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Kindness costs nothing By Cam Lucadou-Wells Let's hope that a Berwick resident's gesture will be the sign of the times. Like many others, Brett Curtis and his Pakenham-based business AAFS Shopfitting is belying the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. Catching the eye of walkers passing by in Moondarra Drive, Berwick is a simple signboard message: "KND: Be the I in Kind." It was a reminder for people to be kind to each other, Mr Curtis said. Tyler and Summer Curtis form the I in KIND.
Cases climbing By Cam Lucadou-Wells On the eve of an Easter danger period, Casey has defied Victoria's flattening Covid-19 curve with a spike of eight new infections in 48 hours. Premier Daniel Andrews flagged the holiday break as a danger period that couldn't be treated as a "normal Easter weekend". He said the "positive" gains in curbing the viral spread were "hard-earned" but "fragile". Travelling around, visiting relatives, getting together in large groups and "doing things we desperately want to do" would "give back the gains we have made". Mr Andrews said the social restrictions needed to be a "medium term" fixture. "If they're not, the virus will spread, our hospital system will be over-run and people will die. "I know it's deeply inconvenient ... but it's working."
As of 7 April, the Casey area climbed the state's local government 'league table', ranking equal-eighth with 45 reported infections. The spike coincides with a 55-year-old disability nurse dying from the virus at Dandenong Hospital on 5 April. Meanwhile the State Government announced that school students would be required to "learn at home" when Term 2 resumes on 15 April. Stricter public health measures have come into force for visitors to disability residential facilities, alcohol and drug services and secure welfare services. The Government also announced it had helped employ 1300 workers who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, health authorities and police are continuing to crack down on potential community transmissions.
On 8 April, Victoria Police announced it had issued 114 fines for non-compliance with social distancing in the past 24 hours. Some of the fines included nine adults socialising at a Rebels outlaw-bikie gang clubhouse, seven people at a house dinner party, three mates who don't live together and were playing video games in a loungeroom. Four people were fined walking the streets in a search for drugs, and a group of friends breached for hanging out in a park, Victoria Police reported. As part of Operation Sentinel, police had conducted more than 16,000 spot checks at homes, businesses and non-essential services since 21 March. Victoria's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton urged people not to "look for loopholes" in the physical distancing measures. Only four exceptions remain to staying at home - food and supplies, medical care and
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care giving, exercise, and work or education. "The rules are clear - and they don't change over Easter: if you can stay at home, you must stay at home," Professor Sutton said. "This is tough for many families, but no Easter holiday is worth a life. Stay at home, protect the health system, and save lives. "There is no doubt about it - physical distancing will save lives. I urge people not to look for loopholes but to follow the advice and do the right thing." As of 8 April, the state's death toll was 12, with 45 patients in hospital and 12 in intensive care. Victoria's total infections has slowed in recent days, totalling 1212. More than half of cases have recovered (736). Details: dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
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Casey’s new ‘high bar’ on integrity By Cam Lucadou-Wells Future Casey councillors will be required to report "all interactions" with developers and objectors in the wake of recent corruption allegations aired at IBAC. In a further big change, planning decisions with up to 20 objections will not be decided at public meetings but delegated to council officers. At a council meeting on 8 April, Casey interim administrator Noelene Duff approved the changes as part of the council's revised protocols for land-use planning issues. It was part of a "preliminary response" to an ongoing IBAC Operation Sandon inquiry as well as a recent State-appointed Monitor's report that recommended the council's dismissal. Ms Duff declared the new guidelines set a "high bar for governance" with a focus on "transparency, accountability and integrity". They would be regarded as "best practice policy in the local government sector". For planning matters, councillors will be required to produce a record of all requests,
phone calls, correspondence and interactions. It would become part of the record for each planning application, Ms Duff said. She said the 20-objection threshold for planning matters was "based on the experience here and the number of objections that have come through", Ms Duff said. "It wasn't an arbitrary decision". A council report recommended the threshold so the council only considered matters of "broader community interest" not "localised matters". It also ensured an "appropriate separation of powers to enable Council to focus on policy and direction setting". The protocols require councillors not to provide land use planning advice and not to appear to be an "advocate" for or against any proposal. Any meeting requests on planning matters would be held in the presence of senior council officers and planning director. Councillors were not to "compromise themselves by having meetings, phone calls or other correspondence with parties without
council officers or other parties being present", the protocols state. At the ongoing IBAC inquiry, serious corruption allegations were levelled at chiefly Casey ex-councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett and property developer John Woodman. The two councillors are alleged by IBAC to have received $1.2 million from Mr Woodman. Meanwhile, they allegedly either led council motions or worked behind the scenes to promote Mr Woodman's planning interests such as the H3 intersection in Hall Road and the rezoning of industrial land in Cranbourne West, IBAC heard. On 18 February, the State-appointed Monitor Laurinda Gardner reported on "governance failures" at Casey. Ms Gardner reported that councillors failed to effectively and transparently manage conflicts of interest. Her report recommended dismissing councillors and replacing them with administrators beyond the 2020 council elections. The councillors were duly sacked by State Parliament that week.
Not going down in crisis ‘without a fight’ By Brendan Rees Jessica Anthony says she's "not going down without a fight" as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to close her Narre Warren hair salon. Like many small businesses, the 36-yearold owner of Shylocks Hair and Beauty has been forced to lay off staff who she described as "family". Up until a few weeks ago, Ms Anthony had bookings scheduled months in advance. Now suddenly, she has barely any work, little income and faces the prospect of closing her doors. "Usually I've got a waiting list - now I'm out there basically trying to pull people in," she said of her Webb Street business. "People just keep cancelling. Nothing like this has never happened before. To be taken out by a virus is devastating - no fault of my own. "Even Webb Street here is a ghost down at the moment. I've never ever, ever seen it look like this. It's eerie." Despite applying for the Federal Government's Job Keeper allowance - where small businesses substantially impacted by the coronavirus can claim a fortnightly wage subsidy to help pay employee's wages for at least six months - Ms Anthony said the downfall to this was that payments wouldn't come through until the end of May, which had left her with little choice but to lay off staff.
Narre Warren SES cleared a multitude of fallen trees in Casey on 4 and 5 April.
Trees down across Casey Narre Warren SES crews were called out to 36 incidents, mainly of fallen trees, during a weekend of wild weather. A spokesperson said most of the trees down in Casey on 4 and 5 April were causing either a traffic hazard or had fallen on homes and vehicles. "Wet grounds and strong winds can make trees unstable, as was the case for a large tree found to be resting on a neighbour's roof in Harkaway," a Narre Warren SES spokesperson said. About 5pm on 5 April, the crew was called out to a collapsed garage roof in Narre Warren South. Two cars were damaged but no one was injured. On the same weekend, more than 1000 requests for assistance were made to the SES across Victoria.
Cashless transport Jessica Anthony says her hair salon business in Narre Warren has taken a turn for the worse due Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS to the coronavirus crisis. 207312 A 30-minute time limit also placed on hair appointments per customer at all hair salons had "basically wiped our whole industry out in one night," she said. However, the rule was scrapped within hours of it coming into force following an "uproar" by salon owners. Salons and barbers must still adhere to social-distancing restrictions which had proven to be challenging across the hair and beauty industry. In the meantime, she said most clients had "been scared off" by the pandemic. On one day alone she made $147 through men's haircuts - well below the $6000 a week she required
to break even and "just to open the doors". "In the last few days it's gotten worse." Now forced to dig into her savings, Ms Anthony said if she didn't pay her bills - on top of paying her $500 mortgage repayments per week - "then I lose the lot". But Ms Anthony remained determined: "I'm not going down without a fight. The business means too much to me ... there's been a lot of tears and sweat that's gone into it." Star News has launched a new 'Shop Local' campaign encouraging locals to help businesses in the region stay afloat during the crisis.
To slow the spread of coronavirus public transport staff will no longer be handling cash payments. Passengers are now required to use their credit or debit card to pay for travel on the public transport network for all in-person transactions. Cash can still be used at myki card vending machines located across the network. Public transport is continuing to help Victorians undertake essential travel. It advises commuters their reasons for travel should be for: Shopping for food and supplies that you need Medical care and caregiving Exercise Work and education - if necessary The advice is clear - stay home. Public transport passengers must travel with a valid ticket. If you need to travel on public transport for one of these reasons there are still plenty of ways to top up your myki or purchase a train or bus ticket.
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Weary wombats find a home
Gyms unite to keep us fit
How your club can deal with Covid-19
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Weary wombats find a home
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Back our traders
Back our traders By Brendan Rees
Vista Cafe director Adam Sadiqzai, left, with his team Mel Hodges, Leonie Clark and John Barbaressos, who are feeling the pinch during the Coronavirus crisis. 206832 and Crown Casino among others from midday on Monday 23 March to curb the spread of Covid-19 - leaving businesses to plunge into unchartered waters. Cafes and restaurants can still operate but are restricted to takeaway - a measure which has left the Shingle Inn cafe at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in a dire situation as he was forced to lay of five workers. "I don't know what will happen this year. I can't predict anything but clearly I don't have any income," the owner of the cafe, Sunil Ariyaratne, said, who had seen a big drop in customers due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Shoppers were also sparse at Fountain Gate, he said, with the normally bustling area
turning into an eerie solitude. Mr Ariyaratne added he was also stressed about his 21-year-old daughter, a medical student in England, who has been asked to help in a hospital as the country deals with the Coronavirus outbreak. Degani Bakery Cafe owner Ayman Beshay, also at Fountain Gate, had also been forced to lay off staff and was losing money fast. In Cranbourne, Kelly's Hotel, which has been a popular watering hole for over a century, have resorted to a pick-up menu service through its bottle shop, which has remained opened and complies with social distancing rules with a tap and go service through a window.
"In these particular moments in time there is no major issue because all the staff are paid ... it's next week when the money doesn't come in there's going to be the issue," the hotel's manager Michael Goldie said. City of Casey CEO Glenn Patterson said the welfare of the business community remained a top priority. "Our team of economic development officers are available to speak with businesses to help navigate the options available from the Federal and State Government. Additionally, we are developing a package of local initiatives to offer support and relief to our community. This will be communicated when available," Mr Patterson said. 12445629-NG13-20
With the emergency shutdown of cafes and restaurants across the Casey region due to the Coronavirus crisis, many businesses are hurting. Through these troubling times, Star News has unveiled a new a 'Shop Local' campaign to help businesses stay afloat, which will run across Star's publications. "We are encouraging local people to buy locally and provide as many struggling businesses as possible the opportunity to get their messages out that they are still open for business or to let readers know about their changed operating methods," Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas said. Mr Thomas said everyone had been impacted by the crisis and together "we can only try to reduce that impact as much as possible". "Our own business has had a significant detrimental impact. Please shop locally, help an impacted business and keep as many people employed as we can." It comes as the Victorian State Government ordered a shutdown of non-essential industries such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, clubs,
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A silence over Anzac Day By Cam Lucadou-Wells For the first time in more than 100 years, no Anzac Day services will be held at the nation’s cenotaphs. The once-unthinkable shutdown is part of public health measures to curtail mass gatherings and hence the spread of Covid-19 virus. Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL president John Wells was “devastated” by the halting of traditional marches and ceremonies on 25 April. Usually Anzac Day attracts masses of veterans and families paying tribute to them at the Pillars of Freedom cenotaph and afterwards for two-up and free refreshments at the Dandenong RSL clubrooms. This year, like many, Mr Wells will stand at the foot of his home driveway at 6am - to the bugled tune of Reveille. “There’s not much else we can do. How we celebrate it and whether we celebrate it will say much about what we are. “We will have Anzac Day - it is inextricably a part of our culture. And next year we will be bigger and better than ever.” As a double-blow, RSL branches in Dandenong, Cranbourne and Pakenham have also cancelled in-person services at aged care homes and schools. Also lost are Anzac Appeal activities that raise vital money for veteran’s welfare. Mr Wells said the appeal’s shutdown would cost Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL about 45 per cent of its welfare revenue but vowed the club would “come through the other side”. “Dandenong RSL has become a welfare hub ... and it will be damaged. “We’ve got about 10 months of cash to survive on.” Dandenong Cranbourne RSL will prepare a short digital ceremony on its website for its aged-care veterans.
Dandenong-Cranbourne RSL president John Wells will observe the upcoming Anzac Day from his driveway. 192708 Pakenham RSL stalwart Gary Elliott lamented the “strange” loss of a public ceremony on Anzac Day but agreed with the clampdown on coronavirus. “It will be a very quiet occasion. “We can only hope that people will remember the day, and they’ll stand in front of their driveways and observe a minute’s silence at 6am. “That’s the best Australia can hope for.” In a slither of “silver lining”, Mr Wells is seeing another side of community spirit emerge as neighbours offer help to each other during the coronavirus lockdown.
That represents those ‘Anzac’ virtues of mateship, looking after each other, self-reliance, courage, duty and patriotism, Mr Wells says. “Now is a chance to see how much these things are part of our society. “We can be tough. We can be strong people if we just remind ourselves that we are. “Our ancestors have gone through terrible things - droughts, depressions and God knows what. “With Anzac Day, the important thing is not just to look at the past but what the past symbolizes for the future.”
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Gary Elliott from Pakenham RSL urges people to remember Anzac Day, despite the lack of ceremony. 187417 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
An important message from the Victorian Government
STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE. That means there are only four reasons to be out.
Shopping for food and supplies that you need.
Exercise.
Medical care and caregiving.
Work and education – if necessary.
Stay informed at coronavirus.vic.gov.au
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OPINION Alpaca mauling Pakenham Berwick Cranbourne Drouin
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I was quite distressed to read of the mauling in February of an Alpaca who suffered horrific facial injuries and had to be destroyed. The dog responsible is thought to be a white ‘staffy’ type. Once such a dog has done this once, it will never be safe around any animal or person. The owners of this dog need to come forward and the dog face the consequences. Surely they must have known what their dog did as it would have been covered in blood. The distress the owners of the Alpaca is so palpable and they may never get over what happened to their beloved ‘Beau’. When we take our dogs or children out to the park we expect they will be safe, and that other dog owners keep control of their dogs, on leads at all times unless in a dog only park. My dog was attacked by three large maremma dogs when she was only eight weeks old. The dogs had escaped their yard and had headed for the duck pond on Crawley Drive, Narre Warren North. Our dog screemed so loud and my husband was able to kick the dogs away. The dog owner turned up and managed to haul one dog into his car, then raced off without checking if our dog was OK. The other two dogs were headed for the paddocks across Robinson Road. Our dog was taken for a vet check as she was in shock, but otherwise ok, just given pain killers. Please if you are an owner of a dog that is a risk to others, be responsible for their actions and outcomes. Otherwise don’t have a dog. Walburga Menk, via email
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SOCIALLY SPEAKING On Tuesday 7 April, a story was shared across Star News Group's Facebook pages detailing Premier Daniel Andrews announcement that school students must stay home to learn online during Term 2. Here is how our readers reacted online: Amelia Bre: It's contradictory to turn schools online but keep kinders face to face. Kinders should be treated equally! Melanie Frazee: To all the teachers I wanted give a massive thank you for all your hard work during these uncertain times! As a parent lets support each other through this as best we can. Yes it will be challenging for us all but we can all get through this. Chris Major: How are preps, 1's and 2's meant to learn properly at home? Our son has learning difficulties at school and requires his teachers help. We can only do so much at home especially with both parents working. Robyn Bernau: I'm a teacher and it's made me feel so sick knowing I won't actual see my preps, but being safe is important ... changing times ahead. Larissa Steendam: I have no clue on how to home school my kids let alone teach them anything or where to start ... how will this all work? Tracy Heath: How will this work for students who require learning support?
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Thumbs Up! To first responders over the weekend - busy time for SES volunteers.
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To everyone following the Covid-19 rules.
Thumbs Down! To dog walkers who pick up their dog poo only to throw the bag of it into the bushes, might as well leave the poo, at least that's biodegradable.
Thumbs Down! To the parent with kids playing at the rec reserve in Upper Beaconsfield, less then 10 metres from a sign saying park closed.
Thumbs Up! To all the cafes and restaurants providing takeaway and food delivery, especially those offering something special to the service people, even though they are battling to stay open.
Thumbs Down! To the people doing their grocery shopping and not social distancing. Shopping has now become a game of PacMan.
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down is your chance to have your say. Malicious or defamatory submissions will not be accepted. All submissions must include a full name address and daytime phone number. Contributions over the phone will not be accepted. Contributors will not be identified. The Star News reserves the right to edit submissions. To submit a Thumbs Up Thumbs Down email to dailyeditor@starnewsgroup.com.au fax to 5945 0777 or post to P.O. Box 9 Pakenham 3810.
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Feeling Hungry? Takeaway options sorted at Casey Central! Support local business and order direct. Ask about home delivery or click & collect! A heartfelt hand-drawn picture for elderly residents living in lockdown.
Pictures: SUPPLIED
Sharing note of comfort Two thoughtful Haileybury students are sourcing hand-written letters and artwork to brighten the days of nursing home residents unable to have visitors. Jocelyn Na and Cindy Vu, co-captains of the Haileybury social justice club, started 'POSTCODE - LOVE' to receive and send letters and art to elderly residents in lockdown due to the Covid-19 situation. Their website, postcodelove.wixsite.com/ spreadlove, urges others to create a piece of art or produce an encouraging hand-written letter to be scanned and sent electronically. They have already received more than 60 letters from fellow Haileybury students in middle and senior School. This has allowed them to send beautiful pictures and heartfelt letters to residents of several local facilities. "Many age-care homes have gone on lockdown (no visitors and no outside contact) and this can be a really hard and lonely time for the elderly people :(," the girls wrote.
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"Now is the perfect time to show some kindness and do something that will make someone smile! It really is that simple to spread some love in this tough time and truly make someone's day." Jocelyn and Cindy are not only hoping for other schools to get on board, but for all Australians to reach out to the elderly community and offer support in anyway possible. Haileybury principal Derek Scott was proud of his students' initiative and compassion, saying the girls were "brightening the day of some of our most vulnerable community members at a difficult time". The school's social justice club supports the Salvation Army Christmas Toy Drive and Winter Food Drive, Clean Up Australia Day, Lunch with OHA Vietnam veterans, Walk for Justice for Refugees and climate change initiatives. Students can also develop their own projects, like Jocelyn and Cindy have.
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"Let's sing, it's the cure for everything."
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Nope-tials - weddings off By Jonathan McQuie
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In late March, the Federal Government introduced further limitations on social gatherings, including restricting wedding attendance to no more than five people, including the couple, celebrant and witnesses. The wedding and events industry has been hit extremely hard by the restrictions, with many couples being forced to postpone or cancel their upcoming nuptials. Local teachers Alex Groza and Patricia Kurasik have been engaged for just over a year and three months, with their wedding scheduled for September. According to Ms Kurasik, invites were just about to be sent out when the new restrictions came into effect. "I had a plan on when to buy certain things and when to buy things like cars and books flowers, but it's one of those things we had to put on hold." The couple is still deciding whether to postpone the wedding until after restrictions are lifted, or whether to have a smaller ceremony at an earlier date. Both come from large European families, meaning that there were significant cultural expectations to have a large wedding. However, Mr Groza says that both sets of parents have been supportive throughout. "The biggest thing is that at the end of the day, the wedding is about us starting our lives as opposed to other people's expectations. It really puts things in focus as to what's important and what you really value as a human being, especially in your relationships. Personally, it's got me more determined to get married and start our lives together." While the ceremony may not end up looking like their original intentions, Ms Kurasik sees that it's just something they have to accept for the time being. "All the side things like the dress, and the
day are materialistic. That's a bonus to what marriage is, which is being together." Berwick resident Tiarne Bestenbreur is also facing the postponement of her 2020 wedding. Ms Bestenbreur and her fiance have been engaged since December 2019, and planned to hold their wedding in November. The changing restrictions on movement and seeing partners have created an emotional rollercoaster for the couple. The level 3 restrictions on movement announced on Monday meant that they decided not to see each other in person for the near future, adding significant difficulty to planning and postponing their nuptials. "I've been at home but he was coming over and visiting. After he'd finished work, he'd come over, but after Monday, I don't think that's possible any more." Ordinarily, Ms Bestenbreur and her fiance see each other every day, however the restrictions forced them to interact differently, using applications such as FaceTime to stay in touch. Even after the restrictions on partners seeing each other were lifted on Wednesday 1 April, they've decided to see each other less. "We're worried that the rule will be put into place down the track, so we'd like to make the most of being with each other. It's a whole new appreciation we have after Monday night." The couple has firmly rejected the concept of cohabitation thanks to their religious beliefs. "For Christian couples it's hard. If we were a regular couple, we could just move in with each other. For us, we just won't do that." While this period of waiting will be difficult, Ms Bestenbreur sees their separation as an unfortunate necessity. "We do want to do everything we can to make sure this doesn't spread. We could sneak away and see each other like many couples are already doing, but we don't want to hurt anyone."
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Welcome to the virtual classroom
Recycling wrongs cost thousands
By Cam Lucadou-Wells The new frontier of online schooling came as no surprise at St Therese's Primary School in Cranbourne. As part of Covid-19 safety measures, Victorian school students - with limited exceptions - will learn at home for Term 2 starting on 15 April. They will be taught through online portals, with the majority of teachers also working from home. At St Therese's, students took home a "remote schooling pack" at the end of Term 1. Holidays started early to allow the school to adopt the remote-learning change. The pack included workbooks, pens, pencils and laminated maths games. Their contact with school is through an "online student learning portal". Where necessary, families have been loaned devices to access the virtual classroom. Principal Michelle Bruitzman said staff, students and their families had embraced the necessary change. "Families are preparing to become a more active part of their child's formal education, which will help students become self-motivated and independent learners "I thank our students for the way they have adapted to the changes that have been imposed on them in such a short period of time. "We are encouraged by their abundant enthusiasm to provide innovative and engaging learning opportunities, whether they are at school or learning from home." Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale
St Therese's Primary School principal Michelle Bruitzman with the online portal. director Maria Kirkwood said schools were working hard to provide "normality" in "unprecedented times". Education Minister James Merlino said free internet access and laptops would be available to students in need during the lockdown. All students' learning needs would be supported, he said. "We will provide a device to every child that needs one and provide thousands more with free internet." There were no "hard and fast rules" on student exemptions from remote learning, Mr Merlino said. He cited students whose parents can't work from home such as those in supermarkets, emergency services or health care.
Or the students may have special needs such as living in out-of-home care or disabilities that require on-campus learning, Mr Merlino said. Year 12 VCE and VCAL students will complete their school years by December, but it would be a "different" year, Mr Merlino said. The GAT test will move from June to October or November, and end of year exams postponed until at least December. The exam schedule may be compressed, with shorter exams. School-based assessment tasks (SATs) will be reduced. Universities may be required to delay the start of their 2021 courses.
Casey Council has launched a Recycling Right campaign to clean up a scourge of contaminated household waste. A recent audit by the council found 26 per cent of waste disposed for recycling was not recyclable. Chief contaminants were bagged rubbish, clothes, bagged recycling and soft plastics. Casey sustainability and waste manager Michael Jansen said incorrect items in recycling bins could contaminate a truck's whole load - meaning it all gets poured into landfill. It also leads to contractors passing on greater costs to Casey and its ratepayers via the waste services charge. "Each 1 per cent of contamination adds about $50,000 per annum on top of the base cost for recycling for Council," Mr Jansen said. "Council is committed to improving recycling for the benefit of all Casey residents and the environment overall, however it is critical that all residents play their part and keep contaminants out of the recycling system." Items that can be recycled in Casey include paper and cardboard, metals, glass and plastic food containers and bottles. Lids and caps should be removed from jars and bottles.
SUPER Make the comparison. Cash, shares - or a four bedroom house and land package in a hand selected growth area? What do you look for in an investment product, in any form of investing? What makes a better and safer investment product for you? Safe Super Homes says there are four fundamental characterises of a “desirable” investment product – apart from your own emotions and product performance. These are: 1. Transparency and honesty; 3. Convenience and 2. Cost savings; tax savings; 4. Touch and feel and location.
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“Our unique four bed investment homes are costing nothing per week when buying in your personal name/s (if you have sufficient equity in your PPR) or nil in your super name – so long as you have about $220,000 in your risky share based super fund – via an SMSF.”
St Francis Xavier College
Mr Gough advises to be more ‘particular and careful’ when it comes to choosing an investment.
Berwick, Officer, and Beaconsfield
“Although, it’s now been 12 years since the depths of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) hit in 2008, we say its lingering sad impact continues to make investors more particular and careful, with their investment choices.
St Francis Xavier College is a comprehensive, co-educational Catholic Secondary College that offers a broad range of curriculum from Years 7 to 12.
“Our dramatic prediction has arrived in February-March 2020.”
Our College is focused on meeting the needs of all students and enabling growth for all as a part of our Catholic Identity. www.sfx.vic.edu.au
03 9707 3111
info@sfx.vic.edu.au
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In fact, Safe Super Homes is doing even better financially than these median priced homes.
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Ask yourself what fundamental characteristics do you really want and need in an investment product. This will help you focus on what really matters when choosing an ‘investment product’ – either shares or brand new four bedroom house and land property. That will reduce any temptation in choosing the wrong product. Shares have been making about seven per cent over the last decade and now have lost 40 per cent-plus in 2020, whereas our investment houses in Melbourne’s southeast have made more than 100 per cent or more than doubled in the same decade. Safe Super Homes director Kelvin Gough said Rainmaker Research estimates “$290 billion shaved off Aussie super funds in last month due to COVID-19”. “We personally believe that this may only be the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Gough said. “Safe Super Homes can show you a further report from Corelogic, showing house prices in Clyde North made 78 per cent in last five years. That is, 15.6 per cent per annum and when you add rental income of 2.8 per cent it rises to 18.4 per cent. “Very few investment houses match these figures.”
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Healthcare works ‘as one’ Berwick’s St John of God Hospital is among several private hospitals to have struck a deal with the State Government to ensure Victorians are cared for during the Covid-19 pandemic. Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos, who made the announcement on Thursday 2 April, said the deal would see Victoria’s public and private hospitals work together to relieve pressure on public hospitals and ensure the entire health system is operating at full capacity. Other private hospitals included in the agreement were St Vincent’s Private Hospital, Epworth HealthCare, Cabrini Health, Ramsay Health Care, Healthscope and Healthe Care Australia. Victoria’s healthcare professionals are on the frontline of this deadly virus and this agreement will ensure our private hospital medical workforce and hospital staff, including por-
St John of God Hospital will work with the State Government to relieve pressure on public hospitals. ters, cleaners, cooks and security guards keep their jobs and remain in the healthcare system for the duration of the pandemic. The deal follows a guarantee from the Commonwealth to ensure the viability of all private hospitals after the suspension of all nonurgent surgery on 3 April. Significant work is underway to prepare Victoria’s hospitals for
the prolonged increase in demand during the coronavirus pandemic as the numbers of cases increased daily. The State Government has also recently hired 200 nurses from Epworth and Cabrini hospitals to undertake important contacttracing work - identifying public exposure sites and close contacts. Healthcare specialists, in-
cluding retired doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics and allied health professionals, have also been called upon to return to work as part of the Government’s coronavirus response. The State Government is continuing to talk to smaller private hospitals and day procedure centres about extra capacity they might be able to provide when the peak of the pandemic hits. Victoria’s health system will receive a $1.3 billion injection to quickly establish an extra 4000 ICU beds and purchase millions more masks, gloves and gowns to meet the expected surge in cases during the peak of the pandemic. The package is in addition to the $537 million the Victorian Government has already invested in our health system as part of our coronavirus response to keep our dedicated health care workers safe.
Architects approved for ‘inclusive’ school project The State Government is helping make Narre Warren’s Maramba Primary School a more inclusive school for students and families. Member for Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan has announced that Searle x Waldron Architecture has been appointed to design the school’s $200,000 outdoor sensory area, an inclusive schools fund project. The project will ensure students with disabilities get the same opportunities as other students. Mr Donnellan said an inclusive education
was about ensuring that all students, regardless of disabilities or other differences, can fully participate, learn, develop and succeed in government schools. “This is great news for Maramba Primary School students and their families, they will get the benefits of new inclusive spaces to cater for a wider range of options for teaching and learning,” he said. “Disability doesn’t need to be a barrier to learning and achieving - these innovative projects are all about giving our primary schools
the infrastructure they need to inspire a passion for learning in all students.” Since the fund was established by the Labor Government in 2015 more than 232 creative projects to build inclusive learning spaces, outdoor sensory areas and accessible playgrounds have been announced. An additional $10 million was announced in the 2019-2020 State Budget, as part of the Andrews Government’s $40 million Inclusive Schools Fund.
Searle x Waldron Architecture has been appointed to design an outdoor sensory area for Narre Warren’s Maramba Primary School.
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Inspiration inside home By Cam Lucadou-Wells Berwick film-maker Damien Howard says he's not short of inspiration while locked down at home. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, he's doing his public-prosecutions day job at home - and his scriptwriting while his three young daughters are in bed. Listening to classical music and film soundtracks is all he needs to get in the writing groove. "The inspiration I draw from is from my entire life, my childhood. "I don't have trouble finding things to inspire me."
A still from Damien Howard's short-film Bully, which has been released at film festivals across the world. Meanwhile the former cop is busy writing up a "catalogue" of scripts, including feature films. It builds on the global success of his 2018 short-film Bully.
The work has screened across the globe including the prestigious Montana International Film Festival, Georgia Shorts Film Festival and the West End Film Festival in Brisbane. It also scored awards from short-film website Shorted, and a semi-final placing at the Social World Film Festival in Naples. Mr Howard, the film's writer, director and producer, was also offered an international distribution deal as well as with a short-film streaming service. "It's got traction. It's nice that it's had some victories here and there." Meanwhile his wife has an elaborate dressing-down routine in the home garage - a Covid-19 precaution after each nursing shift at
Dandenong Hospital. Her work clothes remain outside the house. Mr Howard says they both know the health risks, but his wife was keen to do her duty. They were grateful that she would be accommodated offsite at the Government's expense if she was infected with Covid-19. "We'd feel awful asking the grandparents to look after out kids because we have coronavirus. "But who else would have been able to do it? It would be an awful situation. "I feel we're very fortunate compared to what's happening overseas. It's a reminder of how lucky we are in this nation - including financially and with our health system."
‘Drug addled’ man jailed for seven years over stabbing By Brendan Rees A drug-addled man, who used a kitchen knife to stab a man to death outside a Doveton milk bar, has been jailed. Ricky Garrard, 21, was sentenced to the Supreme Court of Victoria on Thursday 12 March to seven years in jail after pleading guilty to a charge of manslaughter. In the judge's sentencing remarks, Justice Incerti said Garrard had agreed to sell drugs to 24-year-old Sadiq Husseini, however a fight broke out between the pair where punches were thrown on the street just before 9am on 19 July, 2018. The court heard Garrard had been caught in a head lock "for some time" and was "pretty worried" for his safety. At this point, he pulled out a 30cm knife from his jacket pocket and drove it into Mr Husseini's lower abdomen. A friend of the intellectually impaired killer came to his aid who had picked up the knife from the ground and fled the scene with Garrard. The court was told Garrard had tried to call for help "but no one could get him off". Judge Incerti told the court she accepted Garrard had found himself in "a very vulner-
able and threatening situation" and agreed with his defence counsel that his actions were "excessive self-defence". "It is beyond question that your offending is grave. You were armed with a knife and used it while in a public place, to a fatal end for Mr Husseini," Judge Incerti added. The court heard the lives of the family of Mr Husseini had been forever marred with his parents experiencing an "enormous and painful loss of their son". "They have lost a loving son and brother. They speak as one with feelings of grief, depression, paranoia, anxiety, anger, loss of trust in others and a loss of enjoyment in work and social life. "There is nothing I can say or do to bring back Mr Husseini or heal the grief and pain his family feels," Judge Incerti said. The court was told Garrard had a troubled upbringing with an "ongoing, harmful drug addiction" and had only learned to read to a grade four level. His parents separated when he was five and he was later sexually abused. At six, Garrard was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and during his teenage years he had a "tragic history of selfharm".
The milk bar in Doveton where Ricky Garrard fatally stabbed a man in July 2018. 183176 Picture: BRENDAN REES His father also spent time in jail, however, upon his release, his new partner had often verbally and physically abused Garrard including hitting him with a "belt buckle or jug cord" when he was aged between eight and 10. In her sentencing remarks, Judge Incerti agreed Garrard had a "genuine desire to change" after having shown "genuine re-
morse" and undertaking drug and alcohol counselling while in custody. Judge Incerti said Garrard's moral culpability to had been reduced to "some degree" due to his childhood deprivation and capacity to "process emotional distress" and ability to control his "impulses".
Walk-in, walk-out liquor thieves caught on shop CCTV A Tooradin liquor shop has been left fuming after bandits allegedly stole about $300 worth of alcohol on Friday night, 27 March. The owner of Bottle-O Tooradin, Ross, who asked not to use his surname, said a male of African appearance had walked into the South Gippsland Highway store about 7.15pm where he grabbed a bottle of spirits before allegedly walking out without paying. About 10 minutes later, another three males, also of African appearance entered the shop where they allegedly grabbed armfuls of vodka and cider cases from a front display and left without paying - while two customers were present at the counter.
The incidents were captured on the store's security cameras. Ross said: "They just took what they wanted ... never said a word." He said the bandits were particularly brazen as his wife had been serving customers at the time of the incidents. "It all happened so quick." It's believed the males aged about 15 to 20 left in a dark coloured hatchback. "Thank you to the two young guys who were in the store and also our neighbours who assisted us at the time," Bottle-O Tooradin posted on its Facebook page. Cranbourne Police are investigating. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police hope to identify these males captured on the store's CCTV.
Police believe this male captured on CCTV will assist their enquiries. 12445562-DL13-20
By Brendan Rees
ELC to Year 6 - Coeducational, Berwick Campus Year 7 to 12 - Senior Girls, Berwick Campus Year 7 to 12 - Senior Boys, Officer Campus LIMITED PLACES ARE AVAILABLE FOR 2020, contact our Admissions Officer for more information and to arrange a personalised school tour. enrol@stmargarets.vic.edu.au or telephone 9703 8111. BERWICK CAMPUS, Gloucester Ave
OFFICER CAMPUS, Tivendale Road 12429681-NG43-19
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Five million not enough By Mitchell Clarke A Federal Government announcement to release $5 million from the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund won’t be enough to sustain 140 local newspapers, Country Press Australia (CPA) has stated. The industry body welcomed the announcement however urged the government to release the remaining $48 million from the fund to assist small and regional publishers of public interest journalism. Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas questioned how that amount of money would assist struggling media businesses, who are now also faced with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “It is disappointing that the Federal Government does not recognise the size or importance of the news industry,” Mr Thomas said. “We are the fourth estate, a key pillar of democracy yet the Federal Government clearly has no value or idea about the importance of our role and sector.” The fund was established in 2017 as a direct result of the larger media companies lobbying the Federal Government to make changes to media laws. As stated on the Department of Communications website, the fund intends to help small metropolitan and regional publishers adapt to the challenges facing the contemporary media environment. The money is also designed to create employment opportunities for cadet journalists and support regional students to study journalism. “The easiest thing would be for our business to simply close and ’hibernate’ like the Murdoch-owned Leader papers have decided to do, but as a locally owned independent news organisation we see our role as too important to do that,” Mr Thomas explained.
EVERY THURSDAY
Star News Group managing director Paul Thomas.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison's regional media rescue package has been labelled as grossly inadequate. Mr Thomas added the company was “fortunate” following support from the State Government, local government and local politicians. “Clearly the value and importance of a local voice for the disadvantaged, our role of ensuring we hold the powerful to account and being a conduit for the community is well recognised locally,” he said.
“We take that role seriously and our audiences have never been greater. Our communities trust us and a trusted new source is needed now more than ever.” CPA president Bruce Ellen said the majority of the money from the fund should have already been distributed as part of the threeyear funding agreement.
“The Morrison Government needs to release all the funds and maintain the intentions of the fund for smaller independent operators,” Mr Ellen said. “It is vital this fund continues to be for small and regional publishers and is not once again handed to the large public company media organisations who have scale and diversity that small publishers do not have. “Many publishers with low overheads have already had a significant boost with the JobKeeper Allowance. Online businesses with low overheads and large salaries will benefit. “Newspapers, on the other hand, have large overheads with printing and distribution and the fund was largely established to assist traditional small news media businesses.”
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Members of Akoonah Park Men’s Shed are staying connected during the Covid-19 crisis. 195914
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
Men’s Sheds open online As the spread of Covid-19 forced the closure of Men's Sheds across Casey, the Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) has launched an online space to help 'Shedders' stay connected. The goal of The AMSA Shed Online is to enable people to stay connected in the same way they do at a shed - over a cuppa and a laugh. "Men's Sheds are an effective initiative because they connect people who would otherwise be socially isolated on a daily basis," AMSA Executive Officer David Helmers said.
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"Australians are becoming more and more physically isolated amidst the current coronavirus emergency - right now we need to find ways to maintain our social connections," he said. Berwick's Akoonah Park Men's Shed, which has about 160 members, shut its doors about three weeks ago after all non-essential activities were forced to close across the state to combat the spread of coronavirus. However, the shed was doing all it could to support its more vulnerable members during the pandemic.
Shed member Ken O'Keefe said they had got together a "band of fellows" from the shed who would be on call to help "any member in strive or in need of assistance". "The average would be somewhere in the order of about 72. There's a fair bit of concern ... that's a susceptible group," he said. The original online shed platform 'The Shed Online' was developed as a collaboration between AMSA and Beyond Blue in 2012. The platform attracted huge participation but was closed down due to lack of funding.
"We have used the original online shed platform as an inspiration to create a simple online space for Australian men to stay connected - as they would in a shed - at a time when community connection is increasingly difficult, but still vitally important to our health and wellbeing," Mr Helmers said.? "We hope to create a global social community where men can talk and share their experiences."
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‘Dodgy’ C219 dead By Cam Lucadou-Wells A “dodgy” Cranbourne West rezoning proposal - the subject of an anti-corruption inquiry has been quashed by Planning Minister Richard Wynne. Casey Council had sought to rezone 133 hectares of industrial land to residential at Hall Road and Western Port Highway as part of Amendment C219. IBAC’s ongoing Operation Sandon inquiry has examined alleged corruption between Casey councillors and property developers over C219. On 6 April, Mr Wynne rejected the amendment, citing a shortage of industrial land supply in parts of the South East. According to his department’s Melbourne Industrial and Commercial Land Use Plan, precincts in Cranbourne West and Casey Fields South were vital for future jobs in the council area. “This is the first plan of its kind and will guide and protect the future use of our industrial and commercial land across Melbourne - supporting jobs and attracting new investment. “People need jobs close to where they live - that’s why industrial and commercial land is critical for our growing communities.” Mr Wynne said any IBAC recommendations would be considered after the inquiry. “The appalling behavior of Casey Council is exactly why the State Government takes responsibility for rezoning decisions - we’re now looking at how the planning process relates to councils and what we can do to improve it.” Opposition planning spokesperson Tim Smith accused Mr Wynne of “throwing out the trash” in the “middle of the country’s worst health emergency”. “Dick Wynne has sat on this dodgy planning application for two years and has cowardly released it when he thinks he can avoid any questioning. “This tainted and dodgy planning scheme
Planning Minister Richard Wynne has cited a future shortage of industrial land in rejecting the controversial Amendment C219. 193370 amendment should have been rejected by the Andrews Labor Government years ago. “Is the reason Dick Wynne didn’t reject it outright back in 2018, because of the hundreds-of-thousands of dollars dodgy developer John Woodman gave to Labor in the lead up to the 2018 election?” Developer Leightons stood to make a $120-million-plus windfall from the rezoning
and partner John Woodman a $2 million success fee, the IBAC inquiry has recently heard. Councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett, two persons of interest to the inquiry, were allegedly paid $1.2 million by Mr Woodman in return for support on issues including C219. IBAC was also told that in the lead-up to the 2018 state election, the ALP was said to have received more than $150,000 from Mr Woodman. At that stage, C219 had been recommended by a Planning Panels Victoria panel, and was under consideration by Mr Wynne. After reports by The Age on Mr Woodman’s dealings with Casey councillors, Mr Wynne deferred the decision for more than a year. IBAC heard that an “angered” Mr Wynne “cut off” a Woodman associate’s approach to him, telling people to “keep that girl away from me” at a Progressive Business event in October 2018. According to the department’s industrial and commercial use plan, 328 hectares of industrial land had been rezoned for other uses in the South East between 2000-’18. The largest loss was in Casey, which included 28 hectares for residential development. “While the region has significant land set aside for future industrial purposes, it is increasingly under pressure for other non-industrial purposes. “Reduction in land available for future industrial purposes will further reduce employment opportunities in the region, but particularly in growth areas.” The plan stated that the Southern State Significant Industrial Precinct in Dandenong was likely to exhaust industrial land supply by the mid-2020s. “The exhaustion of industrial land within the Southern SSIP within the next decade will likely direct future demand for large-format, regionally-significant industrial uses into neighbouring areas, such as Braeside and Cranbourne West.”
Animal cruelty authorisation rescinded By Danielle Kutchel A former Casey local laws manager claims the council is not doing enough to address animal cruelty within the municipality Following the release of RSPCA data in February that the City of Casey had recorded the second-highest number of animal cruelty reports in Victoria for the third year running, Rod Bezanovic, a former team leader of local laws at the City of Casey, said a key factor that could allow council workers to adequately investigate claims of animal cruelty had been repealed. Mr Bezanovic worked for the City of Casey for ten years, from 2008 to 2018. He explained that council officers can be authorised under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to investigate cruelty to animals in their municipality. During his time with the council, Casey's rangers were authorised. This meant that they could investigate any potential animal cruelty cases they came across, rather than calling in the RSPCA. "It makes sense in an area the size of Casey and with such a high number of [animal cruelty] matters that the more people investigating the better," he said. However, Mr Bezanovic said this authorisation was removed after he left the council - he believes as a cost cutting measure. "I got the officers authorised to investigate cruelty to animals, then I left in April 2018 and soon afterwards their authority was rescinded - by management, I believe," he said. "They used to say, 'we're not the lead agency investigating these claims', which I agree with, but when you investigate other animal issues it makes sense to have this in the tool chest. "If for instance you come across an issue like a barking dog, and it becomes apparent that it's cruelty, you can deal with both concerns as opposed to calling the RSPCA." That's not to say the team didn't report to the RSPCA at all. 14 STAR NEWS
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The City of Casey has rescinded authorisation for its officers to investigate animal cruelty. Rather, they worked to supplement the RSPCA's ability to investigate all cases of animal cruelty in the area. "If people used to phone up and report a cruelty matter, we would refer it to RSPCA as the lead agency investigating animal cruelty," Mr Bezanovic explained. "If there were concerns about other animal issues and people came to us and if we then stumbled across animal cruelty concerns, we could deal with them. "We wouldn't go out looking, but if we found something, we would deal with it." They obtained their authorisation from the secretary of the Department of Agriculture. Mr Bezanovic said management at the council tried to remove the authorisation "a couple of times" during his tenure. "I wouldn't allow it to happen," he said. The City of Casey's manager of safer communities, Caroline Bell, confirmed that the authority for investigating reports of cruelty to animals was left with the RSPCA in 2018. "This decision is in line with the practice observed by the majority of Victorian Councils and recognises the responsibility and Government funding provided to the RSPCA for
this role," she said. "All Local Laws officers respond to animal complaints, however any complaints regarding animal cruelty, including those identified by officers in the course of their duties are referred to the RSPCA for investigation." She added that through the council's enforcement of the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the council could promote components of animal welfare. During Mr Bezanovic's time with Casey, officers investigated a number of puppy farms within the municipality as well as lack of care complaints for many animals, with the most common being lack of food, water, shelter or vet treatment. He believes local laws officers can work hand-in-hand with RSPCA authorised officers to address animal cruelty in the City of Casey, especially given the limited number of RSPCA officers available in the area. "The only losers here are domestic animals," he said. "There is not enough support to investigate all cruelty cases in the City of Casey. The more feet you have on the ground the better. "It is quite abhorrent what animals are going through."
Working from home the new norm TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH Covid-19 has had, and will continue to have, a dramatic impact on our ways of working, not least of which is the requirement for many non-essential employees to work from home. For staff and managers alike, this is largely uncharted territory since this has not been widely undertaken in the past for reasons of security, trust and connectivity to name but a few. Responsibility for success in these difficult times lies both with the management team and employees to make it work. Management Responsibilities “Working from Home” Policy. If you don’t already have one, it is good practice to define and communicate a “Working from Home” Policy. This will typically include expectations of both staff and management, OH&S requirements, accessibility and hours of working, security and IP expectations, communication mechanisms, tools and other resource requirements. Set a regular time to connect and stick to it. Regular communication is essential to ensure alignment on expectations and to make sure that the staff member feels fully supported. A regular date and time is key, but if you really cannot attend the meeting, ensure you reschedule (don’t cancel) it so that the staff member knows that these are important to you. Agree required (measurable) outcomes and time frames. Any issues of trust can be easily overcome if there is a common agreement and understanding of what has to be accomplished and by when. Measurable outcomes will make it much easier to determine results. Provide the required resources. Tools such as Zoom, Skype and GoToMeeting etc are simple to use and will become commonplace going forward. The associated costs should be covered by the business if these are now required for business use. Employee Responsibilities Ensure your home office is set-up properly. You will need a good internet connection so check that your router is up to the task and that you have the necessary bandwidth for the role. Also be familiar with the remote tools that your business requires you to use (see item above) and ensure that company security arrangements (e.g. VPN usage, transfer of materials) are met. Minimise distractions. Dedicate a particular area of the house where you will not be disturbed or interrupted and the family respects your need for space and time. Shutting the ‘office’ door will set a necessary boundary on work vs family time and if you have children, set aside specific time for them during the day so that you and they do not feel entirely isolated. OH&S considerations. Ensure that you can work at your workspace for an extended period of time in comfort, e.g. heating/air-con, a comfortable chair and proper desk space. Take regular breaks (going outside occasionally is good), eat well and exercise regularly to stay healthy. Be disciplined. Harder than it seems since there are home distractions or work can end up eating into family time! It is therefore important to be really clear about what needs to be achieved by when and define a plan. Daily and weekly task lists are a good idea to ensure that things are prioritised effectively. Also ‘dressing for work’ helps create the right mindset. Operate efficiently. Behave as if you were going to work, i.e. start and stop at defined times, set aside set specific times for email and turn it off otherwise (can be a massive distraction). Ian Ash is the Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions - www.ombs.com.au berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au
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STAR NEWS 15
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Holmes for the homeless By Danielle Kutchel Having worked with the homeless for more than a decade, Debbie Holmes was acutely aware of the issues many disadvantaged people face in getting off the streets. Her organisation, the Avalon Centre, has been providing clothing, bedding and shoes to those who need help for over ten years. But she felt that this approach was a bandaid solution and that there was more the centre could be doing to solve the problem of homelessness. She began to research places where homelessness was on the decrease. The only place she could find was Finland, so she delved further into what that country is doing. Out of this research came the Avalon Centre's Homes for the Homeless Program. The program follows the housing first model adopted by Finland, whereby the homeless are provided first with accommodation, then ongoing support. That support is tailored to the family depending on what their needs are. "It could be help writing CVs, budgeting, cooking, developing networks in the community, gardening - it's endless, whatever the family needs," says Ms Holmes. The program's first house was in Narre Warren South, and it has since purchased a onebedroom and a two-bedroom flat in Dandenong. The south-eastern locations were chosen mainly for their affordability, and also for the area: Avalon Centre volunteers recommended Narre Warren as being a family-oriented suburb, with good access to transport, shopping centres and necessary services. "It was ideal - we wanted to start off with a house that would provide a nice home for a
family," Ms Holmes explained. Volunteers from the Avalon Centre, Rotary and Men's Sheds helped paint the house and get it ready with donated furniture. The centre gathered applications for potential tenants from other organisations working with the street and disadvantaged community, eventually choosing a family of four. The family moved into the Narre Warren South home late last year and is now receiving support from the Avalon Centre to get back on their feet. Ms Holmes says they were over the moon. "It was a perfect fit - they were delirious with happiness," she says. Tenants also moved into the two-bedroom Dandening flat within the last week. Now, the Avalon Centre is calling for more sponsors to support them to buy their fourth property. "We need somebody that's going to say they believe in what we're doing," says Ms Holmes. Find out more about the Avalon Centre at https://www.avaloncentre.org.au/what-wedo/avalon-homes-for-the-homeless/
Debbie Holmes opens the door to one of the Avalon Centre's properties.
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STAR NEWS 17
SPORT
Outer East 2020 reworked By sports editor Russell Bennett
The AFL Outer East competition could look very different if the 2020 season gets underway. 198315
Picture: ROB CAREW
veterans competition finals instead. The conference model in 'Option B' is fascinating, and is based on travel, local rivalries, previous years' performances, netball, the under-18s, junior netball, the state of the player transfer market, and a balance of venues being able to host major events. Of course, the structure will be heavily-reviewed by the Outer East clubs and is obviously subject to change, with the draft proposal of conferences creating the following intriguing, mouth-watering divisions: Beaconsfield, Berwick, Cranbourne, Doveton, Narre Warren, and Pakenham. Healesville, Mount Evelyn, Seville, Wandin, and Woori Yallock. Emerald, Olinda, Officer, Monbulk and Upwey Tecoma. Belgrave, Berwick Springs, Gembrook Cockatoo, Powelltown, Warburton Millgrove and Yarra Junction. Alexandra, Broadford, Kinglake, Yarra Glen, and Yea. Women's football could use a five or six club divisional model across multiple divisions with the flexibility of having alternative fixture days - be it mid-week, Friday nights, Saturday nights, or Sundays. There would be a top-four finals system, with the grand finals to be played in conjunction with the veterans' competition. The under-18 football and under-age netball would be graded, with the five to six club per division model utilised for a home and away season. It would align with senior play as much as
possible, and also have the flexibility of alternative fixture days if needed. It's thought that the veterans' competition would include either seven or, potentially, five rounds, but it could also have the option of playing a grand final - paired with the women's competition - between the top two sides. Reserves football could potentially be shelved for 2020, depending on club feedback. The option also exists to run a reserves competition featuring the clubs that could realistically field sides. In recent days, the Star News reported on the current state of play when it comes to football and netball in the Outer East region. Delving further into the netball, the Star News understands a proposal exists to run a summer competition if the traditional winter football-netball season couldn't get underway. The 'Summer Blitz' could be held over eight or nine weeks, with clubs competing in their current divisions. Each week would consist of two rounds per club against opposing sides, with game times consisting of two halves. While netball is traditionally graded each year based off clubs' senior football performances, AFL Outer East has proposed a crossdivisional finals series in the Summer Blitz whereby the top four of each division could compete on one, blockbuster grand final day. When each passing day brings with it far more questions than answers for everyday Aussies, AFL Outer East moved to assure its clubs and people that football and netball will always be there for them when the Covid-19 pandemic has eased.
in competition salary caps is part of the proposal, which mirrors the messaging at a statewide level. Significantly, two different options have been proposed for the structure of the 2020 Outer East season - should it begin. The first uses the current divisional model, with each club playing its divisional opponents once. The fixtures would provide an even number of games, with local derbies used for the extra games to balance out the calendar. Under this model the season could start as late as 1 August, with the fixture subject to club consultation. But the second proposed option is more out of left field. It would involve Outer East clubs being split into conferences and this concept would almost certainly create added interest - given the local derbies and cut down in travel between clubs. If crowd restrictions of, say, 500 people remain, there is a proposal to have football and netball played at alternate venues, but this concept would provide a home and away fixture and a full slate of premiers throughout the grades. An intriguing by-product would be the development of the 2021 Premier division - based off the 2020 results. There'd be a three-week, top four finals series with finals held in conferences, allowing for a wide range of clubs to host finals games. The 'home final' concept - common in local cricket - would come into play in this model, with clubs with venues not suited to senior finals given the option of hosting women's and
· · · · ·
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AFL Outer East is ruling nothing out when it comes to what a condensed 2020 season could look like should football and netball return later this year. Operationally, those including region general manager Aaron Bailey aren't afraid to look outside the square if it means devising a plan that could see a return to the field and the court this year. And they're working with their clubs every step of the way. For now, of course, there are much more pressing issues at play than the bounce of a ball as the world continues to come to grips with the Covid-19 pandemic. Bailey was also quick to emphasise that the health and wellbeing of the people involved in the AFL Outer East community are priority number one. But the possibility remains that Australia's favourite winter sports will return at some stage in 2020, and those at AFL Outer East head office are making sure they're prepared in case that eventuates. The Star News understands a discussion document has been drafted and sent out to all AFL Outer East clubs, with their responses due on 14 April. In the document, AFL Outer East outlines a range of proposed structures for just what 2020 may look like. Clearly, a return to play this year is anything but guaranteed, given the great unknown surrounding Covid-19. But make no mistake - if AFL Outer East football and netball can return in a safe environment, it will. It's understood the mental health benefits for locals in clubland are a significant motivating factor behind the AFL Outer East's detailed plan. The competition has the ability to trade through 2020 without a season - given its strong financial position - meaning money won't be a driving factor in the decision-making process. That said, if a return to play does eventuate, it will only be in the case of each Outer East club's financial viability. The Star News understands that if the green light for resumption was given for 1 June, an AFL Outer East season could start on 20 or 27 June - giving the clubs three to four weeks to prepare. There could then be five weeks available all the way up until the end of October to push the season back, if required - given the cricket-free venues available at Healesville, Beaconsfield, Alexandra, and Outer East's Kilsyth home base. The preference is still to finish in September, but the aim is to have eight to 10-round seasons for each division - allowing for an even amount of home and away games. It's believed the Outer East season could potentially start as late as 1 August, if it comes to that. Nothing is being ruled out at this stage even the possibility of an AFL-style 16-minute plus time-on system for each quarter of footy played, in case of a drastically-reduced preseason. There could even be a round-robin system for pre-season games the week before the season's potential start - using venues with multiple grounds and courts. Financially, there's a significant push to lower operating costs for clubs - including the potential decrease in affiliation fees and salary caps. It's understood that a significant reduction
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SPORT
It’s their field of dreams
Dylan Hadfield plays for Casey-South Melbourne in Victorian Premier Cricket. 185947 Picture: ROB CAREW berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au
The Hadfields' Australia Day backyard pitch.
QUIZ NUMBER 1707 1. Who was leading the English premier league soccer title race when it wen into coronavirus lockdown? 2. WHICH Indian batsman made history in the 1980s by scoring centuries in his first three cricket Tests? 3. WHICH state has the best win percentage rate in Sheffield Shield cricket? 4. AN Aussie scored the first century in limited overs cricket in England in 1969. Who was he? 5. WHO became the world’s youngest heavyweight boxing champion in 1986? 6. WHAT was the name of the first racehorse to win more than $2 million prizemoney in Australia? 7. WHICH wicket-keeper has taken the most dismissals for Australia in one-day internationals? 8. WHICH horse lost a race despite being 40-1 on in 1949? 9. WHICH woman has won the most Wimbledon titles (doubles and singles)? 10. WHICH European in 1979 became the youngest winner of the British Open golf title? 11. WHO was the first Australian cyclist to win two Olympic gold medals? 12. WHICH AFL team lost its first 10 games straight in 2016 - the worst start for the reigning minor premiers in history? 13. WHAT are the three points values of goals in basketball? 14. WHICH sporting legend was due to light the Olympic flame but at Rio withdrew at the last minute due to ill health? 15. WHAT were the vast galleries of fans that followed Arnold Palmer around the golf course known as? 16. CAN a 12th man in first class cricket bat, bowl or field? 17. WHICH jockey rode a record 181 winners in the 1980-1 season? 18. WHICH swimming stroke appeared at the Olympics at the first time in Melbourne in 1956? 19. WHICH Australian won the US Open tennis title in 1973? 20. WHICH Australian golfer received an MBE in 1957?
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The legend of the backyard field of dreams created by Casey-South Melbourne cricketer Dylan Hadfield and his father just continues to grow. Star News sports journalist Nick Creely first wrote on the story of the Hadfields' Australia Day backyard cricket field in February last year, and since then it's gone global. After getting plenty of love on Australian Twitter page 'The Perfect Pitch', it went on to receive worldwide attention and has now been dubbed 'The best backyard in the world' by UK page, Cricket District. "I really have no idea how it has gained so much momentum," Dylan explained earlier this week. "The guys at The Perfect Pitch are awesome - they kind of started the social media bandwagon around backyard cricket pitches and it's just gone from there. "They always check in and ask how it's going, and share any tips that they might have on preparation." But Dylan admitted the social media attention was starting to get a little much. "The social media stuff is a little embarrassing to be honest - (for) a grown man and his father creating a backyard cricket ground, but if anyone out there gets some inspiration or some joy from seeing the photos then that's fantastic," he said. "I have been extremely lucky to have grown up with that backyard and it's nice that people enjoy it, there are some pretty crap things happening in the world at the moment so I'm sure any bit of positivity is welcomed." Dylan explained the story behind the kind of backyard cricket ground that dreams are made of. "It's been something that my old man and I have been preparing for Australia Day each year for a game of backyard cricket with the boys from the cricket club," he said. "The annual 'City versus Gippsland Test Match' started off as a bit of release from the stressors that Premier Cricket can sometimes throw at you, but since Nick's article last year we have had to find a way to improve on it each year." Some of the biggest names in world cricket have stood up and taken notice - including none other than the England national team's World Cup-winning skipper, Eoin Morgan.
He recently retweeted the Cricket District tweet describing the Hadfields' backyard as the best in the world, adding: "This is class". "The photos of the pitch do seem to have got a bit of traction on social media lately - it may have something to do with people being bored at home in isolation," Dylan said. "It's just nice to see that there are other cricket nuffies like me out there who get a bit of joy out of any little piece of cricket we can get. "I think the attention it gets from the crickets superstars just shows that deep down us cricketers are all the same - we love cricket. Whether that is having a hit in the backyard, club cricket, Premier cricket or International cricket - we are all the same." But Dylan was reluctant to take too much of the credit when it comes to the cricket lovers' slice of paradise. "It's all my old man's work really, I don't have much to do with it anymore after I moved out of home a few years ago," he acknowledged. "Dad is a golf course superintendent and has been a cricket club groundsman in his time, so growing grass it what he does best. "For 11 months of the year it is just a backyard for 'Murphy the Labradoodle', but once a year we spend the time to cut, roll and prepare it all." Dylan went on to further explain the genesis of the wicket. "It is actually and proper turf wicket that Dad created when I was a kid so I could get some throw downs or have a bowl on some turf at home," he said. "With it being a clay base and Santa Ana couch grass it takes a good three to four weeks of cutting and rolling to get it playable. "If we were brave enough we could put the pads on and steam in with a brand new Kookaburra. "In hindsight it is a fair amount of time and effort that gets put in for one day's play a year, but we have a good time, the cricket is competitive and everyone's family, partners and children come and watch and have a barbecue. "It's pretty much an unofficial club function - that's the main reason we do it. "Premier cricket can be pretty stressful and time consuming at times, so it's nice to have a break from all that, enjoy the game for what it's meant to be - being out in the sun with family and friends."
ANSWERS: 1. Liverpool 2. Mohammed Azharuddin 3. NSW 4. Greg Chappell 5. Mike Tyson 6. Beau Zam 7. Adam Gilchrist 8. Ajax 9. Billie Jean King 10. Seve Ballesteros 11. Russell Mockridge 12. Fremantle 13. One, two and three points 14. Pele 15. “Arnie’s Army” 16. He can only field 17. Wayne Harris 18. The butterfly 19. John Newcombe 20. Peter Thomson
By Russell Bennett
Thursday, 9 April, 2020
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STAR NEWS 19
Audi Barry Bourke
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Thursday, 9 April, 2020
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