Natural wonder: the art of ikenama began in Japanese temples and shrines, but sublime examples could be found at the opening of the Highway Gallery's Essences of Japan exhibition. Yukako Braun put together a spectacular Japanese flower arrangement.

AUGUST

Ti me to act: Victoria's top Greek Orthodox cleric Bishop Ezekiel, of the Greek Orthodox Melbourne Archdiocese, joined hundreds of outraged petitioners calling for a pedestrian crossing at a Clayton shopping strip after the death of Clayton parishioner Anna Tsavasilis. She died after being hit by three cars as she crossed Centre Road on the way to the church early on the evening of August 1.

SEPTEMBER

School's D-Day: Berengarra School, an independent school for about 50 teenagers with social and behavioural difficulties, was in need of a saviour to help it find a new home in the next 12 months.

OCTOBER

Action stations: The Glen Waverley fire and police stations opened their doors to the public in a bid to educate the community about the role of the emergency service.

OCTOBER

Carrying his bat: Veteran wicketkeeper Glenn Powell achieved a milestone 250 games with the Glen Waverley Hawks Cricket Club.

NOVEMBER

On pitch: A Wheelers Hill music teacher won a national award for hitting the right key with her students.

DECEMB ER

We're worried: Pieces of history were under threat after a heritage chimney and boiler house were partially demolished and a developer applied to turn the Oakleigh Motel into 54 town houses. There was plenty of community outrage.