With buzzing suburban communities, beautiful scenery and coastal towns just a short drive away, what’s not to love about the City of Casey?
While Casey residents are likely to be aware of the many perks and benefits of living in the region, this feature showcases the best aspects of life in Casey. From the great education options and local businesses to leisure services and retail sectors, Casey really has it all.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over 392,000 people are forecast to call the City of Casey home in 2023. It is the most populous council area in the state, and that number is forecast to hit 551,304 by 2041, a staggering increase.
Over the next 18 years, two fifths of Casey’s population growth will occur in Clyde and Clyde North.
In 2022, 45 per cent of Casey households were couples with children – compared to 33 per cent in greater Melbourne.
The council area is one of the most diverse in Australia with 42 per cent of residents born overseas and spanning more than 150 nationalities. The top three overseas countries of birth are India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
More than three quarters of residents have at least one parent born overseas or were born overseas themselves.
There are more than 100 faiths observed in Casey – the most common being Catholic, Islam and Hindu.
Of the region’s 185,286 employed residents, 86,995 people living in Casey were employed in the city in 2021. The largest number of people were employed in healthcare and social assistance at 15,134 jobs between 2020 and 2021.
Other main areas of employment are retail trade at 14,331, education and training at 12,139 and construction at 9,269.
Many of the businesses are locally owned. In 2021 there were 27,320 businesses in the City of Casey and the Gross Regional Production was $11.49 billion – about 2.4 per cent of Victoria’s GRP.
Construction was the most productive industry in the City of Casey between 2020-2021, generating $1,268 million.
The City of Casey has an abundance of parks, playgrounds and open spaces to enjoy.
Whether you visit the 1001 Steps at Bayview Park in Narre Warren South, Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick, Akoonah Park Centre, Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne or the Hallam Valley Trail, you’ll have a myriad of options to choose from. From family friendly to physical activities, the City of Casey has all you need.
The City of Casey has a network of great education options that include Catholic schools such as St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, St Catherine’s Primary School in Berwick, Mary MacKillop Primary School in Narre Warren and St Paul Apostle North and South Primary Schools in Endeavour Hills.
The City of Casey also has a range of government schools on offer to parents with the catchment area. These include James Cook Primary School, Oatlands Primary School, Berwick Lodge Primary School and Cranbourne Park Primary School.
Secondary students also have a variety of education options, including Casey Grammar School, St Francis Xavier College Berwick, Beaconhills Christian College, Heritage College, Hampton Park Secondary College and Alkira Secondary College.
The City of Casey is also fortunate to have Dandenong Valley SDS,a school dedicated to students aged from pre school to 18 years with intellectual disabilities. The purposebuilt school caters for every one’s needs, with various play areas including a bike track, sensory rooms and outdoor spaces, multipurpose rooms, paramed offices,a hydrotherapy room and a range of therapists on hand.
Endeavour Hills Specialist School opened in 2022. It caters for up to 288 students with learning neighbourhoods for early years, middle years and senior years, a dry lab for media, drama and physical activities and a wet lab for art, science, home-craft and technology.
There is on-site speech pathology, occu-
pational therapy, music therapy, a psychologist and a therapy dog Frankie the miniature schnauzer.
The state-of-the-art facility also has a gymnasium, full-size outdoor play court and soccer pitch.
Residents are serviced by a network of healthcare providers led by general practitioners and allied health professionals such as radiologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists, audiologists and podiatrists.
Casey Hospital provides a comprehensive range of health services for the rapidly growing communities of Melbourne’s southeast. In 2022, the State Government announced Casey and Werribee Mercy hospitals would share $236 million to double their emergency departments. The 229-bed hospital expanded in 2020, adding 12 intensive care unit beds, 128 inpatient beds, 12 day surgery beds and four new operating theatres.
The City of Casey has long been a hub of sporting activity in Melbourne’s southeast.
Casey Fields is the region’s premier sports and recreation precinct, home to Melbourne City Football Club and the Melbourne Demons AFL/AFLW teams. It also regularly hosts cricket, rugby, athletics and BMX events televised nationally. Boasting more than 30 fields, tracks and courts across its 87 hectares, there is also a dedicated train station in the works for Casey Fields as a part of the Clyde Rail extension.
City of Casey intends to finish construction of Casey Fields Soccer Stage 2 in the upcoming financial year, while lobbying for funding for Casey Fields Soccer Stage 3.
In its draft budget, the council proposes a $1.23 million renewal of Casey Fields’ athletic track.
Locals and visitors have the option to check out the Endeavour Hills Skate Park, which opened in 2020 as a part of the Endeavour Hills Community Precinct Project. It includes more than 865 square metres of terrain including bowls for skateboards and a street course, a new playground, lawn area, gymnastics and parkour equipment, and terraced landscaping.
Casey Stadium has also undergone an $18
million investment from the City of Casey in partnership with the state government. Launched in 2017, the redevelopment features five new courts, spectator seating, a multipurpose room, additional parking, a cafe as well as new change rooms and toilets.
The future looks bright for the growing shire as new road, school and infrastructure projects progress over the next few years.
In City of Casey’s recent Shape Our City engagement, residents nominated open space and recreation, climate change and environment, transport, infrastructure and safety as their most important issues.
Roads and parks were particular priorities.
The Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) prepares Precinct Structure Plans (PSP) for Melbourne’s growth areas, with 16 PSP areas in the City of Casey. A council advocacy plan promotes future planning and development of the remaining growth areas of Casey, while the plan encourages innovative planning approaches that respond to community needs and ultimately work toward the goal to help create Australia’s most liveable city.
Berwick Village Jewellers is carrying on a 40-year tradition as a family-owned business.
Just like the original owners, James and Kay Drysdale, the current owners Anthony and Sylvia continue to deliver the same family values.
Anthony and Sylvia have been in the jewellery and watch industry for more than 30 years.
Their knowledge of watches and jewellery is second-to-none, with Anthony being a fully-qualified watchmaker and jeweller.
When you walk into Berwick Village Jewellers, rest assured that you will be well looked after.
Located in Blackburne Square in Berwick, it specialises in handcrafted engagement rings, wedding rings as well as Swiss watch repairs.
The evolution of Silks Cranbourne will open to the public on 1 May following the completion of the latest round of renovations.
Located at 1475 South Gippsland Highway, Cranbourne, Silks will boast a dedicated sports bar and function room to complement its expansive bistro and recreational facilities.
“We’re delighted that our Stage 2 renovations are nearing completion and we look forward to welcoming members and guests back to Silks Cranbourne,” said Luke King, general manager of Silks Cranbourne.
“Since we opened a little more than 12 months ago, Silks Cranbourne has built a reputation as the premier entertainment venue in Cranbourne and these latest works will allow us to provide our members and guests an even better dining and entertainment experience.”
The opening of the sports bar will provide patrons the space to enjoy their favourite sports and racing events, while the new function space will be able to accommodate events for up to 80 people, seated.
In addition, the renovation will allow for an expansion of the venue’s popular bistro offering.
The highly regarded Silks Cranbourne bistro menu offers an expansive range of dishes catering for all palates, while its seniors meals are widely regarded as among the best value in Melbourne’s south east.
“Our chef Indi and his team take great pride in the preparation and presentation of every meal served at Silks,” King said.
“Dining out should be an experience and our staff is dedicated to making sure guests enjoy every minute of their time at Silks Cranbourne.”
Membership of Silks Cranbourne is free and members will enjoy discounts on food
and beverages in venue, accrue membership points that can be redeemed on in-venue rewards, and soon will have the chance to win in the weekly member’s draw.
Between 17 April and 12 May members can go into the draw to win up to 300,000 membership points.
Also if you purchase a main meal in the bis-
tro with your membership card between 1 May and 14 May you can go into the draw to win a private sanctuary experience at the Peninsula Hot Springs – the perfect gift for Mother’s Day.
Michael Muaremov & Associates is what you would call a family-oriented firm with its clients’ interests at heart.
“It is obvious to everyone around him that Michel has a passion, drive and care, which leaves clients with smiles on their faces every time they leave his office,” office manager Kyle Pritchard says.
“No one is a number in the business, everyone is looked after like a family.”
It’s a team of ‘happy accountants’ at the Beaconsfield firm.
“We all smile everyday and enjoy coming to work,” Mr Pritchard says.
“Most of us are in here an hour early to ensure that we are always on top of the clients information as well as ASIC and ATO.”
The practice was tested to breaking point during Covid-19, especially Michael who spent several stints in hospital.
“He fought through the hardest time because of his drive and love for the clients that he has known for over 23 years spurs him on,” Mr Pritchard says.
“It gets him up and doing what he loves doing and will always enjoy serving his clients.”
Michael paid tribute to his family’s support during a “very difficult period”, including wife Merita who came back to the business until new suitable staff were trained and hired.
“With finally the right people coming into my life in the practice, after being so challenged and pushed to breaking points too many times to remember, my faith in humanity has been restored.
“My decision not to give up was around my commitment to my loyal clients of more than several decades, who have been so supportive and understanding.”
In the meantime, Michael’s family were
blessed with two proud moments. His elder daughters Fabiola and Deanna were married to two amazing men Arton and Theo. “They are the sons we never had,” Michael says.
Michael, Merita and youngest daughter Le-
onora have been downsizing to spend more time in Melbourne and their farm in Mansfield.
“We’re paving the way for the next chapter with our family. We’re preparing for grandchildren and being called nana and grandad or maybe pop, not sure.”
During the new year, the office has also had a change of layout with a client lounge and a more client-focused experience.
“We’ve closed the old chapter and starting a new one with the next generation,” Mr Pritchard says.
There’s a lot of doom and gloom in the air about the state of affairs in our schools.
There are, unquestionably, grounds for great concern – and I don’t need to rattle off all the reasons to you as I’m as sure as I can be, that you would have a pretty fair idea of the challenges we are facing in schools today.
They’re not unlike those in almost all workplaces in society.
Having said that, however, life goes on and parents, quite rightly, want assurances that their children are receiving the best education in the circumstances.
Stihl Shop Hallam is a one-stop-shop for all outdoor power equipment needs. As a Stihl elite dealer, they stock the majority of available Stihl products.
They stock Toro and Masport ride on and push mowers, Duetscher chipper shredders, Cromellin generators, spare parts, as well as all oils and fuels you could need.
As well as stocking the best brands, they offer a full range of service and repair options for most makes a models; from domestic to commercial, they can look after it all. Three Stihl gold-trained technicians are among the staff
as well as a gold-trained Husqvarna technician.
The showroom will impress, with plenty of stock on hand to suit everyone’s needs from the smallest home gardens to professional users. Stihl Shop Hallam is easy to find with direct access to the Princes Highway, and has been in the same spot for over 17 years.
Visit them at 4/261 Princes Hwy, Hallam, Monday to Friday 8.30am-5.30pm and Saturday 8.30am-1pm.
For enquiries, call 9702 4764 or email sales@ stihlshophallam.com.au
By the way, that’s always been the case, it’s just that the circumstances vary from time to time.
We happen to live in a time no like other, in our lifetime – semi-post pandemic with the backwash of all the disruption and suffering that the pandemic has created.
I was asked by someone recently as to whether there was any hope looking forward, given the depressing situation, particularly in staffing in our schools currently.
My rather glib answer was that there was much about which to be hopeful, on the basis that things couldn’t get much worse!
We had a chuckle about that, yet my comment was not without some merit.
Throughout history, adversity has been the catalyst for change – improvement.
That has been an essential component in the fabric of humanity’s growth and development.
We have learnt so much from the harrowing experience of the pandemic on our schools.
Yes, we have lost staff.
Yes, there is an ongoing shortage of
teachers applying for principal positions.
Yes, many children have suffered socially and emotionally as well as academically.
Yes, parents have suffered in many ways too and many are doing it very hard every day.
Nonetheless, we’ve learnt to better use technology than before – remote learning left us with no choice but to upskill systemically, across and within schools and rapidly.
The importance of sound social and emotional skills has always been known, but the pandemic put that into even sharper focus and innovative programs are springing up everywhere to better embed those skills in our children.
The pandemic has forced schools and parents to worker so much closer in a sustained way than ever before.
It wasn’t always easy – parents, in particular, were juggling work and supporting their children’s learning on a daily basis often under great stress.
The outcome, I believe, is a stronger basis on which schools and families can work together in the best interests of the children.
All of that, and more, gives me great cause to look forward to the remainder of the year with hope and enthusiasm.
Henry Grossek, Principal, Berwick Lodge Primary School
Located on High street in Berwick is a unique gem, Imagine It Toys – a local family-owned toy store. It’s the kind of store you could spend hours in and still find something new every time you visit.
What makes Imagine It Toys different is the emphasis they put on quality toys and educational play.
Every corner of this store offers a special and diverse range of options that suit a variety of play interests and needs.
You will find craft toys for creative minds, science toys for budding engineers, plenty of sensory play and a wide selection of toys to encourage STEAM play (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math).
This makes this local toy store the perfect place to take children of any age to let them explore, be creative and have a bit of educational fun.
The goal of the owners and their knowledgeable staff is always the same – to bring smiles to the faces of children.
With the time, care and consideration put into stocking quality educational toys, their goal is more than just fulfilled, it’s their calling card.
So, if you are ever in the market for quality, educational and STEAM-focused toys, this local family- owned toy store should be at the
top of your list.
Recently coming under new ownership and being rebranded to Imagine It Toys, if you haven’t visited for a while come and see the exciting changes in store…online to come soon.
New York Barbers in Berwick have seen a shift in men’s hair trends in 2023, with longer hairstyles that incorporate movement and flow becoming more popular.
The new trend is all about longer hairstyles that are longer on the sides, allowing men to showcase their natural texture and movement. This allows for more versatility in styling, as men can wear their hair in a variety of ways.
Curly hair is also making a comeback, with many men embracing their curls and letting them come through in their hairstyles. This is a departure from the traditional approach of trying to tame curly hair with short, cropped styles, and instead celebrates the natural texture and movement of curly hair.
The mullet, a hairstyle that has been around for decades, is still going strong, however, it is now being updated with more length and texture, making it a more modern and versatile style.
Short fades are still popular, but some men are opting for a less drastic approach by not going as short on the sides, their haircuts last longer and provide more styling options.
This allows men to have a cleaner and more polished look, while still maintain-
They are staying on top of the new trends in men’s hair.
ing some length and texture. For those who want a simple yet sharp hairstyle, short, cropped styles are also proving popular.
These styles are easy to maintain and style, making them perfect for those who want a no-fuss approach to their hair. You can contact New York Barbers on 9707 2215 or through email at info@newyorkbarbers. com.au
Whether it’s curly hair, mullets, short fades, or short, cropped styles, there is something for everyone looking to update their look this year.
If you’re looking to switch up your hairstyle, head to your local barber and ask for one of these trendy looks.
Alternatively if you are a local school, childcare or kindergarten looking for educational supplies and creative play, we are local looking to support local businesses and the community.
We’ve have had a flying start to the year with amazing student successes across our four ’As’, which is the framework we use to deliver a holistic education from ELC to VCE.
The four A’s are: Academics, artistry, athleticism (sport) and adventure.
· Let’s start with Academics.We have celebrated our Class of ‘22s fantastic VCE results.
Our two Duxes both achieved ATAR results above 99.13 per cent of our students achieved an ATAR above 97; and perhaps more impressive than that is that 60 per cent of all students, in our non-select entry school, achieved an ATAR above 85.
We have a diverse student body, where each student has their own talents which we aim to foster.
So, while we always aim for students to achieve their academic best, we recognise that this means different things for different students, and this is why we invest heavily in our careers team. This professional team work with our academic teams and individual students to ensure every student has a pathway to what they want to do after school, be that university, a trade or the army.
So, I’m proud to say that 95 per cent of all students were offered places in their top three course choices.
These wonderful VCE results were backed up with the release of our latest NAPLAN results, which saw our junior school and senior schools perform in the top 1 per cent of reported schools in the country.
· When I look at Athleticism, we have seen success across the board with strong participation and competition in our school’s
house swimming and athletics carnivals.
Strong competition in our sporting associations Girls SchoolVictoria (GSV) and Southern Independent Schools (SIS) as well as outstanding results from our elite athletes, who have been competing at representative level, nationally and internationally in a diverse range of sports including cycling, athletics, swimming, tennis, basketball and volleyball.
It’s not lost on me that not having Saturday sport at SMBG really allows our students to thrive in their other passions and sporting endeavours.
· When thinking about Artistry we have seen two standout events.
Our junior school students in Years 2 to 6 recently performed a Music Soiree, which included our junior choirs, two junior string ensembles and two very accomplished solo performances from our junior school music captains.
It was so pleasing to see our youngest musicians and dancers shine on stage!
Speaking of stages, we have also had four public performances of our senior school musical Grease, in addition to multiple community performances. Set in the round, I think this was one of the most outstanding pieces of amateur musical theatre I have ever seen. Around 80 per cent of all our senior school students are engaged, in some way with the performing arts, and this production led by our Maestro Marten Visser, has allowed so many participants and stars to shine.
I would also note that from an academic music and performance perspective two of our students received their LMusA Diplomas this term. Just phenomenal!
· Finally, Adventure. We have seen a range of camps, outdoor learning experiences and leadership opportunities undertaken in term one.
These have included Year 10 students out studying coastal and environmental management, historic walks through Berwick, amazing speakers at assemblies as well as senior school students and political leaders passing on their leadership practice to junior school students.
This is a snapshot of some of the pursuits, learning and sports achievements from this busy term. There are many more and I hope that I can provide you further updates as the year progresses.
*Dr Annette Rome is the principal of St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, a diamond model school that offers coeducation in the junior school, single gender education on dedicated campuses in senior school along with a senior college that brings some coeducational learning opportunities at VCE to maximise subject choices and prepare students for their next step in life.
We have redesigned our scholarship program in 2023 to reflect our 4As, so that we can award talented individuals cross a range of disciplines including academic, sport, art and design, leadership, dance and music.
To find out more and to apply please visit our website or use the QR Code.
After the success of its Narre Warren store, the family-owned Paint a Pot is now making a tasty expansion.
Opening in Fountain Gate shopping centre by mid this year will be a new, fresh conceptPaint a Pot & Pizzeria.
This new location will bring together art and food together in the most exciting kind of way. Once open, the new store will keep its core business of pottery painting, kids parties, adult and kids art workshops and introduce an authentic Italian pizzeria.
Visitors will be able to experience the traditional Canotto-style pizza as a part of a beautifully curated menu by Italian head chef Krizan Popov.
You are sure to have a blast with the family by painting pottery, enjoying some pizza, pasta, cocktails and the best St. Ali coffee in town.
Best of all, adults and kids will be able to dabble in the fun of making pizza and pasta for birthdays and group events.
Stay tuned on Paint a Pot’s website and socials for more information.
At The Bridge Inc, our vision is to have a connected society where people of all abilities achieve their full potential.
We aim to transform the lives of our participants through a wide range of services that support people with disability through connections in the home, community, and employment.
When you chooseThe Bridge Inc, you begin a journey based on your interests and identified NDIS goals. You can access a range of services at the same time and move between services as your goals develop. Choose from:
· Day services (group community and centre-based activities based on the interests of participants)
· Individual support in-home or in the community
· Getaways and community recreation including Friday night social groups, day and evening outings, and overnight short-stay holidays
· School Leaver Employment Support (SLES) and transition to employment services
· Youth employment support for those who need help to find employment
· Supported Employment in our assembly, picking and packaging warehouses
· NDIS Support Coordination (assisting people to find the right providers and coordinate a range of supports)
· Disability Employment Services (providing placement, training, and support in the open labour market for young people and
As a young migrant woman who grew up and lives in the South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, I never expected to have the letters “MP” after my name.
$221,000 thanks to this change.
The Government is also reducing the cost of child care.
adults with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses)
The Bridge Inc is your local NDIS provider in Casey. We also have locations across Cardinia, Dandenong, Bayside and Mornington Peninsula. We are excited to announce a new site in Pakenham for integrated services coming in July 2023!
Not sure which is the right service for you? No problem! Our friendly team are here to get you started. Call us on 1800 274 343 or email enquiries@thebridgeinc.org.au to start your journey today.
Next month will complete one year of being our community’s voice in Federal Parliament and in the Albanese Labor Government-a government that is focused on delivering a better future for families like mine and yours.
I have focused on providing our community with stability, confidence, and security since being elected.
Taking pressure off family budgets is my #1 priority.
I am proud to support a government that has already made medicines cheaper.
In the months of January and February alone, people in Holt saved more than
From 1 July, 1.2 million families will see the cost of their kids’ child care go down, and this will help ease financial stress and provide relief across the country.
In addition, our Fee-Free TAFE plan will deliver 180,000 free places so more Australians can get the training they need for secure, well-paid jobs and we can make more things here in Australia.
We can’t fix all the problems left over from the previous Government overnight, but I am working hard to deliver the positive, lasting change that Australians voted for last year.
- Cassandra Fernando MPBuild with a trusted local, Rawdon Hill and build with confidence
Rawdon Hill Homes is a 100% Australian owned local builder still going strong and proudly building family homes in South East Melbourne.
They have grown sustainably over the last 46 years, focusing on creating one exceptional home at a time, not volume output.
As a long-time member of the HIA, each Rawdon Hill home is built to the highest quality and their Premium Range comes as standard.
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Rawdon Hill demonstrate commitment to local customers, staff and product providers. Whilst other builders have recently been adversely affected, Rawdon Hill is trading as usual; with no impact to their customers, production and local supply chain.
Rawdon Hill Homes will walk with you every step of the way to realise your dream home.
Customers can choose from a growing range of floor plans to suit their budget. The best thing Rawdon Hill provides their customers, however, is price transparency; you are handed the keys for the price quoted.
Peter Grant, General Manager of Rawdon Hill Homes says, “We can say with absolute certainty that we will proudly finish every single home in our strong pipeline, guaranteed”.
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They have five stunning display homes, and two new designs launching in Clyde North next month which are set to inspire! Call Rawdon Hill Homes consultants on 1800 314 737 or visit rawdonhill.com.au for display opening times. rawdonhill.com.au.
Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House (BPNH) in Berwick has been a constant support for the local community for over 13 years and the Open Day on Saturday 29 April will be a chance for the community to come and see everything the centre has on offer.
In 2022 the centre’s use expanded with a range of new hirers along with new programs being run.
A constant program for Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House is their playgroup which runs 5 sessions a week.
With the leadership of facilitator Veronica, the program regularly has a waitlist.
As a Neighbourhood house the centre strives to provide a safe and supportive environment for all of the community the gather in and use.
Since 2022 a priority of the team has been to minimise social isolation.
Programs such as Mums & Women’s fitness, yoga, craft and easy English and our children’s art classes have given many of our community ways to connect.
To build on these growing programs and new connections the BPNH team are ready to go for this year’s Open Day on Saturday 29 April from 10am until 2pm.
With face painting, fire engine, market stalls, food vans and performances, it is going to be a great day to see what is on offer in our local area!
Jo the manager of BPNH said, “we want the Open Day to be a block party for all of our
The open will include market and food stalls, face painting and local performances.
community to enjoy, we had over 500 people attend last year’s event, we can’t wait to see many more join us this year.”
As always, the House is open for our community to pop in and see the facilities and let the team know what they want from the House. If you have a skill you can share or have an interest you want to learn more about, let the team know and they will do everything they can to make it happen.
You can contact BPNH through email on admin@bpnh.org.au or through mobile on 8743 0671.
Meet Kayla.
She is 10 years old and has been training at Cathy-Lea Studios for 8 years.
Kayla takes classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Commercial Jazz and Acrobatics. She trains in the studios Elite Training Program which includes conditioning and troupe work. She also has private lessons to learn solos for competitions.
Kayla received 100% for her Cecchetti International Grade 4 Ballet examination and 100% for her Bronze Star Jazz examination in 2022.
She won the Cecchetti Ballet Junior Encouragement Award in 2022 and is a finalist in the 2023 Rose Medal Award. Kayla is also a member of the prestigious Cecchetti Ballet Junior Scholars program.
In December 2022, Kayla performed in
the State Youth Ballet Company’s production of “Alice in Wonderland.”
Kayla says she loves that “the teachers (at Cathy-Lea) challenge me and push me to be my best. I’m always learning new things.”
She wants to let people know that “classes are fun and everyone is really nice.” She says that unlike other studios, Cathy-Lea “offers a lot of different styles and you can pick what you like.”
Kayla’s favourite event is the annual Cathy-Lea concert which is presented as a fully themed production with acting, singing and dancing involving all students from the age of 3 to adults.
Kayla hopes you will come and dance with her at Cathy-Lea in 2023.
Enrol now or register for a free trial class at www.cathy-lea.com or 9704 7324.
Lifestyle BerwickWaters is a little hub of serenity positioned in Melbourne’s thriving South East.
The community provides the very best in modern, independent living with a fabulous social and active lifestyle for homeowners to enjoy and thrive.
Lifestyle Berwick Wates offers the over 50’s affordable luxury living, with low maintenance homes and 5 star resort-style facilities.
Homeowners have exclusive access to an architecturally designed, modern clubhouse, indoor heated pool and spa, fully-equipped gym, bowling green, private cinema and more.
There are endless opportunities to try new things, socialise or get active with activities such as yoga, aerobics classes, dancing, woodworking, seminars and other social calendar events.
Nature enthusiasts, will love nearby Wilson Botanic Park with its wonderful walking tracks, surrounded by plants and native wildlife. Of course, you can easily pass the day away within the community with exclusive access to fabulous facilities including pool, gymnasium and cinema plus there are beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces to explore.
Purchasing a home at Lifestyle Berwick Waters provides an outstanding opportunity to join a vibrant and contemporary community.
Lifestyle Berwick Waters is perfect for people looking for an affordable downsizing option close to home. “We’ve found that people are looking for options that help them live close to their kids and grandkids.
Lifestyle Berwick Waters offers people the chance to release money tied up in their exist-
ing home and enjoy a fresh new lifestyle in a secure community environment.” Says Belinda, our Lifestyle Consultant. With homes ready to move in to and no
stamp duty, council rates, or body corporate fees you may find that now is the perfect time to make the move.
It’s time to experience the best in affordable
over 50s living within a secure, gated community. To find out more about Lifestyle Berwick Waters, call 1300 50 55 60 or visit lifestylecommunities.com.au
Winter is here at Harrys, with themes of autumn winter tones of khaki, rusty tobacco and neutral tones dominating the range that, as always, is hand selected from the best and latest current fashion. Stocking mens urban fashion and dress clothing in labels including Kiss Chacey, Nena and Pasadena, Industrie, Nana Judy, English Laundry, Nomadic Paradise, Riders by Lee, Bamboozld, Brakeburn and many more.
Additionally Harry’s stocks ties, belts, handkerchiefs and headwear keeping customers accessorised.
Open seven days a week at 9 Loveridge Walk, Berwick. Call 9796 2777 or visit harrysclothing.com.au
At St Francis Xavier College education seeks to invite all students to rise to the challenge of becoming young men and women of conscience, competence and compassion. We offer so many opportunities to deepen our students’ faith and their awareness of the message of Jesus. Helping them discover more about what and whom they are called to be.
Who knows what our students will achieve in their lives? One thing is certain; they will achieve more if they can feel the nurturing influence of family and school working in harmony. How can we work together to give each student a greater chance of success in an ever-changing world of work? We believe the keys to success in the 21st century are:
· Be connected
· Know yourself
· Know how to learn
· Be involved in what is going on around you
· Be open to change
Put together, these five points will assist each student to be adaptable enough to thrive in the midst of change. Students have a better chance of flourishing in our College if there is a complete partnership between home and school.
Our College’s programs, facilities and processes are designed to enable our students to flourish through the many learning pathways on offer from Years 7 to 12, including Extension Academies from Year 8, Learning Adjustment programs, Foun-
dation VCAL at Year 10 with VCAL and VCE pathways for Years 11 and 12.
As they strive to become successful young adults, they represent the best of their families, and the example of so many who have passed through the gates of this College over the years. Know that we will be working to keep the richness of our learning environment vibrant and contemporary. At St Francis Xavier College, we work to offer broadening experiences inside our three campuses through building a deep sense of connection to Care Group, House and Campus, at the same time working to create a sense of belonging to our College.
This commitment is how we will build a community and create independent and successful learners who are encouraged to pursue their passions within their schooling experience.
We invite you to consider calling us into partnership in your great role as parents, guardians and carers.
As a Melbourne-based funeral home, Brember Family Funeral Directors has over 36 years of collective experience supporting families through the loss of loved ones. Directed by Chris Brember, the team prides itself on delivering services that are affordable but still of the highest quality service.
Brember Family Funerals’ mission is to provide dignity, respect and professional care at all times and to honor the life of your loved one. Regardless of your religious or cultural requirements, Brember Family Funerals will help you to celebrate your loved one. 20/167 Princes Highway, Hallam.
· Visit www.bremberfamilyfunerals.com.
Lava Cafe
With a menu to cater for just about anyone, Lava Cafe has a great selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items for you to choose from. With a friendly team of staff who are more than happy to help customers, the cafe also caters to a wide variety of dietary requirements. Lava Cafe’s passion is to deliver a truly unique experience, using real food made in-house by real people, often using local produce. 25 High Street, Berwick. Function rooms available ring to book or enquire (03) 9707 4446 or visit www. lavainberwick.com.au
Berwick Footwear
Berwick Footwear has been your local footwear expert for over 40 years, as an Australian owned and operated business. Believing in quality service and quality footwear for everyone, Berwick.
Footwear offers dress shoes, slippers, boots, slip-ons, orthotics, sneakers and everything in between. Visit the friendly team at Berwick Footwear. 2/52 High Street, Berwick.
· Phone (03) 9707 1506 or visit www.berwickfootwear.com.au.
Unique Curtains
When investing in custom made curtains, blinds or accessories, you deserve personalised service. As an owner operated business, customers have the benefit of dealing directly with Amanda, an expert in her trade. Providing one-on-one consultations from start to finish, you’ll receive excellent quality products and friendly service. Whether you are looking for a bold and bright finish or something more subtle, Unique Curtains have a vast range of choices. 9 Blackburne Square, Berwick. Phone (03) 9707 3577 or visit www.uniquecurtainsvic. com.au.
Beginning in 2009 with the retail store’s opening, it soon became apparent that A Touch of
Dutch’s customers and the wider community wanted more. The online store was revamped in 2017, adding improved stock integration with the physical store, better courier prices, a wider product range and a new website.
Now, A Touch of Dutch is proud to show the community what modern Dutch food is all about. 3 & 4, 48-50 High Street, Berwick.
· Phone (03) 9707 2542 or visit www. atouchofdutch.com.au.
Go Vita
As a well-known and established health food shop in Blackburne Square, Ross and Lynda have owned Go Vita Berwick since 2012, and the store has run for 40 years.
Both Ross and Lynda have a background in the wellness industry. Go Vita is all about expert advice and exceptional customer service, whether it’s cosmetics, vitamins, food or nutrition, the store has qualified staff members to assist you on your health journey. 10 Blackburne Square, Berwick.
· Phone (03) 9707 1148 or visit www.govitaberwick.com.au.
The Departure Lounge Travel & Cruise
Located at 96A High Street Berwick and are rated as the best agents in the local area.
“We take pride and are passionate about creating beautiful itineraries for our clients and making your travel dreams a reality. Travel is not only an investment of money but more to the point, your time.With so much information available online, it is easy to think that you may get the best deal doing it yourself, but that isn’t always the case. Trust in our expertise to take care of everything from start to finish.”
Contact the team to arrange an appointment by calling: 9769 5722 or email: enquiries@tdlb.com.au or log into our website for lots of info plus live and amazing cruise deals – hundreds of last minute or early booking bonus’s to be found.
Bunty and Fuzz Florist
With Mothers Day arriving, flowers are at the forefront of mind.
Bunty and Fuzz Florist are offering special pre-order offers online for Mothers Day on Sunday 14 May.
Owner Sharon Bermingham moved her shop into an online studio in Berwick postCovid, which offers her greater flexibility for weddings and special events.
“I deliver flowers five days a week and I also offer local pick-up for customers.”
Her next step is growing her Berwick School of Floristry.
Orders from Bunty and Fuzz Florist can be placed online, by phone or via social media, phone 0414 502 651 buntyandfuzz@gmail.com
By Eleanor Wilson
The Berwick Cenotaph was veiled in floral wreaths on Tuesday 25 April, as hundreds of locals paused to remember on Anzac Day.
A veterans’ parade starting at the Berwick RSL travelled down High Street to the steps of the cenotaph, guided by an enthusiastic applause from the crowd.
Berwick RSL secretary Chris McKenna led proceedings, which began with a reading of the prayer and hymn by Reverend Elwyn Sparks, during which a flyover by the RAAF Roulettes took place about 11.03am.
Guest speaker Commander Luke Weston RAN, who is deputy director of the Mariner Skills Centre at HMAS Cerberus, gave a poetic speech about the 108th anniversary of the landing of Anzac troops at Gallipoli.
“We gather always, not to glorify war, but to remind ourselves that we value who we are, the freedoms which we possess and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who contributed to shaping the identity of our nation,” he said.
“Some lie in battlefield cemeteries, some in jungles, others lost in their aircraft and our sailors with their ships on the sea floor.
“They have no grave, but the cruel sea. No flowers lay at their head.
“We are all in their debt.”
Community stakeholders also paid their respects during the wreath-laying ceremony, including South Eastern Metropolitan MP AnnMarie Hermans, La Trobe MP Jason Wood, Berwick MP Brad Battin, Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas, City of Casey administrator Miguel Belmar, Victoria Police, South East Legacy, Australian Defence Force, Berwick CFA and NarreWarren SES.
A recital of the Anzac Requiem by Berwick RSL president Pam Phillips flowed into a reading of The Ode.
The service ended with the playing of The Last Post, an observance of one minute’s si-
lence and the playing of Reveille, during which three volleys of gunfire were fired.
The march then returned to the Berwick RSL, where the Rotary Club served refresh-
ments and a sausage sizzle.
Among the crowds attending the ceremony were three generations of the McMaster family, who paraded down High Street cradling
photos of family members George and Gordon Bunting, who fought in Papua New Guinea and inWorldWar I.
Continued page 9
Jockey Mikaela Claridge’s favourite saying to her dad was “how hard can it really be?”.
When the proposition is a life without her, Bernie Claridge’s answer is “really hard”.
The 22-year-old was killed when her horse was spooked during an early morning training ride at Cranbourne in 2019.
She and fellow rider Jaimee Hayes had already completed one loop of the sand trails at CranbourneTurf Club in the pitch black at 4am on 30 August and were part way through another when something in the thick dark scrub that lined the trail frightened their horses.
Ms Claridge had earlier commented on how dark the morning was.
Both riders were thrown.
Ms Hayes landed on her knees, looked around and saw Ms Claridge on the ground unconscious.
She was treated at the scene but never regained consciousness.
The girls were riding for Saloon Park, the racing company run by trainer Ken Keys and his wife Louise.
A County Court jury convicted the company of failing to provide a safe workplace.
After running to get help for her best friend, Ms Hayes was told to take another horse out.
Ms Claridge was the youngest of three close-knit siblings who had been driven by their parents to motorcycle events, pony club and sports every weekend as a family.
“I am beyond proud of what she achieved in her 22 years, and how lucky we were as a family to have such a beautiful daughter and sister in our lives,” Mr Claridge said.
Ms Claridge had raised concerns with her dad about riding on the sand trails in the dark and with no safety barrier.
Judge Peter Rosen said he accepted that
Ms Hayes and another rider, Chelsea Hall, had felt unable to raise the same concerns with Mr Keys himself.
“If they genuinely feel that, then that’s impacting on (Saloon Park’s) capacity to address safety risks. It’s about the culture of the company, essentially,” he said.
Cranbourne Turf Club was fined $250,000 after admitting they failed to maintain a safe workplace for Ms Claridge.
Robert Taylor, for Saloon Park, said a fine of the same magnitude would put the company out of business.
But prosecutor Colin Mandy SC highlighted the need for general deterrence, particularly in cases involving apprentices.
He described them as a vulnerable set of employees who are worked hard, not paid well and aren’t keen to ruffle feathers, particularly in the facing industry, given apprenticeships are hard to come by.
Judge Rosen said he had been left with the impression there is a blind spot within the racing industry about risk.
Colleen Claridge said everything the family had been through to achieve change would be her daughter’s legacy.
A rider herself, she said the family knew the job was dangerous but if proper processes were followed Ms Claridge might still be alive.
Her daughter was finding her feet in her career.
Ms Claridge had moved to Melbourne and was happy in her personal and professional life.
“She was loving what turned out to be the final months of her life,” her mother said.
A WorkSafe probe found several features on the track could have spooked a horse, including overhanging tree branches, pooled water, and other horses and wildlife near the track. The court was told the club could have reduced the risks by installing floodlights or limiting riders to daytime use of the facilities, while Saloon Park could have had riders use the sand trails in daylight only.
Saloon Park will be sentenced on 5 May.
Ahead of the Federal Budget, South-East emergency relief services are joining the call for the Government to ditch stage-3 tax cuts in favour of more support for the most vulnerable.
The Government’s own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC) recommended a “substantial” rise in the “seriously inadequate” Jobseeker payments as a high priority for the budget.
The committee also called for an increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance and to reform its“indexation to better reflect rent paid”.
Bakhtar Community Organisation CEO Bassir Qadiri said the current JobSeeker and Youth Allowance rates are below the poverty line.
“As a community organisation we work with individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and we see first-hand the challenges they face in meeting their basic needs,” he said.
“Therefore, we believe that increasing the payments would provide much-needed relief for those struggling.”
Bakhtar Community Organisation (BCO) provides range of volunteering services to new arrivals in the country from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
From donating clothes, household items, laptops to interpretation and legal services, BCO is at the forefront to help the community.
Mr Qadiri said the organisation would support any changes that would support single parent families.
However, the government should focus on more pressing issues such as the mental health and affordable housing rather than the multibillion-dollar stage-3 tax cuts, Mr Qadiri said.
South East Community Links chief executive Peter McNamara said the stage-3 tax cuts offer no help for those battling to keep afloat.
“It’s very clear that stage-3 tax cuts will only benefit people on high incomes (mostly men),” he said.
“People earning less than $45,000 will receive nothing.
“They should be scrapped, and the money saved can be put towards targeted support for our most vulnerable community members.”
Demand for emergency relief at SECL has doubled in the past year but funding has decreased by 10 per cent.
“We’re doing everything we can to ensure that we don’t turn people away – but the funding situation is becoming untenable.”
Mr McNamara said more had to be done on the “fundamental problem of not enough affordable housing”.
A backlash of report by Homelessness Australia found students on Youth allowance are surviving on as low as $13 a day after paying rent while a research survey on 365 people on Jobseeker by ACOSS revealed shocking numbers.
ACOSS has recommended a range of measures for the May Budget which includes in-
Police are investigating after a pedestrian died in hospital following a collision at Berwick on 10 March.
Emergency services were called to reports of the collision involving a car and pedestrian on the Princess Highway near Coniston Avenue, about 5am.
Paramedics took a 33-year-old pedestrian to hospital, but he later died.
The driver, a 26-year-old man from Berwick, stopped at the scene and has spoken with police.
Police are working to establish the exact circumstances of the collision.
Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au.
creasing income support payments to at least $76 a day including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy, Special Benefit and Parenting Payment.
Mr McNamara supported the ACOSS campaign for a rise in JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Rent Assistance payments.
“The dire level of JobSeeker and Youth Allowance is acting as a barrier to employment,” he said.
“It’s difficult for people to focus on finding a job when they are struggling to meet their basic needs.
“People are sleeping on couches, in cars, and are on the edge of homelessness because they cannot afford rent.”
He said people reporting housing costs as the reason for seeking material aid at SECL has increased by 165 per cent in the past year.
“One client told us he had to make the choice between ‘food to eat or being barefooted’,” he said.
“He desperately needed new shoes but after paying rent he was left with just $8 per day for essentials like food, transport and clothes.”
With rents rising off the back of soaring interest rates, Rent Assistance needed to be “doubled” to help people access affordable housing, Mr McNamara said.
He also called for an extension of the singleparent payment to families with children up to 16 years old. Currently it’s paid for children up to 8 years old.
“This would enable single parents to provide for their children, access affordable childcare and education, and increase their employment opportunities,” he said.
“One of our clients is a single mother with seven children who have been on the public housing waiting list for eight months.
“They are currently living in a local motel, which is not a sustainable solution.
“It is clear that more needs to be done to support these families and address the issue of poverty and homelessness in Australia.”
Emergency relief funding should also rise to “stretched-thin” services, Mr McNamara said.
Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) reports that 68 per cent of the 365 Jobseekers surveyed were eating less or skipping meals while 81 per cent were cutting back
on meat, fresh fruit, vegetable and other fresh items.
Almost all of the participants said the inability to cover the cost of living harmed their mental health with 68 per cent have difficulty getting medications or medical care due to the increase in costs.
ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said income support levels were woefully inadequate and must be raised.
“In the past 12 months the costs of food, rent and energy have all surged by double digits,” she said.
“This has meant that people on JobSeeker and related payments cannot afford to eat enough, cannot get essential medication or healthcare, and often go into debt to pay their energy bills.
“No one should have to choose between food and medicine, but these are exactly the choices being forced on people in Australia, one of the world’s wealthiest nations.
“The only way to address this problem is to deliver a real increase to JobSeeker and related payments so that they are lifted to at least the same level as the pension.”
ACOSS also recommended doubling Commonwealth Rent Assistance, establish disability and illness supplement of at least $55 a week to recognise the additional costs that people with disability and chronic illness face and establish a single parent supplement.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth formed the EIAC, which is comprised of social security and economics experts, unions, business groups, philanthropy and others.
In a joint media release in response to the EIAC report, Mr Chalmers and Ms Rishworth said, “While we can’t fund every good idea, there will be measures in the May Budget to address disadvantage.
“This will include energy bill price relief that prioritises those on payments and pensions.
“Some of the Committee’s 37 recommendations will be considered as part of other government processes that are currently underway, such as the development of the Employment White Paper, the Measuring What Matters Statement and the Early Years Strategy.”
Dandenong teacher and Casey resident Inaz Janif was one of the resident-participants in an anti-racism report by Victoria University launched on 20 April at Bunjil Place.
The research consisted of community surveys and 11 peer facilitated focus groups over an 18-month period in 2021 and 2022.
The report found 61 per cent of the respondents experienced racism in the past 12 months.
Ms Janif, a practising Muslim and mother of three, is from a Fijian-Indian background and has lived in Australia since she was a baby.
She has been a Casey resident all her life and shared with Star News how she has dealt with racism.
“I first encountered it (racism) as a child when our Fijian-Indian community tried to build a masjid (mosque) here in Casey,” she said.
“It really upset people in certain parts of the Casey community. That led to really random death threats and phone calls.
“And as much as my family tried to shelter us kids from that you kind of know what’s going on.”
Ms Janif said she has lived, seen and known many people in the community who’d had their share of unpleasant encounters with racism.
“You need a very good understanding of how the system works and literacy levels to advocate for yourself,” she said.
“I know a lot of people who’ve lived here a long time who’ve been brushed off and were told nothing can be done.”
One of the report findings was four-out-of-
Teddy bears from all across the land jaunted through the grounds of Berwick’s Old Cheese Factory on Wednesday 19 April, for the annual Casey Teddy Bear Picnic.
Families made room for teddies big and small on their picnic blankets, as the kids had a ball dancing and singing along to on-stage entertainment.
Star News photographer GARY SISSONS was invited see what all the fun was about.
five respondents who experienced racism did not report it because they didn’t think it would change anything, didn’t know where to go, had language barriers, didn’t trust existing services or were concerned about negative backlash.
And those who did report racist incidents were disappointed with the reporting experience and outcome.
Ms Janif, who is also an Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) board member said racism very much existed within the community.
“What I’ve seen from that time, if anything, is that there’s been an increase and that’s what led me to work around this issue to raise awareness and tell Muslims that they can expect better for themselves,” she said.
ICV is the peak Muslim body in Victoria representing more than 270,000 Muslims via 76 member societies representing over 100 diverse ethnic communities.
ICV also provides advocacy and social welfare services. It recently published a media release on a “vile hate attack” on a Monash University Muslim student.
The incident took place on 10 March on public transport where the Muslim student was verbally and physically assaulted for having the “temerity of defending two Asian high school students riding the same bus”.
While the student stood up for the two Asian students, no one stood up for her.
“There’s been a big movement to raise awareness that these incidents are happening. That’s why these reports and projects are important,” Ms Janif said.
“Islamophobia is one type of racism and we need to address it as a community so everybody has better opportunity to grow safely.”
According to the anti-racism report, 58 per
cent of the racist encounters took place during the respondents’ employment, 47 per cent in shopping centres, 41 per cent in educational and school settings and 38 per cent in public transport and social media.
Common forms of racism were microaggressions, insults, and unfair treatment.
“They don’t have to normalise this kind of abuse. It can be subtle and extreme and the subtle side is often brushed off,” Ms Janif said.
Straight out of high school Ms Janif applied for a job at a coffee shop but was told she could only have it if she took off her hijab to meet “health requirements”.
“I asked is there something else I could wear? I said can I wear my hijab in a way where it can meet health requirements and they said ‘no’.”
Sadly, racist encounters have remained
consistent throughout her life as an active member in the community and now her choice to wear her hijab as a Muslim was also affecting her family and children.
The turning point for her was when she took her eldest daughter, who was three at the time, to the playground one day.
“As other parents realised she was my child, they told their children not to play with my daughter. I could tell because they stopped playing with her,” she said.
“They didn’t know me, all they saw was my appearance.
“I had to make a choice do I change my appearance and beliefs? It’s one thing for it to affect yourself and it’s another when it affects your children.
“I realised I need to stay true to myself and my beliefs and pass that on to my children.”
Dalal Smiley, Wellsprings for Women CEO, said women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds always shared stories of their encounters with racism.
“Yes they don’t report it because I agree with them, it’s a lot of work, you need evidence and to fill out forms,” she said.
“So the best way they deal with it is the support they get from each other, coming to Wellsprings and sharing their experiences finding the strength and resilience to stand against racism.
“It’s not about being passive and not about being racist yourself. But how to be anti-racist is proactive work you’ll do individually as a bystander, collectively and institutionally to fight racism and become an example of an inclusive organisation.”
There’s a crisis in our country you can fix in your first budget, at no extra cost.
Dear Dr Chalmers,
With the stroke of a pen you could help secure the future of critical regional news services, using money already allocated in the budget.
All you need to do is allocate a fairer percentage of the federal government’s advertising budget to local and regional news services, rather than spending almost all of it with corporate capital city media and foreign-owned digital platforms (which don’t produce any content or employ any journalists).
This can be achieved by simply adopting the Victorian Govt policy that mandates a weekly full page government advertisement in every regional and community paper.
Local and regional newspapers connect more than 80% of the country, but they get almost 0% of the government advertising spend. In an era where false news spreads faster on social media than the truth does, trusted local news services reach more regional Australians than any other medium. And unlike other media, every government dollar spent with a local newspaper is also an investment in regional journalism jobs. This shouldn’t be controversial.
A recent parliamentary inquiry recommended that a minimum of 20% of government print advertising should be placed with regional news services. A recent study conducted by Deakin University recommended the same thing. In fact, the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, has been advocating for more regional newspaper advertising for many years.
We know there may be bigger budget issues, but this small policy change would be a simple and fair solution to a growing problem for regional Australia. A policy that ensures weekly federal government advertising is placed in regional newspapers would be great news for the country.
And it won’t cost you a cent.
Yours sincerely,
You TonyKendall
Tony Kendall President Managing Director Country Press Australia Australian Community Media
Andrew Manuel
A smoke warning was issued to the community over the weekend, as smoke billowed from a house fire in Clyde on Saturday 22 April.
CFA units responded to a garage fire of a two-storey house in Jubilee Road about 4.45pm.
Large plumes of smokes extended into the sky as crews worked for 25 minutes to get the blaze under control.
With FRV on scene for support, the fire was deemed safe at 5.51pm.
Images posted to the Clyde Fire Brigade Facebook Page show extensive damage to the inside of the garage, including to a parked car inside.
The main part of the property also incurred minor damage, it appeared.
No people were injured, The Clyde Fire Brigade confirmed.
The Fire Investigation Unit and Building Surveyor will return to the scene to determine the cause of the fire, it is understood.
Thumbs down
To AusNet for taking over 2 months to replace faulty lights in Evans Road Cranbourne West. Major roadworks in the area and we even reported the number of the appropriate lamp posts to them.
Thumbs down
To NBA League pass playback and subscription issues occurring during the playoffs!
Thumbs up
To the turnout to Anzac Day services across Casey.
Thumbs up
To the autumn colours on the trees! Beautiful.
Thumbs up
To the kids back at school lol.
Thumbs down
To drivers who don’t turn their lights on in fog
Thumbs down
To people that can’t or don’t want to do the speed limit on the freeways. So if you can’t, use the back roads.
To the great autumn weather this week - a nice end to April.
A young woman is making waves in her many roles throughout the community.
Clyde North local Scarlett, 20, has an intellectual disability and global developmental delay, which makes speech and learning a longer and more difficult process.
But she hasn’t let her challenges keep her from exploring her many avenues of interest.
“She loves cooking and hospitality,” Scarlett’s mother Vanessa said.
“She just wanted to be in the workforce.”
Scarlett has recently gained paid employment at L’Arte Central in Cranbourne East after volunteering her time previously.
She works in the kitchen learning invaluable skills.
“I make the waffles, the pies and the sausage rolls with the head chefs at L’Arte,” Scarlett said.
She has also gained employment at the Amstel Club in Cranbourne.
While these are not NDIS-funded programs, they have allowed Scarlett to feel included in the workforce.
“The Amstel Club wanted to offer supportive workplace initiatives to be more inclusive of people with disabilities,” Vanessa said.
Scarlett said: “This was my first paid employment.”
She participates in Amstel Club’s Every 1 Cafe each Thursday, where individuals with disabilities are taught important hospitality skills.
“It’s just amazing,” Vanessa said.
“It’s a cafe where people can just go and have a coffee for a $1 donation.
“It’s run by all these people with disabilities and it’s just great skills.”
Scarlett also showcases her creativity and personal charisma as she hosts monthly podcast Disability Matters on the Buzzz.
“Disability Matters is a show where we show the talent of students from different programs,” she said.
Vanessa said Scarlett was lucky to participate in the podcast as it was one of her confidence-building goals.
Cindy Warren from Umbrella Support and
Daz Smith from RadioVoice have been instrumental in Scarlett exploring her ambition and skill-building.
She is now starting a new program through RadioVoice, where Scarlett interviews a new person each week.
The program is called Your Story with Scarlett and can be found on Spotify.
“One of Scarlett’s concerns is staying on topic and holding conversations with people,”
Vanessa said.
“It’s amazing how podcasting is so good for speech therapy.”
On top of these commitments, Scarlett volunteers her spare time at the Salvos in Clyde North every Saturday.
Vanessa said the organisation had been extremely supportive.
“One of the managers worked with her and trained her,” she said.
“I go in there sometimes and she’s on the registers and they help her if she’s not sure.”
NDIS support and funding has been a crucial part of Scarlett’s journey into her many employment, volunteering and skill building roles.
Scarlett’s MyIntegra support co-ordinator Janette was able to successfully support Scarlett and her mother Vanessa through every NDIS plan review.
MyIntegra provides “support coordination and plan management for NDIS clients”.
Janette has been working with Scarlett since 2019, and has watched her bloom as she found projects and jobs to build her skills.
“Scarlett was quite interested in cooking and hospitality,” Janette said.
“We started looking for programs to support her once she finished school.
“She has had lots of success, she’s grown so much as a person and to be able to have linked her in with programs that she enjoys is great.”
Scarlett has achieved fantastic results with Janette’s help.
“I know in the media NDIS sometimes gets slammed,” Vanessa said.
“But this is a good story. It’s opened so many doors for her.
“This would not have been possible without NDIS funding.”
To learn more about Halcyon Evergreen, visit our website today.
2022
For Yulia Panteleeva, parading down Berwick’s High Street wearing an Anzac nurse uniform is an honour she doesn’t take lightly.
“It’s a bit haunting, a bit emotional…the dawn services especially,” she said.
Ms Panteleeva is a member of the Australian Great War Association (AGWA), a notfor-profit which brings commemorative war events to life through traditional costuming and war-time re-enactments.
“I was sort of always really interested in history and historical costuming and I had a friend at the time who did it, she brought me into the group,” Ms Panteleeva explained.
Currently residing in Queensland, Ms Panteleeva travels across Australia to participate in events for the purpose of recreating the appearance of participants in the Great War.
This year marks her second time partaking in the Berwick service.
“Marching today, it was just fantastic. I love seeing the kids and just how excited they get, I’ll sometimes wave to them from the parade,” she said.
“I don’t really know how to describe it, but it feels very special because it feels like you’re connecting to the people that came before, that helped make this country what it is.”
Her uniform is “as historically accurate as you can get” to the Anzac nurses uniform.
She purchased it off the costume designer for ABC mini-series Anzac Girls, which was made to honour the centenary of the start of WWI.
Included on the breast of her uniform is a
Silver Fern badge - a nod to her Kiwi heritage - a registered nurse badge and a sweetheart brooch, which soldiers would send to their mothers, sisters or wives as a keepsake.
The registered nurse badge was loaned to her by her sister’s partner, who works in the industry, making it all the more significant to her.
“She asked if I wanted to wear it and I said that would be the biggest honour,” she said.
“They are made pretty much identically to how they were during the War.”
Yulia said participating in commemorative parades, which she has done for several years now, was a small way for her to give back to the veteran community.
“For majority of us it’s just a passion, also just remembering the veterans,” she said.
“The world is ever changing and I feel like sometimes the veterans can get forgotten about.
“I find that a lot of people forget the behind the scenes people - the medical personnel, and not just the nurses but stretcher bearers, the doctors, all the animals they had to help in field offices.
“So that’s why I really enjoy Anzac Day services because it gives us a chance to remember those who are still with us and helped.”
More than 2000 Australian nurses served in the Australian Army Nursing Service during WWI.
Hampton Park early-risers had the chance to pay their respects to past and present service people at the Anzac Day Dawn Service.
Run by the Hampton Park Progress Association, the service held on Tuesday 25 April featured cadets performing a catafalque march led by Berwick squadron leader Bruce Dusting.
Hampton Park Fire Brigade was in attendance, along with local members of parliament.
More than 100 people attended the service, which was followed by complimentary morning tea, scones with jam and cream, and sandwiches.
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Berwick Chapter were a welcome addition to Berwick’s Anzac Day parade and service on Tuesday morning, 25 April.
More than a dozen association members, young and old, attended the Berwick Cenotaph service in solidarity with Australia’s fallen soldiers.
“We wanted to showcase our support and show that Muslims are always there for the country and the community,” external affairs coordinator Tariq Butt said.
Mr Butt said the response to their attendance had been positive.
“People are asking why we’re here today, they’re curious and it’s good to interact with people,” he said.
The members also brought with them stories of the surprising and largely undocumented history of the Great War’s Muslim soldiers.
“There is a village in Pakistan called Dulmi-
al and some of the village people fought in the War with the Australians,” Mr Butt said.
At the time ofWorldWar I, Pakistan, a largely Muslim nation, was a territory of British India, meaning several Muslim men fought in the war alongside the Allies.
It is understood that Dulmial sent 460 of its men to fight in the British Army, the largest single participation of any village in Asia. Nine gave their lives.
The warriors of Dulmial were dispatched all over the world: from the Western Front to Tehran to Basra in present-day Iraq.
Mr Butt said the association hopes to hold an exhibition next year to educate the community on the Muslim fighters from Dulmial.
“We want more inclusion in society and to showcase to people that Muslims are not separate, they are ones who fought the war with Australia as well,” he said.
“We just want more inclusion in the community.”
The brisk autumn air wasn’t the only thing to unite an overwhelming crowd of locals at Bunjil Place on Tuesday 25 April, as thousands gathered to commemorate the sacrifices of Australia’s war veterans.
A cross section of the oldest and youngest Casey residents piled onto the grass at the civic hub in Narre Warren to remember loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
A prayer from Revd Elwyn Sparks marked the beginning of the dawn service, which was followed by a hymn performed by Lysterfield Lake College students.
Berwick RSL president Pam Phillips gave a heartfelt address, paying homage to the Anzacs and service personnel who have served and continue to serve in conflicts across the globe.
This year’s service also marked the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, she explained.
Joining Mrs Phillips in the wreath laying ceremony was Berwick MP Brad Battin, Narre Warren North MP Belinda Wilson, City of Casey administrators Noelene Duff, Cameron Boardman and Miguel Belmar, Narre Warren North Fire Brigade and several local community groups and schools.
Birds chirped throughout the reading of The Ode and the playing of The Last Post, before the crowd reflected during a minute’s silence.
The playing of Reveille and the New Zealand and Australian National anthems brought the proceedings to a close, as crowds dispersed into the dawn.
Clyde North’s Justin Dumbleton attends the dawn service every year to give his thanks to
service personnel who have served in conflict.
“My uncle served in Papua New Guinea in World War II and my great uncle, he unfortunately perished in the HMAS Sydney,” he said.
“It’s the least we can do, coming down here to say thanks and pay our respects to all the service personnel, past present and future, unfortunately, because there is still conflict going around.”
Brett andVerity Connell brought their three
From page 1
Primary School student Madison laid a wreath on behalf of her school, Berwick Lodge.
She attends the Anzac Day service every year and said it was important to be able to “represent my school and pay my respects to the fallen soldiers”.
Ruby and Molly from Berwick proudly wore their dad’s police medals to the service.
It’s their first year at the service without their dad by their side, who has passed away.
“Their dad always taught them the importance of coming and this is their first year coming without their dad, but they were really excited to wear their dad’s medals,” mum Kelly said.
Veteran Bruce Campbell spent 30 years in the Navy, including some time in Iraq.
For him, Anzac Day is a chance to reconnect with that part of him.
“I just think it reconnects me with my friends and with my service…it’s more about the opportunity to remember my mates and stuff like that,” he said.
Mrs Phillips said she was pleased with the turnout.
“It’s getting bigger and bigger, I think people are trying to keep it going and trying to get the younger ones to come,” she said.
“I think it will continue to grow stronger, I hope so anyway.”
young children to the service, after their eldest began learning about Anzac Day at school.
“Our eldest has just started primary school and she has been learning about it at school and began to show an interest, so we thought we would come down to show them what it means,” Mr Connell said.
“It’s more about the children. I’ve explained to them that, even our parents haven’t had to experience the world wars, so we come to pay
our respects to the people who sacrificed their lives so that we can have freedom.”
Berwick’s Chantal Stuttard attended the service with her two children, proudly displaying a chest of medals.
“Both of my grandfathers fought in World War II, one in the Army and one in the Navy, so we’ve always done a dawn service or a march or something,” she said.
Like many Australians, each year St Francis Xavier College student Michael Fulgoni wakes up before the crack of dawn on Anzac Day, 25 April, to commemorate the sacrifices of Australia’s war veterans.
But this year, the 17-year-old had a different view of the services.
He had been entrusted with playing the distinguished Last Post and Reveille bugle calls at the Berwick RSL Dawn Service at Bunjil Place and mid-morning service at the Berwick cenotaph.
With 10 years’ experience playing the trumpet, Michael was well positioned to take on the challenge, which had previously been undertaken by his trumpet teacher for many years.
“He decided that he wanted to take a step back and nominated me to take his place,” Michael explained.
“It’s amazing to be able to have that honour.”
Michael was supported from the sidelines by his parents and sister, who are also musicians.
A chest of medals on the student’s blazer was a nod to Michael’s great grandfather, who served in WWII as a driver and was presented with a distinguished conduct medal for completing 52 trips under fire in
the Middle East.
Michael’s grandfather was also in the Navy, making for an emotional day for the family, particularly mum Carolyn.
“This morning it was really teary. My father is no longer here, but he was in the Navy so he would’ve been so proud and we are so proud of Michael,” she said.
“It’s such an honour that the RSL have given him the opportunity.”
The Beaconsfield student had the attention of thousands as he played The Last Post - a bugle call that signifies the end of the day’s activities - followed by Reveille, which was historically played to wake up sleeping soldiers on the battlefield.
The Timbarra Over-50s Social Club will be celebrating its 30 year anniversary this July and new members are always welcome.
The club meets in the Timbarra Community Hall which is part of the Berwick Neighbourhood Centre. 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.
It also holds an old time/new vogue dance every Thursday night, with the first half hour devoted to tuition.
Throughout the year the club provides subsidised day trips and luncheons for regular attendees.
In the near future the club will be looking at a name change to better attract a wider age range of interested adults.
· For further details, call Bruce on 0447 554 475 or David on 0433 566 456.
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 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!
· Sunday 30 April 9am to noon, 35 Gwendoline Drive, Berwick
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!
The club welcomes all gentlemen out there with time on your hands!
Ladies,come along,this is your time to meet likeminded people and make those new friends.
Visit on a Thursday at 2 pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House or join in on a Wednesday at 10am for a coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate.
· For more information, call enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.
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.
· Saturday 29 April 10am to 2pm, 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick Narre Warren Psychic and Wellbeing Expo
Come and enjoy an inspiring and relaxing day with stall holders offering a range of services and products to indulge your senses.
Free workshops throughout the day including mediumship demonstrations, readings: psychic mediumship, tarot, intuitive, readings, massage, crystals, giftware, clothing, books, natural healing and products, jewellery, soy candles
Narre Warren’s Bunjil Place will host a onenight-only performance of Karul Projects’ contemporary look at issues of First Nations’ human rights and modern identity in ’SILENCE’.
Produced alongside BlakDance, the onehour performance will be held at Bunjil Place on Wednesday 3 May from 7pm.
Following a sell-out world premiere season in 2020 at Brisbane Festival and last year’s tour of regional Queensland, Karul Projects is bringing SILENCE to regional NSW, Victoria and Adelaide.
BlakDance executive producer Merindah Donnelly said BlakDance was a self-determined First Nations producing house.
“SILENCE is a searing commentary on Australian Nationhood, representing the call for Land Back,“ she said.
“It’s fitting the first work we tour is adding to the conversation about recognising our Sovereignty.“
Written by Karul Projects co-founder and director and Minjungbal-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu man Thomas ES Kelly, the performance features a cast of seven First Nations artists, including co-founder Taree Sansbury and returning multidisciplinary performing artist Benjin Maza performing on a stage slowly engulfed in dirt.
“Abounding in our struggle for Land Back and Treaty, SILENCE breaks the silence both literally and symbolically using dynamic live percussion from composer Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie whose rich drumbeats drive the dancers in their exploration of past, present, alternate re-
alities and dreamscapes of Country, the milky way and Murun, the emu in the sky,“ he said.
Kelly said the foundation of the piece is on the long period of neglect experienced by First Nations people.
SILENCE interprets what a 250 plus yearlong denial of meaningful listening to First Nations people has done to the psyche of the people and land,“ he said.
“Brown feet kick up sand, earth, dirt, and dust.
“The sand seeps through brown fingers as it always has.
“Always was, always will be.“
Visit www.bunjilplace.com.au/events/silence for more.
and much more.
Purchase tickets at the door: $5 adults, kids aged under-12 free.
· Sunday 23 July 10am to 6pm, Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren
The local Cranbourne Eagles Club will host a Family Fun Day for the community to come down and enjoy the footy.
Enjoy free DJ entertainment, free car show, jumping castle, facepainting and balloon twisting, henna body art, sausage sizzle and fairy floss station, plus Eddie the Eagle will be making an appearance!
· Sunday 30 April 10.30am to 2pm, Livingston Reserve, Eilburn Drive, Cranbourne East Hampton Park Fire Brigade Open Day
Join the brigade for its open day! There will be heaps to do, including food trucks, face painting, raffle prizes, a visit from Victoria Police Highway Patrol and Ambulance Victoria, firefighting demonstrations, colouring competitions, a community safety van and a Captain Koala visit.
· Saturday 6 May 10am to 2.30pm, 112 Somerville Road, Hampton Park
The Berwick Farmers Market at The Old Cheese Factory is held every 2nd Saturday monthly. You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, free range eggs and meats, olives and oil, honey, nuts and grains, dairy and cheeses, breads and pastries and much more! There’s coffee and tea, loads for brekkie or to take home for lunch.
Entry is by voluntary gold coin donation. Well behaved dogs on a leash are permitted at the market.
· Saturday 13 May 8am to 12:30pm, Old Cheese Factory, Berwick
Neighbourhood Watch Casey and Hampton Park Fire Brigade will be fitting anti-theft screws to the front and back of your vehicle for a gold coin donation.
· Sunday 30 April 10am, Hampton Park Shopping Centre
Hakaya – Bukjeh’s fun day of performances for all families around Eid, celebrating the beauty of our rich cultures around the world. We collaborate with artists from diverse, multicultural communities and lived experiences.
Children are invited to discover Eid characters and symbols hidden around the library, from the mosque to the prayer mat and other important elements including moon formation, how fasting is broken and popular culinary dishes. Young people will delight in this educational and fun activity designed to share fascinating facts about Eid in the award-winning creative hub.
Treasure hunt, art activities, Eid performances, open mic time,henna,face painting,photo booth. FREE and family friendly. Bookings essential. To book and for more information, please visit bit. ly/BP-eid-hakaya
· Saturday 13 May 11am to 4pm, Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren
Creepy and crawly creatures wowed kids in Clyde last week during some school holiday fun.
Raymond Hoser, AKA the Snakeman, brought his venomous snake and reptile show to Shopping on Clyde.
Children had the opportunity to hold the animals, including snakes, frogs, crocodiles and turtles, in a safe and educational setting.
Part of the display included the world’s deadliest snake, the Inland Taipan, which the Snakeman and his Snakebusters team are alone in displaying publicly anywhere
in Australia.
Raymond said people tended to turn off when he tried to lecture them about wildlife.
“People learn way more when they can simply handle the animals in a safe and controlled setting,“ he said.
Outside of school holiday programs, the Snakeman attends secondary schools to teach kids, including classification units for Years 7 and 8 and taxonomy in Year 11. At primary schools, the reptile displays coordinate with the curriculum of kids in most year levels.
What do you love about working as a journalist?
I love helping people tell their stories. The way we understand ourselves and others are via stories. The massive range of people, experiences and perspectives I have encountered even in my short career has shown me an immense amount about what it means to be human. I have an enormous appreciation for the privilege I have to be able to tell people’s stories. What would your last meal be?
Sushi and a Maxibon.
What was your most memorable moment?
Marrying my beautiful wife Madeline, which I’m sure will be quickly matched by the birth of my daughter coming up in July.
What was your favourite subject in school? Literature.
Which five dinner guests, dead or alive would you invite to dinner?
Steve Irwin, David Lynch, Jennifer Coolidge, James Brown and Björk.
What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?
Currently reading The Complete Australian Guide to Pregnancy and Birth and watching Succession, Barry and Taskmaster. Have you had a pet that has made an impact on your life?
My dog Smudge was a massive support to me. My cats Vincent and Vinci were also cute and precious companions.
If you had to compete on Masterchef, what dish would you cook?
Caramelised salmon with chargrilled vegies and rice.
Where is your dream holiday destination? Germany during Christmas.
What are the three most used apps on your phone?
YouTube, Messenger and Chess.
with Star News journalist Matthew Sims
1
Anzac biscuits may get their name from the Anzacs, but the original biscuits were nothing like the delicious treats we know and love today. The soldiers’s biscuits were square-shaped and so hard that soldiers joked that men broke their teeth on them.
2
The aromatic herb rosemary is an important symbol of remembrance for Anzac Day as it grows wild on the Gallipoli peninsula. Cuttings of plants from Gallipoli were even planted in nurseries throughout Australia in the 1980s.
3
Matthew Sims has moved from the Star Weekly office to join the South East team.
What was your first job?
A general hand at a catering company.
What were you like as a kid?
Spontaneous and curious.
What is your favourite colour and why? Violet because I find it calming. What’s one question you have never been able to get the answer to? Is cereal soup?
All of the Anzacs were volunteers. More than 400,000 men chose to enlist, which at the time was almost 40 percent of the male population between 18 and 44 years old.
What is the most common reason for small businesses failing?
If you search online for reasons for this, most sources will advise that the cause is lack of cash.
According to a study of why US businesses fail conducted back in 2017-18 by Business Insider (businessinsider.com/why-smallbusinesses-fail-infographic-2017-8), the top reasons for small business failure are:
· 82 per cent experience cash-flow problems.
· 42 per cent no market need for products or services.
· 29 per cent run out of cash.
· 23 per cent don’t have the right team.
· 19 per cent are out competed.
It is perfectly possible for a company to be profitable on paper, yet it may still fail due to a lack of available cash, hence the wise adage, ‘turnover is vanity profit is sanity cash is reality’.
So why is managing cash such an issue?
There are a number of reasons for this, but probably a primary one is that many businesses do not have a method of forecasting their cash position, tending instead to rely on ad hoc checks on their bank account and perhaps looking at some upcoming bills.
For cash-rich businesses, this might be OK but for those that do not have deep pockets (and even sometimes for those that do – think of recent company failures for example), it can be disastrous.
Even businesses that keep a close eye on their profit and loss can get caught out for two key reasons:
1. Profit and loss does not include tax; and
2. Although you may have delivered your products and/or services, there is no guarantee that you will be paid by the due date. Item 1 above may well catch people out since profit and loss statements do not include GST in the costs and prices so the figures contained here won’t exactly match transactions in bank statements.
More significantly, the need for IAS (Instalment Activity Statement) payments (the amounts withheld from employees, wages and
salaries), BAS (Business Activity Statement) payments to the ATO (which reconcile GST payments and receipts) over and above business revenue, and invoice payments can be significant and if not correctly provisioned for may present the business with something of a shock!
Item 2 can also be problematic especially in the case of those businesses that are supplying products since chances are the business has had to pay for the raw materials well ahead of being paid for their delivered product(s) by their customers.
This was a key reason why construction businesses have done it so tough over the past couple of years - not only did they incur sig-
nificant raw material price increases, they had to do so well ahead of the associated progress payments.
To mitigate these problems, it is recommended that a weekly, fortnightly or monthly forecast be built that defines conservative expectations of when cash will be received and includes reasonable estimates of forecast expense payments including tax-related items (IAS, BAS, etc).
This forecast must be reconciled against the business bank account statement at each update to ensure alignment.
Ian Ash is the managing director of OrgMent Business Solutions ombs.com.au
Shopping Village 1 Corner Oshea Rd & Clyde Rd
• Berwick Coles Supermarket
Parkhill Plaza Shopping Centre 1 Corner Oshea Rd & Clyde Rd
• Berwick Berwick Springs
Lucky Lotto Shop 10/1 Corner Oshea Rd & Clyde Rd
• Berwick Grants Estate Agents 3a Gloucester Avenue
• Berwick Berwick Newsagency 29 High Street
• Berwick Ray White Real Estate 42 High Street
• Berwick Alex Scott and Staff Real Estate 49 High Street
• Berwick Harcourts Real Estate 20 High Street
• Berwick Neilson Partners 1st National 57 High Street
• Berwick Gluten Free and Chocolate 9/48 High Street
• Berwick O’Brien Real Estate 56-58 High Street
• Berwick St John of God Hospital 75 Kangan Drive
• Berwick Chris Peake Real Estate 18 Langmore Lane
• Berwick Woolworths Shopping Centre 1-9 Lyall Road
• Berwick Mansfield Street Foodmart 157-159
Mansfield Street
• Berwick Parkhill Plaza News and Lotto Shop 13, 215-225 Parkhill Drive
• Berwick Chemist Discount Centre Shop 2, 215-225 Parkhill Drive
• Berwick Coles Supermarket Parkhill Plaza Shopping Centre Shop 19, 215-225 Parkhill Drive
• Berwick Coles Berwick Central 2 Richardson Grove
• Berwick Hocking Stuart Real Estate Suite 2, 16 Langsmore Lane
• Hallam 7 Eleven Service Station 38-40 Hallam South Road
• Hallam Joes Mini Mart 117 Hinrichsen Drive
• Hallam Coles Hallam 2 Princes Domain Drive
• Hallam Raine and Horne Real Estate - Hallam 2 Spring Square
• Hallam Hallam Square News 42 Spring Square
• NarreWarren Ritchies IGA Shop 4/14 Webb Street
• NarreWarren Ritchies IGA Shop 4/14 Webb Street
• NarreWarren Narre Warren Newsagency 34 Webb Street
• NarreWarren Fleetwood MiniMart 94-96 Fleetwood Drive
• NarreWarren Casey Gardens Caravan Park 6 Fullard Road
• NarreWarren City of Casey 2 Patrick NE Drive
• NarreWarren Neilson Partners 1st National 418
Princes Highway
• NarreWarren The Good Food
Emporium 15/430–440
Princes Highway
• NarreWarren Westfield
Fountain Gate Shopping Centre
25-55 Princes Highway
• NarreWarren Coles 25-55
Princes Highway
• NarreWarren Woolworths 25-55 Princes Highway
• NarreWarren O’Brien Real Estate Narre Warren 25-55 Princes Highway
• NarreWarren Coles Express 2 Regency Drive & Princes Highway & Lauderdale Road
• NarreWarren Only Real Estate 13/3 Webb Street
• NarreWarren Donaldson Martin Real Estate 43-45 Webb Street
• NarreWarren Coles Express 155-171 Narre Warren North Road
• NarreWarren North Marcos IGA 2 Oakview Boulevard
• NarreWarren North Narre Warren North Newsagency 3/1E Oakview Boulevard
• NarreWarren South Casey Central Shopping Centre 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road
• NarreWarren South Coles 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road
• NarreWarren South Woolworths 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road
• NarreWarren South Ray White Real Estate Shop 20, 400 Narre WarrenCranbourne Road
• NarreWarren South Casey News and Lotto Shop 156, 400 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road • NarreWarren South Ritchies Amberly Park 245 Ormond Road
Star News Group is an innovative and dynamic media company located in Pakenham, Victoria. As a leading publisher of print and digital news, we are looking for a part-time Telesales Representative to join our team.
Overview
The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue by selling our products and services to potential and existing customers via phone call. This is a part-time role with flexible hours.
Key Responsibilities
•Manage a portfolio of existing customers and develop relationships with new customers.
•Conduct outbound telesales calls to promote our products and services.
• Achieve and exceed sales targets and KPIs.
•Keep accurate and updated records of customer interactions and sales leads.
•Coordinate with the sales and marketing team to align sales strategies and campaigns.
•Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential.
•Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Results driven and target-oriented mindset.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to:
Advertising Sales Manager
Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
Star News Group seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.
Star News Group is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.
Sales skills/experience:
• Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones
• Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets
• Excellent listening skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Effective time management to meet deadlines
• Ability to operate in a team
• Demonstrates initiative and flexibility
• Effective oral and written communication
Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.
The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme.
Send your application letter and resume to:
Advertising Sales Manager
Mandy Clark
mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
helpwithhousehold expensesorto fundraise. ABNessential. ContactKerri 0429214229or info@mrad.com.au andleaveyourname, contactnumberand
Contact:Kerri 0429214229
The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Steady, sustained improvement is the recipe for Cranbourne professional boxer Theo Dounias.
Dounias holds a 4-1 record in his professional career which includes a victory over Ryan Cotton, who had 13 more professional fights under his belt than Dounias going into the ring.
Following that victory, and a win by knockout over Manyang Dut in August last year, he backed himself to fight Australian champion Mason Smith.
Rather than using his early professional fights to get the sugar-hit of confidence from knockouts against easy beats, he took the route of delayed gratification.
The 23-year-old resisted the likelihood of a win for an educational piece against a more seasoned opponent, the fruits of which will become apparent with each succeeding fight.
The fight against Smith came about because Dounias couldn’t agree on terms with those marginally more experienced than him and the 28-year-old was the next best thing.
It was a learning experience for Dounias who, “fought with anger”.
“Everything was going well until I threw the game plan out the window and I thought my head was a shield,” he explained.
“I lost my cool – my first couple of fights compared to that fight is like a completely different human.
“I’ve acknowledged that, I think I just had a mental block and I was trying to make up for experience with pure brute force because that is my strong suit.
“Usually I can overpower people but it wasn’t going to work with this fight because he was too good and it was a step up.
“There was moments where it was neckand-neck and when they could calm me down and the nerves weren’t there, it was even.
“But as soon as I lost the plot and tried to end the fight because I knew I probably wouldn’t win on points, I paid the price.
“When you fight with anger, it doesn’t work.
“It’s like going through a roundabout at 100-ks an hour, you’re going to crash.”
Next up, Dounias hopes to fight someone with similar experience in the middle of the year.
It’s a 10-week build-up to a fight for Dounias to get into fighting condition – his day-today dietary discipline helping him enter the ring at his peak.
Under the tutelage of Dad, John, a highprofile coach who has worked with some of Australia’s best, Theo was born into an environment to thrive.
He’s been in a gym since the age of four which gives him innate instinct and understanding in the ring.
He has hand-speed, balance, evasiveness, a lethal right arm and a stinging left-arm jab.
So powerful was his right arm at 16-yearsold that he was not allowed to fight against people his age.
At that age, he was getting matched against 30-year-olds and saw no point in even sparring against people his own age.
After a 16-4 amateur record, his first professional fight was in March 2021, which whet his appetite for combat.
He took care of Queensland amateur champion Cody Cole to kick off his pro career.
Following that was a fight against a seasoned national level kick-boxer which gave him a satisfying victory.
Jason Medawar stymied Dounias’ aggression with swift evasiveness. It became a bout
of skill and guile which offered key learnings on the way to victory.
Fight number three posed another challenge, for it was the first professional fight in the super welterweight class – and opponent Ryan Cotten had 16 professional fights under his belt.
“I was told ‘this guy wants to knock you out as much as you want to knock him out’ and I started laughing and said ‘alright no worries’.
He came at me like a train and that was the whole four rounds, it was like a car crash.”
Dounias won that by unanimous decision.
The most recent win, over Manyang Dut, was the highlight of his pro-career to date.
Dounias spent the first round assessing his opponent’s jabs to pick holes in his guard before getting floored by a brutal liver shot.
“All I remember is looking at the corner, getting up, putting my gloves up to say I’m good and I didn’t listen to the referee.
“He was looking at me but I was looking at the corner, and all of a sudden my opponent is coming at me again and I had to switch on.
“He threw a jab and he kept swinging at me to finish me off because he had me down and as he’s swinging in, I’ve just thrown a right hand and knocked him out.”
Berwick Springs is celebrating its first win in Outer East Women’s Division One after a thumping 62-point victory over Monbulk on Saturday.
The Titans, who were more than competitive against premiership favourites Healesville in round one, produced a dominant display against the Hawks in the final three quarters of football.
Leading by just one point at quarter time, theTitans rattled on three goals in the second term, and then one in the third, before finishing in grand style with a 5.4 to no score final stanza.
Felicity Jouvelet, Caitlyn Bonney and Charlotte Wilson were terrific for the winners, while Sheridan Holland and Zara Strang did the bulk of the scoring.
Holland finished with four goals, and Strang two, while Laura Gillard, Stacey Jolly and the consistent Indy Bakker never stopped trying for the Hawks.
Reigning premier Upwey-Tecoma is making a strong defence of its title after the Tigers banked a hard-earned seven-point victory over Olinda-Ferny Creek.
Ruby Gilson and Casey Seymour kicked a goal each for Olinda in the first half, giving the Bloods a nine-point advantage at the major change.
Skipper Alex Bantock led the resurgence for Upwey, scoring strongly in the third term to give the Tigers a goal advantage at the final change.
The defensive units of both teams were right on top in the last term, will neither team
kicking a major.
Emma Caccetta and Corinna White gave the Tigers a real kick through the midfield, while Claire Hyett was once again in good touch for the Bloods.
And Healesville has delivered a strong message with a commanding 70-point victory over Pakenham.
The Lions had their chances in the first
term, trailing by a point, but ran out of puff as the Bloods went on a rampage.
Healesville kicked three, four and three goals respectively in the final three quarters to race away with victory.
Danielle Carrucan kicked three, and Georgina Jacobs two for the home side, who had Paula Pavic, Amy Frazzetto and Scarlett Potter in great nick through the midfield.
Potter kicked a goal of the year contender from deep in the pocket during the second term.
Kayla Menere, Tash Wakenshaw and Tayla Sbisa did well in a busy defence for the Lions, while midfielders Courtney Stephens and Bianca Moody gave their all to the final siren for the visitors, who hos Monbulk this week.
Results R2: Healesville 10.12(72) def Pakenham 0.2(2), Monbulk 0.1(1) lost to Berwick Springs 9.9(63), Olinda Ferny Creek 2.6(18) lost to Upwey-Tecoma 3.7(25).
Ladder: Healesville 8, Upwey Tecoma 8, Berwick Springs 4, Pakenham 4, Olinda Ferny Creek 0, Monbulk 0.
Fixture R3:
Much of Noble Park’s much-vaunted summer recruiting spree centred on the big names of Jackson Casey and Shane McDonald.
But one who flew under the radar to many - notably not Bulls coach Steve Hughes - in Nathan Noblett, announced his arrival to the Eastern Football League on Sunday with a standout performance in the Bulls’ six-goal round two win over Berwick.
Hughes described him to Star News in the preseason as a utility with an excellent left foot, and that peg was on full display in front of a sizeable crowd at Edwin Flack Reserve.
Playing as a medium-sized forward, the 21-year-old graduate from the Gippsland Power Coates Talent League program - who featured on a couple of occasions for Port Melbourne in the 2022 VFL season - kicked five goals on an afternoon in which scoring was difficult, despite pristine conditions for football in Berwick.
The third-quarter, in which the Bulls charged away from their opponents by kicking five-goals-to-one, was where Noblett’s full arsenal of tricks was on display.
He kicked his third of the day early in the term, converting a set shot that he knew he nailed almost immediately when it left his boot.
He kicked his fourth with a beautiful snap from the right forward pocket in front of the netball courts, that curled back on the natural angle for his left foot to perfection over the goal umpire’s head, prompting ‘ooh’s’ and ‘ahh’s’ from those in attendance.
He could have finished with seven or eight, having missed a handful of chances, but made immediate amends after one by pouncing on a risky kick in his forward 50.
Awake to the opportunity for a bag, he read the cue’s from the defender early, and flashed past his opponent to take the mark on the move, before bounding in to an open goal to complete his handful.
The margin ballooned from 17 points at halftime to 40 at the final break, and ultimately put the nail in the coffin for a fighting Berwick side.
The Bulls’ trademark suffocating defence was on full display in the early stages of the game, as Clint Evans’ men were held goalless in the first quarter.
Noblett opened the scoring in the seventh minute of the game, taking advantage of Jackson Sketcher’s burst from the stoppage at half back and kicking long to a contest, where Noblett snapped a ground ball around the corner following a marking contest.
Noble Park’s forward pressure, led by the likes of Ben Marson and the rapid flashing
mop of blonde hair in Harley Fairbank, was causing the Berwick backline headaches, no better articulated by Fairbank’s volley of an errant handball in the goal-square, having succumb to the intensity of the forward pack.
Spearheaded by Will Arthurson, the Wick’s defensive group held up admirably as Noble played route-one football, using the corridor at every opportunity when spring-boarding from their back half.
Whatever Evans told his side at the first break brought immediate dividends, as Tom Gunn goaled in the opening minute of the second term to put his side on the board.
Berwick moved the ball quickly out of their back half and had some success penetrating the Noble Park fortress, but shot themselves in the foot with continual breakdowns between their midfield and forward group, as they either kicked to an out-number or struggled to hit targets.
The tall presence of Charlie Muley appeared to give them some direction in the second half of the quarter as they began to possess the football and win the territory battle.
A goal to Braedyn Bowden saw Berwick outscore the reigning premiers in the second term
and enter the rooms at half time with some momentum, despite the scoring-shot disparity of 12 to five in the Bulls’ favour.
Any ascendency they had had, or felt, was immediately put to rest by Hughes’ men, who kicked the first five of the half and were at their strangulating best once again.
Even when the Wicks had their chances, they couldn’t take full advantage, as Gunn, and ruck Jesse Cirulis, both missed very kickable set shots from almost the exact same spot, around 30 metres from goal on a slight angle.
Rubbing salt into the wound, Jackson Casey kicked his first in blue and gold with a set shot on a tight angle after receiving a freekick for a clumsy tackle.
Noblett then kicked his snap in the following minute, and the margin had suddenly ballooned to 33 points as the Bulls dominated territory.
With their backs against the wall, the Wicks attacked the contest with ferocity in the final term, but continued to let themselves down with their forward entries.
Jack Francis, who led from the front all day in the Noble Park back six, mopped up their
mistakes and repelled plenty as Berwick erected a wall across halfway.
Both sides kicked one each in the final term, through Muley and Matthew Nelson respectively, before finishing 36 points adrift, 10.9 69 to 4.9 33.
In his 200th game, Bulls champion Luke Bull was chaired off the ground and into the rooms, comforted in the knowledge that his side had completed a tricky start to the season with victories in differing circumstances.
Noble Park head to Cheong Park next week to battle South Croydon, while Berwick host Doncaster.
BERWICK 0.1 2.3 3.5 4.9(33)
NOBLEPARK 3.4 4.8 9.9 10.9(69)
Berwick Goals: Tom Gunn, Braedyn Bowden, Charlie Muley, Jacob Keysers. Best: Nick Hillard, Caleb Van Oostveen, Brad Homfray, Benzhamen Todd, Ryan Bromley, Zac Long.
Noble Park Goals: Nathan Noblett 5, Ben Marson, Jackson Casey, Harley Fairbank, Hudson Thomas, Matthew Nelson. Best: Nathan Noblett, Luke Bull, Chris Horton-Milne, Tom Glen, Dean Jones, Lachlan McDonnell.
The Casey women’s hockey team recorded a 2-0 win over PEGS set up by a clinical first half.
Emma Harris scored both of her team’s goals prior to halftime, with one coming via a penalty corner and another through general play.
The Cannons had all the play in the first half and should have taken in an unassailable lead but their inefficiency kept PEGS in the game.
The hosts then came at Casey in the second half, but the women were able to with-
stand the pressure and maintain the scoreline.
While the Cannons had less control and possession, several defensive efforts prevented PEGS from having any really good looks.
Left-mid Bec Cheater played with control, even as the game got more frenetic, with her work rate being a key ingredient in the victory, while young Aleisha Daly was another who put forward a tireless performance.
Tegan Hyland’s experience also shone through.
The men, meanwhile, were outclassed 5-0 by PEGS, a pace-setter in the Vic League 1 competition.
PEGS scored at least one goal in each quarter as the Cannons were made to pay for lapses in concentration.
In between PEGS’ dominance, there were periods of play which pleased coach Steve Noney.
“”We saw plays and movements we’ve been working on start to come together,” Noney said.
“Our link-up play was quite good throughout, but defensively we have to get stronger and more settled.
“We had some good opportunities and attacking short corners with our play coming together later in the game.”
Both Officer and Berwick Springs walked away from Saturday’s Outer East Division One contest embracing the positives, despite only one side pocketing the four points.
Having fallen behind in the second quarter, Officer mounted a valiant second half comeback, but ultimately fell 15 points short at Starling Road, 12.8 80 to 14.11 95.
“I think it’s good to win games like that,” Berwick Springs coach Rod Benstead said.
“Sure there’s a lot of things we can work on, but to come away, we were a little bit hamstrung with rotations and lost a few players early, but credit to the boys for fighting it out.
“Mine was a positive message and I was really proud of their efforts today.”
Mark Seedsman kicked the opening goal of the game with Officer embracing the fast dry conditions and moving the ball well out of the backline.
Once they advanced to halfway, however, their ball movement came unstuck.
Much of the first half belonged to the visitors, whose bigger bodies around the contest and at either end of the ground began to flex their muscle.
Star imports Hayden Stagg and Chris Johnson combined for one goal in the opening term, and Ty Ellison was proving a handful for the undersized Officer backline.
Stagg split his time between the midfield and the forward line and simply looks a class above much of the competition, but Johnson’s influence was limited after the first quarter having succumbed to injury.
Compared to Officer, their ball movement was faster and more direct, with prominent key forwards in Ellison, Braydn Hoewel and Kayden Buselli to aim for ahead of the ball.
A flurry of Titans’ goals late in the quarter, including one to Jacob Flannery after the halftime siren, really took the wind out of the Kangaroos’ sails, as Berwick Springs headed to half time with momentum and a 34-point lead.
Things didn’t get much better for the home side as the Titans immediately extended their advantage upon the resumption of play.
Stagg won the centre clearance and kicked long, with the ball eventually finding Dysan Morris, who converted from a tight angle while being pushed in the back.
Their size dominance was best displayed in one piece of play in where they took the ball the length of the ground with a series of kicks and marks, beginning with ruck Josh Mackenzie at half back and finished by Ellison with a
goal after a strong contested mark.
Halfway through the quarter, momentum completely shifted.
Anthony Bernardo went to work in the middle of the ground, and the silky smooth skills of wingman Antonio Quach came to the fore, playing slightly more forward of centre and entrusted with the crucial kick into their forward line.
Quach kicked two goals himself, and suddenly the ‘Roos appeared to have a new lease on life.
They were running and working for each other, chaining handballs and using the corridor on nearly every occasion.
They say fortune favours the brave, and when a Seedsman kick off the ground goes 30 metres and hits his skipper Brent Moloney lace-out, the blue and white knew things were going in their favour.
Having finished the quarter by kicking a handful of goals in a row, Officer hit the threequarter-time huddle with all the momentum.
Before meeting with their respective line coaches, Bernardo and the leaders rallied the troops with a players-only meeting to consolidate what had worked in that previous halfhour.
While still behind by 28 points, the margin belied the feel of the contest at Starling Road.
It was evident that Berwick Springs were bereft of answers, and were struggling to halt
their opponents’ charge which Benstead addressed vehemently at three-quarter-time.
The first goal of the last term was always going to be decisive, and Officer struck twice.
Seedsman smothered an attempted clearing kick in the goal-square and won a free kick for a high tackle when his opponent’s desperation to rectify the error was too vigorous.
The margin had been reduced to 15 points and Berwick Springs were desperate for a spark.
A free-kick in the centre circle for something off the ball was majorly advantageous, with Hoewel the beneficiary of an easy centre clearance that broke a run of Officer goals.
The two sides then traded majors down the stretch, but Officer struggled to broach the two-kick barrier as the Titans held them at arms-length.
Had the game continued for another 10 minutes, Officer’s speed and vigour may have carried them over the line.
But ultimately the second quarter cost them dearly.
Benstead believes it was in the middle of the ground where the tide turned in the home side’s favour.
“I think they got a little bit of centre clearance dominance and you get one and you start moving forward,” he said.
“It is hard to stop and you start talking about putting one back and thinking ‘how do
I stop it?’, but I thought we had to kick goals in the last quarter and you keep the belief in the boys.
“Yes, games are going to change like that but if you can find a way to win, it builds that camaraderie and builds trust within the group that, when it gets hard, you can nail it down.
“I think it was important to get a win.”
While playing the long game, Benstead was quick to add some perspective to the context of the victory.
“We’ve got plenty to work on, and I say each week, ‘this is a marathon this year’ and you roll up your sleeves each week and look to get better,” he said.
“I think it’s exciting to have a 2-0 start.
“Last year we were 0-3 and you feel like you’re chasing the whole year and you’re trying to find that connection.
“But I feel like we’re well-ahead of where we were last year when we got into a preliminary final, so now you just keep working hard and trying to get better.”
Quach was awarded best-afield by the umpires, and was presented with a medal by former club President and long-time member Barry O’Loughlin in the post-game ceremony.
Seedsman finished with five goals for the home side, while Ellison kicked four goals for Berwick Springs in the battle of the key forwards.
Around the grounds in Division One, the potency of Emerald’s offence was on display again with a 45-point win over Seville.
After registering 38 shots on goal last week in their victory over Officer, they had another 36 this week against last year’s runner-up, killing the game in the first half with a 49-point lead at the long break.
Callum White kicked a second-consecutive bag of four, while David Johnson and Lachlan Hoye kicked two each.
While in Hallam, the Hawks fell 14 points short of their first victory in the Outer East competition, going down to Belgrave at home.
It would have been the ideal way to christen Hallam Rec Reserve’s first game in the competition, but the Magpies had the last call in the battle of the birds.
Gabriel Bonicelli and Jonathan Daly kicked three each for the home side.
Their quest for their first win will have to wait another week, as they have been scheduled the bye in round three.
Elsewhere, Berwick Springs host Emerald in a top-of-the-table clash, while Officer head to Seville and Healesville go to Belgrave.
Olinda Ferny Creek has recovered from a slow start to make a winning beginning to its A-grade netball premiership defence.
Upwey Tecoma outscored the reigning premiers 11-7 in the first quarter and kept pace at the half with both sides tied on 22. But Olinda Ferny Creek turned on the jets in the second half with a dominant 2713 half-hour of netball, running out 14-goal winners 49-35.
Hayley Howard’s 40 goals outscored the Tigers single-handedly, in a dominant performance.
Tigers’ skipper Jessica Black led the way for her side with 26 goals.
Gembrook played host to a tight battle between the Brookers and Berwick.
Berwick inched its way ahead as the game continued, entering the last quarter with a six-goal lead, before finishing stronger than their opponents in green.
The versatility offered by Berwick’s trio of shooting options in Emma Clarke (13 goals) Brooke Abu-Jaber (14) and Darcy Utber (13) provided 40 goals to the Brookers’ 32.
Chelsea Ingram’s 19 goals did the bulk of the scoring for Gembrook-Cockatoo.
At Monbulk, a strong first half performance kept the Hawks at arms-length against Beaconsfield.
Elizabeth Murphy scored 35 of Beaconsfield’s 41 goals as they held on to win by six goals.
On Sunday, Wandin survived a late fightback from Mount Evelyn to sneak home with a five-goal win on the road.
The Bulldogs entered the final term with a nine-goal lead that was withered down to five by the final whistle.
Emmalia Blake’s 40 goals were telling for Wandin in the 45-40 result.
Next week will see the first full-suite of fixtures in A-grade, with Narre Warren and Pakenham returning to the court after last weekend’s split round.
Sometimes it’s hard to find the words to accurately describe the ebbs and flows of a game of footy.
Thankfully, a journalist’s work was done when Beaconsfield forward Jafar Ocaa eloquently summed up Beaconsfield’s superb 40-point away win over Croydon with one passage of play at the 19-minute mark of the final term.
Receiving a handball on the point of the square at half-back, Ocaa put the foot down –burning away from his opposition and taking two bounces before smacking one through the big sticks from 60 metres out.
It was the type of gilt-edged Beaconsfield football that outplayed Croydon on Saturday and led to a 16.11(107) to 10.7(67) victory.
Too quick, too organised, too disciplined, and simply too persistent for a team that played finals football last year.
This could well be the best of the 21 games the Eagles have played in the highly-competitive Eastern Division 1.
Coach Mick Fogarty had some thinking to do in the lead up, with starting ruck Paddy Gerdan, FrankstonVFL mid Mitch Szybkowski and small forward Michael Misso all unavailable from last week’s team that defeated Bayswater.
First-gamer Mitchell Summers was brought in to fill the big shoes left by Gerdan, while Nick McPherson slotted into the midfield and Miles Currie took on the medium-forward role left by Misso.
With Fogarty’s work done, it was time to cross the white line.
The Eagles looked sharp early, with Kye Rowland starting well on centre wing, while gun defender Brandon White was building the platform for a third-consecutive best-onground…positioning himself well and taking some crucial intercept marks in the first term.
The Eagles first two goals came in differing styles.
Damien Johnston showed pure grunt to burst his way through a contested stoppage, putting the first on the board, before an exciting chain of play from Lachie Valentine, Darren Minchington and Hayden Brough ended in a one-on-one contest with Ocaa and his op-
ponent in the forward pocket.
Ocaa turned his Croydon defender inside out on the boundary line, before running into an open goal on a tight angle.
From the next ball up in the centre, Sam Merrick and Summers combined for a centre clearance, with Brough then providing a clever tap on to his skipper Jake Bowd who slotted the Eagles second goal in 15 seconds.
Relief-ruck Casey Wassylko then kicked a Tom Hawkins-style goal from a boundary throw in – outmuscling his taller opponent and grabbing the ball cleanly before snapping one truly off his right foot.
Sam Mackinder, who had a great game through the midfield, was then allowed far too much space at the back of a stoppage and the Eagles were off and running.
They led by 22 points – 5.1 to 1.3 at quarter time.
Croydon cut the margin to 16 points, early in the second stanza, but that would be the last time the margin would be any closer than 22 points.
Small forward Devon Smith eased his way cleverly through traffic, before Brough received from Minchington to kick one off his left.
Croydon answered with a miracle goal from the boundary, before Ocaa kicked two goals in unusual circumstances.
He out-marked his frustrated opponent to extend the lead to 27 points – 24 minutes into the second term – before kicking another before the ball had traversed back to the centre… after his opponent was yellow carded for venting his frustration.
The Eagles 33-point advantage at the major interval was quickly extended to 47 points with goals to Merrick and Brough on the run, before Croydon kicked the last three goals of the third – and the first of the final term – to cut the margin back to 25 points.
But goals to Brough and Bowd soon put the issue beyond doubt, before Ocaa signed things
off in spectacular style with his exhilarating and game-describing final goal.
Ocaa backed up his four goals from last week with exactly the same haul, matched by Brough who was busy and workmanlike in his half-forward role.
Bowd’s mobility was once again dangerous up forward, with the skipper snagging three, while White continued his mesmerising start to the season.
He controlled the game from half back, hitting targets in the midfield with his laser-like left-foot, setting up many forward thrusts.
The Eagles held the ball in their forward half nicely all day, with Bowd, Brough, Smith and Matt Wilson applying plenty of pressure.
Consecutive wins for the second-placed Eagles sets up a huge clash against ladderleaders South Belgrave at Holm Park Reserve this week, with the near-neighbours and rivals to battle it out for top spot on the ladder and the Rik ‘Crazy’ Crook Cup.
CROYDON 1.3 3.6 6.6 10.7(67)
BEACONSFIELD 5.1 9.3 11.7 16.11(107)
CroydonGoals: R. Costantino 3, R. Britton 3, J. Prior, J. Mortimer, A.Thompson, F. Smith. Best: J. Lynch, M. McKenzie, A. Ficorilli, C. Spurrell, K. Doueal, A. Carter.
BeaconsfieldGoals: J. Ocaa 4, H. Brough 4, J. Bowd 3, S. Mackinder, C. Wassylko, D. Johnston, S. Merrick, D. Smith. Best: B. White, H. Coe, J. Ocaa, D. Smith, M. Wilson, H. Brough.
Other Games: South Belgrave 11.13(79) def Wantirna South 11.12(78), Mooroolbark
9.8(62) def North Ringwood 8.13(61), Lilydale
4.13(37) def by Bayswater 12.10(82), Mitcham
9.12(66) def by Montrose 11.14(80).
Ladder: South Belgrave 12, Beaconsfield, Mooroolbark, Mitcham, Montrose 8, Bayswater, Wantirna South, North Ringwood, Croydon 4, Lilydale 0.
This week: Beaconsfield (2) v South Belgrave (1), Bayswater (6) v Mooroolbark (3), Montrose (5) v Lilydale (10), North Ringwood (8) v Mitcham (4), Wantirna South (7) v Croydon (9).
One of the hottest young prodigies in Premier Cricket circles will call Casey-South Melbourne Cricket Club home next season, with Yash Pednekar committing to join the Swans last week.
The 21-year-old from Berwick, who played junior cricket at North Dandenong, has represented Australia at Under-16 level and Victoria Country at national underage carnivals, and registered his first hundred in the competition last season while opening the batting for Richmond in round 14.
Swans coach Will Carr believes the infrastructure and environment at Casey-South Melbourne will offer the ideal opportunity to further grow his game.
“I’ve got to know Yash a little bit over the last couple of seasons and you get to talk to some of these players about what they’re doing and what their aspirations are and so forth, and what he was looking for, where he was looking to go with his cricket,” Carr said.
“We seemed to be in a good position to give him that support.
“He wants to go to the next level, he’s pretty clear on what he wants to achieve and he’s pretty ambitious.
“He’s looking for that opportunity and with the environment that he thinks is going to best-suit him to do that.
“There’s good support around as far as coaching is concerned, so he’s got good batting coaches to support him there.
“The opportunity to bat and have the flexibility to bat in the top four, not necessarily open, but in the top four, there’s flexibility for him as well.
“Those sorts of things seem to be a good fit for him and what he’s looking for.”
Alongside Harrish Kannan and Ashley Chandrasinghe, the Swans will boast one of the best young batting line-ups in the competition, although it is expected that Chandrasinghe’s availabilities will be limited, hav-
ing established himself in the Victorian side throughout the 2022/23 season.
The fellow 21-year-old scored 119 not out on his Sheffield Shield debut against Tasmania in October and carried his bat with a gritty 46 against Western Australia in the Shield final in March.
His ascension, alongside that of allrounder Ruwantha Kellapotha, who also earned his Victorian baggy blue cap last summer, tested the depth of Carr’s side, who failed to qualify for finals last season on the back of a handful of agonising close losses.
Having played in high-pressure scenarios on many occasions already despite his age, Carr believes Pednekar’s addition will provide multiple benefits for the Swans’ lineup.
“We’re expecting and hoping that we’re not going to see too much of Ash next season and hopefully not at all moving forward,” he said.
“From our point of view we’re looking to make sure that we fill that gap, but we’re also hoping that we can provide that opportunity for Yash to go to the next level, along with others who have the same ambition.
“It’s obviously something that we did, it was a bit of an adjustment year for us to do that without Ash (Chandrasinghe) and (Ruwantha) Kellapotha as well, our balance and our structure was out a bit, when we missed either one or both of those guys.
“They’re hard guys to cover but we feel that with the addition of Yash we’re much better placed to be able to cover that, and when we have got both of those guys available, then it’s a really strong top order, even into the middle order.
“He can bat time, I’ve seen him bat often enough to know that he’s got a really good technique, so there’s some attributes there from a technical point of view I suppose.
“But also as a person himself, he’s a really driven young man, he’s going to bring an attitude for us that is what we’re looking for in a player and a person.”