News - Cranbourne Star News - 3rd November 2022

Good as Gold Trip

By David Nagel

Cranbourne is buzzing after local trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace joined the most illustrious honour-roll in racing with Gold Trip’s win in Tuesday’s $8 million Mel bourne Cup.

The Maher/Eustace stable - which relocated from Caulfield almost 12 months ago to the day - has been embraced as Cranbourne’s own after making the move to the Cranbourne Training Centre.

Cranbourne Turf Club CEO Neil Bainbridge said there was a real feeling of satisfaction at

the club after Gold Trip’s magnificent victory.

“It’s incredibly exciting and very rewarding, and not just for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable,” Bainbridge said.

“It’s also fantastic for our staff and for the Cranbourne Training Centre, to have the Melbourne Cup winner trained at Cranbourne is a great result for all involved.

“It vindicates the level of investment and the hard work that our staff put in to deliver the best training centre in Australia.

“Gold Trip’s Melbourne Cup win was the seventh Group-1 win already this season,

which is a tremendous result, and we couldn’t be happier with how the relocating Caulfield trainers have settled in.

“From a Cranbourne community perspective, and Cranbourne brand, to have the Melbourne Cup winner stabled here locally is terrific for everyone really.”

Bainbridge said the club would now turn its attention to Saturday 12 November, and the running of the $500,000 Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup.

“We’re incredibly excited, Cranbourne Cup Day will be the richest raceday ever run in

Thinking of

Cranbourne, with close to $1.8million in prizemoney,” he said.

“The Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup will be worth $500,000 and the first of our seven-year partnership with Ladbrokes…which we’re very excited about.

“The spring carnival is the prime time for racing, and for us as a club to have a metropolitan Saturday meeting, on the first Saturday after the famous Flemington carnival, is a privileged opportunity and we’ve got no doubt it will be an outstanding day.

“We strongly encourage everyone to come along and enjoy what will be a great day of racing and entertainment.”

Cranbourne trainers David Eustace, left, and Ciaron Maher, celebrate their first Melbourne Cup win with Gold Trip. 306290

Picture: SCOTT BARBOUR/RACING PHOTOS

Gold Trip, with his strapper Mitch Connors, was back home at Cranbourne the morning after winning the 2022 Melbourne Cup. 306290

Picture: SUPPLIED

Gender

Teacher’s top of the class

By Marcus Uhe

Strong leaders, a familial legacy and a desire to innovate has seen Clyde Creek Primary School grade one teacher Amy Davis recognised as one of the best educators in Victoria.

Ms Davis was crowned Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher at the 2022 Victorian Education Excellence Awards on Friday 21 Oc tober at a ceremony at the Regent Plaza Ball room in Melbourne.

The award recognises effective and innovative teachers in the first five years of their teaching career who have demonstrated ex cellence in teaching practice at a Victorian Government primary school, and have made a significant contribution to improving student achievement, engagement, and wellbeing.

The Professional Learning Team leader of grade one and two at CCPS is the daughter and granddaughter of teachers and knew from an early age that she wanted to follow in their footsteps.

Her quest for improvement and a love of mathematics saw her design and develop a visual-reliant resource to personalise student learning, to identify where individual students most need support and address their specific needs.

“There’s towers of different coloured ‘Lego’ bricks,” Ms Davis said.

“It’s based on building blocks and prioritising students’ needs.

“It’s been my baby - I’ve worked on it for three years.”

Ms Davis has experienced a unique beginning to her teaching career, with 2022 being the first year spent predominantly in the class room after her first two were dogged by Cov id-19 complications.

“I started teaching in 2020 and got a good three months in the classroom teaching prep before lockdown,” Ms Davis said.

“Teaching prep is whole other ball game. They (the students) don’t know what school is about and we taught them four or five times throughout the year as they returned from remote learning.

“It was an interesting time to start teaching but what I learnt was huge. It revolutionised the way we teach. We’ve gone back to basics and we’re keeping it simple for students.”

By teaching students at the beginning of their educational journey, her goal is foster a love of maths.

“In the early years you have to make learning fun. Get the students to investigate the world around them, so they’ve got real world application.

“With maths, all they need is a problem, a dice and things to count with. They can do almost everything with those: counting, division, measuring and addition.”

She credited the leadership team at Clyde Creek, including principal Jodie Bray and assistant principal Sarah Smith, for accelerating her development and thanked them for the opportunities she has been given to help shape the culture of new school in its first year of operation.

Ms Bray said she was “beyond proud” of Ms Davis.

“She’s an exceptional early career teacher and leader,” she said.

“Her strengths in relationships is a real positive.

“We’ve had great feedback from the parent community about her as a teacher - it’s overwhelmingly positive.”

The Victorian Education Excellence Awards celebrate the state’s most inspirational teachers, principals, business managers and support staff that work to improve schools and help students to achieve their best by developing skills and learning outcomes.

Amy Davis from Clyde Creek Primary School with her trophy after winning Outstanding Early Career Primary Teacher at the 2022 Victorian Education Excellence Awards. Picture: SUPPLIED

Q&A with Lost Dogs’ Home Cranbourne Shelter manager, Allie Small

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I have a menagerie of animals at home, includ ing three dogs, two cats, two horses and five fish. It is a side effect of working in an animal shelter.

What do you love about what you do?

Working at The Lost Dogs Home can be both incredibly difficult and rewarding all at the same time. But nothing beats the feeling of helping to match one of our long-term dogs or cats with their forever family.

Who is the best person you’ve worked with and why?

I have worked with some amazing people but I met one of my best friends, Amanda Smith while working at The Lost Dogs Home. She is one of the most resilient people I have ever met, and we are so uncannily similar that peo ple often think we are sisters.

What would your last meal be?

Tacos from Trippy Taco in Fitzroy. It is all vegetarian so the options are limitless, and I will never turn down Sangria with my meal.

What is your most memorable moment?

The day I got my dog for my 21st birthday. I had grown up with Maltese Terriers and had spent my years and high school and univer sity trying to convince my mum to let me get a larger dog. She finally relented and let me get a Border Collie for my 21st birthday. Her name is Dani and she will be turning 14 years old at the end of the year.

What event past or present would you like to witness?

I would love to be able to experience megafauna in real life, I recently went to see the Triceratops: Fate of the Dinosaurs exhibition at the Melbourne Museum. I would highly rec ommend it!

Which three guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

James Cagney, an actor from the ‘30s and ‘40s.

My Grandma used to get his movies from the market on VHS tapes and give them to me. Louis Theroux, I love his interview style and he

would have some amazing stories to tell. My Mum, she always hated being left out of social situations and was the best person at making small talk I have ever met.

What are you currently listening to, watching or reading?

I love to read; I am currently reading Louis Theroux’s Gotta Get Theroux This. I have always been a fan of his documentaries and have many memories of sitting up well past my bedtime to watch Weird Weekends.

If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

Cooking is not my forte, I would never get the opportunity to compete because no one is letting me audition.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

I think many people overlook the beauty of Australia and choose to travel overseas. One place I have always wanted to go is Green Island off the coast of Queensland and explore The Great Barrier Reef.

What were you like as a kid?

I was a tom boy, very independent and have always loved animals. I convinced my mum to let me start riding horses at 8 years of age, a hobby that no one in my family had any interest in. I still have horses to this day.

What was your first job?

I worked front of house at my local KFC, which was ironic considering I have been a vegetarian since I was eight years old.

What are the three most used apps on your phone?

Spotify, regularly playing the hits of the 90s. Instagram, the only social media platform that I use. Outlook and Messenger, I am always working, even when I am not working.

What’s one question that you have always wanted answered?

What do we need to do to make animals shelters go out of business?

THREE … famous moustaches to emulate

1Ron Burgundy

Everyone’s favourite newsreader kept it fairly simple but what stood out about this was its neatness and the thickness. It was almost as though it was too perfect to be real. You stay classy, City of Casey.

Julius Pringle

2The man on the tube of the pringle can, the arc on the his facial salad that gives it depth. The upward inflection at the outer tips makes for an interesting pairing with the horizontal speed lines, however his designer decided against maintaining them once they went out of fashion in 2020.

3 Ram Singh Chauhan

From Rajasthan in Northern India, Ram Singh Chauhan held the Guinness World Record for longest moustache. The bushiness around his jaw makes it incredibly difficult to even identify a jawline, before four metres (two on each side) of growth really steals the show.

Lost Dogs’ Home Cranbourne Shelter manager, Allie Small with her Border Collie, Dani. 306195

Picture: SUPPLIED

$15 million centre opens

St Peter’s College welcomed a number of spe cial guests for the official opening of their new Performing Arts Centre at their Clyde North Campus on Thursday 27 October.

College principal Chris Black was joined by Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet and Maria Kirkwood, director of Catholic Education and chief executive, Dio cese of Sale, to bless the building.

The $15 million‘GEODE CENTRE’ is a stateof-the-art, 450-seat, Performing Arts Centre designed for not only College Performing Arts learning, assemblies and lectures, but also for the wider local community.

Funding was sourced from the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) through a loan of $9.5 million, the college contributed $1.5 million in cash reserves and the Victorian Government contributed $4 million in funding support

through the Catholic Capital (Victoria) Limited Program.

Ms Kirkwood said the joyful sounds of students singing praise on stage underlined the excitement and pride the school community has in showcasing this wonderful contemporary learning space.

“I am certain in the months and years ahead that this centre will be a place of lively and dynamic learning activity, involving many people sharing ideas and growing together,” Ms Kirkwood said.

“This blessing ceremony provides an opportunity for all of us to gather to give thanks and recognise the contributions of so many people in creating a centre of teaching excellence where young people can thrive.”

Mr Black explained the origins of the name of the building, telling the audience it was inspired by the school’s namesake.

“A Geode is a spherical rock structure which has a durable outer wall with the inner layers revealing the beauty of a cavernous core,” he said.

“In our context the rock is synonymous with our patron St Peter with the full beauty of the central space only to be realised in the performances which will be presented within this space.”

The Performing Arts Centre has been 12 years in the making.

The actual centre and accompanying facilities have been three years in the design phase and two and a half years in the construction, encompassing state-of-the-art sound and lighting.

The backstage and biobox facilities will provide outstanding technical excellence to support productions and events.

Mr Black said surrounding the theatre, both

downstairs and upstairs, are a suite of classroom spaces, change facilities, rehearsal spaces and green rooms, and that it is a centre both campuses can be proud of.

“The stage itself is a wonderful expanse to showcase the talents of our students,” Mr Black said.

“My thanks, in particular, are extended to Mr Phillip Mustey, business manager and Mr Adam Bonnici, our maintenance officer.”

The ‘GEODE CENTRE’ has been designed and built with not only the needs of St Peter’s College Performing Arts learning in mind, but also the needs of the local community.

The facility is available for hire, bringing a much-needed meeting/performance space to the communities of Clyde North, Cranbourne and surrounding suburbs. To make enquiries, please contact the college at officecln@stpeters.vic.edu.au

High rollers in the Hills

Melbourne’s South East continues to be a lottery winning hotspot with an Endeav our Hills syndicate winning a $1.6 million share in Saturday 29 October’s TattsLotto draw.

The group of 10 will each take home $160,956 each after they were one of 13 division one winning entries.

In addition to scoring the $1,538,461.54 division one prize, the group’s System 10 entry also scored division two 6 times, division three 18 times, division four 90 times, division five 60 times and division six 20 times, boosting the total win to $1,609,349.24.

However, lottery officials are encouraging players to check their tickets as some members of the winning group may have yet to discover their good fortune.

Shares into the winning syndicate were sold at Endeavour Lotto & News, Shop 53/54, Endeavour Hills Shopping Centre, Matthew Flinders Avenue and Heatherton Road, Endeavour Hills.

Endeavour Lotto & News owner Usharani Vinu said she was celebrating her outlet selling its third division one winning entry for 2022.

“Our customers will be super happy, especially as this is a syndicate we run for all

TattsLotto Superdraws,” she said.

“We last sold a division one winning entry in the September Superdraw. This is the 31st division one win for our shop and the third one for this year.

“Congratulations to all our syndicate winners. We feel so happy for you.”

The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said some syndicate members held unregistered entries and might have yet to discover their winning news.

“This Melbourne syndicate scored one of the three division one wins to land inVictoria from the weekend’s TattsLotto draw,” he said.

“While we’ll be reaching out to those syndicate members who registered their entries, there are many who have unregistered entries and may not yet know they’re part of this winning group.

“If you purchased a share in a syndicate for the weekend’s TattsLotto draw, today’s the day to check it! If you discover you’re holding a winning share, call The Lott on 131 868 to start the prize claim process!”

The winning numbers inTattsLotto draw 4307 on 29 October 2022 were 7, 9, 42, 6, 22 and 3, while the supplementary numbers were 16 and 13.

A syndicate from Endeavour Hills will split $1.6 million from Saturday 29 October’s TattsLotto draw.

Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet, director of Catholic Education and chief executive, Diocese of Sale, Maria Kirkwood, principal Chris Black and Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards at the opening of the new Performing Arts Centre.

Pictures: SUPPLIED 2023

college captain Jake Bennett with Bishop Greg Bennet.

OPINION

Don’t bin your textiles

The City of Casey is helping to declutter your home this National Recycling Week, 7-13 November, with a range of free events.

Under the theme ‘waste isn’t waste until it is wasted’, Casey will focus on unwanted textiles, which make up a significant portion of landfill and are a major contaminant in the municipality’s recycling processes.

Textiles such as clothes and shoes can’t be recycled as part of your fortnightly kerbside collection, but the council has partnered with recycling initiatives Tread Lightly and Upparrel for a free drop-off event to help Casey residents responsibly dispose of unwanted items.

On Saturday 12 November, residents can bag up used sneakers, clothing and sheets and drop them off at the Lynbrook Community Centre from 9am to 3pm.

Please note, items should be clean and dry – stains are no problem but mouldy or dirty items will not be accepted. Doonas and pillows are also unable to be accepted.

To find out more, check the list of acceptable items or to book your time slot check the Casey website.

Other local events happening during National Recycling Week include:

· Pet Rugs recycling workshop on 10 November.

· Memory Blanket workshop from 8-10 November.

· T-Shirt to tote bags workshop on 9 November.

· Basket weaving workshop on 9 November.

· Op Shop Bus tour on 11 November.

· Fabric Wreaths workshop on 12 November.

For more information or to make a booking for any of the Recycling Week events, please visit the Casey website. There will also be a free recycling fun day at Bunjil Place on Tuesday 8 November from 2pm to 6pm.

LENSCAPE

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

To the lady who drove me home from Coles on Richardson Grove last Thursday when I was unwell. A taxi arrived but drove off and this woman who I did not know could see that I was not well. My family are extremely grateful for your generous gesture.

Thumbs down

To the rain wreaking havoc on the T20 World Cup.

Thumbs down

To this eternal winter. Who made Elsa angry?!?!

Thumbs down

To potholes. One broken rim and $300 later...

Thumbs down

To the little swine that was going around stealing things from houses during trick or treat in the Narre South area.

Thumbs down

To City of Casey for going cheap on the Hardys Road intersection upgrade at Clyde Road and leaving 100m stretch of single lane between the two duplicated sections.

Thumbs up

To Kelly’s for selling poppies for the RSL even in the drive-thru.

Thumbs down

To drivers who don’t drive to conditions. Slow down in the heavy rain.

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

A Clyde man declared he was ready to re tire after winning $53 million in Thursday 27 October’s Powerball draw. Our Face book readers were quick to wish him well.

Sue Stride

So happy for him and his family

Mary-Anne Valla

Huge congratulations to him.

Robyn Disher

City of Casey is the lucky one.

Joan Smith

Should have kept the win a secret!!! So many people will be at the door trying to do a major scam!!!

Dogs need a home

With just eight weeks left to Christmas, The Lost Dogs’ Home has left a special message for Santa and his elves, asking for all its ‘long-term resident’ doggos to find a home.

The The Lost Dogs’ Home classifies any animal a ‘long-term resident’ that has been with them for more than 30 days.

“While we absolutely adore all of our beautiful furry friends, we are determined that they spend Christmas Day (and beyond) with a loving family having fun unwrapping presents and doing ‘zoomies’ to their heart’s content,’’ said The Lost Dogs’ Home spokesperson Suzana Talevski.

“We currently have about 50 dogs that meet the 30-day criteria that would make beautiful family members.”

The The Lost Dogs’ Home has reduced adoption fees for these animals ongoing to help boost their chances of finding a home.

“We understand the cost of living is having an impact not only on those with pets but

those considering adopting pets too,” Ms Talevski said.

“Although reduced adoption fees do make it easier to obtain a pet in the short term, we urge all those visiting our shelters to make sure they are well equipped to take care of pets for the long term too.”

According to new data from The Lost Dogs’ Home, 183 dogs and puppies (170 dogs and 13 puppies) have been surrendered since the start of August with the cost of living featuring strongly amongst the reasons pet owners were being compelled to give up their pets.

In comparison, 104 dogs and five puppies were surrendered in 2021, and 88 dogs and six puppies in 2020.

“Sadly, we have also seen more and more rabbits and ‘pocket pets’ being dumped on our doorsteps recently,” said Ms Talevski.

“And with kitten season just around the corner, it means our shelters are going feel the squeeze in a pretty big way.”

The Lost Dogs’ Home is reducing their fees for long term residents of the home.

Go you good things! Thing One and Thing Two at Cranbourne West Primary School’s book fair parade. 305720

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Fluffy new arrivals

A clutch of cute and fluffy Cygnus atratus (black swan) cygnets have hatched out of their shells in the Wylies Creek wetlands at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

Ollie Sherlock, conservation officer at the gardens, said staff were aware of a pair of black swans settling on the dam recently and building a nest deep in the reed beds.

“A previous attempt at nesting by a pair of swans ended unhappily several years ago when a rain event flooded their nest and led them to desert it,” Mr Sherlock said.

“So, we were absolutely thrilled when the

this time around.”

Black Swans are large waterbirds that not only pair for life but also share incubation and cygnet-rearing responsibilities.

Each mating season they produce one brood of cygnets.

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is a fantastic spot for bird watching with a range of different habitat types that support a diverse range of bird species.

Given this incredible diversity, dogs are not allowed on the site. Nesting birds can easily be scared from their nest and cygnets are also a

Also, ducks and other waterbirds only require nutrients from their own natural food source.

Feeding these birds can lead to health problems, dependency on humans for food and a failure to recognise predators.

So, for the safety of the wildlife, please enjoy a picnic or a snack at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne but please do not share it with the fuzzy, fluffy or feathered friends.

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne offers a free shuttle bus service from CranbourneTrain

New model

In the coming weeks there will be significant changes in the way The Salvation Army’s Emergency Relief Service will operate in Australia.

These changes will enable the Cranbourne Corps to begin working with the Salvos Personal Assistance Line from Monday 14 November.

To access the Salvo PAL line on, and after, 14 November, those needing assistance will need to ring 8873 5288 and speak to an assessor.

The assessor will determine eligibility and direct the caller to where and when they can collect a voucher and access other supports.

There are changes happening at the Cranbourne site so they can begin the new national Doorways model in November.

The current service will be phasing out ‘Bread & Veggies’ Drop In on Friday 28 October, with the Drop In Emergency Relief Food Parcels being phased out on Friday 4 November.

To enable the new model to operate efficiently, the Cranbourne Doorways will be closed for the week from Monday 7 November to Friday 11 November whilst remodelling work happens.

Michael Wright, Core Officer of Salvation Army Cranbourne Corps, and Volunteer Carol Cole.

Picture: MARCUS UHE

Adorable black swan cygnets at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Seat changes now in effect

By Eleanor Wilson

Boundary changes have officially come into effect for electorates across the South East ahead of the State election.

The electoral boundary changes officially changed onTuesday 1 November following the 2020-21 State redivision - a regular review of district and region boundaries conducted by the Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC).

The restructure meant several changes for electorates across the City of Casey.

Labor MP Luke Donnellan’s Narre Warren North electorate extended to include 706 voters from Lysterfield South (formerly part of the Rowville district) and 6005 voters from Endeavour Hills.

Meanwhile, Narre Warren South, currently held by ALP’s Gary Maas, surrendered 15,850 voters to the new Berwick District, but will ex pand to the south, picking up 17,458 constitu ents from Cranbourne North and Lynbrook.

The Berwick District is running as an electoral seat for the first time since it was removed in 2002.

In addition to Narre Warren South voters, the Berwick seat will also comprise of 10,399 voters from Clyde North and 20,515 voters from the former Gembrook District areas of Beaconsfield and Guys Hill as well as most of Beaconsfield Upper, Berwick and Harkaway.

The Cranbourne District will be more than 20,000 voters smaller at this election, with its northern boundary moving south to Thomp sons Road.

As a result, it will give up most of its Lyndhurst voters (4373 voters) to the Carrum Dis

trict, plus 17,458 voters from Cranbourne North and Lynbrook, which have gone to the seat of NarreWarren South.

The Bass District, currently held by ALP’s Jordan Crugnale, has shed over 30,000 voters from Pakenham and Clyde to the newly formed Berwick and Pakenham Districts.

It has gained 7590 voters from the Western Port coastal communities of Warneet, Blind Bight and Tooradin from Hastings District and also Nar Nar Goon, Tynong, Garfield and Bunyip from Narracan District.

The EBC – an independent statutory body supported by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) – conducted the redivision of electoral boundaries for both houses of Parliament to ensure that each vote inVictorian state elections has an equal value and that each elector is represented equally.

To vote in the 26 November State election, you will need to be correctly enrolled by 8pm on 8 November.

To enrol, check or update your details, head to vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment

Public transport and road disruptions near you

Train disruptions:

replace trains

to Westall

Road disruptions: Closed road Abbotts Road,

South

Nov to

Remington

A map outlines the new electoral boundaries for South-Eastern Metropolitan Melbourne.

Picture: VEC

Libs pledge hospital

By Shelby Brooks and Marcus Uhe

The Liberal Party’s plan to reform a Victorian health care system in“crisis” will include a sec ond campus of Casey Hospital, to be located in Pakenham.

A Liberals and Nationals Government will deliver $500 million for a new campus of Casey Hospital to service Melbourne’s South East, and take pressure off the Casey Berwick campus.

The campus will include an urgent care cen tre with a dedicated children’s treatment area, 150 beds, general and specialist surgery operat ing theatres, maternity services, specialist con sulting rooms and a 750-space car park for staff, patients and visitors, among other services, with funding to be sourced from the planned Box Hill to Cheltenham Suburban Rail Loop, set to be scrapped under a Coalition government.

Leader of the Liberal Party, Matt Guy, made the announcement in Pakenham on Tuesday 1 November, at the location of the proposed Pakenham Community Hospital on Main Street in Pakenham, promised in the lead up to the 2018 election.

“It’s the Paky campus of Casey Hospital,” Mr Guy said.

“So you’re not creating one resource here which is totally different from another up the road, you’ve got one resource with two campuses so they can disperse their services across the growth area.”

In June last year, the State Government identified 67-69 Main Street Pakenham as the preferred site for the Pakenham Community Hospital, stating it would provide a range of integrated community health and specialist services.

Mr Guy said Labor’s plan wasn’t adequate for the growing area, likening the proposed community hospital to a “GP clinic”.

“It’s not a real hospital, you can’t stay overnight,” he said.

“Our plan is fully funded, we’ve got that

money out of the suburban rail loop and we’re making sure it goes to health. We don’t need to borrow or increase taxes - the money is there.”

The Coalition also feels the old Pakenham Woolworths site is not appropriate for their project.

“This may not be suitable in size or location, but the site will still be within Pakenham and then we’ll work out what happens with this current site,” Liberal Candidate for Berwick, Brad Battin said.

The party will conduct extensive consultation with the communities of Casey and Cardinia as well as Monash Health to determine a suitable greenfield site, the opposition said.

The design of the first-stage hospital will allow for future expansion, including a full emergency department and significant new additional beds, to cater for expected population growth in the area.

Casey Hospital will receive a share of $236 million in funding to double the capacity of its emergency department as part of $2.3 billion to upgrade existing and build new hospitals

across the state, the Labor Party announced in May’s 2022-23 state budget.

Both Dandenong Hospital and Casey Hospital are operated by Monash Health, as will the proposed second campus of Casey.

Up to $295 million will be committed to upgrading Dandenong Hospital under a reelected Labor Government, Premier Daniel Andrews announced last week.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the Victorian Government was delivering the Pakenham Community Hospital so locals could get the care they needed close to home.

“Located at the old Woolworths site, the hospital will deliver services including day surgery, urgent care, dental, chronic disease management, specialist medical care and diagnostic services, taking pressure off nearby the Casey Hospital.”

Labor’s Pakenham Community Hospital was promised as part of a $675 million investment to build 10 community hospital in major growth areas.

$53.3m lotto win

A Clyde blue-collar worker struggled to hold back tears as lottery officials broke the news that he held a division one winning entry in Thursday 27 October’s Powerball draw.

The unassuming winner was having a quiet night at home when he received the life-changing call confirming his $53.3 million share of the $160 million Powerball jackpot.

“Oh my god, oh my god. I can’t believe this!” he cried while fighting back the tears.

“Holy sh*t! Holy sh*t!

“I never thought I’d get this phone call. This has changed my life!”

The man said he could not wait to break the news to his family.

“My grandson wanted a dog for Christmas and I was trying to organise it for him. He can have all the dogs in the world now!

“I’m done with work! I’m out of here, mate. Retirement is calling.

“This is absolutely mind-blowing.”

The Clyde man shared the jackpot with two other winners, from Western Australia and New South Wales, respectively. Each of the three division one winning entries in Powerball draw 1380 scored $53,333,333.34.

The hunt, however, is underway for the mystery New South Wales ticketholder. This winning entry was not registered to a player card, which means lottery officials have no way of reaching out to the newly-minted multi-millionaire.

Instead, they must wait for the ticketholder to check their ticket.

LYNDALE SECONDARY COLLEGE

At Lyndale Secondary College, we aim to have each student move towards a successful and meaningful future, irrespective of where or what that might be.

Congratulations to our 2021 College Dux, Visothpong Chhoam who received an outstanding ATAR score of 98 15 Some other amazing results achieved by our Class of 21 are:

• SUCCESSFULLY qualifying for the VCE: 99 5% of the enrolled students

• SUCCESSFULLY qualifying for the Senior VCAL: 100% of the enrolled students

• SUCESSFULLY progressing to positive postsecondary school destinations in University, TAFE, Apprenticeships, Employment: 99 5% of all Year 12 students

Building Program

This is an exciting time at Lyndale Secondary College as we are in the middle of a building program that will develop the facilities to support our students in their learning.

NOW ENROLLING FOR YEAR 7, 2023

For more information, we invite you to contact the School Office on 9795 2366.

Liberal Pakenham

candidate David Farrelly, opposition leader Matthew Guy, Berwick candidate Brad Battin and Bass candidate Aaron Brown in front of Labor’s proposed Pakenham Community Hospital site.

Picture: HUGH PEARSON

Kelly’s comeback complete

Kelly Fitzgerald will never forget the first day of summer in 2021.

That is, the parts that she can still recall.

After two years of computer-simulated workouts on a spin bike in her living room, the Garfield dairy farmer was seizing the opportu nity to get back on the roads and bask in the sunshine to battle legitimate terrain.

Ms Fitzgerald had joined the Casey-Cardinia Triathlon Squad in late 2019 but Covid-19 complications had meant there had been sel dom events to participate in since.

She felt as fit as she had ever been, and was sporting newly purchased apparel and hel met as she and a group of friends completed a regular 50-kilometre circuit around Cora Lynn, Bayles and back to Garfield, in preparation for her first half-ironman event early in 2022.

“It was a great day, it was really really good,” Ms Fitzgerald recalled.

“It wasn’t windy and it was quite nice to be outside.

“I felt really, really good on that day, absolutely amazing, and then it ended up being one of my worst days.”

As she left Garfield to embark on a second lap, she was involved in a traumatic collision with a car rendering her unconscious, break ing 20 bones, including a number of vertebrae, and a crushing her oesophagus.

As a result, she doesn’t have a recollection of the incident itself. In fact, the two weeks are somewhat of a blur.

Initially taken to Dandenong Hospital, she was then transferred to the Alfred, where two days after the collision, she was placed in an induced coma for six days and underwent two surgeries to her upper spine.

But she was lucky to even make it to Dandenong. Chilling data from her sports watch, which recorded her heart-rate during the ride, showed she was operating at an alarming five beats-per-minute in the immediate aftermath of the collision, during the critical 40-minute wait for the ambulance to arrive.

Her C1, T1, T2, T3 and T4 vertebrae were all broken. Surgeons pinned her T1 and T2 to gether, and did the same with T4 and T5, while T3 has a bone graft, and sealed her back with 35 staples post the operation.

“The three things that save your spinal cord are your sternum, your ribs and your back. I broke all of them.”

As she lay in a daze in her hospital bed, feeling isolated, vulnerable, exhausted and alone due to restrictions on hospital visits during the pandemic, she had no idea of the extent of her injuries.

The pain was immense, and she began setting herself little goals to stay focused: eat, walk, and get to the bathroom, which she was told would act as ticket to freedom.

It wasn’t until she was released shortly before Christmas that her new reality began to dawn on her. Living with a friend on a more suitable location for her recovery than her Gar field property, everything was a battle.

A mother to six and grandmother to nine, Ms Fitzgerald had dedicated so much of her time to running her kids around to their school, sporting commitments, social events, or helping with their homework.

Now it was her turn to be cared for.

“I’ve never really shown myself to be sick or unwell,” she said.

“Maybe it’s a Mum thing that you try to hide from everybody else, so I don’t think my family really knew what to do with me, and I found that a little bit confronting. I couldn’t do any thing; I couldn’t go to the bathroom, shower, whatever. I could barely move.”

Adding to the physical pain was the mental struggles.

Having to, literally, find her feet again, consultations with her doctor proved confronting as anything in her journey.

“I wasn’t (aware of the extent of my injuries) and I wasn’t until the day after I went home. I went to see my GP and I handed over my list of my injuries and she said, ‘Oh my god Kelly, you’re lucky to be alive, let alone talking.’

“I think I had a cry and then she had one too. And then the injuries hit me. I really had no idea until then, so that was a pretty trau matic day, emotionally.

“I think I was in shock, at how bad it really was. I had spoken to (triathlon coach) Charlie

in hospital and I wondered, ‘What did they all know?’ then I thought about Charlie at the accident scene.

“I started to think, what did happen? What was I like? What were others going through as well? Was I really that close to dying?”

Much of these questions will remain unanswered and the thoughts still linger in the back of her mind, nearly 12 months on.

Once she felt comfortable moving back home, her bike, which normally takes pride of place in her living room, had to be moved, out of sight and out of mind, as she considered whether she had spun the pedals for the very last time.

Where she had doubts, however, her coach, Charlie Pragnall, had ambitions.

“The pain was confined to just my back and my chest area and I was having trouble breathing. Charlie said ‘80 per cent of your body is pretty good, 20 per cent is not good, but not in 200 per cent pain’.

“So that puts it into perspective a little bit. That’s how I dealt with the pain.”

Ever the athlete, Charlie Pragnall, an international ironman competitor, began setting her targets.

It started with encouraging Ms Fitzgerald to wriggle her toes while she lay in her hospital bed.

Once she was cleared to exercise again, he had her walking and back in the pool, neck brace and all, swimming backstroke with a flotation device between her legs in the shallow children’s pool at Pakenham’s Cardinia Life, to the amazement of fellow swimmers and staff members, all of whom became invested in her recovery.

Her progress stunned not only the locals who saw her up close, but the professionals

who saw her at her worst when she was at the Alfred.

“I took myself off medication after three months. I was off medication, and when I went back to the Alfred they said that was incredible.

“They said, ‘What you’ve done in three months can take two years.’”

There were ups and downs along the way –even now she still deals with the nagging dayto-day aches, and there were some days that were simply too overwhelming.

On her first trip to the velodrome, for example, it took her over an hour and a half to actually get back on the bike.

“I teach my Grandkids to ride bikes and they’ve got training wheels, and I said that I need training wheels.

“Charlie held my bike up and I just peddled. If he let go, I would have fallen down. But he got me up and I did a lap of the velodrome finally, after tears and tears.”

Amazingly, just over four months to the day after the life-threatening collision, she completed the 14.8 kilometre Run for the Kids in April, finishing with immense satisfaction and a ‘runners high’ to beat all runners highs as she crossed the finish line in another step (roughly 14,800 of them) on the journey.

But she wasn’t satisfied. After all, there was still the matter of the half-ironman she initially trained for and never got to complete.

The location was Western Sydney, in early October. Ever her biggest supporter, Charlie Pragnall signed her up; another target.

After the 1.9 kilometre swim, the nerves really began to kick in. Initial early peddle anxieties aside, she had become reacquainted with the bike, but riding in a competitive event among thousands of others was a shift in gears.

“I was panicking.

“I hadn’t been on the bike outside, so being around people was a bit nerve-wracking.

“On the swim, I just watched the orange band on Charlie’s feet. And then he stayed with me on the bike and made sure I was okay, and then we ran together.

“We got to 18 kilometres on the run and I started to tire. He said to me ‘How much do you want it?’ and I said ‘I don’t want it anymore!’ But I did it, I got the extra three kilometres in and I was very proud of myself. And I made it all thanks to Charlie.”

An unfathomable turnaround, from thinking she could be wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life, through sheer determination and with the support of her team, she had finally completed that 1.9km swim, 70km bike ride and 21km run that would have seemed impossible at the beginning of the year.

She credits a unique approach to pain management, the belief instilled in her by Charlie Pragnall and her supporters, from the staff at Cardinia Life to fellow swimmers and everyone who wished her well along her journey.

“Even the ladies at Cardinia Life, just walking in and hearing, ‘Hi Kelly, how are you going?’ or they would say ‘we saw you do that today’ and it was just the little words all that just kept me going.

“They saw the progress and I think that helped.”

So what’s next?

“I would like to do a full ironman, that’s always on the cards.

“I think if I could do that, that would be pretty amazing. I’m doing a half-ironman Perth in December.

“Maybe next year.”

Kelly Fitzgerald proudly sporting her medal awarded for completing her first half-ironman in Sydney in October. 305818

Picture: MARCUS UHE

Ms Fitzgerald on her road to recovery. 305818 Pictures: SUPPLIED

Ms Fitzgerald the first time she got back on her bike, post the collision. It took her more than an hour and a half to even get on the bike, in what was a significant mental hurdle for her to clear. 305818

All booked out for parade

By Marcus Uhe

Cranbourne West Primary School resembled a real-life library on Friday 28 October as stu dents and staff dressed as their favourite char acters for the annual Book Fair Parade.

All staff members dressed as Where’s Wally, making him easier to find than he is in his books, while school principal Andrew Berg meier dressed asWizardWhitebeard.

Harry Potter remains an ever-popular character despite most of the students not being born when the last film was released, but Par ent & Community Liaison Debbie Dodd said the books remain staunchly popular in the school library.

For the school community, it was a welcome return to pre-covid times, as the event had been cancelled in the last two years due to the pandemic.

“The students were incredibly excited to dress up again, but even more excited to be able to invite their parents,” Ms Dodd said.

“They’re so proud when the parents can come and see what they’re doing.”

The parade coincided with the school’s annual book fair, where students are encour aged to explore books and develop wish lists of books they would like as presents.

Those deemed best dressed (two from each class) were able to choose a book of their choice as their prize.

Our very own Vicki Vale (AKA Star News photographer Stewart Chambers) attended on Friday morning to capture the action.

Teachers and staff dressed as Where’s Wally.

Kennedy and Willow (Cat in the Hat) with Mrs Sexton.

Paddy as Mr Bump.

Ben the Lego construction manager.Staff member

Xavier.Stella

from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with school principal Mr Bergmeier.

Mousellis joins Bass race

The Animal Justice Party has endorsed Elly Mousellis as its candidate for Bass in the No vember State Election.

Ms Mousellis of Wonthaggi is the first candidate the Animal Justice Party has run in the seat of Bass and joins the five other candidates to challenge incumbent Labor MP Jordan Crugnale.

“I’m honoured to be running in the seat of Bass and shift the conversation towards build ing a kind and fairer Victoria for animals, peo ple and our planet,” Ms Mousellis said.

“Veticare will not only ease the cost of living for so many struggling families, but also im prove the lives of many vulnerable companion animals suffering who do not have access to the care they deserve.

“I think people should vote for me if they’re looking for more kindness in their Parliament - that’s what we offer.”

Ms Mousellis is standing to be a strong voice for the native wildlife and natural envi ronment of the Bass district.

The 25-year-old said she supports an end to sand mining in the Westernport Woodlands and the preservation of the habitat for the ani mals that rely on it, fully supporting the aims of the Save Westernport Woodlands group.

At the state level, she plans to advocate to end the violence of recreational duck shooting and the use of 1080 poison on introduced spe cies.

As well as being a carer to her bunny Leona, cockatiel Petrie, a gecko and 27 fish, Ms Mou sellis works at a local pet supplies store where she works with families to provide the best care for their companion animals, battling misinformation and supporting them to find the right products for their animals.

She is a big supporter of the party’s “veticare” policy that seeks to provide subsidised veterinary care for those that need it, as well

as open public vet clinics including specialised wildlife hospitals to ease the cost of living pressures on families as well as relieve pressure on overworked vets and vet nurses.

She is also an advocate for human issues, including the need for a more functional and practical local public transport system and the

need to respond to our local domestic violence crisis, with a focus on the families and their companion animals who are suffering behind closed doors.

M Mousellis is standing to support Austin Cram, who is running for election in the upper house in this region for the Animal Justice Party.

The Animal Justice Party was founded in 2009 in response to the growing number of voters seeking better protections for animals in law.

In 2018 it elected its first MP, Andy Meddick, in Western Victoria.

How the bookies see the state election playing out

By Garry Howe

Being Melbourne Cup week and with the state election looming, it seems appropriate to have a look at how the bookies see the poll playing out.

Betting agency Sportsbet has Dan Andrews at almost unbackable odds to be returned asVictorian Premier - offering up 1.05 compared to Matt Guy at 10-1.

To the uninitiated, that means a return of five cents for every $1 invested in an ALP win and $10 for every $1 invested on the Coalition.

Locally, Brad Battin is a hot favourite to win the newly redistributed seat of Berwick at $1.35, with ALP candidate Malik Zaveer at odds of $3.10.

In the other new seat of Pakenham, the ALP’s Emma Vulin ($1.70) is marginally fa-

In Bass, the bookies have incumbent Jordan Crugnale at 4-1 to retain the seat, with the Coalition a hot favourite to win it back at the prohibitive odds of $1.40. That would mean a win to either Liberal candidate Aaron Brown or the Nationals’ Brett Tessari.

Wayne Farnham, replacing the retiring Gary Blackwood, is across the line in Narracan, according to the bookies, with odds of $1.01 offered, as opposed to 14-1 for the ALP.

Incumbent Narre Warren South ALP MP Gary Maas is also at odds of $1.01 to retain the seat, while over at Narre Warren North ALP candidate Belinda Wilson is at odds of $1.02 to replace the retiring Luke Donnel lan.

New mum Gabrielle Williams is at a similar $1.01 quote to retain Dandenong, while Labor is a hot $1.15 favourite to maintain Cranbourne.

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voured to take the seat over the Coalition’s David Farrelly ($2.10). Anyone liking the chances of Cardinia councillor Brett Owen

upsetting the applecart as an independent candidate can snap up the generous odds of 20-1.

Incumbent Jordan Crugnale is at generous odds of 4-1 to retain the seat of Bass, with the Coalition favoured to win it back at the skinny odds of $1.40 for every $1 invested.

Elly Mousellis with Upper House candidate Austin Cram at the Animal Justice Party campaign launch.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Multicultural Senior Citizens Groups

Are you a senior citizen from a Greek, Italian or Hungarian background? Would you like to meet, socialise and talk with other seniors from your background? Would you like to make new

· At the John Pandazopoulos Public Hall at 76 Power Road, Doveton, the Berwick and District Greek Club meets on Mondays from 10am. To find out more, call John on 0413 411 220.

· The Italian Corona Seniors Club meets at the same address on Tuesdays from 10am. For more information, call Francesca on 0411 295 792.

· The Hungarian Seniors Seniors Group meets at the same address, on Wednesdays from 10am. To find out more, call Julius on 9544 9094.

· These Seniors Groups and others at the hall will have been meeting in harmony together for the last 25 years next year.

Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club

· Line Dancing - Monday 9.30am - noon.

· New Vogue and Old Time Dance - Tuesday 1pm - 3.30pm and second Sunday of each month 1pm - 5pm.

· Carpet Bowls - Saturday and Wednesday 12.30pm - 3.30pm.

· Bingo - Thursdays 11am - 2pm.

· Community Day - First Friday of the month 11am - 2.30pm.

· Indoor Market - Friday 4 November. 10.30am - 2.30pm. Stallholder enquiries: 0466 623 210.

· Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club, 1 Codrington Street, Cranbourne. For more information, call 0432 107 590.

Spring Night Market at Akoonah Park

We are very excited to announce that we will be hosting a spring night market!

Come and enjoy a spring night with some de licious food and drinks and browse our huge range of amazing stalls.

Categories will include clothing, home decor, art, cosmetics, gifts, pet supplies, collectors items, books, and much more.

We look forward to a great night!

· Friday November 4 from 4pm – 9pm at Akoonah Park. 2 Cardinia St, Berwick.

The Chatty Cafe with Berwick Neighbourhood Centre

Are you feeling a bit lonely or socially isolated due to your circumstances? Don’t worry everyone has their down days, yet there is no need to be alone.

Please come and join our ‘Chatty Table’ which keeps communities connected and brings people together... everyone is invited! If you are on your own, a couple, with a friend, young or old, everyone is welcome to come and have a chat.

· Starting Wednesday 5 October. Time: 12.30pm–2pm. Venue: Multipurpose room Timbarra Community Centre, Timbarra Way, Berwick For more details, call 9704 1863 or email bnc12@westnet.com.au

Note: If you would like to be a Chatty Cafe volunteer, please also let us know.

Sunday Sessions at Your New Local

Join us for Sunday sessions each Sunday here at your new local - The Amstel Club, Cranbourne. Join us on our outdoor green beer garden, sip away on your favourites and listen to great acts week in and week out.

Best of all its free - get down to the club early to grab your spot!

A great way to end the weekend.

· Sundays from 2pm at The Amstel Club, 1000 Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Cranbourne.

Dark Thorn Live @ Night Rides Festival

Get your car mojo into gear and get down to the Night Ride Festival/Show in Berwick. We’re on at 6pm, so come and rock out and check out the beasts.

Plenty of food and drink stalls and it’s a great family event too.

Looking for a bargain?

Warneet-Blind Bight CFA’s Community Garage Sale is on again.

Maps with the garage sale addresses will be available for a gold coin donation at the entrance to Blind Bight or at theWarneetBlindBightFireStationon Rutherford Parade.

There will be a coffee van, egg and bacon rolls and a sausage sizzle from 8.30am to 2pm at the Blind Bight Community Centre car park and a sausage sizzle at the Warneet fire station.

· For enquiries or to book your own garage sale, contact Patricia on 0474 453 260.

Saturday 12 November from 8am. Blind Bight Community Centre: 39 Anchorage Drive, Blind Bight. 304002

Timbarra Over 50s Social Club Old Time/New Vogue Dancing

A beginner’s class for those wishing to learn Old Time/New Vogue dancing will start on Friday 20 January 2023 at 7:30pm in the Multipurpose Room of the Timbarra Community Centre, Timbarra Way, Berwick.

This would enable you to join our regular dance night held each Thursday evening in the Timbarra Community Hall.

· To enrol for the class or find out more, call Bruce on 0447 554 475.

U3A Casey Showcase 2022

Retirees come and see what U3A Casey is all about - displays, demos and performances!

Afternoon tea provided.

Where: Fiddler’s Green Retirement Village, 57 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick.

When: Sunday 20 November 2pm to 4pm.

· Enquiries: 0421 705 726.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Libs promise traffic lights

By Eleanor Wilson

A deadly stretch of highway in Berwick could become more safe for pedestrians, if the Liber als form government in the state election.

A Matt Guy Liberals Government has announced it would commit $2 million towards upgrading pedestrian safety with traffic lights across the Princes Highway near the entrance to Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.

The busy intersection has been the site of several accidents and near misses in the past and in 2017 claimed the life of former Casey Mayor and Councillor Mick Morland.

Mr Morland was crossing the busy highway on an evening walk when he was struck and killed by a passing car.

His wife Kay Morland said she felt “absolute joy” when she heard of the traffic light com mitment.

“It’s been five and a half years. The kids will be very happy and the family will appreciate that no one else is going to have to live with what we did,” she said.

Member for Gembrook and Liberal candidate for Berwick, Brad Battin, said roads in the outer south-eastern suburbs had been ne glected by the State Government.

“There have been too many accidents and close calls coming into Wilson Botanic Park but Labor still hasn’t responded to ongoing safety issues in the Berwick community.

“Local road users and pedestrians will no longer have to take unnecessary risks thanks to this vital upgrade under a Matt Guy Liberals and Nationals Government.”

Local resident Shaun Grewal, who has spent the last few months advocating for a set of traffic lights at the site, said the pledge will “create a safe life for us”.

“I moved here about a year ago and I saw people risking their lives to cross this road, es pecially during Covid with more people using the park,” Mr Grewal said.

“You’ll see a massive increase in people walking to the park with kids, elderly people, dog walkers.

“It’s gonna open up the space for many other local events. I spoke to elderly people here who said they want to go to the park with their grandchildren but they don’t because [the crossing] is not safe. So this is important.”

Through his advocacy, Mr Grewal garnered

Peter Rabbit

300 signatures from the local community in support of the construction of a set of traffic lights.

The intersection, near Coniston Avenue, contains a bus stop on both sides of the Princes Highway, a main arterial which sees thousands of motorists travelling at speeds of 80km/h every day.

The nearest pedestrian crossings from Wil-

son Botanic Park are roughly 700 metres in either direction.

“People would ask why do we need another traffic light here when you have one up there and you have one up there?,” Mrs Morland said.

“I go, well I lost my husband because there was no traffic light here. I would do anything to save anyone else’s family going through what we went through. It’s a no brainer.”

LocalresidentShaunGrewal,KayMorlandandLiberalcandidateforBerwickBradBattin. 305276

Picture:STEWARTCHAMBERS

Spotlight on a local CEO

value in relationships. I demonstrate this in a number of my podcasts.

What has been your greatest challenge in the business?

Being able to find what works in the growth of myself and my business and apply it consistently. It has only been in the last five years or so that I have been able to really make this work.

Continuing our focus on successful CEOs, this week I interviewed Robb Evans, who runs Stu dioz Personal Training (studiozpt.com.au), a health and fitness company based in Paken ham.

Robb has worked with hundreds of business leaders and is well respected locally, na tionally and overseas for his knowledge, skills and unrelenting focus on assisting others in their pursuit of health, wellbeing and fitness.

If you feel in need of developing your health and wellbeing, it is well worth getting in touch with Robb.

Why was the business started in the first place?

I started out as a Chartered Accountant but moved into health and fitness as I felt I could make a greater contribution to humanity in this space rather than through numbers.

I worked in this domain for 19 years before I eventually set up my own business which has now been running for 13 years.

What does the business specialise in?

Optimising people’s health. This can include: improving the body physically, enhancing self-image, enhancing health, increasing func tional strength, improving fitness, educating people about sustainable and healthy nutri tion, and enabling greater confidence.

In short, I am looking to optimise health in a sustainable way through simple things that can be done each day.

What are you most proud of?

Creating my business from scratch and now

being in control of its success. I have been able to help hundreds of people lose thousands of kilos and achieve a long-lasting impact on making people feel better, be healthier and

create life-sustainable habits.

What is the secret for success?

Mental toughness, an incredible work ethic, consistency and the ability to continue to add

How did you overcome it?

I have tried doing things differently to see what worked and apply the ‘secret of success’ items above to enable tailored programs and onestop solutions. However, probably the greatest benefit came from engaging a business coach. What advice would you give to a new business owner just starting out?

Engage a Business Coach. Expect to fail (and fast). Build a great team around you and make sure you stay passionate about what you do. Spend time developing relationships and adding value daily. Create raving fan customers by effectively solving their problems.

Who inspires you and why?

My own Business Coach (JT Foxx) along with anyone that has managed to achieve high levels of success ethically in their respective field which may include sports, science, business and other areas.

How do you see business changing over the coming years?

In order to stand out you need to provide a ‘wow’ experience through great customer service. It’s very easy to get lost in the (technical) system side of things.

What are your interests and hobbies?

Taking care of my health, working out, time with my kids, eating properly, myotherapy, gardening and self-improvement.

Ian Ash is the managing director of OrgMent Business Solutions.

Robb Evans is the CEO of Studioz Personal Training in Pakenham.

Picture: SUPPLIED

LOCAL NEWS EVERY WEEK

• Botanic Ridge Coles Botanic Ridge Village - 10 Hummingbird Drive

• Cannons Creek Five Ways General Store 2040 South Gippsland Hwy

• Clyde Coles Express Service Station Corner Grices Road and Cranbourne-Berwick Road

• Clyde Clyde Village Store 18 Railway Road (Cnr of Oroya Grove)

• Clyde North Selandra Rise Retirement Village 5 Harmony Chase

• Clyde North Selandra Community Hub 7-9 Selandra Boulevard

• Clyde North Selandra Rise Shopping Centre Selandra Boulevard & Linsell Boulevard

• Clyde North Lifestyle Berwick Waters 10 Skylark Boulevard

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Library 65 BerwickCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Basketball and Sports Centre 65 Berwick - Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Life Be In It 65 Berwick - Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Coles Express 1120 Cnr Sladen Street & Cemetery Roads

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club 1 Codrington Street

• Cranbourne BP Service Station 1025-1045 Frankston Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Bowls Club 5 Grant Street

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Newsagency 105 High Street

• Cranbourne Coles Cranbourne High Street (Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre)

• Cranbourne United Service Station 183/187 Sladen Street

• Cranbourne Cranbourne RSL 1475 South Gippsland Highway

• Cranbourne City of Casey Shop 156 South Gippsland Highway (Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre)

• Cranbourne Coles Springhill Springhill Drive (Springhill Shopping Centre)

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Community House 49-51 Valepark Crescent

• Cranbourne East Balla Ball Community Centre 65 BerwickCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne East Shopping On Clyde 280 Berwick-Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne East Blue Hills Rise 200-240 BerwickCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne East Hunt Club Shopping Centre 1 Linsell Boulevard

• Cranbourne North The Avenue Shopping Centre Cnr William Thwaites Boulevard & Thompsons Road

• Cranbourne North Merinda Park Learning & Community Centre 141-147 Endeavour drive

• Cranbourne North Apco Cranbourne North 315 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne North BP North Cranbourne 399 Narre WarrenCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne North Woolworths Cranbourne North South Gippsland Hwy & Thompsons Road

• Cranbourne North Thompson Parkway Newsagency South Gippsland Hwy & Thompsons Road

• Cranbourne North IGA Supermarket - Eve Estate Shop 1/2-10 William Thwaites Boulevard

• Cranbourne West Apco Service Station 810 DandenongHastings Road

• Cranbourne West Coles Cranbourne West Duff Street (Sandhurst Centre)

• Cranbourne West Green Plaza News and Lotto Duff Street (Sandhurst Centre)

• Cranbourne West IGA Clarinda Park 85 Everlasting Boulevard

• Cranbourne West BP Service Station 910 Thompsons Road

• Hampton Park Shopping Centre 55 Hallam Road Hampton Park

• Lynbrook Lynbrook Community Centre 2 Lynbrook Boulevard & Harris Street

• Lynbrook Lynbrook Newsagency 75 Lynbrook Boulevard (Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre)

• Lyndhurst Liberty 210 Dandenong Hastings Road

• Lyndhurst Caltex 945 Thompsons Road & Lyndhurst Boulevard

• Lyndhurst Marriot Waters Shopping Centre Thompsons Road & Marriott Boulevard

• Lyndhurst Subway Restaurant Shop 10-18 Thompsons Road & Marriott Boulevard (Marriot Waters Shopping Centre)

• Lyndhurst Woolworths Supermarket Thompsons Road & Marriott Boulevard (Marriot Waters Shopping Centre)

• Narre Warren South Ritchies Amberly Park 245 Ormond Road (Amberly Park Shopping Centre)

• Narre Warren South Coles 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road (Casey Central Shopping Centre)

• Narre Warren South Casey News and Lotto Shop 156, 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road (Casey Central Shopping Centre)

• Skye BP Service Station Western Port Highway & Hall Road

Public Notice

NOTICE OF AN

FOR A

DISCRIMINATION IN ADVERTISING IS UNLAWFUL

Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

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Cup dreams now a reality

By David Nagel

Cranbourne trainers Ciaron Maher and Da vid Eustace are the toast of the racing world after their French-import Gold Trip produced a magnificent performance to win Tuesday’s Group-1 $8million Melbourne Cup (3200m).

It was Maher and Eustace’s first win in the race that stops the nation, and the first time a horse trained at Cranbourne had been suc cessful in the famous Flemington two-miler.

Remarkably, four of the top seven horses in this year’s Melbourne Cup were trained in the south-east region, with Maher-Eustace also preparing High Emocean (third) and Smokin’ Romans (seventh), while Pakenham-trainer Phillip Stokes had his Adelaide Cup winner, Daqiansweet Junior, slot into sixth place.

Gold Trip came to Australia last year, specifically to run in the 2021 cup, but failed to gain a start.

Jockey Mark Zahra also has a hard-luck story to tell from last year, surrendering the ride on eventual winner Verry Elleegant after earn ing a suspension.

But both horse and jockey this time gained redemption in the biggest race on the Austra lian racing calendar.

Jumping from barrier 13, Zahra was caught wide with cover throughout, settling well back in the field before patiently waiting in the straight.

He pounced to the lead at the 300 and held off the fast-finishing runner-up Emissary, with High Emocean storming home into third place.

Race favourite Deauville Legend finished fourth.

Maher was emotional and still trying to take things in after the race, and typically praised his staff for their efforts.

“No not really, no, I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet, but it’s phenomenal,” he said.

“Everyone has had a lot to do with this horse.

“John Bunting, he’s a great mate of mine, he’s had this horse in very good order all the way along…great mate, great bloke, and very good at what he does, we’re fortunate.

“It’s just huge, Dave (Eustace) and I are lucky enough to stand here, but God, most of our staff are here today, friends and family, it’s just fantastic.”

Maher had dreamed as a youngster of winning Australia’s great race.

“I said to dad when I was about 12 that we’re going to go to New Zealand – he had the idea too – that we would go to New Zealand and buy a New Zealand horse to win the cup,” Ma her said.

“There’s been a few hurdles, but it’s great to have everyone here and it’s such a special mo ment, great clients, great friends, family, and all the team, they’ve all done a fantastic job.”

While Maher hails from a dairy farm around

Warrnambool, his now partner Eustace made his way to Australia after building a solid background in England.

His dad was a trainer, and his brother trains now, and he once shared a house at Newmarket with James Ferguson and Ed Crisford, who both trained horses in Tuesday’s great race.

“For me it’s just a great honour to be working with these horses and working for Ciaron, it’s not lost on me what a privilege it is,” Eustace said, visibly shaking after the win.

“Most of the staff are here and it’s an amazing team effort…it’s pretty surreal at the moment.”

Eustace said that despite Gold Trip having never run over two-miles, and being outgunned late in the 2400-metre Caulfield Cup, the team was confident he would get the journey.

“We were confident he would get it; he didn’t get a shot last year and I suppose it’s sort of redemption for the horse as much as anything,” he said.

“He wasn’t able to do it last year and he’s shown now that he’s a top-liner.

“We were very, very worried that last 100, when Emissary was coming, I thought it’s going to be a repeat of the Caulfield Cup.

“But the horse really dug in and Mark gave him the most beautiful ride, he waited and waited and waited and the horse kicked at the right time and thank God he did.

“I can’t believe it, I’m a little overcome, it’s a dream.

“It’s the pinnacle of our sport and to do it with Ciaron, it’s a great honour to be doing that with these good horses and an amazing team of staff that we have.

“It’s full credit to them, to get five (horses) here, this horse was so unlucky in the Caulfield Cup, we were so gutted when he got beat, and I thought he was going to get beat today again.

“It’s quite incredible.”

Zahra was also in dreamland, feeling the complete opposite to what he did 12 months earlier.

“This time last year I was watching Verry Elleegant win and getting told off for drinking too much, because it hurt,” he said.

“It hasn’t slipped my mind; I think about it all the time that I could have ridden her.

“But to come a full year and have redemption on a horse like this, with good mates of mine, they train the horse, own the horse, my wife’s here, it’s just an unbelievable feeling.”

The winning hoop said the horse overcame some of his traits to respond in the style of a champion.

“He’s the sort of horse, you can kid to him a bit, but when you go, you have to go, because he can think about it, so I went, and I was thinking, we’ve still got a bit to go here,” he said.

“Early, I was thinking I was a little too far

back, and I didn’t want to push early because I thought he might die late.

“I was just in a three-wide lane that kept improving, improving, I counted to 10 a couple of times when a few came around me.

“I got to the top of the straight and I was thinking ‘it’s time to go now’…and he really let rip when I asked him.

“It was a great training effort, I was very doubtful he would run 3200, but Ciaron, Dave and the team have just had him spot on today…it’s unbelievable.

“They’re the best trainers of stayers, that’s one thing that I had confidence in, that they trained the horse, because I was actually quite vocal that I didn’t think he would get the trip.

“The last 50 just went forever, I still can’t believe it, the Melbourne Cup, it’s unbelievable.”

Cranbourne Pacing Cup elevated to elite Group-1 status

By Michael Floyd

Cranbourne Harness Racing Club will host a group-1 double header on Saturday 17 December after both its Pacing and Trotting Cups received a significant prizemoney increase.

TheDECRONCranbournePacingCupwas last run at group-1 level in 2016 and returns to the sport’s top-tier after its prize money was increased from $75,000 to $100,000.

The Trotting Cup will also be run at group-1 level for the first time after its prize money was doubled from $25,000 to $50,000.

DECRON Cranbourne Pacing Cup night will be run at full city stakes making the night one of the richest harness racing meetings run outside of the sport’s metropolitan track, TABCORP Park Melton.

Cranbourne Harness Racing Club President David Scott said that he and his committee are excited to bring elite harness racing to Cranbourne.

“Elevating both cups to group-1 status is a tremendous milestone for the club,” said Scott.

“The prestige associated with group-1 racing, as well as the exceptional prize money on offer in both Cups and across the entire card, will ensure an exciting night of unforgettable racing.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming a big crowd to the track as we showcase our club and community to the nation.”

Run over 2550 metres, the DECRON Pacing Cup has been won by some of the country’s greatest pacers including Tailamade Lombo, Im Themightyquinn and Mr Feelgood, and with the 2022 edition to be run the week following the Inter Dominion, is well positioned to attract some of the best standardbreds in the country.

The 2022 DECRON Cranbourne Cup will be run on Saturday 17 December.

Contact the club on 5996 1300 for dining and hospitality packages.

James Herbertson gives the winning salute aboard Supreme Dominator in the 2021 Cranbourne Pacing Cup. The 2022 edition has been elevated to group-1 status.

Picture: STUART

Dreams do come true, from left, a life-changing moment for David Eustace, Mark Zahra and Ciaron Maher. 306290

Picture: SCOTT BARBOUR/RACING PHOTOS

Redemption complete. Mark Zahra drives Cranbourne-trained Gold Trip to a memorable victory in the 2022 Melbourne Cup. 306290

Picture: GEORGE SAL/RACING PHOTOS

Ashley’s century on debut

By Tyler Lewis

Amidst the hysteria of his maiden first class century on debut, Ashley Chandrasinghe hasn’t forgotten his roots.

The Casey South Melbourne star made a grand entrance to the Sheffield Shield stage, when he accumulated an unbeaten 119 from a whopping 333 deliveries across Saturday and Sunday.

And despite swiftly becoming a name on Australian cricket fans’ lips, the Buckley Ridges junior commended those who steered him to where he is now.

“I owe them (Casey South Melbourne) pretty much everything, I started from their fourth grade and worked my way up,” he said at the close of play on day 2.

“I started there when I was quite young… then grew up at Casey South Melbourne.

“It’s a great credit to the boys and the coaches there.”

The meticulous left-hander bashed the selection door down with an enchanting run of form in theToyota Second XI forVictoria, while also gathering further runs for the Swans.

He didn’t follow in the footsteps of the pathway products around him, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I mean I obviously haven’t had the junior pathways and the championships that some of the other players have had,” he admitted.

“It was good to find another way to get through and come up the ranks, made the de but now and I am pretty happy how I came in.

“I didn’t make as much of an impact (in pathway tournaments) that I would’ve liked, but I obviously had a pretty nice (Victorian) Premier Cricket run and Second XI run that has helped me get in.”

The 20-year-old walked out to bat at number three on day one, after Tasmania won the toss and sent Victoria in.

He tucked one off his hip behind square to get off the mark, but then felt the immediate challenges of cricket at the second-highest level.

“To make the debut and to get a few runs (it’s a) great start,” he said.

“I couldn’t really have asked for anything more, it was a really good day.

“It was good to get away first ball and put away a few nerves, but it was pretty tough go ing to get my next run – they bowled pretty well

to me I thought.

“I was lucky enough to stick at it and a few things went my way, it was good.”

Chandrasinghe made hisVic Premeir Cricket debut for the Casey South Melbourne fourth XI just six summers ago.

And while it appears to be a swift rise, the scrupulous Chandrasinghe explained that a power of work has resulted in that development.

“I suppose so, but there’s a lot that goes into

those six years,” he revealed.

Former Australian Test quick Peter Siddle –who grew up in a similar neck of the woods to Chandrasinghe and bowled to him on debut –praised his knock, admitting his patience was refreshing compared to other youngsters who make their way through to domestic cricket.

“Yeah it was a lovely innings,” he said.

“It was good to see him go about it, he obviously takes his time and is very patient, which is a great thing to have from one of your young

Keats too classy in Peninsula Cup win

By Michael Floyd

Cranbourne trainer Gavin Bedggood has plenty of options for bargain-buy Keats after winning the $100,000 Peninsula Cup at Mornington on Sunday.

Purchased for just $25,000 in an online sale earlier this year, Keats was driven forward by Craig Newitt from barrier two and from there dictated terms.

Quickening at the 600m mark, Keats quickly put a margin on his rivals before cruising to a three-length victory.

“He’s had five runs for us and that was his third win and a second and a fourth in town so he’s been a model of consistency,” said Bedggood.

“They didn’t pay a lot of money for him – $25,000 – and I think that took his earnings to about $130,000 since he arrived so he doesn’t owe anybody anything.”

Bedggood originally had the Kyneton Cup over 2000m in mind for Keats, however with recent weather creating uncertainty over the status of the meeting – it was subsequently moved to Bendigo and run over 2200m – the timing of the Peninsula Cup proved ideal. “I don’t think he runs a step past 2000m, so between a mile and 2000m is pretty good for him.

“He just needs to find races with not a lot of pressure and where he can dictate things and control the races.

“It was good that it paid off.”

The Peninsula Cup is a ballot exemption race for the upcoming $500,000 Cranbourne

Cup, however Bedggood suggested the $200,000 Kilmore Cup may be the preferred option.

Bedggood did confirm that stablemate No Effort is on target for another tilt at his hometown cup.

No Effort ran fifth in 2021 – beaten just 1.6 lengths by King Magnus – however Bedggood is taking a different approach to the cup this year.

After winning the Heatherlie at Caulfield

in 2021, No Effort had two more starts before the Cranbourne Cup which Bedggood conceded saw her at the end of her preparation.

This time around, the Cranbourne Cup is the goal.

“She’s great – she had a freshen up after the Heatherlie and the plan is to get ready for the Cranbourne Cup and she’s right on target.”

The Ladbrokes Cranbourne Cup will be run on Saturday 12 November.

guys coming in.

“I think a lot of younger guys coming in want to impress and score, you know, get the runs quickly.

“But I think the way he stuck in and did a job, it was a great way to start his career.”

Chandrasinghe has announced himself in recent debuts: carving out 144 for Casey South Melbourne on First XI debut; 56 forVictoria on debut for the Second XI and now 119 not out on Sheffield Shield debut.

It ends at 2-2

A goal to Wellington Phoenix at the end of regular time denied Melbourne City the three points on Sunday evening.

Golden-boot leader Jamie Maclaren led the side at Aami Park and put the first goal on the board via a penalty after the Phoenix had a look inside their box early.

Receiving a cross from Australian representative Matthew Leckie, Marco Tilio then put City’s second into the back of the net at the 34th minute which saw the hosts go into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Despite having more possession and several opportunities, including one that was ruled offside, the visitors did not get on the board until the 79th minute via a clean strike from outside the box to Sam Sutton.

City was unable to hold out Phoenix late, with some fancy Kosta Barbarouses footwork seeing the game end in a draw.

Rubbing salt into the wound for City, Thomas Lam was red-carded in stoppage time.

City remain in top spot on the table ahead of their clash with Perth next week.

Craig Newitt drives the Gavin Bedggood-trained Keats to a dominant victory in Sunday’s Peninsula Cup at Mornington. 306005

Picture: SCOTT BARBOUR/RACING PHOTOS

Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio scores his team’s second against Wellington Phoenix on Sunday.

Picture: AAP

The moment Chandrasinghe celebrated a Sheffield Shield century on debut.

Pictures: CRICKET VICTORIA

Chandrasighe received Victorian cap number 870 from coach and fellow top order lefty Chris Rogers.

A moment to savour for the young star.

Cranbourne sits at the top

CRANBOURNE BOWLS

It was a case of all 18 points going to Cran bourne’s number-one side against Narre War ren in what seemed like winter wet conditions at home.

This has now put Cranbourne clearly on top of the ladder.

Not to be outdone the second side had a great win playing away against Mentone, while a win to the fourth and sixth sides finished off a pretty good day for the club.

WEEKEND PENNANT - ROUND 3

Side 1 Division 2 Sec 8

Cranbourne was in for a tough day against a strong Narre Warren side and when the rain came down, which temporarily stopped play the scoreboard had both teams tied.

However, when the game resumed Cranbourne moved ahead late in the game and ended up victors by a comfortable 20 shots in the end.

After the game, Coach Lyn Quigg commented on the result.

“We still have a long way to go with consistency and although it was a great victory today we need to get this right.”

The big winner of the day was the team of Garry Hunt, Peter Elgar, Doug Boggie and skip Lynn Quigg who won by 10 shots.

Skip Shane Jakins made some great conversions during the day in an excellent perfor mance of first grade bowls once again.

Cranbourne 95 (18 points) defeated Narre Warren 75 (0 points)

Side 2 Division 3 Sec 8

A 36-shot win was the result of some great bowls played and none better than the team of Skip Nick Arnold and his team of Bob Pyne, Roger Roscoe and Brian Gay who won by 21 shots. Nick went on to say, “Yeah, I was really impressed with my side today, they all played very well and especially Roger Roscoe who was outstanding.”

Skip Steve Hickson carried on the great form from last week and played an outstand ing game.

Cranbourne 97 (16 points) defeated Mentone 61 (2 points)

Side 3 Division 4 Sec 8

Oh so close, but in the end Cranbourne lost to Upwey-Tecoma by a mere four shots.

Skip John Kent and his team of Roger Townley, Yvonne Van Der Wees and club legend and life member, HansWorstelling won by 11 shots and could almost taste overall victory, but that was not to be.

Cranbourne 68 (4 points) lost to UpweyTecoma 72 (14 points)

Side 4 Division 7 Sec 8

Sweet victory again with two great wins by 11 shots each to the skips and teams of Harry Van Soest and Allen Skurrie.

A very nice victory by 24 shots playing away at Edithvale.

Cranbourne 94 (16 points) defeated Edithvale 70 (2 points)

Side 5 Division 8 Sec 7 (12 a side)

How does he keep doing it? Club Legend and life member Stan Burnett and his team of Jeanne Tomlin, Steve Bakker, and Bruce Harper won by seven shots which makes it three wins out of three for Stan. Well done Sir.

Cranbourne 53 (2 points) lost to Dandenong Club 67 (14 points)

Side 6 Division 8 Sec 6 (12 a side)

This game was a close one, but Cranbourne managed to get up by three shots against Highett.

It will be quiet in Highett tonight we heard one player say.

Skip David McMaster and his team of Jackie Warner, Mick Feeley and Sarah Richardson won by nine shots and they were definitely not

quiet about the win.

Cranbourne 55(12 points) defeated Highett 52 (4 points)

MID-WEEK PENNANT

Side 1 Division 2 Sec 6

A fantastic win away against Moorabbin was an excellent result but it was on a tough day for the remaining Cranbourne Bowling teams today, despite giving every effort, a number of our teams were just outplayed and outclassed by our opponents.

Cranbourne 1 (55) defeated Moorabbin 1 (53) - 12 points

The team of Gwen Scott, Allen Skurrie, Lois Brock and Marijan Bobetic we’re our star team, winning their game by 13 shots to help Cranbourne 1 win overall by two shots which was a fantastic result against quality opposition. Cranbourne 2 (27) lost to Pakenham 1 (94)0 points.

The scores do not tell the full story here, because our three teams did battle against a very talented and highly rated Pakenham 1 side. Two teams had heavy losses, but the team of Lyn Whalley, Scott De Piazza, John Stanley and Tony Whalley had a great battle with their

opponents before going down by a creditable eight shots.

Cranbourne 3 (38) lost to Hampton Park 1 (68) - 0 points.

On the slick Hampton Park synthetic, the team of Tom De Pradines, David McMaster, Steve Bakker and Chris Deal were our best performed team for Cranbourne and only went down by six shots.

Cranbourne 4 (60) lost to Narre Warren 4 (63) - 2 points.

This side has a number of new bowlers and they are in the process of learning the game and everything that goes with it. However, the team of Leonie Sadikay, Helen Blake, Ron Fenton and Yvonne Van Der Wees had a day out winning their rink by 14 shots and helping the side’s efforts in only going down by three shots.

The Midweek Selection Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful emergencies who have helped out when we are short of players or if we have players who become unavailable suddenly and have answered our calls for help.

We are greatly appreciative.

- Garry Hunt and Derek Maguire

Paddy Ryder chases elusive premiership with Panthers

By Tyler Lewis

The ex-AFL 281-gamer means business, chasing that slippery piece of silverware Devon Meadows – and he – desperately yearn for.

Ryder, 34, has signed on at the Panthers and desires to remain in full fitness as he attempts to play each and every game of the MPNFL Division Two season.

“Paddy will play ruck and forward, he’s still fit as a fiddle – he definitely could’ve played another year of AFL footy there’s no doubt about that,” Devon Meadows coach Ryan Hendy said.

“He had been in the system for 17 years and the toll of AFL footy, he just wanted to finish off, so we’re getting him in really good nick.

“He’s going to be able to cover the ground no dramas, he’s still in the gym, still running, I caught up with him Wednesday night and he’s as fit as he was last year.

“It’s not going to one of those ones where we just get him and play him at full forward because he’s at the end of his career, he’s still going to have a massive impact wherever he plays.

“At this stage, we will look to play him in the ruck and forward, we’re pretty lucky

in that department.”

While it may appear a signing as lucrative as Ryder’s would take a mountain of work, Hendy revealed the process was quite the contrary.

“There wasn’t too many hurdles to get over to be honest,” he explained.

“I’ve got to know Paddy through Josh (Battle) over the last couple of years and I have

got a really good relationship with him.

“Icaughtupwithhimafewtimesthroughout the year and just mentioned to him if you decide to retire from AFL football, we would be more than welcoming to have him at the club.

“Once he retired last year… I was talking to him and the money side of things doesn’t concern him, he just wanted to play with

blokes he knows and feel comfortable with.

“He’s had sh*tloads of offers from other clubs, but at the end of the day it wasn’t about that, it was about him wanting to enjoy the next couple of years of his journey.

“He knew Devon Meadows had never won a flag and he really wants to win a flag, he wanted to be a part of it.”

After securing their first finals appearance in 21 years in 2022, Hendy’s Panthers are eager to hang a flag at Glover Reserve, admitting the club has reached a point of impatience.

“It is definitely on our radar that we want to get one sooner rather than later,” he said.

“We understand that just because we’ve got these big names in that it’s not just going to happen, everyone needs to buy in.

“We’re really work hard on our under-19’s system at the moment, we look like having a wave of young kids coming through next year.

“Getting Paddy and Dean Kent and these kind of blokes is only going to help that advance quicker as well.

“We are inpatient, I must admit, but anyone would be if you haven’t won a senior flag… the boys got a taste of finals footy last year, so hopefully that taste spurs them on to go bigger next year.”

The Panthers have signed up to 10 recruits for the upcoming 2023 season.

It’s far from a hit and giggle for Paddy Ryder when he suits up for Devon Meadows next season.

Picture:

Skip Shane Jakins made some great conversions for Cranbourne Side 1 on Saturday. Cranbourne defeated Narre Warren by 20 shots overall. 305952

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Winning Skip George Ljepojevic contemplates his next move for Cranbourne.

Matt ‘SOS’ Stevens played a key role in Cranbourne’s big win over Narre Warren.