Winter splinters

By Kath Gannaway
MAROONDAH Highway through Healesville was closed on Wednesday morning after wind gusts sent a huge gumtree toppling onto the road.
The tree split, pulling down powerlines and between Badger Creek Road and Rutter Avenue past Healesville RSL, and causing extensive damage to a sign at the adjacent restaurant.
Police and CFA volunteers diverted a number of cars trapped between the tree and powerlines over the road through Queen’s Park, but Don Valley removalist Geoff Wright had nowhere to go.
Mr Wright, who was on his way to Woodend at around 8.30am on Wednesday, 17 August, said he stopped his truck just short of the tree.
“I pulled up when I saw the tree start to topple and sparks flying off the wires,” he said as he waited for a safe exit.
A number of main-street businesses were left without electricity.