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Ambo honoured By Eleanor Wilson A Pearcedale paramedic is one of just eight Ambulance Victoria employees recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours. Carmel Rogers, who manages a team of paramedics on the Mornington Peninsula, was announced as a recipient of the Ambulance Service Medal (ASM)for two decades dedicated to the job. Mrs Rogers was acknowledged for her work to increase education and services for cardiac arrest patients in isolated areas of the Peninsula. This work has seen her lead community engagement CPR training sessions for the community and working with stakeholders for a donation of over 24 additional Automatic Extendable Defibrillators (AEDs) for the district. “Some areas in the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula are really isolated, so to try to improve survival rates for of out of hospital cardiac arrest, we’ve tried to improve people’s CPR skills,” she said. Mrs Rogers and her team engage with businesses and organisations in isolated areas of the Peninsula, such as Red Hill and Balnarring, to establish the Call-Push-Shock program. “It’s a really simplified form of CPR that people feel comfortable engaging with and actually giving it a go if someone has a cardiac arrest,“ she said. Mrs Rogers said AEDs are vital in the case of cardiac arrest. “As much as calling Triple Zero and starting CPR helps … having access to an AED can significantly increase survival rates of out of hospital cardiac arrest,” she said. “As paramedics, when we go to a cardiac arrest job, its often a case of, if someone had started CPR earlier or had access to an AED, it might’ve been a different result. “It’’s really important to have access to that early intervention and its a big effort down on the Peninsula that my team have worked to pull off.“
Carmel Rogers is one of a handful of Ambulance Victoria workers to be honoured in the Australia Day Honours. 317162 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS The additional AEDS have been implements in areas such as community halls and sports complexes, including one at Pearcedale’s Bendigo Bank. “The AEDs are also registered with Ambulance Victoria, so a Triple Zero call taker can identify where they are and guide the caller through the process of using it on a person who has suffered cardiac arrest,“ MRs Rogers said. “That is what will increase survival rates in out of hospital cardiac arrest.“ Mrs Rogers commenced work with Ambulance Victoria as an advanced life support paramedic in 2001, after pivoting from a career as a state-enrolled nurse.
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“I decided I wanted a change and a challenge and something different and I happened to see an ad in the Herald Sun advertising for ambulance paramedic positions and went for it,“ she said. “It was a six-month process and I was extremely lucky to get through...It’s such a rewarding role and I feel so privileged everyday to put the uniform on and go out there and work.“ The grandmother of three said receiving the ASM, which she plans to wear proudly on her Ambulance Victoria uniform, came unexpectedly. “It came as a huge surprise... there are so many people in our organisation that are de-
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serving of that medal, so it’s very humbling to be awarded it today, its something very special,“she said. The stress of the pandemic on front line workers makes the medal all the more worthwhile for Mrs Rogers. “Paramedics in Victoria and across Australia have done it extremely hard over the last few years...the stress and the toll it has taken has been huge, so it’s a big privilege to be honoured with his award.“ “As much as anything, its a huge team effort. No one does any of this on their own and I’m really lucky to have an amazing team, they make my job as a manager so much better and easier.“
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Teacher’s child-porn buddy avoids jail
Berwick crash kills woman
By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Noble Park man who swapped “depraved” child sex abuse images with a Narre Warren school teacher has been released on a four year supervision order. Jarrod Lyons, 28, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to transmitting, soliciting and possessing child abuse material. He’d exchanged images and videos online with former Fountain Gate Secondary College teacher Benjamin Heels, who pleaded guilty last year to sexual assault of a child and sending child abuse material. “It appears that real children were abused in order to create the videos and images,” sentencing judge Helen Syme said on 17 January. “I accept that you weren’t an abuser of those children but the fact was that real children were abused by someone else.” The pair communicated “extensively” and explicitly on messaging apps Telegram and Kik while swapping a “relatively small” amount of child abuse material. Some of the “particularly depraved” images included “adult males penetrating young or very young children”. Lyons was arrested after police raided his home and seized two phones on 14 September 2021. He was on a community corrections order at the time but received a level of supervision that was of “little use to you”, Judge Syme noted. Judge Syme said Lyons’s offending was linked to a “tragic” and “significantly” deprived, abused and disrupted childhood.
A woman has died following a collision in Berwick on Saturday 28 January. Two vehicles collided head-on while travelling along O’Shea Road about 10.15am. The 33-year-old female driver of one vehicle was declared deceased at the scene. The four occupants in the second vehicle - the male driver, female passenger, a male child and a baby boy – were all taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police are investigating to establish the cause of the collision and will prepare a report for the coroner. Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com. au His culpability was reduced by his “myriad” of intellectual, drug and mental health issues. These included fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, depression and borderline personality. His risk of reoffending was assessed as being linked to a relapse into substance abuse. Judge Symes said the community’s protection was best served by Lyons being supervised and assisted under a “rigorous” treatment regime. His cooperation with police and his early guilty plea entitled him to a 40 per cent sentencing discount, the judge said.
She also took into account Lyons’s 16 months in remand since his arrest. Lyons was sentenced to 32 months’ jail but released immediately on a four-year recognisance release order. Under the order, Lyons must attend treatment for drug, alcohol and mental health issues, as well as sexual offender therapy. He was ordered to report as a sexual offender for life. Meanwhile, Heels and boyfriend Tristan Cullinan-Smythe are in custody awaiting sentence.
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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NEWS
Casey crowns first woman of the year By Eleanor Wilson She may be a full-time teacher and mother of two, but Liesel Kippen’s influence stretches far beyond the classroom. Working tirelessly over the last three years, the Berwick resident has worked to raise $17,850 for the homeless community - earning her the inaugural Casey Woman of the Year Award at last week’s 2023 Casey Community Awards. From bringing bread rolls for her students each Wednesday, to volunteering at local opportunity shops and coordinating a sleep-out for the homeless fundraiser, Ms Kippen selflessly gives up her spare time for the greater good of the community’s most vulnerable. “It was during Covid times, during lockdown and people needed food - we had a great need to support the homeless,” she explained. “We had raffles, online fundraisers, sausage sizzles and a sleep out for the homeless at Akoonah Park.“ She even woke up before dawn every Sunday to raise money for the homeless by selling secondhand goods at Akoonah Park’s markets. The $2000 raised from that project went to purchasing sleeping bags for the National Homeless Collective. But one of her proudest initiatives was a care day for the homeless during Christmas in 2021. The day featured a variety of meals, a shower van, free massages, haircuts, manicures and pedicures and Christmas gifts. For Ms Kippen, the root of her dedication to investing untold hours into helping those in need comes down to her day to day experiences. “Coming from South Africa, a large proportion of the population are unemployed and live on the streets, so seeing all of that, it becomes part and parcel of life,“ she explained. “In addition to that, being a teacher, I’m surrounded by kids from a variety of different walks of life and you see the impact of that every day.“ While praise is not what drives her in her volunteer work, she said being recognised as Casey Woman of the Year was a great honour. “For me it means that all the effort has been recognised and acknowledged… if I can be a role model and keep positively impacting the community to make just a small difference, that’s what counts. She said she was honoured to be the first recipient of Casey’s Woman of the Year award. It’s not very often you get that recognition as a female, so its a proud moment that we are being recognised for our efforts and hard work,” she said.
Two allegedly stolen cars were seized by Victoria Police at Hampton Park on Wednesday 25 January.
Hampton Park four charged Four teenagers have been arrested in Hampton Park over a series of burglaries and car thefts across Melbourne. The four males face a total of 60 charges after being arrested at a home in James Wyman Place about 11.15am on Wednesday 25 January. Two allegedly stolen cars were also seized by police. Southern Metro Crime Team detectives allege the group were involved in 11 incidents in suburbs such as Sandhurst, Cranbourne and Mt Martha between 2025 January. The teens gained access to unlocked vehicles and properties, police say. Seven vehicles were stolen, with six recovered by police. The charges include aggravated home invasion, aggravated burglary, car theft and committing an indictable offence on bail. A 18-year-old man was remanded to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 31 January. Two boys aged 16 and 17 were remanded to appear at a children’s court, and a 17-year-old bailed to appear at a children’s court.
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Ms Kippen’s community work has seen her has raise over $17,000 for the homeless community in Casey. 317860
Find a Kinder Program near you. There is still time to enrol for the 2023 kindergarten year. Find services offering approved kindergarten programs by scanning the QR code.
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Find out more at vic.gov.au/kinder
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 3
THE LOWDOWN Q&A
with 2023 Casey Citizen of the Year Jo Ann Fritzgerald
Tell us a fun fact about yourself! I was born at West Point Military Academy at West Point, New York. What do you love about the work you do with Neighbourhood Watch Casey? I like learning things. With Casey being so multicultural, as I’m out talking to people I get to learn new things all the time and I get to ask questions of people. I’ve found people’s joy in their faces as I ask questions or comment on what they say the most rewarding thing. It shows people you are listening to them. What would your last meal be? I’m a meat and potatoes girl, so it would probably be steak and masked potatoes. What is your most memorable moment? This would be the weeks and the day of my wedding. We had three fires and a wedding. Last year we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, and still going strong. What event past or present would you like to witness? I would have loved to see George Washington sworn in as the first President in New York. Which three guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner? This is a hard one as I have so many. I like history. I would have loved to have a chat with Alexander Hamilton, Tadeusz Ko?ciuszko, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. What are you currently listening to, watching or reading? I have a few books started Corps Justice Series by C.G. Cooper Reed Security Series by Giulia Lagomarsino Europe: A History by Norman Davies Ellis Island A People’s History by Malgorzata Szejnert If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook? Homemade chicken fettuccine Alfredo for main dish and profiteroles for dessert.
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Jo Ann Fitzgerald was recognised as the 2023 Casey Citizen of the Year for her work with Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Neighbourhood Watch Casey. 317424 Where is your dream holiday destination? To get to Europe to meet my cousins in France, Germany, Belgium and Poland. We would have to stop in Ireland to meet my husband’s relatives. What were you like as a kid? I loved to run, ride my bike, and be in the library with my nieces. What was your first job? Babysitting my nieces and nephews.
What are the three most used apps on your phone? Mail, Facebook Messenger, and camera. What’s one question that you have always wanted answered? Why don’t all people treat others with kindness and respect they deserve. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness no matter who they are.
THREE … community groups to volunteer with
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Hampton Park Progress Association Hampton Park Progress Association works to represent and benefit the Hampton Park community, providing a range of events for families to enjoy. Get involved in a rewarding community initiative, meets the 2nd Monday of every month in Hampton Park at 7pm. Contact enquiriesHPPA@outlook.com to find out more.
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Neighbourhood Watch Casey Neighbourhood Watch Casey volunteers encourage City of Casey residents to participate with Police in the prevention of crime to ensure safe and secure neighbourhoods.The group meets at 7pm on the second Wednesday of every month. Contact admin@ nhwcasey.com
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Bk 2 Basics Melbourne - Narre Warren Bk 2 Basics is a family run notfor-profit providing emergency food relief for over 3000 families each week. Working on a volunteer basis, the charity always appreciates a helping hands with initiatives such as its Wednesday night meal service, which supports hundreds of families with hot dinners. Contact bk2basicsmelbourne@gmail.com
NEWS
Phillip tackles potato shortage for fellow businesses By Eleanor Wilson A Cranbourne fish and chips shop owner is going the extra mile to ensure his customers don’t go without their beloved potato chips and dim sims, amid the potato and cabbage shortage currently afflicting the nation. Flooding and wet weather has significantly impacted potato yield for Australian farmers in recent months, causing suppliers to impose limits on potato products. Owner of Camms Rd Fish and Chips, Phillip Lim, said he began to face problems in December, with suppliers significantly decreasing their supply capabilities due to the ongoing shortage. “A lot of businesses are struggling to find new suppliers, because suppliers can only take small orders and some aren’t taking on new clients at all,”he said. “Every single business is just taking what they can get right now... some businesses have had to cut off large and medium sized chip orders and only giving small sized boxes.“ In an effort to fix the problem, Mr Lim began widening his supplier catch net, spending hours searching for new suppliers across Melbourne to satisfy his customer’s spud cravings. He is currently purchasing stock from more than half a dozen different suppliers, one of which requires him to drive to 45 minutes each way to collect. But the extra work is not a selfish feat for Mr Lim, who put a call out on Facebook notifying fellow businesses that he was willing to lend a helping hand to fill their freezers. “I pretty much just explained that I don’t have an issue with supply, because I’m doing all of this extra work, and I’m happy to help out any businesses that are struggling with the shortages at the moment by providing them stock,“ he said. “I’m more than happy to help, because I don’t want other businesses doing it tough, at the end of the day we all have to pay the bills.“ 4 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
Phillip Lim took ownership of the Camms Road business four months ago. 317585 One of those business owners is Akanshka Prasher, who owns a kid’s play centre and cafe in Carrum Downs, where party food is a large part of her business. Ms Prasher said she was recently almost forced to shut down her business, Lollipop Playland and Cafe, due to the lack of supply. “We did get a warning that we might run out of supply but we weren’t expecting it to be this bad,” she said. “I haven’t received anything from my two regular suppliers for two months.” “It was terrible, I’m struggling and I have
to call so many people every morning to try to find chips.” Ms Prasher said she reached out to Mr Lim for a helping hand after seeing his post on Facebook several weeks ago. “He tries to organise chips for me and if he’s running out of dim sims, I check my supply to help him out,” she said. “It was such a good gesture from his end. I really appreciate it because nobody wants to shut their business for such a reason, but we didn’t have any choice and it could have happened if we didn’t find a solution.“
Mr Lim’s stocked freezer is a product of hours of behind the scenes work to ensure he has enough supply for hungry customers. 317585 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Ms Prasher said her suppliers have intimated supply should improve between March to May. Until then, Mr Lim plans to continue chasing chip and dim sim supplies wherever he can find them. “For local businesses right now, if you want to be fully supplied, you have to put in a lot of extra work,“ he said. “It’s a lot of networking, talking to different suppliers, driving to get stock... and that’s on top of my normal workload. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
Free Kinder is here! Three- and Four-Year-Old Kinder is now free across Victoria at participating services — saving families up to $2,500 per year per child. Over the decade, we’ll also transition Four-Year-Old Kinder into Pre-Prep to become a 30-hour a week program, and establish 50 Victorian Government-owned and affordable childcare centres.
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Learn more at vic.gov.au/kinder
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 5
NEWS
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Witness call Gang Crime Squad detectives are appealing for witnesses following the theft of two vehicles from a Brighton East house. Investigators were told a number of people entered the Regent Street property about 2.30am on Monday 23 January. Following the execution of a search warrant, Gang Crime Squad detectives arrested a 21-year-old Narre Warren man in Narre Warren on Wednesday morning. He was charged with dangerous or negligent driving while pursued by police, theft of motor vehicle, drive in manner dangerous, drive at speed dangerous, reckless conduct endangering life, drive while disqualified and breach prescribed condition of parole. He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 20 April.
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Merinda Park cricketer in a flock of birds at Donnelly Reserve, Lesdon Drive, Cranbourne. 317840
LANG LANG SHOW’n’SHINE & SWAP MEET Sun.12th FEB.
SOCIALLY SPEAKING Berwick shone a little brighter last week thanks to local country music star Andrew Swift who brought home a Golden Guitar from the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival. Proud Berwick locals had this to say: Lynneve Jane Clayton Congratulations Andrew!!! I just love your music and dancing to it in the kitchen. We can’t wait to hear you perform live again in March at the Nooj Pub Annual Charity Duck
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to excessively long trailer vehicles in drive thrus - the length of the vehicle blocks the payment window and the order point!
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to the motorists that continue to drive in the x lane on the freeway.
Thumbs down to people who continuously blame truck drivers for everything when half the time it’s the car drivers that are the problem. Go out for a day with a truck driver and you’ll see what they have to put up with on a day to day basis.
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Thumbs down to people who put hard waste on their nature strip for months on end. A simple phone call is all it takes to have it collected. It doesn’t happen automatically.
Thumbs down to Covid weaseling its way into our office again.
Thumbs up to Aussie men’s doubles team Rinky Hijikata and Jason Kubler on their Australian Open win.
Speak up on Bunjil By Tanya Faulkner
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Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Distribution PROUDLY numbers, areas and coverage are estimates AUSTRALIAN OWNED & only. For our terms and conditions please visit INDEPENDENT www.starcommunity.com.au
Two young tennis lovers from Cranbourne proved themselves on the world stage as ballkids for the Australian Open throughout January. Here’s what our Facebook readers thought: Jo Mooney Such a wonderful experience for them! Nothing like it for aspiring young tennis players. Good luck to you both with your tennis!
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Assuring personal attention and care at all times for our local community.
Race & Family Fun Day. Stanley Young Congratulations Andrew you have certainly come along way since you started playing a few tunes in the corner at Purvies. Margaret Cooper Congratulations. Marlene Lawrence Congratulations! Fabulous singer.
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
The time has come for the City of Casey residents and ratepayers to have their say on the proposed Bunjil Place Revitalisation project. City of Casey Council is examining different opportunities to develop five hectares of under-utilised land adjoining Bunjil PLace and Fountain Gate Shopping Centre in Narre Warren - known as the Bunjil Place Precinct - to increase investment opportunities and meet the requirements of Casey’s community. Council said the site could provide a unique opportunity to build on the strong cultural and social focus created by Bunjil Place, with a potential to support greater diversity of employment, tourism, economic and social activity. As it currently stands, the masterplan for the project includes potential multi-rise residential apartments, a hotel, hospitality and leisure spaces, wellbeing facilities, a multideck car park and enhanced pedestrian access within the precinct. Following a meeting held on December 13 last year, the time has come for residents to share their ideas on what they would like to see at the site via an online survey, to further shape the precincts’ vision and ensure its development meets the needs and desires of the community.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators Noelene Duff is encouraging all residents to share their thoughts and be part of the site’s development journey. “The City of Casey is committed to creating public spaces where the community can thrive, while attracting investment opportunities and partnerships that deliver positive community outcomes now and into the future.” Ms Duff said “The Bunjil Place Precinct provides our community with the potential opportunity to strengthen the area’s arts and
tourism culture that has been established by Bunjil Place”. Residents and ratepayers can share their feedback via Council’s community consultation website by Friday 24 February: conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/bunjil-place-precinct Following the community’s consultation to finalise the site’s vision, Council will seek the community’s feedback on selling the five hectares of land for the development of the precinct. The long-term project will take place over the next 10 or more years. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Machinery fire warning By Eleanor Wilson
The grass and srcub fire was brought under control by units from Clyde, Tooradin and Devon Meadows Fire Brigades. 317872 Picture: CLYDE FIRE BRIGADE Lighting a fire in the open without a permit is an offence and can bring a penalty of over $21,800 and/or 12 months imprisonment.
Police say Lynbrook scrubfires ‘suspicious’ Victoria Police are investigating two suspicious scrubfires started within days near Lynbrook Primary School. Hampton Park CFA units as well as FRV crews responded to the second bushfire at Patterson Drive about 3.47pm on 26 January. The 40-metre by 40-metre fire was burning behind the school and near a train line, a CFA spokesperson said. “The incident was declared safe by 4.18pm and handed to Victoria Police to investigate.“ Police were also called to investigate a grass and scrubfire in wetlands next to the train line and near the school about 1.18pm on 22 January. Six CFA units from Hampton Park, Casey Group, Cranbourne, Hallam and Narre Warren took several hours to extinguish the blaze.
It was declared under control at 1.59pm and safe at 3.36pm. A Victoria Police spokesperson said no one was injured and no structures were damaged. “At this stage the fires are being treated as suspicious.“ CFA incident controller Lieutenant Joe Show said residents can ensure their safety this fire season by checking emergency smoke and fire warnings, available at emergency.vic.gov.au “A couple of helpful pieces of advice would be to keep your distance from emergency services while they do their job and if you find yourself near a grassfire, walk at least two streets back,” Lt Shaw said. Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.vic.gov.au
Barbecues and fires for cooking and warmth do not require a permit, but must be lit in properly constructed fireplaces.
For more information, head to cfa.vic.gov. au/warnings-restrictions/total-fire-bans-firedanger-ratings/can-i-or-cant-i
Support local businesses while we upgrade the Thompsons Road and Narre-Warren Cranbourne Road intersection Springhill Shopping Centre is trading as usual while we complete works to upgrade the Thompsons Road and Narre-Warren Cranbourne Road intersection. Access available via Thompsons Road and Springhill Drive.
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Local fire brigades have issued a reminder for residents to be aware when using farm machinery during fire season, after a grass and scrub fire in Cardinia on Wednesday 25 January. Units from Clyde, Tooradin and Devon Meadows CFA were called to a private property in Cardinia around 1:30pm on Wednesday 25 January, where a grass and scrub fire was spreading. The fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes with no one injured and no damage to property, according to a Facebook post by Devon Meadows CFA. The fire is understood to have been started by farm machinery, sparking brigades to issue a reminder to community members to act with caution during fire season. “If you’re using farm machinery or vehicles, ensure it is free from any faults and mechanical defects, fitted with an approved spark arrestor and carrying a water fire extinguisher,” the post read. “Be aware of hot exhaust pipes, mufflers can start grassfires. The accumulation of grass around the underbody of vehicles can create a fire risk.“ The most common cause of grass and scrub fires caused by machinery is material collecting on hot engine components such as the manifold, exhaust and turbocharger, according to the CFA. “The key to avoiding grass fires caused by machinery is diligence in clean-down and inspection.” The reminder came a few days ahead on the imposition of a Fire Danger Period in Casey and Cardinia on Monday 30 January. The period places a series of restrictions on fire activities in the community, with written permits required to burn off grass, undergrowth, weeds or other vegetation.
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 7
NEWS
Edelweiss Choir brings joy By David Qian*
Rotary Club of Berwick’s mobile barbecue van in action.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Rotary gives Rotary Club members gathered at Berwick’s Nossal High School on Thursday 26 January for a Rotary Central Event to reflect, respect and celebrate the occasion of Australia Day. Organised by the Rotary Club of Southbank, the event featured an Indigenous theme related to The Voice and platformed speakers, who reinforced the need to work with the Indigenous population to further develop and strengthen the Australian democracy. That included Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man Thomas Mayo, who is the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. Mr Mayo is the national Indigenous Office of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and a leading advocate and signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Professor Patrick McGorry - Professor of Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne and landscape architect, environmental educator and Gardening Australia presenter Costa Georgiadis were other guest speakers, along with several Rotarians, who offered their voices to the audience, providing valuable information on the activities
of Rotary locally and internationally. Rotary Foundation Australia chair Maurie Stack outlined the work planned for the organisation in 2023, while past president of the Rotary Club of Berwick Tim Moore explained the purpose and opportunities that the regionalisation project, which he chairs, offered for the future of Rotary. District Governor of Rotary District 9800 Amanda Wendt spoke about the work being done by clubs to assist communities in need, including victims of the recent floods, chair of WomenCAN Mikaela Strafrace provided an overview of the work of Rotary International and Rotary Passport Club Melbourne president Aviv Palti outlined the work being done in Cambodia to educate, empower and inspire local students to create future leaders. Entertainment was provided during the event by the renowned soprano Alison Jones, who opened the event with the National Anthem and closed proceedings appropriately with a stirring rendition of I still call Australia home. After the formal proceedings, the attendees were treated to an excellent barbecue provided by four members of the Rotary Club of Berwick.
Thousands of Australians again marked January 26 in different ways in Lysterfield Park of Casey. Edelweiss Casey Choir hit up this park for a live fellowship event to celebrate Australia Day with friends and family. After more than three months of diligent preparation, Edelweiss Casey Choir had a more cheerful marking of the national day. Earlier in the day, they illuminated the park with Australian flags, Aboriginal and national day flags, Australia Day logo banner and road signs. Tents and pavilions were set up surrounded by Edelweiss flags and banners, and different feather flags. Picnic tables were covered with colourful national day tablecloths, and on the tables sat with different fruits, candies and prizes to be won. Every choir member dressed up with beautiful choir clothes and makeups. All this artwork was depicting and honouring stories of Australia. “We hope our setting of this event provides an opportunity for us to reflect on and learn about the connection Indigenous Australians have always had with the land and waters,“ Edelweiss Casey Choir director Dr Emily Hu said. The social event officially started at 1pm with a grand appearance of three hosts. An Acknowledgement of Country was first delivered to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Joined by hundreds of other people, all the members of the Choir stood up and sang a solemn chorus of the Australian national anthem, Advance Australia Fair.
Members of the Edelweiss Casey Choir brought entertainment to Australia Day festivities at Lysterfield Park. Picture: SUPPLIED Dr David Qian then passionately recited the Story of Australia in both Chinese and English which attracted in a large number of tourists in the park. In the following two hours, hundreds flocked to the event as the Choir started to give live performance which featured many different types of activities including chorus, duet singing, solo singing, instrument playing, crossword puzzle price winning, tongue twister-ing, and so on. All of these items were warmly applauded by onlookers. Sue was celebrating her first Australia Day with her family. “It’s so exciting … we are coming from China and Australia’s National Day this year coincides with the fifth day of the Chinese Spring Festival” she said. “I’m so grateful to the Edelweiss Casey Choir for giving me this opportunity to be part of the Australian society and to call myself Australian today.” associate director of Edelweiss Casey Choir, Lili Xu said. The fellowship event came to its conclusion with the warm singing of the chorus “you are my sunshine“. *David Qian is a member of Edelweiss Casey Choir
We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading roads and freeways to reduce congestion to make your journey safer and easier. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel creating space in the City Loop to run more trains to and from the suburbs by taking our busiest train lines through a new tunnel under the city. Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions Cranbourne and Pakenham lines
8.30pm to last train each night, 20 to 23 Feb 1am to last train, 26 Feb and 5 Mar 8.30pm to last train each night, 27 Feb to 2 Mar
Caulfield to Westall
Road disruptions: Closed roads Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne
Until 13 Feb
At Thompsons Road
Ballarto Road, Pakenham South
Until 24 Apr
East and west of Healesville-Koo Wee Rup and McDonalds Drain Road
Cranbourne-Frankston Road, Cranbourne
Weekends in Feb
Northbound near Hall Road
Remington Drive, Dandenong South
3 Feb to 20 Mar
Between Abbotts Road, Ventura Place and Pelson Court
Pound Road West, Dandenong South
15 Feb to 18 Mar
At South Gippsland Highway
Hall Road, Skye
24 Feb to 26 Feb
Between McCormicks Road and Western Port Highway
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
5738
Check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au 12586995-ET05-23
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Honour is ‘still sinking in’ By Eleanor Wilson For Narre Warren South’s Jo Ann Fitzgerald, the title Casey Citizen of the Year is still sinking in. The secretary and treasurer of Neighbourhood Watch Casey, it was Mrs Fitzgerald’s tireless work to keep the community safe that earned her the title at the 2023 Casey Community Awards last week. “I’m only just starting to realise just how big of a thing it is... I’m very grateful” she said. Six years ago Mrs Fitzgerald answered a Facebook call-out searching for a new treasurer and secretary with the volunteer-run community crime prevention group. She took on both roles, and has remained dedicated to the position ever since - something she puts down to her benevolent nature. “I’ve always been one to give back to the community, it doesn’t matter if i’m talking to a veteran or whether it’s one of the scouts, they all have different concerns,’ she reasoned. “If i can make any body feel a little bit safer and more comfortable in the community I’ll find a way to do it.” A mouth piece to the community, Neighbourhood Watch Casey encourages City of Casey residents to participate with Police in the prevention of crime to ensure safe and secure neighbourhoods. “We are the educational part of keeping people safe, that’s the overarching theme,” Mrs said. “Whether its guiding the community on how to respond if there’s a fire, what to do during fire restrictions, or working with Victoria Police to inform residents about how to report problems in the community, when to dial Triple-Zero or when to use Crime Stoppers...If we can manage it anywhere we can possibly make a difference to make the community safer, you’ll find us,“ she said. You’ll often see them at events like the The
Neville was the founder of Deaf Action.
Neighbourhood Watch Casey secretary and treasurer Jo Ann Fitzgerald was recognised as 2023 Casey Citizen of the Year. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Doveton Show or the Casey Kids Carnival, which they volunteer their time at each year alongside other events. In a municipality as diverse as Casey, Mrs Fitzgerald said catering to the varying needs of the community is no easy task. She hopes her award can inspire other
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
community members to join in the work of Neighbourhood Watch Casey. “Hopefully we can get a bigger volunteer base, we’re a small group of volunteers so it can be difficult to find volunteers to attend every event,“ she said. “We are all volunteers, so if there are any
like minded individuals that could volunteer a couple of hours a month, we’d appreciate all the help we can get.“ “My hope is that we can grow a little bit so we don’t have that concern for the future... some other groups in Victoria have closed because they don’t have enough volunteers and I don’t want to see that happen.“
Neville with his wife Lill.
Picture: SUPPLIED
Listening to those in need results in posthumous AM By Shelby Brooks Finding a silence and a lack of awareness surrounding deaf and hard of hearing youth in developing countries, the late Reverend Neville Muir spent over 40 years dedicated to education, opportunities and breaking poverty and discrimination. Mr Muir, formerly of Beaconsfield, was posthumously appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to the deaf community, and to the international Christian ministry, as part of the Australia Day Honours this year. Mr Muir was the founder and international director of Deaf Ministries International, the founder and missionary for World Opportunities International and served as a teacher at the Victorian College for the Deaf. He passed away in November of 2020. His long-term project Deaf Action branched out to involve education and income-generating projects for deaf youth people across the world including in Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, Myanmar, the Philipcranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
pines and in Africa. “There have been so many remote areas that we visit where parents didn’t even know there was such a thing as another deaf child,” Mr Muir told the Gazette in 2016. “You see lots of sad cases of kids being misunderstood and just becoming kitchen slaves. “There are many parents who don’t know how to communicate with their own kids because they’ve never learnt sign language. “It means that they often give up on trying to communicate with their families. “There is a complete ignorance of deafness.” Mr Muir’s involvement in the deaf and hard of hearing community began when he took part in a school holiday church club in Echuca during 1965 where he met a deaf boy. “This boy became my inspiration for working with deaf children,” Mr Muir said. “I got hooked and deafness became a real fascination. “I became involved with different aspects
of the deaf world and trained to become a teacher for the deaf. “There tends to be a stigma that deaf people are stupid but most deaf people are very intelligent.” Having worked at a university in Japan, Mr Muir used his overseas connections to launch his own churches for the deaf in Inchon, Korea, beginning with just four children in 1979. Deaf Action has since expanded to education and employment transition programs and assists deaf children in over 20 countries, some from kindergarten through to college. Andrew Miller, International Operations Coordinator at Deaf Ministries International, said he wanted to nominate Mr Muir posthumously for the award for what he achieved and how he achieved it “I knew Neville for 30 years and was a supporter of his for 20 years before that,“ Mr Miller said. “He spent his whole life building a NGO, he built 180 churches for the deaf, 10 schools
and employment opportunities for the deaf, always with a humble and self-deprecating sense of humour. “He was a very compassionate and wonderful man. We joked he should be dubbed St Neville of Beaconsfield but it was less of a joke from us because he was so deserving of an honour like that.“ Mr Miller said Mr Muir was always well supported by his wife Lill and his children. Brent Muir, Neville’s son, said the family was chuffed by the award. “We are thrilled. It was a long time coming,“ he said. “We feel honoured to have him recognised.“ Brent said his father was able to offer hope to hundreds of deaf and hard of hearing people around the world. “Some of them thought they didn’t have a chance in life,“ Brent said. “People would call him up from around the world, he was hugely in demand from the deaf community.“ Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 9
Know the COLOURS TAKE THE ACTIONS TO SURVIVE
Across Australia, the Fire Danger Rating system has changed. Using real-time scientific data, it now gives you a more accurate rating of the risk level if a fire was to start in your area. Each colour represents the actions you need to take to stay safe. If it’s orange, the fire risk is Extreme, so you need to take action now and be ready to go. The safest option is to leave early.
Plan. Act. Survive. For more information on the new simpler and smarter Fire Danger Ratings, search Fire Danger Ratings. Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne 12581782-JW05-23
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Visa frustration mounts By Cam Lucadou-Wells A Dandenong refugee advocate says there’s soaring frustration about the Federal Government’s still-dormant election pledge to upgrade thousands of temporary visas. Wicki Wickiramasingham, a long-time ALP member and former deputy chair of Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, said hundreds of asylum seekers in the South East had been expecting “good news” by the new year. “Still after the election, nothing has been done. They have been disappointed.” Ahead of the May 2022 election, Labor had promised to end Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs), and to transition holders onto permanent visas. The government has since blamed holdups on an inherited 1 million visa application backlog. It says it has hired more than 400 extra staff and to have slashed the list to 600,000 by the end of 2022. Asylum seekers who arrive by boat, otherwise called ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’, can only apply for a TPV or SHEV. They must re-apply every three years (TPV) or five years (SHEV) to remain in Australia. Some have been living in such limbo for up to 16 years, Mr Wickiramasingham says. Without permanent visas, they find it harder to get work and eke out a living, and are barred from reuniting with loved ones left behind. Mr Wickiramasingham tells of a Tamil man who has been on a bridging visa for more than a decade while awaiting for a decision on his refugee status. In the meantime, his prime adult years have been wasted, still unable to reunite with his fiancee left behind in Sri Lanka. “He’s lonely. He has no family, just other boat people who help each other”, Mr Wickiramsingham says. In his early 20s, the man was arrested by the Sri Lankan military for supporting “pro-liberation forces”. A relative paid for his release from the army’s detention camp and then he was “put on a boat” to Australia. Now in his early 30s, he still dreams of bringing out his parents and fiancee who he left behind. He has not spoken to them by phone for several months. Family members are too afraid due to Sri Lankan authorities “tapping the calls” and detaining people seen
Wicki Wickiramasingham says asylum seekers are anxiously awaiting for the Federal Government to fulfill its promise. 235665 as anti-government. In Australia, he is hampered by his insecure visa status. Potential employers overlook him in favour of citizens and permanent residents. Often he relies on low-paid, cash-in-hand jobs, and sometimes on friends and charity for food. In the meantime, he and four other asylum seekers are crammed into an ‘affordable’ twobedroom rental, sharing the $2400-a-month rent. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre has criticised the delay in ending a “cruel and inhumane” system. Spokesperson Barat Ali Batoor said the system was introduced by the former Abbott Government to stop people arriving by sea from getting permanent residency. “It was introduced to fail people. It was
flawed and gave little opportunity for their claims.” The wait has been a “very frustrating situation” for 31,000 asylum seekers across Australia and their wider communities. “There is a lot of stress and anxiety about the delay in the announcement. It should have happened by now. There’s been nothing.” Greater Dandenong Council’s asylum seeker advisory committee reported in December that TPV and SHEV holders were “experiencing fatigue from waiting”. Mayor Eden Foster leads the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, which comprises mayors from across Australia. She said the taskforce was continuing to press Federal MPs for an end to TPVs and SHEVs.
Picture: GARY SISSONS
While understanding the causes for the delays, she said it was “cold comfort” for temporary visa holders. Bruce Labor MP Julian Hill said that “I share the community’s frustration at the delay to be frank, and have numerous friends and local constituents affected.” “Details will be announced as soon as possible. “Unfortunately it is not a simple matter to clean up 10 years of utter mess that the Liberals left in Home Affairs including a backlog over 1 million visa and citizenship applications but 500 new staff are now making progress.” A Department of Home Affairs spokesperson said the Government “intends to meet this commitment as soon as possible”. “The resolution of these visa holders needs to be carefully managed.”
Many are seeking refuge in Melbourne’s South East By Cam Lucadou-Wells South East Melbourne is a hot spot for asylum seekers awaiting their fate on bridging visas. The Dandenong postcode is home to the most asylum seekers on bridging visa E in Victoria, new official stats show. The short-term visa is granted to ‘unauthorised maritime arrivals’ awaiting a decision on their refugee status. As of June 2022, there were 591 BVE holders in the 3175 postcode – about one in eight of those living in Victoria. Next highest in Victoria was Sunshine with 459. Springvale ranked seventh with 138, Doveton tenth with 132 and Noble Park 11th with 131. Also in the South East, Cranbourne was home to 59 BVE holders, Endeavour Hills 52 and Hampton Park 49, Hallam and Narre Warren each with 32 and Pakenham 27. The most common nationalities were Sri Lanka (1448), Iran (1423), Pakistan (502) and Afghanistan (276). A further 468 were ‘stateless’. Nearly two thirds of the BVE holders were aged between 26-45 years, and most commonly men. More than 750 were children. Across Australia, there were 10,868 BVE holders. More than 80 per cent lived in Victoria or NSW. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
Refugees awaiting bridging visas have many supporters.
Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 11
NEWS
Kotara. 316389
Bracken Spray. 316389
Cafe au Lait. 316389
Aitara Picardy. 316389
Family’s dahlias delight When Pam and Les Albut moved back to Pearcedale after many years living in Port Macquarie, they decided on a whim to try growing some dahlias. The idea was sparked by Pam’s daughter who was working as a market stall florist working mainly with succulents at the time. “I said you need some flowers at your stall to draw people’s attention,” Pam said. “That was early September, I racked my brain and I thought, it’s dahlia time. “It was a whim.” Pam had worked as a horticulturalist by profession and had sold up the plant nursery she and her husband operated in Port Macquarie to retire home in Pearcedale. “We bought 125 tubers and now, seven years later we have 5000.” The dahlia was discovered in Mexico in the 1700s and taken back to Europe and hybridised, Pam explained. “From an innocuous little flower, all this evolved,” she said. “20,000 would be a conservative guess of the number of dahlia varieties that exist. “It has the genetics to have it be very varied and colourful. Dahlias have more chromosomes than other plants.” Pam and Les’ daughters Sarah and Rebecca take the lead in the business- Floral and Stem. They have about 200 varieties in Pam and Les’ 10 acre market garden and intend to double that next year. Dahlias grow from tubers in the ground. Each season, each plant populates about 10 new tubers underground. They can then be dug up, separated and sold. “You dig dahlias up each year because if you left it in the ground - two years in the ground you would have 20 tubers - you have a massive tangle of tubers which is hard to divide,” Pam said.
“The plant performs better on a single tuber than a massive clump. They are more invigorated because they are wanting to create more tubers.” “They are such a rewarding plant, from a very ugly ordinary piece of vegetable matter you can get something so beautiful.” Dahlias flower from about Christmastime through to April. “In a garden they are so wonderful because they flower all through summer,” Pam said. “Often we don’t have them for Mother’s Day which is a shame.” On a good morning, the farm will pick around 500 dahlias which is then supplied to customers on the Mornington Peninsula. In Pearcedale, the dahlias grow in sandy lime soil, the easiest to cultivate on because the earth is easy to dig, Pam said. But dahlias will perform as equally well on clay as well. “Drainage is their biggest factor,” she said. “They like water but too much rots the tuber.” When Pam and Les first became involved with dahlias, they joined the Dahlia Society of Victoria to learn tricks from other passionate growers. Pam now is president of the society and they hold various teaching events at their property for members. “I think the best way to learn is to be amongst people who know all about it,” Pam said. “The man who we bought [the original tubers from] was the president of the Australian Dahlia Society. He invited us to a conference and we met lots of lovely people and we were sort of hooked.” The annual State Dahlia Show, run by the Dahlia Society of Victoria is being held on Saturday 25 February at Mount Waverley Community Centre from 1pm. For more information head to dahliasocietyofvictoria.org.au
Willow and Eliza and Jager. 316389
Pam Albut is the president of the Dahlia Society of Victoria. 316389 Picture: ROB CAREW 12 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
Floral and Stem is a family operation: Les, Eliza (20 months), Rebecca, Willow and Pam. At front is Jager the dog. 316389
Pom Pon Pam. 316389
Eliza and Willow love looking at the flowers. 316389
Coir peat is used to keep moisture in the earth surrounding the plants. 316389
Les at work keeping the weeds at bay. 316389 cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
Tennis mum’s OAM honour By Jonty Ralphsmith She’s known by those who play tennis in Narre Warren as the mother of the Narre Warren Tennis Club. Now, club co-founder and president Betty Lukas has an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) to show for her service to tennis. Ms Lukas does all the work at Sweeney Reserve that no-one wants to do but is necessary for members and players to enjoy their tennis: assorting equipment, allocating courts, communication within and from the club, and maintenance work. Drawn to the club by a love of tennis, the former mid-week ladies’ competitor remained active around the club to assist where needed while her two daughters, Cara and Megan, played growing up. That pair moved on from the club long ago, but Betty’s care for the club and love of the game has kept her there.
She’s since accumulated a party bag full of accolades and roles: life member, two stints as president, twice treasurer, secretary and record keeper. Ms Lukas also had a 12-year stint as president of the Berwick and District Tennis Association which involved co-ordinating all competition tennis in the region. “She’s kept the club together for my 20 years there,” said long-time club member Paul Kleverlaan. “She’s the backbone of the club; committee’s come and go, Betty doesn’t. “Occasionally she’ll go into the background but when the club needs her, she’s always there.” She started her second stint as president in 2020, staying on until now to help sustain the club during the difficult period and subsequent recovery. Ms Lukas has a reputation and integrity which is instilled into juniors, where her great
Betty Lukas with Paul Kleverlaan.
Picture: SUPPLIED
passion lies: giving kids the opportunity to play and enjoy the sport. Her impact has transcended generations given her 41-years-and-counting involvement with the club, putting her in a position to connect older folk with the mixture of members currently involved. While Ms Lukas has an unassuming per-
sonality synonymous with many award recipients, those around the club were rapt to see her get just recognition. “We’re very pleased for Betty because she never wants any credit but she is friendly, supportive and understanding, so she’s great asset for our club,” said vice-president Sheyenne Algama.
FOCUS ON … DANCE, MUSIC AND DRAMA
Train with me in 2023
Fun times on the dance floor at Rockn’ Suzies.
Rockin’ the night away Rockn’ Suzies’ dance classes are starting their 20th year. The teacher is Sue Dodson who danced and taught with Starr Belle dance studio for 19 years before starting a rock and roll class which originally started in Nar Nar Goon. This is now the start of her 20th year of teaching rock and roll. She has run classes in Nar Nar Goon, Berwick, Cranbourne, Morwell and Pakenham. “And I still love teaching people how to dance,” Sue said. “I believe that rock and roll is one of the easiest of the dance styles to master as it allows for lots of individuality. “The classes are designed to be fun and easy to follow for those aged 10 upwards. Dancing is great for fitness, co-ordination, balance and memory, and many people form great friendships through the classes. “I am now only teaching at Pakenham and Cranbourne.” The Pakenham Class is held in the hall where the library is - corner of John and Henry Streets. The Cranbourne class is held at the Senior Citizens Hall - corner of Codrington Street and the South Gippsland Highway. Both of the nights have beginner and advanced rock ‘n’ roll classes open to all with no partner required. They also include a special class at the end of the night for partners only to learn some of the different styles associated with rock ‘n’ roll which include swing, west coast, jive, triples, line and partner dances and cha cha. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
Rockn’ Suzies also runs a monthly charity dance at the Pakenham Hall which has been running for 17 years now. A different band plays each month which everyone in the community is welcome and encouraged to attend. For information call Sue on 5940 9791 or 0400 216 670.
Meet Kayla. She is 10 years old and has been training at Cathy-Lea Studios for eight years. Her favourite classes are Ballet and Lyrical. Kayla takes classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Commercial Jazz, Acrobatics and Ballet Variations. She trains in the studio’s Elite Training Program which includes conditioning and skills classes. Kayla received 100% for her Cecchetti International Grade 4 Ballet examination and 100% for her Bronze Star Jazz examination in 2022. She was awarded the Noelle Aitken Junior Encouragement Award from Cecchetti Ballet and she was selected for the elite Cecchetti Junior Scholars program. Kayla is currently rehearsing with for State Youth Ballet Company’s production of “Alice in Wonderland”. Kayla says the things he likes most about Cathy-Lea are that “The teachers challenge me and push me to be my best. I’m always learning new things.” She wants to let people know that “classes are fun and everyone is really nice” and it is better than other studios in the area because it “offers a lot of different styles and
Kayla is currently rehearsing with for State Youth Ballet Company’s production of “Alice in Wonderland”. you can pick what you like”. Kayla’s favourite event is the annual Cathy-Lea concert which is presented as a fully themed production with acting, singing and dancing. Kayla hopes you will come and dance with her at Cathy-Lea in 2023. Visit cathy-lea.com to register for a free trial class and find out how you can dance with Kayla in 2023.
Train with us in 2023 Dance Music & Drama classes
Rock n Roll Classes Beginners & Advanced
•All ages •All abilities •Free trial classes •Fee discounts •Recreational classes •Pre-professional training •Ready Set Dance •VCE & VET Dance
Classes held at Cranbourne & Pakenham CRANBOURNE TUESDAY NIGHTS Starting 31st January at 7pm PAKENHAM WEDNESDAY NIGHTS Starting 1st February at 7pm $10 per night - No Partner required
Contact Sue on 5940 9791 or 0400 216 670
Creating stars since 1991
5/15-19 Vesper Dve, Narre Warren 9704-7324 office@cathy-lea.com www.cathy-lea.com
12582608-ET02-23
12583311-KJ02-23
Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 13
NEWS
Zoe gives the thumbs up to starting school. 317239
Taylor had fun on his first day of school. 317239
Jax has fun on the playground. 317239
First day at school a thrill Tooradin Primary School welcomed 38 excited preps on their first day of school on Monday 31 January. The children burst through the school door with new school bags and uniforms shining bright, assistant principal Rachel Davis said. “All the children settled into their class quickly, with only a few tears and most of those were from the parents,” she said. “Hopefully the thrill of their first day will be just the beginning of life-long learning through exploration and adventure.”
The new prep students participated in a hunt around the school, exploring the environment while searching for Milo the Monkey. “Students were supported this year with the Buddy Bench which our Grade 6 students built for them,” Ms Davis said. The bench was donated by Bunnings Warehouse. “This is a place for new students to have as a safe area where our student leaders will be able to help them to find friends to play with and show them around the school until they are able to do this independently,” Ms Davis said.
Twins Zoe and Ivy. 317239
Jack and Lola. 317239
By Shelby Brooks
Tooradin’s newest preps Taylor, Zoe, Jack, Jax, Ivy and Lola. 317239 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS
New year, new school as Quarters Primary opens doors By Eleanor Wilson Staff, students and families were celebrating more than the start of the new school year at Quarters Primary School on Tuesday 31 January, as the school opened its doors for the first time ever. A free coffee van, cakes and treats and a balloon arch in the school’s signature teal, black and white colours welcomed excited students to the Cranbourne West school, where parents took first day photos and wiped away happy tears. For many parents, joining the Quarters Primary School community was an easy decision. “We just live nearby, it’s walking distance, it’s a new school so we thought we’d try something different,” said parent Karishma Vilash. “My daughter was very excited for the new school and everything and plus her sister is going with her so she is looking forward to it.“ The school’s location was also a plus for Tania Singh-Thind, who was present with her Prep and Grade 1 students. “I think just the convenience of the location in relation to where our home is was the main thing for us,” she said. “I work in the eastern suburbs so the stress of getting the kids to and from work on time was tough… I don’t have family here so I can’t rely on them.” “My kids are half Punjabi and there’s a big Punjabi community here, so the families that live in this area are sending their kids here, so when you have a community of people it makes it a lot easier.” Kristen Thomson said daughter Scarlett, 14 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
Axl (prep) is all smiles as he heads off to class for the first time. 317518 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
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Amara and Ishaini are excited for their first day. 317518
who is starting Year 4, had been looking forward to making the move from a nearby school. “We just live not far away and she’s been desperate to walk to school ever since she was in prep, but she hasn’t been able to because [her old school] is on a main road,” she said. “She’s super excited to start here, she was
at [her old school] for four years, but this is a smaller school with less students, so it just gives her the opportunity to be concentrated on.” School uniforms, sun safe hats and oversized backpacks in tow, 225 students piled in to the school’s brand new gym for the inaugural school assembly. Quarter Primary School principal Eliza-
Mehar is starting Grade 2 at the school.
beth Davey said she was proud, honoured and privileged to be the school’s first principal. After 33 years at Hampton Park Primary School, Ms Davey said the new role gave her the chance to “sit back and reset and consider what I stand for as an educator.” “The world is changing and we know Covid changed that even more, but to have a chance to step back and look at that and then build a school for the new needs of the community has been really special,” she said. “A lot of the time over the last seven months has just been watching and observing to see what the community needs are and what that looks like. “We need to be very mindful of the community news and continue to work towards making those partnerships and making sure we are addressing those needs.” The school itself is host to a diverse community of students, with a high percentage of Hindi and Punjabi students attending. “We’re looking forward to the year ahead, it’s getting to know people…it’s building those connections…this day is going to be a big day to reflect on and look back on,” Ms Davey said. According to the Victorian School Building Authority, the school has the capacity for a total of 715 students “I’m confident the school community will continue to grow and that’s part of my job, to make sure that it does grow and it doesn’t stay static.” “But it’s about building those connections and making those friendships… that’s the crux of what makes it special. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
NEWS
The Taylors at home in Noosa: Pete, Mills, Leo and Donna.
Junior coaching at Langwarrin.
Ace coach ‘journeys’ north By Phil Jarratt Locked down in Melbourne in 2020 and unable to work, successful tennis coach and former pro Pete Taylor and his young family decided to hit the road. Getting out of Victoria wasn’t particularly easy at that time, but after a police grilling at Tullamarine, Pete, wife Donna and children Milla, 12, and Leo, seven, boarded a flight to Darwin where they settled into 14 days’ quarantine at Howard Springs, beginning a grand touring adventure through the Outback that would eventually lead them to Noosa. Pete had been to Noosa with his parents as a kid, but for the others it was a discovery. “We all just fell in love with it,” he said. “When we eventually got back to Melbourne we started talking about moving to Noosa. It was kind of a joke at first, but it kept coming back into the conversation.” Donna, who had quit a high-flying job in retail management to spend more time with the kids, and had accidentally morphed into a very successful artist, could work anywhere. Pete was the one holding them back, committed to his position as head coach of Langwarrin Tennis Club, and at the peak of his powers after 14 years of top-level coaching. But then, one day late last year he heard about a job going at the Tewantin Tennis Club in Noosa. A little light flashed on in his brain. This was their chance. Born in South Africa, Pete Taylor migrated to New Zealand with his parents in 1995, where his dad helped establish successful dairy farms. Soon his success led to job offers in the region, and the family chose Australia over Indonesia, settling in Melbourne. Before he turned 12 he’d lived in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. At his primary school in New Zealand, students were given a choice to do a full day of school or play in a tennis tournament. “So naturally I chose tennis and we made the final in the doubles and I was hooked,” he recalls. After a successful stint in the junior ranks (reaching top five in Victoria and top 20 in Australian under-16s), the bank of mum and dad helped fund Pete’s foray into the world of professional tennis’s touring pros after his graduation from high school. With the sports media fixated on the Djokovics, Federers, Nadals and Bartys, you don’t hear much about the thousands of aspiring pros who travel a world of pain playing low level tournaments in forgotten cities for chump change (or nothing) as they take one step forward and three backwards on the rickcranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
Twenatin Tennis Club head coach Pete Taylor. ety rankings ladder. In tennis they’re known, perhaps a little cruelly, as journeymen, but as in most professional sport, the grind of the qualifying tour sometimes reveals the true spirit and the real heroes of the game. And, as a former tennis pro once told me: “If you rank top 200, you’re a bloody brilliant player.” Pete Taylor ranked top 10 in New Zealand and top 65 in Australia in his pro career. If this qualifies him as a journeyman, then it’s a badge he wears with pride. He recalls: “I spent close to a year trying to be a pro, playing pro tournaments only. As an 18-year-old travelling to all these Eastern European countries (like Slovenia, Hungary, and Romania), I was just
Picture: ROB MACCOLL trying to survive rather than trying to win. “I didn’t travel with a coach, no helpers, just me and a mate doing the same thing. It was really backs-to-the-wall, just trying to survive week in, week out. You get a payday if you make the main tournament, but I was still playing qualifying rounds. “The mate made it as a tour pro, I went a different route, but I think we were both happy with the experience and the outcome. “It becomes pretty clear after a while if you’re going to have to battle, and it affects different players in different ways. If you don’t have the belief that you can beat people, you fizzle out pretty quickly. Then there’s the journeymen - they might not have the results but mentally it doesn’t bother them.”
Fortunately, Pete had a Plan B in the form of a bunch of offers of tennis scholarships from American universities. Knowing next to nothing about the US college system, he passed over some of the majors and chose Morehead State in the pretty mountains of East Kentucky’s bible belt, where five Aussie mates from juniors days dominated the tennis team. “On the academic level, it was like doing Year 11 at school. If you turned up for class you got a pass. One time I failed, so I wrote to the teacher and said I was on a sports scholarship and I needed a B to keep playing on the tennis team. “He wrote back: ‘Done.’ The other Aussies told me when I got to Kentucky, introduce yourself to the teacher, shake his hand and give him a jar of Vegemite and you’re set! On the tennis level the competition was pretty tough though, these guys could all play.” After finishing his degree and college tennis career at Texas Pan American University, Pete returned to Melbourne where he fell in love with Donna and became an elite coach, mainly working with touring players like Marinko Matosevic, who made it to a 39 ATP ranking. Over 16 years from 2006, Pete developed into one of Melbourne’s leading head coaches, masterminding elite and children’s programs at three major tennis clubs, while growing their member bases exponentially. Looking at this background, combined with the Taylor family’s absolute passion to become part of the Noosa community, the Tewantin Tennis Club had no problems in accepting Pete’s application. He says: “You could teach a five-year-old a basic top spin in 15 minutes, but it’s not about easy results. The philosophy now is to teach them how to play like the pros from the start, taking a five-year-old and building their skills so that by about 11 they can play club comp.“ The Taylors sold their Melbourne home in four days, moved up and settled in Noosa last month. Pete conducted his first open day at the club last weekend and is well underway with his programs, while Donna is re-establishing her successful Dots By Donna animal prints business here. She says Pete came home from coaching one day and “busted me doing my art”. He says: “I didn’t even know she could draw!” Donna made $500 at her first market stall, got 88 orders off her first social media post and a couple of years later won a major international best product award at the New York Now show. Yeah, she can draw, and he can coach. Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 15
NEWS
Jewellery and cash worth $2m- $2.5m was allegedly stolen from a Dandenong jewellery store.
Detective Sergeant Craig West.
Arrests in $2m robbery By Sahar Foladi Three men have been arrested by police over a $2-million-plus jewellery heist in Dandenong. Greater Dandenong CIU detectives allege two armed robbers entered a jewellery store in central Dandenong, assaulted a victim and threatened them at knifepoint about 6pm on Thursday 29 December. They then fled with jewellery and cash.
Detectives executed search warrants on 1 February, arresting a 66-year-old Doncaster man, a 60-year-old Pakenham man and a 38-year-old Narre Warren man. At the time of press, they were being questioned by police. Police have alleged the two men dressed in tradie vests and clothes entered the store from the back entrance held the victim on a knife point, gagged, bounded the victim as they robbed the jewellery store.
Meanwhile the victim was left tied up in the store. “His face was masked up and he managed to get out the back and alert some other people who assisted him and contacted the police,” Det Sgt West said. He also said the incident was very well planned. “They were quick, they were efficient and they got away without anybody noticing at the time.”
Detective Sergeant Craig West said the victim was left traumatised with no physical injuries. “He’s not great. It’s obviously a terrible offence to happen at your workplace.” The pair then fled the scene with 21 carat jewelleries worth between $2m- $2.5m and cash in the victim’s car. The offenders drove a distance away before getting in a Toyota Camry which was caught on CCTV footage, police say.
Three teens arrested following Dandenong pursuit Three teens in an alleged stolen car were arrested by police after a pursuit in Dandenong. The grey Mazda was followed by police units including the Air Wing after being ob-
served on Cleeland Street about 10am on Thursday 26 January. Police say the car had been stolen during an aggravated burglary in Cranbourne the night before. During the pursuit, police deployed stop sticks.
Peter Rabbit
A male driver and two passengers dumped the car on Boronia Road, Wantirna and jumped several backyard fences of adjoining homes. Police cordoned off the area and arrested
the trio near a home in Bentley Street. A 19-year-old Narre Warren woman, a 14-year-old Craigeburn boy and a 15-yearold Hastings boy were taken in for questioning.
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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 Almost one year since alleged corruption was exposed within the City of Casey, a former councillor is still fighting to clear his name.
Final Stage
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.
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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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“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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WHAT’S ON Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Markets - Berwick
Line Dancing at Wilson Botanic Park
With up to 65 stallholders, you are sure to snap up some bargains on new, handmade and preloved baby and children’s goods for all ages! And, of course, we have a coffee van on hand for all your caffeine needs! At only $2 entry for adults (children <12 yo free) and plenty of free parking it is the perfect Sunday morning outing! Sunday 5 February 9am to 12pm at Berwick Fields Primary School - 35 Gwendoline Drive, Berwick.
Line dancing is a very social and fun way to get active. Cheyenne on Queue’s Darren and John will look after you as you dive into the joyful experience of Line Dancing with or without a partner. This event is suitable for the entire family, the young and young-at-heart. No experience necessary, suited to all ages and abilities. Wilson Botanic Park, 668 Princes Hwy, Berwick. BYO picnic 5pm to 7pm and line dancing from 7pm to 9pm. Bookings essential, trybooking. com/events/
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CaseyGirlsCan: Bollywood Dance Sessions Get active and have some fun at our free Bollywood Dance sessions. Participants will learn four-to-five Bollywood songs and different dance moves, while connecting with other community members. From 11am to 12pm every Thursday from 19 January to 16 March at Indoor Leisure Complex, Building 5, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne East.
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Voices of Casey Voices of Casey is looking to recruit new members who love to sing. With mixed ability and experience, we aim to positively impact our community and participate in events. 2023 rehearsals commence again on 30 January at Fiddlers Green, 57 Gloucester Ave, Berwick at 7pm. Come check us out - first session is free.
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February 2023 hosted by the Dandenong Valley Historic Car Club at Akoonah Park Berwick. $5 entry and free off-street parking, gates open at 6am. Children under 14 free. Food and drink options available on the day.
Summer Sessions at the Orchard at Montague
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Enjoy an afternoon of live music, drinks and food on the lawn at The Orchard at Montague, with a fantastic line-up of talented local musicians performing live on Sunday afternoons. There will be some outdoor seating and picnic rugs available, however, you are encouraged to bring your own so you don’t miss out. This is a free event for the whole family so bring everyone along. Sorry, no BYO food or drinks. Come down from 2-5pm every Sunday from 22 January to 26 February at 18 Horswood Road, Narre Warren North.
Berwick Swap Meet 2023
Berwick Farmers Market at The Old Cheese Factory
The annual Berwick Swap Meet is on Saturday4
The Berwick Farmers Market at The Old Cheese
Grow Mental Wellness Program GROW offers a unique mental wellbeing program to those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional difficulties. Gold coin donation appreciated. For further information, please contact GROW Community Centre on 1800 558 268. Website grow.org.au Cranbourne Group meets at the Balla Balla Community Centre, 7/9 Selandra Blvd,Clyde North VIC 3978, Thursday 10.30am –12.30pm, excluding school holidays.
Factory is held every 2nd Saturday monthly. You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, free range eggs and meats, olives and oil, honey, nuts and grains, dairy and cheeses, breads and pastries and much more! There’s coffee and tea, loads for brekkie or to take home for lunch. Entry is by voluntary gold coin donation. Well behaved dogs on a leash are permitted at the market 34 Homestead Road, Berwick
Berwick and District Show The Berwick Show will be held on 25 - 26 February at Akoonah Park, with both days ending in fireworks for the family! Come down for a range of activities for the family including agriculture and Horticulture shows and competitions, family and thrill rides, food trucks and market stalls, horse shows, arts and crafts, entertainment and much more! Tickets available from 1 February. Visit berwickshow.org.au for more information.
Multicultural Film Festival Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) in association with Swinburne University of Technology presents the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival (MFF) Award Winners on the Outdoor Screen at Bunjil Place. The night will feature a selection of shorts from recipients of the New Ground Commission, followed by a short welcome by VMC Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen AM, then a special Q&A with Vincent Giarrusso and award winning filmmakers and finally ending with the presentation of the MFF 2022 winners on the Outdoor Screen! This is an outdoor cinematic event not to be missed. Saturday 4 February 6pm to 9pm at Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren. $7.00 per person. Ticket includes complimentary glass of beer, wine or sparkling - book your spot at bit.ly/bp-multiculturalfilmfestival23
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STAR NEWS 19
NEWS
Breaking even in business TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS IAN ASH You will have heard the term breaking even when applied to a business but what does this really mean? Simply put, it means that the business did not make a profit and it did not make a loss after all expenses and revenue have been taken into consideration. Since the following is true: Gross Profit = Sales – Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Net Profit = Gross profit – Overhead expenses then if a business is to break even, then Net Profit = 0 and hence Gross Profit = Overhead expenses There is no doubt that the retail and hospitality sectors have done it tough over the past few years and on the occasions when I have spoken to owners of smaller businesses in these sectors, sometimes I heard that their business has broken even. However, when I then ask how much they were paying themselves, it was not unusual to be told that they received little or nothing. Staff in the business received their regular payment and bills were paid, but the business owner took little or nothing for themselves or something only when they thought the business could afford it. Worse still, on many occasions the business owner was working crazy hours in the business since there was more to do than people to do it and the view was that the business could not afford to put on more staff.
When people start their own business, they usually hope that they will get more income and spend less time working, but unfortunately for the majority of small business owners the reverse is true. Initially of course, you would normally expect to be putting in the extra hours for little reward at the start, but if this is still happening after a year or more, then it is worth revisiting the underlying business model to see if this really stacks up. When looking at budgets, it is important to factor in paying yourself a wage (and required superannuation contribution!) right from the start. These costs are necessarily part of the overhead expenses mentioned above and by cal-
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This person was extremely capable in what they did and was recognised by many large organisations for the quality of their work. However, for a variety of reasons, this person simply did not charge adequately for what they did and so was not receiving an income consistent with the quality of service that was being provided. This in turn had an adverse impact on their own self-perception of their worth and services and so by adjusting their rates to be more in line with the marketplace, things started to improve. Bottom line: value your time, price it accordingly and then determine what the business needs to achieve in order to ensure that you do more than break even.
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AUTOMOTIVE & FLAT GLASS TINTER The Tint Joint Berwick is looking for a full-time automotive and flat glass tinter with experience - ability to cut and fit tint efficiently and with exceptional attention to detail. Team player, hard-working and reliable, good customer service skills, well presented, trustworthy and reliable. Must be fully licenced and able to drive a manual vehicle. Please forward resume to: sales@fletchertintgroup.com.au or phone 03 9796 2166 12479649-JW04-21
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SPORT
Once in a lifetime display By David Nagel Even by Russell Lehman’s extraordinarily high standards…this was a day to savour. The Tooradin all-rounder – one of the great players of the competition over the last decade – took a hat-trick to finish off the Seagulls’ round-12 CCCA Premier Division fixture against Cardinia at Gunton Oval on Saturday. But that magnificent highlight, well it was only one chapter of the story that the dual Terry Stephenson Medallist delivered on the day. Lehman also took his first-ever eight-wicket haul, all unassisted, claiming 8/34 from 18 breathtaking overs, as the reigning champions defended their modest 121 with a crushing performance against the Bulls…who could muster just 83! After bowling seven overs from the ‘oldnets end’ at Gunton Oval on day one, Lehman bowled a further eight overs in his opening spell on day two – ending with figures of 3/34 off 15 – before handing over to Dylan Sutton for his six-over trundle. The wickets of Alex Nooy (13) and Nathan Volpe (0), within three balls during Lehman’s opening spell, gave fore-warning of what was to come. He second spell, well it was simply extraordinary. Lehman took back the rock from Sutton for the 44th over of the Bulls innings and bowled the perfect 18-ball spell. He started with nine dot balls, building pressure with an immaculate line and length, before trapping Travis Wheller (1) in front with an in-dipper. It started a run of five wickets in nine balls, with a maiden, double-wicket maiden, and triple-wicket maiden Lehman’s figures for his last three-over spell of the match. Incredible! He clean bowled Leigh Paterson (0) – two balls after Wheller – before starting his hattrick run by repeating the dose on Lachlan Volpe (0). He then trapped Dean Henwood (0) in front, before knocking over the castle of Cameron Stow (0) with a perfectly-executed inswinger. “Off the top of my head, that spell of bowl-
ing is the best I’ve seen I reckon, an incredible spell and one we’ll look back on and remember forever,” Tooradin skipper Cal O’Hare said immediately after the match. “He was cooked at the start, he actually said to me ‘take me off’, which he never says, and I asked him for one more and that’s when he got those two wickets in his first spell. “But that second spell…he was hooping them in a mile and there was nothing they could do about it. “A few of those balls were unplayable, it was an unbelievable spell of bowling. “We actually spoke about it on Friday night, that he was the man for the job, and he delivered like he has so many times before.” At the same time that O’Hare was praising his players for their sensational performance, Cardinia skipper Jake Prosser was unleashing his fury on a Bulls’ outfit that once again failed to deliver with the bat. But the day…well it was all about one man. Because, even by Russell Lehman’s extraordinarily high standards…this was a day to savour! While the Seagulls and Bulls now get a week off, the remaining six teams will continue their round-12 engagements this week, with Carlisle Park (6/344) setting top-of-the-table Pakenham a huge run-chase on the synthetic outfield at Carlisle Park. A glorious century from Shalika Karunanayake (111) - composed from just 92 balls and including 15 fours and two sixes – set the platform for the Vikings, while Ben Perry (121 off 212 balls) played a classic two-day innings to guide his side to the box-seat. Perry came to the crease at 1/14 and departed with the score on 326, occupying the crease for 312 of his team’s 344 runs! Perry was a shining star by the end of the day’s play, but only after he took a back seat to Karunanayake who made 111 of the pair’s 154run partnership for the third wicket. Karunanayake (429) now sits second on the CCCA run-scoring list this season – behind Kooweerup’s Luke McMaster (459). Saturday’s century was his second for the season, with his last five hits of 126, 3, 41, 69 and 111 giving an insight into the class that has seen him make thousands of runs abroad.
Tooradin star Russell Lehman walks from Gunton Oval after taking a hat-trick and 8/34 against Cardinia. Pictures: DAVID NAGEL Skipper Anurudda Fonseka (50 off 64 balls) joined Perry to continue the Vikings’ momentum. Videsh Dassanayake (25) then finished off the job with a 51-run stand with the century maker. This one is not over yet, with key Lions such as Dale Tormey and Chris Smith having the potential to match the heroics of Karunanayake and Perry and rein this one in…but it’s an almighty task! The Vikings should salute and move to within one game of the top four. In other games, a late partnership from Gamini Kumara (84) and Jess Mathers (33) led Kooweerup (195) to a competitive score against a Tyson Bertrand (3/37) and Mat Campbell (3/45) led Merinda Park (0/1), while Clyde (0/5) and Officer (238) are set for a thrilling day-two battle at Ramlegh Reserve. Kane Hawkins (49), Darren Kneebone (42), Nick McLennan (40), Jack James (33) and Nick Whitelaw (32) all made significant contribu-
Russell Lehman bowled the perfect three-over spell. tions for the Bullants, but couldn’t kick on to match-defining scores. Thanuja Senarathna (6/51 off 21.1 overs) was the clear standout for the Cougars, while Jacob Janssen (2/45) bowled beautifully in his second game up from A Grade. The loser of this one will take the unwanted title of ‘relegation favourites’ into the last two games of the season. Ladder: Tooradin 126, Pakenham 114, Kooweerup 78, Cardinia 66, Merinda Park 42, Carlisle Park 42, Officer 42, Clyde 30.
Semmler the stalwart paddles his way to 500 games By Jonty Ralphsmith Danny Semmler will have to find the puff to extinguish 50 birthday candles later this year. But, if his endurance with paddle in hand is anything to go by, he’ll blow them out easily and have plenty of reserves in the tank for his upcoming 500th game. Semmler has been a staple of the SouthEast table tennis scene for more than three decades, a star performer in the Greater Dandenong Table Tennis Association. Since starting out as a casual player in 1991, Semmler has won 50 leading player awards for Dandenong, bringing up the milestone late last year. A leading player award is granted to the player with the greatest number of homeand-away singles wins in a season. No-one has come close to that mark. To put it in perspective, across his 32-year career, there have been three or four seasons per year. Throw in a brief retirement for a couple of years leading into the pandemic, and then the pandemic-ruined seasons, plus occasional seasons missed along the journey for personal reasons, his class becomes apparent. When eligible for the leading player award, he’s won it far more often than he’s lost it. “That’s the achievement I hold dearest,” Semmler said ahead of game 500. His response is telling of how much the club means to him. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
Danny Semmler serving. Also in the proverbial pool room is a senior nationals title and eight nationals veterans titles. His best win came in 2005 over Brett Clarke, who won silver for Australia at the 2002 Commonwealth Games, while Semmler also hit frequently with another Australian representative, Heming Hu. During that time, Semmler was a top-five Victorian ranked player. At his prime, Semmler was on the table for up to 25 hours per week, but that has whittled down to about eight recently as his age catches up with him, ‘only’ at the club for four days per week instead of up to six. Nowadays, he enjoys playing with team members John Salem, a long-time Dandenong player, and Sam Palmer, also a coach at the club, while Semmler also assists the next generation of players. “They stick together and they’re generally
Danny Semmler looks to launch a forehand. our top team,” Association secretary Terry Saundry said of the trio. “Danny comes week-in week-out and as good a player as he is, that’s probably why he wins best player award as much as anything. “He’s a heavy topspin (player) and his game is based around that. “He’s not like modern players who attack from both wings, but he’s so good at it, if you look at him play you’d think he’d be hampered (because of his preference for his forehand). “He’d rather win the point than protect himself,” Saundry added, referencing a thumb injury that knocked him about in 2022.
Picture: SUPPLIED And that competitive streak coupled with the class of his teammates has him primed to continue performing. The first season of 2023 just kicked off for Dandenong, with Semmler’s team, called the ‘Hitmen’ taking a 9-2 win over La Otra - Brian Alvos, Cristian Cosea and Chris Dobrovic. Ping Kombat - David Segal, Rafael Lay and Tom Tomasevic also won, defeating Medical Engineers - Paul Roy and Sergey Voronov 9-2. Phoenix - Herman Pekel, Greg Robbins and Vay Yip defeated Sour Power - Parleen Kour, Connie Psihogios and Winuk Rathnasinghe, 7-4 in the other fixture. Each player has three singles matches and the team plays in two doubles matches per tie. Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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STAR NEWS 21
SPORT
Big guns set DDCA on fire By Jonty Ralphsmith It was a weekend for the big guns to shine with commanding individual performances in the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) Turf 2 competition. Beaconsfield and Heinz Southern Districts emerged as the major beneficiaries, while wins to Cranbourne and Doveton kept their finals chances alive. At Perc Allison, opening pair Tyler Clark and Mark Cooper were at their stylish best, putting on a 104-run opening stand to set up the match. After a steady start, the right-hand, lefthand pairing upped the intent heading into the main drinks break, and rotated the strike with ease to frustrate spinners Rajika Fernando and Surien Silva. The tweakers bowled an extended spell, with Silva finally claiming Cooper for 43 which led to a minor wobble for the hosts. Underlining the importance of the partnership, the skipper’s departure started a run of 5/31 for Lyndale as the spinners, changing the pace and extracting natural variation, got on top. Ashan Madushanka’s late flurry of 29, using his favoured cover and off drives - including one over deep cover for six - got Beaconsfield to 6/184, before his three wickets helped keep Lyndale at bay. At Casey Fields, the Sweeney brothers combined for a match-winning 198-run stand, with Mick passing triple figures and Peter left stranded on 97 as Cranbourne’s innings finished on 2/247. They manipulated the field well against the heavy spin they faced, seeing off all-rounder Dishan Malalasekara and targeting others in the attack. They picked gaps and ran hard in sweltering conditions, in between some classical textbook cricket shots in what is arguably the best batting performance so far this season. They went at seven an over for the last seven and were proactive at the crease, never letting the bowlers settle. “I was really happy with the intent I went out with,“ said skipper Mick Sweeney. “When you’re not winning games and not performing, last year I averaged (51) and this year I’m down, and when the team’s losing, it’s hard not to take responsibility on yourself and feel it, so to hit a few more balls during the week and think about what I wanted to do and go out and do it, I was really pleased. “I think I’ve been stuck trying to overpower the field and up the run rate whereas on the
Ashan Madushanka played a cameo for Beaconsfield.
Peter Sweeney combined with his brother for a big stand. Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS weekend I wanted to bat better rather than hit; put the ball in the gaps rather than trying to blast it over. “So if I saw a gap or opportunity, I backed myself to put a ball there and in the first couple of balls the ball went where I wanted it to, which gave me some confidence.“ Parkfield’s gun all-rounder Travis D’Souza shone with a 61 that stuck the middle of the batting innings together, but he entered with the run-rate already approaching six. D’Souza ultimately played a lone hand as the Bears fell 69 runs short, ending their finals hopes. At Robinson Reserve, spinner Ryan Hendy got 5/31, including the wicket of the dangerous Zach Allen, off his 12 to help Doveton defend 160 and keep its season alive. “Zach hit him for six second ball, and there was a bit of chatter, and when you engage Spanner like that, that brings out the best in him, so he had him out by the end of the third over which set us on our way,“ skipper Nanga Wilson said. It continues a remarkable run for Hendy, who opens the bowling weekly for the Doves
and has four or more wickets in five of his last six games. Wilson also claimed four wickets as Narre Warren found it impossible to get rhythm into the innings, bowled out for 100 inside 32 overs. The unorthodoxy of opening with a spinner and having so much pace-off has become synonymous with Doveton this season and Wilson revealed why he backs in Hendy with two outside the circle. “He’s 41 years old and I’ve never seen him bowl as well as he has this year,“ Wilson said. “He doesn’t bowl bad balls and sometimes with the field up when the ball is coming on, that’s what opening bats want to hit backward of square or drive hard but taking the pace off the ball using someone with the control of ’Span’, it works in our favour. “He doesn’t bowl a bad ball and he knows where it will go if he gets hit, so he just doesn’t go for boundaries (and) he spins the ball “He makes a dent in the top order every week. “Once we’re into the middle order, there often isn’t a lot of depth, we can get into the teeth of the innings straight away. “He puts so much pressure on the innings so he’s more than handy to have.“ After four early wickets, Ben Swift and Bevan Radhakrishnan rebuilt with a 43-run partnership which looked like it could get Narre back into it, before the skipper’s dismissal started a collapse of 6/21. Earlier, the Doves, too, played a rugged bat-
ting innings, sitting perilously at 7/111 before Stuart Johnson and Kenny Smart combined for 42 late runs to give the bowlers more to work with. Smart is part of a much-loved family at Doveton, and the win on the weekend was an emotional one with Kenny’s Dad, Tommy, passing away last week. “Kenny’s a heart and soul player every week and we wanted to walk off the field and know we had given our all for him and his family,“ Wilson said. “It’s a little thing but for him to have a win emotionally, we felt we did the right thing by him so it was special in that way as well.“ The loss has weakened Narre’s grip on a top-four spot, with Cranbourne and the Doves just a game and a game-and-a-half respectively behind them in fourth position. A four-wicket haul to veteran Glenn Hamilton helped Heinz Southern Districts (HSD) ease to a seven-wicket victory over bottomplaced Keysborough. The fast-bowler-turned-off-spinning allrounder, who celebrated game 300 last week, bowled 8.3 overs in an outstanding spell of 4/10 which included the scalp of the dangerous Yohan Arumadura, dismissed for 63. Kevin Seth top-scored for HSD with 38 as his team cruised home. Playing a top-two team without skipper and all-rounder Christo Otto made it tough for Keysborough, but the loss ends the club’s finals hopes.
Underdog Doves ready to make their mark in T20 finals By Jonty Ralphsmith The Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) T20 competition will reach its climax this Sunday when the final four are whittled down to two, before the final takes place at Shepley Reserve. The semis will take place at 11am, Berwick facing North Dandenong at Shepley and Doveton squaring off against Buckley Ridges at Wilson Reserve, before the final at 3pm. Buckley Ridges and North Dandenong will go in to the semis as favourites, with Doveton the only remaining team not from the Turf 1 competition. The Doves found a way past powerhouse Springvale South to reach the semis, as well as beating Parkmore in the round robin phase of the tournament. Marquee player Dale Tormey has bolstered the batting throughout the tournament, with the Doves’ success giving captain Nathan Wilson optimism they won’t be overawed. “There is absolutely no expectation on us, it’s all on them,” Wilson said. “We were the David v Goliath against Springy South and it’s the same this week. “You don’t know what’s going to happen in t20 cricket. 22 STAR NEWS
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
“We’re going there with no expectation, being the underdogs. “We know how classy they are, we’ll do our best to restrict them with the bat and see what happens. “We’ll take pace off and we might go for 26 off an over or we might find something.” Further assisting Doveton is that coach and opening hitter Mitch Daley is expected to return from a calf injury, while spinner Ryan Hendy, who missed the quarterfinal will strengthen the bowling. Reaching the semis is an outstanding achievement for Doveton which just three seasons ago was languishing in Turf 4. “It’s a justification for the hard work the guys off field are going,” Wilson said. “I think we’re at our right level now in Turf 2. “No one is saying job done and patting ourselves on the back, we don’t want to flatline, the recent results are proof of that. “We’ve got so much improvement left in us. “The difference between good and bad is too great at the moment, we just need consistency of performance.” Doveton’s bowling has been its one-wood this season, particularly in the Turf 2 one-day competition, and it will need to be on against Buckley, which has scores of 6/249, 5/239
and 4/310 under its belt in the three matches so far – albeit, all on the notoriously small Park Oval. Ben Wright is a batter the Doves will need to dismiss early, having made scores of 122 and 97 not out so far in the competition, while Michael Davies has also passed 50 twice. Underlining Buckley’s depth Mahela Udawatte also has a century in the tournament and Hadigallage Jayaratne has a halfcentury to his name, meaning they have four of the top 10 run-scorers in the tournament. With Tormey and Simon Mackie, however, Doveton has two of the top three run-scorers. In the other game, Berwick has found its way through to the semis with wins over three Turf 3 sides: Lynbrook and Silverton in the round robin stage and Springvale in the qualifying finals. Jordan Cleeland and Riley Siwes are a couple of key players to keep an eye on. The Wickers face North Dandenong, which has eliminated three Turf 2 clubs: Lyndale, Heinz Southern Districts and Beaconsfield. North Dandy has had a couple of wobbles so far, setting a target of just 133 for Lyndale which was just enough, before losing four relatively early wickets last game against Beacy before asserting dominance.
Ryan Hendy will need to have a huge four overs if Doveton is to beat Buckley. Picture: JONTY RALPHSMITH cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
SPORT
Tootell tickled-pink with solid Cranbourne victory CRANBOURNE BOWLS On Saturday most games started early by arrangement to try and beat the midday sun. Cranbourne top side seemed to enjoy the heat and was in sizzling form on a hot day for bowls defeating finals contender Fern Tree Gully by 29 shots and picking up the maximum 18 points on offer. This was a reversal of form compared to the previous two weeks. Club Captain Jay Tootell was overjoyed with the effort from his charges and particularly his own rink that won by 20 shots. “The front-end players, Greg Jones and Wayne Stevens, were brilliant today, backed up by Matt (SOS) who was in great form,” Tootell said. “That made my job relatively easy. “However, it was also great to see the other three rinks fight out a win against formidable opponents which puts us right on target to finish off a great year. “As for the other sides, only the fourth side enjoyed victory today which was a little disappointing especially for side two who are trying to make the finals with only a few games to be played before the end of the season.” Weekend Pennant - Round 12 •Side1Division2Sec8 Cranbourne started well and finished well and enjoyed a great win by 29 shots against finals contenders Fern Tree Gully. All 16 players seemed to have a great day with Greg Jones, Wayne Stevens and Peter “The Anchor-man” Elgar playing at their best. It was great to see club member Danny Muir, who has had a long battle with ill health, watching and encouraging the team from the sidelines which was an added inspiration for Cranbourne. The win today means that Cranbourne will finish the season on top of the ladder even though it has still two games to be played. Cranbourne 90 (18 points) defeated Fern Tree Gully 61 (0 points) •Side2Division3Sec8 Skips Steve Hickson and Neil “Buddy” Drummond managed a draw each but a 21shot deficit overall was a little disappointing playing away at Dandenong Club. Cranbourne 63 (2 points) lost to Dandenong Club 84 (16 points) •Side3Division4Sec8
Peter ‘The Anchor-Man’ Elgar assesses the situation at Cranbourne.
Side one skipper Jay Tootell gives his ‘Captains Talk’ at Cranbourne. Playing at home and winning on two rinks was a good result against top of the ladder side Berwick, particularly playing against former high-division players. Unfortunately, Cranbourne had to win this one to have any chance of playing in finals. Best rink was Phil Nielsen, Marijan Bobetic, Club legend Hans Worstelling and Roger Townley who won by 13 shots which was a great effort. Cranbourne 64 (4 points) lost to Berwick 90 (14 points) •Side4Division7Sec8 A great win against Pakenham by 13 shots which was set up by best rink Tom De Pradines, Dennis Tomlin, Dermot McConville and skip George Ljepojevic who won by 21 shots with all players having a great game. Cranbourne 87 (16 points) defeated Pakenham 74 (2 points) •Side5Division8Sec7(12aside) Cranbourne played the game with one player short and the seven-shot deficit was a very good effort from the Cranbourne side. Skip Bob Bellamy and his team of Jackie Warner, Jeanne Tomlin and Sandra Mueller won by six shots and all rinks tried hard all day. Cranbourne 52 (4 points) lost to Berwick 59 (12 points)
Pictures: SUPPLIED
•Side6Division8Sec6(12aside) This side also played one player short and only lost by four shots on the day which was a very good effort. A great effort by skip Ron Fenton, Steve Bakker, C Sharpe and Monica Peers who won by five shots. Cranbourne 60 (4 points) lost to Murrumbeena Park 64 (12 points) MidweekPennant A tough and frustrating day for the Cranbourne Pennant teams. Cranbourne 1 travelled to Beaumaris and took on third-placed Beaumaris 1. A great effort was made by two of our teams, winning their rinks, but our third team ran into a juggernaut and, try as they might, they were outplayed comfortably to record a big enough win and take the overall result. •Cranbourne1(49)weredefeatedby Beaumaris1(67)-18shotsand4points. Cranbourne 2, playing at home, took on the third placed Parkdale 1 and even though they gave it their all our teams fell 13 shots short. Special mention must be given to Skip Cheryl Wright’s team who drew with their opponents. The team skipped by Chris Deal had a seesawing battle all day, eventually losing by one shot. The team skipped by John Kent and his team played some great bowls, but couldn’t
take a trick and before they knew it were 14-0 down before finally scoring. For the rest of the game, the team outscored Parkdale but went down by twelve shots. •Cranbourne2(53)weredefeatedby Parkdale1(66)-13shotsand1point. Cranbourne 3 travelled to Monbulk and took on the slick synthetic, which many of our players today have not played and no doubt it was an eye opener for some. Can we say our family team of the Hickson’s, along with their adopted uncle Bill Bradbury, finished their game all square to gain a point. The team skipped by Peter Colthup went down by 15 shots and the team skipped by John Gardner really struggled and went down by 34 shots. •Cranbourne3(45)weredefeatedby Monbulk2(94)-49shotsand1point. Cranbourne 4, playing at home, took on second placed Dandenong RSL Rec 1 and put up a great effort to win one rink and only go down by six shots overall. This team is probably playing in a division a bit high for the new bowler’s ability, but it’s a great experience playing against better teams and players. The team skipped by Rob Sorensen with John Anstiss, Bob Bellamy and Steve Bakker won their rink by 11 shots. The teams of David McMaster and Mick Feeley put up brave efforts only going down by nine and eight shots respectively. •Cranbourne4(53)weredefeatedby DandenongRSLRec1(59)-6shotsand2 points. -GarryHuntandDerekMaguire-
Long day for Dandy and Kannan stands out for Casey By Marcus Uhe Dandenong will have its work cut out in the second day of its Premier Cricket fixture next week against Melbourne University after a long day in the field on Saturday. In the heat at Shepley Oval, the visitors finished the day 7-345 from their 90 overs, as none of the Panthers’ bowling group were able to make major inroads. Fresh off their drought-breaking win last week against Greenvale, their rejuvenation under new coach Glenn Marinic looked set to continue as Braden Taeuber nabbed Uni opener Blake Reed with his second ball in the second over of the day. But that was about as good as it got for the Panthers, who quickly found themselves leaking runs at more than four per over. Four Melbourne Uni batters passed 50 as they ponder a declaration ahead of next weekend’s second day. Ben Allison’s 2-48 off 17 were the standout figures, while Sahan Perera sent down 27 overs for 2-92. With the students sitting in ninth and only four points ahead of Casey South-Melbourne on the ladder, the men in red will be hoping the Panthers can get the chocolates and do them a solid in return. cranbournenews.starcommunity.com.au
Harish Kannan’s excellent season for Casey South-Melbourne continued with an unbeaten 90 against Northcote at Bill Lawry Oval, on an otherwise tricky day for batting. Like last week, the Swans found themselves in early trouble at 3-22, as Luke Manders, Atharv Deshpande and Ashley Chandrasinghe were all dismissed in a three over period. Kannan and captain Michael Wallace (60) once again rescued the innings but not to the same heights as last week’s record-breaking stand. Should the Swans continue to bat on next week, Kannan will be joined by Luke Shelton at 6-252 as he eyes a second consecutive Premier cricket hundred. In Women’s Premier Cricket Box Hill proved too strong for the Dandenong’s women’s side on the weekend, the Panthers going down by 26 runs. It was a consistent bowling performance across the board, but Box Hill skipper Anna Lanning was allowed to get away and made 97 off 109 to keep the run rate ticking along, releasing the pressure built up at the other end. Two wickets to each of Poppy Gardner, Emma Gallagher and Acacia Sutton bowled Box Hill out for 205.
Dandenong’s Braden Taeuber hopes this shot went to a fielder. Dandneong was always on the back foot in response, losing both openers before there was a run on the board. Nicole Faltum, Gardiner and Sophie
Picture: ROB CAREW
Strickland all got starts, to get Dandenong back on track, but none could turn it into a matchwinning knock, Strickland’s 40 the top score as the hosts fell short. Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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Thursday, 2 February, 2023
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