carols in belgrave

making history in belgrave

I was delighted to join with BRAG and the community to
officially launch the Heritage Walking Tour.

What a glorious winter day welcomed the official launch of the Self Guided Heritage Walking Tour of Belgrave.

My congratulations to the team at BRAG, Liz, Ian and Dianne, you've done a marvellous job organising the plaques, the designs and installing them throughout the township.

Jean, a Tecoma local who joined the tour representing the Historical Society, has lived in the area her whole 94 years. It was terrific to learn more about the rich history of Belgrave and how it developed in the early 1900's.
I've been pleased to support the project and encourage you to pick up a Self Guided Heritage Walking Tour brochure and explore our rich history.

making history in belgrave

My congratulations go to the team at BRAG for their tireless work in seeing the Belgrave Self Guided Historical Walking Tour come to fruition.


Cr Samantha Dunn with the BRAG team and the Year 9s
from Sherbrooke Community School outside one of
Belgrave's most iconic heritage buildings, Jorgensen House,
now trading as Earthly Pleasures Organic Cafe.

A project in the making for some years, it was terrific to share the inaugural walk with the Year 9's from Sherbrooke Community School as well as Liz and Ian from BRAG and Elaine from the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society.



Students learnt about the history of Belgrave and
gained a greater insight into the life in this once
burgeoning township in the heart of the Dandenongs.
This site (the current Puffing Billy Cafe) was the
Tarax Bar, which operated for over 20 years
providing a social place for teenagers of the day.

Funded through a Yarra Ranges Council Community Grant in 2011 as well as funding from the state government and the Belgrave Trader's Association, the team at BRAG have been able to design and install 16 plaques throughout Belgrave, complete with guide, to celebrate and rediscover the history of the town.

Students learnt about our two iconic heritage listed buildings, Jorgensen House (now Earthly Pleasures Cafe) and the Cameo Theatre, still with its original art deco light fittings in cinema 1, as well as numerous other significant sites in Belgrave. There was also plenty of stories about the founding families of the region.



Elaine from the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society
moved into the area in the 50's. She had some great
insights into how the town had developed with stories
of some of the key characters who played a major
part in the development of Belgrave.

The Self Guided Historical Walking Tour Guide will be available at various outlets in Belgrave as well the Tourist Information Centre in Upper Ferntree Gully. It's a great way to learn more about Belgrave at your own leisurely pace.  

community grants night at yarra ranges

It was wonderful to join with my colleagues at the Yarra Ranges Community Grants Awards night. Community members and organisations from across the shire came together to receive their grants for an amazing range of projects.

Pictured here with myself are some of the community grant recipients from the Lyster Ward, I am always reminded of what a diverse, passionate and committed community we have in the Dandenong Ranges.

Here's Jordan, committee member from Belgrave Survival Day. Survival Day is a wonderful celebration of indigenous heritage and culture and it's survival since settlement.













Jackie and Vicki from the Southern Dandenong Landcare Group, along with the SDLG members, are a powerhouse in the local community. The SDLG interacts in so many ways with the local community, whether its a land assessment, helping with planting guides, doing revegetation or weed removal works, they are truly passionate and the region and the environment. SDLG were received a grant for their Awesome Ornithorhynkids Day, a day to learn about local waterways, the platypus and how we can help care for it's habitat and ongoing survival.

Selbyfest ran for the first time in 2011, it was wonderful festival and a great example of community involvement. It was terrific to be able to award Leanne and Karl with a community grant for Selbyfest 2012.

Vicki Boyle accepted the community grant award on behalf of the Belgrave South Community House. The house have been awarded a grant to run the All in Gardening project, a gardening group developed primarily for people with disabilities.

Jaime Snyder from Pocket Bonfire Productions received a community grant to run the Hillside Youth Film Festival. The festival is an annual youth focused film festival held in Belgrave, showcasing the best original short firms from emerging Victorian filmmakers.

Liz and Dianne from BRAG were pleased to receive a community grant to fund their Belgrave Historical Plaques and Walk project. The project will see a series of plaques displaying pictures and text showcasing Belgrave's past.

Other Lyster ward recipients include:
Sherbrooke U3A for Shared Learnings in U3As, a combined project with the Yarra Ranges U3A.
Irabrina Childhood Autism Services for the Outer Eastern Sibling Support Camp, to provide children 7-12 years old with a sibling with autism the opportunity to build understanding about autism.
Belgrave Community Arts Project for the Belgrave Lantern Parade, a community celebration of winter solstice.
Fernlea House for Fernlea House in the Valley, investigating a satellite service for palliative care.

sweet sounds through belgrave

Congratulations to BRAG for once again organising this years Carols in the Park in Belgrave. It was a wonderful night, performers donating their time, whilst Rotary cooked up a storm on the barbeque sponsored with my ward funds.

Sweet Sassafras were in fine form.

It was a great family friendly event, with food, face painting and entertainment all being free. A wonderful start to the festive season.

Santa is always popular, armed with lollies for the children, he was ably assisted by Ian from BRAG and JJ the storyteller.

If you'd like to hear more carols, it's not too late. Kallista Community House will hold their annual carols at the Village Green, Christmas Eve, starting at 7pm.

carols coming to belgrave

Put aside next Friday night, 10th December, for Carols in the Belgrave Town Park. BRAG have been busily working away organising this year's carols event for the community. The night will include something for all with many local artists donating their time and talent whilst Rotary will be cooking up a storm on their barby sponsored by my community ward fund.


Last year's Carols included a visit by Santa, I'm sure he'll be back again this year!


It would be great to see you there (if it's raining the venue will be Mater Christi college on Bayview Rd).