News - Cranbourne Star News - 29th February 2024

By Violet Li

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) service, a free program provided by the local councils, supports families with child health information and developmental checks from birth to the age of six. The program offers 10 appointments at key stages from two weeks old to three and a half years old.

Michelle Crowther, a local mother and women’s health physiotherapist, noticed many of her clients, pregnant and postnatal

women, raised concerns about their reduced MCH appointments.

“I know my friend’s daughter has just had a baby and couldn’t get the visits in Casey, so she’s going to Frankston Council to get the visits done,” she said.

“And then I had another patient who told me she could not get any visit about six weeks ago.”

Ms Crowther understood that Casey struggled to provide the full service during Covid, but what confounded her was that Casey didn’t seem to expand the programs after Covid.

Casey was one of the local councils hit hard by Covid due to nurse shortages, with a record 12 per cent decrease in participation in the

MCH service in 2022/23.

The council has worked gradually to restore the delivery of the service, with its 2022-23 Annual Report stating that ‘following a period of reduced service offering to the zero to eight week age group from October 2022, this has now increased to zero to 18 months age group at the end of June 2023’.

However, Ms Crowther believed it was not entirely the case.

“My clients and the feedback I received online all said their care was limited to four to 12 months and parents had not been contacted to resume visits,” she said.

After raising her confusion at the February council meeting, she was told that the service

had been fully restored, but the council did acknowledge a workforce shortage.

When inquired by Star News, City of Casey manager child, youth, and family Bronwyn Saffron said that the council recommenced its full MCH service from December 2023, which echoed what Ms Crowther had been told at the meeting.

Baffled by the response, Ms Crowther posted posts on the local Facebook page after the meeting and a lot of new mums replied with the same experience.

A mother with a 20-month-old kid did not get a call or a message for an 18-month checkup.

Continued page 2

Casey gains a councillor

By Violet Li

The Minister for Local Government endorsed a new electoral structure for Casey on Thursday 15 February that would see 12 wards with one councillor per ward.

The recommended names for the wards are Akoonah Ward, Casuarina Ward, Correa Ward, Cranbourne Gardens Ward, Dillwynia Ward, Grevillea Ward, Kalora Ward, Kowan Ward, Quarters Ward, River Gum Ward, Tooradin Ward, and Waratah Ward.

An electoral representation advisory panel, appointed by the Local Government Minister, proposed three structure models in its preliminary report in November 2023 for public consultation.

All models sit under a single-councillor structure in compliance with the Local Government Act 2020.

Model One adopts an 11-ward structure, using major roads as boundaries.

Model Two also uses an 11 single-councillor structure, but it employs suburb boundaries to delineate wards.

Model Three has 12 single-councillor wards and applies mainly road and rail infrastructure as the dividing borders.

The public consultation attracted 32 valid submissions and the majority of them favoured Model Two, mostly using a templated letter with identical wording.

The final report provided by the advisory panel noted that Model Two was preferred because it ‘kept localities and grouped communities of interest together and had an odd

number of councillors’.

Model Three was supported by seven submitters for its strong boundaries and capacity to manage population growth in Casey, ‘especially having two councillors in the south of the council’.

No support for Model One was submitted.

The advisory panel believed Model Three with ‘the best potential to promote fair and equitable representation for voters in Casey and consequently facilitate good governance’ after careful consideration.

It found 12 councillors to be an appropriate number for Casey given its size, population, and the number and distribution of voters across the area.

To address the tied votes concern of the Model Two supporters, the panel quoted the Local government electoral review stage 2 report: “[We] could not see any compelling reason for applying a preference for uneven numbers when determining councillor numbers, given that absence of councillors from time to time mean that the full complement of councillors is frequently not in attendance for council decisions and, in any case, the legislation allows for a stalemate to be resolved through the mayor’s casting votes.”

The panel stressed that the council that was dismissed by the State Government had an 11-councillor structure.

It also noted that Model Three was relatively close to the current electoral structure, which would add to its advantage because of the familiarity.

The adopted 12 single-councillor wards structure for Casey. Picture: ELECTORAL REPRESENTATION ADVISORY PANEL

Newborn concern: Parents raise alarm over health checks

From page 1

Another commented that she just tried to make an appointment for her almost 18-month-old and was told no service could be provided now.

Ms Crowther said the services were critical for detecting early development disorders.

“I got contacted by someone who works in childcare, saying they noticed at the childcare that the child wasn’t walking or crawling like they should be. And today, when they mentioned it to the parents, they just thought they were just a bit behind, but actually, the baby had hip dysplasia,” she said.

“And by not having that diagnosed early and not getting the right treatment early, that’s something that will affect that child for the rest of their life.

“I would like to know when the full MCH services that other Victorian children receive will be fully restored and if Casey Council will contact toddlers whose care was reduced to resume their visits.”

Ms Saffron, from the City of Casey, said the council recently employed seven new MCH nurses, and more appointments were becoming available.

“Although we are excited about the large number of new MCH nurses appointed, we will continue to work closely with the Victorian Department of Health, Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, and Safer Care Victoria to resolve workforce issues, which includes council supporting MCH student placements,” she said.

“Council is committed to supporting all families and parents in our community and

continues to provide free first-time parents’ groups, sleep and settling support, breastfeeding (lactation) support, and online workshops for the introduction of foods. Council’s Enhanced MCH Team also provides additional in-home support for parents who are referred to the council by an MCH nurse, GP, or other health professionals.

“Parents of older children who in the past have not been able to get an appointment, are encouraged to call the central booking number on 9705 5590.”

Michelle Crowther, a local mother and women’s health physiotherapist, spelled out the concerns for reduced MCH appointments in Casey. 390923 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Fines hurt disadvantaged

By Ethan Benedicto

South East residents in the most disadvantaged postcodes have been impacted the hardest by road toll fines, according to recent research.

According to Peninsula Community Legal Centre (PCLC), 40 per cent of all road toll fines that were issued across the state in the last 12 months were in Melbourne’s South East.

For the City of Dandenong, there were a total of 15,434 fines issued, with 10,445 of these leading to enforcement orders.

The City of Casey had roughly double the amount, with a total of 35,246 infringements, and 24,138 of those leading to enforcement orders.

Jackie Galloway, the PCLC chief executive, said the “areas in our catchment where the highest numbers of fines were issued last year also have some of the most disadvantaged postcodes in the state.”

Frankston saw a total of 16,714 fines issued in the same time frame, with 11,817 moving forward to enforcement orders.

In response, Eastlink is calling for drivers to plan ahead and act quickly if they receive an invoice.

Doug Spencer-Roy, Eastlink’s corporate affairs and marketing manager said that the company “wants to help, we don’t want people to be in difficulty.”

“We don’t want people to be receiving fines, we want people to ideally have an account with us with a positive balance if you’re using tollways,” Mr Spencer-Roy said.

He also added that there are alternatives to using the Eastlink, such as Stud Road and Springvale Road, but for those who are using the tollways, they have a thorough process of reminders and assistance options if people are having difficulty with payments.

“So we do a lot of reaching out before we do

IN BRIEF

Put the phone away

Undercover traffic police have helped nab more than 60 drivers on their phones in a twoday operation in the South East.

As part of Operation Spotto, 187 offences were detected in Springvale, Cranbourne and Dandenong over 15-16 February.

Sixty-eight drivers were using mobile phones, 19 not wearing seatbelts, 19 disobeying traffic lights/signs and 15 speeding.

There were also five unregistered vehicles, three disqualified drivers and three drug drivers caught.

Police also issued 18 vehicle defect notices.

During the op, officers with walkie-talkies posed as pedestrians as they spied on drivers touching their phones.

“People are stuck in the cars at traffic lights, and they can’t help but go for their phone,” State Highway Patrol Sergeant Harry Lazarou told Nine News during an operation on Springvale Road.

“We always get the ‘I’ve got to call the boss, I’m running late’, but a lot of the time they’re just their scrolling on social media.”

New road rules were introduced in 2023 that now include looking at, touching or having a mobile device resting on a driver’s body.

The penalty for using or touching phones while driving is $577 and four demerit points.

Not wearing a seatbelt will result in a $385 fine and the loss of three demerit points.

“To people that say it’s revenue raising, I say it’s all voluntary contributions.

“This is part of the fatal five, which is distraction, impairment, fatigue, speed and seatbelts, so there is just zero tolerance from police.”

Car thefts in the hundreds

Casey, Cardinia and Dandenong were among the most targeted areas for stolen vehicles according to Victoria Police data.

The data, from Operation Trinity which investigated vehicles and motorbikes stolen during an aggravated burglary in 2023, showed there was 321 vehicles stolen from Cardinia, Casey and Dandenong (making up 22.6 per cent in total for the operation) just

pass on that information, and the fines these days are a maximum of one fine per seven days.

“If they don’t purchase the trip pass we do send a toll invoice and if that’s not paid, we post an overdue notice.

“If that’s also not paid we send text messages or email reminders to the registered owner of the vehicle, before we pass any information about unpaid trips to Victoria Police or Fines Victoria,” Spencer-Roy said.

For Ms Galloway and the PCLC, there is a particular concern with the fine system being a common entry point into the criminal justice system.

behind Boroondara, Manningham, Monash, and Whitehorse at 438 (30.8 per cent).

Surrounding areas such as Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges saw 78 stolen vehicles (5.5 per cent) while Frankston and Mornington Peninsula had 113 (8 per cent).

While 13 (1 per cent) were stolen from Latrobe, Bass Coast and Baw Baw areas.

However, Cardinia, Casey and Dandenong had the highest number of recovered vehicles at 581 (43.5 per cent).

This was followed by Boroondara, Manningham, Monash, and Whitehorse 159 (11.9 per cent) and Frankston and Mornington Peninsula - 135 (10.1 per cent).

The top vehicles that criminals targeted included:

· BMW - 184 stolen/175 recovered/9 outstanding

· Mercedes Benz - 180 stolen/169 recovered/11 outstanding

· Volkswagen -146 stolen/137 recovered/9 outstanding

· Toyota - 141 stolen/133 recovered/8 outstanding

· Audi - 113 stolen/107 recovered/6 outstanding

· Mazda - 85 stolen/84 recovered /1 outstanding

· Hyundai - 57 stolen/54 recovered/3 outstanding

In total, 1420 cars and motorbikes were stolen during an aggravated burglary in 2023 across the Trinity areas of operation such as Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia and Knox, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges.

Almost 1337 were recovered (94.2 per cent) with 83 remaining outstanding (5.8 per cent).

“These are vulnerable people who are not trying to avoid their fines, but who simply don’t have the means to pay.

“This means our fines team is seeing an increase in the number of people who are already struggling to put food on the table and pay their rent and who simply don’t have sufficient funds to pay their fines, even though they want to do the right thing,” Ms Galloway said. She also added that the State Government needs to take more action in helping individuals pay off fines in other ways, “rather than crippling them with life-long debt and the threat of criminal sanctions”.

Leading up to July 2023, more than two-

thirds of the PCLC’s clients were experiencing financial disadvantage, with the average fine debt sitting at $13,000, with some even at $70,000.

In response to the 40 per cent figure mentioned earlier, Mr Spencer-Roy said that while the initial sum of the toll invoice is relatively small, it’s when it escalates to a fine that things get difficult.

“If you receive a toll invoice from Eastlink or another tollway, you have to act on it, not let it slip, not ignore it, not let the toll invoices pile up because that will result in potentially a lot of fines with a very large financial cost.

“We have a hardship policy that people can contact us about, for example, to arrange a payment plan or a payment deferral.

“And for people who are experiencing genuine hardship there are other opportunities as well including now, with us having the ability to have fines withdrawn from Fines Victoria,” Spencer-Roy said.

A current Fines Victoria scheme, called the Work and Development Permit Scheme has been in operation since 2017, which the PCLC has been supporting since 2019.

While it aims to help vulnerable people resolve their fines and allows them to work off fine debt through financial counselling, educational and vocational courses and other programs, Ms Galloway said that the scheme “is at risk of stalling”.

“In the 2021/2022 financial year in NSW, there were 29,508 WDPs issued to work off fines to the value of $44,200,000, while in the same period in Victoria, only 1504 WDPs were completed to work off $3,504,758 worth of debt.

“The fines enforcement system is ineffective and disproportionately burdensome for vulnerable members of the community who find it impossible to pay their fines,” Ms Galloway said.

JackieGalloway,thePeninsulaCommunityLegalCentreCEO.

Picture:SUPPLIED

Minister’s lasting legacy

By Violet Li

Hampton

Park

Uniting Church’s minister, Reverend Frederic Holland has retired after 53 years of commitment to social justice programs and dedication to the community sector.

It was a hard decision out of health considerations, but the 76-year-old has come to terms with his very own departure, moving on to rest, recover, and spend more time at home.

Before being a minister at Hampton Park Uniting Church for five years, the restless soul had a huge catalogue of different jobs, seeking a state of constant occupation.

The venture took root on the other side of the ocean in the UK with an Honours Degree in Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, and Sociology at the University of London. He later undertook ministerial training and ordination in the UK Methodist Church and was accepted into the Uniting Church in Australia in 1989.

“I was offered a job by the Synod, the headquarters of the Uniting Church in Victoria,” Rev Holland said, recalling his immigration.

“My background has been predominantly media. I’ve been working with radio and television throughout the whole of the UK, producing programs on social justice, and the Synod of Victoria was looking for somebody who was a minister but also had an understanding and experience in working with radio and television, which is what I had.”

Social justice programs have been his lifelong pursuit. Enabling people and breaking down barriers between people of all backgrounds and faiths have been his phrases as far as Hampton Uniting Church is concerned.

“I describe it as a church without walls, and that means that anybody, whether they got a church or not, it doesn’t matter.Whether they’re Christian or not, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

“In the course of a week, we have a huge number of people of different faiths and none. We have a big Islamic community who join us regularly throughout the week. That is all about providing people who are in need with a whole range of different services.

“In our case, that is food, lunches, and different pantry items. It is also about providing education classes for, mostly women, who don’t speak English.”

Historically, Rev Holland has been engaged with reaching out to people who are stuck in the cycle of homelessness all the time, both in the UK and Australia. He firmly believes that societal institutions need to offer not just accommodation, which is vital, but also how to get out of that cycle.

From 2010 until recently, Rev Holland was the chief executive officer of the Melbourne City Mission, a community support organisation established in 1854 with a focus on creating new possibilities for children, young people, and adults experiencing disadvantage.

He put great efforts into the education program of the organisation Melbourne Academy, which provided schooling for over 1000 homeless young people in the city. Several classrooms served as education facilities for those promising young lives, an escape from the vicious poverty circle.

The prolific career has also included leadership roles across the community sector including the Marriage Guidance Council UK, the Animal Welfare League, and Parkinson’s Australia.

One of the highlights has to be the minister leading the campaign in Melbourne for marriage equality.

When asked what he liked the most about being a minister, Rev Holland gave out an unexpected answer: freedom.

“In many cases, ministers don’t have freedom because they’re restricted by the orthodoxy at their organisations. I like the freedom that you have to be able to respond to different needs in different ways,” he explained.

“And I think I’ve always been able to do that, as a minister. I also like the opportunity that it gives you to enter the lives of people, who otherwise wouldn’t be open to you.

“As a minister, people are accepting and well welcoming. And there’s a general level of accepting of a minister in the community, and I’ve always enjoyed that freedom.”

Leaving his ‘office’ and ‘quitting’ the daily routines was no easy job for a person who had devoted his whole life. A retirement service on Sunday 25 February farewelled him.

“The service was very moving. There were lots of tears. There were lots of fantastic words from everybody who was there. And I’m sad too, of course. But they’re open to the fact and they’re moving on to the next stage,” Rev Holland said.

“My ministry is finished, but the ministry of the church hasn’t. I spoke about my career over 53 years, and I finished up the service. I started off by saying this is how it all began. I went through all the different roles that I’ve had, and then I finished up by saying this is where it all ends.

“And there was a stunned silence. Then I said, no, it’s not where it ends. It still goes on. There are new beginnings.”

Rev Holland will continue to campaign in different ways for different causes after his retirement. He will also spend more time with his families, his two beautiful dogs, and his farm. Minister

‘Hefty bank account boost’: Local syndicate wins $1m

A group syndicate set up by Hunt Club Lotto in Cranbourne East scored a sensational $1m in the lotto.

The 12-member syndicate, called Mad Monday 2, held the only division one winning entry nationally in Monday &Wednesday Lotto draw 4366 on Monday 19 February.

In addition to scoring division one, the syndicate’s System 9 entry also scored division three 18 times and division four 45 times, bolstering the winning group’s total prize to $1,007,579.35.

Each syndicate member collected a share worth $83,964.94.

However, some syndicate members may

have yet to realise their $83,000 windfall, prompting lottery officials to urge players to check their tickets as soon as possible.

The Lott spokesperson Anna Hobdell said she encouraged allVictorian players who purchased a syndicate entry in the latest Monday & Wednesday Lotto draw to check their tickets.

“We know some of these division one winning syndicate members have already begun celebrating their good fortune knowing they have a hefty boost coming into their bank accounts,” she said.

“However, some syndicate members hold unregistered entries and could be starting

their Tuesday morning completely oblivious to their win.

“If you purchased a share into a syndicate for the recent Monday & Wednesday Lotto draw, check your ticket as soon as possible. If you do discover you’re holding a winning share in the Monday &Wednesday Lotto draw, callThe Lott on 131 868 to start the prize claim process.”

The winning numbers were 11, 34, 3, 22, 20, 6, while the supplementary numbers were 17 and 42.

The Lott’s division one winning tally has now reached 268 so far in FY24, including 90 won by Tatts customers.

A group syndicate set up by Hunt Club Lotto in Cranbourne East scored a sensational $1m in the lotto.

of Hampton Park Uniting Church Rev Frederic Holland, speaking at his retirement. 390737

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

The Hampton Park Peace Choir performed at the retirement service. 390737

The choir sounded incredible. 390737

THE WHAT DAY IS IT BIT

Victoria’s bathing experiences are a short trip from home, but light years from the real world. Don’t be alarmed by that strange feeling – that’s just your stress melting away.

Unwind at revitalising places like Alba Thermal Springs & Spa.

VISITVICTORIA.COM

Expect flooding this year

By Violet Li

Hampton Park resident and Australian severe weather forecaster Dennis Luke warns Casey residents of a definite increase in rain and floods in the second half of the year as La Nina has a strong chance of returning.

An update from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said earlier in January there were increasing odds of La Nina in the seasons after a shift to ENSO-neutral around April to June. Using global weather models from NOAA and the International Research Institute to monitor severe meteorology, Mr Luke noted that most of south-eastern Australia, including New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, would have a really cold winter with more rain and floods resulting from a moderate to strong La Nina.

“We could be looking at temperatures anywhere from minus 5 to plus 5 anywhere in Victoria,” he said.

“I haven’t seen a cold winter like this for a long time because, over the last 20 years, winter’s been reasonably cool to mild.

“We’re going to get just as much, if not more, rain than what we had in 2022, to me, that’s a given.”

Mr Luke pointed out that many areas in Casey were susceptible to severe rain and flood.

“If you have undulating areas, for example, a road that goes down and then backs up again like NarreWarren-Cranbourne Road under the railway line, as soon as we have 20 millimetres of rain, it floods in the left and middle lanes because the drainage system is not built for heavy rain,” he said.

“They need to replace those drains and

OPINION

SOCIALLY SPEAKING

On Facebook, we said: We’re exploring the poor cell reception in Clyde North. How are you coping with patchy mobile coverage?

Nia McMartin

Talk to Cassandra Fernando MP she’s done a survey and is advocating for better service!

Karen Wilsy

Telstra became worse in Cranny West since they switched off 3G. Now lucky to get one bar.

Kazz M Jarman

Too late. My son moved from there lol. It was always bad for five years.

Gabriele Frenkel

Not just Clyde, internet coverage in Coastal Villages (Blind Bight, Cannons Creek, Tooradin andWarneet) are shocking too.

Kelly Brown

It’s always been bad. Complete dead area. Clyde and Cardinia have no signal with Telstra and limited with Optus. It’s always been like it.

Louise Bonney

Terrible mobile coverage in Clyde and Cardinia, it’s so frustrating.

Mel Hunter

It’s shocking. I have had better service in Thailand than in Clyde Nth. Black spots, calls drop out, it’s a disgrace.

Rhonda Hobbs Clare

While you’re at it you could also check out Narre Warren North. It’s not a good area, lucky to have any reception some days.

Alan Johnston

I am in Narre South in Heritage Drive on top of hill and reception is poor.

Roz Coles

It’s rubbish. My kids cannot contact me on their phones when leaving school and I can’t reach them - there is a huge dead area around the schools and Selandra Shopping Centre. What’s the point of paying for mobiles when our kids cannot reach us if there is an emergency.

make the pipes bigger because you’ve not only got the rain coming down the hill [but] from both ends. That would be one of the worst places flooded in Casey.”

As storms could be selective, it was quite indiscriminate as to places that were going to be flooded in Casey, Mr Luke believed.

“It just depends on where the rain falls and

how much the rain falls.

“This is one of the reasons why I’m doing the weather because I want people to be better informed.”

City of Casey manager active communities Angie Peresso said it was great to hear the resident was thinking well ahead of potential future emergencies.

“We strongly encourage them to think about their own plans and preparedness for any emergency, including flood. Lots of supporting information is available on our website,” she said, directing people to casey.vic. gov.au/emergency

To know more about Mr Luke’s severe weather forecast, visit shorturl.at/yBHX5

Hampton Park resident and Australian severe weather forecaster Dennis Luke. 208538

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Calls for phone service

By Ethan Benedicto

While the roads in and out of Clyde North have seen some change, the suburb is still in the shackles of poor cell reception.

Clyde North had a population of 31,681 residents in 2021, with Clyde having a population of 11,177, according to that year’s Census by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Despite the growth, Elizabeth Sabelino, who has been living in Clyde North since 2017, is still experiencing reception issues.

“To this day the reception hasn’t gotten any better, from my house I still only have one bar on a good day,” she said.

In 2016, Clyde North had a population of 8000 residents, while Clyde had 2000 - both suburbs seeing an exponential growth of 288.26 per cent and 427.76 per cent respectively, by 2021.

Ms Sabelino, who was previously a communications intern for the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, had instances where she worked from home, an experience she said was made challenging by the lack of proficient cell reception.

“I’ve had to work around by doingWIFI calling but even that doesn’t help that much.

“What I’ve had to do every time there’s a call, I have to go to the front of the house to get better reception,” Ms Sabelino said.

Furthermore, idCommunity has forecasted both suburbs to have a combined population of roughly 65,500 in 2024.

Maree Cullinan, the manager of the Balla Balla Community Centre in Selandra Rise, echoed Ms Sabelino’s sentiments, saying that the poor cell reception “isn’t really a selling point for Clyde North”.

“Many people are still working from home, and we have trouble even here, we have to go out of the building just to make calls.

“The one thing we should have access to is good cell reception, especially in this day and age,” Ms Cullinan said.

Mark Gregory, an associate professor in RMIT’s school of engineering said that “the issues are the distribution of the axis points”.

“Also things like buildings, the terrain and of course, the location of freeways and vehicles, supermarkets and so on,” he said.

The axis point the professor mentioned refers to how factors of a network are being spread out, such as geographical distribution which are physical routers, switches, and servers across an area, and planning their placement for effective and optimal coverage.

Another axis is traffic, or data and their movements, which involves ensuring that data flows through different networks efficiently without causing jams or delays.

While topographically Clyde and Clyde North are relatively flat, Professor Gregory said that the weather is one of many things that“really degrade the signal”.

“In regards to that you’ve got heat, dust, and

moisture in the air.

“You mix that in with tall objects like trees, buildings, and hills, you’re going to have a combination of things that are going to affect the signal,” he said.

The professor also added that cellular reception is an important part of a suburb’s infrastructure, especially if it’s continuously seeing population growth.

“It’s very important to suburbs that are growing because you get these situations where new housing is built and the coverage won’t or may not exist there.

“It does mean you’ve got to look at telecommunications as something you’d be doing before you start to build some of these suburbs at their proposed location,” Professor Gregory said.

On 20 February, Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams addressed State Parliament on the aftermath of the storm that caused outages on the telecommunications network across the state.

She emphasised the importance of telco networks and customers’ inability to access emergency services, stating that “these recent events remind us of how essential telco services are”.

“That is why we have made it clear to the Commonwealth that better regulation of telcos as critical infrastructure must be a priority,” Ms Williams said.

However, she also acknowledged that issues with telco providers are not an uncommon occurrence.

“The reality is, though, that even outside of emergencies many of these communities experience poor coverage.

“That is why we have invested $540 million in the Connecting Victoria program to fast-track improved mobile and broadband connectivity across many communities,” Ms Williams said.

While this project is still underway, Professor Gregory said that there’s a limit as to how much telcos will invest in infrastructure, and at that stage then “becomes a problem for the consumer.”

“There are things that consumers can do to assist themselves with the signal.

“It’s one of the combinational things where telcos will do a certain amount and then it’s really down to the consumer to find a solution that works for them,” the professor said.

One of these solutions he mentioned includes purchasing devices such as antennas that can extend or amplify the signal into one’s

home, much like WIFI extenders but for cell service.

For Ms Sabelino however, the whole issue became something she got used to and decided to live with.

“It’s a necessity if an emergency were to happen or from work-from-home purposes, it’s hard to contact people in tough situations sometimes.

“I feel like there’s no point with contacting [telcos] because either they’re going to give you the same response, or they’re going to give you a PR-trained response, but there’s going to be no action.

“It’s a testament to how long we’ve been here and nothing has happened,” she said.

A previous article published on Cranbourne Star News in May of 2023 delved into the same issue, with residents saying that the reception was a joke.

The ConnectingVictoria project aims to deliver 1,400 projects by 2026, with Clyde North planned to have four mobile towers erected, and Clyde planned to have two mobile towers and one broadband solution.

However, specific locations are currently unavailable with many of the projects still in the planning phase.

Council finances ticking along but capital works behind

By Violet Li

Casey Council has recorded a surplus of $272m with $45.5m favourable to budget in the first half of the 2023/24 fiscal year, according to its Quarterly Community Report.

The report stated operating expenses of $214m, three per cent over the half-year budget, while the revenue delivered $486m, 12 per cent higher than the expected amount - predominantly due to developer contributions received, and a timing difference with disposal of assets, the report said.

One new contract over $5m was awarded during the quarter to Logicalis Australia for IT Infrastructure Program services.

Casey’s remaining contracts greater than $5m were awarded for open space maintenance, asphalt resurfacing of various roads, and animal pound services.

The 2023/24 Capital Works program featured an investment of $149.2m to deliver approximately 358 projects.

The report noted that the program was running behind schedule due to “economic,

The actual expenditure was $61m, 9.4 per cent lower than the quarter budget, accounting for 41.4 per cent of the annual budget.

Council delivered $11m in roadworks at 28.2 per cent lower than the estimated cost, $3m in drainage at 46 per cent lower than the budget, $24m in recreational, leisure, and community facilities at 24 per cent lower than the budget, and $2m in parks, open space, and streetscapes at 31.8 per cent lower than the budget.

The report highlighted several completed and progressing projects, including Clyde Recreation Reserve, Max Pawsey Oval Reconstruction in Narre Warren, Robert Booth Reserve pavilion redevelopment and tennis court and lighting renewal in Hampton Park, Casey Fields Cricket Ovals 4 & 5 Pavilion upgrade in Cranbourne East, and road construction at Ballarto Road-South Gippsland Highway intersection.

had over 30,000 people visit and engage on the Casey Conversations page and received 1892 submissions about the 20 major projects.

“That measure alone indicates that we are as effectively as we possibly can communicating with the community to seek their feedback on areas of vital community interest, not just as it relates to the capital works, forward plan, and the projects that are contained within that, but also general information to the community as a whole related to council decisions,” he said.

“We are having an ongoing discussion internally as to how we can improve that engagement with the community, not just through Casey Conversations, but other digital and other channels.

construction industry, and other adverse conditions”, despite numerous projects completed during the quarter.

Casey administrator Cameron Boardman said at a council meeting on 20 February that it was worthwhile noting that in the October-December quarter, the council

“And that is something that we’re very much looking forward to informing the community in due course of how we are tracking progress on that matter and how, once again, more effectively we can communicate with the community accordingly.”

Casey administrator Cameron Boardman said in the October-December quarter, the council had over 30,000 people visit and engage on the Casey Conversations page and received 1892 submissions about the 20 major projects.

Delaray Clubhouse is situated in the heart of Clyde North, and is one of the many spots in the suburb that lack cell service.

Picture: ETHAN BENEDICTO

Elizabeth Sabelino has been tackling the issue for some time, having been a resident since 2017. Picture: SUPPLIED Maree Cullinan from the Balla Balla Community Centre said that cell reception shouldn’t be a concern. 230903 Picture: GARY SISSONS

We’re building big near you and there will be transport disruptions

As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re easing congestion by building better roads and removing level crossings in Melbourne’s south east. We’re also building the Metro Tunnel. While we work, transport disruptions may affect your travel.

What we’ve done

Opened the new

Opened the newly upgraded intersection of Taylors

with new lanes on

Upgraded

Upgraded 8 new intersections as part of the Narre WarrenCranbourne Road Upgrade, including Lyall Street and Rochester Parade in the last month

Train disruptions: Buses replace trains in both directions

Cranbourne & Pakenham lines 9 to

Josh’s road to recovery

By Emma Xerri

At only 17 years old, Berwick resident Josh Close is taking on more than most.

After being hit by a 4WD while riding his escooter to work, a traumatic brain injury saw Josh in an induced coma for three weeks, with the family unsure if their son and brother was going to be okay.

“The first three weeks when Josh was in the ICU was the scariest time of my life,” Josh’s father, Shaun Close said.

“When we got the call in the morning, I immediately knew something bad had happened to him.

“You can prepare for someone passing, but trauma is a completely different experience.

“My wife and I couldn’t eat or sleep, but the social workers at the Alfred Hospital really made sure we did so we could be strong for Josh when he came out of the coma.”

Now at the Alfred Health Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre, Josh is passing his memory and speech tests with flying colours.

And having received the go ahead to start more stimulation and more physio in the main gym, Josh is well on his way to learning to walk again, determined to get back to what he loves doing: running.

“His determination and his mentality is just amazing. Ever since he’s woken up he’s been ready to go,” Mr Close added.

“He’s doing some speech therapy at the moment and he did some physio this morning with a bit of walking using the rails.

“Last week he wasn’t able to open his left hand, and this week he’s been able to open up and lift his hand over his shoulder. So, since last week he has been improving every day.

“The plan is to get him home, the timing just depends on the goals they set with him.

“He’s always saying to them ‘I’m gonna

run’, but he needs to walk first.”

As an enthusiastic member of the Berwick Waters parkrun group, with over 43 parkruns on his belt, Josh was excited to take the next step in his running journey, eager to take part in Melbourne’s Run for the Kids, before braving the Melbourne Marathon.

While Josh’s plans have temporarily been put on hold, the support from those close to him have allowed those dreams to live on, with his friends doing Run for the Kids in his honour.

Josh’s running mentor and former teacher Tom Price is also doing what they both love to raise money for Josh and his family by running 100km.

But the support from those outside Josh’s close circle has been the most surprising for the family, who have received more than $18,000 in donations on GoFundMe to go towards their goal of $100,000.

“Josh has always been a very outgoing kid. He would hang out with friends, go to church, attend youth group and go for runs.

“But since the accident, I’ve really learnt just how much love and respect people from his community have for him.

“A lot of people that work with him, and even people in the wider community, have reached out and put money towards it.

“The support we have received from the local community has been sensational.

“We haven’t got a car, so this money is something that will help us get him to his appointments in the future.

“We are just so overwhelmed by the support. It has blown me and my wife away.

“Josh knows it’s going to be a long road to get there again, but he will do it.”

To donate to Josh’s GoFundMe, visit gofundme.com/f/josh-closes-recovery-fund, or search Josh’s Recovery Fund.

South East manufacturers fight back against tax rise

By Emma Xerri

The South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA) is campaigning against significant land tax increases being felt by their members state-wide.

Calling the increase an “unjustified tax grab”, SEMMA believes manufactures should be exempt from this tax increase, and are urging for transparency from the State Government regarding the substantial increases in land values and consequent land tax burdens on local manufacturers.

SEMMA CEO Honi Walker believed the burden had been placed on the state’s manufacturers to “absorb Victoria’s debt burden”.

“Manufacturers are being penalised for running profitable businesses – businesses that are the engine room of our state’s economy,” she said.

“We kept the state’s economy ticking over during Covid as manufacturing was designated an essential service.

“We continued to pay ever-increasing taxes – (land, payroll, FBT, PAYG, Capital Gains Tax, GST and Company Income Tax) plus an increase in WorkCover premiums, in some cases over 70 per cent – you name it, we paid it.

“And we did not receive any government hand-outs to keep our doors open.

“Now we are being asked to cover a debt that we did not contribute to.”

In a survey to SEMMA members, 100 per cent of respondents said they were facing extreme increases in land tax from last year.

Managing director of Berwick’s own Australian Precision Technologies Pty Ltd, Richard Weinzierl, said their land tax had more than tripled since last year.

“In the current climate it is hard enough to run a medium-sized business and keep the running costs down when you are served with an unexpected increase, particularly when we have budgeted according to the previous year,” he said.

“Our business is making an enormous effort to create local employment in the area,

and we also run apprenticeships.

“If these increases persist, it will have a very big impact on business going forward. We would even have to seriously consider not continuing with apprenticeships or the like.”

Hallam manufacturer Ace Wire Works’ land valuation also doubled from $4.2 million to $8.5 million in 12 months, resulting in a land tax bill climbing from $58,575 to $177,400.

Project manager Simon Blashki said their land tax bill had soared 1000 per cent in five years, stressing that increased land value “doesn’t make our business more profitable”.

A fairer revenue-raiser would be tied to a company’s profit, Mr Blashki said.

“It’s a huge amount of money to pay. Trying to compete overseas and interstate –that’s where this gets more challenging.”

With these increases being felt across SEMMA’s entire membership base, Ms Walker highlighted that “the effects will be felt at

the consumer level when we are forced to increase our prices to cover these tax hikes”.

Long-serving SEMMA member and president, and Dandenong manufacturer, Peter Anglico also spoke to the severity of the issue, saying this campaign is “probably the strongest action we’ve taken”.

South-Eastern Metropolitan MP David Limbrick of the Libertarian Party regarded the issue as a “dreadful assault on the most valuable people we have, the people who use their ingenuity to create wealth”.

He told Parliament that “thousands” of manufacturing jobs were under threat due to “yet another over-the-top government response to the pandemic”.

Opposition treasury spokesperson Brad Rowswell also said the “excessive” land tax rises were “crushing Victorian families and businesses”.

“The government has run out of money and we’re all paying the price.

“Victorians deserve immediate tax relief

which would take some of the pressure off families and provide businesses with the breathing room to scale up operations and help grow our economy.”

A State Government spokesperson said it was engaging with SEMMA to discuss its concerns and how to support manufacturing in South East Melbourne.

“We’re continuing to invest in Victoria’s manufacturing industry to help local businesses innovate and expand as they are key to growing our economy and supporting local jobs.”

The spokesperson said the changes to land tax rates and thresholds were “temporary”.

“Land tax assessments also move with land values.

“Victoria’s land tax scale remains progressive and ensures that smaller property investors pay proportionally less than those with larger landholdings.”

RichardWeinzierl(front)withapprenticesHarrisonDon,TomStevensandJoshuaParkinson 391403

RichardWeinzierl. 391403

JoshwithformerteacherandrunningmentorTomPrice.

FOCUS ON … EDUCATION CHOICES

Helping kids just adds up

Helping primary school children learn math at home can be a rewarding experience that lays a strong foundation for their future academic success. Parents play a crucial role in fostering a positive attitude towards math and providing the necessary support. Here are some effective strategies for parents to help their primary school children learn math at home:

1. Create a positive attitude: Parents should maintain a positive attitude towards math themselves and avoid expressing any negativity. Emphasize that math is a valuable skill that can be interesting and fun. Avoid saying things like “I was never good at math“ to prevent your child from developing a similar mindset.

2. Incorporate math into daily kife: Integrate math into everyday activities. While cooking, involve your child in measuring ingredients, estimating quantities, and understanding fractions. When shopping, ask them to compare prices, calculate discounts, or estimate the total cost.

3. Play math games:

Engage in math games and puzzles that make learning enjoyable. Board games, card games, and online math apps offer interactive ways to reinforce math concepts, improve problem-

solving skills, and enhance logical thinking.

4. Establish a dedicated study space: Create a comfortable and organised study space where your child can focus on math activities. Minimise distractions and provide the necessary math tools, such as pencils, paper, rulers, and calculators.

5. Set realistic goals: Set achievable goals based on your child’s current math level. Celebrate their successes, no matter how small, to boost their confidence and motivation.

6. Use real-life examples: Show how math is relevant in the real world.

When planning a family outing, discuss distances, travel times, and routes. Calculate the tip at a restaurant or determine the change after making a purchase.

7. Be patient and supportive: Each child learns at their own pace. Be patient and provide the necessary support. Offer guidance without imposing pressure, and be ready to explain concepts multiple times if needed.

8. Encourage problem-solving: Expose your child to various math problems that encourage critical thinking and problemsolving. Encourage them to approach challenges from different angles and develop their own strategies.

9. Provide practical applications: Connect math concepts to practical applications. For instance, when learning about fractions, use pizza slices to illustrate different fractions and their relationships.

10. Communicate with teachers: Stay in touch with your child’s math teacher to understand the curriculum and identify areas where your child might need additional support. This partnership ensures a coordinated effort between school and home.

11. Use online resources: Utilise reputable online resources that offer in-

teractive math lessons, tutorials, and practice exercises. These resources can reinforce classroom learning and provide additional practice.

12. Read math-related books:

Explore math-related storybooks that make math concepts more relatable and engaging. These books can stimulate your child’s interest in math and provide different perspectives on the subject.

13. Emphasise mistakes as learning opportunities:

Encourage your child to view mistakes as a natural part of learning. Discuss errors openly, identify the areas that need improvement, and work together to overcome challenges.

14. Make math a family activity:

Involve the entire family in math-related activities. Play math trivia games during family gatherings, solve puzzles together, or have a math-themed movie night.

By adopting these strategies, parents can create a supportive and engaging learning environment at home, fostering their primary school children’s interest and confidence in math. Remember that your positive involvement can have a lasting impact on their academic success and overall attitude towards learning.

Treat them clean, keep them green: Sustainability tips

Sustainability is a focus of many schools these days, with students often encouraged to engage in practices such as packing ‘nude’ lunches, recycling and switching off lights when not in use.

How can parents help encourage their kids to be sustainable students?

Here are eight tips from Sustainability

Victoria:

1. Lunches - get the kids to make their own lunch and use containers suited to nude food, eliminating the need for disposable wrapping. If you do need to wrap, reusable beeswax wraps can be used. Find out about them online or do a course on making them at your local neighborhood house or community arts centre.

2. Make your own snacks - despite what they say, many kids have plenty of time on their hands. Teach them to make their own muesli bars and other snacks. Be patient, it’s a great life skill. They will learn to be more independent and have fun doing it!

3. Get more value - use the ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ website to get great recipes to use last night’s leftovers in exciting ways for school (and work) lunches.

4. Use what you’ve got - save money by digging out pens, pencils and other consumables from drawers, cupboards and bags, rather than buying new ones. Many stationery makers also have a range of note-

books made from recycled paper.

5. Textbooks and uniforms - most schools have secondhand book and uniform shops, but your local op shop is also worth trying. Many high school English and literature books are available for free on Kindle. For other subjects, ask teachers what the difference is with this year’s version of a textbook compared with last year’s, as the older edition may still be suitable.

6. Walking or riding to school is a great way to stay fit. It saves fuel and reduces vehicle pollution and traffic jams at the school gate. Otherwise, park a short distance from

Growing Great People Through Our Diamond Model

the school and walk with the kids and use it as an opportunity to teach road rules. Catching the bus may also be an option.

7. Buying a desk, bookcase or filing cabinet? Second-hand office furniture shops often have very modern goods at a much better price than new and they will last. It is also worth checking out Facebook Marketplace for some great quality bargains.

8. Ask your school to join the ResourceSmart Schools program offered by Sustainability Victoria. Supporting schools within the state to embed sustainability measures across the school facilities, community

Make

Walking

Our Diamond Education Model allows us to honour everything educational research advises us about providing a great education.

Find out more about our Diamond Education Model and why we believe it’s the best way to grow great people via our website or use the QR Code.

and curriculum, once a school joins the program, it will have access to an online portal to learn and practice ways of integrating sustainability while also saving resources and money for the school.

Always keep learning

Here at Lyndale Secondary, we are committed to guiding and nurturing young minds, empowering them to reach their fullest potential. A past student from Lyndale Secondary, Vastal Vyas, recently paid a visit to the school to speak about his success, and encourage current students to always believe in themselves.

Vatsal began at Lyndale SC as a Year 7 student in 2016 and graduated after completion of his VCE in 2021, and was a School Captain in his final year at Lyndale. After Lyndale, he took up a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of Melbourne, and currently is in his final year completing a major in Economics and Finance. During his degree, he has shown a keen interest in International Relation, Public Policy, Developmental Economics and Trade –leading him to be chosen for a United Nations Study Tour to Geneva, Switzerland in 2023. He is currently serving as a Project & Policy Officer in the Federal government’s infrastructure department in Canberra.

A message from Vatsal:

“The world is at your feet – ready for your exploration and achievements. Be bold, brave, and always keep learning. Learning about things that interest you. Cultivate your curiosities, ask lots of questions, and build networks – people love sharing their stories.

Best of luck and believe in yourself.”

The Investiture assembly, marking the commencement of another exciting school year, saw the presentation of the new 2024 college captains Larissa Cheysoth, Charavi Gowda, Nathaniel Hetharia,and Milica Popovic (pictured with Vatsal and 2023 Dux, Ciya). We wish them the best for 2024 and know they will serve the Lyndale community as honourable young leaders.

As a school, we are committed to provid-

ing you with the best possible education and equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in life. We believe that ev-

ery student has the potential to achieve great things, and we are here to support you, every step of the way.

We encourage you to come along to our open night on Wednesday the 13th of March and see what our school is all about.

Ciya Joseph (Dux 2023), 2023 College Captains Larissa Cheysoth, Charavi Gowda, Milica Popovic, Nathaniel Hetharia, 2021 Graduate Vatsal Vyas.

Discover excellence today

Nestled in the heart of our community, St. Agatha’s Catholic Primary School stands as a beacon of excellence in education. With a commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals, we offer a diverse range of specialist programs designed to inspire and challenge young minds.

As a Catholic school, we are dedicated to teaching the traditions, rituals, values, and stories of the Catholic faith. Our teachers are guided by the Diocese of Sale’s Religious Educationcurriculum,‘ToLiveinChristJesus’.Our students are encouraged to live out these values in their daily lives, fostering a strong sense of community and compassion.

At St. Agatha’s, we believe that strong literacy and numeracy skills form the foundation of academic success. Our dedicated teachers work tirelessly to develop these essential skills in our students, ensuring they are well-equipped for the challenges of the future.

Our school is proud to offer a comprehensive range of specialist programs, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Visual Arts, Physical Education (PE), Performing Arts, and Japanese language studies. These programs are carefully crafted to engage students in dynamic learning experiences, equipping them with valuable skills for the future.

We are committed to nurturing lifelong learners who are curious, resilient, and adaptable. Through our engaging curriculum and supportive learning environment, students are encouraged to explore their passions and reach their full potential.

We understand the importance of a strong partnership between school and home. At St. Agatha’s, we work closely with families to en-

St. Agatha’s Catholic Primary School will inspire, challenge, and empower their students to become the leaders of tomorrow.

sure the best possible outcomes for our students. Together, we create a supportive community where every child can thrive.

Join us at St. Agatha’s Catholic Primary School and experience a world of excellence in education. Together, we will inspire, chal-

lenge, and empower our students to become the leaders of tomorrow. Schedule a tour today and discover the difference at St. Agatha’s.

Bumper crowd for show

By Emma Xerri

The Berwick Show celebrated its 175th run over the weekend, with two jam-packed days of family fun and the finest of local agriculture.

Taking over Akoonah Park, the show saw over 20,000 people in attendance, covering the grounds to immerse themselves in the entertainment on offer and enjoy Melbourne’s uncharacteristically nice weather.

“It was fantastic. We could not have asked for better weather, grounds and people. It all came together and we are so fortunate,” show secretary Margaret Boon said.

The weekend had a plethora of things lined up, from stage shows for the more musically inclined (or musically inclined at heart) attendees, to adrenaline-inducing stunt bike shows, and trade stalls.

This year’s show also saw the return of the crowd favourite woodchop competitions, with an impressive 30 choppers grateful to once again be showing off their axe-wielding skills to a packed crowd.

“Having the woodchop back was terrific,” woodchop organiser Andy Fyfe said.

“Everyone was really welcoming and the choppers were all very happy to be there, because they’ve been starved of woodchops for the last year.

“And it’s great for an agricultural show to have a woodchop as part of the scene. It brings that country flavour.

“There were lots of new young choppers coming through the ranks, too. We had an 18-year-old winning one of the big chops yesterday, so that’s good to see.”

Outside of the woodchop, attendees feasted not only on food, but on all the other attractions.

Show regulars like the animal nursery, carnival rides and showbags continued to be roaring hits.

The aptly named Kidding Around Area also provided some release for the kids (and their guardians), away from the high-pitched squeals of the rides, with free children’s books, face painting, biscuit decorating and pony rides.

And for those on the lookout for a palate cleanser after working their way through the food court, attendees were treated to a devonshire tea running all weekend.

2024 firsts the Produce Paddock and farriers competition also added a delightful newness to the festivities.

“One of the biggest highlights was the farrier competition, which was a state championship,” Mr Fyfe added.

“There’s a big cohort of them locally, with the Pakenham and Cranbourne race tracks nearby, so there were around 100 farriers at the show, with some even joining from New Zealand.

“That was a big crowd pleaser!”

“But every small section played its part.

“There were sheep on Saturday, and dogs in the same shed on Sunday. We had arts and crafts, which saw well over 400 entries. The photography was full too.

“And of course, the arena attractions were a big hit.

“The audience loved the stunt motorbikes, and one of the really popular events was the dog high jump, which always has crowds gathering around to watch. That was won by a kelpie yesterday who jumped 2.4 metres, which definitely isn’t a bad spring into the air.

“It’s the little things like that that make a show.”

Farriers compete at the Berwick Show. 383931

Showjumping on Sunday. 390798

Paul Hamilton from the Trinity Pygmy Goat stand with Asha from Baxter with one of the cute pygmy goats in her lap. 390798

Fourteen-year-old Allegra with a goat called Smokey from Animals Fur All in Tooradin. 383931

Mitchell Coffey at the woodchop. 390798

Mason and Katie in the Children’s Farm with a rabbit. 390798

The return of the woodchop was welcomed by all. 390798

Woodchop action. 390798

Rod Craig from Rod Craig Farrier Services works fast in the farriers event. 383931

Kaylee Stephens on Polly Darto in the showjumping. 383931

The Curls from Rivercrest Christian College performed live on stage. From left, Tanjil (11), Sierra (8) and Jasper (13). 383931

Dale Hansford honing his axe before the woodchop competition. 383931

Judge Angus Fraser (middle) with Ian Anderson (left) with King’s View Rosella and Kevin Collins (right) exhibiting for Winsome Anderson - in the Cow 4-5 Years in Milk category. 383931

Austin Ferris is a veteran at a young age - here in the Junior Handlers event with a Jersey Heifer. 383931

Flyball for the dogs. 390798

Plenty of action in the flyball area. 390798

Talia in the Junior Handlers event with a Jersey Heifer. 383931

Mason, 12, with a rabbit from Animals Fur All in Tooradin. 383931

Reach out and dive right in

By Ethan Benedicto

From swimming to mental health, Laps for Life aims to not only raise awareness but also raise funds for those who urgently need support.

Put together by Reach Out, the organisation aims to make the month of March a period for advocating and preventing youth suicide through the act of swimming.

Georgia, a 19-year-old swimming instructor whose passion for swimming was recently reignited is more than keen on taking part in the month-long event.

“I think for me it’s all about raising awareness, about preventative measures, and particularly about the interaction between physical health and mental health,” Georgia said.

Intending to swim 10 kilometres in March, Georgia is encouraging others to also take the plunge for a noble cause.

For her, swimming was a much more engaging activity that someone could undertake, allowing multiple muscles to be worked, but also allowing time for someone to reflect on themselves.

“Physically, it’s good exercise, I feel like I’ve become stronger and have more energy the more I’ve been swimming.

“Once you go underwater it gets quieter and you can sort of just forget about everything, which has been very helpful,” Georgia said.

Linda Williams, senior psychologist and clinical lead at Reach Out said engaging endeavours such as Laps for Life are important

Picture:SUPPLIED

when it comes to advocating and understanding mental health.

“One of the things we know is that mental health difficulties are really, really common in young people.

“One of the challenges is a lot of young people aren’t seeking professional support, not going to see a GP face-to-face.

“So it’s important to have options for young people that are more appealing to them, more accessible, something that they’re more likely to access and that’s what Reach Out’s focus has been,” MsWilliams said.

For Ms Williams, Laps for Life hits multiple targets with one arrow.

“If you know somebody who is doing laps for life, that brings mental health to your attention.

“If you’re somebody who is participating in laps for life or supporting someone who is, you’re doing something to support mental health and active in that sense, but also in a physical sense.

“One of the more consistent findings and recommendations when it comes to good mental health is that regular physical activity can be supportive when it comes to maintaining good mental health,” she said.

While she added that it’s not a cure, and is never a hundred per cent, “exercising regularly is good for your mood”.

The funds for the challenge will be directly supporting Reach Out, which is an online-only support service that is anonymous and confidential.

MsWilliams said that when it comes to looking for or accessing help, there’s no need for it to be a big leap, “it’s not all or nothing”.

“You don’t have to make the decision to tell everyone in your life, or you don’t have to start with seeing somebody, you can start small and build from there.”

In Georgia’s journey with her mental health, swimming itself has played a vital role as a helping hand.

“I think it was definitely a good release, I had pent-up energy that I didn’t know what to do with and I was feeling really restless a lot of the time.

“Swimming has helped me focus on one

Help fill lunchboxes for those in need

By Emma Xerri

Narre Warren’s Transit Soup Kitchen is hoping to make the burden a little lighter for local families, with a ‘lunchbox filler’ food drive that will allow them to provide more for those in need.

Struggling with sourcing food, the soup kitchen is running their first ever drive throughout March, hoping to boost their supplies and raise awareness of the important work they are doing year round.

“We have so many families and we simply don’t have enough food coming in,” Transit volunteer Dot said.

“Supermarkets don’t have enough left over to give us, and Foodbank is passing food out elsewhere, so we’re not getting as much from Foodback as we would like. It’s been very difficult.

“We’re usually able to give people a choice of about eight or nine groceries, but now we’re down to four.

“We’re hoping that by putting out this food drive, we will be able to get some support from the community so we can help our underprivileged families, especially those with children who don’t have enough food to take to school.”

Fellow volunteer Michelle acknowledges that the cost of living crisis is hitting school students in a way that primarily goes unnoticed.

By focusing on foods that are suitable for school lunches, she hopes that Transit can do their part in providing groceries for lunch boxes that will make kids feel confident around their peers.

“I’m a teacher, and I think a lot of people don’t realise the impact of the rising cost of living on kids going to school,” she said.

“Groceries for kids’ lunchboxes are very specific. A can of baked beans, for instance, is not going to fill a lunchbox for a kid to go to school confidently.

“So there’s a niche within this need for food that is really lacking and kids are paying the price.

“Anything that will fill a lunch box and make up a meal - like muesli bars, biscuits, spreads like Vegemite or jam, snack packets - will allow kids to open up their lunchboxes in front of their friends around a table and not feel ashamed.”

Transit Soup Kitchen will be putting out posters for collections around local schools for the month of March. Alternatively, people looking to donate can drop off their non-perishable, in-date foods to Transit Soup Kitchen at 3 Webb Street on Monday afternoons, Tues-

day mornings, and all day Wednesday and Thursday.

“We would appreciate any donations,” Dot added.

“The community is generally very caring, but they don’t always realise the need. So if they could help us, we would be ever so grateful.”

thing, it’s a very achievable goal, just swimming one lap at a time,” Georgia said.

To those who are looking to take part in the event but are unsure, Georgia said to just“go for it”.

“Even if you can’t swim you can still pick a shallow pool and walk the lap - you can find different ways to participate,” she said.

Ms Williams also encouraged those who are seeking help to do so, and do it one step at a time by either taking advantage of readily availableresourcesthatorganisationslikeReachOut provide, or by simply reading about it online.

“On our online platforms, a lot of young people will post and talk to other young people.

“Sometimes people will just go to the forums as readers, and even just reading about what others are going through helps them begin to feel connected but in a safe way.

“This means that you don’t have to share more than you’re comfortable with, you don’t have to take that step if you don’t want to,” she said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, online help through chatting with peers and other young people in similar situations is available through Reach Out at about.au.reachout.com

Alternatively, if you or someone you know need urgent mental health care, please contact Lifeline at 13 11 14.

For ages 5 - 25, Kids Helpline can be reached at 1800 55 1800.

Centre shift

The City of Casey’s leisure centres will be under new management, with Aligned Leisure set to take the reigns from 1 July.

Aligned Leisure - a subsidiary of AFL club RichmondTigers - will be managing Casey ARC, Casey RACE, Doveton Pool in the Park, Casey Stadium, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Olive Road Sporting Complex and The Shed Skatepark, with the city’s leisure facilities having a combined annual visitation of over three and a half million people, James Collins, Casey’s acting chief executive officer said that Aligned Leisure is a highly capable, community-focused organisation that has a proven record in facility management and community activation.

“We are very pleased to partner with Aligned Leisure, which is a leader in the aquatics and leisure industry and currently operates 41 facilities across Victoria and New South Wales,” Mr Collins said.

Aligned Leisure is currently partnered with several other councils and cities, such as Cardinia, Mildura and Manningham to name a few.

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

The council is confident that Aligned Leisure will be able to deliver innovative, inclusive and high-quality programs within the facilities and also out to the community, enhancing member experience.

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

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

He also ensured that the council’s priority as of now is to work with the current facility managers and Aligned Leisure to guarantee a smooth transition for members, visitors, existing staff and stakeholders. All current members will be contacted in the coming weeks with specific details on the transition and the next steps to take.

For more information, visit the City of Casey’s website at casey.vic.gov.au

NatalieMason,oneofthemanyhard-working volunteers.

ElaineBarnes,adedicatedvolunteerformany years.

LisaMilkovic,dedicatedvolunteerandTransit’sgrocerymanager.

LindaWilliamsistheclinicalleadatReachOut andisalsoaseniorpsychologist.

Your questions answered

By Violet Li

Hallam Masjid in Narre Warren North had a successful Mosque Open Day on Sunday 25 February with opportunities for locals to learn more about the Islamic culture and religion.

Public relations officer Javid Khan said they gave people information and answered any questions.

“Some people just want to come and have a look at how we pray, and some people are sitting down when we’re praying,” he said.

“We had a lot of posters about various things, like what is the difference between Islam and Christianity and Judaism.”

Mr Khan said they held Mosque Open Days a couple of times before Covid and they used to have more people coming.

“After Covid, we didn’t get as many people as we did before, but we decided that we still would do it this year,” he said.

The atmosphere was great on the scene with a sausage sizzle in the garden, a guided tour, and all sorts of fun activities.

Bringing more music to your ears with Live and Local

A new program has been established in Casey to support the region’s talented pool of musicians and vibrant live music venues.

Live and Local program, in partnership with the Live Music Office and APRA AMCOS, will deliver a series of industry forums, professional development workshops, and micro-festival music events to support the growth of existing and emerging musicians and local performance spaces.

City of Casey’s chair of administrators Noelene Duff described the program as a new resource to support and spotlight Casey’s grassroots live music industry.

“Here in Casey, we are proud to boast a passionate and dedicated local music community who contributes significantly to our social and economic environment,” she said.

“The Live and Local program works to

bring together our local music makers, venue operators, and business owners within the industry, and support them to grow their capacity and to showcase their potential in the music space.”

By entering the database, all registered contacts will have access to a range of workshops and professional development opportunities, networking and collaborative events, and grant information.

To tailor the program to a localised music community, council is calling on musicians and live music venues operating throughout Casey to register their details and take part in the program.

Registration for the database is completely free and can be accessed via a short form on the City of Casey website. To learn more about the program, visit casey.vic.gov.au/ casey-live-local

Sen Sgt Rob Colcott, Mohammed, Abdul, Sen Sgt Alan Dew, and president Fahim. 390758

Hashim, Sen Sgt Rob Colcott, president Fahim, Muhammed, Sen Sgt Alan Dew, Sgt Kim Gammon and Javid. Police visited for the Open Day and they also went to Emir Sultan Mosque in Dandenong. 390758

Hallam Mosque Open Day public relations officer Javid Khan next to one of the displays. 390758

Pictures: GARY SISSONS

Abdul, Fahim, Hashim, and Mohamed. 390758

Tell us about yourself and what you do in your organisation.

Pinoy Casey Community, Inc. (PCCi) was formed by “community-service-focused Filipinos (Pinoy)” who all reside in the City of Casey. However, our slogan “we all belong”, simply means that PCCi also caters to all people from different heritage (not just Filipinos), and also those who live outside the City of Casey, although our projects are mainly focused to serve those who live in the City of Casey.

What do you love the most about your role in your new organisation?

Meeting people from all walks of life, being a positive influence and being of service to them, and learning from them, are for me, the ultimate high. That’s what I love most about being involved in community organisations such as PCCi, to be given the chance to give back to the community.

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

Depending on their respective habitats; 1) Land-based, I’d be a monkey because monkeys, I believe, can entertain people more and do more things like humans do. 2) Water, I’d be a dolphin to signify my being a happy and expressive kind of person. 3.) Air, I’d be an eagle, who flies high and be at its best when the wings are spread.

What was your most memorable moment during your current job?

The most memorable moment so far happened last December during our first Pinoy Olympics held in Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick. To see all family members getting together, having fun, and playing traditional Filipino street games as a team…that’s precious. For me, a happy family equates to an amazing community.

What were you like as a kid?

This is the shortest question and therefore deserves the longest answer. I was a dreamer

as a kid, I dreamt of becoming a lawyer as my first choice (and engineer, as a second choice), a great basketball player, and an amazing singer. Praise to God because I have fulfilled everything…well almost and not really! I fulfilled my (second choice) dream to become an engineer because I am a practising chartered professional engineer. My eldest child (I have two children) is also fulfilling my dream because she’s now working as an engineer, and my youngest graduated with a law degree a few months ago. Then, I feel like I am a great basketball player (in my own right, ha ha). In the eyes of others, I might be a “bad” basketball player, but hey, I am confident enough to say that I can play! Finally, I am gifted with unlimited confidence in me, so I can say that I am an amazing singer (again, in my own right) too. Check it out (and subscribe), here’s my YouTube channel with me singing more than 500 songs already: @alfietilan895 (no hate, please).

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

There’s one that always comes to mind, the life of Jesus Christ when he’s still living amongst us. Which six dinner guests, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Tough list but here they go: Michael Jordan, Gary Valenciano, Lee Iacoca, Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein, Taylor Swift (and if she’s not available, she can be replaced by Madonna).

What three words would your friends use to describe you?

Funny, confident, and kind.

What would you do on your perfect day off?

My perfect day-off (24 hours) are like this: 1) Morning: Watch my favourite sports (basketball) whilst sitting on the couch with my feet up and having a snack. 2) Midday to late afternoon, fishing in Phillip Island and a late afternoon walk in a park with my wife Julie. 3) Complete family dinner, and have karaoke later. 4.) An uninterrupted eight-hour sleep. Where is your happy place?

Normally, I would say being with “nature” (trees, beaches, etc.), but there’s really no specific happy place for me. “Happy place” is in the heart, as long as I’m with my healthy family sharing treasured moments together…that’s my happy place.

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

I don’t cook, so I’ll be disqualified right away. Julie is the perfect cook for me, and what good is a cook if there’s no one to eat… so that’s my role, to eat perfectly cooked foods by a great MasterChef wife. Anyway, if, say for example, I do cook, I’d cook the most delicious crispy pork with rice and soup.

Where is your dream holiday destination?

A specific town in Switzerland called Neuchâtel. Hopefully I can finally be there this year, 2024.

THREE … ways to stay cool at night without air con

1 Close the windows, shut the blinds, and block the air openings during the daytime.

2 Invest in electric fans for each room. Turn them on at the maximum power and place a bowl of ice in front of the fans.

3 Revamp your bedding. Look for bamboo mats, or linen or pure cotton sheets.

Alfie Tilan in a sack race. 379801

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

WHAT’S ON

Berwick Bridge Club

Are you looking for some exercise for your brain that is both fun and challenging?

Berwick Bridge Club is looking for new members. Lessons are held at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House, 21A Bemersyde Drive, Berwick. The course will run for six-plus weeks on a Monday night.

To reserve your spot phone Maree on 9702 2348.

· There is a free beginner’s course starting on 4 March from 7pm-9pm. No partner required.

Balla Balla Community Centre

Located in Clyde North, the centre has vacancies in the following classes: Introduction to Creative Writing, Conversational English, Yoga, Zumba, Playgroup, Balla Balla Bubs (0-12 months).

Morning Melodies is back! Share a morning of music, enjoy a cuppa, or scones with jam and cream, and make new friends along the way.

· Enrolments can be made online at ballaballa. com.au/programs or by phoning 5990 0900.

Casey Cardinia Life Activities Club

Are you newly retired or new to the area or just 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 enjoy an afternoon tea. 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 and get to know us by visiting us on a Thursday at 2pm at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House or join us on a Wednesday at 10am for a Coffee at Little Sparrow Fountain Gate. For more information, contact enquiry officer Gloria on 0468 363 616.

Cranbourne U3A

We have commenced our classes and are happy that the new classes are proving to be very popular. Our Ballroom dance class has commenced and it is a lot of fun. You do not need a partner, just come along and give it a try. The Tai

General Classifieds

Chi class is also going well. We have room for new members if you are interested. Our usual art, music, calligraphy, quilling, knitting, sewing/patchwork, chess, Italian, and Table Tennis groups are all back and enjoying lots of laughs and good company.

New members are always welcome. If you would like to join us pop into our rooms, we are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm. Our website is u3acraqnbourne.org.au for more information.

· Our rooms are in the Cranbourne Library building - enter from the Casey Radio entrancenext door to L’Arte Cafe.

Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre

Located in Cranbourne North, it has vacancies in the following classes, learn to speak, read, and write in English - all levels, Monday to Thursday; Early Childhood Education classes - four hours on a Friday, government-funded, great to do before enrolling in a Certificate class; Computer classes every Wednesday morning and afternoon and in Hazaragi Wednesday evenings; Crochet and chat every Wednesday morning with a crochet teacher for free.

Music by the Lake Casey Philharmonic is partnering with Wilson Botanic Park Berwick to bring you an afternoon and evening of music in the park.

A range of local dance troops, choirs, and bands will join the Philharmonic Orchestra for this free community concert in the park.

· Saturday 2 March, Wilson Botanic Park Berwick, 2pm to dusk, free family events.

· Enrol now for our funded three and four-yearold Kinder Program with sessions up to five days a week. 9.30am to 2.30pm every day with structured play.

Seated Movement Sessions (Chair Dancing)

Would you enjoy exercising from the comfort of your chair?

Join the Berwick Activities Group for some seated movement sessions including fun and uplifting songs and different styles and eras of music. An opportunity to get moving and enjoy the company of others.

Timbarra Community Centre, 20-26 Parkhill Drive, Timbarra Way, Berwick. $8 per session. Contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.

· Wednesdays from 10.45am to 11.30am.

Craft Classes

Do you enjoy craft making?

Join Berwick Activities Group’s Elizabeth to discover the world of papercraft and have a chat with like minded people.

You will be introduced to a range of papercraft techniques through a new project each week.

Employment

Casual attendance is welcome.

Timbarra Community Centre 20-26 Parkhill Drive, Timbarra Way, Berwick $5 per class, all materials supplied.

Contact admin@berwicknc.com.au or phone 9704 1863.

· Tuesdays from 10am to noon.

Berwick Springs VIEW Club

Affiliated with The Smith Family, the Berwick Springs VIEW Club is 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. 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

· 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.

DnD at Orana

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

Participants work together with other players to go on adventures in the DnD world. You can act, explore, instigate, solve problems, and tell stories as you bring their chosen character to life within the game world.

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

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

Weekly badminton

Badminton for ladies or retired.

All welcome.

· Mondays 7pm-9pm and Wednesdays 12pm2.30pm at Hallam Badminton Club, Frawley Road Recreation Reserve; $5.

the college Principal.

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

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

• Attend maintenance team meetings. Trade qualifications or experience highly desirable, conditions negotiable.

For more information, including remuneration, contact the college Principal, Chad Ambrose 9708 1319 or gleneagles.sc@education.vic.gov.au

Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick. 349842

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

SPORT

Distancing from darkness

By David Nagel

Stephanie Lee Cutting is making up for lost time and it appears no-one will stand in her way.

The Clyde local and former Berwick and Cranbourne footballer will enter the ring on Friday night aiming to add the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) Super Featherweight championship to her first title win in December last year.

A third-round knock-out of Fijian Maureen Chand took Cutting’s professional record to 5-0, with four of those stopped inside the distance; claiming the WBF Australasian Lightweight title along the way.

It’s been a rapid rise for Cutting, who continues to deal with the trauma of a workplace injury that instantly curtailed a promising football career.

“I was always into sport as a kid; played footy until just before it exploded into AFLW, and the injury probably cost me being drafted,” Cutting explained.

“Basketball, netball, football, I was into everything - a real sporty kid.

“I had the job of my dreams, was playing high-level football, also kick-boxing at the time.

“I had a few amateur kick-boxing fights; I was travelling overseas…just living my best life.

“The I lost my career, couldn’t play sport anymore; and basically, got stuck on the couch wondering what could have been.

“The injury put me in some strife, physically, emotionally and mentally, so I’ve had a bit of a rough trot for the last five or six years.

“I worked in film and television, on TV shows like Wentworth, House Husbands and feature films that were produced here in Australia, and I lost all of that in an instant.”

The now 33-year-old, who grew up around Cockatoo and Emerald, had a decision to make.

“I had to get myself out of that dark place,” she confessed.

“My doctors wanted me to get back to the gym, to try and find my identity again, and that’s how it all started.

“I had my Pro-debut on March 17 last year and won my title-belt on December 16; now I’m 5 and 0 with four knockouts.

“I’m looking to go 6 and 0 with two titlebelts in my first year of boxing.”

Cutting’s Melbourne debut was won via a majority points decision, but her subsequent four fights have all come by way of knockout.

She attributes her improving skillset to a strong and dedicated support team.

“A friend of mine and ex-fighter, Sarah Howett, she helped me out from the beginning, and my current head coach is Blake Caperallo.

“He’s in America at the moment for his own

fight, and ‘Neekz’ Johnson is a former world champion and also my best friend, she’s been a huge support also.

“I knew I had it in me before the injury, which is why it was so disheartening when I was sitting on the couch, wasting the prime years of my life.

“Sarah knew what I had; and then Blake came along and we just started chipping away; trying to get better each day.”

Cutting said it can’t be underestimated what boxing has done to reinvigorate her life.

“It gives me a reason to get up in the morning and has definitely put the spark back into me that I used to have,” she said.

“It keeps me out of that dark hole.

“I still struggle with my injury every day, but I just have something now to look forward to.

“It’s my passion…I can’t explain it any other way.

“It’s about getting back out there and trying to get my life back again.”

The self-described “pressure-fighter…with a strong right-hand” has never taken a backward step, and doesn’t intend doing so until she reaches her full potential.

“I just want to see how far I can go and I’m not stopping until I get to the top,” she said.

“I just want to keep getting the wins under my belt, travelling, getting the experience; I just want to keep learning.

“I haven’t stopped and thought about what I’ve achieved so far…it’s more like I’m trying to make up for lost time.”

Businesses or individuals who would like to support Steph on her exciting journey can contact her on Instagram via @stephyleecutting, or drop her an email at stephy_lee18@ hotmail.com

Swans draw on past experience as finals’ time arrives

By Marcus Uhe

Casey South Melbourne captain Luke Shelton says his side’s experience in big games will hold the Swans in good stead as they embark on another finals campaign in Victorian Premier Cricket.

A draw at home against Footscray on Saturday in the final round of the home-andaway season was enough for the Swans to secure fourth place on the table and the crucial double-chance.

Footscray ‘batted-on’ on Saturday morning to reach 311, with Casey South Melbourne reaching 7/277 in 81 overs by the close of play.

Yash Pednekar made 69 in his return to the side since injuring his hand in December to top the batting card for the Swans; Devin Pollock the next best on 46.

Pednekar and Ashley Chandrasinghe resumed their union at the top of the order that brought so much success earlier in the season and added 82 runs for the first wicket before Chandrasinghe fell for 39.

Each of the Swans batters made starts but only Pednekar raised his bat for a half-century.

At 4/240, a successful chase was on the cards, but three quick wickets forced a change in approach.

Knowing that other results had pannedout favourably, the home side played defensively in order to protect their remaining wickets, knowing a draw would lock them into the four.

The Swans will now face Prahran at the neutral venue of Walter Galt Reserve, the home ground of Kingston Hawthorn, due to Prahran’s home ground being unavailable as it undergoes construction.

The prospect of facing the premier side in the home-and-away series doesn’t faze Shel-

ton, with his squad adopting an ‘anywhere, anyone’ mentality.

“I think it’s a bit like how we think about the finals series; I don’t really care about who we play or where we play, because I know that you’ve got to win these games to get what you want, which is a premiership,” Shelton said.

“They’ve (Prahran) essentially been doing that for the last two seasons; going away every week, playing cricket and finding a way to win.

“It’s a really good effort from them and I’m

sure they’re very proud.

“There’s not really too many secrets to their line-up and it’s pretty similar to ours.”

Shelton’s side easily won the only contest between the two this season in round nine, but being a T20 contest, there’s not too much either team can gleam from the result ahead of the two-day clash this weekend.

The pressure will be on the Swans who, as the lower-ranked team, must win the clash in order to progress to the preliminary finals, as a draw will see the higher-ranked Prahran

benefit.

Pressure isn’t a new phenomenon for the Swans, however, who are just two seasons removed from a grand final appearance in 2021/22, when they also finished fourth.

“There’s probably only two or three guys in (this) side that weren’t a part of our grand final loss a couple of years ago,” Shelton said.

“We’ve been there and done that as a group, collectively, and a lot of those guys have been and done it, whether it’s at Casey or other sides or States in the past.

“There’s enough experience there for sure and that’s where you’ve got to rely on those guys as well; there’s probably a few guys that haven’t experienced as much finals cricket as some of the other guys, so it’s on the guys that have that experience to make it as easy as possible for everyone else and give them a step in the right direction.

“We need Nathan Lambden to continue his good form, we need Chand (Chandrasinghe) to keep doing what he’s been doing and all those guys that have been in really good form.

“If they can carry it through then I think it gives a really good blueprint for the rest of the group to just jump on their backs and follow.

“The good players always seem to rise to the occasion when finals come and it’s that time of year when you want do everything right, lead from the front from a player, leadership, coaching point of view, because you want your good players playing well.”

Jackson Fry has returned from a hand injury he suffered against Northcote in round 16, while Devlin Webb’s selection is in doubt as he battles leg injuries that have held him out of the side since round 15.

In other club news, exciting batting talent Harrish Kannan has departed the club to play cricket in New Zealand.

Luke Shelton will lead his Swans into battle against Prahran on Saturday as the Victorian Premier Cricket finals begin. 307623 Picture: GARY SISSONS

Steph is all smiles after claiming the WBF Australasian Lightweight title in December. 391083

Stephanie Lee Cutting will look to add a second title-belt to her growing collection on Friday night. 391083

Pictures: SUPPLIED

Back seat then brilliance

By David Nagel

A calm and composed innings manifested itself into an explosion of the senses for Kooweerup (5/384) captain Luke McMaster (190) on Saturday as the Demons celebrated a crushing victory over Merinda Park (234).

The recently-turned 25-year-old took a back seat early as the most improved player in the CCCA Premier Division - Steven Dillon (91) - threatened to make ‘Reunion Day’ at Denhams Road his own.

Resuming on 10 not out, Dillon crunched five boundaries and four sixes on day two; dominating a 61-run opening stand with Lachie Ramage (7) and doing the same with McMaster at the crease.

Dillon was in breathtaking touch, and looked set for a brilliant century, before walking across his stumps and having his middle peg removed by Bevin Corneille (1/55).

Chris Bright (72) entered the fray with just 19 overs having been bowled on day two.

Dillon has now made consecutive scores of 47, 30, 30, 75 and 91 in his last five knocks, but will be rueing a missed opportunity to make his maiden Premier Division century – especially with so much time left on the clock.

In his previous four seasons at Kooweerup, he had made 635 runs at an average of 19.25 with a top score of 54.

This season he has now made 429 runs; averaging 39, and has beaten his previous best score on three occasions (82*, 75, 91).

He has gone from ‘bit-part’ player to a genuine Team of the Year contender.

McMaster; 16 from 28 balls at the point of Dillon’s dismissal, then moved from the back stalls to a shared front-seat ride with Bright as the captain and coach guided their team to a rock-solid eight-wicket win.

Both players made exactly 72 runs each in their 145-run union, with Bright adding nine fours and one six to a magnificently consistent season.

Since round five he has made 57, 103, 29, 58, 23, 78, 58 and 72, and now has 577 runs at an average of 48.09.

He sits third on the run-scoring list behind ‘the currently not-human’ Chris Smith (891) and McMaster (608).

McMaster was still cruising, on 88 off 125 balls, when Bright edgedTyson Bertrand (1/69) through to Adam Fisher behind the stumps at the end of the 53rd over.

The Demons would only bat for 10 more!

McMaster brought up his century with a push to backward point, with the second ball

of the 57th over.

He scored his ton off 134 balls; before all hell broke loose!

There was no back-seat taken; or any shared ride; McMaster strapping himself into the pilot seat of a Lear Jet and using the Denhams Road pitch as a launching pad.

His last 90 runs would come from just 25 legal deliveries; adding an incredible eight sixes to the four he had previously struck.

His last 25 deliveries consisted of eight sixes and fours, two twos, six singles and one boring

Memories of days gone by

By David Nagel

It was a special day at Kooweerup Cricket Club on Saturday with six premiership reunions reviving many memories of great days gone by.

Current-day Demons’ skipper Luke McMaster put on a show for the premiership heroes in attendance, blasting a magnificent 190 not out in the First-XI victory over Merinda Park.

But it was off-field where the main attraction took place, with Ron Ingram’s Invincibles celebrating their 50-year three-peat reunion.

Ingram and former president Dave Brisset gave glowing tributes of the club’s history, and explained how only 17 players were used

to win those three premierships in succession.

The under 13 and 15 premiership teams from 2013/14 were then handed certificates, before 10-year celebrations of the Premier Division and C Grade flags took place.

Then coach Michael Giles spoke about the bond and the love players had for each other, and still do to this day.

Dan Crowley, captain of the 2003/04 D Grade premiership, then regaled the crowd with his experience of leading a team with so many different characters to premiership success almost 20 years ago to the day.

Kooweerup is a club built on success; this year searching for its ninth Premier Division flag in 15 years.

dot ball.

It was an incredible display of batting that came to an end, edging to Fisher, trying to hit Rajan Rana (2/51) over the mid-wicket fence for a 13th maximum.

McMaster started this season with 1497 runs for the Demons, with Saturday’s epic innings bursting him through the 2000-run barrier (2105) with plenty more on the way.

The second-placed Demons play Clyde this week, while Merinda Park hosts Cardinia.

Clyde (315) can start preparing for Premier

Division cricket next season after the Cougars defended their huge total against Carlisle Park (204).

Nick Shannon (3/56) and Ankush Rana (2/50) combined to make early inroads for the Cougars, with theVikings slipping to 6/96 after skipper Ben Perry (29) was caught by his counterpart Zac Davis off the bowling of Rana.

The Vikings needed to win to avoid relegation; but were in dire straits!

Senal De Silva (79) and Habara Perera (41) prolonged the agony for the hosts; who fell 111 runs short despite a 96-run stand between the lower-order pair.

The Vikings round out their Premier Division journey with a trip to Devon Meadows this week.

Tooradin (8/320) has put forward a perfect batting prelude heading into finals after the top-of-the-table Seagulls batted their 80 overs out against Devon Meadows (184).

Cal O’Hare (1) was an early victim for Jamie Cape (2/45), before Josh Lownds (79), Peter Sweeney (29), Russell Lehman (71) and Mick Sweeney (39) guided their team to victory.

Lownds has been in great form of late; with back-to-back scores of 69, 116 and now 79, while the return to form of Lehman would have been most sought after by skipper Mick Sweeney as we head to the serious business of winning premierships.

We all know Russ is a champion, but he hasn’t made more than 22 since making an unbeaten 54 in round three.

With the job complete, Tom Hussey (33) and Tyler Evans (24 not out) put the matchconditions to good use to spend some quality time in the middle.

Lucas Carroll (3/77) continued his stellar season for the Panthers, taking his wickettally to 21, while recently-turned 18-year-old Tom Rowe (2/54) made it five wickets in three games since making his 1st XI debut.

Tooradin heads to Pakenham this week for a block-buster round 14 clash; needing to win to retain pole position heading into finals.

And, as has been well-documented elsewhere, Pakenham (4/338) eased past the 167 set by Cardinia at Gunton Oval thanks to a magnificent double century from Chris Smith (214 not out).

Smith shared a 129-run stand with skipper Dale Tormey (64), before dominating partnerships with Rob Elston (18), Dom Paynter (19) and emerging 16-year-old Sendhil Naidu (15 not out).

It was a battle for the Bulls, with nine bowlers used and none taking more than one wicket.

Kooweerup heroes from 50 years ago: Back row, from left; Wayne Esler, Peter Duff, Graham Davey, Dave Brisset, Peter Thompson, David Anderson, George Glasscock, Steven Dwyer, Jack Ingram and Alan Stephens. Front row; Ron Ingram and John Glasscock. 391021

Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

Graham Davey and Jeff Ramage stand proudly under 40 premiership flags at Kooweerup on Saturday . 391021

Paul Bright, Ron Bright Snr, Scott Clark, Cody Miller, Matt Davey, John Bright, Derek Blackley, Adam Cheyne, Mick Miles and Ron Bright Jnr enjoy the big day at Kooweerup on Saturday. 391021

Chris, Paul, Paddy and Bel O’Hara with George Glasscock and Marg and Soph O’Hara. 391021

Kooweerup skipper Luke McMaster raises his bat after bringing up his century against Merinda Park on Saturday. McMaster would then go on to make a further 90 runs off 25 just balls. 391020

Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

Eagles just one step away

By Jonty Ralphsmith

It’s semi-final week in the Dandenong District Cricket Association (DDCA), with a tight race for the premiership in Turf 2 promising to deliver an unpredictable and thrilling climax to the 2023-24 season.

The return of two-day cricket sees these fixtures played as two-day games on Saturday and Sunday, with the winners of the matches progressing to the grand final.

DDCA TURF 2 SEMI-FINAL

DANDENONG WEST V CRANBOURNE

Saturday/Sunday - Greaves Reserve, Dandenong

Dandenong West (1)

Why they can win it: Dandenong West’s talent on paper is undoubtedly unmatched. Two former international bowlers in Nuwan Kulasekara and Malinga Bandara are always pressing, while leggie Riley Siwes and quick Adam Reid have also had strong seasons while experienced batters Anthony Brannan and Shaun Weir have led the way. It’s a durable core built for two-day cricket.

The challenge: Overcoming the lack of depth against a strong side. Inevitably, there are always players in an XI which are going to have indifferent seasons, but outside of those mentioned it has been very slim pickings. The Bulls have stuck fat with their preferred squad, which they may live to regret. Arguably, they have been able to paper over those cracks against the bottom four, and rain has washed out three of the Bulls’ six clashes against fellow finalists; The Bulls going 1-2 in the other three games. Getting several players firing will be critical.

Cranbourne (4)

Why they can win it: Jakeb Thomas’ fiery seven-wicket haul to bowl the Bulls out for just 56 in round 13 will be fresh in the opposition’s minds. That spell exposed a few kryptonites the Eagles will again look to exploit. Cranbourne will also be confident in its batting depth, having several times lost six or more

early wickets and recovered to a competitive total; including in that match against Dandy West. It’s a well-balanced side with clearly defined roles for each player.

The challenge: It’s impossible to overlook the fact that Cranbourne slumped to 7/101 in that round 13 game. While the tail has resisted well throughout the season, the Eagles need consistency from the top-order, with Reid and Kulasekera doing the damage last time thanks to their ability to nip both ways.

HSD V PARKFIELD

HSD

Why they can win it: Have shown a propensity to win the big moments and get up in tight games, particularly before Christmas. Players seem to be finding form at the right time, Mackenzie Gardner having made consecutive

big scores, Anuda Akmeemana backing up a half-century in round 13 with an unbeaten 28 on Saturday and Jordan Margenberg coming into the side and taking six wickets.

The challenge: Replacing Ryan Patterson. The fast bowling all-rounder is almost certainly the best first-change fast bowler in the league, even if he has gone, at times unrewarded this season. He’s unavailable for the semi, meaning the Cobras lose his discipline, patience and energy with the ball and likely some handy lower-order runs.

Parkfield

Why they can win it: Their even spread. Parkfield is difficult to assess because it doesn’t have a clear strength, nor an absolute matchwinner, but that is what has made them so hard to get on top of. Everyone has to do their

part for the team to win. The Bandits are probably the best fielding team in the competition and have spinner Nick Jeffrey who goes into finals with white-hot form behind him. Opening pairing Dishan Malalasekera and Nathaniel Cramer bat well together and are another important piece.

The challenge: Their ability to put a big score on the board. So many have contributed bits and pieces, but 20s and 30s don’t win finals. Will carry confidence that they bat very deep, numbers 10 and 11 regularly contributing runs, but no-one from outside the opening pair has a half century this season, despite 26 scores of at least 20 from positions 3-11. Everyone has spent time in the middle…now someone needs to go big.

Predictions: Dandenong West, HSD

Grand final fever as Cranbourne 3 makes its way through

CRANBOURNE BOWLS

WEEKEND PENNANT FINALS

Cranbourne 1 travelled to take on Keysborough 1 on their home turf on Saturday and in an extremely hard-fought game outlasted Keysborough to get the overall points.

Winning two rinks each, the best Cranbourne rink was skipped by Steve Ellard, with third Shane Jakins, second Steve Bentley and Lead Chris Hunt winning 38-12.

Skip Jay Tootell, third Gavin Wright, second Danny Meyer and Lead Chadd Tootell put a scare through the ranks when they dropped six shots over the last two ends, but hung on to win 20-19.

Cranbourne then played Cheltenham in the preliminary final on Sunday, ending their season with a brave 90-75 loss.

The only winning rink was skipped by Tootell, with Meyer, Wright and Lead Chris Owen winning 26-21.

· Semi: Cranbourne 1 (88) def Keysborough 1 (83).

· Prelim: Cranbourne 1 (75) def by Cheltenham 1 (90).

Cranbourne 2 took on Berwick 2 to see who’d progress to Sunday’s Preliminary Final.

Unfortunately, Cranbourne’s brave run sees them now bow out after losing to Berwick going down three rinks to one.

Best rink was skipped by Nick Arnold, with third John Keen, second Phil Nielsen and Lead Frank Verco winning 20-19.

Great effort team on finishing fourth.

· Semi: Cranbourne 2 (67) def by Berwick 2 (87).

Cranbourne 3 travelled to Ferntree Gully on their very tricky and fast synthetic.

Unfortunately, the win didn’t happen and Ferntree Gully moved onto the Section Final with an 86-64 victory.

However, Cranbourne bounced back on Sunday, defeating Churchill Waverley 8071, and will play Ferntree Gully again in the grand final at Noble Park this Saturday.

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Best rink was skipped by Harry Van Soest, combining with Roger Roscoe, Robert Scott and Scott De Piazza to win 23-12.

· Semi: Cranbourne 3 (64) def by Ferntree Gully 2 (86).

· Prelim: Cranbourne 3 (80) def Churchill Waverley 1 (71).

Cranbourne 4 was at the Dandenong Club taking them on for a chance to advance to the Section Final.

Alas, this was not to be losing three rinks to one.

Best rink was skipped by Cheryl Wright, with third Derek Maguire, second Sarah Richardson and Lead Dennis Tomlin fighting back from eight shots down to win 30-18.

Sarah has only been playing bowls for 18 months, but was the standout player in the team.

Unfortunately, Cranbourne also lost to Moorabbin in Sunday’s preliminary final.

Best rink was skipped by Stuart Walters, with third Hans Worsteling, second Lesley Deal and Lead Allen Skurrie winning 26-16.

· Semi: Cranbourne 4 (76) def by Dandenong Club 4 (94).

· Prelim: Cranbourne 4 (74) def by Moorabbin 4 (80).

Cranbourne 5 took another trip to Glen Waverley 4 on Saturday but unfortunately the

hosts were too good in the end.

Best rink was skipped by Rob Sorensen, with third Steve Bakker, second Olive Stanley and Lead Kate Sharpe winning 23-19.

Cranbourne was then defeated by Dandenong Club in Sunday’s preliminary final at Cranbourne, losing 49-68.

The only successful rink was skipped by Sofio Raiti, with third Helen Blake, second Davina Bobetic and Lead Bruce Harper winning 19-14.

· Semi: Cranbourne 5 (44) def by Glen Waverley 4 (60).

· Prelim: Cranbourne 5 (49) def by Dandenong Club 6 (68).

MIDWEEK PENNANT

On behalf of the Midweek Selection Committee, thank you to all Pennant players this year, along with our fantastic emergencies who helped out when we put out the call.

Selection Committees, like most positions and offices in a bowls club, are never easy.

When we make decisions, we endeavour to make what we believe is right for the Club and all teams.

Results

Cranbourne 1 (Div 2, Sect 8) travelled to Dandenong Club to do battle with Dandy Club 1 under the roof.

Being a warm day, the players were feeling the humidity, but battled it out and did their very best, winning one rink, but losing two, that provided Dandy Club 1 with the overall win.

Best rink of the day was skipped by Chris Owen, with third CherylWright, second Chris Stevenson and Lead Gwen Scott winning 2416.

· Cranbourne 1 (49) def by Dandenong Club 1 (80). - 31 shots and 2 points.

Cranbourne 2 (Div 3, Sect 8) played at home against second placed Cardinia Waters and took to the green with confidence against a formidable opponent.

At the break there wasn’t much between

the teams, but one team was seven down after nine ends.

After being fed and watered, Cranbourne took charge of the rinks and eventuallythrough some great bowls and persistencewon the overall game by 3 rinks to nil.

Best rink was skipped by John Kent, with third Lesley Deal, second Kath Dudink and Lead Chris Deal winning 27-9.

Cranbourne 2 finished third and defeated Noble Park 1, 58-56, in the elimination final on Tuesday.

They now head to Cardinia Waters on Thursday 29 February for the preliminary final.

· Cranbourne 2 (71) def Cardinia Waters 1 (38). + 33 shots and 16 points.

· Semi: Cranbourne 2 (58) def Noble Park 1 (56).

Cranbourne 3 travelled to Hampton Park 1 and were outplayed by the number-one team on the ladder.

The team finished sixth on the ladder and have held their position in Division 4.

Best rink was skipped by Brian (Cuddles) Caddell, with third Dermot McConville, second, Bob Bellamy and Lead Jeanne Tomlin going down 16-19.

· Cranbourne 3 (45) def by Hampton Park 1 (69). - 24 shots and 0 points.

For the second week running Cranbourne 4 was given a Forfeit/Walkover and finished the season in fifth position, only six points out of finals.

We’ll done guys; you’ll be better for the experience. Hopefully we form a 12-A-Side team next season; but we need committed players.

Thank you to all the players for bringing a plate and for Cheryl Wright, Karen Hickson and helpers with preparing the food.

Also, to our bar-people, officials, green keepers and all others for their assistance and hard work.

-Derek Maguire

SteveBentleywaspartofCranbourne’sbest winningrinkagainstKeysboroughonSaturday.

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Cranbournetakesonnumber-oneseedDandenongWestthisweekendintheDDCATurf2semi-final. 371006 Picture:ROBCAREW