To continue our vital work of safeguarding our waterways Melbourne Water is set to begin work to enhance the Mill Park Wetlands located in The Lakes Reserve in South Morang A constructed wetland is a series of shallow man-made ponds that help filter stormwater filtering out pollutants that wash into stormwater from roads This project will make sure that the Mill Park Lakes and Wetlands keep working the way they were meant to filtering out nitrogen and harmful pollutants and keeping our rivers and creeks healthy Upgrade works will ensure that the Mill Park lakes and wetlands function effectively and provide high quality stormwater treatment We will make every effort to minimise the impact of these essential works on the local community and the environment We anticipate that the majority of the works will be completed during standard construction hours of Monday to Friday We do not anticipate any impact on your water or sewerage services during these works STAGE ONE - Reshaping the bed of the wetland will commence in late 2024 and take approximately 18 months to complete Over 120,000 wetland plants are expected to be planted by late 2026 They have a specific function in removing pollutants from stormwater pollutants would flow directly into Darebin Creek and the Yarra River and eventually into Port Phillip and Westernport bays where they can be more harmful to the community and environment which provide open spaces for the community They also play an important role in stormwater treatment wetlands remove pollutants from stormwater before it reaches rivers Healthy wetlands are good for the environment and the community in many ways Where vegetation is creating a bottleneck and preventing water from flowing We are working with the council to obtain a planning permit.  replacement vegetation will be planted on the embankment as close to its original position as possible We are committed to keeping the community updated as the project progresses we will communicate with residents and businesses about the works through door knocks please do not hesitate to contact the project team:  1800 931 140  [email protected] We use reCAPTCHA to protect our website from spam, for more information about the data we collect see our privacy website statement Melbourne Water respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past Mill Park sold on the weekend for $972,000 A Mill Park homeowner has revealed what got him a sale $177,000 above expectations in an auction he described as like “being on the Mad Mouse at Moomba” Paris Alexandrakis was nervous after the auction for his three-bedroom house at 4 Tench Court started with a lower first bid than he’d hoped for But once the home was called on the market the sale turned to a rapid rush pushing well past its $745,000-$795,000 asking price to an unexpected $972,000 sale RELATED: North Melbourne great Glenn Archer selling a Balinese villa Marathon 1.5-hour Melb auction makes owners $13,000 a minute Bank mistake costing you $12k “It was like being on the Mad Mouse at Moomba you were just holding on and holding your breath waiting for the ride to end,” Mr Alexandrakis But he was confident in what had delivered the result after working to buyers “as perfect a house as possible” In recent weeks this included a paint refresh and general update and declutter But the family also added a walk-in pantry so big “you could almost fit a bed in” The kitchen area with new large walk-in pantry Mill Park – Paris and Esther Alexandrakis and their children Josh and Stef Mr Alexandrakis added that extensive off-street parking had also been a boon during his family’s 32 years at the home Barry Plant’s Jay Moxon said the house also benefited from a bit of luck and timing going under the hammer just over a month after the Reserve Bank cut interest rates and modernised door handles so it was nicely finished and presented,” Mr Moxon said MORE: Luxury 13-bedroom Torquay estate fit for a sheik up for sale Light and bright first impressions as soon as you walk in the front door The agent also recorded a six-figure premium for a two-bedroom unit at 1/8 Orsett Court which sold for $725,500 after being called on the market for $620,000 With a number of additional strong sales yesterday he said the market had moved in the span of the past seven days “Last week was an absolute grind … everything over $900,000 passed in,” he said Ray White’s Chris Watson was also left unsure how 23A Lorienne St surged past its $950,000 reserve to a $1.06m sale he too concluded that the 10-year-old home’s meticulous presentation and a single-level floorplan had been a key factor for buyers Hardwood floors are present through the main living area and through to the kitchen at the Mill Park home And the deck and yard area provides plenty of room to entertain though they did paint the driveway,” he said Their efforts led to seven registered bidders and about four who made an offer when it went under the hammer Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Wandin North mansion with private dam and ‘nightclub’ room listed for $3.7m Brighton: Mansion brings a touch of France to Melbourne, just minutes from the beach Maribyrnong: New house price record set by car collector’s dream home with eight-car garage third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Looking for a fun and engaging activity for your little ones Dive into story time with us every Thursday from 11:30am to 12:00pm at Mill Park Leisure Led by a qualified learn-to-swim teacher trained by our library storytellers this session offers a safe and calm introduction to water safety and early years literacy Children and families will experience water familiarity and comfort as the storyteller Parents and/or carers must adhere to 'Watch Around Water' guidelines ensuring all children under 5 are accompanied by an adult within arm's reach at all times Secure a spot online We recognise the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Willum Clan and Taungurung People as the Traditional Owners of lands within the City of Whittlesea More ways to contact us Subscribe to our eNewsletters to stay up to date on what is happening near you Subscribe to eNews Thumbprint artwork by Mandy Nicholson It’s coming to the end of a busy sales season for Chris Watson and the team at Mill Park Stud with the leading South Australian nursery poised for action at the Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale next Monday and Tuesday with their draft to feature one of the very last yearlings to be offered at auction by the great champion Lonhro The Hall of Fame for Mill Park bristles with G1 stars such as Fawkner plus Magic Millions 2YO Classic winners Away Game and Augusta Proud but if you’re only as good as what’s happened in the last 12 months then Mill Park are producing the goods in spades Mill Park have been in hot form through 2024 and into 2025 with horses produced from their South Australian nursery including Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Goldrush Guru Group I SAJC Goodwood Handicap winner Benedetta and the 2023 Group I MRC Toorak Handicap winner Attrition who ventured to Sydney to win the $2million Group II ATC Hill Stakes last year Also adding to the success have been multiple stakes-winner Air Assault and Group winning three year-old colt Angell Capital who was consigned as a yearling by Mill Park on behalf of his breeder David Peacock and sold for $400,000 The Harry Angel (IRE) colt recently changed hands and was sold to Yulong so will do his future racing in their colours with his new trainer Chris Waller looking to land a G1 with the valuable acquisition stayers and everything in between – Mill Park always present a draft with real diversity so yearling buyers are allowed to dream big Mill Park will present a draft of 17 in Adelaide with additional highlights below: Lot 25 Colt So You Think x Miss Otto, by Elusive Quality (USA) Full brother to Group II winner and promising young sire Peltzer as well as stakes-placed Madison Kate This colt is also a three-quarter brother-in-blood to stakes-winner So We Are from a winning half-sister to Group II placed Miss With Attitude Lot 64 Colt Bivouac x Pimm’s Party, by Street Boss (USA) From the second crop of brilliant G1 winning sprinter Bivouac who has already sired two Group winners in Beiwacht and Intention First foal of Group III placed Pimm’s Party from the family of Group I winner Run Fox Run This colt is bred on a similar Street Boss Exceed and Excel nick as Golden Slipper contenders Tentyris and Tempted who are by Street Boss from daughters of Bivouac’s sire Exceed and Excel Lot 138 Colt Lonhro x Snow Surrender, by Sepoy The only yearling in the sale from the last crop of champion racehorse and champion sire Lonhro Half-brother to three winners from a placed half-sister to stakes-winner Adelong from the family of Group I winner Snowland and Group II winners Portillo and Ghisoni This colt is also closely related to the dam of unbeaten Kiwi trained juvenile colt Return to Conquer winner of Saturday’s Group I Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie Lot 206 Colt Hanseatic x West Beach, by All Too Hard From the second crop of fast Group winning son of Street Boss (USA) in Hanseatic already the sire of two winners and two stakes horses First foal of an unraced sibling to triple Group I winner and $3.2million earner Happy Trails Group III winner Danish Twist and stakes-winners All Too Hiuying and Heart of a Lion Interesting pedigree as he is line bred to blue hens Scandinavia 4 x 4 Lot 262 Colt Bivouac x Beluga Blue, by Lookin’ at Lucky (USA) Another colt by Bivouac and this one is the third living foal of Group II placed stakes-winner Beluga Blue from the family of Group I winner Montoya’s Secret Text ‘n’ Hurley and Group III winner Willaidow Lot 328 Colt Blue Point (IRE) x Don’tbabylon, by Reset Fifth foal of stakes-winner Don’tbabylon who has had two foals to race and both are winners with Charm Catcher (3f Blue Point) a debut winner at Balaklava last November for the Andrew Gluyas stable Traces back to the family of Group I winners Skilled and Willowy as well as current season Group II winner Traffic Warden One occupant was safely evacuated after a garage caught alight at a property in Wright Court Firefighters arrived at the scene at 8:23am to find a large garage on fire which quickly spread to the house A community warning was issued to avoid Childs Road and Marshall Drive in Mill Park due to an abundance of smoke and the large number of fire trucks requiring access The cause of the fire has not been established Record ANZAC crowds New Mayor appointed Remembering ANZAC Residents invited for budget feedback Mobile pledge towards Whittlesea Where to vote: Whittlesea CCTV promise for Whittlesea 2026 Prep enrolments now open Magpies record first win Eagles back on track Laurimar powers past Demons Kilmore stay perfect Wallan treks to the coast Kilmore clips Hawks’ wings Len Baker’s Sulky Snippets: April 29, 2025 From the Boundary with Ray Carroll: April 29, 2025 A significant project to restore the health of Mill Park’s Peter Hopper Lake is set to enter a crucial new phase involved the removal of around 3000 cubic metres of sediment from the lakebed will include the removal of the central island and construction of a gross pollutant trap City of Whittlesea Chief Executive Craig Lloyd joined Member for Scullin Andrew Giles and Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio on November 8 to view the progress Peter Hopper Lake started as a farm dam before the surrounding land was subdivided in the 1970s for residential housing the lake has suffered from declining water quality Council’s team of expert engineers and environmental scientists in collaboration with specialist consultants have developed a comprehensive plan to break the cycle of algae outbreaks and restore the lake’s health The Friends of Peter Hopper Lake group played an important part in advocating for Federal Government funding to support the revitalisation project with the activity now jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Urban Rivers and Catchments Program Mr Lloyd said it was imperative that the lake was restored so that the community could enjoy it again “This is a complex project that has been years in the planning and I’m delighted that we are so close to seeing Peter Hopper Lake once again being enjoyed to its full potential,” he said “Not only will residents benefit from the restoration project but improved water quality at the lake will result in a thriving habitat for a diverse range of native flora and fauna.” Mr Giles said Peter Hopper Lake was central for the Mill Park community and wildlife “With this restoration that the Albanese Government is delivering in partnership with the City of Whittlesea locals can enjoy this important community hub once again,” he said “This is a project that I have been fighting for my electorate of Scullin for years I am excited to be a part of a government that puts the environment front and centre © The North Central Review Pty Ltd Mill Park residents are being encouraged to have their say on a plan to shape the suburb’s future Whittlesea council has adopted a draft Mill Park place framework which outlines a plan to improve Mill Park streets The framework focuses on six key projects in the short-term: safer streets to allow children to walk or bike to school upgrading parks and increasing walk-ability through future development Long-term projects include improvements to key roads Council chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the draft framework was a collaboration between council and the community “Your feedback is essential in making sure this framework genuinely represents Mill Park residents and ensures Mill Park remains a vibrant Feedback can be provided online or in-person from July 29- August 25 Details: engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/mill-park-place-framework Join us on select Fridays for Youth Take Over at the Mill Park Library This is the perfect opportunity to hang out with your friends while the library is all yours to explore Book now Fields marked as 'Required' must be completed Enter your email address or your friend's email addresses all separated by commas Please select which date you want an invite for Exciting news for families in the City of Whittlesea Thanks to a $13 million contribution from the Victorian Government along with additional funding from the City of Whittlesea three much-loved local kindergartens are set to receive major upgrades These improvements will create up to 194 new kindergarten places making it easier for families to access early education in their own neighbourhoods The funding will enable Council to upgrade and redevelop the Dalton Road Kindergarten in Thomastown Derby Meadows Preschool in Epping and The Stables Kindergarten in Mill Park The Stables Kindergarten will be rebuilt as a two-room facility the new centre will feature a modern learning space and brand-new outdoor play area The redevelopments at Dalton Road Kindergarten and Derby Meadows Preschool will create integrated early years facilities that combine kindergarten and maternal and child health services This will provide families with a one-stop space for essential services These centres will each offer up to 118 kindergarten places by early 2028 improving access and outcomes for children and families City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined Member for Mill Park to announce a contribution for The Stables Kindergarten and Derby Meadows Preschool This was followed by another announcement at Dalton Road Kindergarten on Thursday 12 December confirmed an additional contribution for Dalton Road Kindergarten.  These projects are part of the $24.25 million Building Blocks Partnership between the Victorian Government and the City of Whittlesea. They also support the Best Start which aims to increase kindergarten places across Victoria and improve access to affordable early childhood education.  For more information on the redevelopments, visit major projects.  Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea Mayor “These upgrades will give more children access to early learning opportunities close to home providing them with a strong foundation for their future.” “It will also help ease cost-of-living pressures for families by creating more local kindergarten places supporting parents who want to return to work or study.”  “We appreciate the Victorian Government’s local investment for City of Whittlesea families” Residents can leave the car at home and still have access to important facilities and services in the Mill Park area following construction of a new shared trail.  The $950,000 Mill Park Reserve Connecting Shared Trail project has delivered 1.6km of all-weather and accessible walking and cycling paths.  The trail will encourage people to enjoy active lifestyles through regular recreational exercise such as walking It will also give some residents the option to forgo driving and instead walk run or cycle to facilities such as the Mill Park Leisure Centre City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined Member for Mill Park the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP on site to celebrate the trail’s construction on Friday Council’s contribution of $475,000 towards the project was matched by a $475,000 grant from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund.  Mr Lloyd said the trail will have benefits for not just Mill Park residents but those living in surrounding suburbs such as Thomastown “Council wants to encourage residents to be active and enjoy the natural environment here in the municipality,” he said.  “Shared walking and cycling trails are a great way of doing just that as they cater to people of all ages and abilities.  “The added bonus of this trail is that it is not just good for recreational use but can connect people to many of the facilities and services in the Mill Park area.” More information on the municipality’s shared trails is available on the City of Whittlesea’s website A major project to return Mill Park’s Peter Hopper Lake to good health will soon move into an important new phase.  which saw the removal of about 3000 cubic metres of sediment from the lakebed is complete and the second stage will begin in the coming months.  City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd joined Member for Scullin the Hon Andrew Giles MP and Member for Mill Park the Hon Lily D’Ambrosio MP on 8 November to view the progress.  For more information, visit the Peter Hopper Lake revitalisation page on our website Quotes attributable to City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd:  “This is a complex project that has been years in the planning and I’m delighted that we are so close to seeing Peter Hopper Lake once again being enjoyed to its full potential.  “Not only will residents benefit from the restoration project but improved water quality at the lake will result in a thriving habitat for a diverse range of native flora and fauna.”  Quotes attributable to Member for Scullin the Hon Andrew Giles MP:  “Peter Hopper Lake is central for the Mill Park community and wildlife.   “With this restoration that the Albanese Government is delivering in partnership with the City of Whittlesea locals can enjoy this important community hub once again.  “This is a project that I have been fighting for my electorate of Scullin for years I am excited to be a part of a government that puts the environment front and centre – where it belongs.”  This is probably not the page you’re looking for Softball is sometimes overlooked in favour of more popular sports but Cheetahs Softball Club president Kerry Laird says softball is a fun easy game the whole family can play.  The City of Whittlesea is home to several clubs all based at Mill Park Recreation Reserve: the Cheetahs Kerry is eager to see more players take up the sport which she says is suitable for all ages and abilities.  She returned to softball at age 40 after playing at high school and says it took plenty of courage to pick up the phone and join a club “I loved it so much in high school and I always thought 'find a club “In my children’s school newsletter there was an ad and I gave the lady a call She said ‘come on down’ and I thought I was going to die I couldn’t breathe because it had been so long and is passionate about attracting more members to the club.  She says softball is sometimes confused with baseball (which is an off-shoot) “There’s a bit of a myth that softball is for girls and baseball is for boys but that’s really not true,” she says "It’s a great opportunity for all family members and that’s usually what happens at the grassroots level It just gives you a lot of skill levels that you can attain that’s what you get out of it.”  The club has about 60 members ranging in age from four to 70.  It also suports autistic players and has several members whose participation needs are met with modified programs.  have represented Victoria and Australia.  Kerry says the club competes with more common sports to attract members “We struggle against soccer and footy and netball and basketball that’s another thing we struggle with,” she says.  “People have been physically idle for such a long time and I really want to let them know you don’t have to be very active and elite to join.”  Kerry says new players are welcome to attend training sessions for free and have a go sold for more than $1.3m – to a first-home buyer Melbourne first-home buyers with $1m-plus budgets and thought to be fleeing the city’s rental market helped drive seven-figure sales across the suburbs yesterday It comes a day after Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Jacob Caine and PropTrack economist Anne Flaherty revealed those making their first step onto the property ladder had saved Victoria’s winter auction market One of the busiest June-August sales stretches on record the past three months have been carried by significant activity from first-home buyers RELATED: Noble Park apartment sold for just $86,000, but there’s a catch ‘Stop blame game’: Kochie slams younger homebuyers Real Estate auction blog: Livestreams and rolling updates from Melbourne’s auction market And as an estimated 950 homes tested purchaser’s resolve this week multiple million-dollar addresses were contested by those who have never bought before PropTrack data shows Victoria recorded a 65.7 per cent clearance rate from 578 results reported yesterday And Jas Stevens auctioneer Tate Moore said he had three first-home buyers competing for a Seddon home at 25 Thomson St with the keys ultimately going to one of them despite a $1.325m sale In Mill Park another market entrant contested the title at a Ray White auction, but fell short in a $1.19m bidding battle for 26 Callistemon Rise The Thomson St home won buyers over with its location and a recent refresh Ray White chief auctioneer Jeremy Tyrrell said first timers with budgets above $1m were “definitely not uncommon” at the moment Mr Tyrrell said he believed they were increasingly active as a result of Melbourne’s rental crisis — with many who would have been happy renting and saving for years to come choosing to buy now “So we aren’t just talking about 18-25 year olds,” he said “And that’s probably why we are seeing more of those higher priced first-home purchases.” For those bidding at auction past $1m there are no government support programs or stamp duty concessions and Mr Tyrrell said many were likely taking on large mortgages — a further hint of confidence that homebuyers at least no longer feared interest rate hikes had a first-home buyer in the contest despite a $1.19m eventual sale price when the hammer came down with PropTrack data indicating more homes are selling prior to auctions than passing in Mr Tyrrell noted that it was possible first-home buyers looking to add a subject to finance clause to their purchase could be behind an uptick in homes changing hands before planned sale dates The auctioneer added that Melbourne’s affordable western suburbs particularly where homes were priced below $500,000 were “absolutely alive with first-home buyers jumping into the market” Professional auctioneer Andy Reid said a week ago he had sold 17 Glenvale Rd, Donvale, to a first-home buyer for $1.13m in post-auction negotiations after they made a $1.1m bid under the hammer sold for more than $1m to a first-home buyer a week ago Mr Reid noted that he believed mortgage brokers having fewer clients looking homes outside of first-home buyers were working harder to give them the confidence to bid at auction rather than advising them to bid subject to finance as they had done more commonly historically ARM Real Estate’s Daphne Lai handled buyer inquiries for the four-bedroom house MORE: Richmond: 1960s-style time capsule ‘The Green House’ ready for a new owner Kate Langbroek: TV, radio host and husband Peter Allan Lewis list historic St Kilda home Block judge’s exec home for rent for $2500 a week Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time While my brother shot zombies in a graveyard Just as I was enjoying the view from the top of Table Mountain Dad shouted out: “I can see our back fence!” Presented with the wonders of Earth he had travelled to the corner of Wright and Richardson streets Sandwiched between Albert Park Lake and the beach bordered by Mills Street to the north and Fraser Street to the south Middle Park’s 4000 residents know they are on to a good thing Stroll down the street for a swim in the bay; hop on the 96 or 12 tram and you’ll be in the city in two clicks, or St Kilda for dinner then home for an early night safe in the knowledge that the suburb’s “colourful characters” don’t tend to drift too far over your side of Fitzroy Street Middle Park – often confused with Mill Park in Melbourne’s north-east thanks to our habit of dropping internal consonants – was once a wetland and lies on the lands of the Yalukit-willam clan of the Boon Wurrung a fact that was never mentioned during my childhood Back then, it was not fashionable. Grandma couldn’t understand why my parents wouldn’t buy somewhere nice, like Glen Waverley. Middle Park was “for poor people”, she said. Well, sorry Grandma; in 2024, it’s Melbourne’s third most expensive suburb, where a square metre of land typically sets you back $12,916 from the Maternal Child Health Centre to Civic Kindergarten then on to Middle Park Primary School where teachers smoked behind the not-very-discreet hedge during breaks McKendrick and Young in my class was a Papadopoulos Samaras or Antoniou – descendants of the suburb’s many Greek migrants 9.2 per cent of residents reported Greek ancestry and olive trees litter Middle Park’s nature strips After school, we played roller hockey on Canterbury Place, made notes for our Cat Club (“Erskine Street – tortoiseshell male, white socks, shy. Abused?”) or threw rocks at the spitfires in the park opposite the school, named the Frank and Mary Crean Reserve The Crean family has a long association with Middle Park; Frank was federal treasurer in the 1970s. In more recent years, I would spot Simon Crean minister in four federal Labor governments pacing along Beaconsfield Parade on the phone attending to matters of state in his exercise gear Simon Crean at Middle Park beach in 2001.Credit: Simon Schluter Armstrong Street village is the suburb’s heart. Middle Park Hotel, the subject of recent redevelopment controversy was built there in 1889 and many other shops not long after they’re the place to bump into your neighbours – an IGA and a Gum Tree grocer multiple cafes and a few long-running businesses like Aris Shoe Repairs and Victor’s Dry Cleaners it’s no coincidence that these two have stood the test of time Pop in to see Victor; he’ll take your shirts in for cleaning and give you the key to the Carmelite Middle Park Tennis Club while you’re at it Rising house prices change things and at some point Armstrong Street no longer has a smoke-filled TAB full of punters where a kilo of “human grade” roo tendons will cost you $300 but there’s more than one place to get an ice bath you’ll find Ortho Ski where ski podiatrists will ensure your feet are comfy for the snow season Perhaps I should have seen this process beginning when, in the late ’90s, I went trick-or-treating along Richardson Street: a door swung open and there stood movie star Guy Pearce who politely handed us some Ferrero Rochers and sent us on our way I’m not far away – St Kilda – but when I had my first baby and was zoned to a Middle Park parents’ group I made some calls and headed to Carlisle Street instead I can’t relax until I’m back on my side of Fitzroy Street where my baby’s op-shop clothes and banana-smeared pram are unremarkable When I park my battered old Corolla in front of my childhood home Mum swipes at the cobwebs on its mirrors when she thinks I’m not looking but Middle Park will always hold a special place in my heart It’s the tang of pink peppercorns crushed underfoot in the primary school quadrangle the metallic screech of the one-one-two rounding the Danks Street corner And it’s the adventure playground – the wooden fort the castle – built by the Middle Park community in Albert Park in 1993 and loved by each new generation of kids sanding wood and soaping screws as the grown-ups drilled and sawed Isabel Robinson is a Melbourne writer and community development worker The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here Dad shouted out: \\u201CI can see our back fence!\\u201D Presented with the wonders of Earth Middle Park\\u2019s 4000 residents know they are on to a good thing Stroll down the street for a swim in the bay; hop on the 96 or 12 tram and you\\u2019ll be in the city in two clicks or for dinner then home for an early night safe in the knowledge that the suburb\\u2019s \\u201Ccolourful characters\\u201D don\\u2019t tend to drift too far over your side of Fitzroy Street Middle Park \\u2013 often confused with Mill Park in Melbourne\\u2019s north-east thanks to our habit of dropping internal consonants \\u2013 was once a wetland and lies on the lands of the Yalukit-willam clan of the Boon Wurrung Grandma couldn\\u2019t understand why my parents wouldn\\u2019t buy somewhere nice Middle Park was \\u201Cfor poor people\\u201D it\\u2019s Melbourne\\u2019s third most expensive suburb Samaras or Antoniou \\u2013 descendants of the suburb\\u2019s many Greek migrants and olive trees litter Middle Park\\u2019s nature strips we played roller hockey on Canterbury Place made notes for our Cat Club (\\u201CErskine Street \\u2013 tortoiseshell male Abused?\\u201D) or threw rocks at the spitfires in the park opposite the school The Crean family has a long association with Middle Park; Frank was federal treasurer in the 1970s Armstrong Street village is the suburb\\u2019s heart they\\u2019re the place to bump into your neighbours \\u2013 an IGA and a Gum Tree grocer like Aris Shoe Repairs and Victor\\u2019s Dry Cleaners it\\u2019s no coincidence that these two have stood the test of time Pop in to see Victor; he\\u2019ll take your shirts in for cleaning and give you the key to the Carmelite Middle Park Tennis Club while you\\u2019re at it where a kilo of \\u201Chuman grade\\u201D roo tendons will cost you $300 but there\\u2019s more than one place to get an ice bath you\\u2019ll find Ortho Ski where ski podiatrists will ensure your feet are comfy for the snow season Perhaps I should have seen this process beginning when I went trick-or-treating along Richardson Street: a door swung open and there stood movie star I\\u2019m not far away \\u2013 St Kilda \\u2013 but when I had my first baby and was zoned to a Middle Park parents\\u2019 group I can\\u2019t relax until I\\u2019m back on my side of Fitzroy Street where my baby\\u2019s op-shop clothes and banana-smeared pram are unremarkable Mum swipes at the cobwebs on its mirrors when she thinks I\\u2019m not looking It\\u2019s the tang of pink peppercorns crushed underfoot in the primary school quadrangle And it\\u2019s the adventure playground \\u2013 the wooden fort the castle \\u2013 built by the Middle Park community in Albert Park in 1993 and loved by each new generation of kids The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge The Official Guide to Portland With more than 200 parks and gardens within city limits the urban greens offer a breath of fresh air. Another legend says Fagan, who is of Irish descent, witnessed a leprechaun digging the hole. Intrigued by the promise of three wishes, Fagan reportedly captured the fellow and wished for a park before letting him free. Because Fagan did not distinguish the size of his desired park, the trickster erected a leprechaun-size park. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Oregonian (@theoregonian) Fagan named the park after his “Oregon Journal” column “Mill Ends,” which — like its namesake for leftover lumber — detailed odd and irregular tidbits of information and interesting stories Fagan would provide updates about the park including those from the perspective of Patrick O’Toole (resident and head leprechaun of the park) the park was home to the only colony of leprechauns west of Ireland It has been jointly maintained by Portland Parks and Recreation and enthusiastic community members ever since the park earned an official listing in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s smallest park Mill Ends Park has thrived through many changes — much like the community around it — in the more than half-century since its founding Its topography continually morphs depending on its most recent visitors Mill Ends Park has hosted snail races and oddities such as UFOs a tiny swimming pool and a charming miniature Ferris wheel It’s often decked out with themed décor around major holidays View this post on Instagram A post shared by Travel Portland (@travelportland) which opened its first restaurant outside of Japan in PDX Mill Ends Park remains number one in the hearts of Portlanders and visitors alike Whichever new monument or leprechaun has arrived a trip to Mill Ends is sure to be a wonderfully curious and majestic visit Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world all lined by one of the largest urban forests sights and experiences you won’t find anyplace else Do as locals do and embrace the city’s quirky vibes visitorinfo@travelportland.com1-888-503-3291 (toll free)503-427-1372Monday–Sunday 1132 SW Harvey Milk St #104,Portland, OR 97205 Get the guide Local BusinessesMediaMeeting PlannersTravel Industry ProfessionalsEvent Organizers We are a promoter and steward of this evolving city and its progressive values which have the power to transform the travelers who visit us Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Melbourne straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Melbourne without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Melbourne Buying a home doesn't need to be a pipe dream; there's still hope yet – if you know the right places to look Melbourne's median house price might hover around a hefty $1.1 million these days there are still suburbs around that offer the sought-after combo of affordability and liveability.  PRD Real Estate's latest Affordable and Liveable Property Guide is out and chief economist Diaswati Mardiasmo has flagged Melbourne's ten best areas for affordable homes for young and first-time buyers for the first time since the report began in 2015 Melbourne has surpassed Brisbane in affordability.  which suburbs are worth a look in now that Melbourne is taking the lead Topping the Affordable and Liveable Property Guide this year Broadmeadows offers a median house price of $568,000 This northside locale has great access to public transport and a series of planned infrastructure upgrades it's a top pick for buyers looking for affordability with solid growth potential.  This quiet western suburb has a median house price of $625,000 Albanvale is perfect for those craving a life on the more peaceful side while staying connected to Melbourne's bustling west several schools and an active community sports scene The Kororoit Creek also runs along the western border of Albanvale and has seen a resurgence of native wildlife due to its wetlands and lakes attracting species like the endangered Growling grass frog.  A vibrant suburb located approximately 17 km north west of the CBD St Albans has a median house price of $650,000 The suburb also boasts a bustling shopping precinct excellent educational facilities and a strong sports culture It's an attractive choice for families and young professionals wanting proximity to Melbourne but also an escape from the busier suburbs.  Lalor is one of the most budget-friendly options Known for its bustling multicultural community melting pot of cuisine and Station Street shopping strip you'll be on the doorstep of Greek bakeries and family-owned Vietnamese restaurants There are also numerous parks and recreational areas including Stockdale Park and Lalor Recreation Reserve which support various community activities and sports clubs.  Braybrook might not be as cheap as the other suburbs but it's punching above its weight in liveability Known for its diverse community and ongoing urban renewal Braybrook residents often highlight the strong sense of community and great transport connections for commuters travelling to Melbourne's CBD It's a wise bet for first-time buyers and investors as an up-and-coming neighbourhood in Melbourne's inner west.  family-friendly option for buyers looking to the north With a median house price of $766,750 and heaps of green space Mill Park has a range of amenities and shopping centres and schools making it a consistent favourite among first-home buyers.  With a median price hovering around $770,000 this north east pocket is becoming increasingly attractive to first-home buyers its proximity to the sprawling Darebin Creek parklands and Austin Hospital precinct make it an ideal spot for nature lovers and healthcare workers.  Glenroy is well below the citywide average Located approximately 12 km north of Melbourne's CBD a strong sense of community and big growth potential.  Greenvale's $873,750 median price might break the budget but it's hard to ignore its tree-lined streets Another strong choice for those seeking units Reservoir's relative affordability at $890,000 and proximity to great coffee shops and green spaces make it a smart pick for first-time buyers.  The top ten suburbs were selected based on various factors "Melbourne is a clear winner from the perspective of prices," said Diaswati Mardiasmo "There are way more chances to score a house in Melbourne for an affordable price than in Brisbane." You can discover more about Australia's affordable and liveable properties by downloading the PRD guide here. Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestAbout us Contact us Darebin Creek now has a lookout with an Aboriginal mosaic pavement and native trees on the south side of the Childs Road bridge we inaugurated the new rest area with the Wurundjeri Elders the students and teachers of Lalor North Secondary college and the families of Mill Park “We are here today to give the Darebin Creek Lookout back to the community - a great legacy piece for the Childs Road Upgrade that we completed last year” “This legacy project celebrates our connection with the environment and cultural heritage of Darebin Creek” Aunty Julienne and Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross reminded us of the customs and traditions of the Wurundjeri people and the spectacular landscape of Darebin creek across millennia and other significant elements that represent and show our continued connection with the landscape," said Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross they proceeded with a smoking ceremony and invited those present around the burning dish to join the ritual by walking through the smoke “What a pleasure it has been for the last two years working on this legacy initiative with Major Road Projects Victoria Thank you to everybody!” said Aunty Julienne last year helped us create an educational activity that increased the connections of Lalor North Secondary College students with the places in which they live the students set out on a walking tour along Darebin Creek to learn more about its flora and fauna and how they were used when the Wurundjeri people managed the land They also investigated waterbugs and learned about the various species to understand more about the correlation between waterbug presence and water quality the school band performed Aboriginal songs to show their relationship with the Aboriginal culture and other tunes to animate the celebration MP Bronwyn Halfpenny planted a gum tree with the students to symbolise our sensitivity towards the Creek Cyclists and pedestrians were also there to enjoy the surrounding reserve now that the Darebin Creek Trial is safely linked with the new bridge underpass The festival continued throughout the day with food and entertainment for families The Darebin Creek Lookout is the legacy project of the Childs Road Upgrade Darebin Creek Lookout legacy project brings locals and visitors a new perspective to enjoy Darebin Creek's environment and cultural heritage a drinking fountain and dog water bowl and a bike repair station The mosaic on the pavement is an Aboriginal artwork made by Aboriginal artist Ashley Firebrace and features the ancient movements and campsites of the Wurundjeri-balluk and Wurundjeri-willam clans along Darebin Creek which was the community’s choice among options for native species identified in collaboration with the City of Whittlesea and the Darebin Creek Management Committee We also reused recycled timbers and rocks that had been removed as part of the road project construction Major Road Projects Victoria implements legacy initiatives across Victoria to create long-lasting effects beyond improving road infrastructures We work directly with local communities to strengthen the connection between people and places and support local development and growth A group of local developers is looking to transform the long-unused barn at Mount Vernon’s Grist Mill Park into a restaurant and live music venue The unsolicited proposal was submitted by Long & Foster realtors Mark and Michael White Tech24 Construction CEO and President Victor Bonomi and First Washington Realty senior construction director Daniel Wiechert All four members of the leadership team are Mount Vernon residents and they’ve led several D.C.-area projects Because the proposal was submitted under Virginia’s Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) state law requires Fairfax County to open a competitive bidding process before moving forward The developers have proposed renovating the two-level approximately 7,000-square-foot barn into a full-service restaurant with an outdoor dining area and a permanent stage to support the park’s summer concert series and other events the restaurant would serve “family friendly food” as well as locally brewed craft beer possibly from George Washington’s Grist Mill It also shows a walk-up window that would serve coffee and ice cream independently of the restaurant The group has also proposed a separate restroom building for park visitors, expanded parking and a bicycle rest station along the recently completed Mount Vernon bike path between Richmond Highway and George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate “The Grist Mill barn has been a negative asset to the Fairfax County Park Authority for many decades as it is in constant need of maintenance and currently has limited positive usage for the surrounding park,” the proposal says The developer group argues that a restaurant and event space would provide a new community gathering spot while generating revenue for the county The developers say they have discussed their plans with the leadership of the Gunston Soccer Club The club has expressed support for the addition of restrooms and concessions which its members have identified as ongoing needs The future of the barn has been a topic of discussion for years The FCPA held a public meeting in 2019 as part of a master plan revision for Grist Mill Park Residents at the meeting suggested using the barn for indoor sports or storage for gardening and recreational equipment The new unsolicited proposal contains three renovation options for the barn but they’ve been redacted and labeled “confidential,” leaving the specific design and layout a mystery The FCPA will evaluate proposals based on feasibility and alignment with the park’s long-term vision A timeline for selecting a final plan has not been announced Photo via Google Maps We block international traffic. Please email if you would like to be allow listed CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Real estate brothers team up with noted restaurateur Noe Landini and construction company exec on plans for scenic dairy barn in Mount Vernon area This dairy barn may become a restaurant and event and live music venue in the Mount Vernon area Mark White and his twin brother Michael grew up across the street from a dairy barn in their Mount Vernon neighborhood at Grist Mill Park The two are now part of a group including noted restaurateur Noe Landini and construction company exec Victor Bonomi working on bringing new life to the 6,000-square foot historic dairy barn located at 4710 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway They envision a full-service family restaurant bar and concession stand serving ice cream A view of a community garden at the Grist Mill Park barn is now part of Grist Mill Park owned by Fairfax County; the park is filled with families who come there for a dog park Mark and Michael are in the real estate business with their parents Chris and Peggy White in the Chris White Family Real Estate Group at Long & Foster and they all live on the same street near the park Mark and Michael are raising their families there and often visit the park “The original story is that a congressman owned it,” Mark said “He wanted to farm while he was in DC.” The farm changed hands before the county purchased it A view of the Grist Mill Park barn that a group hopes to see converted into a full-service restaurant and concession space the county began asking the community for ideas about what might be done with the barn ‘This could be an opportunity here,’” Mark said While the Covid pandemic slowed down their plans The Whites have developed a proposal which they submitted to the county to convert the barn into a full-service family restaurant Other aspects include adding restroom facilities for the park “It’s a big hub for youth soccer in our area,” Mark said “It’s still in the conceptual phase but we’re hoping it would be partly a sit-down restaurant as well as a ‘grab and go’ with coffee “This is new territory for Fairfax County too,” he said The Whites are getting an assist from Landini and Bonomi a neighbor of theirs who owns a construction company “He lives in our neighborhood and Noe hangs out in our neighborhood We like the idea of it being locally owned It would be a great place to see and meet friends and family.” Landini and Bonomi are waiting on approval from the county more decisions and studies will have to be made The brothers have briefed the Mount Vernon Council of Citizens' Associations Read more on the county website here. Alexandria Living Magazine is your go-to source for exploring the past, present and future of Alexandria’s people, culture and happenings. Come explore with us! 201 N. Union Street, Suite 110, Alexandria, VA 22314 Arlington firefighters were called to a 3-alarm fire at the Parkside Townhomes on Thursday morning The fire was first reported at about 10:45 a.m at a two-story home on the 1100 block of Millview Drive The townhomes community is next to Randol Mill Park near Randol Mill and Fielder roads Get top local stories delivered to you every morning with NBC DFW's News Headlines newsletter Two men also die in separate incident after gunshots heard in Mordialloc A six-year-old girl has died in hospital after a stabbing that claimed the life of a woman in Melbourne’s north were both found with critical injuries at a home in Mill Park about 7.50pm on Thursday The woman died at the scene while the girl was rushed to hospital Det Insp Dean Thomas said a 40-year-old man injured himself while speaking with police and was in a critical condition in hospital under police guard “A 10-year-old girl managed to escape and flee adding that she was speaking with police officers traumatic incident … we want to make sure she’s as good as she can be.” Police believe the woman ran to a neighbour’s home They understand the man is the woman’s husband and the father of the two girls Thomas said reports emergency services had been called to the property just before 1pm on Thursday would form part of their investigation “We believe that a person at the address was assessed at that point in time and emergency services cleared,” he said The detective inspector said police were awaiting further medical advice but the man may survive his injuries He will be interviewed in the coming days if medically cleared two people were found with critical injuries at Mordialloc in an unrelated incident Police believe their deaths were the result of a dispute between neighbours in a block of units A 73-year-old man was arrested by police after pointing a gun at officers Thomas said officers fired a shot at the older man before surrendering to officers a short time later “It’s not often that we will get two jobs overnight and we have a total of four people killed,” he said of the night’s events “To get them on the same night like that doesn’t happen all that often so our thoughts are very much with the families of these people and also the friends that are impacted by it.” Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the Mill Park or Mordialloc areas but have stressed they are not looking for anyone else in relation to both incidents Link copiedShareShare articleTwo men have drowned while trying to swim across a lake in Melbourne's north after drinking alcohol, police say, despite the efforts of a former lifeguard who came to their aid. The drowned men had been drinking alcohol before their deaths, police say Police said a 19-year-old man from Mernda and another man aged in his 30s were drinking alcohol with friends at Redleap Reserve about 6:30pm when they decided to try to swim across the lake at Mill Park. Senior Sergeant Mark Smith said a large search-and-rescue operation involving the SES and Victoria Police was launched after a 21-year-old man tried to swim out and save the pair. "He attempted to swim out and rescue his friends, and he started to feel the effects of water and alcohol himself," he said. "He returned to shore and alerted passers by to contact police." The men's bodies were pulled from the water between 9:30pm and 10:00pm. Police divers were at the scene searching for the bodies. (ABC News) Senior Sergeant Smith said the lake dropped to a depth of about two metres just offshore. "Unfortunately one of those mixtures of alcohol and the activity certainly don't go together, and that's probably been the major contributor at this stage," he said. Family and friends of the men were at the scene when the bodies were retrieved. Nathan Henderson, a former lifeguard who lives opposite the lake, said he raced to help after hearing screams. "I ran downstairs and I could see the guy on the pier and he was just screaming for help," he said. Former lifeguard Nathan Henderson (L) used his surfboard to try and find the men. (ABC New: Karen Percy) "I wasn't sure what was going on, I went over and spoke to him and as soon as he said his friends had gone under a policeman had arrived." The 27-year-old said he sprinted home to get his surfboard to help rescue efforts. "I jumped on the board, swam out trying to see if we could find anyone," he said. "The water is murky, there's no clarity at all. "It was cold. It was probably three or four metres deep in the deepest part. I couldn't see anything and we didn't find anything unfortunately." Mr Henderson said in the five years he had lived in the area he had never seen anyone get in the lake. "I've never seen anyone want to go in." A large-scale search-and-rescue operation was launched after a man tried to save the pair. (ABC News) The lake at Redleap Reserve in Mill Park has warning signs. (ABC News: Karen Percy) Mill Park has added extra depth as it focuses on improvement in FV state league 2 north-west The side was one of the form teams of the competition last season when it ended due to COVID-19 and were full of confidence The club has kept the majority of the same squad with coach Kevin Theuma hoping they can build on that “We definitely want to rise up the table and get promoted Last season started slow losing the first couple of games before losing one of our last 11 games “We were confident if we continued the season Theuma said it had been an up and down pre-season with COVID-19 He said that the group was starting to put it together at the right time “The last couple of weeks we played Yarraville and beat them We played Goulburn Valley Suns and lost 4-3 “We are picking up at the right time of the season.” The majority of the playing group from last season had returned and they’ve look to strengthen the side Theuma said they had added four or five players Dean Jancevski has joined the club from Banyule City while Chris Ailakis will take over the goalkeeping role Joe Coveney and Matty Makinson have come out from the United Kingdom to join the side Mill Park will run with a bigger squad than they normally would “We would normally run with 20 players in the squad,” Theuma said “With COVID you might lose two or three players in one go And they haven’t played a lot of football in the last couple of years Mill Park will kick off its season on March 19 against Western Suburbs ALL four courts at Mill Park Basketball Stadium have reopened while construction continues to improve the facility’s accessibility and sustainability The latest upgrades at the Redleap Reserve stadium include updated access to the grandstand and scorer’s benches New flooring under the grandstand has also been completed with the next stage of construction featuring and electrical upgrade and the installation of cabinetry The upgrade of Mill Park Basketball Stadium will include new female and family change rooms a modern kitchen and fit-for-purpose spaces to help the local association and clubs grow The upgrade is being delivered by the City of Whittlesea with the support of the State Government Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program Detectives are appealing for public assistance after a man exposed himself at a shopping centre in Mill Park on Saturday It is believed a man entered the store about 2.45pm where he exposed himself and then left Investigators have released an image of a man that may be able to assist with their inquiries The man is described as being aged in his late 60s with thinning grey hair and facial hair Any witnesses or anyone one with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au 15 Development Blvd, Mill Park THE latest addition to Mill Park’s million dollar club has set a new record for the suburb The five-bedroom house at 15 Development Blvd was snapped up for $1.73 million — a whopping $330,000 above reserve CoreLogic records show this is the highest price paid for a house in Mill Park eclipsing the record previously held by the six-bedroom house at 13 Manna Way that sold in February 2015 for $1.36 million is an eye-catcher on the high side of the street Ray White Preston’s John Catanzariti said the property attracted plenty of attention while it was on the market with nearly 150 groups inspecting the home A total of 16 would-be buyers from across Melbourne registered to bid for the property The auction on Saturday attracted a huge crowd A huge crowd attended the fast-paced auction on September 23 to watch a family from Preston defeat five other bidders to win the keys Mr Catanzariti said the buyers were attracted to the quality of the home and the size of the block The house has all the trimmings including a theatre room with a bar would sell for at least $2.5 million,” he said The luxury home market was booming in Mill Park “There is a push for high-end homes in this suburb where houses in the better estates selling for a million dollars are becoming the norm,” he said Premium-quality homes were attracting cashed-up buyers from the inner-city who were willing to pay the price for a bigger and newer home on a substantial block of land SUBURB PROFILE: MILL PARK the lavish builder’s own home stands on a 1170sq m block on the high side of the street with a stunning outdoor entertainment area and a pool theatre room with a bar and views of Plenty Gorge park The house showcases an interior water feature “It is an imposing entertainer’s home with all the trimmings and was beautifully presented,” Mr Catanzariti said The sellers were downsizing to a smaller property in the same street Labor’s Lily D’Ambrosio will win the seat of Mill Park despite a 14 per cent swing to the Liberal Party Ms D’Ambrosio had secured 50 per cent of first preference votes as of Sunday afternoon compared to Liberal candidate Paige Yap’s 27 per cent Ms D’Ambrosio was leading Ms Yap 60.84 per cent to 39.16 per cent in the two-party-preferred count Mill Park’s Ivana Ilic made it to the top six on this year’s Australian Idol with her big voice and love for music.  The 20-year-old gave it her all with Alicia Keys’ ‘If I Ain’t Got you’ in front of celebrity judges Kyle Sandilands Ms Ilic said Idol was one of the best experiences so far.  “Honestly that was one of the best experiences I’ve ever done I cannot even begin to tell anyone how happy I am that I took that opportunity and actually did this show,” she said but in this year’s season contestants were not guaranteed a golden ticket with two or three votes and were instead sent to a holding area for the judges to narrow down the contestants.  including Ms Illic who let her big voice win over the judges with her acapella version of Bruno Mars’ ‘When I Was Your Man’ Ms Ilic claimed her top 12 spot to progress to the live shows where the Australian public decided their favourite contestants through voting.  Top 12 was just as daunting as the audition process for the Mill Park artist but her performance of ‘Midnight Sky’ by Miley Cyrus in the top eight advanced her to the top six.  Ms Ilic said having to sing in elimination twice was ‘a bit of a whirlwind’.  I was under a lot of pressure through the show it was definitely like a bit of a whirlwind like an up and down rollercoaster for me,” she said Ms Ilic said her support system was ‘absolutely amazing’.  the people in my community were doing the most to make sure that I got into the next round,” she said they were going around the local shopping centre literally handing out brochures to people saying ‘vote for her’ just before the grand final decided this year’s Australian Idol.  Another key performance was Ms Ilic’s rendition of Rihanna’s ‘Diamonds’ in the top six which was dedicated to the Sony Foundation Australian You Can Centre Youths.  “I finally got my ballad moment … where I could just sing a song Ms Illic said she made the most of her final performance.  “When I sang ‘Rather Be’ I just had fun with it I was like ‘this is my last performance … I’m just going to have fun give it my all and just really enjoy it,” she said.  Ms Ilic said the plan now was to work really hard with her music “You’ve just come off this show and you’ve got so much momentum going for you I think keeping up with social media is really important now taking as many opportunities as possible,” she said “I really want to get into the studio … and write my own music because I want to go into like a dance pop sort of avenue and that’s kind of the road I’m going down.”