Narre Warren youngsters are having fun while staying active, as part of a local hiphop dance program attracting locals of all ages.
Teacher Naomi McLeod and her daughter Ashley are leading the classes teaching children as young as two up to adult dancers.
“I think the children get a lot out of it,“ she said.
“I think every children needs to dance.“
Each class are also preparing to present their skills as part of an end-of-year concert performance.
The latest crime statistics show a marked increase in residential aggravated burglaries in Casey over the past 12 months.
Casey criminal incidents are up 9.4 per cent per capita from 2022.
However this is a 5.1 per cent per capita decrease on pre-Covid levels.
It is also 29.5 per cent below the per capita Victorian average.
Cardinia crime is up 6.5 per cent per capita from 2022.
Greater Dandenong saw a steep rise in
crime from 2022, up by 18.6 per cent per capita.
Crime Statistics Australia chief statistician Fiona Dowsley said “the upward trends observed in recorded crime measures in the last 12 months coincide with a return to pre-pandemic related movements in the community“.
“While there has been an increase in recorded crime measures for the year ending 31 March 2023, the figures remain below those recorded in 2019,“ she said.
The data revealed steep rises in various criminal offences within Casey since 2022.
Residential aggravated burglaries have ex-
ceeded pre-Covid and 2022 levels, up by 54.3 per cent since last year and by a whopping 125 per cent since 2018.
In Victoria, there was a 30 per cent increase in this crime type, which Victoria Police said is driven predominantly by youths sneaking into unlocked homes to steal car keys.
“What we’ve seen over time is a shift in the reason aggravated burglaries are committed,“ Victoria Police Deputy Commisioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent said.
“Many years ago commonly aggravated burglaries were known to each other, drug debts, drug related, gang related.
“The shift we’ve seen is to get access to keys to top end cars.“
Deputy Commissioner Nugent said in some parts of Melbourne, up to 70 per cent of homes broken into are unlocked.
“So we also implore the community to take simple measures such as looking all doors, windows, and gates to help foil opportunistic thieves,“ he said.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said while overall crime across Casey increased over the past twelve months, it still remains almost 1500 offences below pre-Covid levels.
Continued page 2
The latest Crime Statistics Agency figures have highlighted a 44 per cent increase in the number of youth (10-17 year old) alleged offender incidents in Casey during the April 2022 to March 2023 period compared to the previous year.
Increases included 38.8 per cent in assault, 66.1 per cent in theft and the number of robberies and breaking and entering incidents more than double last year’s figure.
The statistics showed youth were the highest rating offenders for robberies across the state.
Youths aged 15 to 17 most frequently committed robberies, followed by those aged 10-14.
Burglaries committed by youths aged 10 to 14 increased by 86.7 per cent since 2022.
This age group of 10-17 year olds were also the most frequent victims of robberies.
Youths aged 10 to 14 were responsible for 6,418 incidents In Victoria, an increase of 44.6 per cent since 2022.
Offenders aged 10-24 were responsible for 8.6 per cent more incidents in 2023 than the previous year.
The data showed there were 19,539 alleged offender incidents involving 10-17-year-olds –the highest level in 10 years, while there were 5098 residential aggravated burglaries, the highest level in 10 years and a 30 per cent in-
crease on the preceding period.
Theft from retail stores has risen by 19.4 per cent and motor vehicle theft is up 17.9 per cent year on year.
Youth gang crime continues to be a pervasive issue acrossVictoria.
“Serious and violent youth crime is another ongoing focus, with Operation Alliance leading to the arrest of around 450 youth gang members a combined total of more than 1,500 times over the past year,“ said Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Rick Nugent.
“Youth gangs remain an issue, however our intense focus on disrupting and dismantling these gangs is reaping benefits,“ he said.
“In the past few years, we have reduced the number of serious and violent youth gang members on our watchlist, with 137 less known youth gang members in Victoria than when Operation Alliance commenced in September 2020.“
Deputy Commissioner Nugent said while the morphology of the gangs has changed with the advent of social media, where youth gangs now encompass kids from a broader range of suburbs, backgrounds and ages, there was still hope.
“When you look at gang related activity for kids, for the most part they end up growing out of it, if they’re lucky,“ he said.
A new specialist Children’s Court designed to focus on “vulnerable children and their families” has opened in Foster Street, Dandenong.
With fast-growing demand in the South East, the new courthouse is expected to relieve pressure on the nearby Dandenong Magistrates’ Court and the Moorabbin Justice Centre.
Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes, who attended the 16 June launch, told Parliament that the focus of the courthouse was “solely on the needs and interests of vulnerable children and their families”.
“That is why the court incorporates problem solving and collaborative and multidisciplinary practices tailored to the needs of young people.
“The physical design of the court is also tailored to these needs and ensures that there are separate facilities from adult offenders.”
The dedicated courthouse includes three purpose-built children’s courtrooms, including for young people in custody and a Children’s Koori Court.
A secure waiting space called The Cubby House is provided for children under protective care from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
The facility also has five holding cells,
meaning children and young people in custodyarekeptseparatefromtheadultholding cells at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
For vulnerable court users, including victim survivors of family violence, there is a separate entrance, waiting area and remote hearing facilities.
Police, Victoria Legal Aid, DFFH, Youth Justice and lawyers will have dedicated spaces in the building.
The Dandenong Children’s Court will hear Family Division cases, including child protection and intervention order cases.
The court will also hear cases in the Criminal Division, including bail and remand hearings, committals, youth diversion and Children’s Koori Court cases.
“There’s not too many street gangs that have people older than 19.
“So it’s really about how we can protect them through that period, divert them away and support them.“
However, Deputy Commissioner Nugent noted the numbers around youth offending have dropped year on year “over about ten years“.
“It’s almost half what it was ten years ago,“ he said.
“But what we do know is the small cohort of people that are doing this offending have escalated into serious and violent crime quite quickly at a very young age.“
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the State Government had invested $4.5 billion intoVictoria Police, including funding to recruit more than 3600 new police officers.
“We’ve also given police strong new powers to target brazen criminal activity, with new carjacking and home invasion offences including statutory minimum sentences for aggravated offences,“ he said.
“It’s important to recognise that only a small number of young people are involved in serious violent crime, and even fewer first-time offenders.
“I want to thank Victoria Police officers for their hard work and dedication in keeping
the community safe.“
The State Government’s latest budget provided a further $12.4 million to support early intervention initiatives, including more than $7 million for the Embedded Youth Outreach program (EYOP), an intervention program that sees Victoria Police officers paired with trained youth workers to provide an after hours response and referral service for young people who come into contact with police.
The program was targeted at young people aged between 10 and 24 years of age and was designed to respond to the complex needs of young people who are at risk of long-term involvement with the criminal justice system.
Opposition police spokesperson and Berwick MP Brad Battin said more investment needed to be directed towards supporting youngVictorians.
“Every Victorian deserves to be and feel safe in their own home,“ he said.
“To reduce youth offending and improve community safety, we need to be investing to keep young Victorians engaged with community, education and employment, as well as providing genuine second chances for those on the wrong path to turn their lives around.
“Fewer frontline police and cuts to crime prevention and rehabilitation services will only lead to more harm.“
A ground-breaking tool kit will support first responders in the South East cope with aftermath of suicides and other tragic and sudden fatalities.
The ‘Growing Around Grief’ kit aims to help police, ambulance and fire officers to more effectively engage with people in suicide crisis and to speak to those bereaved by suicide or sudden death.
It will be a “guiding light” that offers “tangible tools” and “heartfelt empathy to navigate the challenging journey of recovery,“ South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) chief executive Quinn Pawson said.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with first responders and those affected by sudden loss.
“With our toolkit, we aim to provide a lifeline of support and healing, reminding them that they are never alone.”
The toolkit was produced by SEMPHN in collaboration with Jesuit Social Services, Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) and people with lived experience
First Nations’ designer Timothy Buckley designed the booklet, which “embraces the unique needs of individuals and communities impacted by tragedy”, Mr Pawson said.
In clear detail, it helps first responders to assist people bereaved by suicide and sudden death. There are also booklets for those supporting someone impacted by sudden tragedies, supporting affected children and young people and supporting someone’s recovery through suicidal crisis.
The kit also lists South East support groups
and help lines for police, under 25s, veterans and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally or linguistically diverse background and LGBTQIA+SB communities.
“At our core, we believe in the power of compassion and understanding,” Mr Pawson said.
“Our mission is not just to provide tools, but to offer solace and support to those in need, because everyone deserves to be heard and cared for.” Recent road tragedies in Hunter Valley in NSW and Hamilton, Victoria showed how the impact of sudden grief ripples far and wide.
“Intimesoftragedy,it’ssoimportanttocome together as a community to uplift and heal.
“Understanding the depth of grief and loss, our toolkit embraces the unique needs of individuals and communities impacted by tragedy.
“By extending a compassionate hand, we strive to mend broken hearts and foster resilience in the face of adversity.“
The ‘Growing Around Grief’ booklet is at bit. ly/43Fc6Dv
Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/7
From page 1
“Pleasingly, serious crimes such as robberies and car thefts are among the crime that remain below the levels seen before the pandemic,“ the spokesperson said.
“While the overall number of homes being broken into across Casey also remains below pre-pandemic levels, it has increased from last year and local police are focusing on addressing this crime type.
“We continue to urge residents in all areas to consider remember to secure their homes and vehicles.“
The Victoria Police spokesperson said there are simple routines that people can do to protect themselves including “making it a nightly routine to lock doors, especially internal doors that lead to garages, parking vehicles in a secure garage, and ensuring keys aren’t easily accessible“.
Car theft is up 17.1 per cent since last year,
though there has been a 1.1 per cent decrease since 2018.
Breaches of family violence orders have risen by 17.2 per cent since 2022 and have increased by 40.1 per cent since 2018.
Aggravated robbery in Casey is 40.3 per cent above both 2018 and 2022 levels.
Dangerous driving offences increased by 17 per cent since 2022 in Victoria, but decreased by 11.1 per cent in Casey.
Specific suburbs in Casey were noted as the worst offenders for their rise in criminal activity over the past 12 months.
Cranbourne (11.7 per cent), Narre Warren (15.2 per cent), Berwick (10.1 per cent), Hampton Park (15 per cent) and Clyde North (23 per cent) were all noted in the data as having seen an incline in criminal behaviour.
In Cranbourne burglaries were up 7.2 per cent, but were 17 per cent below the pre-covid levels of 2018.
Assault and thefts both saw an incline, up 16.2 per cent from 2022 and 9.5 per cent from 2018 levels.
In Narre Warren, burglaries and thefts were up 26 per cent and 28.8 per cent respectively since 2022.
However both were 17.6 per cent below 2018 levels.
Assaults in the area have risen by 31.4 per cent since 2022 and have succeeded 2018 levels by 3.4 per cent.
Assaults were up 20.2 per cent in Berwick since 2022, but remain 12.1 per cent below 2018 rates.
Thefts (up 24.3 per cent) and burglaries (up 58.1 per cent) have increased compared to both 2018 and 2022 statistics.
In Hampton Park, burglary and theft rates increased by 15.7 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively since 2022, but remain well below 2018 rates.
Hampton Park showed a 62.9 per cent decrease in burglary and a 30.2 per cent decrease in theft compared to pre-covid levels.
Assaults have exceeded both 2018 and 2022 rates in the region, up by 5 per cent since 2018 and 26.6 per cent since 2022.
In the growth corridor of Clyde North, assault rates remains the same from 2022, but have increased by 174 per cent since 2018.
Burglaries have risen 33.6 per cent since 2022 but sit 9.6 per cent below 2018 rates.
However thefts have risen above 2018 and 2022 rates, up by 104 per cent and 38.6 per cent respectively.
Robberies increased by 8.7 per cent inVictoria over the past 12 months.
Pre-Covid, robberies were a significant concern for police as they were at decade highs. However, current robbery rates are a significant 36.8 per cent below the levels seen in the twelve months to March 2020.
By Matthew Sims
Casey Council has put the future of a revitalised Bunjil Place Precinct into motion by endorsing the Bunjil Place Precinct Concept Master Plan.
At its meeting on Tuesday 20 June, the council approved the concept master plan for the project, which includes potential multirise residential apartments, a hotel, hospitality and leisure spaces, wellbeing facilities, a multi-deck car park and enhanced pedestrian access within the precinct.
According to the council, the online survey received a total of 139 responses with community feedback indicating “significant support“ for entertainment and dining uses within the precinct, along with broad support for education, healthcare, youth services and retail uses.
In their submission to the consultation process, the Casey Residents and Ratepayers Association expressed overall support for the proposal.
However, they also raised concerns about access to the precinct, ensuring future traffic, parking and public transport improvements are considered, while also expressing a preference for high-density residential development to be located closer to the Narre Warren train station rather than within the precinct
The council noted the feedback regarding parking availability has been noted and the draft Plan included provisions for any existing carparks to be replaced and consolidated along with new parking for future uses where required.
During public question time, Anne and Gayle Savige expressed their concern with the
“inappropriate survey methodology“ and noted their concerns with the availability of car parking and loss of trees and height of future buildings.
During the meeting, administrator Miguel Belmar said the concept master plan would guide the next steps over the coming decade in line with the aspirations of the community and the council’s planning scheme.
“The feedback generally aligned with the draft concept master plan, with concerns noted around car parking, accessibility, open space and over-development of the precinct,“ he said.
“We will have to replace any car parking that is lost.“
Mr Belmar said another highlight of the master plan was its inclusivity through quality disability access.
“We look forward to seeing it deliver exciting opportunities for the community,“ he said.
“It’s exciting to see what is an underutilised piece of land being envisioned as a major activity centre which will respond to the needs of the community.“
Administrator Cameron Boardman said the plan outlined plans to make the precinct a “driver for significant economic development“ for the community.
“It is not fit for purpose,“ he said.
“They would love to have other facilities which would allow them to stay longer in the precinct.“
“It is an exciting piece of work.“
To view the plan, visit conversations.casey. vic.gov.au/bunjil-place-precinct.
Until
Until
As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading roads to reduce congestion. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel.
By Matthew Sims
Calls of“No Smart Cities“ and signs comparing 20-minute neighbourhoods to prisons were a surprising sight for Berwick locals, when a protest group visited the town over the weekend.
Between 100 and 200 locals and representatives from other My Place groups met at Pioneers Park on Saturday 17 June before receiving a police escort to a march down High Street before returning to Pioneers Park for presentations from key voices behind the movement.
Event co-organiser Craig Cole said the event was a success and aimed to warn people about how the Smart Cities framework and the 20-minute neighbourhood initiative would impinge on people’s freedoms.
“It’s something that we have to be aware of,“ he said.
“It’s about restriction and it’s about control.“
Mr Cole’s claims included that the UN were controlling local councils and that the Smart Cities initiative depended on the Voice “going through“.
Speaking at the rally, Mr Cole said it was important for those with similar beliefs and values to come together.
“It’s time to put our petty squabbles, our petty indifferences to the side for the one greater good,“ he said.
“We are making a difference.“
Speaking at the rally, My Place founder Darren Bergwerf said their goal as a group was to challenge governments.
“We are pushing them into a place where it doesn’t matter what they do, they lose,“ he said.
“They’re damned if they do, they’re damned if they don’t.“
According to Casey Council’s website, it first engaged with the community about how to use sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), data platforms and devices to improve efficiency, enhance sustainability and increase the liveability of the region in 2020.
Endorsed by Casey Council in December 2020, the Smart Casey Launchpad program outlines the council’s approach to co-ordinating and inspiring smart city action at a local and regional level.
Initially proposed as part of the State Government’s Plan Melbourne, the 20-minute neighbourhood principle would s where aim to ensure all dwellings are within a convenient 20-minute journey to most everyday needs, such as the goods and services typically found in a local activity centre.
A podcaster and researcher who has been following the movement since 2020 with the Twitter handle @SOS149 said she attended the rally for research purposes.
’SOS’ said local My Place groups, including those in Berwick, Cranbourne and Pakenham, were growing in number and influence and were a “threat to local democracy“.
“They are bigger than people think,“ she said.
“I don’t think they are silly at all.“
SOS said My Place leaders used platforms
such as Facebook and more private forums like Telegram to attract people who may feel afraid of change or feel as if their voices are not being heard.
“This group is very attractive to those kinds of people,“ she said.
Public Facebook group Save the Beaconsfield Reservoir Action Group saw an influx of new members from My Place.
It promoted the Berwick rally on its Facebook page.
“We should all be opposed to government indoctrination and having decisions made for us without public consultation or discussion,“ the page’s administrator posted.
“That is the reason why our community group are opposed to MelbourneWater’s plans for Beaconsfield Reservoir.“
SOS said My Place often supports local issues to attract locals to their cause.
“It’s an opportunity to recruit,“ she said.
SOS said with the fallout from the sacking of the Casey Council in 2020 and the ongoing Operation Sandon IBAC investigation, Casey residents were looking for a change in local government, giving groups like My Place a foothold.
“You’ve almost got a captive audience,“ she said.
“They are a loud minority.“
SOS said she believed while a number of the conspiracy theories My Place members hold and spruik can come off as silly, the online nature of the groups led to them being a breeding ground for hate.
“At their core, they are not good people,“ she said.
“I think that the Internet has a lot to answer for.“
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) recently addressed about 100 representatives from councils across the state concerning a number of incidents over recent months, including community action leading to the cancellation of ’drag storytimes’ in Casey and Greater Dandenong and a police presence at a number of council meetings, as well as the closure ofYarra Ranges Council’s public gallery until further notice.
“The ongoing behaviour we have seen at council meetings is threatening and unpredictable and it has no place in our commu-
nities,“ MAV president David Clark said. “It shouldn’t be accepted at any level of government. Councils are right to take a zero tolerance approach, as the people most at risk are often other community members who are in the gallery with the disruptive people.“
Berwick MP Brad Battin said people’s right to peacefully protest was the best part of a “strong democracy“.
“People are entitled to their views, opinions and lifestyles,“ he said.
“As our communities grow, there will always be change and progress to ensure people can live safely in their communities.”
Meeting times petition, page 27
5945 0600
A South East serial hoon who scammed Government disaster aid schemes and treated roads as his “personal playground” has been jailed.
Dylan Desmond Milkins, 23, pleaded guilty to about 50 charges across two years including high-speed police pursuits, Federal aid scams, petrol drive-offs and a New Years Eve burnout in front of spectators on Belgrave-Hallam Road.
Milkins registered an ABN for a fictitious labour-hire and supply business with false GST credits to receive $24,170 in Covid disaster payments in 2021, Dandenong Magistrates Court heard.
He also made a second attempt to extract $24,870 in the same manner.
Milkins also falsely claimed to be living in flood-hit Penrith NSW and Seymour in rural Victoria to gain $1000 in Commonwealth disaster relief and another attempt for $1000.
He told police that he’d come across the “scheme” on social media.
Defence lawyer Elarya George told the court that a regretful Milkins was unemployed due to Covid lockdowns and financially struggling at the time.
He’d repaid more than $9000 owed to the Commonwealth.
Among his illegal driving spree was a 36-second burnout dangerously near spectators in the middle of Belgrave-Hallam Road in Hallam on New Years Eve night, police told the court. As part of the midnight burnout, his passenger lit a series of fireworks and dropped them from his unregistered Commodore.
The incident was said to have terrified dogs inside a nearby pet resort.
Unbeknown to Milkins, a by-stander also walked up to the car, while it produced voluminous smoke and flicked out its rear end metres from the crowd, police stated.
A police intelligence officer discovered video of the episode posted on Milkins’ social me-
dia account. He later told police he believed he was fully in control of his car at the time.
Milkins was also charged over a late-night police pursuit across Narre Warren, Lynbrook, Dandenong, Springvale and Mulgrave, clocking 150 km/h-plus speeds and running a red light in February 2021.
In a second pursuit, the suspended P-plater on bail cut through and overtook traffic at high speed, reaching 160 km/h in the Monash Freeway emergency lane. A police officer called off the pursuit due to the alleged dangerous driving.
In April, he was arrested after breaching bail conditions banning him from driving.
On that occasion, he drove on the wrong side of the road and onto a footpath to evade police in Berwick.
In sentencing on 16 June, Dandenong magistrate Jason Ong noted Milkins had no prior convictions but a “poor” driving history. He’d shown a “blatant disre-
gard for road rules” and treated the roads as his “personal playground”. The disqualified driver put lives at risk with his high-speed driving despite being banned from driving under bail conditions, Mr Ong noted.
The magistrate noted Milkins was still young with “guarded” rehabilitation prospects. Jail was a last resort but Milkins had reached that juncture, the judge found.
At the forefront of sentencing was to send a message to other would-be offenders, Mr Ong said. Milkins was jailed for five months, including 86 days in pre-sentence remand.
It will be followed by two concurrent community corrections orders, including supervision, safe driving programs and treatment for mental health and drug issues. He was also fined $1000 and ordered to repay the remaining $15,450 owed to the Commonwealth.
Milkins was further disqualified from driving for two-and-a-half years.
A public water retailer will review its policies and compliance after the Victorian regulator found it breached family violence obligations by sharing the personal information of two customers.
The Essential Services Commission on Tuesday 20 June accepted a two-year court enforceable undertaking from South East Water after a probe found the governmentowned retailer failed to protect two separate customers in 2021 and 2022.
South East Water allegedly sent out correspondence with the personal information of customers affected by family violence to the wrong addresses, putting them at risk of harm. The commission also found South East Water failed to publish important information on its website, including its hardship policy and how customers impacted by family violence can get help. In certain situations, customers may be entitled to have debts waived but this information was not made publicly available, the water regulator found.
Commission chairperson Kate Symons
said water and energy businesses were legally obligated to offer support to anyone affected by family violence.
“We take breaches of family violence provisions seriously. Businesses providingVictorians with essential water and energy services must have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with obligations that support and protect their customers.”
The commission’s investigation was launched following a referral from Victoria’s Energy and Water Ombudsman.
As part of the undertaking, South East
Water must improve its policies, training and compliance monitoring. It must also appoint an independent auditor and an independent person with expertise in family violence and water legislation.
The commission introduced family violence protections following the 2016 Royal Commission, which found essential services could be used by perpetrators of family violence to cause harm.
1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)
Lifeline 13 11 14
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A serial violent offender is back in jail after an “unprovoked” attack on a woman living nextdoor in Doveton.
Bashkim Gashi, a 40-year-old cleaner with a long list of priors, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to intentionally causing injury to her in her home.
He was in a car outside as she returned home to meet another male friend in the early hours of 13 March 2021.
Gashi appeared to get upset when the victim told him not to talk to her friend and to get off her property, judge Amanda Chambers noted.
He spat in her face and threw a drink on her. His violence escalated when she hit him in self defence.
Gashi dragged her by the head with his hands around her neck, walked her into her house and threw her to the ground.
He punched her several times causing her to believe he wanted to kill her, as well as spitting on her again.
The victim pointed to a camera on the kitchen bench, telling him to “Smile you’re on camera.” Gashi struck her forcefully to the face with the camera, causing her face to bleed.
His parting words for the victim were she was a “dead girl walking”.
The woman was treated at Dandenong Hospital, requiring surgery for a lacerated lip. She also suffered a swollen cheek, bruised arm and cut finger.
Eligible residential homes and businesses can now connect to faster internet speeds in Berwick, Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield Upper, Clyde North and Cranbourne North.
On May 27 I went shopping at Cranbourne Park.
I stayed longer than I expected. Because I have trouble with my eyes, I can’t drive in the dark.
I went to my hire car but I couldn’t find it.
I asked an employee if security were still working, I said the car had been stolen.
To make a long story short, a woman suggested the guard drive my car and she would drive behind.
I got home safe and I would like to thank all involved.
A big thank you.W
Peter HeywoodIn sentencing on 20 June, Judge Chambers said the attack left the victim feeling unsafe in her “dream home”, and wracked by anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and less confidence.
It was hard to understand what triggered Gashi’s violence after previously “amicable” relations with the neighbour, the judge said.
Gashi’s “uncontrolled anger” wasn’t fueled by drugs or alcohol.
Raised in Dandenong, Gashi had a strong work history but a long list of convictions for assaults, family violence, rioting, violent threats, breaching court orders and firearm offences.
In 2019, he was jailed and put on a CCO after pulling a gun during a violent conflict against a person protected by an intervention order.
A further ‘combination’ sentence was not appropriate, particularly given his history of breaching court orders. Past jail terms also didn’t deter him from acting violently, the judge noted.
Judge Chambers noted Gashi hadn’t used illicit drugs since his most recent release from jail in March 2022 as well as his early guilty plea and that he’d been stabbed in custody in 2016.
His rehabilitation prospects were however “guarded” - and the “unprovoked” and “serious” attack on the victim in light of his violent history warranted a jail term with a non-parole period.
Gashi was jailed for up to 21 months, with a non-parole period of 13 months. His term included 363 days in pre-sentence detention.
What a delightful experience it was to witness the LetTeine Polynesian Dance performance at Cranbourne on 17 June.
The dancing, costumes, music and atmosphere of the event were all memorable.
My thanks and congratulations to all those involved in this presentation.
It is so heart-warming to see a group of people celebrating their cultural heritage and sharing the festivities in such a welcoming way towards the audience.
The Polynesian nation quietly goes about enjoying the wealth of happiness of its lifestyle, and in so doing, loudly shames those nations which contribute billions of dollars of their wealth to the international arms race.
Susan JanesResidents may be eligible to upgrade their National Broadband Network (NBN) connection to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or full fibre.
When customers order an eligible plan through their preferred phone and internet provider, they can get NBN fibre delivered to their doorstep.
Full fibre is NBN’s fastest and most reliable residential connection on the NBN network. It can deliver wholesale download speeds of close to one gigabyte per second, which can support things like simultaneous streaming of high-definition video, faster downloading and uploading of large files.
To further expand the benefits of fibre connections, the Federal Government has invested $2.4 billion to enable an additional 1.5 million premises to transition from Fibre to the Node (FTTN) to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) by 2025 – over 660,000 of which will be in regional areas.
“The NBN is a key investment in the nation’s future,“ Communications Minister Michelle Rowland MP said.
“Since 2009, the network has kept Australians connected, supported tele-health and remote education, and boosted economic productivity by expanding access to new customers for small businesses.
“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring that Australians get the full benefit of the NBN’s potential by enabling as many NBN lines to access full fibre connections as possible.“
The first tranche of eligible suburbs –
one million premises – were announced by the Government earlier this year.
“The Albanese Government’s investment to expand NBN fibre access is a gamechanger,“ said Holt MP Cassandra Fernando. “This announcement is an opportunity for eligible local families and businesses to enjoy the benefits of a faster, more reliable fibre connection.
“I welcome NBN Co’s commitment to supporting the families and businesses in Holt, and encourage the community to check the NBN website to see whether they are eligible for an upgrade”.
The Albanese Government said they expect around 80 per cent of all regional and remote premises will have access to plans based on wholesale speeds of 100 Mbps or more by late 2025. This was estimated at 33 per cent in March 2022.
It is expected 93 per cent of all Australian homes and businesses will have access to plans based on wholesale speeds of 100 Mbps or more.
As the most reliable residential connection, full fibre provides better support for things like super high-quality streaming, even when more people are online at once.
NBN consumer experience expert Jane McNamara said with more connected devices than ever before, there is increasing demand for faster and reliable internet from homes and businesses.
“The demand for faster and more reliable internet is the highest we’ve ever seen as the way Australians use technology continues to evolve,” she said. “This is being driven by trends such as hybrid work and study arrangements and an increase in online entertainment, such as streaming services and gaming, across multiple devices.“
Thumbs up
To the local homeschooling community. It’s growing each week. They organise so many catch ups, outings and excursions. This week they did a first aid course at the Cranbourne library.
Thumbs up
To people helping those in need.
Thumbs down
To the drivers who do not respect an emergency vehicle with lights and siren going trying to get through a major intersection, by stopping and or moving to the side, to let them keep moving forward safely.
Thumbs up
To the people who go out of their way to help find and return lost dogs. Thank you.
Thumbs down
To the crap drivers who get their licenses out of a cereal box and don’t know basic road rules.
Thumbs up To Nicole and all the others who helped homeless man Scott and his dog Razor find a home off the cold streets.
Thumbs down
To how racist a lot of people are and how open they are about it.
Thumbs down
To the people who dump rubbish, torch cars, kill wildlife and hoon in our street every week. No help from council or pwwolice.
Thumbs down
The cost of groceries and their continuing price rising!
Thumbs up
To groove train cranny shops they’re the best.
Thumbs down
To roadworks. We’re full of half completed jobs, and no end in sight. Wondering when they’ll finish the first before starting the next.
Thumbs down
When booking hard rubbish being told to keep it nice and tidy and its prohibited from people taking things from your hard rubbish on the nature strip (as stated by council) we should be given more than 2 free collections. I took ours out yesterday nature strip bare today.
Thumbs down
For the poor homeless man living back on the street after being charged & sent to court 5/05 for hitting a female. He’s back in his doona sleeping outside the doors at Casey Medical & cnr of Alexander St.
Thumbs up
To the businesses who took cash cos cash is king.
Thumbs down
To all those businesses adding charges for using Eftpos.
Thumbs up
To the removal of dumped rubbish near us and the provision of natives for our growing reserve and wildlife corridor.
Thumbs up
Casey Council for there continued works along Paterson drive (Barn Barn wetlands).
Thumbs down
For the new Harkaway road layer asphalt. Rates payers money down the drain. It’s like driving on a ladder.Very poor job!
Victorians are at risk of developing foodborne illnesses as some local councils, including Casey, are failing to properly inspect food premises.
A recent audit found the cities of Casey, Greater Geelong, Kingston, Manningham and the Hepburn Shire Council are not complying with their legislative responsibilities to enforce food safety and protect public health.
A damning report by the Auditor-General’s office released on Tuesday also shows public health officials are failing to keep track of which councils are meeting food sampling obligations.
Under the Food Act, councils are responsible for the day-to-day regulation of most food premises across the state.
However, the five audited councils did not properly assess food premises from 2018 to 2022 and inspection ratings were inconsistent, the report shows.
Workforce shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic were blamed for their inability to perform all the necessary checks.
By law, council workers are required to reinspect non compliant food premises or those with complaints against them at least three months prior to registration renewal, which they failed to do.
The Department of Health was also kept in the dark and not properly informed due to councils failing to report essential data.
The audit shows public health officials don’t know which councils are meeting their food sampling obligations.
The department, which is required to provide information and guidance to local government environmental health officers, does not analyse statewide results to assess risks to public health.
An estimated 600 million people around the world fall ill after consuming contaminated food every year and about 420,000 of them die.
There are about 4.7 million cases of foodborne illness in Australia each year, which costs the community $2.4 billion.
In 2021, there were 61,870 registered food premises in Victoria.
Police have charged a 13-year-old Doveton teenager with a string of offences following armed robberies in Melbourne’s East earlier this week.
Police have said a group of up to six teenagers entered a fast-food restaurant on Whitehorse Road in Nunawading at about 2.20am on Tuesday 13 June, where they allegedly threatened staff with knives, stole cash and damaged the front window, before fleeing the scene in two vehicles.
Police said the teenagers allegedly entered another fast-food restaurant on Burwood Highway in Vermont South and threatened staff with weapons.
One of the vehicles was allegedly stolen during an aggravated burglary at a property on Fermanagh Road in Camberwell on Sunday 11 June.
Police arrested the Doveton teenager, as well as a 15-year-old teen from Springvale South and a 16-year-old Cranbourne teen, on Tuesday 13 June.
Police charged the Doveton teenager with robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime and committing an indictable offence on bail.
Police charged the Springvale South teen with two counts of armed robbery, two counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime, theft of a motor vehicle and committing an indictable offence on bail.
The Auditor-General has made three recommendations to councils and seven to the health department, with the vast majority of these accepted.
They include greater collaboration between councils and the department, implementing performance measures and improving consistency in councils’ compliance ratings of food premises.
Police charged the Cranbourne teen with theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of handling stolen goods, two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail. Police have remanded the trio in custody to appear at a children’s court at a later date.
Berwick resident Sandra Forsyth has come out the other end of her journey with breast cancer with a calmer outlook on life and a new perspective on mortality.
Diagnosed last November with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCSI), which is the presence of abnormal cells inside a milk duct in the breast after she felt a lump, the 64-year-old said she was lucky to discover it early.
“This news definitely turned my world upside down,“ she said.
“I never thought I would be a person that had breast surgery.
“I had to go in and do three weeks of radiation.“
Mrs Forsyth said the process from discovering the cancer to treatment was relatively quick, having to go into X-rays and have titanium markers inserted into her breast before receiving radiation treatment.
“I went through six months of various treatments,“ she said.
Each radiation treatment lasted 20 minutes and involved her having to inhale deeply and hold her breath for 30 seconds to keep her heart raised above the radiation zone.
Mrs Forsyth said her surgeons and treatment team were supportive during her journey.
“They were just so compassionate and understanding,“ she said.
“The surgeons were beautiful.“
Mrs Forsyth underwent two surgeries to remove the growth, which was about 15 centimetres long.
“I was lucky to be told by my GP and specialist that they had gotten all the cancer out and that I was clear,“ she said.
While Mrs Forsyth has been prescribed to take medication to inhibit her production of estrogen for five years, she said they lead to being fatigued easily.
She said the gravity of her diagnosis did not hit her until the passing of her father, which occurred during her treatment journey.
A former fire brigade officer, her father died at the age of 95 after complications from a urinary tract infection.
“I felt nothing until my father died,“ she said.
“I miss him terribly.
“I broke down one night and said why me?
“It made me think of my own death.“
Mrs Forsyth has planned to shaving her hair at a special event at her Berwick home on Sunday 23 July to raise funds for the Cancer Council.
With a goal of $2000, her fundraiser has already raised more than $850, with a recent
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has upheld Casey Council’s decision to refuse a permit for a planning permit to use and develop the 2-4 DellView Close in NarreWarren North for a 138-place childcare facility.
In her decision passed down onWednesday 14 June,VCAT senior member Margaret Baird said her concerns with the proposal included the “size and intensity“ of the proposed construction, potential sound impacts and the influence on the rural character of the area.
“The scale, extent and siting of the proposed development do not sufficiently achieve the scheme’s neighbourhood and landscape character outcomes, as expressly sought for this location and low density residential area,“ she said.
“I am concerned that the noise impacts of outdoor play areas and the use of the car park on neighbouring habitable room windows and outdoor living areas are not minimised so as to respond to the qualities and attributes of this location.
“The rural character is valued and will be compromised.“
If approved, the development would have led to the removal of the existing dwelling and some vegetation to allow for the construction of a one to two-storey building is set into the slope, with surrounding play areas across two split levels.
The permit application also outlined plans for a 30-space car park, which would be accessed from the Hallam North Road.
According to the traffic report completed, the developers projected the facility would see 552 movements per day and 110 vehicle trip ends during the commuter peak hours.
Existing traffic volumes in Dell View
Close were low, with a seven day survey showing a total average daily count of 43 vehicles per day, with three to four vehicle trips in the peak hour periods.
Ms Baird said the permit application could not prevent cars using Dell View Close to park.
“That would be an undesirable impact given the narrow road profile and lack of formalised on-street parking,“ she said.
While the amended plans relocated vehicle access to Hallam North Road, including a left turn lane into the site from Hallam North Road and minor changes to Hallam North Road line marking to facilitate fully directional access to the site, Ms Baird said she said there were a number of reasons why the development was not suitable for the area.
“The child care facility is not located so as to maximise access by public transport and safe walking and cycling routes,“ she said.
“I am not persuaded that the built elements have been designed and sited in a manner that is respectful of the low density residential character of the area.
“Overall, I find the proposal does not sufficiently meet the character and landscape outcomes sought for this location.“
The applicant highlighted that the area is projected to experience population growth of 2.4 per cent by 2036, with a current estimated shortfall of 1595 spaces for the resident population in the catchment area.
Star News contacted the applicant and their solicitors but did not receive a response before deadline.
anonymous donation of $500 being a surprising boost for the event.
“It’s the least I can do for those who have had worse experiences than me or worse, lost their lives because of cancer,“ she said.
Mrs Forsyth said she hoped her story would inspire both women and men to self-examine and see their GP to check up regularly.
“I want to scare them too,“ she said.
“Go and do self-examinations.
“The alternative is death.“
Mrs Forsyth said she was proud she was able to discover the cancer early.
“I am very proud I was able to help women
in the community,“ she said.
Mrs Forsyth said while she was scared of the cancer returning or receiving a similar diagnosis, she had discovered a new appreciation of life.
“If I keep dwelling on this, I’m not going to enjoy my life,“ she said.
“I’m a calmer person.“
Mrs Forsyth said she was grateful for the support of her husband and family during her journey and into her recovery.
For more information about her fundraising effort, visit fundraising.cancervic.org.au/ fundraisers/sandraforsyth
The Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS) is one of the 16 South East organisations receiving financial support via South East Water’s annual Community Grants Program.
The grant will support CNCISS’ financial literacy program to support community members in managing their finances.
CNCISS executive officer Helen Small said the new Stay on Track program will complement the service’s current one-to-one financial counselling service.
“More and more people are presenting to our organisation,“ she said.
“We have identified a need to provide up to date, accurate information to our local community that aims to assist households to make better choices when entering into contracts, using credit or taking up other financial commitments.
“We also recognise that when people do start to feel the burden and are unable to meet their financial commitments, they are often unaware of where to go for help and advice.“
It is expected that sessions will run during business hours and school terms.
Exact times and locations will be available
soon and posted on the CNCISS Facebook site.
Other recipients include RSPCA Victoria (Pearcedale) for a 5000-litre rainwater tanks to manage stormwater at its Pearcedale animal shelter and Launch Housing (Dandenong) for an edible and medicinal garden at Viv’s Place, an apartment building for at-risk women.
South EastWater customer experience general manager Lara Salembier said the grants will help the recipients make valuable contributions towards supporting a thriving and more liveable community.
“We’re proud to support 16 community groups with a range of projects that support our community and protect our environment,“ she said.
“A key area of focus for our grants program is affordability, and this year we’re excited to fund several local projects that support community members with the rising cost of living, from food relief to financial literacy.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits these 16 projects will deliver for our customers, community and environment.“
For more information on South EastWater’s 2023 community grant recipients, visit www. southeastwater.com.au/grants
Homeless duo 34-year-old Scott and threeyear-old Razor were showered with generosity over the King’s Birthday long weekend.
“There’s hope for the homeless,“ Scott said.
Scott and Razor began the weekend on Saturday 10 June sleeping on the street outside Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre, where Scott said the security team had gifted Razor with a bed and his very own security vest.
The weekend ended with Scott and Razor having half a house to themselves after the community rallied to find them a safe haven from the cold.
“It doesn’t actually happen like that really,“ Scott said.
“A lot of people are homeless for different reasons and sometimes you just have to make things visual for other people to see that not everybody out there is looking for drugs.
“They’re actually trying to change, to do the right thing.“
Nicole’s mum noticed Scott when she was working in Cranbourne, prompting Nicole to set up a Facebook post looking for a safe place for him to stay.
“We came back down an hour later, took him soup and a hot chocolate and went through the offers,“ Nicole said.
While Nicole, her mum and Scott’s future housemate Hayley were cautious at first, Nicole said they found Scott to be genuine, kind and not at all predatory.
“I just asked him questions whether he liked it or not,“ Nicole said.
“If he was going to come here to Hayley, I wanted to make sure she was going to be safe and that I wasn’t letting just anyone into her house.
“But he answered everything truthfully and he was fine.“
On Sunday 11 June, local Hampton Park man Robert picked Scott and Razor up and offered them his couch for the night.
“He’s got two kids himself and I felt like it was a test to see exactly what the puppy was like with kids and that sort of stuff,“ Scott said.
By Monday, he was gifted half of a house, which he now shares with Cranbourne single mum Hayley and her daughter.
Over the days since then, donations have been pouring in to get Scott and Razor the household furnishings they need, from couches, to a bed, to TVs, clothes and more.
Nicole said she was surprised when most of the people reaching out to offer Scott a place to stay were single mums.
Scott and Nicole chocked it up to maternal instinct and the fact many of those offering had survived their own traumatic pasts.
Once he found himself on the street, Scott said he was left without options.
“Having a dog it’s hard enough as it is to get a place,“ he said.
“But when your ID is taken from you, you can’t get a house.
“I can’t just go into a real estate and be like ’Hey, give me a house, I have no ID though’.“
Scott said this left him on the street “being watched by everyone and used by everyone“, especially those who “aren’t really homeless“.
“People need to understand not all of them are actually homeless.
“Some of them are just trying to use the money to get drugs instead of food, then going back to their sharehouse.“
Scott said there are also issues with “undercover cops“ pretending to be homeless to get information on dealers.
Victoria Police were unable to confirm or deny this claim.
The winter weather wasn’t a concern for Scott, who considers himself “a wanderer“.
“I’m used to the weather and I’m pretty outdoorsy,“ he said.
“When I wander sometimes there’s no roof, or walls.
“You’ve always got nature out there.“
Razor came into Scott’s life two years ago, given as a gift when he was 16 months old.
Scott said Razor is an army trained Cane Corso, a security dog who knows his commands and keeps Scott safe on the street.
Now that the duo have the comfort of a
home, Razor has gone from alert security dog to a sweet lap puppy.
“When he’s at home he tends not to listen to anything,“ Scott said.
“But when he’s out in the street, it’s all commands.“
On the street, Scott was sometimes approached with disdain from passersby who considered him selfish for having Razor by his side, but Razor wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I can have him off lead and sleep all night, for 12 hours straight, and he’ll still be there in the morning and wouldn’t even leg it,“ he said.
Scott said being homeless and having a pet, people tend to help the pet more than the person.
“Whenever people saw me angry it was mainly because I turned around to certain people because of they way they handled handing over dog food and the comments they would say with it,“ he said.
“They’d say he needs to make sacrifices, to put Razor in Pets of the Homeless, but they’ll take your dog when you don’t want to be separated,“ Nicole added.
Scott also explained how pedestrians would pat Razor without any caution or permission.
“98 per cent of people will actually walk up and pat him,“ he said.
“I’d have a crack at them because you can’t just pet someone else’s dog.
“Especially his type of dog when you hear all the news about dog attacks, why would you just go up and pat them and then call the council and say there’s a scary looking dog.“
Razor now has two new friends to help him get used to his new home, German Shepherd Mia and Greyhound Stewie and he has grown very fond of his human housemates too.
“As soon as he hears the other housemates voice, he starts sooking for them,“ Scott said.
“He’s trained to look after the family, that’s his role.“
Scott said the one thing he wishes the community would understand about people who live on the street is “some of them are actually trying“.
“And that, you know, some of them turn into psychos because they’re pushed to it, because maybe they don’t have the willpower to control it.
“Some people snap, especially if they’ve got a mental illness, and they’re getting sick of asking for help.
“Sometimes jail is just better, it’s three meals a day instead of sitting there with a hat asking for people to help.“
Casey Council has adopted its budget for the 2023-24 financial year, which has passed on the State Government’s 3.5 per cent rate cap.
During the council’s meeting on Tuesday 20 June, administrators also adopted its Council Plan 2021-25 Year 3 Review and Annual Action Plan 2023/24 documents.
The budget outlined an underlying operating deficit of $14.48 million with a total expenditure of $466.4 million and a revenue of $583.7 million.
Administrator and acting chair Cameron Boardman said the budget aimed to deliver stronger connections and places, platforms for community engagement and ensure the council was future-ready.
“We need to adopt flexibility and nimbleness,“ he said.
Mr Boardman said the council took “no great pride“ in passing on the maximum rate rise.
“We are operating in an inflationary environment nationally,“ he said.
“It is something that unfortunately, we have no option but to pass on.
“There are many people within the community that are undergoing significant financial hardship.
“It is a difficult decision to make.“
The budget outlined $238.3 million would be raised through general rates, with $54.5 million expected to be raised from the Waste Service Charge, together with $1.6 million expected supplementary waste charges expected to occur during the 2023/24 financial year.
The 2023/24 capital works program proposes the investment of $74.82 million to see completion of the previous financial year’s projects, including $16.65 million for new assets, $31.58 million of renewal works, $25.08 million of upgrades to existing facilities and $1.51 million to expand existing assets.
This will deliver $20.56 million in roads
works, $3.41 million in footpaths and cycleways, $4.85 million in drainage works, $19.37 million in recreational, leisure and community facilities and $6.2 million in parks, open space and streetscapes.
Some of the highlights of the 2023/24 capital works program would include the Robert Booth Reserve AFL, cricket and netball pavilion, the Ballarto Road and South Gippsland Highway intersection upgrade, construction of sections of Tooradin Station and Fisheries Road and Casey Fields’ Ovals 4 and 5 pavilion upgrade.
Renewal and upgrade works would include works at Ray Bastin Reserve, Pearcedale Reserve Pavilion, Max Pawsey Tennis Pavilion, Casey Fields Athletics Track and Lynbrook Family and Community Centre.
Administrator Miguel Belmar said considering the increasing cost of living, the council had decided to pass on a relief package for ratepayers, which would include deferment of legal action and suspension of interest on
approval arrangements.
“Council is aware of the situation,“ he said.
“We are well versed in this.“
Mr Belmar said the council had also provided an additional $135,000 towards the Community Grants program and an extra $50,000 per year for two years to the existing Events Funding program
“The aim is to prioritise long-term economic and environmental sustainability,“ he said.
Casey Council scheduled a special meeting at 4pm on Tuesday 30 May to hear submissions on the draft document.
However, as no submitter elected to speak on their submission, the council cancelled the meeting.
To view the budget documents, visit conversations.casey.vic.gov.au/budget-councilplan-actions
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A Narre Warren pharmacy is supporting women and families raising children in need as the cost of living continues to ramp up.
Casey Central Shopping Centre’s Blooms The Chemist is offering two funding programs.
Launching in 2019, Women United is providing funding from community donors and customers, allowing them to receive free feminine hygiene and health and wellbeing products, while the No Child Left Behind program supports parents struggling to purchase pharmacy products for their children.
Owner Andrew Leslie said the Women United program has already provided more than $10,000 of support for women, while the No Child Left Behind program has supported more than 50 local parents.
“We feel this is what the community
needs,“ he said.
“It’s about finding what the needs of the community are.“
Mr Leslie said the programs support their wide customer base, covering Afghan refugees and young families.
“This is a diverse community,“ he said.
“Our staff speak over 10 languages.
“There is a lot of in-need families and young families.“
Growing up in Newcastle near Sydney, Mr Leslie said he used to be a surfer at beaches along the coast, such as Redhead Beach, but said he fell in love with the Narre Warren community since buying the business back in 2017.
“I miss the beach, but I love the people in Melbourne,“ he said.
“I’m never going back.“
Police netted dozens of impaired, speeding and disqualified drivers in the South East during a King’s Birthday long weekend traffic blitz.
As part of Operation Regal, police detected 113 traffic offences in Casey and 105 in Greater Dandenong between Friday 9 June and Sunday 12 June.
Five vehicles were impounded in Casey, while 12 were in impounded in Greater Dandenong.
Most prolific in Casey were speeding offences (69), unregistered vehicles (17), disqualified and unlicensed drivers (9), drink or drug drivers (7),) and seatbelt offences (5).
In Greater Dandenong, there were 36 speeding offences, 20 drink and/or drug drivers, 21 disqualified and unlicensed drivers, 17 unregistered vehicles, nine disobeying traffic signs/signals and seven mobile phone offences.
Operation Regal targeted unsafe driver behaviour believed to be fuelling Victoria’s road toll of 145 as of 13 June.
This is up 37 per cent from the same time last year, and the largest since 2007.
In the lead up, Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Mar-
tin O’Brien said the “amount of trauma on our roads is alarming”.
“We are now at a critical point as to whether we can turn this year around and reduce road trauma – we are doing everything we can, but police cannot do it alone.”
Police identified speeding, impaired driving, seatbelt non-compliance, distraction and disobeying traffic signs and unauthorized driving as contributing factors.
They were a key focus for police during the long weekend operation.
Acting Assistant Commissioner O’Brien said it was “really disappointing“ to see the number of offences detected increase.
“It indicates that many motorists are continuing to take risks on our roads,“ he said.
“The wintery weather can create dangerous conditions on these mountain roads and four-wheel drive tracks, and if you’re unfamiliar with these roads or inexperienced driving them, it can be a recipe for disaster.
“We would advise motorists to monitor the conditions and avoid travelling on these roads if you’re unequipped or it is unsafe to do so – you’re better to play it safe than be sorry.“
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Casey Osteopathic Service clinic has been a pillar of healthcare for over 23 years. At the heart of this establishment is Spyro, a highly experienced osteopath who has dedicated his life to the well-being of his patients. With an extensive background in clinical science and a genuine love for his work, Spyro has become a trusted figure in the community, providing expert care to people of all ages.
For more than 20 years, Spyro has been a compassionate presence at Casey Osteo, tending to the health and wellness needs of his patients. With a genuine desire to make people feel better, he finds immense reward in the art of healing. Spyro’s dedication to osteopathy has extended beyond the treatment room, as he took over the ownership of Casey Osteo 16 years ago, transforming it into a haven for those seeking relief from pain and discomfort.
Spyro’s commitment to his patients’ wellbeing is backed by an impressive academic background. He holds a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteo) and a Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy). These qualifications serve as a testament to his comprehensive understanding of the human body and the principles of osteopathy. With his extensive knowledge, Spyro employs a holistic approach to his practice, addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of his patients’ conditions.
One of Spyro’s notable areas of interest lies in paediatrics and sports injuries. Drawing from his own elite sports background, he understands the unique challenges athletes face and the specific needs they have for a speedy recovery. Spyro’s expertise allows him to provide tailored treatments that not only alleviate pain but also promote rehabilitation, enabling athletes to return to their peak performance.
Additionally, Spyro’s passion for paediatrics
Foot pain is extremely common, affecting more than 80% of people at some point in their lives, with HEEL PAIN being the most common of all human foot complaints. Despite their frequency, these conditions are often mismanaged and incorrectly treated. This leaves many sufferers spending time and money on treatments without longterm solutions or relief.
But why are such common problems seemingly so hard to treat effectively?
We asked one of Australia’s leading foot, knee and leg pain experts and practitioner to some of the world’s best athletes, Dr. Paul Dowie, from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, to explain.
stems from his role as a devoted father to a five-year-old girl. He understands the importance of providing gentle and effective care to children, who require a different approach due to their developing bodies. By combining his expertise in osteopathy with his natural affinity for working with children, Spyro ensures that young patients receive the highest quality of care, helping them grow stronger and healthier.
Having always lived within 30 minutes of the clinic, he has developed deep connections with the people of Casey. Whether it’s supporting local events, offering health education sessions, or participating in charity initiatives, Spyro actively engages with the community, fostering a sense of unity and trust.
Casey Osteopathic Service clinic is situated at 2 Stella Street, Beaconsfield. Call 9769 9881 or visit caseyosteo.com.au
“Besides the fact that the feet are one of the bodies most complex structures and we are on them all the time, there are two major reasons foot pain and particularly heel pain treatment is often ineffective, especially long-term. Either only the symptoms are being addressed and not the underlying cause or the exact nature of the condition is not being identified or understood.
“For example, most heel pain is incorrectly assumed to be an inflammatory condition when it is nearly always a result of nerve impingement or tissue degeneration. Tissue thickening is often mistaken for inflammation, contributing to incorrect diagnoses and treatment. This is a big problem because treating a degenerative condition with anti-inflammatory treatments can actually cause further tissue damage, making your condition worse.”
This is why it is so important to get advice from an experienced lower limb, musculoskeletal expert for your foot and leg pain, injury or degenerative concerns.
Any foot, heel, knee or leg pain you can see Dr. Dowie at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick.
If you have any foot, heel, knee or leg pain you can see Dr. Dowie at Foot and Leg Pain Clinics in Berwick, call 1300 328 300.
Hampton Park locals remain unimpressed with efforts to quell the pungent odour seeping from the Hallam Road landfill.
In an effort to bridge the community divide, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) held an informal information session at Lynbrook Community Centre on Tuesday 13 June.
Six tables with a dozen EPA representatives were available for community members to engage with, including odour specialists, landfill specialists, public health officers and permissioning officers.
“My concern is that our child attends a local school that gets impacted by the odour from the tip,“ local resident Chris Lucey said.
“We constantly have to stay inside due to the smell, what is this doing to our long term health, breathing in this toxic stench.“
Residents have claimed mental health distress as a result of the odour, dizziness, nausea, and being unable to enjoy being outdoors at their own homes.
“Veolia doesnt care, its been getting steadily worse since they took over and the EPA take no action,“ Briegh Nish said.
“We call, we lodge reports upon reports of odour and nothing has happened.
“There has been no, real, meaningful or impactful action taken.“
Ms Nish said Hampton Park is “no longer the place for a tip or waste transfer station“.
“The tip needs to close,“ she said.
“Its too densely developed with more and more houses coming.
“It needs be turned into community parkland as promised and waste facilities need to be further away from such densely populated suburbs and their boundaries protected to prevent situations like this in the future.“
Others claim the proximity of residential properties to the landfill was the result of“strategic planning“.
“What we once thought could be rectified by a simple call to the EPA, our plight of a tortuous existence of chronic exposure to harmful landfill gas, so insidious that it fills every room of our homes, and causes misery to every member of our families, we discovered is a result of strategic planning directed by the highest levels of state government and mandated via Sustainability Victoria with the Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan 2018,“ local Dr John Theodoridis said.
Sustainability Victoria (SV) are responsible for the 2018 Statewide Waste and Resource Recovery Infrastructure Plan (SWRRIP) document, which outlines Victoria’s 30-year plan for waste management and responsible landfill operation.
Despite the SWRRIP outlining a proposed system for waste management that “reflects environmental justice principles to ensure that impacts on the community, environment and public health are not disproportionately felt across communities“, SV have said they do not have an active role in waste management in the state.
“As SV doesn’t have a role in the management of landfills we are not in a position to add anything further,“ a SustainabilityVictoria spokesperson said.
The EPA issued a remedial notice on 17 February 2023 to improve Veolia’s leachate
management, a major contributor to odour emissions.
It requires Veolia to make a series of improvements that must happen by March 2024.
“EPA Victoria has been highly vigilant at Veolia’s Hampton Park site issuing notices that set an enforceable obligation to make improvements,“ saidViranga Abeywickrema, EPA South Metro Region Manager.
“EPA is also continuing its work to identify all sources of odour at the landfill, and to hold Veolia accountable for impacts to local community from odour.
“EPA is undertaking an investigation ofVeolia’s landfill gas management to assess whether it is doing everything it can to prevent escape of landfill gas to the local atmosphere and EPA Officers will also undertake an odour monitoring program in residential areas around the landfill.“
With residents routinely reporting healthrelated issues and concerns, the EPA said they acknowledge the distress, however they are not in a position to focus on individual health outcomes.
“We appreciate the toll odour takes on a community and the distress that it can cause for some,“ Mr Abeywickrema said.
“That’s why we want Veolia to meet its obligation to community by progressing improvements that prevent odour emissions from Hallam Road Landfill as quickly as possible.
“We always recommend that community who experience any health symptoms consult with their health care provider.“
Residents who have been dealing with the odour issue for the decade since it first became an issue are pushing for tangible action to be taken.
The EPA said they will take “further action“ if Veolia continues to breach the terms of their operating licence.
“Again, we would like to see things happen faster, but we are moving as fast as the legal framework allows.“
A Veolia spokesperson said the company’s priority is to “protect the local community and environment“.
“Through best practice waste management, and our commitment to engagement, we follow strict government guidelines to ensure people and the planet are safeguarded,“ they said.
“As residential properties were built closer to our site over the past 20 years, we actively invested in technology to minimise impacts
on neighbours, by installing gas extraction wells and altering the design of our site.“
Veolia said they do not have any control over the extent of the buffer zone between residential properties and the landfill, which opened in 1997 when the required buffer zone was a mere 100 metres.
Currently, the necessary buffer zone for the site as described by the EPA is 250 metres, with a proposed distance of 500 metres.
“We have a longstanding Community Reference Group and are fully aligned with the EPA in their view to address community concerns,“ a Veolia spokesperson said.
“When issues occur, we act quickly and immediately to resolve them.
“We remain focused on delivering improvements and providing transparent engagement to our neighbours.”
The City of Casey have also removed themselves as an operating force in the landfill debacle, until the cessation of Veolia’s licence.
“Any concerns about the landfill’s licensing operations relating to pollution and health concerns should be directed to the EPA, who is the appropriate authority to investigate and take action on such matters,“ Manager Planning and Building, Tania Asper said.
“The EPA applied a 100 metre buffer around the landfill site when it was first established in the early 1990s, and about 15 years later the EPA extended it to a 500 metre buffer.
“Council does not have the ability to modify the EPA buffers.“
The landfill at 270-310 Hallam Road in Hampton Park is one of Victoria’s largest landfills, accepting household waste and solid inert waste from multiple Melbourne councils.
Currently, it receives 10 per cent of all appropriate waste inVictoria that goes to landfill.
The Hampton Park landfill has been a site of tension in the local community for over a decade, with previous owner SITA being given enforceable undertakings in 2011 by the EPA after odour management failed to meet the standard.
In February 2020, the EPA fined Suez Recycling and Recovery $8000 for breaching a licence condition after they failed to prevent offsite odours from the landfill.
Additional infrastructure was added, and after SUez merged with Veolia in 2022, the company said they were adhering to strict EPA guidelines.
In June 2022, Narre Warren South’s Lindsay
Bartlett said the sewage-like odour from the tip had become so strong it caused him to have an asthma attack.
At the same time, John Tomkins said he toxic stench had become so bad “you couldn’t breathe“.
In September 2022, Lynbrook local Ray Dalli said he expected the value of his home to plummet as he found himself within the buffer zone of the proposed Hallam Road site development plan.
Berwick MP Brad Battin told the State Parliament on 21 September 2022 the City of Casey Hampton Park Hill Development Plan is “not in the interests of local residents“.
“The draft Development Plan has severe repercussions for residents, including significantly reducing the value of their homes and quality of life,“ he said.
Karen Young, who lives on Hallam Road, shared her concern over the proposal for a future waste transfer station at the landfill site.
She fears the trucks running down Hallam Road, particularly after midnight, will create noise pollution the local community is not accustomed to.
“This one is just too big to ignore,“ she said.
Ms Asper said the draft plan is not a proposal to extend the life of the landfill at the site, which has a permit to operate until 2040.
“The landfill is currently filling its final cells and rehabilitation work at this site is expected to start within the next 10 years, over which time that area will be progressively turned into a public open space,“ she said.
“Any future proposed transfer station is likely to be an enclosed design to reduce offsite impacts of noise, dust and smell and will be subject to Council approval through a planning permit application process.
“Following lodgement of the application, traffic impact and other matters will be considered as part of the assessment process.“
Other local politicians join Battin in standing behind the residents affected by the landfill.
“I think it comes down to property rights,“ local Liberal Democratic Party Member Stephen Matulec said.
“If people buy property and then it devalues the property, I think it’s very unfair.
“It could have a massive impact on property prices if they want to move.“
South East Metropolitan MP David Limbrick said there is “no doubt“ the smell is “impacting on the quality of life for local residents“.
“The EPA has been encouraging residents to submit odour reports so that they can track what’s happening,“ he said.
“The bigger picture is that it might be possible in the future to drastically reduce landfill requirements by using waste to energy technology.
Mr Limbrick said he would encourage the council to start talking to the State Government about waste to energy solutions.
“The Government needs to quickly approve waste to energy facilities so that it will be possible to eventually phase out landfills altogether,“ he said.
Veolia will be responsible for the restoration of the land and environment for a period of up to 30 years after its closure.
Berwick Fields Primary School students were overjoyed to hear that their much-loved school garden is receiving much-needed funding.
The school is receiving a $1000 grant from Woolworths and Landcare Australia via the 2023 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants program to help grow more produce as part of their garden and kitchen program which was first launched in 2010 as part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program.
STEM teacher Mick Holden said the school uses the garden to not only teach the students how to manage a small vegetable patch, as well as developing teamwork skills, but it also allows the students to recognise
where the food on their plate comes from and gives them more appreciation for it.
“If you ask some of the preps where their
food comes from, they don’t know anywhere other than ‘Woolies’,“ he said.
On top of a garden club which attracts between 20 and 35 students every Wednesday recess, garden and kitchen activities are integrated into the school’s curriculum.
After a lack of activity at the garden during the Covid lockdowns, this year’s produce will be the result of an entirely new crop, including snow peas, cucumber, broccoli and bok choy. The students will then use all of the produce, as well as eggs from chickens, in their kitchen classes.
The students enjoy making meals and snacks such as lasagne, pizza, shortbreads, garlic & herb bread and zucchini slice, all of which are vegetarian. Mr Holden said small
groups of students are able to go to the garden if they have disengaged and are allowed to help with the constant maintenance of the garden before going back to their studies.
Grade 6 student Thinesha said working in the garden is “really fun“.
Mr Holden said the efforts of the classes and the Garden Club fed into the school’s sustainable efforts, keeping potential waste out of landfill and composting food waste from the school’s kitchen.
Mr Holden is grateful for the opportunities that the garden has given the students. “In the end, it all helps the kids,“ he said. Other local recipients included Edrington Park Child Care and Kindergarten and the Narre Warren YMCA Early Learning Centre.
Sunrise2Sunrise is a Registered NDIS provider that does things differently. We take pride in offering professional services traditionally only provided in larger corporate Disability Support organisations, but take a personalised approach. We tailor our services to each and every participant and all our services are in accordance with the Disability Act 2006, NDIS Act 2013 and Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities act 2006. At Sunrise2Sunrise we’re about relationships - people always come first.
The Sunrise2Sunrise staff - or as we call them, our Life Changers - are selected for their experience in the Disability Support Industry. Our team are NDIS Rockstars, and support people’s lifestyles to help them find their strengths and abilities in a variety of settings to suit our participants needs. Whether it be through 1:1 community participation, in house supports or SIL/SDA accommodation. We strive for our participants at Sunrise2Sunrise to live their best life.
Sunrise2Sunrise is proud to be able to support participants who want to live independently. Participants who have SIL funding in their plan can access the SIL service. The planning for SIL support uses a person-centred approach to help participants reach their goals while facilitating their culture, lifestyle and circumstances. The support is delivered respectfully in a participant’s home by Sunrise2Sunrise to advance skills for independent living. The customised support will ensure the participant is central to all decision-making to
Does your child need support to reach key developmental milestones or have additional needs?
“The earlier your child receives the right intervention or therapy to address their needs the better the outcomes,” says Sean Coleman, NDIS Manager at Windermere Child & Family Services.
“If your child is under 12 years of age and has a developmental delay or disability, they may be eligible to access Early Intervention and Therapy services under the NDIS,” says Sean.
When families access early intervention NDIS services from not for profit Windermere, they are assigned a keyworker as the one, easy point of contact to access support services. “A keyworker will draw from Windermere’s team of combined expertise and resources to provide you with the services and advice that you need,” says Sean.
best suit their wants and needs. Participants can adapt their SIL support to align with their life at any stage.
Sunrise2Sunrise use the social support model to help extend a participant’s independence beyond their home, to allow them to enjoy experiences in their local area while building up their confidence to make meaningful lifestyle choices. As participants’ independence and confidence grow, their ties to the community grow too. From here, they will be able to try new experiences and further develop accomplished skills in existing leisure’s and hobbies. The participant can develop skills through community programs like gardening, volunteering, and public events.
The sky’s the limit!
Sunrise2Sunrise is situated at 43 Treloar Lane, Pakenham, 9188 3499.
While a keyworker can help with the range of supports, managing your NDIS funds can also be very complex and time consuming. An NDIS Plan Manager, also known as a Financial Intermediary, can take the stress out of managing the financial aspects of an NDIS plan.
Windermere’s Plan Management services provide a dedicated Plan Manager as the main point of contact who can listen to your needs and understand your specific goals.
“If you think having an NDIS plan manager would help you, all you have to do is to request for Plan Management services to be included in your NDIS plan during your planning meeting with the National Disability Insurance Agency,” says Sean.
Windermere is registered with the NDIA and provides a range of services such as early childhood education, homelessness support, NDIS supports and a range of early childhood early intervention services.
To find out more contact Windermere on 1300 946 337 or visit windermere.org.au
Grow 2 Be is a disability support day service with a difference.
Participants at the Pakenham-based service areofferedarangeofhands-onactivitieslikeart lessons and woodwork classes as well as outings on any given day.
They also have a chance to volunteer at a bunny refuge, a native-wildlife shelter and equine therapy, and offered courses such as Certificates II in animal care, CPR and first aid.
Since opening in 2021, Grow 2 Be has grown by positive word of mouth.
Among the highlights are some participants gaining employment after work placements organised by Grow 2 Be.
Berwick already has Australia’s largest Clip ’n Climb and indoor high-ropes course with over 60 exhilarating climbing structures including an exciting flying fox.
Recently, visionary therapists have helped this popular venue to create an exciting world-first by conducting large scale therapy within an established recreation centre.
The effective new therapeutic sensorimotor program invented, called MindClimb, is tailored to children and teenagers with learning difficulties such as ASD and ADHD.
Participants
At Melbourne Youth Chorale we believe that everyone deserves the gift of music.
MYC’s unique Flying Free Choir capitalises on the emotional and wellbeing benefits of music and singing while exploring communication and socialisation skills.
Choristers learn through games, songs and other interactive activities.
The choir is open to children aged 6-12 who are both verbal and non-verbal and no music or singing background is required. The Flying Free Choir enables children to learn music skills at their own pace, thoroughly and without overwhelm, as well as work towards specific learning goals in other areas.
The Flying Free Choir is on Wednesdays 4.30pm-5.15pm at Hampton Park Second-
ary College. There are no set fees - MelbourneYouth Chorale operates on a‘donate what you can afford’ basis. In some circumstances NDIS funding can be allocated to the Flying Free choir. For more information, contact Kerry at manager.myc@gmail.com
MindClimb is overseen by an Occupational Therapist and uses a vast array of advanced equipment to deliver enthralling and innovative therapy, including the best automatic belays and large hi-tech augmented reality systems that immerse the climber.
Numerous studies confirm the benefits of therapeutic climbing on physical and mental health.
Participants love the extensive facility and are much more engaged and regulated compared to typical small and mundane therapy rooms.
The safe and supportive environment is a great opportunity to improve cognition, fine/gross motor skills, social participation, and communication skills, whilst building friendships.
Even the onsite cafe contributes by providing the children with mid-session snacks and barista coffees for the relaxing parents who choose to stay and watch the climbing from below.
Suitable for NDIS funding, MindClimb includes Afterschool and individualised sessions plus Occupational Therapy inter-
MindClimb is overseen by an Occupational Therapist and uses a vast array of advanced equipment to deliver enthralling and innovative therapy, including the best automatic belays and large hi-tech augmented reality systems that immerse the climber.
ventions to achieve NDIS goals.
The MindClimb holiday program allows ASD kids to enjoy closely supervised fun. Extra capacity has recently been added to MindClimb to meet the growing demand.
For more information, call 03 9769 9966 or visit clipnclimbberwick.com.au
Engaging and Innovative ASD and ADHD Therapy. Suitable for NDIS funding.
Grow 2 Be is an organisation providing support to young people with disabilities to become empowered to achieve their goals. We will tailor-make a variety of programs (group and individual), focusing on capacity building, that takes into consideration each participant’s NDIS goals, interests and emerging skills. We equip our participants with the skills required to gain the confidence to live an independent and fulfilled life.
heidi@grow2be.com.au
0407 544 755
www.grow2be.com.au
Easy Living Care Solutions (ELCS) is dedicated to delivering National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services in community-based settings across the South-Eastern suburbs. Our mission is to empower individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence and actively participate in the broader community. At ELCS, we firmly believe that every person deserves a fulfilling life, and we are committed to helping them achieve this by providing support that enables them to live as independently as possible, either in their own homes or in Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation.
Our services are person-centred, focusing on the unique needs and wishes of each individual.
If you or someone you know is seeking disability care and support, please get in touch with Easy Living Care Solutions.
Mission Australia: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities for a Life of Independence and Inclusion.
For over a century, Mission Australia has been at the forefront of providing support to individualsinneedacrossAustralia.AsaDisability Employment Service (DES) provider, they have been instrumental in assisting those with disabilities, injuries, or health issues on their journey towards independence through employment and training services.
Mission Australia’s commitment to their not-for-profit mission, driven by compassion and respect, is evident in their personcentred and strengths-based approach.
Recognising that a person’s circumstances should not define their future, Mission
Melbourne Equine Assisted Counselling believes in the power of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to bring about positive change and healing in individuals, couples, and groups of all ages. Located in Cranbourne South, they proudly offer their services to clients on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), ensuring that everyone has access to the support they need. Founder and owner, Stephanie Milburn, is a highly qualified Trauma Counsellor and certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapist. With over 12 years of experience and training in mental health and disability support, as well as more than 22 years of horse experience, Stephanie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the practice.
Australia firmly believes in the potential of every individual.
They leverage their extensive network of employer and community relationships to secure suitable and sustainable employment opportunities for their clients. By placing them in stimulating work environments, Mission Australia creates avenues for personalgrowthandprofessionaldevelopment.
However, Mission Australia’s dedication extends beyond job placement.
They understand that sustainable change requires ongoing support. For at least 12 months, they continue to offer comprehensive assistance, ensuring that each client’s life-changing goals are achieved.
South Eastern Play & Creative Therapies provides specialised therapeutic services that are neurodiversity affirming, traumainformed and developmentally appropriate. Play and expressive art therapies can be particularly beneficial for children with learning.
We offer a range of services:
· Play therapy
· Art therapy
· Family play therapy
· Parenting support
· Therapeutic group programs
When it comes to helping children heal from emotional and psychological issues, art therapy is often overlooked. It’s a powerful tool that can help children express themselves in a healthy, creative way.
The idea for a ‘voice’ for South East manufacturers sprung from a threat to the region’s rolling stock industry in 2003.
Twenty years later, 200 guests and members celebrated South Eastern Melbourne Manufacturs Alliance’s anniversary with a gala dinner at Park Royal hotel in Clayton on 8 June.
“A lot can happen in 20 years,” SEMMA chief executive Honi Walker.
“If we look at the Victorian manufacturing landscape back in 2003, there was every chance it was thought of as dirty, dumb, and dangerous.”
At the time major Australian manufacturers were moving offshore, tech schools were closed and students moving to universities, retail or hospitality.
Now, after a global pandemic and breaks in international supply chains, the Federal Government was back behind manufacturing. Manufacturing was “smart, secure and sustainable” part of tech growth areas like AI, robotics, defence, space, renewable energy and automation.
“Manufacturing kept the country going, kept it fed, kept the supply chain serviced and kept people in jobs performing essential services,” Ms Walker said.
“Our‘Sovereign Capabilities’ were suddenly a feature of Minister’s statements and departmental directives.”
To underline the point, guest speaker was Labor state MP Ben Carroll – who among his swag of portfolios is Manufacturing Sovereignty.
Also on the night, 13 SEMMA founding members were recognised: Atco Pickering Metal Industries, Australian Rollforming, Bainbridge Engineering, Hitachi Global Air Power Australia, Chisholm Institute, Corex Australia, Excel Pacific Diecasting, GBC Scientific Equipment, Macpherson Kelley, Southport Engineering, Steele & Lincoln Foundry, Volgren
Australia and Wickhham Tooling.
SEMMA president Peter Angelico said the alliance was established by “visionaries” to retain “key rolling stock capabilities in the region”.
“The founding members … understood the need for a collaborative approach to address the challenges faced by the industry.
“Their recognition of the importance of manufacturing to the Australian economy has
paved the way for SEMMA’s crucial role in supporting the sector’s growth and development.”
According to SEMMA secretary Sandra George, the idea for SEMMA was raised at a South East Business Networks annual dinner in 2002.
Greater Dandenong Council’s then-chief executive Warwick Heine took on board the concerns about losing the region’s rolling stock injury and sought interest in creating a ‘voice of local SME manufacturers’.
Today, SEMMA represents more than 200 members and 16,000 employees in Melbourne’s South East.
Nominations are now open for the Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 South East Business Awards.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding businesses in the south east region of Melbourne.
Participating in the awards is a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable insights and feedback on your business through the nomination and judging process.
It can also serve as a vehicle to reflect on what is working well, acknowledge your successes, and get helpful feedback on your business.
Colin Peterson, CEO of Infinite Automation, which was the 2002 Business Innovation category winner, said “the award application compelled us to assess our achievements, strengths, and areas for improvement –which proved advantageous, particularly in marketing and sales”.
Brick Lane Brewing Co. took out two categories last year – the Environmental and Sustainability Awards, and the Leisure, Tourism
and Wellbeing Award.
Its venue manager Hannah agrees that the awards process was of great value.
“The process helped us to gain clarity about who we are as a hospitality business and to cut through the noise to identify what matters most to us at our core,” she said.
“It helped us better align our business practices with our values.”
Winners of the 2023 awards will be announced and celebrated by the wider business community at the Gala Awards Night on Thursday 26 October – a night where the business community in the south east will get together to honour winners, network, and let their hair down.
Businesses can nominate in 12 different categories this year, with the winner of the Overall Business Award chosen from the category winners.
Don’t miss your chance to be recognised.
Nominate your business today at www. greaterdandenongchamber.com.au/awards
We know that school holidays can feel extralong given the cold temperatures, so Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House has planned some fun-filled (and even educational – just don’t tell the kids!) activities to get through these holidays.
With programs for 3 year olds toYear 10 students we have the family covered.
Not only do these sessions give the parents and care-givers some downtime – here’s to doing the food shopping solo, but they will also provide the kids with a chance to meet with others in their community and to see what BPNH has to offer.
The activities we will run include:
· Macrame has become a trendy craft for adults, but kids can do it too! So we will be
running two Macrame sessions, Grade 3 – to Grade 6 and thenYear 7 –Year 10.
· There will be a Fairy Magic show for ages 3 to 7 (with a playtime running for those with younger children).
· We will again be running our school holiday Disco for primary toYear 7 students.
· Bunnings Workshops are on the list of fun activities too.
With more programs to be confirmed keep your eye on our socials @bpnh3806 and we can’t wait to share the holidays with you.
All bookings can be made online via our website bpnh.org.au or contact the BPNH team for more details: admin@bpnh.org.au / 8743 0671.
It’s the most wonderful time of year when Stringer’s Gorge comes alive.
We all know that waterfalls represent the process of letting go, cleansing, and the ongoing flow of energy and life and they are found everywhere in nature.
Join us on a spectacular journey through the gorge and witness the amazing power of the waterfalls running at full strength as they regenerate the gorge and bring out the wildlife in this beautiful environment.
And, they are not always where you expect as on some days you will also see them coming out of seemingly nowhere on the rock face.
Nothing is quite as amazing as the sights, sounds and smell of the bush during winter!
For a more unique experience, bring the
Looking for an exhilarating family activity to beat the winter blues? Look no further than Phillip Island Go Karts. Nestled on the stunning shores of Phillip Island, this adrenaline-pumping attraction is the perfect destination for an action-packed day out with your loved ones.
family and join us on our Night Trains. They commence their journey at Walhalla Station at 6pm and 8pm every Saturday night during August.
Travel through the gorge, over the iconic trestle bridges as the bush is lit up to highlight this amazing environment and the creatures that live within. Upon arrival at Thomson Station, enjoy a hot chocolate around the fire before returning toWalhalla.
Passengers are reminded to dress warmly and bring your beanies although rugs and hot water bottles will be available for use on the evening trains.
Upon arrival back in Walhalla, why not enjoy the warmth and cosiness of The Goods Shed Cafe while you enjoy a meal/snack and a drink.
One of the greatest advantages of Phillip Island Go Karts is that it’s open seven days a week, ensuring you can plan your visit around your family’s schedule. Whether it’s a weekend adventure or a midweek treat, you can rev up your engines and hit the track any day of the week. Say goodbye to boredom and hello to heart-pounding excitement.
The best part? This thrilling experience is not hindered by Mother Nature. Come rain or shine, Phillip Island Go Karts is open and ready for action in all weather conditions. Don’t let a little drizzle dampen your spirits. Grab your raincoats and prepare to race in the rain, adding an extra element of thrill to your karting experience. It’s an opportunity to make unforgettable memories together as a family, regardless of the weather forecast.
Safety is a top priority at Phillip Island Go Karts, so you can rest assured that your loved ones are in good hands. The meticulously maintained track and state-of-theart karts are designed to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for drivers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time racer, the friendly and professional staff will guide you every step of the way.
Phillip Island Go Karts offers much more than just an adrenaline rush. It promotes friendly competition, encourages teamwork, and strengthens family bonds. This is an experience that will create lasting memories and stories to share for years to come.
So, this winter school holidays, grab your family and head to Phillip Island Go Karts. With its availability all week long and its readiness to operate in any weather, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable adventure that will leave you buzzing with excitement. Start your engines and get ready to race your way into an extraordinary family experience.
Experience the thrill at Phillip Island Go Karts!
Join Janine, a proud Dja Dja Wurrung woman, at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne NAIDOC week event for a free, hands-on Marngrook making workshop.
Janine’s expertise in local culture and language, horticulture, bushland management, and children’s services makes this a unique opportunity to learn and celebrate Aboriginal culture. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Dja Dja Wurrung people and create meaningful connections.
Don’t miss this transformative workshop – reserve your spot today!
· Ian Potter Lakeside Precinct Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne on Wednesday 5 July, 1pm.
Become a Justice of the Peace
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is looking to appoint new Justices of the Peace in the Casey area.
Justice of the Peace volunteers play an important role in the Justice system and provide a valuable and accessible authorised witnessing service to all members of the community.
Two one-hour online information sessions are being held to provide more detail about the role and give people the opportunity to meet JPs and staff from the Honorary Justice Services Support team.
People of all cultural and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply and attendance at an information session is mandatory to proceed to the application and recruitment stages.
Information session one: Thursday 29 June at 1pm.
Information session two: Thursday 6 July at 6pm.
· To submit your application and register for an information session, please visit: https://www.volunteer.com.au/volunteering/196659/become-a-justice-of-the-peacefor-the-casey-community
Botanic Ridge Village will be opening a brand new play space at the shopping centre over the school holidays and to celebrate families can enjoy three days of free pirate themed fun! Wednesday will feature a pirate treasure hunt, pirate face painting and free fairy floss. Thursday will feature a pirate keyring making, pirate tattoos and free pop-corn.
And on Friday there will be pirate dot craft, balloon twisting and free fairy floss. Visit botanicridgevillage.com.au for full details. · 10 Hummingbird Drive, Botanic Ridge on Wednesday 5 July - Friday 7 July, 11am-2pm.
Calling all dog lovers! This winter a pack of dogs are moving into the Bunjil Place Plaza to have some fun.
The Lost Dogs’ Disco is a temporary sculpture that celebrates the place of dogs in our lives. Visitors journey through an immersive installation of 16 dogs, some up to 5.5m tall, all in various states of repose – curled-up, standing,
even touching noses.
There are four distinct characters, inspired by three dog breeds: Poodles, Bull Terriers and Dachshunds.
As visitors journey through the happy pack, the dogs’ coats light up and they greet passersby with happy grunts to celebrate each new person’s arrival.
The Lost Dogs’ Disco is a hallowed place for dogs and every newcomer to the disco is greeted as a fellow disco dog.
The installation features a custom sound design of electronic music that captures the beauty and pathos of a dog’s life including a chorus of barks, growls, howls and all kinds of doggie hullabaloo.
FREE and family friendly.
· Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Warren from Saturday 24 June - Sunday 16 July, 10am-10pm.
Woodworkers Expo
Presented as part of the City of Casey Winter Arts Festival, the Berwick District Woodworkers will open their doors to the public to showcase the incredible work of members, including furniture, woodturning, carving, pyrography, scroll saw work, rocking horses, toys, and a range of other aspects of woodworking.
The expo will feature work at all skill levels from beginners to national award winners, with live demonstrations of various woodworking techniques throughout the weekend.
There will also be a raffle, activities for children, an opportunity to purchase pieces for sale, and the Farmers Market on the Saturday morning.
You can also watch the second chain saw carving sculpture come to life.
Last year was the Powerful Owl … can you guess what it will be this year?
The Berwick Woodworkers Club welcomes visitors of all ages and interests to attend this free event.
· Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick, Friday 7 July 5pm-8pm, Saturday 8
The Royal Botanic Gardens
Cranbourne are privileged to have Uncle Ron Murray, a proud Wamba Wamba man, as their storyteller during this free NAIDOC event.
With his inspiring journey and vast knowledge of first nations culture, Uncle Ron enriches our understanding and appreciation of first nations heritage. Join the team and experience his powerful storytelling, gaining valuable insights along the way.
Based on the Warner Bros. Movie Elf starring Will Ferrel.
Follow Buddy the Elf as he travels to New York to find his Dad Walter Hobbs and the craziness that ensues.
Featuring show stopping Musical numbers,beautiful costumes and live orchestra this might just be your favourite musical ever. This maybe the most affordable family fun you can have at a musical during the July school holidays and help to celebrate an early Christmas in July.
Join in the interactive snowball fight with the elves, come dressed in your favourite Christmas character costume for prizes and giveaways. Tickets available online.
· Cranbourne Community Theatre, Brunt Street, Cranbourne on Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July.
July 9am-5pm and Sunday 9 July 9am-5pm.
What’s all the buzz about?
Primary shcool aged kids are encouraged to come and learn all about our important native insect pollinators at this free school holiday event.
Kids will learn how to create their own pollinatorfriendly garden at home.
They will also get to make an insect hotel to take home and put up in their gardens. Please bring along a clean tin can for creating your own insect hotel.
All other materials will be provided.
· Lynbrook Community Centre, 2 Harris St, Lynbrook on Wednesday 5 July, 11am-12:30pm.
The kids can get creative in the kitchen at Botanic Ridge Village’s Mini Bakers school holiday workshops.
Enjoy free cupcake, donut and gingerbread decorating activities. Visit botanicridgevillage.com.au for full details.
· 10 Hummingbird Drive, Botanic Ridge on Wednesday 21 June to Friday 23 June, 11am – 2pm.
Spend your Saturday at the historic Old Cheese Factory in Berwick.
This lovely venue offers beautifully manicured gardens, a large children’s playground and barbecue/picnic facilities along with plenty of parking.
Step back in time and browse the wonderful and unique crafts and design from local makers and unwind from the week.
Gold coin donation entry, with onsite parking and dogs allowed.
· 34 Homestead Road, Berwick on Saturday 24 June from 9am to 2pm.
Elf the Musical is a hilarious, full belly, laugh out loud musical- you will not want to miss.
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 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. Berwick Farmers Market
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.
· Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick on Saturday 8 July, 8am-12:30pm.
Make the most of your retirement!
Tutors available to teach art using various mediums. A variety of crafts including knitting, patchwork and sewing, card making, and calligraphy. Chess, line dancing and table tennis and cycling groups welcome you.
Would you like to play the Ukelele, or just singalong for fun? We can help. We also have an Italian class. If you would like to tutor a class, contact us with details of your talents, we welcome new opportunities.
Our rooms are in the Cranbourne Library building, enter through the Casey Radio entrance. Expand your social life and get active for a healthy third age in your retirement.
· For more information visit: www.u3acranbourne.org.au or call Helen 0423 623 337
Narre Warren youngsters are embracing the fun of hip-hop dancing, as part of an Oakgrove Community Centre dance program across a number of age ranges.
Okie Dokie Dance is running classes from 12.30pm to 1pm for pre-schoolers older than 2, then eight to 12 year-olds from 4pm to 5pm on Mondays, five to seven year-olds from 4pm to 4.45pm on Tuesdays and preschoolers from 9.15am to 9.45am, 13-16 year-olds from 4pm to 4.45pm, crew from 4.45pm to 5.30pm and adults from 5.30pm to 6.15pm onWednesdays.
Teacher Naomi McLeod said the classes are open to children of all ages.
“I think the children get a lot out of it,“ she said.
“I think every children needs to dance.“
Ms McLeod’s 17-year-old daughter Ashley is studying dance and also provides teaching help during the classes.
Ms McLeod said the classes are designed to support children’s self-confidence and motor skills.
The classes are open to a range of age groups. 340566
“Every child learns at their own pace,“ she said.
“It makes a big difference.“
Star News photographer Gary Sissons visited one of the classes on Wednesday 14 June to capture the fun and energetic moves.
For more information on the classes, visit rb.gy/1jqpi
340566
Peter Hermans is a lone warrior in the fight against unwanted weeds and plants in the Warneet bushlands.
In his many hours among the bracken ferns, Mr Hermans has found problematic plant species invading the native vegetation.
Some are introduced species, some are native to Australia but not to the local area, and others are native to south-east Australia but have only recently found their home in Warneet.
Mr Hermans has been weeding reserves in the Casey area for over 30 years.
“Some of them are indigenous or native plants but have just become a problem here,” he said.
“I’ve been over every square metre of these local reserves, eventually you start to make progress, but it’s an ongoing thing because the weeds just keep coming.”
On his days free from work, Mr Hermans will spend half to whole days wading through the shrubs, removing any invasive species.
“When my partner and I first moved here in 1981 there wasn’t a weed problem, really,” he said.
“But gradually over time I noticed these plants starting to grow up.
“I didn’t think much of it for a while and then in around 2000 they started a pattern of burning and that’s when all the weed seeds came up.”
Mr Hermans said over the years he has become an encyclopaedia of local plants, though he still has field guides he can refer to when new species pop up.
“All the angiosperms, the trees and shrubs, I know them all,” he said.
Acacia longfolia, or the Sallow Wattle, is the worst offender according to Mr Hermans.
“They spread really rapidly and they’re everywhere, right through this whole environment,” he said.
They turn into quite large trees and create a “dense canopy”, and other plant life is unable to thrive in their heavy shade.
“It just shades out all of the other native shrubs.”
In an article for The Conversation, Singarayer Florentine explained Sallow Wattle has become a serious problem even within its geographic range.
“It dominates local ecosystems and displaces native species endemic to the area
(particularly in our species-rich heathlands), which affects local insect habitats,” Mr Florentine wrote.
Mr Hermans believes the main vector for the propagation of their seeds is blackbirds and bronze ring pigeons, who he said never used to be in the area permanently but now are more frequent than many native species.
The Bluebell Creeper, a Western Australian plant, “smothers other vegetation”.
AgricultureVictoria lists the Bluebell Creeper as an invasive species.
With a very close look-a-like in the local Apple Berry Creeper, Mr Hermans said it takes skill to differentiate between the two unless they are flowering.
The Boneseed plant and introduced Shell Grass are among the other invaders Mr Hermans has seen pushing their way into the native vegetation.
“It’s really disruptive,” he said.
Agriculture Victoria noted “dense infestations of boneseed can virtually eliminate native understorey species and reduce the regeneration abilities of native trees”.
Boneseed and Acacia longfolia both thrive after natural disaster, such as fires, which Mr
Hermans said the area experienced in the early 2000s.
Mr Hermans said its’ important to keep the vegetation as close to native habitat as possible because “it supports all the other animal life”.
“A lot of things are declining,” he said.
InNovember2019aheatwaveinMelbourne saw temperatures reach 40.9 degrees Celsius.
It was during this time Mr Hermans noticed a lot of birds in the Warneet bushland abandoning their nests.
At the same time, he noticed a decline in the abundance of insects, which are many birds’ main source of food.
“They struggle just to survive themselves, let alone support a hatch of nestlings,” he said.
“It’ll take years before they recolonise this area.”
The thriving blackbirds are an introduced species, which may represent a pressure for native birds, creating competition for resources. Other locals do their part to combat the spread of invasive plants in the area.
Jason Gura is a member ofWarneet Conservation Group, a group which has been operat-
ing for 10 years in Warneet Reserve on the first Sunday of every month from 10am to 12pm at “the old ski beach”.
“It’s mostly removing sallow wattle and bluebell creeper to increase biodiversity,” Mr Gura said.
Casey council said they are also invested in this initiative.
“Council is committed to supporting environmental biodiversity in Casey and helping to maintain a sustainable and healthy natural environment that supports local flora and fauna,” said Manager Sustainability andWaste, Michael Jansen.
“We are aware of invasive noxious and environmental weeds within bushland areas surrounding Warneet, including Sallow Wattle (Acacia longifolia) and Blue Bell Creeper (Billardiaria heterophylla), which are Australian native species but not indigenous to Warneet.
The council said there are several crown reserves surrounding Warneet, including the Warneet Recreation Reserve, Warneet Foreshore Reserve,Warneet Balaka Street Bushland andWarneet Iluka Street Bushland, over which the council does not have jurisdiction, and which “may have challenges associated with environmental weeds”.
Mr Jansen said the council will “continue to advocate to the Victorian Government as the appropriate authority, to undertake any necessary environmental work to support healthy biodiversity in these areas”.
In late 2022 the council was successful in securing a $110,000 grant through the Victoria Government’s Peri Urban Weed Management Initiative.
The project, which is underway, is being delivered in collaboration with Parks Victoria, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and the Friends of Warneet and will focus on managing invasive noxious and environmental weeds withinWarneet Natural Features Reserve and surrounding areas.
“The project also aims to empower the community to partner in biodiversity conservation and restoration initiatives,” Mr Jansen said.
“Council also supports private landowners to undertake environmental restoration works through our Biodiversity Incentive Scheme.”
Mr Hermans said he knows his fight against the weeds is an uphill battle.
“The weeds will win eventually, when I’m not able to do this anymore,” he said.
“No one else is gonna do it.
“I worry for the future.”
The Lost Dogs’ Home are hoping to roll out a new program at their Cranbourne shelter, giving dogs and cats additional enrichment.
Animals at North Melbourne’s The Lost Dogs’ Home are already experiencing a whole new way of life at the shelter with the Extra TLC for Pets program.
A team of 25 dedicated volunteers are transforming the experience for the 15,000 animals that come into The Lost Dogs’ Home’s care every year.
Walking around the North Melbourne shelter, volunteers can be seen reading books to dogs, blowing bubbles at cats and participating in cuddle time inside the animals’ pens for those animals that are a little bit more worried about their environment.
The Home’s spokesperson Suzana Talevski said the Extra TLC program provides additional enrichment for the animals beyond walks, toys, Kongs, pats and the general love and attention they receive each day.
‘’We are already seeing such an improvement in the stress levels of some of our animals who find it tough in a shelter environment,“ she said,
“It really is all about contributing to the overall well-being of the animals during their time with us at the shelter.“
George the four-year-old pug was found with fractured teeth, lost on the streets.
He was struggling adjusting to shelter life while the vet team performed numerous surgeries to get him back to his best self.
BehaviourTeamLeaderCarinaMorganreadingtoGeorgethePug.
The Lost Dogs’ Home team said the Extra TLC program was crucial in helping George struggle with anxiety and stress.
It was said he enjoys story time and cuddle time the best, as well as drifting off to calming music.
Further enrichment activities for dogs,
Pictures:SUPPLIED
cats and rabbits include bubble blowing, spraying scented water, sounding wind chimes, providing flavoured ice cubes and playing calming music.
‘’It’s really exciting to see more animals exhibiting relaxed body postures, a calm demeanour, normal sleep patterns, and inter-
Thecatsenjoyingtheirbubbletime.
est in appropriate social interaction following the 6 month trial of the Extra TLC for Pets program,’’ said Ms Talevski.
‘’We have also seen a reduction of behaviours that indicate stress, fear or boredom such as reactive or boredom barking, destructive chewing, stereotypical action patterns like spinning or circling in dogs and hiding and aggressive displays in cats.’’
Following the successful trail at the North Melbourne shelter, the Home is hoping to roll out the program at its Cranbourne shelter.
More than 5000 students across Victoria can see more clearly thanks to the free Glasses for Kids program.
Education Minister Natalie Hutchins announced the figure in March, with the program helping kids in Prep toYear 3 since 2015. She said that since the start of Term 1 this year, 758 students at 17 schools had their vision screened and 130 receiving
free prescription glasses.
“Giving Victorian children the opportunity to thrive at school goes beyond providing great education programs – this is about ensuring nobody is left behind because of common and very treatable issues like vision impairment.” she said.
“Health and education go hand in hand.”
Children with undiagnosed vision prob-
lemsoftenfindithardtoconcentrateatschool, which can present challenges for learning and development.
Glasses for Kids provides an on-site optometry service to children at their school, addressing vision impairments in children who otherwise might have gone undiagnosed.
By supporting students with undiagnosed vision impairments, Glasses for Kids is help-
ing students achieve their best at school and beyond.
State Schools’ Relief delivers the program, which has so far provided free vision screening to almost 32,400 Prep to Year 3 students from 408 government primary and specialist schools across the state.
The State Government has invested more than $2.4 million to deliver Glasses for Kids.
Have you seen any curious faces lately?
Thereissomethingaboutseeingeyeslostin thought and full of wonderment. There is also something about being a Harkaway Primary School kid!
Rightnowwearehostingdailyschooltours. Each tour is an opportunity to share our story. Every student has their own unique story to tell - a story about what it means to be a Harkaway Learner.
As we meander through our classrooms and playgrounds - curiosity comes alive in our young pre-school visitors. Lizards, frogs, robots, ‘bases’ and science weave their way into our conversations. Students share what it means to be a maths learner at Harkaway. Others share how rigorous Word Inquiry helps them become experts in English.
We are a candidate International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme World School. Our children become animated when sharing about their inquiry learning. We’ve been digging deep into ‘Sharing the Planet’. Through their lines of inquiry, students have explored actiontheycantakerightnowtomakeadifference. This has included up-cycling light bulbs into plant holders and turning scrap paper into bespoke craft card.
Our student Bushfire Safety Committee has recently attracted international attention for their efforts around redefining disaster risk reduction education. Guest lecturing Masters students at RMIT, developing games on Scratch for bushfire safety, producing videos and designing websites are all examples of what purposeful learning looks like at Harkaway Primary. So, are you curious to learn more? Give us a call, book a tour and explore Harkaway Primary. Are you curious
Tell us two fun facts about yourself!
I have sung for charity events in the past. The most recent event I’ve performed in was for the Tongue and Groove Virtual Open Mic event, which was aimed at helping raise funds for the Sahara Micro Relief Fund through the Rotaract Club of Nepal. The fund helps aid hospital expenses to people with financial hardships. I am also quite adventurous. I’ve crossed a few things off my bucket list such as paragliding, skydiving, and ultralight. I believe we do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves, and there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
What are you most passionate about?
I am really passionate about helping the community. I am the current president of the Casey-Cardinia Rotaract Club and am excited to organize future events that inspire, empower and help the community. I am also a strong advocate for mental health.
What do you love about what you do?
I like spreading kindness, positivity, and uplifting people to reach their full potential. I highly recommend the younger generation (18-plus) to join the Casey-Cardinia Rotaract club to help, learn, enjoy, and make new friends. If you were a spirit animal, what animal would you be?
My spirit animal would be a phoenix. It symbolizes hope, rebirth, and transformation. When push comes to shove, they always rise from the ashes.
What would your last meal be?
Homemade food made with love by my mum. Mainly spicy fried rice with macadamia nuts, tomato chutney and sweets.
What was your most memorable moment?
I am really passionate about helping the community.Itgavemeimmensepleasuretoreceive recognition for all my work to help people in need. I have two memories that I consider to
a “little ray of sunshine“. I used to be bubbly and full of positive energy. I loved singing and dancing I used to organise small talent shows during family gatherings.
What event, past or present, would you like to witness?
I would like to witness the first time man walked on the moon (Apollo 11).
Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?
I would invite these inspiring women who made a difference in this world: Diana, Princess of Wales, Ada Lovelace, Queen Elizabeth II, Marie Curie, Michelle Obama and Malala Yousafzai. I would talk to them about their passions and ask them for their words of wisdom for the younger generations.
What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?
Currently I’m reading ’The Happiness Project’ by Gretchen Rubin. This book consists of inspiring ideas and tons of ways we can take a look at life and improve the little things.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Caring, loyal and ambitious. Where is your happy place?
Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice runs from Wednesday 28 June to Saturday 1 July. Here are some facts on its history and significance of the Islamic observance for Muslim communities. 1
Eid-al Adha is the second of two Eid holidays for Muslim communities and represents the most sacred time of the year for Muslims as it marks the Hajj pilgrimage, a religious duty which should be carried out by all able Muslims at least once during their lifetime. Millions of Muslims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia every year for Hajj.
2
be the most important to me. One was being chosen for the Cardinia Shire’s Young Citizen of the Year 2022 and the other was for winning the postgraduate industry experience expo, where I created a project ’Information Technology for social good’ to encourage young children to play physical activities/games for their physical and mental well-being during the pandemic. This project was very memorable and close to my heart.
What were you like as a kid?
I used to be an extrovert and would speak my mind. My parents used to describe me as
I like listening to music. I have Spotify playlists called ’Morning Moves’ and ’Hits Different’. They take me to my happy place and I get into a better mood.
If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?
I would make traditional Newari food that is called Momo. It’s very addictive, I would highly recommend it.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
I don’t have a dream holiday destination as such but I would love to travel around the world one day. To visit different places, understand various cultures and traditions, and make memories along the way.
3
Eid Al-Adha is a festival with an atmosphere of peace, giving, respect, receiving, caring and sharing. It is a special time for families and friends to get together and share the love. During Eid Al-Adha, Muslims will be united in prayer at mosques and other venues. People will also share feasts and gifts, and many Muslims like to give to the poor and needy.
The word “Eid“ translates to feast or holiday in Arabic. The most common way to wish someone well during Eid al-Adha is to say “Eid Mubarak“, which quite literally translates to “blessed Eid“ in Arabic.
NarreWarren local Stephen Matulec is rallying the community to pressure Casey council to amend their meeting times.
The monthly meetings are currently held onTuesdays at 4pm, and Mr Matulec has started both a paper and e-petition to present to the council administrators in favour of changing this to 7pm.
“A lot of people are upset because they want to attend meetings but can’t because of the start time,“ Mr Matuelc said.
“Being a ratepayer I’d like to attend, but unfortunately I have to work at that time,“ local Cheryse Schembri said.
Casey Locals Wayne Delaney and Tony Jones said being “public servants“, the administrators should be providing council meetings with the highest availability to their constituents.
“It should be 7:30 pm so all can attend, they work for us not themselves,“ Mr Jones said.
“They work and are paid by us,“ Mr Delaney said.
Sotiria Stratis said 4pm is a “ridiculous time“ for the council meetings.
Casey local Elizabeth Kirkwood said the council plan their meetings to suit their “work days, time [and] staff availability“.
“Unfortunately regardless of what time or day it is there will always be someone who isn’t happy cause it doesn’t fit into their schedule,“ she said.
Emma Materne said she doesn’t see any benefit or difference to changing the time.
“You need to pre-submit your questions before the meeting anyway and in my disappointing experience, the entire question I put forward was reworded and summarised in a way that it was turned it into something totally different and pointless,“ she said.
“Which ironically proved my point- [the ad-
ministrators] aren’t accountable for anything.
“And 4pm just shows the community they aren’t inclusive of all- parents would not be able to attend for one, and if you were able to finish work earlier, you would still likely be stuck in endless traffic trying to get back into the area at that time anyway.“
Tania Sacco said she feels like Casey residents are the “losers“, being robbed of their “representation“ and “support“.
“Three administrators are being paid more than all the councillors put together,“ she said.
“They halved the meetings, and changed the time to one that worked within their work-
ing hours, rather than staying at a time where the general public could attend.
“Surely once a fortnight, time in lieu and a little common sense could have prevailed.“
Local resident Paul Mathew offered a solution, suggesting the council “change the day and time frequently, so to give the rate payers the opportunity to plan around it, so they can attend if they wish“.
South East Metropolitan MP David Limbrick, under whom Mr Matulec works, raised the issue of the council meeting time in a State Parliament meeting on 4 May.
City of Casey Head of Governance, Integrity
and Legal Support, Michelle Tipton says the council’s governance rules prevent the administrators from changing the meeting time until 2024.
However, Mr Matulec explained “The Local Government Act 2020 allows for Councils to adopt its own local governance rules“.
“Currently under Casey’s local governance rules, the meeting time cannot be reviewed until December,“ he said.
“But The Local Government Act 2020 60(3) says ’A Council may amend its governance rules.’.“
Mr Matulec said the council has the power the amend these governance rules at any time.
“Since the administrators have the power to change the rules, we want them to amend them as soon as possible to consider a better meeting time,“ he said.
While Mr Matulec is a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he said the petition was something he decided to pursue for the community independently.
“I believe this petition should be above politics, because if people are being excluded, then we can’t even discuss politics or express our opinions,“ he said.
“Every other council in the area have their meetings at 7pm, so I don’t know why Casey can’t do the same.
“Is it because they want to knock-off at five o’clock or because they don’t want public attendance to criticise them?“
Cardinia Shire Council, City of Monash, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Frankston, City of Kingston and City of Knox each hold their monthly council meetings at 7pm.
Mr Matulec is hoping to be out and about in Casey gathering signatures for the petition.
“Check my socials for updates,“ he said.
The link to the e-petition can be found at https://chng.it/ZTqRLdLD
Dandenong Market was abuzz with celebrity chefs, live music and an appetizing spread of hawker foods atWorld Fare on 17-18 June.
Crowds flocked to the weekend festival, which featured cooking demos such as Dezi Madafferi cooking a lamb soulaki and Dani Venn creating Mexican tortillas.
Performers included Sri Lankan duo Shivantha, Indonesian dance group Sanggar Lestari,Waidaiko Rindo on Japanese Taiko drums, Lebanese drumming with Micky G as well as K-Pop dance group Archery Star.
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
ADVERTISERS
PLEASE NOTE
Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice.
For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au 12423634-SN31-19
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• Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
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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.
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Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au
The desire to participate against clubs of a comparable size has convinced the NarreWarren Football Netball Club to register an expression of interest to join the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League.
The club’s executive committee met on Monday night, 19 June, and unanimously voted to file the expression.
Narre Warren President Stuart Stephenson believes both the league and the club will benefit from the potential move from Outer East Football Netball.
“What we can bring to the MPFNL is increased coverage and sponsorship opportunities for MPFNL clubs,” Stephenson said.
“The footprint of that competition, there’ll be a much higher interest in the Casey and Cardinia regions.
“We think that Narre Warren, with our large supporter base, and our people being willing to travel, that there’s real financial benefits for us joining the MPFNL for those clubs, and also for ourselves.
“Outer East has been fantastic as far as its administration and running of the competition, it couldn’t do any more for us.
“It is purely based on the size of our town and the players that we have coming through, compared to the size of the towns that we’re playing against.”
The MPFNL released a statement on Wednesday 14 June welcoming expressions of interest with a desire to establish a third
league, considered “an integral step in the long-term sustainability of the competition,” by MPFNL Chairman Graham Sherry.
“We’re looking to expand into a third divi-
sion, because we think it makes a lot of sense for our existing clubs,” Sherry told Star News.
“We’ve created criteria which we will take into account, for clubs expressing an interest
in joining the league, and our consideration is the long-term benefit of our league, and our clubs.
“That’s what’s behind this expansion proposal.
“And it’s not new; it’s something we’ve been looking into for the last five years.”
Current MPFNL rules require approval from 75 per cent of club Presidents in order for clubs to be accepted.
“We still need the support of the clubs, and we believe we will get that support,” Sherry said.
“It relies on the clubs taking the longer view, and perhaps not being driven by self-interest as may have been the case in the past.
“It’s about long-term benefits, and the survival and the development of our league more generally.
“We’re confident the clubs will support it; but we won’t know that until we look at what clubs have lodged an expression of interest and we determine whether it’s feasible to proceed.”
Selection criteria clubs must meet include being financially viable to the satisfaction of the league and complement the league’s geographical footprint.
Clubs wishing to join the competition have until 21 July to submit their expressions of interest before they are presented to MPNFL club presidents for final assessment.
The netball club at NarreWarren would also move leagues, in-order to maintain the strong culture at the club.
By Marcus Uhe PoorkickingforgoalsawBerwickblowagold-
en opportunity to cause a seismic boilover in the Eastern Football Netball League Premier Division - falling five points short of ladderleaders East Ringwood at home.
The contest came to life in an epic final stanza after both teams had battled trying windy conditions at Edwin Flack Reserve, but the home side was unable to snatch the lead when it mattered most, going down to the Kangaroos 5.12 42 to 7.5 47.
Making the most of the advantageous wind blowing to the netball court end of the ground, Berwick peppered the goal-face in the opening term but were unable to convert their chances.
Harry Money was especially dangerous in the forward 50 while the midfielders and back six prevented the ball from even entering the opposition forward line until the seventh minute of the game.
After missing their first eight attempts on goal, Jonte Andrew showed his teammates how it’s done, converting a long set shot, benefiting from some slick ball movement from the back half.
Having kept East Ringwood scoreless in the first term, there would have been disappointment at not being further than 15 points ahead at the first break.
The regret no-doubt intensified when their opponents kicked three in the second quarter, benefiting from some costly defensive mistakes.
Two of East Ringwood’s goals were converted on the goal-line, while the third came from a freekick in the forward 50.
Berwick’s run and carry into the wind was ultimately in vain, as they themselves had a scoreless half-hour to trail by eight points at the long break.
Needing to maximise the use of the weather conditions, knowing they would not be in its favour in the final term, Berwick were too trigger-happy in front of the big sticks in the third.
Shallow entries leading to long, inaccurate shots saw them fritter the advantage of the breeze away, while also allowing the opposition to kick the first of the match from the entrance end of the ground.
Money provided the major highlight of the term with a sensational hanger on the goalline.
Arguably the smallest man in the marking contest, he came from furthest back and flew higher than those around him to clunk the grab just outside the square and convert from a slight angle.
That would be Berwick’s only goal of the third term, however, meaning it had five points to recover in the last while battling the worst of the conditions.
It made all the running early in the last quarter, kicking the all-important first to edge-ahead by a point.
In a concerted effort to avoid kicking long into the wind, Andrew, Wal Wuol, and Tom Brennan combined with their hands to run the ball out of a stoppage in the backline, before Brennan found Josh Burgess at centrehalf-forward.
Rewarded for his aerobic capacity, Brennan had the ball returned to him before dribbling it through from 20 metres out.
The next three of the game alternated, as did the lead as a result.
The Kangaroos responded quickly, Jayden Graham nailed a long kick on tired legs, then Wuol was caught holding the ball in defensive 50, and Berwick conceded another.
Graham had the chance to repeat the dose later in the term, but tried instead to involve a teammate running past, and ultimately the play came unstuck.
Minutes later, East Ringwood kicked another from a stoppage, the first time any side
had kicked consecutive goals since the second quarter, to push the gap to 11 with four minutes remaining.
Sam Frangalas provided an immediate reply, running forward of the play from a centre bounce to kick a sublime goal on the run, and with three minutes to play there was just a kick separating the two sides.
When the final siren sounded with the ball in the East Ringwood forward 50, the relief on their players’ faces was evident, as disappointment simultaneously infiltrated those of Clint Evans’ side.
Along with Graham’s decision to play-on in the final term, a burst of speed from Anthony Vella from halfback went unrewarded in the opening minute of the final period, as Money was unable to return the ball back to him, leaving the dynamic forward exasperated on his own in the goalsquare.
Contrasted with East Ringwood kicking four goals from four attempts in the second half, the result is likely to stew at Edwin Flack.
A percentage-boosting win over Park Orchards has seen Rowville leap into third on the Premier Division ladder and just one win behind the top-two sides.
After being outscored in the first quarter, a ruthless Hawks side kicked 10 unanswered goals in the second to stamp their authority on the contest in the 17.14 116 to 6.10 46 result.
Jake Arundell was the chief destroyer in the second, kicking the first two and another later on, and star forward Lachlan Wynd and midfielder Lachlan McDonald added a pair of their own.
Despite the difficult conditions, Rowville’s ball use was largely unaffected, still prepared to kick short to find targets and generate overlap run.
Park Orchards, meanwhile, hardly disturbed their forward 50 in the second term and were made to repel endless forward thrusts from their opponents throughout.
The Sharks put the breaks on the rampaging Hawks in the third term by holding them to just a single major, but conceded a further five in the last to see the margin balloon out.
It was Rowville’s highest score of the 2023 campaign to date, which is rolling along at serious pace, having won six of their last seven, including their last four.
Fuelling the scoreboard ascendancy on Saturday was a diverse spread of goalscorers, as nine managed to join the scoring party.
While Wynd only kicked two, his lowest tally of the season, McDonald and Arundell finished with four each to reduce his workload.
The Hawks will face a challenge to keep their momentum rolling next week, when they head to Blackburn, boasting an almost identical run of form.
By Marcus Uhe
Shane Dwyer’s Magpies made the most of their familiarity with the home ground conditions on Saturday in their 74-point win over Upwey Tecoma on Saturday.
With the conditions favouring the Fox Road end of the ground, both teams had to adjust the way they wanted to move the ball from their regular game styles in order to both maximise the advantage and mitigate damage the other way.
The Tigers opened the game with the wind in their favour, but failed to take full toll, only holding a four-point lead at the first break.
In the second term, their ineffectiveness came back to hurt them as the home side kicked 7.8, while Upwey Tecoma were held scoreless.
The reigning premiership coach said he was impressed with the team’s discipline and skill execution, in-spite of the elements.
“They kicked with the wind in the first quarter and they played the pavilion side, but we know that if the wind blows to the gate, we don’t want to be there,” Dwyer said.
“We made a strong emphasis to play on the top side, which worked in our favour.
“It was blowing towards the gate where you drive into our ground.
“Nine times out of 10 when it’s howling, the wind blows down there.
“You could score at the other end, particularly in the 19s and reserves, but by the time we got out there the wind had picked-up a bit more.”
The defeat of the Tigers takes Narre Warren to five consecutive wins, with an average margin of 87 points, with dreams of back-to-back premierships very much still alive.
But it hasn’t been smooth sailing for the black and white, who have been forced to draw deep upon its Reserves and Under 19s sides due to player unavailability.
Against Upwey Tecoma, Lachlan Benson missed through suspension, while Peter Gentile played his second game for the Northern Bullants in the VFL.
On Saturday, Narre Warren fielded four Under 19s players, in Jacob Mutimer, Logan Hiscock, Sam Wellwood and Daniel Toner, the most they’ve had in a team since 2021.
While the lack of continuity can hurt a side, Dwyer is viewing the adversity as an opportunity to build upon the depth within his squad.
“It’s good that we’re winning and we’re get-
ting a look at so many players as well to see where they sit with us,” he said.
“That can be a negative, but because we’ve been winning it’s been a positive that we get to experiment a bit with a lot of blokes.
“There’s a couple who have actually surprised us with how well they’ve been going.
“It’s either negative because you don’t have your best group out there, but then there’s benefits from guys playing footy who can possibly push their way into the best group.”
A trip to Woori Yallock awaits this week, the only ground in which they succumbed in 2022, by five points late in the season.
Doveton has put its fifth consecutive win on the board and jumped to third on the Southern Division 2 ladder after overcoming the winless Black Rock at Reid Oval.
The Doves put a 42-point gap on the Jets at halftime, going on to win by 48 points.
Ruckman Dylan Chapman and leader Shannon Henwood stood up despite the blustery conditions.
Meanwhile, Skye was outclassed by Murrumbeena.
After a low-scoring start, the hosts jumped out to a 34 point halftime lead which was never reeled in.
Blake Treble continued his excellent season, while Brad Dyer scored three in the loss.
WooriYallock arrested a mini slump in form with a 35-point at home against Mt Evelyn in an evenly matched contest.
The second and fourth quarters, in which the Tigers kicked a total of nine goals to the visitors’ three, was enough to separate the two sides.
The loss leaves Mt Evelyn grounded at the bottom of the table, despite a superior percentage to Monbulk in one spot ahead.
A 82-point thrashing at the hands of Olinda Ferny Creek did little to help the Hawks’ percentage, falling victim to a side returning to its 2022 form with the return of Matthew Scharenberg.
Results: East Brighton 11.12 78 v East Malvern 8.7 55, Hampton Park 4.8 32 v Keysborough 10.7 67, Highett 15.9 99 v Caulfield 11.7 73, Murrumbeena 15.9 99 v Skye 9.10 64, Doveton Doves 11.16 82 v Black Rock 5.4 34.
Ladder: East Brighton 36, Murrumbeena 28, Doveton Doves 24, Hampton Park 20, Highett 20, East Malvern 16, Caulfield 16, Skye 12, Keysborough 8, Black Rock 0.
Fixture: East Brighton v Murrumbeena, Doveton Doves v East Malvern, Hampton Park v Black Rock, Highett v Keysborough, Skye v Caulfield.
By Marcus Uhe
Shock losses to both Beaconsfield and Olinda Ferny Creek have seen them slip into the dreaded mid-table of the A Grade netball ladder after eight rounds.
Having got the better of Narre Warren before the long weekend, Mt Evelyn’s strong form continued when action resumed, defeating Beaconsfield by seven goals in a low scoring affair, 35-28. The Eagles led at the halfway mark of the contest but were outscored 20-11 in the second half, producing their lowest scoring game of the campaign to date. Rory Barr came off the bench for the Rovers to score 24 goals, and Zara Treweek added 16 for the Eagles.
In similar scenes at Olinda Ferny Creek, a brilliant second half from Monbulk saw it run away with an upset victory over the reigning premier. A one-goal lead at half time grew to 10 after the third quarter thanks to a 17-8 run, before finishing 49-41 in the Hawks’ favour.
Tall shooter Peri Reid scored 40 goals to ignite the victory, while Olinda Ferny Creek star
Hailey Howard was held to just 25 at the other end of the court.
At Kalora Park, Narre Warren returned to the winners list with a 24-goal thrashing of Upwey Tecoma. The margin grew at every interval before the Magpies rubbed salt into the Tigers’ wounds with a 14-3 fourth quarter.
Erin Bell called Jemma Osborne off the bench and the shooter made the most of the opportunity provided, nailing a season-high 27 goals. Anaisis Tupuailei was instrumental at the other end of the court, meanwhile, in holding the Tigers to their lowest score of 2023.
The Magpies’ win takes them to second, still chasing the Bulldogs’ tails at the top of the mountain.
Wandin, for its part, remains undefeated, thanks to a 10-goal win over Berwick.
A Grade’s leading scorer Emmalia Blake continues to be unstoppable in the goal circle, scoring another 41 in the wire-to-wire victory, 50-40.
Beaconsfield has fallen heartbreakingly short of the best win of its Eastern Division One journey after a gut-wrenching 9.13.67 to 9.7.61 loss to second-placed Mitcham at Holm Park Reserve.
The Eagles, who led for almost the entire contest, were dealt a cruel blow when Guy Laughlin – who had antagonised the home side for a large part of the contest – pounced on a dribbling ball to soccer through the final score of the match.
It broke a 61-61 deadlock after an intriguing four quarters of football.
Coach Mick Fogarty had a busy night at the selection table with Damien Johnston, Harrison Coe, Jafar Ocaa and Jake Porta all missing from the round-nine win over Lilydale.
Fogarty also had some real quality return to his side, with skipper Jake Bowd, Jake Stuart and Myles Currie all playing on the weekend, while Darren Minchington was playing just his third game for the season…and his first since round three.
The Eagles had the aid of a very strong breeze blowing to the Holm Park Road end at Beaconsfield…and made the early running in the first quarter.
Hayden Brough judged a high-ball better than his opponent, and soccered one through after six minutes, before BrandonWhite took a juggling one-hander and kicked truly just two minutes later.
Minchington then showed his class, providing Brough with some clean hands with the opportunistic forward quick to nail his second.
Currie then handballed to White for his second, before Casey Wassylko outmanoeuvred Danny Baglava in the ruck – and the Eagles had five on the board.
The Tigers then struck a vital blow, late in the first term, with Bailey Cowman kicking the first of his four goals against the run of play to cut the deficit to 33-7 at the first break.
White played forward in the first term, but was switched to defence by Fogarty in the second quarter to partner up with Bowd down back.
Mitcham kicked an early one in the second term, before the Eagles nullified the wind advantage for the next 15 minutes of play.
Things became very feisty in the second stanza, with neither side prepared to give an inch of ground.
Laughlin was like a salt and pepper,’ in everything’ for the Tigers, as tempers became frayed.
At the 18-minute mark Cowman became the beneficiary of a downfield free-kick, and then received another free kick a short time later to cut the margin to four.
But, just like the Tigers did in the first term; the Eagles kicked the last of the second quarter, against the breeze, with Sam Mackinder converting well after laying a strong tackle in the Eagles forward 30.
The Eagles led 39-29 at half time.
The Eagles held the Tigers goalless in the third period of play, but could only kick two themselves…the lowest output of any team kicking with the wind all day.
Brough took a mark in goal-square, after 10 minutes of play, before Josh Mounter drifted forward from half back to kick a long bomb at the 16-minute mark of the third.
The Eagles led by 25 points…55-30…at the final break.
White re-joined his mate Bowd in the final term, but things got off to a horrible start.
Cowman kicked his fourth and final goal for the contest after 20 seconds of play, before the Eagles dug in for the fight.
It took 10 long minutes for Josh Fulton to kick the next, and another 11 minutes before Jesse Uren converted another free kick.
The Eagles were hanging on gamely, just two points ahead as 21 minutes ticked by.
Zac Elms then somehow found his way through a heavily congested forward line and the Tigers had taken the lead…and looked the winners.
But, now four points adrift, from the resultant centre clearance, winger Ethan Harris then showed great composure to find Brough with a crisp handball…with the forward celebrating his fourth goal as he pumped one through from the goal-square.
After 24 minutes – the Eagles were back in front by two.
Ben Schultze did a serviceable job in the ruck for the Eagles all day, but the absence of experienced talls Patrick Gerdan and Harrison Coe would play a factor late in the contest.
Tom Lovell, one of the Tigers best, kicked two points out of the ruck…and scores were level after 30 minutes of play.
Two controversial umpiring decisions then
had a huge impact on the final result.
With Beaconsfield charging, through a chain of handballs on centre wing, the ball spilt free to Mitcham…with the Tigers’ player in question giving the ball a deliberate slap to the boundary.
While Beaconsfield was still querying the decision, the resultant throw in saw another dubious free kick paid to Baglava, who looked to be holding the ball after taking the ball cleanly out of the ruck and being tackled.
But the umpire adjudged that the tackle of Schultze was high, with Baglava driving the ball forward…where Laughlin pounced on the winner.
The ball had just entered the Beaconsfield 50 when the final siren sounded to end a great game of football.
The Eagles will be spitting chips about this one, and missing the opportunity of making a grand statement to the rest of the competittion.
Harris and hard nuts Trent Stokoe and Nick McPherson were best for the Eagles, while White and Bowd did everything they possibly could to get the home side across the line.
The fifth-placed Eagles need to recharge their batteries and go again…this week on a dangerous away trip to eighth-placed Bayswater.
BEACONSFIELD 5.3 6.3 8.7 9.7(61)
MITCHAM 1.1 4.5 4.6 9.13(67)
Beaconsfield Goals: H. Brough 4, B. White 2, C. Wassylko, J. Mounter, S. Mackinder. Best: E. Harris, T. Stokoe, H. Brough, B. White, J. Bowd, N. McPherson.
Mitcham Goals: B. Cowman 4, Z. Elms, J. Uren, G. Laughlin, J. Hallo, J. Fulton. Best: T. Lovell, Z. Elms, B. Cowman, G. Laughlin, J. Fulton, D. Houeix.
Other Results R10: Croydon 9.14.68 def Lilydale 3.9.27, Montrose 14.14.98 def Bayswater 10.14.74, North Ringwood 3.12.30 def by South Belgrave 9.13.67, Wantirna South 6.10.46 def by Mooroolbark 8.14.62.
Ladder: South Belgrave 40, Mitcham 32, Montrose 28, Wantirna South 24, Beaconsfield 20, Mooroolbark 16, North Ringwood 16, Bayswater 12, Croydon 12, Lilydale 0.
Fixture R11: Bayswater (8) v Beaconsfield (5), South Belgrave (1) v Montrose (3), Mooroolbark (6) v Croydon (9), Lilydale (10) v North Ringwood (7), Mitcham (2) v Wantirna South (4).
A slow start proved insurmountable for Casey’s men on the weekend, who went down 3-2 to Monash University.
The visitors put two goals on the board inside the first six minutes before the game settled into a rhythm.
Youngster Harry Coster continued his strong season in defence, with his performances this season symbolic of what the team is seeking to celebrate.
While they have one win from nine games, the young demographic of the team and inexperience playing together has put them on the back foot in several contests.
Playing against teams which often have an average age in the mid-20s that have grown up together and, at times, have an injection of international talent has been a steep learning curve.
By contrast, Casey is a squad still gelling, with the game plan still being refined and teenagers Harry Coster and Charlie Coster, Will and Elliot Stephens, Nick McPhee and Dave Noney forming the nucleus of an emerging team.
Yet, they have still been largely competitive against the pacesetters of the competition, with the precarious position that has them in relegation conversations a reflection on the inability to play at that level against weaker opponents.
“It comes down to belief and cohesion,” said coach Steve Noney.
“We want to win games this season but we also want to instil confidence and create an environment for those players to thrive.
“We’re trying to build a list of players that are interchangeable by level.
“We’re looking at the bigger picture so hopefully we can keep these kids together and this wave of talent coming through play together and give us versatility.”
Another feature of the season has been tri-
alling players in different positions to survey the depth and quality of different positions.
Two weeks ago magnets were shifted when the result was a fait accompli entering the final quarter and they were able to trim the margin by three goals, with similar manoeuvres being made on the weekend.
Casey currently sit two wins and percentage off seventh-placed Werribee, which is where they will need to finish to avoid relegation.
Casey’s women’s team, meanwhile, absorbed the Monash University challenge, get-
ting up 3-2 to solidify themselves in the top two of the competition.
Facing a fellow premiership fancy, Michaela scored two goals and Jess Rowland one to make it four on the bounce.
Men
Results: Yarra Valley 1 v Old Xaverians 6, NorthWest 1 v Brunswick 2, Casey 2 v Monash University 3, Melbourne Sikhs 3 v PEGS 3, Werribee 2 v Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 2
Ladder: Melbourne Sikhs 22, Old Xaverians 19, PEGS 16, Brunswick 16, North West 16, Monash University 16, Werribee 9, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 8, Casey 3, YarraValley 3
Fixture: North West v PEGS, Casey v Brunswick, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation v Monash University, Melbourne Sikhs v Old Xaverians,Werribee vYarraValley
Women
Results: North West 2 v Brunswick 1, Casey 3 v Monash University 2, Mornington Peninsula 4 v PEGS 0,Werribee 2 v Knox 5,YrraValley 6 vWestVic 1.
Ladder: Mornington Peninsula 25, Casey 21, Yarra Valley 19, Monash University 17, WestVic 13, Knox 12, PEGS 10, Werribee 9, Brunswick 3, NorthWest 3.
Fixture: Knox v Monash University, Mornington Peninsula v West Vic, North West v PEGS, Casey v Brunswick,Werribee vYarraValley
