: to complete the 5km fun run as part of the Melbourne Marathon event on Sunday 12 October.
This felt like a miracle because, just four months earlier, she had been unable to walk without a walking stick or mobility scooter.
Three weeks before the fun run, she had an-
Yarra Ranges Athletics is jumping into the new season with a $4500 grant from Coles to support little athletes and community volunteers.
The club was one of 72 grassroots Little Athletics Centres across Australia announced this week as a successful recipient of the 2025 Coles Little Athletics Community Fund who will share in $250,000 to purchase much-needed sports, safety and volunteer equipment.
Yarra Ranges Athletics will use their grant to buy new hurdles and marquee weights, which club president Max Savill-Bentley said will help volunteers deliver a fun, safe and quality program for young athletes.
“As our club continues to grow in athlete numbers, volunteer participation, and school bookings, it is crucial to have the right equipment to meet these increasing demands,” he said.
“The new hurdles will not only provide a better competition experience for our athletes but also ensure a safer and quicker setup for our volunteers between races. Additionally, the metal leg weights for our marquees are crucial to the safety and wellbeing of our members.”
The grant comes as Little Athletics Australia revealed a 16 per cent jump in participation over the past 12 months, with the biggest increase recorded in the Little Athletics Tiny Tots program for three to five-year-olds, which rose by 33 per cent. In the past five seasons, Little Athletics has grown by more than 40 per cent to over 96,000 Aussie kids and a further 74,000 community volunteers, coaches and officials, making it one of the most participated junior sports programs in Australia.
A significant contributor to this surge in participation was Australia’s success at the Paris Olympics, which represented the third-highest post-Olympics growth in the past 40 years (behind London 2012 and Sydney 2000). And now, with a home Olympic Games on the horizon, Coles is backing Little Athletics for a further three years by renewing its partnership with the iconic Australian sporting program.
other surgery, but walk she did. In fact, she ran and walked the event.
Her brother Ben traveled from Wodonga to be with her, along with her best friend from school, Juliette Haddow.
To mark the occasion, Caitlyn had T-shirts made up commemorating how, just four months earlier, she had been unable to walk, yet now she was running in Melbourne’s biggest fun run.
The last kilometre was tough.
She had done little training, but the obstacles she had overcome over the past 15 years made her more resilient than ever.
She was determined not to be beaten.
She just wanted to finish, putting one foot in front of the other, overwhelmed to the point of tears along the last stretch. The trio finished in under 43 minutes.
Some doctors had told her she would never run again, let alone walk.
She proved them wrong, crossing the finish line and being presented with a finisher’s medal.
Persistence and self-belief got her through.
On Monday, the day after the fun run, Caitlyn was stocking shelves with romance titles and serving customers at her A Thousand Lives bookshop, located at 1385 Healesville-Koo Wee Rup Road, Woori Yallock.
She wore her finisher’s medal with a little temporary pain in her legs, but this was to be expected after completing a fun run with 6000 others.
Next year, Caitlyn Redfern intends to run the half
Little Athletics Australia chief executive officer Myles Foreman said Little Athletics is well-positioned to maintain its growth with recent successes on and off the track and field.
“Grassroots Little Athletics Centres are the heartbeat of our sport. The sustained upward trend in participation over the past five years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our 74,000 volunteers across the country, as well as the ongoing efforts of our State and Territory Member Associations who deliver quality programs to thousands of young athletes,” he said.
“Our partnership extension with Coles for a further three years will also help Little Athletics to continue this momentum with resources and opportunities for children of all ages, including our youngest athletes through the Coles Little Athletics Tiny Tots program.”
Coles Acting Group Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Officer Jace Armstrong said Coles is extremely proud of its long-standing partnership with Little Athletics.
“Coles’ partnership with Little Athletics is built on mutual values and goals to help kids and local communities thrive and grow. Since 2017, Coles has donated more than six million bananas and over $2.8 million in sports equipment grants to help kids stay fit and be active. We’re excited to play a role in fostering the next generation of Australian athletes for another three years,” he said.
In addition to providing equipment grants to grassroots centres, Coles is also raising funds for Little Athletics through its annual Banana A-Peel, a national fundraiser whereby five cents from every kilo of Cavendish bananas sold at Coles until 21 October will be donated to Little Athletics.
By Chris Handasyde
First XI: Healesville 238 v Chirnside Park.
Batting first, we lost an early wicket but the Handasyde brothers combined for a 53 run partnership to steady the ship.
Tom went on to make 56 and was supported by Nick Zinghini 39.
Some batters got starts but no one went on to make a substantial score.
Luke Chandler (31) and Liam English (21) helped push the score up over 200 and Tarkyn Nicolandos scored 15 runs late in the innings to build our score to 238 from 80 overs.
Second XI: Healesville 254 v Eastfield.
For the first two dayer of the season, the seconds were sent into bat.
A good, patient innings from Denzel Parsons (29) helped set a good platform of 4/119 at tea.
With some quick scoring from Michael Davern (51) we were taken to 6/167 after 52 but the highlight was the tail-enders with Aeden Senti (22) and Sam Drummond (25) having a 50 partnership for the ninth wicket.
Then Jack Drummond (8) joined Sam to put on another 27 runs together for the last wicket getting our score to 254.
Third XI Healesville: 9/110 v Warrandyte 1/169 dec.
The highlights were a magnificent undefeated half-century from Ben Mackey and a brilliant catch from young Josh Braden, only 10-years-old. Play commences this coming weekend.
Fourth XI: Healesville 7/156 defeated Heatherdale 127.
Healesville batted first.
We captured seven wickets with five run out, with the main contributors being Danny Hyndman (52), Nate Caldicott (26) and Summer Caldicott (32), ending up with a defend-able score 7/156.
Healesville bowled well with Danny Hyndman taking a five wicket haul and Louis Keath and Harry Thomas both taking two wickets, bowling Heatherdale out for 127.
Stage one Girls: Healesville 130 defeated Mooroolbark 80.
Bowling first we captured seven wickets with Evie Matthews a star in the field getting three run outs.
Lucy Harding and Elodie Handasyde both got a wicket each.
With some great running between wickets we built a great score to win the match (Olivia English 13* and Veronica Leonard 10*). In the
By Oliver Winn
Three Bridges-born rally raid motorcycle rider
Daniel “Chucky” Sanders has finished the Morocco Rally in second position overall.
But, the Dakar Rally champion isn’t fussed, as he has already been crowned the Rally GP champion after winning the Portugal Rally, making him the first ever to secure the World Rally-Raid Championship title before the last round.
He announced his final position on his Facebook account on 18 October and said some slight navigation issues caused him to fall behind.
“It wasn’t the perfect race for me, due to a number of navigation errors, but this has given me motivation to lock in for Dakar Rally,” Sanders said.
2025 started with the history-making Dakar Rally win in February, and he followed that with an Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge victory, a South African Safari Rally win and a Portugal Rally win shortly after.
The Spaniard Tosha Schareina was the winner for the Morocco Rally, also know as the Rallye du Maroc, and it was Schareina’s third stage win which was enough to win the overall.
Schareina finished ahead of Daniel Sanders and Ricky Brabec, putting an end to Sander’s rampant winning spree across the first four rounds of the World Rally-Raid Championship.
Sanders dominated the rally and broke the
record for most RallyGP wins (19) and most specials won in a single season (11).
Having grown up on a farm in Three Bridges, Chucky found a passion for off-road riding from an early age as he learnt the rugged terrain of the south east Australian landscape.
He shocked the world with his sensational debut at the Dakar in 2022 as he finished fourth and secured the title of best rookie.
By David Marshall
This week brought a mixed bag of results for Wandin Cricket Club, but showcased some outstanding performances across all grades.
From record partnerships to spirited fight backs to a bizzare bee delay - round two had it all.
Here’s how each team performed:
Womens First XI:
Wow – our womens First XI won their first B grade game – what a moment.
Taking on Lusatia Park away Wandin won the toss and batted first.
Audrey Lyons continued her good form with 69 runs, but this time her opening partner joined the party with a magnificent 94.
Together they put on a massive 163 run stand.
From there it was a rush to squeeze as many runs as they can in the last couple of overs finishing with 207.
Lusatia Park started solidly getting to 28 before Tilly Pearce made the first breakthrough finishing with 2/30.
We were able to chip away at the wickets over the next few overs having Lusatia in trouble at 4/44.
But they dug in there heels for a 60 run partnership until Lisa Vanderzee made the breakthrough finishing with 2/17.
Charlotte Edwards also took two wickets for 13 and in the end it was too much to chase down, with Wandin winning the game by 49 runs.
Wandin First XI:
Playing away against Nth Ringwood, we lost the toss and were put in to bat.
Our openers Bryce Edwards (41) and Jamie Atkinson (65) again got us off to a great start with a opening century stand.
It was time for our middle order to stand up, an area that has been our Achilles heal in previous seasons.
Not this time – with Taylan Hall (37), Peter Vaughan (58) and Eden Van Beek (36), plus contributions from our lower order, we were able to post a total of 312.
We are only half way through this match though, and our bowling unit needs to be disciplined and keep our lines tight to ensure we get the win.
But having a score on the board is the first part.
Time to finish the job next week.
Wandin Second XI: Wandin vs Mooroolbark.
Wandin lost the toss again and put into bat for the first two dayer game of the season.
With first four wickets falling by quite quickly Wandin were 4/57.
With R. Painter holding the fort with a solid inning of 47.
But Wandin struggled and finished their first week innings on 7/136.
R. Painter 47, M Rayner 25, J Polido 19. Wandin turn to bowl with Mooroolbark not giving much away were 2/69 just after drinks.
With an excellent bowling partner by M and J Polido who bowled 17 overs between them and taking 2/40.
Then only to restrict Mooroolbark at the end of their inning to be 3/108.
Tough day in the field but with some quick wickets next week anything can happen.
Womens Second XI:
Travelling away to take on St Andrews, Wandin won the toss and elected to bowl first.
It was a very good all round bowling performance.
Kim Nash (12 off three overs) and Kerry Peet (15 of three overs) opened the bowling and kept the scoring tight at the start of the innings.
Lexi Marshall got us the first breakthrough with the first wicket (1/25), Alannah Peet (1/16) also chipped in, but pick of the bowlers was Kirwan Peluso with 2/6 to restrict St Andrews to 5/108.
Belinda Cuddon got us off to a good start with a well made 11, and although there were a couple of quick wickets early on, Kerrie Edwards (18), Kerry Peet (20no) and Mel Pearce (10no) were able to chase the runs down with two overs to spare for their second win of the season.
Wandin Third XI:
A spirited one-day clash at Arrabri Oval on Saturday saw St Andrew’s edge out Wandin Third XI by 20 runs in a high-scoring contest – complete with a bizarre bee delay.
Batting first on a lightning fast outfield, St Andrew’s piled on 6/223, unleashing a flurry of boundaries and sixes.
Wandin’s bowlers found it tough to contain the scoring, though Sam Robinson (2/29) and Archie Brown (2/45) stood out with disciplined spells.
The game came to a sudden halt when a six into the trees disturbed a bee nest, forcing a 30 minute pause as swarms surrounded the ground, providing an unexpected twist to proceedings.
Chasing a big total, Wandin’s reply began brightly with a 95 run opening stand between Greg Foden (32) and the composed Leigh Curwood, who anchored the innings with a fine unbeaten 50.
Archie Brown added 38 with aggressive intent, and Chris Foden chipped in 26, but the required rate eventually climbed too high.
A late flurry from Ralph Peet (15, including a towering six) brought excitement, but Wandin ultimately closed on 6/203.
Despite falling just short, Wandin put in a strong fight and will take plenty of positives – and a wild bee story – into next week’s game.
By Kieran Cantwell
Park CC Round Three.
First XI:
The first two day match of the season saw us host Warranwood at Woori Yallock.
Warranwood batted first and Angus Gelly shone with the new ball, taking the first two wickets in his first outing for the club with the red ball. Wickets never tumbled in a hurry, but our bowlers consistently hit their lines making it difficult to score; Angus took another, as did Lochie Winter-Annette, however it was Mr Consistent Terry Bennett who shone with his workhorse nature, giving us 25 overs, taking 6-76.
We bowled Warranwood out in the 73rd over for 211.
In our seven overs in the evening, Corey Winter-Annette and Michael Nicholls held off their bowlers and we go into next week 0-15.
Second XI:
Our Second XI was fielding a very different team this week against Lilydale at The Gateway, with many outs.
Batting first, Dean Worrley got us off to an ideal start, hitting a rapid 37.
Lucas Parker looked very strong with 34 including an imperious six straight back over the
head of an old rival.
He was unfortunately run out thanks to his captain’s terrible calling between the wickets.
Most contributed down the batting order, including 34 from Stephen Morgan saw the total approaching 200, before number ten Luke Thomas made the point that he should be batting higher with 44 off 39, bringing our total to 246 before also being run out.
We took to the field with confidence and struck early, with Marty White dismissing the opener, and Stephen Morgan spinning his way to a wicket also.
The game is evenly poised with Lilydale on 2-58.
First Women’s XI: Wandin’s Women’s team came to Woori Yallock to take on our girls.
Much like the men, it was a bit of a different looking team, with more than a few debutantes.
This included five players from the extended Diggins family, with the youngest being 13-yearold Abi.
Wandin batted first and started very strong; an opening partnership of 193 made the going difficult, but we fought back in the last few overs, and Wandin ended their innings on 5-207, Bocky a standout with the ball; claiming 3-44.
In the batting innings, Caitlyn Parker continued her good form, carrying her bat through the Lusatia Park innings; supported by each batter as they held an end.
Mac’s stand with Caity saw a 60-run partnership, but in the end it wasn’t quite enough.
Caitlyn’s fine innings saw an unbeaten 83 off 92 balls, getting the total to 6-158, falling short by 50 runs.
U14: Our U14 team continued their unbeaten run
against St Andrews at JW Manson Reserve, in a complete performance.
Batting first, opener Jacob Ahmad continued a great season, this time with 49 not out off 40 balls. Joel Pritchard (20 retired), Mason McNeill (15) and Cameron Philpot (21 retired) all contributed to get the total to 6-146, despite a double hat-trick from an opposition bowler. The bowlers then proceeded to keep it tight and not allow the opposition to score freely.
Four bowlers had the same figures of 1-5; Alexander Mason, Mason McNeill, Maxwell Diggins and Levi Smit.
St Andrews came up short with 6-80 off their 25 overs and our U/14s have three wins.
U12: The team took on Yarra Glen at Wickhams Road on Friday night and batted first.
Maxwell Diggins retired on 13 off his 25 balls, his big sister Abi also retired, both of them batting solidly, some extra assistance at home from coach of the club Tim Diggins may be contributing Levi Smit finished off the innings with a quickfire 16 off 18, pushing our total to 6-92. Yarra Glen were strong with the bat, and despite some good bowling by Maxwell (1-10) and a Daniel Philpot (2-2) Yarra Glen were able to score 4-130 and take the win.
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