Seeing green: Five months after fire wiped out 45 per cent of the Bunyip State Forest, Ranger Greg Young took the Journal to view new growth which had started to emerge. The forest was reopened to the public the following month.

August

Smoke signals: CFA volunteers put aside their memories from Black Saturday and prepared themselves mentally and physically for the 2009-10 fire season.

Swanning around: Pakenham's Paris Hodson scored herself the lead in the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of Swan Lake.

September

Entert ainment central: Impersonator Rick Charles and family returned to Dandenong's Drum Theatre with an all rocking, all rolling tribute to the music of a bygone era. This month also saw the BATS Theatre company performers tackling the high seas in their performance of Treasure Island.

October

Holida y splash: Hundreds of children made the most of their school holidays with a visit to Casey ARC.

November

Burning passion: Doveton couple Patrick and Betty Merrett notched up almost 100 years combined service for the Hallam fire brigade and have no intention of stopping their volunteer efforts just yet.

December

Narre Warren's Aleacia Lawtey, 3, who suffers severe cerebral palsy, was given an early Christmas present - a $12,000 walker - courtesy of the region's Lions Clubs.