People take power

COMMUNITY opposition to the closure of a number of local organisations was a consistent theme, with the campaign to save the Healesville Hospital again a dominant issue.
The Save Healesville Hospital Action Group (SHHAG) is currently having an independent business case study undertaken to determine whether the hospital is best run by Eastern health or independently.
It was announced that the Healesville tip would close in early 2015 despite much criticism of Yarra Ranges Council’s consultation process.
More than 500 locals signed a petition to save the tip and the council received not a single letter supporting the closure.
Healesville’s White Rabbit Brewery also announced it would close its doors in 2015 and the company will relocate the business to its other premises in Geelong.
Healesville saw a third closure during the year of its ANZ bank branch, with the company citing low visitation rates.
The decision drew much criticism from locals and bank representatives were confronted at a public meeting after the announcement.
However it was also a year of renewal.
Yarra Valley Historic Railway received $3.56 million from the government for restoration and the long-awaited Warburton Skate Park opened in October.
The 2014 Talk the Toll campaign covered everything from personal stories to statistics, results of police operations and advice in a poignant reminder for drivers to be safe on the roads.
Logging was another persistent issue and there was much debate over whether to create the Great Forest National Park in Toolangi.
Along with many of the other debates this year, this became an election issue with each candidate either declaring their support or opposition.
David Attenborough and renowned scientist David Lindenmeyer advocated for the creation of the park to protect the habitat of the Leadbeater’s Possum.
In March, the Yarra Ranges Council approved a Telstra Tower for Millgrove.
An appeal was lodged later in year and is set to be heard at VCAT sometime this month.
Another appeal to VCAT was lodged by the Narconon drug rehabilitation centre after the council’s decision to reject a planning application to move the facility from East Warburton to Green Gables in Warburton.
The best qualities of the community came out on several occasions.
Upper Yarra Emergency Service organisations banded together to help snow tourists when six cars slid into trouble on snow-covered Mount Donna Buang.
The Woori Yallock Township Action Group officially opened the WYTAG Reserve in June.
Fires again made headlines with blazes in Healesville and Gladysdale, and Ron and Carol Sykes publically thanked their neighbours and the Reefton CFA for their help after their home burned to the ground.
The historic Woori Yallock Hotel also burnt down in October, leaving the owners, local patrons and staff devastated.
Sully the superhero cat was credited with saving his owner Craig Geeves from a fire that destroyed their Wandin house in October with his relentless scratching and growling to wake Craig up.
The community mourned the tragic deaths of Launch Place residents 11-year-old Chloe Blackney and family friend Gary Theobold in a vehicke crash at Kinglake in February.