How would you define your region?

Yarra Ranges offers a mixture of urban & rural communities.70% of the Shire's population live in the 'urban' areas in the west of the Shire representing approx’ 3% of its landmass; the remaining population live in country regions. There are over 68 suburbs, townships & small rural areas within the Yarra Ranges, making it one of the most diverse of any municipality in the State.

The people of this region like to move freely to enjoy the many delights we have locally, including attending the many farmers markets. Our members come from thoughout this vast area, plus from the neighbouring Shires of Maroondah, Whitehorse and Murrundindi.

We wish to be a listening ear, a support for others and to share, get to know and create magic with like-minded souls and in essence to create a new family in which all feel included and safe.

What is your region famous for?

The municipality is rich in natural reserves & tourist attractions, including forests, gardens, lookouts, sanctuary’s, wineries and over which hot air ballooning is a favourite pastime. 

Many flock to the Yarra Ranges from all over Victoria to sightsee, go walking, exploring, pursue photography, exercise, shop, visit a tea house for afternoon tea on a Sunday drive or to marry or party at one of the regions venues. 

The area boasts the Redwood Forest, popular gardens such as Alowyn, Alfred Nicholas, Grants, Cloudhill, Tesselaar, Blue Lotus Water gardens, Botanic gardens in Olinda, Warratina Lavender farm and Lilydale Lake with its rich bird life. We are fortunate to have the famous Mt Dandenong lookout, Healesville animal sanctuary, Puffing Billy railway, the 1000 steps, Kokoda track memorial walk, plentiful award-winning Wineries, William Ricketts aboriginal sculpture forest, the magnificent Dandenong Ranges and all the vineyards and fruit growing farms of the Upper Yarra Valley.

What specific challenges do you wish to assist and support in your region?

In June of 2021 there was a cyclogenesis storm (Cyclone) that severely impacted the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges townships and attractions felling many large trees and causing widespread damage. Some of those attractions are still unable to open. We will look into how we might be able to assist with recovery that is still needed in these areas, if we are allowed to?

What plans/events do you have that can support your region?

With hyper-inflation the way it is, possibilities of supply chain breakdown, food shortages and rising energy costs and shortages, we are working on establishing a Local Exchange Trading Scheme or LETS system for all Hoody’s Heroes members throughout the region and surrounding areas. It is hoped that skills as well as goods can be bartered between members without the need for any money exchange.

We will also have regular coffee catchups, themes for discussions, possible working bees at member’s homes, sharing of tips, a bulk buying co-op, possible community support initiatives and other projects or joint outings as members suggest going forward. 

Personal message from your Co-Ordinator/s

There are only two times in life “Now and Too Late’Now is the time to open our hearts and let each other in and become true family. If we wait until a tsunami of emotion, fear or need arises, by then, it may well be too late to expect or rely on each other for support. If it becomes every person for themselves, then we will have achieved nothing.

To this end I am personally reaching out to each member to offer real friendship so that I am trusted and can trust in return. So that when you or I are down, lonely, afraid or weary, for whatever reason, there is no hesitation to ask for or give support when it is needed. This means not just catching up once a fortnight, where it is hard to hear and chat to all, especially in any depth, but making space for each other. Not keeping each other at arms-length, but being vulnerable to reveal who we are, what’s on our minds, showing up and forming true connections.