A HUGE fund-raising campaign has begun to help a much-loved Melbourne teacher who has been diagnosed with brain cancer.
£88,000 is needed to help Zara Scott, who is 34, receive treatment in a German clinic so that she can have a longer life with her family, fiance Matt and children Noah and Isaac.
The community is rallying round to support Zara, who taught at Melbourne Infant School for 10 years. Details of how YOU can help are to be found in this month’s Village Voice.

On the musical front, local band Boats on the Ocean are riding the crest of a wave at the moment. The foursome are one of just five chosen from 1500 hopefuls to appear on the main stage at the forthcoming Y Not Festival – alongside the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers and Jamiroquai. Rock on lads!

The end of an era is in sight as a ‘sold’ board goes up at Melbourne’s longest surviving shop, ironmongers L Ward.
Owner John Coton, whose family started the business in the mid-19th century, has spent the last 55 years behind the counter but says it is now time to retire. He will be missed.

And Katie Howells is this year’s Miss Melbourne. The 12-year-old and her attendants will be in the procession that opens the Carnival on July 14.
Give them a wave as they pass by. And let us hope the weather stays fine for this annual extravaganza.