MP reads Noni
Monbulk MP James Merlino attended Belgrave Library for a special Book Week storytime on Friday 23 August.
Dressed up as characters from their favourite stories, St Thomas More’s Primary School students listened to the Deputy Premier read.
His nursery rhyme actions might need a bit of a tweak – with head and shoulders, knees and toes, proving a little tricky – but the kids happily listened as he read Noni the Pony by Victorian author Alison Lester.
Sponsor for Soupees
Belgrave Rotary welcomed back Gavin Smith from Soupees on 21 August, having sponsored the Upwey charity for seven years.
The Rotarians support Soupees’ purchase of food for the homeless to the value of about $1200 a year.
“Belgrave Rotary is all about giving back to the community through donations, projects and volunteer work, and we are proud to continue our support for the amazing work that Gavin does, both locally and in the wider community,” club secretary Audrey Ellis said.
Find out more about Belgrave Rotary on its Facebook page or website.
Tower trouble petition
Yarra Ranges Council received a 34-signature petition objecting to a proposed telephone tower in Belgrave South at its Tuesday 27 August meeting.
It will be considered as part of the planning permit process for the Telstra application for a 40-metre stainless steel 4G monopole tower with a pale eucalypt colour finish on a road reserve in Keswick Avenue.
Dante’s still kicking
In August we shared a story about new Healesville Sanctuary den mates Maliki, a tropical dingo, and Dargo, an alpine dingo, forming a fast friendship.
It prompted a few readers to check on Maliki’s former buddy Dante.
“Dante isn’t living with Maliki anymore but is still very much part of the dingo family here at the sanctuary,” a spokeswoman from the sanctuary confirmed.
Gotta scoot!
Yarra Ranges Councillor Mike Clarke suggested scooters could help with transport issues in the region.
He told the Tuesday 27 August meeting that he’d used the public vehicles during a visit to Paris.
“It’s something that really works,” he said.
He explained they were fitted with GPS and Wi-Fi technology to protect them from theft and vandalism.
Dodging arrows
Yarra Ranges Mayor Tony Stevenson encountered a local archery group at a recent Scouts AGM.
“Given that rates notices have just gone out I was a bit worried that I might be the target,” he joked at the 27 August council meeting.
Vale, Tim Fischer
Yarra Ranges Councillor Jim Child acknowledged the passing of Tim Fischer at the Tuesday 27 August council meeting.
The politician and diplomat died on 22 August.
“He is remembered fondly in our community for his 2017 visit to the Yarra Ranges, a visit where he officiated at the Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans memorial event in Warburton,” Cr Child said.
He said it was a day veterans and the community would never forget.
Tribute to Tony Jordan
Former chief executive of Domaine Chandon, Dr Tony Jordan, died following a short battle with mesothelioma.
Yarra Ranges Councillor Jim Child said Dr Jordan made an outstanding contribution to the success of the Yarra Valley as a wine region and as a defendant of its amenity and beauty from inappropriate development.
“Tony Jordan was a great champion of the Yarra Valley and I truly believe his contribution was instrumental to the success of the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges Regional Strategy Plan that still serves us today and is protected by an Act of the Victoria State Government,” he said.
