News - Berwick Star News - 10th August 2023

Spiritual leader steps aside

Narre Warren Christian Church co-founder Keith Vethaak has always believed there was hope and love to be found in the most unlikely of places.

Surrounded by members of the community during the Monday evening service on 7 August, he spoke about about a young man he met as a pastor at the Reformed Church of Kingston in Tasmania about 40 years ago.

“The boy had cerebral palsy and he couldn’t talk,“ he said.

“The first thing he wrote was “I love God and I want to know more about him.“

Mr Vethaak has now retired as a full-time pastor at the Narre Warren Christian Church, which has been operating as the Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support service since 2009.

Shopping terror

By Emily Laing

A witness of a police chase in Doveton have said it was a “miracle no one was killed“ after a man on a motorised scooter fled dangerously into a shopping area.

Around 11am on Friday 4 August, the man was seen riding a motorised scooter with no plates while being “closely“ pursued by police

outside Autumn Place Shopping Centre.

Police had intercepted the rider on Hawthorn Road. In an attempt to evade police, the rider drove the wrong way up a one way street into the shopping area.

“All of a sudden the motorcyclist came boring up from the supermarket end towards the library end, the police car was only two car

lengths behind him,“ witness Maree said.

“It was a terrifying incident to witness.

“People walking in the shopping area had to jump onto the footpath.“

Maree said the police took a “terrible risk“ in “forcing“ the motorcyclist into the shopping area, however a police spokesperson said the officers did not pursue the vehicle after “an

assessment was made“ regarding “potential safety risks to the public“.

Other witnesses remember seeing a police car, but heard no commotion and did not recall seeing the rider.

Investigations remain ongoing and Victoria Police would not comment on “police methodology“.

Wayne Smith slams IBAC

Have a fun day out with all things animal at the 2023 Casey Pet Expo.

The expo will be held from 11.00 am to 2.00 pm on Saturday 26 August in the beautiful surrounds of Wilson Botanic Park Berwick. There will be workshops and demonstrations, as well as presentations by the Melbourne Bird Vet Clinic, and RSPCA in collaboration with Zoo Victoria who will talk about the Safe Cat Safe Wildlife campaign. There will also be live music by Sage Kelly, a wildlife show, roving performers, food trucks, a sausage sizzle and a coffee van, and the ever-popular face painting. On-site parking is limited and if you bring your furry friend along, please make sure it’s on a lead at all times.

Applications open for Community Selection Panel

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community?

We are thrilled to announce that applications are open to join the Community Selection Panel, a program dedicated to help empower voices and shape the future of the Casey community.

The panel is tasked with assessing and recommending community grant applications and nominations for various Casey awards. This exciting initiative seeks to involve passionate individuals who are eager to make a tangible difference in their neighbourhood and the greater Casey community. Council is looking for more than 50 volunteers who are ready to be part of the group. Applications close 29 August. Visit Casey Conversations for more information.

Come cheer on the Casey Demons

The Casey Demons will play their final game of the VFL home and away season on Sunday 20 August.

The Dees will take on the Brisbane Lions at 12.05 pm at Casey Fields in Cranbourne East. Come and celebrate Casey Round and cheer on the red and blue.

New Waste Guide out now

If you need to check which items can go into each bin, when your recycling or green collection is or how to book a hard waste collection, you’ll find it all in the new Casey Waste Guide.

The updated guide is now available on Council’s website, as well as a handy A-Z reference that covers everything from aluminium foil to zip lock bags. If you prefer to receive a paper copy, visit our website of contact our Customer Service team and we’ll have one sent out to you.

Linking residents to services

Would you like to learn more about local events and social groups? Or perhaps you’re after information about aged, disability and carer support services?

Drop into our Customer Service Centres at Bunjil Place every Wednesday or Cranbourne Park every Thursday from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm to speak to members of our Link Worker Program team. They can connect you to a wide range of services, support and activities. For more information, visit our website.

Council Meetings

Members of the community are welcome to attend the upcoming Council Meetings which are held in the Bunjil Place Function Room, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren.

Council Meetings start at 4.00 pm and are also live streamed through our Facebook page and YouTube channel. For more information on Council Meetings, or meeting minutes and agendas, please visit our website.

Upcoming Council Meetings:

• Tuesday 15 August

• Tuesday 19 September

• Tuesday 17 October

• Tuesday 21 November

• Tuesday 12 December

Photo credit: Sean Paulic.

Smith slams IBAC probe

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Casey’s longest-serving councillor Wayne Smith says being named adversely in an IBAC investigation has done him “major damage”.

“It’s major damage to my reputation because I’m not there on council anymore,” the ALP councillor told Star News, referring to the councillors being sacked by the State Government in early 2020.

“I’m very proud of my time on council, the things I’m responsible for – I’m proud of that.”

An Operation Sandon report stated Smith appeared “wilfully blind” to his conflict-ofinterest obligations involving developer John Woodman.

In private evidence, Smith told IBAC that he was unaware that donations – received via former mayor Janet Halsall’s spouse Bob - that “benefited (Smith’s) community work” were from Woodman.

They included $20,000 in sponsorships to allow Smith to travel to a music festival as part of his community radio program, as well as support to others seeking to study overseas.

After the report’s release, Smith told Star News that he wasn’t privy to Woodman’s involvement.

“I didn’t seek sponsorship (for the music festival trip). He ended up being a sponsor of the radio program.

“If anyone thinks it was a holiday, it was a fantastic experience but no holiday.”

IBAC found Smith failed to declare the conflict while voting on Woodman-related planning matters at Casey Council – something that he maintains was a “mistake” that he was not aware of.

As deputy mayor, Smith had chaired planning meetings and made decisive casting votes in favour of Woodman-linked developments.

He’d told IBAC he didn’t know who the applicants were.

“All sorts of company names and estate names came up,” he told IBAC.

“I wasn’t aware of the companies that (Woodman) may have been involved in or have an interest in.

“He never personally contacted me … and I don’t know that his representatives did either.”

Smith told IBAC that he didn’t read the growth-corridor council’s “voluminous” planning papers or take a “real interest in planning matters”.

Instead he followed the lead of councillor SamAziz–whohassubsequentlybeenaccused by IBAC of failing to declare about $600,000 of payments and benefits from Woodman.

When asked by Star News if he would have acted differently in hindsight, Smith said: “It’s

hard to say because at the time you are busy and you have a lot of trust and faith in others.

“At the time I had no reason to doubt that.”

Smith said no councillor was across every detail of council decisions, and wouldn’t be opposed to planning being instead decided by independent panels.

“Especially because planning was not my thing. There were other councillors who were across it.

“I had my expertises that other councillors knew I was across, as I did to others. There was no one all-rounder on council.

“It’s not a full-time job. You can’t be expected to be across everything.

“Hindsight is a great thing. I’m very comfortable standing on my record. There was

some criticism of me – I have to accept that.”

Smith told IBAC he met Woodman about three times in 20 years, mainly at social occasions like charity events.

IBAC found there was evidence that Smith was indirectly briefed by Woodman on planning projects via Bob Halsall.

“IBAC does not accept Councillor Smith’s evidence that he was entirely unaware of Mr Woodman’s patronage, and of the projects in which Mr Woodman was interested.

“It is most unlikely that MrWoodman would have extended financial support to Councillor Smith over several years, even indirectly, without expecting to obtain the benefit of Councillor Smith’s vote when the need arose.”

During the 2016 Casey Council elections, Smith was also among 11 candidates who were covertly funded by Woodman.

He did not declare $6743 in gifts from Woodman and linked entities for his campaign, despite Local Government Act requirements to do so.

Smith told IBAC that he believed Aziz was personally covering the costs.

“When I asked Sam that one time about it, it was made clear you know, I’m covering that – end of discussion.”

Smith, like several former Casey councillors, was critical of the “unfair” IBAC process. His responses supplying the “full context” didn’t appear in the final report, he said.

“I was fortunate my interview was private. I thought I’d be the last person but it’s dragged out and taken so long.”

When asked if he would stand again for the 2024 elections, he said: “Who knows? I haven’t even thought about it. Between now and then, it’s a long time.

“I’m still a very active volunteer in the community, I’m happy with that.”

Bob Halsall and Cr Wayne Smith at a Cranbourne GP Run in 2017. 173683 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Emily Laing

“Fighting stroke together“ is the mission phrase of this year’s National Stroke Week at the Stroke Foundation, and one that stroke survivor Toni Arfaras knows well.

National Stroke Week, running from 7-13 August, aims to bring awareness to a disease affecting nearly half a million Australians.

A stroke is the result when blood supply to the brain is interrupted, wither through an artery being blocked, or bursting.

A stroke happens every 19 minutes in Australia and is 17 per cent more likely to affect regional Australians than metro.

The effects are lifelong and impact everything from a person’s independence, to cognition, emotional responses, muscle spasticity and communication.

Narre Warren stroke survivor Toni Arfaras didn’t know she had suffered a stroke until nearly a week after it happened.

In 2013, at the age of 46,Toni had“very nondescriptive symptoms“ when her stroke hit.

“I’d got up in the mornig to go to the toilet and wash my hands, and as I’ve gone to walk out I felt myself going to the side, falling to the side,“ she said.

“I don’t remember passing out or anything, but I had this sensation of looking down on myself.

“I just sort of thought, you know, I’m just not well, it’s school holidays and I’m a teacher.“

Toni brushed her symptoms off as being related to burn out, or lingering symptoms of a bout of gastro she had endured.

“Afterwards I was really tired so all I wanted to do was sleep,“ Toni said.

“And then I just felt like my head was too heavy for my neck.“

Later that week, Toni visited her osteopath, who performed routine tests upon hearing of Toni’s odd symptoms.

Toni’s responses were normal, but when she still wasn’t getting better days later she knew it was time to see a GP.

“They did the same tests that the osteo had done,“ Toni said.

“And I’d actually developed some weakness and loss of sensation in my face.“

Toni was sent for an MRI and the results came back with the life changing diagnosis of a stroke.

Rehab wasn’t an option for Toni, as she could still walk and talk.

But this doesn’t mean her stroke was mild, or less impactful than those who go through the rehab process.

“It was very much for me a case of finding my own way through different things,“ she said.

“A lot of people that have had a stroke have what we call hidden disabilities, so you can’t see the effect.

“I’ve been assessed as never able to work, I can’t drive, I can’t go anywhere by myself.“

Alongside the loss of her independence, Toni has also encountered issues with her maths and spelling, sensory overload, communication and decision making.

“When the sensory overload kicks in that’s when I start losing the ability to speak and the ability to understand what people are saying to me,“ she said.

“I also lose my left hand side, so I start struggling to walk and I can actually go blind in my left eye.“

The episodes aren’t constant, and Toni explained she can go for a “12 kilometre bush walk“ one day, perfectly fine, but then be knocked on her heels “if the wind blows the wrong way“.

Since her initial stroke, Toni has experienced three transient ischaemic attackswarnings from her body that another stroke may be approaching.

“It could be within the next hour or the next five years,“ she said.

“It’s sort of a warning that something’s not right and so it’s a chance to try and change lifestyle things to prevent it from happening.“

Toni is now a Stroke Foundation Stroke Safe Volunteer, giving Stroke Safe talks at different schools, businesses and agencies to improve awareness and education around what a stroke is, what to do when someone has a stroke and how to minimise risk factors.

“You get educated, the people you are with get educated and it could save your life, save someone else’s life and help prevent disability,“ Toni said.

“Stroke is time critical, if you get to the hospital within the right time-frame to have treatment it really lowers your risk of disability.“

This is especially for non-descriptive symptoms, like Toni’s, that often miss the time critical period for treatment.

“Listen to your body, if it’s not working like it normally does, then seek advice,“ Toni said.

As well as eating healthily, exercising and reducing alcohol intake and smoking, Toni said there are other important things to keep in check to reduce your risk of stroke.

“Know your numbers,“ she said.

“What’s your blood pressure? What’s your cholesterol levels?

“The World Health Organisation says the incidence of stroke around the world could be reduced by 48 per cent if high blood pressure didn’t exist, so that is a real driving force of it.“

Artrial fibrillation, where the heart beats irregularly or fast, is also a “big indicator“ for stroke.

Toni emphasised that it is important not to wait to get on top of managing risk factors.

“Stroke doesn’t discriminate, it doesn’t matter what age you are,“ Toni said.

“I would have thought it was an old person’s disease, but there are 600 child strokes a year in Australia and babies can be born having had a stroke in-utero.

“It traverses the whole gamut of ages.“

For those who are in the life-after-stroke stage, Toni said utilising sources like the Stroke Foundation can make a world of difference.

“Recovery is ongoing, it doesn’t stop,“ Toni said.

“I always say to people to go to the Stroke Foundation website- there’s various resources on there to help.

“You can talk to professionals, or you can go on and ask questions and other stroke survivors or carers will answer those questions“

Connecting with someone who has had a stroke gives you a recovery role model to look up to as you progress on your recovery journey, according to Toni.

She also said it’s important for carers, friends and family to get support, because stroke has a “ripple effect“ of impact.

“It’s not just the survivor that’s affected,“ Toni said.

“It’s the family, the friends, the workplace, the community.“

ToniArfaras. 352763 Picture:EMILYLAING

Jail for armed intruders

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A pair of intruders who cornered and stabbed a resident in his Narre Warren bedroom and stole his laptop have faced court.

Benjamin Allen Delphin, 29, of Narre Warren, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to aggravated burglary, causing injury intentionally and theft.

Co-offender Joel Kyle, 25, of Cranbourne North, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, drug possession, dealing with suspected proceeds of crime, theft and aggravated assault.

The pair kicked open the home’s front door about 7.20am on 30 July 2021.

Delphin was armed with a large knife and Kyle grabbed a knife from the kitchen. They stormed through the house throwing fixtures and fittings.

The victim – who was known to Delphinarmed himself with kitchen knives and retreated into his bedroom.

Kyle climbed in through the bedroom win-

dow and Delphin came in through the door. They cornered the man who dropped his knives.

Delphin struck out at the man with his knife, slashing his wrist with a deep laceration as he raised his arm to protect his face.

The intruders fled with the man’s laptop to a getaway car, which was driven to Delphin’s mother’s home in NarreWarren South.

In a raid of Kyle’s home in March 2022, police seized $4750 cash, as well as various illicit drugs.

“You should both be under no misapprehension that your offending is serious,” sentencing judge Daniel Holding told them on 8 August.

Their break-in with intent to assault or steal created a “highly volatile situation that is completely intolerable”.

Both must serve jail terms, though Delphin’s offending and prior criminal history were more serious, he said.

Judge Holding noted Kyle grew up in deprivation in Cranbourne, with an alcoholic single mother. He left home in his teens, experienced homelessness and started using drugs at 13.

Many of his prior criminal offences were a result of his chronic drug addiction and didn’t result in convictions.

He’d not offended since the break-in, and was successfully engaging with a CISP bail program, which tackled his drug abuse.

Noting Kyle was relatively young, his continued rehabilitation was the best way to protect the community, Judge Holding said.

Delphin grew up in an “awful” violent, dysfunctional home with drug-addicted parents in Castlemaine. He started using drugs from his parents, had only a primary-school education and hadn’t held a meaningful job.

As an adult, he’d used a variety of drugs, including sniffing paint, and had suffered druginduced psychoses.

The father-of-seven had never undergone drug detoxification or residential rehab. At

Close shave for breast cancer survivor

Berwick resident and breast cancer survivor

Sandra Forsyth has thanked a number of local businesses, friends and family members for supporting her fundraiser, which has raised close to $3000 for the Cancer Council.

Surrounded by friends and family, she shaved her head at her Berwick home on Sunday 23 July to honour cancer survivors and battlers who have lost their hair.

Mrs Forsyth was diagnosed last November with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCSI), which is the presence of abnormal cells inside a milk duct in the breast. The process from discov-

ering the cancer to treatment was relatively quick, having to go into X-rays and have titanium markers inserted into her breast before receiving radiation treatment.

Each radiation treatment lasted 20 minutes and involved her having to inhale deeply and hold her breath for 30 seconds to keep her heart raised above the radiation zone.

Mrs Forsyth said she was grateful for all donations, especially the two $500 donations from anonymous donors.

“Thank you to my family and friends who have given so generously to help raise this

money,“ she said. “My goal was $2000, I have exceededthatandamnowuptonearly$3000.“

Mrs Forsyth also thanked a number of local businesses and individuals for their help in supporting the fundraising event, including Hallam’s 3 Tier Food Services, Fyna Foods and Yumi’s Quality Foods and Dandenong South’s Selective Meat Traders, as well as Darrell Lea.

Mrs Forsyth said she hoped her journey inspired others to get checked for breast cancer early.“Please, men and women, do a breast examination, get a mammogram and don’t put it off,“ she said.“The alternative is death.“

the time of offending, he was on daily doses of GHB, ice and dope.

Delphin had served several jail stints for burglary and dishonesty offences.

At the time of the break-in, he was on a court-supervised drug-treatment order –which was “clearly not effective”.

His rehabilitation prospects were “guarded to say the least”, but not extinguished, Judge Holding said.

He was at risk of institutionalisation if he couldn’t remain drug-free, according to a psychologist report.

Delphin was jailed for up to four years and eight months, with a three-year-and-threemonth non-parole period. His term includes 494 days in pre-sentence detention.

Kyle was jailed for 419 days – which had already been served in remand – plus an 18-month community corrections order with drug and mental health treatment.

Berwick resident Sandra Forsyth has raised close to $3000 for the Cancer Council by shaving her head. Picture: SUPPLIED

Second chance for cats

By Emily Laing

Cranbourne local Daniela Maslen has been giving cats and kittens a second chance at life for over a decade, and this weekend you could do the same.

Daniela’s not-for-profit, home-run cat rescue effort, 2nd Chance Cat Rescue, is holding an adoption day this Saturday 12 August.

From 11am-2pm, lovable cats and kittens will be available on Cemetery Road, Cranbourne via Daniela’s adoption bus.

Not all cats and kittens will attend on the day, so if you find a 2nd Chance rescue that swells your heart, you can fill out an application form or contact Daniela through the rescue’s website or Facebook page to arrange a meet and greet.

Daniela has been running 2nd Chance Cat Rescue for 12 years, moving to a larger property with a large double story shed for the rescues five years ago, after she was awarded a $50,000 government grant.

Her love for cats started in her youth, but not having her own cat until her 30s, Daniela said the rescue is a way for her to “really make up“ for her years without feline companionship.

“I just love them,“ she said.

“You can just communicate with them without language and they’re so much fun.“

Since the cost of living and housing crisis began burning the hip pockets of Melbourne residents, Daniela reported getting 10-20 emails each day from people wanting to surrender their cats to her rescue.

OPINION

With nearly 30,000 followers on Facebook, 2nd Chance Cat Rescue has become a touchstone for people wanting to lighten their financial burdens by removing pets from the equation.

As a not-for-profit, Daniela relies solely on her own money and that of donations to keep her rescues fed, healthy and vet treated.

Unfortunately, the rising costs have meant less donations from individuals and businesses who usually help to keep the rescue afloat.

“We don’t make money from adopting the cats out,“ she said.

“We were getting donations and donations of food but that has dried out too.

“We normally get around $6000-$8000

LENSCAPE

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs down

On the lack of state supplied indicator fluid.

Thumbs down

Street lights added to newly completed roadworks seem to be added more for good looks than as a safety measure - as none of them are ever turned on. Absolute joke.

Thumbs down

Still no street lights at new road works on Clyde Rd!

Thumbs up

For starting drainage works in Ackland Park in Narre Warren North. Hopefully it will be usable all year round.

Thumbs down

To the road maintenance that never gets done properly.

Thumbs down

To the recent decision for Hampton Park Hill to go ahead. This area has suffered enough.

worth of donations from Pet Circle, but that has totally dried out and other rescue groups aren’t getting it anymore too.“

At one stage, Daniela recalled having over 500 cats in one year, and with the inundation of rescue requests, she may soon find herself hitting another bleak milestone.

“The hardest cats to adopt out are white and black cats,“ Daniela said.

“The easiest are long fluffy kittens and grey cats.“

The adoption process at 2nd Chance requires an application form to be filled out and a meet and greet to ensure suitability.

“We make sure that they are actually suitable,“ she said.

“Some cats are really hard to rehome because people choose the cat because it looks good.

“I say come around and have a look and then a lot of people go home with a totally different cat which is much better.“

Daniela said the adoption needs to be taken seriously, that potential owners need to understand what they are signing up for- while cats are affectionate, soft and sweet, they require owners willing to put in the work.

“Cats are so sensitive,“ Daniela said.

“And it’s a relationship, you have to get to know each other and take it slowly.

“Some cats are real smoochy and you have no problem, but others want to know ’Where am I going?’, ’What are my rules?’ so they can adjust themselves.“

Daniela had a few tips on how to make the adoption process run smoothly after bringing a new furry family member home.

Keeping the kitty litter clean, and changing the type of litter used (from crystals to pellets, for example) can make a huge difference in cat’s toileting behaviours and prevent unwanted urination on furniture and carpets.

Keeping water and food fresh will help to keep your cat happy and healthy.

Giving cats the space to get to know their new environment and get settled without being overbearing or demanding their attention and affection is imperative for building a relationship of trust.

“We want the best home and for them to have a good quality of life,“ Daniela said.

Myuna Farm powers up

Casey Council recently installed a state-ofthe-art wind turbine and battery storage system at Myuna Farm in Doveton.

The first of its kind in Casey, this significant addition to Myuna Farm’s environmental infrastructure would bolster the solar and community electric vehicle charger already in place on the farm.

Casey Council chief executive Glenn Patterson said the council was thrilled to introduce the wind turbine at Myuna Farm.

“This installation represents our continued commitment to environmental sustainability, and we hope it inspires community members to embrace renewable energy solutions,” he said.

“Between 2004 and 2023, energy saving projects at the farm have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 84 per cent and importantly, halved the energy bills despite rising energy costs.

“Key energy saving projects have included real time electricity monitoring, LED lighting upgrades, insulation upgrades, mechanical servicing, 30kW solar photovoltaic system and Casey’s first community electric vehicle charger.“

Mr Patterson said the wind turbine would “continue to decrease Myuna Farm’s reliance on traditional energy sources“, further supporting energy cost reductions.

“This, in turn, allows Myuna Farm to allocate more resources towards the care and

Thumbs down

To all “local” mp’s that don’t respond to their constituents or don’t try and help out with issues in their communities.

Thumbs down

To the rising cost of food. Even poor people food is too expensive these days.

Thumbs up

To Maccas for making reliably decent coffee.

conservation of the farm animals and the enhancement of its popular educational programs,“ he said.

With more than 180,000 visitors to the farm a year, the wind turbine would be accompanied by interactive displays and informational signage to provide visitors with insights into the installation.

The 5kW wind turbine stands on a locally made 17 metre tower and is one of the most efficient small wind turbines available.

The system feeds into the current solar system and will save more than 10 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year, delivering on Myuna Farm’s vision of creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

Shopping local pays

We have a winner in the Berwick Star News Shop Local & Win competition!

Over the past six weeks readers have entered for their chance to win a $50 gift voucher from local businesses advertising on our special Shop local &Win page. Drawn at random from hundreds of entries, our winner Carol Fletcher from Upper Beaconsfield has won over $500 in prizes from some great local businesses. Congratulations to all entrants.

A winter’s day at Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick. 349842 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Casey Council chief executive Glenn Patterson, Casey Council administrators chair Noelene Duff PSM, Myuna Farm manager Steve Hill and Casey Council administrator Miguel Belmar.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Daniela and Ed. 352761

Picture: EMILY LAING

Uni gains full control

By Matthew Sims

Federation University Australia will be expanding operations at its Berwick campus after it reached agreement with Monash University for control of the site

Since commencing operations at the Berwick campus in 2017, Federation University has been leasing the facility from Monash University, which established the site in 1996.

While the previous leasing arrangement allowed Federation to deliver high quality education and research operations from the Berwick campus, having full control will allow the university to invest more into the campus and better serve the needs of the local community and businesses to deliver a pipeline of highly skilled graduates for the growing Berwick community and South East area.

Federation University vice chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley said the agreement will allow the university to prosper for many more years.

“Federation welcomes the signing of the agreement that sees Berwick campus finally become University property,“ he said.

“This agreement will enable us to fulfill our campus vision for Berwick and provide an expanded offering that will better serve the education needs of the community for generations to come.

“I would like to thank Monash for their support in finalising our agreement for the campus site.”

The agreement coincides with Federation University’s expansion of course offerings at its Berwick campus from 2024, with the delivery of four new engineering courses from next year alongside the existing business, education, health, I.T, science, and society and culture courses that have seen thousands of students graduate from the campus over the years.

Securing the long-term future of the Berwick campus supports Federation’s commitment to

becoming Australia’s first co-operative university, where all courses will be delivered in conjunction with industry partners from 2025.

Federation University Berwick campus regional strategy and engagement director Kathy Racunica said the expansion will allow the university to provide a wider range of learning op-

portunities across the South East.

“Our Berwick campus has a short, yet successful history and thanks to the support of the local community, city councils and our industry partners, we have given thousands of students the opportunity to study, and ultimately establish their careers closer to home,“ she said.

“By finalising the agreement for the campus site, Federation is now able to open its doors to a larger number of students in the south-east region of Melbourne.”

For more information about the Berwick campus, visit federation.edu.au/about-us/ our-campuses/berwick

Picture: SUPPLIED

THE LOWDOWN Q&A

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Many who I see daily won’t know this one about me but it’s right there plain to see. I have two different coloured eyes. It’s a condition called heterochromia. The best part, the colour can change daily.

What do you love the most about your job?

The people! Having the opportunity to work alongside amazing people who are growing, learning and discovering an inner confidence makes me so proud. Watching their commitment to learn new things and giving things a go is inspiring and I am so proud to have a part in their journey. I am also so proud to be able to break down the stigma of what inclusion means to so many within our community and building awareness and acceptance around those in our community living with a disability. My job is making a difference in peoples lives and absolutely nothing can beat that. I love that the Amstel Club were so open to providing trailblazing opportunities to build inclusion programmes within the hospitality setting.

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

Most definitely would be a superb fairy wren. Just look at the striking blue colour the males have not to mention the freedom they have to fly and explore beautiful nature parklands are grassed areas. One of the most beautiful animals I know.

What would your last meal be?

One that I didn’t cook myself. I think it would be a really nice simple margarita pizza on a sourdough base, cooked in a woodfire oven. I would make sure that there was a nice cocktail to accompany it.

What was your most memorable moment?

The birth of my children was my most memorable moment. That feeling of knowing that a whole new adventure was about to begin and life was going to look so different and I will

with Amstel Group inclusion manager Jo Muir

to act themselves and be accepted by society no matter their differences. Hopefully that is something that I can impact on some small way.

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

Walt Disney, Princess Diana, My Pa, Dylan Alcott, Dr. Russell Barkley and Julia Gillard.What an inspiring group of changemakers. What are you currently listening to/watching or reading?

I am currently reading the latest clinical guidelines for ADHD. I have been able to take in a screening of the Barbie movie, which has such a great message for the community and self awareness. Its a must see!

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

My friends would see me as a thoughtful, compassionate and dedicated friend.

THREE … facts about elephants

Pique those big, grey ears this 12 August for World Elephant Day! Celebrate these gentle giants and enjoy three relephant facts!

1 Elephant babies are more than most of us could bench press. A baby elephant is born at around a massive 120 kilograms.

Jo has a community of 115,000 people across the world following along an ADHD Collective Instagram page she created with the goal to build awareness and understanding of ADHD (@the_adhd_collective). Picture: SUPPLIED

never forget just how amazing that felt. It a moment that I will never forget and one that I will never experience again so it holds the biggest place in my heart.

What were you like as a kid?

Busy... thinking back I was involved in the girl guides for many years, volunteering my time at fetes and fundraisers. I was always inquisistive and I developed a strong interest in animals and pets. Never a dull moment – something that I have taken into my adult life.

What event, past or present, would you like to witness?

I would like to see the world become a more kind and accepting place. In many areas we are seeing a small change however it still isn’t enough. I would like to see people being able

Where is your happy place?

Wilsons Prom is my most favourite place to visit anytime throughout the year. It is such a diverse landscape, with so many activities, wildlife and experiences that can easily be enjoyed by just stepping out into the national, I feel so lucky to be able to have this place so close by and do enjoy spending as much time there as I can.

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

An old family recipe would be my go to. Many chefs cook from the heart so I would recreate my nanas apple pie. Complete with a homemade dough, fresh apples cooked and sliced and served with a lattice top and sugar dusting.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

I would like to travel to Antarctica and explore a part of the world that so many would not ever get to see. Somewhere so remote and vast that has to be experienced to be believed.

2 Elephant trunks are extraordinarily sensitive, with over 150,000 muscles they can hold up to eight litres of water and can be used as a snorkel.

3 Elephant calves make human babies look slow! Calves can stand within 20 minutes of being born and can walk within the hour, unlike human babies which can take up to 18 months! After two days, elephant calves are able to give their parents a run for their trumpets, keeping up with the herd as they migrate to find food.

Education on violence

An educational initiative to reduce violence on and off sporting fields is set to get underway with YMCA Victoria and the Pat Cronin Foundation (PCF) teaming up to reach as many as 1.2 million players, fans and staff at Casey Stadium in the next 12 months.

This collaboration was made possible through a $30,000 grant provided by Casey Council as part of the State Government’s Empowering Communities initiative within the Building Safer Communities Program.

Casey Council administrators chair Noelene Duff PSM said the council is pleased to support this initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to tackling valuable social causes.

“Building on the successes from our initial funding, the Pat Cronin Foundation have since secured an additional $80,000 funds through the same grant initiative, with the aim to raise awareness around the impacts of social violence, including the much-publicised coward punch, as well as strategies to handle and diffuse conflict,” she said.

The partnership will kick off with a powerful statement during Round 14 of the National Basketball League One (NBL1) and Victorian Netball League 16.

Guest speakers will address crowds at two feature matches to encourage positive change, while ongoing messaging will be displayed prominently on the stadium’s big screens throughout the year.

Stadium staff will take part in workshops to learn techniques to diffuse confrontation, while sporting clubs and the community will be encouraged to attend one of two highly informative educational presentations for players in September and November.

The Pat Cronin Foundation, a prominent Melbourne-based violence prevention charity, was established following the death of 19-year-old Pat Cronin from a Coward Punch

attack while helping a mate during a night out in 2016.

YMCA South East recreational regional executive manager Carly Sanders said the YMCA was honoured to be joining forces with PCF in a shared mission to prevent violence and promote healthy relationships in the City of Casey.

“This partnership will enable us to combine our resources to create impactful programs that address social violence in our community,” she said.

“The initiative embodies the core values of both organisations and underscores our commitment to making a lasting, positive change in thousands of lives.“

Pat Cronin Foundation director Matt Cronin, the father of Pat, said reinforcing appropriate responses to anger and aggression in the sporting arena was a valuable opportunity because it also involved skills essential in everyday life.

“This initiative withYMCAVictoria will help us spread our message, which is particularly relevant in the rough and tumble of competitive sport where emotions are often running high - but also outside of sport,” he said.

“We’re calling on all sports clubs associated with the stadium to register for one of the upcoming presentations, which often have a transformative effect on those who attend.

“Thousands of people are hospitalised each year in Australia due to senseless violence in public settings and by giving people an understanding of Pat’s story, raising awareness of the impact of violence and offering practical tips to deal with anger and confrontation, we hope to reduce the statistics.”

The YMCA collaboration complements another groundbreaking PCF partnership beginning soon in the City of Casey.

The Foundation will work directly with about 7000 students in up to 25 schools, showcasing its newly developed Prep-Year 12 Be Wise Education Program – now available throughout Australia.

Casey Stadium centre manager Josh Sadler and PCF partnerships manager Steve Layt.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Campus marks 20 years

Beaconhills College’s Berwick campus is set to celebrate 20 years of supporting local students in their educational journeys.

Some of the founding staff will join parents, students and community members from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday 16 August to celebrate the milestone, with students, staff and alumni showcasing dance, drama, music and voice performances.

Now a thriving campus of 1650 students, the campus originally had humble beginnings with the first 341 students having to start their 2003 school year at the former Monash University campus on Clyde Road, now Federation University, before moving to the 16.45 hectare site on Kangan Drive.

At the time, the College was eyeing off three possible Kangan Drive sites, including locations of the current St John of God Hospital andWoodlands Park retirement village.

Former headmaster Tony Sheumack said the land where the Berwick Campus is now

located was originally part of the old Casey estate, owned by the O’Donohue family.

“We could have been on the hospital site had the hospital decided not to take that particular property,“ he said.

“The logic was quite simply ‘it’s cheaper to build on flat land’.“

Berwick campus principal Sam Watson said the school was “incredibly proud” of the chance to celebrate the staff, students and families who had served the Berwick campus over the last 20 years.

“This is an opportunity for key members of our community reflect on the growth and influence this College has had on so many people,“ he said.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Community Education Support Fund (CESF), which awards scholarships and bursaries for families in need.

To purchase tickets to the event, visit tinyurl.com/beaconhills.

The official opening of Beaconshills College’s Berwick campus at Monash University’s Clyde Road campus in 2003. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The initial stages of the construction.

Former Upper House MP Edward O’Donohue and former headmaster Tony Sheumack. The current Berwick campus has a total of 1650 students.

Deborah Bogenhuber

Food Next Door

Mildura, The Murray

The spirit of the Murray River is in the food we eat. At Food Next Door, we match migrant farmers to land and create ‘Out of the Box’ fresh produce boxes that supply our local cafes, restaurants and the community. It’s a beautiful cycle that brings everyone together and visitors to Mildura can enjoy our culture of creativity and inclusivity.

Closure ‘reckless’: I Cook

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

In a long-awaited Supreme Court trial, Dandenong South commercial kitchen I Cook Foods has claimed that it was closed down with “reckless indifference”.

ICF is suing the Department of Health and Human Services for alleged misfeasance in the shutdown and destruction of its family business in early 2019.

Then-Acting Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton ordered the closure as part of an investigation into the death of an 86-year-old listeriainfected patient at Knox Private Hospital.

On 2 August, ICF’s barrister Marcus Clarke KC told the court that Dr Sutton acted with “reckless indifference” to whether ICF’s food was “unsafe” or “unsuitable” as well as to the likely harm to the business.

Dr Sutton should not have acted until there were more detailed lab test results on ICF food samples, Mr Clarke argued.

Instead “they’ve jumped before getting the report”, Mr Clarke said.

At the time, Dr Sutton knew there were six food samples with listeria mono (LM) collected from the ICF kitchen, and that ICF supplied sandwiches to Knox Private, Mr Clarke said.

The pending lab results were whether the LM concentration levels were ‘safe’ at ICF and if the LM was a genomic match with the listeria found in the patient.

Mr Clarke told the court that listeria is “ubiquitous” in the environment.

“It’s absolutely imperative to get enumeration before deciding it’s safe or unsafe”.

According to Australian New Zealand Food Standards, the safe LM level in ready-to-eat foods is less than 100 colony-forming units per gram (cfu/g).

The official lab results for ICF ingredients

proved to be less than 10 – well within the safe range, Mr Clarke said.

There were no positive LM samples on ICF’s kitchen surfaces and environment.

Before the closure, DHHS emails advised Dr Sutton to wait for LM genomic matching and enumeration results, Mr Clarke said.

DHHS barrister Christopher Caleo KC told the court that any detected level of listeria was sufficient for Dr Sutton to be satisfied the food was unsafe.

“(LM) enumeration was not a threshold factor at all in his decision-making.”

It was also not a case of randomly sampling a kitchen but“working backwards” from a case with “invasive listeriosis”, Mr Caleo said.

Dr Sutton’s decision was also based on oth-

er information such as the patient’s food history, the “deficient” condition of ICF’s premises and food safety practices and the vulnerability of patients, nursing home residents and Meals on Wheels clients who ate ICF meals, according to DHHS.

Two days before the closure order, Greater Dandenong Council issued two food safety orders against ICF claiming it was in unsanitary condition and a state of disrepair.

Dr Sutton knew of the council having “concerns” about the premises, Mr Caleo said.

The presiding judge Justice Michael McDonald said the LM enumeration issue was “critical” in his mind, raising the need for more expert evidence.

“It’s a matter of surprise to me unfortunate-

ly and I’m the one person in the room that you don’t want to be surprising.”

In a press conference transcript presented to the court, Dr Sutton said on 22 February 2019 that the ICF kitchen samples hadn’t been linked directly to the patient and was still under investigation.

“I have acted out of abundance of precaution in closing it.

“Potentially thousands of people have been exposed but we don’t know the level of listeria contamination that have occurred.

“If it’s below a certain threshold then people don’t become unwell but above a certain threshold and for those who are at-risk it can cause this serious invasive disease septicaemia and meningitis.

“We haven’t seen other cases. We know that there is this one death and I didn’t want to see any more and that’s why I have taken the action overnight.”

On the day Dr Sutton ordered the closure, a DHHS officer wrote to Dr Sutton that the patient ate sandwiches from a “commercial manufacturer” at Knox Private as well as a wide range of high-risk foods before being admitted to hospital.

No positive samples were found at other sites but “the possibility that the listeriosis was acquired while at home has not been dismissed”.

ICF’s lawyer Mr Clarke said a doctor raised the possibility the patient had contracted listeria before being admitted with gastro-like symptoms to Knox Private on 13 January.

He also noted that ICF had been supplying 5000 sandwiches a week at the time – including 3500 a week to Knox Private - without another reported listeria case.

The trial resumes on Wednesday 9 August.

Issues in dispute in I Cook Foods’ Supreme Court case

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

What information did then-Acting Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton have to justify his closure of I Cook Foods?

This is one of the key issues being argued by ICF in its quest for compensation that’s being heard at the Victorian Supreme Court,. Dr Sutton’s closure order stated he was satisfied under the Food Act that ICF’s food was “unsafe” and “unsuitable” based upon a report by an authorised officer.

ICF argues that this “report” was not provided to ICF prior to its shut down.

It was a denial of natural justice ahead of a closure that led to the“complete destruction” of ICF, it submitted.

Further, the “report”, which was eventually provided by the DHHS during pre-trial discovery, did not actually satisfy Dr Sutton that ICF’s food was unsafe.

This point has been conceded by the

DHHS, and is a ground for making the closure order invalid according to ICF.

The supplied ‘report’ was an email summary from a meeting of DHHS senior officials including Dr Sutton on the day of the closure order.

DHHS decided at the meeting to request Greater Dandenong Council to close production at ICF that day, DHHS barrister Christopher Caleo KC told the court.

There was no minutes of the meeting, he said.

In its submissions, DHHS argues that Dr Sutton validly relied on a range of written and oral reports from various officers over three days.

This included an investigation into food eaten by the patient, positive LM samples at ICF, the condition of ICF’s premises and food safety practices and the vulnerability of patients, nursing home residents and Meals on Wheels clients.

Pre-trial, DHHS initially refused to supply the other ‘reports’ on the grounds due to the task being “too broad” and “oppressive”, the court heard.

Justice Michael McDonald noted the DHHS’s basis for that response was “ques-

tionable to say the least”.

The DHHS submitted that it wasn’t required to give ICF a chance to respond prior to the shutdown as part of the department’s “protective”, “emergency” power.

ICF argued that natural justice wasn’t expressly excluded by the Food Act in this case.

Mr Caleo argued that for ICF to succeed, it was not enough to show Dr Sutton made a mistake.

ICF must prove Dr Sutton acted with malice, or the “absence of an honest attempt to perform the functions of the office”, he said.

“The question is whether a decision-maker could reasonably come to the conclusion.

“Dr Sutton’s actions in making the Closure Order and Varied Closure Order were lawful, considered, without malice, based on evidence and were undertaken in an honest attempt to perform his statutory role.”

The trial continues on Wednesday 9 August.

The I Cook Foods kitchen in Dandenong South.

Picture: JAMES ROSS/AAP

Red Cross helpers in vogue

Functional fashion was the theme of the day at the Berwick St Andrews Uniting Church Fellowship room as part of the Berwick/Upper Beaconsfield Friends of Red Cross’ annual fashion parade.

Branch member Glenys Collins said the event was a success.

“We were happy bright sun welcomed about 60 ladies, and several brave men, to watch our four ladies model the lovely Cliche Fashions,“ she said.

“Our models were Lorraine Hollow, Lorna Proctor, Julia Cho and Rev. Sue Stott-Floyd and together with the willing helpers from Berwick/Upper Beaconsfield Friends of Red Cross and the Ladies of the Friendship Group of St Andrews, we shared the parade followed by drawing of the raffle prizes and then tucked into a scrumptious lunch to round out a very enjoyable day that raised nearly $1300.“

The Friends of Red Cross group meets at 10am on the second Friday of each month.

The Friendship Group of St Andrews meets at the St Andrews Uniting Church on the third Wednesday of each month at 1pm for craft, Scrabble, other board games and afternoon tea.

For more information, contact Ms Collins on 0416 672 485 or 9768 9534.

Lorraine Hollow, Lorna Proctor, Reverend Susan Stott-Floyd and Julia Cho were the models during the event. 350225

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Julia Cho. 350225

Fredrick from Cliche Clothing Company showing some of the items that are for sale. 350225

Lorna Proctor. 350225

About 60 people from far and wide attended the event. 350225

Lorraine Hollow. 350225

Reverend Susan Stott-Floyd. 350225

Spiritual stalwart bows out

By Matthew Sims

Narre Warren Christian Church co-founder Keith Vethaak has always believed there was hope and love to be found in the most unlikely of places.

Surrounded by members of the community during the Monday evening service on 7 August, he spoke about about a young man he met as a pastor at the Reformed Church of Kingston in Tasmania about 40 years ago.

“The boy had cerebral palsy and he couldn’t talk,“ he said.

“The first thing he wrote was “I love God and I want to know more about him.“

Mr Vethaak has now retired as a full-time pastor at the Narre Warren Christian Church, which has been operating as the Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support service since 2009.

The Reformed Churches of Dandenong and Doveton founded the Narre Warren Christian Church in 1986 by as a ’street level’ outreach church with the mission of providing a safe place and a healing community for all, but especially for those who are doing it tough.

Mr Vethaak said the church had transitioned fully to offering food support services about two years ago.

“We don’t hold Sunday services any more,“ he said.

“We want to have a chance to help anybody that walks in,“ he said.

“We want people to come here that need a helping hand.“

Mr Vethaak said on top of feeding locals in need, the service has also provided social support for people.

“It was an eye-opening thing to see the loneliness factor,“ he said.

“Some of them were just so lonely.“

Born in Holland in 1950, Mr Vethaak migrated to Queensland in 1955 and started his religious studies in 1969 at the Reformed Theological College in Geelong, attaining a Bachelor of Divinity in 1974.

After a short stint studying at L’Abri in The Netherlands, he bgan his internship in Christchurch, before being ordained at the Reformed Church of Kingston in 1977.

Mr Vethaak then moved to become the first pastor of the Narre Warren Christian Church, which originally began with a congregation of about 60 people.

“At one point, we’d grown to about 200,“ he said.

“It was always what I wanted to do, touching the lives of people who needed it,“ he said.

The church moved into its current building on Webb Street in June of 1995.

“Although it was a basic factory without a ceiling, it was close to the station and fitted our vision of being an outreach to marginalised folk well,“ Mr Vethaak said.

“We developed a close relationship with (the former) Narre Warren Station Primary School and ran after-school programs in the new building.“

Over the years, Mr Vethaak said the community’s need for food support became clearer than its need for religious support.

“Transit began in March 2009 after we became aware that Dandenong agencies were being overwhelmed with demand from folk in the Narre Warren area,“ he said.

“We started with a meal each Wednesday, a pool table and other activities.

“Numbers rapidly increased from about a dozen to over 50 each week.“

Mr Vethaak said while people often call Transit a church, the service was welcome for people of all faiths.

“We try to be very respectful of everybody,“ he said.

The service receives 15 pallets from Foodbank, OzHarves and Woolworths each week, with about 1500 people registered and 600 families accessing food relief each week.

More than 90 people visit the Transit during their Monday and Wednesday services thanks to the help of more than 100 volunteers ranging in age from 12 to 83.

Transit offers a free three-course meal from 5pm every Monday with groceries available for collection from 6pm to 7pm, with a free laundry service also available via charity Orange Sky, while a free three-course meal is also available from noon every Wednesday with groceries available from 1pm to 2.30pm and

food support is available from 1pm to 4pm on Thursdays.

Mr Vethaak said the service had seen more and more people seek support as the cost of living rises, especially in the wake of the COVID lockdowns.

“It’s pretty scary,“ he said.

Mr Vethaak said the main philosophy of Transit came from the words of Australian Presbyterian minister John Flynn OBE, who spoke about looking after all elements of what gives mankind hope.

“You need to feed your body, but you also need to feed your soul,“ he said.

Volunteer Dot O’Neill said each service usually attracted about six new people.

“It means that some people can survive,“ she said.

“It’s also a meeting place and a social thing for some people.“

Mr Vethaak said he was confident in his replacement, Casey City Church pastor Malcolm McQuie, who said the job had been “challenging“ yet rewarding so far.

“I come to work with a smile and I go home with a smile,“ he said.

At the age of 73, Mr Vethaak said he was looking forward to spending more time with his wife Tjitske and his 13 grandchildren, despite still acting as the secretary and public officer.

“I am still preaching in various churches many Sundays each month but my wife is happy to have me home a bit more during the week as we had fallen way behind on our property maintenance,“ he said.

“We also need more time for our 13 grandchildren ranging in age from one to 16.“

Mr Vethaak said he was proud of his achievements in celebrating and supporting the hidden members of the community.

“I feel really blessed that I have been able to serve the most marginal people,“ he said.

“I believe every human being is of infinite value.“

For more information about Transit, visit transitoutreach.org.au.

Retired pastor Keith Vethaak (second from left) is enjoying stepping back at the helm of Narre Warren’s Transit Soup Kitchen and Food Support service. 351788 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Keith Vethaak has handed over the day-to-day duties to pastor Malcolm McQuie. 351788

Keith Vethaak has lived a life of serving the community and individuals in need. 351788

Volunteer Lyn is one of the 100-plus volunteers who help run Transit’s Monday and Wednesday meal service. 351788

Daryl and Paul were among the congregation at Transit’s Monday evening service, enjoying a chat and a meal together. 351788

Keith Vethaak and Malcolm McQuie. 351788

Study engineering locally

Aspiring engineers in Melbourne’s South East will now be able to study closer to home with Federation University Australia to start delivering engineering courses from its Berwick campus.

From 2024, four undergraduate engineering courses will be offered at Berwick, providing a pipeline of local graduates to meet the growing demands of the burgeoning engineering and manufacturing sector.

The four-year Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) (Hons); Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) (Hons); Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Information Engineering) (Hons); and Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) (Hons) courses have been designed in collaboration with industry leaders to ensure graduates have the skills they need to thrive in current and future industries.

Federation University’s Executive Dean, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Professor Iven Mareels said the University is pleased to provide for local students.

“As a university embedded in the SouthEast region of Melbourne, we are working with industry to help address local workforce needs and give students the opportunity to study closer to home, where they can maintain ties to their community and family,“ Professor Mareels said.

“We are delighted to be launching these engineering programs at Berwick, supporting

students with the knowledge and real-world experience they need to achieve their career aspirations.”

Students will have the opportunity to experience a rich program of work integrated learning through an industry placement program

of 12 weeks supporting students to gain the skills employers want so they can step straight into the next phase of their career when they graduate.

It comes as Federation University rolls out its co-operative education model, where all courses from 2025 will be designed, developed and delivered in partnership with industry, and where students will receive work integrated learning to give them a valuable head-start in their career.

South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance chief executive Honi Walker said Federation University’s development is crucial to industry.

“Federation University’s 2024 launch of engineering programs at the Berwick campus represents a crucial step in developing a skilled and innovative future workforce for the manufacturing industry, driving the region’s growth and competitiveness in the global market,“ Ms Walker said.

“These engineering courses across a range of manufacturing and construction industries will play a crucial role in shaping the incoming workforce of our sector.“

For more information about the engineering courses, visit federation.edu.au/engineering or head along to Federation’s Open Day on Sunday, 13 August 10am – 2pm.

Overcoming barriers for women to get active

By Matthew Sims

Federation University’s Berwick campus open day will be on Sunday 13 August.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Learning opportunities

Campus tours, course advice and connection with employers will be among the highlights at this year’s Federation University Australia open day.

Prospective students and their families will get an up-close look at the state-of-theart learning facilities, student spaces and accommodation at the university’s Berwick campus when the university opens its doors on Sunday, 13 August from 10am to 2pm.

The tour will allow students and their families to make important early connections with industry representatives and draw on the expertise of local employers who are partnering with Federation through its co-operative education model to co-design, co-develop and co-deliver courses that give students real-world training to ensure they can step into the next phase of their career when they graduate.

Connected Libraries and the Level Crossing Removal Project are among the industry partners sharing their knowledge and advice at the Berwick campus.

The open day will also be an opportunity for prospective students to receive personalised advice about industry placement op-

portunities, the courses that align with their goals, pathway options, study support and the university’s scholarships of which there were more than 200 on offer this year.

Federation University vice chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley said the co-operative education model helps students get realistic experience from day one.

“Federation is helping students to realise their career dreams from the moment they enrol, by forging early connections with employers through events like open day and supporting real- world experience throughout their studies,” he said.

“We are delighted to be welcoming the community to our beautiful campuses to share everything we have to offer as we embark on exciting changes through the rollout of our co-operative education model.

“Through this model, from 2025, all courses will be designed, developed and delivered in partnership with industry, and students will receive work integrated learning to give them a valuable head-start in their career.”

For more details, visit www.federation. edu.au/openday

Federation

University and Casey

Council have united to support South East women to become more physically active.

Through a series of workshops, researchers received a snapshot of the barriers to physical activity faced by local women and invited them to co-design sport and recreation solutions.

Participants identified the top four barriers to physical activity as cost, not having enough time, being unsure of what was available to them, and domestic and care responsibilities.

More than 75 women attended the workshops and researchers looked at survey data from 46 of the participants.

The participants ranged in age from 18 to 71, with 28 per cent with children under five years old and more than half from households that speak a language other than English.

On average, the women reported 107 minutes of leisure-time physical activity per week, below the recommendation of 150 minutes.

The research project brought together research expertise from Federation University’s Collaborative Evaluation Research Group (CERG) and Physical Activity and Sport Insights (PASI).

Federation University sport management senior lecturer Dr Meghan Casey said after unpacking the barriers women were experiencing, researchers asked them how they would design a program for themselves and the other women who were like them.

“It’s well known that women generally have

lower physical activity participation rates than men, but the City of Casey is also a growth area and has a culturally diverse population, and we know their participation rates are lower,“ she said.

“By having the women involved in the process of designing how the programs will look, how they should run, how much they should cost and these aspects, this will show us if that makes a difference in changing their behaviour.“

Among the women-designed physical activities were learn to swim classes, groupbased exercises like yoga and Zumba, walking groups and social sports with a focus on affordability and child-friendly or childcare options.

The City of Casey has started looking at ways to implement the participants’ recommendations and once programs are rolled out, researchers would assess their effectiveness in getting more local women physically active later this year.

Casey Council community life acting director Angie Peresso said the council would develop and implement recreation programs to address the current barriers women and girls face across Casey.

“Council is proud to have partnered with Federation University on this research project to gain a better understanding of the physical activity needs of women and girls of Casey and the barriers they face when trying to exercise and connect to their local communities through recreation,“ she said.

The Berwick campus will provide four-year bachelor degrees in engineering. 351488

Picture: SUPPLIED

Group continues to grow

Narre Warren South’s Oakgrove Community Centre was alive and bustling on Wednesday 2 August with plenty of dancing, singing and games as part of the second anniversary celebrations of Oakgrove’s women’s group.

Founded with a vision to create a safe and nurturing space where women could come together, share their experiences, and support each other, the group has continued to grow in its volume and scope, undertaking a number of community outreach programs.

Centre president David Haynes joined group members, committee members and other community members to celebrate the milestone and recognise significant supporters, both within and outside of the group.

Centre manager Mary Almaraj said the event was a way to show their appreciation for the community’s support for the group over the past two years.

“Thank you to our sponsor Bendigo Bank and to Narre Warren South P-12 College assistant principal Laura Sammut for giving an inspiring speech,“ she said.

“We also thank City of Casey for their continued support.“

Ms Almaraj said the event was a “fantastic“ success.

“The event saw women from many different cultures come together to empower and uplift one another, fostering strong & meaningful community connections,“ she said.

“We are hoping to see many more years of growth and success.“

The women’s group meets every Wednesday from 10am to noon, with a $6 annual fee.

To RSVP by Monday 31 July, contact the Oakgrove Community Centre at office@oakgrovecc.org.au or phone 9704 2781 between 9am to 3pm on Monday to Friday.

The Oakgrove Community Centre’s women group is reliant on a core group of members and staff. 349679 Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Oakgrove Community Centre president David Haynes joined Bendigo Bank Narre Warren South branch representatives Amanda and Sonia. 349679

Manasi showed off her Bollywood dancing skills during the event. 349679

Oakgrove Community Centre finance officer Girija Nedumaran and president David Haynes. 349679

Narre Warren South P-12 College assistant principal Laura Sammut, Oakgrove Community Centre president David Haynes and Bendigo Bank Narre Warren South branch representative Amanda. 349679

Oakgrove Community Centre project and event co-ordinator Anu Ravindernath, president David Haynes and manager Mary Amalraj. 349679

Oakgrove Community Centre manager Mary Amalraj and president David Haynes. 349679

The event welcomed a number of local women. 349679

Arts Tour Bus

Come along and indulge in a special day of art, culture and inspiration with the ’Arts Tour Bus’. Sit back and relax as we transport you to three iconic cultural centres across the south-eastBurrinja Cultural Centre, Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, and Cardinia Cultural Centre in one not-to-miss event.

Lunch not supplied, but available for purchase at Chimes Eatery.

Bookings required: greaterdandenong.vic.gov. au/greater-dandenong-council/events/arts-tourbus

· Pick-up and drop-off point at Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren, Saturday 12 August, 10am-4pm.

25 Years of Song

The Casey Choir Spring Concert is being held at the Lakeview Room in the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Lakeside Boulevard in Pakenham on Sunday 27 August from 2pm.

Songs from shows, from around the world and from Australia with guest artists Out of Hand. A little bit of everything. Music to suit everyone.

· Tickets: cardinia.sales.ticketsearch.com/ sales/salesevent/107682

Australian Poetry Slam Heat

Are you the next Australian Poetry Slam Champion?

This is your call to listen, watch and cheer.

Australian Poetry Slam pops up stages near you. The door is open. The mic is on.

Push into the crowd and find your spot.

Audience! You may be chosen as a judge. Poets! You have two minutes to spit, howl, dance, whisper and dream out-loud. Perform your original work; no props, no costumes, no music.

Bunjil Place, Thursday 17 August from 6pm and Friday 18 August from 7.45pm.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/overview/8716

Dad’s Little Builders

Build a woodwork project with your children. Meet other dads and grandfathers. Mondays (during school terms) at the Arbourlea Family and Community Centre in 75 Wheelers Park Drive on Cranbourne North from 6pm to 7.30pm.

While the sessions are free, registration is essential.

· Email dadsmatter@casey.vic.gov.au

Hiccup

It’s a perfect, balmy night in the outback. A sleep-deprived camper, a cheeky quokka and an emu with a penchant for creating wild inventions, awake to discover that a koala has come down with a stubborn and ear-shatteringly loud case of the hiccups.

The three embark on an epic journey through the night that sees them frantically eat, sing and invent their way towards a cure before the sun comes up.

Hiccup is a hilarious rocking musical extravaganza about working together, finding friendship

Casey Pet Expo 2023

Pet lovers: You’ll be barking mad if you (and your furry friend) miss the 2023 Casey Pet Expo!

Set for an exciting year, pet lovers to this year’s event can expect to wolf down some tasty treats, roar in laughter at the exciting roving entertainment and shake their tail feathers with joy at the live music. There will also be an abundance of exciting market stalls, showcasing the latest in pet products, such as food, clothing and unique

and how to, once and for all, stop the hiccups. Bunjil Place, Tuesday 22 August at 10am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm and Wednesday 23 August at 10am and noon.

· Tickets: tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/overview/8200

Littlefoot & Company’s Spoken

Word Night

These nights are for all types of performances; spoken word artists, story tellers, musicians, comedians and even first time performers!

If you’re interested in spoken word but haven’t been to one of the events, come down and check it out.

You’ll see artists, storytellers, poets, musicians, comedians and first time performers in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Whether you want to take to the stage yourself or just hang out and enjoy the vibes, all are welcome.

Registration for open mic spots are free and will be available on the night, but if you’re interested in performing you can also contact the event organisers at littlefootandcompany@gmail.com.

Thursday 28 September from 7.45pm, Thursday 26 October from 7.45pm and Thursday 30 November 2023 from 7.45pm.

· Tickets:tickets.bunjilplace.com.au/8305/8317

Weekly badminton

Badminton for ladies or retired.

All welcome.

· Mondays 7pm-9pm and Wednesdays 12pm2.30pm at Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley

accessories to make your non-human bestie stand out from the pack!

With no need to book, you can just head to Wilson Botanic Park’s iconic amphitheatrewith or without your pet - to join the action!

Wilson Botanic Park is a animal friendly space, we ask that all pets brought into the park are kept on leads.

Expression of Interest is currently open. Interested stallholders please register below.

· Saturday 26 August from 11am to 2pm at the Wilson Botanic Park in

Road Recreation Reserve; $5. 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

Conversational English

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, Clyde North on Tuesdays, 12:30pm-2:30pm

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, Se-

landra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 1pm2pm and Wednesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm

Beginners Yoga

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.

Get Your Art On

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.

$96 per term (8 weeks).

· Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd,Clyde North on Mondays,4:30pm5:45pm

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

Creative art collaboration

Two South East artists are showcasing their talents in interpreting natural beauty in a new South Eastern Contemporary Art Network (SECAN) exhibition.

The ’Red Earth’ and ’Do You See What I See?’ exhibitions are open at Gate 6 Gallery in Akoonah Park each weekend in August between 10am and 4pm.

Local artists Elma Young and Janine Farinski-Ryan have known each other for nearly 30 years and have always shared a love for nature and art.

They photograph similar things - the discoloration in rust, tree sap, squiggly bark, cracks in the earth and the wind in tree canopies. However, their approaches to how they use these photographs are different.

Young photographs, then identifies, cleans, dries, strips and dissects before sketching and planning a creative piece.

Farinski-Ryan photographs, then digitally crops, flips and enlarges sections of a photo

before beginning her paintings.

Farinski-Ryan said she was inspired by the Red Centre’s views of“endless skies and monumental formations amongst a palette of warm orange, pinks, deep reds and sapphire blues.“

“Red Earth was created after a fabulous trip to Uluru where l collected an abundance of photographic reference material,“ she said.

’Do You See What I See?’ is a collaborative exhibition showcasing Young’s sculptural weaving and Farinski-Ryan’s painting and photography works depicting real and imagined ’creature spirits’.

SECAN is a local art group of about 40 members, which has been operating now for 10 years out of a gallery space and studio in Berwick’s Akoonah Park.

The group puts on a new exhibition each month, with free entry for the public and completely manned by its members on a voluntary basis.

For more information on the group and upcoming exhibitions, visit www.secan.com.au.

South East artists Janine Farinski-Ryan and Elma Young are showcasing their works as part of two exhibitions running throughout August at Akoonah Park’s Gate 6 Gallery. Picture: SUPPLIED

Berwick.

Picture: GENERIC

All smiles

Dr Adam Wallace, 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. Even after graduating in 2005, 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.

Quality, professional and compassionate care

At the Casey Dental Group in NarreWarren, we take great pride in our commitment to delivering the highest standard of dental care to our patients. Our team of caring and professional dentists utilizes the latest materials and technologies, such as digital x-rays, laser whitening, and ceramic fillings and crowns, to ensure that each patient receives the best possible treatment.

We understand that our patients have busy lives, which is why we offer flexible appointment options, starting from 8 am, extending to late evenings and even Saturday mornings. This way, we strive to accommodate everyone’s dental needs, making it convenient for them to prioritize oral health.

One area we particularly excel in is children’s dental care. We love seeing our younger patients and take pride in educating them about oral health and dentistry, making their experience enjoyable and anxiety-free. By bringing your children along to your appointments, we familiarize them with the environment, helping them feel more comfortable during their check-ups. We believe that we are the best children’s dentist in Narre Warren, and we are dedicated to ensuring that your child’s oral health journey starts on the right foot.

We offer a range of children’s services, including early orthodontics, fissure sealants, and regular check-ups. Additionally, eligible children between the ages of 2 and 17 may qualify for government funding of $1,052 over two calendar years, making it more accessible for families to prioritize their children’s dental health.

For those seeking orthodontic treatment, we provide Invisalign, a discreet and effective alternative to conventional braces. Achieving a beautifully aligned smile is possible at any age, and our goal is to help you attain optimal dental health for life.

At Casey Dental Group, we believe that financial concerns should not hinder you from receiving quality dental care. We offer a 12-month interest-free payment plan with GE Care Credit to make it easier for our patients to manage the cost of treatment.

To further enhance our patients’ convenience, we have an on-site HICAPS terminal that directly processes insurance claims, eliminating the need for manual paperwork and reimbursement delays.

Asadentalpractice,wevalueourpatients and the trust they place in us. We strive to provide quality, professional, and compassionate care to each individual. In return, we kindly request that payments be made on the day of scheduled appointments. We accept various payment methods, including cash, cheque, eftpos, and credit cards, including AMEX.

When you choose Casey Dental Group, you are choosing a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to ensuring your dental health and delivering excellence in dental care. Let us help you achieve your best smile and maintain optimal oral health for life. Schedule an appointment with us today.

Casey Dental Group, 236 Narre Warren - Cranbourne Road, Narre Warren South, www.caseydentalgroup.com.au

Phone: 9705 1755.

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 theWorld Federation of Orthodontists.

Dr Adam Wallace’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 or-

thodontics,Wallace aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of dental treatments, benefiting patients worldwide.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr Adam Wallace finds solace in the tranquility of his farm located in the Strzelecki ranges. Engaging in farming activities and tending to his animals, including Angus cattle, sheep, alpacas, and two border collie x kelpie dogs, provides him with a much-needed respite from his demanding professional commitments. Additionally, his devotion to family, particularly his two nephews, who bring immense joy to his life, highlights his commitment to maintaining a harmonious work-life balance.

Dr Adam Wallace’s remarkable journey in the dental profession exemplifies his unwavering commitment to excellence. Through his academic pursuits, patient-centered 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.

The team at Casey Dental Group.

Dr Adam Wallace.

No bee hive left behind

A handful of orange plastic boxes sit on a property in Belgrave South.

Unknown to the naked eye, they house a rich and complex ecosystem.

Move a little closer and you can hear a distinct buzzing.

The boxes are among 125 bee hives spread across 11 sites, including Berwick, Harkaway, Beaconsfield, Narre Warren North and Cardinia, as part of Berwick beekeeper Laszlo Kun.

Operating as Beesfriend since 2020, he has been juggling his work after clocking off from his IT job.

Former beekeeper Dietmar Klimkeit has acted as a mentor and has passed on the torch to Mr Kun.

Mr Kun said he found the ways in which bees work as “quite fascinating“.

“I find it interesting because we rely on bees,“ he said.

“It is a very calm and relaxing activity for me.

“Bees are like my extended family.“

Mr Kun often operates alone and in the middle of the night, visiting homes and other buildings to remove swarms and nests as swarming season runs from September to January.

Bringing along his home-made ’bee vacuum’, he often works meticulously to remove bees slowly from the property.

Mr Kun said a bee removal can often be a delicate operation.

“Every bee removal is different,“ he said.

While he is currently selling honey and other products, Mr Kun said the goal of his endeavours is not for profit but for returning the favour to the community which help him save bee populations from dying.

“There are some people doing it for money,“ he said.

“This is my way of giving back.“

Mr Kun said people wanting to remove bee swarms and nests should not call a pest inspector, as they would kill them before trying to relocate the bees.

“The best approach would be to contact a local bee keeper,“ he said.

“Don’t try to do this on your own.

“That can be a life-threatening problem.“

Retired doctor Johannes Wenzel has been living on his property in Belgrave South for about 40 years with his wife Jeanette.

The pair have practiced permaculture by growing fruit and vegetables in a self-sufficient and sustainable way.

Dr Wenzel said when Mr Kun approached him to house some bee hives, the decision was a no-brainer.

“(The bees) helped to pollinated all the food,“ he said.

The pair’s 24-acre property boasts a wide array of fruits, including raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries, as well as plants and flowers including sage and lavender.

“I don’t believe in artificial additives or spraying insecticides,“ Dr Wenzel said.

“I think it’s very good to keep healthy.“

Another issue concerning beekeepers across the country is the spread of the varroa mite, an invasive parasite deadly to bees which was first detected in New South Wales in June

2022 and has been detected in central west New South Wales earlier this month.

Varroa Mites lay one male and between two to 16 female eggs in each cell, meaning numbers can spread and escalate quickly.

The Department of Primary Industries has euthanised 23 hives at Gumble which tested positive to varroa mite after tracing their movement from Sackville North in Sydney.

Mr Kun said more efforts should be made in managing and protecting existing populations, rather than eradication and relocation.

He said governments should not move towards using in pesticides such as Fipronil.

“You are killing the native bees,“ he said.

“Killing bees is not the solution.

“We need to have a plan B or C.“

Mr Kun said the first step to managing bees and varroa mite was ensuring people knew the facts around both chemical and non-chemical treatments.

“We have to educate people,“ he said.

“It should be helpful for the bees, not harmful.

“The government has to solve this and solve this fast.“

Mr Kun said he has started discussions

with local schools and aims to reach out to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation about introducing bee programs to schools.

“My plan would be having a bee hive in every school,“ he said.

Mr Klimkeit said his only hope was that small-scale and environmentally-conscious efforts like Mr Kun’s do not come too late.

“Frogs and bees are the heartbeat of our environment,“ he said.

“If we lose them, then we’re lost.“

For more information, visit aussieapiaristsonline.net or beesfriend.com.au

Mr Kun has a number of beehive sites across the South East. 350270

Belgrave South resident Johannes Wenzel helps Laszlo Kun get some smoke ready. 350270

Johannes Wenzel. 350270

Mr Kun uses a thermal camera. 350270

Berwick beekeeper Laszlo Kun sprays some smoke on the bees to calm them down. 350270

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS Bees are constantly buzzing around the hives. 350270

Johannes Wenzel, Laszlo Kun and Dietmar Klimkeit. 350270

Beekeeper Laszlo Kun sells honey products through his company Beesfriend. 350270

Smoke is one of the main ways to control bees from stinging. 350270

Students show off styles

Students were excited to celebrate “Crazy Hair and Sock Day” last week at Tooradin Primary School.

“I love Crazy Hair Day because I get to eat lollies out of my hair,“ Tooradin PS student Josh said.

Students, staff and parents came up with amazing hair creations to impress and astound.

“I like it because we get to see everyone’s different hair and what they come up with from home,“ Tooradin PS student Paige said.

There were many interesting hair displays, including cupcake buns, beach themed waves and mermaid tails, balloons ready to float hair up and away, garden landscapes complete with resident insects, lego structures, Eiffel Towers, braids, birds nests, ice cream cones and much, much more.

“Everyone got to do their hair in the way they wanted and everyone looked different,“

Tooradin PS student Evie said.

The hair sculptures made use of pipe cleaners, cups, sparkles, coloured hair spray, fake eyeballs and a great deal of time and creative expression.

“There is such an excited energy around the school on Crazy Hair Day and everyone puts in such a fantastic effort getting involved,“

Tooradin PS Teacher Rosie Scott said.

This year the school welcomed the inclusion of Crazy Socks to support students to be involved in a way that they feel comfortable with there was certainly a most amazing array of extraordinary socks on display.

“This is a much anticipated day across the school and a wonderful celebration of diversity and imagination for everyone involved,“ Assistant Principal Rachel Davis said.

“As the day comes to a close we all begin to wonder ’What will next years creations look like?’“

Tender process kicks off for largest management contract

Casey Council is encouraging suitable businesses to apply to manage and operate seven of Casey’s leisure facilities, which have a combined annual visitation of about three million people.

The contract is the largest management contract in Casey’s history and one of the biggest leisure management contracts in Australia.

The council announced last year its plans to streamline the management and operation of its leisure facilities to maximise health and wellbeing opportunities for the Casey community.

The decision followed a comprehensive review of its facilities, which are currently managed by three separate partners across four separate contracts or service agreements, leading to operational inefficiencies.

City of Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said as part of the review, various management models were assessed, however it was determined that a single aligned contract, with the option to separately manage Olive Road Sporting Complex and The Shed, would deliver the highest benefit.

“Thousands of people visit Council’s leisure facilities every day and increasingly, our venues are also being chosen to host national

and international events,“ he said.

“Having a number of different management contracts, with a number of different providers, is not efficient for Council and means the experience for users of those facilities is not always consistent.

“Our leisure facilities are highly valued by the community and play a vital role in improving the overall physical, social and mental wellbeing of our residents and visitors.“

The seven centres that will be included in the contract are Casey ARC, Casey RACE, Doveton Pool in the Park, Casey Stadium, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Olive Road Sporting Complex and The Shed Skatepark. Combined, these facilities have an annual turnover of about $20 million.

A request for tender process commenced on Saturday 5 August and includes multiple options for the market to respond to.

This will enable the council to compare and review different approaches to management and operations of each centre and assess responses on a like-for-like basis.

It is expected that the new contract will begin from July 1 2024.

For more information or to download the tender document, visit www.tenderlink. com/casey

Charlotte and Chloe. 348600

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Archer. 348600

Amber and Ava. 348600

Jaxon and Wynter. 348600

Seachange lifestyle

Portland Tourist Park - Over 55’s living in Victoria’s beautiful, peaceful South West Coast Region.

Located on Victoria’s South West Coast in the beautiful historic town of Portland, Portland Tourist Park offers the perfect pet friendly sea change lifestyle for the over 55’s.

Portland Tourist Park offers a community focussed, pet-friendly and affordable lifestyle solution, allowing retirees to downsize their home and upsize their lifestyle with affordable, quality, brand new 2-bedroom homes available in our new residential expansion. “Off the plan” options are also available to allow you to customise your forever home if you see a particular site that you love.

Set in a natural bushland setting, but still within minutes of the facilities and attractions of Portland, Portland Tourist Park offers both tranquillity and convenience without all of the hustle and bustle. Our village of like-minded residents love the fact that they share the park with native birdlife and our resident koalas; but they are still so close to the local shops, cafes and healthcare services.

The park is also situated close to several stunning coastal walks, the Portland Botanical Gardens, local museums and galleries, some great local cafes and the stunning Cape Nelson Lighthouse - a perfect spot for whale watching! For those who love boating it’s the perfect location - our village has parking available for your boat, and we have an easily accessible boat wash bay.

We have just completed the first new homes in our residential village expansion and are excited to be adding more shortly. To complement our growing residential village, community facilities are also proposed to be progressively upgraded as part of

our long-term plans.

Being a land-lease community, there is not stamp duty and we do not charge entry or exit

fees in our park. Our simplified sale process and low site fees allow you more time (and money) for the important things in life!

Call our office on 03 5523 2297 to organise a tour today, we can’t wait to show you the Portland Tourist Park Lifestyle.

Portland Tourist Park - Over 55’s living in Victoria’s beautiful, peaceful South West Coast Region.

Embrace a new life today

In the quiet whispers of time passing, there lies a profound truth that we often overlook-the ephemeral nature of moments, like fleeting butterflies, flutter by, leaving us with memories etched in the sands of time.

Life’s journey is a dance of choices and opportunities, a symphony of chances that beckon us to take hold of the reins. Among these, a whisper urges us to embrace the change that awaits-a downsizer home, a sanctuary for a new chapter.

Picture it, if you will-a charming haven tucked away from the hustle and bustle, where the weight of unnecessary possessions fades away. The clutter that once weighed upon your shoulders will find solace in the arms of benevolent charity, making space for cherished treasures and memories to blossom.

In a downsizer home, time finds itself a gentle master, and moments of joy, love, and laughter are savoured like fine wine. The days of mowing vast lawns and maintaining unwieldy spaces will be replaced by a manageable sanctuary, where you’ll find more time to bask in the warmth of cherished company.

You will find a newfound sense of liberation. Letting go of the past, you’ll embrace the present with arms wide open. The shackles of maintenance yield to the freedom of exploration, travel, and adventures that await your eager heart.

Seize the day and make way for the winds of change. By choosing to downsize at Lifestyle Communities, you’ll discover the art of appreciating a life well-lived, where every day is cherished. Book the tour today. 1300 50 55 60

Embrace a new life today and downsize at Lifestyle Communities.

Four fascinating books

How often do you get a chance to read a book?

Many of us I suspect would claim that we don’t have time to read because we are too busy, however in a recent article entitled ‘What All Great Leaders Have In Common’ by Mike Myatt of N2Growth, he asserts that “all great leaders have one thing in common: they read voraciously”.

Furthermore, according to recent surveys at N2Growth, studies show that active readers are likely to have annual incomes more than five times greater than those who spend little or no time reading. Interested to find out more now? Well here are four very different books that may very well change your perspective.

The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber

A brilliantly written and simple book which uses a narrative approach to illustrate key messages based on a small business owner who runs a business called All About Pies.

Gerber wrote the book to explain ‘why most small businesses don’t work and what to do about it’ and I regard it as essential reading for anyone who is about to start a business or has started one within the past two years.

There are so many incredibly valuable insights here on sales, marketing, organisational structure and customer service and the importance of working on the business, all explained in a highly practical and readable way.

The Art of War for Executives by Donald G Krause

The Art of War is an ancient book on military strategy written by Sun Tzu, a Chinese military

general, strategist and philosopher who lived around the time of Confucius. Sun Tzu is well known in China as a highly successful master tactician who, luckily for us, recorded the key insights that characterised his success.

The book is written as a set of logically grouped clauses and in his ‘business’ version of this book, Krause follows the same format.

There are many similarities between the business and military worlds (both make use of limited resources in the pursuit of winning) and Krause uses this synergy to draw business insights which are remarkably relevant and insightful even in today’s business world.

Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

This book proved to be quite a revelation for

me especially during this era of ‘busyness’ in which few of us seem to have time for even a short break.

In ‘Rest’, the author provides many examples to illustrate his belief that ‘work’ and ‘rest’ are essentially two sides of the same coin, i.e. you can’t be truly effective in one unless you are effective in the other.

This is fantastic news for all those hardworking individuals who feel guilty whenever they are not working, since this book explains how taking a break is actually extremely beneficial in helping you not only maintain a healthy lifestyle but also to tackle those deeper and more intractable problems.

Not a book to try to read if you only have a couple of spare hours as this is of a size that could prop up most houses with stump issues, but it is a fascinating biographical insight into a brilliant, complicated and totally unique individual. When you read this book, it is clear Jobs was not the kindest or most thoughtful of people but his capacity for invention, insight and grasp of what consumers really want is phenomenal and there are many valuable lessons for all business owners.

Happy reading!

Ian Ash ACC AIECL AInstIB Managing director OrgMent Business Solutions - ombs.com.au

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Reading can be a great way to upskill when starting a business.

Picture: UNSPLASH

Pupils’ athletic inspiration

Brentwood Park Primary School’s pupils received a close look into what it takes to be a para-athlete from running star Reece Langdon.

The T38 para world record holder over 5000m visited the school on Friday 28 July as part of the Victorian Institute of Sport’s (VIS) ‘Be Fit. Be Well’ program, which has been running for almost 30 years and encourages primary and secondary school students to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle.

In December 2002, at the age of 6, Langdon started getting severe headaches, so his parents took him to hospital.

He soon lost his ability to talk and walk and became almost completely paralysed.

They discovered he had severe streptococcal which led to a virus, which attacked his cerebellum and was later diagnosed with cerebellitis.

Langdon gradually relearnt how to walk and talk, but was left with permanent ataxia, coordination impairment, temperature regulation issues, and general weakness on the left side of his body. Despite his health issues, he still loved to run and running two kilometres to the letterbox at his family’s farm in Goulburn was how he began his journey in athletics.

Langdon always trained and competed with able-bodied athletes, until he was encouraged by close friends to go through the para-athlete classification process.He started the process in 2021 and in February 2022, he was officially classified a T38 para-athlete, immediately setting Australian open T38 800m and 1500m records.

Langdon headlined the National Championships in April 2023, racing to a new T38 para world record over 5000m - obliterating the previous mark of 15:00.42 by Canada’s Nate Riech, rewriting history with his 14:47.56 performance in the 5000m B race. In June 2023 he was named in his first Australian team, where he competed at the 2023 World Para Athletics

Championships, returning with a silver medal. VIS community engagement co-ordinator Amy McMahon said the ’Be Fit. Be Well’ program featured interactive and inspirational

presentations from elite athletes across a number of fields and disciplines.

“The program helps to promote physical activity and its links to wellbeing,“ she said.

“Key topics are tailored for specific school year levels and include motivation, resilience, goal setting, coping with pressure, health and nutrition.“

Para-athleteReeceLangdonspoketoBrentwoodParkPrimarySchoolpupilsabouthisjourney.

Picture:SUPPLIED

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

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

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

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

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

LANDSCAPING 35 Years Experience

All aspects of landscaping including paving, retaining walls, instant and artificial lawns.

Garry Hickey on 0411 860 785

tion are qualified practitioners and offer nonsexualservices.

ADVERTISERS

PLEASE NOTE

Anyone advertising a puppy, dog, kitten or cat in Victoria for sale or re-homing will need a source number from the Pet Exchange Register and a microchip identification number. It is now an offence to advertise unless the source number and microchip identification number is included in the advertisement or notice. For further information, call 136 186 or visit animalwelfare.vic.gov.au

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The position is salaried, plus we offer an open ended commission scheme

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SPORT

Falcons FC flying the flag

By David Nagel

Look out Sam Kerr…the girls from Harkaway Hills College are scoring goals at a rapid rateboth on and off the pitch - in their first season in theVictorian Churches Football Association (VCFA).

Falcons FC, as they are known, have scored 79 goals in just 14 matches and sit proudly on top of the VCFA Under-14 Girls competition with just four rounds remaining in the season.

That’s a remarkable set of numbers by anyone’s standards, but when you consider these girls had never played soccer before until last year - then a championship win would be even more remarkable.

The story began when the developing school from Narre Warren North decided to enter a team in interschool sports last year.

Fuelled by the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, the girls aged between nine and 13 were being taught by a teacher, who fell sick… so reinforcements were called in.

Jaime Castro, a former professional player in El Salvador, whose daughter Sabrina plays in the team, was called into action.

“The girls had never played soccer or team sports, and there are not many girls at the school to start with, but you could see they were all eager and wanted to have a go,” Castro said.

“We lost the tournament, but I could see potential, and started talking to the principal about running some training sessions and possibly getting a team together for this year.

“Some trialled, some left, some got injured, but at the end we got girls from grade four to grade eight and that’s how things got started.”

Castro has a strong football pedigree, with his dad making the squad for El Salvador in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, while Jaime himself was planning on playing in England before injury curtailed his career.

His passion for soccer is as clear as a beautiful blue sky, but it’s his love for girls’ football that has now grown.

“My friends know my background, they know my passion for football, but now I am so passionate about girl’s football because they’re there to listen, to follow instructions, and they have a burning desire to improve and compete,” Castro said.

“They didn’t know each other before this team came together, because of the age difference, and now they talk to each other at training and at school.

“I have fallen in love with women’s football because they are so coachable and so

enjoyable to watch.”

And the girls’ passion has grown as well.

“They used to come to training in school shirts, but now they come in the colours of Argentina, Brazil and Germany,” he said.

“And they love watching the World Cup; they come to training and talk about it and their heroes are right in front of them on the TV.”

Falcons FC has been a goal-scoring force this season, with a best result of 11-0, while a 10-0 victory on the weekend has them closing

in on 100 goals for the season.

Castro won’t take the credit, but his elite football experience is certainly rubbing off on the girls.

“I teach them the way I got coached, using the ABC’s of football,” he explained.

“Agility, Balance, Coordination and Speed… they’re the ABC’s of football and that’s what they’re learning right now.

“The initial training was me teaching them how to play as a block, moving left to right, forward or back, and other teams don’t know how to do that yet.

“We have different players with different skills and it’s exciting to watch them play.

“One of strikers played (Australian Rules) football, and the other was a runner, so it’s exciting to see them expand their skills on the soccer field.”

The school and Castro are enjoying themselves so much…they’ve now decided to expand the program as well.

“From a simple idea, now it’s turned into something more like a dream than a reality,” Castro said.

“I created a soccer academy, which is called Brazil Football Academy, and I am basically coaching the girls through that.

“It started as a school team, but now we’ve decided to become a club.

“We have boys that are interested, and will hopefully have three teams in the VCFA next year.

“We’re looking at under-8 mixed and under-11 or under-12 boys to sit alongside the girls’ team we already have.

“Watching the girls train has motivated others kids to get out there and have a go.”

Falcons FC will host trials later in the year, with a committee to be put in place to drive the club moving forward.

Falcons FC have also been lobbying to council to try and find a new pitch; currently relying on the generosity of others in order to have a place to call home.

Finals campaign for Eagles in second season in Eastern

By David Nagel

Beaconsfield will play finals football in just its second season in Eastern Division One after the Eagles held off a fast-finishing North Ringwood at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday.

The Eagles currently sit fourth, two games clear of sixth placing, after their 9.16.70 to 9.7.61 victory, with just one round remaining in the season.

Fourth and fifth placings may change, but the Eagles and Saints will meet again in the elimination final at Boronia on Sunday 20 August.

Eagles coach Mick Fogarty, smarting from the loss of key forward Jafar Ocaa to a serious leg injury, welcomed the return of some classy play-makers on the weekend.

Dandenong Stingrays duo Kade De La Rue and Kobe Shipp played just their second games for the season, while Frankston pair Matt Johnson and Mitch Szybkowski added a touch of flair through the middle and forward half of the ground…in their third outings for the year.

North Ringwood played the better football early, taking a 22-point lead to quarter time, before the Eagles hit back hard in the second.

Inaccuracy in front of goal was proving costly, but a five-point half-time deficit was still manageable.

The Eagles upped the ante in the third, keeping the Saints to a solitary point for the quarter to take an eight-point lead into the final stanza.

With the Eagles finals prospects on the line, it was a case of many hands make light work as they began to book their place in the top five.

The footy passed through eight sets of hands to set up the first goal of the last quarter…inside 20 seconds!

Harrison Coe won the tap, with Damien Johnston winning the crucial centre clearance and tumbling one inside forward 50.

Josh Mounter picked the pill up cleanly, delivering quick hands to Casey Wassylko who did likewise to De La Rue.

The youngster switched the ball out wide, once again by hand, finding winger Ethan Harris free.

Harris kicked to the hot spot, where Saints defender Jesse Melkie dropped a mark under pressure, allowing Sam Mackinder to gather the crumbs. Quick hands once again to Darren Minchington had the ball between the big sticks in the blink of an eye.

De La Rue then added another, just three minutes later, after a great hit from the inform Trent Stokoe.

Hayden Brough then appeared to land the killer blow, putting the Eagles 26 points up after converting a free-kick from front-on con-

tact. But the Saints refused to concede, and a goal at the 21-minute mark cut the margin back to a delicate nine points.

The Eagles bravely held on however; celebrating the return to finals football.

The key inclusions certainly played major role for the Eagles, with Johnson booting five, and De La Rue two, with Shipp joining Stokoe, Coe, Lachie Valentine and Connor Mouat on an impressive best players’ list.

Mounter was also influential for the Eagles, while Johnston did some important things early in the last quarter.

The Eagles now travel to Lilydale, for a last-round engagement with the bottomplaced Falcons, before taking an eight-day break into the cut-throat final against the Saints.

BEACONSFIELD 1.5 4.10

NORTH RINGWOOD 5.3 6.3

6.12 9.16(70)

6.4 9.7(61)

Beaconsfield Goals: M. Johnson 4, K. De La

Rue 2, C.Wassylko,T. Stokoe, H. Brough. Best: T. Stokoe, J. Mounter, K. Shipp, L. Valentine, C. Mouat, H. Coe.

North Ringwood Goals: M. Cullinan 3, B. Livingstone 2, L. Patterson, H. Flynn, T. Stubs, J. Gasper. Best: J. Braunthal, J. Gasper, J. Nathan, H. Flynn, A. Fenton, M. Cullinan.

Other Results R17: South Belgrave 19.19.133 def Lilydale 5.7.37, Wantirna South 10.8.68 def by Bayswater 23.15.153, Croydon 10.9.69 def by Montrose 12.9.81, Mitcham 10.13.73 def by Mooroolbark 14.14.98.

Ladder: South Belgrave 68, Montrose 50, Mitcham 48, Beaconsfield 36, North Ringwood 34, Mooroolbark 28, Bayswater 28, Wantirna South 28, Croydon 20, Lilydale 0.

Fixture R18: Lilydale (10) v Beaconsfield (4), Bayswater (7) v Mitcham (3),

North Ringwood (5) v Wantirna South (8), Croydon (9) v South Belgrave (1), Montrose (2) v Mooroolbark (6).

Beaconsfield ruck Casey Wassylko goes head to head with north Ringwood’s Tom Jackson at Holm Park Reserve on Saturday. 351683

Pictures: GARY SISSONS Trent Stokoe, about to hit Kade De La Rue with a lace-out pass early in the last quarter on Saturday. 351683

Falcons FC, back from left, Annette, Felicity, Mariana, Zoe, Monica, Bethany and Claire. Front row; Lucia, Sabrina, Shahini, Andrea and Emily. 352333

Picture: SUPPLIED

Numbers add up for Narre

By Marcus Uhe

Nine, seven, seven, eight.

They’re not the first four numbers of the latest Lotto draw, nor the start of a cryptic phone number, or the scores given by judges on Dancing with the Stars to a dazzling routine.

It’s the number of goals Narre Warren kicked in each of the four quarters against Olinda Ferny Creek on Saturday as the Magpies chasse’d its way to a 155-point win.

The 31.20 206 to 7.9 51 scoreline was somehow even more one-sided than the previous contests in which these two met back in round six, when the Magpies waltzed to a 145-point victory.

Nine goals to four in the first term suggested the afternoon would be a shootout, but the Bloods soon ran-out of bullets, kicking just three for the remainder of the afternoon.

The Magpies kicked 13 unanswered goals in one stretch overlapping the half-time break in arguably their most dominant performance of their premiership defence to date.

It appeared to be a training drill at times for the reigning premiers, with Daniel Toner kicking goals on the run under very little pressure inside 50.

Riley Siwes led the way for the Magpies with six majors, showcasing his versatility with a number of skilful goals at ground level for a player of key position size.

13 players hit the scoreboard for the Magpies including eight multiple times, Will Howe and Hamish West kicking four each.

Mitchell Tonna also impressed in his first senior hit-out since round three while key defenders Joel Zietsman and Trent Papworth were steadfast in defence.

With just three matches remaining before the finals, the Magpies appear to be rounding into top shape, having won its last two outings by a combined margin of 195 points, kicking 55.43 in that period.

A costly final quarter in which they conced-

ed the final five goals saw Gembrook Cockatoo blow the chance to rejoin the winner’s list in an impressive performance against Woori Yallock at home.

Only 10 points separated the two at the final break before the Brookers fell-away, losing 12.11 83 to 19.12 126.

With the returns of Michael Firrito, Matt Frazzetto, Callum Bourne and Josh Tilly from injury, and Josh Smith’s availability from Frankston’s VFL side, the Brookers fielded one of its strongest sides of the year to date, and certainly the most formidable in recent weeks.

Gembrook Cockatoo coach Brad Coller was proud of his side’s ability to respond after a

tough week against NarreWarren, and take the fight to a premiership contender in the Tigers.

“We were probably unlucky not to be infront at three-quarter-time,” Coller said.

“A couple of things didn’t go our way, but in the first three quarters we played some really good footy, probably the best we’ve played in the last month or so. Maybe we’ve forgotten how to win a little bit.

“Woori Yallock are an experienced side, they’re sitting third on the ladder and played in a grand final last year.”

Michael Firrito kicked four in his first contest since round eight, playing deep forward as

Jay Verhagen and Myles Wareham played further up the ground.

It was the Brookers’ second-highest team score for the season, but the other end of the ground was where they fell short in Coller’s mind.

Mitchell Arnold and Joshua Neal kicked five each for the Tigers as two keys to their victory, and Zack Monkhorst two.

“We still had our three key defenders missing, in Dean Smith, Daniel Welsh and Frank Didonato. You add those three and we might have got over the line with that extra help down back, because that’s where we fell down in the last quarter.

“We went a bit stronger in the midfield and forward to try and win the game rather than save it, and it probably backfired on us a little bit. But in the end you’ve got to take the risk to try and get the win.”

The immaculate form of Aaron Firrito continues, with Coller declaring the last month was “as good as I’ve ever seen him play.”

At Mt Evelyn, the Rovers held off a fourthquarter fightback from the Hawks to return to fifth place on the table thanks to a seven-point win, 13.10 88 to 11.15 81.

The Rovers led by 11 points at three-quarter-time before the Hawks kicked five goals in a marathon 36-minute final quarter.

Monbulk kicked the first two of the final term, with a Mackay Bateson snap in the 18th snatching the lead.

Jed Thompson responded to put the Rovers back in-front before three goals in two minutes broke the contest open, giving the home side a 24-point lead.

Monbulk kicked the final two of the contest giving the Rovers an awkward three-minute period in which to maintain their ascendency, which they successfully negotiated.

Nicholas Hoskin, Riley Baxter and Ryan Fooks were among Mt Evelyn’s best, as were Josh Wentowrth and Kai Linde for Monbulk.

Determined Magpies vanquish last season’s nemesis

By Marcus Uhe

Narre Warren appears to have shaken off any lingering emotions of last year’s grand final loss to Olinda Ferny Creek, having accounted for them for the second time this season on Saturday.

A strong last quarter saw the Magpies finish 56-45, but they didn’t have it all their own way as the Bloods put up a fight in the middle quarters.

NarreWarren led 18-10 at quarter time but were outscored 18-26 over the following two periods as Olinda Ferny Creek managed to tie the scores at the final break.

But the Magpies have made a habit of playing strong final quarters in recent weeks and this was no different, scoring 20 goals to their opponent’s nine to power home with their 13th win.

Jemma Osborne led all players in scoring with 41 goals, eclipsing Hailey Howard’s 34 for the reigning premiers.

Brittany Mashado and Holly Taubert had a compelling battle at Centre, while Clare Vearing was crucial for Narre Warren with 15 goals.

Critically, it means the Bloods fall from third to fifth on the ladder, as Wandin and Beaconsfield leapfrogged them into third and fourth, respectively.

At Pakenham, Wandin weathered the ab-

sences of key players in stars Maddy George and Kyah Kimpton to thrash the Lions 68-38.

The Bulldogs took a slim lead into the opening break before running away with the game in the remainder of the contest, outscoring the Lions 54-29 in the following three periods.

Wandin’s fast ball movement from the

court’s extremities to the centre corridor was wicked and created isolation scoring opportunities for star shooter Emmalia Blake, too big and too tall for Eliza Molino.

At the other end of the court, the Bulldogs defenders forced the Lions into taking difficult long shots away from the post.

Blake finished with 62 goals as her reign atop the goal scorer’s list continues.

The absence of key front-court players in Rose Laidlaw and Lara Goodman Hancock continues to hurt Pakenham, forced to draw on its depth and blooding youngsters such as Kyana Eagle, who played her first Senior A Grade game on Saturday.

A half-century of goals from Rory Barr was critical in Mt Evelyn’s 66-56 win over Monbulk, maintaining the Rovers’ grip on second place.

The Rovers made the early running on their home court to establish an eight-goal lead at the long break, a lead the Hawks weren’t able to chase-down in the high-scoring contest.

Kaila Swindell supported Barr superbly with 15 goals of her own, while the defensive pairing of Kaitlyn Black and Jess Hoskin was excellent for the Rovers.

Barr’s efforts saw her close the gap on Hayley Howard, second on the goal scorer’s ladder, to just one goal.

Peri Reid scored 48 for Monbulk in a true

shootout between two stars at both ends of the court.

Gembrook Cockatoo scored its highest tally of the season but it wasn’t enough to overcome Beaconsfield thanks to a dominant first half from the Eagles.

A scoreline of 36-13 at the half killed the contest early, despite the Brookers putting up an excellent fight in the second half to ensure the lead did not balloon even further, finishing 62-35 in the Eagles’ favour.

Elizabeth Murphy’s hot run of form continued, scoring 49 goals for the Eagles, while Mary Miles played a valiant role in defence for Gembrook Cockatoo.

The premiership quarter was decisive in Upwey Tecoma’s 10-goal victory in a lowscoring contest against Berwick.

The Tigers prevailed 32-26 after outscoring Berwick 12-6 in the third quarter.

Molly Argoon scored 27 for the Tigers to outscore Berwick on her own.

EmilyTatt and Holly Moulday were critical for Berwick in the middle of the court.

With Monbulk four games adrift of Olinda Ferny Creek in fifth, the finals combatants have now been decided, but all positions from fifth to first are yet to be finalised.

Narre Warren can secure first place next week with a win over Upwey Tecoma, but just four points separate Mt Evelyn in second, and Olinda Ferny Creek in fifth.

WandincentreKaliDolphintakesflight 351682

Picture:GARYSISSONS

RileySiweskickedsixgoalsforNarreWarren. 337186

Picture:GARYSISSONS

SPORT Titans turn the tide

By Marcus Uhe

Berwick Springs overcame a slow start to its contest against Seville to power home in the second half with a crucial victory at Mick Morland Reserve.

A strong third quarter in which the Titans kicked six goals to Seville’s three proved the difference in an even contest between two likely finalists, the final score reading 14.13 97 to 11.12 78.

Holding just a one-point lead at the half, the Titans charged out of the long break like a bull at a red rag, kicking two in the opening two minutes of play.

Ty Ellison added another in the fifth minute to establish a 19-point lead, before Hayden Stagg made it a 26-point game after just 12 minutes.

But Seville responded as good teams do, kicking the next three in a five-minute burst of its own to bring the Titans’ lead back to just nine points.

Plenty weighed on the contest with a likely top-two finish on the line, and Berwick Springs’ stars responded when most-needed.

Daniel Ousley made the most of a 25-metre penalty to convert late in the term before Thomas Nelson followed suit after a stunning contested mark, to restore a 21-point buffer late in the quarter.

Nelson then kicked the first three of the final term to put the contest beyond doubt.

Nelson was the best man on the ground

337184

with four goals, Ellison finishing with five as the brilliant Titans midfield fired once again, led by Hayden Stagg and Chris Johnson.

Officer withstood a late surge from Belgrave to maintain fourth spot on the table with a 14-point win over the Magpies in the Hills.

A nine-goals-to-two first half saw the Kangaroos lead by 39 points at the long break in what was shaping as a comfortable victory for the visitors.

But the Magpies edged their way back into the contest in the third term to cut the lead to 24 at the final break before kicking four of the final quarter’s five goals.

They weren’t able to swoop on a lead, however, as Daniel Charles’ side had built-up a strong enough advantage earlier in the game.

Aaron Miles celebrated his senior debut at Officer with three majors, with Trent McMahon also bagging a hat-trick.

RileyWierzbicki continues to impress in the ruck, delivering pristine service to Luke Smaluch and co in the middle.

Corey Fritze nailed four for Belgrave while Daniel Ryan and Chris Westcott were among their best.

A brutal first quarter from Healesville ensured Hallam remains winless in 2023, flying out of the blocks with a seven goals.

The Hawks could only manage one in the first and none in the second as the game quickly slipped away from Scott Kerr’s side.

Hallam held-sway in the third with both sides kicking three, but five goals to one in the final term to the hosts secured the 89-point win, 17.22 124 to 5.5 35.

Four Lightning strikes for the Cannons

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Casey has netted three points on the road at Bendigo against North West Lightning to keep itself ensconced in the upper rungs of the ladder.

The 4-1 win came despite the absence of usual starter Tegen Hyland, with several others able to step up in her absence.

The Cannons were on top for most of the contest, with Michaela Bullock hitting the scoreboard twice, alongside Emma Harris and Jess Rowland.

The men, meanwhile, have gone down 6-1 to the same opponent as their difficult season continues.

Skipper Matthew Light was the goal scorer, finding the back of the net for the sixth time this season and first time for five weeks.

Women:

Results: WestVic 1 v Brunswick 3, Yarra Valley 4 v Monash University 1, NorthWest Lightning 1 v Casey 4, Mornington Peninsula 1 v Knox 0, PEGS 3 vWerribee 3

Ladder: Mornington Peninsula 36, Tarra Valley 35, Casey 35, Monash University 29, Brunswick 18, Knox 18, Werribee 14, West Vic 13, PEGS 11, NorthWest Lightning 9

Fixture: Brunswick v Yarra Valley, Knox v North West Lightning, Werribee v Casey, Monash University v Mornington Peninsula.

Men

Results: North West Lightning 6 v Casey 1, Melbourne Sikhs 6 v Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 3, Yarra Valley 3 v Monash University 4, Old Xaverians 1 v Brunswick 1, PEGS 6 vWerribee 3

Ladder: Melbourne Sikhs 36, Old Xaverians

31, PEGS 31, Brunswick 29, Monash University 26, North West Lightning 26, Werribee 13, Yarra Valley 10, Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation 8, Casey 3

Fixture: Eastern Christian Hockey Organisation v North West Lightning, PEGS v Old Xaverians, Brunswick v Yarra Valley, Monash University v Melbourne Sikhs, Werribee v Casey

Berwick no match for Kangaroos

By Marcus Uhe

Berwick’s distant hopes of qualifying for finals in the Eastern Football Netball League were dashed on Saturday thanks to a 105-point loss at the hands of East Ringwood.

Ten goals to Kangaroos spearhead Trent Farmer single-handedly outscored the Wickers who could only manage 7.5 47 in the face of the onslaught, the Kangaroos kicking 23.14 152 in the massacre at home.

Berwick made a disastrous start to the contest, conceding the first seven goals of the afternoon to trail by 44 before an opportunistic goal to Harry Money finally put them on the board after 20 minutes.

Clint Evans’ side stemmed the tide in the second term, holding the Kangaroos to just three goals and kicking two themselves, before the destruction returned in the second half.

A goalless third quarter saw the margin jump to 84 at the final break before six goals to three in the last pushed the final margin to triple figures.

It was comfortably Berwick’s highest losing margin this season, having been competitive in nearly every fixture despite struggling to hurt sides going the other way.

Money, Sam Hilton-Joyce, and Ryan Bromley each kicked two.

In positive news, they have survived the relegation battle to remain in Premier Division next season, as South Croydon in second-last will be unable to leapfrog them in the final two weeks of the year.

Berwick face Doncaster East in its final home game of the 2023 season next week.

Tight tennis tussles ensure a thrilling Osborne Shield

It was a magnificent weekend for tennis in the Berwick and District Tennis Association with only two of the 55 scheduled matches affected by weather.

In the coveted Osborne Shield Cranbourne and Pakenham had terrific wins, while Drouin and Narre Warren North played out an absolute ripper on Saturday.

Drouin won the most games - 35 to 32 – but Narre Warren North won two matches to one and four sets to three to take the points.

SATURDAY

Osborne Shield

Drouin 1 3:35 v 2 4:32 Narre Warren North, Beaconsfield Gold 1 2:25 v 2 5:40 Cranbourne, Officer Blue v Sandhurst (Forfeit), Pakenham 2 5:42 v 1 3:31 Beaconsfield Blue.

Section 1 Rubbers

Berwick 2 4:28 v 1 2:14 Harkaway, Cranbourne v Officer Red (Washout), Narre Warren 2 4:32 v 1 2:23 Beaconsfield.

Section 2 Rubbers

Berwick White 2 5:41 v 1 2:24 Berwick Blue, Narre Warren North v Clyde (Forfeit), Cranbourne 2 5:39 v 1 2:25 Narre Warren, Pakenham 0 1:34 v 3 6:43 Upper Beaconsfield.

Section 3 Rubbers

Berwick Blue 1 3:37 v 2 5:45 Berwick Black, Bu-

It was a glorious weekend for tennis in the BDTA. 293980 Picture:

Blue (Washout).

Section 5 Rubbers

Narre Warren North Black 2 4:26 v 1 2:21 Narre Warren North Red, Beaconsfield 1 2:31 v 2 4:33

Cranbourne Black, Narre Warren 3 6:36 v 0 0:6 Cockatoo.

Section 6 Singles

Berwick White 4:35 v 4:36 Berwick Blue,

Tooradin 5:40 v 3:29 Hallam, Pakenham 3:23 v 5:37 Upper Beaconsfield.

Section 7 Singles

Berwick Blue 5:40 v 3:31 Berwick White, Beaconsfield 1:22 v 7:44 Officer Blue, Cranbourne 3:29 v 5:41 Narre Warren, Officer Red 1:23 v 7:44 NarreWarren North.

Section 8 Singles

Berwick 6:39 v 2:17 Fountain Gate Green, Officer 0:11 v 8:48 Fountain Gate Gold, Narre Warren 5:40 v 3:33 Upper Beaconsfield.

Section 9 Singles

Section 11 Singles

Gloucester 4:35 v 4:38 Berwick White, Narre

Warren Green 5:41 v 3:21 Narre Warren Gold, Berwick Blue 2:21 v 6:42 Clyde.

Section 12 Singles

Beaconsfield 4:35 v 4:32 Harkaway, Pakenham

7:47 v 1:12 Officer, Berwick 7:44 v 1:19 Gloucester.

Section 13 Singles

Cranbourne 3:27 v 5:37 Narre Warren Gold, NarreWarren Green 4:33 v 4:39 Beaconsfield.

Section 14 Singles

Cranbourne Green 3:30 v 5:40 Narre Warren Green, Fountain Gate 7:44 v 1:18 Officer, Narre Warren Gold 7:42 v 1:19 Cranbourne Gold.

Section 15 Green Ball Singles

Cranbourne Blue 2:19 v 6:44 Berwick, Beaconsfield 5:36 v 3:32 Officer.

Section 16 Doubles

nyip 1 2:27 v 2 5:43

ClydeWhite, Clyde Green 3 6:38 v 0 0:23 BerwickWhite, Cranbourne 1 2:18

v 2 4:31 NarreWarren North.

Section 4 Rubbers

Beaconsfield Gold 2 4:39 v 1 3:29 Cranbourne

White, Cranbourne Purple 0 0:3 v 0 1:6 Cranbourne Red, Clyde Blue v Beaconsfield

Narre Warren North 0:19 v 8:49 Narre Warren South, Clyde 1:19 v 5:43 Officer.

SUNDAY

Section 10 Singles

Cranbourne 0:6 v 8:48 Berwick White, Narre

Warren 5:40 v 3:34 Upper Beaconsfield, Berwick Blue 4:32 v 4:32 Harkaway.

Narre Warren South 3:25 v 3:29 Narre Warren, Berwick 0:14 v 6:36 Beaconsfield.

Section 17 Doubles

Beaconsfield 5:34 v 1:23 Upper Beaconsfield, Pakenham 5:32 v 1:11 NarreWarren.

Section 18 Doubles

Narre Warren Green 0:13 v 6:36 Berwick White, Berwick Blue 4:29 v 2:16 NarreWarren Gold.

ROB CAREW

Emma Harris found the back of the net for the Cannons. 347266

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Harry Money kicked two goals on a tough day for Berwick. 341634

Picture: ROB CAREW

Three goals in the fourth quarter from Tom Nelson blew the game open against Seville.

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Halcyon Berwick – Final Release

Less than 25 houses remaining

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

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

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

Halcyon Berwick