Wednesday, 30 October, 2019
Pakenham
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End of an era as principal retires
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Students cook up a storm By Jessica Anstice
From left, Harkaway Primary School student Ellie, Boronia West Primary School student Lanna, Carrington Primary School student Zac, Emerald Primary School student Yishai and Boronia West Primary School student Talia. 199293
They may not be “masterchefs” but local primary school students sure knew how to cook up a storm at Emerald Secondary Collage on Wednesday 23 October. Students from Harkaway, Emerald, Carrington, and Boronia West primary schools went head on in a cook off to see which students could create the most delicious meal. Emerald Primary School Students took out best entr¨¦e in the competition, while Harkaway Primary School whipped up the number one main and Carrington Primary School the best dessert. Food judges Gembrook MP Brad Battin, and chefs from Incy Wincy and The General in Emerald selected Harkaway and Carrington primary schools as equal first overall. “The kids loved it. I’ve already had emails from teachers having kids requesting another cook off this year,” Emerald Primary School kitchen garden program coordinator Jess Tannock said. “All staff involved yesterday would love to see more of these types of events happen more often and the kids all agree. “Hopefully we can get more schools involved in this to encourage healthy eating, knowledge around food preparation and sharing food with people from all communities.”
Business voice By Jessica Anstice
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More than 35 like-minded individuals came together with the vision to form a Pakenham business group on Monday 28 October. The purpose of the meeting was to bring local traders together to form a collective to promote the businesses of the Pakenham central retail hub. Local business owner Darren Spargo believes there is a need to promote the range and variety of businesses within the town and to attract new residents to the central business district. Mr Spargo says the potential business group would run promotions, events and sale activities, as well as giving businesses the op-
portunity to “unite and face the challenges of business together”. Pakenham businessperson Aileen Day has visited hundreds of Pakenham businesses over the past few weeks, to generate interest surrounding a business group. “I personally spoke to 104 businesses and out of the 104 only four screwed their face up so I think that’s a good ratio,” Ms Day said. “The results from the discussions on Monday night were positive - I think they’re excited to find out more about the business group and that’s what we need.” Ms Day aims to have the business group up and running by the end of November, depending on how smoothly the set up process goes.
“My view is slow and steady win the race,” Ms Day said. “I want to make sure we set them up with right framework, make sure they know what they’re getting themselves into and make sure it’s sustainable.” While a Pakenham business group existed six years ago, Ms Day stated things will be slightly different this time by not only having retail businesses involved but also including all businesses in the central business district. “There’s definitely a bit of a shift this time - the previous group was made up of majority retailers but this time we’ve invited any business in essence that trades in the central Pak-
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enham business district,” she added. “Whatever their service or product is, including health providers, accountants etc., we want them to be involved.” In an online blog post, Cardinia Shire Council councillor Michael Schilling said he would “love to see the reactivation of a Pakenham business group”. “In my discussion with council officers, they’re happy to provide a meeting space and assist a future business group by facilitating discussion around the ‘purpose’ of a future group,” he wrote. Since Monday’s meeting, 23 businesses have formally expressed interested in the group.
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