News - Berwick Star News - 21st September 2023

Dancing on the world stage

Winner wows shoppers

Australia Idol 2023 winner Royston Noell took to the stage - much to the delight of shoppers - at NarreWarren on Monday 18 September.

The performance was one of many one-off performances held as part of Westfield’s Feel Your Rhythm Tour.

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Australian 2023 winner Royston Noell wowed the crowds at Westfield Fountain Gate with his voice on Monday. 361126

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Dog danger action

By Matthew Sims

Casey Council has proposed enforcing an Animal Management Agreement regarding dogs who have escaped from their home or bitten, rushed or chased another person or animal.

Under the draft Local Law 2023 document, an owner or occupier of private land on which any animal is kept must not allow any animal to cause a nuisance to persons who occupy

adjacent or nearby land, with an Authorised Officer or member of the council’s Dangerous Dog Committee able to enter into an Animal Management Agreement with the owner or occupier of land, with the agreement setting out the obligations of the owner or occupier of the private land in relation to securing an animal on the private land.

During its meeting on Tuesday 19 September, Casey Council passed a motion to endorse

the Community Local Law 2023 document to be placed on public exhibition for four weeks.

Administrator Cameron Boardman said the new local laws were an “extremely important” document for both the community and the council and changes aimed to make the document clearer and more concise for residents and ratepayers.

“The revisions that have been undertaken

have addressed a number of adminstrative errors that were under the 2018 Local Law,” he said.

“I would encourage interested community members to reflect and review the two versions and importantly provide feedback to us so we can incorporate any further changes or amendment as necessary.”

Continued page 8

Learn, Love, Live is the theme of the 2023 City of Casey Ageing Positively Festival.

Held in conjunction with the Victorian Seniors Festival, the month-long celebration is an opportunity for us to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our older generations to our diverse community. With more than 100 fantastic events on offer, there is something for everyone. Whether you are interested in joining a workshop, immersing yourself in musical events, attending informative sessions, going on tours, or trying something new, this festival promises enriching experiences and memorable moments for all. Visit the Ageing Positively Festival page on our website to download a copy of the program or to find out where you can pick up a hard copy.

Have your say and help shape Casey’s future

Provide feedback on a number of consultations currently open on our consultation and engagement platform, Casey Conversations.

• Express your interest in joining the Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Group

• Nominate someone you know for Casey Community Awards 2023

• Have your say on the draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2024/26

Head to the Casey Conversations website to find out more or scan the QR code.

Free youth creative workshops

Are you aged 18 to 25, and want to explore your identity, share your stories or connect with others?

Expressions of Interest are now open for three creative workshops. Hosted by the City of Casey, in partnership with Feifei Curiosity, the free workshops will give youth of all genders and cultures the opportunity to explore what respect means to them through dance, photography and poetry. Following the workshops in October and November, participants will showcase their performances and display their creations at the 16 Days of Activism Respecting Youth Voices event in December. Spots are limited, so get in quick. Participants must be able to attend all three workshops and the community showcase event. To register, please scan the QR code.

Bunjil Place partnership opportunities EOI now open

Bunjil Place is looking to welcome annual partners and sponsors across a selection of opportunities for 2024.

Presenting and promoting some of the best Australian and international artists and artwork that engages, challenges, and inspires our diverse audiences, Bunjil Place provides world-class facilities in one unique space.

Bunjil Place partners and sponsors will receive many benefits, including onsite activations at Bunjil Place, a range of VIP event experiences, inclusion in Bunjil Place marketing collateral and more. Every precinct, program, and event partnership presents unique opportunities which can be tailored to suit the partners’ objectives, targets and capacities.

To find out more and submit an Expression of Interest, please visit the Bunjil Place website.

Explore

The Casey Innovation Summit will feature a variety of events, workshops, panels, and networking opportunities for anyone interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of the city. You will have the chance to hear from inspiring speakers, interact with experts and mentors, discover new ideas and opportunities, connect with like-minded thinkers, and explore the possibility of investing in the future of the city.

For more information, visit the Choose Casey website.

Lost Dogs Disco, Installation. Bunjil Place Plaza, 2023.

Top performer in housing

By Matthew Sims

Independent real estate analyst Hotspotting has named Casey as the third best performer in sales activity across the country during the previous quarter, with further recovery and resurgence predicted heading into the Spring quarter.

According to the Hotspotting Price Predictor Index (PPI) for Spring 2023, the City of Casey was prominent in the Greater Melbourne comeback

Hotspotting director Terry Ryder said that the PPI was a tool based on trends in sales volumes or the number of sales of houses and units.

“The misuse of median prices and price indexes confuses and misinforms more than it enlightens,” he said.

“There is no disputing sales volumes data recorded by government departments.”

Hotspotting general manager Tim Graham said Melbourne had staged a turnaround in the latest quarter, transitioning from a struggling market to one showing promise of buoyancy.

“The outer-ring LGAs illustrate the recovery

trend,” he said.

“The City of Casey in the far south-east, which previously had many declining suburbs, now has three rising and nine recovering suburbs among the 15 in our analysis.”

“Growth markets include Botanic Ridge with a median house price of $920,000, Doveton with a median price of $590,000, and Endeavour Hills with a median house price of $800,000.”

The most significant change has been in suburbs transitioning from declining or plateau markets to recovering ones, including Cranbourne with a median price of $645,000, Berwick with a median price of $865,000 and Clyde with a median price of $680,000.

Narre Warren South was the only suburb shown to be declining, with a median house price of $800,000.

Mr Ryder said Melbourne City was the stand-out market in Greater Melbourne, rising on the emerging national trend of buyers opting increasingly for apartments as a lifestyle choice or an affordability measure.

“Of the 10 City of Melbourne suburbs in our analysis, seven are rising markets, one is a consistency market and one a recovering

market,” he said.

“Rising markets include Melbourne CBD with a median unit price of $415,000, East Melbourne with a median unit price of $850,000, West Melbourne with a median unit price of $495,000, and Docklands with a median unit price of $645,000.”

Mr Ryder said the changes within the Melbourne market were “quite dramatic”.

“Three months ago, we reported a glimmer of recovery but overall, Greater Melbourne was still a struggling market,” he said.

“Now the city’s markets are pumping, with 73 per cent of suburbs recording positive activity.”

Mr Ryder said the rate of price growth in cities and regional markets across Australia was likely to accelerate in the wake of major uplifts in sales activity in many locations.

“The previous edition recorded the first signs of recovery, but this spring survey shows a dramatic upturn in the revival momentum in most market jurisdictions in Australia,” he said.

“Without question, recovery and resurgence are the dominant themes with seven out of 10 locations in the nation now having posi-

tive sales activity trends - a massive improvement on the situation three months ago, when we saw the first signs of revival.”

Mr Ryder said seven out of 10 locations across Australia now had strong sales activity, an improvement on three months ago when he noted that “recovery is emerging as a dominant theme across Australia”.

“We are seeing growth momentum in most corners of the nation,” he said.

“Resurgence and growth are the dominant themes.

“It’s clear that multiple rate rises have had little impact.”

Mr Ryder said their analysis also refuted a number of media reports claiming that the growth in the regions was caused by Covid, when the trend has been underway for much longer and therefore that residents will move back to the big cities.

“We’ve seen multiple headlines suggesting that demand in regional markets has collapsed and that prices are no longer rising,” he said.

“Regional markets remain strong and indeed, we have recorded significant upturn in buyer demand in the regional areas of the eastern states.”

‘Face lit up with joy’: High-octane tour for Domeniko

By Matthew Sims

Three-year-old Domeniko received a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to meet V8 SuperUtes driver Jimmy ’The Phantom’ Vernon and sit in his car The Purple Rocket at the Sandown 500 event over the weekend.

Hailing from Hampton Park, Domeniko was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on 18 December last year after being unwell for some time and has been receiving treatment at Monash Children’s Hospital.

Vernon pledged 20 per cent of his corporate sponsorship funding to Kids with Cancer Foundation, which is committed to making today easier for kids with cancer and their families through providing direct financial support to families, Care Packs, Wigs4Kids, plus funding critical hospital salaries and infrastructure, cancer research and more.

Domineko, his two siblings aged 10 and 11, and his parents were treated to a pit touron Saturday 16 September, meeting Vernon and other racing car drivers and a grid walk.

Vernon said spending the day with Domeniko (Iko) was “absolutely amazing”.

“Young Iko was very intrigued by our race car,” he said.

“Iko is currently visually impaired and gets a lot of his sensory connection through touch with his hands, it was an amazing feeling when Iko grabbed my hand and his face lit up with joy.

“I want to take a moment to thank the family for coming to the track, and to Iko for riding on board my helmet to our first podium in the V8 SuperUte Series.”

Following his win in the 2022 Australian Production Car Championship, A1 class last year, Vernon is racing in the 2023 V8 SuperUtes Series - driving for Kids with Cancer Foundation throughout the season, looking to raise awareness and funds to support the near 800 children diagnosed with cancer each year.

This year, Kids with Cancer Foundation has marked 25 years of supporting kids with cancer and their families and celebrated providing more than $30 million in funding nationwide through its programs.

Kids with Cancer Foundation has supported children and families in Victoria since it commenced operations in 1998 and has provided more than $2.2 million to Monash Children’s Hospital as a founding patron since 2004, assisting with the construction and fit out of the Paediatric Oncology Day Ward, as well as funding oncology staff positions.

For more information on Kids with Cancer Foundation, visit kidswithcancer.org.au

intherace.

ThePurpleRocketledthepackatonepoint duringtherace.

Leave it to the beam team

Construction crews have lifted four giant bridge beams into place over Webb Street in Narre Warren, as part of the removal of the Webb Street level crossing.

Aiming to ease congestion for the 13,200 vehicles which pass through the crossing every day, where the boom gates can be down for up to 33 per cent of the morning peak, the project would make way for a modern renewed station.

Manufactured in Victoria and weighing up to 128 tonnes, crews carefully installed the beams overnight earlier this month.

At up to 31 metres long, the beams would form part of an almost one-kilometrelong bridge which will carry trains over Webb Street and will connect to a new steel bridge section over Narre Warren-Cranbourne Road that is set to be installed in the coming months.

With the beams now in place, crews would turn their attention to completing the new bridge by installing the remaining concrete beams and steel bridge section, and building the new Narre Warren Station.

The new Narre Warren Station would feature two accessible elevated platforms, an air-conditioned waiting room and kiosk, secure bike storage and a landscaped forecourt with seating.

Set to open by 2025, it would also offer improved pedestrian connections to Narre Warren village.

It would also feature new bus bays and a signalised pedestrian crossing on Webb Street, a new drop-off and taxi zone and upgraded car parking with improved lighting and CCTV.

Developed in collaboration with the

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the design of the station has aimed to ensure the materials, landscaping and structural elements of the station precinct connect meaningfully with the local area’s rich history

and Stories of Country.

The project would create more reliable services for Pakenham and Cranbourne line commuters.

Buses are replacing trains between Dan-

Attacker admits charges after dog dragged

By Cassandra Morgan, AAP

A drug user who bloodied an officer with an extendable baton and dragged a police dog alongside a car says he isn’t the type of person who would abuse animals.

Joel Simons was attempting to steal from a Holden at Cranbourne on 18 September last year when a dog squad officer saw him while driving past.

The officer got out of his car, put his hand on Simons’ shoulder and said “police”, prompting Simons to turn around and launch into an immediate attack.

Simons struck at the officer’s face and head with a telescopic extendable baton and used his free hand to punch at the leading constable, the County Court ofVictoria was told on Monday.

The pair got into a struggle and one of the baton strikes landed, leaving the officer with a deep laceration on his temple before Simons escaped the constable’s clutches and ran to a Toyota Corolla.

The officer released his police dog, named “Duke”, and both of them ran after Simons.

Duke bit Simons on his thigh as he reached the car door, and the dog and the officer both tried to haul the 36-year-old out.

Simons managed to start the vehicle and Duke stayed latched onto him when he drove away.

He dragged the dog some 150 metres alongside the car, prosecutors told the court.

The officer yelled for Duke to come back before the dog returned to him.

The dog was taken to an emergency vet with grazes to its right shoulder, inner thigh, all four feet and a full-thickness graze to its right knee, the court was told.

Simons, who was arrested the following day on September 19, on Monday pleaded guilty to intentionally causing injury, wounding an animal, driving while disqualified and attempting to steal from the Holden.

Police found the Toyota, which was earlier stolen from a car rental company, at Lang Lang about 70km southeast of Melbourne.

Defence lawyers said Simons had already served time behind bars for the attack, with Monday marking almost one year since he was placed on remand.

Simons has cognitive impairments that make him more compulsive and unable to deal with complicated circumstances, and he relapsed back into using drugs after he was forced to take time off work for his mental health, his lawyer said.

Beforehand, he was doing well and working seven days a week as both a labourer and an NBN optic fibre installer.

Simons was most upset about the animal abuse charge because he didn’t consider himself someone who would abuse animals, his lawyer said.

He had spent much of his life homeless and hoped to secure long-term accommodation through the NDIS when he was released and move interstate.

Judge Carolene Gwynn said she wanted more information about Simons’ circumstances before his sentencing.

He is next due in court on Thursday.

denong and Pakenham stations from Friday 6 October to the last service on Sunday 8 October.

In total, 110 level crossings are going by 2030, with 72 already gone across Melbourne.

Driver charged after crash

A Cranbourne man has been charged over a fatal car crash in Berwick on 15 September.

Police say a white Subaru wagon and a blue Ford utility crashed near the corner of O’Shea Road and Kimbarra Drive about 7.50am.

The Subaru driver, a 49-year-old Berwick man, died at the scene.

A 24-year-old Cranbourne East woman was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The Ford driver, 29, was charged with culpable driving causing death.

He was remanded to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 16 February.

Police bodycam footage of Joel Simons wielding a metal baton as he’s held by the police officer.

Crews worked overnight to install the massive beams.

Pictures: SUPPLIED

The beams were up to 31 metres long.

The beams weighed up to 128 tonnes each.

Home invader sentenced

By Cam Lucadou-Wells

A Doveton home invader who helped severely bash a resident unconscious in their Lynbrook home has been jailed.

Danny Simic, 41, pleaded guilty at the Victorian County Court to aggravated burglary, causing injury intentionally and theft.

The victim discovered Simic and Le in his home about 5.30pm on 17 March 2021. He was struck from behind with a baseball bat four times by Simic’s then-partner Dam Le, including once to the head.

The man was then punched and kicked on the ground until he lost consciousness.

He woke up in a pool of his own blood, with his phone and keys stolen.

The victim managed to get next door to alert triple-0. He was taken to hospital with four broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

Simic didn’t personally know the victim, who was an ex-partner of Le’s friend.

In sentencing on 14 September, Judge Stewart Bayles said the victim outlined the attack’s “significant” impacts on his life.

It was an aggravating feature that the beaten victim was deprived of his phone to call for help.

Judge Bayles found that at the time, Simic

Historical society honoured for preservation dedication

The Cranbourne Shire Historical Society (CSHS) has received recognition for 51 years of membership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV).

On Thursday 14 September, RHSV president Professor Richard Broome presented the CSHS with a certificate of recognition, with four of its members attending the presentation held at RHSV headquarters, including 93-year-old Derry Francis who was an original member of the Cranbourne Shire Historical Society when it was formed in 1968.

When the Fisherman’s Cottage in Tooradin came up for sale in the late ’60s, three local ladies Jessie Ayers, Kath Metherall and Peggy Banksdecidedtosaveitfromre-development.

They formed the CSHS in 1968 and with the

assistance of the former Shire of Cranbourne, they jointly purchased the cottage for $6000. The museum located on Foreshore Road in Tooradin now consists of the cottage, a one-teacher school and two large machinery sheds. The museum opens on Sundays from noon to 4pm. Visitors are welcome to come and view the historic 1870s cottage, 1920s state school and machinery. Admission is free but donations are welcomed.

CranbourneShireHistoricalSocietymembers BarryFreeman,DerryFrancis,SueTobinand PollyFreemanacceptedtheAppreciation Award.

Picture:SUPPLIED

was likely afflicted by a long-standing psychiatric condition but it was aggravated by drug use.

Growing up in Hallam, Simic’s childhood was marred by a violent, heavy-drinking father and drug abuse. It was “not difficult” to causally link the two factors, Judge Bayles noted.

He used heroin and amphetamines from the age of 13.

As a child, he was diagnosed with ADHD but wasn’t medicated until a decade later.

He’d been admitted several times to psychiatric hospitals with schizophrenia and put on community treatment orders.

For nearly 20 years, the father-of-one had been unemployed and on a disability pension.

Despite his “guarded” rehabilitation prospects, his parole period would be designed to help him reform and reintegrate with the community, Judge Bayles said.

Judge Bayles took into account Simic’s lesser role in the assault. Le, who had been armed with the bat, had earlier been jailed for five years, and eligible for parole in three years.

Simic was jailed for four-and-a-half years, with a two-year, eight-month non-parole period.

His term includes 413 days in pre-sentence detention.

Students shine at contest

If you ever need a good spell check, then look no further than our local kids, with students from Cardinia and Casey excelling at the State Spelling Bee final.

Held by Vicspell at Traralgon’s St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School on Tuesday 12 September, the state final pooled together the best of spelling competitions held from Mornington to Baw Baw Shire, right through to Gippsland.

The finals held four competitions for each year level fromYears 5 to 8.

Of all year levels, Casey and Cardinia students came either first or second.

For Year 5, Audrey Buenaagua from Tulliallan Primary School in Cranbourne North was the champion and EdenTaylor from Bayles Regional Primary School was runner-up.

In Year 6, Janya Parwani from Berwick Fields Primary School came second, with Mikaela Pascoe from Bayles Regional Primary taking fourth.

David Ockerse from St Thomas Aquinas College in Tynong took out the championship in theYear 7 category.

While Santino Tommasi, also from St Thomas Aquinas College, was runner-up for theYear 8s.

Winners Audrey and David each won a trophy and took home the two-volume set of the Oxford National Dictionary, presented by Patrick McNally from Oxford University Press who officiated the competition.

Vicspell noted a key element of the day was the geographic and scholastic diversity of the winners.

They also wished to acknowledge the support of sponsors, such as Bendigo Community Bank, Triangle Trophies, Oxford University Press, Officeworks and the generosity of the host schools.

Vicspell thanked St Paul’s in Traralgon for hosting, Patrick McNally for attending and officiating, the dedication of Vicspell member Norm McLennan, and parents for providing transport.

Most of all, Vicspell thanked the students who, without exception, took the successes and misspellings with grace.

OPINION

LENSCAPE

THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN

Thumbs up

Congratulations to everyone involved at the Puffing Billy Running Festival. Great to have it back after a four-year absence.

Thumbs up

Thumbs way way up for Casey Emergency Department. They are tireless in their endeavours to help all patients. Thank you for looking after me on Sunday.

Thumbs down

To the speed camera on the freeway between McGregor Road and Cardinia Road last week. It was in the emergency lane, so dangerous.

Thumbs up

To the great weather we’ve had the last few days.

Audrey Buenaagua from Tulliallan Primary School in Cranbourne North receiving her trophy and Oxford dictionary from Oxford University Press representative, Patrick McNally. Pictures: SUPPLIED

David Ockerse from St Thomas Aquinas College in Tynong receiving his trophy and Oxford dictionary.

Santino Tommasi from St Thomas Aquinas College receiving runner-up for the Year 8 level.

A Nar Nar Goon player readies herself on the netball sidelines. 361012

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.

World stage

By Matthew Sims

At only 17 years old, Speyside Highland Dancers member Adelaide Sage has showcased her skills on a global stage, securing sixth place in the Junior World Championship.

Held in Scotland from Thursday 24 August to Saturday 26 August, the Cowal World Highland Dancing Championships saw competitors from across the globe battling it out on centre stage, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Adelaide said she has been dancing she was three years old.

“As soon as I could walk, I was on the dance floor with my sisters and getting in their way as they practised high cuts and leaps,” she said.

“From a young age, I have loved Highland Dancing with a passion because of the competitions I could compete at all around Australia, Canada and Scotland and of course being able to follow in my sisters’ footsteps.

“My love for Highland Dancing has grown further as I have understood the Scottish history behind the dances along with it being highly athletic.”

Adelaide said it was a“great honour” to represent Australia on the global stage.

“It was exciting to compete alongside the world’s best,” she said.

“There is also nothing like the sensation of dancing the Fling to the music of a bagpiper on an outdoor stage in bonnie Scotland with all the Highland Games going on around you.

“There is a real sense of freedom and it certainly stirs the soul.”

Adelaide said it was difficult enough to qualify in the top 20, let alone securing sixth place.

“I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to achieve this placing in my dancing career,” she said.

“Special thanks to my amazing coach and

Adelaide Sage was honoured to finish in sixth place in the Junior World Championships.

Picture: SUPPLIED

dance teacher Cathy Rees, the support of friends, the Mentone Girls Grammar School community, my personal osteopath, and my awesome family who have all been a part of this amazing dance journey.

“Next year, I plan to continue competing at a national level throughout my VCE year and in two years’ time, I plan to return to Scotland and compete once again on the world stage, representing Australia in the Adult World Championships.”

Adelaide’s Training partner and life-long friend Cyan MacLeod was also excited to see Adelaide achieve sixth place.

MacLeod said she was looking forward to competing in the upcoming Champions of Champions in Melbourne, the Canadian Championships, the American Championships and the World Championships.

Ms Rees said she was “really excited” to see where Adelaide and Cyan’s career would go over the coming years.

Action on dangerous dogs

From page 1

Mr Boardman said the key changes included animal nuisance, unsightly vacant land, enforcement capabilities regarding mandatory fencing on vacant land, the removal of abandoned vehicles and the incorporation of the Asset Local Law 2016.

Under the new document, an owner or occupier of private land must not allow private land to become unsightly.

Another addition was ensuring any owner or occupier of private land must not advertise, use or allow to be used or advertised for short stay accommodation unless they comply with the Short Stay Accommodation Code of Practice.

Mr Boardman said the council was prepared to make necessary changes in the wake of Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comments on short stay accommodation.

“It is acknowledged that from commentary from the Premier and the Prime Minister that there may be changes to the tax and statutory interpretation of short-term rental platforms, which include Airbnb.

“Whilst we have yet to be briefed on any specific details, if there is any requirements under regulation or statute to make any further adjustments to local laws, we will do that.”

The State Government released an extensive Housing Statement on Wednesday 20 September, which includes the introduction of a short stay levy set at 7.5 per cent of the short stay accommodation platforms’ revenue.

The revenue raised from the levy would go to HomesVictoria, supporting their work building and maintaining social and affordable housing across the state, with 25 per cent of funds to be invested in regional Victoria, while other local council charges on

short stay accommodation will be removed.

Mr Boardman said all members of the community should review the draft document and provide any suggestions or comments.

“This is a significant community consultation exercise,” he said.

“We do want as many interested members of the community to review the local laws and provide any feedback.

“We will be taking on board any feedback we receive.”

The council has scheduled to adopt and consider any submissions at its December meeting.

To view the draft document, visit casey. vic.gov.au/local-laws

Open Day atCaseyFields

With spring in full bloom, get in on all the action at Lifestyle Casey Fields!

Whether you’re considering a move, simply curious, or looking for a welcoming community to call home, our open day is the perfect opportunity to see the vibrant and engaging lifestyle we offer.

Where: Lifestyle Casey Fields Clubhouse 45 Annabella Street, Cranbourne East

Date: Saturday 7th October 2023

Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm

By Lifestyle Communities®

City of Casey administrator Cameron Boardman said the new local laws were an “extremely important” document for both the community and the council

Push for more jabs in arms

By Sahar Foladi

The South East’s Hazara community is being targeted in an innovative promotion to lift Covid-19 vaccine booster rates.

Data shows that linguistically and culturally diverse individuals make up 58 per cent of Australia’s population that’s unvaccinated with a booster dose, according to the Department of Health and Aged Care website.

As part of the ‘Strengthening Immunity in Community’ initiative, local Hazaragi speakers got together to create and design translated information to encourage more locals towards the jab.

Altaf Hussein is the chairperson of Victorian Afghan Youth Association, advocating for around 200 Hazara families in Australia.

He said that sourcing any information in the Hazara language is a major challenge, let alone when it comes to vital topics like Covid-19.

Mr Hussein took on the role of translating Covid healthcare information due to the lack of official in-language materials available in Hazaragi prior to this campaign.

“Whether it’s formal or informal translation, I had to do it all.”

Now that official information is available to the more than 12,000 Hazara population in the City of Greater Dandenong.

The ‘Strengthening Immunity in Community’ initiative was created in partnership with multicultural translation agency LEXIGO and sponsored by the Department of Health and Aged Care.

LEXIGO chief executive Mark Saba said materials need to be bilingual to reach all sectors of the community.

“When it comes to targeted health information on Covid-19, the Hazara community were very happy to see content in Hazaragi, as content targeted to them is usually in

Dari or Farsi.

“The Hazara community told us that family and friends were a highly trusted source of information. If one person had a positive experience it can encourage everyone else.”

A majority of a sample group from the Hazara community said they were likely to consider the health advice and receive a booster dose in the next six months.

However, there is a need for a communityled push to continue the strong vaccination numbers.

Mr Hussein said he received the initial vaccine to “prove“ to his community that it’s safe.

He says the lack of trust stems from the lack of tailored and accessible healthcare information available in Hazaragi.

The Hazaragi translation of the health information advises the community to keep their booster doses up to date every six months and to encourage others to do the same.

There have been more than 3.8 million booster shots administered to Australian adults since January 2023, out of which Victoria makes up over a million.

As of 20 August 2023, Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background made up 98 per cent of the unvaccinated population.

Across Australia, CALD individuals made up 58 per cent of the unvaccinated portion.

According to an Australian Technical Advisory Group’s (ATAGI) recommendation on 1 September, all adults aged 75 years and over should receive an additional vaccine if six months have passed since their last dose.

Those aged 18 to 64 years with weaker immune systems should consider an additional dose if six months have passed since their last dose.

AltafHussein. Picture:SUPPLIED

SydneyandIldefonso.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Never too old to learn

Retirees Sydney and Ildefonso have discovered something more than a new friendship, but also a new love for caring for others, with both currently completing a Certificate III in Individualised Support.

Based in Dandenong and Noble Park respectively, the pair were among the group of new students studying at MAX Solutions in Narre Warren after meeting while competing a computer course.

Sydney said he was inspired to take up a carer role after Anthony Albanese’s plea for retirees to come out of retirement and join the caring workforce, after completing a life-long career in the building trade.

“I went through disability care with my granddaughter,” he said.

“I realised I wanted to make a difference.

“I wanted to make people believe that they matter.”

Sydney said he had started as a volunteer carer, but wanted to receive qualifications.

“I feel I can still be worth something,” he said.

“I want to work until I die.”

Sydney said he enjoyed helping others do simple tasks, like showering, dressing or going to the shops.

“I found retirement isn’t for me,” he said.

“I’ll be 80 when I am qualified.

“It’s a very rewarding job.”

Sydney and Idelfonso regularly meet up at the local library to study together, supporting each other as they work diligently towards their qualifications.

Sydney said their story is an example of never giving up on finding a new passion in life.

“I think everybody should reinvent themselves,” he said.

Scores seeking bills relief

By Sahar Foladi

The mounting pressure of cost of living has prompted a community relief group to hold a ‘Bring your Bills Day’.

About 150 community members walked through the doors at South East Community Links in Dandenong on Wednesday 13 September for support with their bills, loans and other expenses.

An emotional resident seeking asylum from Malaysia, Suzetty Subandi was one of the many residents in need of support.

“When I got the information, I attended straight away to seek help for my situation, my car loan, billing and everything.

“I felt lost, stuck and didn’t know where to go but now I feel like the big stone is lifted from my shoulders. I’m so grateful to the community.”

Ms Subandi worked in aged care when she found herself injured at work and diagnosed with pain and stiffness from a ‘frozen shoulder’.

Things spiralled from there after she was forced to quit her job and her husband became the sole income-earner with factory work.

To make it even worse, their monthly rent increased to $1521 as experienced by thousands of others.

She said the event was “out of my expectation“.

“I thought I’d walk in and receive some advice but here they gave some solutions, information so when I face the agency or the energy consultants, I can talk to them.”

SECL financial counsellor, Kay Dilger said they’re humbled by the community response to the event.

“This was an extra support to try and reach as many people as possible to make it OK to talk about financial hardship and that everyone is struggling right now.”

Experts from the water, power and service sectors, tenancy rights, financial and consumer rights, Ombudsman services, Centrelink, Fines Victoria were available to provide free confidential advice.

They provided information about where to go and who to speak with if customers are unable to speak with their bank or energy company about an unaffordable payment arrangement.

Ms Dilger said electricity bills took up the majority of the topic at the drop-in session.

“We had one person who had no electric-

ity for two weeks and got their service re-connected because they came in at the drop-in session.

“We supported 30 community members to get their electricity bills on payment plans, and to access grants and concessions in oneon-one interviews,” she said.

“It goes to show the increasing challenges people are facing. People need support to talk to their creditors.”

Eight different languages and over the phone interpreters were available to accommodate the diversity of people who

attended the session.

SECL is the largest provider in financial counselling in the municipality. At least two thirds of their clients talk about the cost of living pressures impacting on their ability to pay bills and sustain housing.

Despite multiple community organisations providing emergency relief in food, pantry supplies and assistance such as SECL, Cornerstone and Orange Sky the never-ending demands continue to surge. And it’s challenging for organisations to keep up.

“If I compare it to two years ago, we had about a two-week wait to see a financial counsellor,“ Ms Dilger said.

“Now unless you’re losing your home, the bank has repossessed your house or you’re being evicted, we have about a 12-week wait to see a financial counsellor.”

More than 62 per cent of SECL clients accessing emergency relief services report mental health, cost of living, and housing stress.

Between January to June 2023, 74 per cent of clients presenting to financial counselling indicated the cost of living and mortgage stress as the reason for their financial hardship.

“Everyone’s had to cut back on their spending and of course those on the lowest fixed incomes struggle the most to keep up with the cost of living crisis,” Ms Dilger said..

“We need more support in funds from state and federal governments in order to meet the rising demand in the community.

“We do what we can but really what we need is more resources to provide the service that’s very much needed at the moment.“

The National Debt Helpline reports a 29 per cent increase (15,404) in calls during the six months to June 2023 compared to last year.

There’s also a major increase in calls regarding credit card, rentals, Buy Now Pay Later, mortgage payments and increased council rates and body corporate levy arrears.

Energy and Water Ombudsman officer Javla with clients Maryam, Bargi and Aziza. 359947 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Incredible life of Carmel

Mary Carmel McKenna OAM, renowned community leader, died on 16 July 2023 at age 88, leaving a lasting legacy upon the Beaconsfield area and others across Victoria.

Known best as Carmel McKenna, her life included more than six decades of work through community sport, education and the church.

She is most well known for establishing St Francis Xavier College in 1978 with her husband Desmond James McKenna OAM, where it would grow to be one of Australia’s largest catholic colleges.

However, many would know her from the myriad of organisations and causes she would volunteer her time for, whether it be delivering meals, fundraising or just driving local kids to scout camp.

She was impactful in the generally unrecognised areas of life, all while she raised her 11 children in their Upper Beaconsfield home, she also cared for her seven nieces and nephews regularly.

While the McKennas would spend more than 30 years in Upper Beaconsfield, Carmel’s story started in Camberwell.

She was born on 13 August 1934 as Mary Carmel Horne to Francis Michael and MaryVeronica Horne with brothers Kevin and Gerard and sister Christine.

At 15, she left school for an apprenticeship in hairdressing, where she worked on Swanston Street.

In her free time at this young age she would go to the Nazareth House Orphanage in Camberwell, to provide free haircuts for children, she would do the same for children with disabilities at the local Parish.

In 1957 when Carmel was 23 she would marry Desmond, a marriage that would remain strong for 59 years before Desmond died in 2016.

Over their marriage they would have 11 children, 10 boys named Kevin, Terry, Michael, Paul, Matthew, Anthony, Patrick, Phillip, Daniel and Damien, and one girl named Bernadette.

Initially still living in Camberwell, Carmel was active in the Christian Family Movement, where she assisted other families and women in need through discussion groups, providing meals, cleaning and other support activities.

In 1970, the McKennas would move to Upper Beaconsfield where the family would grow to 11 children.

The McKenna house was a loving home to grow up in, despite a ‘new era of havoc’ described by one of the 10 boys, Matthew.

“Mum loved unconditionally and had a huge capacity to give each child continuous love, warmth and support,” Matthew said in his mother’s eulogy.

“She used to take afternoon naps and we would sneak into her bed and always got a cuddle.”

Though handling an abundant level of cleaning, washing and cooking, Carmel was always there for her children ready to treat any bruises from play, to enjoy sweets or to get the monthly haircut done.

While the McKenna family was already large, Carmel did not hesitate to take in her brother Kevin’s seven children.

As Kevin had to raise them alone, during the school holidays Carmel would take in her nieces and nephews as her brother continued to work.

The extended family would cherish their Aunt’s warmth and care as she would look after 17 children during the holidays, daughter Bernadette would also relish these times as it would add five more girls against her 10 brothers.

While her time seemed stretched with 11 to 17 children, she would quickly start making her mark on the community, initially with junior sport.

Carmel started the Upper Beaconsfield Junior Tennis Club, recognising the need for community sport in the town.

With locals Julie Jamieson and Graeme Kidd, she did the tireless work to organise a coach from Dandenong and join the Tennis Association, while also running around driving kids to games and officiating.

She was also integral to the establishment of the Upper Beaconsfield Junior Football Club with her husband Des and

local Dennis Griffin.

For the club’s first 14 years, she helped run the canteen, organise the roster and general operations, organise the annual trophy nights and pie nights, while also clean innumerable muddy jumpers.

Carmel spent decades contributing to local schools, starting from living in Camberwell.

She was an avid parent volunteer at St Dominics Primary School in East Camberwell from 1963, then continuing the same at St Michaels Primary School in Berwick from 1970.

The biggest contribution in education by Carmel was being part of the establishment of St Francis Xavier College with her husband Des.

When the Beaconsfield campus was constructed and began with 72 students in 1978, Carmel was helping in all the ways she could.

She even helped the workers building the school chapel with such things as food, refreshments, running errands and looking after their children.

Her contribution helped establish a staple of education in South East Melbourne and one of the largest catholic colleges in the country.

In 2011, St Francis Xavier College would award her and her husband with the ‘Living Treasure Award’ which recognised the significant contribution they made to the school.

Principal at the time, Paul Desmond summed up the rarely recognised contribution that Carmel made.

“Staff members nominated Carmel for the award for her quiet but diligent manner in the background, she was a force for good through her example and would just do it,” he said.

Her work doesn’t end there, somehow, she still made more time to help others in the community.

As son Anthony described: “Mum was incredibly generous, completely unpretentious and an advocate for justice.

“She would say there is always someone less fortunate than you and that no matter your own position in life, or how bad you think you have it, you can always help.”

She was quick to help others in need in the local area, she would go out as far as Belgrave to provide clothes and meals for families in crisis.

From 1984 she delivered for Meals on Wheels to the Salisbury House Nursing Home, she would do that for 16 years.

With her husband she established Upper Beaconsfield Community Care Group, feeling the need for a dedicated group for the town, particularly after the Ash Wednesday.

Carmel’s son Phillip recounted the Ash Wednesday experience, where they lost their house and narrowly escaped the fire.

“Fireballs swept across the road just behind them as they drove down the hill, but miraculously they got through unscathed and arrived safely in Berwick, welcomed into the home of

our dear friends Sue and Roy Pryor,” Phillip said.

“There is no doubt that Mum saved the lives of Phil, Danny and Damien that night, remaining calm, composed and making good decisions during that harrowing drive.

“Then she had to wait anxiously for many hours before finally learning that Des, Mick, Matt, Ant and Paddy, who had stayed to protect the house, had all survived and were safe.

“Afterwards Mum and Dad showed tremendous resilience, temporarily relocating the family to Pakenham, restarting their lives and were wonderful carers for many others in the community during that difficult time.”

Berwick local Sue Pryor was a close friend of Carmel and recalls her exceptional generosity, even in the wake of Ash Wednesday.

“It was a horrendous time for so many, they lost their house, everything, but all they need was their children and they were still happy,” Sue said.

“She was just a very kind-hearted person, always on the go, she wasn’t one to sit at home and twiddle her fingers.

“Even down at St Francis Xavier, she was a living treasure for what her and her husband did for the school, there were so many past students and principals at her service, Carmel had a strong impact on them.

“You don’t see that often.”

Her help for community groups never ceased, for such groups like Upper Beaconsfield Hall, she was busy with fundraising, community food hampers and cooking for events.

Continuously raising funds for those in need, she was the town rep for various campaigns and charities like the Red Cross.

Through this tireless work and her friendly and inclusive manner, Carmel was recognised as an amazing social networker, the go-to for initiating, organising and coordinating an endless amount of community events and activities.

She was a vital volunteer for groups all over, such as St Vincent de Paul in Cranbourne, Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda and also the local Cub Scouts.

While she would become a member for the local charter of the Country Women’s Association for 25 years, she was dedicated and helped in any way she could, even though she was too busy a lot of the time to attend meetings regularly.

By 2000, Des and Carmel retired after years of tireless work for their kids and community.

They would move to Malmsbury in Central Victoria, which was the closest point of access to where all their children then resided.

Despite a well-earned retirement in her late ‘60s, Carmel continued to be active in the community.

Her and Des started the ‘We Care’ Care Group, to unite local parishes into a dedicated organisation for helping families.

Carmel took up Meals onWheels again, this time for Macedon Ranges Council.

In 2009, they started a local Op Shop called ‘Preloved Pedlar’ in Kyneton with Father Brian Caldwall, the shop is still going today.

Carmel was known to help in every moment she was needed, in Upper Beaconsfield she cared for her neighbour who was elderly and isolated, she would do the same in Malmsbury, helping her elderly neighbour for more than a decade.

Back in 1975, she would take in a local family for two months who were escaping a violent household, the eldest son of that family, who wished to remain nameless, stayed in regular contact with Carmel decades after and was endlessly grateful to her for taking them in.

Carmel participated in a plethora of community care activities, mostly local, some as instigator or leader but mostly just working quietly in the background, contributing with no desire to seek recognition.

She was an exceptional example of the dedication to her family and the community, the hard work that people often take for granted.

In her eulogy, Carmel’s son Paul, describes his Mum as a “quiet powerhouse”.

“Mum and Dad worked extremely hard and lived on a shoestring budget to provide their children with a Catholic school education,” he said.

“Mum always wanted us to have more opportunity than she did.

“Mum was a quiet powerhouse, always in the background, organising activities and events without fanfare as she contributed to the community in Upper Beaconsfield and surrounding districts.”

In 1992, Des was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his work in the community and education.

It was 30 years later in 2022 that Carmel would receive the title of OAM for her community work.

The Gazette interviewed Carmel last year regarding the recognition in an article published on 26 January, where she explained how she felt about such recognition.

“I feel quite honoured but I really don’t deserve it,” she said.

“I just liked to do things and I guess I had ideas.”

Carmel McKenna OAM and Desmond McKenna OAM.

Carmel McKenna receiving her Medal of the Order of Australia. Pictures: SUPPLIED

The McKenna family in 2000.

FOCUS ON … MEDICALLY SPEAKING Expert advice

A passionate professional

Treatment of foot, knee, and leg pain can be complex and multifaceted, therefore it’s crucial to consult with a musculoskeletal healthcare professional who can provide a thorough evaluation and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to specific needs and circumstances.

Foot and Leg Pain Clinics lower limb pain and injury expert and Musculoskeletal Podiatrist, Dr. Paul Dowie, provided insight into some of the complexities and considerations:

1. Identifying the Underlying Cause and Contributing Factors: Foot and leg pain can stem from a wide range of causes, including injuries, overuse, arthritis, nerve issues, vascular problems, and more. Accurately diagnosing the underlying cause and contributing factors is essential for effective treatment.

2. Individual Variability: Each person’s pain experience and tolerance are unique. What works for one may not work for another. Tailoring treatments to the individual is crucial.

3. Conservative vs. Surgical Approaches: Depending on the severity and nature of the condition, treatment can vary from conservative to surgical. In most cases a non-pharmaceutical approach usually provides better long-term healing outcomes, often helping to avoid surgical intervention. Weight bearing strategies, strengthening and condition programs, physical therapy, structured rest and natural injection therapies, such as Prolotherapy or PRP, are all excellent treatment strategies assisting joint and tissue healing before considering surgical approaches.

4. Orthotics and Assistive Devices: Custom orthotics, braces, or mobility aids may be recommended to improve gait, relieve pressure, improve mobility, and enhance comfort.

5. Multidisciplinary Care: Some cases benefit

Foot, knee or leg pain, injuries or arthritic concerns you can consult Dr. Dowie at his Foot and Leg Pain Clinic in Berwick.

from a multidisciplinary approach with various specialists working together to provide comprehensive care.

6. Rehabilitation and Recovery: Rehabilitation plays a vital role in restoring function and reducing pain. Targeted strengthening and conditioning programs are often part of treatment plans.

7. Lifestyle Modifications: Patients may need to make lifestyle changes to help alleviate stress on affected areas.

8. Patient Education: Educating patients about their condition, treatment options, and selfcare techniques can greatly assist long-term wellness.

If you need assistance with foot, knee or leg pain, injuries or arthritic concerns you can consult Dr. Dowie at his Foot and Leg Pain Clinic in Berwick. Ph 1300 328 300

In the realm of healthcare, true dedication and passion can be the driving forces behind remarkable practitioners.

Layne, a remarkable osteopath, embodies this sentiment as she seamlessly blends her professional expertise with a genuine love for her work. Armed with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteo) from the esteemed RMIT University, Layne’s journey in healing has been nothing short of exceptional.

With a heart that beats for both athleticism and well-being, Layne’s diverse clientele reaps the benefits of her multi-faceted skills. As a competitive Eventer, she understands the intricacies of treating horse riders firsthand, bringing a unique perspective to her practice. Beyond the stables, her devotion extends to football players and athletes burdened by various sporting injuries. This versatility underscores her commitment to fostering holistic recovery across the spectrum of physical activities.

Life took on a new hue for Layne six months ago, as she embraced the role of motherhood with open arms. A proud parent to a beautiful baby boy, Layne’s journey through maternity has only strengthened her connection to the essence of healing. Her own experience as a mother enhances her ability to empathise and provide tailored care, fostering an environment of trust and comfort for her patients.

As the calendar turned to 9 September, Layne’s return from maternity leave marked an eagerly anticipated event in the healthcare community. Her availability on Tuesdays from 2pm to 7pm, as well as Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 5.30pm, reflects her commitment to accommodating her clients’ busy lives.Whether it’s postwork appointments or midday sessions,

Armed with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteo) from the esteemed RMIT University, Layne’s journey in healing has been nothing short of exceptional.

Layne’s schedule caters to a range of preferences, prioritizing the well-being of her patients above all.

Layne’s roots run deep in the local tapestry. Having both lived and grown up locally, her connection to the community is profound. Since 2019, she has been an integral part of the clinic, bringing her expertise and warmth to countless lives. This tenure speaks volumes about her dedication and the enduring impact she has on those she cares for.

In Layne, you’ll find more than an osteopath; you’ll discover a partner in your journey to recovery. Her education, experience, and undeniable passion converge to create a healing experience that resonates on both physical and personal levels. With Layne, the path to well-being is guided by hands that understand, a heart that cares, and a spirit that never ceases to inspire.

· Casey Osteo, 2 Stella St, Beaconsfield.

· Phone: (03) 9769 9881.

· caseyosteo.com.au

Highest standard of care

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can often be daunting. Many people hear the word “cancer” and begin to think the worst, but in reality most men with prostate cancer live for many years without any symptoms, and without the cancer spreading to other parts of the body or becoming life threatening.

There are a number of factors that determine patient outcomes.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to treating prostate cancer, and that’s why at Melbourne Urology Centre, we treat every patient as an individual. Our specialist urologists, Dr Shekib Shahbaz and Dr Tony de Sousa take the time to ensure that you are provided with the highest standard of care, with the best possible outcomes for your individual circumstances.

Not all prostate cancers are the same, so it is important to seek the advice of a specialist urologist for guidance and a tailored treatment plan. Quite often patients come to us having read or heard a lot of different information from varied sources- much of it is misinformation or not applicable to their personal circumstances. An integral part of our role as urologists is to demystify prostate cancer and to provide our patients with relevant, practical treatment advice that is tailored to the individual.

Prostate cancer can be daunting, but with the right care team and support network, good long-term outcomes are possible for most men.

If you would like further information or wish to arrange a consultation with a specialist urologist, please phone Melbourne Urology Centre on 1300 702 811.

The team at Melbourne Urology Centre.

Winner feels the rhythm

Australia Idol 2023 winner Royston Noell wowed crowds at Narre Warren on Monday 18 September.

Star News photographer Stewart Chambers went along to capture the performance.

The performance was one of many one-off performances held as part of Westfield’s ‘Feel Your Rhythm’ Tour, with local stars including Jessica Mauboy, Amy Shark, Thelma Plum, Stan Walker, Client Liaison, Gretta Ray, Kita Alexander, Mallrat, Allday, and Coterie headlining 20 free, live music performances across Australia and New Zealand throughout September and October.

The tour forms part of a long-term strategic partnership between Scentre Group and Live Nation, with more to come in 2024 and beyond.

All smiles for Doveton Show

More than 17,000 basked in sunshine and fun at Myuna Farm at one of the best-ever Doveton Shows, according to organisers.

Designed as an affordable alternative to Royal Melbourne Show, the crowds lapped up showbags, cuddly creatures, performers, rides, art and craft displays, train rides, face painting, market and food stalls. Also, it was a chance to meet emergency service members including SES, CFA, Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch Casey.

Committee member Damien Rosario said the show was nearing its 20th year.

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

“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.”

Wellsprings for Women backs the yes movement

At Wellsprings for Women, talking about the upcoming Voice referendum has meant having a ‘yarn’ in more ways than one.

The Dandenong-based service for migrant and refugee women has backed the ‘Yes’ campaign with a series of ‘Aboriginal awareness’ sessions for staff and yarning circles with Badjiri woman Karan Kent and Gurindji woman Kayla Cartledge.

“Our participants, the majority of whom from refugee backgrounds, were quite moved by engaging in the yarning circles,” chief executive Dalal Smiley said.

“They related their own experiences of loss, dislocation, grief and sorrow to what they heard on the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal people in Australia and the process of reconciliation.”

Some of the attendees spoke of “the Voice of Indigenous Australians” being the voice that they didn’t have in their own countries.

Ms Smiley said 10 yarning circles will be held to boost awareness of “this important juncture in our history as a nation”.

On 9 August, Wamba Wamba woman and First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Centre CEO Karinda Taylor addressed 60 guests at a Wellsprings dinner at St John’s

Regional College’s graduate restaurant.

Taylor spoke about what the referendum means to First Nations people and why and how people could support the Yes campaign, Ms Smiley said.

Wellsprings is also developing its first Reconciliation Action Plan.

The Voice referendum will be held on Saturday 14 October.

Royston Noell performed at Fountain Gate. 361126

Royston Noell. 361126

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

The Wellsprings dinner at St John’s Regional College restaurant.

Karinda Taylor, Robyn Erwin and Karan Kent at the Wellsprings dinner for the Yes campaign.

Face-painted and relaxed at the Doveton Show grounds.

Sideshow alley attracted the masses.

More than 17,000 people were estimated to have passed through the gates.

Casey SES members at their stall.

Art looks at Sikh history

A new place for gathering is now open for those within the Sikh community in Casey, with the Bush Diwan exhibition now open in the Bunjil Place Gallery until 12 November, acknowledging diverse stories of Sikh migration and community formation in Australia.

First exhibited at the Benalla Art Gallery last year, curated by Amrit Gill and Reina Takeuchi and developed by 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art, the exhibition centres on the story of Siva Singh, an early 20th century regional Victorian resident living at Reef Hills outside Benalla, Sikh community leader and civil rights campaigner.

Across October, a series of talks and workshops will also be held to explore the exhibition’s themes and ideas further, including a performance by artist Anindita Banerjee, a poetry workshop and a curator talk.

Using media ranging from screen, stills, sound, performance, sculpture, and textiles, the exhibition shines a light on Sikh history in Australia by exploring identity and the foundations of community.

Ms Gill said as diwan was a Punjabi word which means gathering or religious event, the local Sikh community responded well to the exhibition during a community ambassador event on Saturday 16 September.

“They felt that it can have a lot of importance in the South Eastern diaspora,” she said.

“We took the word diwan’ as a starting point for this exhibition.”

The artworks include Amardeep Shergill’s ‘Aussie Phulkari’, incorporating the folk embroidery of the Punjab with the Australian

colours of green and gold, and a poem named ’Sea, Pilgrim’ from artist Manisha Anjali.

Ms Gill said the works deal with themes of

how individuals and communities settle and restart, find solidarity within themselves and others and gather in conversations.

“We hope that it might resonate with people,” she said.

City of Casey chair of administrators Noelene Duff PSM said providing arts and cultural opportunities which reflect the stories held within Casey’s community was an important part of council’s responsibilities.

“As one of the most culturally diverse municipalities in Victoria, council is committed to providing a wide range of arts and cultural experiences that bring our community together,” she said.

“Bush Diwan is a unique exhibition that allows us to appreciate different forms of cultural expression, foster cultural awareness and build community connection.”

Curator Reina Takeuchi said the exhibition does not simply recount Mr Singh’s migration journey. “Instead, it weaves together multiple narratives centered on reconciliation and community building,” she said.

“It serves as a window into the wealth of untold Asian Australian migration storiesproviding us a valuable opportunity to delve deeper into pivotal moments in Australia’s history of migration.”

For more information on the exhibition and related public programs, visit Bunjil Place’s website at bunjilplace.com.au/events/ bush-diwan

FOCUS ON … EARLY LEARNING & PRIMARY

Piggy in the middle: Talking to your kids about money

With the cost of living increasing, now is a better time than ever to teach children about the importance of saving money effectively. With that in mind, financial experts from money. co.uk have compiled a list of their top ten tips for teaching your children about money.

Start with the basics of money and finance

How you introduce money to your children will partly depend on their age. A good place to start is getting children comfortable handling cash and coins. Explain to them how money is used to buy things and that it must be earned before it can be spent.

Speak openly about small financial decisions

Start getting your child involved with minor financial decisions, such as which brands and items to buy when shopping. This way your child is able to understand the decisions you make while also feeling in control of certain financial choices.

Older children could also help with budgeting while shopping if you ask them to keep a running total of the items you buy. Not only

will this help their maths skills, but it can also help them to understand how small items can still add up in price and not everything is affordable on a budget.

Set a good example with your own finances

Empowering Curious Minds

There are no two ways about it, children learn money habits from their parents. Showing them small activities, such as checking the receipt after your shop or putting money into savings can start developing positive habits from a young age.

Encourage your child to ask questions without repercussion in this setting.While you might not necessarily have all the answers, opening up a dialogue is a healthy way for your child to learn more about finance.

Use pocket money as an incentive for small tasks

Using pocket money as an incentive to do chores around the house not only helps you, but it also helps your child learn more about the value of money and what it takes to earn it. Creating a simple plan with a set amount of money for different tasks, along with caps per week or month, is a great way to help your child start understanding where money comes from.

The relationship between work and money, household chores and pocket money is also

a great opportunity to show children how to save. If your child has shown interest in a more expensive purchase, you could set them up with an old-fashioned piggy bank where they can ‘deposit’ their earnings or create a chart for them to fill out so they can track how much money they have.

James Andrews from money.co.uk encourages parents to teach children how to handle money from a young age.

“Creating an environment where you can speak more openly with your children about financial decisions is key to them gaining an understanding of the value of money,” Mr Andrews says.

“It’s important to make sure your lessons are age-appropriate and that you continue to involve and teach your children about money as they grow - a healthy relationship with finances starts at a young age, and children learn most of their habits from their parents.” Originally published on www.money. co.uk/.

Bush Diwan co-curator Amrit Gill with Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa’s ‘Fence sitting’ photographs. 360360

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

There are so many benefits to teaching your child about money at a young age.

Support for the bandicoot

A free school holiday event in Cranbourne will educateVictorians of all ages about the endangered Southern Brown Bandicoot.

Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt on Friday 15 September launched the Big Bandicoot Backyard which will entertain families of all ages over the next three days at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.

Visitors will watch performances, participate in art and science activities, take guided walks and see a giant bandicoot made out of weeds.

Minister Stitt encouraged all families to make the most of the Big Bandicoot Backyard these school holidays and learn more about the endangered species.

“The Big Bandicoot Backyard program highlights that some of our most threatened animals and plants live in our neighbourhood and there are actions we can all take to protect them,” Minister Stitt said.

As part of the Big Bandicoot Backyard bonanza, on Saturday 23 September keen gardeners are invited to join a free one-off walk through the gardens to learn how to create habitat for Southern Brown Bandicoots in their very own backyards.

Southern Brown Bandicoots were once one of the most common and widespread native mammals in Southern Australia but the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne is now home to the last remaining urban population of the species in mainland Australia.

Royal Botanic GardensVictoria director and chief executive David Harland said Southern Brown Bandicoots are remarkable critters and they need our help to survive and thrive in the suburbs.

“I hope the Big Bandicoot Backyardwill inspire many more bandicoot advocates so together we can protect this precious species.

“There are a few things that you can do to support bandicoots in your own backyard and

their diggings will in turn improve the health of your garden. Plant dense, strappy grasses, keep cats contained, avoid using poisons, and report sightings on the free iNaturalist app.”

The Big Bandicoot Backyard event is par-

tially funded by the government’s Melbourne Strategic Assessment program which ensures that development in these areas protects our biodiversity.

The Big Bandicoot Backyard runs from

10am for three days from Friday 22 September.

For further details, visit rbg.vic.gov.au/ cranbourne-gardens/what-s-on-cranbourne/ big-bandicoot-backyard

Importance of awareness

An award-winning contemporary performance piece is on its way to Bunjil Place next month, aiming to bring awareness to gendered violence.

The Durga Chronicles will be held at Bunjil Place on Saturday 7 October and Sunday 8 October, with the perfomances running from 5pm to 5.50pm and then followed by ‘circles of conversation’ from 6pm to 7.30pm.

Premiering at Melbourne’s Arts House in 2022 with support from Australia Council, Multicultural Arts Victoria and Abbotsford Convent, it received three Green Room Award nominations in 2022 for Outstanding Creation, Best Visual Design and Breaking Ground and was the winner of the Breaking Ground award in 2023.

Produced by Priya Srinivasan, the performance brings together international collaborators and local artists who form the incredible Keerthana Women’s Choir.

The performance uses music, dance and stunning visuals, along with a Carnatic choir of 12 women, to create a harrowing and moving storytelling experience.

In Hindu mythology, Durga is the goddess of protection, motherhood and war.

The Durga Chronicles draws on the stories of women who have been harmed in

different parts of the world and harnesses the force of Durga to provoke empowered resistance against gendered violence.

As part of the Safe and Equal Casey strategic plan, Casey Council is aiming to ensure women and gender-diverse people are heard and have the opportunity to influence decisions which affect their lives.

Casey Council administrators chair Noelene Duff PSM said she was proud to have Bunjil Place hosting this event.

“We know that The City of Casey has the highest number of reported family violence incidents* in Victoria; and international and Australian research shows that violence against women is driven by gender inequality,“ she said.

“The Durga Chronicles is a unique performance that will no doubt help us increase awareness of gendered violence and gender equality.“

If you need support in regard to sexual assault, domestic or family violence you can call 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732 for 24/7 phone and online services.

The event is supported by Creative Victoria and Insite Arts.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bunjilplace.com.au/events/ durga-chronicles

*Victorian Women’s Health Atlas 2022

Paddocks up for debate

Community consultation has started on a masterplan to rejuvenate the historic Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve near Endeavour Hills.

An online survey has opened for the public to help shape the State Government’s $5.5 million revitalisation project.

It delves into how people use the park – including the interaction of horse riders, dogs, cyclists and native animals such as kangaroos.

One question is whether dogs should be banned, on or off lead or restricted to certain zones in the park.

In recent years, the 500-hectare reserve has been blighted by vandalism, graffiti, rubbish dumping and illegal vehicle access.

The Government has announced initial works in 2023 and 2024 such as trail maintenance, new signage and measures to curb dumping and stray vehicles.

The master plan will forge a blueprint for the park’s next 30 years.

The Police Paddocks is culturally significant for the Bunurong people and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The reserve is a significant swamp scrub and wildlife corridor, including species such as sugar gliders, wombats, wedge-tailed eagles, eastern grey kangaroos and powerful owl as well as native fish in Dandenong Creek and 90 types of native plants. With Churchill National Park and Lysterfield Park, it is part of a 2000-hectare region of native bushland.

Well before European settlement, the Bunurong people called the place Nerre Nerre Warren.

Between 1840-’43, the paddocks were home

to the Port Phillip Aboriginal Protectorate Station, then later the Native Police Corps.

It has also been home to Queensland Aboriginal trackers – some who were assigned to find bushranger Ned Kelly.

Up until 1931, the Victoria Police Stud Depot bred, trained and spelled its horses, including the force’s famous grey bloodlines.

It now also includes a sports precinct for soccer, softball, cricket and baseball, as well as Churchill Park Golf Course and a Girl Guides facility.

Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt said the master plan would bring together the reserve’s current uses and recognise its values.

“I’m delighted that a master plan is being developed in consultation with community, stakeholders and Traditional Owners to help rejuvenate the reserve into a green space, where people can relax, connect and enjoy nature.”

The online survey is open until 28 September, followed by a draft plan later this year.

Details: engage.vic.gov.au/project/dandenong-police-paddocks-masterplan

Profit, margin and mark-up TAKING CARE

This week I thought I would clarify some business terms that frequently get confused but really need to be understood by all business owners, namely profit, margin and mark-up.

First off, there are actually two types of profit: gross profit and net operating profit.

Gross profit is simply the amount that is left over when you deduct from your sales the cost of achieving those sales (cost of sales or cost of goods sold -COGS) such as raw materials, contract staff and freight.

So, gross profit = sales – COGS.

Net operating profit is the amount left over when you take away all the expenses, or overhead costs, except for taxes and interest payments received and paid from the gross profit.

This is also known as EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes), so net operating profit (EBIT) = gross profit – expenses.

You will find all the above items on your profit and loss summary in your financial reports and so effectively tell you how well the business is performing over the given timeframe, e.g. last month or year to date.

Once this information is known, then you can quickly derive a couple of other useful metrics, namely gross (profit) margin and net (profit) margin.

Both statistics are expressed as percentages and give an indication of the efficiency of a business since they can be used to compare the performance of your business against others in the same sector.

These are defined as follows:

Gross profit margin = gross profit / total sales x 100 per cent.

Net profit margin = Net operating profit / total sales x 100 per cent.

Gross profit and gross margin both tell

IAN ASH OF BUSINESS

you information about the profit you are making, but how much do you need to increase the cost of an item by to achieve a certain profit for that item?

This is known as ‘markup’ and is usually expressed as a percentage so that:

· Markup = sale price – cost price (i.e. equal to gross profit for that item).

· Markup percentage = gross profit / cost price (COGS) x 100 per cent.

· So let’s say we sell an item for $750 that only cost us $500, then we have clearly ‘marked up’ the $500 cost of the item by $250 (sale price minus cost price).

· This also gives us the gross profit: Gross profit = sale price – cost price = $750$500 = $250 (markup).

· From this, we can quickly calculate our gross margin: Gross margin = gross profit / sale price = $250 / $750 x 100 per cent = 33 per cent.

· Now the markup percentage is calculated as the gross profit expressed as a percentage of the cost price, so: Markup percentage = gross profit / cost price = $250 / $500 = 50 per cent.

Note that the gross margin and markup percentage is not the same so in the example above, we would need to mark up the cost price by 50 per cent in order to achieve a gross profit margin of 33 per cent.

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

An online public survey has opened to forge the future blueprint for Dandenong Police Paddocks Reserve. 215643 Picture: GARY SISSONS

WHAT’S ON

Berwick Springs VIEW Club

Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club are a not for profit organisation, with the aim to fundraise to support Learning for Life students.

The club currently supports seven students of varying ages with their education expenses and are about to take on an eighth student.

The club meets on the first Monday of each month in the Berwick Springs Hotel function room from 11.30am, where members enjoy a lunch and then host a guest speaker.

Throughout the year, the club has a couple of special fundraisers, as well as casual morning tea and lunch for interested ladies.

The club is always looking for new members in all age groups.

· For more information, contact Shirley on 0419 878 481 or email berwicksprings.viewclub@ gmail.com

Tom Gleeson’s Gear

Hard Quiz Overlord, Master of Tasks and Gold Logie Winner Tom Gleeson has taken the Brass Mug on the road for the past two years with Hard Quiz Live.

Now he’s giving audiences around the country an opportunity to see a master stand-up at work

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

Berwick Antique and Collectibles Fair

Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre at 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard.

Adults $5, children free.

Valuations by David Freeman for $5 per item from noon to 3pm (no jewelry, coins or stamps).

Refreshments available.

All proceeds go to Riding for the Disabled at Myuna Farm.

· Sunday 8 October from 9am to 4pm. For more information, contact Coosje on 0432 869 215 or email berwickantiquefair@gmail.com

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

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.

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

Berwick Antique and Collectibles Fair organisers David and Coosje Dubach at a previous antique event. Picture: SUPPLIED

Clubhouse marks one year

Stockland’s Halcyon Berwick has reached a major milestone, celebrating one year since opening its $7.4 million Clubhouse.

Since opening last year, the Clubhouse has become the heart of the growing over 50s lifestyle community, catering to a variety of homeowner interests from arts, craft, sporting and leisure pursuits.

Featuring a luxurious bar and lounge; a gold-class style cinema; heated indoor swimming pool and gym; a pickleball court and bowling green; as well as an alfresco entertaining area; Project Direct Nicole Guirguis said homeowners are making great use of the spaces.

“The Clubhouse was ultimately designed with the flexibility to adapt to different lifestyles and interests, it’s not a one size fits all. Beyond the activity it’s a real social hub for homeowners to connect with their neighbours,” Nicole said.

“We now have more than 20 interest groups operating in the community, so there really is something for everyone and enriches our homeowner’s health and wellbeing.”

“The Clubhouse, and its early delivery, has also improved our offering in the market with state-of-the-art facilities not seen before in Melbourne,” she said.

“Buyer’s want the benefits of a Melbourne lifestyle but are excited to move into a luxury community where they don’t have to worry about maintenance, mowing lawns and have everything they need right on their doorstep.”

Over the past year, the community has continued to grow, with more than 130 people now calling Halcyon Berwick home.

Halcyon Berwick’s social club president, Stephen Ellis, said it’s been great to welcome so many new faces to the community.

“I find it really rewarding to engage with people, encourage them to take up a new activity and organise new events,” Steven said.

Trades & Services

Homeowners Jane and Rob Atwell moved into Halcyon Berwick at the end of last year and found the Clubhouse help them to connect with like-minded people.

“We’re like a big family now because we’ve

gotten to know so many people through different activities,” Jane said.

With less than 18 homes left at Halcyon Berwick, this will be buyer’s last chance to secure their dream home in this highly sought after

community. Come along to our Open Day on Saturday 7 October and experience community living for yourself: Halcyon Berwick Open Day - Sat 7 Oct 2023 | Halcyon (stockland.com. au)

General Notices Employment

Casey North Community Information and Support Service

General Classifieds

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political or religious belief or physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception under the Act. As Network Classifieds could be legally liable if an unlawful advertisement is printed, Network Classifieds will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisers or the Equal Opportunity Commission.

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Halcyon Berwick homeowners set to celebrate major milestone.

SPORT

Medal for Magpies’ Miller

By Marcus Uhe

A sensational year in the engine room from Narre Warren’s Tom Miller has seen him crowned the Shane Smith Medallist; the best and fairest player in the Outer East Premier Division.

Despite missing the final three games of the season to a syndesmosis injury sustained in round 15 against Olinda Ferny Creek, Miller’s exceptional consistency saw him poll 25 votes, well-clear of his nearest competitor in Wandin’s Cody Hirst on 18, and teammate Tom Toner on 15 votes.

On a statistical front, Miller averaged 36 disposals, 15 contested possessions, seven clearances, seven inside 50s and 12 score involvements per game, with only Magpies teammate Kurt Mutimer finding the footy more than him per game in 2023.

Notwithstanding the incredible numbers, the humble Miller said the award came as a shock.

“I was pretty confident it was going to be Kurt (Mutimer), so I was hassling him all night about what he should say or how he should carry on, and then it was me,” Miller said of the event.

“I missed three games at the back end of the year, so I thought I was no chance.

“I went there just carrying on with the other

boys not really thinking about it, but when it came up I thought ‘shit, I’ve got to go and talk.’

“It was a real shock.”

Mutimer polled 13 votes to finish fifth in the count, making it three Magpies in the top five.

Mutimer, Toner and Miller shouldered much of the midfield load in 2023 thanks to the void left by the departures of Trent Cody, Josh Tonna, Matt Suckling and Hayden Stagg from the Magpies’ 2022 premiership side.

Miller said coach Shane Dwyer put the onus on the trio during the preseason, and the trust instilled in him from such a significant figure during his time at Kalora Park helped to reach the heights that he did.

“‘Grubbo’ (Dwyer) spoke to me about it, he gave me the vice-captaincy and then spoke about how he could see me having a good year with how I was building last year.

“It gave me confidence to go out there and have a crack.

“I had a good preseason and I’m just playing my own way, going after it and working with Kurt as the leading contested ball-winner in there.

“I think that’s helped a lot, I can just do my own thing in there and then we all work around each other.”

While the syndesmosis injury threatened to bring his season to a premature end, the pros-

pect of winning another flag saw Miller leave no stone unturned.

An intense course of rehabilitation saw him engage multiple physiotherapists, including Collingwood’s Ben Shipperd, hit the pools for regular swimming sessions and tick every box, culminating in kicking the game-winning goal against Wandin in last week’s semi final to secure yet another grand final berth for the Magpies.

Such has been the success of the club in Miller’s time that he is yet to play a season of senior football that hasn’t resulted in a spot in the last day of the season.

The legacy of victory and premierships left behind by the likes of Dylan Quirk and Michael Collins, two icons of the mighty Magpies and role models during Miller’s younger days at the club, has him striving for more, making every swim and stretch to get back on the field worth every cent.

“I’d give up all of this (the Shane Smith medal) to win another flag,” he said.

“Flags are what you play for, and then there’s everything that comes with it.

“I hear about all the old boys who’ve won flags, they reckon the best part of it is the reunions, and then there’s the nights we’ve had after we’ve won two of the flags...they’ve been some of the best nights of my life.”

Titans fall short as Bombers blast to grand final glory

By Marcus Uhe

Any questions over who was the best team in the Outer East’s Division One football competition in 2023 were resoundingly put to bed on Sunday afternoon thanks to Emerald’s thumping 59-point win over Berwick Springs at Healesville in the competition’s grand final.

The Bombers kicked the opening five goals of the contest in a dominant, disciplined and brutal display of football while defending tenaciously at the other end in the 14.16 100 to 5.11 41 result, in what Sein Clearihan described as the side’s best performance of the season.

Talisman David Johnson got the ball rolling with two goals in the opening term, looking as springy and energetic as ever despite the glute concern.

Sandwiched between his two was a Lachlan Hoye goal that set the tone for the afternoon, Jared Derksen flattening an opponent with a heavy bump before a textbook tackle from small forward Rogan Goonan was rewarded with a free kick, the advantage spilling to Hoye who goaled in the goalsquare unopposed.

The Titans were breaking even at stoppages and managing forward entries but a tall forward mix lacked the necessary representation at ground level, allowing Mitch Thomas, Harry Lang and Ben Willder to quickly extinguish any spotfires that emerged close to goal.

Using the width on offer at Don Road, the Bombers went wide out of defensive 50 before pulling the trigger and using the corridor to enter the forward 50, beating the Berwick Springs forward press time after time.

A goalless first term was not the start the Titans would have envisaged, and things got worse when poor tracking allowed Hoye to goal on the run from distance.

Braydn Hoewel put the Titans on the board in the fourth minute, but it merely was the first step on what was shaping to be a long journey.

It would be their only goal of the half, however, as the Bombers kicked the final three of the term for a 46-point lead at the long break.

Not even a collision in a marking contest between Johnson and Hoye could slow the Bombers, with Isaac Seskis in the right place at the right time at ground level to capitalise on the spillage and join the onslaught.

The Titans did their best to pep themselves up for the second half, reminders of

the round 16 comeback at Chandler Reserve ruminating in the sheds from the leadership group.

Another goal from Hoye to open the half, however, a far from ideal way to begin a comeback.

Johnson kicked his fourth shortly after, getting the better of two defenders in the air before a trademark set shot finish, the lead now 59 points.

Consecutive misses from Ty Ellison and Rhys Fletcher from directly in front were symbolic of the pressure the Titans faced, compounded by a Callum White goal at the other end from the second resulting kick out.

Fletcher and Tom Nelson kicked the final two of the quarter as Emerald appeared to tire, the extra game played last week looking like a factor.

But Clearihan wouldn’t let ‘the devil’ on the shoulder infiltrate his side’s mind, telling them “immortality does not get handed to you”.

Johnson kicked two more in the final quarter to finish with six, while Jake Pedder’s goal sent celebrations into overdrive, mobbed by

his teammates after collapsing to the ground.

Two goals to the Titans late in the contest restored some credibility, but there was no mistaking the emphatic result.

Johnson was judged best on ground for his six goal haul, Brendan Wilson, Josh Rich and Michael Richardson not far behind, as was Hoye for his three goals.

Clearihan, basking in the glory of his first premiership as senior coach, described the achievement as “surreal”, beaming with pride over the resilience his team displayed.

“You’ve got to live for the minute,” he said.

“As I said to them after the game; relish it, embrace it all day, and I think they did that. They proved why they were on top of the ladder all year and it was a great day for the club, town and Outer East football.

“I just kept harping about being composed all day. I said to them ‘from shouldersdown, you’re going to be fine. Everything’s there.’

“’It’s just about up here today. You’ve got to keep going back and hitting the reset button, be composed all day.’”

The Bombers could have been forgiven for wearing mental scars from the heartbreaking extra time loss two weeks earlier, or the cluster of ACLs that ruined four players’ years before they begun, or the loss of Clearihan’s father late in the season.

But pressure makes gemstones, and in this case, or in this case, Emeralds.

“I kept them up and about, saying that you’re going to get challenged today like you never have before.You’ve got to trust our system, it’s all about trust in the system and trust in one-another.

“It’s not given, they had to go to work and make sure they prove their worth.

“It’s a memory they’ll forever take with them.

“They’ve been the dominant side all year and today they just went about it. You couldn’t write it.”

The Titans will no doubt use the result to fuel their ambitions in 2024 under the new leadership of Chris Johnson and Hayden Stagg, and will expect to find themselves in a similar position as the quest for a first-ever premiership continues.

Outer East Football Netball League Division One premiers for 2023, Emerald. 361017

Picture: ROB CAREW

Shane Smith medallist Tom Miller fires out a handball. 337186

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Dwyer hands over to Kidd

By Marcus Uhe

If Narre Warren needs any extra motivation to add yet another premiership to its bulging trophy cabinet at Kalora Park, the potential to finish Shane Dwyer’s coaching tenure on the best possible note will undoubtedly provide an additional layer of incentive.

The Magpies announced on Friday that current assistant Steven Kidd will replace Dwyer as senior coach in 2024, after four years as the main man.

The reigning premiership coach said a combination of factors led to the decision.

“Four years in, four or five years is generally enough for a senior coach,” Dwyer explained.

“I would have loved to keep going, but this injury has knocked me around a bit, and with work and family, I let the club know that I wasn’t going to go on.

“Getting through Covid-19 and this year has been enough for me.

“I think it’s the right time to move on.”

A successful player at Narre Warren in his own right, Dwyer made the leap from steering the under-19 group to the seniors in 2020 before Covid-19 curtailed the next 24 months.

Seeing players he coached in the Under 19s make the leap to senior football with great success, including Tom Miller, Tom Toner and Peter Gentile, ranks among his proudest achievements, along with steering the club through the tumult that came with Covid-19, last year’s flag, and the connections formed throughout both programs of the Magpies’ operation.

“We all get on really well and that’s been the best part, the relationships,” he said.

“We’re not too serious, we joke around a fair bit and have a good time.

“The best thing about coaching is the relationships you form, and seeing the improvement in guys that you’ve coached.

“To be coaching, the last two years, guys

who have won league medals, has been pretty good.”

No stranger to the Magpies’ setup and culture, Kidd won three premierships in his 259 games as a player in black and white and is currently in his third stint as an assistant, re-

turning to the Magpies’ nest after four years at Warragul in the Gippsland League where he won Senior Coach of the Year and AFL Gippsland Coaches Coach of the Year in 2016.

Kidd said he didn’t need much convincing to take on the role, once Dwyer informed the

coaching group that 2023 would be his final year.

“It’s always something I wanted to do, it was a little bit of a question of timing, but I think the opportunity with the players that we have in the side and the group that we’ve got together, it would be great to keep that together and keep building, and hopefully create more success,” Kidd said.

“I had a bit to weigh up as far as work and family life goes, but in the end I thought it was the right time for me.”

Dwyer has every faith in his assistant’s ability to take the head coaching position, given his prior success at Warragul and his pre-established relationships with the current playing list.

“I would have struggled without him in my tenure as coach, he’s been there the whole time as well,” he said of Kidd.

“Tactically he’s very good, I’ll tap into him a fair bit during the game, generally at breaks to see what he thinks before I go and have a chat with them.

“I think he’ll do a fantastic job and hopefully having a coach from within will help us maintain as many as we can.”

Having taken the field with Dwyer as a teammate back in their playing days, before becoming close mates away from football, Kidd said it would “mean everything” to cap off his tenure with another premiership.

“To get to where he’s got to, I think he’s coaching better than he ever has,” Kidd said.

“I spent so many years playing with him, we played a couple of hundred games at Narre Warren and then forged a great friendship through that and it continues on.

“We’ve involved in Punters clubs, golf groups, so we’re quite close, and the fight he’s shown in the past year, to send him off with back-to-back premierships would be quite emotional.”

Narre Warren and Wandin seek football’s ultimate prize

By Marcus Uhe

It was only ever going to be this configuration, wasn’t it?

The second semi-final between Narre Warren and Wandin served as the perfect entree for this grand final main course.

Two weeks later, we’re set for a spectacle fitting of the competition’s two best sides all year.

Will the Magpies make it three premierships in a row, doing as Magpies do, in winning premierships for fun? Or can the Bulldogs upset the discourse and break through for their first since 2018?

Having played just once compared to Wandin’s three times in September, Narre Warren be fresh, but if any side could knock them off, with depth and star-power across every line, it would be the Bulldogs, the only team to do so in 2023.

No team piled the points on against Narre Warren more than Wandin did back in round two, while 64 points in the semi final was the lowest team score they had been restricted to.

Conversely, two of the Bulldogs’ three lowest scores of the year came against the black and white.

The difference between the combined margins across the previous encounters is just four points in Narre Warren’s favour, yet the gap doesn’t feel that wide.

RECENT HISTORY

Round 2: Wandin 21.13 139 def Narre Warren 14.17 101

A charged-up Bulldogs make an early season statement on their home deck, knocking-off the Magpies for the first time in the club’s history. It’s rare for the Magpies to concede like that, while missing Kurt Mutimer and Will Howe didn’t help.

Round 11: Narre Warren 13.18 96 def Wandin 9.3 57

An arm-wrestle for much of the afternoon at

Kalora Park, the Magpies kicked away in two crucial stretches with the wind to keep the Bulldogs at bay, but really could have won by more, had they kicked straight.

Second semi final: Narre Warren 9.10 64 def Wandin 9.7 61

The game of the year in Premier Division. Narre Warren kicked away to a 22-point lead during the third term before Wandin hit the front midway through the last. A Tom Miller snap put the Magpies ahead with five minutes remaining, andWandin couldn’t find the

answer in the tense dying stages.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Kurt Mutimer (NW) v Joel Garner (WD) Two of the best credentialed midfielders in the competition. A pair of big bodies to bash and crash in the middle of the park and allow the ball users to be most effective on the outside. Wandin wanted Garner back in the side with this match-up in mind.

Will Howe (NW) v Todd Garner (WD) Howe was held goalless by Garner the semi final, the first time that the Division’s leading goalkicker has failed to impact the scoreboard since early last year.

Cameron Miller (NW) v Aaron Mullett (WD) Miller contained the explosive Mullett well in the semi final when deep in defence thanks to his speed off the mark and long reach, but the former Blue and Kangaroo cut lose when he pushed into the midfield later in the game. If Miller can keep him under wraps, that will go a long way to another Narre win.

TIP: If the second semi final was any indication of what’s to come, then footy fans in for a treat. Both coaches have as close to fullstrength lists as they could ask for, with VFL players such as Peter Gentile (Narre Warren) Joel Garner and Connor Smith (bothWandin) back in their respective folds.

The Bulldogs will come out firing and lead for much of the afternoon, before the fresh legs of the Magpies carry them home by 9 points, with Tom Toner named best-onground.

Wandin’s Harrison van Duuren and Narre Warren’s Dylan Mutimer fight for the footy during the home and away season, but come Saturday, there’ll be a much bigger prize at stake. 346052

Picture: ROB CAREW

Narre Warren Coach Shane Dwyer will conclude his coaching tenure after Saturday’s grand final.

328965

Picture: GARY SISSONS

Magpies on target

By Marcus Uhe

A sensational performance from Narre Warren Goal Shooter Clare Vearing secured the Magpies a spot in another A-Grade netball grand final this week, having led from the front in a thrilling preliminary final victory over Mt Evelyn.

Vearing went head-to-head with Jodi Chandler medallist Kaitlyn Black in the Narre Warren goal circle and got the better of her newly crowned opponent, recovering from a slow start to win 46-43 at Yarra Junction.

Mt Evelyn made the running early in the contest, leading by three goals at the first break thanks largely to the efforts of Rory Barr.

With Magpies Goal Defence Gabrielle Dwyer towering over Kaila Swindell, much of the scoring duties fell to Barr as one of the competition’s leading scorers.

Likewise at the other end, Jacqui Black’s height advantage over Chelsea Tonna was proving problematic for the Magpies, as the Rovers jumped to a seven-goal lead midway through the second term.

The Magpies had more possession but struggled to put the ball in the net, where the Rovers’ direct ball movement afforded more scoring opportunities.

But Vearing began to find her groove as the half came to a close, with the Magpies scoring eight of the final 10 goals of the half, including the final five, to level the scores at the half at 23.

The Magpies took the momentum from the end of the first quarter into the second, and led by five goals at one, with the height of Jemma Osborne on the court in place of Tonna beginning to make an impact up forward for Narre Warren.

Much of that run came with Swindell off the court for the Rovers, but her return helped to spark a five-goal run that levelled the scores again at the final break.

Narre Warren struck first, but every goal from the Magpies was answered by Barr and Swindell at the other end.

A seven-goal-to-three run late in the term, however, saw margin grow to four goals, the most the Magpies had led by all afternoon.

The Rovers pressed, but appeared to tire as

the game continued in the heat, having played an extra game than their opponents, who had the first week of finals off, as a result of finishing first.

With Osborne having played her role, Magpies coach Erin Bell went back to Tonna to close the game, who delivered when her side needed it the most.

A huge rebound and goal was decisive down the stretch as the Magpies managed to holdon to the lead, and book a shot at redemption for last year’s grand final heartbreak.

Cannons in Team of the Year talk

By Jonty Ralphsmith

Casey Cannons are hopeful of having several players make the Vic League 1 (VL1)Team of theYear at the HockeyVictoria presentation on Friday night.

Female players Mikayla McDonald and Emma Harris have both put forward terrific seasons in attack, in the Cannons first season in VL1.

Casey scored 46 goals for the season, the second highest in the competition, and weren’t held goalless in a match.

Only Wandin stands between the Magpies and another A-Grade premiership, but the Bulldogs will be just as eager to salute at Officer on Saturday.

The head-to-head record this season is 2-1 in Wandin’s favour, including last week’s crucial semi-final win that granted them direct passage into the decider, while the Magpies were forced to sweat the victory out in the heat against the Rovers.

Saturday’s A-Grade grand final will begin at 12.10pm at Officer Recreation Reserve.

Slow opening proves costly for Stingrays

By Jonty Ralphsmith

A hot-starting Oakleigh proved too much for Dandenong Stingrays to handle in its Coates Talent League preliminary final.

Despite stabilising in the third quarter, Oakleigh got the first major of the last which sealed the result, the Rays season ending with an 8.5 53 to 5.3 33 loss.

The Chargers, responsible for the Stingrays’ last loss back in April, had the wind in the first quarter which helped them dictate terms with their ball movement.

But despite having seven scoring shots and barely allowing the ball behind halfway, they only put two goals on the board, which was an excellent result for the hosts at Shepley Oval.

Jemma Ramsdale started on the right foot with some big marks, taps to advantage and spoils, and she would go on to play a skipper’s game in her last outing for the club.

Ramsdale was well aided by Eleanor Butler, with the collective will of the back six effectively keeping Dandenong in the game.

“The body of work she has put in over the last six weeks is undeniable after she played really well in the WA game (for Vic Country),” coach Josh Moore said.

Given the big wind advantage in the second quarter, the Stingrays, having typically been front runners on the scoreboard in 2023, were unable to turn it around.

Oakleigh showed how to play against the wind, linking up, using their leg-speed and moving the ball with confidence.

Three Chargers goals in the second quarter were dagger blows, but rucks Elli Symonds and Zoe Besanko kept their team in it with three collective second-quarter goals.

Symonds smashed the first hit-out of the day forward 10 metres, in a game where the Stingrays were always going to have the ruck

advantage, and the pair took full toll.

They won the hitouts 52-14, with Besanko opening the scoring for Dandenong and Symonds’ two coming before halftime, including a long range set shot conversion.

Their ruck work allowed Mikayla Williamson and Meg Robertson to gel in the midfield as they have done all year, but the Chargers had better spread post-contest which was a barrier to generating momentum.

“Their ruck work and impact on the game was good,” Moore said of Symonds and Besanko.

“We just probably didn’t maximise the clearance work as well as we could’ve.

“That’s where we could’ve hurt them.”

Moore spoke at halftime about delivering in the premiership quarter, with the margin still

at a manageable 16 points.

After conceding an early goal, his team was able to turn the tide for most of the third.

The Stingrays gave the defence a spell by having their share of the territory, but the wind wreaked havoc on scoring opportunities and robbed the Rays of efficiency.

The defence held up well when Oakleigh was able to slingshot; in between a big Georgia Templeton intercept mark, Jemaya Bressan’s run and Nikita Harris’ pressure were features.

A late Oakleigh goal against the grain was a dagger blow and meant the home team went into three-quarter time needing to kick four unanswered with the wind.

Early forward forays in the last quarter went unrewarded and when Oakleigh’s Jacinta Baxter banged one through against the wind nine minutes in, the game was over.

Jemma Reynolds, clean and lively all day, kicked a stylish late goal to trim the margin and lift her season tally to 10 goals.

Dandenong finished the season as clearly the best team in the Vic Country region, with 10 wins from 13 games in the home-and-away season, before comfortably beating GWV in the quarter-final last week.

Williamson, Robertson, forward Sophie Butterworth, injured defender Bianca Lyne and Ramsdale were all invited to the AFLW Draft combine, indicating strong draft interest.

The club also remains optimistic that running player Ruby Murdoch has AFLW attributes.

“It was a pretty emotional day on Saturday: it hits you when you invest so much into topaged girls’ footballing journeys who won’t be back,” Moore said.

“It comes to a sudden end. I feel like we had a special group this year, the way the group came together and bonded; they’ll be friends for life.”

Harris played as right striker and led theCannons’scoringwith12goals,while McDonald snared nine as left striker.

Harris is a seasoned player who has experience in Premier League with Mentone, imparting that on her teammates well this season, with her communication in-game and at training a key factor behind the 13 wins.

She was also the most potent looking player at set plays, with McDonald pushing out the penalty corners.

McDonald is a star on the rise from Gippsland whose appetite to learn, work rate and stick skills have seen her take great strides with her hockey in her second season at the club.

The club is also hopeful Jim Galanos will coach the team of the year.

He steered the women to a thirdplaced finish in 2023 and achieved the exceptionally rare feat of seeing a team promoted the previous season to a finals win.

“He has been sensational for us,” club president Steve Noney said.

“Our success has had a lot to do with our coaches.

“He’s put great structures in place and has brought the team together, building us up over a couple of years to play really competitive hockey.

“He’s well-respected around the competition.”

Galanos, who is coaching Victoria’s women’s masters in a tournament in Perth this week, also guided the Cannons to the VL2 premiership last year.

Meanwhile, men’s striker Matthew Light is firmly in the frame to make the men’s honorary side.

He was starved of opportunity with the Cannons struggling this season, with just one win from 18 games, but still scored a team-high six goals and led the team through adversity.

Charlotte Gilmore still has two years of development remaining. 361015 Picture: GARY SISSONS.

Jim Galanos could be coach of the year. 347266

Mikayla McDonald reaches for the ball. 357899 Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Kaitlyn Black does her best to stop Clare Vearing, but the Narre Warren shooter holds her cool. 361617

Picture: MARCUS UHE

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