The Berwick Activities Group celebrated their 30th anniversary on Wednesday 12 July.
Formerly known as the Timbarra Over 50’s Club, the group gathered to honour their many years of fun, with activities from NewVogue dancing, to carpet bowls, scrabble, card games and table tennis.
STORY PAGE 13
By Emily Chapman Laing
Coronary heart disease is the number one killer in Casey, according to recent data. The Australian Institute of Heath and Welfare have released their latest documents showing the top 20 causes of death for local government areas.
The overall biggest killer in Casey between 2017-2021 was coronary heart disease (9.7 per cent of deaths). Accoring to the Heart Foundaiton, coronary heart disease occurs when a coronary artery clogs and narrows because of a buildup of plaque.
Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol and other materials, which builds up inside artery walls and can cause the arteries to narrow and
stiffen, reducing blood flow and vital oxygen to your heart muscle. The Heart Foundation reports many Australian’s are unaware of the plaque build up until they have a heart attack or angina.
Coronary heart disease was likewise number one in Cardinia (10.8 per cent) and Greater Dandenong (10.3 per cent). Risk factors include unhealthy eating, being physically inactive, smoking, obesity, lack of good social support and age. Over the five years collated in the report, Casey’s death toll, median age at death and number of premature deaths fluctuated.
In 2017, Casey reported 675 deaths with a median age of 78.4 years and 286 premature
deaths. 2019 was Casey’s worst year in the report, with 827 deaths, a median age of 75.5 years and 401 premature deaths.
By 2021, the numbers were beginning to decline as Casey reported 793 deaths, a median age of 77 years and 354 premature deaths.
While the top ten causes of death for males and females were largely the same, there were some important differences. The top ten causes of death in males were, coronary heart disease (11.9 per cent), lung cancer (6.6 per cent), dementia (6.2 per cent), cerebrovascular disease (3.9 per cent), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.6 per cent), diabetes (3.6 per cent), suicide (3.4 per cent), prostate cancer (3.3
per cent), colorectal cancer (3.3. per cent) and heart failure (2.5 per cent).
Coronary heart disease was also the number one killer for males in Cardinia (13 per cent) and Greater Dandenong (12.1 per cent).
In females, the top ten leading causes of death were dementia (12.7 per cent), coronary heart disease (7.4 per cent), cerebrovascular disease (6.1 per cent), lung cancer (5.3 per cent), breast cancer (4.7 per cent), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4.5 per cent), colorectal cancer (3.7 per cent), diabetes (2.9 per cent), accidental falls (2.9 per cent) and heart failure (2.6 per cent).
Continued page 4
Berwick MP Brad Battin has been working out of local cafes and businesses as he struggles to find an office space.
With his old Officer-based office now outside of his electorate, the politician has been forced to look for a new place to set up.
“After the last election, the seat of Gembrook was abolished, and I nominated for the seat of Berwick,” Mr Battin said.
“My old office in Officer is in the new seat of Pakenham so I had to move.”
Mr Battin said it’s “unrealistic” for him to have an office outside of his electorate.
“It is disappointing having no office, I am elected to represent the people of Berwick, Clyde North, Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Guys Hill and Harkaway,” he said.
“It is unrealistic for them to travel to the city to see me.
“Not just unrealistic, unfair, I am the only Lower House Liberal in the area, people rely on me working with them.”
Mr Battin said Parliament has reviewed six locations so far, with more inspections to come, but suitable spaces are limited by parliamentary regulations.
“The process is difficult to say the least,” Mr Battin said.
“There are many conditions to review like security, location, signage, lease arrangements etc.
“I believe it is a bit over the top with some conditions.”
Mr Battin doesn’t have an ideal location in mind for his new office, but he has toyed with the idea of using his office location as another way to serve his location.
“It is difficult to say where I would like to be in the electorate, but access to public transport is important so all people can get to and from the office,” he said.
“Clyde North would be great with such a new community, and then I can experience
the ridiculous situation with mobile phone reception - maybe then the Government will understand.”
Mr Battin said he has had “many reactions” from locals who have witnessed his temporary work spaces in local businesses and cafes.
While some have said it’s great to see Mr Battin “out and available for people”, others are less cordial about Mr Battin “sitting in cafes all day”.
“Most are happy to see you around the area supporting small business, especially if I am shouting the latte,” Mr Battin said.
“I love the chats with people, and hearing what is really happening.
“Many people speak freely over a morning coffee and more freely before their first coffee.”
However despite the face time with his constituents, Mr Battin said other aspects of his job as a politician become “really difficult” without a permanent set up.
“It is really difficult to get admin work done, getting an internet connection is more difficult and mobile reception in Clyde North is frustrating at best,” he said.
“The most difficult part is my staff are not in one location, and our role relies on communication and working together with the community to deliver.
“We are still delivering, but it is more difficult.”
Day-to-day work life for Mr Battin can mean a lot of moving around, as he travels from cafes to community centres for meetings and admin work.
“I can’t thank enough the Pine Grove Hotel, Beaconsfield Football Club, Mana Gum Community Centre and Brentwood Community Neighbourhood House for letting me use some space,” he said.
Still, by Friday things are looking up as his meetings take “the real pub-test”.
“The advantage of a pub for the Friday meetings is it can often end in a cold beer with the locals, and again after a beer they truly speak freely,” Mr Battin said.
A purported mortgage broker in Dandenong whose home loan schemes defrauded $369,000 from vulnerable families has been jailed.
Surendrakumar Thurairatnam, 49, of Lynbrook, pleaded guilty at theVictorian County Court to 15 counts of obtaining property by deception.
Thurairatnam stripped the life savings from “already financially stressed” victims who wanted to buy their “dream” homes, Judge Michael O’Connell said on 13 July.
“As a result of their dealings with you, they have been left all the more financially vulnerable, struggling to meet basic necessities.”
Mainly from South Sudan and North Af-
rica, the victims were referred by family and friends to his business Prime Legal & Finance at the Hub Arcade in Dandenong.
Some of them arrived after being knocked back for bank loans.
Thurairatnam falsely promised to obtain home loans in return for thousands of dollars in advance.
As part of the ruse, he presented fake loan and pre-loan approval letters from major banks.
He falsely claimed to be a qualified legal practitioner, home loan specialist, mortgage broker and land broker.
Judge O’Connell said the crimes weren’t caused by “poor business practice” but by “dishonesty”.
“Each of these victims and their families
had hoped to realise their dream of buying their own home.
“You told them that you could make that dream come true and they trusted that it would.
“In each of these offences you assuredly breached that trust.“
In mitigation, Thurairatnam argued that he played a junior role at the business.
He acted under the direction of his business partner who produced the false documents and collected the victim’s deposits, he claimed.
Under cross-examination, the business partner denied the allegations – although Judge O’Connell found his evidence “wholly unsatisfactory” and “far from frank”.
But despite these “suspicions”, the judge
found Thurairatnam still had a “substantial” role in the “egregious, fraudulent enterprise”. His allegations were “completely inconsistent” with his guilty pleas.
Born and raised in Sri Lanka, the Tamil refugee was exposed to bombings and killings as part of the civil war.
His adjustment disorder, anxiety and depression deteriorated after his business closed and charges ensued.
Judge O’Connell noted his “very good” rehabilitation prospects given he had no prior convictions and had repaid nearly $60,000 to victims.
But it had taken Thurairatnam “considerable time” to take responsibility.
He was jailed for up to three years, and eligible for parole in 18 months.
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An Endeavour Hills home has been destroyed by fire on Tuesday 18 July.
Dozens of firefighters and eight appliances including a ladder platform battled for an hour to control the blaze at Endeavour Crescent as shocked residents looked on.
A Fire Rescue Victoria crew from Hallam responded at 2.43pm to reports of an undefined fire in the backyard.
The crew found the house alight.
Black thick smoke poured onto Heatherton Road prompting a community warning.
At the scene, FRV district commander Paul Caligari said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
The 40-year-old residence was destroyed, he said.
Fire appliances from Hallam, Dandenong, Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Pakenham, Scoresby, Rockville and South Melbourne as well as police and paramedics were at the scene.
An 87-year-old man and his dog died at the scene. Picture: SUPPLIED
An 87-year-old man and his dog were struck by a car on Tuesday 18 July while reportedly walking at the intersection of Heatherton and Power roads in Endeavour Hills.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Heatherton and Power roads, following reports a pedestrian had been hit by a car, just after 7.40pm.
The Endeavour Hills man along with his dog sadly died at the scene.
The37-year-oldmaledriver,alsofrom Endeavour Hills, immediately stopped at the scene to render assistance.
He has been interviewed by detectives and released pending further enquiries.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or with dashcam to come forward.
NarreWarren North cancer survivor, art teacher and author Alison Ward turned her illness into a catalyst for her creative endeavours and is now ready to showcase her first book to the world.
“The Corporate Creative: 5 Influential Ways To Build Creativity” is Alison’s exploration into how creativity can redefine the working environment, especially for people who, like Alison, “have always been different.”
“I don’t fall into a system, I can’t always conform to everything that is asked of me,” Alison said.
“My book is about creating vulnerability in a team setting, being able to allow some of the relationships to be exposed and allowing creativity in your workplace.
“I believe at the moment, we’re so led by various institutions, rules and regulations, which is very constricting when you’ve got creative energies.”
With 60 per cent of CEO’s saying they value creativity, Alison began to wonder why there was so little fostering of it in the workplace.
“It’s not rocket science,” Alison said.
“It’s about being vulnerable and opening yourself up with your team members equally, and if you’re a leader, being vulnerable with that as well
“The minute you’ve got a bit of vulnerability, you open the doors for a bit more creativity.”
At 22, Alison was diagnosed for a second time with category 2 Hodgkin’s disease, just six months after her first diagnosis.
“I hit remission very quickly, my body responded quickly to the chemotherapy,” she said.
“And then it came back at a rapid pace again, and I planned my funeral.”
Hodgkin’s disease is a general term for cancer of the lymphatic system, which limits the body’s ability to fight off infections and causes lymph nodes in the body to swell.
Alison was given a 10 per cent chance of survival.
She underwent a bone marrow transplant, which she said was the “reset” point of her life.
A natural creative, Alison decided to take a
holistic approach to managing both her health and her life going forward.
Alison set herself four goals, to walk down the aisle, to have children, to hold an art exhibition and to write a book.
“I wound up having three children naturally, which wasn’t supposed to happen because I
was deemed as infertile,” she said.
“I attribute that to lots of different things I did.
“I did organic eating, I exercised, I meditated, I read books, I fostered and nurtured my own health and I never took for granted the fact I might not be here next year or in
five years’ time.”
Alison began recording her journey as a memoir she could pass on to her children, and added “write a book” to her bucket list, alongside learning how to paint.
“It was a time when I wanted to actually have an art exhibition, but I’d never painted before,” she said.
Much like the reset in her body following the transplant, Alison’s creative endeavours also “started from scratch.”
Alison began taking art classes once a week.
“That was all I could cope with but for that two hours I thought of nothing else, just of being creative,” she said.
“I could go to that space, and I wouldn’t think about the cancer and it was the only time during my recovery that I didn’t think about my illness.”
At the same time, Alison was pushing to regain her body’s natural skills after the transplant wiped much of her movement.
“I was crawling up the stairs to get to my room,” she said.
“I was fainting for the first three months every time I had a shower, so I knew that by the time I got out, I’d sit on the floor, wrap myself in a towel and I would pass out.
“Learning to pedal a bike and actually driving again took me about six months after the transplant.”
Now 50, Alison has healed her body, obtained a fine arts degree, ticked off all of her goals and is now a secondary art teacher with plenty of impressive portraiture and realism under her belt.
She also has her own business platform, My Artistic Innovations, where she offers artistic retreats, workshops and art therapy sessions for individuals, families, businesses and groups.
“I’m truly grateful for the experience, which sounds weird,” she said.
“But I wouldn’t be where I am now, had I not had that.
“So the way I look at it, I was blessed with the gift of it.”
The Corporate Creative will be published by Ingram Spark and and will be available soon through Alison’s business website myartisticinnovations.com
From page 1
Dementia was likewise the number one killer for females in Cardinia (11.2 per cent) and Greater Dandenong (14 per cent).
Females had numerous diseases in their top 20, which men did not have.
These included hypertensive disease (1.5 per cent), diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues (1.3 per cent), ovarian cancer (1.5 per cent), uterine cancer (1.5 per cent), cardiac arrhyth-
mia (1.5 per cent) and pancreatic cancer (2.1 per cent).
Hypertensive disease, or high blood pressure, develops earlier and faster in women than in men, according to a study done by non-profit healthcare organisation CedarsSinai.
The study also showed women’s blood vessels age faster than men’s.
Males had reported deaths due to suicide (3.4 per cent), liver cancer (1.5 per
cent), liver disease (2 per cent), brain cancer (1.6 per cent) and accidental poisoning (1.5 per cent), which were not present in the female data.
According to the Australian Mens Health Forum (AMHF), there are five key risk factors for male suicide.
These include relationships, where men who commit suicide are more likely to be single or recently separated, and unemployment, where unemployed men are reported to be nearly ten times more likely to commit
suicide than employed men.
AMHF reports as many as 1 in 5 male suicides are linked to problems with finances and 1 in 2 suicides are linked to physical health problems.
An Australian Burden of Disease study revealed men account for 87 per cent of deaths from alcohol related suicides, with around 40 per cent of male suicides linked to alcohol and drug problems and 4 out of 5 male suicides being associated with alcohol and substance abuse.
New-announced measures to reduce pokies harm have been welcomed by the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
With Casey reporting a huge net expenditure of $146,366,433.68 in the past 12 months, the new limits may help to lessen the amount of cash lost by players each year.
The expenditure reported for the 12 months between July 2019 and June 2020 was substantially lower, at $98,000,778.71.
The figures continued to rise during the pandemic period, with 2021-2022 reporting $114,664,060.26 in expenditure.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM said the council is “committed” to “practical and impactful” measured for curbing gambling harm.
“Earlier this year we signed a joint letter to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews expressing our concerns, and called on the Victorian Government to seize upon the national momentum for progressive gambling reform to protect our communities, and this includes the introduction of mandatory cashless precommitment cards.” she said.
“Council is currently developing a Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy, a commitment made as part of our Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2021–25.
“We take a public health approach to the issue, focusing on primary prevention, education, and support for those most vulnerable to its impacts. As part of our policy development, we will continue to identify measures that will minimise gambling harm in our local context.”
Premier Daniel Andrews on 16 July announced mandatory pre-commitment limits and cards for all gaming machines.
Gamblers’ ‘load-up’ limits will also drop from $1000 to $100, EGM spin rates will slow to three seconds a game, and all pokie venues except Crown Casino will close between 4am10am.
“These reforms will provide the strongest gambling harm preventions and anti-money laundering measures in Australia – we owe it to allVictorians to take this stance and help those experiencing harm turn their lives around,” Mr Andrews said.
The mandatory pre-commitment, carded play and load up limits will be introduced subject to thorough consultation with industry through an implementation working group.
The mandatory closure periods will be en-
forced by mid-2024.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocateTim Costello said the“significant” reforms were long awaited.
“These reforms appear to be very significant, especially the introduction of mandatory carded play with set loss limits of no more than $100 a day,” Rev. Costello said.
“We still need to see all of the details, but this will go a long way towards minimising
gambling harm in our community as well as reducing the huge amounts of dirty money being laundered through poker machines.”
According to the Government, an estimated 330,000 Victorians experience harm from gambling each year.
Dr Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor and Head of Gambling and Social Determinants Unit at Monash University said the announcement is “very welcome”.
“It will do a great deal to prevent avoidable harm, and it will provide those who wish to use poker machines with a powerful tool to manage their gambling expenditure – both for time and money,” he said.
“This will certainly reduce the uptake of harmful gambling habits and the subsequent disasters that can flow from this – including financial, relationship, mental and physical health, and criminal issues.
“Unfortunately, no timeline has been announced for the major reforms – including the pre-commitment system.”
Dr Livingstone said this is “surprising, given that the voluntary YourPlay system, already operating across all Victorian pokies, could readily be adapted to a universal pre-commitment system”.
“This could be achieved rapidly,” he said.
The government will work with the gambling industry extensively through the proposal, and Dr Livingtone fears this leaves the government susceptible to the “highly skilled influencing” of harmful industries.
“The government should ensure that gambling industry involvement does not slow down the implementation of this overdue development,” he said.
“I appreciate that the government feels the need to consult with industry.
“However, the situation is a little like consulting with a fox on the design of the new henhouse.”
We hear daily of the difficulties Australians are facing due to the rising cost of living, interest rates and the measures being put in place to notionally reduce inflation, but it seems, out here in Casey, that these difficulties have targeted us - our community - and that we are suffering more than most.
In one day, this week, here at Casey North Community Information and Support Service, we met with a 54-year-old lady who recently lost her job and is now living in her car with her two dogs. We had no housing or even shelter options to offer.
A young mother came to us for help to purchase food. She had her primary school aged child with her, unable to send him to school without the lunch she had no way of supplying.
A family that are paying 60 per cent of their income in rent; it is hard to imagine that the vouchers we gave them to purchase food, assistance to apply for a utility relief grant and part payment of their phone bill will provide a permanent solution for them.
Or the tragic case of a young fellow with ongoing mental health illness, who is struggling to survive on Job Seeker, has no employment prospects, but has no way of paying for the mandatory consults required with a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist needed to prove his eligibility for a disability pension. Wait times for those very few providers that will supply this service for free are now in excess of two years out here.
While the faces change, we are hearing this story in a variety of iterations, hundreds of times each week.
It may seem that these are those unlikely to be fuelling inflation with their ‘extravagant spending’, but they do seem to be the ones bearing the brunt of the current cost of living increases and critical affordable housing shortage.
Sadly too, it seems that their plight may well worsen in the near and foreseeable future. They are already struggling to eat, and most are not able to afford to heat their home - that is those that have a home. What further sacrifices should they be forced to make for the ‘good of all’?
It is important to realise that those in this group are not resilient, they have no reserves and cannot pass their financial pain on to their tenants, reap the benefits of the huge profits being made by the banks, power companies and other big businesses, attract the ridiculously high salaries being paid to our corporate leaders, nor do they have a reserve of funds they can draw on to avert the crisis they face.
If we accept that, across Australia, many low-income earners, casual workers or those who are on benefits; renters or those with a high and recently acquired mortgage; large families, and, of course, those who have no income at all, now face severe financial stress.
We also must ask - why can’t we distribute this financial pain more evenly across our population and why is the problem so much worse out here in Casey?
There are many distinguishing features which, together, combine to make Casey home to a disproportionally large number of men, wom-
en and children affected by the current cost of living crisis:
· Casey has the highest proportion of households holding a mortgage (56.2 per cent) of any local government area in Victoria.
· Wearea‘growthcorridor’withhugeamounts of housing under construction and so, greatly impacted by the recent collapse of several major building companies. Remember the news of a ‘close to completion’ house being set on fire following the announcement of the collapse of one of these companies? That house is in Casey!
· Anecdotally too, we hear that houses that are completed are often used for investment purposes and never occupied.
· There is little public or community housing comparative to the numbers found in inner Melbourne suburbs.
· Mortgage rates are five per cent higher in Casey than the Victorian average, rents are also, on average higher, even though people come here to get cheap houses and cheap rent.
· People are more likely to use a car to get to work and to use that car for much longer distances than their inner-city counterparts, often travelling on crowded, slow-moving freeways with few preferable alternate options.
· Casey is geographically large, travel across the area is difficult if you don’t have a car and petrol costs are high.
· Census data shows that, at the time the Census was taken, Casey had the second highest rate of homelessness in the state, and was clearly the winner in the homeless category counting those living in severely overcrowded housing.
· Between the 2016 and 2021 Census, homelessness in Casey increased by 45 per cent as compared to 23 per cent in the rest of the state.
Thumbs up
To my staffy who had her first excursion to the beach and had the time of her life. Definitely worth the sandy car.
Thumbs down
To people who comment negative and unfounded abuse on Facebook. Get a life!
Thumbs down
Hampton Park Community House was robbed. Our maintenance man had all his tools stolen from a padlocked storage cupboard.
Thumbs down
For no sewerage in Cranbourne South.
Thumbs up
To Pearcedale Baxter Junior Football Club Volunteers. Running a club of juniors with no club rooms and a makeshift canteen. Without them our kids don’t play. Their efforts do NOT go unnoticed. Go Dales.
Thumbs down
Potholes and no drainage in unsealed roads where needed.
· We need 6800 more affordable houses in Casey to meet the 2021 identified needs of our population, yet the Big Build will only provide 159.
· Casey is an area of high population growth; current data indicates that there are 500 to 600 babies born each month in Casey.
· From 2016 to 2022, an additional 65,683 people moved to Casey, a population increase of 21 per cent.
· Twenty-six per cent of all schools built inVictoria between 2020 and 2022, inclusive, were in Casey.
· Casey is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse local government areas in Australia, with citizens speaking over 120 different languages.
· We are also home to a large Afghan population, most of whom have come to our country on a humanitarian visa with little to no resources at their disposal. Afghani’s form 25 per cent of the Casey North Community and Information Support Service client group overall and over 50 per cent of those who attend our service and who were not born in Australia.
While here in Casey we clearly have more than our fair share of those who are the primary and referred victims of the current cost of living pain, conversely, we have far fewer services than the now, largely gentrified, inner suburbs of Melbourne and certainly far fewer mature, well established and resourced charities, nor the time-tested coordination of those resources, that can be found in the more settled and established suburbs of Melbourne.
Symptoms of stress within our community abound, with one of the saddest being instances of family violence experienced in our area, the rate of which is the highest in the state by a considerable margin.
Casey North Community Information and
Thumbs down
For pot holes in our roads.
Thumbs down
Casey fields dog Park full of mud, smells like sewerage (with green yucky liquid). So many dogs are coming to this park each day and this issue is been going on for months.
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No footpaths on our side of the road - only mud. Festival Terrace.
Support Service has served the local community for the past 26 years, and we see and feel the pain of our community in crisis. We bear the frustration of being unable to provide the permanent solutions our volunteers and professional counselling team could once supply due to the sheer poverty of those presenting for help which no amount of budgeting, counselling, advocacy or one-off assistance or referrals for relief from our community partners can permanently address.
Alongside this, we face the dual impost imposed by the reduction in the real value of the vouchers and goods we offer to support those in need, constrained, as we are, by the inability to offer more due to our growing operating costs which have effectively reduced the value of the funding we receive.
We are currently considering whether we will have to ‘cancel Christmas’ to allow us to fully target the resources we have to emergency relief and crisis supports.
In previous years, we have helped over 200 families with Christmas food hampers and presents for the children. While the goods we distribute are donated, the coordination and giving falls to paid staff and volunteers who are diverted from their usual emergency relief or crisis support roles to provide this service - we cannot afford to do that this year.
Compounding all the above is the reduction in assistance we can levy from our community service partners and philanthropic trusts, all of whom face the same increase in demand and the same reduction in the real value of the funding they receive and supports they usually offer.
While an increase in our funding base, an offer of sponsorship or a surge in our donations would all be of real assistance, financial solutions cannot be the only lever applied to help to lessen the pain individuals and families in Casey are currently experiencing.
Surely policy across all levels of Government could effectively work to shift some of the burden of the increasing cost of living from the shoulders of the already poor to those better resourced to bear the burden without falling into crisis.
And in Casey itself, where the numbers in absolute poverty are higher than elsewhere in the state, can government, charities and philanthropic trusts, please recognise and acknowledge the immense need out here and allocate us our fair share of resources, including community supports and a genuine, commensurate share of funding.
Members of our community deserve to receive the same supports as their counterparts elsewhere, in terms of the timely, professional assistance that they need to help solve the plethora of problems they face and reduce the health, safety and/or well-being deficits they currently experience.
We only ask that government, at all levels, take ownership of this problem, and on a broad scale, act together to disperse the cost of living burden amongst those who can best bear the added load; and for us here in Casey, recognise that the actions or lack of actions they have taken to date with regards to the current cost of living increases, have affected us disproportionally and that we, more than most, need their focused support.
Casey Council has unveiled a draft strategy to boost the region’s sub-average amount of tree canopy.
Thefkn Grouch
Maybe if land development was stopped some 20 years ago we would still have green spaces! Who remembers the football grounds that were where the Anaconda Narre Warren site is?
Jindivick local Mary Longden is an internationally successful equestrian coach, yet competition is not the sole driver.
Jo Victoria Mary’s work with Riding for the Disabled, teaching volunteers, giving awesome advice to coaches and helping riders is invaluable. Mary is pictured with another outstanding RDA coach.
By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A popular mixed-martial arts gym in Dandenong South has been destroyed in what police suspect was a “targeted” and “deliberate” arson attack.
Police say that a car was used to crash through the front door of Fighters Xpress about 3.30am on Sunday 16 July.
Accelerant was poured through the 50-metre by 20-metre building on Lonsdale Street and set alight.
“We’ve got a scene of absolute desolation,” Arson and Explosive Squad’s Inspector Chris Murray told reporters.
Arson and Explosive Squad, Echo Taskforce and VIPER detectives are investigating whether the blaze is linked to an outbreak of feudfuelled arson attacks across Melbourne.
Middle Eastern organised crime groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs are said to be involved in the spree.
“We will be significantly upping the ante as the result of this,” Insp Murray said.
“We will be looking at why this premises was targeted, what the possible motives were.
“Our response is going to be absolutely significant. If you’re behind this, if you’re associated with people involved in this, we will be paying you a visit – mark my words.”
In a social media post, Fighters Xpress owner and renowned kickboxer Sleman Aschna slammed the “weak little cowards” and vowed to build a“bigger and better” gym for its“many kids and families”.
“Please don’t do kiddy s*** and if you’re going to try be a thug or gangsta don’t target kids and families training facilities, or innocent people, shame on you!
“All of our staff and members that attend and train at the gym have zero gang relations and none are involved in any war that the media is portraying us to be apart of.
“If anyone has problems with individuals
that used to be part of the gym, please chase it up directly with them you cowards.
“Just scared little boys hiding behind your phones.”
FRV and CFA firefighters battled for more than 75 minutes to bring the inferno under control.
The fire damaged a next-door cafe, which owners say they bought three years ago and only opened for a month.
“We lost a part of us,” owner Emma Mekonnen told reporters.
Shortly after the blaze was lit, a vehicle was set on fire in Canberra Avenue, Dandenong and melted part of a resident’s car.
Police believe the incident is linked to the gym blaze.
Fighters Xpress is the training base for teenage world champion kickboxer Melisa Muselovic. It has also hosted visiting world
champions such as UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov.
In 2019, the same gym was targeted by a suspicious fire, which started in an outside hard-rubbish.
On that occasion, the building suffered significant smoke damage.
Any information or vision to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.
Fifty-six time award winning Narre Warren high tech business Successful Endeavours has yet again been nominated, hoping to add another shiny frame to their Hall of Fame wall.
Successful Endeavours is run by Endeavour Hills husband and wife duo Ray and Junette Keefe and specialises in electronics design, embedded software and manufacturing.
On 7 June, the couple found out they had been chosen by theVictorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) as a finalist for the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards with winners to be announced in August.
In 2022, Ray and Junette were awarded the Best Complex Electronic Technology Business 2022 at the Australian Made Awards.
Successful Endeavours was a finalist for the Endeavour Awards 2022, national manufacturing industry awards in which they ended up taking home Industrial Product of the Year for their Plumb Guard Bluetooth device, which helps prevent plumbers from being electrocuted on the job.
“You connect it to pipes that plumbers are working on, and if a hazardous voltage appears on the pipes, it goes off,“ Mr Keefe said.
“Lots of noise, bright flashing LEDs, and it also connects to an app on their phone.“
This year, the Plumb Guard was a finalist for the IoT Impact Awards Health category, but the winning spot was “pipped“ by Telstra.
The company works on a variety of different projects, from high voltage power distribution equipment, to cell therapy machines, to digital bagpipes.
The cell therapy machines allow biological samples to be taken and isolated down to a particular cell type.
From this, DNA can be removed and reintroduced to “cure diseases“ that come about from having “bugs in your own DNA“.
The cell therapy machine has been used to treat haemophilia, where blood fails to clot properly.
“They can actually replace the broken gene,“ Mr Keefe said.
“Our part of the project was the electronics and software pieces in the guts of the machine to the circuit boards.“
Perhaps the most unique project from the company is their digital bagpipes.
“Bagpipe players have three problems,“ Mr Keefe said.
“Firstly, the instrument is quite large, secondly, it’s quite loud and thirdly, not everybody likes the sound of them.
“One of our clients is a professional bagpipe player and he was looking for something players could use to practice.“
With the digital bagpipes, players can plug in their headphones and “play away“ with real bagpipe sound samples programmed into the device.
But Mr Keefe’s true passion project from the company has been the creation of a world-first IND technology, used to find electricity grid faults to within a few metres, so
they can be repaired.
“This is another high voltage power distribution project, and it’s sampling 250 million times per second,“ he said.
“It’s looking for signatures of particular events and when a fault is seen by two units we can calculate where the event was happening.
“The idea is you can pick up the signature of these events four to eight weeks before they actually happen, then you can do preventative maintenance before you have a disaster.“
The Victorian Bushfire Amelioration Fund has trialled 62 of the devices, which Mr Keefe said was “an overwhelming success“.
The device has also become incredibly popular in California, where penalties for power companies are higher.
Mr Keefe said he owes much of his success to his business coaching.
“Back in 2006, I realised that the business wasn’t growing the way I wasn’t and wasn’t achieving the goals that I wanted for it,“ he said.
“And I realised that I didn’t know what to do to change that, which meant I was lacking in business education.“
When you walk into the Successful Endeavours office suite, you will see awards on almost every wall, spanning over a decade.
To Mr Keefe, it is the continued recognition of his business that helps keep Successful Endeavours above the “noise“ of social media and SEO optimisation.
“Every year we look at what we can do to continue to give people the confidence to contact us,“ Mr Keefe said.
“One of the jokes we made when we moved into this office was that I was moving for the wall space, not the floor space.“
Having tangible examples of their success also helps to “encourage“ the staff “to appreciate who they are and what they’re doing“, Mr Keefe said.
Sustainability is important to Mr Keefe and it shows through the operation of his business.
After the work from home orders of the pandemic, Mr Keefe realised he could contribute to a greener world by offering work from home options after COVID restrictions eased.
“This is keeping people off of the road,“ he said.
“With sustainability one of the things we’ve got to do is stop people driving around when they don’t need to drive around.“
Another project one of Mr Keefe’s team members is working on will help to reduce the amount of coal needed to burn in a coal-fired power station by 15 per cent.
The company is also looking to give back to the economy, with their recent venture into manufacturing set to create more jobs.
“Manufacturing creates a lot of other jobs around it,“ Mr Keefe said.
“The estimate is that one job in manufacturing directly generates five jobs around it.
“You’ve got office workers, accountants, lawyers, cleaners, suppliers and the guy with the coffee cart.“
Mr Keefe said he also values manufacturing for its ability to“spread wealth more evenly through a community“, as the chain of jobs hires workers at “every level“.
Casey will soon have to say goodbye to Successful Endeavour’s Narre Warren office as the team move to Dandenong South to a larger design office and dedicated factory.
Community Information and Support Cranbourne (CISC) employee Leanne Petrides from has warned locals can expect restrictions in the emergency support available to them as the new financial year begins.
Ms Petrides, who has worked at CISS for 24 years, has spoken openly about the Federal Government failing to match funding to demand for emergency relief support in the South Casey area.
“I’ve never seen the situation quite so bad,“ she said.
“We’ve got a more vulnerable community, we’ve got a massive cost of living crisis and I’m seeing more people at imminent risk of homelessness.
“Since the first of July we’ve been forced to halve the amount of financial assistance we can give people and the number of appointments we have each day.“
Ms Petrides said CISC staff are having to turn away around 10 families each day to keep in line with the new budget.
She fears the toll turning people away will have on the “desperate“ families seeking help, as well as the volunteers who are unable to provide the level of care they are accustomed to offering.
“The hardest thing is the distress,“ Ms Petrides said.
“The impact is just so hard.“
In response, CISC has implemented longer appointment times for the families they are able to help, to ensure everything possible is being done to ease their situational burdens.
“Our financial counsellors have said that about 90 per cent of the clients have jobs, but are just falling off of that cliff,“ Ms Petrides said.
In a video posted on Thursday 5 July, Ms Petrides said this financial year, the help pro-
vided by the support centre “might look a little bit different“.
“Times are tough, we struggle when we go to the petrol station, people are struggling to pay utility bills and keep a roof over their head,“ she said.
“We know that going to the supermarket can really put a strain on the household budget.
“Unfortunately, with the massive increase in demand and our funding not keeping up with that, we are forced to restrict the level of voucher support that we are able to provide people.“
CISC offers a range of supports, including energy bill relief, food vouchers, emergency grocery items, petrol vouchers, medication vouchers, financial counselling, gambler’s help and refugee support.
All of these resources have felt the brunt of a weak budget, which Ms Petrides said would
need to be“doubled“, just to meet baseline demand.
“At the moment, the Federal Government funds emergency relief across Australia, giving $50 million annually, a drop in the ocean,“ she said.
“They can absolutely afford to double that at a minimum.
“What we need is some coordination of funding so that we can actually build capacity to service the community.“
As inflation sees soaring costs for daily necessities, CISC staff are finding their vouchers aren’t getting people very far.
“It kills us when we see petrol jump,“ Ms Petrides said.
At the Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce event on Thursday 5 July, Ms Petrides questioned Federal Member for Holt Cassandra Fernando about the insufficient funding being
Berwick College students from years 9-12 took the next step in planning for their futures at their annual career expo on Tuesday 18 July.
The Berwick Leisure Centre was framed with education providers ready to chat with students about their next steps.
Berwick College VET Leader Karen Crawley said the expo is just one part of the career preparation offered to students.
“The expo follows our career education sessions throughout terms one and two, where the students complete a Career Action Plan,“ she said.
“At the expo the students can go and visit their providers, gather information, take it home and share it with their parents and go from there.
“And they can attend their career counselling fully prepared.“
Representatives from major education precincts attended, including Monash University, Deakin University, Deakin College, Federation University, University of Melbourne, Chisholm, Holmesglen, JMC Academy and Spectrum Dance Studios.
Ms Crawley said career preparation allows students to “make a connection“ between their schooling and their future pathway.
“Career planning helps to engage the students with their schooling,“ Ms Crawley said.
“It keeps them involved and helps them build a program at school that they are invested in.“
Students were given time to approach stalls of interest and ask questions about pathways to their future careers from their own “safe space“.
“By bringing the providers out here, the students can just walk over and have a chat,“ Ms Crawley said.
“They’re in their own safe space and can just get any information they need.
“It’s been such a success.“
offered to keep families afloat during the cost of living crisis.
Ms Fernando said she understands funding often fails to meet demand for the services support centres provide.
“We must always strive to support them more,“ she said.
“The Albanese Government is providing further support in the form of increases across the board to Commonwealth payments like Jobseeker, Youth and Study Allowance, and Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
“We have made changes to income thresholds for individuals and couples to access the pension, meaning more seniors can get this vital payment.“
Ms Fernando offered, in response, the various ways she believes the Federal Government is tacking the cost of living crisis.
“We have made medicines under the PBS cheaper – the first time this has happened in its 75-year history,“ she said.
“We have made a historic $3.5 billion investment into Bulk-Billing incentives to increase the coverage of bulkbilling across the country.
“We are implementing 60-day prescriptions – which for many will mean less visits to the GP and a saving of up to $180 a year if eligible and concession card holders will save up to $43.80 a year per medicine.“
Ms Petrides commends Ms Fernando’s involvement in advocating for CISC, but remains unimpressed by the meagre day-to-day increases offered by the Federal Government.
“Twenty dollars isn’t enough, forty dollars isn’t enough,“ she said.
“It’s nowhere near, you just have to look at the increasing rates alone.
“People are on a treadmill, and at the moment, despite all of those things, it’s one step forward, two steps back.“
Twin double-storey units have been approved in a Eumemmerring backyard despite opposition from Casey Council.
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal member Megan Carew granted the permit at the rear of a one-storey house at 26 McLennan Street.
Casey had originally refused the permit in the predominantly single-storey neighbourhood.
It remained opposed to amended plans, which still “squeezed“ the twobedroom dwellings with single car spaces into the back yard.
The pair of homes would create “unacceptable visual bulk” , Casey argued.
They did not fit Doveton-Eumemmerring’s neighbourhood character policy, which was for “established, diverse areas with attractive, open, treed streetscapes and a strong, proud sense of place”, according to the council.
On 17 July, Ms Carew ruled there was no dispute that the site was suitable for medium density housing.
“The area does have an open feel, but the traditional suburban character is changing with new redevelopment occurring for medium density housing.”
She noted that next-door sites recently added extra backyard dwellings – albeit single-storey units.
Ms Carew found there was sufficient space for canopy trees to “contribute” to the area’s garden character.
She granted a permit with further alterations, including enlarging the private open space.
The cold weather can affect our bodies in various ways, but it can have a particular impact on our feet and legs, which we rely on for so much of our daily activity. But why?We spoke to one of Australia’s most experienced musculoskeletal podiatrists, Dr. Paul Dowie from Foot and Leg Pain Clinics, to get some insights on how the cold weather affects pain and injuries and what you can do to help.
“Winter doesn’t have to be synonymous with increased foot and leg pain. However, cold temperatures can impact your pain and injuries, particularly in the feet, ankles, and knees. Cold weather can constrict blood vessels, reduce blood flow and circulation, increase joint and tissue stiffness, aggravate pain, injuries, and arthritic conditions, affect mobility, and increase the risk of injuries. Wet and icy conditions also increase the risk of slips and falls,“ says Dr. Dowie.
To combat these issues, Dr. Dowie recommends the following:
· Staying active. Rug up and walk, go to the gym, an indoor heated pool, or use a home exercise bike. Exercise improves blood flow and circulation, assisting with aches, pains, and stiffness.
· Stretching or yoga. These can assist flexibility and mobility of joints and tissues.
· Be cautious outside when wet or icy.Wear shoes with good traction and support.
· Consider support products for existing injuries e.g. knee/ankle braces or strapping.
· If you’re spending more time at home, in-
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. BPH affects up to 50% of men over the age of 50, and the incidence increases with increasing age.
It is often associated with the development of troublesome urinary symptoms, which can adversely affect a man’s quality of life. The symptoms of BPH can vary from person to person, but typically include straining or difficulty to begin urination, weak urine flow, stop-start urine flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, a sudden urge to urinate, and frequent need to urinate overnight. Men who are experiencing urinary symptoms should ask their GP for a referral to visit a urologist for an assessment.
To diagnose BPH, the urologists at Melbourne Urology Centre take a thorough patient
history, to assess the severity of the patient’s symptoms. An examination is performed, and then further tests may be requested as required. The examination may involve a questionnaire, mid-stream urine test, PSA blood test, renal tract ultrasound, flow rate, and/or flexible cystoscopy.
At Melbourne Urology Centre, Dr Shekib Shahbaz and Dr Tony de Sousa offer patients a range of medical and surgical treatment options for BPH. Your urologist will tailor and individual treatment plan that is most appropriate for your condition and lifestyle. You can find more information on our website at www. melbourneurologycentre.com.au
Our main rooms are located at the Specialist Centre adjacent to St John of God Hospital in Berwick. Should you wish to make an appointment with our urologists, please telephone our rooms on 1300 702 811.
doors, make sure you wear comfortable, supportive shoes. Socks and slippers can contribute to bad foot posture or slips and falls.
· Dress appropriately by wearing warm, layered clothing, thermal socks, and waterproof footwear to maintain body heat.
· If you have persistent or recurring foot or leg pain, seek professional advice from a lower limb musculoskeletal expert. If you need assistance with foot and leg pain or injuries, you can see Dr. Dowie at his Berwick clinic or other locations across Melbourne. Call 1300 328 300.
When it comes to healthcare practitioners, finding someone who possesses both expertise and a genuine passion for patient well-being can make all the difference. Beaconsfield residents and sorrounds have been fortunate to have Hayden, an experienced and highly qualified osteopath, serving their community. With a diverse educational background and a deep commitment to helping patients overcome musculoskeletal issues, Hayden has become a trusted name at Casey Osteo over the past two years.
Hayden’s educational journey reflects his dedication to his craft. He holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Health Science (Osteo) fromVictoria University, which have equipped him with a strong foundation in osteopathic principles and techniques. In addition, he earned a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science from Deakin University, demonstrating his multidisciplinary approach to healthcare.
Hayden’s enthusiasm for his work shines through in his special interest in treating acute and chronic low back and neck pain. His extensive knowledge and experience enable him to address these conditions effectively, providing relief and improved quality of life for his patients. What sets Hayden apart is his integration of exercise rehabilitation strategies with manual therapy techniques. By combining these approaches, he empowers his patients to achieve optimal outcomes and regain their functionality.
Beyond his professional qualifications, Hayden’s personal connection to the Berwick area adds a unique touch to his practice. Growing up in this community, he understands the needs and concerns of the local residents, forging strong bonds with his patients. His empathetic approach, combined with his expertise, creates a supportive and compassion-
Dr AdamWallace, a dental professional with over 17 years of experience, has established himself as a prominent figure in the field of dentistry. Born and raised in the vicinity of Leongatha, South Gippsland, Dr Wallace’s journey in the dental profession has been marked by academic excellence and a commitment to providing exceptional patient care.
Dr Wallace’s educational background is impressive, having completed his Dentistry and Orthodontic specialist training at the prestigious University of Melbourne. He has continued to contribute to the field by lecturing, demonstrating, and examining students at his alma mater. His dedication to academics led him to pursue a Master’s degree, during which he conducted significant research on the effects of bisphosphonate use on the treatment of benign bone disease and impaired dental healing.
ate environment where patients feel heard and understood.
Outside the clinic, Hayden leads an active lifestyle that complements his professional endeavors. As an avid surfer, he finds solace in the waves, embracing the therapeutic benefits of nature. He also enjoys playing golf, nurturing his passion for physical activity and wellbeing.
Patients in need of Hayden’s expertise will find his availability particularly convenient. He is present all day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, as well as every Saturday morning, ensuring that individuals can seek his assistance without constraints.
Casey Osteo, 2 Stella St, Beaconsfield VIC 3807 Phone: (03) 9769 9881 caseyosteo.com.au
Throughout his career, Wallace has actively engaged in various academic roles with Melbourne University, including serving as the Clinical Practice and Specialist Areas in Dentistry (Orthodontics) Convenor for the Bachelor of Oral Health program. Additionally, he has been associated with the Australian Dental Council and is an active member of esteemed professional organisations such as the Australian Society of Orthodontists and the Australian Dental Association. He has also expanded his professional network by being a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the World Federation of Orthodontists.
Dr AdamWallace’s dedication to advancing the field of dentistry is evident through his ongoing research efforts. His doctoral thesis, a comprehensive study comparing the treatment outcomes of Invisalign and
traditional braces, holds significant promise and is expected to be published in the near future. By contributing to the body of knowledge in orthodontics, Wallace aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of dental treatments, benefiting patients worldwide.
Dr Adam Wallace’s remarkable journey in the dental profession exemplifies his unwavering commitment to excellence. Through his academic pursuits, patientcentered approach, and contributions to the scientific community, he has become a respected figure in dentistry. With his gentle nature and expertise, Dr Adam Wallace continues to transform lives by providing specialist care and helping patients achieve radiant smiles.
South East Orthodontics is situated at Suite 5, Level 1/18-24 Clyde Road, Berwick, phone 9330 0702.
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.
The Berwick Activities Group celebrated their 30th anniversary on Wednesday 12 July.
Formerly known as the Timbarra Over 50’s Club, the group gathered to honour their many years of fun, with activities from New Vogue dancing, to carpet bowls, scrabble, card games and table tennis.
“It’s something special for a unique club to last 30 years and provide activity for people, we want to celebrate it,“ Club President David Baker said.
“The hall was so beautifully decorated.
“It turned out to be a great day and after lunch we had an anniversary cake and entertainment.“
The club hosts anniversary celebrations every ten years.
This year, around 75 members came together to enjoy a catered meal, delicious cake and a performance by the “Singing Cowboy“.
Former members were invited, alongside foundation member, 94-year-old Iris Eckhardt, who helped start the club 30 years ago.
“It was very good, I really enjoyed it,“ Iris said.
“I used to play table tennis every Wednesday, everybody is very friendly.“
The various committees from the club have maintained a great relationship with their members overt the years, planning day trips and luncheons around Melbourne as well as social group nights.
“I’m hoping the club keeps going for another 10 years after this,“ Mr Baker said.
Year 7, 8, and 9 students at Hampton Park Secondary College were treated to a remarkable experience as they gathered to witness a captivating presentation by the acclaimed Aboriginal musician and motivational speaker, Scott Darlow on Monday 10 July.
With his exceptional musical talent, magnetic stage presence, and compelling life story, theYortaYorta musician captivated the hearts and minds of the young audience.
“Hampton Park Secondary College takes great pride in being a diverse school that celebrates the rich tapestry of cultures within its student body,” said Cultural Diversity Coordinator Sally Carruthers.
“Among these diverse cultures, the Aboriginal heritage holds immense significance, and it is crucial that we honour and celebrate the traditions, history, and contributions of our Aboriginal students and community members.
“Recognising and celebrating Aboriginal culture not only fosters a sense of belonging and pride among our Indigenous students but also enhances the understanding and appreciation of all students for the diverse cultures that exist within our school and the wider community.”
Excitement rippled through the air as the auditorium filled with eager students from
Hampton Park Secondary College.
The anticipation was palpable, and the stage was adorned with musical instruments, creating an immersive environment.
Mr Darlow kicked off the presentation with a captivating musical performance, skilfully blending his exceptional guitar playing and mesmerising vocals.
The students were instantly drawn into
the magic of his music.
Mr Darlow’s songs carried messages of resilience, unity, and the power of self-expression, leaving a profound impact on the young minds.
As the performance continued, Mr Darlow opened up about his personal journey, sharing stories of triumph and overcoming challenges.
He emphasised the importance of perseverance, even when faced with obstacles, and urged the students to embrace resilience in their own lives.
By narrating his own struggles,Mr Darlow fostered a sense of empathy and connection among the students, inspiring them to navigate their own challenges with courage and determination.
An essential message in Mr Darlow’s presentation was the power of self-belief.
He urged the students to dream big, set audacious goals, and believe in their abilities to achieve them.
Mr Darlow shared personal anecdotes and empowering stories, reminding the students that their dreams are within reach if they have the courage to pursue them.
He encouraged them to silence their inner critic and embrace the limitless potential within themselves.
Mr Darlow’s presentation at Hampton Park Secondary College was a transformative experience for the Year 7, 8, and 9 students.
The students left the auditorium with a renewed a deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture.
Narre Warren Psychic and Wellbeing Expo
Come and enjoy an inspiring and relaxing day with stall holders offering a range of services and products to indulge your senses.
Free workshops throughout the day including mediumship demonstrations, readings: psychic mediumship, tarot, intuitive, readings, massage, crystals, giftware, clothing, books, natural healing and products, jewellery, soy candles and much more.
· Purchase tickets at the door: $5 adults, kids aged under-12 free.
· Sunday 23 July 10am to 6pm, Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.
Casey Philharmonic Orchestra
The Orchestra is currently preparing a selection of big screen movie themes from Marvel, DC and more for their upcoming concert, ‘Villains and Superheroes’ this month.
In keeping with the orchestra’s approach to making orchestral music relatable and engaging for everyone, audience members are encouraged to join in the fun and come dressed as their favourite hero or villain, with prizes, giveaways and a themed photo zone on offer at the event.
A finalist at this year’s Casey Community Awards, Casey Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) facilitates unique artistic opportunities in Melbourne’s outer south-east, and prides itself on performing orchestral music of the highest calibre for the enjoyment of audiences and musicians alike.
“We’ve undertaken an ambitious program of events in recent years, and have consistently attracted sizeable, enthusiastic audiences”, said Anthony Ware, President of CPO.
“The Bunjil Place performance of our 2022 ‘Star Wars Extravaganza’ tour was a complete sell out at this venue, a remarkable achievement for a community orchestra, so I would certainly recommend you purchase your tickets early for ‘Villains and Superheroes’.”
CPO’s ‘Villains and Superheroes’ will descend upon the Bunjil Place theatre, Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren on Sunday, 30 July with the show commencing at 2.30pm.
· Tickets are available at www.cpo.org.au/ events and the latest event news can be found on CPO’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Nesian Fest 2.0
Join City of Casey as they support our young local Maori and Pasifika artists in the south east. Hear the stories of these young Polynesian creatives as they express themselves through spoken word, rap, music and dance.
Maui’s snack bar will be in the plaza serving up tasty Polynesian food and drinks all night.
· Bunjil Place Studio, Friday 28 July, 7.00 pm – 10.00 pm.
Open Day
Come along to find out more about the centre’s 3 year old Play and Grow and Childcare sessions for 2024.
Speak to educators, explore the surroundings and make a booking for your child.
If you are looking for more time beyond the council single 5 hour session for 3 year olds come and join Berwick Neighbourhood Centre in 2024.
CCS funding is available for all sessions. For further details call 9769 1970 or email childrenservices@berwicknc.com.au
· 112 High Street, Berwick, on 29 July, 10am11.30am
Berwick Activities Club
As the club heads into its 31st year it wishes to welcome new members to join in the many activities on offer such as New Vogue Dancing, which will see you moving in no time.
Social Wednesdays where you can join in Carpet Bowls, cards, Scrabble and Table Tennis. Take the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy yourself.
Membership is only 10 dollars with a $5 weekly attendance fee which includes morning tea.
· For more information phone David on 0433566456 or Bruce 0447554475
Improve your confidence in reading, writing, and speaking English in this small friendly class each Tuesday afternoon during school terms. $5 per term (10 weeks).
· Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd,
Come and enjoy an inspiring and relaxing day with stall holders offering a range of services and products to indulge your senses.
Clyde North on Tuesdays, 12:30pm-2:30pm
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, 8pm-10:20pm.
Pilates
Do you want to improve your posture, increase your core strength, increase your energy, improve your flexibility and mobility and decrease stress?
Pilates focuses on increasing core strength and tone of abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks.
Classes held Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.
$90 per term (10 weeks).
· Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 1pm2pm and Wednesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm
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 Botan-
Free workshops throughout the day including mediumship demonstrations, readings: psychic mediumship, tarot, intuitive, readings, massage, crystals, giftware, clothing, books, natural healing and products, jewellery, soy
ic 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 10am4pm.
· Times: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on both days
Balla Balla holds a beginners yoga class that incorporates gentle exercise, breath control and meditation.
The health benefits of regular yoga practice may include lowering blood pressure, improved posture and circulation, and a sense of wellbeing.
Classes available on Thursday afternoons and Thursday evenings.
$85 per term (10 weeks).
· Hall 1, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Thursdays, 5:30pm-6:45pm and 7pm-8:15pm.
Balla Balla’s new Children’s Art program will develop your child’s confidence and enhance their creative ability in producing their own unique art work.
Children’s Art will explore colour theory, mixed media, simple printing techniques, watercolour painting and so much more.
Classes held after school on Monday afternoons commencing 24th July. $96 per term (8 weeks).
· Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd,Clyde North on Mondays,4:30pm5:45pm
candles and much more.
Purchase tickets at the door: $5 adults, kids aged under-12 free.
· Sunday 23 July 10am to 6pm, Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.
A basic computer course for Beginners and Seniors, which will help you understand the basics of using Microsoft Windows, understanding the Cloud, and browsing the internet safely. Learn about sending & receiving emails, creating and using documents and spreadsheets, interacting with social media, downloading photos, and shopping online within a comfortable, nurturing environment with like-minded learners. Commencing 21st July on Fridays for 8 weeks. $25 for the 8 weeks.
· The Lounge, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Fridays, 10am12:30pm
Cranbourne U3A
Classes are back in full swing for Term 3 with some exciting new classes about to commence. U3A has a lovely craft called “quilling“ where members make beautiful cards and notelets using rolled paper.
They also have Scrabble, playing cards and Tai Chi groups about to begin.
Tutors available to teach art using various mediums.
A variety of crafts can be enjoyed including knitting, patchwork and sewing, card making, and calligraphy.
Chess, line dancing and table tennis are operating too.
The Open Singing group has been happily running this year and always welcomes new voices.
If you would like to play the Ukelele, the group are playing beautiful music on Monday mornings from 10am.
There is also have an Italian class.
If you would like to tutor a class, contact U3A with details of your talents,new opportunities are welcome.
· For more information visit: wwwu3acranbourne. org.au or contact Helen on 0423 623 337
Zumba
Do you want to burn calories and blast away fat?
Do you want to de-stress, improve your co-ordination, boost your heart health and meet others wanting to improve their fitness levels?
Zumba is aimed at all ages and fitness levels. Classes held Tuesday evenings. $80 per term (10 weeks).
· Hall 1, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 6:30pm7:15pm
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I have performed (sang) on stage to a packed Federation Square.
What do you love the most about your job?
I love helping others achieve more. By sharing their story and creating emotional connection it makes magic happen.
If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
I would be an owl. I’m detail-oriented, enjoy learning and good at problem-solving. What would your last meal be?
You can’t beat a home cooked meal. Roast meat & veg - crispy crackle and potatoes!
What was your most memorable moment?
Recently seeing Ricky Gervais live in Vienna, Austria.
What were you like as a kid?
I was a quiet achiever. Anxiety stopped me from doing a lot - I’m glad that I’ve learnt to manage that now and I encourage everyone to get outside their comfort zones.
What event, past or present, would you like to witness?
I would’ve loved to be in London for the coronation of King Charles III. It would’ve been an exciting time in London, one of my favourite places.
Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?
Ricky Gervais, Peter McKinnon (Filmmaker/YouTuber), Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic), Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., Rotary International President Gordon McInally. What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?
I’ve recently finished watching Ozark - incredible show.
What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Ambitious, honest and kind.
While Australian’s celebrate Christmas on 25 December, the yearly festivities held around 25 July are an added bonus of the Christmas spirit set in the holiday’s true season of winter. Here are a few ways you can celebrate.
1
Throw a Yuletide party
The long nights and cold days can make winter a dreary time for many. Bring warmth and joy back into the chilly season by hosting a Christmas themed party, complete with decorations, carols and delicious holiday themed foods.
2
Where is your happy place?
In the mountains listening to a waterfall and surrounding nature.
If you had to compete on MasterChef, what dish would you cook?
3
I would cook a delicious, perfectly put together, burger & chips.
Where is your dream holiday destination?
Watching and capturing the Northern Lights in Norway.
Go ice-skating
There might not be fluffy white snow coating the ground, or naturally frozen lakes of ice, but there are ice-skating rinks! Pack on the protective gear and some thermals and head to your nearest ice rink to experience the magic of gliding along the ice.
Have a Christmas movie marathon
Pick a particularly frosty winter night to sit snuggled under some blankets with your favourite Christmas movies. Extra points if you’re snacking on homemade gingerbread men while you
Casey left the Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) 2023 Annual Horticultural Industry Awards Night glowing with pride after Cranbourne East resident Olumuyiwa Akintola Elliott and Narre Warren East business Speciality Trees were awarded for their outstanding contributions and achievements within the horticultural industry.
Cranbourne East resident and Dandenong Garden City Plastics’ employee Olumuyiwa Akintola Elliott was namedYoung Horticulture Leader of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony.
Mr Akintola Elliott was acknowledged for his capability, commitment, and vision, to become a future leader.
He received the award from NGIV CEO, Craig Taberner, who thanked him for his dedication to the Victorian horticulture industry.
Through the application process it became clear that Akintola Elliott had an “unwavering commitment to continuous learning and research”.
“As a category manager, I have interacted extensively with growers across Victoria and Australia – from propagation nurseries in far north Queensland to large tree growers in southeast Victoria,” Mr Akintola Elliott said in his application for the award.
“As I continue to develop and demonstrate leadership qualities, my goal is to continue to inspire change within my industry and that has an everlasting effect.
With hard work, dedication, leadership skills and exceptional contributions in Horticulture, I believe I make an ideal candidate for Young Horticulture Leader of the Year honour – not only as recognition for my own achievements but as motivation to young migrants, students, and emerging horticulturists in my industry.”
Narre Warren East’s Speciality Trees took home two of the night’s most illustrious awards.
Speciality Trees were recognised with the Commitment to Environmental Stewardship Award and the Horticulture Student of theYear Award, which was awarded to Speciality Trees employee and Swinburne University of Technology student, Jacob Chizik.
Speciality Trees operates on 3 different nursery sites in Victoria, producing trees in a variety of ways, utilising sustainable horticultural management techniques.
Their application for the award outlined the values underpinning their practices.
They pride themselves on “understanding the environmental aspects and impacts of business activities upon the community and industry in which [they] operate, changing the way [they] operate through innovation, development and technology and ensuring at all times that both staff and external contractors
are aware of [their] expectations”.
Mr Chizik was acknowledged for his career and study achievements, team and communication skills, and his ability to be a representative for the horticulture industry.
Through the application process it became clear that Mr Chizik had an “an appreciation for how horticulture draws upon many elements to bring a quality product to the market”.
“This industry is part of the solution for climate change, and we need to grow and plant more green life,” Mr Chizik said in his application.
“This makes horticulture a forward-moving and vibrant industry to be involved in.
“It is important to recognise that we all work with living things that need specific requirements to thrive in the environment, as well as routine care and maintenance for long-term survivability, functionality, and enjoyment.”
The Victorian horticultural industry contributes more than $2.5 billion annually to the economy.
Industry members continue to play their part in supporting the state and the national economy, environment, and community.
The NGIV said it is “through recognising high achieving members, as well as those setting exceptional standards” the nation moves towards further developing the Victorian industry as a leader across the country.
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
NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FOR A PLANNING PERMIT
The
An application has been made to Melbourne Water for a permanent storm water licence for irrigation purposes for 60 Megalitres of water which may affect you.
Details of the application are as follows:
Application address: Casey Fields – 160 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East
The application is for: 60 Megalitres
We are looking for new team members to join our team. Do you like talking to people over the phone, building rapport and great relationships?
If you are a motivated and reliable individual who loves a challenge and enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven team environment we want to hear from you. Work close to home with free onsite parking at our office in Pakenham. Your day will be kept busy servicing existing clients and making cold outbound calls to gain new business.
Experience in advertising sales is an advantage, but not essential.
To apply send your resume with covering letter to: Classified Advertising Manager sales@networkclassifieds.com.au
The applicant for the permit is: Allbuild Consulting (AUST) Pty Ltd
The application reference number is: PA23-0158 - (Lachlan Leahy)
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the Responsible Authority.
From:Clyde Creek Main Drain Diversion location:160 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East
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.
City of Casey Bunjil Place 2 Patrick Northeast Drive NARRE WARREN
This can be done during office hours and is free of charge. Documents can also be viewed on Council’s website:
The applicant’s name is: City of Casey Melbourne Water’s File No: 462/371/5000
You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at:
Melbourne Water
Unit 1/88 Merrindale Dve Croydon South, Vic 3136
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.
https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/viewplanning-applications
Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the Responsible Authority.
An objection must:
•be made to the Responsible Authority in writing to, Manager Planning, P.O. Box 1000, Narre Warren 3805 or emailed to caseycc@casey.vic.gov.au
• include the application number and site address • include the reasons for the objection, and • state how the objector would be affected.
The Responsible Authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application.
The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 4 August 2023
If you object, the Responsible Authority will advise you of its decision.
This can be done during office hours by appointment and is free of charge. For an appointment please telephone 131 722. Any person who may be affected by the granting of this application may object or make other submissions to Melbourne Water.
Any objections must:
• be in writing,
• include reasons for the objection,
• state how the objector will be affected and
• be mailed to Melbourne Water at PO Box 4342, Melbourne, Vic, 3001.
Any response is requested within 30 days from the date of this notification. Should a response not be received within this period, Melbourne Water may determine the application.
Note:
Any private or public notification must provide the owners or occupiers of the nature of the proposal (ie what is proposed), time available for comments or objections (30 days) and the address to which any such comments or objections should be forwarded to Melbourne Water, P O Box 4342, Melbourne, Vic, 3001.
- 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
By Marcus Uhe
When Riek Chuol began boxing 12 months ago, his coach at Doveton Boxing Club Ryan Wilson said he “didn’t even know if he was left or right handed”, or what a ‘jab’ was.
Fast-forward 12 months and the Doveton Boxing Club can lay claim to one of the best boxers in the country as the rapid ascension of the Pakenham 17-year-old continues.
Chuol won the Under 57kg Youth Division National Championship at the 2023 Australian School’s Boxing Championships in Adelaide on Sunday 8 July, defeating Queenslander Cohen Robinson on a unanimous points decision over three rounds.
After receiving a bye in the competition’s first round, his first fight of the tournament came in the semi final stages where he dominated his Western Australian opponent Shareef Mohammad, with the referee forced to stop the fight early in the first round.
In the final against an experienced competitor, with recent international competitions under his belt, Chuol delivered one of his best performances.
“He dominated the bout from start to finish against a really good kid too, a Queenslander who was selected to represent Australia just recently,” Wilson said.
“Straight away when he started landing heavy shots on this kid and snapping his head
back, I thought, ‘he’s got this’.
“He won every round pretty clearly.
“He had the kid hurt several times.”
Chuol said the feeling of being crowned a national champion was “amazing”, and took immense pride in the manner of the victory.
“All the hard work I put into it, it just feels really good to be a national champion,” he said.
“Knowing that you shut your opponent out all three rounds and having the judges think you won can, in a way better, sometimes feel better than a knockout.
“It’s good to shut-out your opponent and win in that way, because it showcases your skill.
“I was really excited that I won that way.”
With family and friends watching the fights from afar on the live stream,Wilson was forced to calm his star-pupil down during the early stages of the contest, full of excitement and pent-up energy in one of the biggest contests of his boxing journey to date.
“At the end of the first he did cop a good shot, which they gave him a standing eightcount,” Wilson said.
“This kid has come from nothing 12 months ago, to now be fighting on live TV, it was really hard to control him.
“We settled him down and he boxed the kid’s ears off for the remainder of the fight.
“He’s beating these kids by quite a fair amount and we’re talking about kids who have been boxing for 6-10 years, so they’re at their peak.
“This kid is not even close to it.”
For Chuol, the victory adds fuel to fire as to what he’s capable of.
“It’s opened my eyes to say ‘I can really do well in this sport,’ and I’m only getting better from now on,“ he said.
“12 months ago I had my first fight and now I’m a national champion.
“It’s telling me that I can really do good at the sport and continue.
“I feel like I can only get better from now on.”
Berwick has made a significant step in its quest to remain in the Eastern Premier Division in 2024 by thrashing a fellow relegationbattling side in Doncaster by 86 points.
Doncaster kicked two goals in the opening 12 minutes of play but managed just four behinds for the remainder of the game, as Berwick offered its best offensive and defensive performance of the season, winning 15.13 107 to 2.5 17.
Travis Tuck kicked two goals in his first game since round nine to be one of the best in navy blue, alongside fellow senior heads in Ashton Williamson, Tom Brennan and Jesse Cirulis.
In the context of their future in the top flight, their fifth win sees them kick four wins clear of bottom-placed Doncaster with five matches remaining, leaving the Sharks likely to be one of the two sides relegated to Division One.
Rowville emerged one of the major winners from a colossus weekend, coming from behind to defeat Doncaster East by the barest of margins in a thriller at home.
With scores tied at 81 apiece, a skied, floating snap over his shoulder from captain Anthony Brolic drifted over the outstretched arms of the Doncaster East defenders to register a crucial minor score, before the siren sounded at Seebeck Oval as the Lions were plotting the ball’s return to the field of play.
The Hawks had trailed for the entire contest, including by as much as 34 points in the second term, and entered the final quarter with an 11-point deficit in what was a potential finals preview between two of the competition’s elite sides.
Slippery conditions added a layer of difficulty to ball-handling in an already tense and pressure-packed environment around the football, as winning the contest took-on ever more of a premium.
Callum reduced the deficit to just three points with a goal on the run after four minutes, the closest the two sides had been since the first quarter, injecting life into the crowd on the outskirts of the Tirhatuan Wetlands.
The Hawks’ fleet of quick ball users then swiftly moved the ball from end-to-end to present Lachlan Wynd with the opportunity to take the lead with a trademark galloping set shot, to which he duly obliged, handing his side a two-point buffer.
Tensions rose for the next 10 minutes as
the ball bounced between the arcs with neither side managing to snap the anxiety with a major.
A series of stoppages in the Lions’ forward 50 tightened the screws on the contest once again, before Rowville were able to surge the ball forward, switch play and find space on the far boundary.
As cool as you’ll see under such circumstances, Jake Arundell gathered a lose ball under the scoreboard, stepped-around a defender and with a check-sided-snap, extended the lead to six points, with skill that belied the conditions at ground-level.
But the visitors immediately answered back from the next centre-bounce, goaling from the clearance to level the scores in the 18th minute.
The Hawks’ run and ability to defend in numbers held them in good stead down the stretch of the match, making life difficult for the Lions’ forwards to score when the ball entered their attacking half of the ground.
Defence led to the decisive goal of the game too, as Lachlan McDonald read the cues on a Lions kick-out to intercept and goal on the run to put the Hawks back ahead by seven points with 10 minutes remaining.
It was too early to flood numbers behind the ball or to try to kill the contest, and the Lions used the remaining time to their advantage, tying the scores once again in the 30th minute.
McDonald won a crucial freekick at the following centre-bounce to pump his side into attack, but desperate defending from both sides meant it was one of few remaining clean possessions for the remainder of the contest.
The ball found its way into the pocket and eventually over the boundary to be thrown back into play, leading to Brolic’s gamewinning point and subsequent emotional scenes, as players on the Rowville bench charged the field after the final siren to embrace victorious teammates.
In a unique set of circumstances which saw three games pitting six finals aspirants against one-another, the Hawks moved a game clear of the vanquished Doncaster East and Noble Park, in fifth and sixth place respectively, with five games remaining until finals action.
Results R13: Rowville 12.10 82 def Doncaster East 12.9 81, East Ringwood 9.6 60 def Noble Park 6.14 50, Doncaster 2.5 17 def by Berwick 15.13 103, Balwyn 9.6 60 def by Vermont 13.9 87, Park Orchards 10.9 69 def South Croydon 8.12 60, Norwood 7.8 50 def by Blackburn 8.8 56.
Ladder: Vermont 40, East Ringwood 40, Rowville 36, Balwyn 36, Doncaster East 32, Noble Park 32, Blackburn 28, Norwood 20, Berwick 20, South Croydon 12, Park Orchards 12, Doncaster 4.
Fixture R14: East Ringwood (2) v Rowville (3), Noble Park (6) v Berwick (9), Blackburn (7) v Park Orchards (11), Norwood (8) v Balwyn (4), Vermont (1) v Doncaster (12), Doncaster East (5) v South Croydon (10).
Wandin survived a fright to get back to winning ways with a three-point victory over Olinda Ferny Creek at home on Saturday in the Outer East’s Premier Division.
The pressure was on the Bulldogs midway through the third term, as a run of five consecutive goals to Olinda Ferny Creek saw the bottom-placed side lead by 16 points midway through the quarter.
But two goals to Clint Johnson and another to Tom Merlino ensured that the Bulldogs took a slender three-point lead heading into the final term, desperate to atone for consecutive losses in the previous two weeks.
John Ladner got the home side off to the perfect start in the last term with a goal from a boundary throw-in to push the lead to nine points, and their opponents weren’t able to respond for another 15 minutes, goaling in the 23rd minute to make for a tense final eight.
Both sides had a number of chances to either snatch or grow the lead but were unable to convert, with the final siren showing Wandin victorious by three points, 10.13 73 to 10.10 70.
Wandin midfielders Patrick Bruzzese, Cody Hirst and Chayce Black were instrumental in the win, as was small forward Merlino’s return to form, hitting scoreboard for the first time since round six after a blistering start to the year with 12 goals in six outings.
Matthew Scharenberg was one of Olinda Ferny Creek’s best, having got the ball rolling with the first two goals of the five-goal run in the third term, as were Lachlan Taylor, Lachlan Bates and Daniel Toma.
At Monbulk, six goals to the dynamic Will Howe led Narre Warren to a 37-point win over Monbulk in captain Jake Richardson’s 150th game. After an even and physical opening term, the Magpies separated themselves from their opponents in the second quarter, kicking four goals in 20 minutes to open the period and establish a 30-point lead.
The margin grew to as much as 51 points during the final quarter as the Magpies flexed its muscle before the Hawks added some respectability late in the game, with the final score reading 13.10 88 to 7.9 51.
Tom Miller dominated the game from the middle once again and added another two
goals, and the big body of Kurt Mutimer was critical in the wet. Trent Papworth and Jesse Davies had the honour of chairing Richardson off the ground in his milestone match for the black and white.
Glenn Strachan kicked two goals for Monbulk while Lachlan Sheppard put in a strong performance in the ruck.
At Upwey Tecoma, Woori Yallock shook off a slow start to power home by three goals
against a plucky Upwey Tecoma.
Woori Yallock found themselves down by five points at the half before a strong second half saw them kick-away, outscoring the home side 48 to 25 to record a third consecutive win, and maintain its two-game buffer on fourth place.
Zach Monkhorst continued his stellar run of form for Woori Yallock, as did Sam Wicks for Upwey Tecoma.
Olinda Ferny Creek issued a warning to the remainder of the Premier Division A-Grade netball competition on Saturday: don’t forget about us.
While finding themselves on the outside of the competition’s ‘big three’ of Narre Warren, Wandin and Mt Evelyn, the reigning champions are the reigning champions for a reason, and showed its rivals why they should never be counted-out, getting the better ofWandin 53-50 on the road.
A tight contest for the duration of the afternoon, Olinda Ferny Creek led at the first two breaks before going into the final quarter with scores level on 36 points.
But it saved its highest scoring quarter for last, outscoring the Bulldogs 17-14 to snatch the victory. In a shootout between two stars under the post, Emmalia Blake added 46 for Wandin and Hayley Howard 34 for Olinda Ferny Creek.
Mackenzie Oracz was exceptional in defence for the reigning premiers, as wasWandin’s Maddy George. From undefeated three weeks ago, three losses has seen the Bulldogs fall from first to third, now half a game and percentage behind Mt Evelyn in second place.
Mt Evelyn’s percentage received a huge
bump, cashing-in on a clash with a struggling Gembrook Cockatoo to win by whopping 75 goals.
The 100-25 scoreline was comfortably both the highest individual score of the season for any team, and the widest margin of victory seen this season.
Rory Barr scored an incredible 90 goals in the thrashing, her team relentless to the end with 30 goals scored in the final period to just four for the women in green.
Mt Evelyn scored 17 in the first quarter, 29 in the second and 24 in the third before piling-on the pain in the final period of play, responding after a shock loss to Upwey Tecoma the week prior. The monster afternoon rockets Barr into third place on the leading goalscorers table behind Blake and Howard. In stark-contrast to the high-scoring of the previously mentioned contests, Pakenham and Berwick fought-out a 29-each draw. Defence dominated the contest, particularly in the middle two periods where each side only scored 11 goals.
Lara Goodman Hancock scored 15 goals for the Lions, Emma Clarke 17 for the home side, with the split points keeping them tied on the table at 14 premiership points. 30 goals from Clare Vearing helped Narre Warren to its
fifth-consecutive victory, this time defeating Monbulk 48-33 at Monbulk.
Vearing came off the bench to nail her 30 goals in a sign of the Magpies’ frightening depth, while the Hawks struggled in the absence of Peri Reid and with no substitutes to call-upon. Monbulk captain Nicole Macdowell shouldered the majority of the scoring load with 18 goals for the Hawks.
For the Magpies, a game clear at the top of the ladder, Soph Hennessey and skipper Brittany Mashado led the way in the middle of the court. The return to action of Elizabeth Murphy continues to reap rewards for Beaconsfield, defeating Upwey Tecoma by 15 goals at Thompson Reserve.
Murphy scored 44 of the Eagles’ 48 goals in the 48-33 result where Beaconsfield extended the margin at every interval, from three to six to 10 and finally 15.
Jaime Quinn was excellent in defence for the Eagles, holding Tigers shooter Mia Lui to just 11 goals. Beaconsfield’s return to form sees them now tied with Wandin on 34 premiership points, with both trailing Narre Warren and Mt Evelyn in first and second, respectively.
Olinda Ferny Creek sit in fifth, ready to strike should the higher seeds falter.
Pakenham United has banded together to get behind the family of a club person diagnosed with MND. 338700
Pakenham United Soccer Club is hosting a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charity Day this Sunday 23 July at IYU Reserve.
A family member of a club-person has been diagnosed with the disease which has an average life expectancy of two to three years.
There will be a dunk tank with each of the United coaches volunteering to be dunked, with each throw raising money to go towards MND.
The dunk tank concept is a spin-off of the Big Freeze event which occurs at the Melbourne v Collingwood King’s Birthday AFL match each year.
There will also be a raffle and other fundraising activities.
“Every year we have enjoyed buying the beanies to support MND but this year there’s a completely different slant on it,” said the club-person closest to the diagnosed.
“It just changes your life.We noticed how quick it affects people.
“We’ve been listening to voice messages from her. She’s struggling to put two or three words together; she’s really struggling to speak.
“Her hands are struggling as well.
“It has really come on so quickly, it’s amazing how quickly it can attack the body.”
The victim’s husband passed away in December, with her initial struggles attributed to associated stress, before she was diagnosed in May. The charity day will start at 10am.
Missing a host of usual starters, Casey was still able to overcome WestVic 3-2 in a tight encounter.
Star April Picton, sisters Mikayla and Skye McDonald are three of Casey’s most critical players in attack but others were able to step up in their absence.
In a show of depth as the home and away season reaches its pointy end, Emma Harris, Michaela Bullock and Jess Rowland all scored, well set up by a productive midfield.
It’s the women’s seventh win in a row, with the weekend’s results seeing them move to top spot on the Vic League one ladder.
Jarrod Goodes is “very excited” at the prospect of donning the baggy blue again at Berwick Cricket Club this season after missing the 2022-23 campaign through injury, as he and a number of returning faces look to elevate Berwick to another successful era.
Goodes, along with fellow premiership players Corey Bevan and Matthew Robertson, are coming back to the Bear cave, with the club looking to make-amends for a disappointing 2022-23 summer in which it did not qualify for finals action, despite playing in a preliminary final the season before.
Having recovered from a complex upper body injury, Goodes said that his intention was always to return to the playing field when capable, and is looking forward to what lies ahead.
“At the club we identified that we didn’t have a great year last year but we identified a few reasons for it,” Goodes said.
“One of the things was, we wanted to get as many good Berwick people back to the club
as we could.
“Corey is one of those, ‘Robbo’ (Robertson) ended up playing the twos towards the end of year but he wasn’t really training a lot, he was just coming down for a hit, but wanted to be fair-dinkum again this year.
“We’re trying to call a number of past players to get them back involved at the club again, it’s a good place to start, and then build on the team we had from last year.
“But (it’s) more around, getting some quality people in, enjoying our cricket again and being hard to play against.
“That’s the bit we sort of went away from last year.”
Star wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cleland and last season’s leading run-scorer Jake Hancock are both sticking with the club, to be led by once again by Brad James, who will have a number of assistants to lend a hand with the coaching duties.
Batters James Wilcock and Damith Mapa Ralalage, and leg-spinner Riley Siwes have all departed the club, while the playing futures of Andrew Perrin and Matthew Chasemore at
Berwick are yet to be finalised.
“We’re going to miss Mapa and Wilcock for sure, but it just gives opportunities for others.
“We didn’t want to go out and search for high-profile players, we just wanted to fill those gaps with what we’ve got within, try to develop our younger players a bit more, put more of a focus on that, and then good quality Berwick people in the team to make us a bit harder to play against.
“I think that will go a long way to us enjoying our cricket a lot more and being competitive.”
Having been sidelined for nearly 12 months and with preseason on the horizon, the goal is evident for those involved at the club, seeking to dethrone Springvale South’s crown as backto-back premiers.
“We want to get our Turf 1 (team) back to where they should be, and that’s in and around the finals hunt,” Goodes explained.
“We’ve got some good people back involved to make that happen.
“I’m very much looking forward to it.
“We’ll see how the body copes with it all,
The Berwick and District Tennis Association was back in full swing on the weekend after a recent run of bad weather had played havoc with the draw.
In the top-level Osborne Shield it was Cranbourne, Drouin, Narre Warren North and Pakenham that came out on top in some wonderful match-ups on court.
Most games provided emphatic victories, but Drouin was pushed hard by a brave Beaconsfield Gold.
Here’s a summary of the weekends results.
SATURDAY
Osborne Shield
Beaconsfield Gold 1 2:26 v 2 5:41 Drouin, Of-
ficer Blue 0 0:8 v 3 6:36 Pakenham, Sandhurst 0
1:21 v 3 6:39 Cranbourne, Narre Warren North
3 6:45 v 0 2:35 Beaconsfield Blue.
Section 1 Rubbers
Cranbourne 2 4:32 v 1 2:25 Narre Warren, Of-
ficer Red 2 5:40 v 1 2:28 Officer Blue, Harkaway
2 4:32 v 1 2:22 Beaconsfield
Section 2 Rubbers
Narre Warren North 1 2:28 v 2 4:31 Berwick
White, Cranbourne 1 3:31 v 2 4:30 Pakenham, Narre Warren 2 5:44 v 1 3:41 Clyde, Berwick
Blue 3 6:42 v 0 2:28 Upper Beaconsfield.
Section 3 Rubbers
Bunyip 2 4:36 v 1 3:29 Berwick Blue, Clyde
Green 3 6:38 v 0 0:18 Cranbourne, Berwick
White 0 1:31 v 3 6:42 Clyde White, Berwick
Black 2 4:25 v 1 2:22 Narre Warren North.
Section 4 Rubbers
Cranbourne Purple 0 0:12 v 3 6:36 Clyde Blue,
Cranbourne Red 3 6:36 v 0 0:7 Cranbourne
White, Narre Warren South 2 4:39 v 1 4:41 Bea-
consfield Blue.
Section 5 Rubbers
Beaconsfield 0 1:27 v 3 6:40 Narre Warren North Black, Cranbourne Yellow 3 6:42 v 0 1:29
NarreWarren, NarreWarren North Red 3 6:36 v 0 0:3 Cockatoo.
Section 6 Singles
Tooradin 2:23 v 6:40 Berwick White, Clyde 7:47 v 1:19 Hallam, Berwick Blue 2:29 v 6:42 Upper Beaconsfield.
Section 7 Singles
Beaconsfield 4:33 v 4:41 Berwick Blue, Cranbourne 3:32 v 5:38 Officer Red, Narre Warren 2:21 v 6:43 Officer Blue, Berwick White 7:47 v 1:24 Narre Warren North.
Section 8 Singles Officer 0:11 v 8:48 Narre Warren, Fountain Gate Gold 3:28 v 5:44 Cranbourne, Fountain Gate Green 4:32 v 4:34 Upper Beaconsfield.
Section 9 Singles
Tooradin 4:34 v 4:38 NarreWarren North, Narre Warren South 8:49 v 0:19 Beaconsfield.
SUNDAY
Section 10 Singles
Berwick White 4:39 v 4:35 Berwick Blue, Upper Beaconsfield 4:39 v 4:28 Harkaway, Cranbourne 3:33 v 5:40 Narre Warren.
Section 11 Singles
Berwick White 3:40 v 5:44 Berwick Blue, Narre Warren Gold 4:42 v 4:35 Clyde, Gloucester 2:23 v 6:46 Narre Warren Green.
Section 12 Singles
Harkaway 4:35 v 4:38 Berwick, Officer 6:44 v 2:36 Gloucester, Beaconsfield 5:39 v 3:31 Pakenham.
Section 13 Singles
Narre Warren Gold 1:17 v 7:44 Narre Warren Green, Cranbourne 4:36 v 4:40 Pakenham.
Section 14 Singles
Narre Warren Green 4:37 v 4:32 Narre Warren Gold, Officer Forfeit by Cranbourne Gold, Cranbourne Green 3:33 v 5:39 Fountain Gate.
Section 15 Green Ball Singles
Officer 7:43 v 1:21 Cranbourne Red, Cranbourne Blue 2:25 v 6:39 Beaconsfield.
Section 16 Doubles
Fountain Gate v Berwick (missing results), Narre Warren 3:26 v 3:27 Beaconsfield.
Section 17 Doubles
Narre Warren 2:17 v 4:29 Clyde, Beaconsfield 4:31 v 2:18 Pakenham.
Section 18 Doubles
Berwick White 6:36 v 0:9 Berwick Blue, Hallam v Narre Warren Gold (missing results).
It’s a remarkable achievement for a team in its first season at the level and following an undefeated 2022 when it faced no evenly matched opposition teams.
Casey’s men, meanwhile, have gone down 3-0 to second-placed Old Xaverians.
Women
Results: North West 0 v Yarra Valley 4, Casey 3 v West Vic 2, Knox 4 v PEGS 2, Werribee 2 v Mornington Peninsula 2, Monash University 0 v Brunswick 1
Ladder: Casey 30, Mornington Peninsula 29, Yarra Valley 28, Monash University 23, Knox 15, WestVic 13, PEGS 10, Werribee 10, Brunswick 9, North West Lightning 9
Fixture: Brunswick v Werribee, Mornington Peninsula v North West Lightning, West Vic v Knox, PEGS v Monash University, Yarra Valley v Casey
Men
Results: Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 1 v PEGS 5, Monash University 0 v Brunswick 1, NorthWest 1 vYarra Valley 0, Casey 0 v Old Xaverians 3, Werribee 4 v Melbourne Sikhs 8 Ladder: Melbourne Sikhs 27, Old Xaverians 26, Brunswick 25, PEGS 22, Monash 22, North West 22, Werribee 12, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 8, Yarra Valley 4, Casey 3
Fixture: Brunswick v Werribee, PEGS v Monash University, Old Xaverians v Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation, Melbourne Sikhs v North West Light-
