News - Cranbourne Star News - 14th September 2023

Myuna Farm set for show

Cuddly creatures will join with exciting rides and a haul of showbags for this year’s Doveton Show.

Nearing its 20th year running, the show will take over Myuna Farm in Doveton on Sunday 17 September from 10am to 4pm.

The extravaganza will feature a number of musical guests including Chris Newman and Breanne Peters alongside animal displays such as a sheep shearing show and a reptile display. With entry via an optional gold coin donation, committee member Damien Rosario said the show was a cheaper alternative to the Melbourne Royal Show.

“It’s about bringing people together and having fun,” he said.

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Casey District Scouts’ Helen Pinkstone, the KC Neighbourhood Watch Dog, chair Michelle Ryan, treasurer Stefan Koomen and committee member Damien Rosario are excited to welcome families to this year’s Doveton Show.

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Satisfaction drop

By Matthew Sims

All of Casey Council’s key service areas, as well as overall performance, showed a decrease in the latest Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey results.

The council achieved an index score of 50 in overall performance, six index points below last year and one point below the interface council average.

The most significant decreases occurred with the appearance of public areas and sealed local roads key service areas, each dropping by nine index points to 50 and 44 index points respectively.

Casey Council administrators chair Noelene Duff PSM said the council acknowledged that the scores indicated a decline in satisfaction.

“We’re already implementing measures designed to drive improvements and ensure we’re

delivering services to the standards expected by council and the community,” she said.

“The decline in scores was a trend seen across both the state-wide and Interface averages for all measures.

“This was particularly evident in relation to sealed local roads, which can largely be attributed to three consecutive years of La Nina weather patterns and the unprecedented soaking rains that contribute to accelerated road

pavement deterioration.”

Co-ordinated by the Department of Government Services on behalf ofVictorian councils to gain insights into the community’s views across a range of services and performance measures, independent market research agency JWS Research conducted 800 phone interviews with a representative sample of the Casey community to compile the results.

Continued page 12

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Teen ‘unintended’ target

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A sleeping teenage boy is believed to be the unintended victim of a targeted shooting into a home in Endeavour Hills, according to police.

The 17-year-old was sleeping when he was shot in the Janmara Court house about 1.20am on Wednesday 13 September.

Several shots were fired from either the road or the street, with two puncturing the secondstorey bedroom’s window.

He was taken to The Alfred hospital in a stable condition with suspected non-life-threatening injuries.

Other family members in the home were not injured. No other homes or cars were struck.

A Mitsubishi Eclipse SUV that was found burnt out at Sweeney Reserve Narre Warren

has been linked to the attack.

It was observed doing a “couple of laps” of the court immediately before the shooting.

One of the alleged offenders may have been later burnt, police believe.

“We are in the early stages of the investiga-

tion but we are operating in the belief that it was a targeted shooting,” Detective Acting Inspector Al Hanson, of the Armed Crime Squad, said.

The boy was “extremely lucky” not to have been killed. He was “not known to police”.

Customers heart broken following thefts

By Sahar Foladi

Customers are calling for compensation after a series of break-ins at a Hallam self-storage facility.

Tens of thousands of dollars worth of superhero collectibles and musical instruments are believed to be among the loot stolen from storage lockers at the StoreLocal business on Monday afternoon, 4 September.

A devastated Endeavour Hills couple are bearing the loss of what was more than 10 years of collection.

Kelly Davis shared the news on Facebook, asking the community to watch out online for their collectibles which included superheroes, figurines and comic cards.

“We went down there, the lock was cut off, everything was trashed and they smashed some statues.

“Some of them you can pay $1000 to $3000. The value of our statues is phenomenal.

“One was smashed to pieces - we’d paid $1500 for that alone,” she said.

“Since the post I’ve had five different people say they were there and had their storage broke in.”

Twenty units at StoreLocal were broken into, according to Ms Davis, with some items chucked out in various other units.

“Ninety per cent is gone, there’s hardly anything there except for boxes.”

At the inspection of the break-in, Ms Davis received another call letting her know another one of her lockers was broken into, located right next to the other.

“Some of the collectibles were from my husband’s personal collection. He’s devastated.

“It’s devastating that we must start from scratch again.

“My husband has comic collectible cards and figurines worth thousands of dollars for a small one.”

Husband Marty Davis, an enthusiast covered in superhero tattoos, spent thousands on

some of the imported collectibles not found in Australia, which adds an additional “fortune” on freight costs.

Hulk, Deadpool, Batman, Spiderman and other hero statues have been taken or damaged. Ms Davis said they’re yet to find out the true extent of their loss, however it seems they’ve taken everything.

The couple own a fish and chip shop in Doveton, a gym in Cranbourne and a vibrant superhero themed coffee shop in Hallam, not far from the storage unit so to help them swap out collectibles easily.

“When we opened our coffee shop we did it as a superhero theme to get some of the collectibles out of the house for people to see.

“That’s why our collection is bigger than what it normally would’ve been.”

The Davis’ had recently downsized to a house in Endeavour Hills and thought to store

their collectibles at a storage unit.

Many people affected have been “put out” as there’s no insurance coverage as well, Ms Davis said.

The group of people affected by the breakins are working together to seek compensation from the company.

After requesting footage, Ms Davis said she found out the unit had been broken into again.

“And the camera footage doesn’t pick up the faces or number plates.”

Some customers including Ms Davis think the robbers specifically targeted them, backed by great planning.

The company has since asked customers if they’d like to relocate storage units but several aren’t keen, she said.

Police were called to the store where fingerprints were taken for tests, she said.

StoreLocal was contacted for comment.

“We don’t think he’s the intended target,” Det Act Insp Hanson said.

“We don’t believe anyone in the address (at the time) was the intended target.

“It’s possible it was a mistaken address but we don’t have information to confirm or otherwise.”

He said the shooting was not linked to any others, including multiple shots fired into a family home in Burrows Avenue in Dandenong on Sunday 10 September.

“We do believe both shootings are targeted shootings.

“We don’t have a random gunman driving around firing indiscriminately in Dandenong or Endeavour Hills or surrounding area houses.”

Any information, CCTV or dashcam footage to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Citizens take on robbers

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

Residents performed a dramatic “citizens arrest” after four masked robbers ambushed two boys walking in Narre Warren North. Police say the four males approached in a car, got out and demanded the pair’s phones on Crawley Road about 3.30pm on Sunday 3 September.

The robbers then fled in different directions, police say.

One of the victims, aged 15, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

He had been allegedly knocked out with a coward punch to the back of his head by one of the “thugs”, according to a neighbour.

The other victim, 17, was uninjured.

Up to 60 residents joined an immediate search for the alleged offenders who had jumped over fences in their attempted escape. Various police units, including the Dog Squad, were also reportedly at the scene.

Two 15-year-olds were eventually arrested nearby in what the neighbour said was a “citizens arrest”.

“The message was that we aren’t going to take it anymore,” he said.

“The street was abuzz with people and cars trying to find these kids.”

The arrested teens were later released pending further enquiries, police say.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au

Police investigate the scene at Janmara Court, Endeavour Hills. 360663 Picture: GARY SISSONS

A $1200 imported Hulk bust was among the stolen goods.

Offender cops order

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A drug trafficker who was behind bars for more than 400 days has been released on a CCO after large amounts of cocaine and methamphetamine were seized from his bedroom in Clyde.

Nathan Morgan, 22, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to trafficking cocaine and meth as well as possessing phencyclidine (PCP) and MDMA found during the police dawn raid in April 2022.

Police also seized $4250 cash believed to be the proceeds of crime.

In sentencing on 11 September, Judge Simon Moglia noted that the “very significant” 491.6 grams of cocaine was just short of the 500-gram threshold for commercial trafficking.

The 172.3 grams of meth was about twothirds the commercial traffickable quantity.

At the time, Morgan was on a community corrections order.

He was remanded after his arrest.

Morgan also pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods – a police lanyard, Hermes handbag and bank cards - found in his bedroom in Pakenham in February 2021.

He also pleaded guilty to driving a stolen car on Eastlink during the same month.

Judge Moglia noted the harm that selling illicit drugs caused to young people, who like Morgan were “ill equipped to make properly informed choices about using them”.

“People trafficking at this level must be deterred by stern sentences on those that are caught.”

Morgan’s lengthy criminal history including mainly drug and extensive thefts was “entirely consistent” with supporting his addiction, Judge Moglia noted.

He had “entrenched” multi-drug abuse including a daily cocaine habit.

However, two years ago, Morgan didn’t ac-

cept the need for mental health and drug treatment.

A recent 16-week residential rehab program had reportedly led him to a “different point of view”.

He wrote a letter to the court that this was his longest period while “clean” and had “no desire to have anything to do with drugs”.

“I congratulate you for those changes,” the judge stated – but noted the first few months of Morgan’s release into society would be a “testing time”.

With the right support and effort, his risk of reoffending was still assessed as moderate to high and his rehabilitation prospects as “guarded”.

Morgan’s childhood was marred by a violent stepfather, disadvantage and substance abuse, with a recent diagnosis of PTSD, the court heard.

This somewhat reduced his blameworthiness, the judge noted.

He accepted that regular stints in jail and detention put Morgan at risk of being institutionalised.

Morgan was jailed for 406 days – which had already been served in pre-sentence custody.

He will now serve a 12-month community corrections order including supervision and drug and mental health treatment.

This was counter to a Corrections Victoria assessment that Morgan was “unsuitable” for a CCO, given his history of breaching several previous orders.

Corrections reported “concerns” about Morgan’s comments during an interview.

Judge Moglia said Morgan’s letter to the court put the comments in context.

“I’m prepared to accept there may have been a misunderstanding but time will tell.”

Morgan was warned he was at risk of going back to prison if he breached the CCO.

“Demonstrate that you’re in control of a better life,” the judge urged him.

$30k bonsai theft

Police are investigating after a large number of bonsai trees were stolen from a Narre Warren nursery last week.

Officers were initially called to the Heatherton Road nursery, following reports of theft, in the early hours of Tuesday 5 September.

As part of the investigation, police executed a search warrant at a property in Clairmont Avenue in Cranbourne later the same day, where more than 30 plants were recovered.

The recovered miniature trees were estimated to be worth more than $30,000, with one tree valued at almost $10,000 alone.

Police returned the trees to the nursery and the investigation remains ongoing to locate the offenders.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Waste burn leads to fine Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria has fined a man $1923 after finding evidence of burnt industrial waste in Narre Warren East.

EPA Victoria officers visited a work site at Kerrs Lane in Narre Warren East on Wednesday 9 August following reports of noxious smoke coming from the premises.

They found evidence of burnt industrial waste which should have been taken for disposal at an appropriately licensed facility.

EPA North Metropolitan Melbourne regional manager Jeremy Settle said industrial waste could not be burnt in backyard bonefires.

“Everyone has a legal duty to act to protect the environment,” he said.

“The resulting smoke is potentially harmful and for that reason, a fine is appropriate.”

To report any pollution, contact EPA at 1300 372 842 or online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution

jumping

TheCountyCourtofVictoria.

Picture:AAPIMAGE/CONCHRONIS

Ready for the ‘mane’ event

By Matthew Sims

Tooradin Primary School student Chloe Benis has qualified to represent Victoria in the Australian Interschools Equestrian Nationals competition later this month.

Taking place at the Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre, the event would showcase the best talent across a number of different disciplines, including dressage and jumping.

Chloe said she has been busy preparing for the competition.

“At the moment, I have two horses in full work, riding six days a week and practising my dressage and jumping before Nationals atWerribee,” she said.

“The horse I have qualified to represent Victoria on is my palomino mare Murray Gold Jasmyn (Jazzy).

“I have had her for two years and she is amazing. She always looks after me when we are out competing.”

Chloe said she loved riding from her first time.

“I started riding when I was three, my first pony was a black shetland named Daisy,” she said.

“I started because my Mum had grown up riding horses and it was something we could both enjoy.”

Chloe said her parents had supported her plan to qualify for the Interschool Nationals competition.

“At the start of this year, I decided I really wanted to qualify for Interschool Nationals so Mum and Dad drove me all over to compete in lots of competitions so I could qualify for State

Chloe is excited to compete in the Interschool Equestrian Nationals competition on her palomino mare Murray Gold Jasmyn (Jazzy). Picture: SUPPLIED

Champs,” she said.

“Last week I came first in the last Combined Training event at Boneo Park before Nationals.

“State Champs was in April and I came third in Victoria in the combined training primary school section.”

Chloe said she was the only student from her school which competes in interschool equestrian events.

“I think more kids from the area need to represent their school in equestrian events as it is so much fun and you can make lots of friends,” she said.

“I also compete lots for Tooradin Dalmore Pony Club which I love, Pony Club is my favourite day of the month as I get to catch up with lots of friends.

“I hope to do really well at the Australian Championships when I represent Victoria in a few weeks time.”

Slow but steady highway journey for massive milk silo

An unusual sight graced Cranbourne’s High Street in the early morning of Thursday 7 September.

A crew from Membrey’s Transport & Crane Hire was transporting a large milk silo along the South Gippsland Highway, taking up both lanes on its journey through to Loch.

Star News photographer GARY SISSONS captured its journey through the streets of Cranbourne.

The silo on the South Gippsland Highway heading towards Tooradin. 359385

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

The large load at the lights at the intersection of High Street and Sladen Street. 359385

Victims urged to open up

By Rachael Ward, AAP

Survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools are being asked to come forward to share their experiences.

An independent Board of Inquiry is examining abuse at Beaumaris Primary School in Melbourne’s southeast in the 1960s and 1970s and at other government schools up to the late 1990s.

Allegations have been made against at least three perpetrators who worked at 18 primary schools including Bunyip, Beaconsfield Upper, Emerald, Cranbourne, Dandenong North and Dandenong West.

The inquiry identified former Beaumaris teacher Gary Arthur Mitchell as one of the known perpetrators and said others would be named at a later date, with legal proceedings underway against one other person.

Mitchell was employed as a teacher, deputy principal and principal at several schools from 1964 until the late 1990s and has previously been sentenced over child sexual abuse matters.

The scope of the inquiry was initially limited to the 18 schools with a link to the known perpetrators but Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews had indicated it could be widened if other victim-survivors came forward.

“They can go where the evidence takes them,“ Mr Andrews told reporters on Thursday.

“It was not for us to be kind of naming a whole bunch of other schools, there needs to be evidence led that needs to be a process.”

Inquiry chair Kathleen Foley is calling on anyone who experienced child sexual abuse in the school system to come forward for a confidential discussion, regardless of whether or

Cranbourne servo targeted

Police are investigating an armed robbery in Cranbourne on Thursday 7 September. It is believed an unknown male attended a service station on Cameron Street just after 2am and buzzed the after-hours attendant to be let in.

The man entered and produced what is believed to be a firearm and demanded cash and cigarettes.

The staff member complied, and the offender left on foot. The staff member was not physically injured during the incident and no arrests have been made at this stage.

To report any information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppersvic.com.au

not they have connection to the 18 schools.

She expects a “significant” number of people to make contact given the number of schools and time period being examined.

“I reassure people that you can choose to provide information confidentially or anonymously, we will respect people’s preferences in how they share their information with us,” Ms Foley said.

Submissions are open until 12 October and all victim-survivors are entitled to a private hearing while some will be able to give evidence in public if they wish.

The government has promised an apology to abused former Beaumaris students and set aside $4.5 million to support victim-survivors and run the inquiry.

The final report is due to be handed to government at the end of February 2024.

Youth crime prevention bid

By Matthew Sims

The State Government has invested $1 million towards an extension of the Pivot program, a local program running across Casey, Dandenong and Frankston which helps tackle the causes of youth offending.

Pivot is for young people aged 12 to 23 who are at risk of being involved with the criminal justice system, offering tailored support plans, therapeutic and family-based interventions to address the challenges they face towards keeping young people out of the justice system and on the right track for a bright future.

The program aimed to help young people learn new skills, reconnect with education opportunities, access employment, build relationships and generate meaningful connec-

tions within the community.

Run by Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), the program has provided intensive support to young people and their families by linking them to ongoing care, case management and with local support agencies to ensure their needs are met.

Crime Prevention Minister Anthony Carbines said the program offered young people to feel valued, be heard and live a fulfilling and crime-free life. “Investing in initiatives like the Youth Crime Prevention Program empowers our local communities to work together to support vulnerable young people and give them the tools they need for a bright future,” he said. The program was funded through the State Government’s Youth Crime Prevention Program (YCPP).

Police at the scene of a hold-up at the United service station in Cranbourne South.

359382 Picture: GARY SISSONS

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

To the lovely people that helped my lovely Mum last Wednesday in Pakenham when she fell over in the car park. To the gentleman that came to Mum’s aid providing the towel and the lady with the tissues and calling the ambulance. My whole family are very grateful to you all for looking after our dear Mum, wife and grandmother. So thank you, you beautiful people.

Thumbs down

To the way some people treat the kids working in fast food.

Thumbs down

To people who don’t grasp the concept of keep LEFT unless overtaking.

Thumbs up

To ROC - Officer Football Club for their Reserves team making the grand final, first time in almost 20 years a senior side’s made the granny.

$10m in mistaken riches

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

After a mistaken $10 million windfall, a disability support worker has been sentenced upon trying to flee the country with some of the proceeds.

Thevamanogari Manivel, 41, formerly of Dandenong North, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to recklessly dealing with $4 million of proceeds of crime.

It all started with a “significant” accounting error by cypto-currency business Crypto.com on 13 May 2021.

Instead of refunding Manivel’s partner $100, a staff member typed in an account number 10474143. It resulted in $10,474,143 being transferred into Manivel’s bank account. Discovering the overpayment, her partner told her to immediately transfer it to a joint account at a different bank.

That day, she went to a bank at Casey Central shopping centre and withdrew $10 million by bank cheque and $5000 in cash.

The bank cheque - along with $80,000 electronically - was deposited in the joint account that day.

Crypto.com didn’t realise the overpayment until an audit seven months later. By that point, the joint account was down to just over $8 million.

Manivel’s bank contacted her saying the deposit was a mistake, requesting that she return the $10 million.

Claiming she thought the message was a ‘scam’, she transferred $4 million to a Malaysian-based bank account.

In March 2022, Manivel was arrested with a one-way ticket to Malaysia and $11,750 cash attempting to board a flight at Tullamarine international airport.

Born in Malaysia, she had migrated to Australia in 2015 with a plan to save up money to sponsor her three children to join her.

To that end, she’d toiled in hard physical labour, including as a farmhand, hotel cleaner and a disability support worker. She also studied in aged care, pathology collection and community services.

In a police interview, Manivel had claimed her partner had told her he’d won the money.

In sentencing on 8 September, Judge Martine Marich said the partner’s explanation for the millions was “too good to be true – and it was not true”.

Prosecutors couldn’t prove Manivel had a “sinister intent” until she was notified by her bank of the mistake. At that point, she “yielded” into cynical self-interest to “short cut” her way to her financial goal, Judge Marich said.

The judge noted Manivel’s previously “ex-

emplary” character with no prior criminal history and a diligent work ethic.

Most of the $4 million had since been recovered, which was “unusual” in such a case, the judge noted.

Judge Marich noted that Manivel was assessed with trauma and on anti-depressants during an “extraordinarily difficult” seven months’ stint in remand.

She also faced the possibility of deportation – though she was able to apply for a permanent visa to address Australia’s shortage of aged care workers.

Manivel was jailed for 209 days – which was already served in pre-sentence detention.

She will serve an 18-month community corrections order with “intensive compliance”. It included 200 hours of unpaid work and mental health treatment and a night curfew all during the first six months.

It was an early morning departure for the students.

VCAL students walk 42 kilometres to raise vital funds

By Matthew Sims

A group of VCAL students and teachers from Narre Warren South P-12 College completed a walking marathon on Monday 4 September, trekking from their Amberley Park Drive campus all the way into Flinders Street Station.

The group of 14 Year 11 and 12 students raised $100 towards FoodBank, State Schools’ Relief and to the ACE Foundation ahead of the 42-kilometre journey.

The walk was a way for the school to give

back to organisations which had provided their support to the school for a number of years, according toVCAL teacher and participant Flynn Wilkinson.

“FoodBank have been donating food to our school for years now,” he said.

“State Schools’ Relief have been helping families access uniform and booklist items for years and earlier this year saw the ACE Foundation provide eye testing and free prescription eye glasses for dozens of students in our primary school.”

MrWilkinson said the students completed

the journey after about 55,000 steps.

“The weather was kind with an eventual top of 22 degrees proving a bit warm before the light to medium rain from Caulfield and the eventual torrential downpour we all had to deal with down the bottom of Williams Road at Como Park,” he said.

“Students and staff didn’t bat an eyelid.

“We were on the move for almost 10 and a half hours, seeing us reach Flinders Street station at 7.15pm.”

Mr Wilkinson said a highlight of the students’ contributions was a selfless act

from Toby Ihle.

“A particular shout-out to Toby Ihle who fell ill over the lead-in weekend and couldn’t participate, but insisted that the money he’d donated remain part of the total donation of the group,” he said.

“Solidarity amongst the group is certainly a feature of events such as this.

“Thanks to Trudi Godkin and Kirsten Roe for meeting us at the Dandenong Skate Park with water bottles and energising lollies to keep us going.”

Pictures: SUPPLIEDThe students arrived at Flinders Street Station at about 7.15pm.

A Berwick Springs Titans Junior Football Club Titans fan shared her love for the team on Elephant Rock in Upper Beaconsfield. 359886

Picture: GARY SISSONS

You don’t need all the safety gear, until you do.

You might think putting on the safety gear will take longer than doing the job.

It could be that you’ve done it a thousand times before. But that doesn’t reduce the risk. You may not come back in one piece.

Check you’ve got the right safety gear for the job, visit worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-gear-farm

It’s never you, until it is.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I have the ability to name a song from the drum beat in the first couple of seconds.

What do you love the most about your job?

Being the boss, being able to get more time with my family than I ever thought was possible, and operating my excavator and driving my truck at Parkex Excavation and Concreting.

You recently took part in the Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb; tell us a bit about how you went!

The most physical stress I have put my body through in well over a decade. I can’t say I look after myself, as a concreter and excavator operator my body doesn’t like me that much, so to have completed the climb in seven minutes I was blown away. If I train for it next time maybe I can break five minutes!

What would your last meal be?

My wife’s lasagne, any day of the week.

What was your most memorable moment?

Watching the first breath of my children.

What were you like as a kid?

Ask my mum. No, don’t, I don’t wanna get kicked out of the brigade.

What matters the most to you and why?

Comfort, safety, and happiness for my wife, daughter and son.

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

Live Aid at Wembley.

What would you do on your perfect ‘day off’? Coffee from a shop, Bunnings, a little bit of work done at home (lawns, backyard etc.), pub with a playground for lunch, ice-cream, barbecue and a couple of beers with my one and only to finish.

Where is your happy place?

Anywhere that work is off my mind, as well as in a fire truck.

with

Narre Warren CFA firefighter Jason Parkinson

THREE … ways to support the National Week of Deaf People

Running from Monday 18 September to Sunday 24 September, the National Week of Deaf People (NWDP) is a weeklong national celebration of Deaf individuals and the Australian Deaf community, coinciding with the International Day of Sign Languages on Saturday 23 September. The theme for this year is ‘A World Where Deaf People Can Sign Anywhere’. Here’s three ways to support the local and broader Deaf community.

1 Learn Auslan

What better way to connect with the local Deaf community than learn how to communicate with them. There are a number of courses or apps available to learn how to sign, even if it is just a few simple signs.

2 Find an event

There are plenty of events catering to the Deaf community and welcome for all attendees, such as silent dinners.

3 Donate

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

Chilli caramel crispy pork belly with Viet slaw

and Nam Jim dressing. Where is your dream holiday destination? Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat.

Donate directly to Deaf Australia or Deaf Victoria to directly support their advocacy and campaign work.

NarreWarrenCFAfirefighterJasonParkinson. 358958

Picture:STEWARTCHAMBERS

Report reveals ‘failures’

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

An IBAC anti-corruption report had exposed a “litany of governance failures” at Casey Council, says the council’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff.

Speaking at an IBAC-hosted webinar on 8 September, Ms Duff issued a stark quote from US political figure Henry Kissinger that “corrupt politicians make the other 10 per cent look bad”.

Local governments needed “fundamental shifts” in policy and behaviour to “regain community confidence and credibility”, she said.

Reflecting on IBAC’s recent Operation Sandon report into alleged corruption by Casey councillors and property developers, Ms Duff said it was a “very sobering read”.

“The council chamber appeared to have become a stage rather than a place where serious decisions should be made to plot the future direction of the city.

“It has been distressing to reflect on some of the evidence collected by IBAC, the events documented, the conversations taped and the stories by witnesses could actually occur.”

In 2020, all Casey councillors were sacked by the State Government during IBAC’s Operation Sandon probe into alleged corruption.

Ms Duff was appointed as the head of a three-person administration panel to replace the councillors until elections in October 2024.

“Walking into an organisation where a council has been sacked for suspected serious corruption is quite an experience,” she said.

“Depriving a community of their elected representatives for nearly five years is a pretty big price to pay.”

The administrators focused on“cementing” the “best practices we could find” for Casey to do business.

In the past there had been an“us and them”

division growing between officers and councillors.

Councillors were diverting the council from its “proper business” through “endless notices of motion” .

Some “simple examples” were councillors getting involved in house-numbering and the detailed allocation of sports facilities.

This diverted the council from “managing the massive challenges of growth”.

Ms Duff also raised the councillor group’s “apparent culture of silence” with councillors not speaking up about the behaviour they observed.

She said more immediate means of challenging suspected corrupt behaviour was a “necessity”.

Political parties had mechanisms to act, but councillors did not. Mayors may or may not have the skills to manage, and council chief executives have only “limited” tools to intervene, she noted.

Ms Duff also agreed with IBAC that a higher level of councillor training was required, particularly for new councillors.

IBAC had reported councillors not reading material before voting on planning decisions, but rather relied on other councillors’ direction.

“If this is a widespread practice in the sector, that is a significant concern.”

The Sandon report made 34 recommendations, including fundamental changes to the state’s planning process to reduce corruption risks.

It found that councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett promoted developer John Woodman and his client’s interests in exchange for payments and in-kind support.

They both failed to declare this conflict of interest on many occasions, IBAC found.

Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff, who outlined ways for councils to regain public confidence. 234014

Picture: GARY SISSONS

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Teachers in short supply

By Matthew Sims

The Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian branch has welcomed the announcement made by the State Government to introduce scholarships for secondary teaching students, but has said more needs to be done to secure a consistent supply of teachers as schools continue to operate with limited numbers.

An investment of up to $93.2 million would provide new scholarships to support teaching degree students, with the scholarships set to be available to all students who enrol in secondary school teaching degrees in 2024 and 2025, with final payments if they then work in Victorian government schools for two years after they graduate.

Estimated to support about 4000 future teachers each year, the total scholarship for students who complete their studies and then choose to work in government secondary schools would match the HELP fees charged by the Commonwealth Government for Commonwealth Supported Places – $18,000 for a four-year undergraduate program or $9000 for two years of postgraduate study.

Berwick Lodge Primary School principal Henry Grossek said it was a “good win” but fell short of supporting students wishing to become primary teachers.

“I would argue for the last 10 to 15 years governments of all persuasions have not supported the needs of the teaching profession well enough,” he said.

“The children of today deserve the best that we can give them.”

Mr Grossek said Covid had brought a lot of issues to the fore, spurring a number of teachers to take family leave, moving to part-time work or wanting to work as casual relief teachers.

“It is extremely difficult,” he said.

“Term 2 was really quite dreadful, Term 3 has been marginally better.

“We are still plugging holes every week.”

Mr Grossek said their school was currently trying to fill seven vacant positions.

“There’s not that many people applying,” he said.

“The quality is not as strong.”

Mr Grossek said he was optimistic about the future and said he was indebted to the entire school community.

“It’s a team effort,” he said.

“They support me just as much as I support them.”

Casey Fields Primary School was among the local schools searching for new teachers, with at least nine vacancies for teachers over the past two months.

The announcement arrived shortly after the AEU held a protest on the stairs of State Parliament on Friday 8 September demanding immediate action from Premier Daniel Andrews.

AEU Victorian branch deputy president Justin Mullally said the announcement was a positive step forward.

“Teachers, education support staff, and principals have been calling for clear action to address the workforce shortage, and today the government have responded,” he said.

Mr Mullally said more still needed to be done to retain existing school staff members.

“Right now school staff are stretched covering gaps because of teacher shortages – they

are going above and beyond to ensure students have access to the learning programs they need,” he said.

“This effort is taking a toll causing too many to become burnt out, take extended leave, or leave the profession altogether.

“Retention payments are one of the many solutions the government can implement now to acknowledge the key role of teachers, education support staff, and principals, their valuable work, and encourage them to stay in the profession.”

AEU South East secondary school member Simon Cole said the students deserved better treatment.

“As teachers, we are dedicated to educating our students and supporting them in their learning,” he said.

“However, these shortages are stretching staff beyond their capacity and it’s students’ learning that suffers.”

Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas said National Teacher Workforce Action Plan was investing $1.4 billion in school workforce initiatives, including $204.8 million through the 2023–24 state budget.

“The number of teachers in Victoria has

grown at twice the national average and that’s no accident,” he said.

“We’re delivering a range of initiatives that have seen more than 5000 additional teachers registered by the end of 2022, compared to 2020.

“State Government investments have been focused on giving all students an equal opportunity to make the most of a first-class education system delivered by great teachers in excellent classrooms and schools.”

Berwick MP Brad Battin there was a greater impact felt in the growth corridors as new schools and established schools are competing for staff members from the same pool of candidates.

“InVictoria, the teacher shortage is impacting at all age levels and year levels,” he said.

“The more difficult solution is to review how we educate children, what is in the curriculum and are we overloading staff with unnecessary areas in day to day learning that should be part of home learning and values.

“Until we are serious in making change in education, there will be unwarranted pressure on teachers, and a reluctance for people to enter teaching in the future.”

‘An honour’: Gwen’s volunteering spirit still going strong

By Matthew Sims

At 84, Palliative Care South East (PCSE) volunteer Gwen Clough said she has no plans of stopping.

The Hampton Park local has been volunteering providing palliative care and other end-of-life support since 2003.

“To me, it is an honour and a privilege to be a PCSE volunteer,” she said.

“The way I see it, I’m giving a little bit of my time to someone who is running out of time and improving their quality of life.

“Who wouldn’t want to do that?”

Mrs Clough said she helped people with a life-limiting illness make the most of their remaining time.

“I remind them they are still living and help them continue to do things they enjoy like shopping or going out for lunch, engag-

ing in conversation about life, love and the world,” she said.

“There have been times when I have cried with them, even laughed with them.

“I think the most important thing to remember is not to treat them differently because they are dying.

“They are still alive and they need to be respected.”

Mrs Clough said she though palliative care would have been helpful following the loss of her two husbands 36 years ago and 28 years ago respectively.

“I’m not afraid of death as I’ve travelled this road before,” she said.

“The first time was the fear of the unknown, the second time was the fear of the known.

“I was very lucky to have had the support

of a loving family and some very good friends.

“I doubt that I would’ve got through it without them.”

Mrs Clough said it was never too late to start volunteering.

“Give it a go,” she said.

“It is amazing how many people appreciated the support of palliative care.

“Being a palliative care volunteer has been the most rewarding volunteering I have done in my almost 60 years of volunteering.”

For more information about how to volunteer at PCSE, visit palliativecaresoutheast. org.au

Mrs Clough is also in the running for the Westfield Local Heroes competition, with the finalist with the most community votes set to receive a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent.

Casey Council falls below interface average in survey

From page 1

Ms Duff said the council would continue to focus on improving the local road network and maintaining its public spaces.

“We’ll continue to invest in renewing and resealing our local road network and meet the standards set out in our Road Management Plan,” she said.

“We recently awarded four new contracts to deliver mowing services for our open spaces under a new arrangement designed to achieve better maintenance standards.

“We’re confident this will improve performance in maintaining our public areas and in turn, enhance community satisfaction.”

Other decreases included value for mon-

ey falling from 52 to 49 index points, overall council direction decreasing from 50 to 43 index points, customer service dropping from 71 to 67 points, waste management falling from 69 to 67 index points, community decisions decreasing from 52 to 48 index points, consultation and engagement dropping from 50 to 47 index points and lobbying falling from 50 to 47 index points.

Ms Duff said while council’s Connecting Casey advocacy campaign undertaken in 2022 was “more subtle and nuanced than previous election approaches”, “it used evidence-based content designed to engage audiences and influence stakeholders, focusing less on public and political agitation and more on building

strong, lasting relationships and representing the community”.

“In the lead up to the State Election, more than $1.3 billion in local election commitments were made by both parties, a reflection of our successful advocacy efforts.

“While our score relating to lobbying has declined, we want to assure residents we remain committed to advocating to other levels of government to invest in Casey to help us keep up with growing demands for infrastructure, particularly in roads and transport.”

In 2023, almost all councils which participated in the survey received lower overall performance index scores than in 2022, with the overall performance index score for allVictori-

an councils falling by a statistically significant three points, from an index score of 59 in 2022 to 56 in 2023.

Ms Duff said the council would look at the community’s feedback to refine its service provision moving forward.

“We are committed to building and improving all areas of council’s services and we will use the community feedback provided in this survey to review our services and consider where improvements can be made,” she said. On Facebook, Casey resident Dorian Day said Casey Council should look at lowering land rates.

“That would be a good start I’m sure everyone would agree on,” he said.

Teachers, principals, and education support staff protested on the steps of Parliament on Friday 8 September calling for the State Government to tackle the teacher shortage crisis. Picture: SUPPLIED

Palliative Care South East chief executive Kelly Rogerson and volunteer Gwen Clough. Picture: SUPPLIED

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Sacrifice not forgotten

By Matthew Sims

The roar of the bush burning all around you and the roar of flames engulfing trees mere metres from where you are standing.

These memories are among those which have stuck in the mind of Narre Warren CFA brigade members who were among the 8200 volunteers fighting fires during the 2019 and 2020 Black Summer bushfires.

Narre Warren 4th lieutenant Anastasia Barker and father and son firefighters Peter and Grant Lynch were among a number of recipients of the National Emergency Medal presented recently as part of Australia’s Honours and Awards system, which recognises significant or sustained service to others in a nationally significant Australian emergency.

By the conclusion of the Black Summer bushfires, more than 2280 CFA volunteers and staff had been deployed interstate, while more than 8200 had contributed to the response at home in Victoria.

The impact of the bushfires covered 1.5 million hectares, tragically killing five people, destroying more than 400 homes and killing more than 6800 livestock and thousands of wild animals.

Mrs Barker said they were first called out to the Bairnsdale area in the first week of January 2020, where they lived out of tents among hundreds of other volunteers and firefighters.

“It was like a home away from home,” she said. Each deployment lasted for about three to four days, but Peter said each deployment could be “quite strenuous”.

“You can be spent by four days,” he said.

Peter said while he and his son were working in the same area, they never worked on the same strike team, but he was never worried about his wellbeing.

“We saw each other from a 10-kilometre distance,” he said.

“There was nothing that I could do in the face of that fire.

“I’ve got confidence in our training.”

Grant said his team were involved in asset protection.

“That was the biggest campaign fire I’d been on,” he said.

BUSINESS IN FOCUS

“Seeing the fires, I was a little bit unsure.

“Once we were there, we knew what our role was.”

Peter said he saw several herds of cattle destroyed, leaving hundreds of pelts.

“They were just incinerated,” he said.

“It just shows the intensity of the heat and flames.”

Ms Barker said the dark red of the sky caused by heavy smoke cover was “surreal”.

“The craziest thing I remember was the colour of the sky,” she said.

“That’s just something that you don’t see.

“It’s just surreal, it doesn’t feel real.”

Peter said the sound of the blaze and the wind was something he would never forget.

“It’s like a hurricane,” he said.

“It’s just a roar of trains or trucks coming towards you.

“Then it’s the sudden silence.”

Peter said he remembered a time when they were fighting a fire in front of them but then heard calls of ‘behind’.

“We’re all primed and ready with our hoses,” he said.

“The embers are igniting where we are standing.”

Grant said he appreciated receiving the NEM.

“I think it’s great to be recognised,” he said.

“It was more about being there for the community.”

Peter said he was “humbled and honoured” to receive the medal.

“I would give it back in a heartbeat if we could save more property and the lives lost.”

“They’re the real heroes.”

Mrs Barker’s work involved battling an ongoing peat fire by spraying foam as a wetting agent.

She said she remembered former Narre Warren captain Paul Hardy telling her husband to not worry.

“He said, ‘Mate, nothing’s going to happen to her, she’ll be fine’,” Mrs Barker said.

“It was something that I needed to do.

“I’m not a person that can stand by and not do anything.”

Peter said CFA volunteers were always the first ones on scene in any emergency.

“We’ve always been the ones that step

forward,” he said.

“Where others run away, the fire fighters run towards.

“I was very glad to be a part of it.”

Mrs Barker said one of the most significant things was seeing the ‘thank you’ messages she received from people in the townships and signs put up thanking the visiting fire fighters, as well as receiving free cups of coffee from local residents.

“That hits hard, that meant a lot.

“It is overwhelming,” she said.

“It’s very humbling.”

Peter said he had not yet unpacked his ‘go pack’ from his trip.

“I need to be prepared and ready to go,” he said.

“Youjustneverwanttobecaughtoffguard.”

Reflecting on what lessons the Black Summer bushfires had taught firefighters or Australia at large, he said the main lesson was that the next major bushfire event was something Australia needs to be ready for.

“We can’t change the past,” he said.

“This year could be another big fire season.

“It’s something that we prepare for.”

New community will keep buyers young at heart

Halcyon Evergreen’s first home buyers, Paul and Diana Abel, are excited to immerse themselves in community living when they move into their new home next year.

Originally hailing from the United Kingdom, Paul and Diana have lived in Australia for more than 36 years and are currently residing in Frankston, Victoria.

Paul runs his own carpentry business and Diana is working from home, assisting with the business’ administration.

“I’m semi-retired and Paul is aiming to retire next year,” Diana said.

“Being in our mid-60s, we’re looking forward to making the most of our move to Halcyon Evergreen.”

The couple had been considering a move to a lifestyle community for some time, but still did a lot of research before purchasing at Halcyon Evergreen.

“We’d looked around at all the options and weren’t interested in retirement villages,” Diana said.

“But then we came across Halcyon Communities on Facebook and signed up for a tour of Halcyon Berwick. We were very impressed by the quality of the homes, which is a huge compliment given Paul’s background in carpentry!”

“The decision was made for us, but we still consulted our children, who were very excited. They said we’ve worked hard all our lives and now it was time to enjoy it.”

The couple were also very impressed with the expansive facilities that Halcyon Evergreen will offer.

“We’re both quite social, so we’re really looking forward to meeting lots of people and trying new things,” Paul said.

“At our age, you need to respect where you’re at physically, so the health and wellness facilities will be important for us as we get older.”

“We want to make the most of everything on offer to keep us young at heart.”

Diana agreed and said they are excited to try something new.

“We’ve never played pickleball, but we’ve been watching videos and it looks so fun,” she said.

“There’s so much on offer, right on our

doorstep.” Halcyon Evergreen will feature 295 homes and state-of-the-art leisure and lifestyle facilities including a gold-class style cinema, games room, social kitchen/dining/bar, enclosed pool, spa and health and wellness precinct.

Halcyon Evergreen’s first home buyers, Paul and Diana Abel.

Father and son Peter and Grant Lynch were proud to receive the National Emergency Medals for their service during the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires. Picture: SUPPLIED

Narre Warren 4th lieutenant Anastasia Barker. 358539 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Halcyon Berwick Open Day

Open Day

7th October 11am–2pm

A community designed for over 50s living

Halcyon Berwick will be celebrating the one year anniversary of its clubhouse opening by holding an Open Day on the 7th of October. This will be a chance for you to come by and explore how much our community has grown over the past year. Plus, enjoy a free sausage sizzle with drinks and treats available.

Some of the things that you’ll be able to do on the day include:

• Explore our resort-quality clubhouse facilities

• Learn how to play pickleball or lawn bowls on our sporting grounds

• Grab a free bite to eat from the sausage sizzle with drinks and sweets as well

• Explore our display homes and our community

• Get to know some of our friendly homeowners

Scan the QR code to find out more or call 1800 050 050

You can do as little or as much as you’d like, whether you’d like to swing by for a quick tour or stay the entire day, the choice is yours.

Attendance is free and you’re welcome to bring along friends and family.

Register for the Halcyon Berwick Open Day via the QR code below, or you can let our team know on 1800 050 050.

ON … FOSTER CARE MONTH

Help children in need

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on a young life? Partner with Berry Street this Foster Care Week and join their dedicated team committed to nurturing and empowering children and young people on their unique journeys.

As a Berry Street foster carer, you’ll support local children and young people at a crucial moment in their life.

As one ofVictoria’s largest providers of outof-home care, Berry Street provides children and young people who have experienced trauma with a safe and secure place to live.

For over 145 years, they’ve supported children and young people in Victoria at whatever point in their journey that they need help.

“Childhood is a journey, but not every child has the same opportunities, which is why we need foster carers to play an empowering role in a child’s or young person’s life,” said Melissa Robertson, Berry Street’s team leader of Foster Care Recruitment, Assessment, and Training.

“This Foster Care Week, we’re encouraging Gippsland residents to start their foster care journey - you never know where it will take you. The team and I will be there to support you every step of the way, as you learn and grow in your new caring role,” she said.

Berry Street welcomes foster carers from diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

For more information and to start your foster care journey, visit berrystreet.org.au/ fostercare

Partner with Berry Street and support a local child.

More support for kinship and foster carers

The State Government has boosted practical support for Victorian kinship and foster families with a help desk service that assists carers in their important roles in our community.

The Care Support Help Desk, launched in 2022, assists carers navigating the children and families service system to access important information and vital documents for children in their care, including

birth certificates and Medicare information. The service also eases the administrative burden on Child Protection practitioners, giving them more time to actively engage with children, families and carers.

The service, run by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, operates from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Find your closest team at services.dffh.vic.gov.au/foster-care or by calling 1300 475 170.

ON … FOSTER CARE

Be a positive influence

Local foster care agency, OzChild is looking for families who might be interested in opening their homes, and their hearts for a few nights, weeks or months to a child in need.

At OZCHILD they believe that a child has the right to live within a stable family home, not in staffed residential care facilities or hotels.

Chief executive officer Dr Lisa Griffiths says too many children are growing up away from family, residing in group homes with other children they don’t know.

“Without the stability of a family home many become disconnected from school and the community, which leads to a lifetime of disadvantage,” Dr Griffiths said.

That’s why the agency is keen to hear from individuals and families in Melbourne’s western and south-eastern suburbs who would consider becoming foster carers.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Child Protection data indicates that in Victoria there are almost 10,000 kids in care, some live with close family or next of kin, but many are placed into foster care. With an increasing number of local children in need of temporary homes, OzChild is on a desperate search for people who can help.

“Every child, no matter the age or their circumstances, deserves to be supported with the opportunity to heal, grow and thrive. We can and we must do better.

“But we can’t do it alone. We need the help of kind-hearted members of the community, those who think they can provide a safe and positive living environment, pass on simple life lessons like how to ride a bicycle or how to brush your teeth.” says Dr Griffiths.

People from all walks of life can be foster carers, including empty-nesters, singles or

couples who identify as LGBTQIA+. It does not matter what your cultural background is, and no qualifications or work-experience is needed.

Carers receive initial training and ongoing education, along with financial assistance and access to a network of professionals and a vil-

lage of carers offering support and guidance, especially for new carers.

“We want to make sure our carers have the tools and resources they need to succeed, that includes access to school drop off and pickup services, babysitter reimbursements, school holiday programs and allowances to ensure

caring for a child or young person can fit in with your personal circumstances,” adds Dr Griffiths.

Fostering not only benefits the child in your care, many foster parents find that fostering enriches their family life and teaches their own children invaluable life lessons about empathy, kindness, and understanding.

“The decision to care really can change the lives of many, and create a brighter future for generations to come. I encourage anyone who has the capacity to care to take the first step today, I have never met a carer who has regretted the decision, only those who say they wish they’d done it sooner.”

To learn more about becoming a foster carer with OzChild interested individuals are encouraged to visit ozchild.org.au. The organisation’s dedicated team is ready to provide information, answer questions, and guide potential foster carers through the application process.

OzChild is appealing to families who may be interested in foster care.

School holiday fun

Botanic Ridge Village will be hosting a number of magical activities for kids these school holidays.

Join Charlie Silly Pants and his cheeky teddy bear Russ for a magic show that will have everyone laughing and dancing along.

Tuesday 19, Thursday 21 and Friday 22 September, 11am to noon.

The kids can create a special new friend at the Build-A-Bear workshops.

All children who book into workshops will receive a pre-stuffed bear and enjoy activities including giving their bear a heart, creating a birth certificate and enjoying special activities.

Bookings for the Build-A-Bear are essential and cost $8.

· Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 September - 10am, 11am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Visit botanicridgevillage.com.au for full details.

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre is a not-for-profit community managed centre, with a volunteer Committee of Management that provides strategic direction and oversight.

For more than 30 years, the centre has provided a range of high-quality childcare, community services, educational classes and spaces for hire.

Fun Filled Community Open Day is on Saturday 14 October. Explore diverse activities and engage with fellow community members. Lots of free family fun, sausage sizzle, animal nursery, popcorn, and fairy floss.

Ageing Positively month by the City of Casey with free events every Wednesday in October including morning tea with homemade scones and jam, sausage sizzle in the park, gardening activities.

Free Computer classes through the Be Connected program for senior residents commencing Wednesday 11 October.

Four free sessions with help available on-site for the elderly who struggle to get online - Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October.

· For more details, visit merindapark.com.au or facebook.com/MPLandCC

Narre Warren and District Family History Group

Goronga: A hill station garden in the Dandenongs.

L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Cafe Training Room 2/65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East and via Zoom.

Berwick Pakenham Historical Society president

Elizabeth Fraser OAM will be talking about her home Goronga, at Pakenham Upper.

The 60-acre farm was established in the 1870s, and 20 years later began the establishment of gardens around the house.

Elizabeth’s chance encounter with a member of the Australian Garden History Society at an open day then lead to a two-year project to record the history of the property and the publication of a book in September 2022.

You can join the group for a lunch and social gathering at noon in the L’Arte Central Social Enterprise Cafe Training Room.

Lunches do need to be pre-ordered (by Thursdays before the meeting) and paid for on the day.

· For more information, contact Eileen at secretary@nwfhg.org.au 2pm, Saturday 16 September – General Meeting.

Endeavour Hills Judo Club 50th anniversary

The Endeavour Hills Judo Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Sunday 17 September.

· Present and past members are encouraged to RSVP by contacting head coach Janet Lambert on 0414 637 050.

Works on Paper

Works on Paper is the new exhibition at South Eastern Contemporary Art Network’s at the Gate 6 Gallery in Akoonah Park.

More than 30 works are on display, either created on or with paper.

Local artists are exhibiting in many mediums, from collage, pastel, print making to painting, charcoal and sculpture.

Visitors are invited to vote for their favourite work as there will be a People’s Choice prize announced at the end of the month.

Gate 6 Gallery is located on the beautiful parklands at the back of Akoonah Park and can be accessed either by driving in from Cardinia Street or by strolling along the creek path from the market area.

· The gallery is run by volunteers and is open every weekend from 10am to 3pm. For more information, visit secan.com.au

Bush Diwan

In Bush Diwan,six contemporary artists respond to a pivotal moment in Sikh history in Australia by exploring the reclamation of identity, forming, gathering and laying foundations of community. Illuminating two significant, yet little known, moments in Australian history, this project centres on the story of Siva Singh, an early 20th-century regional Victorian resident, Sikh community leader and civil rights campaigner.

· Bunjil Place Gallery, Saturday 16 September to Sunday 12 November from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

Seniors and Active Retirees in Casey and Cardinia

Are you newly retired,new to the area,wanting to enjoy your freedom, or expand your social life?

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club can offer you stimulating activities such as weekly social/ chat activities with low key in line dancing if you want to tap your feet and great afternoon teas, day/short and long trips away via coach and flights, a weekly morning coffee club, monthly Saturday country pub Lunches, monthly evening dineouts, weekly table tennis club, walking groups, seasonal daytime musical theatre outings, and more!

· Come along every Thursday at 2pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House in Berwick or every Wednesday at 10am for a coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate. For more information, contact enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.

Biodiversity Blitz

Help map and find the Biodiversity in Casey.

During September, Casey Council is celebrating Biodiversity Month by partnering with other South East Melbourne councils to hold the Biodiversity Blitz 2023.

People are encouraged make records of native plants and animals to allow iNaturalist better understand Casey’s biodiversity. You’ll be contributing to community science

Berwick Orchid Club Spring Show

Flowering plant displays, flowering orchids for sale, growing information and demonstrations.

112 High Street, Berwick. Plenty of free parking, wheelchair access. $5 adults and $3 concession.

· 23 and 24 September

and showing the world the amazing biodiversity Casey has to offer!

· For more information, visit inaturalist.ala.org. au/projects/biodiversity-blitz-2023-city-ofcasey

DnD at Orana

Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) is an inclusive tabletop, fantasy, role playing game.

Participants work together with other players to go on adventures in the DnD world.

You can act, explore, instigate, solve problems, and tell stories as you bring their chosen character to life within the game world.

Second Saturday of each month, 1pm to 9pm, Orana Community Place, 16/18 Playwright St, Clyde North.

· For enquiries and to book a spot at the table, reach out to Jonathan Whelan at thestoryweaver.dnd@gmail.com

Gridiron in the South East

The South Eastern Predators Gridiron Club is welcoming people of all ages to come and learn a new sport in an inclusive and friendly environment.

No experience necessary.

· 1 Newport Road, Clayton South. For more information, visit sepredatorsgridiron.com.au

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

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 12pm-

2.30pm at Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley 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 0433 566 456 or Bruce 0447 554 475.

Pilates

Do you want to improve your posture, increase your core strength, increase your energy, improve your flexibility and mobility and decrease stress?

Pilates focuses on increasing core strength and tone of abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks.

Classes held Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.

$90 per term (10 weeks).

· Hall 2, Balla Balla Community Centre, Selandra Blvd, Clyde North on Tuesdays 1pm2pm and Wednesdays 7.30pm-8.30pm.

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.

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 u3acranbourne.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.

It’s show time in Doveton

From the best showbags to cuddly creatures, this year’s Doveton Show will have something for visitors of all ages.

Running from 10am to 4pm on Sunday 17 September at Myuna Farm in Doveton, there will be stage and farm entertainment, rides, art and craft displays, train rides to tour the farm, animals, free face painting, market and food stalls and emergency service representatives including SES, CFA, Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch Casey, as well as live entertainment including magic shows, local musicians, singers and performers.

Committee member Damien Rosario said

the show was nearing its 20th year.

“The Doveton Show was conceived as a low-cost alternative to the Royal Melbourne Show for the local residents to attend without having to travel into the city to enjoy a family day out,” he said.

“With the rising costs of living and families having to reduce spending, the Doveton Show provides the opportunity to have fun without breaking the budget.

“The Doveton Show Committee works hard to plan and balance its budget and costs responsibly to ensure that the show is sustainably run.”

Mr Rosario said the show was managed and ran by volunteers and the community’s support.

“The show hosts local businesses, community groups, performing arts, sporting clubs as well as arts and crafts, enabling them to fundraise for their important activities,” he said.

“The City of Casey and Myuna Farm’s unwavering support to the Doveton Show Committee has helped us make the show a huge success.”

For more information, visit dovetonshow. org.au

Doveton Show committee member Damien Rosario, treasurer Stefan Koomen, the KC Neighbourhood Watch Dog and chair Michelle Ryan. 359568 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

The Dendrobium Pink Ballerina. 358302 Picture: ANYES SALAMA

ON … DISABILITY

Empowering communities

For nearly three decades, JobCo. Employment Services Inc. has stood as a beacon of hope and empowerment for individuals with disabilities in Metropolitan Melbourne. Established in 1995, JobCo. has been an unwavering force in providing holistic and specialised support to those seeking to overcome barriers and achieve meaningful inclusion in their local communities. As a registered provider of NDIS and Disability Employment services, their commitment to enhancing lives is truly commendable.

New chances

Support Embrace Connect began in 2020 by Donna, who has spent her whole life in Casey, growing up in Hampton Park and residing in Berwick for the past 14 years with her four kids.

I was working in aged care and endured a workplace injury, causing me to find a new avenue of work. I was misplaced and believed I would never work again at the time and then I decided to reeducate myself. I have always loved helping others and thought this would be the perfect opportunity for me to work in a field where I could do just that. Once I completed my studies, I was supported to gain employment through a Disability Employment Agency and started working in Disability Support which I loved.

Sadly the company did not have the same outlook of support as I had, so I decided to leave and start my own business and Support Embrace Connect (SEC) was born.

I am very passionate about not only supporting participants but also my employees, we have social get-togethers and I do upskill training with my team regularly. Our team are easy going and adaptable people who have compassion and drive to help participants access the best support possible while improving their daily lives with meaningful community access, and engagement as well as daily life skills and support with so much more.

At SEC we have an individualised care plan for each person we work with, and we also run groups for cooking, art, and walk and talk groups to support our participants in accessing the community and being a part of it. We have had great success with our small groups, with participants looking forward to the next group running and catching up with participants out in the community they have met. Our newest group is for all of the Pokemon lovers, where they meet up in the community and play Pokemon together and battle each other.

We pride ourselves on having regular scheduled support with regular workers and go above and beyond for them. We are not just about turning up and taking them for a coffee and dropping them home. We are ensuring we are impacting their daily life and helping

them with their steps toward their NDIS goals. We have seen fantastic growth in the participants we support in many different areas of their lives, and our team thrives on seeing the growth and personal development of the people they are supporting.

When asked for, we work in care team meetings to help the other services engage with the participant so that everyone is on the same page and the participants get a better outcome from all services. A team that communicates and supports the person in need will always have better outcomes than those who are disconnected and unaware of new changes and challenges of the participant; it’s also best practice for the participant as they do not have to repeat everything to each person. For further information contact director Donna Poole 0484 679 364 - manager Brenda. supportembraceconnect.com.au

JobCo.

Disability Services Provider Specialising in Mental Health Support

We are a registered provider of NDIS and Disability Employment services, that has been assisting the community since 1995. JobCo.’s mission is to ensure anyone seeking employment services, training, counselling or support is assisted to the highest standard. We take an empowerment approach and support clients to develop independence and control over their personal recovery journey.

We are a not-for-profit & our services are FREE Locations all over South EastIncluding Pakenham, Narre Warren, Cranbourne, Dandenong and more!

03 8388 7046 enquiries@jobco.com.au www.jobco.com.au

At the heart of JobCo.’s mission is the genuine desire to uplift the lives of individuals facing physical, sensory, moderate intellectual disabilities, and mental health conditions. Unlike many service providers, JobCo. operates on a not-for-profit basis, offering their extensive range of services entirely free of charge. This reflects their dedication to breaking down financial barriers that often hinder access to essential support services.

The team behind JobCo. is founded on diversity and inclusion, with many of their employees having personal experience of disability. It is this understanding that affords them an insight into the obstacles their clients face and what is required to meet their individual needs. JobCo.’s NDIS service offerings encompass a spectrum of assistance, including Support Coordination, Recovery Coaching, Behaviour Support Planning, Individual Skill Development, and Assistance to Access Community.

As one of Australia’s leading Disability Employment Services (DES) providers, JobCo. offers a range of employment services, such as resume and interview support, job matching, mentoring, and employer networking, to name a few. Their services are

also tailored to the individual, meeting the unique needs of the client.

Moreover, their commitment extends beyond employment services, with access to occupational therapy, counselling, and psychology services, alongside referrals to other necessary support systems.

The crux of JobCo.’s approach lies in empowerment. The organisation firmly believes in equipping their clients with the tools they need to gain independence and seize control over their personal recovery journey. By fostering autonomy and selfreliance, JobCo. empowers individuals to navigate their paths with confidence, ultimately leading to more fulfilling lives.

An integral part of JobCo.’s legacy is their contribution to promoting diverse and inclusive workplaces. Through their Disability Employment consultants, the organisation actively bridges the gap between talented individuals with disabilities and forward-thinking employers. By emphasising the value and benefits of employing individuals with disabilities, JobCo. cultivates an environment of understanding and opportunity. Since its inception, JobCo. has continually evolved to better serve its community. Their comprehensive range of services, compassionate approach, and unwavering dedication to meaningful inclusion have made them a cornerstone of support for people with disabilities.

As we reflect on their journey since 1995, we salute JobCo. for their remarkable commitment to enriching lives and propelling positive change in the lives of those who need it most. JobCo. Employment Services

· Phone: (03) 8388 7046.

· enquiries@jobco.com.au

· www.jobco.com.au

Spring show set to blossom

By Eleanor Wilson

Berwick Senior Citizens Hall will be transformed into an orchid oasis later this month, as hundreds of plants move in for the Berwick Orchid Spring Show.

A plethora of native and exotic orchids will be sized up for awards and prizes, while hundreds of plants will also be available for plant lovers to purchase.

Berwick Orchid Show president Murray Harding said the show is an annual delight for the community.

“I can tell you almost everybody has an orchid story,” Mr Harding said.

“You’ll be at a show and people will con-

stantly come up and have stories about the orchid mum had before she died, or an orchid they were given as a gift.”

Mr Harding’s own passion for the flowering plant came when he was asked to look after his father’s orchids.

He now has a personal collection of about 10,000 plants - a “hobby gone mad” for the orchid expert and judge.

“It is probably the most prolific flowering plant in the world, there’s only a couple of continents that don’t have orchids.”

The Berwick Orchid Spring Show will take place on 23 and 24 September from 9am to 4pm, with orchid experts attending to offer horticultural advice.

Berwick Orchid Club president Murray Harding holds a Dendrobium Falcorostrum.

Picture: ROB CAREW

A Dendrobium Pink Ballerina.

Picture: ANYES SALAMA

The Paphiopedilum Insigne is an Asian species of slipper orchid.

Picture: ANYES SALAMA

The Miltassia Estrellita is an Oncidium type orchid with large star shaped flowers.

Picture: ANYES SALAMA

Ascocenda Princess Mikasa Blue.

Picture: ANYES SALAMA

A Dracula Lucifer is one of hundreds set to be displayed at the spring show.

Picture: ANYES SALAMA

Refresh for biosphere

The Western Port Biosphere has hit refresh on its brand and strategy for the next decade following confirmation of its UNESCO status and a growing presence in shaping the future for the Western Port Biosphere Reserve.

Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation chief executive Mel Barker said there were many factors that made this the perfect time to present a fresh face to the world, particularly the stakeholders and communities that supported a vision that would ensure the preservation of the reserve’s environment for future generations.

“We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of successfully advocating for Western Port’s recognition and acceptance into the international UNESCO Biosphere network,” Ms Barker said.

“This is the first time since the establishment of the reserve that we have reviewed and updated its brand.

“The recent acknowledgement of our progress by UNESCO, substantial funding for blue carbon development from the Victorian Government and growing partnerships with traditional owners, community and with public and private sector organisations enables us to confidently move forward to address the numerous challenges facingWestern Port.”

The foundation’s top priorities encompass several key areas:

· Advocating for the creation of a strategic framework forWestern Port.

· Advocacy relating to commercial development proposals for Western Port proposals forWestern Port.

· Enhancing community awareness and pre-

serving ecologically vital and internationally significant habitats, including Ramsar wetlands, blue carbon ecosystems (mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass), and Bryozoan reefs.

· Establishing a biolink to connect the nationally significant Western Port Woodlands on the Bass Coast, while ensuring effective

communication between neighbouring sand quarries and the community.

· Securing support to develop critical biolinks to maintain and support the reserve’s biodiversity.

The reserve foundation has also presented a new Western Port Biosphere logo, which wraps

representations of flora and fauna associated with the reserve with habitat and community. It is more distinctive and contemporary, the foundation said, lending itself to easier recognition over time in digital communications channels through which the Foundation has been increasing its reach over recent months.

FOCUS ON … EARLY LEARNING & PRIMARY

Making mistakes is crucial for kids to learn

It’s important for children to learn that it’s OK to make mistakes, a parenting expert says.

Dr Justin Coulson is the author of nine parenting books and co-host of Channel Nine TV show Parental Guidance.

“From toddlerhood to teenage years, one thing is certain – we all make mistakes,” he said.

“How we handle mistakes and how we learn from them in childhood can set us up for life.”

Dr Coulson shares his top tips on mistakemaking:

· Calm the storm

Emotions can start to rise as your child tries a task for the first time, or learns something new.

“They’ll try and try and then – bam – it all ends in tears,” he says.

“The item is thrown, the artwork screwed up and your little one is kicking their legs on the floor.”

Dr Coulson says it’s easy to jump in and try to fix the problem for them.

“But the best option is to wait calmly and quietly for the temper to subside and tears to dry,” he says.

“Then, when they’re calm, encourage them to try again.

“It may take some gentle guidance from you but, in the end, they will feel proud that they achieved their goal and they learned something along the way – if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.

· Fear of failure

Parents with school-aged kids often tell Dr Coulson they see their child becoming despondent or disengaged with schoolwork and after-school activities.

“This presents an opportunity to connect with your child and find out what’s really going on,” he says.

“Often it can be a confidence issue down to fear of failure.”

He urges parents to explore the ‘worst case scenario’ with their child - what would happen

if they did try and fail? How bad would it be and what would they learn from it?

“Sometimes, by taking them down the path of failure, they can actually feel empowered to take control and move from fear to acceptance by trying something new,” he says.

· Attitude

As with everything in life, having a good attitude can change your perspective.

“Having a ‘never mind, try again’ attitude can really help take the fear out of mistakemaking and help children place their mistakes into perspective,” Dr Coulson says.

“Bouncing back from mistakes is a valuable lesson in resilience – something that will stand your children in good stead in life.”

· Lighten up

Kids learn by example.

“If they see you bounce back from a fail, they are likely to bounce, too,” Dr Coulson says.

“Share with them your success and failure stories.

“Throw in some humour to make them laugh. There’s something about laughter that can really lighten up the‘heaviness’ and fear of mistake-making.”

Share the outcomes and learnings, too, so kids know that mistakes can lead to understanding and new beginnings or different ways of doing things.

Practice again and again

Researchers have found that our kids feel pressure when we ask them to do something perfectly.

“But when we ask them to do something over and over again, the pressure comes offand they improve,” Dr Coulson says.

“The mistakes don’t matter because it’s about quantity rather than quality…but with quantity comes the expertise that practice promotes, which ultimately drives quality.

“This builds competence for kids, which is incredible for their resilience.”

The Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation has set forth a new vision for the UNESCO recognised site.

Picture: SUPPLIED

Tips for work-life balance

The key here is to distinguish between tasks that are urgent and/or important.

Urgent and important tasks must obviously be done first but time needs to be allocated for the important (non-urgent) stuff.

Often the latter can easily get dropped or rescheduled but it is these that have the most profound impact so apply point one as above.

I wonder how many people reading this article are feeling overworked or know someone that is? Burnout is the scourge of our times and unfortunately tends to be suffered most by conscientious people.

Ask them why they are working so hard and they will invariably tell you that they are doing it for the family, yet ironically if you were to ask the rest of the family about the situation, chances are that they will complain they rarely see the hardworking business owner and worry about the impact on their health.

So here are my five top tips for achieving a reasonable work-life balance:

1.Set time aside each week to work on the business

When I set my own business up years ago, this was the best advice I received.

If there is a lot of seemingly urgent stuff that needs to get done, it is often the important, non-urgent stuff that gets overlooked.

Yet this is where the gold is. This provides the circuit-breaker you need to determine what really matters, prioritise, restructure, replan, even invoice customers.

This can be the space where new ideas flourish and a perspective on the big picture can be taken.

2. Define your company structure

If your business has staff, ensure you have a clear and documented organisational structure with well-defined roles and responsibilities.

This provides a great opportunity to iden-

tify others who could take on some of what you are currently doing and not only alleviate your own workload but also increase the responsibility and job satisfaction of other staff members.

There is a general rule that states if a staff member can do something 70 per cent as well as you, they should be doing it. If you are a sole proprietor, then this equates to identifying the key functions in your business and ensuring that specific time is

allocated to these as required each week.

3. Prioritise your work

When I ask people in business if they have enough time to do everything that they would like to get done, I am yet to find anyone who says they have.

The only antidote to this is to effectively prioritise. This is the basis of efficiency and why some people seem to achieve so much whereas the rest of us wonder at their output.

4. Put boundaries around family life Easier to say than do when there appears to be so much going on in the business and so many deadlines to achieve, however, this will enable you to come back to work with a fresh perspective and actually improve efficiency.

In his excellent book ‘Rest’, Alex SoojungKim Pang describes how ‘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, but more importantly, you will be spending time with people who matter most, i.e. those you are actually working for!

5. Don’t be afraid to say no

Conscientious people want to achieve, and they don’t want to let people down.

To them, meeting commitments is extremely important since it also reflects on their character.

However, in these busy times, too often we make commitments before really thinking through whether they can be achieved or not.

Taking the time to consider whether a request can be truly accommodated by factoring in required resources, other competing priorities and available bandwidth may lead to the conclusion that something cannot be done.

If so, far better to disappoint early on than agree to something and fail to deliver by the committed date.

This is far more painful for everyone.

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

Berwick’s SANA Skin Clinic beauty therapist Karla Jaudzems has taken out the Junior Therapist of the Year award at this year’s Australian Beauty Industry Awards.

Held on Sunday 27 August, about 700 of the country’s most aesthetically clinical, creative, and entrepreneurial minds gathered at The Star in Sydney to celebrate the best achievements within the industry.

Ms Jaudzems was recognised for forming warm and trusting relationships with her clients through a strong focus on skin and body treatments, striving to improve her clients’ self-confidence through helping them to look and feel their best, ultimately heightening their overall sense of wellbeing and positivity.

Long-time MC Will Fennell led the evening as the 36 winners were announced.

SANA Skin Clinic also reached a spot into the finalist ranks in the categories of Australia’s best team of the year, best customer care and Victorian clinic of the year.

SANA Skin Clinic’s Georgia Clements was also named as a finalist running for the junior therapist awards.

Established in 2015, SANA Skin Clinic is a boutique style clinic offering a clean, relaxing, inviting and nurturing atmosphere with a philosophy that general well-being is not only the new currency, but also leads to a more vibrant, healthy appearance, improved confidence and overall better results.

Partnered with dermatological grade skincare prescriptions, the SANA team work on the perfect balance of custom compounded home care and accompanying high end in-clinic treatment option along with in-clinic naturopathy.

Mocha Group founder and chief executive LindaWoodhead said the Berwick community should be proud of Ms Jaudzems’ achievements.

“Karla is the perfect example of an up and coming industry leader and will make an excellent ambassador for the awards program this year,” she said.

“As with all our 2023 winners she is now looked to as one of the brightest young stars of the beauty industry.”

Bravo, beauty therapist

SANA Skin Clinic beauty therapist Karla Jaudzems received the Junior Therapist of the Year at this year’s Australian Beauty Industry Awards. Picture: SUPPLIED

Achieving work-life balance is a key part of sustaining a successful business. Picture: UNSPLASH

Strong partnership

By Matthew Sims

Melbourne City Football Club (MCFC) has announced a new long-term partnership with Federation University Australia as the club’s official tertiary education partner.

The new partnership would further strengthen Federation University’s ties with the SouthWest and provide new opportunities for students to undertake work placements in areas such as business, communications, IT and exercise and sport science within the club.

Federation University Australia vice-chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley said the agreement with MCFC was a “true partnership”.

“Federation University has a proud history of supporting sport and the benefits it brings to our communities, and we are excited to commence our partnership with Melbourne City FC,” he said.

“The Matildas recent tilt for World Cup glory captivated the entire nation and through this partnership, we hope to share our expertise in a variety of disciplines that will help develop the next generation of football stars.

“Not only will our brand be proudly represented by the women’s team, but it will also create wonderful opportunities for our students in Berwick and throughout Victoria through placements and other activities.”

The long-term agreement would represent a significant investment in Women’s football with Federation University’s logo to feature on the back of City’s A-League Women’s playing shorts.

MCFC chief executive Brad Rowse said the team was excited to welcome Federation University as its newest partner.

“It’s a significant partnership for the South East Melbourne community and we’re really excited by the new opportunities we will be able to provide for students across the region

to get a taste of working in an elite sporting environment,” he said.

“After having 10 players from the Matildas history-making World Cup squad spend time here at Melbourne City, an investment like this into our women’s program ensures we can continue to be the prime destination in the

country for young talent to develop their craft.

“We look forward to working together with Federation University for many years ahead to continue to deepen our ties with the South East Melbourne region and also support the rapid growth of women’s football in Australia post-World Cup.”

Driver takes a U-turn to court

A Hampton Park man has been charged with unlicensed driving and firearm, drug and car theft offences after a police intercept in Dandenong.

Police say they saw a black Ford sedan with stolen plates on Lonsdale Street about 1.43pm on Thursday 7 September.

Divisional Response Unit officers saw the vehicle pull an illegal U-turn outside Dandenong Magistrates Court. They intercepted the car after it turned into Pultney Street.

The 30-year-old driver was arrested, with drug paraphernalia, a homemade pen pistol and house-breaking implements allegedly found in the car.

Police say the car was stolen from Wodonga and the plates stolen from Ringwood.

The man was charged with prohibited person possessing a firearm, possessing a general category handgun, car theft, theft from a motor vehicle, possessing a drug of dependence, going equipped to steal, unlicensed driving and other traffic offences.

He was bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.

Man charged over alleged crophouse

A 47-year-old man has been arrested by police at an alleged cannabis crophouse in Hampton Park.

Divisional Response Unit police arrived with a search warrant at the property about 10.30am on Thursday 7 September.

They say after initially pretending no one was home, the man opened the door.

Police seized 170 cannabis plants from a “sophisticated” and “elaborate” hydroponic growing set-up in several rooms.

The Hampton Park man was arrested and interviewed at Dandenong police station.

He was charged with cultivating a commercial quantity of cannabis, trafficking a commercial quantity, drug possession and theft.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

The long-term agreement would represent a significant investment in Women’s football with Federation University’s logo to feature on the back of City’s A-League Women’s playing shorts.

Your regional newspaper offers so

‘Fit’ team in fine form

A group of Berwick locals have pushed their bodies to the limit as part of an endurance event.

Taking place on Saturday 26 August, the event involved competitors from across the state filling out the Melbourne Showgrounds combining running and functional workout stations across four different categories.

Body Fit Training Berwick studio owner Baelee Kireka-Mark said the event consisted of eight one-kilometre runs with a functional workout station following each run.

“To support its expansion into the Asia Pacific region, Hyrox partnered with Body Fit Training (BFT) who are now the official training partner to the fitness racing event and provide a specific training program for their members that are competing, in the lead up to the event,” she said.

“This Hyrox specific training took place for 10 weeks prior to the event, every Sunday, to provide the members with the preparation required to take on the event.

“Our training at BFT is aligned very closely with the sport of Hyrox itself, hence the partnership, so our members are very well conditioned to the demands of the event.”

Ms Kireka-Mark said the training program required hard work from the competitors

“The hard work they put into their Sunday sessions took a lot of extra commitment and dedication to build the endurance required for the event which can take anywhere upwards of 90 minutes,” she said.

“BFT Berwick had over 30 members, aged from 17 to 62, compete across the solo, doubles, and relay divisions.

“It was great to see every one of our athletes not just cross the finish line, but achieve great finishing times as well.”

Ms Kireka-Mark said the teams and duos combined members of different ages, members and coaches competing alongside each other.

Individuals who had never done anything like this before competing in the event entirely on their own,” she said.

“We were extremely proud of all of our members who competed on the day and grateful for those who came down to support them.

“Our members are already looking forward to next year’s event, and we are sure we will have even more members representing BFT Berwick at the next Hyrox race.”

The Berwick BFT team.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The sled push event.

The event was a team effort.One of the Berwick members on the row machine.

Focus on innovation

The City of Casey is hosting a one-day event celebrating creative, collaboration and positive change.

The council is hosting the Casey Innovation Summit on Friday 27 October at Bunjil Place in Narre Warren and will feature a variety of events including a industry roundtable, Hackathon and a number of exhibitions. The Hackathon will see teams present projects they have been working on to develop innovative solutions using Microsoft technologies to tackle real-world challenges.

Proud of culture

Hampton Park Secondary College celebrated the rich and vibrant heritage of the Pasifika community last month.

Held on Thursday 17 August, the school hosted a Pasifika Evening event, which also aimed to provide valuable information regarding the recent government changes that occurred on 1 July for New Zealand people accessing Australian citizenship.

Matthew McKenzie from the Department of Home Affairs presented to families, providing detailed information to help support the families fully understand what this change means for them.

Cultural diversity coordinator Sally Carruthers said the highlights of the evening included delicious food options.

“No cultural celebration is complete without indulging in the delectable flavours of traditional cuisine,” she said.

“At the Pasifika Evening, staff at Hampton Park Secondary College did not disappoint as attendees were treated to traditional Samoan pancake and Pani Popo (coconut buns).

“The food not only delighted the taste buds but also provided a tangible connection to the cultural heritage being honoured that evening.

“As attendees sampled the flavours of the Pacific, they were reminded of the significance of food in fostering a sense of belonging and identity within the Pasifika community.”

Ms Carruthers said the heart of the evening was the cultural performances which took centre stage.

“Students from various Pacific Islander backgrounds came together to present the Samoan and Cook Island traditional dances, music, and songs that reflected the unique identities of their respective cultures,” she said.

“From the energetic and rhythmic Samoan

siva to the graceful and storytelling through dance, every performance was a testament to the dedication and passion of the students involved.

“The students are so proud of their culture and it’s important to celebrate with them, empowering cultural pride.”

Ms Carruthers said the event showcased the school’s diverse cultures and pride.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, events like the Pasifika Evening stand as a testament to the power of cultural celebration in fostering a greater understanding of the diverse communities that make up our global family,” she said.

“Hampton Park Secondary College’s commitment to hosting such events serves as an inspiration to other educational institutions to embrace diversity and celebrate the beauty of different cultures.”

Trades & Services Employment

V Landscaping

RETAINING WALLS

General Classifieds

Facilities Manager

Gleneagles Secondary College is currently seeking a highly skilled Facilities Manager. We offer a fantastic working environment, outstanding conditions, with flexible working options, underpinned by variety and autonomy.

This is a newly developed full-time ongoing position, working 7am to 3pm.

Key Responsibilities:

•Manage and track Facilities/Maintenance program and budgets.

•Manage compliance audits and annual safety checks.

•Manage the organisation of DET Make safe program and college trades.

•Comply with Occupational Health & Safety and Work Safe standards.

•Develop and manage an annual maintenance schedule.

•Work through maintenance log requests and liaise with the Maintenance team as required.

•Identify urgent and cyclic grounds works, prioritise and schedule these works.

•Manage trade induction. Trade qualifications or experience highly desirable, conditions negotiable. For more information, including remuneration, contact the college Principal, Chad Ambrose 9708 1319 or gleneagles.sc@education.vic.gov.au

A Living Labs Exhibition will showcase how Casey Council is driving innovation and addressing local challenges through collaboration with industry and academia, and co-design with the community, while other exhibitions will demonstrate how the council is leveraging data to improve decision making, transparency, and service delivery and fostering a culture of innovation. The event will also include the launch of Casey Council’s Future Mobility program, which aims to improve mobility in the city through cutting-edge technology and collaboration.

The Emerging Trends event will involve attendees exploring the latest emerging trends which will shape our future and uncover the potential opportunities and challenges they present. Attendees will have the chance to hear from inspiring speakers, interact with experts and mentors, discover new ideas and opportunities, connect with likeminded thinkers, and explore the possibility of investing in the future of the city. Visit choosecasey.com.au/summit

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Hampton Park Secondary College celebrated students’ Pasifika roots during the event.

Picture: SUPPLIED

SPORT Cranbourne wins through

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Another grand final awaits local footy powerhouse Cranbourne.

The Southern Football Netball League Division 1 club ended Cheltenham’s 17-game winning streak with a clinical last quarter at RSEA Park, Moorabbin.

Twelve months after Cheltenham won the qualifying final to earn a week off ahead of the big dance, the Eagles got the mental advantage on a Rosellas outfit they will likely face on grand final day.

Cheltenham had the running in the first half, coming out the hotter team and scoring a pair of goals just as the Eagles looked to settle into the game.

A melee broke out after the half-time siren when a Rosellas goal saw them go into the main break 12-point leaders.

Legendary full forward Marc Holt had two in the first half, but the story of the day for the Eagles to that point was their poor inside-50 delivery.

Holt has been the focal point of the forward line for a decade, but, having pondered retirement last season, this was a season where the Eagles would have more avenues to goal.

Having achieved that throughout the home and away season, the first six quarters of finals proved that old habits die hard in pressure situations.

Holt was being engaged physically and the general delivery and other factors didn’t allow others such as Ryan Jones and Kirk Dickson to assert themselves.

That melee seemed to intensify the mindset for the Eagles after the break.

Needing to improve their mid-forward connection, they were missing arguably their best user, Jarryd Barker, for the first part of the third quarter due to a yellow card - seemingly a case of mistaken identity.

But it mattered not.

Those who were in there were able to turn the tide, with Cranbourne getting the game back on its terms in the third quarter, despite losing the quarter by six points.

They got repeated good looks inside 50, but

the only goal came via a Zak Roscoe free kick, while Cheltenham kept the scoreboard ticking with two goals.

The reintroduction of Barker to the game lifted Cranbourne another notch and they had more of the play forward of centre, but intercept marks were still being taken and untimely misses became a plague.

But, having ended Cheltenham’s 17-game winning streak in the qualifying final last season, there was a calm sense that, for all of the Eagles flaws until three-quarter-time, they could replicate that feat and consign the Rosellas to their first defeat since Good Friday at Livingston Reserve.

The intensity in the last quarter went to fever-pitch on the field as September folklore unfolded, yet on the Cranbourne interchange there was a clear coolness.

They were on top now, and it was time to back in their experience, star power and resilience.

The Eagles were deaf to the frustration from the sidelines when Cranbourne missed four shots in the first five minutes and when a Chris Ramac entry kick went out on the full.

The belief was palpable.

“Sometimes it’s just about taking a breath rather than trying to force the issue all the time and I think that experience really comes to the

fore,” coach Steve O’Brien said.

“It was a little bit about composure which allowed us to get some really good looks at it and good rewards.”

Eventually, it was a Marc Holt contested mark and goal from 50 who slotted the first major.

Then Kirk Dickson, one who inserted himself into the game in the second half, just made the distance from 45, receiving a pearler from Nick Darbyshire.

Darbyshire could hold his own at a St Kilda training session, so intensely does his game elevate when he’s allowed to link up on the wide expanses of RSEA Park.

A majestic Barker clearance got it in quickly to Holt, one-on-one, who brought it to ground level then celebrated zealously as Cranbourne took the lead at the 11-minute mark of the last quarter

Dickson scored the final two goals, cuing celebrations for a club which has put itself in prime position to defend its flag.

The marking inside 50, connection, desperation, skill execution and adherence to game plan give the perfect platform ahead of a week off.

“We’ve been in this position a few times and have fallen short before so it’s so important to stay focussed and save everything for the last game,” skipper Brandon Osborne said.

“If we get one or two goals in front, we don’t start thinking about two weeks time.

“If we get three or four goals in front, we don’t start thinking about it.

“Just get it done, so it’s just trying to get them focussed on the job at hand and not get too carried away, it doesn’t matter who we play.

“We just need to focus on ourselves because at this point in time, it is going to be us that beats us.

“We just need to focus on getting it right, enjoy it, to create that energy to win.

“You know that if you’re that slight bit off, all that hard work is for nothing, so we looked around today, me and the big fella ‘Holty’, and said we don’t switch off now.

“It’s so important to stay on.”

Sea Eagles and Seagulls ready to soar to new heights

By David Nagel

Great teams win premierships but only extraordinary teams go back-to-back.

Inverloch-Kongwak has the chance to join Dalyston (2017, 18) as back-to-back champions of the WGFNC when the Sea Eagles take on the Seagulls fromTooradin-Dalmore in an enticing grand final shootout at Kooweerup on Saturday.

Outgoing coach JarradWalker and his girls will go in as red-hot favourites, having won every game this year, but this week’s opponent is definitely up for the fight after a preliminary final comeback for the ages.

The Seagulls looked down and out, six goals down midway through the second quarter, before unleashing a comeback based on pure grit and desire.

The Gulls outscored Nar Nar Goon 37 to 24 from that point forward to book their place in the biggest game of the season with a 52-45 victory.

Tooradin is no stranger to the extraordinary deeds of champions, having won three premierships in succession from 2017 to ’19.

The first two triumphs came in the now defunct South East Football Netball League (SEFNL), while an inaugural WGFNC success in 2019 raised the bar to an extreme level that the incumbents were forced to climb.

Players such as Alex Maher, Ebony Mason, Ebony Dolan, Jess Maher, Kelly Haynes and Sara Howie rode the extreme highs of those premiership successes…and were key figures that turned last week’s preliminary final on its head.

The Gulls played with spirit and determination, forcing Nar Nar Goon into error to

take a one-goal lead to the final break.

Led by Dolan in defence, the Gulls then enforced their dominance with a 17-11 final term.

The Gulls will come in confident, but also understand that the challenge presented by the Sea Eagles is utterly immense.

Walker has stars at his disposal everywhere you look, with a record four players making the starting line up in this season’s Team of the Year.

Lanni Pryor and Kelsey Buxton earned starting positions through the midcourt, while goaler Kelly Boyd was rewarded for a consistent season under the ring.

And in Renee Pilkington, well the Sea Eagles have the dominant player in the six-year history of the competition.

Pilkington’s class shines through in everything she does; with her league medal speech on Monday night giving an insight into what drives the Sea Eagles into battle.

“We just go out and give it our best, but the thing I love most about playing netball is it’s a team game,” she said.

“We play for each other, and we have trust in each other that everyone will give their best and play their role.

“It’s exciting, but we’ll just go out and give it our best.”

The Sea Eagles have extra motivation this week, with Walker coaching the last game of a magnificent stint at the helm.

The Sea Eagles were a strong club when Walker arrived, but a lack of A Grade success was the one thing missing from the club’s armoury.

He coached the Eagles to an intense victory over a strong Bunyip line-up in last year’s grand final - and this year sits on the precipice of the perfect season.

Undefeated premiers and back-to-back

champion - what a nice ring that has to it!

THE TIP

Tooradin showed it can match it with Inverloch in the second semi-final, scoring 13 each in the opening term, but keeping that level up for four quarters was the challenge.

They dropped off through the middle stages of the contest before bouncing back when the sting had gone out of the game.

This Sea Eagles group is relentless, and driven by the leadership of Pilkington, and the smarts of Walker from the sidelines… they’ll win this premiership comfortably.

Walker will head off on his European vacation early next year as a back-to-back premiership coach.

It’s the Sea Eagles to win by 13.

Sara Howie provides Tooradin-Dalmore with a stack of drive through the midcourt. 359436

Inverloch-Kongwak stars Ella Sadler (GA) and Lanni Pryor (WA) will need to be watched closely by the Seagulls. 357893 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Nicholas Darbyshire evades Rosella Harrison Scott. 359439

Picture: ROB CAREW

Cannons fire parting shot

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Mornington Peninsula’s experience proved too much for Casey Cannons to overcome in a preliminary final at the State Hockey Centre on Sunday.

Despite Casey having much of the play for the first half, it was Mornington Peninsula that was able to seize its opportunity on counterattack.

The stable and senior Mornington Peninsula lineup had slicker polish than a Cannons side in their first season competing atVic League 1 level.

Casey was able to hit back reasonably quickly via Jess Rowland to go into halftime with the scores locked at 1-1, but the match ebbed Mornington Peninsula’s way after the break.

As she has done all season, goal keeper Sarah Sutton-McLellan was able to stave off several shots on target, with April Picton also fighting valiantly.

But the attack did not have enough opportunity, with Leandra McLauchlan, who dominated the first half, off with a hand injury.

She got Casey’s ball movement flowing and had the game on her team’s terms early, with her exit from the game a clear turning point.

Mornington Peninsula’s Courtney Taylor was able to get off the chain and set her team up from the back, which is what the Cannons knew they had to stop.

The Cannons were left to rue a missed penalty stroke that would have given them the

lead against the flow of play, with Mornington Peninsula able to find the back of the net late against a fatiguing defence.

Grand weekend of tennis

By David Nagel

The champions of the Berwick and District Tennis Association have been crowned after a wonderful weekend of action at the Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre.

Rain threatened to put a dampener on Saturday’s grand final matches, but the players patience was rewarded as the skies cleared and all grand finals were completed.

Pakenham took out the prestigious Rod Osborne Shield, while the Section 15 Singles grand final between Beaconsfield and Berwick went all the way down to the wire. Scores were tied at four sets and 33 games each at the conclusion of the match, meaning a super tie-break was required to decide the winner.

Berwick won the tie-break 10-5 to take out the premiership.

GRAND FINALS

SATURDAY

Osborne Shield

Pakenham 2 4:30 v Drouin 1 2:27

Section 1 Rubbers

Officer Red 2 4:30 v Berwick 1 3:33

Section 2 Rubbers

Berwick White 0 2:32 v Cranbourne 2 4:31

Section 3 Rubbers

Clyde White 1 2:23 v Narre Warren North 2 4:30

Section 4 Rubbers

Narre Warren South 2 4:25 v Cranbourne Red 0 0:12

Section 5 Rubbers

Cranbourne Black 1 3:32 v Cranbourne Yellow 2 4:34

Section 6 Singles

Berwick White 2:32 v Clyde 6:44

Section 7 Singles

Narre Warren 4:30 v Officer Blue 4:34

Section 8 Singles

Narre Warren 3:24 v Cranbourne 5:34

Section 9 Singles

Officer 3:26 v Clyde 5:37

SUNDAY

Section 10 Singles

Berwick Blue 7:46 v Upper Beaconsfield 1:24

Section 11 Singles

Clyde 6:44 v Narre Warren Green 2:28

Section 12 Singles

Beaconsfield 5:37 v Berwick 3:31

Section 13 Singles

NarreWarren Green 4:38 v Beaconsfield 4:36

Section 14 Singles

Narre Warren Green 6:43 v Narre Warren Gold 2:22

Section 15 Green Ball Singles

Beaconsfield 4:33 v Berwick 4:33

Berwick won the super tie-break 10-5 to take out the premiership.

Section 16 Doubles

Narre Warren 4:30 v Beaconsfield 2:19

Section 17 Doubles

Pakenham 2:21 v Beaconsfield 4:33

Section 18 Doubles

Berwick White 2:24 v Hallam 4:26

ASSOCIATION JUNIOR PENNANT

Despite the loss, the season represented a big step forward for the squad, who adapted to the standard increase with

for extended periods despite the relative inexperience.

Rays progress to prelims

By Jonty Ralphsmith

If you want to get an indication of the progression of female footy in recent years, download the Coates League app and watch the first five minutes of the second quarter of Dandenong’s quarter-final win over GWV.

Having been challenged by the Rebels in the first quarter, who kept the Rays to just one goal with plucky defence despite giving up territory, the Stingrays went bang-bang.

Ruck Elli Symonds went inside 50 through the corridor but her kick was intercepted.

She kept running, reading the exit kick like a book and, with surging velocity, hit it sweetly from outside 50.

Going up against fellow Vic Country ruck Laila Lappin, a year older than her, Symonds clearly won the duel with 21 hitouts to 12, while she also accumulated 20 possessions as well as that goal.

That piece of individual brilliance shifted the tide Dandenong’s way in a 9.11 65 to 0.1 1 win at Shepley Oval.

Two minutes later, fellow ruck Zoe Besanko had a similar moment of class.

The 179cm bottom-aged player weaved her way past three GWV opponents, walking the tightrope of the boundary line before snapping her conversion to increase the margin to 19 points.

It was one of Besanko’s five shots on goal, as she stood up inside 50, with Sophie Butterworth having just one shot on goal after scoring six times in each of her previous four games.

Dandenong had too much class on every line, with Meg Robertson and Abbey Tregellis getting it started in the middle.

Jemaya Bressan was also impressive, while Ruby Murdoch and Jemma Ramsdale ensured that the Rebels’18 inside 50 entries weren’t capitalised upon.

The win made it nine on the bounce for the Stingrays, who will this week take on Oakleigh, which consigned them to their last loss.

The Stingrays will enter full of confidence, though, their prime movers in form, bottomagers standing up and the 18-point defeat to Oakleigh in round five moreso down to a lack of polish and conversion rather than skill.

Zoe Besanko celebrates one of her two goals on Sunday.

Rob Osborne Shield Premiers,Pakenham, from left; Lachlan O’Gorman,Brayden Raynor and Dylan Pettigrew. 359428

Picture: ROB CAREW

aplomb, competing with the top teams

Bec Cheater and her Cannons teammates were outdone by Mornington Peninsula on Sunday. 347266

Picture: GARY SISSONS

SPORT

Eagles claw at win

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Cranbourne started the third quarter of its second semi-final win against Cheltenham with Ben Pola, Dylan Cavalot and Zak Roscoe in the midfield.

While it was out of necessity with Jarryd Barker off with a yellow card, metaphorically it was a statement of the brutish ‘defensive will’ that clawed Cranbourne back into a game the club went on to win by 15 points.

After turning it around in an unrewarded third, the last quarter comeback was precipitated by a Roscoe and Barker September special.

At stoppage, they laid tackles, scrapped, smothered and, collectively, allowed Cheltenham only one last-quarter centre clearance.

Individually, they each found targets by foot, cracked in and played game scenario to perfection.

“She was pretty special,” said Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien of the midfielders in the last quarter.

“They were just willing to run and run and that’s what we said at three quarter time, we were going to have to be willing to do that.

“(Roscoe and Barker) are great leaders but I thought it was a total team effort.

“They were outstanding in being able to follow the plan.

“That’s what’s so good about coaching these boys.”

After Cranbourne had all the run at the start of the last quarter, it took a perfect Barker kick in front of Marc Holt to finally get the first.

Barker also ran out the front of the centre clearance and banged it deep to Holt moments later, a deep and dangerous entry which ultimately gave Cranbourne the lead at the 11-minute-mark.

Then it was Roscoe’s turn to set up; a hot potato footy between the arcs resulted in the Cranbourne midfielder winning a ‘holdingthe-ball free kick’ after laying a huge tackle.

He then kicked it into space, inviting Dickson to run onto it, with the centre-half-forward kicking the ensuing goal.

Having proved untouchable all quarter, Roscoe burst through two Rosellas and tried to find Anthony Fischer laterally inside 50 but had his handball interrupted.

In response, he body tackled the Cheltenham defender who surrendered his prior opportunity by momentarily hesitating thanks to the setup of the Cranbourne defence.

In between his own highlight-worthy entry kicks, Barker also had big moments which prevented Cheltenham winning separate centre clearances.

What defined the team outing, though, was when he ran back into traffic with the Eagles still down by more than two goals, putting his body on the line as Shaun Keenan ran off a metre away, having copped a big blow by putting his head similarly over the ball.

“I definitely felt after the contest, the spread in the first half, they were elite and we were

able to nullify that in the second half,” Barker said, deflecting attention from his own performance.

“We turned the contested ball around and that gave us a lot more space and opportunity going forward.

“I tried to raise the pressure in the second half.

“That’s finals footy, it’s what you need to do to win games of footy and we did that well in the second half.”

Barker has only one junior premiership to his name, and can hardly remember playing a senior final.

He played with the hunger of a player keen to give himself a shot in the last game of the season after missing last year’s triumph with an ACL injury.

“It’s going to be so, so awesome playing in a grand final,” Barker said, the mention of a grand final perking his voice up and straightening his back in excited anticipation.

As well as Barker, defensive mid Cavalot missed last year’s flag with injury, as did pinchhitting ruck Jake Stephens.

Between the primary midfield group, which also includes Pola and starting ruck Michael Boland, only Pola has missed one game this season.

“We’ve got good chemistry through the midfield but I thought halfway through the year we had a slack patch,” Barker said.

“But we really worked on that, and came together, and we’re working well together now.

“I think it’s just a lot of communication - we just went into our shells a little bit and probably weren’t talking as much, or working together in that midfield group, especially if

Deal sealed

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Last week it was skipper Brandon Osborne.

On Saturday it was Bailey Buntine.

The defender was the player who took his moment when it came in the last quarter of Cranbourne’s 11.10 76 to 9.7 61 victory in the second semi-final on Saturday.

Coach Steve O’Brien talked about taking your moment at the final break. Buntine’s came on the last line of defence.

The Rosellas only twice seriously threatened inside 50 in the last quarter. The first time, they were denied by a running-too-far free kick.

The second by a desperate Buntine tackle. With Cranbourne leading by under a goal and having all the play in the last quarter you sensed Cheltenham would come.

And they did – at the 20-minute-mark of the last quarter.

Spearhead Josh Fox was spoiled, well held all day by Brandon Osborne before it was banged forward to a Cheltenham forward.

A rush of blood saw the Rosella turn around as he saw the Cranbourne defender remonstrate with the marking decision, but he was unaware of Buntine, who was closing quickly.

He took two steps and then was met with the physical contact.

Zak’s getting tagged which makes it a two on three.”

As well as the dozen moments the star duo had, Pola and Cavalot used their physicality, got important touches, and kept it in close when they needed to.

Boland also clearly won his position on Saturday, using his leap and directing his taps well.

His relieving man Stephens ensured his team’s stoppage dominance continued when Boland was resting, using his direct opponent’s size against him.

There was a collective slumping of the shoulders from the Cheltenham heavy crowd at RSEA Park as Buntine swooped to prevent a certain goal.

It was a desperate defensive effort which defined the pressure Cranbourne built the win off.

The siren sounded after Osborne’s smother on the goal line last week.

The momentum that Cranbourne gained from Buntine’s act effectively sealed Saturday’s result too.

Cranbourne’s key forwards stand up to finals pressure

By Jonty Ralphsmith

The last quarter of Cranbourne’s second semifinal win over Cheltenham on Saturday unfurled another chapter in a storied career of individual September performances for Marc Holt.

He has an eight-goal preliminary final to his name in 2014, a match-winner in a grand final last year, and plenty more moments etched in September folklore.

That experience surfaced at a time of great need for Cranbourne.

While his bag of four hardly jumps off the page, in a tense final, he kicked two in the first half when the inside 50 entries were suspect, then seized a moment none of his teammates could take in the last quarter.

With Cranbourne having all the momentum, no-one was able to convert until Holt got his first shot of the term from 50 out.

From there, they couldn’t miss.

It was fitting that Dickson and Holt, fourth and second for league goal-kicking this season, combined for all five of the last quarter

goals for Cranbourne. All five came from aerial one-on-one wins thanks to the pair both asserting front position

and using the space inside 50 to lead up to a firing midfield.

While Holt’s remaining achievements serve

to add to his already settled legend status in local footy, Dickson’s reputation is still growing.

A quiet first half for a player who has 15 times scored multiple goals this season would have been troubling for coach Steve O’Brien, but the centre-half-forward was able to turn it around.

“I spoke to him at halftime about a couple of little adjustments he needed to make to give himself better opportunities and to his credit, in the second half, he’s had five or six shots on goal so work rate is everything for Dicko,” O’Brien said.

Dickson was an undersized key forward when he scored 42 goals last season, his increased size and never relenting work rate underpinning his 2023 success.

“He told me to work a lot harder, up and down the ground, he said that’s my strength - losing my opponent that way,” Dickson revealed.

“I worked him over.

“The slingshot and delivery, I can’t ask for better.”

Bailey Buntine’s desperate effort was crucial to the momentum shift. 353281

Picture: ROB CAREW

Marc Holt celebrates with Ryan Jones as he gives Cranbourne the lead. 359439

Picture: ROB CAREW

Jarryd Barker lays a bruising tackle. 359439

Pictures: ROB CAREW

Michael Boland takes a big mark.

Cream of the crop in 2023

By David Nagel

Ever tried to squeeze 63 players into a phone box?

That’s how the task felt of narrowing down the field of contenders for the 2023 Pakenham Gazette WGFNC Team of the Year…which doubles as the official team from league headquarters.

The process began by contacting all senior coaches, who provided the nominations… with players needing to have played 12 games to qualify.

Next step; inking in Cora Lynn’s century goal-kicker Nathan Gardiner at full-forward; putting league medal winner Dale Gawley in the ruck, with joint runners up Hayden Bruce andWill Hams joining the first-four to earn automatic selection.

Tate Short at centre half back is next, closely followed by the match-winning Cam Pedersen, while Dermott Yawney and Mason McGarrity simply can’t miss selection in the forward line.

Lewis Hill and Michael Debenham have been the best two wingers of 2023…so now we have 10 to start with!

Now the task gets a little more difficult.

Inverloch-Kongwak this year conceded the fewest points of any team in the five completed seasons of the WGFNC, and that needs to be rewarded.

Short was the standout, but Jarvis Pryor, Lewis Rankin and Michael Eales also has seasons of high-distinction.

Pryor and Rankin get runs, but Eales misses out at full-back to highly-regarded Dalyston stopper William Clarke.

But having three defenders in the team of the year is great recognition for the Sea Eagles’ miserly defence.

The backline is rounded out with three firsttimers, with Cora Lynn stalwart Lachie Peluso selected alongside Pryor as the lockdowns, while Travis Ogden and Jeconiah ‘JJ’ Peni provide run and carry from half back.

Ogden and Peni just edge out Ogden’s teammate Matthew Herbert.

Deon Boavida, Nick Baltas and Ryan Gillis are the last three standing for the remaining front half position at half forward.

Baltas and Gillis have been fantastic this season, but Boavida has had similar output and gets the nod courtesy of his fourth-place finish in the league medal.

Two starting positions remain in the midfield, with Ethan Park – the best performed mid in the best midfield – and 2022 league medal winner Brent Macaffer both getting the nod.

Macaffer is judged by higher standards than most, but his statistical numbers thoroughly earn him his spot in the pivot.

Jack Taylor has been the most versatile player in the competition this year, and is stiff to be starting on the interchange, while the remaining places on the bench were totally up for grabs.

Rankin gains his spot, a smidgen ahead of Phillip Island’s Daniel Pearce, while Tom Hams has the versatility to play anywhere between the arcs.

Trent Armour and Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds have had magnificent seasons through the midfield, while the last remaining spot came down to a choice between five players.

Curtis Murfett gets the nod, in front of Kooweerup pair Matthew Voss and Mitch Cammarano, with Nathan Foote and exciting youngster Jay Walker also among the last to be crossed off the whiteboard.

Inverloch mentor Tom Hams is coach of the side this year, while Pedersen’s outstanding leadership has seen him named as captain in consecutive years.

Pedersen, Harmit Singh and Justin Stanton were also considered as coach.

Inverloch leads the way with six players selected, while Bunyip, Garfield, Kooweerup and Korumburra-Bena – the bottom-four sides –had no players selected in the final 24.

There are 14 debutants named this year, which takes the number of players to 97 that have been selected in the team since the inaugural season of WGFNC in 2017.

Armour becomes the first player to earn selection on five occasions.

WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION TEAM OF THE YEAR - FOOTBALL

Pakenham-BerwickGazette

WestGippslandFootballNetballCompetition

TEAM OF THE YEAR 2023

BACKS

William Clarke DALYSTON

Lachlyn Peluso CORA LYNN

Jarvis Pryor INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

HALF FORWARDS

Dermott Yawney NAR NAR GOON

Will Hams INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Deon Boavida NAR NAR GOON

FORWARDS

Nathan Gardiner CORA LYNN

Cameron Pedersen C PHILLIP ISLAND

Mason McGarrity WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS

HALF BACKS Tate Short INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Jeconiah Peni NAR NAR GOON

Travis Ogden WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS

CENTRES

Brent Macaffer TOORADIN-DALMORE

Michael Debenham WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS

Lewis Hill TOORADIN-DALMORE

INTERCHANGE

Trent Armour NAR NAR GOON

Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds TOORADIN-DALMORE

Curtis Murfett DALYSTON Tom Hams INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Lewis Rankin INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Jack Taylor PHILLIP ISLAND

RUCKS

Dale Gawley KILCUNA-BASS

Ethan Park INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Hayden Bruce PHILLIP ISLAND

Tom Hams INVERLOCH-KONGWAK COACH

Sea Eagles seal selection

By David Nagel

The task facing Tooradin-Dalmore in Saturday’s A Grade grand final has become crystal clear after four players from Inverloch-Kongwak were named in the starting seven in the 2023 WGFNC Netball Team of the Year.

And if that’s not a big enough challenge in itself - on court - then Tooradin will be kept busy on the tactical side of things as well after Inverloch-Kongwak’s JarradWalker was named coach for the second-consecutive year.

The Sea Eagles five selections - four players and coach – matches the magnificent season of Tooradin-Dalmore in its first season in the WGFNC in 2019.

That year, Kelly Haynes was named coach, with three players in the starting line-up and one on the interchange bench.

But this is the first time a club has had the coach…and four starters!

Leading the way for the Sea Eagles is the magnificent Renee Pilkington, who earned her fifth-consecutive selection after a wonderful year in defence.

Pilkington was also crowned with her third league medal on Monday night and was named captain of the team of the year.

A premiership this weekend would round out an incredible two seasons of success with her and Walker at the helm.

Joining Pilkington (GK) in the team of the year are her Sea Eagles teammates Kelsey Buxton (WD), Kelly Boyd (GS) and Lanni Pryor (C).

The athletic and hard-working Buxton was also named in 2018 and ’21, while Pryor makes it back-to-back selections after making the team in the wing attack position last year.

Boyd has been rewarded for a hugely-consistent season, adding her starting role in this year’s team to her interchange selection in 2018.

Pilkington was not the only player to make the team for a fifth time on Monday night, with Korumburra-Bena’s Gemma Dixon (GD) standing alongside Pilkington at the defensive end of the court.

While this is her fifth selection, it’s the first time Dixon has gained a starting gig…after four previous times on interchange.

Pilkington and Dixon had a huge night on Monday…being joint winners of theWGFNC A Grade league medal.

Tooradin-Dalmore’s Alex Maher (GA) joins Dixon, Pilkington, Pryor and Walker as the only selections to back up their efforts from last year.

Maher has made the goal attack position her own, with gongs in 2019, ’22 and now again this year.

The battle between Maher and Pilkington will be a key feature of this week’s premiership decider.

One of the most respected players in community netball also takes a role in the starting seven with Meaghan Winter (WA) earning her second selection in that position after a great year in 2019.

Winter started her career at Pakenham, and was a vibrant figure for the Lions, before making the move and becoming a much-loved figure at Nar Nar Goon.

Her tenacity helped the Goon reach the preliminary final this year for the first time since 2019.

Three players were selected for the first time, with Ashlee Murphy (Kooweerup), Christie Edwards (Phillip Island) and Talia Charalambides (Kooweerup) all being rewarded for consistent play throughout the season.

Murphy and Charalambides were the bookends for Kooweerup this season, with Murphy having a hot-hand under the ring while Charalambides brought some grace and athleticism to the Demons’ backcourt.

And Edwards finally gets rewarded for her stellar performances for Phillip Island, deserving a hard-earned first selection in the team.

A total of 46 players and coaches have now been selected in the squad since the inaugural season of the WGFNC in 2017.

The team was announced at the WGFNC presentation night held at the Warragul Greyhounds on Monday.

2023

WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION TEAM OF THE YEAR - NETBALL

COACH Jarrad Walker INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

CAPTAIN Renee Pilkington INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Christie Edwards PHILLIP ISLAND

Ashlee Murphy KOOWEERUP

Talia Charalambides KOOWEERUP

INTERCHANGE

Pakenham-Berwick

Gemma Dixon KORUMBURRA-BENA

GOAL DEFENCE

Renee Pilkington INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

GOAL KEEPER

Alex Maher TOORADIN-DALMORE

GOAL ATTACK Lanni Pryor INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

CENTRE

Meaghan Winter NAR NAR GOON

WING ATTACK

Kelsey Buxton INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

WING DEFENCE

GOAL SHOOTER Kelly Boyd INVERLOCH-KONGWAK

Gemma Dixon KORUMBURRA-BENA

GOAL DEFENCE