News - Berwick Star News - 6th July 2023

Airman’s century

By Matthew Sims

Berwick resident Ted McConchie has always had a love for electronics, being a former wireless operator in a Beaufort bomber aircraft in World War II and has now brought that love into his later years by talking with his friends and family online on his laptop.

Having lived at the Fiddlers Green retirement village for 28 years, the oldest resident celebrated his 100th birthday on Tuesday 4 July, with a special celebration held on Sunday 2 July.

Mr McConchie was born and grew up in Richmond, with his family owning a shoe shop.

He grew up playing cricket and football with his family’s own teams.

His father was a general assistant in the 10th Field Ambulance in World War I.

Mr McConchie started working as a clerk, but quickly joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in April 1942 to support the country’s war effort.

He trained at the Initial Training School in Somers before training as a wireless operator/ air gunner at Parkes and Port Pirie.

Mr McConchie then trained as a Bristol Beaufort crew member in Bairnsdale and East Sale, then being posted to the Number 100 Squadron at Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea in July 1943.

“It was quite an adventure,“ he said.

“The pilot was excellent.“

In November 1943, Mr McConchie was transferred to Goodenough Island, making dangerous raids on the Japanese forces at Rabaul’s Simpsons Harbour.

“I think I had about eight narrow escapes,“ he said.

On December 14, 1943, he was in a Beaufort aircraft which carried out a strike against enemy shipping and other targets at Rabaul among 29 others.

One of those aircraft was Beaufort A9472, which was bombed after landing, killing its pilot and severely wounding its wireless

operator/air gunner.

Mr McConchie and his crew were standing just a few metres away when the Japanese bomb attack occurred.

In January 1944, he met his late wife Valerie and their love remained strong for more than 65 years.

“She was a good mother,“ he said.

“She was mad on native plants.“

In February 1944, he and his crew were posted to the Number 32 Squadron at Camden in New South Wales and Lowood in Queensland, carrying out anti-submarine patrols and escorting ships along the east coast.

Initially appointed as an aircraftman, Mr McConchie climbed through the ranks from

Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and ending his wartime career as a Flight Lieutenant.

Mr McConchie reflected a time when he was up in the air above the Bass Strait when one of the Beaufort’s engines went out.

“We sent out an SOS back to base in Bairnsdale,“ he said.

Continued page 18

World War II wireless operator/air gunner Ted McConchie has celebrated his 100th birthday. 341724

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS Ted McConchie took part in a number of bombing strikes against the Japanese forces in Gasmata and Rabaul. 341724

Kids enjoy eco education

By Emily Chapman Laing

A group of eco-conscious kids were tested on their recycling know-how as part of an interactive crafting session.

The City of Casey held their“Be an Eco-Kid” event at the Lynbrook Community Centre on Thursday 29 June, run by a Waste Education team member.

The 90 minute session included a discussion about what can and can’t be put into kerbside recycling bins, followed by a crafting activity where the kids were able to make bird feeders out of recycled tetra paks.

The kids were also asked how they show their eco-consciousness at home.

Jeslyn said her family doesn’t buy fruits and vegetables wrapped in plastic, or use plastic bags available in the fresh produce section.

Niyana said she takes things her parents don’t use anymore to use in her craft activities.

Nethraa does this too, saying she makes “rockets” and “butterflies”.

Thejaswini said she is responsible for putting milk cartons into the recycling, and Vibhu said his family use milk bottles as planters.

From a group of different items, kids and parents alike were tested on their knowledge of “recycling right”.

Among the selection of items displayed in the session were take-away coffee cups, milk and juice containers, class soft drink bottles, black plastic trays and reusable plastic shopping bags.

Each young eco-warrior was given a different household rubbish item and asked which kerbside bin they would put it in, getting the correct answer almost every single time.

The more dicey items, such as phone cables and used clothing, were left for the parents to decide.

The adults were surprised to know these items aren’t suitable for either bin and can only be disposed of through hard rubbish collection or specific drop points.

After getting gold-star rounds of applause on their recycling instincts, the kids were each given a painted tetra pak to decorate and take home as a bird feeder.

Some of the adults got involved too, crafting their own feeders with feathers, icy pole sticks, googly eyes and craft love hearts.

After 30 minutes of sticky fingers and creative freedom, the feeders were complete and the results were heartwarming and hilarious.

The kids were also given a companion“Gardens for Wildlife” booklet explaining what different native birds can eat and where to source their food from.

“Evidence shows that children are great change-makers in the home,” City of Casey Acting Manager Sustainability and Waste Vandana Rama said.

“Teaching children to recycle correctly helps create awareness and skills that last into adulthood, and shows them how they can take meaningful action to help the environment.”

The Waste Education team explained what items can be recycled and why others can’t, using the number system as the best way to determine suitability.

“Recycling can be tricky and there are common mistakes many of us make,” Ms Rama said.

In Casey, items with numbers one to five on their base can be recycled, while those bearing

six and seven must be put elsewhere.

Reusable plastic shopping bags are perhaps the most misleading, flaunting a large Mobius loop generally attributed to recyclables.

However, the bags cannot be recycled as they are made of soft plastic, which has little recyclable value compared to their harder counterparts.

They can also become tangled in the machinery and can contaminate other items which then end up in landfill.

Any plastics that are “scrunchable” aren’t suitable for recycling bins.

Contamination is a big issue in the recycling world.

Any items still containing food or liquid residue, or those who haven’t been appropriately disposed of will contaminate other properly recycled items around them, and the entire section of the waste will end up in landfill as a result.

While Hampton Park does currently house one of Victoria’s largest landfill sites, Veolia’s operating licence at the tip will conclude in 2040, and waste will need to find a new home.

Black plastics, including meat trays and yoghurt lids, also cannot be recycled, being too

dark for the laser used in the machinery to pick up.

Much to the surprise of the kids, tetra paks are also unsuited to the big blue bins, containing foil and plastic in their lining, similar to take-away coffee cups.

Paper receipts were likewise a shock, being designated to the landfill bin.

Receipts contain inks which cannot be recycled, and the “paper” is mixed with plastic.

Plastic lids too are a no-go, but metal and aluminium lids scrape across the line.

The Waste Education team explained the machinery used in recycling has a magnet that is able to sift out metal lids and allocate them for their own specific recycle-cycle.

Ceramics and dinnerwear glasses can either be donated or, if they are broken, placed in the landfill bin.

Glass bottles are at home in the blue bin, but if they are broken, they become landfillbound.

When items are recycled correctly, the Waste Education team explained, they can create amazing things, like new kerbside bins, playground equipment, benches and park furniture.

Back row: Jeslyn, Niyana, Thejaswini and Vibhu. Front row: Nethraa, Joshua and Vibha. The kids show off their recycled bird feeders. 344588 Pictures: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

A selection of the items used to show what can and can’t go in a recycling bin. 344588

Vibhu learning which bin tetra paks go in. 344588

Nethraa with her bird feeder. 344588

‘Phantom’ death mystery

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

The killer of a “major” drug dealer known as ‘The Phantom’ who was found dead in his burnt-out car in Eumemmerring in 2015 is still unknown, a State Coroner has reported.

Dung Tri Pham’s badly-burnt body was found with a large knife in his neck in the Olive Road Reserve car park in Frawley Road early on 27 March 2015.

Police believed he’d died in a drug deal “turned violent”, was fatally stabbed in the neck and his red Commodore set alight.

After a “thorough and extensive” police investigation, no one has been charged over Mr Pham’s demise. The circumstances leading to his death were still unknown, Coroner John Cain stated on 28 June.

“I am satisfied that no investigation which I am empowered to undertake, would be likely to result in the identification of the person or persons who caused Mr Pham’s death.”

Mr Pham, 40, ran a drug trafficking business in the Dandenong region turned over between $40,000 and $60,000 a week, Judge Cain stated.

His criminal history spanned 22 years and several jail terms including for heroin trafficking.

He had spent most of the day before his death at Crown Casino before driving in his red Holden Commodore to his apartment in Frawley Road Eumemmerring.

At 11.18pm, he drove to the reserve and parked behind a small stadium building near netball courts.

CCTV footage showed an unidentified person leaving the area on foot and discarding an item in a stormwater drain.

An unknown vehicle arrived at speed, left five minutes later with the vehicle then seen catching on fire.

According to a police forensic expert, Mr Pham’s car was likely doused inside with

petrol and ignited.

Mr Pham’s body was found lying across the back seat.

Heroin metabolites, methylamphetamine, amphetamine, diazepam, temazepam and oxazepam were found in his system.

Due to a delay in getting CCTV footage, police didn’t conduct a search of the drain until more than a month later.

The discarded item has not been found, nor the person leaving the reserve identified.

At his home, police seized a large amount of cash suspected to be trafficking proceeds.

There were no signs of struggle or that Mr Pham was stabbed there.

In their investigations, police established that Mr Pham had recently severed ties with two drug couriers after cash and drugs were stolen from their Dandenong North home.

Police couldn’t identify who Mr Pham was buying heroin from, Judge Cain stated.

“There was also no evidence or intelligence to suggest a falling out, any bad debts or trouble with a competitor which might have brought about his death.”

A drug runner recalled that hours earlier, Mr

Pham sounded drug affected over the phone while telling him: “I’ve f***ed up, I’ve got to do something and then I’ll come and see ya.”

They’d arranged to meet at 10pm that night to balance the daily takings and re-supply the drug runner. But there was no evidence it took place, Judge Cain found.

The drug runner alleged that Mr Pham told him at 8.32pm that “I’m still coming, I’ve just got something to do.”

Mr Pham’s last known conversation was with an associate wishing to buy drugs that night but he didn’t follow through on the deal.

Police next to Dung Pham’s burnt car in Olive Road Reserve, Eumemmerring in March 2015. 136842

Picture: ROB CAREW

Homelessness help

By Emily Chapman Laing

Casey based charity Kids Under Cover received $100,000 from social enterprise Homes for Homes as part of this year’s funding grant.

This is the first time Homes for Homes has put funds back into the City of Casey.

Kids Under Cover (KDU) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing youth homelessness for the past 33 years.

The new grant will fund the construction of two new studios in Casey, offering a safe space for four vulnerable youths each night.

“Youth homelessness can be prevented, we can intervene early, and if we do that it will absolutely change the life course for young people who otherwise could fall into all kinds of difficulties,“ Kids Under Cover CEO Stephen Nash said.

“Preventing and intervening early means people can grow up and get on with a bright future.“

KDU supports vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years who are either already homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The team build relocatable, one and two bedroom studios, complete with a bathroom, in the backyard of a family or carer’s home.

KDU has 20 studios operating across Casey, housing 30 young people each night.

AcorssVictoria, they have 652 studios housing over 1000 young people each night.

“They don’t have kitchens in the studio, so there’s the encouragement for families to still eat meals together,“ Mr Nash said.

“But when it’s time to study or chill out, they’ve got somewhere safe to go.“

The extra room relieves overcrowding, eases tension and provides young people with a secure and stable environment.

The studio remains in place for as long as it’s required, averaging 13 years, according to Mr Nash.

Kids Under Cover will relocate a studio up to four times during its lifetime to help other families in need.

The portable housing is then complemented with scholarships for education or job training, offsetting basic education costs and empowering young people to achieve their goals.

The scholarships aren’t just offered to young people housed in the studios, their siblings living in the main home of the property are able to receive educational support as well.

“We’re often working with families that are really up against it, so we try to help as many young people in the house as we can and give them all a brighter future,” Mr Nash said.

Homes for Homes raises funds for homeslessness prevention through people making a tax deductible 0.1 per cent donation from the sale or rent of their property.

These funds are combined with others who have donated, then used to build social and affordable housing.

In choosing which organisation receives the grant funding each year, Homes for Homes employs an “independent housing advisory board“ to review all applications and allocate the funds to those with the greatest need.

This year, Homes for Homes received ten applications.

“We use an independent housing advisory group because we know that we’re really good at being able to bring people together to raise funds, but we’re not the experts on knowing where the need is greatest,” Ms Longo said.

“Then the board’s recommendation goes off to our investment advisory group, so there’s three layers of governance.”

Ms Longo said Homes for Homes’ “set and forget“ approach to charity donation sets them apart from other organisations.

““A lot of charities, when you’re asked to donate you’re asked to do it on the spot but with Homes for Homes, it’s a set and forget,“ she said.

“When you hold a home over time, it generally builds some sort of equity, and the payment comes straight out of the disbursement of that settlement.

“It’s money you’ve been able to accumulate over time and that you don’t actually see because it’s disbursed straight out of the settlement proceeds, so it’s just like paying your rates.“

According to Homes for Homes, there is a deficit of over 600,000 social and affordable homes in Australia, with this number set to reach over one million within the next 13 years.

“Please get involved, it’s such an easy concept,“ Ms Longo said.

“You’re making a promise today but you’re not delivering on the promise until you sell your home.

“It’s just a small drop but small drops create pools of little drops and become an ocean over time.“

Ms Longo has been the COO of the organisation since 2018, and said the most exciting part of what Homes for Homes does is “actually handing over the funds“ to charities who can use the money to continue

their important work.

“For us it’s about being able to provide a solution that everyone can be involved in,“ she said.

“Coming together and being able to see that money being disbursed to organisations that really do some amazing things in the space of providing solutions is incredible to see.“

Homes for Homes has established a goal to become the second largest funding body for homelessness prevention behind the government, and they are on track to raise $1 billion by 2050.

“It’s about changing the narrative around what homelessness means,“ Ms Longo said.

“I think a compassionate community can really make a significant difference to changing people’s lives.”

Over 40 property developers have partnered with Homes for Homes, alongside individual landowners and renters.

Balcon Group, who are the land developers behind the Orana estate in Clyde North are one such example.

Balcon Group Manager Jason Shaw said the pervasive rise in homelessness in Casey is starting to affect more and more residents.

“It’s at a point where people with good jobs can’t afford housing,“ he said.

Mr Shaw explained the brilliance of the Homes for Homes approach to raising funds, with almost all Orana homeowners signing up to donate.

He went on to mention the usual lifespan of home ownership is seven years before selling, meaning a Homes for Homes donation can be made with each “property turnover“.

So far, Homes for Homes has granted $1.4 million to fund 17 projects, providing crucial assistance to over 300 people.

Donations to Homes for Homes are tax deductible and can be claimed when you lodge your return.

Pedestrian hit by bus

Police are investigating a fatal collision in Berwick on Wednesday 28 June.

It is understood a bus and pedestrian collided at the intersection on Clyde Road and Enterprise Avenue about 4.15pm.

Emergency services treated the female pedestrian, who is yet to be formally identified, but she was pronounced deceased at the scene. The female bus driver was not injured and stopped at the scene.

No passengers on the bus were injured.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Child sexual assault charge

Police have charged a 25-year-old Warragul man following an alleged sexual assault at the Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre at Narre Warren in April.

Police arrested the man on Tuesday 27 June and charged him with two counts of sexual assault of a child under 16, one count of sexual assault, two counts of stalking and five counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.

He was remanded to appear at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 28 June.

The charges followed the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl inside a store at the Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre on Friday 21 April.

Seven teens charged

Seven boys and girls have been charged after two alleged stolen cars were travelling at high speeds early on Friday 30 June, according to police.

A 16-year-old Hallam girl, a 16-year-old Pakenham boy and a 17-year-old Pakenham boy were all charged with car theft and committing indictable offences on bail.

They and a 14-year-old Springvale boy were remanded to face a children’s court at a later date.

A 17-year-old Fraser Rise girl, a 17-year-old Noble Park boy and a 17-year-old Cranbourne girl were bailed.

An Operation Trinity police patrol alleged that it spotted a white BMW wagon with stolen plates travelling at high speed on the Monash Freeway, Dandenong about 2am on Friday 30 July.

Air Wing tracked the vehicle, which was joined by an allegedly stolen grey Mercedes at Narre Warren and reached speeds up to 150 km/h, police say.

The BMW was dumped in Mullum Mullum Tunnel at Ringwood and the occupants continued in the Mercedes.

Despite stop-sticks being activated in Heidelberg, the car continued travelling on two wheels towards the Eastern Freeway in Kew.

The car came to a stop, and all seven occupants were arrested.

Police say the two vehicles were stolen in recent aggravated burglaries.

Southern Metro Crime Team officers and local police teamed up for the arrest.

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Homes for Homes COO Tracy Longo and grant recipient Stephen Nash with the Kids Under Cover cheque. 344838 Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

How to ‘grow around grief’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A ground-breaking, free tool kit clearly shows how people bereaved by suicide can “get good help” and how others can “give good help” in the South East.

Author and lived-experience advocate SuRose McIntyre told the 4 July launch that she wished the Growing Around Grief kit existed when she lost her son Carl to suicide 14 years ago.

“So alone” in her grief, McIntyre felt like she was “space walking” and that a “huge hole” was gouged out of her and her universe.

She had no idea where to turn for help. Her local library had just one“unhelpful” and“triggering” book on the topic.

Things had since improved, McIntyre said. There was more talk about anxiety, depression, existential crisis, isolation, worthlessness, suicidal ideation and suicidal loss.

“This strangely is a good thing. This is being real.”

Yet suicide is still an “embarrassing” and “uncomfortable” topic talked about in“hushed tones”.

And while it gets little attention, death by suicide in Australia doubles the road toll.

And Melbourne’s South East has the second-highest suicide rate in the country.

The Growing Around Grief resource was produced by South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (SEMPHN) in collaboration with Jesuit Social Services, Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) and people with lived experience.

It is downloadable online for free.

And it’s organised in clear, easy-to-read sections on helping children, young people, first responders, veterans, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally or linguistically diverse background and LGBTQIA+SB communities.

McIntyre said it was vital to “shine a light” on grief, particularly for suicide. The kit needed to be shared in schools, businesses, factories, Mens Sheds and homes.

“This kit holds everything I wish I had access to 14 years ago.

“We need to know how to get good help and how to give good help.”

Jesuit Social Services general manager Louise Flynn said the kit “sends a message that there are people that understand and that there are people that care”.

“It also sends a message that life isn’t over, however much it feels it is. That it is possible to live meaningfully after such a tragedy.

Flynn said at the heart of suicide grief response was about restoring a sense of self and self-worth, rebuilding relationships and connection with communities.

People remove themselves from a bereaved

person or a family and so lives “immeasurably change”.

“Perhaps because they don’t know what to say, they don’t know how to be with someone at that level of suffering and being so close to such a tragedy is more than they can bear.”

‘Growing Around Grief’ acknowledges the loss is always felt, it’s always real and the person lost continues to be loved.

But also that people can lead satisfying and fulfilling lives again, and not just surviving, Flynn said.

They gained some “hard won” changes including increased compassion and empathy.

South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network chief executive Quinn Powson said “wise counsel”, “deep insights” and “lived experience” were deeply embedded in the kit.

It was designed to be accessible for those struggling to find support.

“This kit is for us to share with those we love, with those we share work with, with those we play with, with those we care about.”

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Parliamentary Secretary Tim Richardson noted that those bereaved from suicide were at greater risk themselves.

That’s why postvention was recognised as so important in the recent Royal Commission into Mental Health, he said.

Richardson said the State Government was set to release its Suicide Prevention Strategy after 240 public submissions, noting one in two people lost to suicide had never interacted with a mental health and well-being service.

“That’s the stigmatism in our community... We have a lot of work to do.”

The ‘Growing Around Grief’ booklet is at bit.ly/43Fc6Dv

Lifeline 13 11 14, 24/7

Su-Rose McIntyre told of being “so alone” after her son died from suicide 14 years ago.

Showered with $1.25m

A Cranbourne man’s morning shower was interrupted in the best way imaginable after he received a phone call from lottery officials confirming his $1.25 million TattsLotto win.

The Melburnian held one of the eight division one winning entries in TattsLotto draw 4377, drawn Saturday 1 July 2023.

Each division one winning entry pocketed $1,250,000.00.

With $1.25 million about to land in his bank account, the long-time player was too stunned to make any concrete plans but had an interstate holiday in mind.

“I haven’t even thought about it. It’s such a blur,” he said

“Perhaps get out of Melbourne.

“Maybe a little holiday to the Gold Coast, it’s nice and hot there.”

The Casey local said he had been playing lotto since he was “about 18 years old”.

“I’m now in my 60s,” he said.

“I received an email from The Lott on Sunday morning about a win.

“I thought it was division two or three – not division one! It’s very unexpected.

His winning 12-game QuickPick was purchased at Cranbourne Authorised Newsagency, 105 High Street, Cranbourne.

OPINION

MP pay-rise ‘inexcusable’

I am writing this to register my dismay and disgust at the announcement of another ‘pay rise’ for our impoverished State politicians.

It would be nice if they lived on the same planet as the rest of us.

Especially given the current circumstances, that is the housing shortage and lack of rental properties, ever-rising interest rates, the cost increases in food, gas, water and electricity, under-employment and its friend income insecurity.

The result of the above, as being seen in people from all backgrounds having to seek

Building climate resilience

The City of Casey has released a draft plan to increase tree canopy cover and build climate resilience across the region, with residents now being asked to provide feedback.

City of Casey Director City Planning and Infrastructure James Collins said the draft plan sets out how Council aims to increase tree canopy cover across the city, which areas will be targeted for more planting and how trees and vegetation in the city will be monitored and managed into the future.

“We listened to what our community told us as part of the extensive community engagement undertaken in 2021, and we used this feedback to help inform our vision to achieve healthy and resilient tree canopies along our streets and in our parks that will benefit our community for many years to come,” he said.

“It became evident through the engagement process that our community sees the benefits of trees in their streets, parks and reserves – and recognises the important responsibility that Council has to invest in planting more trees and vegetation.

“Our urban forest, comprising trees and vegetation on public and private land across the city, is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools for helping us adapt to climate change, so we believe it is worth protecting, enhancing and investing in.”

A Cranbourne man was shocked to find out he had won $1.25 million. Picture: SUPPLIED

The

were overjoyed for their division one winner and wished them all the best with their million-dollar win.

Currently, the council manages more than 203,000 street trees and 179,000 trees in parks within the Casey region.

“In addition to providing shade and reducing urban heat, trees improve the land-

The plan aims to build climate resilience in Casey. Picture: GENERIC

scape and increase property values, create a healthier environment and provide habitat for wildlife and animals,” Mr Collins said.

Mr Collins said there were a number of challenges that left vegetation vulnerable and in need of protection, including climate change, population growth and urban heat.

“The Greening Casey draft plan will help inform the future of the natural environment in Casey, including building our climate resilience,” he said.

The draft strategy provides direction and a vision to grow and enhance tree canopy cover in the City of Casey.

It includes details on best practice management of trees to ensure they thrive well into the future, as well as the protection and growth of trees on private property across the city.

To view the Greening Casey draft plan and provide feedback, visit Casey Conversations by 5pm on Wednesday 26 July.

help, food, clothing and money, etc.

For many this is their first shattering experience of this circumstance. Some will become homeless, sleeping in their cars if they still have one.

By any method of reasoning, the above mentioned ‘pay rise’ is an inexcusable, insensitive, arrogant decision.

Worse than that it is wrong or just plain bloody immoral.

Shame on all of them - Labor, Liberal, Greens, Nationals.

Again, shame on all of you.

Geoff Cain, Endeavour Hills

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

Thanks to Casey Hospital Staff for saving my life. Outstanding care and ongoing support given.

Thumbs down

For the disgusting crime that goes on and the police catch them and courts let them go.

Thumbs down

For the pothole on the entrance behind Red Rooster and United Cranbourne.

Thumbs down

To Council for still not putting a finish line on the Criterium track at Casey Fields.

Thumbs down

To Cranbourne Centro - the UP escalator opposite Kmart has NOT been working every time I’ve visited for at least a week.

Thumbs up

For all the caring people out there who just go out of their way to make a strangers life a little better. Thank you.

Thumbs down

To Casey RACE pool yesterday. Took a family of six there. Nobody told us the heater for the kids pool was broken. It was too cold to stay there. Had to bring the children home. Would of been nice to be told before l paid for the entry, plus $71.00 for goggles for the children. Only to go home as they were too cold to swim... great job.

Thumbs down

To those who park across from schools then walk children across avoiding the safety of school crossings.

Thumbs up

To the Lynbrook Community Centre this week for starting a community pantry.

Thumbs up

To all the kids participating in MS Readathon this year! Have fun finding all the “magic” in your books, and your visits to your local library. Happy reading!

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

Four more teens have been arrested over an alleged robbery spree across Melbourne’s East and South East, including in Beaconsfield, Keysborough and Eumemmerring. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Michael Rogers

Just another normal day then in the socialist republic of Victoria!

A Cranbourne man’s morning shower was interrupted in the best way imaginable after he received a phone call from lottery officials confirming his $1.25 million TattsLotto win. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Sue Stride

That’s awesome.

Victorian Northern Metropolitan MP and Liberal Party Member Evan Mulholland has accused the Andrews’ Government of “hoarding“ funds and withholding infrastructure contributions from growth areas like Casey. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Travis Mitchell

The only way to get the cars off the road is simple.. extend the current rail terminus. Restore Rup Rail! To Clyde will not do!

Major works are now complete on the new signalised intersection at CranbourneFrankston, Hall and Evans roads. Here’s what our readers had to say.

Mark Carlson

Great work see it wasn’t that bad after all.

Cranbourne Authorised Newsagency team said they

Smoking ceremony opening the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne NAIDOC Week events. 345547

Picture: EMILY CHAPMAN LAING

Victims’ legal help

South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) has launched a campaign to promote free legal assistance to those who have experienced sexual harassment at work.

The Advocacy against Sexual Harassment (AASH) campaign will appear in multiple locations online and throughout the City of Casey, City of Greater Dandenong, and Shire of Cardinia.

SMLS said they believe the program will offer reassurance, and they urge affected individuals to reach out for free, confidential support.

Workplace sexual harassment is alarmingly prevalent.

About 7 per cent of women employed by City of Casey have reportedly experienced sexual harassment at work, according to official audit data.

Only one of them submitted a formal complaint.

The audit also shows 5 per cent of male employees at the council say they experienced sexual harassment.

Beyond council walls, the numbers are even more striking.

Over the past five years, Casey has averaged 370 sexual offence victim reports per year, with 399 reports already filed for the year ending in 2023.

With only one in five people taking the step to report sexual harassment, the true numbers are likely substantially higher.

According to SafeWork Australia, one in three people have experienced sexual harassment at work in the last five years, and only 6 per cent of those approach a lawyer for help.

“The sad fact is, people at higher risk of sexual harassment are often already experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage,“ Kristen Wallwork, Executive Director of SMLS said.

“They are less able to manage complex sexual harassment litigation on their own.

“That’s why this free, confidential legal assistance is so vital. We’re experts and we can help navigate the legal processes.“

In particular, young women and women from a culturally diverse background are at greater risk of workplace sexual harassment.

According to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) people aged 18 to 29 experience the highest rates of workplace sexual harassment of all age groups (45 per cent).

Women of CALD backgrounds report experiencing sexual harassment at twice the rate of the surveyed population, according to AHRC.

To help reach women from diverse cultural backgrounds, the campaign has been translated into Mandarin, Sinhalese, Vietnamese, Punjabi and Hindi, reflective of the local population.

Pursuit boys charged

Three boys have been charged after a police pursuit of an allegedly stolen vehicle across several South East suburbs.

A 13-year-old Hampton Park boy, a 13-year-old from Doveton and a 14-year-old from Dandenong were all charged with car theft.

The former was also charged with aggravated exposure of an emergency services worker to risk by driving, reckless conduct endangering life, unlicensed driving and dangerous driving whilst being pursued by police.

The Doveton boy was also charged with committing an indictable offence on bail.

The vehicle was seen being driven erratically on the Monash Freeway in Chadstone about 10.15am on Sunday 2 July, police say.

SMLS said there is inadequate community understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment under the law.

The campaign, SMLS said, explicitly calls out the behaviours that constitute sexual harassment, including comments/jokes, intrusive questions, staring/leering, unwelcome touching and inappropriate physical contact.

“Our aim with this campaign is to inform people that what they are experiencing is sexual harassment,“ Ms Wallwork said.

“Then we want to reassure them – we will believe what they say, and we can help.“

For anyone who is interested in more information or wants support, you can call 9545 7400 or 9038 8002 between 9am and 4:30pm, or email info@smls.com.au

It was monitored across suburbs until it stopped in Notting Hill more than four hours later.

The three occupants allegedly fled on foot and were arrested in Scenic Boulevard, Clayton.

No one was injured, police say.

The trio were bailed to appear at a children’s court at a later date.

to Pakenham...

One in three women have reported experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace in the last five years. Picture: GENERIC

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

When I was young I won an effigy competition held for Guy Fawkes night.

The winner of the competition got to light the bonfire.

Unfortunately someone who was in charge of making sure the bonfire would light was a little heavy handed with the accelerant and the moment the match hit the bonfire it erupted in massive flames and I had to jump the safety fence to avoid being set on fire.

What do you love the most about your job?

I love so many things about my job, I am known for saying that I have the best job in the world, but what I love most about it is seeing the people we support experience and participate in things that they would not have been able to if they did not have the support of Blairlogie.

Two standouts would be seeing someone go on an aeroplane for the first time and seeing people move into their own homes after years of dreaming about having their own space.

If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

An eagle or a dolphin.

They both get to enjoy the world from a different perspective, they are both curious.

I would like the fearlessness of the eagle and the playful, protectiveness of the dolphin.

What was your most memorable moment?

Well apart from the bonfire lighting, it would be my 39th birthday party.

I had chefs from O.MY restaurant in Beaconsfield come to my house and prepare an eight course meal for six dinner guests.

It was like being in a fancy restaurant but in your own home.

It was an incredible evening.

O.MY is now a two-hatted restaurant and has won a host of awards.

What were you like as a kid?

My Mum tells me I was a bit of a mother hen, always wanting to look after people, but I was also pretty stubborn and strong willed – I fought a lot with my sister as a kid but now we

are adults we are pretty close. I loved school and I have always had an unquenchable love of learning and a curiosity that I think helps me in my role at Blairlogie. What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

I would like to live in a world where people do not experience homelessness, where every person has access to safe and affordable housing.

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

Louis Theroux, Bruce Springsteen, Barack and Michelle Obama, Urzila Carlson and Michael Parkinson.

What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I love listening to peoples stories so when I struggle to sleep I will put Conversations, a podcast from ABC.

Every episode is the story of a person who may or not be famous bot they are always amazing. What three words would your friends use to describe you?

I think they would say I am determined, compassionate and a little unconventional. Where is your happy place?

My happy place is not a specific location, it is linked to the company.

I am happiest when I am with like-minded people, my tribe, those that ‘get me’.

I am very lucky to have many such people in my life.

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

I think I would make creamyTuscan prawn linguine – its delicious.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

Airlie Beach – I just love it.

The weather is fantastic and I love everything that the Whitsundays has to offer.

THREE … tips for Plastic Free July

Plastic Free July is a global movement helping millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution to create cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Here are three ways you can reduce the plastic waste your home produces.

1 Straw solutions

Skip the (plastic straw) or buy stainless steel straws to reduce plastic waste caused by used straws.

2 Boot the bag Swap plastic bin liners for newspaper or certified compostable ones instead.

3 No packaging Avoid pre-packaged foods by choosing bulk or loose food.

with Blairlogie CEO Carolyn Carr

Carolyn with Brett De Lany – one of the original clients that started at Blairlogie in 1987. Picture: SUPPLIED

AI fears over jobs

By Emily Chapman Laing

Berwick has been listed fourth in the top ten Victorian suburbs facing automation shifts in the workplace, according to suburb-data provider Suburbtrends.

An estimated 12,092 people in the area will be facing an increasingly artificial-intelligence-dominant conversion in the workplace.

Pakenham placed seventh on the list, with 11,393 workers expected to be impacted by shifts towards automation.

A recent report from the University of Melbourne Work Futures Hallmark Research Initiative reveals Australian workers are largely unprepared for “future workplace challenges driven by automation and artificial intelligence“, though they aren’t showing much concern.

“We found that most Australians aren’t too worried about being replaced by AI and automation at work, and believe that their skills are adequate to meet the challenges ahead,“ report co-author and human geographer Professor David Bissell said.

“However, our research shows that Australians are cautious adopters of new technologies in the workplace.

“One-in-five say they only adopt new technologies in the workplace when they are forced to, so we need to understand the reasons behind this and facilitate technology use that is inclusive to all.“

Global technology research firm Forrester has warned 1.5 million Australians will be forced out of work as automation technology evolves.

City of Casey Manager Growth and Investment Kathryn Seirlis said the City of Casey “supports“ a “culture of innovation“.

“Our local business community can establish pathways for start-ups to collaborate with the existing industries, and explore new opportunities,“ she said.

“Council has been working with strategic sectors across Casey to identify ways we can help them respond to future trends, including AI.

“We are committed to increasing digital equity to future proof participation in community life, and will continue to work with local industry, education and employment providers to ensure systems are updated accordingly to service the job seekers that need the most assistance.“

Australia’s job market is anticipated to shrink by 11 per cent before 2030.

Those most affected by the change, according to the report, are cubicle workers.

Office clerks, accountants, human resources workers and bookkeepers who perform repetitive tasks are predicted to see a 58 per cent decrease in job availability by 2030.

Middle management roles are also expected to be affected and face concerns over their continuing value in the workplace.

Forrester anticipate a drop of 22 per cent due to displacement from automation.

Conversely, those who specialise in technology can expect an upward trend in job availability, with software and app developers, network and systems administrators, mathematicians and information security specialists needed to maintain and enhance AI performance.

Forrester reported Australia’s high minimum wage as a contributing factor to many businesses opting for automated operations, especially since the cost of intelligent automation reduces over time.

“Understanding the potential ramifications of AI and automation at a granular level is crucial for planning, whether at the policy level, in business strategy, or for individual career development,“ Kent Lardner, the founder of Suburbtrends said.

“These numbers underscore the need for Australia to prepare for a future where AI and automation will undoubtedly play an increasingly pivotal role.

“This transformation could be as profound as the industrial revolution, but with the right preparation, Australia can navigate this change effectively.“

Blaze arrest

A man has been arrested and a dog rescued at the scene of a suspicious housefire in Doveton on 3 July.

Emergency services were called to the Rebecca Street house after reports of smoke and flames about 6.52pm on Monday 3 July.

FRV crews arrived within five minutes, finding the building “fully alight”.

Firies found the dog at the otherwise unoccupied single-storey house.

Lort Smith Animal Hospital was called to provide “health care and wellbeing support” for the dog.

Officers discovered a suspected ‘drug lab’ at the site - but that has not been verified by police. “The exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined; however the fire is being treated as suspicious,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

A 33-year-old Doveton man was arrested and is being questioned by police.

Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating.

“FRV breathing apparatus support was provided and Ambulance Victoria was requested for firefighter welfare,” the FRV stated.

Police officers investigate the scene of a suspicious fire in Rebecca Street, Doveton. 345545

Over 12,000 Berwick workers are expected to be affected by automation in the workplace.

Picture: GENERIC

Shelli’s pet perspective

By Emily Chapman Laing

After being dismissed from her job due to an incurable health condition, Shelli Knight found her dream job photographing pets alongside her husband Tony.

The couple have taken a ’down under’ approach to capturing the adorable faces of Casey locals’ furry families, and customers are reeling.

“The images are truly amazing, sometimes hilarious but always ‘unique’,“ customer Cristy Worsteling said.

“Shelli’s ability to capture the unique personality and spirit of each pet in her photographs has garnered accolades and touched the hearts of many.

“It is not merely a photography business but a testament to the profound bond between pets and their owners, ensuring that precious moments are forever treasured.“

“Aunty Shelli“ and “Uncle Tony“ shower their canine clients with treats of all kinds and lots of loving pats, even if the pups piddle on the floor, or up against their desk.

Animals Down Under customer Sally-Ann Wratten said she could tell Tony and Shelli were “animal people“ from the second she walked in the door.

“They were excited to see our dogs both times we took them in,“ she said.

“They did an amazing job of capturing our whippets’ different personalities with one being a relatively subdued dog and the other still a crazy puppy.

“The prints are absolutely stunning and I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting pet portraits.“

Shelli was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) at 30 years of age, in 1999, having suspected something was not right.

“I always had a suspicion, MS was always in the back of my mind,“ she said.

“When I was 16 I started getting the symptoms, but every doctor I went to just said I was imagining things and that it was in my head.

“As it turns out, it was in my head, I’ve got scars on my brain.“

Shelli actively chooses not to focus on her condition, and lives her life as normally as possible, though the impacts are still part of her everyday life.

“Sometimes I find it hard to get words out, I have chronic fatigue and sometimes I have loss of feeling in some parts of my body,“ she said.

“But until last year, I was still riding my horse.“

In late 2022, Shelli secured her dream job working with dogs, after being a qualified vet nurse for many years.

After spending time in an office environment, Shelli’s boss realised she was better suited to a face-to-face role.

“She had a job set out for me and she was going to show me herself how to do it,“ she said.

“I had to tell her that I can’t work in the afternoons because the heat affects me, so she gave me a morning job.“

Full of excitement, Shelli showed up to her first day at her dream job, but the day didn’t pan out how she expected.

The company had decided they weren’t able to make concessions for Shelli’s condition.

“I went in on the first day to start and she and her husband called me into their office and I was let go,“ Shelli said.

“I went home and for a couple of weeks I was just so depressed and I just felt so down about myself.

“I said to Tony I just feel so down, I feel so useless, I’m just no good.“

Tony had seen an unusual style of pet photography on YouTube years before, where pets were photographed from underneath.

“I’m always looking for a point of difference,“ Tony said.

“I thought it could be easily commercialised here, it would really take off.

“Years went by and no one ever grabbed onto it.“

As far as he could see, no one else in Australia was using this style of pet photography, and there he saw the perfect fit for his photography career and Shelli’s love of dogs.

“The first photo he showed me I was hooked,“ Shelli said.

Three months later, the duo had set up the business at Tony’s photo studio in Hallam.

“She went from the deepest, darkest place to jumping across the clouds,“ Tony said.

Animals Down Under held their first exhibition at the April 2023 Home Show.

“We also see it as home decor,“ Tony said.

“You’d see people look at the pictures and then the big smile would come and it just made me feel so good,“ Shelli added.

The couple were rewarded with a long list of bookings, and Animals Down Under was officially on the map.

Shelli andTony are parents to four dogs, but one stands out as the clear model of the pack.

Pixel the Whippet loves having his picture taken and has been the muse for some of Animals Down Under’s best shots.

“He loves it,“ Shelli said.

“I don’t have to stand on the other side of him for the photos, I can just stand at the console and throw treats,“ Tony added.

Animals Down Under is currently taking bookings at a special price of $150, saving cost-of-living conscious pet owners a whopping $225.

“Everyone says the same thing, that when

you put the pictures up, they’re a conversation starter,“ Tony said.

“Everything is depending on the budget of the person, we’re not wanting anyone to buy anything they don’t love.“

The apparatus used to photograph the model pups was built with safety in mind for all breeds.

“It takes 250 kilos,“ Tony said.

“Everything is done to Australian standards.“

For dogs who are too timid or excitable to use the podium for underneath shots, Animals Down Under offers reflective shots where fussy pups can sit on a low platform for a front-on portrait.

Tony’s other business, This Is My Life, is a photography and videography business where he captures people’s life stories.

“He’ll talk to them about their earliest life to current day,“ Shelli said.

“It’s just fantastic.“

The studio also hosts TV commercials, commercial photo shoots and music videos.

Animals Down Under can be found on Facebook, Instagram and through their website.

TonyandShelli. 343688

Picture:EMILYCHAPMANLAINGBanjo.

Picture:SUPPLIED

MillieandRooster.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Lila.

Picture:SUPPLIED

James.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Fin.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Halcyon Berwick – Final Release

Less than 25 houses remaining

A lifestyle community designed for over 50s, Halcyon Berwick has no deferred management fees, stamp duty, entry or exit fees.

Since launching in 2022, Halcyon Berwick has seen a fantastic response from the local area and is now on the verge of selling out. With a brand-new clubhouse, modern homes and a community that grows every month, it’s easy to see why the response to Halcyon Berwick has been so positive. Featuring multiple 2 and 3 bedroom floorplans with prices starting from $550K*, Halcyon Berwick has a home to cater for any lifestyle.

This is your last chance to purchase new at Halcyon Berwick. If you’d like to see first-hand what makes Victoria’s first Halcyon community so special, register to attend our next discovery tour or make a private appointment.

Halcyon Berwick

Major road now open

Major works are now complete on the new signalised intersection at Cranbourne-Frankston, Hall and Evans roads.

“Our project team has completed an eightweek construction blitz on time to get traffic flowing again through the new-look intersection at Cranbourne-Frankston, Hall and Evans roads,” Major Road Projects Victoria Program Director Brendan Pauwels said.

“Removing this intersection has been an enormous undertaking and we appreciate the patience and support of the community throughout the construction blitz.”

The project crew opened the new-look intersection on schedule on Monday 26 June in time for the first morning peak to cap off a suc-

cessful eight-week construction blitz.

The new signalised four-way intersection at Cranbourne-Frankston, Hall and Evans roads has replaced the former curved intersection, making for safer and easier travelling for all residents and commuters.

Crews raised up the intersection by two metres – requiring approximately 30,000 tonnes of in-fill,andlevelledouttheroad,builtnewlanes, installed underground electrical infrastructure and finally installed traffic lights and line marking before opening the new road on 26 June.

As part of the eight-week construction blitz, our crews were able to dig up 32,000 square metres of pavement , remove 4.3 kilometres of kerbs, install 1100 metres of drainage pipes

and bring in 10,560 cubic metres of recycled materials and fill.

Crews are continuing works to finish remaining works at the intersection, including drainage, utility relocation, and safety barrier installation.

A new water retention basin on the southeast corner of the intersection will capture water run-off during periods of heavy rain.

Works on the Hall Road Upgrade also include the addition of extra lanes between McCormicks Road and Western Port Highway, and upgrading the McCormicks Road, Taylors Road and Western Port Highway intersections.

The next stage of work to complete the upgrade of the Hall and McCormicks roads

intersection also got underway on 23 June, when works commenced on a major drainage upgrade on McCormicks Road south of the intersection.

A four-week closure of the intersection is planned from 21 July to 21 August to complete major construction of the intersection.

Work to build the new westbound lanes between McCormicks Road and Western Port Highway is almost complete.

From 7pm Friday 30 June to 6am Monday 3 July, Hall Road will be closed while 2.5 kilometres of traffic barriers are moved to allow traffic to move onto the new westbound lanes while works to build the eastbound lanes gets underway.

Special Olympics stars shine on the Casey stage

By Emily Chapman Laing

Around 350 athletes descended upon Casey’s sporting facilities over the weekend to take part in the 2023 Special Olympics Victoria State Games.

The State Games are Victoria’s premier games for all people with an intellectual disability to take part in a multi-sport weekend in the hope of qualifying for any single sport national events.

Running across Casey ARC, Casey Fields and Casey Stadium on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 July, athletes showed their technique and skill in swimming, ten pin bowling, athletics, basketball, bocce, gymnastics, netball, tennis, soccer and for the first time, AFL.

The games began with the law enforcement torch run and athletes marching into Casey stadium to excited applause.

From a cauldron the “flame of hope“ was lit, akin to the lighting of the Olympic torch.

“To have that opportunity on the big stage with a big opening ceremony bringing lots of hype and excitement,“ said James Hammond, Special Olympics Australia State Manager Victoria.

“Our athletes are always looking for more opportunities to compete.

“This is the most inclusive sporting event throughout the year.“

Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton finalised the opening ceremony with a speech.

“It’s awesome to have that support,“ Mr Hammond said.

Free heart health checks were on offer from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, supported by Heartbeat of Football, an organisation supporting healthy hearts in sport.

“Lots of athletes, coaches, volunteers and families got their heart health checked,“ Mr Hammond said.

The State Games also had an opportunity to welcome 20Victorian athletes who recently competed in the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin .

Alongside the sports, Saturday saw two exhibitions, from the AFL and the Marie Little Shield Netball athletes.

On Sunday, South Australian athletes joined their Victorian cousins for a state of origin competition.

“We had athletes from Tasmania competing as well, in swimming, bocce and tenpin bowling,“ Mr Hammond said.

“It was good to have our neighbours come across and compete with us.

“All in all it was awesome, lots of smiles, lots of fun, everyone had a really good time.“

Mr Hammond said the day wouldnt have been the same without the immense support from other groups and organisations.

“We want to shout out City of Casey for their hospitality, they’ve been absolutely incredible in hosting us,“ he said.

“Melbourne City Football Club helped run our football (soccer) games and it ran super well thanks to them and their support.“

City of Casey Director Community Life Callum Pattie said it was an honour to host the Special Olympics Victoria State Games again in Casey.

“The entire event is focused on inclusive sport, community engagement through volunteering and creating opportunities for people with intellectual disability to live a

healthy lifestyle while maintaining social interaction with their community,” he said.

“The event also gives the broader community an insight into what people with

intellectual disability are capable of achieving, and the important role Special Olympics Australia plays in providing opportunities for athletes and their families.”

The basketball competition.Big smiles on the athletics track.The torch run.

Showing off their medals.

Competitors in the swimming competition.

The torch run.

Pictures: PETER BLAKEMANShowing off his medals.

Down-sizing made easy

For 20 years, Lifestyle Communities has lived and breathed the wants and needs of the downsizer homeowner; consistently refining our approach, communities and homes to not only meet your needs - but exceed them! And with two decades of experience behind us, our focus on giving our homeowners what they want; and what they need, has never been sharper.

We build beautiful, downsizer-centric homes across Melbourne, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas and Regional Victoria, complemented by stunning amenities that engender connectivity and wellbeing.

You can choose to live where the holiday never ends. At Lifestyle Communities, you can spend your days soaking up the serene surroundings or spruce up your daily grind with access to stunning amenities a short stroll from your front door.

Located at the heart of your community, the Clubhouse is architecturally designed with plenty of space for you to relax, recharge or reenergise.

An extension of your own home, you’ll have a host of lifestyle-enhancing facilities* at your fingertips, including:

· BBQ Area

· Billiards

· Business Centre

· Electric car

· Cinema

· Community Shuttle

· Croquet Court

· DogWash

· Electric Bikes

· Fishing boat

· Gym

· Indoor Pool

· Library

· Makers Studio

· Micro Brewery

· Orchard

· Outdoor Pool

· Pickleball Court

· Spa

· Tennis Court

Across our communities, we’ve designed, installed and delivered a range of resort style amenities and surrounds for our homeowners to call their own.

If there’s one thing we’ve always stayed committed to in our two decades of business, it’s helping our homeowners upsize their lifestyles when they downsize to a Lifestyle Community. Our world class amenities give‘staycation’ a whole new meaning.

Call us to discuss your downsizing dream today 1300 50 55 60.

*Facilities may vary depending on the community location.

your downsizing dream at

Top healthy lifestyle tips

Spending time with loved ones can have significant health benefits as we age, according to a new meta-analysis study.

The researchers, from the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney, studied the link between social connections in older people and the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia and mortality. They pooled together the results of 13 international studies, which followed people aged 65 years and above over long periods of time. The research was published today in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“We know from previous research that social connections are important for our health and being isolated puts us at higher risk of dementia and death,” said first author Dr Suraj Samtani, who is a clinical psychologist and researcher at CHeBA.

“Our goal was to find which social connections protect us from dementia and death.”

Studying ageing populations

The researchers obtained results from studies in low, middle and high-income countries across the world. These included Australia, North America, and several nations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. The study population is more diverse than previous meta-analyses, which have mainly focused on North America and Europe.

Then the researchers analysed information about the social connections of the study participants. They were interested in the so-

cial connection type (e.g., being in a relationship or married, engaging with a community group), function (e.g., social support, having a confidante), and quality (e.g., level of relationship satisfaction).

Finally, the researchers looked at whether the participants developed MCI or dementia, or passed away, during the studies. They controlled for other variables which could influence these outcomes including age, sex, education level, lifestyle factors and other chronic diseases.

“We looked at social variables across these studies, such as living with others, interacting with friends and family, engaging in community activities, and social support,” Dr Samtani said.

“We wanted to know which of these are associated with risk of getting dementia over time or dying.”

Protective effects of social connections

Amongst the study participants, good social connections were associated with a lower risk of MCI, dementia and death.

“We found that frequent interactions –monthly or weekly – with family and friends and having someone to talk to reduced the risk of getting dementia. We also found that living with others and doing community activities reduced the risk of dying,” Dr Samtani said.

Why would social interaction be linked to MCI, dementia and death? Many other studies show that poor social connections are associated with poorer lifestyle and poorer

health. For example, close relationships can have a stress buffering effect, as we confide in and receive support from these individuals. Controlling stress is important for brain and overall health.

Another example is that our family, friends and community members may influence us to take on healthy behaviours. This phenomenon, exemplified by your friends dragging you to parkrun at 7am on a Saturday, is known as ‘social contagion’.

One limitation of the findings is the ‘chicken or the egg’ problem. Participants who had already MCI or dementia at the beginning of the studies were excluded from the analysis. However, it is possible that they had some undetected cognitive and physical health issues. These could impact their social interactions, rather than the other way around.

Tips to stay healthy

The researchers recommend that we prioritise social connection to reduce risk of cognitive

decline and live longer.

“Try to meet with friends and family at least once a month, take part in community activities like volunteering or a rotary club, and open your heart to someone when you feel stressed. Living with others, for example in an intergenerational household, is also helpful,” Dr Samtani said.

“Connecting with others helps us to keep our bodies and minds healthy.”

The researchers at CHeBA are now looking at interventions to improve the social connections of older adults, to protect their brain and overall health. Dr Samtani has recently been awarded a Dementia Australia Research Foundation post-doctoral fellowship to trial a social cognition intervention for older adults with memory concerns.

“We hope that helping people to stay engaged in conversations and maintain healthy friendships and relationships will help them to stay healthy and happy,” Dr Samtani said.

Social interaction reduces dementia risk and increases longevity: study.

FOCUS ON … SENIORS ENJOYING LIFE

Tour Local experience

Tour Local is a locally based, family run, coach tour business of 14 years - specializing in seniors group travel, both for days tours and extended tours all throughout Australia.

The mother and son duo, Joanne and Ray, along with their small team of hand-picked driver-guides, have a passion for touring, and for providing enjoyable, memorable, and immersive experiences to all who board their buses.

With their Small Group Touring Guarantee, you can rest assured that with Tour Local, you’ll be travelling as a name, not a number.

As Ray puts it, “we never fill our coach - we know how much people like to travel as part of an intimate group, which fosters new friendships and leads to more enjoyable experiences - this is why on our 41 seat coach, we’d rarely have more than 20 people on board”.

Not only this, but being local and still slightly old-fashioned, Tour Locals prides themselves on their Home Pickup and Returns for any Extended Tour with them, meaning that a traveler embarking on their tour is picked up right from their front door and returned there at tours end.

This is only available for those in Metro Melbourne, Gippsland, and the Mornington Peninsula at the moment, however, they have plenty of methods in place for those coming from out West or even interstate, to still join them on tour!

With tours ranging from short 5 Day holidays around Victoria, such as their Silo Art Trail, or the longer journeys venturing up through the Red Centre and even up to Broome, there is something for everyone with Tour Local.

Tour Local also provides private group travel, for either day tours, or on an extended tour

- so if you are part of a Probus Group, Village, Garden Group, or Social group, make sure you get in touch with the family team atTour Local,

and let them take care of ensuring your next journey is one to remember.

Tour Local also have a special for $250pp off

all Extended Tours for 2023.

Contact Tour Local on 5941 8800 or bookings@tourlocal.com.au

Tour Local’s Joanne and Ray have you covered.

Ray and Joanne from Tour Local provides private group travel, for either day tours, or on an extended tour.

Your regional newspaper offers so much more...

WHAT’S ON

NAIDOC Kids Craft

Join Westfield Fountain Gate for free kids art & craft activities on Tuesday 4 July and Friday 7 July. To celebrate NAIDOC Week, participants will be decorating their favourite Australian animal or a boomerang.

· Westfield Fountain Gate, 25/55 Overland Drive, Narre Warren on Tuesday 4 July and Friday 7 July, 10am to 1pm.

Christmas in July

The Christmas in July Night Market is back for 2023! Head to Akoonah Park on Friday July 28 to enjoy a magical Christmas-themed night market experience. Try some delicious food and drinks, browse a huge range of exciting stalls, listen to some live music, and take in the unique local market atmosphere.

· Akoonah Park, 2 Cardinia Street, Berwick on Friday 28 July, 4pm-9pm.

Winter Plant Sale

Join the Cranbourne Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Growing Friends Group for their winter plant sale. This event is a great opportunity to purchase some gorgeous greenery while taking in the stunning Australian Garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. A large variety of Australian native plants will be available. A plant list will be available on the Growing Friends website approximately a week before the sale. EFTPOS will be available. The plant sale will be held at the northern end of the Australian Garden. Parking and entry is available nearby (look for the large red banners). Plant sale dates: Saturday and Sunday 22nd and 23rd July, 2023

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Cnr Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July from 10am-4pm.

· Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on both days

Native American-Style Flute Workshop

Discover the native American-style flute a sacred sound instrument with medicine drum and rattle to evoke healing music within you… creativity is waiting to be explored. In this free 90 minute workshop, you will find hands-on experience with a professional musician, how the flute can be played for sound healing and how to connect to your creativity through sacred sound. No musical experience required – great for total beginners. You’ll be guided by musician/teacher and coach Peta Minter, who provides a safe learning environment for all. Boost your confidence, creativity and wellness through the power of music.

Tickets available via Facebook and Eventbrite.

· Positive Music home studio Narre Warren on Friday 14 July, 11am-12:30pm.

The Lost Dogs’ Disco

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 at-

Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody

Without a doubt, Queen is amongst the greatest rock bands of the twentieth century and Freddie Mercury is hailed by many as the most charismatic and flamboyant performer in contemporary rock.

Now, fresh off the heels of the successful Bohemian Rhapsody movie, comes an all new Queen tribute show from well-known Australian Freddie Mercury impersonator Thomas Crane.

Thomas, with his hot band Bohemian Rhapsody, bring back to life the visual excitement, sound and stage energy as witnessed at a Queen concert.

See all your favourite Queen hits like We Will Rock You, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, We Are The Champions, Radio Ga Ga, A Kind of Magic, I Want To Break Free, Another One Bites the Dust and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.

Come and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of supergroup Queen at Bunjil Place Theatre.

· Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren on Friday 28 July, 8pm10:20pm.

tend this free event.

· Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Road, Berwick, Friday 7 July 5pm-8pm, Saturday 8 July 9am-5pm and Sunday 9 July 9am-5pm.

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.

Pioneer Girls and Flappers:

Australia’s early female munitions workers

The Narre Warren District Family History Group will be hosting their July meeting with a presentation from historian and archivist Katie Wood. During World War Two, tens of thousands of Australian women found work in the munitions industry in a period when women’s industrial employment was regarded as a novelty. Many don’t realise that women’s work in munitions began far earlier, all the way back to the 1880s.

Their story is a rollicking tale of explosions, strikes, politics, picnics, and more.

In this talk, Katie Wood will bring to life this fascinating history, which has touched so many families.

· L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Cafe Training Room 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne on Saturday 15 July at 2pm.

‘Enchanted beneath the Bluff’ book meeting

Local history author Heather Arnold has a new book telling an inspiring Australian tale.

Called ‘Enchanted Beneath the Bluff, Agnes & Geraldine’s Pursuit of Elwood’s Elusive Black Diamonds’, the book takes you on the spiritual journey of two Elwood women trying to prosperity to Colonial Victoria of the 1890s.

Heather Arnold is a local historian who is the President of the Kooweerup Swamp Historical Society, she will be speaking at the event on her new book.

· The event will be at 5.30pm, Wednesday 19 July at the Berwick Mechanics Institute & Free Library, 15 High Street, Berwick.

Picture: SUPPLIED

New space for kids

Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne launched its new Woodland Picnic Area playground on Friday 30 June, designed to inspire the next generation of nature lovers.

Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos MP, officially opened the new playground, alongside Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards and Gardens’ staff.

“We are thrilled to launch the new Woodland Picnic Area Playground, which combines the best of nature play with the picturesque surrounds of Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne,” said Chris Russell, Executive Director Cranbourne Gardens.

The playground is located in the Gardens’ Conservation Zone and is made from recycled materials from the Gardens as well as locally sourced materials.

“Under the shade of native trees, the playground merges with the surrounding bushland,“ Mr Russell said.

“Children can look out for wildlife in the trees and may even come across wombat tracks in the sandpit.

“We wanted to create a playground where children could safely explore their skills and abilities, and fall in love with nature.“

The playground’s features include sandpits, giant logs, swings, climbing ropes, a fallen tree, giant banksia cross-sections which collect puddles, basalt stone seats/tables, possum prints and “insect doors and hotels”.

The playground was designed by Andrea Proctor Landscapes with unique features such as a “Gifting Basket”, which teaches children to leave feathers, stones and seeds behind, and

Ted’s century flies by

From page 1

“We just had enough speed to get to Mallacoota.“

After the end of World War II, he went back to working as a shoe repairman, but quickly realised his skills were better suited in the RAAF, joining the equipment branch.

His work took him across the globe, including postings in Washington and Paris across more than 30 years in the service, completing his career as a Squadron Leader in 1976.

Aboriginal Weelam Poles, where children can build their own cubby houses from recycled branches.

“We consulted the local community including children, the Aboriginal community, the Learning team at Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, and its staff more broadly to develop the playground of their dreams,” said Ms Proctor.

“This playground reflects how Gardens staff loved to play as children and what inspired them to become passionate about conservation and nature today.

Mr McConchie kept a close connection with his three crew members - pilot Tony Warden, wireless officer/air gunner Ken Davies and navigator John Snewin - over the years until the last of the crew members died, surpassing 50 years of friendship together.

A fervent supporter of the Beaufort Squadrons Association, he was also involved in the Emerald and District Probus Club and the Emerald Returned and Services League sub-branch.

Mr McConchie said he loved to walk ev-

ery day and still delivers papers to a number of his neighbours.

“That’s what keeps me alive,“ he said.

Mr McConchie’s other love has been a number of dogs he has owned throughout his life.

Speaking on him reaching a century, his granddaughter Danielle said he says he wants to see another Christmas every year.

“I’m very happy to get there,“ he said.

L to R: Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards, Deputy Chairman of The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Penny Fowler, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopolous and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Director and Chief Executive Tim Entwisle.

Picture: SUPPLIED Ted McConchie (far right) with his fellow crew members at Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea. 341724

Tony Warden, Ken Davies, John Snewin and Ted McConchie with their Beaufort at Bundaberg in 1944.

All about being children

FiRST Early Learning operates five centres across Melbourne and all services are carefully designed and created to provide high quality education for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years.

We understand that the first 5 years of every child’s development and learning is of the upmost importance. We provide enthusiastic, qualified, experienced and loving educators together with Bachelor qualified kindergarten teachers that deliver the steps needed for quality educational curriculums to build and prepare your child for the next stages in their lives.

At FiRST, we lay the steppingstones to nurture, build and develop secure and trusting relationships with our little learners and families.

Every change, growth and milestone are celebrated and encouraged. Our environments are safe and stimulating, mixed with natural materials to offer the children exciting play spaces where they can build their creative thoughts and imaginations.

No matter what age and ability your child is when they take their first steps into our classrooms, FiRST ensures that every child and family will feel welcome and happy in our home away from home environment.

Our educators understand each child as an individual with a range of needs, wants, interests, abilities and languages.

FiRST will provide, encourage and further develop your child’s interests, ideas, theories, needs, sense of self and engage with your child in helping them to become the best they can be.

We offer swimming lessons, bush kinder, library visits, yoga, music, science, cooking, intergenerational visits with our older friends and much more. We would love to invite you in to view our beautiful centre and chat about everything we have to offer.

Email: info@fel.vic.edu.au or call Pakenham on 5922 2040.

Pakenham / Frankston South / Endeavour Hills/ Hastings. FiRST ensures that every child and family will feel welcome and happy in our home away from home environment.

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Beaconsfield Tattslotto Beaconsfield

Bendigo Bank Beaconsfield

Pickers Retro Haven Beaconsfield

Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre

Beaconsfield

Woolworths Supermarket Beaconsfield

Brentwood Milkbar Berwick

Bemersyde Bakery Berwick

Bridgewater Family & Community Centre Berwick

Berwick Springs Lucky Lotto Berwick

Enterprise Eatery Cafe Berwick

Berwick Newsagency Berwick

St John of God Hospital Berwick

Woolworths Shopping Centre Berwick

Mansfield Street Foodmart Berwick

Parkhill Plaza News and Lotto Berwick

Chemist Discount Centre Berwick

Coles Supermarket - Parkhill Plaza Shopping

Centre Berwick

Coles Supermarket - Berwick Central Berwick

O'Shea Medical Centre Berwick

Manna Gum Family & Community Centre Clyde

North

Cranbourne Newsagency Cranbourne

The Avenue Shopping Centre Cranbourne North

IGA Supermarket - Eve Estate Cranbourne North

Coles Supermarket Endeavour Hills

Woolworths Supermarket Endeavour Hills

Liberty Service Station Endeavour Hills

Ocean Blue Milk Bar Endeavour Hills

Endeavour Hills Library Endeavour Hills

7 Eleven Service Station Hallam

Joes Mini Mart Hallam

Coles Supermarket Hallam

Hallam Square News Hallam

The Junction Milk Bar Junction Village

Ritchies IGA Narre Warren

Narre Warren Newsagency Narre Warren

Fleetwood Mini-Mart Narre Warren

Casey Gardens Caravan Park Narre Warren

Narre Warren Bowls Club Narre Warren

Casey City Council Narre Warren

The Good Food Emporium Narre Warren

Westfield Fountain Gate Shopping Centre

Narre Warren

Coles Supermarket - Westfield Fountain Gate

SC Narre Warren

Woolworths Supermarket - Westfield

Fountain Gate SC Narre Warren

Coles Express - Regency Drive Narre Warren

Coles Express Narre Warren

Narre Warren North Newsagency Narre

Warren North

Coles Supermarket - Casey Central SC Narre

Warren South

Woolworths Supermarket - Casey Central SC

Narre Warren South

Casey News and Lotto - Casey Central SC

Narre Warren South

Ritchies Amberly Park Narre Warren South

Real Estate Agents - Everywhere

Placing your classified advert is so easy...

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

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

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

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

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

TILING

ElectricalApprentice Wanted

Localelectricalcompany specialisinginresidential, smallcommercialand service&maintenance lookingforFirst,Second orThirdYearApprentice. Applicantmustbemotivated,punctual,hardworking&eagertolearn. Driver'slicence&own vehicleareessential. Email:admin@hookedone lectrical.com

General Notices

parties to attend the 2023 AGM to be held at 112 High St, Berwick on Friday 21st of July 2023 at 11:00am.

General Classifieds

Registered Nurses (RN) - Permanent full time and part time positions available

Fancy a sea change?

Banfields Aged Care is part of a familyowned Australian Aged Care Group Pty Ltd (AACG), which prides itself on imagination and innovation in caring for the aged.

We are located at 192 Thompson Avenue, Cowes, Phillip Island a short stroll into town for the local beach and shops. Set amongst beautiful landscaped grounds.

Banfields Aged care is a 90 bed residential care facility which provides an extensive range of services.

We are seeking motivated and dedicated

Registered Nurses to be part of our team. Your responsibilities will be to provide nursing care guided by the Director of Care including medication management, clinical practice and supervision, documentation, wound management, and palliative care.

The successful candidates will have:

-Registered Nurse qualifications and current AHPRA registration.

-Previous experience in residential aged care essential.

-Ability to lead, motivate & educate staff.

- Strong communication skills.

- Team player qualities. Additionally, you will need:

- Current influenza vaccination.

- Three COVID-19 vaccinations.

- Current Police Check.

- Current Victorian Drivers Licence. Successful employee benefits:

-Competitive Remuneration Package (above award wages).

- Travel allowance.

- FREE onsite parking.

-Career development and progression within a growing organisation. We are a non-smoking facility.

If you believe you have the qualities and skills we are looking for please forward your resume to Reception via email reception@banfields.com.au

Part-Time Telesales Representative Star News Group

Star News Group is an innovative and dynamic media company located in Pakenham, Victoria. As a leading publisher of print and digital news, we are looking for a part-time Telesales Representative to join our team.

Overview

The successful candidate will be responsible for increasing revenue by selling our products and services to potential and existing customers via phone call. This is a part-time role with flexible hours.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of existing customers and develop relationships with new customers.

• Conduct outbound telesales calls to promote our products and services.

• Achieve and exceed sales targets and KPIs.

• Keep accurate and updated records of customer interactions and sales leads.

• Coordinate with the sales and marketing team to align sales strategies and campaigns.

• Telesales or cold-calling experience is preferred but not essential.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.

• Results driven and target-oriented mindset.

• Strong organisational and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

• Strong attention to detail.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

Print and Online Sales Executive Star

Star News Group seeks an enthusiastic sales executive to work across our print, digital, social and online platforms.

Star News Group is an independently owned company which prides itself on its long history of community experience but also its investment in the future. The successful applicant will need to possess good people skills to enable them to meet with local businesses to sell solutions through our advertising platforms to help promote their business.

Sales skills/experience:

• Ability to maintain existing professional relationships and to create new ones

• Ability to meet defined sales and activity targets

• Excellent listening skills

• Accuracy and attention to detail

• Effective time management to meet deadlines

• Ability to operate in a team

• Demonstrates initiative and flexibility

• Effective oral and written communication

Applicants will need their own reliable vehicle for which we will provide an allowance.

The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme. Send your application letter and resume to:

Advertising Sales Manager Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup.com.au

SPORT Laetisha returns to Baku

By David Nagel

Laetisha Scanlan will return to the scene of one her greatest triumphs after Shooting Australia announced its 14-strong team to compete at theWorld Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, in August.

The Berwick hot-shot won gold, silver and bronze at the ISSF World Cup at the same venue last year.

Scanlan began her clean sweep of the medal spectrum by claiming bronze in the Women’s Trap, before being the central figure in a silvermedal-winning performance by the Australian Women’s Trap Team.

The former St Margaret’s student then joined forces with James Willett to win an elusive gold medal in the Trap Mixed Team event.

Scanlan, a three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist who finished fourth at the Olympics in Tokyo, is part of a very strong team that Australia will take abroad.

Followingtheirmedalwinningperformances at ISSF World Cups this year, Penny Smith (Shotgun Women’s Trap and World Ranked 1), Willett (Shotgun Men’s Trap andWorld Ranked 2), Catherine Skinner (Shotgun Women’s Trap) and Sergei Evglevski (25m Rapid Fire Pistol) were the first athletes selected in the team.

As a finalist at the Cairo World Cup in May, Nathan Argiro also qualified for his position on the team.

The additional nine team members - Scanlan, Mitchell Iles, Aislin Jones, Joshua Bell, Elena Galiabovitch, Bailey Groves, Dane Sampson, Jack Rossiter and Elise Collier - secured their positions based on where they placed on a performance leaderboard after a four-competition domestic selection series.

Those events concluded earlier this month.

All athletes must also meet the minimum performance standards outlined in the World Championships team selection criteria.

Heading in to the most significant competition in 2023, and a crucial competitive opportunity against the world’s best in preparation

for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Shooting Australia’s High Performance Manager Kathryn Periac was excited by the challenge.

“Our goal is to support our World Championships team to enable strong performances by each of the athletes at this event, which will

in turn support critical Paris Olympic qualification requirements such as winning quota places and securing individual qualifying ranking points for the Olympic Games,” Periac said.

“Our athletes have developed and prioritised team values and behaviours to create the

environment they want to be part of, and in which they can excel, and we will be working with them to deliver an experience that is successful and positive for everyone.”

The 2023 World Championships begin on Thursday 17 August.

Berwick burst to life with five-goal blitz while Bulls buckle

By Marcus Uhe

A brilliant third quarter from Berwick has kept any slim hopes of finals qualification alive in the Eastern Football Netball League, providing the catalyst for a 38-point win over Norwood on Saturday.

Five goals in 10 minutes saw a three-point deficit at half time quickly become a 26-point lead for theWickers, and 36 at the final break, before closing the game with a 9.13 67 to 3.11 29 advantage.

Harry Money set the ball rolling in the third, pouncing on an errant kick in the Norwood defensive 50 to mark and goal, giving his side the lead in enemy territory.

Forward pressure also allowed Kyle O’Sullivan to hit the scoreboard, making something from nothing after Norwood turned the ball over again in their back 50, before Anthony Vella’s karate skills came to fore, kicking the ball out of mid-air following a marking contest for a third in five minutes, as the Wickers grasped the momentum.

Sensing the game was theirs to be won and looking to maximise its new-found energy, the Berwick defenders, led by Will Athurson, begun to move the ball with aggression out of back half, an approach the forward group seemed to delight in.

Charlie Muley was one such beneficiary, goaling for the first time since early June after his teammates moved the ball the length of the field from a full-back kick-out.

It was then the creative Vella, whose decision to take a defender on at half-forward reaped major rewards, changing angles and kicking inboard to a contest where CalebVan Oostveen had stolen a march on his defender, running into an open goal after some unselfish hands from his fellow forwards.

The 10-minute burst left Norwood bereft of answers, suddenly with its back against a

wall and facing an onslaught in white charging full-steam ahead.

What rare opportunities the home side did have in the third term, they were squandered by kicking five behinds, where Berwick, sitting on 2.8 at the half, were suddenly clinical in front of the big sticks, kicking 7.2 for the quarter.

Harrison Canning kicked two before the term was out, once following a mauling tackle from imposing ruck Jesse Cirulis that turned the ball over at half-forward, and later from a double 25-metre penalty conceded by

the home side.

One advancement was for the slow return of the ball to Canning from the opponent who infringed at a marking contest, and the other given while the umpire was in motion, and appeared to be for abusive language.

Neither managed a major in the final term, but that was of little significance for Clint Evans’ side, who registered just its third win of the campaign.

In spite of repeat deep forward entries in the final minutes of the game, Norwood was held to just one behind in the fourth quarter, making for a goalless second half and its lowest score of the 2023 season.

By contrast, it was Berwick’s second highest score for 2023, only falling short to its round one win over Vermont.

Warning signs were evident early for the visitors, who missed their first four opportunities on goal and conceded two to their hosts, before Canning finally converted late in the first term.

The game was played at a rapid pace, one in which Berwick appeared a step-behind as skill errors haunted them through the middle of the ground.

In a contest between two sides on the outer of the top six looking in, the game shaped as critical for two sides desperately trying to stay in the hunt with the break-away pack in the top half of the ladder.

New to the club in 2023, the trip of O’Sullivan, Brad Homfray and Jordan Roberts were all critical to the result, as were veterans Arthurson and Ashton Williamson.

Reigning champions Noble Park endured a difficult day at Doncaster East, registering its lowest output of 2023 in a seven-goal loss.

Going into the contest equal on premiership points, the Bulls looked inferior to the home side, only managing three goals in the

3.5 23 to 9.11 65 loss.

A bizarre breakdown in the defensive half resulted in a lone Lion in the goal-square for an embarrassing opening goal for the Bulls in the first minute of the game.

Doncaster East kicked its second minutes later with the speed of ball movement proving overwhelming for the Bulls, who struggled to impact the contest in the forward half.

Heavy rained blanketed Zerbes Reserve early in the contest, further decimating an already struggling centre-wicket area that forced both sides to explore the playing field’s extremities.

It departed at quarter time, replaced by bright sunshine, but it did not provide an uptick in productivity for the Bulls, who trailed by 14 at the first break.

The home side kicked the first three of the second term before a much-needed steadier to Chris Horton-Milne momentarily put the brakes on.

Liam Scott had the chance to make it two in a minute shortly after, but a long set shot fell short, and was rushed by the Lions defensive group.

Slippery conditions made for a stoppageheavy contest the longer the game wore on, suiting the bigger bodies of Doncaster East and the immense pressure it applied to the ball-carriers.

At its heaviest early in the third term, the Bulls were unable to make inroads, held to just two behinds and facing a 39-point deficit at the final break.

With both sides holding each other to only one in the final term, the result was never in doubt for the Lions.

Experienced heads in Horton-Milne, Jackson Casey and Ryan Morrison were among the Bulls’ best, as was Kane Marshall on senior debut.

Jordan Roberts was one of Berwick’s best on Saturday in its win over Norwood. 343185

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Laetisha Scanlan will represent Australia at the 2023 Shooting World Championships in August. 283844

Picture: AAP IMAGES

Ocaa slams six for Eagles

By David Nagel

Beaconsfield has bounced back to the winner’s list in Eastern Division One with a gutsy 22-point victory over Croydon at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.

The Eagles hit the front for the first time at the seven-minute-mark of the final term, with Hayden Brough and Jafar Ocaa then putting the finishing touches on a 10.6.66 to 6.8.44 triumph.

Coach Mick Fogarty was missing some key personnel on the weekend, with regular defenders Josh Mounter and Declan Curran both sitting on the sidelines.

Jake Stuart was also out of the side, with the Eagles welcoming back their number-one goal-kicker in Ocaa…while reserves regulars Jordyn Niezgodka and Taelor Reyment were brought into the team to fill some key vacancies.

The Blues started the better and had two on the board before the Eagles found time to settle.

Tyler Dobay kicked the first of the contest after three minutes, before Riley Constantino nailed a set shot to give the visitors a 14-0 lead after 12 minutes of play.

Devon Smith answered for the Eagles who trailed by eight points at the first break.

Ocaa, now warmed up after two weeks on the sidelines, began to have an impact in the second term, kicking two of his six goals and having a hand in Beaconsfield’s other.

The livewire opened the second-quarter scoring, converting a free kick, before the Blues rallied with goals to Blake Podesta and Matt McKenzie…the latter coming from tucked up on the boundary.

The Eagles needed to respond, trailing by 15 points midway through the second stanza.

Ocaa then kicked his second, after marking strongly in the goal-square, before the Eagles got let off the hook big time.

Dobay ran into an unguarded goal for the Blues - from 40 metres out - with Riley Britton standing in the goal-square on his own.

Dobay elected to ignore his key forward and

sprayed the shot wide.

But the Blues refused to be denied, with Aden Thompson finding space in traffic to open up a 17-point lead after 24 minutes of play.

Ocaa then set up Sam Mackinder for a set shot at goal, which he duly converted to cut the margin to 11 points at the major interval.

Beacy defendersTrent Stokoe, Harrison Coe and Niezgodka stood up well in the first half, but suffered a blow in the opening minute of the third quarter when Constantino marked open in the forward line to kick the visitors back to 17-point leaders.

It would be Croydon’s last scoring shot for the quarter, and last goal for the match, as the Eagles inch-by-inch took control of the contest.

Damien Johnston, who was having a major influence through the midfield, turned provider for Ocaa, before the Eagles’ key forward dished out some silver-service of his own.

Tracking a loose ball at full speed, Ocaa picked up the ball with one hand before firing out a handball under pressure to Michael Misso, who kicked the final goal of the third quarter and cut the deficit to three.

Croydon had its chances early in the final term, missing two gettable shots…cutting the margin to one.

The Blues would be held scoreless for the remainder of the contest, while Beaconsfield would finish strongly with some great conversion up forward.

Ocaa put the Eagles ahead for the first time with a terrific snap from the boundary - courtesy of a deliberate out-of-bounds free-kick –

before Misso set up Brough with some great reading of the play up forward.

Misso gave the Blues’ defence some legrope, but closed quickly to cause a turnover… handballing to Brough who strolled in for an open goal.

Ocaa then marked and goaled, making the margin 13 points, before putting the stamp on an emphatic performance with a clever-snap from in front of the Holm Park scoreboard.

It was a scoreboard that read 10.6.66 to 6.8.44…and the Eagles were home.

Trent Stokoe was typically tough in the clinches for the Eagles, doing some very strong things in defence, with regular stars Brandon White and Jake Bowd icing Stokoe’s intent with some class.

Ocaa’s six goals were obviously crucial for the winners, who have missed his class up forward over the last fortnight of footy.

The Eagles, now fourth, face the toughest test in Eastern Division One football, heading to South Belgrave this Saturday to take on the undefeated Saints.

BEACONSFIELD 1.1 4.1 6.3 10.6(66)

CROYDON 2.3 5.6 6.6 6.8(44)

BeaconsfieldGoals: J. Ocaa 6, S. Mackinder, M. Misso, D. Smith, H. Brough. Best: T. Stokoe, D. Johnston, H. Coe, S. Mackinder, J. Niezgodka, J. Ocaa.

Croydon Goals: R. Costantino 2, A. Thompson, M. McKenzie, T. Dobay, B. Podesta. Best: T. Dodd, A. Carter, C. Spurrell, F. Smith, J. Smith.

Other Results R12: Bayswater 19.12.126 def Lilydale 1.5.11, Montrose 10.6.66 def Mitcham 9.6.60, North Ringwood 15.12.102 def

Mooroolbark 8.8.56, Wantirna South 8.5.53 def by South Belgrave 13.16.94.

Ladder: South Belgrave 48, Mitcham 36, Montrose 32, Beaconsfield 24, Wantirna South 24, North Ringwood 24, Bayswater 20, Mooroolbark 20, Croydon 12, Lilydale 0. Fixture R13: South Belgrave (1) v Beaconsfield (4), Croydon (9) v Wantirna South (5), Mooroolbark (8) v Bayswater (7), Lilydale (10) v Montrose (3), Mitcham (2) v North Ringwood (6).

Rovers roll runaway leaders while Magpies make their mark

By Marcus Uhe

Mt Evelyn has done what no side has been able to do all year, throwing a cat amongst the pigeons with a one-goal win overWandin at the kennel.

Previously undefeated heading into the contest, you’d be hard-pressed to find a challenge in A-Grade netball bigger than not only beatingWandin, but doing it on the Bulldogs’ home court.

Having only fallen by five goals in the round one encounter and entering the contest as one of the form teams of the league, wining their last four, the Rovers were primed to do something big, and they delivered in spades.

Leading at every break, the Rovers withstood a final quarter flurry to secure the vital 52-51 victory that will resonate across the competition.

Kaitlyn Black did a superb job on Wandin star Emmalia Blake, restricting her to her second-lowest goal-scoring total of the season with 35.

The loss brings Wandin to only two points clear on the table of its conquerors and Narre Warren, in third and second respectively.

The Magpies thrashed Pakenham 66-28,

thanks largely to a breathtaking 20-2 opening quarter.

The under-strength Lions, featuring four players from their first A Grade contest of 2023, were no match for the rapid and decisive ball movement NarreWarren could offer.

Jemma Osborne was on fire under the ring for the Magpies, barely missing a shot in the

opening half as a chief benefactor of the slick ball movement.

After Pakenham were able to regroup at the first break, the Lions offered considerably more resistance to the Magpies’ ballistic movement, and had a renewed focus to maximise the height of Ashwini Nadarajah under the post.

But for every win Pakenham had, Narre Warren was a step ahead, able to answer back regularly when required.

The lead extended at every break, and a typically ruthless Magpies even saved one of their best quarters for last in a 17-7 close to the game.

Lupe Fonua continues to impress for last year’s runner up, having earned promotion from the 17-under squad earlier in the campaign, as did Pakenham pair Abby Curtis and Elayne Schneider.

Narre Warren can jump Wandin and take top-spot if they can inflict a second consecutive defeat on the Bulldogs at home next week, in what shapes as a mouth-watering contest.

At Holm Park, Beaconsfield snapped its two-game losing streak with a five-goal victory over Monbulk.

The Eagles trailed at the opening break

but outscored the Hawks 37-29 for the remainder of the contest to finish 48-43 in the ascendency.

Elizabeth Murphy made a welcome return for the Eagles, nailing 42 goals in her first game since round four.

At Upwey Tecoma, 30 goals off the bench on A-Grade debut from Sophia Bloch helped Olinda Ferny Creek thrash the Tigers.

Bloch stepped-up in the absence of Hayley Howard and filled the vacancy with aplomb in the 60-35 victory.

The reigning champions outscored the Tigers 50-26 after the first quarter in a muchneeded percentage boost as they endeavour to remain in-touch with the top four.

Berwick is back on the winners list, having thrashed Gembrook Cockatoo by 35 goals at home.

Needing a win after dropping its last six, a resolute defensive performance kept the Brookers to a miserly five goals across the second and third quarter, including just one in the third, where the home side added 16 of its own.

An even spread of contributors saw Emma Clarke add 24, Brooke Abu-Jaber 15 and Darcy Utber 17, while Chelsea Ingram added 14 for the Brookers.

Narre Warren centre Brittany Mashado looks for a teammate during the Magpies’ win over Pakenham. 344555 Picture: ROB CAREW

Jafar Ocaa starred for Beaconsfield on Saturday with six goals against Croydon. 328967

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Sizzling De La Rue

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Beaconsfield’s Kade De La Rue boosted his credentials in Victoria Country’s second national championships game.

De La Rue played off half-forward as the team made up ofVictoria’s best regional-based prospects took on Western Australia on Friday night at the WACA.

The 181cm player averaging 22 disposals for Dandenong this season typically stood up to body contact and won 24 possessions, including four inside 50s.

Vic Country and Dandenong Stingrays co-captain Harry DeMattia also played a key hand.

After showing his speed and power from stoppage in the first game, the left-footer was able to combine those traits with neat ball-use on Friday, winning a lot of his footy forward of centre and getting it deep quickly.

The strongly-built player spent the last 15 minutes off halfback after playing exclusively as a midfielder until that point.

He laid a fist into the ball in the dying stages of the game in a huge defensive effort which helped Vic Country hold on.

Billy Wilson and Beaconsfield winger/ defender Kobe Shipp were each solid for Vic Country.

Rebounding defender Wilson had his moments and stood up with a lace out pass that directly led to a goal when the match was on the line in the fourth quarter.

One watcher said that bullet to Zane Duursma had traces of Fremantle’s Hayden Young.

Jacob Grant played his first game of the championships to cap a remarkable 2023 rise.

Coming from Southern Football Netball League Division Three club Endeavour Hills, the standard of his local footy is lower than many of his Stingrays and Vic Country teammates are accustomed to.

He’s also the only one of Dandenong’s Vic

Country players to not have played any Talent League last year, having not been in the program, but he made up for lost time in preseason.

The 191cm forward has impressed with his vertical leap, which allows him to play above his size and fly for marks.

Having 10 goals from eight games for Dandenong, the testing challenge of playing with and against some of Australia’s best was an excellent education piece.

First round prospect Cooper Simpson missed the match after suffering a corkie inVic Country’s first game against South Australia, which has put the rest of his national championships carnival in doubt.

Gippsland had four representatives in ac-

tion: Lachlan Smith, Wil Dawson, Duursma and Archer Reid.

Smith was in for his first game of the championships and was competitive in the ruck as he looked to impose himself on the game against strong opposite numbers.

The Drouin ruck’s selection comes after an excellent season so far with the Power, where he averages 16 hitouts, despite having to share ruck duties with fellow Vic Country big man Wil Dawson.

After spending large parts of the first game as Vic Country’s ruck, Dawson played in defence on the weekend, assisting a height-depleted backline and further demonstrating his versatility.

Dawson has also learnt the craft of playing as a key forward at talent pathway level and spent time as a pure midfielder in multiple games this year.

Inverloch-Kongwak prospect Reid rebounded from a quiet outing against South Australia, kicking the first goal of the game and being a link player on several occasions.

Duursma coolly kicked the crucial late goal from the Wilson pass.

Vic Country defeated Western Australia by five points and will face the undefeated Allies on Sunday at RSEA Park, Moorabbin.

Familiar story as Cavaliers cross Bass Strait

By Marcus Uhe

The Casey Cavaliers’ losing streak has grown to seven matches after a 80-95 loss at home to reigning NBL1 South champions Hobart on Saturday night.

A slow first quarter in which Hobart scored 20 of the first 24 points created a gap between the two teams that the home side were never able to reel-in.

Patrick Emilien took flight for a thunderous one-handed dunk early in the game to electrify the home crown at Casey Stadium, but the highlights were few and far between for the Cavs, who didn’t score for the next six minutes of play as Hobart broke free.

BlakeTaylor and Nathan Frost kept the Cavs afloat, but the visitors took a nine-point lead into the first break.

A rally in to open the second term cut the lead to four points, with Casey’s second unit stifling the Hobart offence and inhibiting its ability to score.

A Mitch Riggs three cut the margin to three points, before the Chargers began to exploit a lack of interior presence under the basket.

As quickly as the home side worked its way back into the game, a scoring flurry from Chargers restored the separation from earlier in the contest, as Hobart took a 13-point lead into half time.

Emilien dug into his bag of tricks in the second half, displaying an impressive range of shooting prowess from both inside and beyond the three point line as the Cavs’ major offensive threat.

It was at the other end of the court, however, where the execution was not there.

Continuing to attack from under the rim, Hobart were making layups with ease to keep the Cavs at bay.

As the pressure on the ball-carrier intensified from the Cavaliers, often sending two defenders to the ball, the Chargers were able to find the resulting open player for easy baskets.

A 15-point difference at the final break was always going to be a huge ask for the home side desperate for a win.

Sampath to lead Gators in Turf 3

By Jonty Ralphsmith Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA) Turf

3 club Fountain Gate has announced respected cricket figure Chanaka ‘Ted’ Sampath will be the 202324 captain-coach.

The 33-year-old right hander will take over from Karun Sigh as captain and David Sime as coach.

He crosses from Heatherton and also has experience at Monash University, East Malvern and Tooronga in the last five seasons.

Overall, he has played 432 matches with 11,303 runs at an average of 29, while his off-spinners have netted 472 wickets at an average of 18.7 and economy rate of 3.35

Sampath also represented the Sri Lankan under-17 team.

He was the standout applicant according to president Justin Smith.

“He brings an attacking flair to complement the boys who are already there so we’re keen to see what he can do in terms of leadership,” Smith said.

“He brings professionalism and structure to the group and will help us take the next step.”

The direction of the committee appealed to Sampath before applying for the role.

“They want to give opportunities to youngsters and win premierships,” Sampath said.

“It’s a young team, so rather than hunting and grooming 10-15 people, they will be home (grown).

Scoring the first five points of the last, a 20-point lead was an even more challenging task.

But the Cavs kept the pressure on, cutting the lead to eight with four minutes remaining on the back of an 8-0 run.

A quick 6-0 run to Hobart, however, assisted by some fouling from the Cavs, restored the double-figure buffer, and was enough to sink any hopes of a remarkable comeback.

Hobart were superior in nearly all aspects of the contest, shooting better percentages from all variables, while also out-rebounding and out-assisting the hosts.

Emilien was the Cavs’ highest scorer with 18 points.

Casey’s women fared much better, getting the better of Hobart by 25 points and ending a seven game losing streak in the process.

From a 14-4 run to open the game, outside of a brief 30 seconds in the third quarter, the Cavaliers never looked back, leading at every change and finishing with a 33-18 final quarter in the 110-85 result.

A vast spread of contributors saw six players score in double figures, led by forward, Lauren Van Kluenen’s 24 and Rachel Bell’s 19.

Taylah Simmons, meanwhile, added 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The home side shot a hefty 61 per cent from the field and 52 per cent from behind the three point line in what was comfortably its highest score of the 2023 season, having breached the 100-point barrier for the first time.

Round 13 sees Casey hit the road for clashes against Frankston on Saturday night and Melbourne on Sunday.

Both teams sit 18th in their respective ladders.

“That’s the way I like local cricket to be.

“Modern day cricketers have goals for themselves – I have goals for the team.

“I want to be aggressive and give opportunities to the right people.

“I’m here to win and be positive.”

The club finished fourth last season, knocked out in the semi finals by premiers Dandenong West.

Sampath has established a preseason development squad to begin training next week where he will give one-on-one coaching before preseason proper starts on Monday 7 August.

The club also confirmed it is bracing for another full season away from Max Pawsey Reserve due to ongoing works at the ground, however they will again be able to train there.

‘Ted’ Sampath in action for previous club, Heatherton. 345508 Picture: SUPPLIED

Taylah Simmons (9) had a double-double for the Cavs in their win over Hobart on Saturday. 333279

Picture: ROB CAREW

Kade De La Rue put forward a strong performance for Vic Country 345424 Pictures: JAZZ BENNETT

Harry DeMattia charges forward.

Make FiRST Early Learning your FiRST stop!

have lots of time to give them cuddles and help them have a happy day.

Sometimes we go and visit our little friends because we want to make sure they are having a good time, just like us big kinders. Some of my friends have baby brothers and sisters and it’s so much fun visiting them throughout our busy day.

FiRST early learning — ‘About Children, being Children’ (Suostei tae anak sokh sabbay te).

Hello, how are you? My name is Savina and I am 3 years old. Did you know, I’m a big kinder girl and I’m from Cambodia.

I love FiRST early learning because the teachers are so nice and kind. They always smile when I arrive in the morning and sometimes if I am sad to leave Mummy or Daddy, my teacher gives me a big hug, holds my hand, and says, “It’s okay Savina, we have plenty of fun things for you to do when you are ready”, now that’s kind, don’t you think?

We have smaller children and babies in our centre as well, they all go and play in other rooms because they’re little, but so cute. They’re rooms are small, so their teachers

We have lots of excursions and incursions and my Mummy says I get to go to something every week. My friends and I go on a big bus to bush kinder, and my favourite is going to swimming lessons with all, my friends. It’s a big indoor pool so we get to swim all the year through, did you know I can even put my head under water and kick my legs to swim with my kick board, now that’s clever. My Mummy can’t believe it when I tell her, so my teachers show her photos, yep! my Mummy and Daddy believe it now.

We would love to invite new friends to come and play with us. Our early learning centre is truly the best, ever! Our garden is amazing, you’ve just got to see it. We’ve got bikes, swings, slides, a HUGE climbing forte that I call our palace and the biggest sandpit.

Please, please, please come and meet me and my friends, I promise you’ll really like us at FiRST early Learning, and I know you’ll love our natural and beautiful rooms, they look amazing!

I hope you can bring along more friends for us to play with and you can meet the best teachers in the world.

Thanks for reading my letter, it took me a long time to write with my teacher and

my teacher said “Savina, you are sooooooo clever”.

See you all soon, I hope!

Leahaey. Goodbye, Saum Arkoun. Thank you, Lots of love and sparkles, Savina xx

Oh, I forgot to tell you, we need some more beautiful teachers to take care of us, if you would like to know more about that, please email my friend Emma on info@firstearlylearning.vic.edu.au