Wednesday, 10 January, 2024
Pakenham
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Big return for Lang Lang Agricultural Show
DDCA mid-season Teams of the Year
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WHEN YOU GO OUT DON’T LET CANCER
Repeated exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin cancer, including melanoma sunsmart.com.au
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Flood turmoil As a severe downpour blanketed Eastern and Central Victoria which flooded roads, damaged roofs and saw creeks transformed into rushing torrents, Pakenham was the busiest unit in Metropolitan Melbourne for SES, who worked throughout the day and operated four water rescues. “It’s definitely one of the busiest days we have had in five years,“ Pakenham SES deputy controller Shayne Honey said. They attended 76 callouts between Berwick and Bunyip, as about 48.8 millimetres of rainfall was recorded in Pakenham on Monday 8 January. STORY PAGE 2
Hidden tales From Pakenham potter Robert Gordon discussing his love for clay to the history of the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick, a new podcast tour is showcasing some of the South East’s hidden tales. As part of a partnership with Storytowns Podcast Tours, Metro Trains and the Department of Transport and Planning, new Storytowns podcast episodes are telling the untold stories of the region, with episodes now available for Pakenham, Berwick, Narre Warren, Dandenong and Springvale. STORY PAGE 16
Passion for art The Gazette spoke to Emerald artist Kara Morrison for this week’s People in Profile. A longtime teacher at Officer’s Bridgewood Primary School, she has spent her time out of class to pursue her unique artistic expression that has recently seen her first solo gallery open. STORY PAGE 10
Emerald artist Kara Morrison. 382488
Picture: COREY EVERITT
MP’s $161k bill By Matthew Sims Federal La Trobe MP Jason Wood spent more than $160,000 on printing and communications during the July to September 2022 period, according to the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority’s (IPEA) latest
expenditure reports. Released last December, the certified expenses report highlighted Mr Wood’s office had spent a total of $161,276 on printing and communications alone, representing 63.77 per cent out of $252,886 total expenditure during July to September 2022.
According to the Department of Finance, MPs had an office expenses budget of $150,319.41 during the 2022–23 financial year, plus a distribution component which is calculated using the number of enrolled voters within the MPs electorate.
While Mr Wood did not clarify details behind the expenditure, he said all charges followed the appropriate guidelines. “I can confirm all expenses are in line with what is allowed under Commonwealth guidelines,“ he said. STORY PAGE 3
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