Wednesday, 13 May, 2020
Pakenham
pakenham.starcommunity.com.au
/PakenhamBerwickGazette
@PakenhamGazette
$1.50 Inc. GST
Kylie’s killer gets life in prison
Fresh searches for missing couple
Flooding frustration for farmers
A football rivalry built on respect
PAGE 2
PAGE 3
PAGE 15
SPORT
STAY HOME - GET THE GAZETTE DELIVERED 12448865-NG20-20
A big birthday surprise for Enid By Mitchell Clarke Mrs Doubtfire paid a visit to the village to celebrate the special occasion. 208303
The birthday of Evergreen Retirement Village’s first resident was celebrated in style, with a famous movie character paying a visit to Pakenham. The village matriarch, Enid McFarlane, turned 89 on Monday 11 May, but her Evergreen family was determined to not let Covid-19 rain on her parade. A dance performance by Mrs Doubtfire and some cake and music proved the perfect birthday surprise for Mrs McFarlane. “Her face lit up like a Christmas tree, she was absolutely over the moon,” Evergreen manager Annie Roberts said. For the full story on Enid’s celebrations, turn to page 14. Evergreen matriarch Enid McFarlane celebrated her special day in the company of Annie Roberts and Sharyn Allsopp. 208303 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
Jail for child porn By Mitchell Clarke A former Pakenham CFA volunteer has been sentenced to six months jail after he was nabbed with vile child abuse material. Andrew Harris, 47, was sentenced in the County Court on 12 May, almost a year after police raided his Pakenham property and seized an Apple iPad with graphic content. He was arrested by police and taken into custody to be interviewed. Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigators from the Child Protection Operations unit initially linked a Tumblr account, which had published “child exploitation material”, to Harris. The court heard that investigators reviewed the device’s search history and discovered a list
DESIGNER EYEWEAR
EDEN RISE PAKENHAM CASEY OPTICAL OPTOMETRIST OPTICAL 03 9705 2058 03 5941 2277 03 8786 8088 03 5941 2277 03 9705 2058 03 8786 8088 Shop 9, E den Ri s e Shopping Centre Cnr O’shea & Clyde Rds, B erwi ck VIC 3806
DIVORCE Visit: www.mepsteadlawyers.com.au and book an online appointment today
Appointments via Video-link Available www.mepsteadlawyers.com.au 108 Main Street Pakenham | P 5941 5166
12446324-DL16-20
Frame & Lenses + F R E E Second Pair
Shop 105, Casey Central, 400 Narre Warre Cranbourne Rd, Narre Warren South 3805
have been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 months. Judge Anne Hassan said the possession of child abuse material was deemed a “very serious” offence. “You have looked at numerous photos and videos of children being abused for your own sexual gratification,” Judge Hassan said. “Access to child porn is regarded as very serious, morally depraved conduct, which is harmful to children.” She said the defendant was an “avid viewer” of the explicit material, which perpetuated a market that led to the abuse of children. Harris was sentenced to six months imprisonment and was ordered to serve a two-year community corrections order once released.
LA W Y E R S
$249*
120 Main Street Pakenham VIC 3810
The defence argued that Harris, who was awarded the Australian National Medal and National Emergency Medal for his work during Black Saturday, was of “good character” and that the offending occurred during stressful periods. The court heard he was remorseful for his actions and had begun taking steps to rehabilitate. The prosecution argued that the offending, which took place over an extended period of time, was “serious” and that a custodial sentence would be the only appropriate outcome. Harris pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing child pornography and child abuse material. Judge Anne Hassan noted the early guilty plea and said she was prepared to accept it as a form of remorse. Had he not pleaded guilty, Harris would
MEPSTEAD
12419558-CG23-19
from
of searches including ‘nude children’, ‘preteen Thai girls’ and ‘family nudity’. Harris also searched how to adopt children from Thailand, and used the internet to ask ‘how to set up devices Andrew Harris for privacy protection’, ‘how to send private messages’, and ‘how to be more anonymous online’. Following his arrest, he resigned from his volunteer position with the CFA and was stood down from his job at Metro Trains without pay. He is currently employed as a freight driver.
12443152-JW10-20