Women’s footy flashback
The Upwey-Tecoma Football Netball Club shared a photo on its Facebook page from the 1940s showing a women’s football side well ahead of its time.
One of the club’s life members, whose mother played in the team, said the Tigers fielded a ladies team circa 1947.
Today the club has two senior women’s teams and is a leader in female footy in the region.
Feline fables
Reports have again emerged on Facebook of a large, leopard-sized black cat spotted in Olinda.
The ensuing conversation involved many others sharing their big cat sightings from across the Dandenongs and surrounds.
There were also many theories shared – from American soldiers abandoning a big cat mascot in the forest during World War II, to “it’s a wallaby” and “it’s a feral cat”.
We’re not sure the mystery will ever be solved, but we do enjoy the debate.
What do you think? Vote in our poll.
A 21st with a twist
Darcy Myring wanted to do a community service to celebrate his 21st birthday.
Yarra Ranges Council had a section along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail in Mount Evelyn where it had recently removed woody weeds, ready for some new native trees.
So on Saturday 1 June, Darcy and a group of family and friends – including his grandmother – planted more than 250 natives, supported by the council’s bushland team.
The council gave thanks to Darcy and co on Facebook on World Environment Day.
Pokies delay
Yarra Ranges Council had planned to consider a social and economic impact assessment (SEIA) on the Monbulk Bowling Club application for 10 new electronic gaming machines at its 11 June meeting.
But the Mail has confirmed that the item is now scheduled for debate at the Tuesday 25 June meeting.
Check our website for all the details on the proposal, and keep an eye out for the council decision online and in print.
Oops!
Did we say Barbara Williams was the Tecoma Village Action Group president?
We meant Barbara Crisp, of course.
She reached out to the Mail following our article on a Developing the Dandenongs forum in Selby.
“A mix-up with the co-speaker who is Karl Williams!” a very understanding Barbara pointed out.
We apologise for the mistake.
Tromp mystery
The Mail team spotted an article on social media this week about a podcast episode on the Tromp family.
We immediately dived in for a refresh on the August 2016 mystery that started in Silvan.
Mark and Jacoba “Coby” Tromp and their kids Riana, then 29, Mitchell, 25 and Ella, 22 left their home in a hurry and headed north by road.
The reason why is still unclear. The family slowly separated, with the kids heading back towards home and reporting their parents missing.
The PEDESTRIAN.TV team chats about the bizarre ordeal in season one, episode 11 of unsolved mysteries podcast All Aussie Mystery Hour.
Much of the discussion is around rare shared psychotic disorder folie à deux.
We can’t help but wonder how the family is doing these days – it would be a hard road to recovery.
Bob Hawke slept here
The State Memorial Service for former Prime Minister Bob Hawke on Friday 14 June reminded the Mail of the mark he made on Mountain Views Mail founding editor and part owner Mardie Lambert back in 1980.
An old edition of the Mountain Views Mail recalled Mr Hawke attending a dinner at local Ray Donkin’s home before a public meeting at Lilydale High School.
Mr Hawke was tired and suffering flu symptoms, the report said, so decided to take a half-hour’s rest before the meeting, where he’d speak on behalf of endorsed ALP Casey candidate Peter Watson.
Mardie had been promised a post-dinner interview and her heart sank when he headed for a bedroom to lie down.
But, the report said, he then popped his head out the door and told her “If you want to shoot a few questions at me you’ll have to do it in here!”
So Mardie sat on the edge of the bed and questioned the man who’d just retired as Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president to campaign for the Wills electorate.
