News - Berwick Star News - 21st April 2022 by Star News Group

BERWICK

Thursday, 21 April, 2022

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Hunt for Indian models

Picnic time for teddy bears

Juddy earns his stripes

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SPORT

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Twinkle Toe retirees dance on

Honoured in paint By Eleanor Wilson It’s fair to say Australia’s frontline workers have faced the full force of the Covid pandemic. Now, an Upper Beaconsfield man has taken his appreciation for the workforce to the revered Archibald Prize - submitting an oil portrait of a Berwick paramedic to honour the dedication of ambos across the country. Peter McLean, who only started painting as a hobby seven years ago, said it was “an easy decision” to choose Ambulance Victoria team manager Nicky Blyth for his entry. “I know Nicky through our children’s school. She is very humble and the work she does is very special, so it was a very easy decision for me,” Mr McLean said. Continued page 11 Peter McLean painted Berwick paramedic Nicky Blyth for this year’s Archibald Prize.

Rates set to rise By Eleanor Wilson The City of Casey’s 2022-23 budget includes a 1.75 per cent increase in average general rates for residents, in line with the state rate cap. The move is a 0.25 per cent increase from last year’s 1.5 per cent rate, and is expected to raise $3.9 million revenue for Casey Council

to use on key projects outlined in the 2022-23 budget. “We do have a strong commitment to ensuring value for money for this community, most particularly adopting the rate cap as part of that,” City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff said. “Many of the cost impacts on this council’s

operations are far greater than that 1.75 per cent, so this becomes a balancing act for us,” she said. Council said hardship options were available for ratepayers who are unable to meet these increases, including deferments and waivers of interest and charges. Chief financial officer Bernard Rohan said

the rate cap was the “key issue that council grapples with each year”. Mr Rohan said the 2022-23 rate cap, which represented a state mandated maximum rate that councils can charge residents in a financial year, was lower than previous estimates for the 2022-23 financial year. Continued page 5

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

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NEWS

Housing concerns shared By Marcus Uhe The Greens and Labor candidates for the Federal Seat of Holt have spoken out on cost of living pressures and housing stress ahead of May’s Federal Election. Greens candidate Sujit Mathew believes the current private housing market is due for a rethink, with the Greens proposing a billionaires tax on high-income earners and “winding back unfair tax breaks“ on people who own two or more properties. The tax would allow for the creation of one million new public housing homes over the next 20 years and ”new good quality homes” in desirable areas for renters, first home buyers and those locked out of housing, priced at $300,000. The investment in public housing would cut waiting lists and create 135,000 new construction jobs in the process, Mr Mathew said. “As a resident of the outer South East for many years, I’ve seen it go from a place where almost anyone could afford to buy to one where rent is beyond the reach of some people,” Mr Mathew said. “Throughout the decades, governments have rigged the private housing market by offering tax breaks to big developers and property speculators. “Housing should be for all, not just the few.” As part of their Liveable Income Guarantee announced in March, income support payments will be increased to $88 per day from July 2023, the current poverty line, and bench marked against the Henderson Poverty Line biannually from then on, to ensure that every-

The Greens and Labor candidates for Holt have had their say on the issue of housing and rental stress in their electorate. 270417

Labor candidate for Holt, Cassandra Fernando. one can cover basic essential needs. Mr Mathew also pledged his party would restore status resolution support service (SRSS) payments for people living on temporary visas or in community detention awaiting assessment on their refugee status, to the same rate as JobSeeker payments. He said the issue was one of significance to the electorate. “In Holt, the plight of asylum seekers who have to eke out a living while they wait for their asylum cases to be finalised is of particular concern,” Mr Mathew said. Meanwhile a Federal Labor Government

would develop and implement a National Housing and Homelessness Plan to address the severe housing crisis, Labor candidate Cassandra Fernando has said. The Plan would coincide with Labor’s $10 billion off-budget Housing Australia Future Fund, which will build 20,000 social housing properties, including 4000 for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence and older women on low incomes who are at risk of homelessness. Some 10,000 affordable housing properties would also be made available for frontline workers.

Ms Fernando said that everyday costs such as petrol, rent and child care are increasing the pressure on South East residents. “People in my community tell me that the rising cost of living is a major concern, and that includes the rising costs of housing,” Ms Fernando said. “There is no easy fix, but it does require leadership from the Federal Government. “An Albanese Labor Government will deliver more secure jobs, better pay and a fairer system.” Further plans to east cost of living pressures by a Labor Government include reducing the cost of child care, power bills and creating more secure well-paid jobs, Ms Fernando said. Labor’s Powering Australia plan will cut power bills across the National Electricity Market by $275 a year for homes by 2025. Both the Liberal and Palmer United candidates were contacted for comment.

Housing and affordability worry for Casey Council By Marcus Uhe The incidence of people presenting as homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness in the City of Casey is of “continuing concern”, according to council Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff. According to the council, one in seven households with a mortgage in the City of Casey is experiencing mortgage stress, while almost one in three rental households are in rental stress. The City of Casey was identified in November 2020 as one of 21 priority local government areas for Victoria’s Big Housing Build, where $5.3 billion was allocated for 2900 new affordable homes for first home buyers and renters and more than 9300 new social housing dwellings across the state. The council’s Affordable Housing Strategy, adopted in December 2020, states that there was a shortfall of 5655 affordable housing dwellings with an unmet need in Casey. Forecasting identifies the need for 4600 additional affordable housing dwellings, on top of the current demand, to meet future need in 2041, which equates to the need for

The City of Casey’s Affordable Housing Strategy indicates there is a shortfall of 5655 affordable housing dwellings with an unmet need in Casey. 256830 around 10,000 house dwellings over the next 20 years. The current population of 390,793 is expected to swell to 550,000 by 2041 according to the Draft 10-year asset plan released Thursday 14 April 2022. The City of Casey works with support organisations including WAYSS, Community Information and Support Cranbourne and Ermha, underlying Ms Duff’s belief that those in crisis must also be accompanied by a “prevention approach that addresses the broader

social factors that lead to homelessness.” The issue will remain high on the agenda for the council as Victorians head to the polls later in the year. “Council will continue its advocacy seeking representation of diverse housing types to meet specific regional needs including crisis accommodation as well as funding for further support for those at risk of homelessness in Casey in the lead up to the state election,” Ms Duff said. It follows council’s submission to the Victorian Government’s 2021 Inquiry into Homeless, in which the City of Casey advocated that all Victorians “right to access appropriate housing, and it is the responsibility of all levels of governments to work together to eliminate homelessness in our state”. “The submission focuses on the current and future states of homelessness in the City of Casey and the housing market factors that contribute to the growing rates of homelessness in the municipality,” Ms Duff said. “As part of the council’s advocacy work in this space, the council has partnered with 12 other local governments in the eastern Melbourne region to form the Regional Lo-

cal Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter Group to end homelessness and advocate for more social and affordable housing.” Other local government areas in the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter Group include Cardinia Shire, City of Greater Dandenong, Monash City Council and the City of Frankston. In their joint submission to the Inquiry into homelessness in Australia in 2020, the Charter Group identified that Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong had more people living in “severely overcrowded dwellings”, compared to other municipalities with higher rates of people sleeping rough or living in boarding shelters. Their submission made a number of recommendations to the Federal Government, including prioritising mental health options for those at risk of homelessness, recognize the direct link between family violence and homelessness and the specific needs of the cohort in the design and delivery of the support services and invest in more youth accommodation and transitional housing services.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 3

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

with Woodlands Park Retirement Village resident Colleen Astbury

What are you most passionate about? Spending time with my grandkids and greatgrandchildren and helping others wherever I can. What would your last meal be? Cheese and crackers! What was your most memorable moment? Marrying my late husband and raising a family. What was your favourite subject in school? Textiles and cooking. What event past or present would you like to witness? I would love to have seen Elvis perform live on stage. Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner? I would invite only people who have been taken from Earth too early; my late husband, my beloved mother and father and aunties and uncles to share one last meal together. What are you currently listening to/watching or reading? Dancing with the Stars. How would you describe your fashion sense? Comfortable! Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life? Yes, the dog my late husband left for me. If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook? Everything and anything, I love to cook! Where is your dream holiday destination? Anywhere with family where I can enjoy time with my grandkids. What were you like as a kid? I was shy, quiet and helpful. I was always really good and didn’t want to upset mum or dad. What is your favourite colour and why? My favourite colour is black - I have

Colleen Astbury is raising money for the Cancer Council’s Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea. 276275 always loved it. Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert? I’m most definitely an introvert.

What’s one question you have never been able to get the answer to? Why my late husband was taken away too early. It’s just not fair.

THREE … ways to use up leftover Easter chocolate

Melt it down for a fondue spread Place the chocolate in a saucepan over low heat and watch as the eggs transform into a river of sweet, smooth goodness. Dip marshmallows, strawberries, biscuits, or whatever takes your fancy to take your treats to the next level.

Ice cream topping This one could be better suited to bigger hollow eggs or even the chocolate bunny. Break the chocolate into flakes or fragments and sprinkle over your bowl of ice cream. You could even use the bigger pieces to dip into your bowl and use as a scooper.

Make fudge A simple one that even the kids could put together. Heat butter and condensed milk in a microwave before adding chocolate and stirring until it melts and combines with the milk and butter. Pour into a lined baking tray and refrigerate for four hours.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

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Speak up on Casey plan By Marcus Uhe The City of Casey wants residents to give feedback on the draft 10-year asset plan, published Thursday 14 April, detailing the council’s plan for managing $3.5 billion worth of infrastructure assets such as roads, parks, bridges and buildings. The draft plan provides an overview of assets Council owns and uses to provide services, and Council’s proposed approach to managing those assets now and in the future in support of its Long-Term Community Vision 2031. Within what the council determine to be ‘growth areas’, including Clyde North, Clyde, Cranbourne West and Cranbourne East, the City of Casey has planned for the delivery of 14 new community facilities, 28 new recreational facilities, 122 new roads, playgrounds and sports ovals and new roads and drainage. The City of Casey expects the population in those suburbs to almost triple over the next 20 years. The draft Asset Plan also documents Council’s commitment to investing in current and future assets to meet the service delivery needs of the community, and addresses the aspirations contained in the Community Vision, priorities of the Council Plan and alignment with Council’s Long-term Financial Plan. The draft plan was informed by feedback received as part of Council’s Shape Your City engagement program in 2020 and 2021, as well as a deliberative panel of 22 local residents, representative of Casey’s diverse community, who participated in two deliberative workshops. City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff said the deliberative workshops enabled Council to understand community sentiments around several asset management approaches aimed at improving the sustainability of Council’s asset portfolio. “These approaches included increasing

City of Casey residents will be invited to pay their respects to those who gave their lives or served at war on Anzac Day, Monday 25 April across a series of events. Dawn services will be held at Greg Clydesdale Square in Cranbourne, Bunjil Place in Narre Warren, Arthur Wren Hall in Hampton Park and the Pearcedale Public Hall, from 6am. The service in Cranbourne will be followed

by march down High Street to Sladen Street later in the morning from 10.40am. There will also be a march held in Berwick, on High Street, from 10.30am. The events are supported by the City of Casey. For locations of the services head to casey. vic.gov.au/news/commemorating-anzac-daycasey

Council focus on reserves By Eleanor Wilson

The City of Casey is welcoming feedback on it’s Draft 10-Year Asset Plan. 183847 funding through grants, loans, public-private partnerships, commercial arrangements or joint user agreements,” she said. “Other approaches included decreasing the number and/or cost of new assets; decreasing the existing asset base by divesting of or decommissioning existing assets; and/or reducing the frequency of renewals and upgrades for existing assets. “The focus of these sessions was to identify a level of comfort with each option. “Feedback from the workshops will continue to be used to help guide the City of Casey’s ongoing approach to asset management, alongside feedback through this current public exhibition opportunity.” Residents can provide feedback on the Draft Asset Plan from Wednesday 13 April until Wednesday 4 May 2022 by visiting Council’s Casey Conversations website. The 10-year Asset Plan will be presented to Council for adoption on 14 June 2022. To view a copy of the plan head to casey.vic. gov.au/news/casey-residents-invited-havesay-draft-10-year-asset-plan

Council budgets for rate rise From page 1 “In setting the draft 2022-23 budget, officers have had to provide parameters around how we absorb that loss of revenue,” he said. Mr Rohan said the second substantive element of the budget was the increase in waste management costs. This year’s budget included a 9.3 per cent increase in waste management costs, equating to $4.5 million dollars. Council attributed the increased costs to the State Government Landfill Levy and recycling costs, with the latter expected to rise by $1 million as a result of the “statewide recycling crises”.

Nearby Anzac Day services

The State Government Landfill Levy indicates an increased charge on domestic and hard waste and is projected to represent a $2.4 million increase in charges to council for 202223. “We are living at a time where waste management is creating significant challenges, not just for local government, but for State and Federal governments,” said council administrator Miguel Belmar. “I am absolutely satisfied that as a council we are doing everything possible to ensure that these costs are managed and maintained at a level where we are passing on costs and doing it in a way which is financially responsible.”

Casey Council has announced its 2022-23 Budget and Annual Action Plan, with key focus on new recreation reserves, supporting the Melbourne City Football Club Community Initiative Program and responding to recommendations from IBAC. The council announced an operating budget of $433.19 million to go toward priority services for the community, as well as a $125.45 million Capital Works Program to deliver key infrastructure throughout the City of Casey. The draft budget will provide $42 million towards child, youth and family services, $51 million towards waste management,$22 million towards community connections and health and wellbeing, $19 million toward road maintenance and $12 million towards sports and leisure. Key community project funding for the Capital Works Program include $5.7 million to develop Casey Fields regional soccer stage, $4.68 million to Clyde North Family and Community Centre (West), $3.4 million to a new family & community centre in Clyde Township, $1.8 million to the renewal of the Gwendoline Children’s Centre, $2.14 million to Pearcedale Reserve Pavillion and $2 million to Cranbourne West Sports Reserve in Lochaven. The council will invest $29.1 million into roads through the budget, with $3.6 million to the Ballarto Road and South Gippsland Highway intersection and $2.4 million to the Clyde and Hardys Road intersection. “We are continuing to provide significant capital works and continuing to invest in our community,“ Administrator Miguel Belmar said. “I invite the community to be involved in the submission and public exhibition process.“ The draft budget runs alongside council’s Annual Action plan, which outlines its key focus points for 2022-23, which includes delivering three new recreation reserves in Clyde, Cranbourne West and Botanic Ridge, transitioning the service model of the Casey Cardinia Libraries Corporation, supporting the first year of the Melbourne City Football Club Community Initiatives program and implementing community-led initiatives within the Gender Equality and Prevention of Violence Against Women Strategy. It also outlines aims to actively contrib-

City of Casey Unveiled its draft 2022-23 budget this week. 238145 ute to the Greater Southeast Melbourne group of Councils work for strategic, regional outcomes, and respond to recommendations provided through the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Operation Sandon investigation. The council said it plans to borrow $21 million from the State endorsed Treasury Corporation of Victoria to assist with projects in the 2022-23 budget. “With a steady financial position and as a large and growing municipality, it is financially responsible to borrow to partially finance capital projects to spread the cost of projects over a number of years. The Draft Budget therefore recommends a lowinterest, State-guaranteed, 10-year Treasury Corporation of Victoria (TCV) loan of $21 million for critical capital works in 2022/23,” City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff said. The draft budget documents are open to community consideration between 25 April and 17 May, after which a council meeting on 31 May will consider community comments before budget proceeding are finalised in late June.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 5

NEWS

OPINION

Intersections reopened

LENSCAPE

Major Roads Projects Victoria re-opened the Ballarto Road and Cranbourne-Frankston Road intersections on the Western Port Highway last week,. Smaller temporary roundabouts have replaced the old roundabouts at the intersections, and temporary fencing and barriers have been installed to prepare for the installation of traffic lights later this year. Speeds are currently reduced to 40 kilometres per hour at both intersections and to 60 kilometres per hour between the intersections. The upgrade is set for completion by the end of 2022.

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Let’s remember them As we return to full capacity in our social venues, this is a great opportunity for our community to come out to support our veterans; young and old. Our ability as a community to share in all things good and bad can be highlighted this Anzac Day as we celebrate and remember our veterans and reflect on their stories and our community stories over the last two years. I know that underpinning the strength and resilience of our community, is the shared experience of our veterans’ stories and their mateship and fortitude when battling adversity, which we learn from, as we move forward together. When you are out this Anzac Day with family and friends, please take the time to remem-

ber and thank those who have helped to shape our communities and who we are. As we remember the past, we also acknowledge the present-day veterans who have seen recent conflicts and thank them for their service and honour them along with those who have come before them. Brad Battin, Gembrook MP

Not listening An Open letter to Jason Wood MP for La Trobe: Dear Mr Wood, We are a highly committed and concerned group of local constituents, very visible in your electorate. Every Saturday morning we hold a vigil in the Berwick village to raise awareness of the

plight of refugees. We write and hand delivered a letter to your office on a regular basis. We remain disappointed and disillusioned by your failure to respond to our concerns about refugee issues over the past several years. It is very disappointing to us that you have not seen fit to reach out to us, or be prepared to engage with us about our concerns which go to the very heart of our humanity as a nation. This is despite regular respectful requests for a meeting. We are asking that you represent your constituents- all constituents, even those who do not hold with your party political lines. After all, is this not the very basis of democracy, - to listen to all, and is it not your role to represent all constituents? Casey Cardinia for Refugees

Funeral Director

...the little things make a difference

SOCIALLY SPEAKING Pakenham

The City of Casey continue to come under fire for their maintenance of parks, with some residents taking matters into their own hands and mowing the parks themselves. Their contractors’ struggles due to Covid-19 complications continue to frustrate locals, as we saw on our Facebook page.

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Janine Kimberley: I think we are all getting sick of using the pandemic as an excuse for everything!! Corey Tully: STILL blaming Covid! The park near ours was knee high before they came out last week and it looks even worse now as so much of it was missed, plus all the grass that was mowed is just laying in big clumps. Mark Mathews: City of Casey have had two years-plus to plan, and nothing.... shouldnt

be blaming Covid still.... they should be adapting to live with it... Get out of the office and earn your 500k per year we pay you. Ric Stewart: Amazing that one day after speaking with the reporter, the contractors turned up in Linsell Boulevard enmasse and low and behold the entire length was mowed ....and without the masses of grass clippings usually left behind! Pity it took talking to the media for them to get organised after months of neglect. The State Government’s draft plan for a new park in Clyde did little to excite readers, concerned that this facility will fall the same way as the others in the municipality. Malcolm Wells: Another park for City of Casey to not maintain…yay. Leanne Petrides from Community Informa-

tion Support Cranbourne believes the current housing crisis in Victoria has “never been quite so bad“ in her 23 years at the organisation. Some residents voiced their concerns on our Facebook page. Oskar T Grouch: Every 12 months it comes around… the stress, the gut wrenching fear that this time the landlord says no renewal, or an increase in rent payments. It’s a real fear that genuinely turns my guts inside out. With rental vacancy rates at an all time low, and no way to get out of the rental trap, you rely on good faith of the property owner every year. Or it’s a very real possibility any one of us could end up on the streets. There’s no relief from it, it’s getting harder every year.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

To Easter traffic on Monday. Took me an extra hour to get home.

To difficulty getting mental health support. Waiting lists for psychologist. Then mental health treatment orders allowing the patient to stay in the community when they are a danger to themselves and others.

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Thumbs Up! To petrol dropping 50 cents since the Federal Budget excise at the Liberty Petrol Station in Pakenham.

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To Orthodox Easter celebrations this weekend.

To Essendon for an appalling lack of effort and continuously getting fans’ hopes up.

Thumbs Up! To discounted Easter chocolate.

Thumbs Down! To every driver at the Sladen St/ Cameron St roundabout that ignored the broken down lady in the left lane that was clearly frightened last week. Child in the car, mum unintentionally blocking the roundabout but too scared to get out. I stopped to help and motioned for assistance from other drivers to help me push the car off the road up a hill and got laughed at!! Ended up doing it solo with the driver steering. Kindness is free people. Take two minutes out of your day to look out for others.

Thumbs Up! To Covid restrictions easing further!

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NEWS

Botanic Ridge’s Stuart Couch served two tours of Iraq. 277644

Pictures: MARCUS UHE

Veteran honours ANZACs By Marcus Uhe Monday 25 April presents us all with an opportunity to reflect and pay our respects to those who have served to defend our country on the battlefield. For Botanic Ridge Veteran Stuart Couch, catching up with fellow returned servicemen and women at the Dandenong RSL means more to him than his birthday. The 48-year-old served two tours of Iraq between 2005 and 2007 in the Second Cavalry Regiment as an Australian Service Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) driver, helped by his grounding as a truck driver for Kenworth Trucks. He recalled the horror of watching the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, calling them a “gutless attack on innocent people” and concerned about the potential outbreak of another world war. Along with his brother’s positive experiences in the defence force, it was his primary impetus to enlist. “I figured that if there was evil in the world, I would rather fight them in their country, than fight them in mine,” Mr Couch said. “That was my mindset. I would join the collation fight against terrorism, and I was prepared to go to whatever country the war took me to, whether that be Iraq or Afghanistan.” He begun live recruit training in 2003 and found himself crossing the border into Iraq on his 31st birthday in 2005 for a six-month tour as part of the Al Muthanna Task Group, the first large combat operation for Australian forces in Iraq, in a mentoring taskforce and a reconstruction taskforce with the Japanese armed forces. He described his initial deployment as a “whirlwind”, living on significant levels of

Stuart Couch was the Australian Ambassador to Iraq’s driver during his second tour across 2006 and 2007. adrenaline, learning the ins and outs of combat and the unanticipated methods used by the enemy, necessitating being switched on to any and every potential threat, from vehicles, to mobile phones, to civilians. “In Iraq, everything on the side of the road is an improvised explosive device. You have to treat it that way. “What they would rely on in this war was stealth and sneakiness, where they would hide a bomb or detonate a bomb and injure some innocent people, and we would respond to that. “Then they put a secondary larger device, which we call a ‘come-on attack’. They detonate something, you come and react to it, they wait for the first responders to get out and they detonate another device.” On his second stint in 2006-7, he was assigned an important task for an Australian VIP.

“I was the Australian ambassador’s driver in Baghdad in an armoured vehicle,” Mr Couch said. “He had his normal, close personal protection team in armoured suburban trucks, and when he had to go outside the green zone into the Badlands of greater Baghdad, he went in the back of an ASLAV, that I drove. “My role was to get the ambassador from point A to point B safely.” Mr Couch summarised his time on the battlefield as “a very slow continuous patrol with small moments of genuine terror”. One such occasion came in January 2007 while driving his vehicle on a routine mail run, when he came under fire from an insurgent brandishing an AK-47 assault rifle in the middle of road near an overpass. As the lead call sign for the expedition, he was acting as his group’s eyes and ears at the front of the convoy, and found himself in a lifethreatening situation. Being behind the wheel, he made a radio call to his crew commander which saw his crew opening fire to protect him. “As a driver, I couldn’t fire back at the guy who was shooting at me, but it doesn’t get much more personal than that. “As I drove past, bullets were impacting off of this overpass, ricocheting backwards and forwards. “I got on the radio and said ‘Victor 7 taking fire’. My crew commander started to engage targets because it was a complex attack. “All I remember seeing was this dragon’s tongue of red tracer from this vehicle behind me engaging this guy who was engaging me and he just disappeared in this pile of dust.” His tours of service coincided with significant life milestones, including the pregnancies

and arrivals of two of his three daughters, interspersed with periods spent away. He expressed gratitude to his wife, Belinda for her efforts in raising their children while he was serving, highlighting the contributions made by those away from the battlefield that supported and allowed those engaged in combat to give their all. While no longer wearing the uniform, Mr Couch believes he is still serving his country as a committee member of the DandenongCranbourne RSL, and helping fellow veterans deal with the personal and psychological fallout their time in combat as a lead volunteer for Young Veterans. On the day itself ,he will be driving World War Two veterans in the Cranbourne March. “Anzac Day to me is a day of celebrating the spirit of Anzac, celebrating the traditions of the legacy of the first ANZACs. “I believe that I’m a custodian of those traditions and I hold them in high esteem. “I will reflect on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on the day. I will remember my brothers in arms. I will reach out and I will have a beer or a phone call with most of my friends. “It gives me a strong sense of identity and that link to the original ANZACs. I didn’t go through the hell that they went through but I feel a kinship with them.” The Dandenong RSL dawn service will be held at 6am on Monday 25 April at the Pillars of Freedom in the Palm Plaza, with the March to take place at 10.30am from the corner of McCrae and Walker Streets to the cenopath. In Cranbourne there will be a Dawn service at Greg Clydesdale Square at 6am followed by a March down High Street to Sladen Street later in the morning from 10.40am.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

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Award for active SES unit By Eleanor Wilson Nearly three months after SES Narre Warren Unit was recognised in City of Casey’s Australia Day Awards, the community volunteers were presented with their award at a ceremony at Bunjil Place on Tuesday 12 April. After Covid restrictions delayed an award ceremony in January, SES Narre Warren volunteers were awarded the 2022 Casey Community Group of the Year Award, sharing the accolade with South East Palliative Care who provide specialist palliative care services across the South East. The Casey Australia Day Awards is an annual event that celebrates the achievements and contributions of eminent Casey citizens and groups. Narre Warren SES unit controller Damian Burns said he nominated the unit after they “wouldn’t put themselves up”. “They’re quite a humble group, they won’t say they’re fantastic but they’re humanitarian – they give the most valuable thing they’ve got and that’s their time, because that is time away from their families and time that other people would normally spend in self-interests and personal time,” Mr Burns said. “They give it to strangers at all times of the day because we’re not just a service that works from sunrise to sunset, we turn up at 3am in the morning for a stranger if they’re in need.” The local SES unit includes 72 members, which enables them to run a 24/7 volunteer service. Throughout 2021, Narre Warren SES worked to assist fire services in the City of Casey and across Victoria.

SES Narre Warren Unit representatives receive the council honour. L-R: Damian Burns, Fiona McMahon, Erin Crockett and Bryce Wickham. The unit also facilitated rescue efforts throughout the 2021 winter storms in the Dandenong Ranges and assisted with efforts during Gippsland floodings.

They were also instrumental in service delivery and border support throughout the Covid pandemic. “When we received the award I said we

didn’t need it because volunteerism in itself gives a great feeling, however, it is great that the City of Casey recognises these great citizens.”

Dying cop described two offenders By Karen Sweeney, AAP The officer who cradled dying police officer Rodney Miller in 1998 says he repeated a description of his attackers over and over as if he had memorised it. Sergeant Helen Poke was among the first on the scene on 16 August when Senior Constable Miller and Sergeant Gary Silk were shot while staking out an armed robbery target. They had pulled over a car near the Silky Emperor restaurant in Moorabbin when they were fired upon. Sgt Silk was shot three times and died beside their unmarked police car. Sen Const Miller managed to run back to the restaurant, collapsing in the driveway. Jason Roberts, 41, is charged with murdering both officers. He has pleaded not guilty to those charged, but has admitted 10 armed robbery offences. Prosecutors allege Roberts fired a .38 calibre round that struck Sgt Silk in the chest. He was hit twice more, in the hip and head, with .357 rounds prosecutors attribute to convicted killer Bandali Debs’ weapon.

It’s argued Roberts, from Cranbourne, was directly liable for Sgt Silk’s murder, that he aided and abetted Debs, or there was a joint criminal enterprise between the two. The single shot that killed Sen Const Miller was a .38 calibre round alleged to have come from Debs’ weapon. It’s alleged Roberts is guilty of Sen Const Miller’s murder by aiding and abetting Debs or through a joint criminal enterprise. Central to the case is whether there were two offenders at the scene - something officers who recorded Sen Const Miller’s final words say he was sure of. Sgt Poke was 200 metres away when the call for help came in and she arrived at the scene within 20 seconds to see one officer leaning against his car looking distressed. She saw a body nearby and another colleague warned her “don’t look”. She was among the first to reach Sen Const Miller after he was located, cradling him in her lap and reassuring him. He repeated the same phrase over and over as if he had memorised it, she said.

“He kept the same order - get them, I’m f***ed, two offenders, one on foot, six foot, dark hair, checked shirt, dark Hyundai - and then we’d go back to the start,” she said. Lou Gerardi was also quick to arrive at the scene after driving up to 150km/h to reach the officers in minutes. “I didn’t lift my foot until we got there,” he said, breaking down when he described seeing Sgt Silk’s body slumped on the grassy verge. He heard a surprisingly calm voice on the police radio say Sen Const Miller was found. Mr Gerardi held Sen Const Miller’s hand as the dying officer told him “I’m f***ed” and to “get them c***s”. Both say Sen Const Miller referenced multiple offenders, though both acknowledged they had not used “offenders” in their statements. Sgt Poke said she had been told by a detective at the time to leave Sen Const Miller’s description of the offenders out of her statement - against police policy. The jury trial before Justice Stephen Kaye is continuing.

Jason Roberts is led out of court. Picture: AAP

Berwick, Officer and Beaconsfield Campuses

Tuesday 17 May 2022

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Pam shows off her bunny tail during a dance. 277175

Retired Casey Cardinia residents attend Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House each Wednesday for an afternoon of line dancing. 277175

Retired residents step out Casey Cardinia Life Activities had their fanciest footwork on display on Wednesday 13 April for a special Easter edition of their Twinkle Toes sequence in-line dancing club. About 30 of the club’s most enthusiastic line dancers gathered at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House for an afternoon of line dancing, afternoon tea and a fruitful Easter bonnet parade. The club provides a range of activities for retired citizens in the area, including weekly coffee clubs, indoor bowls and IT discussion groups. Assistant treasurer Val Porter, who has been involved with the club for 16 years, said the social aspect of the club was vital for retired community members. “A lot of the members often live alone, so when they come to the club they forget about all their worries, about all their illnesses, and they get to come and make new friends,” Mrs Porter said. While it is a weekly occurrence, last week’s Twinkle Toes meet was made extra special with

the addition of an Easter Bonnet parade. Club members showed up in colourful, elaborate, handmade, Easter-themed hats to celebrate the Easter season, which wouldn’t have been complete without an afternoon snack of hot cross buns and easter eggs. Group convenor and vice president Jacqui Wade said the line dancing club was one of Casey Cardinia Life Activities’ most popular activities. “The club has been running for 25 years and Twinkle Toes has been going for almost all of that,” she said. “It’s a great means of exercise because sometimes we do slower dances, and other times there are quicker ones.” The event saw five of the club’s seven life members attend, including Ron and Shirley, who, despite approaching their 90s, convened the line dancing club until recently and still join in the synchronised dance afternoon each week. “It’s our life,” Ron said. For more information on the club, visit lifecaseycardinia.org.au

Club members laugh as they perform The Chicken Song as part of the afternoon. 277175

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club members show off their Easter bonnets.

Shirley and Ron (left) have been part of the club since it began 25 years ago.

Kevin Heinze Best School Garden Award 2018

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Committee member Pam Stipkovic won best homemade hat for her creative pink outfit.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 9

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The vaccination centre at the Cranbourne Turf Club will close at the end of May. 236670

Turf club vax ending The vaccination centre at the Cranbourne Turf Club will close at the end of May as part of a state-wide scale down of vaccination centres. The decision will allow the workforce of vaccinators to return to the under-pressure public hospital system and deliver other services across health system. By the end of May, approximately 30 staterun vaccination centres will remain in operation, with a focus on services in priority local government areas and vulnerable communities, the state government said. The Commonwealth’s Covid-19 vaccination program will also continue through GP clinics and pharmacies, which are now delivering up to 75 per cent of doses in the program, an increase from around 50 per cent during the Delta outbreak. Health Minister Martin Foley declared Victoria’s vaccination program, which delivered more than 6.1 million doses, “one of the biggest and most successful public health programs” in the state’s history. “Everyone who worked in a vaccination

centre played a part in helping us become one of the most vaccinated societies on earth,” Mr Foley said. “Victorians will always have the ability to get protected against Covid-19 at the places most people usually go to for medicines and health services, their local GP or pharmacy. “While a lack of Commonwealth funding clarity has guided this decision, this is an appropriate step that reflects things getting back to normal, with more responsibility for immunisation programs returning to primary care.” Federal Government funding for the pandemic response will cease beyond September. More than 96 per cent of adults have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine, and twothirds have had three doses, including around 90 per cent of those aged over 70. Victorians are still being encouraged to get their third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if they have not done so already. To book a vaccination appointment, visit covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au

Portrait honours frontline

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The oil portrait depicts Ambulance Victoria team manager Nicky Blyth in uniform holding a face mask. Picture: SUPPLIED the last few years. “I think the painting is beautiful. It’s very representative of the last two years putting on our uniforms to go on the frontline,” she said. Despite their respective achievements, the pair have humble expectations when it comes to the judging of the Archibald Prize. “It was just a bucket list thing for me, I’ve always wanted to enter the Archibald Prize, but I don’t expect to win it,” Mr McLean said. He said he plans to gift the painting to Ms Blyth after the Prize winner is announced on Friday 13 May.

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From page 1 Ms Blyth, who has worked as a paramedic for 20 years, said she was taken aback when Mr McLean approached her with the idea to sit for the portrait. “I actually thought you had to be famous to be painted for the Archibald Prize,” she laughed. “To have my portrait in such a prestigious competition is an honour, not just for me, but for all my colleagues on the frontline.” “Most paramedics are just normal everyday people in the community, we don’t really expect recognition for what we do every day, so this is really a first for me.” The Archibald Prize is Australia’s most prestigious portrait prize, awarded by trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW for “the best portrait, preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, Science or Politics.” Mr McLean said it took him more than 20 hours to complete the oil piece. “I am very critical of my own work and I wanted it to be just right,” he said. The father-of-three said he felt it was important paramedics received recognition for their work. “They should be acknowledged for their hard work, they did a great job before Covid, let alone during it, so we need to celebrate that,” he said. Ms Blyth said the painting, which depicts her in an Ambulance Victoria uniform holding a blue surgical face mask, was reflective of her lived experience over

Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 11

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Mr Sequeira designed 56 kurtas for the exhibition to tell the personal history of India.

The kurta is a traditional South Asian shirt worn by men.

Indians needed to model By Eleanor Wilson Members of the local Indian community are being invited to take part in an upcoming art exhibition commissioned for Bunjil Place Gallery. Multidisciplinary artist David Sequeira is inviting males of Indian descent from the southeast to model in his runway show Untitled India, which showcases a collection of 56 traditional kurtas (long shirts worn by men in India) designed to tell the personal history of India. “So many times people’s understanding of India is about cricket or yoga or Bollywood, and I wanted to represent something about my Indian identity that was beyond that,” Mr Sequeira said.

“I want people to think about history and India beyond those sorts of tourist or TV experiences, and I invite the [Indian] community to have ownership over that as well.” Designed by Mr Sequeira, the kurtas stand out in a mix of bright colours and printed images, striving to address the notion of ‘embodied history’. He is looking for size small to medium, adult male volunteers to model the kurtas in a spectacular runway performance at the opening of his major solo exhibition, All the things I should have said that I never said, which is being held at Bunjil Place Gallery from Saturday 7 May to Sunday 21 August. No modelling experience is necessary and

all participants will receive a gift voucher for their time. The exhibition itself will highlight Mr Sequeira’s artistic skill set of painting, installation, fashion and performance, which comes together to explore the themes of representation and identity. “I’m really intrigued by the relationship between tradition and modernity, and in many ways that is what India is all about. It is ancient culture mixed with uber modernity,” he said. “We want people to complete the vision Bunjil Place and I have created, which is a really moving intersection of culture, music, fashion and art.” If you would like to get involved in the project, visit bit.ly/37fJEQy

Indian-born artist David Sequeira is calling for the help of the Indian community ahead of his major solo exhibition at Bunjil Place.

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CFA collection successful By Marcus Uhe The CFA has continued its support for the Good Friday Appeal with members out in force helping to raise an incredible $1,440,225 for the Royal Children’s Hospital. The overall tally for the Good Friday Appeal in 2022 was a record-breaking $22,328,154. Collections from the Casey Group of Fire Brigades totalled $27,904.14, with $17,554.84 coming from Cranbourne collection points on the High Street and Sladen Street intersection, and $10,349.30 from the Berwick-Narre Warren sites. Casey Group communication officer Deb Jackson extended her thanks to all the volunteers who helped behind the scenes including caterers, data entry roles and safety officers. “If it wasn’t for the other members who helped, we wouldn’t have a collection,” Ms Jackson said. “Well done to the community and visitors through collection areas. “We’re grateful the public gave what they could.” After a difficult two years with a heavy reliance on online fundraising, CFA volunteers from across the entire state were elated to hit the streets in their local communities, rattling tins and collecting money. Brigades that set up a Virtual Tin Shake also raised a total of $38,122 online. CFA has been a major fundraiser for the Good Friday Appeal for the past 71 years and to date members have raised more than $36 million since 1951. The money raised for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal will be used to buy medical equipment and ensure kids are provided with the best possible treatment and care. This year saw a significant return of volunteers collecting in-person at traffic lights and by door knocking homes and businesses

L-R: Acting Chief Officer Rohan Luke, Warrandyte Fire Brigade Lieutenant Camren Jones and Warrandyte Fire Brigade volunteer Louise Naus proudly Picture: SUPPLIED display the CFA’s total. 277311 across their communities. On Friday night, 15 April, CFA Acting Chief Officer Rohan Luke presented the cheque to the Royal Children’s Hospital alongside Warrandyte members Lieutenant Camren Jones and Louise Naus. Acting chief officer Luke congratulated all involved in this year’s Appeal. “It was an honour to present the cheque to the Royal Children’s Hospital on behalf of the

dedicated CFA members right across Victoria,” Mr Luke said. “CFA members already give up their time to protect the lives of Victorians through their brigades, and it’s a credit to their communitymindedness that they also take time out to fundraise for such a great cause. “It was also encouraging to see many members returning to fundraising in-person by collecting at their stations, intersections and on local shopping strips.

“Congratulations to all our CFA volunteers involved, it was an amazing effort and you and your communities should be proud. It’s an honour that CFA continues to contribute in providing world-class care to our kids.” To donate to the Casey Group of Fire Brigades’ Virtual Tin, head to virtualtinshake.com.au/ fundraisers/CaseyGroupofFireBrigades/virtual-tin-shake?fbclid=IwAR3JWai5SXdtL4Y_ XiSilzz5lahYQwGSAS8iYMJ-NkK7TLrWUxUGmaH6anI

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 13

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Dylan Peck hopes to inspire other LGBTQIA+ individuals from the South-East to follow their dreams. Picture: ALEX MARTIAN

Dylan works to inspire By Eleanor Wilson Local beautician and androgynous model Dylan Peck said entering the female-dominated beauty industry as a non-binary person who was assigned male at birth was “quite intimidating”. The Clyde resident has worked in the beauty industry for over 10 years, and recently opened a beauty studio in Berwick. “I do feel like sometimes I need to prove myself more in this space because I’m not a female,” they said. “I’ve had clientele not necessarily want services from me because I am [biologically] a male and they feel uncomfortable.” But Mr Peck said it was their passion for “wanting to help people feel beautiful and bring out their inner confidence” that pushed them to continue down the beauty career path. Now, they are the proud owner of Euphoria Beauty studio in Berwick, providing makeup and beauty services in a safe and confident space. “I wanted to make a space that was inviting for people from all backgrounds, including LGBTQIA+ people and allies,” they said. Mr Peck’s talent in the beauty sphere has led them to work with celebrity clients including Sophie Monk and Cherry Dipietrantonio & Anjali Rao of Real Housewives of Melbourne fame. But they said a large part of their passion lies in providing for “everyday” clients. “Being raised by a single mum, whenever I noticed she was down I’d end up doing her hair and makeup to lift her spirits and bring out her confidence again,” they said. “I want to be able to do the same for other people in the community, and give them the skills they need to do their own makeup without having to do a TAFE course or complete a certificate.” Makeup lessons are a large part of Mr Peck’s vision for Euphoria Beauty Studio, offering lessons for teens, dance mums and mature age clients.

Dylan Peck has enjoyed a successful career as an androgynous model. Growing up in the South-East and attending local schools in Pakenham and Cranbourne, Mr Peck said finding their identity wasn’t easy. “Being a southeast suburban boy growing up with a an older brother and being around that more masculine energy, I’ve definitely weaved and ducked a bit, but I got through and was able to find my inner self and that is just naturally more feminine.” They hoped other LGBTQIA+ youth who live in suburban areas can be also be inspired to follow their passions. “I definitely want to inspire people coming from any sort of background to know there is hope and a light at the end of the tunnel,” Mr Peck said. “Regardless of who you are or where you come from, you are entitled to feel beautiful and to receive beauty treatments if that’s what makes you feel confident.” “At the end of the day, I named my studio Euphoria beauty because I want my clients to get that euphoric feeling when they get their makeup done.” berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

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Ukrainians rally to help By Cam Lucadou-Wells Fleeing the horrific war in Ukraine, scores of refugees have been welcomed into a tight-knit community in Noble Park and the South East. In a poignant pre-Easter bazaar on Saturday 9 April, children from Ukraine joined local students in delicately decorating Easter eggs (pysanka) in the traditional Batik method of wax and dye. Adults helped prepare the traditional dumplings (varenyky), Easter breads (pasky) and cakes sold to raise funds for resettled Ukrainians as well as those abroad. It’s part of a rallying response by Association of Ukrainians in Victoria’s Noble Park branch and the Ukrainian Community School to help more than 100 new arrivals in the South East. So far, Australia has accepted about 1000 refugees from Ukraine. But there’s been no government support for their resettlement. “The Government has been swift getting people here but they’re not able to work yet. There’s no housing, no financial support,” says the association’s Noble Park president Liana Slipetsky. “It’s something our community has had to pick up.” “The community is rallying to link people together and show them support,” Ukrainian community school principal Orysia Stefyn says. “We’re trying to involve the families and to give them something to think about other than the horrific experience they’ve been through.” Like, decorating ornamental Easter eggs that carry nourishing symbols of good wishes. Reindeers for good health, trees for strength, flowers for beauty, the Sun for life and wheat sheaths or farming tools for a good harvest. The eggs and Easter foods such as ‘breads of life’ (pasky) are traditionally taken to church for blessings during the all-night service of Holy Saturday ahead of the Sunday dawn. While observing the Easter story of Christ’s suffering and resurrection, Ms Stefyn has seen the signs of trauma in her students. A child who would not interact with anyone for his first week in Australia, who then clutched

Ms Stefyn repeatedly shouting “There’s war. There’s war. There’s war.” “I thought what has this child been through?” Ms Stefyn said. An Ukrainian-Australian mother Nadiya Zagriichuk and three-year-old son visiting her parents in Chernihiv, one of the first regions attacked by Russia’s invaders. In the early hours of the morning they planned to fly home to Australia, the shelling started. Their flight plans up-ended, the mother and son drove for 18 hours to Kyiv and Lyiv while keeping in touch with her husband Andrii in Australia. They stayed in a bomb shelter before catching a train to safety in Poland. Ms Stefyn says they, like many of her school’s families, are worried for loved ones staying and fighting in the war zone. Among the refugees was a woman who stayed put in Kyiv until a rocket landed in their neighbour’s yard. Her husband remains in Ukraine while she fled to Australia where she knew no one. “They don’t know what their future holds. They don’t know if there will be a home to go back to. “There’s lots and lots of people who have gone through such horrible experiences.” The community is providing not just the physical aid, but emotional support. Children have been absorbed into the community school, families inducted in free English-language classes and welcomed into the community’s seniors lunches and youth camps. Some locals in Springvale and Noble Park have offered their vacant homes. Clothes, rent, school fees and books are being donated through the school’s Ukraine support fund. Other community groups are showing support, like the Springvale Italian Senior Citizens Club which raised $1000. Volunteers made and sold Ukrainian national flags, raising more than $3000. To donate or help, the branch recommends the United Resource for Ukrainians in Australia website, ukrainians.org.au

Andrii and Nadiya with their two boys Erik, 3, and Mark, 9. Nadiya and Erik’s plans for a return Pictures: ROB CAREW flight from Ukraine were upended when war broke out. 275444

Yavoslava and Raisa preparing the varenyky dumpling pastry ahead of the Easter bazaar. 275443 Picture: GARY SISSONS

A production line, including Tanya Kemp, fill the varenyky dumplings. 275443 Picture: GARY SISSONS

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Rex name shame By Mitchell Clarke Almost one year since alleged corruption was exposed within the City of Casey, a former councillor is still fighting to clear his name. Former Springfield Ward councillor Rex Flannery, who resigned as deputy mayor just days before the State Government sensationally sacked the entire council in February 2020, says the events of the past 12 months are still “eating” him up. He has now officially requested that his name is removed from both a councillor honour board in the customer service centre and a wall plaque in Bunjil Place. “I have never had any involvement into this alleged corruption scandal and therefore I do not wish to have my name associated with past or former councillors who may have brought our City of Casey into disrepute,” he told Star News. “People look at your name and they see that you’re from Casey Council and immediately they put you in that same mould, which couldn’t be further than the truth. “It’s just horrible to have been a councillor in that term. It gives you a sickening feeling in your gut and now I have to live with that.“ Mr Flannery argues his name should never have been placed on the plaque celebrating the $126 million Bunjil development because at the time he didn’t support the project. “I guess I’ve eaten a little bit of humble pie with Bunjil Place. I’ve been able to see the value that place brings to the community but at the time I was against the development and I wasn’t once consulted (about having my name included),” he said. He also claims former ex-ward partner, Sam Aziz, stated to him that he “wished he never had my name added to the plaque”. “That was the only time I agreed with him,” Mr Flannery said. While Mr Flannery hasn’t accused any former councillor of committing wrongdoing, he said anyone found guilty from the IBAC hearing should immediately have their honours stripped. “They need to have their plaques removed

Rex name shame Jonathan, 9, with hand-decorated Easter eggs. 275444

Doctors Oksana Nesterenko and Ksenia Chamula at the Easter bazaar. 275444

Rex Flannery, pictured in late 2015, wants his name stripped from council. 148005 from anywhere within the City of Casey ... whether it’s a plaque in the botanical gardens or in Bunjil Place, I want them removed so they have absolutely no recognition anymore,” he said. “They’ve disgraced themselves and they’ve disgraced the council. They’ve taken something away from me that I totally enjoyed. I loved serving the Casey community. I just want some clarity as to what way it’s going to go.” Since his resignation, Mr Flannery has been working in an operating theatre at a local hospital. He said he has every intention to run for council again in 2024.

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

“I want to get back into serving the community again. I want to run again and I want to get my name back on the honour board for the right reasons. At the moment it’s a dishonour board,” he said. Star News understands Mr Flannery has put forward his request to be heard by the administrators at the next council meeting, slated for Tuesday 2 February.“It’s up to them now but a year later, this is still eating at me. I need closure and this is one way that I can get it,“ he said. “I played no part in any downturn or sacking of the council and I feel it’s my duty to say that I don’t want to be a part of or in any way

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Bunjil Place. associated with the 2016-20 term.” Casey’s governance manager Rhys Matulis said: “Given the IBAC investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on that matter. Council has received and will consider Mr Flannery’s request in due course.”

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Almost one year since alleged corruption was exposed within the City of Casey, a former councillor is still fighting to clear his name.

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By Mitchell Clarke

Scan this QR code to subscribe Nina and Inna with donated clothes and items. Inna has been an active volunteer since fleeing war in Ukraine in March. 275444 berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Inna and her children Helene and Alexis decorating Easter eggs at the Easter bazaar. 275444

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

out to Alcoholics Anonymous because they find it impossible to stay on the wagon without help. It should be said that there is no requirement that alcoholics have already sought help elsewhere to join AA. Neither do they have to experience extreme crisis before they do. When the newcomer arrives, older AA members share their experiences in recovery from alcoholism on a one-to-one basis and in meetings. If they stay around, people can go through the 12 Steps of Recovery which is the solution AA offers. Evidence of the 12 Steps working in people’s lives is abundant. AA members who were once beaten by alcoholism become happy and productive people who enjoy life. The principle of Anonymity helps the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities. We openly share our program of recovery, but not the names of the individuals in it. AA Meetings Attendance at AA meetings is the best way to get to know AA members and be introduced to the AA program. In Victoria there are around 400 meetings per week. Open meetings welcome everyone including the support network of the alcoholic, whereas closed meetings are for alcoholics only. People can attend both face-to-face and online meetings. For more information, visit www.aavictoria.org.au/ or phone (03) 9429 1833.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH Here are a few ideas: Proper sales training for the sales team, improved marketing to better promote the company products and services and greater use of referrals (referred customers are always more likely to purchase). There is also an easier way – upsell! This is the classic McDonald’s “Would you like fries with that” approach. This is all about getting new and existing customers to spend more than they ordinarily would. Take a look at what your business is currently selling and see whether you have anything else that your existing customers might buy along with the main purchase. If you have ever bought a new car, you will know exactly what I mean – you will almost certainly have been offered paint protection and tinted windows and perhaps extras like sound system or tyre upgrades. Many people will go for this since when compared to the overall price of the vehicle, they will seem small by comparison, but to the dealer all these extras can add up to considerable extra income over the course of the year. And finally there is the simplest sales uplift of all – a price increase. Now to be clear here, I am not at all suggesting that customers be gouged as you have to be able to justify it, but I know of many businesses that either forget or don’t feel able to increase prices, sometimes for years! If you don’t increase your prices at least once a year, you are going backwards by the rate of inflation, so small, incremental changes at least once a year are the way to go especially if there have been significant changes in exchange rates or the price of raw materials as has been the case in construction recently. Ian Ash is the managing director for OrgMent Business Solutions.

Alcoholics Anonymous can help you get back on track if you struggle with sobriety. Picture: ISTOCK

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So let’s assume that the past few months have taken quite a toll on the business and you have a responsibility to increase company revenue. Where do you start? In many companies, I often find that the first place sales people look to increase revenue is by acquiring new customers but think about what this entails: finding new prospects, meeting with them and starting to build rapport, understanding their business, appreciating their specific challenges, analysing how your products or services can address their issues and then finally convincing them that you have the right solution at the right price. Yep, no doubt about it, sales can be a tough place to be especially since this will need to be done multiple times to achieve the desired income levels. Whilst attracting and acquiring new customers has to be an integral part of the sales strategy for the business, there are in fact easier ways to do this which are also worthy of consideration. First off, have a good look at how effective your selling techniques are. The best way to do this is to create a sales pipeline which captures all the genuine opportunities that are being pursued. Not only does this provide a useful way to keep track of things and let other key leaders in the business see what is being done here, you can also use this method to track your ‘sales conversion rate’ defined as: Sales Conversion Rate = Number of Acquired Customers / Number of Opportunities x 100 per cent. This ratio will vary according to the nature of the marketplace, the type of business and of course the skill of the salesperson, but it should be tracked and monitored. Obviously a low figure indicates that much more effort needs to be expended in order to get a sale, so a conversion rate of 20 per cent implies that if you want one more customer, you need to find on average five new opportunities. Is this ratio increasing or decreasing for your business? Obviously, if you can increase this ratio, then you need to work less hard to find new customers, so how could this be done?

The following is a message from Alcoholics Anonymous Central Service Office: What is AA? Alcoholics Anonymous is an organisation whose primary purpose is to help its members stay sober and help others to achieve sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no fees necessary for membership and we are self-supporting through our members’ contributions. This makes AA one of the most accessible and affordable ways to get help. For many, the support and community it provides are indispensable. Who is AA for, and how does it work? AA is for those struggling with their alcohol consumption and would like to attempt sobriety through a Twelve Step program. AA may also be helpful for those who don’t respond to treatment efforts and find abstinence extremely difficult to maintain by themselves. They relapse and their drinking inevitably gets worse over time. Consequences of drinking might escalate. Drink driving, job loss, hospitalisation, imprisonment, relationship breakdowns, mental illness, isolation and homelessness are all in the potential mix. Chances are they are suffering from their alcoholism, which is a serious illness. It’s at this stage that many people will reach

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Diagnosing foot pain Pain involving the plantar fascia, the collagen fibers running under the foot connecting the heel and forefoot, is extremely common. Yet plantar fasciitis is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed, misunderstood and mistreated concerns of the feet. Why? We spoke to one of Australia’s leading Musculoskeletal Podiatrists, Dr Paul Dowie from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, to explain. “I’ve spent a lot of time in clinic over the past 25 years helping patients with heel and/ or arch pain, who have been misdiagnosed with plantar fasciitis, therefore received inappropriate and ineffective treatment. Despite popular belief, even amongst many health professionals, most plantar fascia pain is not really plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammatory condition. Most plantar fascia pain is actually degeneration of the plantar fascia tissues or a nerve impingement. This is why treatment for most plantar fascia conditions is ineffective – The wrong thing is being treated!“ Dr Dowie said. “Misdiagnoses often occurs when tissue thickening evident on diagnostic scans is misinterpreted as inflammation or when inflammation is considered to be the cause of the condition. “This is a common misunderstanding that I have observed even by many good GPs, radiologists and general podiatrists. In these cases, anti-inflammatory treatments or cortisone are often incorrectly prescribed, which may

Welcome to new Smiles

Not all foot pain is plantar fasciitis. at times provide some temporary relief, but which can often result in a worsening and recurrence of the condition. “Degenerative and inflammatory conditions require very different treatment, so plantar fascia conditions must be diagnosed and treated correctly or there is a real risk of creating further tissue damage,” Dr Dowie said. If you’d like expert advice about any foot, knee or leg pain, you can book an appointment with Dr Dowie at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick on 1300 328 300.

You may recognise the familiar faces from the former clinic, Smiles First. From March this year Smiles First has rebranded as Endeavour Smiles Group and expanded to a big, beautiful new site located at 1 Joseph Banks Crescent, Endeavour Hills and are servicing patients from all surrounding suburbs. The team is excited to showcase its brand new practice with more treatment rooms, including additional consultation rooms available upstairs for other professional allied health services to come on board. Endeavour Smiles Group offers all types of dental services under the one roof for convenience. They desire to build longterm relationships with their patients for the enhancement and maintenance of their dental well-being. Patients will be under the care of highly-skilled doctors and also specialists able to conduct treatments such as root canal, dental implants and dentures. They offer in-house oral surgery such as complicated and high risk wisdom tooth removal and

Endeavour Smiles Group receptionists Jasmine, Cinzia, Jo and Janet. can help you with a complete smile makeover. Endeavour Smiles Group has the most updated technology and can also provide 3D scans on site. So come along, and enjoy having all your dental needs met with the well-equipped team at Endeavour Smiles Group.

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STAR NEWS 17

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18 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 21 April, 2022

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WHAT’S ON Garfield high tea fundraiser The annual high tea fundraiser of the Foster Parents Indonesia charity will be held at the Garfield Hall Sunday 1 May. If you’d like to come along or get your friends together and buy a small or large table then we would love your support. Money raised goes to Foster Parents Indonesia Inc to educate children living in poverty in Indonesia. Tickets at trybooking.com/events/landing/878615

Garfield skate and scoot jam We’re getting down to Garfield Skate Park for the Garfield Skate Park Scoot and Jam! Don’t miss the skate and scoot jam, heaps of prizes up for grabs! 1pm to 2pm scoot jam, 2pm to 3pm skate jam and 2pm to 3pm free ride. Register here skatepark.ymca.org.au/allaboard

Pakenham Arthritis Self-Help Group PASH will be holding their 30th anniversary celebrations at Deep Creek Golf Club, Pakenham on Wednesday 18 May at 12pm. All current members, past members, family and friends are welcome to attend. The cost for the dinner is $25 pp. Further enquiries, please contact Lynette on 0407 106 720. Bookings are essential.

Australian Heritage Festival at Emerald Museum On Wednesday 20 April from 10am to 3pm, come together and enjoy some free kids’ activities and morning tea with our friendly museum volunteers. Morning tea in the beautiful and historic No-

Argentine Tango class Argentine Tango Courses. Couples or singles, no previous dancing experience required, all ages are welcome. Come and learn to dance tango! Pakenham Bowls Club Wednesdays until June 7pm-8pm. Phone 0408422281

Heathers the Musical With a cast of amazing young performers, Backstage Dance Academy presents Heathers - High School Edition at Emerald Secondary College. April 22 7.30pm, April 23 2pm, April 23 7.30pm, April 24 2pm Tickets trybooking.com/BXOOO

·Bunyip Community Market

On the last Sunday of the month at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve. Sunday 24 April 8am to 1pm

·Picnic in the Park

Pakenham Hills and Cardinia Lakes Residents Groups are hosting Picnic in the Park on Sunday

24 April. Magician, bouncy castle, face painting, balloon tying, live music, barbecue and more. Sunday 24 April 12.30pm to 2.30pm Windermere Bvd and Bonneville Pde Pakenham.

Slam poetry workshop Join Australian Poetry Champion Ren Alessandra for a FREE immersive slam poetry workshop on Wednesday 20 April from 6pm to 8pm at Cardinia Cultural Centre. This workshop is suitable for youth aged 12-25. For more info and to book, visit trybooking. com/BYBIW

Parkinson’s Pakenham Support Group Casual get together for Persons with Parkinson’s

belius Heritage Park, colouring in and scavenger hunt through the museum and surrounding park land, discover the history of Emerald and district and chat to local stallholders, salvia gardens plant stall. Nobelius Heritage Park is registered on the Victorian Heritage Database as a site of State significance, being an intact 12-acre remnant and their caregivers. All welcome. Wednesday 20 April 10am to 2pm at Toomuc Community Centre For more information phone Ian 0420689602

· Earth Day

Join us at Deep Creek Reserve for a day of free family fun for Earth Day on Friday 22 April at Deep Creek Reserve from 10am to 2pm. Families can join in on a range of sustainable games and challenges including planting seedlings, seeing a waste truck up close, learning how bins are collected and what can go in each one, meeting earthworms up close and learn how they eat your food scraps, taking part in solar science and learn about the power of the sun. No need to book – just turn up and join the

of the former Nobelius Nursery that operated between 1886 and 1955. Learn more about Emerald Museum, visit emeraldmuseum.org.au. For more information about celebrating the Australian Heritage Festival at Emerald Museum, call Cardinia Shire Council’s Environment and Heritage Team on 1300 787 624.

fun... and don’t forget to bring a pair of gloves!

Skateboarding lessons Shredability has free skate lessons coming up at Gembrook Skatepark, as a part of the Learn to Shred Victoria Program, thanks to Cardinia Council. A great way to learn to start skateboarding! Saturday 14 May 10am to 11am book at shredability.com.au

The Biggest Morning Tea Join the CWA Woorinyan Branch raise funds for the Cancer Council whilst enjoying a famous CWA morning tea. Monday 23 May 10am at St John’s Anglican Church Upper Beaconsfield.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

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NEWS

Teddy bears picnic again Wednesday was the day the teddy bears had their picnic, joined by families of young ones for a day of enjoyment at Berwick’s Old Cheese Factory. The Casey Teddy Bear Picnic, which was cancelled for the past two years due to the Covid pandemic, was back bigger than ever, with more than 1200 residents attending the event with their furry friends. Young families packed a picnic to enjoy a lovely day out, filled with live performances, and even a teddy bear’s hospital to make sure their stuffed animals were happy and healthy. City of Casey manager of active communities Angie Peresso said the picnic was an opportunity for the council to provide a fun and accessible event for the community. “The City of Casey has been running the Teddy’s Bear’s Picnic at The Old Cheese Factory in Berwick for five years, providing the community with a low-cost opportunity for families to connect, belong, learn and play,” she said.

L-R Jade and Summer from Narre Warren North. 276565

2 year old Allure from Carrum Downs. 276565

L-R Jarrod and Jayden from Berwick. 276565

Families and teddy bears alike were entertained by live performances. 276565

Kids had lots of fun singing and dancing with the live performers. 276565 berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

One of the shows on the stage. 276565

Three generations. L-R Jacqui Noble, Olivia Watt and Ashleigh Watt. The teddies L-R Hugh, Kirra and Lillian. 276565

Mini Maestros, a music teaching school for kids also provided enjoyment for attendees. 276565

Four-year-old Grace from Narre Warren South. 276565

Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 21

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STAR NEWS 23

SPORT

Clarke’s a ‘Juddy’ beauty By Tyler Lewis Judson Clarke was among a group of players that got extremely lost on Richmond’s pre-season camp but, after an exciting start to the VFL season, it’s fair to say the promising forward has found his way back at the top level. Richmond selected the Dandenong Stingray out of Berwick with pick 30 in the 2021 National Draft and he has since delivered a string of door-knocking performances in the VFL. Clarke has hit the scoreboard in three of his four matches this year, with a best of four match-defining goals in a 25-point win over Footscray last week. Although an already agile forward, a preseason at the top level seems to have the exciting prospect moving even better than previously. “Extremely,” Clarke said of how helpful his pre-season was. “I think it has helped me get a bit of toughness and really be able to play out the length of games in the physicality that they are. “If I didn’t have the pre-season, I don’t think I would be handling the physicality (of VFL) that well. “I would be pulling up a lot more sore than I am. “I am pulling up sore obviously, but not as much due to the tough pre-season which is good.” That pre-season included some particularly long days on the bike and some full body wrestling at the end of hot days. “I found it really fun, pre-season was really awesome, going on a camp up to Bright, that was challenging,” Clarke said. “There was a lot of riding on the bike. I think our group rode about 100 kilometres on the bike because we got lost which was pretty funny. “It was really good to bond more with the guys and get to know them better. “Pre-seasons are tough, I think Monday sessions were probably the worst, they were just really long hard sessions and always at the end of the day we would have some sessions of just wrestling. “Full body contact and not holding anything back. “Although it was extremely tough for the boys after a long day of training, I think we re-

Juddy Clarke has been electrifying for the Tigers in his debut VFL season. 277327 ally embraced it and we made the most out of it. “I think that is how we have been able to shape how we have been going so far.” The small forward role has been the staple of Richmond’s success in recent years, and while it is a tough spot to crack into at senior level, Clarke is relishing in his opportunity to play such an important position. “I am absolutely loving it,” he said. “I have got such great role models to look up to like Shane Edwards and Kane Lambert, they’re really helping me with vision and stuff like that. “They’re helping me getting the best out of myself in terms of reviewing games. “Kane Lambert has been awesome with just being on the bench for a few of the games, it has been really good to have him out for a half in round three as well.

“In terms of structure around my role, the little tips and tricks I can do to lose my man and get him lost in the contest to get out in the open. “The first few week’s it was pretty surreal (playing alongside premiership players). Coming into the club I couldn’t believe it, I had done it, I had been drafted and I was there. “Now it has settled in a lot more and I am able to come in every day and see your teammates and it’s just the best fun.” With four goals against Footscray, and a pair of goals against Carlton on Sunday, Clarke is starting to make some noise for the Tigers. Though he is playing well and hearing good feedback, his focus is on developing his own craft. “It’s been good, it’s still a work in progress,” he said. “The feedback has been really good, every

Picture: RICHMOND FC week we go in and look at the vision to see where we can improve. “For me ultimately it’s about developing in that role I am playing and my forward craft as well, keep chipping away at that and hopefully good things to come.” And as for who was to blame for the bike detour in Bright...Clarke played with a straight bat, revealing it was a ‘group effort’. “It was a group effort on that one,” he joked. “Our group was so far ahead of the staff organising the ride, we didn’t have a marker to direct us into town. “We were flying ahead of the other groups “We were too far in front so we just kept riding towards Yackandandah, which was the complete wrong direction to where we were supposed to be going.” Richmond take on Melbourne this Sunday, in the annual Anzac Eve clash.

Ashley puts pen to paper for next step on his journey By Tyler Lewis Ashley Chandrasinghe is on the Victorian books. The scrupulous opener has won a twoyear rookie deal for his state after a sensational string of summers for Casey-South Melbourne. It’s come as no surprise, as the Buckley Ridges junior accumulated 639 runs at 40 for the Swans this summer, to go with scores of 56, 68, 112, 91 not out, 22 and 74 for the Vics in the Second XI. After years of hard work it was an abrupt reality for Chandrasinghe as a text message broke the news. His immediate reaction was to call his dad, and though it was an important moment in his cricketing journey so far, the call itself is a blur. “It was pretty sudden (the news); I was just working from home and I got a text from my manager Silvio (Marinelli) saying that I was getting an offer for a two-year rookie contract” Chandrasinghe said. “That’s how I found out. I called my dad straight away, we spoke about it on the phone for a bit, he was pretty happy about it. “We were just both really happy, he was proud of the outcome and I was proud of myself as well. “I can’t tell you in too much detail...it went by pretty quickly.” Putting pen to paper as a professional cricketer means a lot to Chandrasinghe, but 24 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 21 April, 2022

Will we see Ashley Chandrasinghe and Will Pucovski open the batting for Victoria next summer? 273042

Get used to seeing Ashley Chandrasinghe in Victorian colours! 273042 he still has his eyes set on accomplishing more beyond his two-year deal. “It’s something all young cricketers work towards, to get that recognition to go to higher honours is really encouraging and exciting,” he said. “I think you have to put in a lot of work and performance to obtain a contract, but have to put in equal or as much work to maintain it and get further than that, to get games (for Victoria) and improve.

Pictures: TYLER LEWIS

“There is definitely a lot more work to be done, so I am looking forward to it.” It has been a special summer for CaseySouth Melbourne, which played off in the Vic Premier Cricket grand final and has now got a player in Victorian threads. Chandrasinghe praised his Swans, revealing they have guided him to where he is now. “Credit goes to Casey, they have helped me out since I think I was 13,” he said. “It was my seventh season playing there

(last summer), it’s not really a secret that we struggled early. “This year was my first ever final playing for Casey, so I think that says how far we have come. “Even back then, they have given me so much opportunity where I mightn’t have even played Premier Cricket at a different club. “Just growing up as a person around those guys through my teenage years, not just as a cricketer, I am grateful and am happy to return the favour by putting some light back on the club.” Chandrasinghe will head to Darwin next week for another stint in the Darwin and District Cricket Association, before returning to Victoria for his first pre-season at CitiPower Centre. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au

SPORT

Wickers on hunt for Bulls By Tyler Lewis and David Nagel Berwick will travel to Noble Park this week to further create history in a developing local rivalry with the Bulls. It’s not quite the Wickers v Narre Warren or ‘Battle of the Creek’ clashes south east football lovers are accustomed to against Beaconsfield, but the Bulls and the Wickers are in the presence of constructing a modern day rivalry. The Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL) has acknowledged the two sides by playing them as a stand-alone fixture at Pat Wright Oval on Anzac Eve. Both sides came off a loss in round one, with the Wickers going down 10.10 (70) to 13.10 (88) to South Croydon, and the Bulls suffering a shock defeat to their other local rivals, Rowville, 16.13 (109) to 12.11 (83). The Wickers simply couldn’t get their hands on the footy in the heavily contested game against the Dogs, losing the disposal count by a whopping 74 touches. For the Bulls, the round-one defeat was just the fifth time in 28 outings it conceded 100 points or more. Noble’s ability to restrict their opposition will be where this game will be won and lost; in the two matches between these two sides last year, the Bulls collected the four-points in both and held the Berwick outfit to just 59 and 62 respectively. While the expectation on Berwick for this season is much lower than that of Noble Park, the Bulls head into this as a must-win, with the ever-green Vermont side on the road in its sights the following week. Rowville, meanwhile, are coasting after the aforementioned win over Noble Park. The Hawks surprised a few with just how efficient they were going inside 50; Rowville lost the inside 50s (47 to 52) against the Bulls, but still had 27 shots on goal from 47 entries. It was the spread of goals that was the most promising aspect of the win for the Hawks, with Mav Taylor, Mark Seedsman, Lachie Wynd and Jai Coleclough all kicking multiple goals. The Hawks will have a brilliant opportunity to take a 2-0 start to its season this week when they make their way to Quambee Reserve to

The widely regarded local footy goat - Kyle Martin - had 37 touches last week, can the Wickers Picture: ROB CAREW restrain him this week? 242703 take on North Ringwood. While the Hawks have already shaken the ladder predictor like an earthquake, the Saints were expected to finish the season even lower than the Hawks were. In Division One, Beaconsfield will be out to bank its first win in the EFNL when the Eagles host Bayswater at Holm Park Reserve. The Eagles have been super-competitive in their first two outings, pushing Wantirna South and Mooroolbark, and will be strengthened with some key additions as the season does roll on. At the moment, coach Mick Fogarty is relying

on a bevy of youth to carry his team forward until regulars such as Jafar Ocaa, Hayden Brough, Daniel Johnston, Pat Gerdan and Lachie Modica all make their way back from injury. Harry Coe and Josh Smith have been carrying the ruck duties, trying to feed a midfield led by Tylah Stokoe, Jack Docherty, Declan Everett and Damien Johnston, while Scott Triffitt, Lachie Valentine, Declan Curran and Tanner Stanton have been doing well in defence. The Eagles just need more return for their effort, with skipper Jake Bowd and his forward colleagues such as Jack Cameron, Sam Cachia,

Matt Johnson and Matt Wilson needing to dial the radar in if the Eagles are to knock down the Kangas. Bayswater has had a really solid start to the season, thumping Upper Ferntree Gully by 67 points in round one before pushing the undefeated Croydon in round two. The Kangaroos started well against Croydon, but also kicked inaccurately, with accuracy this week looking to play a key role in the final outcome. “I’m really confident that a win is not far away for us,” Fogarty said after the round two clash against Mooroolbark. “Mooroolbark had some strong bodies around the footy, but once we got our game going, and started using our leg speed, we looked pretty good. “I’ll go back to it again; it’s just about finishing off our work. “You have to take your opportunities against good teams, because if you don’t, you can’t win games. “It’s all about taking opportunities and applying scoreboard pressure to the opposition and seeing how they react to that pressure.” Beaconsfield’s inaccuracy has left it as one of only two teams in the competition to have not scored 100 pints yet this season…alongside bottom-placed Upper Ferntree Gully. In other games on Saturday, two undefeated teams – Croydon and East Ringwood – will battle it out at Croydon, while Mooroolbark will look to stay unconquered when it welcomes Montrose to Height Reserve. Upper Ferntree Gully will be hoping its home-ground advantage will give it the edge over Wantirna South, while Mitcham will be hoping for its first win of the season when it welcomes Lilydale to Walker Park. PREMIER LADDER: Balwyn 4, Park Orchards 4, Norwood 4, Rowville 4, South Croydon 4, Vermont 4, Doncaster East 0, Berwick 0, Noble Park 0, Doncaster 0, North Ringwood 0, Blackburn 0. DIV 1 LADDER: Mooroolbark, East Ringwood, Croydon 8, Lilydale, Bayswater, Wantirna South, Montrose 4, Mitcham, Beaconsfield, Upper Ferntree Gully 0.

Tilio double helps City create history in Asian League By Lachlan Mitchell Melbourne City has made history with a Marco Tilio double, sealing the clubs first win in the Asian Champions League. City faced Philippine side United FC in Bangkok, after the A-League champions had a hard-fought one all draw with Thai side Pathum United. The game was off to a shaky start by the Casey boys from the first whistle. A defensive mix-up between Rostyn Griffiths and goal-keeper Tom Glover almost saw City concede in the very first minute. A goal line scramble was required to avoid going one down in the early in the game. Jordan Bos made his debut in the starting line-up and made an immediate impact. A spearing cross from Marco Tilio finding Bos at the far corner almost led to the break-through, but unfortunately for City Bos couldn’t covert, skying the ball over the cross-bar. City continued the press their opposition and finally made it count in the 34th minute. Stefan Colakovski found himself one-onone with the keeper after combining with Taras Gomulka.

Double delight for Tilio as City make their mark in Asia. 277482 The long ball from Gomulka sailed over the heads of the defence, to find Colakovski to hammer home his shot into the bottom left corner for City’s first.

Picture: MELBOURNE CITY FC

City continued to dominate possession leading into the half-time break, but couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard. Japanese import Tsubasa Endoh was blis-

tering down the wing, linking up with a sharp pass from Scott Jamieson. Endoh sliced a ball across goal to find the feet of Marco Tilio to go two nil up on the hour mark. Tilio once again had his name on the scoresheet 15 minutes later; the young-star connected with Raphael Borges Rodrigues to fire home his sides third of the evening. City came away 3-0 victors after the final whistle was blown. The win now has City rocketed to the top of Group G, with three games left to progress through to the next round. Marco Tilio was the star of the show, scoring a double and helping his side secure their first win in the tournament. “It’s good to score a couple goals but it’s about the team performance and I think tonight we went out and did reasonably well to get the result,” Tilio said in a City release. “There’s always plenty of improvement there but we just look towards the next match now.” City next play South Korean side Jeonnam Dragons on Friday morning.

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Thursday, 21 April, 2022

STAR NEWS 25

SPORT

Anzac footy awaits By Tyler Lewis

Shanelle Algama shows off his newest possession after winning the UTR tournament at Mornington. 277253 Picture: SUPPLIED

Shanelle claims UTR By David Nagel Shanelle Algama will have fond memories of his last Tennis Victoria Junior Tournament after showing great determination to win the Universal Tennis Rankings (UTR) event at Mornington recently. Algama, from the Narre Warren Tennis Club, made his way comfortably through to the semi-finals, and looked set for a finals appearance after taking the first set 6-2. But the talented youngster’s plans of an easy progression were put on hold when he fell 2-5 down in the second set. But drawing on the never-say-die attitude of his tennis hero Novak Djokovic, Algama rallied beautifully in the second set to square things away at 6-all and forcing a tie-breaker. Algama took the set, and the semi-final, setting up a grand final appearance in his last ever junior event. Feeling bullet-proof after his semifinal victory, Algama played his best tennis of the tournament to win the final in dominant fashion…6-1, 6-2. Everyone at the Narre Warren Tennis Club would like to congratulate Shanelle on his victory and wish him well as he continues his promising tennis journey.

If there was a benefit to Covid stopping and starting local footy for the best part of two years...it’s that it has prepared Narre Warren perfectly for the beginning of its 2022 campaign. The Magpies played on 2 April under lights against Pakenham and have since spent two weeks on the track, and after two further rounds, Shane Dwyer’s men will spend another week on the track with the bye. Although it isn’t the dream run to the season, Dwyer is focusing on what he can control, while also feeling for his upcoming opponent Monbulk, which are yet to play a single game. “It is not ideal, but there is not much we can do about it,” he said. “We trained the following week and Tuesday (last week), but not Thursday with obviously everyone going away, so we gave them a freshen up, but we will be back into it Tuesday. “It’s not great, but look at Monbulk, they haven’t even had a game yet, they’re probably in a more frustrating position having a bye round one and not playing until Anzac Day weekend. “We only play two games and then have a bye again, so we just have to get through this first little patch before we get a bit of continuous games. “We are used to the stop start after the last two years, let’s put it that way.” That Monbulk side is a bit of an unknown to the Maggies, as just one hit and giggle back when Dwyer played himself was the last and only time he has seen the Hawks. “I think we played them in a practice game when I played, that is the one time I have seen them,” he said. “It is a bit of an unknown for us, it’s going to be an unknown for most sides this year, you play nine games in two years, so you don’t know a great deal about many sides. “Definitely the ones that have come up you know very little about. I know a couple of their players that have played in our comp, but other than that, there is not much to go by.” One player he does know a bit about is Hawks forward Taylor Joyce. If it wasn’t for Covid or an early finish due to injury in a game against Gembrook-Cockatoo, Joyce – with 33 goals last year – was making a fantastic run at a mammoth tally of majors. Dwyer has seen Joyce before, is aware of his prowess, but admits the entirety of the defensive units focus won’t be on the one player. “He is a big good player, we played against

Narre Warren will be after a 2-0 start when it takes on Monbulk this week. 275020 Picture: ROB CAREW him at Beaconsfield,” he said. “The small ground probably helps a bit being a big forward, you can get back a bit quicker, we won’t put everything focused onto him. “He is definitely a good player, so he is definitely the one we know about.” The Hawks will host the Pies this Saturday in one of two matches played in the AFL Outer East. The other match played on Saturday will be local rivals Officer and Pakenham; both sides

suffered a loss in round one, which will result to one of these finals fancied sides with a 0-2 start to the season. On Anzac Day, Upwey Tecoma will host Olinda Ferny Creek and Wandin will look to go 2-0 when it welcomes Woori Yallock. In Division 1, all matches will be played on Saturday: Belgrave will travel to Healesville, Seville will host Yarra Glen and in what looms as a finals taste-tester, Emerald will welcome the red-hot Gembrook-Cockatoo.

Optimistic Saints ready to bounce back to winners list By Lachlan Mitchell Narre South Saints are 1-1 heading out of the Easter break and after a promising start the boys from Strathaird Reserve are fighting strong. The Saints held off a fast-finishing Clayton in round one to run out 36-point victors at home. One of the south-east’s finest forwards, Steven Sigeti, booting four in the opener. Narre South couldn’t emulate its round-one form against Black Rock, falling 51 points short at Macdonald Reserve. The Saints struggled to kick a goal until the third term, kicking six behinds in the first half. A Brandon Nolan double wasn’t enough to see his side home. Narre Saints coach Scott Mackenzie is optimistic the loss was only a stumble after losing a number of players due to Covid and injuries. “I’m not panicked, we had a few out of the club last week including myself, it wasn’t a great week for the club,” he said. “It was a bit of a hiccup, but it’s given us a pretty good overview of what we did wrong. “It gives us something to fix, round one was great but it was very different how we presented on the following week. “We have stuff to work on, and we know that we will bounce back after Easter and I have no doubt about that. “I have watched the replay about three times since I’ve been in quarantine. Black Rock 26 STAR NEWS

Thursday, 21 April, 2022

Narre South Saints take on Ashwood in round three on Saturday. 275018

Narre South Saints are armed and ready for a big assault this season. 275018 Pictures: ROB CAREW is a very good team. “Our structures are sound when we do them, it was pretty obviously our procedures weren’t structured well at all. “We got a broken hand out of the game against Black Rock, and fractured ribs, and

there’s a few niggles. “We will hopefully get numbers back and be more settled into next week and turn things around.” Mackenzie is optimistic his side will turn it around and be a competitive team in a very

high standard of football. “We’re under no illusion that this season is going to be tough,“ he explained. “There have been some blowouts, definitely and to be honest we were on the wrong side of one as well, but I think the top five or six sides are going to be very hard-pressed this year. “It’s going to be a very hard top-four to get into. I think it’s going to be the hottest contested competition in Southern this year. “We had players out against Black Rock and it’s hard to get a gauge of where teams are at. “Certainly Murrumbeena are the ones to watch, but unless you know the ins and outs of the club each week with Covid it’s a bit of guesswork.“ Murrumbeena had a thumping 240-point win over South Yarra with the competition favourites restricting the Lions to just one goal. berwicknews.starcommunity.com.au