calling all artists

Organisation of the 28th Belgrave CFA Annual Art Show are well and truly underway. Held on the Queen's Birthday long weekend at the brigade, it's long been part of the local calendar of art events.

If you'd like to enter a piece into the Belgrave CFA Annual Art Show contact Ted Heron on 9754 3943 for an entry form. It's a great way to get your work exhibited and you might even pick up a prize.

torchlight a highlight

Last night the family and I went to the Knox Festival in Ferntree Gully. It’s an event we have been going to for more years than I can remember. This year’s festival was special as it included a Torchlight Parade by members of the CFA. The torchlight parade is based on tradition and sees CFA members from different brigades march through the streets with kerosene lamps.

It gave festival goers a chance to give thanks to the brigades, the parade route, starting at the Ferntree Gully CFA and finishing at the festival, was lined with people clapping and cheering the brigades as they marched past.

It was great to see some of our local brigades marching as well and I couldn’t help but give a bit of a bigger cheer for Selby, Belgrave and Belgrave Heights & South CFA brigades.

In speaking to CFA members after the parade, their commitment to helping Victorians was overwhelming, they have sacrificed much personal time and work time (and wages) to continue fighting the fires still burning across the Yarra Ranges. I cannot speak highly enough of their efforts (and all the emergency services, shire staff and volunteers) in assisting our community through this terrible time.

Summer is over, but the danger of fire still looms large, this Tuesday (3rd March) please make sure you activate your fire plan and make sure you’re realistic about your plan too. For more info visit the CFA’s Leave or Stay?

report from the round table – 14th October

Report from the roundtable is my regular blog entry to update you on the proceedings at council meetings. I know that it’s not that easy for my constituents to get to Lilydale to see council in operation for themselves and this is just a small way I can give an insight into the goings on at council.

This week it was a packed agenda with the meeting going very late into the night. In this edition of report from the round table I’m going to report back specifically on local Lyster Ward matters.









Ted Heron at the Belgrave CFA Annual Awards night accepting his 55 year service medal.







First up was the presentation of a letter under seal to Ted Heron of the Belgrave CFA. It is a small token of our thanks in recognition of his contribution and Ted was modest in acknowledging his presentation. Earlier this year Ted reached his 55 years service with the CFA, an outstanding achievement. Ted has made a significant and long lasting contribution to our community and is worthy recipient of a letter under seal from council.
















Next up locally was the Belgrave Main Street Toilet redevelopment. Anyone who currently uses the toilets knows they are well past their use by date. There were some concerns about the original plans but after the planning consultation meeting with residents, the Shire and a safety officer from the Victoria Police, the toilets had a far better redesign. The toilets will now consist of dedicated female, male and a unisex all abilities toilet in a much safer configuration. I for one can’t wait for the new toilets, the redevelopment is well overdue and will serve not only the local community and our tourists well.

The next local issue was approval of funding of $3,000 to construct a shower facility at the Tin Shed in Belgrave. In conversations I’ve had with emergency relief providers it seems there is a desperate local need for shower facilities for people experiencing homelessness. Currently the closest public shower is located in Wantirna and only open on Fridays between 9am and midday which is a great impost on people of the Dandenong Ranges who are already struggling with homelessness. It is a simple and basic need that I was happy to support from my ward fund and I was pleased that councillors supported my request to have the shower installed.













Children get enormous pleasure from growing (and eating) vege's straight from the garden. A vegetable garden is a great learning experience for children in so many ways.

Lastly was approval of funding of $2,236 for the installation of a water tank at the Tecoma Pre School. The preschool contacted me to see if I could help them with their water tank project. It is their intention for the children to use the water on their vege patch and garden and teach the children the value of water conservation. It is a project of great merit in these times of water scarcity and a valuable learning tool for the children.

Did you know that all members of the public are welcome to attend any council meeting, if you’d like to know more contact me on s.dunn@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.

an outstanding contribution

This Saturday marked a very special occasion in recognition of an outstanding contribution by a member of our local community, Ted Heron. It was the Belgrave CFA’s annual award night, but in addition to the usual awards a special presentation was given to Ted Heron, member of the CFA for the past 55 years. I was honoured to be part of the presentations and thanked Ted on behalf of council and the community by awarding him a letter of recognition and thanks.

Ted has made a significant contribution to the community during his time. Not only involved in strike teams across the state and every major incident across the Dandenong Ranges, Ted was the instigator of the Belgrave CFA Art Show, which saw its 25th Anniversary this year. As well as the enormous amount of hours spent as a volunteer Ted also found time to undertake community education programs and coordinate school programs to raise awareness of fire safety.

The CFA Brigades play a key and essential role in the safety of residents, it is a vital job and volunteer CFA members are held in the highest regard by our community.
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"What a great achievement and wonderful contribution you have made to our community. All the best Ted, our community wishes you and your family well."