News - Cranbourne Star News - 13th April 2023

Holiday tragedy

By Cam Lucadou-Wells and AAP

Tributes are flowing for a Narre Warren father and his son who drowned at a popular swimming spot in Queensland’s far north.

Ventura Bus Lines driver Sisira Gajanayaka, 59, and his son and musical producer Themiya Gajanayaka, 20, were on holiday with more than a dozen other family and work friends.

They got into trouble at a Crystal Cascades waterfall near Cairns just after 5pm on Tuesday 11 April.

The men were found unresponsive in the water and assessed by paramedics but declared dead at the scene.

Sisira got into trouble and his son tried to save him, Seven News reported.

“He threw himself in harm’s way to try and save him and unfortunately they both passed,“ family friend Damien Gamage told the broadcaster at a gathering in Melbourne to mourn the two men.

Reportedly several men in the holiday group desperately tried to rescue the pair, to no avail.

Sisira’s wife Thushri, son Gomiya and daughter Senadi witnessed the tragedy unfold.

Gomiya told ABC that his father was “one of the most selfless, loving, caring people on the planet”.

“He would do anything for anyone in a heartbeat.”

Themiya, along with his brother Gomiya, were musical collaborators and “my best friend”.

“We had so many plans together,”

ACT NOW FOR 2025

Gomiya told ABC.

“We wanted to rule the world.”

Ventura managing director Andrew Cornwall said the Dandenong-based firm was “deeply saddened to lose such a lovely member of the Ventura bus driving team”.

“Sisira has worked for Ventura as a professional driver for over eight years and is much loved by all our employee community.

“Our thoughts are with Sisira’s family and his work colleagues from Melbourne that were holidaying with Sisira in Cairns at the time of this tragic incident.”

On Facebook, Chandana Gunasinghe paid tribute to his “loyal charity friend” Sisira.

He recalled Sisira helping to provide an electric wheelchair for a sculptor after visiting Galle, Sri Lanka.

“If there’s any helpless person, tell me, I’ll do whatever I can,” Sisira told Chandan’s colleagues.

The man had lost his legs after falling under a train, and despite the stress of the Covid pandemic, “our guys didn’t forget (him)”, Chandana recalled.

The electric wheelchair was sent from Australia and received in March 2022.

Others expressed the Sri Lankan community’s “shock” and “mourning”.

“It’s yet another stark reminder that life is so precious yet so uncertain and fragile,” Geethika Weerakoon posted on social media.

“Hope the family and friends of Sisira and Themi find comfort and solace in the memories they shared.

“May their souls RIP.”

Themi and Sisira Gajanayaka were holidaying with family and friends in Cairns. Picture: FACEBOOK

A burning desire to help

By Emily Chapman Laing

Blind Bight mother Ashlee Golding is raising funds for the Good Friday Appeal (GFA) after her daughter suffered second degree burns earlier this year.

Ashlee’s business Mimi & Ko, a luxury home fragrance brand, donated 10% of all sales to the GFA over the Easter period.

“I’ve always been really amazed by the Royal Children’s Hospital,“ she said.

In January of this year, Ashlee’s three-yearold daughter Marlie suffered second degree burns on her entire hand after touching a hot stove.

Despite Ashlee’s persistent education about the dangers of touching hot things, Marlie’s curiosity got the best of her.

“If it wasn’t for the amazing team of doctors and nurses [at RCH] Marlie could have had permanent damage and loss of function,“ Ashlee said.

While Ashlee was cutting up vegetables for a curry, Marlie snuck into the kitchen behind her.

“It wasn’t even a second,“ Ashlee said.

“She put her hand down and straight away lifted it off and in that time she had second degree burns.

“I asked her later why she did it and she just said she wanted to check if it was hot.“

Ashlee and Marlie found themselves at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) to have Marlie’s burns treated.

Ashlee said the supportive and loving atmosphere created by the doctors and nurses was unparalleled.

“She’s a very nervous child,“ Ashlee said.

“Sometimes we put a bandaid on and she’s too scared to take it off.

“I was so worried about how she was going to handle it, but when they took her she wasn’t

even worried.

Ashlee said Marlie was even able to be brave while skin was cut from her hand while she watched.

“Just the way they orient themselves and talked to her made her feel so comfortable with them even though it was such a short amount of time.

“It was amazing they could make her feel like that.“

The fundraiser was a bit last minute, Ashlee said, but she plans to be more organised next year.

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading roads to reduce congestion and improve travel times. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel, taking our busiest train lines through a new tunnel under the city to run more trains to and from our suburbs.

“It’s something we want to continue to support,“ she said.

“It takes a split second for something bad to happen, and you can’t even describe how thankful you are that they are there when it does.“

Mimi & Ko was born during the pandemic.

“While I was on maternity leave during COVID, it was very difficult not being able to see my family,“ Ashlee said.

“I was trying to find something to keep me busy, and I’m very creative so I was looking for a way to use my interests.“

Ashlee already had a love for candles and had been working on creating her own as a hobby for months.

“I started making them and sent them to my friends during lockdown to try and make them happy and they said they were really good, so it took off from there,“ she said.

Ashlee said Japanese Honeysuckle has been a crowd pleaser, which suits her just fine as the fragrance is a favourite of her own.

Marlie’s burns have since healed completely and Ashlee is looking forward to contributing to the GFA each year.

Ashlee and her daughter Marlie.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Drag cancellation concern

By Eleanor Wilson

A local drag queen has spoken out against the cancellation of a recent beginner drag workshop series which was due to be held at Bunjil Place throughout April and early May.

Brenda Bressed, AKA Bryce Gibson, who grew up in Endeavour Hills and still lives in Casey, believes other steps could have been taken to protect the drag performers from alleged threats made by “alt-right and Christian groups”, without cancelling the event entirely.

The free five-week workshop series, The Art of Drag, was aimed at teaching interested young Casey residents drag skills in hair, makeup, costume and performance.

It was cancelled by the City of Casey two weeks ago “in the interest of community safety” after a series of threatening phone calls, emails and physical intimidation were allegedly made by individuals and groups dissatisfied with the nature of the event.

City of Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said The Art of Drag was cancelled “after careful consideration, consultation with our community partners including Victoria Police and in the interest of community safety”.

But Mr Gibson, who has been a drag artist for the last four years, called the cancellation “really disappointing”.

“It was going to be a really good thing for young people in Casey, especially to have something completely different and something for them to have an outlet to express themselves and to use their creativity in a very safe and comfortable environment,” he said.

“There are definitely other steps that could’ve been taken to protect the performers and I think more steps should have been taken and protections put into place so that the event still could’ve gone on.”

“Despite the reason for the cancellation,

the groups that wanted to shut it down, they’ve taken this as a win and the drag community has taken a loss.“

He feared that young people who had signed up to attend the event could now be feeling “more vulnerable and alone”.

But Mr Patterson said the axing of the event “in no way legitimises or validates the actions or statements of individuals, activists or protest groups.”

“Casey is committed to promoting opportunities for engagement, advocacy, events, safe spaces, and partnerships that support our LGBTIQA+ community and doing so with a duty of care, especially where young people

are involved,” he said.

Connotations that drag artists are predatory or try to influence children into the LGBTIQA+ community “couldn’t be further from the truth” Mr Gibson said.

“It’s the complete opposite,” he said.

“All we are trying to do is create the spaces and the events that we wish we had growing up in the City of Casey.”

The cancellation comes just weeks after tensions flared as pro-transgender rights and anti-transgender rights activists took to the streets of Melbourne’s CBD.

Following the protests, which was attended by a group of neo-nazis who performed a nazi

salute on the steps of Parliament, the Andrews Labor Government announced almost $1 million in funding to support LGBTIQA+ organisations.

The $900,000 package will support eight LGBTIQA+ organisations across Victoria to help respond to additional demand caused by the incident.

The funding is set to go to essential services at initiatives including Transgender Victoria, Queerspace, Rainbow families, Switchboard, Zoe Bell Gender Collective, Thorne Harbour Health/Equinox, Transcend and Mind.

The package will boost counselling and family therapy, referrals and peer support to ensure LGBTIQ+ Victorians, their families and carers can get the support they need, authorities said.

“Trans people routinely endure abuse, violence, and discrimination in the name of free speech, and the past week has caused further trauma for an already vulnerable group. Trans people deserve better, and this funding will help organisations to provide crucial support, safety, and care,” said equality minister Harriet Shing.

Ms Shing also denounced the efforts of the protest groups who contributed to the cancellation of The Art of Drag event.

“Events that are open to young people of all genders and sexualities, provide safety and celebrate diversity send a powerful message to young people that it is OK to be themselves,” she said.

“This message is so important when we know that stigma and discrimination contribute to young LGBTIQ+ people often experiencing poorer mental health than others their age.

“We condemn any efforts to make LGBTIQ+ Victorians and allies feel unsafe for being who they are, including LGBTIQ+ performers and young people.”

Premier pops in to inspect Hall Road works site

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards at the site of the Hall Road Upgrade on Wednesday 11 April.

The intersection construction blitz continues with closures upcoming from 7pm Friday 28 April until 5am Monday 26 June.

As part of the Hall Road Upgrade, the intersections of Evans and CranbourneFrankston roads in Cranbourne West will be realigned to create a single safer intersection.

The project will convert the intersections at Cranbourne-Frankston and Hall roads and Evans and Hall roads into a single four-way intersection with traffic lights.

Extra lanes will be added to increase capacity and improve traffic flow for the 30,000 vehicles that travel along Hall Road each day.

The intersection closures will fast-track major construction. During this time, Cranbourne-Frankston Road will be closed in

both directions between Willow Glen Boulevard and Ranfurlie Boulevard.

Hall Road will be closed between Cranbourne-Frankston Road and just before Banyan Drive.

Evans Road will remain closed between Hall Road and Strathlea Drive.

Crews will work 24/7 to complete three months of work in just eight weeks.

This is the last stage of major works to build the new intersection.

Works include the relocation of water and telecommunication services, completion of earthworks, installation of stormwater drainage and completion of new shared walking and cycling paths.

Arterial detours will be in place via Thompsons Road, Western Port Highway, South Gippsland Highway, North Road and Craig Road.

Delays of up to 30 minutes are expected.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and consider travelling outside of peak periods where possible.

The new signalised intersection is expected to be open to traffic on 26 June.

The Victorian and Commonwealth Gov-

ernments have invested $282.5 million to add lanes and upgrade key intersections along Hall Road between McCormicks Road and Cranbourne-Frankston Road.

The project will increase the number of traffic lanes on Hall Road to two lanes in each direction between McCormicks Road and Western Port Highway.

Once complete, the project will improve journeys along Hall Road and make it safer and more accessible for Cranbourne locals and the broader community to access local community facilities.

This project, together with the Camms Road level crossing removal, the Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road Upgrade, and the recently completed upgrade of Western Port Highway at Ballarto and CranbourneFrankston roads, aim to improve cross-Cranbourne traffic flow and removing bottlenecks across the south east.

PremierDanielAndrewsandCranbourneMP PaulineRichardsjoinworkersattheHallRd Upgrade. Picture:SUPPLIED

CaseybaseddragqueenBrendaBressedfearsyoungLGBTIQA+individualswillfeel“more vulnerableandalone”followingthecancellation.

Picture:SUPPLIED

MPs split over Voice vote

By Corey Everitt

Federal MPs of the South East are split on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament and unsure how some will vote after the Coalition’s announcement last week to support a ‘No’ vote in the referendum.

Liberal member for La Trobe, Jason Wood, has weighed in on the on-going debate about the Federal Government’s proposed referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Mr Wood supports his party’s criticisms against the proposed change to the constitution, while also supporting a free vote for his fellow backbenchers to vote either way they wish.

Last week, opposition leader Peter Dutton announced the Coalition will support a ‘No’ vote in the referendum.

Mr Wood explained that the Coalition supports the recognition of First Nations in the constitution, but not the overall package.

“The Coalition supports constitutional recognition, but not the constitutional change Labor has wrapped in with it,” he said.

“For us, in a legal sense, it’s a bridge too far.”

The referendum is first and foremost the question of whether the country wants to change the constitution to acknowledge First Nations people.

The Labor Government’s proposal is to enact this acknowledgement with the establishment of an ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice’.

The question posed includes the amendment that would establish a new body, elected and appointed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders that can make ‘representations’, inother-word advice, to Parliament and the executive of the Federal Government on issues regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

It has no veto power, no binding power or ability to handle budgets in Government.

This is the ‘Voice’ to Parliament, an independent advisory body to the Government on issues relating to First Nations people.

“Labor is acting as if both recognition and the change are the same,” Mr Wood said.

“And the problem for the Coalition is we don’t know how exactly the Voice is going to work.

“Most of all, the party wants to see practical measures.”

While in the next seat over, Labor Member for Holt, Cassandra Fernando, defended her party’s policy.

“The Voice is about giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians a say on the laws and policies that affect them,” she said.

“We need the Voice so that better policies will be made and we can improve the lives of First Nations people.

“The Voice is about listening to people on the ground, when government is better informed, you get better outcomes.”

Ms Fernando also emphasised breaks in the Coalition and hopes more will come soon.

“I commend former Shadow AttorneyGeneral Julian Leeser’s principled decision to campaign for a yes vote at the referendum,” she said.

“Mr Leeser’s decision shows that Australians of all political persuasions are coming together to support theVoice and I am confident more Liberal MPs will join Mr Leeser.”

MP Julian Leeser recently quit as the Coalition’s Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Minister for Indigenous Australians after Mr Dutton’s announcement against the Voice to Parliament.

Mr Leeser will campaign for ‘Yes’ in the referendum.

This also comes after Ken Wyatt, Liberal MP who was the first indigenous member of the House of Representatives, resigned from the Liberal Party in opposition to Mr Dutton’s stance.

The Coalition’s counter to the Voice, Mr Wood explained, is a regional and rural body based on legislation, not constitutional change.

“Regional bodies would be set up in indigenous communities that would then feed into the Federal Government,” Mr Wood said.

“It would be based on legislation that is more practical than constitutional change.”

The Coalition claims legislating a new body is a more practical step compared to changing the constitution.

Labor Member for Bruce, Julian Hill, also stepped, slamming the counters of the Coalition as cynical.

“What the Liberals are saying about “detail“ and “not knowing how this will work“ are blatant lies - it’s all written down and publicly available,” he said.

“Peter Dutton was never going to support Indigenous reconciliation. In 2007 he walked out of Parliament during the Apology to Indigenous People, and in 2023 he’s turning his back, refusing to listen.”

Mr Hill also acknowledged the splits in the Coalition.

“Even senior Liberals are now quitting the Party and disagreeing with their stance.”

Despite emphasising the criticisms made by his party, Mr Wood also sought fair debate on the referendum.

“I fought to make sure the backbench has a free vote,” he said.

“I think everyone needs to have respect and have a fair debate on this.”

Mr Wood’s colleague to the east, Member for Monash Russell Broadbent was one of few of the Coalition to come out in support of the Voice.

Contributing to a book released in February, Mr Broadbent made his case for ‘Yes’ regarding the Voice to Parliament.

Speaking to the Warragul Gazette in early March, Mr Broadbent explained his support.

“We walk together or we continue to stum-

ble blindly, We fail to take up the invitation at our peril,” he said.

“The invitation is one that must not be ignored but embraced in its fullness.”

Mr Broadbent was contacted regarding recent developments, but declined to comment.

Fellow Liberal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi, has said he has not made a final decision for ‘yes’ or ‘no’, despite his party executive’s decision.

The bill for the referendum was formally introduced to the Federal Parliament on 30 March.

The referendum is set to take place in late 2023.

It was a not-so-Good Friday for crime in the south east

By Shelby Brooks

A Hampton Park man is one of a string of individuals arrested following two separate car chases in Pakenham on Friday afternoon, 7 April.

Officers responded to reports a black Audi sedan with no registration plates allegedly driving erratically on Cardinia Road, just after 3.15pm.

Police spotted the vehicle and attempted to intercept it, but it’s alleged the car didn’t stop and took off at a fast rate of speed.

With assistance from the Air Wing, police followed the vehicle through a number of streets in Pakenham.

Stop-sticks were deployed on Duncan Drive, successfully puncturing all four tyres.

It’s believed that the car continued to drive with flat wheels for a short distance when it finally came to a stop in The Parkway.

A 25-year-old man from Ringwood, a 31-year-old Hampton Park man and a 24-year-old Malvern East woman were ar-

rested at the scene.

They were all taken to hospital after falling ill.

Investigations remain ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam footage or with information that could assist police with their enquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Separately, around the same time a local couple going for a Good Friday walk with their dogs were shocked to witness the arrest of a group of teenagers, as Pakenham experienced a busy day of police action.

The couple said they were fitting in their daily walk between rain showers around 2pm on Friday 7 April when they heard an Audi screech to a stop on Thwaites Road.

“We thought it was spinning out from hitting a light pole and started walking toward it to see if everyone was OK,” the husband said.

Moments later, three or four unmarked police cars surrounded the Audi and officers

started shouting for the occupants to exit the vehicle.

The couple said the occupants were wearing balaclavas and had something in their hands, believed to be a weapon.

“It was a surreal moment. How does this happen in our quiet street?” the husband said.

“I think it was the driver who opened the door and made a run for it down the hill towards us.”

Worried for their safety, the husband and wife quickly hid in a neighbour’s front yard until they were able to recount what occurred to the police officers present.

Later, police said they charged five teenagers following an alleged crime spree across multiple suburbs of Melbourne on 7 April.

It’s alleged the group were involved in the theft of two motor vehicles in Kooyong as well as criminal damage of windows and vehicles at a Brighton East property.

It’s also alleged the group were involved in armed robberies across Knox.

The group were arrested in the allegedly stolen Audi in Pakenham just after 3pm.

The stolen BMW and its occupants remain outstanding.

A 13-year-old Dandenong boy was charged with aggravated burglary, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, attempted armed robbery and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

A 14-year-old Catani boy was charged with dangerous driving while being pursued by police, two counts of theft of motor vehicle and reckless conduct endangering serious injury.

A 15-year-old Springvale South boy was charged with attempted car jacking and theft of motor vehicle.

Those three boys have been remanded to face a children’s court at a later date.

A 15-year-old Dandenong boy and 16-year-old Hallam girl have been charged with theft of motor vehicle, who have been bailed to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

LiberalMemberforLaTrobe,JasonWood.

Pictures:SUPPLIEDJulianHillisthememberforBruce.

CassandraFernandoisthememberforHolt.

No Porter Davis takeover

By Tara Cosoleto

AAP and Eleanor

Wilson

Collapsed building giant Porter Davis remains without a prospective buyer, after liquidators Grant Thornton partners confirmed it has not identified a suitable company to take over the business.

Australia’s 12th largest home builder went into voluntary administration on Friday 31 March, leaving 1700 homes in Victoria and Queensland hanging in the balance.

Grant Thornton partners was then appointed liquidator for the 14 company group, engaging with dozens of parties over the last two weeks to identify a buyer to take over the group.

That process failed, it announced in a statement on Monday 10 April.

“While there is genuine interest in parts of the Porter Davis Group, the liquidators have not identified any parties that are willing and capable of taking over all builds for Porter Davis customers as part of a single sale transaction,” a group spokesperson said.

“We are continuing to discuss solutions for parts of the Porter Davis group and are aiming to be in a position to finalise those discussions within the next week.

“We also hope to provide further clarity to customers regarding the next steps in completing their build - which for many customers is likely to involve engaging with a new builder of their choice.”

It is understood The CEO of Melbourne real estate investor MIG & Sons, Amit Miglani, was one potential buyer, offering to buy out the company outright.

But a Grant Thornton spokesperson said it doubted the credibility of Mr Miglani’s offer.

“While we have no reason to doubt Mr Miglani’s intention, we do not believe this is a credible offer to acquire the Porter Davis Group,” the spokesperson said.

“Mr Migliani has not undertaken any due diligence and is unable to complete a transaction in an expedited time frame which is a key requirement of the Liquidators.

“We remain in active discussions with a short list of parties in order to find solutions for some Porter Davis customers, and to otherwise provide clarity to the remaining customers in relation to the status of their build, and

options for them to engage with new builders to complete their homes.”

The completion of 1500 Victorian Porter Davis builds and a further 200 in Queensland came to a grinding halt at news of the collapse late last month.

Last week, it was reported that more than 250 unfinished Porter Davis homes will be completed while liquidators will introduce replacement builders to other affected customers.

Grant Thornton have been working with staff, certifiers and home owners to find solutions for properties close to completion.

The liquidators have identified more than 250 homes that are expected to qualify for occupation certificates and are capable of being

completed given how close they were to being finished.

Porter Davis staff will contact those customers to advise them of the next steps.

Grant Thornton will introduce others to replacement builders in the coming week so they can discuss how their build will be finished.

More than 20 builders have offered to help complete homes for Porter Davis customers.

The liquidators advise customers to still seek their own legal advice to ensure they don’t compromise their insurance entitlements.

“We appreciate this is a stressful time for all Porter Davis stakeholders,“a Grant Thorntonspokeswoman told AAP.

“We thank you for your continued patience

Workwear being retooled sustainably

Used work clothes normally cast into landfill will be recycled as part of the Pound RoadWest Upgrade project.

In a first for Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV), project workers are being encouraged to hand in their discarded workwear and personal protective equipment for repurposing by Victorian company UPPAREL.

So far, nearly 500 items of work clothing and PPE have been handed in - about 80 kilograms being diverted from landfill and preventing the creation of 280 kg of carbon dioxide.

“We’re excited to team up with UPPAREL on an initiative where every member of the project team can play their part to reduce waste in the construction industry, while supporting local business,” MRPV program director Marc Peterson said.

All of the recoverable materials are being reused or recycled

Work clothing and PPE in good condition will be offered to UPPAREL’s charity and notfor-profit partners for reuse.

Clothing not fit for wear will be recycled via a non-chemical process to convert the textiles into sustainable materials.

These can be repurposed into new commercial products replacing non-sustainable materials such as polystyrene, fibreglass and cellulose.

The fibre can be used in construction materials such as wall and ceiling insulation, furniture filling, flooring underlay, acoustic panels, suspended ceiling tiles and office partition walls.

It can also be used in cushion filling, pet beds and protective packaging for products such as crockery and glassware.

Recycled PPE such as hardhats, safety glasses and boots are being repurposed into gym flooring, outdoor playground flooring

and rubber mats.

UPPAREL chief executive Michael Elias said “we believe making a positive environmental impact is key to a sustainable future”.

“Local partnerships such as this not only make a measurable impact but continue to raise awareness around the global issue.”

The initiative is a partnership between

MRPV, its construction partner Seymour Whyte and the Braeside-based UPPAREL.

Seymour Whyte regional general manager Courtney Hoops said “adopting a circular economy approach to workwear is ‘smart business’ that’s good for the planet and promotes a social-responsibility-centred partnership”.

while we work to find alternative options and possible solutions for customers.“

The Victorian government is also investigating whether Porter Davis illegally left customersuninsured after taking their deposits.

Builders in Victoria have to buy domestic building insurance policies on behalf of homeowners before they take deposits or any money for projects of more than $16,000.

The requirement falls under the Domestic Building Insurance Ministerial Order.

“We are looking at that actively,“ Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Thursday.

“I just want to remind everybody in this industry, the law applies to everyone. It’s not a matter of choosing to lodge those insurance premiums.“

Charges over crash

A 26-year-old Beaconsfield man died following a car crash on Sunday 9 April.

Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following the fatal single vehicle crash in Wangaratta.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Greta Road and Clarkes Lane following reports a car had rolled, coming to rest in a paddock, about 7.15pm.

Sadly, one of the three male passengers, a 26-year-old Beaconsfield man, died at the scene.

A 16-year-old Wangaratta boy sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to hospital where he remains in a critical condition, police said on Monday 10 April.

“A 24-year-old Beaconsfield sustained serious injuries and was also airlifted to hospital where he remains in a stable condition,” police said.

“The male driver of the car, a 23-yearold Wangaratta man was taken to a local hospital under police guard with nonlife-threatening injuries.

“He has been charged with culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and negligent driving causing serious injury and he was also issued with a notice of immediate driving ban.”

He was remanded to appear in Benalla Magistrates’ Court.

Pound Road West Upgrade work crews are donating used PPE and workwear for recycling.

Despite interest from several buyers, Porter Davis liquidators Grant Thornton partners claim they have not found a suitable company to take over the 14 group construction giant. Picture: UNSPLASH

Easter blitz

The Easter long weekend saw 63 offences caught by police in Casey.

Police detected almost 8000 traffic offences during a five-day road policing initiative, Operation Nexus. Casey was responsible for 26 speeding offences, 16 unlicensed drivers and unregistered vehicles and 4 drink drivers. Casey residents were also hit with impoundments, mobile phone offences, drink driving offences, drug driving offences and disqualified driving offences. “It is extremely disappointing that we’ve detected almost 8000 motorists in a five-day period for a range of traffic offences –this just shows a blatant disregard for road rules and for the safety of all road users,” said Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir. “Considering the start to the year we’ve had, we would hope that more people would heed the warnings and make a conscious effort to drive safely, particularly at Easter.” Operation Nexus saw police highly visible and actively enforcing across the state in an effort to reduce road trauma. It follows a shocking start to the year onVictoria’s roads with 89 lives lost, up 25 per cent on the five-year average. Good Friday accounted for almost a quarter of all detections over the Easter period, with 101 motorists caught drink and drug driving on this day alone.

Morethanathirdofalloffencesdetectedwere for speeding, with almost 80 per cent of motorists detected between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit. Almost a quarter of speeding offences were detected on Easter Monday, the final day of the operation. Mobile phone offences jumped 31 per cent from last year’s Easter road policing operation with 343 motorists caught using their phones while driving. Police also detected and removed 529 unauthorised drivers from roads, including suspended, disqualified and unlicensed drivers.“Time and time again, it isthosebehaviourssuchasspeed,impaireddriving and distraction primarily caused by mobile phone use that are contributing to road trauma, yet we continue to detect thousands of motorists for these offences,” Assistant Commissioner Weir said. “Everyone thinks road trauma won’t happen to them, until it’s too late. Don’t let your complacency be the reason for another death or serious injury on our roads.” There were two lives lost on Victorian roads over the Easter period, with single-vehicle fatal collisions in White Hills on Friday and Wangaratta on Sunday. With five lives lost to date in April, police enforcement will continue across the state throughout the school holiday period and the unofficial Anzac Day long weekend later this month. Operation Nexusranfrom12:01amonThursday6Apriland concluded at 23:59pm on Monday 10 April 2023. “WithEasternowbehindus,we’llturnourattentiontotheremainingAprilschoolholidayperiod and the upcoming Anzac Day public holiday –you will certainly see police enforcement efforts continuing throughout the month.”

Anzac times

Cranbourne

Organised by: Cranbourne/Dandenong

RSL

Location: Greg Clydesdale Square, High Street

Time: Dawn service – 6:00 am, March – 10:30 am Morning service – 11:00 am, Pearcedale

Organised by: Pearcedale Public Hall

Team

Location: Pearcedale Public Hall, 45

Pearcedale Road

Time: Dawn service – 6:00 am

Berwick (Dawn Service)

Organised by: Berwick RSL

Location: Cranbourne West Community Hub, 4 Flicka Blvd, CranbourneWest

Time: 6:00 am

Berwick (Morning Service)

Organised by: Berwick RSL

Location: Berwick Cenotaph, High Street

Time: March – 10:30 am, Morning service – 11:00 am, Hampton Park

Organised by: Hampton Park Progress

Association

Location: Arthur Wren Hall, 16-20 Stuart Ave

Time: Dawn service – 6:00 am, NarreWar-

ren

Location: Bunjil Place. 2 Patrick NE Dr, NarreWarren

Time: 6:00 am

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs down

To package thieves. So frustrating and such a low act. #getajob

Thumbs up

To an amazing local Mark Ruberto who every week cleans up rubbish at his local park. Setting a great example for others to follow.

Thumbs down

To all the dogs who haven’t trained their owners to pick up their poops when they go for walks in the common walking tracks, reserves and parks that other families also enjoy.

Thumbs up

To all the kids and families reading and enjoying the books from our little street library.

Thumbs up

To the children hospital appeal, another great effort.

Thumbs up

Thumbs up to the students at St Francis de Sales Primary. The students at St Francis de Sales have fundraised morethan$13,000towardsanewplayarea.They got to slime the school principal and 10 teachers after smashing their $10,000 goal!

Thumbs up

To our horse Just Believe. Overnight he was one of 16 horses worldwide to be invited to contest the Elitloppet in Sweden. In the 71 year history of the race he is only the 3rd Australian horse to be invited.

Thumbs down

To VicRoads for dealing with (very) basic maintenance on the Hallam Bypass Trail in Narre Warren. I’ve even got the local MP involved and still no action after four whole months and counting.

Thumbs down

The lack of care taken with parks made for the children is astounding. No working BBQS. No good play equipment, no bins or water taps etc.

Thumbs down

To fat cats that line their pockets whilst the cost of living forces families into homeless. If only the big bosses had to live like real people with real challenges.

Thumbs down

To all of the people not giving up!

It’s a tough time and I commend you all for your commitment and support. It is and you are what makes our community strong.

Thumbs up

To City of Casey for their quick response on removing graffiti. use prices for first home buyers.

Thumbs down

To organisations not following policies and procedures, risking and compromising the safety and well-being of their stakeholders and future developments not being completed.

Thumbs down

To the roadworks. We drive a different route to get away from them and then they start working on that road too.

Thumbs down

To people who don’t slow down for birds on the road.

Thumbs down

To all the drivers that make a U turn out the front of Coles in Lynbrook.

Thumbs down

To the people who break bottles on the paths of Ray Perry park and needs to be cleaned before anyone can enjoy a visit.

Thumbs up

To Pauline Richards MP for putting on the Tea and Hot Cross buns for the community around Ray Perry Park. A great event.

Thumbs down

To organisations not following policies and procedures, risking and compromising the safety and well-being of their stakeholders and future developments not being completed.

Thumbs down

So many pot holes still developing, crap reception still after being promised all the new towers... Why are we paying companies our crazy priced plans each month when can’t make a call, send/receive a text or make calls out?!!!!

Campfire bonding

City of Casey is throwing a campfire family event designed to build the bonds between fathers and their children.

The event will be held at the Casey Youth Hub in NarreWarren onTuesday 2 May, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

The outdoor event promises to be a night of entertainment, games, drumming, marshmallow toasting, and even a free sausage sizzle with vegetarian and halal options available.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to bond with your children and others in the community while enjoying some delicious food and fun ac-

tivities,“ the council wrote.

Casey’s Dads Matter programs designed to help dads and father figures develop social networks, connect with their children through fun activities, and recognise the vital role they play in their family structure.

Events like this one highlight the importance of fathers in a child’s life.

The Dads Matter programs are open to dads, stepdads, grandfathers, or any other man who plays a significant role in a child’s life.

The support network follows a flexible format that allows dads to come and go according

to their schedule, so they don’t have to worry about missing out on any of the fun.

The campfire family event will be held outdoors.

The council is encouraging attendees to dress appropriately.

“Come prepared for a night of fun under the stars,“ they wrote.

“Make some memories, meet other father figures, and show your children the importance of spending time together as a family.“

A hopping mouse hides between two logs as part of the Australian Wildlife Display at Berwick Easter Fair. Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

Housing costs pressurise

By Sahar Foladi

Support services are seeing an alarming increase in number of people needing financial counselling for mortgage stress.

South East Community Links (SECL) chief executive Peter McNamara says people were falling off a “mortgage cliff” with 165 per cent more people reporting housing costs as the reason for seeking material aid in the past year.

SECL serves the biggest mortgage belt in Australia which also includes City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey and Cardinia Shire, Mr McNamara said.

Almost 90 per cent of its clients present with mortgage stress or cost of living pressures while half on its financial counselling wait list have mortgages.

“While some argue that Australians have savings sitting in offset accounts, our clients on low incomes are often unprepared for an increase in mortgage payments, leading to financial difficulties and the risk of defaulting on their mortgage,” Mr McNamara said.

SECL worked closely with banks to negotiate on behalf of their clients but in reality, no one was expecting to see 10 interest rate increases in a row and more likely to come, he said.

Enquiries in its financial counselling service are up by 20 per cent since last year, where wait times would’ve been around four weeks. Today, that has risen to three months.

According to SECL financial counselling cases are more complex now with 25 per cent of cases involving family violence victim-survivors.

One in three female clients have experienced financial abuse at the hands of their partner, Mr McNamara said.

The Dandenong-based Cornerstone agency provides a wide range of community services such as emergency relief and community

meals to the homeless and anyone who struggles to make ends meet.

Its chief executive Naomi Paterson says “people who haven’t struggled to pay their mortgage in the past suddenly are (struggling) - or they’re struggling to pay their rent“.

“Because of that it’s a struggle to put meals in their kid’s lunch boxes.

“We have different parcels that we would give to a rough sleeper who doesn’t have cooking facilities compared to someone from mi-

grant or asylum seeker family who would use a lot of whole food.

“We get a lot of rough sleepers.They’ll come to us for a hot meal, a cup of coffee and a chat, shower to get their laundry done but also they come to us with significant long-term struggles, challenges and very complex needs.”

The housing crisis is also making it difficult for organisations like WAYSS to provide longterm rental accommodation for families.

Wayss homelessness and housing general

manager Shari McPhail recently told Star News that “the capacity for us to assist is diminishing“.

“We’re using government funds for crisis accommodation more than for getting people in affordable, long-term housing.”

In 2021 Census data, City of Casey’s levels of homelessness rose 44 per cent in five yearsdouble the state average. Children in homelessness rose 115 per cent.

There were 1852 residents experiencing homelessness in the council area.

“Despite the State Government’s Big Housing Build, which has been a terrific investment in social and affordable housing, we’re decades behind in social housing per capita,” Ms McPhail said.

Federal Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins has renewed $67.5 million funding to cover wage costs for homelessness services, in the wake of alarming homelessness data.

“Too many Australians were experiencing homelessness on Census night (in 2021),” Ms Collins said.

The funding will continue up until the Government begins its National Housing and Homelessness Plan in 2024-‘25.

Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Deborah Di Natale said it ensured $23 million for 200 homelessness support staff inVictoria to continue their “invaluable work”.

“That’s absolutely crucial funding at a time when official Census data shows homelessness in Victoria rose 24 per cent over the past five years.

“More than 30,600 people are homeless in Victoria - it’s never been more important to have strong support services in place,” Ms Di Natale said.

The Government has introduced a Bill to establish the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.

It aims to deliver 30,00 social and affordable homes across Australia in its first five years.

Crisis support agenies buckling under the strain

By Sahar Foladi and Cam Lucadou-Wells

A spike in the number of people in need of emergency relief has placed organisations under extreme pressure to meet the needs.

More and more organisations are struggling to keep up with lack of funds and donations as a staggering number of people come through their doors.

At South East Community Links (SECL), the number of people in need of emergency relief has doubled across Casey, Cardinia and Greater Dandenong while funding has decreased by 10 per cent.

SECL assisted 11,000 community members last year who couldn’t make ends meet and needed support to put food on the table.

However, due to high demands and lack of funding, it’s anticipated that by April more than 1,000 families will be turned away, chief executive Peter McNamara said.

In addition to the struggle of meeting those needs, SECL has also seen a 50 per cent decline in volunteering since the pandemic. This is making it harder more than ever to carry on their operations.

With the influx of refugees after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in Afghanistan, SECL’s Afghan clients has tripled over the past two years.

The number of clients identifying as First Nations has also doubled over the past year.

Bakhtar Community Organisation chief executive Bassir Qadiri says the charity was struggling to keep up with rising calls for help.

Many households had lost work and income during Covid combined with the influx of refugees arriving with little from crisis-hit Afghanistan and Ukraine, Mr Qadiri said.

“Previously, we were supporting only four to five families per week, but now the num-

ber has surged to over 25 families.”

According to Naomi Paterson, CEO of Dandenong-based Cornerstone, families who’ve never been in the situation of needing assistance are now also in need.

“We have lots of local families coming to us for support and we see the real effects of the cost of living increase.”

As more and more families continue to sink deep, donations and funding have dropped.

“During Covid times there was a lot of funding that was put in emergency relief. Lots of people were able and willing to donate which was wonderful,“ Ms Paterson said.

“That sort of increase in material aid support has dropped off quite significantly but the need has grown.

“For us we find that we can get grants or funding for programs but in terms of funding

our day-to-day costs of assisting people who are in crisis, that’s a real struggle.“

Cornerstone provides community meals for the homeless and anyone who struggles to make ends meet.

During Covid lockdowns, Cornerstone provided 4000 parcels a year - up from two to three food parcels a week.

In 2022, demand has risen further to more than 5,000 emergency relief parcels and more than 14,000 hot meals.

Ms Paterson expects the need will continue to grow.

“You need a solution for people who are in crisis immediately.You need to look at why they are in crisis and why do they need that support as well as providing that instant support.

“At the moment we’re struggling with both. Really you need to be working on long term and immediate needs.”

Cornerstone cross-cultural worker Janik Joshua, Ron Martens and Cornerstone chief executive Naomi Paterson serve up a community lunch. 326634

Cornerstone’s Juwita (also known as JJ), centre, with community members. 326634 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

South East Community Links staff Desiree Kisnorbo, Mark Singh, Jessica Soccio, Peter McNamara, Zoe Canaider and Karen Vergara. 325518 Picture: ROB CAREW

Dig deep for dinosaur fun

Jurassic Creatures is an exciting event for dinosaur lovers of all ages.

With interactive activities like fossil digging and dinosaur passport hunts, as well as exhibits like a giant world bug display and 3D dinosaur jig-saw making, there’s plenty to see and do.

The event also offers the opportunity to meet Buddy and Tiny from the Dinosaur Train, as well as other activities for the whole family.

All of these activities are included in the ticket price, and for those who want to take home a souvenir, there is also a souvenir store available.

Additionally, there is a Dinosaur Photo area and carnival games available at an extra cost.

Jurassic Creatures is located at Westfield Fountain Gate in Narre Warren, and is open until April 23 for the Easter and school holidays.

To learn more about this event, visit www. jurassiccreatures.com.au.

Lidiya and Aaron check out the Jurassic Creatures which is appearing at Westfield Fountain Gate from 31 March to 23 April.

London checks out the jurassic wonderland which includes an interactive fossil digging area, dinosaur jumping castles and a fossil exhibit.

Running for research

Local Renee Bradshaw will be lacing up her shoes and dusting off her tutu for the Mother’s Day Classic (MDC) in May.

“This will be my 5th year doing the Mother’s Day Classic, my first year was completed around the hospital ward as I’d only just had my mastectomy/reconstruction done,“ Renee said.

“The reason I love doing it is to celebrate surviving breast cancer and to honour those friends that I’ve lost through the years.“

Renee has been racing through her fundraising goals.

Her original fundraising goal was $600.

Renee has already raised over $1700 with a month to go before the event.

breast cancer hit Renee’s family in 2018.

After twelve surgeries, Renee is one of the lucky women who survive their breast cancer battle.

Renee’s MDC team, the ’Cancer Crusaders’ will be completing the 8 km walk along The Tan in the city at 8:25am Sunday 14 May.

Renee’s son Charlie has joined her for the past three years.

The race has taken some preparation.

“I have been getting up at 5:45am every morning and doing the treadmill plus as a disability support worker, I try include lots of walking in my community access shifts,“ Renee said.

The Mother’s Day Classic is Australia’s biggest fun run and walk for breast cancer research.

The event is held in more than 70 locations nationwide where participants can celebrate, honour and raise vital funds for those impacted by breast cancer.

Over 20,000 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

One in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

Each day another 57 Australians receive a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis.

“We are excited to announce that in 2023, the 26th year of the Mother’s Day classic, there will be 73 locations in major cities, metro areas and regional towns for Australians to unite nationally in support of breast cancer research,” Mother’s Day Classic CEO, Zara Lawless, said.

“And we’re thrilled to reveal there are almost 20 locations that are either joining the Mother’s Day Classic nationwide community for the first time, or rejoining us after taking a break through the disruption of the last few years.”

So far there are seven new locations for 2023.

In Victoria they include Seymour, Echuca and the Mornington Peninsula.

Major events will have an event village, entertainment, live music and food stalls as well as activities for kids both on-course and in the event village.

If you prefer staying local there is an option to walk or run at one of the many local events that will be held across Australia on Mother’s Day.

Another new element to this year’s event is the addition of some longer running distances.

In Melbourne, entrants can sign up for the new 12 km distance.

“Over 1.5 million people have participated in the Mother’s Day Classic for breast cancer research in the past 25 years, donating $41.5 million, and each year we are building on the success of the event,” Ms Lawless said.

Since 1998, the Mother’s Day Classic has been a special time for communities to gather and honour those they love, remember those they have lost to breast cancer, and remind those who have been affected that they are not alone.

“It’s so important to be a part of the Mother’s Day classic as unfortunately these days everyone either has lost someone to breast cancer or knows someone that’s survived it,“ Renee said.

“The only way we’re going to get to a cure one day is by supporting organisations like the Mother’s Day classic which raises money for research.“

And research is making a difference.

Since Mother’s Day Classic’s inception, the 5-year survival rate has increased from 84% to 92%, thanks largely to research.

However, the survival rate for women with metastatic (Stage IV) breast cancer is much lower at 32%.

There’s still a long way to go before Australians stop losing their lives to breast cancer.

“By signing up for the Mother’s Day Classic you are joining a passionate, pink, and purpose-driven community united in the fight against breast cancer.

“We cannot wait to see everyone suiting up, showing up and standing stronger together on Mother’s Day and as we bring communities back together across Australia.”

You can donate to Renee’s fundraiser here: https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/fundraisers/reneebradshaw/mothers-day-classic-melbourne

Animation lover’s film being featured at ACMI

By Emily Chapman Laing

A local animation wizz has hit the big screen.

18-year-old Lyndhurst local Jasmine Lane is having her short film ‘I’m a Background Character’ shown in ACMI.

Jasmine says her film is a “parody” of the stereotypical superhero and villain story.

The film centres on a faceless background character and his rise from nothing into the hero arc.

Using the contrast of vibrant colour and detail for the“main characters” and greyscale for the background characters, Jasmine is able to demonstrate the perceived hierarchy of characters in the story form, and to challenge it.

“The twist was that I put the focus on the background character,” she said.

“I had the hero and villain in colour with these flashy designs, and everyone else was greyscale because they’re not meant to have any focus on them, they have no purpose or meaning in the story.

“A random background character with no relevance breaks the story.”

Jasmine graduated VCE in 2022 at Casey Grammar.

The film was created as part of Jasmine’s Year 12 Media Studies class.

As part of the VCE Season of Excellence 2023, Jasmine was urged by one of her teachers to submit her film to ACMI’s Top Screen.

“I wasn’t planning to submit it, but my media teacher told me something like this would make it to the top, so I thought it’s worth a shot,” Jasmine said.

Over 300 films were submitted for the award and Jasmine’s made it to the top 15.

“A while later, they said ‘Congratulations, you made it in, you’ve been selected to be screened at ACMI’ and I’m like, wow, that happened,” Jasmine said.

“It’s a little hard to comprehend, I wasn’t really processing how big that was.

“Then on the actual day, the room is full of people and it’s a really huge screen.”

‘I’m a Background Character’ is being screened at the ACMI Top Screen Gala until 28 April.

Jasmine’s history with this short film spans back to 2018, when she first had the idea and created her first artistic rendering of the featureless-background-character-turned-hero.

The film was created using 2D animation and Jasmine had to draw each and every frame.

“I have to redraw the characters over and over again, then add the colour, add the line art, the effects and all the lighting, so it’s a time consuming process,” Jasmine said.

Jasmine was inspired by the stunning animations in her favourite anime, Mob Psycho 100.

“It has incredibly storytelling and incredible animation,” she said.

“They have these sequences where they use ink on glass and they shift it around to create these ghostly effects.

“I think it’s very cool.”

Jasmine has been “geeking out” over animation for years, when she first picked up the hobby of 2D drawing and animation.

In Year 11, Jasmine made another short film, ‘Focus’, which showed her experience

with ADHD.

“That one was a lot less polished,” she said.

“It was all black and white with thick messy line art. I thought it worked well for the theme.”

Jasmine is now completing her undergraduate degree in animation at RMIT.

She says she plans to make it her career.

“It’s really cool to be able to see the characters moving and doing things.

“It never gets old.

“It’s like wow, I did that, they’re alive.”

Jasmine Lane is an 18-year-old animation lover.

Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

Renee will compete in this year’s Mother’s Day Classic.

Picture: SUPPLIED

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION

Equipping students

Cranbourne Secondary College is a dynamic learning community committed to equipping students so they can grow, contribute meaningfully, and enjoy life in the world they encounter. The College delivers an outstanding and holistic educational program that integrates academic, social, emotional, and moral learning.

The College mission is to equip learners for a fulfilling life by developing their intellectual, social, emotional, and moral intelligence. The broad, personalised curriculum and pathway options are delivered in a caring and engaging learning environment underpinned by a community culture of inclusion and participation.

Living our values of care, learning, community, and contribution is integral to the process as is our honouring of student voice. Ensuring students influence their school experience and learning journey is important to us because that’s what empowers them and makes all the difference to their learning outcomes. It’s why our students are increasingly motivated and happy at school.

Our teaching and learning know-how implemented in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities and a safe, genuinely caring context gives us our edge. Evidence-informed learning and positive behaviour frameworks ensure teachers and students know what they must do to get the best out of themselves. This enables our students to develop their goals into meaningful pathways beyond school.

We’re continually building on our strong and proud history, going from strength to strength by ensuring the education we deliver in partnership with parents, educational experts and members of the wider community remains real, relevant, innovative, and impactful.

Recently, the College has benefitted from

Come along to the Cranbourne Secondary College Information evening to find out more about our excellent programs and to experience our wonderful facilities.

a range of upgrades to facilities and grounds resulting in high-quality learning and recreational spaces for students as well as a new two court stadium that includes retractable seat-

ing for approximately 1000 students. A further $9 million upgrade will be occurring through 2023 and 2024.

Come along to our Information evening to

find out more about our excellent programs and to experience our wonderful facilities. At Cranbourne Secondary College we are a respectful, responsible, learning community.

Sustainable lunches

Sustainability is a focus of many schools these days, with students often encouraged to engage in practices such as packing‘nude’ lunches, recycling and switching off lights when not in use.

How can parents help encourage their kids to be sustainable students? Here are eight tips from Sustainability Victoria:

1. Lunches - get the kids to make their own lunch and use containers suited to nude food, eliminating the need for disposable wrapping. If you do need to wrap, reusable beeswax wraps can be used. Find out about them online or do a course on making them at your local neighborhood house or community arts centre.

2. Make your own snacks - despite what they say, many kids have plenty of time on their hands. Teach them to make their own muesli bars and other snacks. Be patient, it’s a great life skill. They will learn to be more independent and have fun doing it!

3. Get more value - use the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ website to get great recipes to use last night’s leftovers in exciting ways for school (and work) lunches.

4. Use what you’ve got - save money by digging out pens, pencils and other consumables from drawers, cupboards and bags, rather than buying new ones.

Many stationery makers also have a range of notebooks made from recycled paper.

5. Textbooks and uniforms - most schools have secondhand book and uniform shops, but your local op shop is also worth trying. Many high school English and literature books are available for free on Kindle.

For other subjects, ask teachers what the difference is with this year’s version of a textbook compared with last year’s, as the older edition may still be suitable.

6. Walking or riding to school is a great way to stay fit. It saves fuel and reduces vehicle pollution and traffic jams at the school gate. Otherwise, park a short distance from the school and walk with the kids and use it as an opportunity to teach road rules. Catching the bus may also be an option.

7. Buying a desk, bookcase or filing cabinet? Second-hand office furniture shops often have very modern goods at a much better price than new and they will last.

It is also worth checking out Facebook Marketplace for some great quality bargains.

8.AskyourschooltojointheResourceSmart Schools program offered by Sustainability Victoria. Supporting schools within the state to embed sustainability measures across the school facilities, community and curriculum, once a school joins the program, it will have access to an online portal to learn and practice ways of integrating sustainability while also saving resources and money for the school.

Lyndale Secondary College offers great advantages across a breadth of curriculum offerings.

There is provision for specialist learning areas and facilities, extensive staff professional development and a wide range of co-curricular programs.

These contribute to the fullest development of the student’s academic, cultural, artistic, social and sporting achievements, while maintaining a sense of belonging that is essential in all great schools.

Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program

Lyndale Secondary College is one of a small number of Department of Education schools in the state which is accredited to provide select-entry programs for gifted students.

The acceleration process is designed to cater for the needs of the highly academically talented student.

The program also emphasises the college’s strong belief in pastoral care and ensures that all students are effectively guided through their secondary years of schooling.

The Select Entry Accelerated Learning Program (SEAL) course involves:

· An intensive and fast-paced curriculum

· Focus on complex and abstract material

· Emphasis on higher thought processes (problem solving and analysis)

· Opportunities to participate in a variety of academic competitions

Visit https://lyndale.vic.edu.au/accelerated-learning/ for more information.

Headstart

Headstart is an exciting academic program that aims to fully support school students’ transition from one academic year to the next.

This program provides educational advantages to our students by strengthening their

academic skills to commence the next year’s coursework in the last few weeks of the school year.

Headstart benefits Senior School students as they will be better prepared for the rigours of VCE requirements, which will enable them to undertake senior studies with

confidence and success.

Building Program

Our new and engaging spaces connect and support our students to improve learning outcomes.

We have completed building our Perform-

ing Arts Centre, STEM building, library, administration building, and Senior School building. We are now eagerly waiting for the completion of new sporting facilities.

We welcome your interest in our college. For school tours, call us at 9795 2366.

Lyndale Secondary College offers a great curriculum.

Happy 100th birthday, Fiona

By Emily Chapman Laing

Cranbourne North local Fiona will be celebrating her 100th birthday on 14 April.

Born in 1923, Fiona’s daughter, also named Fiona, said she has lived a “remarkable” life.

Fiona grew up in Hawkesdale, one of three children.

“I had a beautiful childhood”,” she said.

Fiona was born with the help of a bush nurse, not like her siblings who were born in the hospital.

She later went on to have 12 children of her own, though sadly four of them passed away.

Now she approaches her 100th year, a 17 year triumph over the average lifespan of women in Australia.

Fiona said she hasn’t done anything “extra special” to make it here, though it is clear from her spirit that she’s a fiery and strong woman.

“When you live your life you just feel the same as what you do any day, you just go on,” she said.

Fiona has kept her independence, owning her own home though she has been living with her daughter since the pandemic hit.

Fiona definitely doesn’t fit the statistics.

While 75% of Australians aged 65 and over don’t get sufficient exercise, Fiona said she remains active.

“I’ve been active all my life,” she said.

“I don’t give in to anything.”

Fiona will be celebrating her birthday at Cranbourne Senior Citizens Hall.

Those close to her will be celebrating not only her incredible 100 years of life, but also her captivating personality.

“Whatever life throws at her she just grabs it by the horns and goes full speed ahead,”

said her daughter Daughter Fiona said her mum’s greatest achievement has been “being herself, taking

each day as it comes”.

“All the things she had to go through to get to 100 are amazing,” she said.

Fiona’s favourite thing about getting older is “being able to walk in one door and out the other without having any responsibility”

An ‘eggcellent’ day for all at Settlers Run Golf Club

By Emily Chapman Laing

Excited children gathered for their annual Easter egg hunt over the long weekend.

Settlers Run Golf Club in partnership with Harcourts Langwarrin hosted a group of egg hunts during the morning of Good Friday.

Children aged 1-12 participated in filling their buckets with as many chocolate goodies as possible.

There was also face painting and jumping castles adding to the entertainment.

All proceeds from the day were donated to the Good Friday Appeal.

Settlers Run has been running the event for seven years.

“The kids got a bag with an Easter bunny and an Easter egg in it and then they got to collect the little eggs as well,“ said Settlers Run Club Operations Manager Melanie Phillips.

“We had some activities for them as well.“

Harcourts Langwarrin has sponsored the event for the past three years.

“Each year we want to continue to grow it,“ Harcourts Director Jamie O’Halloran said.

“It’s all for a good cause and that’s very important to us.“

Mr O’Halloran said the Easter Funday was all about “giving back to the community“.

“At Harcourts that’s what we want to do,“ he said.

“Grow the brand within the community but also grow the community itself and bring everyone together.“

Other sponsors included Blue Moon Constructions, Mitchell Renovations, Sea Change

Conveyancing and Jake’s Gardening and Co.

“Without them we can’t do these sorts of days,“ Mr O’Halloran said.

The kids were lining up to have their pho-

to taken with the infamous Easter bunny and to have their turn bouncing on the jumping castles.

There were happy squeals galore from local children all over the club.

Isabella and Xavier with the Easter bunny. 328382

Pictures: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

L to R: Eden, Sophie and Paige. 328382 Storm and Reef. 328382

Evie in her stunning bunny ears. 328382 Lola holds an egg. 328382

Luxe picks up her eggs in the Easter egg hunt. 328382

L to R: Taghd, James and Tadhg. 328382

Fiona will be celebrating her 100th birthday on 14 April.

Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

Fun and laughter at Drum

Family fun and laughter is on the cards this month at Dandenong’s iconic Drum Theatre.

Looking to entertain the kids over the school holidays, then look no further.

Enjoy the adventure of Bunkasaurus, created by the award winning Bunk Puppets.

This imaginative performance features clowning, shadow puppetry and DIY science fiction with eye-popping results.

If magic is more your speed, then catch The Quizzical Mr Jeff as he transports his audience to a state of wonder and play.

A fusion of circus and magic, Mr Jeff explores a mysterious room of marvels as he creates an unforgettable family day out.

Join UK comedian Stephen K Amos as he explores world events from the past few years.

Before and Laughter is Amos at his best.

Fresh from treading the boards in London’s West End, Amos will have you finding the fun and the funny in all that life throws our way.

Don’t miss our Encore program show The Dancin’ Man featuring the class and elegance of the classic song and dance men who graced the stage and screen.

Enjoy the high energy and artistry of Luke Alleva, accompanied by a three piece band.

All Encore tickets include a complimentary morning tea and a parking voucher.

Following the success of the community performance Paradise Lots in 2022, awardwinning theatre company Pony Cam returns to Dandenong to bring vacant buildings and empty spaces alive in their latest offering And Then There was Night.

Witness our city transformed by night and experience street theatre at its finest.

The performance will be held in a secret location in the heart of Dandenong, which will be revealed to ticket holders closer to

backyard.

Stephen K Amos

Stephen K Amos returns to Australia due to overwhelming popular demand.

Fresh from treading the boards in London’s West End, Stephen is back doing what he does best: stand-up comedy.

Join Stephen as he muses over the extraordinary events the world has faced over the last couple of years.

How did you get through it all? Stephen’s solution… find the funny.

When the world gives Stephen lemons, he simply adds gin, tonic, ice and a healthy dose of laughter.

So grab a drink, come down and enjoy an hour of solid jokes and guaranteed belly laughs. Tickets available via the Cardinia Cultural Centre website.

· Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren on Friday 21 April at 7:30pm.

Timbarra Over 50’s Social Club

The Timbarra Over 50’s Social Club will be celebrating its 30 year anniversary this July and new members are always welcome. We meet in the Timbarra Community Hall which is part of the Berwick Neighbourhood Centre. Our activities include Indoor Carpet Bowls, Scrabble, Table Tennis and cards (500).

All activities occur in a very friendly atmosphere and nothing is taken too seriously. We also hold an Old Time/New Vogue dance every Thursday night with the first half hour devoted to tuition. Throughout the year we provide subsidised Day Trips and Luncheons for regular attendees.

In the near future our club will be looking at a name change to better attract a wider age range of interested adults.

For further details phone: Bruce 0447 554 475 or David 0433 566 456

Berwick Boutique Craft and Food Market

Spend your Saturday at the historic Old Cheese Factory in Berwick.

This lovely venue offers beautifully manicured gardens, a large children’s playground and barbecue/picnic facilities along with plenty of parking.

Step back in time and browse the wonderful and unique crafts and design from local makers and

Cirque Mother Africa

Celebrating 15 years and direct from a sellout broadway season, Cirque Mother Africa is returning to Australia in 2023 with an all new show featuring the amazing hand to hand balancing act as seen on Australia’s Got Talent performed by the Ramadhani Brothers. The heartbeat of Africa pulsates throughout this jaw-dropping show as the musicians and artists transport audience members to the breath-taking continent of Africa. This 90-minute entertainment extravaganza com-

unwind from the week.

$5 onsite parking, dogs allowed.

· 34 Homestead Road, Berwick on Saturday 22 April from 9am-2pm.

Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Markets

Bumble Bee Baby and Children’s Markets are excited to announce their upcoming market at Berwick Fields Primary School.

With up to 65 stall holders you are sure to snap up some bargains on new, handmade and preloved baby and children’s goods for all ages! And of course they will have a coffee van on hand for all your caffeine needs!

At only $2 entry for adults (children under 12

Peter Rabbit

bines the very best talent from nine African countries including Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania to provide the wonder, suspense and joy that is Cirque Mother Africa.Seen by more than 2 MILLION people worldwide, Cirque Mother Africa is guaranteed to captivate audiences young and old. Combining the best of contortion, acrobatics, traditional dance, live music, pan spinning, hand balancing and so much more. Tickets available via the Bunjil Place website.

· Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive Narre Warren,Saturday 29 April at 7.30pm.

free) and plenty of free parking it is the perfect Sunday morning outing.

Bring the whole family and be sure to share the event with your friends and extended family. The buzzier the better!

· 35 Gwendoline Drive, Berwick on Sunday 30 April from 9am-12pm.

Seniors and Active Retirees in Casey and Cardinia Areas. Are you newly retired, new to the area or just wanting to enjoy your freedom or expand your social life?

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities such as weekly social /chat activities with low key in-line dancing if you want

to tap your feet and great afternoon teas, day / short and long trips away via (coach/ flights) , weekly morning coffee club , monthly Saturday country pub lunches, monthly evening dineouts, weekly table tennis club, walking groups, seasonal daytime musical theatre outings, and more ! We welcome all you gentlemen out there with time on your hands!

Ladies, come along, this is your time to meet like minded people and make those new friends. Come along and get to know us by visiting us on a Thursday at 2 pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House or join us on a Wednesday at 10am for a coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate. Or for more information contact Enquiry Officer Gloria 0468363616

Brentwood Park Community Centre Open Day

Brentwood Park Community Centre is once again welcoming everyone for an open day. The day will include Children’s activities, market stalls, workshops and food vans.

· 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick on Saturday 29 April from 10am-2pm.

Anzac Day Dawn Service

The Anzac Day Dawn Service will be held at Officer Recreation Reserve.

Tea, Coffee, Bacon and Egg Rolls are available afterwards.

· 20 Starling Road, Officer on Tuesday 25 April at 5:45am.

Frog Census

City of Casey is hosting a frog-tastic event at Banjo Paterson Park.

Join the team to carry out some very important monitoring to record which frog species are calling the wetlands home.

Learn all about these frogs, how to identify them from their calls and how you can help protect their habitat.

Bring along a torch and your smart device and learn about the Melbourne Water Frog Census app.

The event is free.

Spots can be reserved via Eventbrite.

· Banjo Paterson Park, Paterson Drive, Lynbrook, on Thursday 20 April 5pm-6.30pm.

THE LOWDOWN

Q&A

What do you love about being a CFA volunteer?

There is so much to like about being part of the CFA. More than anything I love the opportunity to work alongside and learn from amazing people throughout CFA. Some of my favourite times have been on courses or on StrikeTeams, learning and meeting like-minded people. I have always enjoyed helping people, so being able to assist the community at their time of need is something I am passionate about. The opportunities available to CFA Volunteers are endless, I am truly proud to be a CFAVolunteer Firefighter.

What would your last meal be?

A Chicken Parma.

What is your most memorable moment?

I am truly blessed that I have multiple memorable moments in my life. The birth of both of my children is by far the most momentous life changing moment, meeting my wonderful husband, being the recipient of The Firefighter of the year Award for our Brigade for the years 2020 & 2021 which mean the world to me, and the opportunities and experiences that I have been able to provide for my family travelling and laughing together making memories. What event past or present would you like to witness?

The moon landing in 1969.

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

Robin Williams, Betty White and Jim Carrey - It would be a side-splitting evening!

What are you currently listening to, watching or reading?

Listening to Dermott Kennedy; Watching Ted Lasso; reading Mans Search for Meaning. If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?

A Greek dish called, Pastitso.

with Narre Warren CFA volunteer Anastasia Barker

THREE … ways to celebrate

World Creativity and Innovation week

1 2 3

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Anywhere with my family.

What were you like as a kid?

Determined. Independent. Energetic. Inquisitive.

What was your first job?

An apprentice hairdresser.

What are the three most used apps on your phone?

Instagram, Facebook and BART

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

Can you cry under water?

Play a game with your kids that involves picking up rubbish in a local green space.

Creating a scavenger hunt that is fun and stimulating for children and adults but which also requires them to find specific recyclable or rubbish items (while wearing gloves!) is a great way to combine fun with eco-friendly innovation.

Hold a community meeting to discuss ways to decrease food insecurity, gender inequality or education disparities.

One way to create change is to be the catalyst. Hosting a community forum allows a meeting of the minds where locals can come up with creative solutions to serious problems.

Spend the day engaging in healthy practices.

Gather some friends, family and neighbours to join you for a day of good health and well-being to celebrate Goal #3 of the Sustainable Development plan. Participate in physical movement, such as walking in nature, doing yoga or playing games in the park.

Anastasia Barker (centre) is a volunteer firefighter and recruitment officer / member wellbeing officer with the Narre Warren CFA.

Picture: SUPPLIED

LOCAL NEWS EVERY WEEK

Jail for PSO biter

• Botanic Ridge Coles Botanic Ridge Village - 10 Hummingbird Drive

• Cannons Creek Five Ways General Store

2040 South Gippsland Hwy

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

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

• Clyde North Selandra Rise Retirement Village 5 Harmony Chase

• Clyde North Selandra Community Hub 7-9 Selandra Boulevard

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

• Clyde North Lifestyle Berwick Waters 10 Skylark Boulevard

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Library 65 BerwickCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Cranbourne

Basketball and Sports Centre 65

Berwick - Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Life Be In It 65

Berwick - Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Coles Express 1120 Cnr Sladen Street & Cemetery Roads

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Senior Citizens Club 1 Codrington Street

• Cranbourne BP Service Station 1025-1045 Frankston Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Bowls Club 5 Grant Street

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Newsagency 105 High Street

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

• Cranbourne United Service Station 183/187 Sladen Street

• Cranbourne Cranbourne RSL 1475 South Gippsland Highway

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

• Cranbourne Coles Springhill Springhill Drive (Springhill Shopping Centre)

• Cranbourne Cranbourne Community House 49-51

Valepark Crescent

• Cranbourne East Balla Ball

Community Centre 65 BerwickCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne East Shopping On Clyde 280 Berwick-Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne East Blue Hills Rise 200-240 BerwickCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne East Hunt Club Shopping Centre 1 Linsell Boulevard

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

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

• Cranbourne North Apco

Cranbourne North 315 Narre

Warren - Cranbourne Road

• Cranbourne North BP North

Cranbourne 399 Narre WarrenCranbourne Road

• Cranbourne North Woolworths

Cranbourne North South Gippsland Hwy & Thompsons Road

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

• Cranbourne North IGA

Supermarket - Eve Estate Shop 1/2-10 William Thwaites Boulevard

• Cranbourne West Apco Service Station 810 DandenongHastings Road

• Cranbourne West Coles

Cranbourne West Duff Street (Sandhurst Centre)

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

• Cranbourne West IGA Clarinda Park 85 Everlasting Boulevard

• Cranbourne West BP Service Station 910 Thompsons Road

• Hampton Park Shopping Centre 55 Hallam Road Hampton Park

• Lynbrook Lynbrook Community Centre 2 Lynbrook Boulevard & Harris Street

• Lynbrook Lynbrook

Newsagency 75 Lynbrook Boulevard (Lynbrook Village Shopping Centre)

• Lyndhurst Liberty 210 Dandenong Hastings Road

• Lyndhurst Caltex 945

Thompsons Road & Lyndhurst Boulevard

• Lyndhurst Marriot Waters Shopping Centre Thompsons Road & Marriott Boulevard

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

• Lyndhurst Woolworths

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

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

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

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

• Skye BP Service Station Western Port Highway & Hall Road

$

•All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication.

•After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear.

• The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item.

• Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

Public Notice NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A

The applicant for the permit is: M & D Town Planning Pty Ltd

The application reference number is: PA23-0031 - (Divyaa Sundaravadivel)

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority.

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION LOCATED AT LYNBROOK

Telstra plans to upgrade an existing telecommunications facility located at 516S Evans Road, Lynbrook 3975 VIC (Lot S8 PS636338) www.rfnsa.com.au/3975007

1.Telstra Limited (A.C.N 051 775 556) are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for theintroductionof5GtoTelstra’snetwork.Aspartofthis network upgrade, Telstra proposes the installation of NR/LTE2600 (4G/5G), NR850 (5G) and NR26000 (5G) technologies at the Lynbrook locality and surrounds.

City of Casey Bunjil Place 2 Patrick Northeast Drive NARRE WARREN

This can be done during office hours and is free of charge.

Documents can also be viewed on Council’s website:

2.The proposed works at the above site include the removal of three (3) panel antennas, the relocation of three(3)panelantennasandtheinstallationofthree(3) panel antennas and three (3) mmWave panel antennas (each no more than 2.8m long). Works will also include the installation of associated ancillary equipment. All internal equipment will be housed within the existing equipment shelter located at the base of the facility.

3.Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-Impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 based on the above description.

https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/viewplanning-applications

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority.

An objection must:

•be made to the Responsible Authority in writing to, Manager Planning, P.O. Box 1000, Narre Warren 3805 or emailed to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au

• include the application number and site address

• include the reasons for the objection, and

• state how the objector would be affected.

The Responsible Authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application.

The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 1 May 2023

If you object, the Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.

4.In accordance with Section 7 of C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, we invite you to provide feedback about the proposal. Further information and/or written submissions should be directed to Teah Hammet, Aurecon Australasia Pty Ltd (A.B.N 54 005 139 873) via email to: Teah.Hammet@aurecongroup.com or via post to: Teah Hammet, Aurecon Australasia Locked Bag 331, Brisbane, QLD 4001 by 5pm on 28/04/2023.

12599432-JC15-23

SPORT

Southern open to change

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Southern Football Netball League Chief Executive Lee Hartman has said he would welcome conversations with Casey and Cardinia-based football netball clubs keen on joining the SFNL.

Hartman said the South East is an area the league would be happy to tap into in the future, after Cranbourne and Doveton Doves each joined the league ahead of 2022, following the discontinuation of the South East Football Netball League.

That followed Hampton Park’s arrival five years ago.

“Yeah for sure,” Hartman said when asked if he would be open to adding more teams in the future.

“That is part of our growth, it will come from the City of Casey.

“There’s opportunities for existing clubs and new clubs that will pop up in the next fiveto-ten years in some of those growth corridors.

“We’re definitely open to the new clubs and continuing to grow our competition, I think now the City of Casey is part of the Urban Sprawl so it’s a good opportunity for those clubs to play Metro footy if they wish to do so.”

A primary prohibiting factor of adding more clubs is the distance players and volunteers need to travel, however that is offset by roads connecting the South East to metropolitan Melbourne.

Given the Eagles and Doves each made the grand final in their respective divisions, they have lifted the competitiveness of the league and thus been embraced by other clubs.

“Cranbourne and Doveton fitted in seamlessly,” Hartman said.

“They are very professional clubs, they came to us with the notion of being professional and they have lived up to that. Their administrators and volunteers are first class.

“The other clubs have accepted them very well so it has been a seamless transition.

“Speaking to them both just recently, they have enjoyed their experience, both have loved being involved and even socialising with other Southern clubs, they fit in really well.”

“They’re not looking back, they’re looking forward to build on it further.”

Despite his optimism, Hartman revealed there had been no conversations with any clubs about joining.

Speaking pragmatically, Hartman also poured cold water on the prospect of old rivalries in the South East rekindling en masse, given they would likely enter different divisions.

“If it got to that point where those teams were all playing with us, those local rivalries, we’d definitely look at that but at the end of the day, club sustainability all comes down to competitiveness,” he said.

The league has seen more movement between divisions entering 2023 than previous years, with two clubs moving between division four and division three, and division three and division two.

It has the competition in a healthy spot.

“Everyone has ambitions to play as high as they possibly can,” the Chief Executive said.

“Everyone wants to win premierships and go up, but we have put clubs up without winning premierships – from our point of view it is just about competitiveness.

“The higher level they play, the more opportunity to raise revenue and recruit players so it just works well the way we’ve got it. As new clubs join the league, we have the opportunity to reshuffle as need be.

“I think this is the most even it has ever been since we introduced the fourth division.

“This year will be very competitive from top to bottom.”

An issue facing the league ahead of 2023 is a boundary umpire shortage, with the thirds competition adopting a last-touch out-ofbounds rule to offset that.

Hartman, however, was confident that would not bleed into a shortage at higher level and that the numbers of field and goal umpires remained sufficient.

Another focus of the league is ensuring the sustainability of clubs and keeping the pathway blossoming given the league does not have a junior competition.

Hartman also said he’d observed greater volunteer turnover in recent years and was confident all clubs had recovered from the difficulties brought about by the pandemic.

Cranbourne sends a message with classy first-up win

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Cranbourne has stamped its authority straight away in 2023, using the Good Friday Southern Division One opener to record a 10.11 71 to 5.7 37 victory over Cheltenham.

In the 2022 grand final rematch, the Eagles outplayed the Rosellas for three quarters with the final 34-point margin not reflecting the gulf between the sides, given Cranbourne’s dominance after quarter time.

Despite some key outs being among eight changes from the team that won the flag, Cranbourne controlled the midfield battle for a large portion of the day and gave itself plenty of opportunities.

Two first quarter goals for the Eagles kept the margin at seven points at quarter time, when pressure and composure were among the themes brought up to get Cranbourne in the driver’s seat.

The Premiers were then able to use the wind to their advantage in the second quarter.

After that they didn’t look back, even winning the third quarter against the wind before a goalless final quarter

Legendary forward Marc Holt was the most telling absence as Cranbourne needed to find other avenues to goal.

With Kirk Dickson also absent with a sore leg, it was on the runners and crumbers to put goals on the board as they took a limited number of marks inside 50.

Dillan Bass played as a power forward and offered presence and efficiency all day forward of centre.

He kicked a goal that embodied how Cranbourne looked most dangerous throughout the day.

Jones, a hard-worker throughout the contest, quickly moved it to Matt Allister, who handballed to Bass who provided overlap run and stylishly finished from 45 metres out.

“At times in the second and third quarter we looked dangerous, and you could see the methodology with how we brought it inside 50 had changed a little bit,” coach Steve O’Brien said.

“We were playing to our strengths and able to get some really good shots on goal.”

Tyson Barry kicked two goals and looked electric as a high-impact, low-possession player.

Midfielder Zak Roscoe, who won the beston-ground medal in last year’s grand final, again had a massive say in proceedings.

Fed by the ever-reliable Mick Boland, he put his head over the footy in the guts, drove out the front of stoppages and floated for-

ward to kick four goals.

“He was outstanding,” O’Brien said of Roscoe.

“We know he’s a wonderful player but he’s stepped up another level this year with his leadership.

“Him and Ryan Jones led the way for us in there.

“Even at training, Zak’s really vocal and passes on his knowledge to the boys.”

Cranbourne was far too good for Cheltenham on Saturday. 328568

The defensive group, led by Brandon Osborne, Matt Allister and interceptor Bailey Buntine on Friday, played well throughout the day, particularly in the first quarter as the Rosellas started with the wind.

While Cheltenham banged home three first quarter goals, it could easily have been much more given the territory and possession the visitors had.

The trio acted as a brick wall for the rest of the day, not letting anything get passed them as Cheltenham managed just two goals after quarter time, with Cranbourne’s midfield getting on top.

There was a 10-minute period in the third term where Cheltenham had repeat entries but the Cranbourne backline was generally able to interrupt their rhythm forward of centre.

Picture: JONTY RALPHSMITH

Ryan Jones put forward an industrious performance. 297195

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

There has been a mutual embrace between Doveton and the Southern Footy League. 286031 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Eagles date with destiny

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Reigning Division One premiers Cranbourne once again look like it will be a team to beat in 2023.

Led again by Brandon Osborne, the Eagles started their season a week early, with a marquee Good Friday grand final rematch and looked far too strong for Cheltenham.

The midfield looked slightly different from the team that won the premiership at RSEA Park last September, but once again under the tutelage of Steve O’Brien, the focuses remained the same.

“Our core principles will stay the same as a midfield group but the balance of what we have in there will change a little bit and we hope that’s pretty exciting for us,“ O’Brien said.

“It’s all about winning the contested ball and being able to transition offensively and defensively, you can’t just work one way so that’s been a big focus of us.”

The retirement of legendary forward Marc Holt has left an irreplaceable hole inside 50.

The likes of Nick Darbyshire, Kirk Dickson, andTyson Barry will be relied upon more heavily to impact the scoreboard while O’Brien says there are other things to address to increase the number of goals scored.

“You can’t replace a local great – it’s as simple as that, so we need a greater spread from our forwards, our midfielders,“ O’Brien said.

“When we reviewed last year we probably weren’t happy with the number of goals kicked from our midfield so we see that as an area we can improve.

“Outside of that if everyone can chip in and do their bit we will get a score that is competitive.

“Historically under pressure we could bang it in there and let the big fella do his stuff, this year we don’t have that so we have to work on the way we bring the ball inside 50 and be a bit smarter with our entries...because we can’t rely on the big fella to weave his magic.”

PLAYER MOVEMENT

While there are a slew of returning players who will essentially be recruits for the Eagles, they have also lost some talent.

Beyond the aforementioned Holt, midfielder Jake Carosella and fellow premiership player Luca Bellenvia have departed for Rosebud.

Adrian and Nick Russo are now at Emerald and Ryan Davey and Curtis Barker also won’t be returning.

While acknowledging the impact of losing some prime movers, O’Brien is confident that

the players who missed 2022 through injury can more than adequately fill those shoes.

Leadership group member Dylan Cavalot showed his class in his first official match back on Friday.

Casey-listed Jarrod Barker played on limited minutes and got cleaner as the match went on and Jake Stephens also played in round one.

8 TO WATCH

Zak Roscoe: A hard in-and-under ball-winner who not only wins clearances, but is also capable of hitting his kicks when driving out the front of stoppage, Roscoe is arguably the leader of the midfield group. With a few names in the mix who weren’t there in 2022, he’ll be important from a continuity perspective and has developed his leadership across preseason.

Kirk Dickson: Missed the first game, but is a crucial ingredient forward of the footy for Cranbourne, particularly in the absence of Marc Holt this season. Plays as a lead-up centre half-forward who creates a contest inside 50.

Dillan Bass: Ultra-impressive in the first game against Cheltenham, he is a recruit who will excite plenty at Livingston Reserve. Traditionally a halfback, he will play forward of the footy in 2022 and his power and presence make him a difficult match-up

Tom Clappers: The player who Cranbourne nominated to be part of the Brad Crouchcoached development squad. Is one of several young players that will get several looks in 2023.

Brandon Osborne: Will once again skipper Cranbourne in 2023 as a trusty general behind the ball who will always close down his man. As well as his voice and calming experience on-field, he is a culturally important player off it; much of the same could be said of his brother, Glenn.

Ryan Jones: A player who you just know you can count on to produce a lionhearted four quarter effort, he started the season off strongly and is a week-in week-out contributor.

Tyson Barry: The diminutive forward completed a VFL preseason at Casey and put on several kilograms of muscle. Having not played for Dandenong Stingrays, he emerged from relative obscurity in 2022 as a creative small forward with innate goal sense and plenty of tricks to work with. Will take another step in 2023 and has plenty of upside.

George Grey: Don’t expect him to play much footy at Cranbourne, for the Casey listed player has been touted by Dees coachTaylorWhitford as a mid-season draft possibility. When Casey has byes, though, expect him to tear it up through the midfield. Plays in attack at Casey. COACH

Steve O’Brien recommitted on a multi-year deal to take the Eagles forward in the off-season.

He was initially let go as the club sought a leader who could commit longer term before coming back to the club, which said there would be a greater focus on developing assistant coaches and youth.

“Something we’ve been doing each year I have been at the club more and more is delegating more responsibility to assistant coaches for their development and giving the leadership group some responsibility during training,” O’Brien said.

“You learn to adjust and become more of an overall manager and hand over a lot of the dayto-day responsibilities to other coaches for their progression and that’s a big thing we’re doing.”

Under O’Brien, they look every chance of going back-to-back after a strong win on the weekend over challengers Cheltenham.

“Knowing the quality of people we have at our club, we’re not satisfied with winning one,“ he said.

“Once I was reappointed, the talk was let’s have a crack at back-to-back, and we know that’s going to be bloody hard, but that’s what we want to achieve.

“We have got the guys who missed out have an opportunity at winning one themselves and the young kids coming through - who’s the next Tys Barry?

“Hopefully there are two or three of them who can help take us forward again this season.”

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

In the club’s first year in the Southern Football Netball League, it won the premiership.

Cranbourne crossed to the SFNL from the discontinued South East Football Netball League and league Chief Lee Hartman said the Eagles have been embraced by other clubs.

In being such a strong club, O’Brien’s men have lifted the competitiveness of the league while also fitting in culturally.

The coach was equally positive when speaking about the 2022 transition from Cranbourne’s perspective.

“I think it ended up playing out well for us,” he said.

“There were question marks on the standard but we were pleasantly surprised.

“In all competitions there are sides down the bottom that struggle but overall I thought there was a lot more depth in this competition than the previous one we were in, so there were bigger challenges more often, which is what our players were craving.”

Fixture

Round 1: Saturday 15 April v Chelsea Heights (away).

Round 2: Saturday 22 April v Dingley (home).

Round 3: Saturday 29 April v Bentleigh (away).

Round 4: Friday 7 April v Cheltenham (home).

Round 5: Saturday 13 May v St Pauls McKinnon (away).

Round 6: Saturday 20 May v Port Melbourne Colts (away).

Round 7: Saturday 27 May v Springvale Districts (home).

Round 8: Saturday 3 June v Mordialloc (away).

Round 9: Saturday 17 June v St Kilda City (home).

Round 10: Saturday 24 June v Chelsea Heights (home)

Round 11: Saturday 1 July v Dingley (away).

Round 12: Saturday 8 July v Bentleigh (home).

Round 13: Saturday 15 July v Cheltenham (away).

Round 14: Saturday 29 July v St Paul’s McKinnon (home).

Round 15: Saturday 5 August v Port Melbourne Colts (home).

Round 16: Saturday 12 August v Springvale Districts (away).

Round 17: Saturday 19 August v Mordialloc (home).

Round 18: Saturday 26 August v St Kilda City (away).

SOUTHERN DIVISION ONE CRANBOURNE - SEASON PREVIEW

Tyson Barry is a player to watch in 2023.

Pictures: ROB CAREW Zak Roscoe will be an important player this season. 299098

Redbacks aim for the top

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Under the tutelage of new coach Hayden Stanton, Hampton Park will be seeking to secure wins over some top sides in the Southern Division Two competition in 2023.

The Redbacks were heavily reliant on a senior core of established talent last year and managed just one draw in their 10 games against clubs above them on the ladder as they finished sixth.

In 2023, the Redbacks want to bring in some fresh, younger faces which will add depth, while senior players such as Liam Myatt, Trent Thomas, Ryan Hillard and Nathan Carver remain sturdy in their output.

Stanton also wants to change the perception of Hampton Park.

“From my perspective, the history of Hampton Park over 30 years, no matter what competition they play in, they have always been known as a bit of a rough-nut club,” Stanton said.

“I’ve broken the shackles away from that. I want us to be a club that’s progressive and inclusive and tries really hard to generate more people to get involved in our club.

“The balance is important and we want to go and play away (games) and (be) respected, so our guys stick around and have a social drink to build the camaraderie in the competition.

“With no junior club, it’s very difficult, so we want people, when they play Hampton Park, to know it’s going to be a really hard game until the end, but we want to play an exciting brand of footy that encourages people to come watch us, so that will take time to build.

“I’m coming off a base where this club was fourth-bottom for points kicked – they weren’t able to score heavily so they were in games for periods but weren’t able to execute and then got scored against the other way.

In recruiting Andy Parker from Doveton, Hampton Park have picked up a ruck which was a gap that needed filling.

He’ll feed to the likes of Makaio Haywood who has had a preseason that suggests he’s ready to tap into his massive potential.

“He’s been good all preseason and we think he’s someone who will jump up this season and becomes a bona fide star of the competition,” Stanton said.

“He’s strong, he’s tough, he wins his own ball, his kicking’s beautiful, he just hasn’t, up to this year, committed himself fully and he’s reaping the benefits of it now.

“He’ll play midfield a lot, I don’t think he’s really missed training and played all the trial games so we’re expecting great things from on a consistency point of view.

“He’s always had great talent but didn’t make it at the highest level so I have focused on pumping him up and getting him going again and we’ve seen him come of age. I said to him that I think he can play at a lot better standard than what we play at and my job is to get you back playing the game and enjoying it and then your talent will come through.

FACILITY

With works being completed at Booth Reserve, Hampton Park will this season play their home games at a new facility at Cranbourne West –Tony Way Recreation Reserve.

The Redbacks have been dealt difficult cards in preseason as they’re still training at Booth Reserve where there is no social setting and two of the light towers are not operational.

The ground is not expected to be ready for use until the second week of the season, with the Redbacks first three games of the season confirmed as away fixtures.

That will give the squad a couple of weeks to acclimatise to the conditions of the ground to give them some home ground advantage when they play there.

The difference in dimensions between the two venues adds another layer of hardship.

Tony Way is a massive, open facility – arguably the biggest ground in the competition.

That changes the way Hampton Park will approach their game.

Instead of playing risk-averse, controlled footy, Stanton wants them to use their speed to

run teams into the ground – a changeup from the usual Hampton Park way.

“It’s a work in progress,” Stanton said.

“I have taken over a group that was kick-

mark and very safe and I’ve been trying to get them to play a more expansive game which relies on more ball control and getting the right guys kicking the footy more.

“It has taken time but when we have done it at times in our trial games, it has looked really good and when we’ve gone away from it and gone more kick-mark, we’ve been outmarked.

“It’s been important to show the guys our method and how we need to stick to the task. We’ve focused on that at training and put drills in place to encourage players to be aggressive with how they move the ball.”

Cora Lynn recruit, winger, Tristan Fernandez was described by Stanton as possibly the quickest player in the competition and Josh Stow’s aerobic capacity will come to the fore at Tony Way.

RECONNECTING

In his first media interview after arriving as coach, Stanton stressed that an off-field priority for him would be to reconnect with past players.

The absence of their true home ground makes that more tricky.

But Stanton has started to put methods in place to keep them around the place, recognising the mutual benefit it provides past and present players.

“We are putting together a mentoring program from old past players to new players,” said Stanton.

“Especially guys that are wearing jumper numbers of previous club greats so they understand the history and what it means to pull on the jumper.

“That sort of stuff is a good way to interact, it gives those guys someone to follow over and above just the club.”

YOUNG TALENT TIME

With no affiliated junior club, it’s rare for Hampton Park to have listed talent in the Dandenong Stingrays squad.

This year, though, they have Jack Wilson who is expected to play regular football at the Stingrays.

Wilson plays as a half-forward and has played in each of Dandenong’s first three games after getting some opportunities last season.

The son of former coach Nathan Wilson, Jack made his Hampton Park senior debut aged 16 and when the Stingrays are not playing, the Redbacks will have access to him.

The club is also excited to give Oscar Dylan the opportunity to train with the Southern Football Netball League Development Squad coached by Brad Crouch.

Makaio Haywood is eligible for that squad but was unable to commit due to work commitments, opening up the opportunity for Dylan, who had limited opportunity at senior level last year.

“He’s a young player with a lot of upside,” Stanton said.

“He’s a skinny kid who is courageous in the air and flies for his marks so we just need to make sure we upskill him and get him playing a role in our system that utilises his ability and strengths. He’s a kid who eats and breathes and loves footy.”

Fixture

Luke O’Brien will be complemented by more young talent in 2023. 282027

Picture: ROB CAREW

Jack Wilson is listed at the Dandenong Stingrays.

233832

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

SOUTHERN DIVISION TWO HAMPTON PARK